This study was carried out to assess the availability of lesser known aquatic plant Neptunia oleracea Loureiro in Sibu Central native market throughout the year in order to determine the availability market price, edible part’s, i.e., weight, diameter, length and the composition of proximate and minerals content of N. oleracea. The bunch’s weight, number of individual shoot and their weight were significantly higher (p≤0.05) in April compared to October. N. oleracea was offered to customer in bunches of 106.91-149.41 g. Each individual young shoot varied in length, diameter and weight as 32.00-33.43 cm, 6.11-6.16 mm and 8.4-9.71 g, respectively. The proximate and mineral compositions of N. oleracea categorizing as moisture content > crude protein > crude fiber > ash > crude fat and K > P > Ca > Na > Mg > Mn > Zn > Cu, respectively. Moisture content was significantly higher in April (83.75±0.55%) and October (86.26±0.62%). However with respect to mineral content, calcium (348.00±14.93 and 381.42±9.00 mg/100g), phosphorous (395.67±26.50 and 405.92±43.67 mg/100g), copper (2.58±0.29 and 2.97±0.12 mg/100g) and Ca/P (0.88±0.09 and 0.95±0.11) were significantly lower in April than those observe in October (p≤0.05). Thus, the edible parts of N. oleracea provide good sources of crude protein, crude fiber, ash, calorie and mineral such as potassium.

Volatile organic compounds determine the aroma properties of durian, and it is an important factor in durian acceptance by consumers. However, limited information is devoted to volatile organic compounds and aroma in wild edible durians. Therefore, the present study aims to characterize and compare the volatile organic compounds and aroma properties of the indigenous wild edible durians from Sarawak, Borneo. Seven genotypes, namely Durio dulcis, Durio graveolens (yellow-fleshed), Durio graveolens (orange-fleshed), Durio graveolens (red-fleshed), Durio kutejensis, Durio oxleyanus, and Durio zibethinus were characterized in this study. Solid phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) was used to detect the volatile organic compounds, while the quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) method was used to characterize the aroma properties of wild edible durians. A total of 119 volatile organic compounds comprising alcohol, aldehyde, amine, ether, ester, ketone, nitrogen-containing, and sulfur-containing compounds were detected. Ester and alcohol compounds are the most predominant in the composition, especially D. graveolens (yellow- and orange-fleshed), and D. dulcis possessed three to nine times higher relative amount of ester compounds. PCA clearly classified the wild durians into different groups. Based on the QDA analysis, D. kutejensis has the mildest aroma among wild edible durians, while D. dulcis perceived a stronger sweet and grassy aroma. Partially Least Square (PLS) regression model analysis indicated a strong relationship between the volatile organic compounds and the aroma intensity perceived by the panelists. These findings could be the major component in the durian industry, paving the way for breeding efforts to create new cultivars that can improve consumers’ satisfaction.

By having large sources of fruits and vegetables, Sarawak, Malaysia has a remarkable diversity of flora. One of the underutilised local indigenous fruits in Sarawak that come from the Burseraceae family is Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum). Dabai is highly nutritious and rich in protein, fat, energy and carbohydrate. Hence, the oil extraction of nutritive dabai has become one of the interests in this review. The chemical characteristics of the extracted oils from both the dabai flesh and the kernel were discussed. A total of approximately 75 recognised species have been found mainly in Asia, the Pacific and tropical Africa. Later led to further investigation of the possible cholesterol-lowering agent due to its high antioxidant ability. The fruit is slightly triangular in the cross-section, ovoid to ellipsoid. It is also rich in phenolic compounds and vitamin E, such as γtocopherol. The review uncovered the potentials of the dabai as nutritious fruit with promising medicinal properties.

The uses of indigenous plants vary amongst native communities, from being consumed as vegetables, used as flavourings or added as an aromatic enhancer. However, records of their traditional use are sparse and most of the native knowledge on applications of these indigenous plants has not been passed down to later generations. The present study aims to record and identify communal knowledge from the Central Region of Sarawak with regards to the use of indigenous plants as food flavourings or aromatic enhancers. Face-to-face interviews with 150 respondents were conducted in a semi-structured manner to obtain the required information. A total of 27 plant species from 20 families were identified for their use by native people as food flavouring or aromatic enhancement. Zingiberaceae was found to be the most prevalent family of plants in this study with a representation of four species. Leaves were the part of the plants most commonly utilized by natives for flavouring purposes with 12 species being utilized in this manner. The mode of cooking varies within the community according to a preference for taste and aroma intensity as well as inherited oral knowledge passed down from older generations. This study recommends a full nutrient content analysis for the identified plant species shortly.

Passiflora quadrangularis L., also known as giant granadilla, belongs to the family Passifloraceae together with the well-known species Passiflora edulis Sims. This species has received attention from growers in recent years due to its aromatic flowers, unique and excellent fruit flavor and phytotherapeutic properties. Despite the numerous health benefits of this Passiflora species, information on their agronomical features and production is scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the reproductive biology and fruit setting of P. quadrangularis cultivated in Sarawak, Malaysia. The findings revealed that the giant granadilla was a steady-state species that produced flowers lasting for only one day. Passiflora quadrangularis started to produce flowers 3 months after transplantation, followed by fruiting two months after anthesis. In East Malaysia, the flowers started blooming at dawn (0625±0.17 hours) followed by anthesis at 0806±0.23 hours and remained open until sunset. In contrast to P. edulis which flowered all year round, this species only exhibited two peaks, with a minor peak recorded from January-March and a major peak from September-December, coinciding with warm temperatures and moderate rainy season. Good fruit yields were recorded which was attributed to the ability for self-pollination due to autogamy and geitonogamy, in addition to the presence of effective pollinators. The yearly production of P. quadrangularis, produced relatively larger fruit with weights ranging from 884.4-2892.7 g, was 20,151.36 kg ha-1 (8993 fruits). Detailed information on the reproductive behavior of P. quadrangularis growing in local climates can be used for commercial cultivation and future breeding studies.