Fruit and seed variation of wild nutmeg (Myristica schefferi Warb.) in South Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

Several species of the genus Myristica are found in Indonesia, one of which is Aceh wild nutmeg (M. Schefferi Warb). This study aims to identify fruit and seed variations and chemical compounds that might be potential for further use. The research was carried out at a hilly area in Lubuk Arang Village, South Aceh in the year 2017. There is a high variation of the 42 trees observed in yield, fruit, seed, and mace weight, meanwhile low variation in flesh thickness. Plant size, leaves, fruits, and seeds are bigger than other types of nutmeg. In general, the fruit shape was round to ovate with greenish when young and brownish-green in ripe fruit. The seed shape was rounded to oval with dark brown color when mature. Mace net covered the seed with an orange color when mature. Flesh fruit, mace, and seeds were not aromatic. The main chemical compound of seed ethanol extract analyzed using GCMS was Otobaine, Heptaleno (1,2-C) Furan 1-3H)-one-3,3-dimethoxy6,7,9,11-tetramethyl-, Palmitic acid, and Austrobailignan-6, while in mace were Dihydrojasmone, Otobaine, Palmitic acid, cis- Vasenic acid, and Austrobailignan. Cluster analysis of 42 trees based on fruit and seed characters, separated into three groups with a similarity of around 50%.