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  1. Comparison of the efficiencies of attached- versus suspended-growth SBR systems in the treatment of recycled paper mill wastewater
    Muhamad MH, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Abu Hasan H, Abd Rahim RA
    J Environ Manage, 2015 Nov 1;163:115-24.
    PMID: 26311084 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.08.012
    The complexity of residual toxic organics from biologically treated effluents of pulp and paper mills is a serious concern. To date, it has been difficult to choose the best treatment technique because each of the available options has advantages and drawbacks. In this study, two different treatment techniques using laboratory-scale aerobic sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were tested with the same real recycled paper mill effluent to evaluate their treatment efficiencies. Two attached-growth SBRs using granular activated carbon (GAC) with and without additional biomass and a suspended-growth SBR were used in the treatment of real recycled paper mill effluent at a chemical oxygen demand (COD) level in the range of 800-1300 mg/L, a fixed hydraulic retention time of 24 h and a COD:N:P ratio of approximately 100:5:1. The efficiency of this biological treatment process was studied over a 300-day period. The six most important wastewater quality parameters, namely, chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, ammonia (expressed as NH3-N), phosphorus (expressed as PO4(3)-P), colour, and suspended solids (SS), were measured to compare the different treatment techniques. It was determined that these processes were able to almost completely and simultaneously eliminate COD (99%) and turbidity (99%); the removals of NH3-N (90-100%), PO4(3)-P (66-78%), colour (63-91%), and SS (97-99%) were also sufficient. The overall performance results confirmed that an attached-growth SBR system using additional biomass on GAC is a promising configuration for wastewater treatment in terms of performance efficiency and process stability under fluctuations of organic load. Hence, this hybrid system is recommended for the treatment of pulp and paper mill effluents.
  2. Demodicosis among university medical students in Malaysia and the effects of facial cleanser and moisturizer usage
    Isa NH, Loong LW, Fang GH, Mohamad AM, Razali N, Rani NI, et al.
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2011 Nov;42(6):1375-80.
    PMID: 22299405
    Demodicosis is an infestation of the skin with Demodex, an ectoparasite commonly found on the face. A cross-sectional study was conducted to detect the presence of the ectoparasite and the outcome of facial cleanser and moisturizer usage on its infestation. Universal sampling was performed among 390 medical students, age 20-25 years old in the Klang Valley of Malaysia. The biodata of the participants and information on the use of facial cleanser and moisturizer were obtained through questionnaire. Skin samples were obtained using both skin scraping and cellophane tape method and were subsequently examined directly by microscopy. The results show an overall prevalence of 17.2%. Males (21.5%) were affected more often than females (12.8%) (p = 0.022). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of the ectoparasite among different ethnic groups, age-groups and the presence of existing facial problems among the subjects. A lower infestation rate (11.45%) was found to be associated with the use of a moisturizer (p = 0.033). Both species of ectoparasites that infest man, Demodexfolliculorum and D. brevis, were detected in this study either as single or mixed infestations.
  3. Fulltext Molecular epidemiology of blastocystosis in Malaysia: does seasonal variation play an important role in determining the distribution and risk factors of Blastocystis subtype infections in the Aboriginal community?
    Noradilah SA, Moktar N, Anuar TS, Lee IL, Salleh FM, Manap SNAA, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2017 Jul 31;10(1):360.
    PMID: 28760145 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2294-2
    BACKGROUND: Alternating wet and dry seasons may play an important role in the acquisition and distribution of Blastocystis subtype infection in the tropics. This cross-sectional study was therefore conducted to provide the prevalence of Blastocystis and to determine the potential risk factors associated with each subtype during the wet and dry seasons in the Aboriginal community, Pahang, Malaysia.

    METHODS: A total of 473 faecal samples were collected: 256 (54.1%) and 217 (45.9%) samples were obtained during the wet (October-November 2014) and the dry season (June 2015), respectively. All fresh faecal samples were subjected to molecular analysis for subtype and allele identification.

    RESULTS: Of the 473 samples, 42.6% and 37.8% were positive for Blastocystis ST1, ST2, ST3 and ST4 during wet and dry seasons, respectively. Prevalence of Blastocystis ST1 was significantly higher during the wet season compared to the dry season (Z = 2.146, P 

  4. Electrocoagulation of palm oil mill effluent as wastewater treatment and hydrogen production using electrode aluminum
    Nasution MA, Yaakob Z, Ali E, Tasirin SM, Abdullah SR
    J Environ Qual, 2011 Jul-Aug;40(4):1332-9.
