Timor Research Articles

Antibacterial Potential of Sarang Semut Herbal Extract (Myrmecodia pendans) from Timor Against Staphylococcus aureus: An In Vitro Study

BACKGROUND: The resistance of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria to antibiotics is still a problem in clinical medicine. The potential of Ant-nest plant extract (Myrmecodia pendans) from the island of Timor as an antibacterial needs to be tested to be used as a new alternative.
 
 OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the antibacterial potential and dose level of Myrmecodia pendans extract from Timor as bacteriostatic and bactericidal bacteria against Staphylococcus aureus in vitro.
 
 METHOD: This study is an experimental study, using five doses of Myrmecodia pendans extract from Timor, namely positive control (cephalexin drug) and negative control (200 μl ethanol 95% + 50 μl DMSO), concentration 62.5 mg/ml (P1), concentration 125 mg/ml (P2), concentration 250 mg/ml (P3), concentration 500 mg/ml (P4), and concentration 1000 mg/ml (P5), with five replications each. Samples of Myrmecodia pendans, taken from Nonbaun Village, Central Fatuleu District, Kupang Regency, Mauleum Village, East Amanuban District, and Oenae Village, Kie District, South Central Timor Regency. The Kupang City Food and Drug Control Center obtained the test bacteria. Data were obtained and analyzed using the Standard Plate Count (SPC) method. The SPC value of each treatment was compared with the SPC value of the control treatment.
 
 RESULTS: The results of the analysis showed that the positive control treatment (0), negative control, and concentration treatment of 62.5 mg/ml (P1) had too much bacterial growth value (TBUD). Conversely, treatment with concentrations of 125 mg/ml (P2) and 250 mg/ml (P3) has a Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) value of 9.4 x 104 CFU / ml and 6.7 x 104 CFU / ml, respectively. Treatment with concentrations of 500 mg/ml (P4) and 1000 mg/ml (P5) can both kill bacteria with a Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) value of 0.
 
 CONCLUSION: Myrmecodia pendans extract from Timor Island has bacteriostatic potential (inhibits) the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria at a concentration of at least 125 mg/ml and potentially bactericidal (deadly) at a concentration of at least 500 mg/ml.

Effect of natural attractant essential oil from Ocimum gratisimum from Timor Island against fruit flies

Ocimum gratisimum, well-adapted to arid regions in East Nusa Tenggara, has essential oil that attracts fruit flies, pest important affecting crops like mango and jackfruit. This study aims to assess the impact of O. gratisimum essential oil on the diversity of fruit flies on these plants. The essential oil, source from leaves of O. gratisimum, was obtained from the Bioscience Laboratory of the University Nusa Cendana, East Nusa Tenggara, Kupang, Indonesia. It was applied to mango and jackfruit plants in Baumata Village, Taebenu District, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. For experiment, total of 0.2 µL of O. gratisimum essential oil was carefully placed on a cotton swab, which was subsequently positioned within traps constructed using 1.5-L mineral bottles. The results of this study indicated that the essential oil extracted from O. gratisimum leaves had the capacity to attract Bacrtocera umbrosa and Bactrocera dorsalis flies when applied on mango plants. In case of jackfruit plants, the traps successfully lured B. umbrosa, B. dorsalis, and Bactrocera musae. This attraction contains methyl eugenol in the oil derived from O. gratisimum.

