Microstructure of Quills in Sunda Porcupine Hystrix javanica (F. Cuvier, 1823)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the quills type, cuticle pattern, cross-section feature, and medulla structure of the quills in Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica). The second aim was to determine the nutritional content of the quills in Sunda porcupine. The specimens fixed in cacodylate buffer and glutaraldehyde, then dehydrated through graded series of alcohol, and freeze-dried. The specimens attached to the stubs by sticky tape, coated with gold and observed with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Determination of cuticle pattern and medulla structure base on to the mammal's hair identification key by Teerink (1991). Nutritional content analysis using proximate. The study result showed that H. javanica has four types of quills; true, transitional, flat spine, and rattle quills. The SEM micrograph of the cuticle pattern showed characteristic variation in the shaft and base region, except the flat spine has no scaly feature in the base region. The cuticle of anogenital quill and hair in H. javanica has no specific feature or osmetrichia. The cross-sectional images of the three type quills of H. javanica revealed circular and alveolar arrangement. Only the flat spine has a quadriconcave feature. The true quills have multicellular and reverse cloisonné structure in the medulla, compare to the other three quills have no pattern. Nutritional content of the quills were water (89.93%), crude protein (93.66%), crude fat (0.44%), phosphorous (0.034%), calcium (0.2%), magnesium (0.01%), and sulphur (2,01%).

Fluorescence and UV–visible reflectance in the fur of several Rodentia genera

“…However, their quills differ significantly from each other in terms of mechanical properties, structure, and function 27 , 38 . Some of the Hystrix quills are classified as true quills, which are thicker, sharper, and used for defence 39 , 40 . Additionally, its quills are longer, stiffer, and more resistant than the quills of American porcupines, which may explain why we did not observe the same pattern in the three genera cited above.…”

Fatty acid composition profiling in the dorsal skin of Sunda porcupine (<i>Hystrix javanica</i>)

“…Meanwhile, several investigations have been conducted on the fatty acid content in quill of porcupine. For example, Roze et al [30] in a study on the antibiotic properties in the quill of North American porcupine as well as Inayah et al [12] on the nutritional content in the quill of Sunda porcupine. According to Inayah et al [12], the quill of Sunda porcupine consists of 0.44% crude fat and 18.6% is mainly fatty acids.…”

“…For example, Roze et al [30] in a study on the antibiotic properties in the quill of North American porcupine as well as Inayah et al [12] on the nutritional content in the quill of Sunda porcupine. According to Inayah et al [12], the quill of Sunda porcupine consists of 0.44% crude fat and 18.6% is mainly fatty acids. However, the quills used in the study were not specifically classified [12].…”

Antibacterial activity of Sunda porcupine quill extract (Hystrix javanica) against Staphylococcus aureus

“…It is believed that the high content of free fatty acids contributes to the antibacterial action of the Sunda porcupine quill extract. Sunda porcupine quills are reported to contain 18.6% free fatty acids (Inayah et al, 2020). Sunda porcupine quills have the same percentage of free fatty acids as American porcupine quills (18.6 percent) (Roze et al 1990).…”

“…Free fatty acid extracts from the L. pumila variety (Karimi et al 2015) and coconut oil (Mena et al 2020) inhibited the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. 18.6% of the fatty acids in the quills of Sunda porcupines are free (Inayah et al, 2020). The high amount of free fatty acids in porcupine quills can be used as a guide for using porcupine quills as an antibacterial.…”