Spice Plant Research Articles

The Development of Germination Tests and Breaking Dormancy Techniques of Bitter Seeds (Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees)

Bitter seed (Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees) is a medicinal species used in phyto pharmacy and known as ‘the king of bitterness’. Bitter seeds contain andrographolide,
 a diterpenoid lactone which is widely used in Indian medicine for snake bites and for the treatment of hepatitis. The research was conducted at the Seed Management Unit experimental field of the Indonesian Spice and Medicinal Plants Research Institute (IMACRI) and at the Seed Quality Testing Laboratory of IPB University, Indonesia, from January until May 2021. The objectives of the study is to determine the best germination test and effective breaking dormancy techniques to increase the germination percentage of bitter seeds. The study was arranged in a completely randomized design with two-factors. The first factor was seed treatments, i.e., control/untreated, chemical scarification with 5% H2SO4 for 10 minutes, and 5% H2SO4 followed by a 100 ppm GA3 soaking treatment. The second factor conducted was germination test methods according to International Seed Testing Association, i.e., germinating the seeds on the top of paper and in pleated paper. Our study demonstrated that seed treatment with H2SO4 can break seed dormancy and speed up seed germination. Bitter seed germination on the pleated paper was higher than with the top-of-paper method. Bitter seed germination with the top-of-paper method was at 65 DAS and the final germination was at 80 days after sowing (DAS), and the final germination was 55.2%. With the pleated paper method, the seeds germinated at 30 DAS and the final germination was at 70 DAS, and the final the germination of 59.2%.

Phytochemicals and Proximate Analysis of Litsea Cubeba Lour. Barks

Indonesia is a country with a lot of spice plant resources. Attarasa (Litsea cubeba L.), which is frequently found in the North Tapanuli area, is one form of spice that can be developed. Attarasa (Litsea cubeba L.) is a Lauraceae plant with varous biological activity such as antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, pesticide, antibacterial, anticancer, and neuropharmacology. An estimation of the nutrient composition, phytochemicals and proximate values of plants gives the idea of their nutritional significance. This study aimed to determine phytochemicals and proximate analysis in Litsea cubeba Lour. barks simplex powder. Analysis of phytochemicals were analyzed with thin layer chromatography (TLC) method and proximate (water and ash content, carbohydrate, protein, crude fiber and total fat) were analyzed based on SNI-01-2891-1992. Alkaloids, steroids/triterpenoids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides were found in simplex powder. The water content, ash content, carbohydrate, protein, crude fiber and total fat of simple powder were 8.70%; 1.79%; 41.50%; 8.43%; 35.80% and 0.78% respectively. Simplex powder of Litsea cubeba Lour. barks has contained various of phytochemicals and proximate value.

A novel perspective on the preventive treatment of hydrazine compound-induced liver injury: Isoniazid liver injury as an example

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAnethum graveolens L. (dill), which has been used as a medicine, spice and aromatic plant since ancient times, is not only a traditional Chinese medicines but also an important medicinal and functional food in Europe and Central and South Asia. In ethnomedicine, dill reportedly exerts a protective effect on the liver and has been widely used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of jaundice in the liver and spleen and inflammatory gout diseases in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, studies have found that dill can regulate the NAT2 enzyme, and this plant was thus selected to study its alleviating effect on isoniazid liver injury. Aim of the studyThe purpose of this study was to explore the effect of dill on alleviating liver injury induced by hydrazine compounds represented by isoniazid through the use of network pharmacology combined with in vivo and in vitro experimental verifications. Materials and methodsFirst, we screened the key targets of dill in the treatment of liver injury through the use of network pharmacology; we then performed GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses using the DAVID database. We also verified the alleviative and anti-inflammatory effects of dill on isoniazid liver injury in rats by animal experiments. We further investigated the modulating effect of dill on the enzymatic activity of NAT2, a common metabolizing enzyme of hydrazine compounds. ResultsA total of 111 key targets were screened through network pharmacology. In vivo experiments showed that dill reduced the amount of inflammatory factors produced by isoniazid, such as IL-10, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6, restored the levels of ALT, AST, r-GT, AKP and TBA in vivo, and attenuated isoniazid liver injury. Both in vivo and vitro results indicated that dill could regulate the expression of NAT2 enzymes. ConclusionsThe results tentatively demonstrate that dill can alleviate isoniazid liver injury through multiple components, targets and pathways and exerts a regulatory effect on the NAT2 enzyme, and these findings thus provide new ideas for subsequent studies on hydrazide liver injury——reducing the risk of hydrazide-induced liver injury through anti-inflammation and regulation of NAT2 enzymes.

