The Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Biology UGM) continues to strengthen its international research network through a joint research program with Leiden University, the Netherlands. Dany Lesmana Hakim, a doctoral student from the faculty, had the opportunity to participate in collaborative research at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center and the Hortus Botanicus Leiden from Oct. 7 to 19, 2025.
The program is part of the ongoing cooperation between Biology UGM and Leiden University, supported by the UGM Directorate of Global Relations and the INUCoST 2025–2027 program.
Hakim’s visit, initiated by his dissertation supervisor Professor Budi Setiadi Daryono, focused on studying the nutmeg plant (Myristica fragrans Houtt).
His research compares various nutmeg species from Sulawesi, Ambon, and Maluku by examining their morphology, biochemical composition, and genetic variation using the Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) molecular marker.
His interest in studying nutmeg stems from its historical significance as a commodity that once symbolized Indonesia’s colonial trade.
“I see nutmeg as a potential leading export commodity and a promising raw material for pharmaceuticals,” he said on Monday (Oct. 27).
During his time in Leiden, Hakim observed herbarium specimens of nutmeg from Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
The specimens are systematically stored in the CoLa4 (Collection Lab, 4th floor) according to genus, species, and place of origin. He conducted detailed physical observations to compare morphological differences among populations.
“These collections serve as important reference materials for my dissertation research, which I will compare with fresh samples from Indonesia,” he explained.
Hakim noted the meticulous collection management system in the Netherlands, which greatly facilitates researchers in locating the specimens they need. This, he said, could serve as valuable input for improving herbarium management practices in Indonesia.
He also visited the Hortus Botanicus Leiden, the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands, which was established in 1590.
The garden houses more than 4,000 plant species, including nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) from Indonesia, the giant corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum), and various rare orchid species.
During his visit, he met with his co-supervisor, Professor Paul Kessler, to observe the tropical plant collections in the greenhouse firsthand.
At Naturalis, Hakim also had the opportunity to meet Brigitta de Wilde, an expert on the Myristicaceae family. They had an insightful discussion about his dissertation research.
De Wilde presented him with a book titled Flora Malesiana – Myristicaceae Series I Seed Plants, co-authored with her husband, Willem J.J.O. de Wilde, which is expected to support Hakim’s study.
In the coming months, he and several experts from Leiden University, including Professor Paul Kessler and Dr. Roderick Wiebe Bouman, plan to conduct a spice survey in Indonesia.
The research aims for publication in a reputable Scopus-indexed journal, covering three main aspects: biochemical content, genetic characteristics, and morphology of nutmeg plants.
“This research not only strengthens academic collaboration but also opens opportunities for other Indonesian researchers, including those from BRIN, to participate in further studies on the genetic potential of Indonesia’s spices,” he concluded.
Author: Ika Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Salma
Photographs: Shutterstock and Dany Lesmana Hakim