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2010-01-01
Abstract: Little is known about the effects of anthropogenic land-use change on the amphibians and reptiles of the biodiverse tropical forests of Southeast Asia. We studied a land-use modification gradient stretching from primary forest, secondary forest, natural-shade cacao agroforest, planted-shade cacao agroforest to open areas in central Sulawesi, Indonesia. We determined species richness, abundance, turnover, and community composition in all habitat types and related these to environmental correlates, such as canopy heterogeneity and thickness of leaf litter. Amphibian species richness decreased systematically along the land-use modification gradient, but reptile richness and abundance peaked in natural-shade cacao agroforests. Species richness and abundance patterns across the distur...
2009-01-01
Natural tropical forests are highly diverse and are known to contribute to forest-based services such as pollination of nearby crops. Landscape changes cause spatial and temporal bee community changes, but consequences how the community changes affect pollination is not well analyzed. This paper addresses the effects of rainforest distance and on site flower resources in agro-forests on spatial and temporal variation in pollinator communities and the consequences for coffee pollination. The study was conducted in 24 agro-forests dominated by coffee and cacao in Sulawesi, Indonesia differing in their distance to rainforest margin of the Lore-Lindu National Park and in flower density and its temporal variation. In all agro-forests, (1) transect surveys of the understory were obtained over a ...
2010-01-01
The island of Sulawesi is an ecologically diverse and anthropogenically complex region in the Indonesian archipelago; it is home to multiple macaque species and a key locus of human-nonhuman primate interconnections. Here, we review the ethnoprimatology of Sulawesi by exploring two primary domains of the human-macaque interface: overlapping resource use and cultural perceptions of macaques. Crop raiding is the primary form of overlapping resource use. While the raiding of cacao plantations predominates in Central and South Sulawesi, subsistence crops (e.g., sweet potato and maize) are most vulnerable on Buton, Southeast Sulawesi. Despite this overlap levels of conflict are generally low, with farmers showing considerable tolerance. This tolerance can be explained by positive perceptions of...
Experimental evidence for stronger cacao yield limitation by pollination than by plant resources
2010-01-01
Both pollination and resource limitation may cause low fruit:flower ratios in plants, but pollen and resource limitation have never been contrasted in commercially important crop species. Here we experimentally investigated the relative effect of pollen limitation and resource limitation in Theobroma cacao. In Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, we applied different relative levels of hand pollination (10%, 40%, 70% and 100% of available flowers up to 2m height) to mature cacao trees in two separate experiments encompassing (1) different light (shade roofs) and nitrogen (fertilizer application) treatments, and (2) water availability (throughfall displacement) treatments. None of the resource availability treatments had a significant effect, while number of mature pods and yield increased non-line...
2005-04-01
Rapid conversion of tropical rainforests to agricultural land-use types occurs throughout Indonesia and South-East Asia. We hypothesize that these changes in land-use affect the turbulent heat exchange processes between vegetation and the atmosphere, and the radiative properties of the surface, and therefore, induce an impact on local climate and water flows. As part of the international research project (SFB 552, Stability of Rainforest Margins in Indonesia, STORMA) the turbulent heat fluxes over a cacao agroforestry system (AFS) were investigated, using the eddy covariance technique. These first heat flux observations above a cacao AFS showed an unexpectedly large contribution of the sensible heat flux to the total turbulent heat transport, resulting in an averaged day-time Bowen ratio of {beta} = H/{lambda}E {approx} 1. Seasonality of {beta} did mainly coincide with the seasonal course of precipitation, which amounted to 1970 mm yr{sup -1} during the investigated period. The findings are compared to investigations at four neotropical rain forests where daytime {beta} were substantially smaller than 1. All discussed sites received similar incident short wave radiation, however, precipitation at the neotropical sites was much higher. Our first observations in a nearby Indonesian upland rain forest where precipitation was comparable to that at the cacao AFS showed an intermediate behaviour. Differences in {beta} between the cacao AFS and the tropical forests are discussed as a consequence of differing precipitation amounts, and albedo. From these comparisons we conclude that conversion from tropical forests to cacao AFS affects the energy fluxes towards increased heating of the day-time convective boundary-layer. (orig.)
Relative contribution of agroforestry, rainforest and openland to local and regional bee diversity
2010-01-01
Due to increasing human modification of tropical landscapes, the relative importance of natural habitats and agricultural systems has become a major conservation topic to counteract global species loss. We investigated the contribution of tropical primary forest, cacao agroforestry systems of varying management practices and openland to the temporal and spatial variation of diversity of native bee communities in the herb layer (Apidae, Hymenoptera) in Sulawesi (Indonesia). Local bee density and diversity were highest in openland, followed by agroforestry systems and were lowest in primary forests, revealing the importance of herbaceous food resources in the understorey. In contrast, highest regional bee richness was found in agroforestry systems, because of high community dissimilarity. Mu...
...greater than 1.0 part by weight. (c) Nomenclature. The name of the food is ?cacao nibs?, ?cocoa nibs?, or ?cracked cocoa?. (1) When the cacao nibs, or the cacao beans from which they are prepared, are processed with...
Sumatras Rubber Agroforests: Advent, Rise and Fall of a Sustainable Cropping System
2009-01-01
Until the end of the nineteenth century primary forests covered nearly all the island of Sumatra. The first valorisation of this natural resource was hunting and gathering activities, followed by and later associated with swidden cultivation of upland rice. The industrial revolution in Europe and North America in the 1950s created increasing demand for rubber. Answering this new market opportunity, farmers introduced rubber seedlings in their swiddens amidst the upland rice. By doing so, they invented a new cropping system, i.e. rubber agroforests. Thanks to the continuously increasing demand for rubber by the developing industry, rubber agroforests spread over Sumatras eastern peneplains until the 1990s. Forest conversion to rubber agroforests conserves a high level of forest biodivers...
Evaluating Theobroma grandiflorum for comparative genomic studies with Theobroma cacao
2010-01-01
The seeds of Theobroma cacao (cacao) are the source of cocoa, the raw material for the multi-billion dollar chocolate industry. Cacaos two most important traits are its unique seed storage triglyceride (cocoa butter) and the flavor of its fermented beans (chocolate). The genome of T. cacao is being sequenced, and to expand the utility of the genome sequence to the improvement of cacao, we are evaluating Theobroma grandiflorum, the closest economically important species of Theobroma for its potential use in a comparative genomic study. T. grandiflorum differs from cacao in important agronomic traits such as flavor of the fermented beans, disease resistance to witches broom and abscission of mature fruits. By comparing genomic sequences and analyzing viable inter-specific hybrids, we h...
The Napu Valley, A New Schistosomiasia Area in Sulawesi, Indonesia.
A survey for intestinal parasites and malaria conducted in the Napu Valley of Central Sulawesi has shown that oriental schistosomiasis is widespread and highly endemic in the populations sampled. Stool specimens were obtained from 583 people and Schistoso...
Schistosomiasis and Other Human Parasitoses of Lake Lindu in Central Sulawesi (Celebes), Indonesia.
The isolated Lake Lindu Valley of Central Sulawesi is the only reported Indonesian focus of oriental schistosomiasis. In April 1972 a parasitological survey involving over 1,400 people was conducted in the valley's four villages. Schistosoma japonicum inf...
Intestinal Parasites and Malaria in Margolembo, Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Malaria and intestinal parasite prevalences were determined by blood and stool surveys in three villages in the area of Margolembo, Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The population consisted of Javanese transmigrants who arrived in the area in 1939...
A survey for intestinal parasites conducted in the Lindu Lake Valley of Central Sulawesi in April 1971 has shown that schistosomiasis japonica continues to be highly endemic in the population sampled. Stool specimens were obtained from 126 people and Schi...
Degraded or sub-standard soils and marginal lands occupy a significant proportion of boreal, temperate and tropical biomes. anagement of these lands with a wide range of existing, site-specific, integrated, agroforest systems represents a significant global opportunity to reduce ...
2008-01-01
Abstract Fermentation of Theobroma cacao (cacao) seeds is an absolute requirement for the full development of chocolate flavor precursors. An adequate aeration of the fermenting cacao seed mass is a fundamental prerequisite for a satisfactory fermentation. Here, we evaluated whether a controlled inoculation of cacao seed fermentation using a Kluyveromyces marxianus hybrid yeast strain, with an increased pectinolytic activity, would improve an earlier liquid drainage (`sweatings') from the fermentation mass, developing a superior final product quality. Inoculation with K. marxianus increased by one third the volume of drained liquid and affected the microorganism population structure during fermentation, which was detectable up to the end of the process. Introduction of the hybrid yeast aff...
Evidence of cacao use in the Prehispanic American Southwest
2009-02-17
Full Text Available.Chemical analyses of organic residues in fragments of ceramic vessels from Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, reveal theobromine, a biomarker for cacao. With an estimated 800 rooms, Pueblo Bonito is the largest archaeological site in Chaco Canyon and was the center of a large number of interconnected towns and villages spread over northwestern New Mexico. The cacao residues come from pieces of vessels that are likely cylinder jars, special containers occurring almost solely at Pueblo Bonito and deposited in caches at the site. This first known use of cacao drinks north of the Mexican border indicates exchange with cacao cultivators in Mesoamerica in a time frame of about A.D. 1000–1125. The association of cylinder jars and cacao beverages suggests that the Chacoan ritual involving the drinking of cacao was tied to Mesoamerican rituals incorporating cylindrical vases and cacao. The importance of Pueblo Bonito within the Chacoan world likely lies in part with the integration of Mesoamerican ritual, including critical culinary ingredients.
Chocolate farmers could benefit from newly sequenced cacao genome
2010-09-15
A first draft of the cacao genome is complete, a consortium of academic, governmental and industry scientists announced today. Indiana University Bloomington scientists performed much of the sequencing work, which is ...
7 CFR 318.58-2 - Regulated articles.
...Brassica oleracea (cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, collard, kale, kohlrabi, Savoy). Breadfruit, jackfruit (Artocarpus spp.). Cacao bean (Theobroma cacao). Carrot. Celery. Chayote (Sechium edule)....
From whole-body counting to imaging: The computer aided collimation gamma camera project (CACAO)
2000-07-01
Whole-body counting is the method of choice for in vivo detection of contamination. To extend this well established method, the possible advantages of imaging radiocontaminants are examined. The use of the CACAO project is then studied. A comparison of simulated reconstructed images obtained by the CACAO project and by a conventional gamma camera used in nuclear medicine follows. Imaging a radionuclide contaminant with a geometrical sensitivity of 10{sup -2} seems possible in the near future. (author)
Mutation breeding against black pod (Phytophthora pod rot) disease of cacao (Theobroma cacao)
1977-01-01
Black pod rot disease, caused by Phytophthora palmivora, is an important disease of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Nigeria and other cacao producing countries of West Africa and Latin America. A naturally occurring source of genetic resistance to the disease has not been found. This paper completes the report, the first part of which was published in Induced Mutations in Vegetatively Propagated Plants, IAEA, Vienna (1973). The survivors of the irradiated seedlings reported on in this publication were transplanted to the field along with their controls. When the Phytophthora pod disease season began in 1973, all experimental plants along with the controls were sprayed with active and freshly prepared dense sporangial suspension of P. palmivora. Observations on Phytophthora infection were recorded at two-weekly intervals for three months. Results were pooled for each set of ...
Antimicrobial effects of ionizing radiation on artificially and naturally contaminated cacao beans
1984-01-01
With an initial microbial level of ca. 107 microorganisms per g of Ivory Coast cacao beans, 5 kGy of gamma radiation from a Co60 source under an atmosphere of air reduced the microflora per g by 2.49 and 3.03 logs at temperatures of 35 and 500C, respectively. Bahia cacao beans were artificially contaminated with dried spores of Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum, giving initial fungal levels of 1.9 x 104 and 1.4 x 103 spores per g of whole Bahia cacao beans, respectively. The average D10 values for A. flavus and P. citrinum spores on Bahia cacao beans were 0.66 and 0.88 kGy, respectively. 12 references
2002-03-01
The computer aided collimation gamma camera (CACAO in French) is a gamma camera using a collimator with large holes, a supplementary linear scanning motion during the acquisition and a dedicated reconstruction program taking full account of the source depth. The CACAO system was introduced to improve both the sensitivity and the resolution in nuclear medicine. This thesis focuses on the design of a fast and robust reconstruction algorithm in the CACAO project. We start by an overview of tomographic imaging techniques in nuclear medicine. After modelling the physical CACAO system, we present the complete reconstruction program which involves three steps: 1) shift and sum 2) deconvolution and filtering 3) rotation and sum. The deconvolution is the critical step that decreases the signal to noise ratio of the reconstructed images. We propose a regularized multi-channel algorithm to solve the deconvolution problem. We also present a fast algorithm based on Splines functions and preserving the high quality of the reconstructed images for the shift and the rotation steps. Comparisons of simulated reconstructed images in 2D and 3D for the conventional system (CPHC) and CACAO demonstrate the ability of CACAO system to increase the quality of the SPECT images. Finally, this study concludes with an experimental approach with a pixellated detector conceived for a 3D measurement of contaminated wounds. This experimentation proves the possible advantages of coupling the CACAO project with pixellated detectors. Moreover, a variety of applications could fully benefit from the CACAO system, such as low activity imaging, the use of high-energy gamma isotopes and the visualization of deep organs. Moreover the combination of the CACAO system with a pixels detector may open up further possibilities for the future of nuclear medicine. (author)
Evaluation of sustainability in Eastern Amazon under proambiente program
2010-01-01
This study evaluates the sustainability of the innovative practices of smallholders who have extended their traditional farming and backyard gardening to other production parcels, such as agroforest systems in Eastern Amazon, Northeast Par, under the PROAMBIENTE Program at Capim River Pole. According to these smallholders, these practices have assured food supplies and yields with the inclusion into the consumer market through produce diversity obtained by agroforest arrangement and increased purchase of material goods to the system. The smallholders perceptions also permit the evaluation of the sustainability of their experiences through the Amoeba? method, which consolidates economic, social, cultural, and environmental indicators.
The middle Miocene was a period of major tectonic activity for Sulawesi and eastern Borneo. Previous workers have documented the effects of the collision of the Sula and Buton microplates on Sulawesi, the uplift of Borneo, and overthrusting onshore and offshore Sabah. These tectonic events are thought to be related to motion along a regional shear zone that extends 1000 km from the southeastern limb of Sulawesi to the offshore of northern Sabah. Rangin (1989) originally suggested that the collision of the Sula microcontinent was responsible for the compression that lead to the overthrusting onshore Sabah. Here the authors present additional evidence of the long-range effects of this collision and its control on the basin development and formation of hydrocarbon-bearing structures.
1994-07-01
The middle Miocene was a period of major tectonic activity for Sulawesi and eastern Borneo. Previous workers have documented the effects of the collision of the Sula and Buton microplates on Sulawesi, the uplift of Borneo, and overthrusting onshore and offshore Sabah. These tectonic events are thought to be related to motion along a regional shear zone that extends 1000 km from the southeastern limb of Sulawesi to the offshore of northern Sabah. Rangin (1989) originally suggested that the collision of the Sula microcontinent was responsible for the compression that lead to the overthrusting onshore Sabah. Here the authors present additional evidence of the long-range effects of this collision and its control on the basin development and formation of hydrocarbon-bearing structures.
1991-09-20
Effects on cholesterol contained in serum lipids, levers and feces of rats and the metabolism were compared between palm oil, hardened soybean oil and cacao butter. In addition, the relations to the physical and chemical properties of these oils were also studied. In the case of cacao butter, saturated triglyceride of high fusing point was not contained at all and the main component is 2-oleo-1,3-disaturated glycerides. This component was the main cause for cacao butter to show the unique behavior. Concerning the cholesterol concentrations in lever, the hardened soybean oil group tended to be lower than other 3 groups and this tendency agreed approximately with that in serum. Cholesterol in the feces was also analyzed. Cholesteol content in the case of cacao butter was higher than those for the hardened soybean oil group and palm oil group, and much higher than that of the soybean oil group. But the lathosterol content did not show any significant difference compared with that of palm oil group, and the coprostanol content showed the lower value, which had the significant difference. 14 refs., 1 figs., 7 tabs.
2002-01-01
The computer aided collimation gamma camera (CACAO in French) is a gamma camera using a collimator with large holes, a supplementary linear scanning motion during the acquisition and a dedicated reconstruction program taking full account of the source depth. The CACAO system was introduced to improve both the sensitivity and the resolution in nuclear medicine. This thesis focuses on the design of a fast and robust reconstruction algorithm in the CACAO project. We start by an overview of tomographic imaging techniques in nuclear medicine. After modelling the physical CACAO system, we present the complete reconstruction program which involves three steps: 1) shift and sum 2) deconvolution and filtering 3) rotation and sum. The deconvolution is the critical step that decreases the signal to noise ratio of the reconstructed images. We propose a regularized multi-channel ...
Intestinal and Blood Parasites in the North Lore District, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Over 1,000 stool specimens from residents of the Napu and Besoa Valleys, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia were examined. Schistosoma japonicum was detected in 31% of Napu Valley residents while in only 2% of the Besoa Valley residents. Hookworm infections were...
Plant protection research targets cacao in developing countries
2010-05-17
A research collaboration lead by a professor from the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech will work to develop methods to protect agriculturally important crops in developing countries from devastating ...
