This study aimed at documenting the potentially toxic metal levels in oysters from the aquaculture area of Peninsular Malaysia east coast. Concentrations of essential (Zn and Cu) and non-essential (Pb and Cd) heavy metals were analyzed in total soft tissue, different sex, selected organs and shells of Crassostrea sp. from cultured and wild area of Setiu Wetlands. The heavy metal contents among the sampling sites are statistically not significant (p>0.05) indicating no systematic and site-specific trend between cultured and wild environment. Zinc was the highest metal detected in total soft tissue, sex and shells with the mean concentration of 28.55±6.76, 30.55±3.89 and 8.22±2.98 μg/g, respectively. The analysed metals were highly accumulated in gills than other organs with the mean value of 74.11±13.03 μg/g of Zn, 4.82±0.82 μg/g of Cu, 0.61±0.06 μg/g of Pb and 0.45±0.1 μg/g of Cd. The varying metals content in the different soft tissues might be due to the different affinity of metals that bind with metallothioneins. The metal levels measured in oysters did not exceed the maximum permissible limits for Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd. The measured metal levels may represent baseline values reflecting background conditions that contain a certain degree of human impact.
Bacterial adherence to connective tissue, especially to collagen has been vastly known for their invasive and infectious activities. However, the ability to exploit the unique and specific interactions between bacteria and collagen as a novel approach in detection of placental collagen has never been explored. This study aimed to determine bacteria with binding specificity to placental collagen (Type IV) derived from human and sheep. In order to do this, total bacteria from small intestines of pig and cow were isolated and their ability to bind to Type IV placental collagen (human and sheep) was determined. Interestingly, three bacterial samples; P5, P9 (pig small intestine origin) and B7 (cow small intestine origin) were found to be able to bind strongly to the placental collagen. The bacterial binding to human placental collagen was however, diminished after the bacteria were treated with trypsin, proteinase K (for removal of surface protein) and guanidine hydrochloride (for S-layer removal), suggesting that the interaction of these bacteria to placental collagen was promoted by protein(s) present at the bacterial surface. In addition, significant reduction of placental collagen-binding ability of the bacteria pre-incubated with soluble human placental collagen showed that there is a specific interaction between the bacteria and collagen. P5, P9 and B7 bacteria were found to share 95-97% 16S rRNA sequence similarity to Enterococcus faecalis ZL, Enterococcus hirae ss33b and Enterococcus faecium M3-1, respectively. The results presented here may facilitate future studies in identifying bacterial surface protein(s) responsible for the specific binding of bacteria to collagen and opens new opportunity to utilize the protein(s) for the detection of placental collagen in nutraceutical and food supplements.
This study was conducted to screen the endophytic bacteria as a biological control agent (BCA) against Ganoderma boninense. A total of 581 endophytic bacteria were successfully isolated from symptomless oil palm root tissues at Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia. Three endophytic bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa GanoEB1, Burkholderia cepacia GanoEB2, and Pseudomonas syringae GanoEB3 were found to have a potential as BCA based on their percentage inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) in dual culture and culture filtrate tests. Two nursery trials were conducted to evaluate the capability of these bacteria to suppress Ganoderma disease in oil palm seedlings that were artificially infected with G. boninense using rubber wood block (RWB) sitting technique. The percentage of disease incidence (DI), severity of foliar symptoms (SFS) and dead seedlings were used as the assessment tools. As a result, DI and SFS have developed much slower in the seedlings that were pre-treated with bacteria compared to untreated seedlings. After 6 months of inoculation, Ganoderma disease incidence was reduced from 62-75% in the seedlings treated with P. aeruginosa GanoEB1, followed by B. cepacia GanoEB2 (31-59%) and P. syringae GanoEB3 (30-31%). Among these three endophytic bacteria, P. aeruginosa GanoEB1 was the most effective in controlling Ganoderma disease and the dead seedlings were in the range of 13.3-26.7%, followed by B. cepacia GanoEB2 (33.3% for both trials) and P. syringae GanoEB3 (33.3-40.0%) compared to untreated seedlings at 60% for both trials. A field study needs to be conducted to verify their effectiveness in controlling Ganoderma in oil palm.
