Allicin or diallyl thiosulfinate (C3H5SS(O)C3H5), an active compound of garlic (Allium sativum) is known for its pharmaceutical properties. In this study, the cellular destructive effects of allicin on a haemoflagellate protozoa parasite Trypanosoma evansi was investigated. Groups of male ICR mice were infected with a lethal dose of the parasite (1×105 parasites per mouse) and each group was either treated intraperitoneally with berenil (0.01 mL per mouse, a commercial anti-trypanosomal drug) on D+3 post-infection as the positive control group, treated orally with allicin (0.1 mL of 15 μg/mL allicin solution per mouse) for 30 days starting from D-7 pre-infection as the experimental group, or left untreated as the negative control group. Thin-stained blood smears were prepared from each mouse every alternate day, starting from D+3 post-infection and continued until the animal succumbed or until D+90 post-infection. Parasitaemias were determined using light microscope. Unstained blood smears were also prepared for direct observation under Phillips XL30 and Leo 1450VP scanning electron microscopes. All mice in the negative group succumbed to the infection with drastic increase of parasitaemias while all the positive control mice had minimal parasitaemias and cleared from the infection and survived for more than 100 days. On the other hand mice in the experimental group, experienced a prolonged suppressed parasitaemias which became patent later and caused death to all mice. Micrograph observations of parasites in the positive group showed that the parasites had adverse morphological changes due to berenil treatment which lead to cell destruction and death within 5 – 6 hours post-treatment. Likewise parasites in the experimental group too had undergone profound physical damages which caused cell death. This is the first report which shows that allicin actually induced cellular damage to haemoflagellate cells of T. evansi in vivo.
A bioengineering technique is gradually being used as an alternative for slope stabilisation design. The effect of vegetation on soil strength, particularly in terms of root reinforcement aspects has therefore become a major interest. However, there is a lack of documentation on the root mechanical properties available especially in Malaysia. In this study, both pull-out and tensile strength of two tropical trees namely Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia mangium were investigated on different stem sizes. L. leucocephala performs the higher pullout strength than A. mangium. The results also show that pullout resistance is much affected by the root than the shoot profiles. In terms of tensile strength, the tensile strength decreases with increasing root diameter, implying the finer root diameter contribute to the higher tensile strength. In both parameters, L. leucocephala exhibits the highest value. The study suggests that L. leucocephala has an added value as a good potential slope plant for slope stabilization work as it exhibits outstanding root mechanical properties. Interestingly, the results also showed that the pullout force was much affected by the tensile strength. It can be concluded that some root and shoot properties do have a great impact on root mechanical properties such as tensile and pullout strengths.
Parameter mekanik seperti nisbah Poisson merupakan parameter input kejuruteraan batuan terutamanya dalam perisian komputer model berangka. Kaedah seismos digunakan untuk menentukan nisbah Poisson jasad batuan segar (gred I), terluluhawa sedikit (gred II), terluluhawa sederhana (gred III) dan tinggi (gred IV). Nisbah Poisson setiap lapisan jasad batuan dikira berdasarkan nilai purata halaju gelombang mampatan (Vp) dan gelombang ricih (Vs) pada kedalaman tertentu. Halaju gelombang mampatan (Vp) diperoleh daripada survei seismos biasan dan halaju gelombang ricih (Vs) diperoleh daripada survei analisis spektral gelombang permukaan (SASW) atau analisis gelombang permukaan berbilang saluran (MASW). Sebanyak 66 ujian seismos telah dijalankan pada 9 cerun jasad batuan iaitu 6 ujian di atas 1 cerun jasad batuan granit di JKR kuari Bukit Penggorak, Kuantan, Pahang; 26 ujian di atas 4 cerun jasad batuan granit di Kuari Kajang Rock, Semenyih, Ulu Langat, Selangor; 12 ujian di atas 1 cerun jasad batuan granit di Lebuhraya Silk Kajang (km 14.6) Selangor; 14 ujian di atas 2 cerun jasad batuan syis di Jalan Kuala Kubu Baru-Bukit Fraser (km 15), Selangor dan 8 ujian di atas 1 cerun jasad batuan kuarzit di Section U10, Bukit Cherakah, Shah Alam, Selangor. Daripada ujian seismos, nilai maksimum nisbah Poisson jasad batuan yang bergred I, II, III dan IV ialah 0.295, 0.335, 0.355 dan 0.364. Nilai minimum nisbah Poisson jasad batuan yang mempunyai gred I, II, III dan IV ialah 0.215, 0.299, 0.334 dan 0.337. Nilai purata nisbah Poisson untuk jasad batuan bergred I, II, III dan IV ialah 0.274, 0.320, 0.345 dan 0.345. Nilai nisbah Poisson jasad batuan menjadi semakin besar apabila gred terluluhawa menjadi semakin besar. Nilai purata nisbah Poisson jasad batuan gred II, III dan IV bertambah sebanyak 16.8%, 25.9% dan 25.9% jika dibandingkan dengan jasad batuan gred I. Keadaan ini berlaku kerana perubahan retakan pada jasad batuan gred I adalah lebih besar apabila mengalami proses terluluhawa. Perubahan retakan menjadi semakin kecil apabila mengalami proses terluluhawa seterusnya. Tiada perubahan retakan berlaku pada jasad batuan gred III apabila menjadi jasad batuan gred IV.