Investigating the inhibitory activity of green coffee and cacao bean extracts on pancreatic lipase
2010-01-01
Summary The present study investigated the effects of green coffee bean extract and Theobroma cacao bean extract on pancreatic lipase activity in vitro. Green coffee bean extract produced a J-shaped dose-dependent inhibition of pancreatic lipase with the percentage inhibition of pancreatic lipase ranging from 11.8% to 61.5%. Similar concentrations of Theobroma cacao failed to produce any effect on pancreatic lipase. Non-linear regression analysis revealed that the concentration of green coffee bean extract required to elicit a 50% inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity (IC50) was approximately 43 M. In conclusion, extracts of green coffee beans but not Theobroma cacao possess potent inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase.
Analysis of the chocolate genome could lead to improved crops and products
2010-09-16
The sequencing and analysis of the genome for the Criollo variety of the cacao tree, generally considered to produce the world's finest chocolate, was completed by an international team led by Claire Lanaud of CIRAD, ...
Procyanidins in Theobroma cacao Reduce Plasma Cholesterol Levels in High Cholesterol-Fed Rats
2009-09-01
We evaluated the effect of cacao procyanidins (CP) on plasma lipid levels in high cholesterol-fed rats. Animals were divided into 4 groups, and each group was fed on either a normal diet, high cholesterol...Full Text Available
The hemibiotrophic basidiomycete Moniliophthora perniciosa causes witches broom disease of Theobroma cacao. Analysis of the M. perniciosa draft genome led to the identification of three putative genes encoding Necrosis and Ethylene inducing Proteins (MpNEPs), which are apparently located on the sam...
2010-01-01
The role of different agroforestry systems in the conservation of plant diversity and forest structure has not been directly compared in many agricultural dominated landscapes. In this study, we investigated tree diversity and forest structure in a complex agroforestry landscape traditionally grown for cocoa and mixed food crops and compared these to the natural forest in southeastern Ghana. The study was carried out using 36 25m25m plots. There was significant difference [95% Confidence Interval (95% CI)] in the native forest/non-crop tree species richness between the natural forest and the agroforest farmlands but species richness was similar between the cocoa and mixed food crops agroforests. The density of native forest/non-crop trees was significantly higher (PPP
2010-01-01
Shade management is commonly considered to be an effective pest management strategy for cocoa mirids, yet shade management recommendations are not based on extensive knowledge of the mirid ecology in traditional cocoa agroforests. The main objectives of the present study were an assessment of the impact of shade on the spatial distribution of mirid populations and thus the evaluation of shade management strategies. Mirid densities were measured and shade was characterized for three plots located in three different agroecological zones in the Centre region of Cameroon. Mirid densities generally followed a negative binomial law. Geostatistical procedures were used to characterize spatial distribution of mirid density. Light conditions were assessed using hemispherical photography. Population...
With an initial microbial level of ca. 10/sup 7/ microorganisms per g of Ivory Coast cacao beans, 5 kGy of gamma radiation from a Co/sup 60/ source under an atmosphere of air reduced the microflora per g by 2.49 and 3.03 logs at temperatures of 35 and 50/sup 0/C, respectively. Bahia cacao beans were artificially contaminated with dried spores of Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum, giving initial fungal levels of 1.9 x 10/sup 4/ and 1.4 x 10/sup 3/ spores per g of whole Bahia cacao beans, respectively. The average D/sub 10/ values for A. flavus and P. citrinum spores on Bahia cacao beans were 0.66 and 0.88 kGy, respectively. 12 references.
1984-04-01
With an initial microbial level of ca. 10/sup 7/ microorganisms per g of Ivory Coast cacao beans, 5 kGy of gamma radiation from a Co/sup 60/ source under an atmosphere of air reduced the microflora per g by 2.49 and 3.03 logs at temperatures of 35 and 50/sup 0/C, respectively. Bahia cacao beans were artificially contaminated with dried spores of Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum, giving initial fungal levels of 1.9 x 10/sup 4/ and 1.4 x 10/sup 3/ spores per g of whole Bahia cacao beans, respectively. The average D/sub 10/ values for A. flavus and P. citrinum spores on Bahia cacao beans were 0.66 and 0.88 kGy, respectively. 12 references.
Radiographic measurement of the cardiothoracic ratio in pet macaques from Sulawesi, Indonesia
2009-01-01
The relative size of the heart, as measured by the cardiothoracic ratio, is often used as an index of ventricular hypertrophy-an important measure of myocardial pathophysiology in human primates. Despite its widespread use in human medicine, use of the cardiothoracic ratio in nonhuman primate veterinary medicine has been poorly documented. This report describes the results of our radiographic study of the cardiothoracic ratio in a sample of pet monkeys from Sulawesi, Indonesia. We assessed the effects of age and sex on cardiothoracic ratios, and compared our estimates with those presented in the literature for the Formosan macaque (Macaca cyclopis). Our results indicated a significant difference between the Sulawesi macaque species groupings in cardiothoracic ratios. Sex and age-related differences were not significant. Comparisons of cardiothoracic ratios with ...
2010-01-01
Abstract Fernandez-Leborans, G. and von Rintelen, K. 2010. Biodiversity and distribution of epibiontic communities on Caridina ensifera (Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae) from Lake Poso: comparison with another ancient lake system of Sulawesi (Indonesia). -Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 163-175 The epibiont communities of the shrimp Caridina ensifera, endemic to Lake Poso (Sulawesi, Indonesia), were analysed. Most of the epibiont species were ciliated protozoa belonging to three suctorian genera (Acineta, Podophrya and Spelaeophrya), three peritrich genera (Zoothamnium, Vorticella and Cothurnia), and a haptorid genus (Amphileptus). There was also a rotifer epibiont of the genus Embata. Epibionts were identified to species level. There were 14 to 1114 epibionts per shrimp. The distribution of t...
Taphozous melanopogon (Black-bearded Tomb Bat)
... Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, to Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Bali, Nusa Penida, Lombok, Sumbawa, Sulawesi, Waleabahi, Sanana, Buru, Halmahera and Bunguran), the island of Timor (East Timor and Indonesia...
Elucidating geological and biological processes underlying the diversification of Sulawesi tarsiers
2009-05-26
Because of their exceptionally long independent evolution, a range diminution of their Eocene relatives, and a remarkable subsequent diversification in Southeast Asia, tarsiers are of particular importance...Full Text Available
2010-01-01
In many tropical soils, excessive weathering of primary minerals confounded by intense agricultural production has resulted in the depletion of organic matter and plant available forms of phosphorus (P). Long-term growth of cover crops in tropical agroforestry systems have been shown to influence nutrient cycling, and soil organic matter pools. The objective of this experiment was to assess the affect of 2years of cover-crop cultivation on organic matter accumulation and P bioavailability using Mehlich I and sequential fractionation methods. The experiment included six treatments in the understory of a cacao-plantain agroforestry system adjacent to lower montane tropical forests of the San Martin district of Eastern Peru. Cacao and plantain formed the primary canopy on otherwise abandone...
2010-01-01
Theobroma cacao seedlings were grown alone (TCA) or associated with saplings of N2-fixing shade trees Gliricidia sepium and Inga edulis in 200 l of 15N labelled soil within a physical root barrier for studying direct nitrogen transfer between the trees and cacao. Root:shoot partitioning ratio for sapling total N was lower than biomass root:shoot ratio in all species. Sapling total 15N was partitioned between root and shoot in about the same ratio as total N in cacao and inga but in gliricidia much higher proportion of 15N than total N was found in roots. Thus, whole plant harvesting should be used in 15N studies whenever possible. Average percentage of fixed N out of total tree N was 74 and 81% for inga estimated by a yield-independent and yield-dependent method, respectively, and 85% for ...
7 CFR 319.37-2 - Prohibited articles.
... spp. (cacao) All A diversity of diseases and pests including but not limited to: cocoa swollen shoot virus, cocoa mottle leaf virus, cocoa yellow mosaic virus, cocoa necrosis virus, Crinipellis perniciosa (Stahel) Singer...
...cacao L. Camomile (chamomile) flowers, Hungarian Matricaria chamomilla L. Camomile (chamomile) flowers, Roman or English Anthemis nobilis L. Cananga Cananga odorata Hook. f. and Thoms. Capsicum Capsicum...
21 CFR 163.111 - Chocolate liquor.
...Optional ingredients. The following safe and suitable ingredients may be used: (1) Cacao fat and cocoas (breakfast cocoa, cocoa, or lowfat cocoa); (2) Alkali ingredients. Ammonium, potassium, or sodium bicarbonate,...
Biogas from stable manure, sisal wastes, cacao shells and coffee pulp
Biogas could be, in the industrialized countries including the Federal Republic of Germany, a minor contribution towards solving our future energy problems; in the developing countries it might indeed be a very important or even the decisive means. This is evidenced not only by biogas plants built lately in our country some of which substitute up to 110 000 l fuel oil per year, but even more by experiments with sisal wastes, cacao shells and coffee pulp carried out by the author as early as in the fifties and which are here published for the first time.
Traditional cocoa-based agroforestry and forest species conservation in Ondo State, Nigeria
2007-01-01
Cocoa agroforests are a common farming system in the humid zone of West and Central Africa, in which forest trees provide shade and other environmental services as well as marketable products. To determine the extent of these benefits, data were collected in nine cocoa farms located in three major cocoa producing local government areas (LGAs) in Ondo State. Reserved natural forests located in each of the three LGAs were also sampled in a group of three plots of 0.0625ha (25mx25m) per forest reserve. All trees other than cocoa in the cocoa farms and all trees with a diameter at breast height (dbh) greater than or equal to 10cm in the forest reserves were identified and measured. A total of 21ha of cocoa farms and 0.56ha of natural forest were surveyed. In the 21ha of cocoa agroforests surve...
2008-07-01
The land use and human occupation realized with an indiscriminate form across many parts of the world, including Brazil, have been causing destruction of great amount of forest mass and green areas. These actions results an isolation of a forest reminder fragment, and in such case, along the time, these fragments become weak and debilitated, characterizing general biodiversity loss or its extinction, in a worse case. This study presents basic concepts of ecological corridors and agroforestal systems, showing the case study that will be implemented in COMPERJ (Rio de Janeiro Petrochemical Complex), pointing the aspects that can be applied for PETROBRAS to offset impacts (biodiversity offsets concept) of punctual and linear projects. (author)
Agroforestry for biodiversity in farming systems
1999-01-01
Agroforestry can be used to diversify and intensify farming systems through the integration of indigenous trees producing marketable timber and non-timber forest products, and is described in terms of an agroecological succession, in which climax agroforests are biodiverse, highly productive and profitable. The role of biodiversity in agroecosystem function is one of the keystones of sustainability. Complex agroforests that combine profitability with biodiversity are presented as a model worthy of expansion. However, little is known ecologically about how best to integrate agroforestry into the landscape, or to what extent agroforestry can be used to link forest patches and expand biogeographical islands. Tree domestication is one way to diversify and intensify agroforestry systems and to make them profitable. A wise domestication strategy for indigenous trees will involve the capture and maximization of intra-specific genetic diversity and so benefit both production and the environment. Publisher: CRC Publishers Contributor: Collins, Wanda W.; Qualset, Calvin O. Format: application/pdf Other identifier: Leakey, Roger RB (1999) Agroforestry for biodiversity in farming systems. In: Biodiversity in Agroecosystems. CRC Publishers, New York, pp. 127-145. ISBN 1-56-670290-9
The tick fauna of Sulawesi, Indonesia (Acari: Ixodoidea: Argasidae and Ixodidae)
2008-01-01
Twenty-six species of ticks are reported from the island of Sulawesi (Celebes), Indonesia. These include two species of soft ticks (Argasidae), Carios batuensis and C.vespertilionis, and the following 24 species of hard ticks (Ixodidae): Amblyomma babirussae, A.breviscutatum, A.cordiferum, A.fimbriatum, A.helvolum, A.testudinarium, A.trimaculatum, A.varanense, Dermacentor atrosignatus, D.steini, Haemaphysalis celebensis, H.hystricis, H.kadarsani, H.papuana, H.psalistos, H.renschi, H.toxopei, H.wellingtoni, Ixodes cordifer, I.granulatus, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, R. (Boophilus) microplus, R.pilans and R.sanguineus. This represents an almost three-fold increase in the number of tick species recorded (9) from Sulawesi since the last available list i...
2010-01-01
The Malay civet (Viverra tangalunga) is found throughout Southeast Asia, but there have been very few studies on its natural history and ecology. We present here the results from the first radio telemetry study of this species on Peninsular Malaysia and compared our findings to similar studies on Borneo and Sulawesi. From August 2004 to August 2006, we captured 11 Malay civets in Krau Wildlife Reserve and radio-tracked seven adults (four males and three females). The mean weight of males (6.6kg) was significantly higher than females (5.8kg). Both sexes on Peninsular Malaysia were larger than their counterparts on Borneo and Sulawesi. There was no significant difference between the mean sizes of male and female home ranges on Peninsular Malaysia; the mean home range size for both sexes was ...
Comparative Analysis of Expressed Genes from Cacao Meristems Infected by Moniliophthora perniciosa
2007-07-01
Full Text Available.Background and AimsWitches' broom disease is caused by the hemibiotrophic basidiomycete Moniliophthora perniciosa, and is one of the most important diseases of cacao in the western hemisphere. Because very little is known about the global process of such disease development, expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were used to identify genes expressed during the Theobroma cacao–Moniliophthora perniciosa interaction.MethodsTwo cDNA libraries corresponding to the resistant (RT) and susceptible (SP) cacao–M. perniciosa interactions were constructed from total RNA, using the DB SMART Creator cDNA library kit (Clontech). Clones were randomly selected, sequenced from the 5′ end and analysed using bioinformatics tools including in silico analysis of the differential gene expression.Key ResultsA total of 6884 ESTs were generated from the RT and SP cDNA libraries. These ESTs were composed of 2585 singlets and 341 contigs for a total of 2926 non-redundant sequences. The redundancy of the libraries was low and their specificity high when compared with the few other cacao libraries already published. Sequence analysis allowed the assignment of a putative functional category for 54 % of sequences, whereas approx. 22 % of sequences corresponded to unknown function and approx. 24 % of sequences did not show any significant similarity with other proteins present in the database. Despite the similar overall distribution of the sequences in functional categories between the two libraries, qualitative differences were observed. Genes involved during the defence response to pathogen infection or in programmed cell death were identified, such as pathogenesis related-proteins, trypsin inhibitor or oxalate oxidase, and some of them showed an in silico differential expression between the resistant and the susceptible interactions.ConclusionsAs far as is known this is the first EST resource from the cacao–M. perniciosa interaction and it is believed that it will provide a significant contribution to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the resistance and susceptibility of cacao to M. perniciosa, to develop strategies to control witches broom, and as a source of polymorphism for molecular marker development and marker-assisted selection.
Comparative Analysis of Expressed Genes from Cacao Meristems Infected by Moniliophthora perniciosa
Background and AimsWitches' broom disease is caused by the hemibiotrophic basidiomycete Moniliophthora perniciosa, and is one of the most important diseases of cacao in the western hemisphere. Because very little is known about the global process of such disease development, expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were used to identify genes expressed during the Theobroma cacao–Moniliophthora perniciosa interaction.MethodsTwo cDNA libraries corresponding to the resistant (RT) and susceptible (SP) cacao–M. perniciosa interactions were constructed from total RNA, using the DB SMART Creator cDNA library kit (Clontech). Clones were randomly selected, sequenced from the 5′ end and analysed using bioinformatics tools including in silico analysis of the differential gene expression.Key ResultsA total of 6884 ESTs were generated from the RT and SP cDNA libraries. These ESTs were composed of 2585 singlets and 341 contigs for a total of 2926 non-redundant sequences. The redundancy of the libraries was low and their specificity high when compared with the few other cacao libraries already published. Sequence analysis allowed the assignment of a putative functional category for 54 % of sequences, whereas approx. 22 % of sequences corresponded to unknown function and approx. 24 % of sequences did not show any significant similarity with other proteins present in the database. Despite the similar overall distribution of the sequences in functional categories between the two libraries, qualitative differences were observed. Genes involved during the defence response to pathogen infection or in programmed cell death were identified, such as pathogenesis related-proteins, trypsin inhibitor or oxalate oxidase, and some of them showed an in silico differential expression between the resistant and the susceptible interactions.ConclusionsAs far as is known this is the first EST resource from the cacao–M. perniciosa interaction and it is believed that it will provide a significant contribution to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the resistance and susceptibility of cacao to M. perniciosa, to develop strategies to control witches broom, and as a source of polymorphism for molecular marker development and marker-assisted selection.
2010-01-01
In humid environments, where trees rarely experience severe soil water limitation, the hydraulic system of trees requires a functional architecture for effectively transporting of water to the crown despite a comparably low atmospheric evaporative demand for most of the year. Strategies of tropical trees to adapt their hydraulic properties to a perhumid climate are not well studied, as is the impact of tree height on the hydraulic conductivity and vessel anatomy of tropical canopy trees. We analyzed the dependence of hydraulic architecture on tree height in several phylogenetically different canopy tree species growing under the non-seasonal wet climate of a lower montane rainforest in Sulawesi, Indonesia. We determined leaf-specific conductivity (LSC), sapwood-area specific hydraulic cond...
The large-scale landslide on the flank of caldera in South Sulawesi, Indonesia
2009-01-01
An extraordinarily large-scale landslide with a volume of about 200 million m3, a width of about 1,600m, and a height of about 750m occurred on 2004 March 26, 13:45 local time, on a steep caldera wall on the northwest flank of Mt. Bawakaraeng (2,830m) at the headwater of the Jeneberang River in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The debris avalanche extended about 7km from the headwater and buried the river valley, causing devastating damage. There are a great many calderas in the world, notably Japan. If a large-scale sector collapse were to occur in a heavily populated area, it would be a devastating disaster for the people living in the area. The aim of this paper is to outline such a landslide and explain its mechanism of occurrence. We evaluated the stability of the original slope bef...
