In Silico Study: Evaluation of the Potential of Turmeric Extract Curcumin as an Inhibitor Agent of Ganoderma boninense to Mitigate the Decline in CPO Production in Indonesia

Marco Steven Nugroho; Danendra Daryl Abhinaya; Lintang Valensita; Sheefa Indri Febriana; Muhamad Arif Fauzan

doi:10.21009/risenologi.102.06

Authors

Marco Steven Nugroho Universitas Diponegoro
Danendra Daryl Abhinaya Universitas Diponegoro
Lintang Valensita Universitas Diponegoro
Sheefa Indri Febriana Universitas Diponegoro
Muhamad Arif Fauzan Universitas Diponegoro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21009/risenologi.102.06

Keywords:

Hexaconazole, Enzyme, Environmentally Friendly

Abstract

Oil palm is a strategic commodity for Indonesia, contributing up to 56% of global Crude Palm Oil (CPO) exports since 2020. However, Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease caused by Ganoderma boninense remains a major threat, with potential economic losses estimated at USD 50–350 million annually. The synthetic fungicide hexaconazole has long been applied for control, but it poses risks of soil toxicity and disruption of the nitrogen cycle. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of curcumin as a natural fungicidal agent through an in silico approach. Three target enzymes, namely laccase, manganese peroxidase, and lignin peroxidase, were analyzed using molecular docking. Protein structures were retrieved from RCSB PDB, while the curcumin ligand was obtained from PubChem. Molecular preparation was performed with BIOVIA Discovery Studio, docking with PyRx, and visualization with PyMOL. Results showed binding affinities of −6.53, −9.17, and −9.00 kcal/mol, respectively, with valid RMSD values (lower <2; upper <5), indicating stable interactions at the protein active sites. These findings suggest that curcumin has strong potential as an eco-friendly inhibitor of G. boninense and may serve as a natural alternative to hexaconazole for BSR management in oil palm.

ABSTRAK

Kelapa sawit merupakan komoditas strategis Indonesia yang sejak 2020 mendominasi 56% ekspor global Crude Palm Oil (CPO). Namun, penyakit Basal Stem Rot (BSR) akibat infeksi Ganoderma boninense masih menjadi ancaman utama dengan potensi kerugian 50–350 juta USD per tahun. Fungisida sintetis hexaconazole telah lama digunakan, tetapi berisiko menimbulkan toksisitas tanah dan mengganggu siklus nitrogen. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengevaluasi potensi kurkumin sebagai agen fungisida alami melalui pendekatan in silico. Tiga enzim target, yaitu lakase, mangan peroksidase, dan lignin peroksidase, dianalisis menggunakan metode molecular docking dengan struktur protein dari RCSB PDB dan ligan kurkumin dari PubChem. Preparasi molekul dilakukan dengan BIOVIA Discovery Studio, penambatan menggunakan PyRx, sedangkan hasil visualisasi dianalisis melalui PyMOL. Hasil menunjukkan binding affinity kurkumin masing-masing sebesar −6,53; −9,17; dan −9,00 kkal/mol dengan nilai RMSD valid (lower <2; upper <5), yang mengindikasikan ikatan stabil pada sisi aktif protein. Dengan demikian, kurkumin terbukti berpotensi sebagai inhibitor G. boninense yang ramah lingkungan dan dapat menjadi alternatif pengganti hexaconazole untuk pengendalian BSR pada kelapa sawit.

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