Theobroma Cacao Research Articles

Improving the Composition and Bioactivity of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Bean Shell Extract by Choline Chloride-Lactic Acid Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction Assisted by Pulsed Electric Field Pre-Treatment.

An environmentally friendly method for the release of cocoa bean shell (CBS) extracts is proposed in this paper. This work aims to investigate the effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) pre-treatment on subsequent solid-liquid extraction (SLE) of metabolites with choline chloride-lactic acid natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) and bioactivity of cocoa bean shell (CBS) extract. Two different media for PEF application were evaluated: water and chlorine chloride-lactic acid. Total polyphenols (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), individual major compounds, and antioxidant and antibacterial activity of CBS extracts were assessed. The performance of PEF-assisted extraction was compared with SLE and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). The proposed method improved the release of TPC up to 45% and TFC up to 48% compared with the conventional extraction. The CBS extract showed medium growth inhibition of Escherichia coli and high growth inhibition of Salmonella sp, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, an extract with enhanced antioxidant and antibacterial properties was obtained.

Soil quality reflects microbial resource availability and drives rhizosphere microbiome variation in Ghanaian cocoa farms

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important crop in Ghana and the source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers. Maintaining soil quality on these farms is critical to ensuring the long-term viability of cocoa farming and preventing deforestation to meet rising demand. However, increasing attention to soil health has revealed a significant knowledge gap related to the soil microbiome in cocoa production systems. Using a nested design of sixteen smallholder cocoa farms in agroforestry or monoculture, on different soil quality classes and in different agroecological zones, a study was conducted to identify 1) drivers of rhizosphere microbial diversity and community composition across scales and 2) the extent of microbial differentiation between soil quality classes. Soil quality had far greater impacts than agroecological zone or agroforestry vs. monoculture management on microbial diversity and community composition, accounting for 17 % of variation in prokaryotes and 10 % in fungi. Good-quality and poor-quality soils contrasted in soil and root parameters, creating variable microbial resources, which led to differences in microbial community composition and the relative abundance of specific taxa. Soil organic matter and root traits were key drivers of community composition in good-quality soils, while permanganate-oxidizable carbon was relatively more important in poor-quality soils. These results underscore the importance of considering rhizosphere microbial communities in assessments of soil quality and highlight taxa that may serve as biological indicators of soil health in cocoa agroforestry systems.

Risk analysis and cacao pod survivorship curves to improve yield forecasting methods

Cocoa attainable yields are affected by a complex of pests and diseases in a particular agro-environment. Estimation of yield loss is critical for agronomic and economic decision-making at the farm level. For over 15 months, we monitored 1100 pods from six cocoa clones (PMCT-58, CC-137, CATIE-R1 CATIE-R4, ICS-95, and CCN-51) to assess the incidence of pests and diseases and to elucidate their survival behavior. Cocoa clones grow in a 12-year timber-based cocoa agroforestry plot (1330 cocoa plants ha-1, 100 shade trees ha-1, and 65% shade cover), in La Montaña, Turrialba, Costa Rica. Between 6-12 trees and 120-140 pods per clone of four size classes (very small – 2.5-7 cm, small – 7.1-14 cm, medium – 14.1-21 cm, and large – ≥21 cm) were tagged and measured fortnightly. Pods were selected at two vertical strata along the tree trunk (below and above 1.5 m) and grouped into three generations (rainy, transition, and dry). Competitive risk and survival analysis were performed per clone, generation, pod size class, and pod position along the tree trunk. Overall, pods reached maturity at the age of 155-165 days and were exposed to several hazards that disrupted their development. The Cox model that better described the cumulative risk during pod development included two covariables with substantial explicative power, generation, and clones. Regardless of clone and pod generation, a combination of diseases/pests accounted for about 45% to 65% of yield losses. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that pod survival was similar between generations but differed among clones within generations. Pods from CATIE-R1, CATIE-R4 and CC-137 clones showed greater survival rates than those of ICS-95, CCN-51 and PMCT-58 clones. The position of the pod along the tree trunk did not influence pod survival rates. We combined pod counting and pod survival rates calculated in this study and contrasted our yield estimations against a widely used prediction method proposed by a certification body. Overall, yield estimated using the UTZ method applied to 90-day-old pods of CATIE-R1 clone consistently overestimated yield predictions in the range of 27-45%. We proposed the combination of pod counting and pod index with a set of clone-specific discount factors; the survival rates, to reliably forecast on-farm cacao yields over time.

