Moringa (Malunggay)

June 8, 2008-June 14, 2008

Scientifically known as Moringa oleifera, malunggay is a commonly cultivated vegetable tree with a number of medical, nutritional and economic uses. It grows chiefly in semiarid and tropical regions such as Africa, Sri Lanka, Middle East, South and Central America, Mexico, the Philippines, India and the foothills of the Himalayas. It can also grow in coastal areas wherein soil is of poor quality. Additionally, it is a fast-growing and drought-resistant tree.

Moringa is highly regarded in some parts of the world as a very useful plant. Almost all of its parts have certain beneficial properties. The leaves of moringa, is commonly used in cooking or as food for livestock. According to the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Philippine government, weight per weight, moringa's leaves have calcium equivalent to four glasses of milk, vitamin C equaling seven oranges, potassium of three bananas, thrice the iron of spinach, four times the vitamin A in carrots and twice the protein in milk. On the other hand, its immature green pods (also called “drumsticks”), seeds and flowers are also cooked and consumed. The roots are then used as a condiment yet, it is being discouraged by nutritionists for it contains spirochin, a potentially fatal alkaloid that paralyzes the nerves.

Aside from culinary purposes, moringa is also well-recognized medically. In India, its leaves are used in Siddha medicine. It is believed to have a capacity in treating erectile dysfunction in men and prolonging sexual activity in women. It is then used to cure open wounds. Other parts of moringa such as its bark, sap, roots, seeds, oil and flowers are also used in traditional medicine for treating rheumatism, venomous bites and other sorts of conditions.

Commercially, moringa is a raw material for producing the so-called ben oil. This oil can be used in cooking, cosmetics and lubrication. Various parts of moringa are also used as a fertilizer or flocculent for water purification or desalination of ocean saltwater. It is then recently discovered that moringa can become an alternative fuel source for it can be produced as a bio-fuel.

The propagation of moringa is encouraged by a number of countries to solve the problems of malnutrition and food scarcity.

Top 3 Moringa (Malunggay) Snapshots

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Kemp's Ridley

June 1, 2008-June 7, 2008

Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) is a species of sea turtle categorized by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) as critically endangered. Its name was taken from Richard Kemp, the first to send in a specimen of the species to Samuel Garman of Harvard University. It is also known as heartbreak turtle

Being the smallest sea turtle species in the world, Kemp’s ridley grows at a length of only less than a meter and an average weight of 45 kilograms. It has a triangular-shaped head with a somewhat hooked beak used to grab and break up crabs which are its common diet.

Kemp’s ridleys were once commonly found in Louisiana, New Jersey, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. But due to habitat loss, pollution and entanglement in fishing, they are now common in conservation areas. So far, countries such as Mexico and the United States are on their move to increase the number of Kemp’s ridleys once again. One of their preservation mechanisms is the introduction of TED (Turtle Excluder Device).

Top 3 Kemp’s Ridley Snapshots

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Malassezia furfur

May 25, 2008-May 31, 2008

このブログのポストは少し遅くて、済みませんね。

Malassezia furfur is a fungus (specifically, a lipophilic yeast) living on the skin of animals and about 90% of all humans. It highly requires a rich supply of fatty acids to stay alive. Its growth depends upon the skin’s sebum (an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands) production. If the skin secretes an excessive amount of sebum, it may result to its overabundance.

Malassezia furfur is responsible for the existence of various skin disorders such as Tinea versicolor (characterized by brown or dark skin patches on the skin), Pityriasis folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles) and seborrhoeic eczema. It also attacks the hair and causes dandruff. People living in hot, humid and tropical regions are the typical targets of this fungus.

The application of fungal creams, oral medications, and herbal treatments can reduce the number of Malassezia furfur.

Top 3 Malassezia furfur Snapshots

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Asian Arowana

May 18, 2008-May 24, 2008

Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) is a freshwater fish with several varieties living in blackwater rivers and slow-moving waters of Southeast Asia. It grows up to 90 centimeters or 35 inches in length. It is also known as dragon fish (derived from its resemblance to the mythical Chinese dragon) and Asian bonytongue.

