Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott is an edible aroid from the family of Araceae. It is a tuber crop which is known for its variety of cooking preparation. This study aimed to evaluate the Total Phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH) scavenging assay. Methanol fraction showed the highest TPC, whereas the extract obtained using 95% ethanol showed the highest inhibition in DPPH scavenging assay and IC50 values of 308 µg/mL. These results indicate that C. esculenta has antioxidant activity with high phenolic contents which can be consumed as a functional food to increase health benefits and lower the risk of diseases.

The inappropriate usage of antibiotic is one of the factors of the emergence of the antibiotic resistance bacteria that limit the effectiveness of the current antibiotic and lead to the treatment failure. The combination of plant extract with antibiotic approach may lead to the new ways in the treatment of the infectious diseases and this combination may reduce of bacterial resistance toward antibiotics. The objective of this study was to determine the synergistic effect of Alocasia longiloba fruit extract with Ampicillin and Tetracycline against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The synergistic effect of A. longiloba fruit extract and antibiotics was determined by using agar well diffusion and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) Resazurin 96-well micro-dilution methods. The results of this study showed the increasing in the inhibition zone when the plant extract was combined with Ampicillin against E. coli. The value of MIC only showed by Ampicillin on E. coli which was 12.5 μg/ml, and the combination of plant extract and Ampicillin (2000 + 12.5 μg/ml). These results indicated that the fruit extract of A. longiloba showed low antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus and this plant extract may show the inhibition if the concentration is increase and test against the different microorganisms.

Alocasia longiloba Miq belongs to Araceae family, believed to have the medicinal potential. However, the scientific evidences on this plant were limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of the different extracts (methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane) of A. longiloba leaf blades. The TPC was investigated by Folin-Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH scavenging assay. The results showed ethyl acetate extract had the highest content of phenolic with 46.013 mg GAE/g followed by methanol extract (32.936 mg GAE/g) and hexane extract (31.782 mg GAE/g). The hexane extract exhibited the highest DPPH antioxidant acitivity, followed by ethyl acetate and methanol with IC50 values 2.519 µg/mL, 2.758 µg/mL and 9.542 µg/mL respectively. The results indicate A. longiloba has natural sources of antioxidant that can be used for the medicinal purposes.

Rafflesia is the most magnificent and largest flower in the world. In Southeast Asia, the species becoming endangered due to anthropogenic activities such as logging, conversion of forest into large-scale agricultural areas, urbanization and unsustainable ecotourism. This paper has specifically highlighted the efforts that have been taken by the Kelantan State Forestry Department (KFD) in ensuring the sustainability and survival of this gigantic flower in its natural habitat. A survey by Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) shows that many populations of Rafflesia were situated in the forest reserves under the administration of KFD, such as in Lojing, Mt. Chamah, Mt. Basor and Mt. Stong. A lot of initiatives have been implemented by KFD such as organising scientific expeditions and the establishment of the High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF). In July 2011, the State Government of Kelantan declared an area of 404 ha (1,000 acres) bordering Sg. Berok Forest Reserve in Lojing Highlands as the Rafflesia Preservation Area. This recognition by the state government resulted from collaboration efforts of UMK, KFD and South Kelantan Development Authority (KESEDAR). To date, KFD has established a total of two HCVFs in Kelantan and a new area of 50 ha in Compartment 1, Lojing Forest Reserve has also been dedicated for the protection of Rafflesia. This paper was also briefly discussed several issues and challenges in conserving Rafflesia in Kelantan such as the expansion of large-scale agricultural plantation, participation of local community, tourism and income generation, international and internal funds for conservation works, and provide an integrated tourism and management plans. Hopefully, this effort will lead to the establishment of a centre of excellence in nature conservation, ecotourism and scientific research of Rafflesia in Kelantan.

The changing environments are giving a rise to free radical, causing development of degenerative disease. A search for natural antioxidant is required as the synthetic antioxidant reported has carcinogenic effects on living organisms. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Alocasia farisii leaves and petioles using three different polarity solvent which are methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate. The total phenolic content was evaluated using the Folin-Cioucalteu reagent with some modification and the antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay. The methanolic extract attained the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity at 46.615 μg GAE/g and 66.43 %, respectively. Ethyl acetate with the lowest polarity had the lowest value, 34.769 μg GAE/g total phenolic content and 58.274 % in antioxidant activity. The IC50 value shows methanol recorded the lowest value at 339.905 μg/mL, indicates high radical scavenging activity whereas ethyl acetate has highest IC50 value (400 μg/mL) indicates low radical scavenging. These finding provide useful information on the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of A. farisii that can be a reference for further research on this species of Araceae family. The leaves and petiole extracts of A. farisii may be exploited as natural sources of antioxidant.