Effects of Freezing Time on Degradation of Durian (Durio Zibethinus Murr.) Fruit's Attributes During the Frozen Storage.

Freeze-process has been applied in preserving many fresh horticultural commodities addressed to the medium-distancing distribution. In this study, effect of freezing process and storage time on durian's attributes degradation was observed. 100 durian fruits were treated with two-level combinations of freezing process. The first level involves the freezing of the said fruit at -15°C for two different freezing times, that is 10 min (treatment A) and 20 min (treatment B). Followed by frozen-storage for -10°C for 0, 10, 20 and 30 days. At different interval time, the frozen samples were thawed at 4°C for 24h. Then, physical, chemical, and sensory parameters were periodically assessed. The result showed that treatment B provide a significantly better output than treatment A. This is proven through a lower weight loss, brighter and lighter yellow of the pulp, softer pulp, lower value of moisture content on the pulp, and a remained stable of succinate acid's profile. Furthermore, based on the preference evaluation test, the fruits were accepted by respondents.

Land-use choices follow profitability at the expense of ecological functions in Indonesian smallholder landscapes.

Smallholder-dominated agricultural mosaic landscapes are highlighted as model production systems that deliver both economic and ecological goods in tropical agricultural landscapes, but trade-offs underlying current land-use dynamics are poorly known. Here, using the most comprehensive quantification of land-use change and associated bundles of ecosystem functions, services and economic benefits to date, we show that Indonesian smallholders predominantly choose farm portfolios with high economic productivity but low ecological value. The more profitable oil palm and rubber monocultures replace forests and agroforests critical for maintaining above- and below-ground ecological functions and the diversity of most taxa. Between the monocultures, the higher economic performance of oil palm over rubber comes with the reliance on fertilizer inputs and with increased nutrient leaching losses. Strategies to achieve an ecological-economic balance and a sustainable management of tropical smallholder landscapes must be prioritized to avoid further environmental degradation.

Termite Diversity in Urban Landscape, South Jakarta, Indonesia.

The population of South Jakarta, a city within the Province of Jakarta Capital Region, is increasing annually, and the development of land into building causes termite diversity loss. The aim of this research was to determine the diversity of subterranean termite species and their distribution in South Jakarta and to evaluate the soil profile termite habitat. This study was conducted in South Jakarta and was carried out at four residential areas representing four randomly selected sub-districts. Specimens were collected with a baiting system. At each residence, as many as 25-30 stakes of pine wood (Pinus merkusii) sized 2 cm × 2 cm × 46 cm were placed for termite sampling. Soil samples were also collected from each residence for testing of their texture, pH, soil water content, and C-organic. Three species of subterranean termites were identified, including Coptotermes curvignathus, Microtermes insperatus, and Macrotermes gilvus, with area-specific variations in occurrence. The soil and weather conditions in the studied areas provided suitable habitat for termites, and M. insperatus was the most commonly found species.