Acetobacter xylinum strains are known as efficient producers of cellulose. A. xylinum is an obligate aerobic bacterium that has an oxygen-based metabolism. The dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in a rotary discs reactor (RDR) is one of the most important factors that need to be observed during the cellulose synthesis by these bacteria. In this study, the effects of different discs rotation speed (5, 7, 9 and 12 rpm) and fermentation period (3, 4, 5 and 6 days) on the DO concentration and production of bacterial cellulose in a 10-L RDR were examined. The highest yield was obtained at 7 rpm with a total dried weight of 28.3 g for 4 days fermentation. The results showed that the DO concentration in the 10-L RDR increased in the range of 13 to 17% with increasing of discs rotation speed from 7 to 12 rpm. However, fermentation with high discs rotation speed at 12 rpm reduced the bacterial cellulose production. Analysis of data using Statistica 8.0 showed a high coefficient of determination value (R2 = 0.92). In conclusion, discs rotation speed gave more significant effect on the DO concentration and production of bacterial cellulose in 10-L RDR compared to fermentation period. This was further combined with synergistic effect from sufficient consumption of oxygen for the enhanced production of bacterial cellulose and providing the controlled environment for encouraging bacterial growth throughout the fermentation process.
MeSH terms: Body Weights and Measures; Cellulose; Environment, Controlled; Fermentation; Oxygen; Rotation; Gluconacetobacter xylinus; Carbohydrate Metabolism
Acid sulfate soils are generally not suitable for the crop production unless they are efficiently improved. A study was conducted to improve the productivity of acid sulfate soils for rice cultivation using ground magnesium limestone (GML), basalt and organic fertilizer. The study was conducted on rice in laboratory, glasshouse and field. The pH of acid sulfate soils was low and exchangeable Al was very high which affected rice growth. The application of GML and basalt increased soil pH and reduced Al toxicity. GML required to ameliorate the soils for rice cultivation was 4 t ha-1. Basalt in combination with organic fertilizer was a good soil amendment, but required to be applied a few months ahead of rice cultivation. Due to GML or basalt application, rice plants grew well even though water pH was below 5. The highest rice yield obtained was 4.0 t ha-1 season-1 for Sulfaquepts and it was 7.5 t ha-1 season-1 for Sulfosaprists. In general, the application of GML or basalt in combination with organic fertilizer improved the productivity of acid sulfate soils and consequently enhanced rice yield.
Asparagus officinalis as a valuable medicinal plant has a low multiplication rate using the conventional methods. This study was carried out to establish an efficient in vitro propagation protocol and also to compare some biological activities of in vivo and in vitro grown Asparagus. The nodal explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or kinetin (Kn) and Indolebutyric acid (IBA), under light and dark conditions. After 6 weeks of culture, the highest percentage (100%) of callus formation was found in 17 of treatments under dark condition and 3 treatments under light condition. Also between the two groups of hormones, Kn +IBA showed better results in promoting callus formation. The highest average number of shoots (4.25) of size 4 mm or more per explant, formed under dark condition using 1.5 mg/L BAP mixed with 0.05 mg/L NAA. Rooting was best induced in shoots excised from shoot cultures which were proliferated on MS medium supplemented with an optimal concentration of 0.4 mg/L IBA (2 roots per explant). In the second part of the study, the extracts of in vivo and in vitro grown plants as well as callus tissue were tested for their total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant and antityrosinase activities, using two different extraction solvents (methanol and hexane). The methanol extract of in vivo grown plants showed a significantly higher amount of total phenolic and flavonoid content. The antioxidant activity of tested samples followed this order; in vivo plant > callus > in vitro plant.
