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Ternate City, North Maluku Province is a producer of nutmeg. The nutmeg that is cultivated comes from smallholder plantations. So far, post-harvest handling is still traditionally with simple equipment and poor hygienic which results in low-quality nutmeg. Efforts to improve post-harvest handling need to be done to improve the quality and farmer’s income. The purpose of this activity is to provide knowledge on good post-harvest handling of nutmeg in Ternate. One of the phases of activity carried out is through a survey to farmers to identify the organoleptic properties of nutmeg, as well as testing the water and vitamin C content of the nutmeg. The test results show that the drying process is not optimal because the resulting water content does not meet Indonesian National Standard (SNI), which is above 10%. The content of vitamin C in the flesh is 22 mg. Meanwhile, the organoleptic properties found that the colour, flavour, and taste were the most preferred by the farmer in the mace, seed, and flesh, respectively. The results of this activity can provide information about the characteristics of nutmeg that have been produced by Ternate farmers as a recommendation for proper post-harvest handling of nutmeg.

This research aims to identify the characteristics of the agro-industrial business of Banda’s manufactured nutmeg pulp products and to analyze the income and feasibility of the agro-industrial business of Banda’s manufactured nutmeg pulp products. The results show that agroindustry is feasible to develop because the average value of ratio B-C is 1,8. The feasibility of investment analysis shows that the NVP value is Rp.2.569.750, the IRR value is 36,24%, the value of Ratio Net B/C is 1,8, and the payback period is 3,44. Based on the analysis of the factors that influence nutmeg agroindustry producer’s income rates, the factors include raw material prices, supporting material prices, production, labor wages, and working capital. The determination coefficient is 55,7, which means that the income rates are influenced by the variable of ages, the education levels, the number of family members, the business experiences, and the business capitals counted as 55,7 %. The rest 44, 3 %, is influenced by the other factors out of the model.

This study aims to determine the effect of roast time on the organoleptic characteristics of nutmeg tea. The experimental design carried out in this study was a randomized block design (RBD), which is arranged in a factorial consisting of 2 factors with three replications. The factor used was the roast time (S), which consisted of 4 levels, namely S1 (20 minutes), S2 (25 minutes), S3 (30 minutes), S4 (35 minutes), and part of the nutmeg (P) which consisted of 2 levels, namely P1 (fruit skin) and P2 (pulp) to obtain 24 experimental units. The response variables analyzed included organoleptic responses (color, taste, and flavour), both hedonic and hedonic quality. The results showed that the roast time, the nutmeg part, and the interaction between the two affected the color, taste, and flavour of both hedonic and hedonic quality. The nutmeg skin treatment and roasting time were 25 minutes; on average, the panellists responded to 3.96 (very like) color, 3.32 (like), flavour and 2.80 (like) taste hedonic. In hedonic quality, the treatment took 25 minutes, and the skin nutmeg, on average, the panellists responded to 3.35 color (tea-colored), 3.24 flavour (nutmeg flavor) and 2.56 taste (slightly nutmeg taste).

This study aims to determine and analyze the components of nutmeg cultivation at the farm level. The method used in the study was a survey method of plant cultivation. Sampling was done by using the multistage random sampling method. The area of reserach selected uses the pivate area startification. Each village was randomly sampled as many as 10 farmers, the total number of which was 20 sampled farmers. The results showed that farmers in Lonthor Village and Selamong Village, Banda Subdistrict, had not fully carried out intensive nutmeg cultivation that included land cultivation, seeding, fertilization, maintenance and post-harvest processing. This is because the existing nutmeg plants generally inherited from their parents so that it affects the decreased nutmeg production.

