QUALITY OF NATURAL DYE (TELENG FLOWER) AND DRAGON FRUIT FOR STAINING SQUASHED POLEN OF OROK-OROK FLOWER (CROTALARIA JUNCEA L.)

Abstrak

Synthetic dies, such as Aceto Orceine or Aniline Blue have been applied in the preparation of viable pollens. Synthetic dies are expensive as well as having carcinogenic properties. Therefore there is a need to explore organic mattes to replace such synthetic dies. The main aims of this research were to investigate whether or not extract of teleng flower and dragon fruits can be used as alternative dies to stain viable pollens, to assess the quality of preparations, and determine optimal concentration to produce best staining quality. This research was conducted in the period of June-October 2022, at the laboratory of plan structure and development, School of Biologi, Udayana University. Pollen squash method was applied on the stigma of orok-orok flower (Crotalaria Juncea L.). Two types of dies (extract of Clitoria Ternate L. and dragon fruit (Hylocereus Polyrizus) with concentrations of 50%, 75% and 100%, was applied in the preparation (5 replicated experiments). The results were documented under a microscope, and the pictures were validated by competent researchers. Analysis of the results consisted of quality (contract and clearness) and the best concentration to produce such best quality. The results showed that extract of teleng flower at 50%, 75% and 100% and dragon fruit produced light blue-drak blue and light purple, respectively. Concentration of 100% (both for teleng and dragon fruit extract) produced the best results on the preparation. Therefore both extract can be recommended as alternative dies to replace Aniline Blue and Aceto Orcein.