Alteration of The Content of Piperine and Essential Oil from Black Pepper and White Pepper After a Year Storage

Pepper is a type of spice plant in Indonesia that used for cooking spices. One of the advantages of this spice is that it has a spicy taste and distinctive scent caused by piperine and essential oils contained in pepper seeds. This research was carried out from June 2018 to October 2019, using the main raw material for the Natar 1 variety of pepper. The pepper seed was processed into black pepper and white pepper, and the yield was calculated. Then observed levels of piperine and essential oils of black pepper and white pepper prior to and a year after storage. The data obtained were processed in a qualitative descriptive manner. The results showed that after 12 months of storage, there was a decrease in piperine content of 9.91% and a decrease in essential oil content of 21.77%; while white pepper decreased piperine content by 19.45% and essential oil content decreased by 56.91%. Based on the results of this study, good storage technology is needed to support the sustainability of the availability of black pepper and white pepper in particular, as well as pepper farming in general.

Dried nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) derivatives products processing in Tapaktuan District, South Aceh Regency

Nutmeg is one of the spice plants that can be found in the province of Aceh, nutmeg is processed into snacks managed by cooperatives small and medium enterprises. Due to a large number of nutmeg, processing into snacks is one of the regional economic empowerment. In this study, an analysis of the supply chain distribution of candied nutmeg and the level of consumer preference for processed nutmeg fruit into snacks was carried out. Processing of snacks in the form of dry nutmeg. The sample used is 14 units of cooperatives small and medium enterprises that are active in production in South Aceh. Acceptance and value of selling prices from upstream to downstream so that it affects the results of production carried out by producers to consumers. The sample generated from 14 small business units was tested on the level of consumer preference by using 25 panellists who were grouped into teenagers, adults and old consumers. The results of this study indicate that one small and medium-sized business has the highest score (UD Cahaya) in achieving the level of consumer preference. The selling price of these snacks at the production site is Rp. 4.000,- and the selling price reaches Rp. 5.000,- per pack.

Inventory of potential spice plants as care cosmetics

This research is motivated by the absence of previous research that examines the use of spice plants as care cosmetics by the people of Belonsat Village. This result can make vanished of knowledge about the efficacy of spice plants as care cosmetics, so it is necessary to have a instrument used to document in writing about spice plants used as care cosmetics by the people of Belonsat Village. This study aims to 1) identify the types of spice plants that are used as care cosmetics, 2) identify parts of spice plants that are used as care cosmetics, 3) identify how to use them as care cosmetics. The research uses a qualitative descriptive approach, the research method used is a survey. The source of the data from this research was obtained from the main informant who also served as a key informant. Data obtained through in-depth interviews and participatory observation. The results of an interview with a key informant as well as a key informant showed that there were 11 species of spice plants that have the potential as care cosmetics. These spice plants include: basil, cardamom, kencur, temu giring, ginger emprit (ginger rice), elephant ginger, red ginger, temulawak, lime, orange chili sauce, and garlic. There are uses that are singular, there are also those that must be combined.

Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Reveal that Diarylheptanoids Vary in Amomum tsao-ko Fruit Development

Amomum tsao-ko is an important spice and medicinal plant that has received extensive attention in recent years for its high content of bioactive constituents with the potential for food additives and drug development. Diarylheptanoids are major and characteristic compounds in A. tsao-ko; however, the biochemical and molecular foundation of diarylheptanoids in fruit is unknown. We performed comparative metabolomics and transcriptomics studies in the ripening stages of A. tsao-ko fruit. The chemical constituents of fruit vary in different harvest periods, and the diarylheptanoids have a trend to decrease or increase with fruit development. GO enrichment analysis revealed that plant hormone signaling pathways including the ethylene-activated signaling pathway, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and response to hydrogen peroxide were associated with fruit ripening. The biosynthetic pathways including phenylpropanoid, flavonoids, and diarylheptanoids biosynthesis were displayed in high enrichment levels in ripening fruit. The molecular networking and phytochemistry investigation of A. tsao-ko fruit has isolated and identified 10 diarylheptanoids including three new compounds. The candidate genes related to diarylheptanoids were obtained by coexpression network analysis and phylogenetic analysis. Two key genes have been verified to biosynthesize linear diarylheptanoids. This integrative approach provides gene regulation and networking associated with the biosynthesis of characteristic diarylheptanoids, which can be used to improve the quality of A. tsao-ko as food and medicine.