This paper describes the effect of pro-degradant additives (PDA) on photo-oxidative aging of polypropylene (PP) films after being time accelerated in UV-weathering chamber. Thin films (0.12 mm) containing these additives were prepared by sheeting process. The effect of UV on PP films in the presence of these additives was investigated. Changes in the PP films appearance, tensile properties and carbonyl index (CI) were used to investigate the degradation behavior. The films became completely pulverised after 100 h of photo-oxidative treatment and could not be tested further. Films containing PDA showed rapid loss in tensile properties within 100 h of photo-oxidative aging. In addition, the CI results of photo-oxidative films increased with increasing PDA amount within the time interval of aging and the activity was due to the mechanism reaction of PP with PDA particles. During the aging process the material becomes denser due to tighter packing and incorporation of oxygen into the amorphous regions of the polymer. The results indicated that the presence of PDA contributed to the photo degradation and the activity was very much influenced by the amount PDA.
MeSH terms: Mass Media; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxygen; Polymers; Polypropylenes; Time Perception; Oxidative Stress
A new heterocyclic coupling agent has been produced from the reaction of maleic anhydride and p-aminophenol, namely N-(4-hydroxylpheneyl)maleimide. The coupling agent underwent azo coupling reaction with aromatic amine, which is p-aminophenol to produce a new heterocyclic azo pigment. The pigment was then subjected to solubility, hiding power and light fastness test. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet/Visible (UV/Vis) Spectroscopy, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR) were used to obtain the characteristics and structural features of the pigment.
MeSH terms: Aminophenols; Maleic Anhydrides; Maleimides; Solubility; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Carbon-13 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Surface modification of rice husk (RH) with alkali pre-treatment (NaOH solution 5% w/v) was carried out at the initial state to investigate the effect of surface treatment of fibre on the surface interaction between fibre and rubber. Further modification of RH surfaces after alkali treatment was using Liquid Epoxidized Natural Rubber (LENR) coating at three concentrations, 5%, 10%, and 20% wt LENR solution in toluene. Interfacial morphology and chemical reactions between RH fibre and rubber were analyzed by FTIR and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It was found that 10% wt LENR solution gave the optimum interaction between fibre and rubber. Matrix and composite blends derived from 60% natural rubber (NR), 40% high density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with RH fibre were prepared using an internal mixer (Brabender Plasticoder). Result showed that pre-treatment of RH treated with 5% NaOH followed by treatment with 10% LENR solution given the maximum interaction between fibre and matrix that gave rise to better mechanical properties of the composites.
Kajian ini meliputi penyediaan simen kalsium fosfat yang terdiri daripada campuran serbuk brushit (DCPD) dan hidroksiapatit (HA) yang dihasilkan secara sintesis dalam makmal. Larutan penimbal digunakan sebagai fasa cecair dan dicampurkan dengan campuran serbuk DCPD dan HA bagi menghasilkan simen tulang secara in situ dengan nisbah cecair kepada serbuk (L/P) antara 0.26 – 0.36 mL g-1. Sodium alginat dan protein soya ditambahkan ke dalam simen kalsium fosfat dan dikaji kesannya terhadap simen yang dihasilkan. Keputusan kajian menunjukkan simen kalsium fosfat dapat dihasilkan pada nisbah L/P 0.32 mL g-1 dengan penambahan 1%bt sodium alginat dan 1%bt protein soya dengan kebolehsuntikan yang maksimum (100%) dan tempoh pengerasan selama 26 min. Penambahan protein soya juga telah meningkatkan kekuatan mampatan simen tulang daripada 2.90 MPa (tanpa protein) kepada 3.98 MPa pada 1.5%bt protein. Simen kalsium fosfat-protein soya yang dihasilkan juga menunjukkan sifat kebioaktifan. Pertumbuhan apatit berlaku pada hari ke-3 selepas rendaman di dalam larutan simulasi badan (SBF) dan membesar dengan perlanjutan tempoh rendaman.