Influence of Drought Stress and Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid on Early Vegetative Stage of Cacao

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is noted to have a low tolerance to drought and is, therefore, not resilient to prolonged dry periods. The study sought to evaluate the morpho-anatomical and physiological responses of two clonal seedlings of cacao BR25 and K9 under drought stress and to explore the potential alleviating effects of salicylic acid (SA) at concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 mM on the early vegetative stage. Eleven-month-old BR25 and K9 cacao were pre-treated with foliar application of 0.5 and 1.0-mM SA for 2 wk before the onset of drought conditions. Well-watered and drought seedlings with no pre-treatments served as the control. Water was withheld for 20 d, after which rewatering resumed for 3 mo. Results revealed that after 20 d of drought, both clonal varieties experienced a significant decline in relative water content (RWC) and increased ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase activity. Changes in stem diameter were observed after a rewatering period of 3 mo. K9 exhibited a noticeable reduction in root and shoot dry weight and stomatal aperture after 20 d of drought, whereas BR25 showed a decrease in total chlorophyll content and chlorophylls a and b. Furthermore, the results of the study suggest that 0.5-mM SA has the potential to mitigate the drastic effects during drought in BR25 and K9 cacao by improving RWC, stomatal length, and width. On the other hand, 1.0- mM SA has the potential to alleviate the effects of drought experienced earlier on by improving root dry weight and APX activities of the seedlings.

Assessing the cadmium content of cacao crops in Arauca, Colombia

The district of Arauca is the second-largest producer of cacao in Colombia. However, despite its quality, it faces issues for export due to levels of cadmium (Cd) higher than the regulatory thresholds. A central question is how it may impact agricultural performance in the presence of Cd in cacao and chocolates. This study quantified Cd in cacao plantations from Arauca. Thus, 180 farms were assessed in the municipalities of Arauquita, Fortul, Saravena, and Tame. Five sample types (soil, irrigation channel sediment, soil litter, cacao seeds, and chocolates) were assessed for Cd. As a technological innovation, the new MXRF technology was used for Cd in chocolates. The sequence of Cd content was soil litter > chocolate > soils > cacao seeds > irrigation-channel sediment. A gradient north–south of Cd content in soil was observed, where highest content was found in farms near the Arauca River, and lower farther away. In irrigation channel sediment, Cd levels averaged 0.07 mg kg−1. The Cd content in cacao seeds was 0.78 mg kg−1 on average. Cd content in chocolates was above the threshold (1.10 mg kg−1 on average, including several cacao mass percentages). These artisanal chocolate bars produced by single farms were near the limit of Cd set by the European Union (up to 0.8 mg kg−1). Therefore, mixing beans from different farms could reduce their Cd content. The present study underscores the complexity of Cd distribution, emphasizing the importance of integrating soil, crop, and landscape features in managing and mitigating Cd levels in cacao.

Feeding Damage Evaluation of the Mirid Bug, Helopeltis bakeri Poppius on Cacao Pods

Actual observations and documentation of cacao pests feeding on the pods in the field are very few. The cacao mirid bug, Helopeltis bakeri Poppius, was laboratory-reared and released [21 pairs = Tree 1; 17 pairs = Tree 2; 21 pairs = Tree 3] in three randomly chosen cacao trees under controlled settings from October 2019–March 2020 with the aim of observing and documenting cacao pests feeding on the pods in the field to have insights into the proper pest action threshold. A coefficient score of 4.93 on a 0–5 rating scale described “heavy damage” as > 50% of feeding lesion marks on 28 out of 30 pods (93%) were visible. The first feeding lesions were observed in an average of 37 days but came as early as 10 d upon release of H. bakeri. Within this time of observing the initial feeding lesions, there would only be 39 d before the whole pod is scorched due to black pod disease. The study shows the harmfulness of this cacao pest and highlights the need for integrated pest management to reduce the reliance on chemical control, which has been the default strategy for too long.