Consumer perceptions of stingrays in coastal areas of Indonesia

Abstract. Nawastuti D, Darwanto DH, Mulyo JH, Suadi. 2023. Consumer perceptions of stingrays in coastal areas of Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 6844-6851. Stingray populations harvested for food may pose risks to food security and conservation goals. The purpose of this research is (i) to determine the type of fish product based on how consumers obtain the product, (ii) to determine the gender of consumers based on the type of product, and (iii) ii) to determine the type of fish product for consumption purposes. Primary data were collected from Google Forms and followed by interviews with selected households. The number of respondents was 125 people from Java Island, Timor Island, Sumba Island, Adonara Island, Lembata Island, Bangka Belitung Island and Flores Island. The information obtained was investigated using Chi-square analysis to understand consumer preferences for fish consumption using an adaptation of SPSS 25 programming. The results of the research show that there are two relationships, namely (i) the type of fish product has a significant relation to fishing, the way consumers fish, the fishery products they buy and (ii) consumer gender has a significant relationship with product type because male consumers find it easier to get stingrays by fishing so they are easier to consume individually, in groups, or to sell. A proper understanding of gender differences in stingray consumption can help determine the sustainability of stingray fisheries in a region because it can be known exactly who can access sustainable food. Although there are several types of stingrays that are protected, other types of stingrays should not be consumed. The results we obtained can be useful for increasing public awareness regarding the use of fish catching and its impact on the carrying capacity of fisheries in Indonesia.

Gebang (Corypha utan Lamk) Tree as A Food Resource for Timorese People

Gebang (Corypha utan Lamk.) has been using by Timorese people as one of the food buffers crops, especially during the food shortage period due to drought and other extreme conditions. Gebang tree is one of food buffering resource for people in Timor Island. One mature tree can result 281 kg dry starch or about 280 liters sap because both utilizations will cause the death to the tree. The sugar content in the sap is enough to be used to form sugar palm. The starch from gebang is almost similar with that resulted from sagu tree, with proportion of amylose and amylopectin are 24.44% and 75.56%, and temperature of gelatinization of 80.55oC.

PENYULUHAN KESEHATAN HEWAN DI DESA CAMPLONG II, KECAMATAN FATULEU, KABUPATEN KUPANG, PROVINSI NUSA TENGGARA TIMUR

The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and African Swine Fever (ASF) in Indonesia needs to be counteracted by providing education and increasing awareness to the farming community about the importance of animal health and its impact on the economy and human health. Apart from that, the public also needs to be educated about the transmission and prevention of FMD, which is still free in NTT, and ASF disease, which is currently being eradicated. Members of the Telekomunit Farmers Group, the Sanam Tuan Farmers Group, the Sabu Bani Farmers Group, and the Setetes Madu Farmers Group in Camplong II Village, Fatuleu District, Kupang Regency, Nusa Province East Southeast are being helped through communication and education as part of this service activity. The goal is to make them more aware of the threat of PMK and ASF. In this activity, the community was also educated about rabies, which has become an epidemic in TTS, one of the areas on the island of Timor, and has been designated as an extraordinary rabies event.

Investigation of hydrogeology condition in Manikin Dam Diversion Tunnel, Timor Island, Indonesia: A Case Study

The seepages phenomenon happened in the construction site of the Manikin Dam Diversion Tunnel, Timor Island, Indonesia, has hampered the progress of construction. It seems impossible since the tunnel construction site was at the Bobonaro Complex. This condition leads to an investigate the possibility of another seepage occurrence along the tunnel construction site since more than 500 m long tunnel remains to be excavated. This study was conducted by direct observation method of the geological and hydrogeological conditions. Interpretation to direct field of geological mapping result, 10 borehole cutting samples, 6 lines of geo-electrical survey data, and face-mapping of tunnel excavation data resulting the surface and subsurface geological conditions. Hydrogeological mapping was performed to portray groundwater conditions at the tunnel site. The research reveals that the study area consists of scaly clay (fragmented with exotic block) and carbonate sandstone units. The scaly clay is impermeable, while the carbonate sandstone is permeable, but the fractured exotic blocks also act as an aquifer. The groundwater flows to the tunnel comes from this fractured zone in the exotic blocks. Based on this condition, other seepage phenomena could happen, as shown in the interpretation of the geo-electrical survey.

Evaluation of Malaria Microscopy Diagnostic Performance at the Public Health Center on the Border of Indonesia Timor-Leste.