A study has been carried out to characterize hydrocarbons emitted from the burning of three tropical wood species. The woods were burned to ember and smoke aerosols emitted were sampled using high volume sampler fitted with a pre-cleaned glass fibre filters. Hydrocarbons were extracted using ultrasonic agitation with dichloromethane-methanol (3:1 v/v) as solvent and the extracts obtained were then fractionated on silica-alumina column. Detection and quantification of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds were carried out using GC-MS. The results indicated that the major aliphatic hydrocarbons characterized were straight chain n-alkanes in the range of C12-C35 with Cmax in the range of C27-C33. Rhizophora apiculata and Hevea brasiliensis wood smoke exhibited a weak odd to even carbon number predominance with carbon preference index (CPI) values greater than one whereas Melaleuca cajuputi wood smoke aerosols did not exhibit similar pattern with CPI obtained close to one. The results obtained also indicated that burning of these wood resulted in formation of PAHs compounds in their smoke aerosols with predominance of three to four rings PAHs over the two, five and lesser of six rings PAHs. PAH diagnostic ratios calculated except for Flan/(Flan+Py) and Indeno/(Indeno+BgP) were consistent with the ratios suggested for wood combustion source as reported in literatures. In the case of the latter, two diagnostic ratios, the values were generally lower than the range normally reported for wood combustion.
Tropical forests are highly diverse and provide a great deal of economic value. They play an important role in providing goods and services which contribute to long-term social benefits in local communities. This study was carried out to examine the tree composition and estimate its economic value of timber resources in a lowland coastal forest. Four one ha plots were established in Pasir Tengkorak Forest Reserve in Langkawi, Kedah and the subplots measuring 10 × 10 m were established in each plot. All trees greater than 1 cm DBH (diameter at breast height) were identified and the parameters measured included tree height and diameter. The species diversity indices obtained for all four plots were relatively high. The Simpson’s index of diversity ranges from 0.946 to 0.969, while the Shannon-Weiner index (H’) ranges from 3.808 to 5.616. The Simpson’s measure of evenness (1/D) ranges from 0.239 to 0.563 suggesting that species evenness in the four ha plots were low. Stumpage value of timber in the study area was quite high with average value of RM33,600.46 per ha. Regression analysis showed that the relationship between stumpage value and species diversity was significant at the 5% level.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of autochthonous Lactobacillus plantarum feeding on growth performance, carcass traits, serum composition and faecal microflora of broiler chickens. The results showed a significant positive effect (p< 0.05) of probiotic on body weight and feed conversion ratio. Coliform counts in the fecal matter of broiler chickens receiving probiotic were lower than the analogous population in control birds (p<0.05). In contrary, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) number increased (p<0.05) in fecal matter of experimental group. At the end of the study, the degree of serum cholesterol reduction resulted in a 20.31% compared to the control group (p<0.05). The experimental group had significantly lower serum triglycerides (p<0.05). It was concluded that autochthonous probiotic improved growth and feed efficiency in broilers chickens and considering the improvements in carcass traits. This probiotic possess the property of reducing cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and possess a positive effect on the gut microflora.
MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Animals; Body Weight; Chickens; Cholesterol; Feces; Triglycerides; Probiotics; Control Groups; Lactobacillus plantarum; Lactobacillales
Two experiments were conducted to develop Acartia erythraea and Oithona brevicornis cultures: The performance of five microalgal diets to produce nauplii, copepodites and adults of A. erythraea; and the performance of the same diets to produce nauplii, copepodites and adults of O. brevicornis. The five different microalgal diets were Isochrysis galbana (IG), Chaetoceros affinis (CA), Chlorella marina (CM), Nannochloropsis oculata (NO) and mixed algae (mixture of IG, CA, CM and NO at an equal abundance to provide the exact cell density). The results indicated that the abundance of both A. erythraea and O. brevicornis was higher in tanks supplied with IG and mixed algae than the tanks supplied with CA, CM and NO. IG and mixed algal diets were statistically similar on the mean abundance for both A. erythraea and O. brevicornis. The maximum production of A. erythraea nauplii was observed on day 12 of culture period and the nauplii production decreased from day 13 onwards. The mean abundance of A. erythraea copepodites and adults increased along with time up to the end of the culture period. In the case of O. brevicornis nauplii, the maximum abundance was observed on day 9 day of culture period and the nauplii production decreased from day 10 onwards. The mean abundance of O. brevicornis copepodites and adults increased gradually from the beginning to the end of the culture period. Under the experimental conditions of this study, both IG and mixed algal diets can be recommended for the best growth performance of A. erythraea and O. brevicornis.
