The characterization of Citrus sp. from Parang Island Karimunjawa based on morphological, DNA barcoding and nutritional analysis

Abstract

The Citrus sp. from Parang Island Karimunjawa is a wild type of Citrus plant that grow on salt area and exhibits a high level of vitamin C. Due to its ability, morphological, molecular and nutritional characterization needs to be carried out to improve its potential. The study was carried out at the Biotechnology Laboratory and the Integrated Laboratory of Diponegoro University from 2016 to 2017. The characterization was based on the morphplogical appearence of the tree, its fuits, and leaves. Its DNA barcoding consists of 18S ribosomal RNA and the ITS region on the plants is dispersed along the coastal ends and the centre of the island. Furthermore, the nutritional characterization consists of an edible fruit part, a high vitamin C level and protein content. The research showed that the Citrus sp. on the coastal ends and at the center of Parang Island Karimunjawa exhibits a close relation with the C. hystrix and members of Papeda clade. However, the morphology of the Citrus is quite different from the common C. hystrix in Indonesia. The nutritional content also shows that the Vitamin C content is higher than that of the C. hystrix by almost four times. The features of the Citrus sp. in Parang Island Karimunjawa have potential and showed possibility to improve its superiority in industrial applications and breeding programs.