Sumatran Mulberry [Morus macroura var. Macroura] is the mascot [identity] flora of West Sumatra. Clarification of individual sex and genetic variation is necessary for its conservation. The SRAP [Sequence Related Amplified Polymorphism] marker system is one of the powerful molecular tools for clarification of individual sex and estimating its genetic diversity of plant species. The purpose of this study was to examine the male and female individuals in Andalas [Morus macroura] trees and to analyze their genetic variation. The fifteen individuals [accessions] of Morus macroura from three locations in West Sumatra [Limau Manis, Padang, Lubuak Gadang, South Solok and Andaleh, Tanah Datar] were collected to provide the DNA samples. A combination of seven primers was used to amplify the fifteens of DNA samples. Specific bands for the sex were examined in selected individuals, and Geneticvariation with four parameters: Number of allele [na], Number of effective allele [ne], Gene Diversity [h]; Shannon’s Information Index [I] were analyzed. The PCR Test indicated that Fifty fragments were obtained from the amplification of DNA samples using seven combinations of primers. The most number of fragments were found in the combination of primer B and E. The specific band at The 20 bp and 30 fragments were useful to distinguish the sex of the examined individual trees. The genetic variation of Morus macroura was moderate low [na=1.540; ne=1.273; h=0.168; and I=0.259]. Genetic diversity of Limau Manis Population [h=0.241] was higher than Lubuak Gadang [h=0.116] and Andaleh population [h=0.148].

Background: Morus macroura Miq. is a potential tree species belonging to the Mulberry group, and consider as flora identity of West Sumatra Province with local name is Andalas. This germplasm tropical tree species utilize widely by local West Sumatran people for various purposes such as wood material to construct the traditional house of ethnic Minangkabau and medicinal substance for multiple diseases. However, the population numbers of this species were decreased and rare due to overexploitation without effort for planting. Based on this reason, it is imperative to conserve and utilize sustainable Mulberry. There is a highlight confusion to clarify that M. macroura from Sumatra population similar to Himalayan Mulberry. For this reason, it is essential to define the crucial local M. macroura from Sumatra (Sumatran Mulberry) for its conservation and sustainable utilization. Method: In this study, the leaves from seven individuals of M. macroura collected from West Sumatra were used for DNA extraction and processed to the next step of the analysis. Four individuals of Himalayan Mulberry and both of two out-group, White Mulberry (M. alba), and Black Mulberry (M. nigra) were used in this study. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was performed using two ITS markers (ITS5-F and ITS4-R) with an annealing temperature of 55oC. The PCR products were purified and sequenced by Macrogen USA DNA Sequencing. The phyllogenetic relationship between seven accessions and two of out-group (M. alba and M. nigra) were analyzed using the MEGA6 program. Result: The result indicated that all of the accessions M. macroura from Sumatra were grouped into the same cluster and separated to the Himalayan Mulberry group. The differentiation between Sumatran Mulberry and other Mulberry reflected in morphological and haplotype differentiation indicated that the Sumatran Mulberry as the different group and suggested as a variety with scientific name is M. macroura Miq. var. macroura. This clarification is useful for conservation and sustainable utilization of this variety, a specific Mulberry from Sumatra.

Recently, herbal ingredients have been utilized as candidate supplements or drugs to increase the resistance of body against diseases caused by viruses. In general, research is focused on plants used as herbal medicine in Indonesia. Sumatran mulberry (Morus macroura var. Macroura) is the native plant tree species in West Sumatra with the local name of the Andalas tree that has the potential to be used as a medicinal plant against the viruses desease due to its betulinic acid content. The content of secondary metabolites in a plant species can vary due to the influence of various environmental factors in their habitats. This study explored the content of betulinic acid of Morus macroura var. Macroura from four different locations in West Sumatra (Tanjung Bungo, Nagari Koto Hilalang, Paninjauan and Andaleh). Sample extracted from leaves and the level of content were examined using the Densitometric Thin-layer Chromatography (TLC) methods with the pure betulinic acid commpound as a standar. In this paper, we describe the various content of betulinic acid of Andalas Tree and discuss its potentiality as source of medicinal product based on the recent references.