This study aimed to identify the coccid insect causing severe damage to field-grown chili pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.) in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and to assess its distribution and incidence. Infested chili pepper branches were collected, frozen for 48 h, and sent to the Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Laboratory, Makassar, for identification. Specimens were mounted on microslides using Hein’s mountant, oven-dried, and examined microscopically. A field survey was conducted in nine chili pepper-producing regencies to determine the pest’s occurrence and associated plant damage. The insect was identified as the brown soft scale, Coccus hesperidum L. (Hemiptera: Coccidae). This study provides the first documented occurrence of C. hesperidum in South Sulawesi and the first evidence of chili pepper as its host. The pest was detected in four of the nine surveyed regencies, Makassar, Soppeng, Wajo, and Sidrap, with incidence varying among locations. The highest levels of infestation were recorded in Belawa, Wajo Regency (43%) and Marioriawa, Soppeng Regency (37%). The presence of C. hesperidum poses a potential threat to the sustainability of chili pepper production in South Sulawesi. Integrated management strategies are urgently needed, and further studies on the insect’s biology and ecology, resistant varieties, natural enemies, cultivation practices, and judicious insecticide use are recommended.
Renal and cardiovascular diseases are major contributors to death worldwide. We investigated the therapeutic effect of Cassia fistula fruit extract (CFFE) on fludrocortisone acetate (FCA)–induced oxidative stress, renal toxicity, and cardiac fibrosis in rats. Long Evans rats were divided into different treatment groups, and biochemical tests were conducted on plasma, kidney, and heart homogenates to measure oxidative/antioxidative parameters and organ‐specific functional markers. The expression of proinflammatory and fibrotic genes in cardiac tissue was also measured. We observed that CFFE administration reduced the elevated levels of oxidative stress markers—malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidative protein products (AOPPs)—while enhancing the reduced antioxidant enzyme levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) in FCA‐treated rats. Similarly, the CFFE treatment significantly reduced the increased plasma levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), uric acid, and creatinine in these rats. There was elevated expression of IL‐1β, IL‐6, TGF‐β1, and TNF‐α genes in the heart of the FCA rats, which was substantially downregulated by CFFE treatment. Histological investigations further revealed morphological abnormalities and fibrosis in the kidney and heart of the FCA rats, while CFFE treatment markedly ameliorated these signs. Our results suggest that CFFE prevents FCA‐induced oxidative stress, renal injury, and associated cardiac damage and fibrosis by enhancing the antioxidant defense system and controlling inflammation.
The ingestion of anthropogenic particles by marine organisms is now widely reported, yet rays and skates remain poorly studied, especially in tropical regions. Particle ingestion was examined in the starry round ray ( Urotrygon asterias ), a common bycatch species found in the Gulf of California shrimp fishery. We analyzed the digestive tracts of 114 individuals collected in July and August 2019 to determine how frequently particles were present, how many were ingested, and what materials they were made of using µFTIR–ATR spectroscopy. We also tested whether sex, body size, diet, or capture zone influenced ingestion patterns. Anthropogenic particles were found in 82% of the rays, with a mean of 2.35 ± 2.21 particles per individual examined ( n = 114). Almost all particles were fibers (98.9%). Natural fibers dominated, with cellulose and cotton together accounting for 84% of all particles, followed by synthetic polymers (13.4%, mainly polyester) and semisynthetic rayon (2.2%). Particle abundance and particle composition did not differ between males and females across size classes and among capture zones, and no clear association with diet composition was observed. Although diet varied among regions, particle ingestion patterns did not differ significantly by region. These results suggest that particle ingestion in this species may be consistent across the biological and spatial groups evaluated, although unbalanced sample sizes or unmeasured environmental factors may have limited the ability to detect real differences. The dominance of textile‐related fibers points to everyday human activities as a possible source of exposure in this coastal system, though their specific origin would require confirmation through direct source‐tracking analysis. This study provides the first record of anthropogenic particle ingestion in the genus Urotrygon and offers baseline information for the Gulf of California.
The therapeutic value of medicinal plants is attributed to the accumulation and constituents of secondary metabolites, such as phenolics, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) provide an efficient approach to enhancing plant growth, development, health, and production. PGPR genera including Bacillus, Streptomyces, and Pseudomonas stimulate plant growth and development through a variety of mechanisms, including increased secondary metabolites, phytohormone production, and phytopathogen biocontrol, and thus promote sustainable agriculture. Africa is abundant in medicinal plants; however, the underrepresentation of PGPR research in Africa and the impact of specific environmental stress factors, such as drought, poor soil fertility, and climate variability, make PGPR-based sustainable cultivation strategies highly relevant. Medicinal plants are therapeutic in nature and, similar to crop plants, are susceptible to environmental stressors. Research optimizing production in both quality and quantity of these plants is essential, and hence, PGPR-mediated mechanisms that may enhance plant growth, stress tolerance, nutrient uptake, and sustainable cultivation practices are of interest. This review seeks to identify the gaps and limitations in recently published articles that focus on the application and influence of PGPR on the production of medicinal plants to inform future research on these rhizobacteria as well as optimize the use of PGPR. To collect relevant data, a variety of databases were used for literature search, such as Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of PGPR on the biosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. The review of these studies revealed major limitations, including limited research conducted within Africa as well as a lack of validation of the bioactivity of the identified secondary metabolites. To address the limitations mentioned, it is important to conduct more continent-based research on medicinal plants with a focus on the application of PGPR in Africa.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is increasingly documented in freshwater ecosystems, yet lake-scale evidence from large tropical lakes remains limited. We assessed MPs in surface water and nearshore sediments at 21 stations across Lake Toba, Indonesia, during the dry and rainy seasons. Mean MP abundance was higher in the rainy season than in the dry season in both surface water (1.461 ± 0.836 vs. 0.288 ± 0.110 particles m−3) and sediment (3.14 ± 0.59 vs. 1.26 ± 0.31 particles g−1 dry weight). Fragments and particles measuring 1000–2000 μm were dominant, while black and blue particles jointly represented 67%–68% of the observed MPs. Surface-water abundance was highest in the northern sector, whereas nearshore sediment abundance was higher in the southern sector. These contrasting patterns are consistent with spatial redistribution and retention within the lake, although transport pathways and sediment-focusing processes were not measured directly. Aquaculture, fishing, tourism, and domestic activities are therefore discussed as potential rather than confirmed sources. This study provides the first seasonally resolved, lake-wide baseline integrating surface water and nearshore sediments in Lake Toba and identifies priorities for source-specific monitoring and hydrodynamic investigation.
