Pineapple Research Articles

Effect of hydrolysed carrageenan as sugar replacement on physicochemical properties of pineapple jam (Ananas comosus)

Pineapple is one of tropical fruits that is easily perishes due to high moisture content. Further processed into low-moisture food such as jam is needed to extend its shelf life. Jam has a high sugar content and if consumed in the long term could increase blood sugar levels leads to diabetic disease. Carrageenan is one of the hydrocolloids that can be used as a sugar substitute because it can bind to free water, increase shelf life, and cannot be hydrolysed into simple sugar by the gastrointestinal tract. However, carrageenan needs to be modified by the hydrolysis of acid using hydrochloric acid to break down the polysaccharide structure into simpler sugar structures. The aim of the study is to determine the physicochemical properties of hydrolysed carrageenan and the effects of the application of hydrolysed carrageenan as a sugar substitute in pineapple jam. The carrageenan that used were hydrolysed by 0.01 M and 0.02 M of HCl for 24 and 48 h. Results showed that the higher concentrations of HCl used and the length of hydrolysis significantly increased the yield, viscosity, reducing sugar, and spreadability and decreasing the color intensity. It also showed that the texture and spreadability of the jam that has been substituted with hydrolysed carrageenan will increase with increasing HCl concentration and hydrolysis time.

Employing fruit juices to hydrolyze edible bird's nest and enhance the antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and wound-healing activities of the hydrolysates

Enzymatic hydrolysis of edible bird's nest (EBN) has attracted great interest in both scientific and commercial fields due to the enhancement of solubility and nutraceutical values. The present study attempted to investigate the hydrolysis of EBN with papaya (Carica papaya L.), pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.), and cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) juices as well as two commercial enzymes papain and bromelain. Our analysis revealed that EBN hydrolysis with pineapple juice and bromelain produced a degree of hydrolysis (DH) value of approximately 27 % while it was about 25 % for the hydrolysis with cantaloupe juice and 22 % for the hydrolysis with papaya juice and papain after 4 h of treatment. When EBN was digested by fruit juices and enzymes, the protein solubility and free sialic acid content were increased and the highest values were achieved for EBN hydrolysis with pineapple juice and bromelain (estimately 11 mg/mL of soluble protein and 18 g/kg of free sialic acid). The ABTS•+-scavenging, •OH-scavenging, and anti-tyrosinase capacities were higher in the EBN hydrolysates by papaya juice (IC50 of 0.034, 0.108, and 0.419 mg/mL, respectively), pineapple juice (IC50 of 0.025, 0.045, and 0.190 mg/mL, respectively), and cantaloupe juice (IC50 of 0.031 mg/mL, 0.056, and 0.339 mg/mL, respectively) than in the hydrolysates by unhydrolyzed EBN (IC50 of 0.094, 0.366, and 1.611 mg/mL, respectively). An improvement in ABTS•+-scavenging, •OH-scavenging, and anti-tyrosinase abilities was also observed for the hydrolysates by papain (IC50 of 0.041, 0.129, and 0.417 mg/mL, respectively) and bromelain (IC50 of 0.025, 0.069, and 0.336 mg/mL, respectively) but in a lesser extent as compared to the hydrolysates by respective papaya and pineapple juices. Noticeably, the EBN hydrolysates by fruit juices remarkably enhanced the wound closure in human fibroblasts by about 1.4–1.8 times after 24 h of treatment whereas this property was insignificant in the hydrolysates by enzymes. As papaya, pineapple, and cantaloupe juices are easily obtainable and have pleasant flavors, our results provide a possible method to hydrolyze EBN and apply the resultant hydrolysates in functional food products.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Milk Vegan Cheese with Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Bromelin Enzyme as Coagulant and Carrot (Daucus carota) Extract as Source of Antioxidants

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Milk Vegan Cheese with Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Bromelin Enzyme as Coagulant and Carrot (Daucus carota) Extract as Source of Antioxidants

