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Research on wood technological properties using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has shown promising results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of NIR spectroscopy for estimating chemical properties of mangium wood (Acacia mangium). NIR spectra were obtained from 150 wood meal samples of mangium trees that were 5-7-years-old. A multivariate data analysis method of partial least squares was used to develop calibration regression models for predicting chemical properties based on NIR spectra. The results showed a good relationship between values derived from laboratory analyses and those predicted by NIR spectroscopy for a-cellulose and hemicellulose content. The calibration models had high values for the coefficient of determination (R 2 [ 0.80) and the ratio of performance to deviation (RPD [ 2.0). Meanwhile, lignin and extractive content were poorly predicted; calibration validation revealed R 2 \ 0.60 and RPD = 1.0. This study indicated that NIR spectroscopy analysis on wood meal of A. mangium could be reliably used to predict a-cellulose and hemicellulose.

Sengon, jabon, and acacia are fast-growing tropical wood species that are important for several wood industries in Indonesia. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the surface roughness and wettability of some heat-treated, fast-growing Indonesian wood species. Surface roughness was evaluated using the mean arithmetic deviation of the profile (Ra), whereas wettability was determined by measuring the contact angle method. The wood was subjected to heat treatment at 120, 150, or 180°C for 2 or 6 h using a small kiln unit. The heat treatment modification reduced the moisture content, wood density, and surface roughness and increased the wettability properties of all wood species. Jabon wood was the smoothest, followed by acacia and sengon, whereas jabon had the lowest wettability, followed by acacia and sengon. Wood anatomy has influences on those properties tested. Heat treatment did not affect surface quality but revealed a significant difference in wettability properties.

Recently, the architectural and physical properties of the fungus comb from subterranean termite Macrotermes gilvus Hagen (Isoptera: Termitidae) mounds had been studied and it is important to determine its chemical profile as well as to evaluate its anti-staining-fungi activity. The results showed that fungus comb of M. gilvus has a high crude ash (30.57%), fiber (25.46%), starch (7.76%), protein (5.80%, 5.53% amino acid), acid-insoluble ash (3.45%), and fat (0.73%). It also contained phenol hydroquinone, steroids, terpenoids, and saponin compounds. Seventeen amino acids were identified via high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, of which arginine, leucine, glutamate, and aspartic acid were the majority. According to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, the n-hexane extract consists of several types of fatty acid derivatives. Meanwhile, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts were primarily phenol groups with 1,2,3-propanetriol (glycerol) at the highest relative concentration. Four fungus-comb extracts (n-hexane, EtOAc, MeOH, and water) inhibited the Aspergillus foetidus fungus, with inhibition rates ranging from 24.17% to 100% and EtOAc extract as the most active extract. It appears that EtOAc extracts from the M. gilvus fungus comb can be considered an active ingredient source of novel organic fungicide in preventing wood-staining fungi attacks on susceptible wood.

The existence of IPB with a high number of students and residents influences the development of the area. Various businesses emerged to satisfy the needs of students, one of them is warung makan. Warung makan is the one of food waste sources that comes from leftlovers. Food waste can have an impact on the environment, social and economic. This study aims to determine the amount of food waste from warung makan and to determine the efforts to reduce the food waste. This research was conducted in around the campus of IPB Darmaga.  The methodology used SNI 19-3964-1994. The results show that the average of food waste warung makan was 29,413 kg/day. The food waste composition consists of rice, vegetables and side dishes with the largest component was rice about 70% of total food waste. Efforts can be made to reduce the food waste from the side of warung makan was apply the method of serving rice on a buffet basis, campaign about food waste and apply a choice of rice portions. Keywords : food waste; food waste campaign;  leftlovers;  warung makan

Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) is a fast-growing wood with low quality due to its low density and strength. The quality can be increased by modifying the wood through impregnation with various chemical compounds. In this study, jabon was impregnated with a solution of Fe and immersed in a strong base (NaOH) or a weak base (NH4OH) to form magnetite (Fe3O4) in-situ. This study analysed the use of NaOH and NH4OH in synthesising magnetic jabon wood and evaluated the wood’s characteristics. The impregnation process began with a vacuum of −0.5 bar for 0.5 h and then a pressure of 1 bar for 2 h. The samples subsequently underwent assessment of their dimensional stability, density, and characteristics. The results showed that impregnation with Fe solution followed by NaOH or NH4OH significantly affected the density and dimensional stability of the wood. The polymer weight gain was higher with NaOH, while the anti-swelling efficiency was higher with NH4OH. The density and bulking effect were increased, but the water uptake was decreased. Fourier transform infrared analysis showed the successful synthesis of magnetite. Scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that magnetite covered the vessel fibre cell walls, and vibrating sample magnetometry analysis showed significant magnetic properties of the wood.

Teak is a famous commercial timber; however, many community forests produce low-quality teak from young trees. This research aimed to investigate the effect of heat treatment on the dimensional stability and colour of young teak wood. Wood samples were pre-dried using a fan or in an oven at 40°C. The heat treatments were conducted at three temperatures (120, 150, and 180°C) and for two durations (2 and 6 h). Water absorption, dimensional stability, and colour tests were then performed. The results showed that the density of the teak wood slightly decreased after heat treatment. However, its dimensional stability improved substantially, in accordance with its reduced water absorption. Furthermore, the surface of the young teak became darker, with a more even brown colour.

Abstract. Kusumawardhani DT, Nandika D, Karlinasari L, Arinana, Batubara I. 2021. Architectural and physical properties of fungus comb from subterranean termite Macrotermes gilvus (Isoptera: Termitidae) mound. Biodiversitas 22: 1627-1634. Subterranean termite Macrotermes gilvus Hagen (Isoptera; Termitidae) is the most widely distributed termite species in Indonesia. This termite species has a unique habit of making fungus comb inside their nest. The fungus comb is a growth substrate for Termitomyces fungi, which provides a nutrient source for the termite. However, there is a lack of scientific information regarding the architecture and physical properties of fungus combs of M. gilvus. A study was conducted to determine the architecture and physical properties of fungus combs of M. gilvus found in Yanlappa Experimental Forest, Bogor, West Java Province, Indonesia. The fungus combs were collected from six of twenty-two nests of M. gilvus found in the rectangular sample plot (150 x 250 m) in the area. The results showed that the fungus comb of M. gilvus was brain-shaped with 44.17 ± 7.36 cm3 in volume and had burrows that interconnected from the surface (6.20 ± 1.06 mm in diameter) to the base of the fungus comb structure (4.32 ± 0.91 mm in diameter). The burrows were interconnected with each other to support cross-ventilation in the fungus comb. White nodules of Termitomyces fungi were found in the fungus comb. Architecturally, the fungus comb consisted of two structural parts, namely fresh comb on the upper part and old comb on the lower part of the fungus comb. The fresh comb possessed a larger volume (48.33 ± 2.89 cm3) and smoother texture (177.88-977.50 nm) than the old comb (40.00 ± 8.66 cm3, 407.49-6762.62 nm). The fresh comb had a larger volume (48.33 ± 2.89 cm3) than the old comb (40.00 ± 8.66 cm3). It was also found a smoother texture in the fresh comb (177.88-977.50 nm) than in the old comb (407.49-6762.62 nm). In terms of color, the fresh comb was darker (reddish) than the old comb (yellowish white). In addition, the density of the old comb was higher (0.87 ± 0.11 g/cm3) than the fresh comb (0.77 ± 0.13 g/cm3) so that the old comb was able to function as a strong foundation for fungus comb.