Accurate diagnosis is a key strategy for controlling and preventing malaria. Regular evaluation of the performance of malaria microscopy diagnosis is essential to ensure its high quality. This study aims to assess the accuracy of malaria microscopy at selected public health facilities on the border of Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The design of this research is observational with a cross-sectional approach, conducted at five public health centers located on the Indonesia Timor-Leste border from July to September 2022. Stained slides were collected from patients with a fever (≥37°C). These stained slides were then examined for malaria diagnosis. The results revealed that all five public health centers showed perfect or nearly perfect agreement with the reference microscopist regarding malaria detection by microscopy (κ =0.9-1). To maintain the high quality of malaria microscopy diagnosis, it is imperative to conduct regular training, monitoring, and evaluation.

Morphology features and microanatomy of the tongue papillae of the Eonycteris spelaea: Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy.

Eonycteris spelaea (E. spelaea) is a sizable nectar-feeding bat that falls within the taxonomic classification of order Chiroptera and family Pteropododae. The form and structure of the tongue play a crucial role for bats in the intake and digestion of food in their mouth. Each papilla's morphology, dimensions, spatial arrangement, and physiological role exhibit variations among different animal species, contingent upon their respective lifestyles. This research attempts to examine the morphology and microstructure of the E. spelaea tongue papillae, collected from Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. This study aimed to achieve a scanning electron microscope and a light microscope in the presence of hematoxylin-eosin staining and employed a sample of 6 sexually indiscriminate adult E. spelaea bats. The tongue of E. spelaea is separated into three distinct parts: the apex, corpus, and radix. The structure's apex contains filiform papillae, which come in many varieties, such as scale-like filiform papilla, enormous trifid papilla, and little crown-like papilla. Additionally, there is a cluster of fungiform papillae on the outside edge of the highest point and transitional papillae connecting the large trifid papillae with the smaller crown-like papillae. The corpus section comprises two papilla types: filiform papilla (leaf-shaped filiform papilla and big crown-like papilla) and fungiform papilla. The radix comprises the elongated conical papilla, rosette-shaped filiform papilla, short conical papilla, transitional papilla, and three circumvallate papillae at the back of the tongue. The tongue papillae of E. spelaea comprise a wide variety of mechanic papillae and also sensory papillae which have specific dietary regimens in their living habitat.

Pygmy Blue Whale Home Ranges and Their Overlaps with Indonesian and Australian Marine Protected Areas: Comparison between a-LoCoH and BBMM Methods

Information on the distribution of marine migratory species is lacking, and for a long time, these species have been overlooked in the designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This study analysed the home range of pygmy blue whales (PBWs) from western Australia to eastern Indonesia to be able to assess the overlap with current MPAs. In this study, data from 11 individual PBWs tagged in the Perth Canyon were used. Two home range methods, adaptive Local Convex Hull (a-LoCoH) and Brownian Bridge Movement Model (BBMM), were performed and compared to identify core use areas and connections between these areas (i.e., migration corridors). By assessing the relative properties and visually inspecting the home ranges, 90% BBMM (home range and migration corridor) and 50% BBMM (core use area) are chosen as the best results, because they cover the connected core-use areas to a large extent. The home ranges that were covered by current MPAs were only 2% in Indonesia and 16% in Australia. Important migration corridors without current protection are in the east Savu Sea, south of Timor Island, and wider Banda Sea. It is noteworthy that comparing methods is relevant to be able to choose the most suitable method for the data used and the goal of this study. The limited overlap between the calculated home ranges and the MPAs of the Indonesian waters articulates the importance of in-depth scientific studies to be able to evaluate, implement and develop marine conservation planning.