    PMID: 21712603 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2011.0002
    Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is highly polluting wastewater generated from the palm oil milling process. Palm oil mill effluent was used as an electrolyte without any additive or pretreatment to perform electrocoagulation (EC) using electricity (direct current) ranging from 2 to 4 volts in the presence of aluminum electrodes with a reactor volume of 20 L. The production of hydrogen gas, removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), and turbidity as a result of electrocoagulation of POME were determined. The results show that EC can reduce the COD and turbidity of POME by 57 and 62%, respectively, in addition to the 42% hydrogen production. Hydrogen production was also helpful to remove the lighter suspended solids toward the surface. The production of Al(OH)XHO at the aluminum electrode (anode) was responsible for the flocculation-coagulation process of suspended solids followed by sedimentation under gravity. The production of hydrogen gas from POME during EC was also compared with hydrogen gas production by electrolysis of tap water at pH 4 and tap water without pH adjustment under the same conditions. The main advantage of this study is to produce hydrogen gas while treating POME with EC to reduce COD and turbidity effectively.
  5. Fulltext A scoping review on the use of different blood sources and components in the artificial membrane feeding system and its effects on blood-feeding and fecundity rate of Aedes aegypti
    Suresh Y, Azil AH, Abdullah SR
    PLoS One, 2024;19(1):e0295961.
    PMID: 38252615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295961
    In some laboratories, mosquitoes' direct blood-feeding on live animals has been replaced with various membrane blood-feeding systems. The selection of blood meal sources used in membrane feeding is crucial in vector mass rearing as it influences the mosquitoes' development and reproductive fitness. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to evaluate the existing literature on the use of different blood sources and components in artificial membrane feeding systems and their effects on blood-feeding and the fecundity rate of Ae. aegypti. A literature review search was conducted by using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-ScR). The EndNote version 20 software was used to import all searched articles. Relevant information was retrieved for analysis into a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet. A total of 104 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility criteria, whereby the articles should include the comparison between different types of blood source by using the membrane feeding systems. Only 16 articles were finally included in the analysis. Several studies had reported that human blood was superior in blood-feeding Ae. aegypti as compared to sheep blood which resulted in lower fecundity due to accumulation of free fatty acids (FFA) in the cuticles. In contrast, cattle whole blood and pig whole blood showed no significant differences in the blood-feeding and fecundity rate as compared to human blood. This review also indicated that bovine whole blood and pig whole blood enhanced Ae. aegypti's vitellogenesis and egg production as compared to plasma and blood cells. In addition, human blood of up to 10 days after the expiration date could still be used to establish Ae. aegypti colonies with good blood-feeding rates and number of eggs produced. Thus, future studies must consider the importance of selecting suitable blood sources and components for membrane blood feeding especially in mosquito colonisation and control measure studies.
  6. A review of the treatment technologies for hexavalent chromium contaminated water
    Ramli NN, Kurniawan SB, Ighalo JO, Mohd Said NS, Marsidi N, Buhari J, et al.
    Biometals, 2023 May 20.
    PMID: 37209220 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-023-00512-x
    The toxicity of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) present in the environment has exceeded the current limits or standards and thus may lead to biotic and abiotic catastrophes. Accordingly, several treatments, including chemical, biological, and physical approaches, are being used to reduce Cr(VI) waste in the surrounding environment. This study compares the Cr(VI) treatment approaches from several areas of science and their competence in Cr(VI) removal. As an effective combination of physical and chemical approaches, the coagulation-flocculation technique removes more than 98% of Cr(VI) in less than 30 min. Most membrane filtering approaches can remove up to 90% of Cr(VI). Biological approaches that involve the use of plants, fungi, and bacteria also successfully eliminate Cr(VI) but are difficult to scale up. Each of these approaches has its benefits and drawbacks, and their applicability is determined by the research aims. These approaches are also sustainable and environmentally benign, thus limiting their effects on the ecosystem.
  7. Fulltext Investigating Genetic and Other Determinants of First-Onset Myocardial Infarction in Malaysia: Protocol for the Malaysian Acute Vascular Events Risk Study
    Chowdhury R, Noh MFM, Ismail SR, van Daalen KR, Kamaruddin PSNM, Zulkiply SH, et al.
    JMIR Res Protoc, 2022 Feb 10;11(2):e31885.
