Vaishali Bhatt, Prasant Arya, Jaspal Singh Chauhan

Microplastic (MP) contamination in freshwater ecosystems is an emerging environmental concern, yet interactions between MPs and riparian macrophytes remain poorly understood, particularly in Himalayan river systems. This study provides a baseline assessment of MP surface entanglement across riparian macrophyte species, along with associated surface water and sediment, from River Alaknanda, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India, sampled in June 2023. A total of 30 macrophyte, surface water, and sediment samples were collected and processed using extraction protocols integrating washing, oxidative digestion, density separation, stereomicroscopic analysis, and polymer characterization through ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. MPs were extensively detected on macrophyte surfaces, with species-specific normalized burdens ranging from 16.47 ± 2.59 to 273.86 ± 26.21 MPs/g dry weight. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed significant interspecific variation in normalized MP abundance (H = 25.73, p = 0.0023), with Chenopodium ambrosioides exhibiting significantly higher MP burdens than Conyza sp. and Equisetum sp. No MPs within the analytical detection range of 100 µm-5 mm were detected in digested plant tissues. Fibres were the dominant MP type in macrophytes and water, whereas fragments predominated in sediments, with white particles being most abundant across all matrices. Polymer analysis identified polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyterephthalate, and polyethylene-vinyl acetate as dominant polymers. Strong compositional correlations among macrophytes, water, and sediment indicated similarities in MP characteristics across environmental matrices. These findings suggest riparian macrophytes as complementary matrices for freshwater MP monitoring. Despite methodological and spatial limitations, this study establishes a preliminary framework for incorporating riparian vegetation into freshwater MP monitoring and highlights the need for further investigations.

Aquatic Life Sciences

Norhidayah Norhidayah, Safira Maza, Novita Anggraeni, Taufik Qurrahman, Rizki Rahmadi Pratama, Yulistia Budianti Soemarie

Traditionally, menginang (a mixture of betel leaf, areca nut, gambir, and lime) has been used as a natural antibacterial agent. This study aimed to compare the antibacterial activity of single betel leaf extract and menginang extract against four oral pathogenic bacteria in vitro. This study compared the antibacterial activity of traditional menginang extract and single betel leaf extract against multiple oral pathogenic bacteria to evaluate their potential synergistic antibacterial effects. The experimental method used a disk diffusion technique at three concentrations (12.5%, 25%, and 50%), and the data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Chlorhexidine 0.2% was used as the positive control, while distilled water was used as the negative control. The 50% menginang extract showed the strongest antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria, with inhibition zones ranging from 22.76 ± 1.38 mm to 28.22 ± 0.14 mm, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The inhibition zones produced by the 50% menginang extract were close to those of 0.2% chlorhexidine. The superiority antibacterial activity of menginang extract may be associated with synergistic interactions among alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids, and steroids identified during phytochemical screening. The menginang extract has high potential to be developed as an innovative natural product for oral health.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Poro David Clark

This study aimed to optimize phenolic antioxidant extraction from Polyalthia longifolia leaves using hot maceration with 70% ethanol and to characterize the extraction kinetics under optimal conditions. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of extraction time and temperature on extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Both factors significantly influenced all responses, with the extraction yield and TPC increasing progressively with temperature and time. FRAP, however, exhibited a dome-shaped response, peaking at intermediate temperatures before declining under prolonged high-temperature conditions, consistent with the thermal degradation of heat-labile antioxidants. The highest phenolic recovery and antioxidant activity were achieved at the upper boundary of the experimental domain, suggesting that the true optimum may lie beyond the conditions tested. Kinetic analysis further revealed that antioxidant-active compounds were mobilized faster than the bulk extractable mass, with implications for reducing extraction time and energy consumption at scale. These findings provide a statistically guided and kinetically informed foundation for the valorization of Polyalthia longifolia leaves, supporting future process optimization across broader solvent systems and extraction techniques for functional food and nutraceutical applications.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Nadhira Karima, Agus Gozali