When colors mislead: Genomics and bioacoustics prompt re-classification of Asian flycatcher radiation (Aves: Niltavinae)

Traditional classification of many animals, including birds, has been highly dependent on external morphological characters like plumage coloration. However, both bioacoustics and genetic or genomic data have revolutionized our understanding of the relationships of certain lineages and led to sweeping taxonomic re-organizations. In this study, we present a case of erroneous delimitation of genus boundaries in the species-rich flycatcher subfamily Niltavinae. Genera within this subfamily have historically been delineated based on blue versus brown male body plumage until recent studies based on a few mitochondrial and nuclear loci unearthed several cases of generic misclassification. Here we use extensive bioacoustic data from 43 species and genomic data from 28 species for a fundamental reclassification of species in the Niltavinae. Our study reveals that song is an important trait to classify these birds even at the genus level, whereas plumage traits exhibit ample convergence and have led to numerous historic misattributions. Our taxonomic re-organization leads to new biogeographic limits of major genera, such that the genus Cyornis now only extends as far east as the islands of Sulawesi, Sula, and Banggai, whereas Eumyias is redefined to extend far beyond Wallace’s Line to the islands of Seram and Timor. Our conclusions advise against an over-reliance on morphological traits and underscore the importance of integrative datasets.

Analisis Vegetasi Gewang (Corypha gebanga) di Kecamatan Boking Kabupaten Timor Tengah Selatan, Nusa Tenggara Timur

This research explores the presence of the gebang population (Corypha gebanga) on Timor Island, specifically in the Boking District, Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. Covering an area of approximately 24,382.04 Ha, the study projects that around 5-10% of this area serves as the habitat for gebang, playing a crucial role in the local community's life as a source of carbohydrates, vegetables, building materials, ropes, and woven crafts. The objective of this research is to assess the vegetation of gebang (Corypha gebanga) using the quadrant sampling method to analyze the identified vegetation composition and parameters such as density, relative density, frequency, relative frequency, dominance, and relative dominance. The research findings reveal that in the tree stratum, there is a density value of 0.02/0.01 ha, with a relative density of 100%, a frequency of 0.88 plots/9 plots, a relative frequency of 100%, dominance of 52.03 m2/900 m2, and a relative dominance of 100%. Similarly, in the Sapling Vegetation (Belta) stratum, the density value is 0.18/0.0025 ha, with a relative density of 100%, a frequency of 0.77 plots/9 plots, a relative frequency of 100%, dominance of 169.91 m2/225 m2, and a relative dominance of 100%. The understory vegetation stratum demonstrates diversity with 15 types of vegetation, where the highest density value is found in the gebang plant species at 0.97/0.0004 ha, with a relative density of 34.31%, a frequency of 0.55 plots/9 plots, and a relative frequency of 13.51%.
 Keywords: Gewang (Corypha gebanga); vegetation analysis; quadrant sampling

Uji Daya Koksidiostat Ekstrak Temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) Asal Pulau Timor pada Ayam Buras

The development of livestock business in Indonesia has very profitable business prospects because the demand for animal products continues to grow. One of the livestock sub-sectors that are most in demand is poultry farming, especially free-range chicken. However, the development of poultry farming does not escape the obstacles faced by farmers, namely diseases, coccidiosis is one of them, which is a gastrointestinal protozoan infection caused by Eimeria spp. Coccidiosis management currently uses a coccidiostat, one of which is sulfaquinoxalin. However, sulfaquinoxalin has the disadvantage that it can cause a decrease in eggshell thickness and a decrease in feed consumption. The aim of this research is to find alternatives for the prevention and treatment of Eimeria tenella infection. This study used extracts of temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) from Timor Island. This study aims to know whether temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) extract from Timor Island is effective in treating coccidiosis and at what concentration is the most effective. The research methods included the manufacture of temulawak extract, experimental infection, collection of faecal samples, effectiveness testing and macroscopic observation of the cecum from chickens and calculating the score of the cecum lesions. This study used 3 treatment groups with 1 control. The treatment group used graded doses of temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) extract namely 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6%, while the positive control used Coxy (©Medion) at a dose of 5 grams per liter of drinking water. The results showed that the temulawak extract (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) from the island of Timor was effective in inhibiting the growth of Eimeria tenella in vivo, with the most effective concentration of 0.2%.

