Hama biji pala merupakan penyebab kerusakan utama biji pala baik di lapangan maupun di penyimpanan. Informasi mengenai keanekaragaman serangga hama di penyimpanan dan metode pemanenan biji pala yang baik perlu diketahui untuk mengurangi tingkat kerusakan biji pala. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui keanekaragaman serangga hama dan persentase kerusakan biji pala akibat berbagai perlakuan pascapanen. Biji pala setiap perlakuan dikemas dalam karung goni dan disimpan selama empat bulan pada kondisi gudang. Setiap karung berisi biji pala dengan perlakuan berdasarkan asal buah pala (dipetik dari pohon atau dipungut di tanah), metode pengeringan (bantuan sinar matahari atau pengasapan), dan bercangkang atau tanpa cangkang sehingga terdapat delapan perlakuan dengan setiap perlakuan dibuat tiga ulangan. Setelah disimpan, dilakukan pengambilan sampel biji pala untuk menghitung jumlah setiap spesies serangga yang ditemukan, menentukan populasi serangga, dan penentuan persentase biji rusak. Empat spesies serangga ditemukan pada biji pala dari hampir semua perlakuan, yaitu Araecerus fasciculatus (Degeer) (Coleoptera: Anthribidae), Carpophilus dimidiatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), dan Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). A. fasciculatus merupakan serangga yang paling dominan dibandingkan dengan spesies lain. Persentase biji rusak pada biji pala berasal dari buah pala yang dipungut di tanah, dikeringkan baik dengan bantuan sinar matahari maupun menggunakan pengasapan, bercangkang dan tanpa cangkang lebih tinggi daripada biji pala yang berasal dari buah pala yang dipetik dari pohon dengan berbagai perlakuan. Rekomendasi dari hasil penelitian ini adalah buah pala yang telah masak sebaiknya dipetik dari pohon, kemudian biji pala bercangkang dikeringkan baik dengan bantuan sinar matahari maupun pengasapan dan disimpan beserta cangkangya.

Indonesia is the world’s fourth-largest coffee producer after Brazil, Vietnam, and Columbia, in which one of its well-known coffee originates from the Toraja region, South Sulawesi. As such, Indonesia has to compete with these countries in producing good quality coffee beans. Consequently, this research aimed (a) to obtain information on the postharvest handling methods of Arabica coffee (C. arabica) beans in Tana Toraja, North Toraja Regencies, and Makassar Municipality, Indonesia, and (b) to investigate the occurrence of fungi (including ochratoxin A producing fungi) in stored Arabica coffee beans collected from various stages of the delivery chain. The data collection process included surveys, interviews, and sample collections conducted in May and July 2016 at each level of the delivery chain. The moisture content (MC) and the physical quality of the beans were also measured to determine its quality. Sixty-four (64) coffee bean samples were collected, consisting of 27 samples from the farmers, 15 samples from the collectors, 13 samples from the traders, and 9 samples from the exporters. The results showed that the moisture contents of coffee beans collected from the farmers and bean collectors (42.5%) were significantly higher than the maximum tolerable limit determined by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) (13%), while the MC of the beans from the traders and exporters (9.7-10.9%) was significantly lower. Based on the total defective values, coffee beans from the farmers had more diverse grades (1-6) than those at other levels. Penicillium citrinum was the dominant fungus found in those beans collected from the farmers, collectors, and traders, while Aspergillus niger was the dominant fungus found in those beans from the exporters. At trader level, 46% of the samples were infected by Aspergillus ochraceus and A. niger, which are known as ochratoxin A (OTA) producing fungi. At exporter level, 44% of the samples were infected by A. ochraceus, while 78% of the samples were infected by A. niger. Thus, the postharvest handling methods conducted especially by farmers and collectors of Arabica coffee beans should be improved to reduce the moisture content and to increase the grade quality of the coffee beans.

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BIODIVERS is a bi-annual publication that focuses on the Restoration and Conservation of Unique and Degraded Ecosystems, Sustainable of Management and Proper Utilization of Biodiversity, Bioenergy, Biotechnology to Support Food Security and on Strengthening Ecosystem Resilience in Facing Global Climate Change. This magazine also envisions becoming a popular scientific magazine for promoting and publishing research findings of scientists from SEAMEO BIOTROP and overseas. The articles will come from writers worldwide. This issue of BIODIVERS contains various articles addressed the issue on climate change and coastal resilience, including: Coastal and Marine Initiative to Climate Change: An Outlook Environment Vulnerability Decision Technology (EVDT): Mangrove Management Spatial Planning Based Ecosystem Adaptations in Indonesia GOI Initiatives Against Potential Risk of Climate Change Impact in Indonesia Extreme Climates in Coastal Cities Marine and Coastal Monitoring: Nanosatellites Technology

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