The increasing demand for interactive English instruction in vocational schools is often constrained by limited resources and unequal access to digital tools. This study investigated vocational high school students’ perceptions of the Team Game Tournament (TGT) as a conventional non-digital strategy in English instruction. A descriptive quantitative design was used to examine students’ responses after TGT classroom activities. Participants were 32 tenth-grade students in the Fashion Design program at a vocational high school in East Java, Indonesia. Total sampling was applied because all students received the same treatment. Data were collected through a closed-ended questionnaire with 15 items using a four-point Likert scale. The instrument measured perceptions of interest, motivation, vocabulary learning, collaboration, effectiveness, and learning difficulty. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. Findings showed that students generally perceived TGT positively. High mean scores appeared in learning stimulation, teamwork, classroom interest, and overall usefulness. Students reported that TGT encouraged participation, improved collaboration, and made learning more enjoyable. Negative perceptions regarding complexity, time management, competitive pressure, and mismatch with learning preferences were relatively low. A consistency analysis comparing paired positive and negative items indicated coherent response patterns, supporting data credibility. However, results reflect perceptions only and should not be interpreted as direct evidence of effectiveness in real classrooms. These findings suggest that TGT can serve as a low-cost and engaging alternative for vocational English classrooms, particularly in schools with limited digital infrastructure. Future studies should examine long-term effects of TGT on language achievement and motivation across broader contexts.

Education and Learning

Stefani Alya Swasa Wuryanto, Ida Ayu Manik Damayanti, Putu Indrayoni

Cutibacterium acnes is a cause of acne. Conventional treatments often lead to side effects and bacterial resistance, necessitating natural alternatives. Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa L. ) shows potential as an anti-acne agent. This study employed an in vitro experimental laboratory design to evaluate the anti-acne activity of G. globosa L. flower extract formulated cream against C. acnes using the well diffusion method. Antibacterial activity was tested using KN (base cream), KP (1% clindamycin cream), F1 (10%), F2 (15%), and F3 (20%), and the data were analyzed using SPSS statistical analysis. Results indicated that the ethanolic extract of GA flowers has an IC₅₀ of 85.483 ppm, TPC of 60.456 ± 0.589 mg GAE/g, and TFC of 34.390 ± 0.989 mg QE/g. It exhibited antibacterial activity against C. acnes, with inhibition zone diameters of 6.693 ± 0.2 mm for the 15% formula and 7.382 ± 0.22 mm for the 20% formula. The antibacterial activity is believed to be driven by the presence of secondary metabolites, particularly phenols and flavonoids identified in the extract.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Nadya Treesna Wulansari, Ni Wayan Kesari Dharmapatni, Ida Ayu Manik Damayanti, Ni Made Raningsih

Buni fruit (Antidesma bunius) is a fruit commonly found in tropical countries such as Indonesia. This fruit has the potential to be developed into kombucha tea because it contains beneficial bioactive compounds. However, the use of buni fruit as kombucha tea remains very limited and has not been studied in depth. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the volatile compounds in buni fruit kombucha using GC-MS. This study employed a descriptive experimental design to analyze the volatile compounds in buni fruit kombucha after 8 days of fermentation using GC-MS. Buni fruit kombucha fermented for 8 days produced a dark purple color. Based on the analysis of volatile compounds, buni fruit kombucha was identified as containing 30 volatile compounds. The dominant compounds were hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester, 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, (E)-9-octadecenoic acid ethyl ester, octadecanoic acid ethyl ester, eicosanoic acid ester, and docosahexaenoic acid methyl ester, which are classified as fatty acid esters and lipids. Additionally, the identified alcohol compounds are patchouli alcohol and 13-tetradecen-11-yn-1-ol. Buni fruit kombucha tea undergoes chemical transformations characterized by the formation of volatile compounds such as esters, alcohols, and fatty acid derivatives as a result of microbial metabolic activity. The profile of the resulting compounds highlights the important role of biotransformation during fermentation in shaping the sensory characteristics and bioactive potential of kombucha tea.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Ridho Hidayat, Jamil Jamil

Gender-biased interpretations of nusyuz in Islamic family law have long positioned wives as the primary subjects of marital disobedience, while male neglect of marital obligations remains under-recognized, resulting in weak protection of wives’ rights. This issue is particularly significant in the Indonesian context, where normative Islamic principles of reciprocity are not consistently reflected in legal interpretation and judicial practice. This study aims to examine the concept of male nusyuz and its implications for gender justice within Islamic family law. Using a qualitative juridical-normative and socio-religious approach, the study analyzes 12 normative sources, including Qur’anic verses, Prophetic traditions, classical and contemporary fiqh literature, and Indonesian family law regulations, particularly the Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI). The analysis employs a doctrinal approach guided by a gender-justice framework based on reciprocity (mubādalah). The four categories of male nusyuz—neglect of financial maintenance, emotional abandonment, abusive conduct, and failure of responsible leadership—were derived through thematic classification and doctrinal synthesis of Islamic legal texts. The findings indicate that while Islamic normative sources doctrinally recognize reciprocal marital obligations, their application in legal interpretation and judicial practice tends to emphasize wives’ nusyuz, with male misconduct often addressed through alternative legal categories. This study contributes to Islamic legal scholarship by offering a systematic doctrinal reinterpretation of nusyuz that incorporates male accountability within a unified framework. It also highlights the need to strengthen gender-just interpretations in Indonesian legal practice, particularly in judicial reasoning, to ensure more equitable protection of spouses’ rights.