Kajian keberkesanan sifat antimikrob ekstrak kacangma dijalankan menggunakan ujian resapan cakera dan ujian perencatan langsung. Hasil menunjukkan ekstrak etanol dengan kepekatan 50 dan 100 mg/mL merencat Staphylococcus aureus. Bagi ekstrak air, kepekatan 10, 25, 50 dan 100 mg/mL merencat Aspergillus niger, 25, 50 dan 100 mg/mL dapat merencat Saccharomyces cerevisae dan kepekatan 100 mg/mL dapat merencat Staphylococcus aureus. Perlakuan suhu yang berbeza ke atas ekstrak dalam ujian perencatan langsung tidak menunjukkan sebarang perbezaan ke atas perencatan mikroorganisma yang dikaji.
Sebanyak 6 jenis sampel nuget ikan komersial yang dipasarkan di Malaysia telah ditentukan komposisi proksimat (kandungan air, protein, lemak, abu dan karbohidrat), warna, kehilangan memasak, keupayaan memegang air, aktiviti air dan pH. Hasil analisis menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan bererti (p<0.05) bagi komposisi proksimat dan ciri-ciri warna, kehilangan memasak dan keupayaan memegang air. Kandungan air, protein, lemak, abu dan karbohidrat masing-masing berada dalam julat 58.97-64.58%, 9.30-11.60%, 0.14-5.23%, 1.95-2.84% dan 22.81-23.69%. Nilai L*, a* dan b* bagi warna, masing-masing adalah antara 49.72-56.80, 16.64-19.57 dan 38.40-59.58. Walau bagaimanapun tiada perbezaan yang bererti (p>0.05)untuk nilai aktiviti air dan pH antara sampel nuget ikan.
The aim of this study was to determine the nutrient contents and to evaluate the relationship between amylose and amylopectin content to glycemic index of diet commonly eaten by Malaysian. The food samples consisted of nasi lemak, fried rice, fried rice noodle, fried macaroni, sandwich sardine, doughnut, curry puff and roti canai with dhal. Each sample was prepared based on standard recipe (except doughnut, roti canai with dhal and curry puff were bought from 3 different locations) in two different cycles. Moisture, ash, crude protein and crude fat were analyzed using proximate analysis whereas amount of carbohydrate was calculated “by difference”. Total dietary fiber was analyzed using AOAC 991.43. The content of amylose and amylopectin were analyzed using colorimetric method and calculated “by difference”, respectively. Our results showed that doughnut contained the highest carbohydrate (49.49 ± 1.24 g/100 g) while nasi lemak had the lowest carbohydrate (25.04 ± 0.56 g/100 g). Roti canai with dhal had the highest total dietary fiber content (3.89 ± 0.43 g/100 g). The highest amylose content was found in roti canai with dhal (11.75 ± 1.38%) while highest amylopectin content was in nasi lemak (94.19 ± 0.48%). The amylose content of tested samples ranged from 5 to 12%. In conclusion, results showed that there was no significant relationship between the ratio of amylose to amylopectin and glycemic index but negative trend existed which indicated increase in amylose content will lower the glycemic index of a food.