Today’s agricultural business is faced with various obstacles, and cannot be measured to what extent its competitiveness, while the conception of agricultural development that has competitiveness has not been described more operationally and implementable, so that there is a gap between the ideal conception and the actual field. This study activity aims to analyze the competitiveness of Nutmeg spice farming in terms of domestic resource use in Ternate City. Nutmeg farming in Ternate City has a competitive and comparative advantage, this is indicated by PCR and DRCR values that are smaller than 1 (one). The results of PAM analysis on nutmeg farming have no input transfers because they do not use foreign inputs. The NPCI value for all is below one (

This objective study to formulate and determine business strategies in an effort to develop SMEs Jus Pala Morella. With the abundance of nutmeg plantations in Leihitu District, especially in Morella Village, it is a good business opportunity to operate. There have been several types of the same business using products with the main ingredient being nutmeg, making the Tomasiwa Village Unit Cooperative as the main manager of the Jus Pala Morella products need to prepare careful planning to maintain market conditions. Canvas Business Model (CBM) is a tool that can be applied to restructure business planning. While the Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS) is the right business strategy in mapping out competition. The results showed that Jus Pala Morella needed to plan back its business, among others; 1) making derivatives from nutmeg juice such as jam 35.7% of the respondents are very necessary, 50.1% of the statements really need to be made, and 37.5% of the respondents stated that it is very necessary to produce nutmeg syrup; 2) variations in the taste of nutmeg juice, there are 42.9% of respondents stated that it really needs to be produced; 3) Ease of sales information must be reviewed, there are 75% of respondents stated that managers must provide sales information services, do not expect consumers to notify other potential customers; 4) Discounts of 28.6% of respondents stated that it is very necessary if the mass sales process (in large quantities). 5) 43.3% of respondents stated that they needed to make other packages such as glass bottles, and 6) Reduce the use of natural preservatives as many as 34.8% of respondents said it is very necessary. In addition, with the same competitors, the strategy that must be taken into account by Tomasiswa Village Unit Cooperative is to redesign the packaging and make variations in flavors according to those in CBM and BOS. Discount and drop shippers need to be considered.

Cultivation of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is running into several problems, one of these is caused by white root fungus (Rigidoporus lignosus) which causes losses to nutmeg farmers. This fungus is known to be controlled by biological control using microorganisms such as Penicillium sp. This research was conducted to determine the efficacy of application time of Penicillium sp. crude extract against white root fungus (Rigidoporus lignosus) in nutmeg plants. The design used in this study was a non-factorial completely randomized design with the main factor being the application time of Penicilllium sp. crude extract with 4 treatments. Each treatment on 7 replicates. Control without suspension application Penicillium sp. (PK0), Application of Penicillium sp. 7 days before inoculation of Rigidoporus lignosus (PK1), Application of suspension of Penicillium sp. concurrently with Rigidoporus lignosus (PK2) inoculation, Application of suspension of Penicillium sp. 7 days after Rigidoporus lignosus (PK3) inoculation. Total are 28 experimental units. In this case, the test plants used are 11 months old nutmeg. The research parameters consisted of the incubation period, disease incidence and attack intensity. The results showed that the treatment at one-time application of the suspension of Penicillium sp. Significantly affect the intensity of attacks and the incidence of infectious disease pathogens Rigidoporus lignosus. Application time for Penicillium sp. 7 days before the suspension of Rigidoporus lignosus is the best offer in the attack of Rigidoporus lignosus disease.

The hand is one of the pathways for spreading disease through bacterial contamination, so an antibacterial agent must be applied as a handwashing agent. A practical alternative to washing hands is to use an antiseptic gel. Nutmeg contains active compounds as antibacterial agents. This research aimed to obtain the most suitable formulation of nutmeg oil antiseptic gel as a hand sanitizer. Nutmeg oil antiseptic gel preparations were made in three different formulations with concentrations of 15% (F1), 20% (F2), and 25% (F3). The physical properties stability test of gel included freeze-thaw for stability test, pH, homogeneity, organoleptic, spreadability, and adhesion test. The results showed that the gel was white and had a peculiar smell of nutmeg, the gel form was semisolid, and the pH value was 6. Based on the freeze-thaw test, the preparation is stable in 3 cycles. The results of the spreadability and adhesion tests were influenced by differences in nutmeg oil concentration. That the nutmeg oil concentration of 25% (F3) was found to be the optimal formulation because it meets all the requirements for the physical properties of the gel.

