From Taxonomy to Biotechnology: A Bibliometric Review of Global Amorphophallus Research in the Context of Tropical Bioresources (1912–2025): Will be presented at Thursday 22 May 2025, 13.40 (GMT +7)

Wida Salupi; Meliyana  Aini; Luthfiana Nur  Tamara; Cecep  Suhardedi

Authors

Wida Salupi Lambung Mangkurat University, Indonesia Author
Meliyana Aini Lambu Mangkurat University, Indonesia Author
Luthfiana Nur Tamara Lambu Mangkurat University, Indonesia Author
Cecep Suhardedi Padjadjaran University, Indonesia Author

Abstract

The genus Amorphophallus, belonging to the family Araceae, constitutes an important element of tropical bioresources. Widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions—particularly within the Paleotropical zone extending from West Africa to Melanesia—this genus exhibits its highest taxonomic diversity in Southeast Asia. Over the past century, and especially within the last decade, Amorphophallus has attracted growing scholarly attention due to its considerable ecological, economic, and biotechnological potential. This study aims to assess global research productivity on Amorphophallus using a bibliometric approach, drawing on data retrieved from the Scopus database covering the period from 1912 to 2024. Bibliometric mapping and analysis were conducted using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny to explore research trends, author and institutional collaborations, geographical distributions, and the thematic evolution of the literature. The results reveal that Amorphophallus is not only significant in terms of taxonomy and ecology but also holds substantial promise across multiple applied domains. These include sustainable agriculture, food security (with its tubers serving as alternative carbohydrate sources), pharmaceuticals (notably due to bioactive compounds such as glucomannan), biotechnology, cosmetics, and bio-based industries. Furthermore, the genus plays a growing role in biodiversity conservation and in supporting local, resource-based economic development, particularly in the context of climate change and tropical land degradation. By providing a comprehensive visualization of the global research landscape on Amorphophallus, this study reconstructs its historical development and identifies emerging trends, while offering strategic insights to guide future research directions and the sustainable utilization of this genus as a valuable tropical bioresource through 2025 and beyond.