an alternative to plastic packaging due to their environmental friendliness and easy degradation. Therefore, there is an urgent need for bioplastics due to the rapid increase in the pace of plastic production and air pollution causing several health risks because of their toxic nature [Jain & Tiwari, 2015]. Bioplastics are, however, very suitable alternatives to improve the quality of life and maintain a pollution-free planet [Keziah et al., 2018]. It has been discovered that bioplastics made from native starch have poor physicochemical, mechanical, functional and sensory characteristics compared to those modifi ed chemically. According to Shindu & Khatkar [2018], those produced from modifi ed wheat starch are transparent, have greater tensile strength, and lower solubility compared to the native wheat starch. Moreover, edible fi lms of acetylated rice starch were also found to be stable to heat, have high elongation at break, and a rapid process of degradation [Collusi et al., 2017]. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of bioplastics from tapioca starch modifi ed using acetic anhydride were observed to be superior over these of the native starch

Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L.) is one the most popular leaf vegetable in Indonesia. Hydroponic systems do not require extensive land cultivation. The advantages of using hydroponic systems is that it has higher production with more efficient land use. Seaweeds have been reported to be used as a fertilizer. This study aims to determine the effect of various nutrient solutions on the growth and yield of lettuce plants with hydroponic system. This study used a randomized block design (RBD), with five treatments: N1=OLF (organic liquid fertilizer) solution, N2=OLF solution + spray, N3=Seaweeds extract solution, N4=Seaweeds extract solution + OLF solution, N5=AB mix (Nutriponik). Each treatment was repeated 4 times, so that there were 20 units of experiment. Each unit of experiment consist of 5 plants so that the total population was 100 plants. The results showed that the AB mix nutrient solution gave the best growth responses. It produced an average plant height, number of leaves, total fresh weight of plant, and total dry weight of plants better than other solutions.

Native arenga starch has infirmity physicochemical properties so that its use is limited to functional food. Dual modification is a starch processing to improve physicochemical properties of starch. The objective is to determine the optimum concentration of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) based on the physicochemical properties of the phosphate butyrate arenga starch (PBAS) from dual modification of butyrylation and phosphorylation. The method of making PBAS is using butyric anhydride 5% (w/v) and STMP concentration variation consisting of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% and 12% (w/w) of the starch weight repeated three times and native arenga starch as a comparison. Physicochemical properties analyzed were percent butyryl, degree of substitution (DS), phosphate content, binding of butyrate phosphate with fourier transform infrared (FTIR), water, starch, amylopectin, amylose and ash contents. The results showed that the optimal STMP concentration range of 4-6% based on percent butyryl, DS and phosphate content that produce PBAS suitable for functional food ingredients. Binding of the functional group of PBAS formed a new peak in the FTIR spectra at wave number 1365.60 cm-1 which indicates the presence of phosphate (P=O) groups of STMP on starch molecules. The water content of PBAS decreased with increasing STMP concentrations. The amylose, amylopectin and ash contents of PBAS were changed after the process of butyrylation and phosphorylation. PBAS is potential as a functional food ingredient due to its butyrate and phosphate contents.

This research aims to study the effect of applying various seaweed extract concentrations on mustard greens growth and yield (Brassica juncea L.). The study was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture Screen House, University Tadulako Palu, and arranged using a randomized block design (RBD) with six treatments. These were, without seaweed extract (E0), as well as 20% (E1), 40% (E2), 60% (E3), 80% (E4), and 100% (E5) seaweed extract concentration. The experiment was repeated four times, thus, there were 24 experimental units. Subsequently, the data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance, followed by Honest Real Difference at level 5%. The results showed seaweed extract with different concentrations significantly influenced plant height, leaf number, leaf area, fresh weight, and dry weight.

Each area has a variety and different types of weeds, the differences in each weed are caused by natural factors and human actions, including excessive pesticide spraying. This action can cause the chemical content, namely plant growth regulators and the nutrients in the weed plant to change and cause the quality of a soil to decrease. The research objective was to determine the level of diversity, species, and content of plant growth regulators and nutrient element measurements for local weeds. The research design was an exploration method in community agricultural land areas by recording the number of weeds found in agricultural land areas, trails, and irrigation edges in Tawaeli District, Palu City. Diversity analysis was using the exploration method, and the diversity index of medicinal plants was calculated using Shannon Wiener. The identification of weeds was carried out by UPT Herbarium (Tadulako University), plant growth regulators and nutrient content analysis were carried out using existing methods in the laboratory using local weed samples taken in the field. The results showed that there were 27 species of weeds grew on agricultural land in Tawaeli Sub-District, Palu City. These weed species belonging to 17 different plant families. Based on the category of diversity index, it was known that the biodiversity of weeds at the observation sites belongs to the low class (H' <1.00) and the medium class (H' >3.00). The conclusion was that in general, the high number of species and weed diversity were in the medium class H' category. Good nutrient content in weeds shows the potential of weeds as a source of important nutritional elements may benefit the growth and development of cultivated plants.