The aim of present study was to explore the effect of different carbon sources on biomass accumulation in microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata and Tetraselmis chuii and their ability to remove N and P compounds during their cultivation in aquaculture wastewater. Microalgae cultivation was performed in laboratory bioreactor consisted from 500 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, containing 250 mL wastewater from semi closed recirculation aquaculture system. The cultures were maintained at room temperature (25-27ºC) on a fluorescent light with a light: dark photoperiod of 15 h: 9 h. The microalgae species were cultivated in wastewater with different carbon sources: glucose, lactose and saccharose. The growth of strains was checked for 96 h period. In the present study, N. oculata and T. chuii showed better growth in wastewater from aquaculture with saccharose carbon source during the experiment. The most effective reduce of nitrate and total nitrogen was proved in N. oculata cultivated in wastewater with glucose as carbon source. T. chuii cultivated in wastewater containing glucose showed 8.27% better cleaning effect in ammonium compared with N. oculata. T. chuii grew in wastewater with glucose as carbon source showed 19.5% better removal effect in phosphate compared with N. oculata strain.
Benthic dinoflagellates are known to occur in the water column. The reason they can be found in different parts of the ecosystem is not clear. This study aims to determine the species and the cell abundance of benthic dinoflagellates in the water column and macrophytes collected from two different locations i.e. semi-enclosed lagoon and open coastal waters. The physico-chemical parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen) and nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) were determined. Results showed that in the lagoon, the most abundant dinoflagellate species on the macrophytes was also the most abundant dinoflagellate species in the water column. The species that dominated the water column and marophytes in the lagoon was Bysmatrum caponii. In the coastal area the trend was not clear. Coolia dominated the macrophytes whereas Peridinium quinquecorne dominated the water column. The physico-chemical parameters determined were similar at both sites except for nutrients. Results show that type of substrates and different geomorphology effects benthic dinoflagellates cell abundance in the macrophytes and water column.
This study investigates the production of biopesticide based on Bacillus thuringiensis activity in culture media supplemented with semi-solid wastewater sludge as one of the raw ingredient. A series of testing using mixture of sludge and source of protein as B. thuringiensis growth media were carried out and selection of media was based on viable spore count. The entomotoxicity test of B. thuringiensis was carried out against larvae of fruit fly using diet incorporation method. Further impact of entomotoxicity was observed based on histology deformities on columnar epithelial cell and goblet cell of the midgut. A mixture of sludge with 60% wheat bran produced up to 1.64 × 1010 CFU/mL of viable spore count within 10 days of incubation. Based on entomotoxicity test, incorporation of 12 mL of semi-solid wastewater sludge-culture media into fruit fly artificial diet caused the highest fruit fly mortality at 64.8%. The value of semi-solid wastewater sludge-culture media concentration for LC50 was determined at 8.43%. Effect of entomotoxicity can be seen started from 3rd instar larvae where histopathological studies showed that up to 10% of columnar epithelial cells in the intestine were swollen and severe reduction of goblet cell’s size. Thus, it decreases the survivality of the fruit fly larvae. The present study indicated that semi-solid wastewater sludge has the potential to enhance B. thuringiensis entomotoxicity activity.
Ethanol fermentations by Candida shehatae TISTR 5843 at low (20 g/L) and high (80 g/L) sugar concentrations with various glucose to xylose ratios were investigated. Glucose was a preferred substrate as it was consumed first at a faster consumption rate. The type of sugar and ratio between glucose and xylose did not have an effect on ethanol produced. The average ethanol concentrations were 7.99 g/L when using 20 g/L sugar and 27.82 g/L when using 80 g/L sugar. Small amounts of xylitol and glycerol as by-products were presented when using 20 g/L sugar. Xylitol appeared to be the main by-product at high xylose concentration with elevated concentrations as xylose is increased. When using rice straw hydrolysate containing 34.75 g/L glucose and 21.29 g/L xylose, 19.37 g/L ethanol was produced with the ethanol yield and ethanol productivity at 0.49 g/g and 0.20 g/L.h, respectively. However, xylose was not completely consumed after fermentation was complete.
