Yustinus Marsono

Characterization of glucomannan from Amorphophallus oncophyllus and its prebiotic activity in vivo.

Porang (Amorphophallus oncophyllus) is local perennial plant rich in glucomannan. The aim of this study was to extract and characterize glucomannan from porang tuber and to evaluate its potency as prebiotic in vivo. The research consisted of the following steps, i.e. extraction of glucomannan, evaluation of its physico-chemical properties, and in vivo study. Extraction was done by immersing porang fluor with water at 55 °C followed by coagulating glucomannan using ethanol. Solubility, water holding capacity, viscosity, degree of acetylation, degree of polymerization (DP), and purity of the glucomannan were evaluated. In vivo study was done using thirty-two Wistar rats which were divided into four groups. Each group was treated for 14 days with standard AIN 93 (standard), porang glucomannan, commercial konjac glucomannan, and inulin diet as source of fiber. Bacterial population and chemical properties of digesta were analyzed after intervention. The results of the study indicated that the yield of glucomannan from porang flour was 18.05% with 92.69% purity. Compared to commercial glucomannan, porang glucomannan showed higher solubility (86.4%) and degree of acetylation (13.7%), but lower viscosity (5400 cps), WHC (34.5 g/g), and DP (9.4). Diet supplemented with porang glucomannan inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, enhanced the production of total SCFA, and reduced pH value of cecal content. The study indicated that glucomannan from porang may be used as functional food.

The Effect of Size Reduction and Preparation Duration on The Antioxidant Activity of White Saffron (Curcuma mangga Val.)

An UV spectrophotometric area under curve method was developed for the estimation of Levofloxacin Hemihydrate in its mono component tablets. The spectrophotometric method for estimation employed Area under curve method for analysis using 0.1M Sodium Hydroxide as solvent for the drug Levofloxacin Hemihydrate at the wavelength range of 285-295nm. Levofloxacin Hemihydrate obeys Beer’s law in concentration range 10-50µg/ml. The recovery studies ascertained accuracy of the proposed method and the result validated according to ICH guideline. Results of analysis have been valid statistically by recovery studies. The method was successfully for evaluation of Levofloxacin Hemihydrate in tablet dosage form without the interference of common excipients.

The Effect Of Autoclaved – Cooled Jack Bean (Canavalia Ensiformis (L.) Dc.) High RS-4 Starch On Lowering Glucose Level And Characteristics Of Digesta Of Stz-Na Induced Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Rats

Jack bean is one of local beans known to contain natural resistant starch (RS) content. To increase its RS content, four cycle autoclaving – cooling treatment modification was applied to generate resistant starch type 4 (RS-4) which refers to RS obtained from modification. RS is able to improve blood glucose level of diabetic individuals. This research aimed to measure the effect of jack bean autoclaved – cooled starch (AC starch) diet on blood glucose level and digesta characteristics of type-2 diabetic Sprague Dawley rats in vivo. Bioassay analyses showed that jack bean AC starch consumption decreased blood glucose level at range of 96.05mg/dl – 135.97mg/dl. The diet was also able to increase short chain fatty acids (SCFA) production in form of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butiric acid, to increase total weight and moisture content of digesta, while reduce digesta pH, as well as to inhibit glucose absorption. Diet of 50% high RS jack bean AC starch showed the best results in all glucose metabolism parameters for type-2 diabetic animals.