Herein, we report our success synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extracts from the leaves and flowers of Calotropis gigantea growing in the geothermal manifestation Ie Seu-Um, Aceh Besar, Indonesia. C. gigantea aqueous extract can be used as a bio-reductant for Ag+→Ag0 conversion, obtained by 48h incubation of Ag+, and the extract mixture in a dark condition. UV–Vis characterization showed that the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks of AgNPs-leaf C. gigantea (AgNPs-LCg) and AgNPs-flower C. gigantea (AgNPs-FCg) appeared in the wavelength range of 410–460 nm. Scanning electron microscopy energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) revealed the agglomeration and spherical shapes of AgNPs-LCg and AgNPs-FCg with diameters ranging from 87.85 to 256.7 nm. Zeta potentials were observed in the range of −41.8 to −25.1 mV. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay revealed AgNPs-FCg as the most potent antimicrobial agent with inhibition zones of 12.05 ± 0.58, 11.29 ± 0.45, and 9.02 ± 0.10 mm for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, respectively. In conclusion, aqueous extract from the leaves or flowers of Calotropis gigantea may be used in the green synthesis of AgNPs with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities.

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Lipase belongs to the class of hydrolytic enzymes that are widely used in the biotechnology industries. The goal of this research was to purify and characterize lipase produced from a thermo-halophilic bacterium, namely Pria Laot Sabang 80 (PLS 80). Purification was performed using ammonium sulphate fractionation, followed by gel filtration chromatography using Sepharose Cl-6B. After purification, the enzyme had a specific activity of 326.6 U/mg with a purity of 6.02 higher than the crude extract; with a molecular weight of around 50 kDa. The optimum activity was observed at 70 °C and pH 9. The activity increased in the presence of 10 mM Mn 2+ , K + and Ca 2+ ions, while Hg 2+ only slightly increased the enzyme activity. In contrast, the activity decreased in 10 mM Mg 2+ , Zn 2+ , Co 2+ , EDTA, and PMSF. The enzyme showed good hydrolytic activity on long fatty acids substrates ( p -nitrophenyl palmitate) with a value of 35.5 U/mL. It was also able to catalyze a transesterification reaction. GC-MS result showed that the biodiesel consisted of methyl octanoate (5.3%), methyl caprate (12.4%), methyl laurate (34.1%), methyl myristate (10.7%), methyl palmitate (3.9%), and methyl stearate (1.2%) when using coconut oil as the substrate. The results suggested that the lipase from PLS 80 had unique attributes that could be useful in various industrial applications.

Calotropis gigantea is a medicinal herb that thrives in arid climates. All parts of this plant are rich in secondary metabolites, which are very beneficial for health. Phytochemicals of this plant include flavonoid, alkaloids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, and terpenoids, which have a wide range of pharmacological effects. The potential of metabolit compound from C. gigantea can be used in dental treatment. This review describes the potential use of C. gigantea in ethno-dentistry, specifically as anti-caries, soft tissue inflammation (periodontitis and gingivitis), degenerative diseases (tumor/cancer), and wound healing. This review provides general perspectives and basic literature on the use of C. gigantea in the field of etno-dentistry.

The use of Calotropis gigantea from Ie Seu-Um, Aceh Besar geothermal area for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized has been reported. The process of synthesis AgNPs can be carried out with chemical methods, physical methods, and green synthesis methods, but in this study, the process is focused on the green synthesis method using C. gigantea flowers and leaves extract from Ie Seu-Um geothermal area, Aceh Besar. Phytochemical analysis showed that C. gigantea leaves contain alkaloids, steroids, tannins, phenolics, and saponins, while the flowers of C. gigantea contain alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, and saponins. The reaction of the AgNPs formation was observed by colour change formed. AgNPs-C. gigantea flower extract dan AgNPs-C. gigantea leaves extract showed the reddish-brown and brownish-yellow solution respectively after 48 h incubation in dark condition at room temperature. The result of the reaction characterized using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry showed that the phenomenon of Surface plasmone resonance (SPR) occurs in the mixture of nanoparticles formed. The concentration of AgNO3 as a reagent affected the SPR phenomenon. The result showed that particles formed are the same size and shape.