Growth and Export Performance of Pineapple from India: An Economic Analysis

The present study was undertaken to know the growth and export performance of pineapple. Pineapple (Ananas Comosus) is a tropical fruit belonging to the Bromeliaceae family, and it is commercially cultivated worldwide as a high-value crop. India is the sixth largest producer in the world. The objective of the study was to elucidate the growth and export performance of the Pineapple from India.The secondary data for analysis was collected from AGMARKNET, National Horticultural Board (NHB) and Agricultural and Processed Food products Export Development (APEDA). The results of the growth rate revealed a positive and increasing trend in pineapple exports from India during the study period, with an annual growth rate of 9.78 percent in quantity and 6.39 percent in value, which is significant at a five percent level of probability. The results of the Cuddy Della Valle index indicated that pineapple exports from India exhibit moderate instability, with values of 17.17 and 19.90 percent in quantity and value terms, respectively. It reveals that the average Nominal Protection Coefficient (NPC) value for pineapple was 0.53, indicating a moderate level of export competitiveness. Throughout the entire period, it is evident that India did not demonstrate competitiveness in pineapple exports, as indicated by the Revealed Comparative Advantage Index (RCA) values consistently being below unity and the Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) values being negative. The direction of the Indian pineapple trade was conducted using the Markov chain framework. Among the major importers, the United Arab Emirates stood out as one of the most stable markets with a high probability of retention at 0.624. Overall, Indian pineapple stands out as a reliable and competitive player in the global market, with a strong performance and potential for growth. Therefore, efforts should be focused on enhancing the quantity of exports while ensuring they meet the quality standards and align with the consumer preferences of other countries.

Effectiveness of Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L) Merr) Ethanol Extract in Inhibiting Microbes in Biofilm on Acrylic Resin Denture Plates

Artificial acrylic resin tooth plates can get stained and accumulate plaque with various harmful microorganisms. Hence, a natural ingredient-based denture cleanser is required to prevent or remove extrinsic stains and plaque on the dental plates of acrylic resin dentures. The research objective is to demonstrate the efficacy of pinelapplel elxtract in relmoving or minimizing plaqulel on artificial telelth and to asselss thel elffelct of ulsing pinelapplel elxtract as a clelaning agelnt on thel qulality of lifel of delntulrel welarelrs. This relselarch is a laboratory elxpelrimelnt with a post telst only control groulp delsign. Thel stuldy samplels welrel pulrel culltulrel isolatels of Staphylococculs aulreluls, Elntelrococculs facialis, and Strelptococculs gordonii. This relselarch had six groulps, namelly pinelapplel elthanol elxtract 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, positivel and nelgativel controls by calcullating thel samplel sizel ulsing thel Feldelrelr formulla and geltting relplication for elach groulp 4 timels. Data welrel elxamineld ulsing onel-way ANOVA and Posthoc LSD statistical melthods. According to thel relselarch findings, it can bel claimeld that pinelapplel elthanol elxtract is elffelctivel in prelvelnting thel growth of Staphylococculs aulreluls, Elntelrococculs faelcalis, and Strelptococculs gordonii bactelria. Thel relselarch conclulsion is that pinelapplel elthanol elxtract can elliminatel or minimizel plaqulel-caulsing microbels on artificial acrylic relsin tooth platels to elnhancel thel qulality of lifel of delntulrel welarelrs

Proteogenomic Gene Structure Validation in the Pineapple Genome.

