Premna microphylla Turcz. (Potential as Food Ingredients and Its Bioactivity)

Premna microphylla Turcz is an introduced plant in Indonesia that is used as an ornamental plant, whereas in its country of origin (China) it has long been used as a food ingredient and traditional medicine. This study aims to explain its botany, nutrition and bioactivity as well as its secondary metabolites. The research method was carried out by studying literature obtained online, especially from Google Scholar using keywords such as P. microphylla, pectin of P. microphylla and bioactivity of P. microphylla. The information obtained was synthesized again so that it could explain the botany, bioactivity, and secondary metabolite content of P. microphylla. P. microphylla has a shrubby habitus with many branches, opposite leaves with serrated edges and berries. In traditional Chinese medicine, P. microphylla is used to treat infectious diseases such as dysentery, appendicitis, treating hemostasis, rheumatism, and dysentery. The use of P. microphylla as a traditional medicine is related to its bioactivity, including: antioxidants, antimicrobials, cytotoxics and sunscreens. The leaves of P. microphylla are rich in nutrients, including pectin (17.33 g/100 g), crude protein (14.85 g/100 g), vitamin C (8.14 mg/100 g). The bioactivity of P. microphylla to protect skin from ultraviolet rays is very potential to be developed in the beauty/cosmetics industry while its pectin is developed as in the gel-making industry.