Kandungan alkohol lemak di dalam 19 sampel sedimen permukaan di Sungai Sepang Besar, Sepang, Selangor telah dianalisis menggunakan kromatografi gas-spektrometer jisim (GC-MS). Sebanyak 19 sebatian alkohol lemak dengan julat kepekatan 0.02 μg/g – 9.01 μg/g berat kering dikenalpasti yang terdiri daripada alkohol lemak C12 sehingga C30 termasuk 4 sebatian bercabang. Alkohol lemak C26 mendominasi kebanyakan stesen persampelan dengan julat 0.29 – 5.43 μg/g berat kering, iaitu 15.5% daripada jumlah alkohol lemak. Berdasarkan kepekatan individu sebatian alkohol lemak dan nisbah [Σ(C12 - C20)/Σ(C22 - C30)], Sungai Sepang Besar boleh dikatakan mengandungi alkohol lemak berantai pendek (C12 - C20) yang tinggi berasal daripada organisma marin. Walau bagaimanapun, nilai Indeks Sumber Alkohol (ASI) tidak menunjukkan Sungai Sepang Besar didominasi oleh alkohol lemak rantai pendek kerana faktor kandungan sebatian C26 yang tinggi di kebanyakan stesen persampelan. Nilai nisbah alkohol lemak (rantai ganjil)/(rantai genap) adalah tinggi bagi hampir kesemua stesen persampelan yang dipengaruhi oleh aktiviti bakteria yang tinggi. Dengan itu dapat disimpulkan bahawa sedimen permukaan Sungai Sepang Besar mengandungi campuran bahan organik yang berasal dari marin, terestrial dan bakteria.
Blastocystis hominis merupakan antara protozoa yang paling biasa ditemui di dalam sampel feses manusia di seluruh dunia. Prevalens infeksi protozoa ini adalah lebih tinggi di kalangan mereka yang tinggal di negara membangun berbanding negara maju. Seramai 71 orang kanak-kanak Orang Asli dari Pos Lenjang, Pahang telah menjadi subjek dalam kajian ini. Bagi kajian yang lebih terperinci, kumpulan kanak-kanak ini telah dibahagikan menurut jantina dan umur. Sampel feses dikumpul dan setiap sampel diperiksa dengan menggunakan 3 teknik diagnostik iaitu teknik apusan langsung, konsentrasi formalin-eter dan perwarnaan trikrom bagi tujuan pengesanan dan pengenalpastian Blastocystis hominis. Prevalens infeksi Blastocystis hominis di kalangan kanak-kanak Orang Asli adalah sangat tinggi iaitu 93%. Kanak-kanak perempuan didapati lebih ramai terinfeksi (97.5%) berbanding kanak-kanak lelaki (87.1%) walaupun secara statistiknya tidak signifikan (p>0.05). Protozoa ini juga telah menginfeksi kesemua kanak-kanak prasekolah (100%) manakala kanak-kanak yang bersekolah turut menunjukkan prevalens infeksi yang tinggi iaitu 86.5%. Daripada segi diagnosis, teknik perwarnaan trikrom didapati paling sensitif dan ia dapat mengenalpasti kesemua (66) sampel feses yang positif dengan Blastocystis hominis. Ini diikuti dengan teknik konsentrasi formalin-eter (43 sampel) dan teknik apusan langsung (18 sampel) (p<0.05). Prevalens infeksi Blastocystis hominis yang tinggi di kalangan kanak-kanak Orang Asli adalah berhubungkait dengan pelbagai faktor termasuk status sosioekonomi yang rendah, budaya, kekurangan kemudahan asas dan tahap pengetahuan mengenai penjagaan kesihatan serta kebersihan diri yang rendah. Selain itu, peningkatan prevalens infeksi dalam kajian ini menunjukkan pentingnya penggunaan teknik diagnostik yang lebih berkesan di dalam pemeriksaan rutin bagi memperolehi hasil diagnosis yang lebih tepat.
Kajian ini bertujuan mengenal pasti pola taburan kehujanan di Semenanjung Malaysia menggunakan Indeks Kerpasan Piawai bagi skala masa yang berbeza iaitu sebulan, enam bulan dan dua belas bulan. Data kajian adalah data hujan harian dari 75 stesen tadahan hujan yang merangkumi empat zon iaitu Barat Laut, Barat, Barat Daya dan Timur untuk 33 tahun; 1975 – 2007. Hasil kajian mendapati nilai serakan bagi frekuensi keberlakuan keadaan basah/kering bertambah dengan peningkatan skala masa. Kajian pemboleh ubah berkaitan iaitu tempoh, keparahan dan selang ketibaan mendapati wujud peningkatan dalam nilai-nilai maksimum, purata dan sisihan piawai di setiap zon dengan bertambahnya skala masa yang digunakan. Seterusnya, zon Barat Daya secara konsisten mengalami tempoh keadaan basah yang lebih lama berbanding tempoh keadaan kering manakala zon Barat pula menghasilkan nilai sisihan piawai yang paling tinggi berbanding dengan zon lain untuk kesemua pemboleh ubah kajian kecuali intensiti.