MD2 pineapple (Ananas comosus) is the second most important tropical crop that preserves crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), which has high water-use efficiency and is fast becoming the most consumed fresh fruit worldwide. Despite the significance of environmental efficiency and popularity, until very recently, its genome sequence has not been determined and a high-quality annotated proteome has not been available. Here, we have undertaken a pilot proteogenomic study, analyzing the proteome of MD2 pineapple leaves using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which validates 1781 predicted proteins in the annotated F153 (V3) genome. In addition, a further 603 peptide identifications are found that map exclusively to an independent MD2 transcriptome-derived database but are not found in the standard F153 (V3) annotated proteome. Peptide identifications derived from these MD2 transcripts are also cross-referenced to a more recent and complete MD2 genome annotation, resulting in 402 nonoverlapping peptides, which in turn support 30 high-quality gene candidates novel to both pineapple genomes. Many of the validated F153 (V3) genes are also supported by an independent proteomics data set collected for an ornamental pineapple variety. The contigs and peptides have been mapped to the current F153 genome build and are available as bed files to display a custom gene track on the Ensembl Plants region viewer. These analyses add to the knowledge of experimentally validated pineapple genes and demonstrate the utility of transcript-derived proteomics to discover both novel genes and genetic structure in a plant genome, adding value to its annotation.

Economically Imperative Ananas comosus Diseases, Status, and Its Control Measures Documented in Producing Countries

Ananas comosus, commonly known as pineapple, is a fruit with a large potential market as a commodity and commercial fruit. Numerous pests and diseases affect pineapple, directly or indirectly, by lowering the quality and quantity. The fungal causative agents, namely Fusarium ananatum and Thalaromyces stolii (previously named Penicillium funiculosum), cause fruitlet core rot (FCR) and fusariosis by Fusarium guttiforme. Bacteria heart rot (BHR) is an infection by Erwinia chrysanthemi, newly known as Dickeya zeae. Nevertheless, the mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is another pineapple treat to susceptible pineapple varieties caused by pineapple mealybug wilt-associated viruses (PMWaVs). Other diseases include destruction caused by pathogenic nematodes. This review discusses the status of these diseases and the control measures that greatly affect the economy of pineapple-producing countries due to the economic significance of these crops. Growers need up-to-date information on the identity of the diseases that affect pineapple crops in the various countries that produce them to effectively manage the diseases in the field.

The Use of Pine Apple Juice in the Elimination of Egg Stickiness in Catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Reared in a Hatchery, Sebeta, Ethiopia

The Use of Pine Apple Juice in the Elimination of Egg Stickiness in Catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Reared in a Hatchery, Sebeta, Ethiopia

Propagation of pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) embryogenic cell suspension is regulated by LEAFY COTYLEDON1 gene AcoLEC1–1

Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) is an important tropical fruit. Traditional breeding methods take about 15 years, but transgenic breeding using embryogenic cell suspension (ECS) can significantly shorten this cycle. Four different calli types were produced using the pineapple crown's middle stem part as an explant: water-like, solid, gemmiform, and crisp. The fastest multiplication was observed in suspension cultures obtained from the loose, crispy, granular, white, or yellow callus. The highest cell density in the liquid medium was achieved with MS+1.5 mg/L+4 mg/L6-BA+300 mg/L hormone combination. Inclusion of 11 mmol/L 2-morpholinoethanesulfonic acid (MES) stabilized the medium pH. The optimum sucrose concentration for pineapple propagation using ECS was 5 g/L. The expression of seven proteins in ECS in the medium containing 5 g/L sucrose was more than 5.0 times higher than in the medium containing 3 g/L. The expression of transcription factor NFYB/HAP3 (or LEAFY COTYLEDON1, LEC1) was the highest in the medium. The most prevalent AcoLEC1–1 transcripts were found in the embryogenic callus, and their patterns correlated well with ECS volume. AcoLEC1–1 played a key role in the process of sucrose-regulated ECS propagation.

Nutritional Composition and Therapeutic Potential of Pineapple Peel - A Comprehensive Review.

Pineapple (Ananas comosus), the succulent and vibrant tropical fruit, is a symbol of exoticism and sweetness that captures the hearts and palates of people around the world. The pineapple peel, often considered as waste, has garnered attention for its potential applications. The pineapple peel is rich in essential nutrients, including calcium, potassium, vitamin C, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and water, making it beneficial for the digestive system, weight management, and overall balanced nutrition. It contains significant amounts of sugars such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose, along with citric acid as the predominant organic acid. The peel also contains bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme known for its digestive properties. Studies have highlighted the pharmacological properties of pineapple peel, such as its potential anti-parasitic effects, alleviation of constipation, and benefits for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Efforts are being made to promote the utilization of pineapple peel as a valuable resource rather than mere waste. Its applications range from the production of vinegar, alcohol, and citric acid to the development of various food products, including squash, syrup, jelly, and pickles. Further research and innovation are required to fully explore the potential of pineapple peel and establish sustainable practices for its utilization, contributing to waste reduction and the development of value-added products.