2009-01-01
Indonesia has become the world's largest exporter of thermal coal and is a major supplier to the Asian coal market, particularly as the People's Republic of China is now (2007) and perhaps may remain a net importer of coal. Indonesia has had a long history of coal production, mainly in Sumatra and Kalimantan, but only in the last two decades have government and commercial forces resulted in a remarkable coal boom. A recent assessment of Indonesian coal-bed methane (CBM) potential has motivated active CBM exploration. Most of the coal is Paleogene and Neogene, low to moderate rank and has low ash yield and sulfur (generally rank increase in some coal basins. Eight coal samples are described that represent the major export and/or resource potential of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and ...
2009-01-01
A knowledge-based expert system model working on the basis of a geographical information system (GIS) was applied to predict fishing ground spots in the coastal waters of South and Central Sulawesi. The model is designed by the integration of multisource data to answer 'what?', 'where?', and 'why?' questions of the fishing ground location. Despite the fact that GIS is a powerful tool for dealing with the first two questions, GIS is inferior for answering the 'why?' question in geo-studies. One of the possible ways of overcoming the inferiority of GIS for answering the 'why?' question of geo-studies is by integrating an expert system in a GIS to form a knowledge-based expert system GIS model. In this study, we used a series of sea surface temperature (SST) satellite data, sea surface chloro...
2010-01-01
Buyat Bay (BB), North Sulawesi, Indonesia, was a submarine tailings disposal (STD) site for an industrial gold mine that extracted mercury (Hg)-containing ores from 1996 to 2004. To evaluate the distribution and influence of such a Hg release into the environment, particularly into BB, we quantified the total mercury (THg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) in the surface sediments (beach, river estuary, and marine) and biota of the bay, as well as the scalp hair of residents in the adjacent community. A nearby body of water, Totok Bay, polluted by Hg from artisanal gold mining, and a reference area of the Bajo Coast (Bajo) free of any anthropogenic sources of Hg were also sampled. Both THg and MeHg were detected in all samples measured showed concentrations to be highest at the artisanal mining si...
2010-01-01
The Manado area (IndonesiaNorth Sulawesi), a marine high diversity hot-spot, hosts 7 species of anemonefish (family Pomacentridae, subfamily Amphiprioniae) living in symbiosis with 9 species of sea anemones (family Stichodactylidae and Actiniidae). This high biological diversity 27% and 80%, respectively, of the total known diversity of anemonefish and sea anemonesallows us to test different hypotheses focused on the obligate mutualism between anemonefish and sea anemones. In the Manado area, species richness of anemones and anemonefish across several sites was not correlated, but all anemones contained at least one fish individual, and there was a strong positive correlation between the numbers of individual anemonefish and anemones. As expected, each fish species had a preferred...
Relative humidity, flooding, temperature, wind, and SO/sub 2/ variously influenced physiological processes and growth of tropical woody plants, with emphasis on three Theobroma cacao varieties and three Hevea brasiliensis families. Stomata were smaller and more numerous in Theobroma than in Hevea. In Theobroma, but not Heavea, stomatal frequency decreased from the leaf base to the apex and from the midrib outward. Stomata of Theobroma cacao var. Catongo opened in high relative humidity (RH) and closed in low RH. The more open stomata in high RH were associated with high rates of photosynthesis, low leaf water potential, high water use efficiency (WUE), and low transpiration rate (TR). Variations in TR and WUE were correlated with changes in vapor pressure deficit. Other responses included stomatal closure, decreased chlorophyll content, leaf epinasty, production of hypertrophied lenticels and adventitious roots, and acceleration of ethylene production. Responses to flooding varied with species, Theobroma varieties and Hevea families. Effects of temperature regimes on growth varied with species, varieties and families, plant parts, growth parameters, and time of harvesting. Optimal temperatures for dry weight increase of stems or roots of Theobroma cacao var. Comum were 22.2 C; and 33.3 C for dry weight increase or relative growth rates of leaves or seedlings. Optimal temperatures for growth varied for Hevea families. Wind injured leaves of Theobroma cacao, with more injury by wind of 6.0 than 3.0 m s/sup -1/. Stomata were more open on windy than on calm days, but tended to close at high wind speeds. Wind lowered transpiration rate but the reduction was not correlated with leaf dehydration. SO/sub 2/ at 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 ppm for 24 h did not injure Theobroma leaves but reduced dry weight increment of leaves of var. Catongo but not Catongo/Sial.
1987-01-01
Relative humidity, flooding, temperature, wind, and SO/sub 2/ variously influenced physiological processes and growth of tropical woody plants, with emphasis on three Theobroma cacao varieties and three Hevea brasiliensis families. Stomata were smaller and more numerous in Theobroma than in Hevea. In Theobroma, but not Heavea, stomatal frequency decreased from the leaf base to the apex and from the midrib outward. Stomata of Theobroma cacao var. Catongo opened in high relative humidity (RH) and closed in low RH. The more open stomata in high RH were associated with high rates of photosynthesis, low leaf water potential, high water use efficiency (WUE), and low transpiration rate (TR). Variations in TR and WUE were correlated with changes in vapor pressure deficit. Other responses included stomatal closure, decreased chlorophyll content, leaf epinasty, production of hypertrophied lenticels and adventitious roots, and acceleration of ethylene production. Responses to flooding varied with species, Theobroma varieties and Hevea families. Effects of temperature regimes on growth varied with species, varieties and families, plant parts, growth parameters, and time of harvesting. Optimal temperatures for dry weight increase of stems or roots of Theobroma cacao var. Comum were 22.2 C; and 33.3 C for dry weight increase or relative growth rates of leaves or seedlings. Optimal temperatures for growth varied for Hevea families. Wind injured leaves of Theobroma cacao, with more injury by wind of 6.0 than 3.0 m s/sup -1/. Stomata were more open on windy than on calm days, but tended to close at high wind speeds. Wind lowered transpiration rate but the reduction was not correlated with leaf dehydration. SO/sub 2/ at 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 ppm for 24 h did not injure Theobroma leaves but reduced dry weight increment of leaves of var. Catongo but not Catongo/Sial.
Resolving the agriculture-petroleum conflict: the experience of cacao smallholders in Mexico
1983-01-01
In 1972, PEMEX, the Mexican national oil company, discovered huge reserves of oil and natural gas along the Gulf Coast, and began intensive exploitation in Tabasco and northern Chiapas states. Severe conflict between PEMEX and the agricultural economy of Tabasco seemed certain. But despite problems of labor scarcity, inflation, migration, pollution, agricultural production 1974 to 1979 increased for the state's major products - cacao, coconut, beef, and bananas. This study analyzes how agriculture-petroleum conflicts have been resolved in Tabasco, and how relevant its experience is to other agricultural areas undergoing rapid large-scale industrial development. Cacao farming was chosen as a case study. Detailed farm budget, family employment, and technical production data were used to document farm production strategies. Research results suggest that resolution of agriculture-petroleum conflicts depends on: demographic conditions, employment conditions, agricultural prices, petroleum company flexibility, government development policy, and farmer political strength. Support for the campesino sector is critical.
2010-01-01
In this study, we report results of the detection and analysis of SSR markers derived of cacaoMoniliophthora perniciosa expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in relation to cacao resistance to witches broom disease (WBD), and we compare the polymorphism of those ESTs (EST-simple sequence repeat (SSR)) with classical neutral SSR markers. A total of 3,487 ESTs was used in this investigation. SSRs were identified in 430 sequences: 277 from the resistant genotype TSH 1188 and 153 from the susceptible one Catongo, totalizing 505 EST-SSRs with three types of motifs: dinucleotides (72.1%), trinucleotides (27.3%), and tetranucleotides (0.6%). EST-SSRs were classified into 16 main categories; most of the EST-SSRs belonged to Unknown function and No homology categories (45.82%). A high frequ...
2010-01-01
Frosty pod rot (FPR), caused by Moniliophthora roreri, reduces yields of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) by over 80% within a few years of disease outbreak. Both biological and chemical control approaches are being developed to supplement cultural management. Our objectives were to optimize the agent(s), their formulation and application regime for FPR control in Costa Rica. In order to economize scarce resources for field research, we opted for an iterative optimization of treatments. We aimed to (partly) replace copper hydroxide of proven efficacy with two systemic agents, the coevolved endophyte Trichoderma ovalisporum and the oxathiin flutolanil, and assessed four stickers for improving the agents' performance. Over 3 years, we selected effective agents and their combinations: eight of 18 trea...
Characterization of different fruit wines made from cacao, cupuassu, gabiroba, jaboticaba and umbu
2010-01-01
The main aim of this work was to produce fruit wines from pulp of gabiroba, cacao, umbu, cupuassu and jaboticaba and characterize them using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for determination of minor compounds and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection for major compounds. Ninety-nine compounds (C6 compounds, alcohols, monoterpenic alcohols, monoterpenic oxides, ethyl esters, acetates, volatile phenols, acids, carbonyl compounds, sulfur compounds and sugars) were identified in fruit wines. The typical composition for each fruit wine was evidenced by principal component analysis and Tukey test. The yeast UFLA CA 1162 was efficient in the fermentation of the fruit pulp used in this work. The identification and quantification of the compounds allowed a good characterization of the...
Application of nuclear energy to agriculture. Final report
1976-01-01
The following research projects in radiation botany were conducted: mutation breeding of beans and cassava. Biological response of coffee plants. And radiosensitivity of tropical plants. In the field of entomology experiments were conducted on radiosterilization of the Mediterranean fruit fly, the coffee leaf miner, the torsalo and the meliaceous shootborer. The following research projects in plant physiology were conducted: physiology of cassava plants. Effects of temperature on germination of cacao seeds. Physiology of cacao seeds. Sulfur metabolism using 35S. Diseases and parasites of banana fruits. The mechanism controlling dwarfism in a radioinduced single gene bean mutant. And the use of wetting agents in foliar nutrition. The following research projects in soil chemistry were conducted: acidity and cation movement in tropical soils. ...
The study of fossil faunas in the Walanae Basin, Indonesia|
The main purpose of my research was to reconstruct the morphology and phylogenetic history of Celebochoerus heekereni, an endemic pig species known from Pliocene fossil deposits in the Walanae Basin of Southwest Sulawesi, Indonesia. An important part of this research was to refine the age range of C. heekereni and to reconstruct its paleogeographic context on the basis of Southeast Asian plate tectonics and eustatic sea-level changes. This study has implications for the history of other animal species on Sulawesi, and for Southeast Asian biogeography generally.Associated fieldwork in the Walanae Basin included the description of fossil sites, the recording of stratigraphic sections, two excavations, and the collection of sediment samples for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and dating. Associated analyses included qualitative and quantitative morphological analysis of C. heekereni cranial and dental remains collected either by previous researchers or during my fieldwork. Comparative data was also obtained on other extant and extinct pigs, including those of the before genus Sus and Babyrousa. This data was obtained from the published literature, as well as from my analyses of material held in the collections of the Indonesian Geological Survey Institute in Bandung, the Zoological Museum in Bogor, and the Australian National University in Canberra.Concerning phylogeny, C. heekereni shows a combination of primitive and advanced skull characteristics. Comparative analyses indicate that the ancestor of this species was most likely close to Palaeochoerus, a primitive suid genus known from the Lower Miocene of the Siwaliks in the Indian subcontinent, which gave rise to various Eurasian and African suid lineages, including extant warthogs. In contrast, dental morphology in C. heekereni underwent little change except for a reduction of the anterior premolars and an increase in the size of the upper canines. A synthesis of the available geological evidence indicates that since the Middle Eocene, no part of Sulawesi has been connected to the Asian mainland. As the ancestor of C. heekereni cannot have entered Sulawesi before the Lower Miocene, it had to have crossed a sea barrier. This could have occurred during the Middle Miocene, when deltaic progradation on the east coast of Borneo extended further east than at present, and crossing the Makassar Strait to reach Sulawesi would have been less difficult. Publisher: GeoQUeST Research Centre - School of Earth and Environmental Sciences Source: University of Wollongong Thesis Collection
Re-marriage of crops and trees
Agroforestry is defined and its role in the productive use and conservation of marginal or forested lands explained. Examples are given of existing agroforestry and silvo-pastural systems involving plantation crops (coffee, tea, cacao, rubber) and multipurpose species (Leucaena leucocephale, Casuarina, Almis, Parasponia, Acacia, Prosopis). The origin and activities of ICRAF are outlined.
Re-marriage of crops and trees
1983-01-01
Agroforestry is defined and its role in the productive use and conservation of marginal or forested lands explained. Examples are given of existing agroforestry and silvo-pastural systems involving plantation crops (coffee, tea, cacao, rubber) and multipurpose species (Leucaena leucocephale, Casuarina, Almis, Parasponia, Acacia, Prosopis). The origin and activities of ICRAF are outlined.
21 CFR 163.150 - Sweet cocoa and vegetable fat coating.
...2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Sweet cocoa and vegetable fat coating. 163.150...Cacao Products 163.150 Sweet cocoa and vegetable fat coating. (a) Description. Sweet cocoa and vegetable fat coating is the...
21 CFR 163.150 - Sweet cocoa and vegetable fat coating.
...2009-04-01 2009-04-01 false Sweet cocoa and vegetable fat coating. 163.150...Cacao Products 163.150 Sweet cocoa and vegetable fat coating. (a) Description. Sweet cocoa and vegetable fat coating is the...
21 CFR 163.117 - Cocoa with dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate for manufacturing.
...2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Cocoa with dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate for...Standardized Cacao Products 163.117 Cocoa with dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate for manufacturing. (a) Description. Cocoa with dioctyl sodium...
21 CFR 163.117 - Cocoa with dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate for manufacturing.
...2009-04-01 2009-04-01 false Cocoa with dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate for...Standardized Cacao Products 163.117 Cocoa with dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate for manufacturing. (a) Description. Cocoa with dioctyl sodium...
2010-01-01
In the state of Veracruz, Mexico, lowland and marginal coffee growing regions have been particularly vulnerable since the 1989 coffee crisis. Government programs have promoted production diversification as a strategy to improve local incomes and conserve environmentally beneficial shade-tree coffee agroforests. We present results on land use/land cover dynamics in the municipality of Zozocolco de Hidalgo from 1973 to 2006. The municipality is recognized for its indigenous population and poverty, and currently, diversification efforts are being implemented. Our study combines remote sensing and GIS analyses, binary logistic regression and econometric modeling, as well as socioeconomic surveys to evaluate land use/land cover change (LULCC) dynamics and explore potential environmental and soc...
Sulu-Celebes-Banda basins: a trapped piece of Cretaceous to Eocene oceanic crust
1986-07-01
The Sulu-Celebes-Banda basin is composed of three poorly understood marginal basins located between northwest Australia and southeast Asia. Recent studies have proposed that these three basins are remnants of once-continuous ocean basin. The on-land geology of this region is complicated. However, numerous stratigraphic and paleomagnetic studies on pre-Oligocene rocks are consistent with the interpretation that older landmasses presently dissecting the basin were translated into their present position during the middle to late Tertiary. Paleomagnetic data from the Philippines suggest that the Philippine arc is a composite of Early Cretaceous to Holocene arcs that were translated clockwise and from the southeast. Paleomagnetic and stratigraphic data from Kalimantan and Sulawesi suggest that these landmasses share a common origin and that Sulawesi was rifted eastward off of Borneo during the late Tertiary. Stratigraphic studies from the Sula microcontinent, Buru, Ceram, and Timor show close correlation to the stratigraphy of northwest Australia or New Guinea. In addition, paleomagnetic studies from Timor suggest that a portion of the island was part of Australia since the early Mesozoic.
2010-01-01
The cocoa industry in Sulawesi, the main region of cocoa production in Indonesia, is threatened by destructive diseases, including vascular-streak dieback (VSD) caused by the basidiomycete Oncobasidium theobromae and stem canker and Phytophthora pod rot (PPR) or black pod, caused by Phytophthora palmivora. Using the considerable genetic diversity of cocoa on farms, host resistance was identified and tested with the participation of farmers. Forty-nine local and international cocoa selections with promising resistance characteristics (as well as susceptible controls) were side-grafted onto mature cocoa in a replicated trial with single-tree plots. Developing grafts were assessed in the dry season for severity of VSD infection, scored from 0 (no infection) to 4 (graft death). All of the 49 c...
2010-01-01
Abstract Aim This study investigates how estimated tree aboveground biomass (AGB) of tropical montane rain forests varies with elevation, and how this variation is related to elevational change in floristic composition, phylogenetic community structure and the biogeography of the dominant tree taxa. Location Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Methods Floristic inventories and stand structural analyses were conducted on 13 plots (each 0.24 ha) in four old-growth forest stands at 1050, 1400, 1800 and 2400 m a.s.l. (submontane to upper montane elevations). Tree AGB estimates were based on d.b.h., height and wood specific gravity. Phylogenetic diversity and biogeographical patterns were analysed based on tree family composition weighted by AGB. Elevational trends in AGB were compar...