LAMA WAKTU PERENDAMAN BIJI PALA (Myristica fragrans H.) DENGAN PENAMBAHAN KALIUM NITRAT (KN03) TERHADAP PERKECAMBAHAN BIJI

Myristica fragrans Houtt. is a spice plant that is used as a spice in the kitchen, food preservatives, beverages, perfumes, cosmetics and soaps. The large use of nutmeg plants results in high industrial demand for nutmeg but the availability of nutmeg is minimal because generative propagation using seeds is still constrained because the structure of the seed coat is hard so that germination takes up to 8 weeks. Dormancy breaking can be done with chemical compounds such as the use of KN03 (potassium nitrate). This study aims to determine the effect of soaking time of nutmeg using KN03 solution and determine the efficient time of soaking nutmeg using KN03 solution on germination. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) which consisted of 5 levels of immersion time, namely without immersion KN03, immersion 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours and 48 hours. Parameters observed were germination percentage and germination time. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at 5% level and DMRT follow-up test. The results showed that the duration of soaking nutmeg seeds using KN03 had a significant effect on the percentage of germination and germination time. The treatment of soaking nutmeg seeds with 2% KNO3 for 24 hours was an efficient treatment for nutmeg seed germination with a germination percentage of 88.3% and germination time of 23.7 days.

PENGARUH JENIS PELARUT DAN WAKTU EKSTRAKSI DENGAN METODE SOXHLETASI PADA PENGAMBILAN MINYAK KEMIRI (Aleurites moluccanus)

The candlenut plant is a plant that is used as a spice plant that produces oil with various benefits used in everyday life. The various benefits that exist in hazelnut oil make hazelnut oil popular with consumers in meeting their daily needs. This causes an increase in demand for hazelnut oil because the need is also increasing every year. Therefore, it is necessary to have an appropriate extraction method so that it can produce good quality hazelnut oil and maximum results. This research aims to determine the effect of the type of solvent and the most effective extraction time on the extraction of hazelnut oil using the soxhletation method. This research method is an experiment by varying the type of solvent, namely n-hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol, as well as time variations, namely 60, 90 and 120 minutes with the soxhletation process. The tests in this study were the yield test, density test and water content test. In this study, it was shown that the best solvent for extraction of hazelnut oil was n-hexane because it could produce 18.64% yield with an extraction time of 120 minutes and had a clear yellow color with a density value of 0.926 g/mL in accordance with the hazelnut oil criteria determined by SNI . Extraction time has a major influence on the yield obtained. The longer the extraction time, the more randemen produced. In this study the best time for extraction was 120 minutes.

Computational probing of Nigella sativa bioactive metabolites against chickungunya nsP2 cysteine protease

Background and AimInstances of chikungunya reported throughout the world in the past two decades of the present century. There is a lack of effective medicine or vaccine for chikungunya treatment. Non-structural protein, the nsP2 cysteine protease (nsP2pro) is an attractive target for inhibitors. It is a key enzyme for proteolytic cleavage of polyprotein precursors and produces functional proteins for replication and multiplication of the virus. Bioactive metabolites from Nigella sativa L; a popular spice and well-known medicinal plant, were selected for the current study against nsP2pro to search for potent non-toxic natural inhibitors of nsP2pro. Experimental procedureOut of 54 bioactive metabolites from N. sativa 27 qualified drug likeliness properties. Virtual screening of 27 selected molecules was performed using AutoDock Vina. Top four molecules Kaempferol, (-)-Epicatechin, (+)-Catechin, and Apigenin with the least binding energy were taken for molecular docking employing AUTODOCK4. These metabolites were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation and MMPBSA, and the resilience of protein–ligand complexes had been assessed in terms of RMSD, RMSF, Rg, SASA, and hydrogen bonding. Results and ConclusionsDrug likeliness, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation properties, and MMPBSA analyses made clear that Kaempferol, (-)- Epicatechin, (+)- Catechin, and Apigenin all seem to be potential nsP2pro potent inhibitors and strong candidates for chikungunya virus drug development.

