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In a continuous study on the Indonesian marine sponges, we found aHyrtiossponge during our expedition in Lhok Mata Ie, an isolated place around Aceh Besar, Indonesia in 2017. The bioassay-guided separation with several steps of chromatography was applied to give pure material. Moreover, the spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of puupehenone (1), a unique class of merosesquiterpene together with its analogs (2-3). Their structures and bioactivity against multidrug-resistantEscherichia coli(MDRE. coli) together with several cell lines are described here.

This research was conducted in January 2018 in the core zone of the Marine Protected Areas Peukan Bada and Lhoknga, Aceh Besar. The purpose of this study was to determine the coral reef cover and the abundance of reef fish in the core zone areas. The method of collecting coral reef cover data used the transect photo. Further, we analyzed these data using CPCe 4.1 software with a uniform grid technique. Moreover, the collection of coral fish abundance data using the Visual Census. The results of the study showed that the coral reef cover in the core zone of Lhoknga and Lampuuk water is 35.36% and 43.09% which are categorized as “moderate damage” with an abundance of reef fish value are 23900 Ind/Ha and 43600 Ind/Ha, respectively. On the other hand, the coral reef cover in the core zone of Bunta Island waters was 64.91% which was categorized as “good” with an abundance of reef fish value is 28600 Ind/Ha. However, the coral reef cover in the core zone of Batee Island waters was 23.68% which was categorized as “badly damage” with an abundance of reef fish value is 29300 Ind/Ha. In addition, the coral reef cover in the core zone of Tuan Island waters was 25.87% which was categorized as “moderate damage” with an abundance of reef fish value is 58100 In/Ha. Based on the results, the data conclude that the condition of coral reefs in the Marine Protected Area in the Lhoknga, Lampuuk, and Batee Island water requires proper handling in improving natural resources in their core zone.

In our continuous concern of biodiversity relating to molecular structures in Sabang island, we found complex species of soft coral (genus Lobophytum). Molecular phylogenetic analysis on 82 specimens confirmed the presence of Lobophytum crassum, Lobophytum verum, and Lobophytum rigidum. On the other hand, the identification of chemical profiles was performed by spectroscopy analysis based on metabolomics approaches. As a result, we identified the chemical diversity of cembrane-type diterpenoids class from all specimens. Moreover, metabolomics analysis using feature-based molecular networking showed L. crassum, L. verum, and L. rigidum genes poses fundamental roles in the formation of chemical variations. Our results indicated that cembrane-type diterpenoids were found on all species related to genus Lobophytum in Sabang island, located in the western part of the Indonesian archipelago.

Research on the composition of Caridea cryptic organisms (crustasea) on dead corals of pocillopora in Sabang waters has been conducted on January 2017. The purpose of this study was to identify the composition of Caridea cryptic organisms - found in dead coral Pocillopora. The location of research was decided by purposive sampling methods. The results showed that they were three families (Alpheidae, Hippolythidae, and Palaemonidae) were found at each station. Total number of individuals found as many as 109 individuals scattered into 3 stations. The most abundant families were from Alpheidae family with a total of 79 individuals while the fewest families found were Palaemonidae with a total of 11 individuals. The largest value of dead coral volume was found at Seulako island station which was 3.2 liter as the highest abundance of Caridae organisms (41 individuals). On the other hand, the station of Sumur Tiga was found the smallest coral volume of the two other stations of 1.2 liter with the lowest abundance of Caridea organisms 33 individuals.

This study aims to determine the status of fisheries management, formulate priority tactical steps for fisheries management in the marine protected area of eastern coast of Weh Island. The types of data sources used in this study are primary data obtained through direct measurements and interviews, and desk study data. Data is processed and analyzed using the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) indicator, and Flag modeling. Determination of priority improvement indicators and priority tactical steps using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The assessment of fisheries management status shows that fisheries management in the conservation area of the East Coast of Weh belongs to the good category. Determination of priority indicators on fisheries management and regional suitability is carried out to determine the priority of short-term indicators which are then needed to determine the priority of tactical steps in fisheries management and regional suitability for marine tourism.