Exploration of Lahendong geothermal field in North Sulawesi, Indonesia
This paper describes the progress made in developing the geothermal resources at Lahendong, North Sulawesi. Indonesia for utilization in power generation. Exploration of the whole region included a geophysical survey undertaken exclusively by the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI). A temperature at various depths was conducted through gradient boreholes. The results show that the area of anomalous temperature corresponds to the area of low resistivity revealed by the seismic survey. Two shallow exploratory boreholes (300-400 m) drilled by VSI confirmed the existence of the resources. The deep reservoir in Lahendong field extends over an area of 10 km/sup 2/; the upper parts of the reservoir are presumed to be water dominated (temperatures in excess of 200/sup 0/C) and to overlie a zone of hot chloride water at an undetermined depth. The potential of Lahendong field is estimated to about 90 MW. In Pelita IV (1984-89), the fourth 5-year plan, the State Electricity Public Corporation plans to construct a 30 MW geothermal power-plant in the Lahendong field.
Exploration of Lahendong geothermal field in North Sulawesi, Indonesia
1986-01-01
This paper describes the progress made in developing the geothermal resources at Lahendong, North Sulawesi. Indonesia for utilization in power generation. Exploration of the whole region included a geophysical survey undertaken exclusively by the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI). A temperature at various depths was conducted through gradient boreholes. The results show that the area of anomalous temperature corresponds to the area of low resistivity revealed by the seismic survey. Two shallow exploratory boreholes (300-400 m) drilled by VSI confirmed the existence of the resources. The deep reservoir in Lahendong field extends over an area of 10 km/sup 2/; the upper parts of the reservoir are presumed to be water dominated (temperatures in excess of 200/sup 0/C) and to overlie a zone of hot chloride water at an undetermined depth. The potential of Lahendong field is estimated to about 90 MW. In Pelita IV (1984-89), the fourth 5-year plan, the State Electricity Public Corporation plans to construct a 30 MW geothermal power-plant in the Lahendong field.
2008-01-01
The impact of deforestation and land-use changes on evapotranspiration of mountainous tropical rain forest area in the northern part of the Lore-Lindu National Park (LLNP) in Central Sulawesi (Indonesia) was quantified using a regional process-based SVAT model "SVAT-Regio". Description of evapotranspiration of a non-uniform land surface in local and regional scales in SVAT-Regio is based on equations of energy and water balances of individual plants, plant canopy and soil layers for each of many grid cells into which the entire study area is divided. The model uses a multi-layered representation of vegetation cover and soil structure that allows to describe the partitioning of energy and H2O-fluxes among different canopy layers and soil, and to quantify more precisely the total ecosystem f...
Landscape constraints on functional diversity of birds and insects in tropical agroecosystems.
In this paper, we analyze databases [corrected] on birds and insects to assess patterns of functional diversity in human-dominated landscapes in the tropics. A perspective from developed landscapes is essential for understanding remnant natural ecosystems, because most species experience their surroundings at spatial scales beyond the plot level, and spillover between natural and managed ecosystems is common. Agricultural bird species have greater habitat and diet breadth than forest species. Based on a global data base, bird assemblages in tropical agroforest ecosystems were composed of disproportionately more frugivorous and nectarivorous, but fewer insectivorous bird species compared with forest. Similarly, insect predators of plant-feeding arthropods were more diverse in Ecuadorian agroforest and forest compared with rice and pasture, while, in Indonesia, bee diversity was also higher in forested habitats. Hence, diversity of insectivorous birds and insect predators as well as bee pollinators declined with agricultural transformation. In contrast, with increasing agricultural intensification, avian pollinators and seed dispersers initially increase then decrease in proportion. It is well established that the proximity of agricultural habitats to forests has a strong influence on the functional diversity of agroecosystems. Community similarity is higher among agricultural systems than in natural habitats and higher in simple than in complex landscapes for both birds and insects, so natural communities, low-intensity agriculture, and heterogeneous landscapes appear to be critical in the preservation of beta diversity. We require a better understanding of the relative role of landscape composition and the spatial configuration of landscape elements in affecting spillover of functionally important species across managed and natural habitats. This is important for data-based management of tropical human-dominated landscapes sustaining the capacity of communities to reorganize after disturbance and to ensure ecological functioning.
Forest management and carbon storage: an analysis of 12 key forest nations
1993-10-01
Forests of the world sequester and conserve more C than all other terrestrial ecosystems and account for 90% of the annual C flux between the atmosphere and the Earth's land surface. Preliminary estimates indicate that forest and agroforest management practices throughout the world can enhance the capability of forests to sequester C and reduce accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Yet of the 3600 C 10[sup 6] ha of forest in the world today, only about 10% (350 x 10[sup 6] ha) are actively managed. The impetus to expand lands managed for forestry or agroforestry purposes lies primarily with nations having forest resources. In late 1990, an assessment was initiated to evaluate the biological potential and initial site costs of managed forest and agroforest systems to sequester C. Within the assessment, 12 key forested nations were the focus of a special analysis: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, former USSR and USA. These nations contain 59% of the world's natural forests and are representative of the world's boreal, temperate, and tropical forest biomes. Assessment results indicate that though the world's forests are contained in 138 nations, a subset of key nations, such as the 12 selected for this analysis, can significantly contribute to the global capability to sequester C through managed tree crops. Collectively, the 12 nations are estimated to have the potential to store 25.7 Pg C, once expanded levels of practices such as reforestation, afforestation, natural regeneration and agroforestry are implemented and maintained. Initial site costs based upon establishment costs for management practices are less than US$33/Mg C. 55 refs., 2 tabs.
Association between Dentitheca habereri (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) and two zoanthids
2010-01-01
Dentitheca habereri is a leptomedusan hydroid forming large colonies on the fringing reefs of the Bunaken National Park (North Sulawesi, Indonesia). The hydroid is generally associated with two zoanthid species, Parazoanthus gracilis and Parazoanthus sp. Colonies lacking zoanthid epibionts are rare and generally smaller (8-10 cm). When associated with Parazoanthus sp., the hydroid colonies are fan-shaped and may exceed 1 m in width. In contrast, when D. habereri is colonised by the large polyps of Parazoanthus gracilis, the host colonies are smaller and the branching is irregular.
A revision of Malesian Austrobuxus (Picrodendraceae/Euphorbiaceae s.l. subfam. Oldfieldioideae)
2010-01-01
The Malesian species of the predominantly New Caledonian genus Austrobuxus were revised. Three species are recognized. Austrobuxus nitidus is widespread from south Thailand to Borneo. Characteristic for this species are the very short papillae of the caruncle. The caruncle papillae are much longer in the other two, newly described species. Austrobuxus celebicus sp. nov. is endemic to Sulawesi, where it is found on ultramafic soils, and A. dentatus sp. nov. is an endemic species of western New Guinea. The former is notable for the very small fruits and the latter for the teeth-like glands along the leaf blade margins, unique within the genus.
Twenty years of agronomic evaluation of wild cocoa trees (Theobroma cacao L.) from French Guiana
2007-01-01
Almost 500 clones of wild cocoa trees (Theobroma cacao L.) grown from pods collected in 1987 from wild mother-trees in the Camopi and Tanpok river basins (southeastern French Guiana) have been distributed in around fifteen cocoa producing countries since 1988. The name of those clones always bears the GU prefix (for "Guyane", i.e. French Guiana). All the germplasm of the same geographical origin present in the CIRAD collection at Paracou-Combi (Sinnamary, French Guiana), i.e. more than 1600 trees, has been abundantly studied for its morphological characterization, its agronomic assessment or its genetic diversity. Other assessment work, primarily on resistance to certain diseases, has been carried out by CIRAD in Montpellier, or in various countries by other organizations.In order to simpl...
1995-12-31
The presence of coliforms in processed foods is an useful indicator of post-sanitization and post processing contamination, and members of the mesophilic aerobic spore formers have great importance in food spoilage. Spore - forming aerobic bacilli have been observed in fermenting cocoa in Jamaica and West Africa. The results of this work has shown a considerable reduction of the mesophilic aerobic spore formers in irradiated Brazilian Comun Cocoa beans as long as the irradiation dose was increased from 1.05 to 3.99 kGy. The presence of coliforms irradiated has not been found even in the coroa beans with the dose of 1.05 kGy. (author). 4 refs., 1 tab.
Application of nuclear energy to agriculture. Final report
The following research projects in radiation botany were conducted: mutation breeding of beans and cassava; biological response of coffee plants; and radiosensitivity of tropical plants. In the field of entomology experiments were conducted on radiosterilization of the Mediterranean fruit fly, the coffee leaf miner, the torsalo and the meliaceous shootborer. The following research projects in plant physiology were conducted: physiology of cassava plants; effects of temperature on germination of cacao seeds; physiology of cacao seeds; sulfur metabolism using /sup 35/S; diseases and parasites of banana fruits; the mechanism controlling dwarfism in a radioinduced single gene bean mutant; and the use of wetting agents in foliar nutrition. The following research projects in soil chemistry were conducted: acidity and cation movement in tropical soils; phosphate in soils of the humid tropics; movement, adsorption and desorption of sulfates; free iron and aluminium oxides in tropical soils; mineralization of organic nitrogen in soils on volcanic materials; soil chemical properties of recent volcanic ash; and spatial distribution of the absorbing roots in coffee. Discussions are presented of installation of radiation facilities and collection of rainfall for fallout analysis. (HLW)
Application of nuclear energy to agriculture. Final report
1976-06-30
The following research projects in radiation botany were conducted: mutation breeding of beans and cassava; biological response of coffee plants; and radiosensitivity of tropical plants. In the field of entomology experiments were conducted on radiosterilization of the Mediterranean fruit fly, the coffee leaf miner, the torsalo and the meliaceous shootborer. The following research projects in plant physiology were conducted: physiology of cassava plants; effects of temperature on germination of cacao seeds; physiology of cacao seeds; sulfur metabolism using /sup 35/S; diseases and parasites of banana fruits; the mechanism controlling dwarfism in a radioinduced single gene bean mutant; and the use of wetting agents in foliar nutrition. The following research projects in soil chemistry were conducted: acidity and cation movement in tropical soils; phosphate in soils of the humid tropics; movement, adsorption and desorption of sulfates; free iron and aluminium oxides in tropical soils; mineralization of organic nitrogen in soils on volcanic materials; soil chemical properties of recent volcanic ash; and spatial distribution of the absorbing roots in coffee. Discussions are presented of installation of radiation facilities and collection of rainfall for fallout analysis. (HLW)
2000-07-01
Production increases of 10% to 130% have been obtained with pig lift installations on offshore oil wells in the Cacao Field, southeast Brazil. At the present time 3 wells out of 5 are being produced with pig lift. These deep, highly deviated wells with little space on the platform to the required surface equipment presented a challenge to pig lift technology. However, these difficulties were overcame and the benefits obtained helped to maintain the economical attractiveness of the platform. (author)
Agronomy and Physiology of Tropical Cover Crops
2007-01-01
Cover crops are important components of a sustainable crop production system. They can be planted with plantation crops such as cacao, coffee, banana, rubber, and oil palm or in rotation with cash crops. Their use in a cropping system is mainly beneficial for soil and water conservation, recycling of nutrients, control of pests and improved microbiological activities. However, beneficial effects depend on the selection of appropriate cover crops and their management. Hence, understanding their agronomy and physiology is fundamental for their use in sustainable cropping systems. Growth and development of a crop (physiological aspects) is determined genetically as well as influenced by environmental variables. This information can be useful in improving production of these crops and, consequ...
2009-01-01
Land-use intensification in Mediterranean agro-forest systems became a pressure on biodiversity, concerning particularly the woodland sensitive species. In 2001, the effects of a land-use gradient from old-growth cork-oak forest to a homogeneous agricultural area were assessed using rove beetles as indicators in a Mediterranean landscape. The aim was to find which species were negatively affected by land-use intensification at the landscape level and whether they benefited from cork-oak patches occurring along the land-use gradient. A total of 3,196 rove beetles from 88 taxa were sampled from all landscape types. Agricultural area recorded significantly higher numbers of abundance and species richness in relation to the cork-oak mosaics, i.e. the old-growth forest and the managed agro-fore...
2010-01-01
Abstract Aim To develop a comprehensive explanation for the biological diversity of Southeast Asia, especially in the Wallacea and Sundaland regions. This study focuses on a group of arachnids, mite harvestmen, which are thought to be an extremely old group of endemic animals that have been present in the region since most of its land supposedly formed part of the northern rim of the supercontinent Gondwana. Location Eastern Himalayas, Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Sulawesi, and New Guinea. Methods Approximately 5.6 kb of sequence data were obtained from 110 South-east Asian Cyphophthalmi specimens. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted under a variety of methods and analytical parameters, and the optimal tree was dated using calibration points derived from fossil data. Event...
Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich. Cultivated as a Root Crop in Bali and Timor
2006-01-01
Vigna vexillata is considered as a pantropical distributed wild species closely related to the cowpea (Vigna uniculata) and adapted to infertile soils. The species is occasionally used for its storage roots as well as forage and erosion control plant. The objective of this study was to pursue personal communications that V. vexillata has be transformed into a cultivar in Indonesia. Seven Indonesian islands were visited (Java, Bali, Sumba, Flores, Timor, Kalimantan and Sulawesi). Wild V. vexillata was found in Java, Bali, Sumba, Flores and Timor, occasionally used as wild forest food, and cultivated V. vexillata was found in Bali and Timor, Seven cultivars were collected and two of these were made available for the National Botanic Garden of Belgium. The cultivars were primarily culti...
Vertical distribution of epiphytic bryophytes in an Indonesian rainforest
2010-01-01
We studied species richness, composition and vertical distribution of epiphytic bryophytes in submontane rainforest of Central Sulawesi. Bryophytes were sampled on eight canopy trees and on eight trees in the forest understorey. Microclimate was measured at trunk bases and at crown bases. The total recorded number of 146 epiphytic bryophyte species is among the highest ever reported for tropical forests and underlines the importance of the Malesian region as a global biodiversity hotspot. Species composition differed significantly between understorey trees and canopy tree trunks on the one hand, and the forest canopy on the other. Fourty-five percent of the bryophyte species were restricted to canopy tree crowns, 12% to the understorey. Dendroid and fan-like species mainly occurred in the ...
2010-01-01
This paper presents an overview of the subgenus Appias (Catophaga) Hubner (Pieridae). A beautiful golden-yellow member of the group, endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, Appias (Catophaga) aurosa Yata &Vane-Wright sp.n., is described as new. A small white species, Appias (Catophaga) mariana Yata &Chainey sp.n., is described as new from the Marianas. Four other taxa, A. (C.) athama (Blanchard), A. (C.) galba (Wallace) stat.rev., A. (C.) galene (Felder &Felder) and A. (C.) wardii (Moore), treated in most recent literature as subspecies, are recognized here as distinct, increasing the number of Catophaga species generally recognized from nine to 15. A brief review is given for each, with notes on their diagnosis, general distribution and known hostplants. An annotated synonymic check...
Stories of crossings and connections from Bawaka, North East Arnhem Land, Australia
2010-01-01
This paper engages with Indigenous peoples' conceptualisations of borders, arguing that these unsettle dominant Eurocentric constructs of the border as terrestrial, linear, bound and defined through western legal frameworks. It does this by drawing on one aspect of the many storytelling experiences offered by members of the Indigenous-owned Yolngu tourism business Bawaka Cultural Experiences in northern Australia. We argue that stories told to visitors about multiple and diverse connections between Yolngu and Makassan people from Sulawesi, Indonesia, are intentional constructions which challenge dominant conceptions of Australia as an isolated island-nation. The stories redefine the border as a dynamic and active space and as a site of complex encounters. The border itself is continuously ...
2010-01-01
The smaller macroscopic members of the epifauna and shallowly-burrowing infauna of comparable intertidal beds of dwarf eelgrass and associated areas of non-vegetated sediment were investigated with uniform methodology in the cool-temperate English southern North Sea (Nanozostera noltii), warm-temperate southern coast of the Western Cape, South Africa (N. capensis) and in subtropical southern Queensland, Australia (N. muelleri capricorni), together with equivalent seagrass sites in tropical Sulawesi, Indonesia, and Seychelles, Western Indian Ocean. Epifaunal microphagous microgastropods dominated both the eelgrass and non-vegetated cool- and warm-temperate sites with
2010-01-01
Disruptive natural selection on traits related to resource exploitation may lead to differential adaptation and finally to speciation. Trait utility, the performance of traits in terms of fitness, is a central criterion for the recognition of adaptive radiation. Utility of morphological structures involved in foraging can be detected by relating their variation to individual resource use. Here, we test for trophic adaptations in the radiation of sharpfin sailfin silversides (Atheriniformes: Telmatherinidae), endemic to ancient graben-lake Matano in central Sulawesi (Indonesia). This small species-flock is characterized by high phenotypic diversity, including traits most likely related to feeding ecology. Previous analyses suggest that species boundaries are porous, indicating very recen...
2008-01-01
The so-called `mimic octopuses' of tropical Indonesia are reputed to mimic up to 13 species of other local marine organisms. We tested for mimicry by allowing individuals of two species of octopus to habituate to divers, then observing and filming two species continuously as they foraged daily in the same open, featureless volcanic sand habitat. Mimicry of a local, abundant flounder occurred commonly during 5 days of natural foraging: nearly 500 episodes were analysed. Both octopus species mimicked the shape, swimming actions, speed, duration, and sometimes the coloration of swimming flounders. During flounder mimicry, octopuses were actively moving and conspicuous, whereas immediately before and after flounder mimicry, they were camouflaged and motionless (sitting or very slowly crawling)...