    PMID: 35142634 DOI: 10.2196/31885
    BACKGROUND: Although the burden of premature myocardial infarction (MI) is high in Malaysia, direct evidence on the determinants of MI in this multi-ethnic population remains sparse.

    OBJECTIVE: The Malaysian Acute Vascular Events Risk (MAVERIK) study is a retrospective case-control study established to investigate the genomic, lipid-related, and other determinants of acute MI in Malaysia. In this paper, we report the study protocol and early results.

    METHODS: By June 2019, we had enrolled approximately 2500 patients with their first MI and 2500 controls without cardiovascular disease, who were frequency-matched by age, sex, and ethnicity, from 17 hospitals in Malaysia. For each participant, serum and whole blood have been collected and stored. Clinical, demographic, and behavioral information has been obtained using a 200-item questionnaire.

    RESULTS: Tobacco consumption, a history of diabetes, hypertension, markers of visceral adiposity, indicators of lower socioeconomic status, and a family history of coronary disease were more prevalent in cases than in controls. Adjusted (age and sex) logistic regression models for traditional risk factors indicated that current smoking (odds ratio [OR] 4.11, 95% CI 3.56-4.75; P30 kg/m2; OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.05-1.34; P=.009) were associated with MI in age- and sex-adjusted models.

    CONCLUSIONS: The MAVERIK study can serve as a useful platform to investigate genetic and other risk factors for MI in an understudied Southeast Asian population. It should help to hasten the discovery of disease-causing pathways and inform regionally appropriate strategies that optimize public health action.

    INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR1-10.2196/31885.

  8. Fulltext Cell-based influenza vaccine: current production, halal status assessment, and recommendations towards Islamic-compliant manufacturing
    Zulkarnain NN, Anuar N, Abd Rahman N, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Alias MN, Yaacob M, et al.
    Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2021 07 03;17(7):2158-2168.
    PMID: 33539195 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1865044
    Influenza virus is a life-threatening pathogen that infects millions of people every year, with annual mortality in the hundreds of thousands. The scenario for controlling infection has worsened with increasing numbers of vaccine hesitancy cases reported worldwide due to objections on safety, religious and other grounds. Uses of haram (impermissible) and mashbooh (doubtful) ingredients in vaccine production has raised doubts among Muslim consumers and consequently stimulated serious vaccine hesitancy. To address this major problem, we have reviewed and recommended some alternatives appropriate for manufacturing cell-based influenza vaccine which comply with Islamic laws and consumers' needs. Intensive assessments of current influenza vaccine production in both scientific and Islamic views have led to the identification of four main ingredients deemed impermissible in novel sharia-compliant (approved by Islamic laws) vaccine manufacturing. Only some of these impermissible components could be replaced with halal (permissible) alternatives, while others remain impermissible due to unavailability and unsuitability.
  9. Application of response surface methodology (RSM) for optimisation of COD, NH3-N and 2,4-DCP removal from recycled paper wastewater in a pilot-scale granular activated carbon sequencing batch biofilm reactor (GAC-SBBR)
    Muhamad MH, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Mohamad AB, Abdul Rahman R, Hasan Kadhum AA
    J Environ Manage, 2013 May 30;121:179-90.
    PMID: 23542216 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.02.016
    In this study, the potential of a pilot-scale granular activated carbon sequencing batch biofilm reactor (GAC-SBBR) for removing chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) from recycled paper wastewater was assessed. For this purpose, the response surface methodology (RSM) was employed, using a central composite face-centred design (CCFD), to optimise three of the most important operating variables, i.e., hydraulic retention time (HRT), aeration rate (AR) and influent feed concentration (IFC), in the pilot-scale GAC-SBBR process for recycled paper wastewater treatment. Quadratic models were developed for the response variables, i.e., COD, NH3-N and 2,4-DCP removal, based on the high value (>0.9) of the coefficient of determination (R(2)) obtained from the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimal conditions were established at 750 mg COD/L IFC, 3.2 m(3)/min AR and 1 day HRT, corresponding to predicted COD, NH3-N and 2,4-DCP removal percentages of 94.8, 100 and 80.9%, respectively.
  10. Optimizing refuse-derived fuel production from scheduled wastes through Aspen plus simulation
    Zubir MA, Kamyab H, Vasseghian Y, Hashim H, Zhi OM, Abdullah SR, et al.
