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Actinomycetes are known to be a source of natural products and drugs. Gordonia terrae, an actinomycete pigment producer, shows potential in producing pigment with antimicrobial activity. This study aims to determine the antimicrobial activity of the active pigment fraction produced by the actinomycete G. terrae, assess the effects of the active pigment fraction on microbial cells, and identify the types of compounds present in the fraction. The pigment extract exhibited antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. Specifically, it showed activity against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25293, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Furthermore, the study evaluated the antimicrobial activities of the active fractions, revealed the active fraction had better antimicrobial activity than the crude extract. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the active fraction of the pigment causes damage to B. subtilis ATCC 6633 cells, inhibits the formation of filaments in C. albicans ATCC 10231, and alters the normal shape of the cells. LC-MS/MS results showed that the active fraction contained several compounds known for their antimicrobial activity. Among the dominant compounds identified were cholestyramine, aminopregnane, and sphinganine. Thus, this study demonstrated that the orange pigment extract derived from G. terrae JSN1.9 exhibits promising antimicrobial activity.

Marker-assisted PCR has been considered as the most potential method for fragrant selection. RM223 is the only suitable marker to identify mutated badh2 gene of Pandan Wangi. This research applies RM223-assisted PCR in the introgression of fragrant gene (mutated badh2) of Pandan Wangi variety, to engineer non-transgenic fragrant variety with good agronomic traits as those of Ciherang. Gene introduction was carried out through site-directed crossing; Pandan Wangi was crossed and backcrossed to Ciherang until heterozygot BC5F1, followed by selfing to obtain homozygot BC5F2. RM223-assisted selection was conducted in each cross and backcross generation. RM223 was able to identify native, mutated and heterozygot badh2 of Ciherang, Pandan Wangi, and their cross/backcross progenies, respectively. Therefore, the introgression of mutated badh2 within progenies were observed, as well as the statues of badh2 gene (native/mutated) and alleles (homozygot/heterozygot). Further backcross and selfing to obtain BC5F2 is in progress