Asian arowanas are mouthbrooders. It means that they are capable of caring their offsprings by holding them in their mouth for extended periods of time. Moreover, they are carnivorous fishes. They naturally feed on other fishes with much smaller sizes, crickets and other insects.

The varieties of Asian arowana can be distinguished mainly through color variations and geographical locations. The green-colored variety is commonly found in Indochina and Malaysia. The silver, super red and red-tailed golden varieties are found in specific locations in Indonesia while the blue Malayan is native to Malaysia. These varieties somehow are recognized by other taxonomists to belong in separate species.

Mostly because of Chinese cultural influences, the Asian arowana rose to become a highly popular aquatic fish to date. It is thought to bring luck just like what the Chinese dragon does. It is also believed to be capable of preserving its owner from death by dying itself. The Asian arowana then, together with water, indicates equilibrium of positive and negative energies (yin and yang energies) according to Feng Shui beliefs.

In the 2006 IUCN Red List, the Asian arowana is listed as an endangered species. The cause was probably due to its high value as an aquarium fish.

Top 3 Asian Arowana Snapshots

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Tawa-tawa

May 11, 2008-May 17, 2008

Tawa-tawa is a plant that is very endemic throughout the Philippines and its neighboring islands including Celebes, Borneo and New Guinea. It is an epiphytic orchid which is also known locally as gatas-gatas or mangagaw.

Tawa-tawa is traditionally recognized in the Philippines as a remedy to those who have dengue fever caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It does not fight the dengue virus. Instead, it only promotes the development of blood platelets and softens the effect of the virus which attacks the blood.

This customary belief was scientifically proven recently by researchers from Davao City, Philippines. They stated that tawa-tawa can help save lives of dengue fever patients. Based upon their findings, it has anti-viral and anti-bacterial components that can help cure even the stage four of the said dreaded disease.

On the other hand, in Ambon Island, Indonesia, a paste of the plant’s pseudobulb (storage organ derived from the part of a stem between two leaf nodes) is placed on sores or applied to the stomach to expel worms and malignant tumors. Moreover, the crushed tawa-tawa is used as a diet for dysentery.

The scientific name for tawa-tawa is Euphorbia hirta.

Top 3 Tawa-tawa Snapshots

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Black-capped Lory

May 4, 2008-May 10, 2008

The black-capped lory is VJ Czar World’s first Organism of the Week. Actually, I chose to feature this bird because of the fact that my family has got one as a pet. Ours is a male black-capped lory whom we call by the name “Kawan”. He was transported illegally from somewhere in Indonesia to the Philippines. Birds similar to Kawan as well as other exotic animals, are caught to be sold on pet shops. What a sad scenario…

Anyway, let’s move on to what I should say.

The black-capped lory is a kind of parrot which is native in the East Indies—from the island of Java in Indonesia through New Guinea. It is also found in the northern parts of Australia. This lory is also called as western black-capped lory and tricolored lory. Like most parrots, black-capped lories have very colorful plumage and relatively vigorous characteristics. Normally, they reach up to 12 inches in length and weigh about 30 to 300 grams.

Black-capped lories are commonly found in primary forests and forest edges in most lowland areas up to 1,000 meters, but not in monsoon forests or coconut plantations. They are usually in pairs and occasionally in groups of 10 or more. They feed on fruits, pollen, flowers and insects.

Taxonomically, it is known as Lorius lory. It has seven well-known subspecies which vary significantly in color. However, all of these subspecies possess green wings, red heads and body around the wing, a black cap, grey-black cere, yellow underwings, and blue legs and belly. A certain subspecies known as Lorius lory cyanuchen has been classified as endangered, with only 5,000 of them currently existing.

The black-capped lory may be kept as pets. It is certainly noisy yet very entertaining. It can also be taught to mimic sounds and speak short phrases and expressions.

Top 3 Black-capped Lory Snapshots

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