Farmers’ perceptions of agroforestry, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The development of agriculture, particularly monocultures and extensive land-consuming practices, are causing deforestation and forest degradation, and this destruction of important carbon sinks is fueling climate change. Agroforestry, which involves the association of trees with crops and/or livestock, is presented as an alternative to industrial agriculture and slash-and-burn practices, to promote climate change resilience. In addition to climate change mitigation, agroforestry offers a plenitude of benefits, but there are often challenges to implementing agroforestry models. These include ensuring feasibility in local contexts and meeting diverse needs, which requires constant adaptation and mutual learning between farmers and technical experts. This proved true for Tropenbos DRC who worked to promote agroforestry among small forest and agricultural producers in the Bafwasende area of Tshopo Province. Tropenbos DRC’s initial approach of creating community agroforestry fields faced limited success as an unexpected degree of individualism made a communitarian approach unsuitable. The original model also met resistance as it combined cocoa and plantain with trees despite plantain not being an economically viable crop for farmers. In response, a shift in approach was made to rather support individual farmers interested in agroforestry, who could prioritise cocoa plants amongst trees, to ensure greater profits. In the former model, from 2019 to 2021, only 4 ha of cocoa trees were planted. Conversely, in just six months of adopting the new model in 2021, 45 ha of cocoa trees were planted. It is clear then, that the success of agroforestry models depends on farmer’s acceptance. All stakeholders must be included in what should be a participatory and iterative process that must remain flexible, as adaptability is essential for the continuous improvement and success of agroforestry initiatives.

Maximizing cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) seedling growth through liquid coconut shell smoke in Ultisols soil

The crucial aspect of cocoa cultivation is ensuring the availability of seedlings with robust growth. Ultisols, a type of soil with potential for cocoa plant propagation, necessitate materials to enhance fertility when used as a growing medium. This includes the application of liquid smoke derived from coconut shells. To further study on this aspect this research aimed to determine the role of liquid coconut shell smoke on the growth of cocoa seedlings in Ultisols soil. The research was conducted in the laboratory and greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Panca Bhakti University, Pontianak, for 90 days from July to October 2023. The research used a complete randomized block design (CRBD) with four replications. The treatment concentrations of liquid coconut shell smoke (%) consisted of six levels: 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25%. Each replication consisted of three cocoa plant seedling samples, resulting in a total of 72 plants for the entire research unit. The observed parameters included plant height increase (cm), the increase in the number of leaves (leaves), and the increase in stem diameter (mm). The research results found a very significant influence on all observed parameters. The treatment of liquid coconut shell smoke at a concentration of 0.75% yielded the highest results in terms of seedling height increase (29.09 cm), the number of leaves (14.08 leaves), and stem diameter (9.87 mm) compared to the control. This research finding shows that a concentration of 0.75% liquid coconut shell smoke can maximize the growth of cocoa seedlings in Ultisols soil through soil fertility improvement.

Genotypic variation in flowering, fruit set, and cherelle wilt, and their relationship with leaf nutrient status in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) grown in humid tropics of India

Genotypic variation in flowering, fruit set, and cherelle wilt, and their relationship with leaf nutrient status in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) grown in humid tropics of India

Prevention of cocoa moniliasis using Progressive Web Applications and sensor data in the province of Francisco de Orellana

Ecuador is an essential cocoa producer recognized for its quality and aroma. Additionally, it holds a prominent position among the country's traditional export products, making it the third-largest cocoa-producing country in the world. However, the cocoa industry faces challenges due to moniliasis, a fungal disease that affects cocoa trees and causes damage to the fruits, resulting in decreased production. This research aims to prevent cocoa moniliasis by conducting tests with different algorithms to select the best one for predicting moniliasis using sensor data in the progressive web application. Various supervised learning algorithms were applied, including PCA, IPCA, KPCA, Linear Regression, Sci-Kit Learning, and ensemble methods like Bagging and Boosting. Google's Lighthouse is utilized for artifact validation. It is concluded that the Boosting ensemble method with a value of 1.0 and 4 estimators is the algorithm that shows a good fit for prediction. In artifact validation, it yields favorable results with a score of over 90 in various Lighthouse parameters. Keywords: Moniliasis 1; Progressive Web Application 2; PCA 3; IPCA 4; KPCA 5; Linear Regression 6; Bagging 7; Boosting 8; Lighthouse 9

Phenolic compounds of Theobroma cacao L. show potential against dengue RdRp protease enzyme inhibition by In-silico docking, DFT study, MD simulation and MMGBSA calculation.

