AntNest (Myrmecodia pendens) Extract as a Potential Immunomodulatory Agent and Functional Ingredient in Sugar Palm Fruit Jelly Candy

Fauzan Azima (Department of Food and Agricultural Product Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia)
Novizar Nazir (Department of Food and Agricultural Product Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia)
Diana Silvy (Department of Food and Agricultural Product Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia)
Desniarti Desniarti (Department of Agricultural Industry Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia)
Aksya Tiara Uswatun Hasanah (Department of Food and Agricultural Product Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia)
Arora Dianita (Department of Food and Agricultural Product Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia)
Muhammad Iqbal (Department of Food and Agricultural Product Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia)

AJARCDE (Asian Journal of Applied Research for Community Development and Empowerment)
Vol. 10 No. 3 (2026)

Ant nest (Myrmecodia pendens), a medicinal plant from Papua, Indonesia, contains antioxidant compounds, but its immunomodulatory activity and food applications remain understudied. This study evaluated its extracts in mice and sugar palm fruit jelly candy. Male mice received ethanol or aqueous extract at 400 mg/kg body weight or served as controls. Jelly candy formulations contained no extract, 2% ethanol, or aqueous extract. Both extracts significantly increased total leukocyte counts, macrophage activity, and phagocytic capacity compared with controls, without significantly affecting leukocyte differential profiles. Candy containing ethanol extract showed higher antioxidant activity (44.76%) and a lower total plate count (1.1 × 10? CFU/g), whereas the aqueous extract formulation achieved the highest taste acceptance (hedonic score: 4.45). These findings suggest preliminary immunomodulatory potential in mice and support further investigation of M. pendens as a functional food ingredient. The aqueous extract had greater taste acceptance, while the ethanol extract showed higher antioxidant activity, indicating a trade-off between functional properties and sensory acceptability. Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):SDG 2: Zero HungerSDG 3: Good Health and Well-BeingSDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure