Abstract The increasing demand for environmentally friendly personal care products encourages the use of natural materials as alternatives to plastic-based materials. One material with strong potential is bamboo, particularly petung bamboo ( Dendrocalamus asper ), which has a strong fiber structure, large culm diameter, and mechanical properties suitable for handle-based products. This study aims to redesign a bamboo toothbrush by integrating sustainable materials and user needs using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method, consisting of Phase I and Phase II. The study began by identifying the materials used, namely petung bamboo as the toothbrush handle material and siwak fiber as the toothbrush bristle material. User needs were obtained by distributing questionnaires to respondents and then translated into technical characteristics using the House of Quality (HOQ) in QFD Phase I. The results of Phase I were further developed in QFD Phase II to determine the priority of technical specifications in product development. The integration of bamboo and siwak fiber also supports the development of a more environmentally friendly product without reducing functionality and user comfort.
Abstract The USU 2 Bekala Campus Arboretum possesses considerable biodiversity, giving it strong potential to be developed as a healing forest that benefits both academics and the public by helping relieve stress from work and urban life. This study aimed to rank the arboretum’s planting blocks by their suitability for healing forest development. Sixty-six sample plots were measured to establish priority rankings based on variables defined in SNI 9006:2021. Seven predictor variables temperature, humidity, wind speed, negative air ions, sound, slope, and NDVI were analyzed using a univariate approach to assess their significance across blocks, followed by Post Hoc Tukey analysis to rank the blocks. Results showed significant differences among temperature, humidity, negative air ions, sound, slope, and NDVI across sites. Based on these findings, the planting blocks were grouped into three priority tiers: high priority (ranks 1–8), medium priority (ranks 9–16), and low priority (ranks 17–23). Overall, the study demonstrates that the USU 2 Bekala Campus Arboretum has significant potential and is feasible for development as a healing forest through environmental service utilization, while still maintaining its conservation function.
Abstract Bamboo is an important renewable material for sustainable development, yet accurate estimation of its geometric properties remains challenging because of its segmented and hollow culm structure. This research examined the form factor and volume correction factor of Bambusa vulgaris var. striata along the culm. Thirty culms were harvested, and each internode was measured for basal and top diameters, wall thickness, internode length, diameter at breast height, and total culm length. The collected data were analyzed to determine the culm factor, the correction factor for bamboo volume, and the surface area of each internode. The internode form factor by culm ranged from 0.84 to 0.94, with an average of 0.91, indicating that most internodes were close to a cylindrical form. At the internode scale, the form factor generally approached unity, although the uppermost internodes approached the theoretical conical value of 0.33. The culm volume correction factor ranged from 0.48 to 0.88, with an average of 0.69, and generally decreased from the basal section to the middle section and then increased toward the upper part of the culm. The findings will contribute to more precise assessments of biomass, carbon stocks, and bamboo resource utilization in industrial applications.
Abstract The continuous degradation of mangrove ecosystems in Indonesia highlights the necessity for conservation strategies rooted in genetic information. Rhizophora mucronata Poir is a pivotal species in this ecosystem, serving vital ecological and economic functions. This study aims to assemble the complete chloroplast genome of R. mucronata to deepen genetic insights for species preservation. This genomic data provides a foundation for determining effective conservation tactics, particularly in selecting superior seedlings for mangrove restoration efforts across Indonesia. The methodology utilized Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) with a short-read platform capable of accurately sequencing DNA fragments ranging from 150 to 300 base pairs. Data retrieved from NCBI were processed using bioinformatics tools such as GetOrganelle and GeSeq for quality control, trimming, assembly, and annotation. Results revealed that the R. mucronata chloroplast genome is circular and measures 137,208 base pairs (bp), featuring a quadripartite structure comprising a Large Single Copy (LSC), a Small Single Copy (SSC), and two Inverted Repeat (IR) regions. Annotation identiSied over 100 genes, including those related to photosystems I and II, the cytochrome b6/f complex, ATP synthase, NADH dehydrogenase, RNA polymerase, as well as tRNA, rRNA, and hypothetical genes (ycf1 and ycf2). The genome displays a highly conserved architecture, emphasizing the chloroplast’s role in plant adaptation to challenging tidal environments. This study highlights the critical value of genomic resources in conserving mangrove biodiversity. Characterizing the R. mucronata chloroplast genome facilitates genetic mapping, assesses population genetic variation, and supports molecular-based conservation strategies designed to reduce extinction risks driven by habitat loss.
Abstract Traditional Karo musical instruments made of bamboo namely the keteng-keteng, balobat, and surdam have been passed down from generation to generation by ancestors. These instruments are crafted from bamboo harvested directly in the village of Suka Makmur. The objective of this study is to describe the ethnobotany of bamboo in the production of traditional Karo musical instruments. This study used an interview method. Traditional Karo musical instruments are made from betung bamboo ( Dendrocalamus asper ), black bamboo ( Gigantochloa atroviolacea ), tamiang bamboo ( Schizostachyum blumei ), perling ( Schizostachyum zollingeri ), as well as cina bamboo ( Bambusa multiplex ) and regen bamboo ( Gigantochloa pruriens ) as substitute materials for making balobat and surdam musical instruments when the required materials are unavailable. The expertise and skills of the artisans, as well as the communitys traditions in managing and utilizing bamboo, have been passed down from generation to generation. Bamboo also has economic, cultural, and ecological value.
