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| LIPI logo. |
Microbes that live in different types of plants Indonesia has the potential to cure malaria, diabetes, and cancer. Research professor of Indonesian Institute of Sciences (Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia / LIPI), Lasman Partomuan Simanjuntak, said microbe called endofit it produces several bioactive chemical compounds that are very similar to its host plant compound.
"Compounds of microbial endofit could be developed into drug ingredients," said Lasman, who recently confirmed as a research professor in Jakarta Tuesday, October 11, 2011.
"Compounds of microbial endofit could be developed into drug ingredients," said Lasman, who recently confirmed as a research professor in Jakarta Tuesday, October 11, 2011.
For more than a decade of research, Lasman has proved the existence of endofit microbes with the active compounds are useful as a medicinal ingredient. One of them comes from the cinchona tree (Cinchona spp.) from West Java.
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| The cinchona plant. (Picture from: http://priyava.blogspot.com/) |
In the cinchona plant, live 36 molds, 18 yeasts and 17 bacteria. One mold fermentation in synthetic medium potato dextrose broth (PDB) proved capable of producing alkaloid quinine, which is known as a potent antimalarial.
Utilization of endofit microbes was considered very important in drug studies. Pharmacists do not need to rely on the plant when dispensing drugs. "Just grab samples endofit microbes from the plant, then accelerated growth," Lasman added.
Utilization of endofit microbes was considered very important in drug studies. Pharmacists do not need to rely on the plant when dispensing drugs. "Just grab samples endofit microbes from the plant, then accelerated growth," Lasman added.
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| The Artemisia annua plant. (Picture from: http://naturaldrugs.blogspot.com/) |
Not only from the cinchona plant, he also found the endofit microbes from the Artemisia annua plant, which is also useful as an antimalarial. Tea leaves (Thea sinensis L.), which is consumed as a beverage brewed every day, also has the endofit microbes. Fermentation process the microbial of tea showed can produce a variety of compounds can also be used as a healer.
Another interesting finding comes from the turmeric plant (Curcuma). Turmeric is taken from Serang, Banten, which produces compounds tetrahidrokurkumin efficacious as an antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer even.
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| Turmeric (Curcuma, Indian Saffron, Yellow Root). (Picture from: http://nareeya.org/) |
Lasman said, every plant contains endofit microbes ascertained. Indonesia is rich in biodiversity of microbes that could potentially be a warehouse as an antidote to various diseases. *** [ANTON WILLIAM | KORAN TEMPO 3674]