Nutmeg is a prime estate commodity that has high economic value, a major source of income for farmers in some areas of Maluku as well as a source of Indonesian foreign exchange through export. Nutmeg is originally from Banda archipelago, Maluku, Indonesia. Nutmeg grows in specific areas with certain agroclimatic condition, therefore climate as an environmental factor plays an important role in nutmeg production. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of climate variables on the productivity of nutmeg in Saparua Island. The study was conducted in Saparua Island, Central Maluku Regency from April to October 2017. Survey method was used in this study. Three villages were chosen purposively since they are the center of nutmeg production on the island. Direct observations were done in the fields as well as interviewing key respondents. Statistical and climate data was obtained from related institutions. Rainfall trend was analyzed to determine climate change and regression analysis was done to see the relationship between climate variables (air temperature, air relative humidity and annual rainfall) with nutmeg production in the last 10 years. The result showed that there has been an increased in total rainfall of 374 mm (13.0%) in the study area in the period of the last 30 years (1987-2016) compared with the previous period (1957-1986) which indicates there has been climate change in Saparua island. The contribution of climate variables (air temperature, air relative humidity and rainfall) to nutmeg production were 45.52%; 37.13% and 55.12% respectively.

The Covid-19 pandemic has raised global awareness for boosting the body’s immune system through organic product utilization and complementary therapies. This condition encourages re-disclosure of local wisdom in herbal medicine applications which involves essential oils in disease prevention and treatment. This paper describes the local wisdom of various forest essential oils utilization, to identify the phytopharmaceutical content and potential for herbal medicine. The research was carried out through exploration and in-depth interviews with 30 local community respondents who applied essential oils in traditional medicine in Humbang Hasundutan, North Sumatra; and Singkil, Aceh in 2019. This review also explored various literature regarding phytopharmaceutical content and safety issues of various plants used in traditional medicine. The study results identified at least 17 essential oils as the main therapeutic agent, including Sumatran camphor(Dryobalanops aromatica),benzoin(Styrax sumatrana),nutmeg(Myristica fragrans),andaliman(Zanthoxylum acanthopodium),and lemo(Litsea cubeba).The essential oils are extracted from leaves, fruit, flowers, bark, stems, roots, and resin in various ways. Some of the main compounds identified include a-pinene, camphene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, and p-cymene. In aromatherapy applications, essential oils aroma has a relaxing effect and offers relief to a congested respiratory system. The essential oils can also relieve inflammation, irritation, insect bites, itching, rashes, sprains, and muscle aches in topical application. Local wisdom reveals essential oils utilization to treat indigestion, headaches, and insomnia. The compound 1,8 cineole is potential as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and antifungal, expectorant boosts the immune system and prospective for respiratory and blood vessels treatment.

New natural compounds that are effective against pathogenic and food spoilage microbes are needed, especially those that are resistant to conventional antimicrobial compounds. This study aimed to determine the composition and antimicrobial activity of patchouli, citronella, nutmeg essential oil and their mixtures against pathogenic and food spoilage microbes that is Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella sp, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. The antimicrobial activity test was carried out by using the disc diffusion method to determine the zone of inhibition. Citronella oil has higher antimicrobial activity in inhibiting the growth of Aspergillus niger, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, namely 38.28 mm, 26.22 mm and 16.21 mm, respectively. Meanwhile, for Shigella sp, patchouli oil is better able to inhibit the growth of Shigella sp, namely 6.80 mm. The combination of the mixture of citronella oil with patchouli oil and citronella oil with nutmeg oil can increase the inhibitory ability of patchouli oil and nutmeg oil respectively against the growth of Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Staphylococcus aureus. The sensitivity of pathogenic and food spoilage microbes tested against these three essential oils shows the potential for patchouli, citronella, and nutmeg essential oils to be used as natural preservatives in the food industry.