Impact of agricultural infrastructure development on inequality and optimization equality of farmers’ income in Indonesia-Timor Leste Border Area

This research aims to analyze income inequality and the factors determining inequality, as well as the allocation of land resources that optimize income distribution. The research is a continuation of previous research that found production and income growth as a result of the construction of the Roticlot Dam in the border area of Indonesia and TimorLeste. The research used survey methods in Fatuketi Village, the location of agricultural infrastructure (Rotiklot Dam) in the Indonesia and Timor Leste Border Area. Data analysis uses Gini, Tobit ratios, and linear programming. The results of the Gini ratio analysis show that there has been a decrease in income inequality from medium (Gini Ratio = 0.44) to low (Gini Ratio = 0.26); and the results of the Tobit analysis state that the factor that has a significant positive effect on income inequality is land area, while farmer independence, the number of family dependents, and business capital have a significant negative effect. Furthermore, land resource factors that have a positive influence on income distribution are allocated appropriately and fairly so that income equality is achieved, namely IDR 3,732,692.81 (Gini Ratio = 0.00, which is a very low level of income inequality). It is recommended that agrarian reform through the distribution of additional land be adjusted to the existing conditions of land area, income, availability of water resources, and socio-economic factors.

UTERINE INVOLUTION IN DAWANESSE POSTPARTUM MOTHERS WITH TATOBI PRACTICES

Background: The Dawan tribe is a tribe on the mainland of Timor Island that owns a tradition of caring for postpartum mothers called Tatobi. Tatobi is a tradition done by compressing the vagina, perineum, abdomen, and mother's breast using a traditional cloth dipped in hot water. Heat stimulation can cause vasodilation, possibly affecting the process of returning the uterus to its original state, known as uterine involution.
 Objectives: This study aims to determine differences of uterine involution in postpartum mothers who did and did not practice tatobi.
 Methods: This quantitative study uses a comparative descriptive study design involving 15 exposed groups and 15 control group people. Determination of respondents using the quota in Binaus Health Center, Kapan Health Center, and Fatumnasi Health Center. Technique data collection using direct lochia observation, measurement of uterine fundus height, and interviews to find out the practice of Tatobi. The data were then analyzed using the paired t-test.
 Results: The study showed no significant difference in FH of exposed and control groups on the first and third days of postpartum, which showed a p-value of 0.325 and 0.261, respectively. In contrast, there was a significant difference in FH on the seventh day, with a p-value of 0.000 at a 95% confidence level. The results also showed no significant difference in lochia’s volume on the 1st and the third day of postpartum (p-values 0.764 and 0.426, respectively). However, the lochia’s volume differed in the exposed and control groups with a p-value of 0.048). The results of this study could be due to the lax practice of tatobi, which is supported by factors of early mobilization, fulfilment of nutria
 ents, age, and parity.
 Conclusion: This research concludes that there is a difference of the process of uterine involution in the exposed group and the control group on the seventh day.

Ende Island Portuguese Fort: Historical Overview of Portuguese Defense in Ende

The conquest of Malacca in 1511 by the Portuguese became the gateway for Portuguese trading ships to the Maluku and Banda islands in search of spices. This shipping route continued to the islands of Timor and Flores with the same mission until finally capturing important ports in the archipelago as a stepping stone to controlling the spice trade in the archipelago. The mission of spreading religious teachings was also one of the important tasks of the colonialists, and to maintain their existence they built various forts as a defense mechanism. One of the forts that was considered part of Indonesia's spice route was the Portuguese fort on Ende Island. By using a historical approach, this research is intended to reveal historical events in the context of the establishment of a fort by the Portuguese on Ende Island and examine the position of this historical site for the people of Ende Island today. In this way, it is hoped that this historical relic from the past can continue to maintain its existence as a characteristic and proof of the struggle of the Indonesian people to win the independence of their homeland.