The electric power sector in Indonesia will be expanded with additional generating capacity of about 5256 MW at the end of the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan 1984/1985 - 1988-1989 from the existing 3912 MW. At present a 30 MW geothermal condensing plant and two non-condensing of 2 MW and 0.25 MW have been operating successfully since 1983. Geothermal energy will be developed primarily for electric power and a total of 220 MW and 660 MW will be added during the 4th (1984-1989) and 5th (1989-1984) Five Year Plans, reaching a total capacity of nearly 1000 MW. The government will accelerate geothermal exploration of 18 areas in Sumatera, 29 in Jawa, 16 in Sulawesi and 14 areas in Bali, the Lesser Sunda islands and Moluccas.
1986-01-01
The electric power sector in Indonesia will be expanded with additional generating capacity of about 5256 MW at the end of the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan 1984/1985 - 1988-1989 from the existing 3912 MW. At present a 30 MW geothermal condensing plant and two non-condensing of 2 MW and 0.25 MW have been operating successfully since 1983. Geothermal energy will be developed primarily for electric power and a total of 220 MW and 660 MW will be added during the 4th (1984-1989) and 5th (1989-1984) Five Year Plans, reaching a total capacity of nearly 1000 MW. The government will accelerate geothermal exploration of 18 areas in Sumatera, 29 in Jawa, 16 in Sulawesi and 14 areas in Bali, the Lesser Sunda islands and Moluccas.
Health assessment of artisanal gold miners in Indonesia
2010-01-01
Small scale miners use mercury to extract gold from ore in many countries. An environmental and health assessment was performed in Indonesia in two regions, Galangan in Central Kalimantan and Talawaan in Northern Sulawesi. The environmental assessment showed severe mercury contamination of the sediments, and increased mercury levels in local fish. For the health investigation 281 volunteers were recruited and examined by a standardized questionnaire, a neurological examination and neuro-psychological tests. A medical score was used consisting of significant factors of mercury intoxication. Mercury exposed workers showed typical symptoms of mercury intoxication, such as movement disorders (ataxia, tremor, dysdiadochokinesia, etc.). Blood, urine and hair samples were taken from any participa...
French-Indonesian cooperation in Lahendong. Cooperation franco-indonesienne a Lahendong
1995-01-01
Volcanism is not only a source of natural disaster in Indonesia, but represents also an important geothermal energy potential which can be used to supply the electricity needs of isolated islands. Indonesia is familiarized with geothermal technology since the building in 1985 of the 140 MW Kamojang power plant in Java. Two other projects are in progress at Gunum Salak (110 MW) and Daradjat. A 350 MW installed power is expected in 2000 for Indonesia. The French-Indonesian geothermal cooperation has been concretized by two projects in the geothermal field of Lahendong (Northern Sulawesi). Drillings have revealed temperatures reaching 360 C and a 100 MW estimated potential. The first project is the installation of a low-temperature pilot plant for electricity production in the 0.3-2.5 MW range. The second project is a modular middle energy power plant with 20 MW modules allowing ...
Environmental isotopes application in several fields in Indonesia
1996-10-01
Artificial radioisotopes have been applied as tracers in the study of hydrological, sedimentological as well as in industrial process plant in Indonesia. Environmental isotopes such as H-3, H-2, C-13, C-14, O-18 and S-34 have also been used, mostly in the study of groundwater movement and in geothermal field. Studies such as dating and isotopes characterization of the aquifers of Jakarta and surrounding, leakage and water balance of the crater lake have been done. With regard to the geothermal study, environmental isotopes are used to investigate the recharge area and origin of geothermal resources, dynamic of geothermal fluids, water rock interaction and isotope geothermometer. These isotopes studies have been undertaken extensively in the geothermal fields of Kamojang and Dieng which are located in the Island of Java, Kotamobagu in North Sulawesi, and Jambi in Sumatra. This paper explain briefly those activities and the results obtained. (author)
Environmental isotopes application in several fields in Indonesia
1996-01-01
Artificial radioisotopes have been applied as tracers in the study of hydrological, sedimentological as well as in industrial process plant in Indonesia. Environmental isotopes such as H-3, H-2, C-13, C-14, O-18 and S-34 have also been used, mostly in the study of groundwater movement and in geothermal field. Studies such as dating and isotopes characterization of the aquifers of Jakarta and surrounding, leakage and water balance of the crater lake have been done. With regard to the geothermal study, environmental isotopes are used to investigate the recharge area and origin of geothermal resources, dynamic of geothermal fluids, water rock interaction and isotope geothermometer. These isotopes studies have been undertaken extensively in the geothermal fields of Kamojang and Dieng which are located in the Island of Java, Kotamobagu in North Sulawesi, and Jambi in Sumatra. ...
2010-01-01
Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) regulate the activity of natural killer and T cells through interaction with specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules on target cells. Like HLA class I genes that are characterised by extreme allelic polymorphism, KIR genes are diverse and vary in both gene content and allelic polymorphism. Population studies conducted over the last several years have showed that KIR gene frequencies (GF) and genotype content vary among different ethnic groups, indicating the extent of KIR diversity. Some studies have also shown the effect of the presence or absence of specific KIR genes in human disease. We have recently reported the distribution of KIR genes in populations from Java (Central Javanese and the Sundanese of West Java), East Timor (Timorese...
2009-01-01
The new species, Pseudocirrhipathes mapia, is herein described from specimens coming from the coral reefs of the Bunaken Marine Park (North Sulawesi, Indonesia). The species is characterized by an unbranched thin corallum up to 1 m high (maximum basal thickness 4 mm), with large polyps arranged irregularly on one side of the stem, and by tentacles that are not completely contractile. The skeleton shows an array of spine morphologies along the stem, although most are typically verticillated in the apical section and highly tuberculated in the central portion. The study of its cnidome revealed the presence of an extremely long basitrich isorhiza. The morphological analysis has been coupled with a molecular study of the rDNA ITS sequences confirming the existence of the new genus Ps...
2010-01-01
In 2007 and 2008, multiple sites were identified in the Wakatobi Marine National Park, South East Sulawesi, Indonesia, which each represented a point along a gradient of light quality, temperature and turbidity. This gradient included 'optimal', intermediate and marginal sites, where conditions were close to the survival threshold limit for corals. Coral communities changed across this gradient from diverse, mixed growth form assemblages to specialised, massive growth form dominated communities. The massive coral Goniastrea aspera was the only species identified at the most marginal and optimal sites. Branching species Acropora formosa and Porites cylindrica were only identified at optimal sites. The in hospite Symbiodinium community also changed across the environmental gradient from memb...
A survey of the mycorrhization of Southeast Asian ferns and lycophytes
2010-01-01
Abstract The colonisation of land by plants may not have been possible without mycorrhizae, which supply the majority of land plants with nutrients, water and other benefits. In this sense, the mycorrhization of basal groups of land plants such as ferns and lycophytes is of particular interest, yet only about 9% of fern and lycophyte species have been sampled for their mycorrhization status, and no community-level analyses exist for tropical fern communities. In the present study, we screened 170 specimens of ferns and lycophytes from Malaysia and Sulawesi (Indonesia), representing 126 species, and report the mycorrhization status for 109 species and 19 genera for the first time. Mycorrhizal colonisations were detected in 96 (56.5%) of the specimens, 85 of which corresponded to arbuscular ...
Yeast diversity of Ghanaian cocoa bean heap fermentations
2009-01-01
Abstract The fermentation of the Theobroma cacao beans, involving yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, and acetic acid bacteria, has a major influence on the quality of the resulting cocoa. An assessment of the microbial community of cocoa bean heap fermentations in Ghana resulted in 91 yeast isolates. These were grouped by PCR-fingerprinting with the primer M13. Representative isolates were identified using the D1/D2 region of the large subunit rRNA gene, internal transcribed spacer sequences and partial actin gene sequences leading to the detection of 15 species. Properties of importance for cocoa bean fermentation, namely sucrose, glucose, and citrate assimilation capacity, pH-, ethanol-, and heat-tolerance, were examined for selected isolates. Pichia kudriavzevii (Issatchenkia orientalis), Sa...
2007-01-01
Background: Plants are the source of important products with nutritional and therapeutic value. Topical or oral administration of some plant extracts has been shown to reduce photodamage. Cacao bean and cola nut are popular edible plants that contain polyphenols and xanthine derivatives. These plant extracts possess protective effects against UV-induced erythema when taken orally, and an H2O2-scavenging effect. Methods: Plant extracts containing xanthine derivatives and three xanthine derivatives were topically applied to the dorsal skin of hairless mice, and the mice were exposed to a resemblance of solar ultraviolet irradiation at a dose of 13.0 J/cm2 (UVA) for 15 weeks, five times a week on weekdays. After the final irradiation, histological, and analytical studies were performed. Resul...
Effect of the heating rate on the devolatilization of biomass residues
2008-01-01
The devolatilization is the basic step of thermochemical processes and requires a fundamental characterization. Three biomass residues (rice husks, olive cake, cacao shells) are studied here in a thermogravimetric (TG) balance. The effect of the heating rate (HR) is evaluated in the range 5-100K/min providing significant parameters for the fingerprinting of the fuels. Kinetics are obtained by applying traditional isoconversional methods. The activation energy as function of the conversion reveals the multi-step nature of the biomass devolatilization. Although average values allow the reactivity of different fuels to be compared, a first order reaction model can hardly predict the biomass devolatilization. A VEB (Variable activation Energy model for Biomass devolatilization) model is develo...
2006-01-01
Polyphenol components were extracted from Malaysian mix-hybrid cocoa beans from different treatments of fermentation namely; post harvest pod storage, bean spreading and pressing. The polyphenol compounds were analyzed using high pressure liquid chromatography. The (-)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin, theobromine and caffeine of control treatment at 5 days pod storages were 11.87, 4.31, 21.08 and 3.85mg/g, respectively. Pre-fermentation treatments were found to be significant in affecting the changes in acidity, degree of fermentation and the polyphenol content of cocoa bean. During fermentation, all pre-treated samples showed decreased levels of (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin but the rate of decrease were found to be different. It was also found that the (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin conte...
2005-01-01
We investigated the presence of Neotropical migratory landbirds in a 90-km2 landscape in the region of Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico. Using the fixed-radius count point procedure, migratory landbirds were surveyed in 21 forest fragments and in four replicates of shaded (coffee, cacao and mixed) and unshaded (citrus and allspice) plantations, live fences, non-arboreal crops (corn and jalapeo chili pepper) and pastures. The surveys resulted in the count of 4732 birds representing 72 species. While forest fragments accounted for 65% of the total species count, 73% of the birds were counted in the arboreal man-made habitats. Pastures contributed to 10% of the species and to 1% of the individuals counted. Live fences were particularly rich in individuals, accounting for 28% of the birds count...
2003-01-01
The fractions of dichloromethane extracts of leaves from andiroba (Carapa guianensis - Meliaceae), caapi (Banisteriopsis caapi - Malpighiaceae), cocoa (Theobroma cacao - Sterculiaceae), Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa - Lecytidaceae), cupuacu (Theobroma grandiflorum - Sterculiaceae), marupa (Simaruba amara - Simaroubaceae) and rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis - Euphorbiaceae), were analyzed by HT-HRGC and HT-HRGC-MS. Esters of homologous series of fatty acids and long chain alcohols, phytol, amyrines and tocopherols were characterized. The characterization of the compounds was based mainly in mass spectra data and in addition by usual spectrometric data (1H and 13C NMR, IR). (author)
2003-10-01
The fractions of dichloromethane extracts of leaves from andiroba (Carapa guianensis - Meliaceae), caapi (Banisteriopsis caapi - Malpighiaceae), cocoa (Theobroma cacao - Sterculiaceae), Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa - Lecytidaceae), cupuacu (Theobroma grandiflorum - Sterculiaceae), marupa (Simaruba amara - Simaroubaceae) and rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis - Euphorbiaceae), were analyzed by HT-HRGC and HT-HRGC-MS. Esters of homologous series of fatty acids and long chain alcohols, phytol, amyrines and tocopherols were characterized. The characterization of the compounds was based mainly in mass spectra data and in addition by usual spectrometric data ({sup 1}H and {sup 13}C NMR, IR). (author)
Characterization of high heating rate chars of biomass fuels
2009-01-01
Data on biomass chars obtained under conditions similar to those of practical applications (high heating rate and low residence time) are required for co-combustion and gasification plants. A methodological procedure is developed and applied to two biomass fuels (cacao shells and olive cake) for producing high heating rate chars and characterizing their reactivity and morphology after the first steps of devolatilization. Different chars are produced in a drop tube reactor (rapid pyrolysis) by varying the nominal temperature and the residence time. Oxidation in air is performed to compare typical temperatures and kinetic parameters and evaluate the effect of the operating conditions on char reactivity. A detailed SEM analysis allows to assess the structural variations during the pyrolysis a...
2010-01-01
ABSTRACT: Caffeine ranks as one of the top most commonly consumed dietary ingredients throughout the world. It is naturally found in coffee beans, cacao beans, kola nuts, guarana berries, and tea leaves including yerba mate. The total daily intake, as well as the major source of caffeine varies globally; however, coffee and tea are the 2 most prominent sources. Soft drinks are also a common source of caffeine as well as energy drinks, a category of functional beverages. Moderate caffeine consumption is considered safe and its use as a food ingredient has been approved, within certain limits, by numerous regulatory agencies around the world. Performance benefits attributed to caffeine include physical endurance, reduction of fatigue, and enhancing mental alertness and concentration. Caffein...
1995-10-20
Lipid-biomodification ability was examined for yeasts isolated from soil using culture medium containing beef tallow (2%). Some yeasts, e.g. Candida, Trichosporon and Rhodotorula species were able to grow on fats and oils. Fatty acid and triacylglycerol compositions were modified in lipids of some strains. Candida sp. MIS-1 and YM1-1 preferentially produced oleic acid. Candida sp. MIS-1 had high level of triacylglycerol with a melting point like olive oil. Fatty acid composition of lipids in Candida lipolytica IAM4948 and Rhodotorula sp. AO3-5 was similar to that of cacao butter. Yeast oils obtained from C. lipolytica provided the melting characterization different from beef tallow. 30 refs., 3 figs., 7 tabs.
2005-01-01
Witches broom disease (WBD) is caused by the hemibiotrophic basidiomycete fungus Crinipellis perniciosa, which is one of the most important diseases of cocoa in the western hemisphere. In this study, the contents of soluble sugars, amino acids, alkaloids, ethylene, phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, pigments, malondialdehyde (MDA), glycerol, and fatty acids were analysed in cocoa (Theobroma cacao) shoots during the infection and development of WBD. Alterations were observed in the content of soluble sugars (sucrose, glucose, and fructose), asparagine and alkaloids (caffeine and theobromine), ethylene, and tannins. Ethylene and tannins increased prior to symptom development and declined with the death of the infected tissues. Furthermore, MDA and glycerol concentrations were higher in infected...
2009-01-01
Heated quartz, including quartz from volcanic provinces, commonly displays different luminescence characteristics compared with the same mineral in non-volcanic contexts. These differing properties demand thorough investigations into the most suitable dating techniques for samples composed of quartz grains with different origins. In cave settings, independent techniques such as radiocarbon and U-series can prove useful for validating results, but further insights may be gained by comparing the results obtained for quartz using different luminescence emissions. Twenty-two quartz samples have been selected from five areas (Australia, Timor, Flores, Java and Sulawesi) for comparison of the red and blue emissions. The dual-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol was used to estimate the equivalent dose (De) associated with the light-sensitive red ...
Microbial methane and ethane from gas hydrate nodules of the Makassar Strait, Indonesia
2006-08-15
Intact, white nodules of gas hydrate were recovered in piston cores ({approx}0-6.4 m sediment depth) from the deep water region of the Makassar Strait, between the islands of Borneo and Sulawesi, offshore Indonesia. Consistent with structure I gas hydrate, the dominant hydrocarbon is methane ({approx}99.96%). The hydrate-bound methane is relatively depleted in {sup 13}C (mean {delta}{sup 13}C = -70.6per thousand; mean {delta}D = -189.9per thousand). Microbial ethane, also present in the hydrate, is more highly depleted in {sup 13}C (mean = -52.6per thousand) than nearly all previously discovered gas hydrates, and is accompanied by trace volumes of microbial ethylene and propylene. Detrital higher-plant material is the likely sedimentary carbon source. The source of microbial methane and ethane appears to be in situ reduction of CO{sub 2} by extremophile bacteria adapted to high pressure. The hydrate occurs several hundred meters above the base of the gas hydrate stability zone. Nodular hydrate is associated with seafloor authigenic carbonate rock and chemosynthetic clams characteristic of deep cold vent sites. (author)
Mangroves overlying smothered coral reefs, Sulawesi and Sumatra, Indonesia
The study was conducted in 3 mangrove forests in Hurun Bay and 1 in Awerange Bay during the dry season (August 2006) and the wet season (March 2007). Within each forest, meaurements were made for species identification, basal area, diameter at breat heigh. Calculations were made for estimates of stem density and above-ground biomass. Light readings were taken to estimate canopy cover and leaf area index. The extent of tidal inundation was also assessed. Solid-phase elements were measured only during the dry season to determine total C; total N; total organic carbon; total P, Fe, Ca and Mn. Total inorganic carbon was calculated. Rates of sulfate reduction were measured. Solute fluxes of DIC, Ca, Fe, Mn, hydrogen sulphide and O2 across the soil-water interface were measured. Net DIC, Fe, Mn and ammonium production were measured from each plot. Fluxes of CO2 and O2 across the soil-air interface were measured.Nitrogen fixation in soils was also measured.