    Environ Res, 2024 Mar 11;251(Pt 2):118617.
    PMID: 38467362 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118617
    This study aims to improve the quality of fuel with high calorific value namely Sfuel - a commercial high-quality refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from hazardous waste via modifying the process design and operating parameters of thermal conversion process. The study analyses key parameters of RDF quality, such as calorific value and heavy metal content, before and after process modifications based on the combination of experimental and simulation using Aspen Plus. In this study, the temperature and pressure of the simulation system are varied from 100 to 700 °C and from 1 to 5 bar, respectively. Findings indicate that there are a total of eleven heavy metals and 179 volatile compounds in the "Sfuels". The quality of the targeted product is greatly improved by the metal evaporation at high temperatures and pressures. However, the calorific value of RDF significantly decreases at 700 °C due to a large amount of the carbon content being evaporated. Although the carbon content at high temperatures is significantly lost, the heat from the vapour stream reactor outlet, which is reused to preheat the nitrogen gas stream supplied to the system, reduces energy consumption while improving the thermal conversion efficiency of the system. Besides, low pressure along with high temperature are not the optimal conditions for quality Sfuels improvement by thermal conversion. Results also indicate that electric heating is more economically efficient than natural gas heating.
  11. Performance assessment of pilot horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetlands for removal of diesel from wastewater by Scirpus grossus
    Al-Baldawi IA, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Anuar N, Suja F, Idris M
    Water Sci Technol, 2013;68(10):2271-8.
    PMID: 24292478 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2013.484
    One of the appropriate development technology options for the treatment of wastewater contaminated with diesel is constructed wetlands (CWs). Throughout 72 days of exposure, sampling was carried out for monitoring of physical parameters, plant growth and the efficiency of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal, as an indication for diesel contamination, to assess the pilot-scale performance. Four pilot CWs with a horizontal sub-surface flow system were applied using the bulrush of Scirpus grossus. The CWs were loaded with different diesel concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.25% (Vdiesel/Vwater). The TPH removal efficiencies were 82, 71, and 67% at the end of 72 days for diesel concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.25% respectively. In addition, the high removal efficiency of total suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 100 and 75.4% respectively, for a diesel concentration of 0.1%. It was concluded that S. grossus is a potential plant that can be used in a well-operated CW for restoring 0.1% diesel-contaminated water.
  12. A phytotoxicity test of bulrush (Scirpus grossus) grown with diesel contamination in a free-flow reed bed system
    Al-Baldawi IA, Abdullah SR, Anuar N, Suja F, Idris M
    J Hazard Mater, 2013 May 15;252-253:64-9.
    PMID: 23500791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.01.067
    In this study, bulrush (Scirpus grossus) was subjected to a 72 day phytotoxicity test to assess its ability to phytoremediate diesel contamination in simulated wastewater at different concentrations (0, 8700, 17,400 and 26,100mg/L). Diesel degradation by S. grossus was measured in terms of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH-D). The TPH-D concentration in the synthetic wastewater was determined with the liquid-liquid extraction method and gas chromatography. S. grossus was found to reduce TPH-D by 70.0 and 80.2% for concentrations of 8700 mg/L and 17,400mg/L, respectively. At a diesel concentration of 26,100mg/L, S. grossus died after 14 days. Additionally, the biomass of S. grossus plants was found to increase throughout the phytotoxicity test, confirming the ability of the plant to survive in water contaminated with diesel at rates of less than 17,400mg/L.
  13. Utilization of palm empty fruit bunch for the production of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas oil
    Yaakob Z, Sukarman IS, Narayanan B, Abdullah SR, Ismail M
    Bioresour Technol, 2012 Jan;104:695-700.
    PMID: 22113069 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.10.058
    Transesterification reaction of Jatropha curcas oil with methanol was carried out in the presence of ash generated from Palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) in a heterogeneous catalyzed process. The ash was doped with KOH by impregnation to achieve a potassium level of 20 wt.%. Under optimum conditions for the EFB-catalyzed (65 °C, oil/methanol ratio of 15, 90 min, 20 wt.% EFB ash catalyst) and the KOH-EFB-catalyzed reactions (65 °C, oil/methanol ratio of 15, 45 min, 15 wt.% of KOH doped EFB ash), biodiesel (>98%) with specifications higher than those stipulated by European biodiesel quality standard EN 14214 was obtained.