Currently, there is no antiviral medication for dengue, a potentially fatal tropical infectious illness spread by two mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The RdRp protease of dengue virus is a potential therapeutic target. This study focused on the in silico drug discovery of RdRp protease inhibitors. To assess the potential inhibitory activity of 29 phenolic acids from Theobroma cacao L. against DENV3-NS5 RdRp, a range of computational methods were employed. These included docking, drug-likeness analysis, ADMET prediction, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The aim of these studies was to confirm the stability of the ligand-protein complex and the binding pose identified during the docking experiment. Twenty-one compounds were found to have possible inhibitory activities against DENV according to the docking data, and they had a binding affinity of ≥-37.417 kcal/mol for DENV3- enzyme as compared to the reference compound panduratin A. Additionally, the drug-likeness investigation produced four hit compounds that were subjected to ADMET screening to obtain the lead compound, catechin. Based on ELUMO, EHOMO, and band energy gap, the DFT calculations showed strong electronegetivity, favouravle global softness and chemical reactivity with considerable intra-molecular charge transfer between electron-donor to electron-acceptor groups for catechin. The MD simulation result also demonstrated favourable RMSD, RMSF, SASA and H-bonds in at the binding pocket of DENV3-NS5 RdRp for catechin as compared to panduratin A. According to the present findings, catechin showed high binding affinity and sufficient drug-like properties with the appropriate ADMET profiles. Moreover, DFT and MD studies further supported the drug-like action of catechin as a potential therapeutic candidate. Therefore, further in vitro and in vivo research on cocoa and its phytochemical catechin should be taken into consideration to develop as a potential DENV inhibitor.

Effect of consumption of cocoa paste (Theobroma cacao L.) on anthropometric and clinical indicators in university students

University students are vulnerable to developing metabolic syndrome, due to the low consumption of foods with bioactive properties. Cocoa paste containing phenols (CPCP) may prevent it. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of consuming 1 g of cocoa paste for 4 weeks on anthropometric indicators, body composition, blood pressure and heart rate in university students. The population consisted of 7 men and 13 women. In the post-test measurement, students had the best result in weight (74.4-72.3 kg), BMI (26.0-25.2 kg/m2) and WC (85.5-83.5 cm), and in the body composition, only in the percentage of fat mass (62.3-60.9 %) there were significant differences (p>0.05). CPCP consumption in females decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure (107.0 vs 100.0, p=0.023) and (76.0 vs 71.0, p=0.007) respectively. CPCP has a protective effect and may exert a preventive function.

Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Glycemic Control in Diabetic Wistar Rats: The Therapeutic Potential of Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis Diets.

Background Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by oxidative stress and impaired glycemic control. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis diets in diabetic Wistar rats and assesses their impact on oxidative stress markers and blood glucose levels. Methods In this experiment, eight groups of six male Wistar rats (n = 12.5%), aged 8 to 12 weeks, were carefully set up to see how different treatments for diabetes and oxidative stress affected the two conditions. The random selection process was implemented to minimize any potential bias and ensure that the results of the study would be representative of the general population of Wistar rats. The groups were as follows: a nondiabetic control group (NDC) served as the baseline, while diabetes was induced in the alloxan monohydrate group (150 mg/kg). Another group was given the standard drug metformin (M, 100 mg/kg), and two control groups that did not have diabetes were given extracts of Theobroma cacao (TC, 340 mg/kg) and Camellia sinensis (CS, 200 mg/kg). Three groups of diabetic rats were given a mix of these treatments. Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis extracts were given at set doses (TC, 340 mg/kg; CS, 200 mg/kg), along with 150 mg/kg of a drug that causes diabetes.Over a 21-day period, oxidative stress parameters such as glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GSHrd) levels, and blood glucose were carefully measured to check for signs of oxidative stress and diabetes progression Results Considerable differences in GSH levels were noted across the groups, with the highest GSH concentration found in the group treated with the inducing drug, while the lowest GSH levels were observed in the diabetic group that was administered both Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis (p < 0.001). MDA levels also varied, with the diabetic group treated with Theobroma cacao having the highest MDA concentration (3.54 ± 0.29 μmol/L) and the nondiabetic control group treated with Camellia sinensis exhibiting the lowest MDA levels (1.66 ± 0.08 μmol/L; p < 0.001). SOD activity was highest in the standard drug group and lowest in the diabetic group treated with Theobroma cacao. GSH activity was notably higher in the diabetic groups that received dietary interventions (p < 0.001). Blood glucose levels showed diverse responses, with the standard drug group experiencing a substantial reduction, while the inducing drug group exhibited a consistent increase. Conclusion The study highlights the significant impact of dietary interventions with Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis on oxidative stress markers and blood glucose regulation in diabetic Wistar rats. These findings suggest a potential role for these dietary components in mitigating oxidative stress and improving glycemic control in diabetes, although further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications.