This study aimed to design the life cycle assessment (LCA) framework on two methods of the nutmeg syrup production process. The difference between those two ways based on how to eliminate tannin in nutmeg flesh, namely: using a salt solvent and albumin. There are three environmental impacts considered in the framework: gas emissions, noise levels, and human energy consumptions. Nutmeg syrup processing has a long process that each step consists of several activities which require resources, including humans, raw materials, water, energy, machine, and tools. The environmental impact needs to be measured for the sustainability of the industry. The stages carried out in this study, including field observations, data collections, establishing LCA framework based on ISO 14044 involving defining goal and scope, identifying inventory analysis, assessing environmental impacts, recommendations for reducing environmental impacts. This LCA framework can be used as the basic to carry out LCA on nutmeg syrup production. A decision-maker can use that LCA result to choose the best production process to reduce environmental impact so they can produce an environmentally sustainable industry.

Nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans) is Indonesian native tree species originating from Maluku Island, especially Ambon and Banda. The spread of nutmeg in Bogor area can be traced back to the Dutch colonial period when different kinds of spices were traded across the Indonesian archipelago and beyond. Having this long history, nutmeg is now widely used in Bogor’s culinary. At the national level, it has high economic value and become one of Indonesia’s main export products. However, there is little research on nutmeg tree spatial distribution. The objectives of the study were : (1) identify the nutmeg trees spatial distribution in Bogor city (2) mapping the existence and identification of nutmeg trees conditions and growing environment. This research was conducted Bogor City from February - May 2018. The data was obtained through direct interview, study field, and study literature. Data collection is determined based on the distribution of nutmeg trees in Bogor City, and extinct status based on study literature. Furtehermore, the existence of nutmeg trees in Bogor collected used purposive and snowball technique. The results showed that a total of 108 nutmeg trees were found in all sub-districts of Bogor city. These trees grow in a variety of areas such as green corridor, public park, agriculture farm, riverbanks, yard, office park, and cemetery. The results of this study can be used as the basis for determining the preservation strategy and area for nutmeg conservation in Bogor city.

Determination of the main chemical content of nutmeg oleoresin is usually carried out by the GCMS method that time-consuming and expensive. It is required a faster and cheaper method for the determination of chemical contents of nutmeg oleoresin. The purpose of this study was to estimate the main chemical composition of Banda nutmeg oleoresin by NIR Spectroscopy. Transflectance of nutmeg oleoresin were measured by the NIR spectrometer. The samples were then subjected to composition analysis using GCMS. The transflectance spectra were processed using some data pretreatments, and the calibration between transflectance and chemical composition were carried out by using Partial Least Square (PLS) and Principle Component Regression (PCR) method. The best estimation for myristicin by NIRS was obtained using original spectra and 3 factors of PLS ( r=0.95, SEC=1.56%, SEP=1.71%, CV=10.18%, RPD = 2.60, and consistency of 91%). The best estimation by NIRS for myristic acid was also obtained using original spectra and 5 factors of PLS ( r=0.95, SEC=3.94%, SEP=3.82%, CV=32.47%, RPD = 2.75, and consistency of 103%). Whereas for safrole was obtained by using data pre-treatment of de-trending and 7 factors of PLS (r = 0.98, SEC=0.08%, SEP = 0.10%, CV =10.87%, RPD = 3.82, and consistency of 82%).