KINERJA ALAT PENGERING KUNYIT BERSUMBER PANAS HAIR DRYER

Turmeric is a plant that is included in the spice plant category and is also a family medicinal plant (TOGA) which is good for health. However, in the drying process they still use the traditional method of drying in the sun, so this method is less effective because it has to depend on the weather. Therefore there must be a new innovation, namely using a dryer. In this study, the dryer used was an oven that had been designed using a hair dryer as the heat source. The purpose of this study was to determine the performance of the turmeric dryer with a hair dryer as a heat source. This type of research is a pure experimental research. The research object is an oven-shaped dryer that uses a hair dryer as a heat source. After conducting performance tests, the turmeric dryer can work well. This study uses 3 time variants, namely, 30, 60, and 90 minutes. Testing at 55°C was the most efficient time, namely 90 minutes with an initial weight of 200 grams to 118 grams which experienced higher shrinkage than 30 minutes and 60 minutes. The longer the drying time, the better the drying results.

Jahe Dalam Al-Quran dan Sains:


 Based on searches from various interpretations, it can be concluded that ginger, which is called Allah in the Qur'an in surah al-Insan verse 17, explains the features of ginger as a plant that is rich in properties and is also referred to as a herbal medicinal plant, food seasoning and as a ginger drink found in the world. and as a drink of heaven that is served to the believers of the inhabitants of heaven. The type of research used in this research is descriptive qualitative research. This study also uses the library research method or literature study with a data analysis approach and the interpretation methodology that the authors use in this study is the tahlili method. Where is the Tahlili approach interpreting surah al-Insan verse 17 concerning ginger as a drink of heaven in that verse. This research resulted that ginger is a spice plant that is often used as a traditional medicine which has properties for the body including providing a strong deterrent against various diseases and can improve the health condition of the body. In this discussion there is Tafsir Al-Misbah, where according to Quraish Shihab ginger in the Koran has been described as a drink for the inhabitants of heaven which gives warmth and pleasure to His faithful servants who are in heaven. From this writing, we can see that the pleasure provided by Allah SWT in heaven is far greater than the pleasures obtained in this world. Earthly pleasures are meaningless when compared to heavenly pleasures.
 Keywords: Ginger, Interpretation of Al-Misbah, Science

Pengembangan Menu Unggulan Modern Berbahan Baku Lokal untuk Cafe di Wisata Rainbow Garden Poetoek Soeko Trawas Kabupaten Mojokerto

Poetoek Soeko Rainbow Garden Tour is one of the tourism attractions managed by BUMDES Sukosari Makmur in Trawas-East Java that provide beautiful flower garden objects. The presence of a café is one of the supporting factors of rainbow garden tourism. To give characteristics and improve visitor interest, café menu diversification based on local possibilities must be established. Local potential in the form of spice, tuber and local plants was cultivated through the Matching Fund community service initiative started by UBAYA in the form of instruction in the manufacturing of local-modern fusion food. Participatory Action Research (PAR) method was implemented and delivered in three stages: planning, execution, assessment, and monitoring. This community service initiative resulted in three variations of local-modern cuisine which are implemented in new menu book in the Poetoek Soeko Rainbow Garden café. This program had a beneficial influence on boosting the partners' knowledge and abilities, as evidenced by an examination of test scores before and after the training. Cooking competitions held after product creation not only measure participant skill, but also boost competitiveness in the development of future menus. Based on post-test conducted resulting the increase of knowledge regarding local ingredients and processing up to 15.63%.

Phenolic constituents from Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hyland and their NO production inhibition activity

AbstractElsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hyl. (Elsholtzia cristata (Willd.), Lamiaceae is a medicinal and spice plant widely used in Vietnam. Phytochemical study on this plant led to the isolation of eleven phenolic glycosides compounds, kaempferol‐3‐β‐D‐(6‐O‐trans‐p‐coumaroyl) glucopyranoside (tiliroside, 1), rosmarinic acid methyl ester (2), 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐1‐(3′, 5′‐dimethoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenyl‐1‐propanone) (3), β‐hydroxypropiovanillone 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (4), 4‐(3',4'‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐butan‐2‐one 3'‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (5), 4‐(3'‐glucopyranosyloxy‐hydroxyphenyl)‐(E)‐3‐buten‐2‐one (6), syringin (7), icariside F2 (8), methyl salicylate α‐L‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (9), methyl 2‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl benzoate (10), and 1‐O‐caffeoylglycerol (11). Their chemical structures were evidenced by ESIMS, CD, and NMR spectra in comparison with those in the literature. All the isolated compounds were evaluated their NO production inhibition activity on LPS‐activated RAW264.7 cells. Compounds 2, 9, and 10 inhibited NO production with IC50 values of 19.23±1.30, 16.51±1.56, and 13.73±0.95 μM, respectively, compared to that of the positive control of NG‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine acetate (L‐NMMA) with an IC50 value of 32.51±3.70 μM. Whereas, the other compounds showed no activity with the IC50 values over 100 μM.