Floral biology and flower visitors of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) in the upper Magdalena Valley, Colombia

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important crop, but yield is generally low. Improving yield requires detailed understanding of the reproductive ecology, especially the pollination system and factors determining pollination success, such as proximity to natural areas. Since the 1940s biting midges have been proposed as the pollinators of cocoa flowers but this idea has recently been questioned in various studies. We observed cocoa flowers and their visitors during anthesis, we compare cocoa flower visitors during the day and night and also in plantations connected and disconnected to natural forests. Observations of flowers during anthesis revealed that cocoa flowers are protandrous, open at night, persist for three days and are receptive only during the day. A diversity of insects visited flowers throughout 24 h. In general, insect visitors were more diverse during the day and in plantations connected to forests compared to those not connected to forests. Fifty five percent of the total insect species visited the cocoa flowers at night, all insect species visited cocoa flowers in plantations connected to natural forests and 62.5 % of those visited cocoa flowers in plantations disconnected with forests. Hymenoptera and Diptera were the main visitors and a total of eleven insect species carried cocoa pollen grains. Among those, two species of biting midges (Ceratopogonidae flies) and two species of stingless bees (Meliponini bees) were the most common. While biting midges were the most common visitors, the stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula carried large cocoa pollen loads and interacted with both the male and female parts of the flower. Ants also visited cocoa flowers, mainly at night. The most common visitors of cocoa flowers in cocoa plantations in the upper Magdalena Valley in Colombia are diurnal biting midges and stingless bees, but also nocturnal ants, suggesting that the pollination system of cocoa flowers may be locally less specialized than previously thought. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of various insect groups as pollinators.

Description and Pathogenicity of Colletotrichum kapreanum sp. nov, a Cherelle Wilt Pathogen Belonging to the Gigasporum Species Complex.

Similar to cacao pod rot, cherelle wilt decreases production from cacao fields. Among all known fungal pathogens of the cacao, Colletotrichum spp. are common infectious agents that affect the cherelles and pods of cacao; thus, cacao diseases are often classified by stage. Therefore, knowing whether these pathogens are common in both fruit stages is necessary for implementing disease control measures. Symptoms of cherelle wilt were found in cacao plants in Pangasinan, Philippines, in 2022. The fungal strain obtained from the lesion was found to be pathogenic towards cherelles, but not towards pods. The strain was classified as an unknown species belonging to the gigasporum species complex, based on the morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS, GAPDH, CHS1, ACT, and TUB2. We propose Colletotrichum kapreanum sp. nov. as a causal agent of cacao cherelle wilt, but not pod rot.

A revisited history of cacao domestication in pre-Columbian times revealed by archaeogenomic approaches

Humans have a long history of transporting and trading plants, contributing to the evolution of domesticated plants. Theobroma cacao originated in the Neotropics from South America. However, little is known about its domestication and use in these regions. In this study, ceramic residues from a large sample of pre-Columbian cultures from South and Central America were analyzed using archaeogenomic and biochemical approaches. Here we show, for the first time, the widespread use of cacao in South America out of its native Amazonian area of origin, extending back 5000 years, likely supported by cultural interactions between the Amazon and the Pacific coast. We observed that strong genetic mixing between geographically distant cacao populations occurred as early as the middle Holocene, in South America, driven by humans, favoring the adaptation of T. cacao to new environments. This complex history of cacao domestication is the basis of today's cacao tree populations and its knowledge can help us better manage their genetic resources.

Cacao sustainability: The case of cacao swollen-shoot virus co-infection.

The cacao swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD) is among the most economically damaging diseases of cacao trees and accounts for almost 15-50% of harvest losses in Ghana. This virus is transmitted by several species of mealybugs (Pseudococcidae, Homoptera) when they feed on cacao plants. One of the mitigation strategies for CSSVD investigated at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) is the use of mild-strain cross-protection of cacao trees against the effects of severe strains. In this study, simple deterministic, delay, and stochastic ordinary differential equation-based models to describe the dynamic of the disease and spread of the virus are suggested. Model parameters are estimated using detailed empirical data from CRIG. The modeling outcomes demonstrate a remarkable resemblance between real and simulated dynamics. We have found that models with delay approximate the data better and this agrees with the knowledge that CSSVD epidemics develop slowly. Also, since there are large variations in the data, stochastic models lead to better results. We show that these models can be used to gain useful informative insights about the nature of disease spread.

