Secondary metabolites, antioxidant activity, and acute toxicity of ethanol extract of Artocarpus elasticus leaves

2026-02-28T09:15:57+00:00

Artocarpus elasticus belongs to Moraceae; a family best known for their fruits that support human life. Along with its nutritive components, different parts of A. elasticus are traditionally used to treat fever, hypertension, digestive problems, infections, and female fertility. However, scientific data of this plant, especially its leaves, are still limited, requiring further research. The present study investigated secondary metabolites, antioxidant, and acute toxicity of its leaves using methods on ethanolic maceration, phytochemical screening, determination of phenolics and flavonoids content, qualitative and quantitative DPPH radical scavenging activity, and brine shrimp lethality test. The yield of ethanolic extract of A. elasticus leaves was 6.52 gram extract per 100 gram of dried leaves. The study found the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, and saponins in the extract. The TPC (28.29 ± 1.46 mg GAE/g of extract) and TFC (7.72 ± 0.34 mg QE/g of extract) found high in diluted extract at 10 and 100 µg/mL, respectively. The extract showed moderate free radical scavenging activity with an SC₅₀ value of 8.04 µg/mL and an AAI of 0.99. The extract also displayed toxicity towards A. salina nauplii with an LC₅₀ of 116.24 µg/mL. The study concludes that leaves of A. elasticus could be further explored for antioxidant and cytotoxic agents.

Prospecting laccase-producing wood-decaying fungi from the UPR peat swamp forest, Central Kalimantan

2026-02-28T11:32:19+00:00

Tropical peat forests of Kalimantan harbor diverse wood-decaying fungi with strong ligninolytic potential, yet their functional enzymatic characteristics remain poorly documented. This study prospectively examined the physiological expression of laccase production in native fungi isolated from the Universitas Palangka Raya peat swamp forest, Central Kalimantan. Three stable pure cultures were obtained: MIPA 2 (Ganoderma sp.), MIPA 4 (Trametes sp. 1), and MIPA 8 (Trametes sp. 3). All isolates produced extracellular laccase but showed clear differences in growth and enzyme productivity. Growth analysis revealed distinct radial expansion rates, with MIPA 2 exhibiting the fastest mycelial growth (13.64 mm/day). The faster radial growth of MIPA 2 suggests higher metabolic activity and biomass formation, which may contribute to its superior laccase production compared to the other isolates. Qualitative screening on syringaldazine-amended PDA also confirmed extracellular laccase activity in all isolates, with activity levels ranging from weak (+) to strong (+++). Quantitative assays in potato dextrose broth and modified glucose–peptone medium revealed strong nutrient-dependent regulation of laccase biosynthesis, with MIPA 2 reaching 93.71 U/L on day 21. The pronounced stimulation by organic nitrogen indicates ecological adaptation to acidic, nutrient-limited peat environments and distinguishes these isolates from many previously reported Ganoderma and Trametes strains that typically require external inducers for high activity. These findings demonstrate that peat swamp ecosystems represent not only a geographic source but also a reservoir of fungi with distinct ligninolytic expression profiles and potential biotechnological relevance.

Current Research on Biosciences and Biotechnology

Secondary metabolites, antioxidant activity, and acute toxicity of ethanol extract of Artocarpus elasticus leaves

Prospecting laccase-producing wood-decaying fungi from the UPR peat swamp forest, Central Kalimantan