  14. Aquaculture industry: Supply and demand, best practices, effluent and its current issues and treatment technology
    Ahmad A, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Hasan HA, Othman AR, Ismail N'
    J Environ Manage, 2021 Jun 01;287:112271.
    PMID: 33706093 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112271
    The aquaculture industry has become increasingly important and is rapidly growing in terms of providing a protein food source for human consumption. With the increase in the global population, demand for aquaculture is high and is estimated to reach 62% of the total global production by 2030. In 2018, it was reported that the demand for aquaculture was 46% of the total production, and with the current positive trends, it may be possible to increase tremendously in the coming years. China is still one of the main players in global aquaculture production. Due to high demand, aquaculture production generates large volumes of effluent, posing a great danger to the environment. Aquaculture effluent comprises solid waste and dissolved constituents, including nutrients and contaminants of emerging concern, thereby bringing detrimental impacts such as eutrophication, chemical toxicity, and food insecurity. Waste can be removed through culture systems, constructed wetlands, biofloc, and other treatment technologies. Some methods have the potential to be applied as zero-waste discharge treatment. Thus, this article analyses the supply and demand for aquaculture products, the best practices adopted in the aquaculture industry, effluent characteristics, current issues, and effluent treatment technology.
  15. Performance evaluation of a granular activated carbon-sequencing batch biofilm reactor pilot plant system used in treating real wastewater from recycled paper industry
    Muhamad MH, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Mohamad AB, Rahman RA, Kadhum AA
    Environ Technol, 2012 Apr-May;33(7-9):915-26.
    PMID: 22720416
    A pilot scale granular activated carbon-sequencing batch biofilm reactor with a capacity of 2.2 m3 was operated for over three months to evaluate its performance treating real recycled paper industry wastewater under different operational conditions. In this study, dissolved air floatation (DAF) and clarifier effluents were used as influent sources of the pilot plant. During the course of the study, the reactor was able to biodegrade the contaminants in the incoming recycled paper mill wastewater in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD), adsorbable organic halides (AOX; specifically 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP)) and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) removal efficiencies at varying hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 1-3 days, aeration rates (ARs) of 2.1-3.4 m3/min and influent feed concentration of 40-950 mg COD/l. Percentages of COD, 2,4-DCP and NH3-N removals increased with increasing HRT, resulting in more than 90% COD, 2,4-DCP and NH3-N removals at HRT values above two days. Degradation of COD, 2,4-DCP and NH3-N were seriously affected by variation of ARs, which resulted in significant decrease of COD, 2,4-DCP and NH3-N removals by decreasing ARs from 3.4 m3/min to 2.1 m3/min, varying in the ranges of 24-80%, 6-96% and 5-42%, respectively. In comparison to the clarifier effluent, the treatment performance of DAF effluent, containing high COD concentration, resulted in a higher COD removal of 82%. The use of diluted DAF effluent did not improve significantly the COD removal. Higher NH3-N removal efficiency of almost 100% was observed during operation after maintenance shutdown compared to normal operation, even at the same HRT of one day due to the higher dissolved oxygen concentrations (1-7 mg/l), while no significant difference in COD removal efficiency was observed.
  16. Isotherm equilibria of Mn²⁺ biosorption in drinking water treatment by locally isolated Bacillus species and sewage activated sludge
    Hasan HA, Abdullah SR, Kofli NT, Kamarudin SK
    J Environ Manage, 2012 Nov 30;111:34-43.
    PMID: 22813857 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.06.027
    Manganese (Mn(2+)) is one of the inorganic contaminant that causes problem to water treatment and water distribution due to the accumulation on water piping systems. In this study, Bacillus sp. and sewage activated sludge (SAS) were investigated as biosorbents in laboratory-scale experiments. The study showed that Bacillus sp. was a more effective biosorbent than SAS. The experimental data were fitted to the Langmuir (Langmuir-1 & Langmuir-2), Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) and Redlich-Peterson (R-P) isotherms to obtain the characteristic parameters of each model. Mn(2+) biosorption by Bacillus sp. was found to be significantly better fitted to the Langmuir-1 isotherm than the other isotherms, while the D-R isotherm was the best fit for SAS; i.e., the χ(2) value was smaller than that for the Freundlich, Temkin, and R-P isotherms. According to the evaluation using the Langmuir-1 isotherm, the maximum biosorption capacities of Mn(2+) onto Bacillus sp. and SAS were 43.5 mg Mn(2+)/g biomass and 12.7 mg Mn(2+)/g biomass, respectively. The data fitted using the D-R isotherm showed that the Mn(2+) biosorption processes by both Bacillus sp. and SAS occurred via the chemical ion-exchange mechanism between the functional groups and Mn(2+) ion.
