No abstract

β-Carotene is known to have antioxidant activity, the ability to scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress that occurs in the body. However, researchers have paid a little attention to the potential of β-Carotene as an anti-aging agent. The aim of this study was to describe the potential of β-Carotene from natural sources as anti-aging agent via antioxidant mechanism. Literature study was conducted on 28 publications associated with natural sources of β-Carotene, mechanism of anti-aging and antioxidant in the body. The results showed that the best antioxidant activity of β-carotene in scavenging free radicals was at low concentrations while taking into account antioxidant activity, dose, and half-life. UV exposure and air pollution can be a source of free radicals that cause aging of the skin. High antioxidant activity of β-carotene has the potential as anti-aging agent in the form of a beauty serum to treat premature aging of the skin.

Tea plants are grown in monoculture on a large scale, so that can be a caused pest in the high population. This study aims to determine the diversity and dynamics of pest populations in Sambawa tea plantations in West Java. Tea pests are found in the crop and on the leaves picked at the plant. The dynamics of the pest population were noted by observing the area of attack, the intensity of the attack, and population density. Twenty-one pests on tea plants were identified based on their morphological characteristics and symptoms. Among them, seven species attack bud and young leaf, two species attack old leaf, twelve species attack young and old leaves, and one pest attacks tree trunk. Twelve pests were carried to the factory’s withering tub of leaves. Tea green leafhopper (Empoasca sp.), tea leaf roller (Caloptilia theivora), tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis bradyi), and tea tortrix (Adoxophyes sp. and Homona coffearia) were the main pests at the observation site. The population of tea green leafhoppers decreased after the second application of pesticides, post-picking, and heavy rains. The tea leaf roller was not found after the first and second pesticide applications. The population of tea leaf rollers began to increase during picking until the last observation. The highest population of tea mosquito bugs was found after the second pesticide application. The population of tea tortrix decreased after the second pesticide application.