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) is one of the most potential plantation commodities in Indonesia. Among the locations of nutmeg production is in South Aceh, and most of them are smallholder plantations. The highly fluctuation in nutmeg productivity has pushed some farmers to change their plantation type to polyculture, although the others still maintain the plantations in monoculture type. The difference of plantation type is estimated to affect toward the ecosystem composition, including the composition of insects potentially as a pest in nutmeg. This study aims to determine the diversity of insects that have the potential as pests in both types of nutmeg plantations. This research was conducted on nutmeg plantations in Samadua and Meukek Sub Districts, South Aceh District. Insect collection was carried out by using light trap, pit fall trap, and yellow pan trap. Identification of the insects order was carried out at the Laboratory of Agriculture Faculty Teuku Umar University. The results of the data analysis showed that both types of nutmeg plantations had moderate pest insect diversity levels, diversity index in monoculture plantation 1.39 and polyculture plantation 1.8, respectively, where no group of orders dominated. There are 5 orders of insects known to have potential as pest insects in monoculture plantations, while in polyculture plantations are 6 orders and 2 orders of insects as vectors of plant diseases.

This research aims to analyze the value chain activities in nutmeg commodity and see how the market structure that occurs in nutmeg marketing in South Aceh Regency. The research method uses a survey method by sampling farmers with a simple random sampling while the level of marketing institutions with snowball sampling techniques. Based on the research results, it is known that the actors involved in the nutmeg commodity value chain are farmers, village collectors, sub-district traders, refiners, home industries, banks, agricultural extension centers and plantation offices. While the market structure formed is the Oligopsoni market structure.

This article tries to find natural resources that can be developed into a business industry and able to improve the welfare of local communities. Taking place in South Aceh, this article examines superior commodities that can be used as business opportunities both by farmers, entrepreneurs and surrounding communities. The commodity discussed is nutmeg. In general, this article presents information on the use of nutmeg and its application in life, alludes to some of the problems faced by farmers, presents several nutmeg industries that are already in particular in South Aceh, informs nutmeg demand on international markets and the unique nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) geography and some nutmeg derivative products.

Indonesia’s export of nutmeg to Europe decreases in recent years due to aflatoxins contamination. The study aimed to evaluate four methods of drying nutmeg. The drying methods tested were a fiber-house type with a solar energy source, a hot-box type equipped with a fan heater, drying on bamboo trays. The unshelled nutmeg seeds were dried until vibrated if shaken and shelled. The temperature, humidity, moisture, oil and aflatoxins contents were analysed. The fiber-house and the electric hot-box types dried the seeds faster (2-3 days) compared with the traditional rack methods either uncovered (6-7 days) or covered (5-6 days). The moisture content of the dried seeds was

Nutmeg has been acknowledged as one of the spices that originally grown in Indonesia, namely from the Moluccas Islands. The power of values of that spice had drawn almost all nations all over the world to come to the Moluccas. In fact, Indonesian colonisation by the Western countries had closely related with the geo-climatically rich spices biodiversity’s advantages on the one hand and the weakness of knowledge, technology, political, as well as military power on the other hand. So, the world has shown the path that Indonesia that rich in economic values of spices remains as a poor country. Since the year of 1700s the value of spices in the world economy had declined dramatically relative to their roles in the period, for example in the 1600s. In recent development, however, there is an increasing trend of import of spices in general and nutmeg in particular by developed countries. History taught us that the high demand for nutmeg or spices does not necessarily has direct causality with the increasing welfare of farmers or growers of that crops in Indonesia. This article explores the potential opportunities for both increasing Indonesia farmers’ welfare and the consumer countries’s welfare as well.

Fakfak nutmeg is also known as Papua Nutmeg, and has become one of the main income sources of local communities in Fakfak and Kaimana Districts. It produces butter nutmeg, a fat derived from the seed used in perfumery and soaps. It grows wild or semi cultivation, so the productivity is generally low. To improve productivity, it is necessary to use planting materials derived from high productive trees. The study was aimed to identify nutmeg trees with high yield, good quality of fruit, seeds and essential oils. The study was undertaken in eight locations of Fakfak district. Mother trees selection were carried out during 2013-2015. About 136 mother trees have been selected with average fruit yield 2275 ± 340 fruits tree−1 and have bigger fruit and seed compared with original population. The average fruit weight 106 ± 9.6 g, fruit length 7.26 ± 0.54 cm, seed weight 13.52 ± 1.44 g, seed length 3.81 ± 0.34 cm, and mace weight > 2 g. Essential oil content of mature seeds and mace was considered low ( 20%) than standard.