Unity Lens

Adelia Clarissa, Anugrah Adiwilaga, Deden Pradeka

Saving behavior plays an important role in supporting early financial literacy and responsible financial management. However, conventional piggy banks still have limitations in transaction transparency, security, and real-time monitoring capabilities. This study aimed to develop and conduct prototype-level validation of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart piggy bank integrated with computer vision technology for automatic currency denomination detection. The study employed a Design and Development (D& D) approach combined with the Artificial Intelligence Life Cycle (AILC) for object detection model development and the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) for web-based monitoring system development. The dataset consisted of 9, 000 annotated images of Indonesian Rupiah banknotes and coins categorized into nine denomination classes under varying lighting and object orientation conditions. During training and validation, the YOLOv8 nano model achieved an mAP50 value of 0.995 under controlled conditions. However, real-world prototype testing produced an average operational accuracy of 62.2%. This performance degradation is primarily attributed to specular reflections on coin surfaces and edge-hardware-induced latency which compromised real-world inference stability. The main technical contribution of this work lies in quantifying this model-to-edge hardware performance gap, providing an empirical baseline for lightweight computer vision deployment on low-resource microcomputing nodes. These findings indicate a performance gap between controlled and real-world conditions. Overall, the findings demonstrate the feasibility of integrating lightweight computer vision and IoT technologies into an embedded smart saving prototype, although further optimization is required to improve operational robustness and detection stability in real-world environments.

Digital System and Computing

Aindana Sulva

Physics learning on sound waves is often overly theoretical, hindering students' conceptual connection to real-world phenomena. This study explores the potential of the traditional rebana as a culturally relevant science learning resource to bridge this gap. Using an exploratory qualitative design, acoustic properties of the rebana were analyzed via the Phyphox application and interpreted through the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña model. Results confirm that the rebana effectively demonstrates core sound wave concepts—timbre, amplitude, frequency, and resonance—with physical structure and vibration energy directly dictating its acoustic output. Baseline acoustic data (145–1251 Hz; 87–89 dB) support the observable variations in amplitude and resonance found in this study. Furthermore, teacher feedback highlights that unlike conventional textbook-based instruction, the rebana provides tangible demonstrations of vibration and pitch, significantly enhancing student engagement. Consequently, the rebana serves as a scientifically measurable and contextually rich tool that integrates local wisdom into modern physics education, fostering meaningful learning experiences.

Artistic Studies

Aldhy Abdullah, Ria Warda Mappile, Subhan Subhan

Marginalization and assimilation policies in Southern Thailand have weakened the transmission of Islamic knowledge and Malay-Muslim identity, creating an urgent need for culturally responsive educational alternatives. This study analyzes the role of Tadika Nadwatul Islammiah Dala—a community-based Islamic kindergarten in Pattani, Southern Thailand—in sustaining religious values, cultural identity, and social cohesion within marginalized Malay-Muslim communities. We employed a qualitative case study design incorporating targeted ethnographic techniques, involving 28 participants (10 students, 6 teachers, 8 parents, and 4 community leaders) selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected over a three-week period (1-20 August 2024) through participant observation (4-6 hours daily), in-depth interviews (45-90 minutes), and document analysis, and analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model. The findings reveal that Tadika plays a multidimensional role as a center for religious education, cultural transmission, identity preservation, and community support. It significantly improves children’s religious literacy, strengthens social solidarity, and provides an affordable educational alternative for low-income families. However, Tadika faces persistent challenges, including limited government support, inadequate facilities, and socio-political pressures affecting Muslim minorities. Despite these constraints, Tadika remains a resilient and strategic institution in preserving Islamic values and Malay cultural identity. In conclusion, Tadika serves not only as an educational space but also as a critical mechanism for cultural resilience and identity formation in marginalized Muslim communities.

Unity Lens