This study aimed to evaluate the pace of curing process and body weight recovery of pulmonary tuberculosis (Tb) patients receiving propolis supplementation. This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted on 50 pulmonary Tb patients that were assigned into three groups as follows: receiving standard-dose antituberculosis drugs (ATDs) + 20 drops of placebo propolis (P0); receiving standarddose ATDs + 20 drops of propolis with concentration of 6% (P1); and receiving standard-dose ATDs + 20 drops of propolis with concentration of 30% (P2). The results showed that the mean time ratio needed for sputum smear conversion to negative present of acid resitant bacteria in P0, P1 and P2 groups were weeks 10, 8 and 5, respectively. In the second week, mean body weight of P0 and P1 groups decreased by 2.4% and 0.2%, respectively. In contrast, the mean body weight in P2 group increased by 1.5% (p<0.05; Mann-Whitney test). In the same week, mean body mass index (BMI) of P0 and P1 groups decreased by 1.6 and 0.1, respectively. Conversely, the mean BMI of P2 group increased by 0.3. The changes were significantly different (p<0.05). The results conclusively indicated that supplementation of 20 drops of propolis with a concentration of 30% as an adjuvant to standard ATDs for the treatment of pulmonary Tb patients was beneficial to accelerate treatment effect and body weight recovery.

Starch and flour from various plants have been widely used for sundry applications, especially in the food and chemical industries. However, native starch and flour have several weaknesses, especially in functional, pasting, and physicochemical properties. The quality of native starch and flour can be improved by a modification process. The type of modification that is safe, easy, and efficient is physical modification using hydrothermal treatment techniques, including heat moisture treatment (HMT) and annealing (ANN). This review discusses the hydrothermal modifications of starch and flour, especially from various tubers and cereals. The discussion is mainly on its effect on five parameters, namely functional properties, morphology, pasting properties, crystallinity, and thermal properties. Modification of HMT and ANN, in general, can improve the functional properties, causing cracking of the granule surface, stable viscosity to heat, increasing crystallinity, and increasing gelatinization temperature. However, some modifications of starch and flour by HMT and ANN had no effect on several parameters or even had the opposite effect. The summary of the various studies reviewed can be a reference for the development of hydrothermal-modified starch and flour applications for various industries.

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Objective: The main objectives of the research are to determine the phytochemical content and toxicity of stingless bee propolis from various provinces in Indonesia. Methods: Phytochemical testing of alkaloids and triterpenoids on propolis used a qualitative method, while for testing phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins using quantitative methods. Then, to test the toxicity of stingless bee propolis using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test method. Results: Propolis with the highest alkaloid and triterpenoid content is Central Java propolis from Tetragonula laeviceps species. Then, propolis with the highest total flavonoid content is South Sulawesi propolis of Tetragonula biroi species. Propolis with the highest total tannin content and total phenolic content is South Sulawesi propolis from Geniotrigona incise species. Propolis with the highest toxicity is Banten propolis from T. laeviceps species. Conclusion: Stingless bee propolis from various provinces in Indonesia contains various phytochemicals and toxicities. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between total flavonoid content and propolis toxicity.