Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaertn has long been used as a medicinal plant in Indonesia. It has similar root morphology to Panax ginseng. Leaves of T.paniculatum is known as a source of flavonoids. It has antioxidant and antibacterial activities. In vitro culture is one of the tools in Biotechnology that can elevate secondary metabolites in cells by adding an elicitor. Methyl Jasmonate is a biotic elicitor that is naturally produced by plants as a defensive response against pathogens. Factors that affect the production of biomass and secondary metabolites are the concentration of elicitor and exposure (elicitation) duration. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of methyl jasmonate concentration (0,50,100, and 150) µM and elicitation duration (0, 48, 96, 144) hours on callus biomass and flavonoid production of T.paniculatum. The results showed that the increase of methyl jasmonate concentration and duration of elicitation caused a decrease in callus biomass compared to the control. The highest callus (dry weight) biomass (0.062 g/g DW) was recorded in callus cultures elicited in 150 µM methyl jasmonate for 96 hours. Considering the flavonoid content, 150 µM methyl jasmonate with the duration of elicitation of 96 hours also produced the highest flavonoid content measured by TLC stained area (0.121 cm2). It is concluded that the higher concentration of methyl jasmonate and the longer duration of elicitation influenced the inhibition of callus growth but increase the production of flavonoids.

The sole aim of this study was to determine, identify and isolate the bacterial content in stored Pap (Ogi/Akamu).This study was conducted in Masaka a conurbation of towns under Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Sterilization of glass wares with a disinfectant before and after use. Sample collection, media preparation, inoculation, incubation, isolation of pure culture were all aseptically carried out: For further identification, each typical colony was further sub cultured on MacConkey agar, peptone water agar, triple sugar iron agar, relevant biochemicals and Gram staining done for final confirmation . Analysis of the stored pap (ogi) from the four sellers at Masaka market as cultured on the nutrient agar and MacConkey agar showed the different bacteria and their percentages of occurrence as follows; Escherichia coli (12%), Staphylococcus aureus (34%), Pseudomonas spp(12%), Klebsiella spp(8%), Shigella(6%), Providensia nisera(8%), Staphylococcus capitis(14%) and Salmonella spp(6%). These distributions were not significant at 95% confidence limits. (P>0.05). In conclusion the present study showed that the quality of pap sold at Masaka community was poor. This was proven by the high bacteria count. It is suggested that means of collection and preparation of pap and the effect of unsterile containers for storage to be critically examined and improved upon.

Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaertn, or known as Javanese Ginseng, refers to one of the medicinal plants that is often used as a raw material for herbal medicine. Its potential is inseparable from the bioactive compounds contained in every part of the plant, especially the saponin. One of the efforts that can be made to increase the saponin content is through the elicitation of callus culture using methyl jasmonate. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the effect of concentration and elicitation time of methyl jasmonate on biomass and saponin production in callus culture. The results showed that variations in concentration and elicitation time had no effect on the decrease of callus biomass when compared to control. The highest callus biomass was produced in the callus which was elicited in MS medium with the addition of a methyl jasmonate concentration of 0.05 mM for 5 days and 0.2 mM for 15 days. In addition, the largest saponin content by stain area (0.563 cm2) and the intensity of the TLC colour intensity (5 out of 5) on the callus were elicited at a methyl jasmonate concentration of 0.15 mM for 15 days. The results of this study indicated that the addition of methyl jasmonate to the callus culture medium could affect the saponin production. In addition, optimal concentration and elicitation time can increase biomass and saponin production in Javanese ginseng callus (T. paniculatum).