This dataset describes the knowledge of local people in North Sulawesi on local edible fruits which can be eaten raw or used as medicine. North Sulawesi is located in the Wallacea zone [1,2] and has a high biodiversity of local fruits that are not yet fully exploited. Fruits are available as rich sources of vitamins, fibres, minerals, and phytochemicals [3] for local people's diet and health. Ethnobotany was used to collect data for the documentation of local knowledge on the existence, the use, and conservation practices of local fruits using semi-structured and structured interviews and questionnaire. There were 27 recorded families of local edible fruits, predominated by Myrtaceae and Anacardiaceae. Some fruits were found abundantly, but some were rarely found, especially those which were endemic to North Sulawesi. The fruit trees were mostly self-grown, and the fruits were eaten by the community themselves. In general, they were well aware of the types of local fruits that could be eaten raw. Knowledge of local fruits were passed on from generation to generation. Most people claimed that local fruits which could be eaten raw were also used for medicine and maintaining health. Most of the local fruits used as medicines were not made as medicinal preparations, but eaten raw or cooked. However, most people did not know exactly about the efficacy of the fruits. Types of diseases that were claimed to be cured by using local fruit among others were sprue, high cholesterol and digestive disorders. The possibility of future youth generations to consume these fruits was very high, according to most people. But they were worried that the younger generation in the future would prefer imported fruits. The community in general knew that these local fruits needed to be conserved, but they did not yet know how to maintain the existence of these local fruits in the future, apart from their current practices.

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IDENTIFICATION OF -308 TNF-α PROMOTER SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISM IN ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SMOKERS ABSTRACTTumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is one of the pro-inflammatory cytokines that play a role in the inflammatory process, immune system development, and apoptosis. This protein is encoded by the TNF-α gene. Several studies had linked the presence of polymorphisms in the TNF-α promoter region with susceptibility to the onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in active and passive smokers. This study aimed to identify and analyze the nucleotide polymorphism in TNF-α gene promoter regions in active and passive smokers in Manado. The method used in this study included blood sampling, DNA extraction, amplification of -308 TNF-α promoter region, sequencing and data analysis. The softwares used for data analysis were Geneious, Multalin, Clustal Omega and DnaSP. DnaSP was used to compute the level of polymorphism based on haplotype statistics. The results did not show single nucleotide polymorphism at position -308 in TNF-α gene promoters in active and passive smokers. This was because at that position, the nucleotides were both in the form of guanosine monophosphate and there were no mutation caused by cigarette smoke exposure.Keywords: active smoker, passive smoker, single nucleotide polymorphism, TNF-α promoter DETEKSI POLIMORFISME NUKLEOTIDA TUNGGAL-308 PROMOTERTNF-α PADA PEROKOK AKTIF DAN PASIF ABSTRAKTumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) merupakan salah satu sitokin pro-inflamasi yang berperan dalam proses inflamasi, perkembangan sistem imun, dan apoptosis. Protein ini dikode oleh gen TNF-α. Beberapa penelitian telah mengkaitkan adanya polimorfisme pada daerah promoter TNF-α dengan kerentanan terhadap timbulnya chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pada perokok aktif maupun pasif. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi dan menganalisis polimorfisme nukleotida tunggal pada posisi -308 dari promoter gen TNF-α perokok aktif dan pasif. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini meliputi pengambilan sampel darah, ekstraksi DNA, amplifikasi daerah -308 promoter gen TNF-α, sekuensing serta analisis data. Analisis data menggunakan perangkat lunak Geneious, BLAST, Multalin, Clustal Omega dan DnaSP. Perangkat DnaSP akan mengkomputasi tingkat polimorfisme berdasarkan statistik haplotype-based. Hasil yang didapatkan menunjukkan bahwa polimorfisme nukleotida tunggal pada posisi -308 dari promoter gen TNF-α antara perokok aktif dan pasif tidak ditemukan. Hal ini dikarenakan oleh pada posisi tersebut, nukleotidanya sama-sama berbentuk guanosin monofosfat dan tidak terjadi mutasi akibat pengaruh paparan asap rokok.Kata kunci: perokok aktif, perokok pasif, single nucleotide polymorphism, TNF-α promoter

Nowadays, the search for potential probiotics from lactic acid bacteria continues to develop exclusively for pharmaceutical applications. This study aimed at evaluating the potency of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented brine of romaine lettuce as next-generation probiotics. The study began with romaine lettuce fermentation in a 10% salt solution for four days at room temperature in the dark. The LAB from the fermentation liquid were grown on MRS agar supplemented with CaCo3 then purified. Purified colonies were identified using Gram-staining, catalase test, and 16S rRNA gene marker, and tested for their ability to be developed as the next-generation probiotics which included the following criteria: antibacterial activity, cholesterol assimilation, and their survival at pH3. The cholesterol-lowering ability was evaluated by incubating the bacteria in MRS agar supplemented with 0.5% taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA). Well diffusion method was used to assess the antibacterial activity. Their ability to withstand acid environment at pH 3 was also evaluated. This study showed that all isolates (AS1, AS2, AS3, and AS4) survived at pH 3 for 2 hours and grew until the fifth day. Isolates AS2, AS3, and AS4 inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, while AS1, AS3, and AS4 inhibited the growth of Escherihia coli. All isolates had the ability to lower cholesterol. Isolate AS3 was molecularly identified as Enterococcus faecium. This isolate was chosen to be identified as it showed the best characteristics among all the isolates tested. We concluded that AS3 can be further developed as next-generation probiotic.