The investigation of the trophic status based on the nitrate-phosphate correlation and chlorophyll-a abundance in Deudap beach and Lhok Reudup beach, Pulau Nasi, Aceh were carried out in November 2018. Determination of sampling location based on purposive sampling method. The total nitrate, total phosphate concentration, and chlorophyll-a abundance determined by Ultra Violet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometre which was confirmed from the real-time NOAA database. The results of the chlorophyll-a abundance analysis showed that the abundance of chlorophyll-a in the surface layer ranges 0.7 - 0.11 μg / L. Total nitrate and total phosphate concentrations at deudap beach and lhok reudup in the surface layer ranges 260 - 183 μg / L and 9.4 - 6.8 μg / L. Furthermore, the results indicate that the phenomenon of the chlorophyll-a abundance is closely related to the availability of the macronutrient of nitrate and phosphate. Based on the correlation between total nitrate-phosphate and chlorophyll-a abundance in deudap beach and lhok reudup, Nasi Island are included in the category of oligotrophic waters.

Research on the bioactivity of a compound from Callyspongia sp. as an antibacterial agent against Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila resistants was conducted. The active metabolite was isolated based on bioassay-guided separation with several steps of chromatography. The FTIR data showed the vibration at 1637.4 cm−1 as C-N imine functional group with the fingerprint region at 1449.0 cm−1 indicated the presence of alkaloid as the active compound. The results of this study informed the inhibitory zone diameter of the extract against E. coli showed an area as wide as 8.10 mm at the concentration of 80 μg mL−1 compared to the inhibitory zone diameter of the positive control Chloramphenicol as wide as 7.50 mm at the concentration of 40 μg mL−1. However, the inhibitory zone of the extract against A. hydrophila displayed an area 8.50 mm in diameter at the concentration of 20 μg mL−1 compared to the zone diameter of the positive control Chloramphenicol as wide as 7.25 mm at the concentration of 40 μg mL−1. Based on the bioassay results, the alkaloid compound from Callyspongia sp. has potential activity against the Gram-positive bacterial resistant of Escheria coli and the Gram-negative bacterial resistant of Aeromonas hydrophila.

The bioactivity of Indonesian Marine Sponge Endectyon delaubenfelsi has been conducted on July 2018. The active metabolite based on bioassay guided-separation with several steps of chromatography. The FTIR spectrum shows that the active metabolite has N-H amine functional groups at 3434.6 cm−1 C-H methyl was detected at 3090.46 cm−1, and the fingerprint region at 1637.27 cm−1 as C-N imine. Based on the FTIR data shows indicate that the active compound as alkaloid. Metabolite active has activity IC50 = 0.2 ug / mL indicates that the active compound from of Endectyon delaubenfelsi has potential activity as the new model to the drug discovery against PANC-1 cell.

Research of Manzamine C, Indole Alkaloids as cancer cell inhibitors in nutrient starvation, from the Indonesian Marine Sponge Xestospongia muta was done on May 2018. The goal of this study is to determine the cytotoxic activity of metabolite compounds of Xetospongia muta under glucose starvation. The active metabolite isolated using bioassay-guided separation with several steps of chromatography. Interpretation of IR data indicates that the active metabolites have the functional group of secondary NH2 at 3435.56 cm1, CH methyl at 2853.39 cm1, CH methylene at 2769.64 cm1 and CN imine at 1637.27 cm1. The LCMS-ESI analysis showed that the active metabolite has a molecular weight [M+H]+ 347.445 m/z which indicates the active metabolite has a molecular formula C23H29N3. The activity of metabolite compounds against PANC-1 cells showed cytotoxic activity under glucose starvation conditions with values IC50=10 μM, whereas no growth inhibition was observed up to 100 μM under the general culture conditions.