Investigation of Eco-enzyme from Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) Waste: Chemical Composition, Antibacterial Activity, and Molecular Docking Approach

Investigation of Eco-enzyme from Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) Waste: Chemical Composition, Antibacterial Activity, and Molecular Docking Approach

Ethnoecology of home garden landscapes on Seliu Island, Belitung District, Indonesia

Abstract. Efendi D, Chikmawati T, Sulistijorini, Djuita NR. 2024. Ethnoecology of home garden landscapes on Seliu Island, Belitung District, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 1304-1319. Seliu Island, Belitung District, Indonesia, once famous for its copra production, is now a popular tourist destination for its mangoes. People on this island use many plants from their home gardens, but more information about the diversity of plants in the landscape needs to be presented. This study explored the ethnoecology of the home garden landscape on Seliu Island to determine vegetation cover and its role. Research methods include interviews, cruising, and purposive sampling for vegetation inventory to calculate the Importance Value Index (IVI). The research results showed that 119 species belonging to 58 families were identified as growing in Seliu Island home gardens. Based on the habit type, herbaceous plants are the mostly found. Based on the aspect of utilization, medicinal plants are the most found plants. Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. had the highest IVI (14.65). People use seven parts of plants for medicinal purposes, and the leaves are the most widely used part. Home gardens on Seliu Island have social, economic, cultural, and ecological functions. Plant diversity in home gardens on Seliu Island must be preserved and improved, considering that Seliu Island is separated from the main island, Belitung Island, so plants' availability must be maintained.

Comparative Analysis of Proximate Composition of Rotten Banana (Musa sapientum) and Pineapple (Ananas comosus)

This study was aimed at determining the proximate composition of rotten banana (Musa sapientum) and pineapple (Ananas comosus). Rotten banana (Musa sapientum) and pineapple(Ananas comosus were purchased from Kofar Yandaka Junction and Katsina State Transport Authority (KTSTA) roundabout and transported directly to the soil and water laboratory, Geography department of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University Katsina. The Proximate analysis was carried out using a standard protocol. The proximate compositions analyzed were moisture content, ash content, crude fat, crude protein, crude fiber, and carbohydrates. Results showed variation among the tested parameters with moisture contents ranging from 14.37%-25.99% in pineapple and banana, ash content 4.37%-4.39% in pineapple and banana, crude fat 24.96%-56.30% in banana and pineapple, crude fiber 0.83%-0.39% in pineapple and banana, crude protein 10.63%-19.38% in pineapple and banana and finally carbohydrates with a range of 13.50%-24.89% in pineapple and banana respectively. It showed there is no significant difference between the proximate compositions of the two fruit samples (P- value = 0.07345, Fcrit =4.387, F-Value =3.642, P ≤ 0.05). It was also concluded that the presence of high amounts of nutrients in the tested samples makes it a good candidate for energy and food supplements for both humans and animals as it is needed for cell growth and proliferation. Finally, it was recommended that further research should be conducted on both the fresh, rotten, and dried to explore the differences between them for optimum utilization of their nutritional compositions.