Chemical composition, chemotypic characterization, and histochemical localization of volatile components in different cultivars of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. leaves.

Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim., an important spice plant, is rich in volatile components and has formed several cultivars in China. Genetic variation among different cultivars has significant effects on volatile components. In this study, a total of 52 volatile compounds were detected from 11 cultivars of Z. bungeanum, among which palmitic acid, (+)-limonene, phytol, β-caryophyllene, and terpinyl acetate were screened as characteristic compounds, with palmitic acid and phytol contributing the most to the volatile composition. Combined with the results of chemometric and content analyses, three Z. bungeanum chemotypes were identified: (+)-limonene, β-caryophyllene+terpinyl acetate, and palmitic acid+phytol. In addition, the dynamics of the accumulation of its main components were explored, and the optimal harvest period for Z. bungeanum leaves (late July or early August) was clarified. Moreover, histochemical analysis results showed that terpenoids were mainly accumulated in the oil cells of Z. bungeanum leaves, and there were some differences in the number of oil cells in different chemotypes of Z. bungeanum, which might affect the yield and quality of volatile components. The results showed that the differences of chemical composition among diverse chemotypes of Z. bungeanum might be an important factor leading to the quality differences of the same planting resources. Accordingly, the study on the classification of Z. bungeanum chemotypes and the accumulation patterns of major chemical components is of great theoretical significance and practical value as a favorable guarantee for the development and utilization of Z. bungeanum resources and quality control.

Structural Characterization of Polysaccharides from Coriandrum sativum Seeds: Hepatoprotective Effect against Cadmium Toxicity In Vivo.

Coriandrum sativum is one of the most widespread curative plants in the world, being vastly cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions as one of the oldest spice plants. The present study explored the extraction of polysaccharides from Coriandrum sativum seeds and the evaluation of their antioxidant potential and hepatoprotective effects in vivo. The polysaccharide from coriander seeds was extracted, and the structural characterization was performed by FT-IR, UV-vis, DSC, NMR (1D and 2D), GC-MS, and SEC analysis. The polysaccharide extracted from Coriandrum sativum (CPS) seeds was characterized to evaluate its antioxidant and hepatoprotective capacities in rats. Results showed that CPS was composed of arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, mannose, fructose, galactose, and glucose in molar percentages of 6.2%, 3.6%, 8.8%, 17.7%, 5.2%, 32.9%, and 25.6%, respectively. Further, CPS significantly hindered cadmium-induced oxidation damage and exercised a protective effect against Cd hepatocytotoxicity, with a considerable reduction in MDA production and interesting CAT and SOD enzyme levels. Results suggest that CPS might be employed as a natural antioxidant source.

Socio-economic diagnosis of some non-timber forest products of interest in the town of Bertoua, East Cameroon

In the cities of Cameroon, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) more precisely spice plants, occupy a place of choice for the well-being of the population. NTFPs such as Irvingia gabonensis, Ricinodendron heudelotii and Tetrapleura tetraptera, which are among the most consumed in the city of Bertoua. The objective of this study was to make a socio-economic diagnosis of the state of these NTFPs. A questionnaire was administered to 500 people, including 18 collectors, 22 wholesalers, 165 retailers and 295 consumers in the sub-districts of Bertoua 1, Bertoua 2 and Mandjou. We found that the female gender was predominantly represented in all categories of actors (68-94%). Fruits/seeds represent the most used parts of these NTFPs (98-99%). The uses of these NTFPs are mainly for food and pharmacological (40-80% depending on the species). The mode of use is mainly decoction especially in soup (95-99%). The main constraints linked to the commercialization of these NTFPs are the seasonality of production for collectors, the price variation for retailers on the market, and the lack of customers for traders. The satisfaction levels of wholesalers, retailers and collectors are divided between the difficulties encountered during marketing and the speed of sale of the different species. This study confirms the importance of spice plants for the well-being of households. For a sustainable management of spice plants in Bertoua and its periphery, the integration between the actors, the economy and the preservation of natural resources should be at the centre of any forestry policy.