Leaf soft rot symptom has been found in nutmeg germplasm collection of Indonesian Spices and Medicinal Crop Research Institute (ISMCRI), Sukabumi, West Java. The research was aimed to identify a causal agent of leaf soft rot disease and the effectiveness assay of fungicides on colonies growth. Based on morphological observations, Phytophthora was found consistently from the infected leaf samples and the fungus characteristic was identic to Phytophthora palmivora. Host range test showed the ability of the fungus to infect pepper and rubber plants. The effect of temperature on fungal growth was tested by planting the fungus on Carrot Agar Medium (CAM), and incubated at 25°C, 28°C, 31°C and 34°C. The efficacy of propineb and mancozeb on inhibiting the growth of fungal colonies was tested by food poisoning technique. Koch’s postulate test showed that the first soft rot symptom on the inoculated leaves appeared on the second day and the infected leaves began to fall on the fourth day after inoculation. The optimum temperature for the fungus to grow is 28°C. The result of the efficacy test showed that mancozeb was more suppressing the growth of the Phytophthora than propineb

Nutmeg is a popular spice and important commodity that has been recognized by world market. One of the problems during post-harvest handling of nutmeg is quality of the product, particularly: non-uniform quality, damage and contaminated by aflatoxin. This is caused by poor postharvest handling and the products were sorted traditionally. This study performed a computer vision system to sort or to classify quality of the nutmeg based on Indonesian national standard (SNI). In this paper, discriminant analysis and multilayer perceptron (MLP) are implemented to design an automatic classifier of the nutmeg quality. A number of 150 nutmegs are captured by using charge couple device camera. The models are then trained via the data of 124 nutmegs, and their accuracy is tested through the data of 26 nutmegs. Some visual features (texture, shape, and color) of each nutmeg are extracted by using image processing techniques. The results point out that, our proposed grading system could classify nutmeg based on the SNI accurately.

Papua nutmeg (Myristica argantea Warb) is indigenous of Fakfak, West Papua. The use of Papua nutmeg is still traditional, i.e. dried fruit, seed, and mace. The seed of Papua nutmeg contains a lipid that could be developed as an emulsifier such as monodiacylgycerol (MDAG). The study aimed to investigate the synthesis of MDAG from Papua nutmeg seed oil and its bioactivity against Staphylococcus aureus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Approximately 13 treatments were conducted to optimize the synthesis of MDGA based on the Central Composite Design of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The parameters evaluated were temperature and reaction time. The result showed that the optimal temperature and reaction time for MDAG production were 42°C and 17 hours which produced 35% and its purity was 93%. The MDAG produced inhibited S. aureus and S. cerevisiae at the concentration 25 mg/ml. The chemical properties of MDAG from the Papua nutmeg contained monoacylglyserol (MAG) (23.35%), diacylglycerol (DAG) (1.87%), and triacylglycerol (TAG) (5.37%), as well as other fatty acids. Physicochemically, the MDAG had a melting point 53.554 °C, iod value 17.34, peroxide value 47.25 meq/1000 g, and purity 93.3%.

Nutmeg seed is an herb containing antimicrobial compounds and can be applied as an antimicrobial on foodstuffs. This study was aimed to know antimicrobial compounds of nutmeg seed extracting in water, methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane. Assay on the extract to inhibit pathogenic microbes (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus) was conducted using dilution method. Phytochemical test was conducted to know the extract compounds. Minimum Inhibitor Concentration (MIC) test was measured to know minimum concentration of the extract to be applied in tempeh sausage. The results showed that nutmeg seed extract contained alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, tannins and phenolics. Methanol extract was shown to have higher inhibition to the tested microbes compared to the other extracts. Minimum Inhibitor concentration (MIC) occurred at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.25% of nutmeg seed extract on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Nutmeg seed extract added on the tempeh sausage was able to reduce total microbial cell up to 5 days of storage compared to that of the control, i.e. 561x104 CFU/g for control, 61x104 CFU/g for 0,1% nutmeg seed extract and 54x104 CFU/g for 0,25% nutmeg seed extract.