2010-01-01
The poorly regulated aquarium trade in live corals poses yet another threat to fragile coral reef ecosystems. The Indonesian authorities routinely allocate some of the highest trade quotas in South Sulawesi to Heliofungia actiniformis despite a lack of data on the impacts of current collection practices on this species. Semi-structured interviews with fishermen and in situ surveys revealed a size-selective fishery towards small polyps. This resulted in a shift of size-frequency distributions, and reduced overall abundances at harvested sites. Total mortality rates calculated using a catch curve approach at harvested sites were significantly higher compared to those known from unharvested sites for polyps sized 0-11cm. Recorded exploitation rates were 0.1 and 0.7 for polyps sized 0-4cm and ...
2006-01-01
Summary. Fermented cocoa beans of various countries of origin (Ivory Coast, Ghana, Sulawesi), cocoa beans roasted under defined conditions (100150C; 30120min), low and high fat cocoa powder, various brands of chocolate, and cocoa shells were analyzed for their contents of free L-and D-amino acids. Amino acids were isolated from defatted products using a cation exchanger and converted into volatile N(O)-pentafluoropropionyl amino acid 2-propyl esters which were analyzed by enantioselective gas chromatography mass spectrometry on a Chirasil-L-Val capillary column. Besides common protein L-amino acids low amounts of D-amino acids were detected in fermented cocoa beans. Quantities of D-amino acids increased on heating. On roasting cocoa beans of the Forastero type from the Ivor...
French-Indonesian cooperation in Lahendong; Cooperation franco-indonesienne a Lahendong
1995-07-01
Volcanism is not only a source of natural disaster in Indonesia, but represents also an important geothermal energy potential which can be used to supply the electricity needs of isolated islands. Indonesia is familiarized with geothermal technology since the building in 1985 of the 140 MW Kamojang power plant in Java. Two other projects are in progress at Gunum Salak (110 MW) and Daradjat. A 350 MW installed power is expected in 2000 for Indonesia. The French-Indonesian geothermal cooperation has been concretized by two projects in the geothermal field of Lahendong (Northern Sulawesi). Drillings have revealed temperatures reaching 360 C and a 100 MW estimated potential. The first project is the installation of a low-temperature pilot plant for electricity production in the 0.3-2.5 MW range. The second project is a modular middle energy power plant with 20 MW modules allowing progressive extension to supply the evolution of electricity demand. (J.S.). 4 photos.
2000-03-01
As technological cooperation for Indonesia, discussions were given on applicability of natural catalysts produced in Indonesia to liquefying reaction of Indonesian coals, conformity of the obtained liquefied product to the product standards, and environmental safety. As a result of tests and discussions, limonite containing nickel produced from a nickel ore deposit in Sulawesi Island was found to show high catalytic activity in liquefying reaction of the Banko coal, and highly crushable. The limonite is very promising as a catalyst material for commercialized coal liquefaction plants in Indonesia. According to the result of discussions on liquefied product standards and environmental safety, it was indicated that most of sulfur and nitrogen can be removed by using the improved brown coal liquefaction BCL process, and high quality liquefied product oil having excellent storage stability can be produced. In addition, if aromatic constituents can be reduced, it is expected that the fuel characteristics and environmental safety will be improved, and applicability to the petroleum market will be further raised. (NEDO)
Functional group diversity of bee pollinators increases crop yield
Niche complementarity is a commonly invoked mechanism underlying the positive relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, but little empirical evidence exists for complementarity among pollinator species. This study related differences in three functional traits of pollinating bees (flower height preference, daily time of flower visitation and within-flower behaviour) to the seed set of the obligate cross-pollinated pumpkin Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir. across a land-use intensity gradient from tropical rainforest and agroforests to grassland in Indonesia. Bee richness and abundance changed with habitat variables and we used this natural variation to test whether complementary resource use by the diverse pollinator community enhanced final yield. We found that pollinator diversity, but not abundance, was positively related to seed set of pumpkins. Bees showed species-specific spatial and temporal variation in flower visitation traits and within-flower behaviour, allowing for classification into functional guilds. Diversity of functional groups explained even more of the variance in seed set (r2=45%) than did species richness (r2=32%) highlighting the role of functional complementarity. Even though we do not provide experimental, but rather correlative evidence, we can link spatial and temporal complementarity in highly diverse pollinator communities to pollination success in the field, leading to enhanced crop yield without any managed honeybees.
2008-01-01
As part of a feasibility study of the commercialization potential of C. indicum nuts as Agroforestry Tree Products in Papua New Guinea, preliminary characterization studies have examined the tree-to-tree variation in morphological traits (nut and kernel mass and kernel:nut ratio), as well as nutritional (carbohydrate, fat, protein, sodium, vitamin E) and medicinal traits (anti-oxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity and phenolic content) of kernels from 18 to 72 trees in a small number of different villages of Papua New Guinea (East New Britain Province). There was continuous variation in these traits indicating opportunities for multiple trait cultivar development targeted at food and pharmaceutical markets. Certain traits, for example anti-inflammatory activity, in which tree-to-tree variation was highly significant, present greater opportunities than others, such as saturated: unsaturated fatty acid ratio. This intraspecific variation was greater within populations than between populations. The data presented has allowed the development of a strategy to domesticate C. indicum for cultivation in homegardens and cocoa–coconut agroforests, using a participatory approach aimed at the production of agroforestry tree products (AFTPs) to empower small-holders and enhance their livelihoods and income. Publisher: Springer Format: application/pdf Other identifier: Leakey, Roger, Fuller, Steve, Treloar, Tony, Stevenson, Lesley, Hunter, Denise, Nevenimo, Tio, Binifa, Jeffery, and Moxon, John (2008) Characterization of tree-to-tree variation in morphological, nutritional and medicinal properties of Canarium indicum nuts. Agroforestry Systems, 73 (1). pp. 77-87. ISSN 1572-9680
2008-01-01
As part of a feasibility study of the commercialization potential of C. indicum nuts as Agroforestry Tree Products in Papua New Guinea, preliminary characterization studies have examined the tree-to-tree variation in morphological traits (nut and kernel mass and kernel:nut ratio), as well as nutritional (carbohydrate, fat, protein, sodium, vitamin E) and medicinal traits (anti-oxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity and phenolic content) of kernels from 18 to 72 trees in a small number of different villages of Papua New Guinea (East New Britain Province). There was continuous variation in these traits indicating opportunities for multiple trait cultivar development targeted at food and pharmaceutical markets. Certain traits, for example anti-inflammatory activity, in which tree-to-tree variation was highly significant, present greater opportunities than others, such as saturated:unsaturated fatty acid ratio. This intraspecific variation was greater within populations than between populations. The data presented has allowed the development of a strategy to domesticate C. indicum for cultivation in homegardens and cocoa-coconut agroforests, using a participatory approach aimed at the production of agroforestry tree products (AFTPs) to empower small-holders and enhance their livelihoods and income. Publisher: Springer Netherlands Other identifier: Leakey, R. and Fuller, S. and Treloar, T. and Stevenson, L. and Hunter, D. and Nevenimo, T. and Binifa, J. and Moxon, J. (2008) Characterization of tree-to-tree variation in morphological, nutritional and medicinal properties of Canarium indicum nuts. Agroforestry Systems, 73 (1). pp. 77-87.
The content of protein and non-protein (free and protein-bound) tryptophan in Theobroma cacao beans
2011-01-01
The contents of protein and non-protein (free and protein-bound) tryptophan and of proteins in cocoa beans of various origin were determined. Protein concentrations varied from 11.8g/100g in beans from the Dominican Republic to 15.7g/100g in roasted beans from the Ivory Coast. The highest protein tryptophan content was found in cocoa beans from Ecuador. Madagascar beans had the highest value of free tryptophan and Echeandia the lowest (17.26 and 6.39mg/100g, respectively). Tryptophan was bound to water-soluble proteins as well as to proteins soluble in buffer solution (pH 8.9) and in 70% ethanol. In particular, Dominican Republic cocoa contained the highest amount of tryptophan bound to water-soluble proteins. Very little tryptophan was linked to proteins soluble in alkaline or ethanol sol...
The addition of 1% (wt:vol) aqueous extracts of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) (Malvales: Malvaceae), coffee (Coffea arabica L.) (Gentianales: Rubiaceae), and green and black tea (Camellia sinensis L.) (Ericales: Theaceae) provided excellent UV radiation protection for the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hbner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), nucleopolyhedrovirus under laboratory conditions. Aqueous extracts of coffee, green tea, and black tea at 0.5% provided 85-100% UV protection, whereas cocoa provided 50% UV protection. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a component of green tea, and caffeine, a component of tea and coffee, also were tested as UV protectants. Both compounds were ineffective when tested alone. When EGCG and caffeine were combined, UV protection increased in a synergistic manner, but <35% of the original virus activity was maintained. This study demonstrated that coffee was comparable to green tea and black tea as a UV protectant. Further studies should be conducted to optimize their use in biopesticide formulations.
2009-01-01
The biological properties of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) polyphenols are strictly dependent on their bioavailability. A long-term cocoa feeding trial was performed with subjects at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Subjects (n=42) received two sachets of 20g of cocoa powder/day with 250mL of skimmed milk each, or only 500mL/day of skimmed milk, both for two 4-week periods. The phenolic metabolic profile including phase II conjugated metabolites and phenolic acids derived from the intestinal microbiota was determined by LC-MS/MS in both 24-h urine and fasting plasma. The analysis of 24-h urine revealed significant increases of phase II metabolites, including glucuronides and sulfate conjugates of (-)-epicatechin, O-methyl-epicatechin, 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-g-valerolactone and 5-(3'-m...
1994-12-01
Described herein are the results of the FY1994 research program for international joint technology development for solar energy utilization systems. The joint study with an Indonesian research institute takes a model of lumber drying plant for the design and feasibility study. All the parts it needs are technically available in Indonesia, except carbon fiber sheets and electronic devices for controlling purposes. The drying cost is higher than that of a plant which procures charge-free wood fuel, but lower than that of a plant which procures fuel at 30$/t. A cacao drying plant model is also studied. The feasibility study shows that the initial investment for the blowing-up model is much higher by 60% to 100% than that for the conventional plant. Its fuel cost is lower by 11% than that of residual oil but 27% higher than that of wood. 4 figs.
Metabolic fate of nicotinamide in higher plants.
Metabolism of [carbonyl-14C]nicotinamide was surveyed in various plant materials including the model plants, Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa and Lotus japonicus. In all plants studied, nicotinamide was used for the pyridine (nicotinamide adenine) nucleotide synthesis, probably after conversion to nicotinic acid. Radioactivity from [carbonyl-14C]nicotinamide was incorporated into trigonelline (1-N-methylnicotinic acid) and/or into nicotinic acid 1N-glucoside (Na-Glc). Trigonelline is formed mainly in leaves and cell cultures of O. sativa and L. japonicus and in seedlings of Trifolium incarnatum, Medicago sativa and Raphanus sativus. Trigonelline synthesis from nicotinamide is generally greater in leaves than in roots. Na-Glc was formed as the major nicotinic acid conjugate in A. thaliana and in tobacco Bright Yellow-2 cells. In seedlings of Chrysanthemum coronarium and Theobroma cacao, both trigonelline and Na-Glc were synthesized from [carbonyl-14C]nicotinamide. Trigonelline is accumulated in some seeds, mainly Leguminosae species. The pattern of formation of the nicotinic acid conjugates differs between species and organs.
Lignin phenols used to infer organic matter sources to Sepetiba Bay - RJ, Brasil
2010-01-01
Lignin phenols were measured in the sediments of Sepitiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and in bedload sediments and suspended sediments of the four major fluvial inputs to the bay; Sao Francisco and Guandu Channels and the Guarda and Cacao Rivers. Fluvial suspended lignin yields (8 3.5-14.6mgC10gdw-1) vary little between the wet and dry seasons and are poorly correlated with fluvial chlorophyll concentrations (0.8-50.2mgCL-1). Despite current land use practices that favor grassland agriculture or industrial uses, fluvial lignin compositions are dominated by a degraded leaf-sourced material. The exception is the Guarda River, which has a slight influence from grasses. The Lignin Phenol Vegetation Index, coupled with acid/aldehyde and 3.5Db/V ratios, indicate that degraded leaf-derived phenol...
2008-01-01
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is the major component of a group of secondary metabolites produced, under particular environmental conditions, by several Penicillium and Aspergillus species. This naturally occurring compound was reported to easily contaminate a large kind of staple foods such as cereals, coffee, beer, grape juice, wine as well as cacao products, nuts and spices. The most important toxic effect of this myco toxin is its nephrotoxicity. OTA is mainly known for its involvement in Balkan Endemic Nephropathy, as fatal disease in South-Eastern Europe, (Krogh and al., 1977) which is similar to the Tunisian Chronic Interstitial Nephropathy of unknown aetiology in many aspects Due to its high toxicity and strict regulations on maximum levels of OTA, Prevention of OTA production and/or the detoxification of contaminated products are then of prime ...
Development of technologies for solar energy utilization
1995-09-01
With relation to the development of photovoltaic power systems for practical use, studies were made on thin-substrate polycrystalline solar cells and thin-film solar cells as manufacturing technology for solar cells for practical use. The technological development for super-high efficiency solar cells was also being advanced. Besides, the research and development have been conducted of evaluation technology for photovoltaic power systems and systems to utilize the photovoltaic power generation and peripheral technologies. The demonstrative research on photovoltaic power systems was continued. The international cooperative research on photovoltaic power systems was also made. The development of a manufacturing system for compound semiconductors for solar cells was carried out. As to the development of solar energy system technologies for industrial use, a study of elemental technologies was first made, and next the development of an advanced heat process type solar energy system was commenced. In addition, the research on passive solar systems was made. An investigational study was carried out of technologies for solar cities and solar energy snow melting systems. As international joint projects, studies were made of solar heat timber/cacao drying plants, etc. The paper also commented on projects for international cooperation for the technological development of solar energy utilization systems. 26 figs., 15 tabs.
Development and dissemination of solar tunnel dryers
1993-08-01
A promising conception of solar dryer with forced convection represents the solar tunnel dryer developed at the authors' institute. This tunnel dryer is intended for being used on small farms or on cooperatives. The construction of the solar tunnel dryer is made in such a fashion that it can be produced using simple tools and locally available material in tropical and subtropical countries. The solar tunnel dryer is particular apt for proper and safe drying of agricultural products cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries such as fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, coffee or cacao. Considering the relatively low efficiency of fans in the power range below 100 Watt the innovative change in design lead to a power requirement of the solar tunnel dryer of 20 up to 50 Watt in fully loaded condition. The solar tunnel dryer can be operated with one photovoltaic module only independent of grid electricity. Thus the connection to a Solar Home System is enabled. Prototypes of the solar tunnel dryer, locally produced at a price between 1,000 and 2,000 DM, have proved their reliability in many tropical and subtropical countries. Mass production of the solar tunnel dryer will start in Turkey beginning of next year. Additional governmental support is necessary for the introduction of the solar tunnel dryer in other tropical and subtropical countries. 6 figs., 14 refs.
2007-01-01
A MADS box gene (GhMADS3) was cloned from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) based on EST sequences. The predicted protein sequence of GhMADS3 showed 85%, 73%, and 62% identity with Theobroma cacao TcAG, Antirrhinum majus FAR, and Arabidopsis thaliana AG, respectively, and was grouped with AG homologues when the full length sequences excluding N-extensions were compared. GhMADS3 expressed in the wild type cotton flower primarily in stamens and carpels, which was comparable to AG in Arabidopsis. However, it was not expressed in floral buds of a homeotic cotton variant chv1. Ectopic expression of GhMADS3 in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) resulted in flowers with sepal-to-carpel and petal-to-stamen transformation. The carpelloid first whorl organs, with stigmatic tissue on their upper edges, had ...
Changes in Properties of Composting Rice Husk and Their Effects on Soil and Cocoa Growth
2008-01-01
The worldwide production of rice husk, a by-product and agrowaste that causes serious environmental problems, may reach 116 million t y-1. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the physicochemical changes of rice husk and its structural chemistry during composting using 13carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) and (ii) to determine the effect of the composted rice husk (CRH) on the properties of Oxisol and cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) growth under glasshouse conditions. Results showed an active composting phase occurred at the first 53 days as revealed by high carbon dioxide (CO2)-C (40-71 µg g-1 h-1) production, followed by a matured composting phase occurring at 54-116 days as revealed by decreasing in CO2-C production (10 µg g...
Exploration of the Mesozoic in the eastern part of Indonesia: Its reward and risk
1996-12-31
The eastern part of Indonesia principally comprises islands of Sulawesi, Halmahera, Maluku, Timor, and Irian Jaya. The region is structurally complex, encompassing an interaction of volcanic arcs, fold/thrust belts, micro-continents and deep ocean basins. Tertiary and Mesozoic offer dual reservoir targets for exploration in eastern Indonesia. The Tertiary section has been proven to produce hydrocarbons while the deeper Mesozoic section is still being examined. During the last seven years, 49 wildcat wells were drilled, 24 of them targeting Mesozoic objectives. The signs so far are encouraging with six wells penetrated Jurassic reservoirs on the Bird`s Head Peninsula of Irian Jaya and one well on Seram Island, encountered significant oil and gas accumulations. These rewards and other Mesozoic exploration successes in the NW Australian Shelf and the Papuan basin have attracted more exploration drilling in the region. However, not all of them have been so successful as many geological and operational risks have yet to be overcome. Mesozoic stratigraphy and structural development in eastern Indonesia were controlled by continental breakup, collision and rapid uplift associated with folding and thrusting to arrive at the present geological framework. Severe environmental conditions, remote locations and less developed infrastructure have also made field operations difficult and expensive. To reduce these risks Pertamina is responding by granting exploration incentives and improving the profit split. To obtain a better geological database and exploration concepts, new data acquisition and studies are encouraged.