Sejumlah 51 takson pteridofit yang tergolong dalam 30 genus dan 18 famili telah direkodkan di Hutan Simpan Angsi, Negeri Sembilan. Ini termasuk lapan spesies lokofit dalam dua genus dan dua famili. Jumlah ini merangkumi lapan peratus daripada 647 spesies yang telah dilaporkan di Semenanjung Malaysia. Famili terbesar yang direkodkan terdiri daripada Selaginellaceae dan Pteridaceae masing-masing dengan tujuh spesies diikuti oleh Polypodiaceae (enam spesies) dan Tectariaceae (empat spesies). Paku-pakis terestrial merupakan yang paling banyak direkodkan iaitu 60% daripada keseluruhan takson yang didapati diikuti dengan paku pakis epifit (24%) dan paku pakis batuan (16%).
Two new lanthanide coordination complexes with 2,2’-biquinoline-4,4’-dicarboxylic acid (H2bqda) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), [La2(Hbqda)2(bqda)2(phen)]n [1] and [Gd(bqda)1.5(phen)]n [2] were successfully synthesized and characterized. The complexes were obtained through hydrothermal method at 170oC for 3 days. The metal to acid to 1,10-phenanthroline ratio, 1:1:2 had been chosen to synthesize 1 and 2. The percentage yield for 1 and 2 was 68% and 75%, respectively calculated based on the starting lanthanide salt used. The yellow coloured complexes were found to be stable at room temperature and insoluble in organic solvents. The complexes obtained were characterized by elemental analysis (CHN), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis. The FTIR spectra of these complexes confirm the complexation had taken place by the existence of COO- symmetric and asymmetric stretching peaks at 1385 and 1542-1532 cm-1, respectively.
Anticorrosion potential of mangrove tannins on aluminium alloys AA6061 in NaCl solution has been studied using potentiodynamic polarisation method and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study was carried out in different pH of corrosive medium in the absence and presence of various concentrations of tannin. The corrosion inhibition behaviour of the mangrove tannin on AA6061 aluminium alloy corrosion was found to be dependant on the pH of NaCl solution. Our results showed that the inhibition efficiency increased with increasing tannins concentration in chloride solution at pH 6. Treatment of aluminium alloy 6061 with all concentrations of mangrove tannins reduced the current density, thus decreased the corrosion rate. Tannins behaved as mixed inhibitors at pH 6 and reduction in current density predominantly affected in cathodic reaction. Meanwhile, at pH 12, addition of tannins shifted the corrosion potential to more cathodic potentials and a passivating effect was observed in anodic potentials. SEM studies have shown that the addition of tannins in chloride solution at pH 12 reduced the surface degradation and the formation of pits.
Kajian ini bertujuan untuk memetakan kes kemortalan bayi mengikut daerah di Semenanjung Malaysia bagi tahun 1991 hingga 2000. Penganggaran risiko relatif berdasarkan kaedah Bayes empirik telah digunakan dalam kajian ini. Tiga kaedah penganggaran parameter dihuraikan iaitu kaedah momen, kaedah kebolehjadian maksimum dan kaedah penganggaran gabungan momen dan kebolehjadian maksimum. Keteguhan anggaran parameter yang diperoleh diuji menggunakan kaedah Bootstrap. Hasil kajian mendapati jurang antara kawasan berisiko rendah dengan kawasan berisiko tinggi adalah lebih besar pada awal dekad 2000 berbanding pada awal dekad 1990-an walaupun pada dasarnya kadar mortaliti bayi secara keseluruhannya adalah semakin berkurangan pada peringkat nasional. Kawasan pantai timur Semenanjung Malaysia masih pada takuk yang sama iaitu masih berada dalam kategori berisiko tinggi sepanjang tempoh yang dikaji. Seterusnya, gambaran terdapatnya tompokan risiko juga turut terpapar dalam peta yang dihasilkan. Berdasarkan kaedah Bootstrap, parameter-parameter yang dianggarkan dalam kajian ini adalah teguh.
