Local Potential of Kabau (Archidendron bubalinum (Jack) I.C Nielsen): A Comprehensive Literature of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Learning Resources Potential

Erik Perdana Putra, Aceng Ruyani, Fitri April Yanti

Abstract


Kabau (Archidendron bubalinum (Jack) I.C. Nielsen) is a lesser-known legume native to Sumatra and surrounding regions that is widely used as food and traditional medicine, but its scientific and educational potential remains underexplored. This study presents a qualitative–descriptive literature review synthesizing ethnobotanical, phytochemical, pharmacological, and educational evidence on kabau, based on peer-reviewed national and international publications indexed in databases such as Scopus, PubMed, SpringerLink, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar. The review shows that kabau seeds and fruit pods contain diverse secondary metabolites, dominated by phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, fatty acids (e.g., linoleic and palmitic acids), and sulfur-containing amino acids related to djenkolic acid. These constituents underpin strong in vitro antioxidant activity and support preliminary evidence of antidiabetic, anti-hyperuricemic, and antimicrobial effects in enzyme-based assays and animal models. Ethnobotanical data from Bengkulu and other regions document kabau as a functional food, a remedy for metabolic and digestive disorders, and a component of local cultural identity. Drawing on this evidence, the article proposes a framework for integrating kabau into biology education as a contextual learning resource across topics such as plant morphology, ecology, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, health, and STEM-based inquiry. Integrating local biological resources like kabau is argued to promote scientific literacy, critical thinking, and sustainability awareness while strengthening students’ appreciation of local biodiversity. Further field, experimental, and design-based research is needed to standardize kabau-derived products and to evaluate their effectiveness and safety, as well as their impact on learning outcomes in science education.

Keywords


Archidendron bubalinum, Ethnobotany, Learning Resources Potential, Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses

Full Text:

PDF

References


Agustriani, R., & Widjajanti, H. (2024). Potensi ekstrak fungi endofit buah kabau (Archidendron bubalinum (Jack) I.C. Nielsen) sebagai antifungi Malassezia furfur ATCC 14521. Skripsi, Universitas Sriwijaya.

Benzie, I. F. F., & Strain, J. J. (1996). The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) as a measure of “antioxidant power”: The FRAP assay. Analytical Biochemistry, 239(1), 70–76.

Fanisah, K., Setiawan, I., Parlindungan, D., Karyadi, B., Defianti, A., & Yani, A. P. (2023). Identification of the diversity of medicinal plants used by Battra in North Bengkulu. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(10), 7969–7978. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i10.3876

Fathoni, A. S., Wulandari, R. A., & Santoso, E. (2020). The application of ethnobotany in education. International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 29(3), 6147–6156.

Fitria Ningrum, R., Sipriyadi, S., & Nursa’adah, E. (2021). Potensi pemanfaatan kulit buah kabau (Archidendron bubalinum) sebagai antifungi Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Biotropika: Journal of Tropical Biology, 9(2), 115–120. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.biotropika.2021.009.02.03

Hanafi, H., Irawan, C., Rochaeni, H., Sulistiawaty, L., Roziafanto, A. N., & Supriyono. (2018). Phytochemical screening, LC–MS studies and antidiabetic potential of methanol extracts of seed shells of Archidendron bubalinum (Jack) I.C. Nielson (Julang Jaling) from Lampung, Indonesia. Pharmacognosy Journal, 10(6), S77–S82. https://doi.org/10.5530/pj.2018.6s.15

Ifaya, M., Musfiroh, I., Sahidin, Susilawati, Y., Wilar, G., & Abdurrahman, S. (2021). Potential antidiabetic activities of fractions from purified extract of Lawsonia inermis leaves in alloxan–induced diabetic mice. International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics, 13(Special Issue 4), 89–94. https://doi.org/10.22159/IJAP.2021.V13S4.43824

Irawan, C., Foliatini, Hanafi, H., Sulistiawaty, L., & Sukiman, M. (2018). Volatile compound analysis using GC–MS, phytochemical screening and antioxidant activities of the husk of “Julang-jaling” (Archidendron bubalinum (Jack) I.C. Nielsen) from Lampung, Indonesia. Pharmacognosy Journal, 10(1), 92–98. https://doi.org/10.5530/pj.2018.1.17

Lim, T. K. (2012). Edible medicinal and non-medicinal plants (Vol. 1). Springer.

Liu, et al. (2020). Polyphenols as natural inhibitors of xanthine oxidase.

Liyana, N., Afar, J.’, Pui Teng, C., Syafiqa, N., Rosmi, A. M., Nur, S., Rambli, A., Shafie, N. H., Arapoc, D. J., & Bahari, H. (2019). Total antioxidant activity and enzymatic inhibition against alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase of irradiated Archidendron bubalinum. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 15(SP1), 2636–9346.

Milaturrahmah, N., Mardiyana, & Pramudya, I. (2017). Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) as mathematics learning approach in 21st century. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1868(1). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4995151

Mlozi, S. H., Mmongoyo, J. A., & Chacha, M. (2022). GC–MS analysis of bioactive phytochemicals from methanolic leaf and root extracts of Tephrosia vogelii. Scientific African, 16, e01255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01255

Nielsen, I. C. (1992). Flora Malesiana Series I–Spermatophyta. Flowering Plants Mimosaceae (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae), 11, 1–226.