Anthelmintic screening of Bangladeshi medicinal plants and related phytochemicals using in vitro and in silico methods: An ethnobotanical perspective

Ethnopharmacological relevanceInfections caused by parasitic worms or helminth continue to pose a great burden on human and animal health, particularly in underdeveloped tropical and subtropical countries where they are endemic. Current anthelmintic drugs present serious limitations and the emergence of drug resistance has made it increasingly challenging to combat such infections (helminthiases). In Bangladesh, medicinal plants are often used by indigenous communities for the treatment of helminthiases. Knowledge on such plants along with screening for their anthelmintic activity has the potential to lead to the discovery of phytochemicals that could serve as novel molecular scaffolds for the development of new anthelminthic drugs. Aim of the studyThe purpose of this study was i) to conduct an ethnobotanical survey to gather data on Bangladeshi medicinal plants used in the treatment of helminthiases, ii) to test plants with the highest use values for their in vitro anthelmintic activity, and iii) to carry out in silico screening on phytochemicals present in the most active plant extract to investigate their ability to disrupt β-tubulin function in helminths. MethodsThe ethnobotanical survey was conducted across three sub-districts of Bangladesh, namely Mathbaria, Phultala and Khan Jahan Ali. The in vitro screening for anthelmintic activity was performed in a motility test using adult Haemonchus contortus worms. Virtual screening using PyRx was performed on the phytochemicals reported from the most active plant, exploring their interactions with the colchicine binding site of the β-tubulin protein target (PDB ID: 1SA0). ResultsThe survey respondents reported a total of 32 plants for treating helminthiases. Based on their use values, the most popular choices were Ananas comosus (L.) Merr., Azadirachta indica A.Juss., Carica papaya L., Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr., Curcuma longa L., Momordica charantia L., Nigella sativa L. and Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. In vitro anthelmintic testing revealed that A. indica leaves and bark had the highest activity with LC50 values of 16 mg/mL in both cases. Other plant extracts also exhibited good anthelmintic activity with LC50 values ranging from 16 to 52 mg/mL, while the value for albendazole (positive control) was 8.39 mg/mL. The limonoids nimbolide and 28-deoxonimbolide showed a binding affinity of −8.9 kcal/mol, and satisfied all drug-likeness parameters. The control ligand N-deacetyl-N-(2-mercaptoacetyl)colchicine had a binding affinity of −6.9 kcal/mol. ConclusionFurther in silico and in vitro studies are warranted on the identified limonoids to confirm the potential of these derivatives as novel drug templates for helminthiases. The current study supports the need for an ethnobotanical survey-based approach to discover novel drug templates for helminthiases.

Potential Bioabsorbent Extract of Skin and Leaves Ananas Comosus on reduction of Copper, Mercury, and Lead in Anadara granosa

Kenjeran sea waters were polluted by several types of heavy metals such as copper (0.015mg/L), lead (0, 0036 mg/L), and mercury (0.001mg/L). Consuming Anadara granosa containing heavy metals exceeding the standard is very dangerous. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of pineapple leaf and peel extract on reducing levels of copper, lead, and mercury in Anadara granosa in Kenjeran. Methods: Treatment without giving pineapple leaf and peel extract (Control) and treatment with pineapple leaf and peel extract using 0% and 3% concentrations. The results of heavy metal levels were in the form of numbers indicating the content of heavy metal levels in Anadara granosa determined in mg/kg using AAS. Results: The average copper concentration of 0% was 5.037mg/kg, and the 3% concentration was 2.563mg/kg, the average lead concentration at 0% concentration was 2.4333mg/kg and the concentration of 3% is 1.4433mg/kg, the average mercury concentration of 0% is 0.963mg/kg, and the concentration of 3% is 0.323mg/kg (4) Conclusion: there is an effect of pineapple peel and leaf extract on the decrease in copper levels by 50.88%, lead levels by 59%, and 33.54% decrease in mercury levels.