Sisa puri pitaya merah bersama biji telah digunakan dalam penyediaan mufin yang dicampurkan dengan 10%, 15% dan 20% puri dalam formulasi bater. Ujian warna, kandungan jumlah polifenol, jumlah flavonoid, ujian antioksida; pemerangkapan radikal bebas 2,2-difenil-1-pikrilhidrazil (DPPH) dan ujian penurunan ferrik (FRAP) telah dijalankan. Warna bater 3 jenis mufin tersebut berwarna merah jambu violet. Warna merah jambu (nilai a) meningkat dengan signifikan (p<0.05) selaras peningkatan peratus kandungan puri manakala kecerahan (nilai L) menurun dengan peningkatan puri. Apabila dimasak, semua warna merah jambu daripada bater hilang. Permukaan mufin adalah lebih gelap (nilai L), dengan mufin 20% puri paling signifikan (p<0.05). Isi kesemua mufin berwarna kuning dan kecerahan (nilai L) didapati berkurang secara signifikan (p<0.05) dengan pertambahan peratus puri. Jumlah polifenol sampel mufin menunjukkan mufin 10% puri pitaya ekstrak air mengandungi jumlah polifenol yang paling tinggi (29.0 mg GAE/100 g sampel). Kandungan flavonoid menunjukkan mufin 20% puri pitaya mengandungi flavonoid yang paling signifikan (p<0.05) 15.3 mg katekin/100 g sampel berbanding mufin kawalan 11.0 mg katekin. Bagi ujian antioksida DPPH, semua mufin dengan puri pitaya menunjukkan peratus pemerangkapan yang lebih baik berbanding kawalan. Ujian FRAP menunjukkan pola yang serupa dengan keputusan mufin 10% (17.4), mufin 15% (15.4) dan mufin 20% (17.5 mg trolox/100 g sampel). Warna merah jambu bater mufin hilang semasa proses memasak namun nilai antioksida masih diperolehi dalam mufin masak.
Neuropathy is a problem often suffered by patients with diabetes mellitus. Types of neuropathy that occur are peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy. This cross sectional study was conducted to determine the association between duration of diabetes and loss of protective sensation and the association between imbalance and loss of protective sensation among Malay women with diabetes mellitus. Eighty one Malay women with diabetes mellitus, aged 20 to 60 years from three clinics in Hulu Langat District participated in this study. Socio-demographic information were obtained from respondent using a questionnaire. Foot sensory evaluation was conducted using Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament
grade 5.07. Assessment of balance was done using Timed One-leg Stance. Chi-squared test was used to determine the association between the two variables. Result showed that 56.8% of respondent had loss of protective sensation on at least one foot. While, 17.3% had imbalance while eyes were open and 60.5% experienced imbalance while eyes were closed. However, there was no significant correlation (p<0.05) between imbalance while eyes opened [χ2=3.27, p=0.07] and while eyes close [χ2=0.29, p=0.59]) with loss of protective sensation in at least one foot. Similar result were obtained between duration of diabetes and the loss of protective sensation. (χ2=3.27, p=0.20). Although there was no association between these factors, a screening program should start early to ensure early problems are identified before more severe complications occur.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; imbalance; loss of protective sensation; Malay women
Study site: Klinik Kesihatan, Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia
MeSH terms: Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*; Diabetic Neuropathies*; Postural Balance*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Malaysia/ethnology; Women
Hydroxyapatite (HA) used for bone replacement is one of the most active areas of ceramic biomaterials research currently. It has been used clinically for the last 20 years due to its excellent biocompatibility, osseoconduction and osseointegration. Many modifications have been done to develop a stronger, tougher and biocompatible ceramic biomaterial because pure HA is brittle. Researchers in Universiti Sains Malaysia had developed this value added HA that is stronger and less brittle compared to pure HA. The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the genotoxic characteristic of the value added HA based material by using Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay (Ames test). The Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay of HA was performed on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537 and Escherichia coli strain WP2 uvrA using the preincubation method in the presence and absence of an exogenous metabolic activation system. All the bacterial tester strains treated with and without S9 Mix showed no increase of revertant colonies with increase in concentration of test substance for both the dose finding test and the main test. The number of revertant colonies was less than twice that of the solvent control for all the five bacterial strains and this was reproducible for both the dose finding test and the main test. The numbers of revertant colonies in the negative and positive controls were within the background data of our laboratory. In conclusion the results of the tests showed that the value added HA was considered to have no reverse mutagenic potential under the present test conditions.