Influence of Shade in Cocoa Agroforestry Systems on Physicochemical and Functional Characteristics of Cocoa Beans in Bonon, Central-West Côte d'Ivoire.

Côte d'Ivoire remains the world's leading producer of cocoa beans. However, cocoa farming is now recognized as a primary cause of deforestation in the country. To combat deforestation, the Ivorian government recently advocates for agroforestry, a farming technique involving the cultivation of cocoa trees with fruit or forest trees. Yet, the impact of these associated trees and their shade on the quality of produced cocoa beans remains relatively unknown. This study is aimed at evaluating the influence of tree shade in cocoa farms on the quality of cocoa beans produced in the Bonon area. Morphological, biochemical, and functional analyses were performed on cocoa beans from shaded, partially shaded, and sunny subplots. Overall, only beans from shaded subplots showed better commercial quality. Regarding nutritional potential, results demonstrated that acidity, protein content, and vitamin C levels were influenced by shade. Low protein levels were observed in beans from sunny areas. The presence of moderate shade significantly favored good foaming power and foam stability. These findings play a key role in the perceived quality and application of these beans in the food and cosmetic industry. Moreover, these discoveries open new research perspectives in the field of food biochemistry and sustainable agriculture.

Chemical analysis and bioactive compounds from agrifood by-products of peruvian crops

Many countries face the problem of agroindustrial waste elimination, which is linked to environmental damage caused by improper waste management. These wastes contain bioactive compounds often discarded due to a lack of knowledge. The objective of this study was to analyze five types of agroindustrial waste from Peru, including avocado (Persea americana) seeds, lucuma (Pouteria lucuma) seeds, grape (Vitis vinifera) pomace, mango (Mangifera indica) peel, and cocoa (Theobroma cacao) pods. This study includes proximal analysis, determination of total phenolic compound content, analysis of phenolic compounds by UHPLC– Q/Orbitrap/ESIMS/MS (Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization Q-Orbitrap mass spectrometry), and the evaluation of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities of different samples. The results showed that lucuma seeds had the highest protein content of 6.59 g/100 g DW. Mango peels showed the highest fat content of 4.89 g/100 g DW, cocoa pods had the highest crude fiber content of 26.91 g/100 g DW, and cocoa pods exhibited the highest ash content of 7.14 g/100 g DW. The highest carbohydrate content was found in avocado seeds at 85.85 g/100 g DW. Mango peels (56.66 mg GAE/g DW), avocado seeds (56.35 mg GAE/g DW), and cocoa pods (51.52 mg GAE/g DW) extracts showed the highest phenolic compound contents. Mango peel extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activities evaluated by the ABTS (995.01 μmol TEAC/g DW), DPPH (953.54 μmol TEAC/g DW), and FRAP (1661.13 μmol TEAC/g DW) assays. Extracts from cocoa pods, grape pomace, and lucuma seeds showed inhibitory activity on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In contrast, the extract of lucuma seeds was the only one that showed antifungal activity over Penicillium digitatum. As a result, several phenolic compounds were detected in each, indicating their potential use in developing functional foods and food preservation, among other applications.

DNA Barcoding of Cacao Pod Rot Fungi in Papua Province

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) pod rot fungi have various types. In general, cause cocoa pod rot are fungi of the species Fusarium sp, Rhizoctonia sp, Phytium sp, Colletotricum sp, Amerosporium sp, Phomopsis sp and Phytopthora sp. Various species of fungi that can rot cocoa pods have high similarity in morphology characters even though the treatment for each species of fungi is different. This problem occurs in the people's nucleus cocoa plantations in the Yapsi district, Jayapura, Papua province. Samples of cacao pods infected with the fungus were taken and the isolates obtained were reinoculated into uninfected cacao pods. Isolates showing dominant infectivity were taken and identified molecularly. Identification was carried out by creating DNA barcoding by sequencing the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of the 18SrDNA marker gene from the fungal isolates SP4DYAPSI-1, SP4 DYAPSI-2, SP3DYAPSI-1 and SP6DAUN3. Sequencing data in the form of isolate fungi DNA barcodes were analyzed with the ClustalX program analyses. The resulting phylogenetic tree construction shows that the four isolates are related to the fungus species Fusarium solani with a nucleotide similarity index above 95%. This shows that the cause of damage to cocoa pods in the Yapsi area, Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia is the fungus Fusarium solani.