Ten residual biomass fuels for circulating fluidized-bed gasification
2001-07-01
In co-operation with a Dutch company (NV Afvalzorg) and the Dutch agency for energy and environment (Novem), ECN has successfully tested 10 different biomass residues in its 500 kW{sub th} circulating fluidized-bed gasification facility. Among the fuels used as demolition wood (both puree and mixed with sewage sludge and paper sludge), verge grass, railroad ties, cacao shells and different woody fuels. Railroad ties turn out to contain very little (heavy) metals. Initially, fuel feeding problems often impeded smooth operation. Contrary to feeding systems, the circulating fluidized-bed gasification process itself seems very flexible concerning the conversion of different kinds of biomass fuels. The fuel moisture content is one of the most important fuel characteristics. More moisture means that more air is needed to maintain the process temperature resulting in better carbon conversion and lower tar emission but also lower product gas heating value and lower cold gas efficiency. So, for a good comparison of the gasification behaviour of different fuels, the moisture content should be similar. However, the moisture content should be defined on an ash-free basis rather than on total mass (the usual way). Some of the ashes produced and retained in the second cyclone were analysed both for elemental composition and leaching behaviour. It turned out that the leaching rate of Mo and Br, elements only present in small concentrations, are preventing the ash to be considered as inert material according to the Dutch legislation for dumping on landfill sites. (Author)
1980-12-01
Leguminosae do not predominate in the Brazilian Amazon rain forest, although they are among the five best represented families. Plant roots from various soils were examined for the presence of nodules, acetylene-reducing activity and N/sub 2/-fixing Azospirillum spp. Abundant nodulation was found in black earth (''terra preta dos indios'') and in one case on sandy soil under campinarana vegetation along a tributary of the upper Rio Negro. In sandy latosol some nodules occurred in secondary forest and fewer in primary forest. Legumes in disturbed clayey or sandy latosol showed more frequent nodulation. Primary forest on alluvial (''varzea'') soil, and in Bahia coastal rain forest on sandy latosol and Erythrina glauca used for shading cacao plantations were abundantly nodulated. Acetylene reduction assays showed no, or very little, nitrogenase activity of roots from primary or secondary forest on clayey latosol near Manaus. Nodulated roots from secondary forest on sandy latosol showed acetylene-reducing activity. High rates of acetylene reduction were observed in nodulated roots of primary forest on alluvial ''varzea'' soil. Root samples showed ethylene absorption in controls without acetylene which might interfere with the results of acetylene reduction tests. The incidence of Azospirillum was also higher in black earth than the other soils examined, and in soils with higher pH. The hypothesis that Azospirillum is associated with Trema micantha roots was refuted. Roots and soils collected under cultivated grasses showed a higher incidence of Azospirillum when fertilized with phosphorus and lime. Results indicate that nitrogen fixation did occur in association with roots in some soils, but not with roots of primary or secondary forest on clayey latosol in the vicinity of Manaus, which is the most common soil in Central Amazonia. The possible reasons for this are discussed.
Dietary flavanols and procyanidin oligomers from cocoa (Theobroma cacao) inhibit platelet function
2003-01-01
BACKGROUND: Flavonoids may be partly responsible for some health benefits, including antiinflammatory action and a decreased tendency for the blood to clot. An acute dose of flavanols and oligomeric procyanidins from cocoa powder inhibits platelet activation and function over 6 h in humans. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate whether 28 d of supplementation with cocoa flavanols and related procyanidin oligomers would modulate human platelet reactivity and primary hemostasis and reduce oxidative markers in vivo. DESIGN: Thirty-two healthy subjects were assigned to consume active (234 mg cocoa flavanols and procyanidins/d) or placebo (< or = 6 mg cocoa flavanols and procyanidins/d) tablets in a blinded parallel-designed study. Platelet function was determined by measuring platelet aggregation, ATP release, and expression of activation-dependent platelet antigens by using flow cytometry. Plasma was analyzed for oxidation markers and antioxidant status. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of epicatechin and catechin in the active group increased by 81% and 28%, respectively, during the intervention period. The active group had significantly lower P selectin expression and significantly lower ADP-induced aggregation and collagen-induced aggregation than did the placebo group. Plasma ascorbic acid concentrations were significantly higher in the active than in the placebo group (P < 0.05), whereas plasma oxidation markers and antioxidant status did not change in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Cocoa flavanol and procyanidin supplementation for 28 d significantly increased plasma epicatechin and catechin concentrations and significantly decreased platelet function. These data support the results of acute studies that used higher doses of cocoa flavanols and procyanidins. Publisher: American Society for Nutrition Relation: isMemberOf: ERA cluster 6 : Biological Sciences and Biotechnology collection; isMemberOf: School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences collection Coverage: 2003-06-01 Language: eng Rights: 2003, American Society for Clinical Nutrition
Calcium Precursors for the Production of CaO Sorhents for Multicycle CO2 Capture
2010-01-01
A screening of potential calcium precursors for the production of CaO sorbents for CO2 capture at high temperature was conducted in this work. The precursors studied include microsized calcium carbonate (CC-CaO), calcium hydroxide (CH-CaO), nanosized (<70 nm) calcium carbonate (CC70 nm-CaO), nanosized (<160 nm) calcium oxide (CaO160 nm-CaO), calcium acetate hydrate (CA-CaO), calcium L-lactate hydrate (CL-CaO), calcium formate (CF-CaO), calcium citrate tetrahydrate (CCi-CaO), and calcium D-gluconate monohydrate (CG-CaO), The capture capability of these sorbents was investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) for multiple capture cycles. CG-CaO exhibited the best capacity for capturing CO2 with a 1-min conversion of 65.9% and a 30-min conversion of 83.8% at the ninth cycle. Subsequently, a further parametric study was conducted to examine the effect of reaction conditions such as reaction temperature (550-750 degrees C) and CO2 gas concentration (1-15%) on the capture capacity of CG-CaO. The sorbent CG-CaO also showed a much lower decomposition temperature and higher predicted residual conversion after prolonged cycles, compared with CC-CaO. Publisher: American Chemical Society Contributor: Schnoor, J. Coverage: 2010-01-15T00:00:00Z
2008-01-01
Extensive brackishwater aquaculture, which is a dominant land-based aquaculture system in Indonesia, has experienced variable success in most farming locations in the country due to poor understanding of spatial assessment of environmental factors and rudimentary site selection criteria. Despite tremendous potential, the application of GIS and remote sensing in spatial assessment has tended to focus on Boolean (Crisp) logic that is often unable to effectively handle the complexity and spatial variability of key environmental factors for the development of aquaculture. This study explored the possibility of integrating fuzzy logic techniques into GIS and remote sensing technology to generate more robust mapping protocols in aquaculture, compensating for the disadvantages of the Crisp method. Two models were developed in two different provinces in Indonesia to spatially assess soil and hydrological constraints on extensive brackishwater aquaculture. The soil assessment focussed on acid sulfate soils (ASS) and sandy-textured sediments in Aceh, and the hydrological study focused on investigating important wave parameters that influence the suitability of coastal areas for siting extensive pond units in South Sulawesi. The study showed that fuzzy-based classification methods, integrated into the image analysis, was highly effective in identifying existing and potential pond areas for extensive brackishwater aquaculture compared to the best result of the commonly used Crisp method. By addition of one or more key environmental variables of ASS into the fuzzy-classified existing and potential ponds areas, a very robust predictive tool to identify potential ponds areas affected by ASS in Kembang Tanjung, Aceh was developed. A more detailed assessment of ASS developed in this study also successfully highlighted the severity of sandy-soils and identified them as another key soil variable that has and will severely impact on pond productivity. The second model developed by the study enables fuzzy logic to be integrated into GIS to predict the possible areas impacted by moderate to high energy wave conditions and possible ways of minimising their direct and indirect impacts. The models developed in this study were shown to work well in both study sites and can be applied elsewhere. The mapping outputs are easy to interpret even by stakeholders with no prior training in map reading. Overall, the models have the potential to reduce planning errors and to improve decision making in aquaculture provided that quality data sources are used. Publisher: Publisher:University of New South Wales. Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences Language: EN Rights: http://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/copyright
Agronomic, physiological and genetic studies on a dwarf mutant of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important cash crop in the coastal areas of Papua New Guinea (PNG). In 2000, a mutant cocoa genotype MJ 12-226, with abnormal growth characteristics was identified at the Cocoa and Coconut Institute of PNG. The mutant, found among progenies of the cross Scavina 12 x Nanay 149, was characterized by dwarfing, small and narrow leaves, a small root system and strong branching habit. This study was designed to improve the understanding of the dwarf cocoa mutant and identify its relevance to future cocoa farming. The specific objectives are to investigate the feasibility of using a dwarf mutant of cocoa as a commercial rootstock for various hybrid cocoa clones, to study the genetics of this dwarf mutant and the role of plant hormones in differentiating this mutant from the normal phenotype. This study was carried out at the Cocoa and Coconut Institute of PNG, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, and at the University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Australia. The comparative study of mutant and normal cocoa seedlings revealed distinct vegetative differences between the two genotypes at the nursery stage. The largest effects of the mutant genotype are on stem elongation, short internodes, multiple stems, root growth and leaf growth. The agronomic results indicated that the mutant rootstock significantly reduced tree vigour at least in the early years. When used as a rootstock, the mutant had a significant dwarfing effect on scion growth of cocoa clones in the nursery and persisted in the field 12 months after planting. After that, the cocoa clones grafted on mutant rootstock reverted to normal growth. It was postulated that the accumulation of endogenous growth substances and cambial activity between the scion (normal) and the rootstock overcame the dwarfing effect of the mutant genotype. Yield and vegetative data collection from this trial ceased on May 2006 and recommenced in May 2007 to allow trees to recover from heavy canopy pruning due to cocoa pod borer attack. This resulted in one year loss of yield and vegetative data from this experiment. The first two years’ yield data indicated no significant differences between mutant, normal segregants and commercial rootstocks. However, cocoa clones bud grafted on these mutant rootstocks produced significantly greater yield at higher planting density compared with lower densities and this was sustained for two years. However, it might be expected that competition among cocoa trees would increase with increased size of trees, favouring low density planting and reducing the differential performance of the trees under high density planting with time. The major advantages of reducing tree vigour are to improve the harvest index, ease of harvesting, pruning and overall management of the trees. The continuation of this study to collect mature tree yield data (from fifth to eighth years) would confirm these results. This work has also demonstrated for the first time that cocoa clones grafted on mutant rootstock can produce similar yields to clones grafted on normal or commercial rootstocks. Moreover, this study has also established that cocoa clones derived from orthotropic scions can yield the same as plagiotropic scions when grafted on to either mutant or normal rootstocks. Therefore, it is proposed that mutant rootstocks and orthtropic scions should also be considered for future use in cocoa farming. The strong branching habit and dwarfing stature of the mutant suggested that the mutation affects the quantity or the balance of plant growth hormones, or both. The effect of exogenously applied gibberellic acid (GA3) on developmental processes in dwarf mutant and normal cocoa seedlings was studied. Both dwarf mutant and normal one month old cocoa seedlings responded to gibberellic acid (GA3) by accelerated longitudinal growth, especially seedling height. Paclobutrazol (PBZ) applied to normal cocoa seedlings altered the growth so that they almost resembled the mutant phenotype. It was postulated that PBZ prevented GA biosynthesis in the normal cocoa seedlings and therefore decreased bioactive auxin (IAA) which, in turn, then promoted lateral shoot growth; PBZ also slightly retarded plant growth. Synthetic auxin (IBA/NAA) significantly inhibited lateral bud sprouting and growth of intact, decapitated and nodal segments of mutant and normal cocoa seedlings compared with control and those treated with IAA. It appears that the mutant and normal cocoa genotypes have a similar capacity to metabolize IAA and this capacity was much greater than for synthetic auxins. The results suggested that auxin levels in the mutant seedlings were probably limiting, and therefore affected biosynthesis of gibberellic acid thus resulting in the dwarfing characteristics of the mutant cocoa genotype. However, analysis of endogenous IAA and GA1 levels at four months old did not reveal differences between the mutant and normal seedlings. The present genetic studies which included backcrossing, test crossing and selfing of F1 progenies confirmed earlier work on the mutant and showed that the mutant was probably heterozygous (Dd). The allele (DD) in mutant cocoa is probably lethal in nature because the phenotype of the homozygote was not observed amongst the mutant progenies. Mutant segregants were obtained in a 1:1 ratio only when the mutant clone was used as the female; however, when the mutant was used as male, very few mutant segregants were obtained. This suggested selective pollen viability (pollen grains carrying the D allele are nonviable) or an incompatible reaction between pollen tubes (D carrying pollen) and style or ovule. The selfing and test-crosses of F1 progenies resulted in deviation from the expected 3:1 segregation ratio to a 1:1 ratio.
Agronomic, physiological and genetic studies on a dwarf mutant of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important cash crop in the coastal areas of Papua New Guinea (PNG). In 2000, a mutant cocoa genotype MJ 12-226, with abnormal growth characteristics was identified at the Cocoa and Coconut Institute of PNG. The mutant, found among progenies of the cross Scavina 12 x Nanay 149, was characterized by dwarfing, small and narrow leaves, a small root system and strong branching habit. This study was designed to improve the understanding of the dwarf cocoa mutant and identify its relevance to future cocoa farming. The specific objectives are to investigate the feasibility of using a dwarf mutant of cocoa as a commercial rootstock for various hybrid cocoa clones, to study the genetics of this dwarf mutant and the role of plant hormones in differentiating this mutant from the normal phenotype. This study was carried out at the Cocoa and Coconut Institute of PNG, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, and at the University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Australia. The comparative study of mutant and normal cocoa seedlings revealed distinct vegetative differences between the two genotypes at the nursery stage. The largest effects of the mutant genotype are on stem elongation, short internodes, multiple stems, root growth and leaf growth. The agronomic results indicated that the mutant rootstock significantly reduced tree vigour at least in the early years. When used as a rootstock, the mutant had a significant dwarfing effect on scion growth of cocoa clones in the nursery and persisted in the field 12 months after planting. After that, the cocoa clones grafted on mutant rootstock reverted to normal growth. It was postulated that the accumulation of endogenous growth substances and cambial activity between the scion (normal) and the rootstock overcame the dwarfing effect of the mutant genotype. Yield and vegetative data collection from this trial ceased on May 2006 and recommenced in May 2007 to allow trees to recover from heavy canopy pruning due to cocoa pod borer attack. This resulted in one year loss of yield and vegetative data from this experiment. The first two years’ yield data indicated no significant differences between mutant, normal segregants and commercial rootstocks. However, cocoa clones bud grafted on these mutant rootstocks produced significantly greater yield at higher planting density compared with lower densities and this was sustained for two years. However, it might be expected that competition among cocoa trees would increase with increased size of trees, favouring low density planting and reducing the differential performance of the trees under high density planting with time. The major advantages of reducing tree vigour are to improve the harvest index, ease of harvesting, pruning and overall management of the trees. The continuation of this study to collect mature tree yield data (from fifth to eighth years) would confirm these results. This work has also demonstrated for the first time that cocoa clones grafted on mutant rootstock can produce similar yields to clones grafted on normal or commercial rootstocks. Moreover, this study has also established that cocoa clones derived from orthotropic scions can yield the same as plagiotropic scions when grafted on to either mutant or normal rootstocks. Therefore, it is proposed that mutant rootstocks and orthtropic scions should also be considered for future use in cocoa farming. The strong branching habit and dwarfing stature of the mutant suggested that the mutation affects the quantity or the balance of plant growth hormones, or both. The effect of exogenously applied gibberellic acid (GA3) on developmental processes in dwarf mutant and normal cocoa seedlings was studied. Both dwarf mutant and normal one month old cocoa seedlings responded to gibberellic acid (GA3) by accelerated longitudinal growth, especially seedling height. Paclobutrazol (PBZ) applied to normal cocoa seedlings altered the growth so that they almost resembled the mutant phenotype. It was postulated that PBZ prevented GA biosynthesis in the normal cocoa seedlings and therefore decreased bioactive auxin (IAA) which, in turn, then promoted lateral shoot growth; PBZ also slightly retarded plant growth. Synthetic auxin (IBA/NAA) significantly inhibited lateral bud sprouting and growth of intact, decapitated and nodal segments of mutant and normal cocoa seedlings compared with control and those treated with IAA. It appears that the mutant and normal cocoa genotypes have a similar capacity to metabolize IAA and this capacity was much greater than for synthetic auxins. The results suggested that auxin levels in the mutant seedlings were probably limiting, and therefore affected biosynthesis of gibberellic acid thus resulting in the dwarfing characteristics of the mutant cocoa genotype. However, analysis of endogenous IAA and GA1 levels at four months old did not reveal differences between the mutant and normal seedlings. The present genetic studies which included backcrossing, test crossing and selfing of F1 progenies confirmed earlier work on the mutant and showed that the mutant was probably heterozygous (Dd). The allele (DD) in mutant cocoa is probably lethal in nature because the phenotype of the homozygote was not observed amongst the mutant progenies. Mutant segregants were obtained in a 1:1 ratio only when the mutant clone was used as the female; however, when the mutant was used as male, very few mutant segregants were obtained. This suggested selective pollen viability (pollen grains carrying the D allele are nonviable) or an incompatible reaction between pollen tubes (D carrying pollen) and style or ovule. The selfing and test-crosses of F1 progenies resulted in deviation from the expected 3:1 segregation ratio to a 1:1 ratio.
