Chemical characteristics of dipterocarps resins for functional usage

Borneo’s tropical rain forest is dominated with Dipterocarps species that produce exudate, namely resin. The resins produced from Dipterocarps species such as Shorea laevis and Vatica rassak have not been widely used, and their chemical content is unknown. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical and chemical content of resins from S. laevis and V. rassak for further potential usages. Resins from S. laevis and V. rassak were obtained from injured trees in the Nature Tourism Area of Bukit Bangkirai, East Kalimantan. Tests were carried out in phytochemical testing (alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins) and GC-MS testing (active compound). Phytochemical test showed that V.rassak resin contained moderate concentrations of alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins, while, S. laevis resin was not contained alkaloids but it contained moderate concentrations of flavonoids and highest concentration of saponins. Tannins were not found in these two resins. Alkaloid contained in V. rassak was heavily used in medication as anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, anti-tumor, and etc. Flavonoid compounds found in V.rassak and S. laevis have phenol clusters that naturally function as antioxidants. Meanwhile, saponin of both resins were presumed to be useful as an antifilarial medicine, antioxidant and to bond pollutant. GC-MS test result showed that resin of S.laevis contained mostly of Humulane-1,6-dien-3-ol (31.52%). It was presumed to to be useful as a medicine for cholesterol, anti-inflammation, antioxidative, anti-fungi, anti-bacteria, sedation agent and anti-cancer. Meanwhile, GC-MS test result of V. rassak was contained mostly of Caryophyllene oxide (24.21%) that it presumed to be the cure for ache, a substance for sedation in anesthesia, anticancer, and also anti-inflammatory agent. Therefore, it can be concluded that the present study was thus expected to discover potential benefits that exist from chemical compounds contained in V.rassak and S.laevis resins for its advance functional usages.