The application of blastomere separation (BS) technique to produce embryonic stem cell (ESC) from inner cell mass (ICM) is not yet perfected due to low cleavage efficiency of single blastomere. Thefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate the developmental potential of single blastomere (SB) derived from embryos at different stages to blastocyst and the potential of ICM outgrowth. The female mice of ICR strain (age: 8-12 weeks; n=47) were superovulated using gonadotrophins and mated with ICR strain males (age: 10-14 weeks; n=20). The 2-cell embryos (n=366) were flushed from the oviduct of the treated females and cultured in vitro before assigned into the following groups: a) 2-cell, b) 4-cell, c) 8-cell and d) control prior blastomere separation. The SBs were cultured in vitro and daily observations were conducted to record the cleavage rates up to Day 5. Developmental rate of 2-cell derived SB (77.28±6.77) was greater than 4-cell (63.70±5.35) and 8-cell (55.73±3.35), corresponding to the results of ICM outgrowth at 2-cell (69.29±4.13), gave higher rate followed by 4-cell (55.73±7.81) and 8-cell (41.85±3.58). Diameter of blastocyst decreased as the SB parent embryo stage increased, with the respective ratio of 5 (diameter of SB blastocyst): 3 (diameter of SB) (2-cell: 92.55±1.59 vs. 56.48±0.40; 4-cell: 78.71±1.37 vs. 44.02±0.49 and 8-cell: 64.13±2.20 vs. 35.68±0.34) as well as total cell number in blastocyst (2-cell: 43.00±1.48; 4-cell: 28.33±1.15; 8-cell: 8.80±0.58). In conclusion, SB at different stages of mouse embryos successfully develop to blastocysts in vitro that can be used as ICM source, which is a prerequisite for establishment of ESC outgrowth.
In this study, radiation doses from CT scan procedures and its related risks to the patients from five hospitals in Johor State, Malaysia were analyzed. The survey was conducted in a two-month period encompassing data for 460 patients with the number for each hospital being set at 32, 30 and 30 samples for CT brain, CT thorax and CT abdomen, respectively. The results indicated that the CTDIw, DLP and effective dose values ranged from 7.0±1.3 to 67.7±3.4 mGy, 300.2±135.4 to 1174.2±79.9 mGy.cm and 1.5±0.2 to 11.7±6.65 mSv, respectively. The organ doses were calculated using CT EXPO software (Ver. 2.3.1, Germany) and were found to vary within the hospitals and the type of the CT examinations. Effective cancer risks per procedure were calculated by multiplying organ dose with the nominal cancer risk that was adapted from International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 103. The values ranged from 0 to 1449 cancer cases per one million procedures for these three routine examinations. This present work showed that the CT systems can impart high radiation doses and increase of radiation risk to patients if optimization protocols are ignored.
Anthocyanin-containing extract (ACE) were prepared from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana L. (mangosteen) and the inflorescence part of Etlingera elatior Jack (torch ginger) by using acidified methanol as extraction solvent. Our present study focuses on the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity and the effect of temperature, light and pH on stability of ACE derived from G. mangostana and E. elatior. The monomeric anthocyanin and total phenolic content in E. elatior was higher (43.42±0.01 mg/L dan 10.07±0.01 gGAE /100 g) compared to G. mangostana (15.03±0.01 mg/L and 3.29±0.01 gGAE/100 g). Both ACE of E. elatior and G. mangostana exhibited free radical scavenger activity, with IC50 value of14.90±1.02 mg/mL and 15.50±0.52 mg/mL, respectively, in 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. ACE of E. elatior was also found to be a good reducing and possessed higher absorbance values at concentrations range from 1.25 to 20 mg/mL in FRAP assay. ACE of E. elatior exhibited mild cytotoxicity on human ovarian SKOV-3 cell line with IC50 values of 54.32 ± 4.60 μg/mL. The effects of light and temperature on ACE stability were performed in different environmental conditions, which promote the destabilization of anthocyanin molecules. ACE stability of G. mangostana were less resist to the effect of light but very susceptible to the prolonged effect of heat after 2 h exposure compared to the ACE in E. elatior. The different in pH highly influence the stability of both ACE which can be observed from the decrease in absorbance readings.