The experiment was conducted to investigate the adaptive grasses Pennisetum purpureum and Panicum maximum growing under shading coconut (Cocosnucifera L.), nutmeg (Myristicafragrans) and clove (Eugenia aromaticum) plantation canopy. Two spesies of tropical grasses Pennisetum purpureum and Panicum maximum were cultivated for 40 days at Jambula, Ternate, Maluku Utara, Indonesia. The parameters of research were nutrient quality and in vitro digestible of each grass. Data were analyzed using factorial adn for the significant differences were futher testes by Least Significant Different (LSD).Shade from control, coconut, nutmeg and clove plantation canopy each of which is 0, 38, 78, and 83%. The result showed that Panicum maximum chemical composition and in vitro digestible was better than Pennisetum purpureum. It can be recommended that Panicum maximum is persistent spesies, and has a good productivity for a long periode of time under shading in plantation.

The agroforestry system in land management has been carried out traditionally by societies in Moluccas. The practice is known as dusung, and includes the cultivation of nutmeg trees. Farmers face a number of problems, one of which is a system of debt bondage that inflicts financial loss upon the farmers. This study aims to explain the involvement of farmers with debt bondage system, namely the tree mortgage system (TMS). This research uses a case study approach, with the collection of interviews and participant conservation data. The data is analysed using principal agent theory. The results showed that nutmeg farmers (principal) have a risk when debt bondage (agent) denies an agreement/moral hazard or acts out an agreement. This occurs when agent exploits the access of information and nutmeg marketing prospects, which makes the position of farmers weak and disadvantaged. Improving contracts for TMS and local institutional strengthening is necessary, as it can improve the bargaining position of nutmeg farmers and encourage the preservation of forest resources through sustainable management of nutmeg dusung.

Traditional practice of nutmeg sun-drying causes some fungi such as Aspergillus flavus to grow. One of the secondary metabolites of A. flavus named aflatoxin (AFs) is known to be carcinogenic, so the dried nutmeg kernel must be aflatoxin-free in the trading. Aflatoxin detection requires time and costly, make it difficult to conduct at the farmers level. This study aims to develop a simple and low-cost method to detect aflatoxin at the farmer level. Fresh nutmeg seeds were dried in two ways; sundried everyday (continuous), and sundried every two days (intermittent), both for around 18 days. The dried nutmeg seeds are then stored in a rice sack under normal conditions until the fungi grow, then they were opened and the images of kernels were captured using a CCD camera, with normal light and UV light sources. Visual observation on images captured in normal light source was able to detect the presence of fungi on dried kernels, by 28.0% for continuous and 26.2% for intermittent sun-drying. Visual observation on images captured in UV light source was able to detect the presence of aflatoxin on dried kernels, indicated by blue luminance on kernel, by 10.4% and 13.4% for continuous and intermittent sun-drying.

Sex information in nutmeg plant is important to distinguish between male and female species. The recommendation of optimum sex-ratio for a nutmeg plantation is 1:10. This research is aimed to discover the morphological characteristic of nutmeg plant and the difference of leaf pattern as sexual determinant between male and female plant with the comparison of isozyme analysis. The result of morphological identification provided from 3 research farm location indicated that female nutmeg was higher, with longer and wider leaf, more vein, bigger diameter of stem and branching angle as compared to male nutmeg. Two parameters which were widht of leaf and branching angle showed significant differences, where female nutmeg plants have wider leaves and branching angle. Isozyme analysis suggested that the analysis of peroxidase enzyme (PER) was better and able to provide more information than aspartarte amino transferase (AAT) and acid phospatase (ACP) Enzymes.