Cretaceous-Paleogene rifting on the NW margin of the Australian continent, SE Banda Arc region

The Banda Terrane successions of Timor Island and correlative units in Sumba are widely considered allochthonous with respect to the Australian continental margin successions that form the main part of the Banda arc-continent collision complex. A new interpretation is proposed for the Banda Terrane, which suggests that these units originated on the outermost (northern) edge of the Australian continent. Volcanic successions in the Banda Terrane, which date to the Cretaceous and Paleogene (Aptian/Albian to Eocene), are interpreted as originating in a backarc/marginal basin setting behind a northward-facing arc that rifted away from the NW margin of Australia through this period. The Banda terrane successions are interpreted as representing the southern, continent-attached portion of the marginal basin, and occupied a position on the distal edge of Australia up to the onset of Banda arc-continent collision in the Miocene.Supporting evidence for an Australian margin origin of the Banda Terrane includes very similar age ranges for zircons dated to the Cretaceous in Sumba and Timor (Banda Terrane) and in sandstones of the Ungar Formation in Tanimbar, the latter forming an element of the Australian margin succession. In Timor there is also previously reported evidence for continental margin rifting during the Late Cretaceous, while contemporaneous Late Cretaceous-Paleogene volcanism is also recognised in the Bird’s Head-Misool region of eastern Indonesia, which forms part of the Australian continental margin. In addition, a number of stratigraphic links between the Banda Terrane and the Australian continental margin successions in Timor are summarised in this study.The effects of the Cretaceous-Paleogene rifting event are also apparent in subsidence curves derived from petroleum exploration wells drilled on the northern ‘passive’ continental margin of Australia from SW of Timor to the Bird’s Head-Misool region of eastern Indonesia. Inferred rift-related subsidence commenced in the Aptian-Albian on the Australian palaeo-margin immediately east of Timor and developed sporadically but in regionally consistent groupings throughout the Late Cretaceous and Paleogene.

Isolation and characterization of indigenous phosphate solubilizing bacteria from calcareous soil of dry land ecosystems in Timor Tengah Selatan, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract. Nur MSM, Benggu YI, Tae ASJA, Ishaq LF, Soetedjo INP. 2023. Isolation and characterization of indigenous phosphate solubilizing bacteria from calcareous soil of dry land ecosystems in Timor Tengah Selatan, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Intl J Trop Drylands 7: 66-72. Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) is a potential biofertilizer due to its ability to increase phosphorus (P) availability. That is important, especially in areas where P availability becomes a constraint for plant growth, such as calcareous soil in Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The study was undertaken in three ecosystems, including mamar, farm, and coastal areas in Timor Tengah Selatan, with the objective was obtaining and characterizing PSBs from these ecosystems. Five soil samples from the rhizosphere of five plants were collected from each ecosystem for PSB occurrence and soil physicochemical properties. The results showed that PSB could be found in these three ecosystems observed, with the highest types of the isolate being in the coastal area ecosystem compared to mamar and farm ecosystems. PSBs were relatively low in the three ecosystems, possibly related to the soil properties. Despite the low population of PSBs obtained, 19 isolates of PSBs were found in this study. The study results provide initial information on the occurrence of PSBs in calcareous soil Timor. This study needs to be expanded to screen and identify the PSB isolates used as biofertilizers for calcareous soil in the region.

Structure and composition of tree and shrub species and their invasiveness in conservation areas of West Timor, Indonesia

Abstract. Lumban-Gaol M, Mudita IW. 2023. Structure and composition of tree and shrub species and their invasiveness in conservation areas of West Timor, Indonesia. Asian J For 7: 132-144. This study aimed to investigate the composition of vegetation of tree and shrub species and their invasiveness in West Timor conservation forests, Indonesia. Three conservation zones were purposefully chosen to showcase Timor Island's conservation forest. Baumata Nature Recreation Park (Baumata NRP), Camplong Nature Recreation Park (Campong NRP), and Herman Yohannes Grand Forest Park (Herman Yohannes GFP) are three such parks. The point-centered quarter approach was used to collect data. The Important Value Index (IVI) was established for each existing species. Each plant was classed as either invasive or non-invasive. Approximately 59 tree and shrub species were found in these three conservation zones. Based on IVI, the forest was dominated by Cassia siamea Lam. (23.53%), Tectona grandis L.f. (21.97%), Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken (19.61%), and Syzygium aqueum (Burm.fil.) Alston (14.95%). More than 40% of the species present were potentially invasive. Based on the IVI, the potentially invasive species were dominated by C. siamea (23.53%), Tamarindus indica L. (11.69%), Gmelina arborea Roxb. ex Sm. (10.73%), Swietenia macrophylla G.King (10.30%), Ficus benjamina L. (7.45%), Antidesma bunius (L.) Spreng. (7.40%), and Albizia Durazz. (7.31%). The presence of invasive trees and shrubs in the conservation area of West Timor was relatively high. Therefore, it requires management actions to prevent further spread and dominance.