This paper presents the results for surface water quality parameters measured in the Setiu Wetland, on the east coast of Malaysia, which feeds into the southern part of the South China Sea. There are no previous studies dealing with the seasonal and spatial variation of water quality in this area, despite numerous anthropogenic inputs into this ecologically and economically important wetland. The parameters measured were salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS). These parameters were sampled monthly from October 2009 to September 2010, during both the wet and dry seasons, at ten sampling stations distributed throughout the area. The physical water quality parameters were measured in situ whilst TSS and BOD were determined using the standard methods. A deterioration of water quality in the Setiu Wetland was observed in areas near agriculture and aquaculture activities. This was expected to be as a result of the use of fertilisers, waste from fish farm food and the waste products of aquaculture. The parameters measured showed lower mean values of surface salinity, temperature, DO, pH and TSS during the wet season relative to the dry season. In contrast, the concentration of BOD was high during the wet season and lowest in the dry season. Results obtained from this study clearly showed the surface physical water quality for the Setiu Wetland was highly influenced by anthropogenic activities and seasonal variation. Therefore, both factors must be considered to move towards proper management of this wetland.
The growth form and condition of the tiger grouper × giant grouper (TGGG) hybrid were evaluated under four temperatures (22°C, 26°C, 30°C, and 34°C) and two diets (pellet and shrimp). The growth form of fish was determined over a 30 day experimental period using the length–weight relationship (LWR) method. The TGGG hybrid grouper exhibited a negative allometric growth (b < 3) at all temperatures and diets at the beginning of the experiment (0 day), which indicated that fish would become lighter as they increased in size. Conversely, toward the end of the experiment (30 d), the TGGG hybrid grouper showed a negative allometric growth (b < 3) at 22°C and 34°C on both pellet and shrimp diet as well as demonstrated an isometric growth (b = 3) at 26°C fed on both diet and 30°C on pellet diet only, which indicated that the shape of the fish would not change with increasing weight and length. However, a positive allometric growth (b > 3) was observed at 30°C when the fish were fed on shrimp diet, which indicated that fish weight would increase with increasing length and size. The condition factors (K and Kn) in the initial (0 d) and final (30 d) measurements were greater than 1, thereby indicating the wellbeing of the TGGG hybrid grouper, except for those fish fed on both pellet and shrimp diet under 22°C and 34°C. Therefore, diet did not have a significant effect (p > 0.05) on the growth and condition of TGGG hybrid grouper, whereas temperature significantly influenced the growth and condition of the fish. All in all, grouper farmers can culture TGGG hybrid grouper between 26°C and 30°C, whereas the best growth and condition could be observed by culturing the fish at 30°C fed on shrimp.
Oil palms (OP) in Sabah, Malaysia were studied to explore the relationship between canopy size and aboveground biomass (AGB). Four available allometric equations were used to calculate the dry AGB. Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed between crown diameter (CD) and crown area (CA) towards the variables of AGB, height and dbh. In this analysis, the transformation to natural log of variable resulted in better coefficient compared to the original one. The mean of various variables such as height (stem, total and height difference), biomass (crown, trunk and total), dbh (inner and outer) and number of petiole leaf were calculated based on 32 independent sample plots (N = 222 palms) across various age stages from 2 to 24 years. These variables were regressed against CD and age. AGB versus CD was a nonlinear with R2 ranging from 0.950 to 0.975. Random modelling and cross validation between AGB and CD was applied at the ratio of 70:30. Upon checking, the best estimation was achieved by using the allometric equation based on total height due to the lowest relative root mean square error (RMSE) (18.5%) and the least fluctuation between predicted and actual AGB. The other three models had relative RMSE that ranged between 23.9 and 68.8%. This study shows that AGB can be estimated using CD of OP consistently at all ages.