Habitat and Phytochemical Analysis of Gemor (Nothaphoebe sp.) on Peat-swamp Forest Areas, Central Kalimantan

Abstract

Gemor is one of the forest products of high economic value. The bark can be used for the manufacture of mosquito coils; so many people collect them for sale. The selling price of wet-bark reaches 231-385 USD per ton. High prices of Gemor lead to increased exploitation. Conservation efforts are not done yet, so this species will be endangered. This study was conducted to determine the characteristics of Gemor habitat and phytochemical confounds of leave, twig, and bark. From this research which part can produce insecticide besides stem bark can be known.It can be used for an alternative for utilization of Gemor besides bark. It was revealed that the Gemor tended to live well on habitats which have on peatlands, sometimes flooded, pH of 3.52-3.58, and pyrite of 0.17-0.21%. It needed N of 1.21-1.43%, P of 9.00-9.10mg/100g, C of 3.78-9.29%. This species was living generally in secondary forests with a light intensity of 3-5% and humidity of 88-99%. Phytochemical analysis indicated the other anatomy of Gemor besides the bark, namely leaves and twigs also contain secondary metabolites, such as; alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, and phenolic. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds were potentially as natural insecticides. Flavonoids and phenolic in leaves were higher than the bark, so it can be said that the leave of Gemor was potentially as natural insecticides