Adat Law-Making Process

Abstract This study aims to analyse the emerging need to change customary law (adat law in Indonesia) and identify the role of adat functionaries. The experience of the Mollo adat law community (indigenous people) from the south-eastern part of Indonesia, Timor Island, shows that the sudden and massive collection of haukonof (Usnea barbata), a non-timber forest product, has caused forest destruction. How do the adat functionaries respond to the situation? Is adat law sufficient to respond to the sudden change of their livelihood? If it is not, then what to do? Furthermore, what are the impacts on the functionaries? What are their difficulties, and how do they solve them? This article is based on an in-depth ethnographic study held in July—September 2021. Data are collected through interviews and observation. The adat functionaries want to restrict the people from picking and collecting haukonof, but there is no adat law specifically ruling on it. Only the adat functionaries should protect the environment. The pickers and the collectors of haukonof are the members of the communities. The kinship relation between the functionaries and the members complicates legal enforcement. The adat functionaries’ authority and the sustainability of the livelihoods are in danger. The immediate solution is borrowing state law which obliges a person who utilises non-timber forest products in the Protection Forest to hold a valid permit. It effectively reduces the number of haukonof picking and collection by the community members. Adat’s law-making process does not work in isolation. It is an interactive process that needs continuous foresight observation from the adat functionaries to find the appropriate solution to protect the environment and the people.

Uji Aktivitas Larvasida Minyak Daun Kemangi (Ocinum sanctum L.) Asal Pulau Timor Terhadap Larva Nyamuk Aedes Aegypti

The tropical climate in regions like Timor Island can lead to the proliferation of disease-carrying mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti, which are responsible for diseases like dengue fever, filarial infections, and elephantiasis. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a major concern in Indonesia, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of basil leaf oil (Ocimum Sanctum L.) as a natural substitute for electric mosquito repellents. The study focused on evaluating its impact on the mortality of Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae and determining the LC50 (Lethal Concentration 50) of basil leaf oil against these larvae. Basil leaves (Ocimum Sanctum L.) were used to extract basil leaf oil through distillation, followed by separating water and oil. The study employed a randomized block design (RAK) to conduct experiments on mosquito larvae. The larvicidal activity of basil leaf oil was tested using 5 different concentrations: 750 ppm, 1000 ppm, 1500 ppm, 2000 ppm, and 5000 ppm. A control group containing 70% alcohol was also included. Ten Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae were transferred from a holding container to a beaker containing 100 mL of distilled water mixed with basil leaf oil at the specified concentrations. The larvae were observed at 5, 10, 15, and 20-minute intervals to track the mortality rate of the larvae over time. The findings of the research demonstrated that basil leaf oil (Ocimum Sanctum L.) exhibited larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. The mortality rate of the larvae increased as the concentration of basil leaf oil increased, with the most significant impact observed at a concentration of 2000 ppm. This study highlights the potential of basil leaf oil as a natural larvicide against Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae, which are responsible for transmitting diseases like dengue fever. The results suggest that basil leaf oil could serve as an alternative or complementary method to conventional mosquito control strategies. Given the importance of controlling mosquito-borne diseases, the use of locally available plant-based substances like basil leaf oil could contribute to public health efforts, particularly in regions like East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Further research and development in this area could lead to the creation of effective and environmentally friendly mosquito control products.