Ethnomedicines used in Trinidad and Tobago for urinary problems and diabetes mellitus
Full Text Available.BackgroundThis paper is based on ethnobotanical interviews conducted from 1996–2000 in Trinidad and Tobago with thirty male and female respondents.MethodsA non-experimental validation was conducted on the plants used for urinary problems and diabetes mellitus: This is a preliminary step to establish that the plants used are safe or effective, to help direct clinical trials, and to inform Caribbean physicians of the plants' known properties to avoid counter-prescribing.ResultsThe following plants are used to treat diabetes: Antigonon leptopus, Bidens alba, Bidens pilosa, Bixa orellana, Bontia daphnoides, Carica papaya, Catharanthus roseus, Cocos nucifera, Gomphrena globosa, Laportea aestuans, Momordica charantia, Morus alba, Phyllanthus urinaria and Spiranthes acaulis. Apium graviolens is used as a heart tonic and for low blood pressure. Bixa orellana, Bontia daphnoides, Cuscuta americana and Gomphrena globosa are used for jaundice. The following plants are used for hypertension: Aloe vera, Annona muricata, Artocarpus altilis, Bixa orellana, Bidens alba, Bidens pilosa, Bonta daphnoides, Carica papaya, Cecropia peltata, Citrus paradisi, Cola nitida, Crescentia cujete, Gomphrena globosa, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Kalanchoe pinnata, Morus alba, Nopalea cochinellifera, Ocimum campechianum, Passiflora quadrangularis, Persea americana and Tamarindus indicus.The plants used for kidney problems are Theobroma cacao, Chamaesyce hirta, Flemingia strobilifera, Peperomia rotundifolia, Petiveria alliacea, Nopalea cochinellifera, Apium graveolens, Cynodon dactylon, Eleusine indica, Gomphrena globosa, Pityrogramma calomelanos and Vetiveria zizanioides. Plants are also used for gall stones and for cooling.ConclusionChamaesyce hirta, Cissus verticillata, Kalanchoe pinnata, Peperomia spp., Portulaca oleraceae, Scoparia dulcis, and Zea mays have sufficient evidence to support their traditional use for urinary problems, "cooling" and high cholesterol.Eggplant extract as a hypocholesterolemic agent has some support but needs more study. The plants used for hypertension, jaundice and diabetes that may be safe and justify more formal evaluation are Annona squamosa, Aloe vera, Apium graveolens, Bidens alba, Carica papaya, Catharanthus roseus, Cecropia peltata, Citrus paradisi, Hibsicus sabdariffa, Momordica charantia, Morus alba, Persea americana, Phyllanthus urinaria, Tamarindus indicus and Tournefortia hirsutissima. Several of the plants are used for more than one condition and further trials should take this into account.
Early development of Moniliophthora perniciosa basidiomata and developmentally regulated genes
Full Text Available.BackgroundThe hemibiotrophic fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa is the causal agent of Witches' broom, a disease of Theobroma cacao. The pathogen life cycle ends with the production of basidiocarps in dead tissues of the infected host. This structure generates millions of basidiospores that reinfect young tissues of the same or other plants. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the sexual phase of this fungus may help develop chemical, biological or genetic strategies to control the disease.ResultsMycelium was morphologically analyzed prior to emergence of basidiomata by stereomicroscopy, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The morphological changes in the mycelium before fructification show a pattern similar to other members of the order Agaricales. Changes and appearance of hyphae forming a surface layer by fusion were correlated with primordia emergence. The stages of hyphal nodules, aggregation, initial primordium and differentiated primordium were detected. The morphological analysis also allowed conclusions on morphogenetic aspects. To analyze the genes involved in basidiomata development, the expression of some selected EST genes from a non-normalized cDNA library, representative of the fruiting stage of M. perniciosa, was evaluated. A macroarray analysis was performed with 192 selected clones and hybridized with two distinct RNA pools extracted from mycelium in different phases of basidiomata formation. This analysis showed two groups of up and down-regulated genes in primordial phases of mycelia. Hydrophobin coding, glucose transporter, Rho-GEF, Rheb, extensin precursor and cytochrome p450 monooxygenase genes were grouped among the up-regulated. In the down-regulated group relevant genes clustered coding calmodulin, lanosterol 14 alpha demethylase and PIM1. In addition, 12 genes with more detailed expression profiles were analyzed by RT-qPCR. One aegerolysin gene had a peak of expression in mycelium with primordia and a second in basidiomata, confirming their distinctiveness. The number of transcripts of the gene for plerototolysin B increased in reddish-pink mycelium and indicated an activation of the initial basidiomata production even at this culturing stage. Expression of the glucose transporter gene increased in mycelium after the stress, coinciding with a decrease of adenylate cyclase gene transcription. This indicated that nutrient uptake can be an important signal to trigger fruiting in this fungus.ConclusionThe identification of genes with increased expression in this phase of the life cycle of M. perniciosa opens up new possibilities of controlling fungus spread as well as of genetic studies of biological processes that lead to basidiomycete fruiting. This is the first comparative morphologic study of the early development both in vivo and in vitro of M. perniciosa basidiomata and the first description of genes expressed at this stage of the fungal life cycle.
2009-01-01
Cocoa beans are the fermented and dried seeds of the tree Theobroma cacao L., and are the fundamental ingredient in chocolate manufacture. Fermentation and drying are critical processes during which the beans develop distinctive chocolate flavour. Worldwide, fermentation is conducted as an uncontrolled traditional process, giving much variation in bean quality. There is potential to develop cocoa production in Northern Queensland, Australia using controlled industrial fermentations. This thesis investigated the fermentation of cocoa beans grown in Queensland. To obtain baseline microbiological and chemical information, initial fermentations were conducted as traditional heap and box methods, in parallel with a novel process in a barrel. Using cultural and molecular methods, the microbial ecology of the fermenting rocoa beans was examined along with changes in pH, temperature and the composition of sugars, ethanol and organic acids. Consistent with findings in other countries, Australian cocoa bean fermentations gave a complex microbial ecology. The most frequently found yeasts were Hanseniaspora guilliermondii, Issatchenkia orientalis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, while the predominant bacteria were Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum and Acetobacter pasleurianus. Unfermented Australian cocoa beans had similar chemical composition to cocoa beans cultivated in other countries. During fermentation, physical (pH, temperature) and chemical (sugars, ethanol, organic adds) changes occurred, consistent with those observed by other researchers. Sensory evaluations showed that the Australian cocoa beans gave chocolate of comparable quality and flavour to thai made from industry-standard Ghanaian beans. With optimization of mixing frequency, the barrel vessel was found to be a more suitable vessel in which to conduct fermentation Isolates of H.guillermondii, I.orientalis, and S.cerevisiae were used as starter cultures in controlled laboratory scale (5kg beans) and pilot-scale (50 kg beans; box and barrel vessels) fermentations. While this is not the first study to inoculate fermentations With mixtures of yeast, it is the first that inoculated mixed cultures of yeast into non-sterile, commercial scale fermentations. Fermentations were monitored for microbiological and chemical changes, and the final dried beans were measured for a range of commercial quality criteria (fermentation index, moisture, fat and pH). The dried beans were made into chocolate and subject to statistically based sensory evaluation. The inoculated fermentations produced beans of acceptable quality and flavour. It was clearly demonstrated that by using different mixtures of yeasts distinctly different flavour characteristics can be produced and the fermentation can be accelerated. Limited data was also obtained suggesting that the use of different starter cultures can influence the level of procyanidins in the finished cocoa beans. This research is the first of its kind performed in Australia. In addition 10 providing fundamental microbiological and chemical data, basic processing parameters were established. As such, the work forms the foundation for any future industrialised approach to the fermentation of Australian cocoa, using starter cultures and new fermenter designs. Publisher: Awarded by:University of New South Wales. Chemical Sciences & Engineering Relation: SHELF:T/2009/374 (Ask at Level 2 Information Desk, UNSW Library) Other identifier: unsworks:8348 Language: EN Rights: Copyright Dircks Hugh Douglas.; http://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/copyright
Fragile X mental retardation and fragile X chromosomes in the Indonesian population
1998-01-01
The Indonesian archipelago comprises more than 17,000 islands, inhabited by ~200 million people constituting more than 350 recognizable ethnic and tribal groups which can be classified into two broad ethno-linguistic groups [the Austronesian (AN) and non-Austronesian (NAN) speaking peoples] and 3 physical anthropology groups (Deutero Malay, Proto Malay and Papuan). The origins of these groups are of considerable anthropological interest. The anthropology of Indonesia is extremely complex and still controversial. The present populations of Indonesia show very great diversity. The data presented below result from an investigation of the Fragile X A syndrome and the size and distribution of alleles at fragile sites on the X chromosome among Javanese males with developmental disability (DD) and unselected males from 10 major Indonesian ethnic groups. The Fragile X syndrome is caused by expansion of a CGG trinucleotide repeat array in the 5' untranslated region of the FMR-1 gene at Xq27.3. Normal X chromosomes have between 6-54 CGG trinucleotide repeats, whereas premutation alleles have 55-230 and full mutation alleles more than 230 repeats. In a study of predominantly Caucasian males with intellectual disability, the prevalence of Fragile X syndrome is estimated to be approximately 1:4,000. FRAXE mental retardation syndrome is caused by an expansion of a GCC trinucleotide repeat in the 5'UTR of FMR2 gene located 600 kb telomeric to FMR1. The prevalence of FMR2 is 1-2 per 100,000 live births. FMR2 common alleles consist of 11-30 GGC repeats; intermediate alleles between 31-60 GCC repeats; premutation alleles with 61-200 repeats and full mutation alleles have over 200 repeats with attendant methylation of the repeat array The first Indonesian screening program aimed at determining the presence and prevalence of fragile XA syndrome among individuals with mild DD (IQ above 50) from special schools (N=205) and isolated areas (N=50) of Java was undertaken in 1994-1996 by cytogenetic and molecular studies. In this first study 4 fragile X positive children were found among 255 males with DD. The estimated prevalence of fragile-X in males with mild DD from special schools was 1.95% (5/205) and the overall prevalence was 1.57% (4/255). The number of trinucleotide repeats in the 5' untranslated regions of the FMR1 and FMR2 genes were determined by PCR in 254 Fragile XA-negative Javanese male children with DD. The distribution of FMR1 and FMR2 trinucleotide repeat alleles was found to be significantly different in the Indonesian population with DD compared to that in equivalent Caucasian populations. The trimodal distribution of Indonesian FMR1 alleles (29, 30 and 36 repeats) is largely in agreement with findings from other Asian populations). This provides supportive evidence that the origin of Indonesians could be the same as that of the Chinese and Japanese. Sequence analysis was performed on the trinucleotide repeat arrays of the 27 individuals' FMR1 alleles in the 'grey zone' (35-52 repeats). The identification of 16 unrelated individuals with a (CGG)36 allele that also contains a (CGG)6 segment [(CGG)9AGG(CGG)9AGG(CGG)6 AGG(CGG)9 or 9A9A6A9 pattern] is in agreement with earlier observations in the Japanese population. It is proposed that this FMR1 array pattern may be specific for Asian populations and that Javanese and Japanese populations may have arisen from a single progenitor population. The presence of pure 25, 33 and 34 CGGs in FMR1 alleles with 36, 44 and 45 repeats respectively, suggests that these may represent alleles at high risk for instability and may therefore be at early stages of expansion to a premutation. The lack of the characteristic (CGG)6 in all three alleles with ?? 25 pure CGG arrays suggests that the most common Asian 36 repeat allele is not predisposed to slippage expansion. Seven of the 8 alleles with 36 CGG repeats could be sequenced. Seven of 36 CGG repeats FMR1 alleles from the Hiri population has been sequenced and 4 alleles indicated 9A9A6A9 pattern, 1 sample with 10A25 pattern Two of the remaining alleles showed 12A6A6A9 structure, which consisted of a tandem duplication of the (CGG)6 segment. The presence of a tandem duplication of (CGG)6 segments has never been reported in any other population. The other major findings of this study are that FRAXE syndrome is a rare cause of developmental disability in this predominantly-Javanese population. The most common FMR2 (GCC)20 allele in this selected Asian population is significantly longer than that previously reported for Caucasian populations. There was a weak correlation between the overall length of the FMR1 and FMR2 repeat arrays within the normal range (Spearman's Rank Correlation = 0.130, p-value=0.042) in the Indonesian population, which have been no previous associations reported for alleles within the normal range. One approach to studying the origins of the human populations is to study the genetic structure of polymorphic alleles such as those at the FMR1 locus and its linked microsatellite markers DXS548 and FRAXAC1. Length polymorphisms of the FMR1 gene (CGG)n repeat array, DXS548 and FRAXAC1 were studied in a total of 1,008 unselected males from 10 different Indonesian ethnic groups. FMR1 alleles were identified ranging from 8 to 57 CGG repeats. The most common CGG repeat allele was 29 (45.6%) followed by 30 (27.4%) and 36 repeats (8.0%). One hundred and forty four grey zone (3-52 CGG) alleles were found in the study population. Four people of the same ethnic group from an isolated island in Eastern Indonesia (Hiri, Ternate), a representative of the NAN ethnolinguistic group, had CGG repeat lengths of 55-57. The prevalence of these alleles is estimated to be 3.3% (4/120) in the population of Hiri or 0.4% (4/1008) of whole Indonesian population. Thirteen different alleles were found at the DXS548 locus, of which allele numbers 7 [194 bp] (44.1%), 6.5 [195bp] (43.5%) and 6 [196bp] (7.5%) are the most common. Seven rare alleles, some of which have not been previously found in Asian peoples were also identified (190, 191,192, 193, 197,198, 199, 202, 204 and 206) and accounted for 3.9% of the total. The odd number alleles were dominantly found in this study whereas almost none found in Caucasian. The finding of many "odd numbered" alleles DXS548 has never been found in other Asian population and has only been documented extremely rarely in Caucasians and Africans. Five different alleles of FRAXAC1 identified with alleles D [106 bp] (62.2%) and C [108bp] (35.6%) accounting for 97.8% of FRAXAC1 alleles in the population. Three rare alleles (104, 110, 112 bp = 2.2%) were identified that have not been previously found in other Asian populations (1-3). There is a striking linkage disequilibrium of FMR1 alleles with FRAXAC1 (p=0.0001), 88% of 29 (CGG)n repeats alleles associated with FRAXAC1 allele D (106bp) versus only 17% with the 30 (CGG)n repeat alleles, which is in agreement with other studies. The value of D' was calculated to be 0.7. The longer alleles of both DXS548 and FRAXAC1 were found mostly in the NAN ethnolinguistic group. Moreover the Irian Jaya people also showed a higher percentage of people with 30 CGG repeats and the 108 bp FRAXAC1. The Eastern Indonesian NAN groups demonstrate a different genetic background probably due to the contribution of Melanesian peoples. The Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) identified that the vast majority of genetic diversity occurs within, rather than between, ethnic groups. These data are consistent with a model where there is sufficient migration (~20 per generation) between populations to minimise differentiation of population through genetic drift. The results obtained are consistent with three clusters of populations that share similar allele frequencies at the fragile X locus. The most clearly defined cluster is based in the east of Indonesia and includes the two Irian populations, Minahasans and Hiri. A surprising finding was that the Minahasan who are Deutero-Malay in origin and physical appearance are genetically closer to the Irianese. This may reflect the admixture of Melanesian alleles or other eastern Indonesian alleles as a result of their geographic location in that part of Indonesia. The second major cluster is largely based in the west of the country and is composed of the following Deutero-Malay populations; Javanese, Balinese, Acehnese but which also includes people from Ternate (not including those from Hiri). Using Delta Mu and Nei's genetic distance for FMR1 locus in this study the Javanese were shown to have the closest distance to Balinese which is consistent with anthropological data and with published data. The third group is a "western and central" group composed of Bimanese, Dayak and Sundanese who share some features of the western and eastern clusters but mostly resemble the western Indonesian populations. Bima is located in the lesser Sunda in between west Indonesia and east Indonesia. The Bimanese are of mixed Deutero & Proto Malay origin that is consistent with their geographic location. The Bataks are distinctive and sit somewhat apart in this scheme. In this study, Bataks were found not to resemble the other Proto-Malay group studied (the Dayak). The Dayaks were found to have fewer alleles than the Bataks at FRAXAC1 and DXS548. In all four methods of calculating genetic distance Bataks showed a large genetic distance to almost all other ethnic groups. There are differences in allele frequency between east and west Indonesia as well as other Asian nations, but the genetic similarities between these groups are also very impressive. The findings from this study are consistent with other genetic anthropological evidence that the people of Indonesia have the same origin as North-east Asian groups. This model is referred to as the "express train from Taiwan" in which the Austronesian speakers are proposed to have radiated from Taiwan bringing the Malayo-Polynesian language group to the Philippines, Borneo and Sulawesi around 5000-4500 B.P.E. However Richards et al.(1998) have used the diversity in the mtDNA D Loop to propose an alternative to the "express train" model. The "two train7quot; model proposes that the Austronesian languages originated within eastern Indonesia during the Pleistocene era and spread through Melanesia and into the remote Pacific within the past 6,000 years. Unfortunately the high migration rates between population groups that were demonstrated in this thesis and the known migration patterns of populations through Indonesia preclude determining whether the observed allelic heterogeneity is a function of the original population or due to the admixture of several gene pools in more recent times. Publisher: Awarded by:University of New South Wales. School of Pathology Language: EN Rights: Copyright Sultana Muhammad Hussein; http://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/copyright
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