NP-MRD. (2022). l-cysteine, S,S'-methylenebis- (djenkolic acid) – NP0247187. Natural Product Metabolites Reference Database.

Ong, H. C. (2015). Medicinal plants for diabetes by the Orang Asli in Selangor, Malaysia. Studies on Ethno-Medicine, 9(1), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/09735070.2015.11905423

Petrovska, B. B. (2012). Historical review of medicinal plants’ usage. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 6(11), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.95849

PubChem. (2023). Djenkolic acid (CID 68134). National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Rahman, I. U., Afzal, A., Iqbal, Z., Ijaz, F., Ali, N., Shah, M., Ullah, S., & Bussmann, R. W. (2019). Historical perspectives of ethnobotany. Clinics in Dermatology, 37(4), 382–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2018.03.018

Rahmawati, F., Kurniaty, L., & Bintang, M. (2020). Antioxidant potential and identification of active compounds on kabau seed (Archidendron bubalinum) flesh and husk extract. Jurnal Kimia Sains dan Aplikasi, 23(3), 83–88.

Ramirez, C. R. (2007). Ethnobotany and the loss of traditional knowledge in the 21st century. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 5, 241–244. https://doi.org/10.17348/era.5.0.241-244

Riana, E. N., et al. (2024, 2025). Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of kabau pod/seed extracts. BIO Web of Conferences; JIPI.

Riasari, H., Fauzi, N. I., Anggadiredja, K., Hartati, R., & Sukrasno. (2021). In vivo antidiabetic screening of kabau (Archidendron bubalinum). International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics, 13(4), 228–234. https://doi.org/10.22159/IJAP.2021.V13S4.43865

Riasari, H., Fitriansyah, S. N., Hartati, R., Anggadiredja, K., & Sukrasno. (2019). Comparison of extraction methods, antioxidant activities, total phenol in seeds and seed shells of kabau (Archidendron bubalinum (Jack) I.C. Nielsen) from Lampung and South Sumatra. Pharmacognosy Journal, 11(6), 1278–1284.

Sayuti, K., & Yenrina, R. (2015). Antioksidan alami dan sintetik. Andalas University Press.

Silalahi, M. (2015). Kajian ekologi tumbuhan obat di agrofores Desa Surung Mersada, Kabupaten Phakpak Bharat, Sumatera Utara. Jurnal Biologi Udayana, 19(2), 89–94.

Styani, E., Irawan, C., Hanafi, H., Sulistiawaty, L., & Imalia, I. (2018). Liquid Chromatograph – Mass Spectrophotometer and anti uric acid potential studies of ethyl acetat extract of Archidendron bubalinum (Jack) I.C. Nielsen fruit seed shell. 1 (ICST), 293–297. https://doi.org/10.2991/icst-18.2018.62

Styani, E., Hanafi, H., Sulistiawaty, L., Irawan, C., & Putri, I. D. (2018). Liquid chromatograph–mass spectrophotometer and anti uric acid potential studies of ethyl acetate extract of Archidendron bubalinum (Jack) I.C. Nielsen fruit seed shell. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Science and Technology (pp. 293–297).

Suwardi, A. B., Syamsuardi, Mukhtar, E., & Nurainas. (2023). The diversity and traditional knowledge of wild edible fruits in Bengkulu, Indonesia. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25. https://doi.org/10.32859/era.25.15.1-17

Teh, K. L., Wong, Y. Y., & Sit, N. W. (2022). Antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities and polyphenol content of the edible seeds of Archidendron bubalinum. In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Agricultural and Biological Sciences (ABS) (pp. 40–49). SciTePress. https://doi.org/10.5220/0011595600003430

Trilaksani, W. (2003). Peran asam lemak tidak jenuh terhadap kesehatan.

Wahidah, L. K., Suri, N., & Komalasari, R. A. (2018). Pengaruh ekstrak biji kabau (Archidendron bubalinum (Jack.) I.C. Nielsen) terhadap penurunan kadar gula darah mencit putih jantan diabetes yang diinduksi aloksan. Jurnal Farmasi Lampung, 7(1), 40–51.

West, I. C. (2000). Radicals and oxidative stress in diabetes. Diabetic Medicine, 17(3), 171–180.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29300/ijisedu.v6i2.10075

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2025 IJIS Edu : Indonesian Journal of Integrated Science Education

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

IJIS Edu: Indonesian Journal of Integrated Science Education
ijis.edu@mail.uinfasbengkulu.ac.id

 

Lantai 2 Fakultas Tarbiyah dan Tadris
Universitas Islam Negeri Fatmawati Sukarno Bengkulu
Jl. Raden Fatah Kel. Pagar Dewa Kec. Selebar Kota Bengkulu

 

  Creative Commons License
IJIS Edu : Indonesian Journal of Integrated Science Education This is published by UIN Fatmawati Sukarno Bengkulu and distributed with the permission below Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.