Water productivity in pineapple (Ananas comosus) cultivation using plastic film to reduce evaporation and percolation

Irrigated agriculture needs significant amounts of water for increasing irrigated areas to meet the increase food demand. New alternatives with high water use efficiency are needed to increase crop productivity. This work evaluates the use of plastic film mulch either as groundcover or as a percolation barrier to increase yields and water use efficiency of pineapple (Ananas comosus L.). An experiment was carried out with pineapple on a loamy sand-soil. The treatments were: (i) soil tillage with plastic film as groundcover combined with plastic film as a percolation barrier installed at 0.40 m below the soil surface; (ii) soil tillage with no groundcover combined with a percolation barrier; (iii) soil tillage with plastic film as groundcover only; (iv) soil tillage without groundcover and percolation barrier. The use of plastic mulch maintained the levels of soil water availability at least 80% during the crop cycle, while without it soil water values ranged from 15% to 70%. Groundcover with plastic mulch contributed significantly to decrease evapotranspiration and the medium crop coefficient. The plastic groundcover combined with or without the plastic percolation barrier yielded the better results of productivity, irrigation water productivity, and water footprint. The mean irrigation water productivity and water footprint were 667.12 kg mm−1 ha−1 and 109.0 L kg−1, respectively, for the use of a plastic groundcover combined with a plastic percolation barrier. The percolation barrier was more effective for saving water than for increasing yield. The use of percolation barrier with plastic contributed for saving 92–103 L kg−1 ha−1 when combined with or without ground cover.

Appraisal of the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System and Nutrient Status of Pineapple (Ananas Comosus L.) Growing Fields

ABSTRACT The diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) has such high reliability that it can be used to evaluate many crops. Therefore, in order to have a practical database for these norms, this study was conducted to evaluate the established DRIS norms for plant pineapples (Ananas comosus L.) and to assess their nutrition status in an acid sulfate soil. Healthy and disease-free leaf samples of 8-month-old pineapple plants without fruits were collected from experimental fields with nutritional omission trials and from farmers’ fields at four cultivating sites. Nutrient concentrations were analyzed to determine DRIS indices. The result showed that the + 7 leaf was highly reliable to diagnose the macro-nutrition status, while the + 1 leaf and + 3 leaf lacked the nutrient ratios pair to assess P and Mg nutrition status. Based on the average DRIS indices of the four sites, the nutrient surplus was observed in the order P>Mn>Fe>Ca (81.7 > 52.8 > 15.7 > 13.3), while nutrient deficiency varied in the order K>Zn>N>Mg (−88.2<-20.3<-16.4<-10.7) at the + 7 leaf. The DRIS norms needed to be calibrated to obtain nutrient ratio pairs for P in the + 1 leaf, and P and Mg at the + 3 leaf.

Growth rate of pineapple production in India

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the most important tropical and subtropical fruit of Bromeliaceae family, cultivated almost one third part of the world. Pineapple takes almost 16 -22 months to mature for harvesting. The main objective of this paper is to analyzed the growth rate in area, production and productivity of pineapple in India as well as Karnataka. The time series data from 2002-03 to 2021-22 for the study. The results revealed that the area (1.94%), production (2.56%) and productivity (0.64%) showed that positive and significant at one per cent level of probability in India. In Karnataka, the growth rate of productivity (0.99%) showed that positive and significant at five per cent level of productivity due to area expansion. For area (0.14%) and production (1.04%) showed positive and non-significant. Whereas, Cuddy Della Valle index (CDVI) for area, production and productivity were 6.79, 7.66 and 3.76, respectively in India. In Karnataka, the Cuddy Della Valle index (CDVI) for area, production and productivity were 10.55, 22.37 and 8.78. The slight variation in productivityof pineapple in India are mainly because inadequate farm management techniques i.e., less use of chemical fertilizer, pesticides, improper suckers, inadequate knowledge and insufficient use of other input, which are the result of less production and productivity.

First Report of Leaf Spot of Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr Caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum in Malaysia.