A CAPRICE gene of Rosa rugosa (RrCPC) suppresses the trichome formation of Arabidopsis

Rosa rugosa is a spice plant with important economic value in the world. Its stem is densely covered with thorns. Its anatomical structure, as a special form of epidermal hair with developed secondary structure, has always gained attention. However, the molecular mechanism of its developmental regulation remains to be studied. In this research, rose prickle types were first investigated and classified, and R. rugosa ‘Zizhi’ with only non-glandular prickles excavated. The number of prickles on the primary, secondary, and tertiary branches of R. rugosa ‘Zizhi’ were gradually decreased and corresponding tissues were used for transcriptome sequencing. 4588 differentially expressed genes were identified and GO enriched terms of ‘highly intensified response to stimulus’, ‘cell periphery’, and ‘nucleic acid binding transcription factor activity’, as well as KEGG enriched pathway of ‘plant hormone signal transduction’, were closely related to the development of rose prickles. CAPRICE (RrCPC) gene which upregulated with the decreasing prickle number was decided as a candidate gene involved in the prickle development of R. rugosa. RrCPC ectopic expression significantly inhibited trichomes in different organs of Arabidopsis by down-regulation of GL2 and other endogenous genes. It indicated that overexpression of RrCPC posed a significant competitive inhibition on the MBW complex. Meanwhile, consistent enrichment GO terms shared by rose and Arabidopsis suggested that regulation genes involved in prickle development may be overlapped with that of trichome. These results revealed that RrCPC was a negative regulator of the trichomes but its correlation with number of R. rugosa prickle was ambiguous. This study proved the wide difference in physiological structure of prickles and trichomes, and provided a potential gene for further genetic analysis of R. rugosa prickle formation.

Studi Morfologi Genus Piper dan Variasinya

The Piper genus is a member of the piperaceae family which is spread throughout the tropics and subtropics from the lowlands to the highlands, including Indonesia. Piper is an important spice and phytopharmaca plant that is used by the Indonesian people for their needs for spices and traditional medicine. This research was conducted with the aim of knowing the morphological variations of plants belonging to the genus Piper found in Banyumas, Purbalingga, and Banjarnegara regencies. A total of 30 individuals belonging to the genus Piper were observed using 39 morphological characters. The method used is a survey method with a purposive random sampling technique. The data obtained from morphological observations were analyzed descriptively to obtain morphological variations of members of the genus Piper. The results of research in Banyumas, Purbalingga and Banjarnegara regencies found 6 plants belonging to the Piper genus, namely red betel (Piper crocatum Ruiz & Pav.), green betel (Piper betle L.), yellow betel (Piper sp.), pepper (Piper nigrum L. .), cubeb (Piper cubeba L.f.), Javanese chili (Piper retrofractum Vahl). Variations in morphological characters of 6 plants belonging to the genus Piper were found in plant height, stem color, distance between internodes on the stem, leaf blade shape, leaf blade tip, leaf base. leaf color, color of the upper surface of the leaf, color of the lower surface of the leaf, length of the leaf blade, width of the leaf blade, texture of the upper and lower surface of the leaf, texture of the petiole, length of the petiole, color of the petiole, and aroma on the leaves.

Impact of Thermal Processing on the Selected Biological Activities of Ginger Rhizome-A Review.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a spice, medicinal and cosmetic plant that has been known for centuries. It can be used in dried, fresh, marinated or candied form, and is also an essential ingredient in well-known curry blends. Ginger rhizomes are often freeze-dried as the first step in the preparation of the raw material. Many studies have proved that the composition and biological activity of ginger changes due to thermal processing. Therefore, the aim of the review was to summarize the scientific results on the impact of traditional and unconventional methods of the heat treatment of ginger rhizomes and their influence on the antioxidant and other selected biological activities of the plant. The review of the available scientific data is inconclusive, and it is hard to state unequivocally whether the thermal treatment of the raw material increases or decreases biological activity. Based on the presented literature review, it can be concluded that traditional cooking and microwave processing in general decrease the antioxidant activity of the ginger rhizome, whereas frying, autoclaving, blanching or traditional drying in the sun mostly lead to a significant increase in ginger activity. Interesting data were presented in the works describing the freeze-drying process during which the antioxidant potential of ginger increased.