In June 2017, severe leaf spots symptoms were observed by growers on pineapple leaves of Josapine variety in in Alor Pongsu (5°01'60.00" N, 100°34' 59.99" E), Perak,northwest of Peninsular Malaysia. The early infection stage shows that several brown spots could be observed, which then would merge to form large brown to creamy white lesions that cover all the leaf surface. This infection finally caused the plant to die after a while. Disease observations conducted from 2018 - 2023 showed that 10-15% incidences of the disease were observed in several pineapple farms located in Johor, Kedah, and Sarawak. The aim of this study to confirm the causal pathogen of the disease by performing isolation, pathogenicity testing, and identification of the primary causal pathogen from 20 samples of infected leaves collected from Alor Pongsu. The leaf tissues between infected and healthy were cut into small pieces (0.5 cm 0.5 cm), and surface sterilized with 1% sodium hypochlorite for 30 seconds, followed by 70% ethanol for 30 seconds, and rinsed thrice with sterilized water before placing on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). The PDA plates were incubated at room temperature (28 ± 2℃) in natural light. After five days of incubation, the potential causal pathogen was purified using a single conidial isolation technique for morphological and molecular characterizations. All 32 isolates displayed similar phenotypes. Based on morphological observation on PDA, the colonies were initially white of aerial mycelia but gradually darkened as the culture aged. Microscopic features of the 14-day-old fungal culture showed that the mycelia were branched with 0- 1 septa, pigmented, and brown. Arthroconidia were ellipsoid to ovoid or round shaped, hyaline, with rounded apex, truncate base, and occurring singly or in chains averaging 9 ± 3 × 5 ± 2 μm (n = 20). Based on the morphological characteristics, the fungal isolates were tentatively identified as Neoscytalidium species. A representative isolate of Neoscytalidium coded as UiTMPMD2 was further identified through PCR implication of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region using ITS1 and ITS4 primers and BLAST homology search as Neoscytalidium dimidiatum (Penz.) Crous & Slippers based on 100% similarity (575 bp out of 575 bp) to a reference sequence (accession no. KU204558.1). The sequence was deposited in Gen Bank (accession no. OR366479) with reference sequence code of INBio:30A. Pathogenicity tests were performed on 10 whole plants of Josapine pineapple (4 months old) using a leaf inoculating method (Wu et al. 2022) in a glasshouse (25-32°C) and repeated twice. Four mature leaves per each plant were wounded at two points and inoculated with mycelium PDA plugs from 7-days-old cultures of N. dimidiatum. Control plants were wounded in the same manner but inoculated with sterilized PDA plugs. Seven days post inoculation, leaf spot symptoms were observed on treated plants with the pathogen, while the control plants remained symptomless. Pathogen was successfully reisolated from brown leaf spot symptoms in which the cultural and morphological characteristics were identical to those of the originals. Neoscytalidium dimidiatum has a wide range of hosts and it has been reported in Malaysia to cause stem canker on pitahaya (Mohd et al. 2003; Khoo et al. 2023 ) and fruit rot of guava (Ismail et al. 2021). To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of N. dimidiatum causing leaf spots on pineapples in Malaysia. This report establishes a foundation for further study ofN. dimidiatum that can effectively address the disease in pineapple.

Formulation and Evaluation of Anti-Acne Activity of Gel Pineapple Peel (Ananas comosus L.) Extract on the Growth of Propionibacterium acnes

Pineapple peel contains many compounds, namely flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, steroids, alkaloids and bromelin enzymes. Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous glands. One of the bacteria that causes acne is Propionibacterium acne. Preparations that can be made for anti-acne are gel preparations. This study aims to determine whether the ethanol extract of pineapple peel (Ananas comosus L.) can be made into an anti-acne gel preparation and to find out at what concentration the ethanol extract of pineapple peel (Ananas comosus L.) in an anti-acne gel preparation can provide inhibitory activity on the development of Propionibacterium acne bacteria. This research method is true experimental by making anti-acne gel preparations of pineapple peel extract (Ananas Comosus L.) with various concentrations of 2%, 3%, 5% and testing the activity of the preparation against Propionibacterium acne using the agar well method. The results of the gel preparation formula showed that there were significant differences before and after the cycling test in both organoleptic, homogeneity, pH, viscosity, spreadability and adhesion tests. The activity test results obtained were that the largest inhibition zone was the 5% concentration, namely 12.7 mm, which was in the strong category, while the 3% concentration, which was 11.03 mm, and the 2% concentration, which was 8.8 mm, was included in the moderate category.