  17. Effective microbes for simultaneous bio-oxidation of ammonia and manganese in biological aerated filter system
    Abu Hasan H, Abdullah SR, Kofli NT, Kamarudin SK
    Bioresour Technol, 2012 Nov;124:355-63.
    PMID: 22995166 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.08.055
    This study determined the most effective microbes acting as ammonia-oxidising (AOB) and manganese-oxidising bacteria (MnOB) for the simultaneous removal of ammonia (NH(4)(+)-N) and manganese (Mn(2+)) from water. Two conditions of mixed culture of bacteria: an acclimatised mixed culture (mixed culture: MC) in a 5-L bioreactor and biofilm attached on a plastic medium (stages of mixed culture: SMC) in a biological aerated filter were isolated and identified using Biolog MicroSystem and 16S rRNA sequencing. A screening test for determining the most effective microbe in the removal of NH(4)(+)-N and Mn(2+) was initially performed using SMC and MC, respectively, and found that Bacillus cereus was the most effective microbe for the removal of NH(4)(+)-N and Mn(2+). Moreover, the simultaneous NH(4)(+)-N and Mn(2+) removal (above 95% removal for both NH(4)(+)-N and Mn(2+)) was achieved using a biological aerated filter under various operating conditions. Thus, the strain could act as an effective microbe of AOB and a MnOB for the simultaneous removal of NH(4)(+)-N and Mn(2+).
  18. Fulltext Marine microalgae co-cultured with floc-forming bacterium: Insight into growth and lipid productivity
    Yee CS, Okomoda VT, Hashim F, Waiho K, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Alamanjo C, et al.
    PeerJ, 2021;9:e11217.
    PMID: 33981498 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11217
    This study investigated the effect of co-culturing microalgae with a floc-forming bacterium. Of the six microalgae isolated from a biofloc sample, only Thalassiosira weissflogii, Chlamydomonas sp. and Chlorella vulgaris were propagated successfully in Conway medium. Hence, these species were selected for the experiment comparing microalgae axenic culture and co-culture with the floc-forming bacterium, Bacillus infantis. Results obtained showed that the co-culture had higher microalgae biomass compared to the axenic culture. A similar trend was also observed concerning the lipid content of the microalgae-bacterium co-cultures. The cell number of B. infantis co-cultured with T. weissflogii increased during the exponential stage until the sixth day, but the other microalgae species experienced a significant early reduction in cell density of the bacteria at the exponential stage. This study represents the first attempt at co-culturing microalgae with B. infantis, a floc-forming bacterium, and observed increased biomass growth and lipid accumulation compared to the axenic culture.
  19. Integrating phytoremediation and mycoremediation with biosurfactant-producing fungi for hydrocarbon removal and the potential production of secondary resources
    Ahmad J, Marsidi N, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Hasan HA, Othman AR, Ismail N', et al.
    Chemosphere, 2024 Feb;349:140881.
    PMID: 38048826 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140881
    Treatment of petroleum-contaminated soil to a less toxic medium via physical and chemical treatment is too costly and requires posttreatment. This review focuses on the employment of phytoremediation and mycoremediation technologies in cleaning hydrocarbon-contaminated soil which is currently rare. It is considered environmentally beneficial and possibly cost-effective as it implements the synergistic interaction between plants and biosurfactant producing mycorrhiza to degrade hydrocarbon contaminants. This review also covers possible sources of hydrocarbon pollution in water and soil, toxicity effects, and current technologies for hydrocarbon removal and degradation. In addition to these problems, this review also discusses the challenges and opportunities of transforming the resultant treated sludge and treating plants into potential by-products for a higher quality of life for future generations.
  20. Fulltext The Effect of a Combined Intermittent Fasting Healthy Plate Intervention on Anthropometric Outcomes and Body Composition Among Adults With Overweight and Obesity: Nonrandomized Controlled Trial
    Abdullah SR, Wan Mohd Zin RM, Azizul NH, Sulaiman NS, Khalid NM, Mohd Salim Mullahi Jahn RJ, et al.
    JMIR Form Res, 2024 Apr 10;8:e51542.
    PMID: 38598283 DOI: 10.2196/51542
    BACKGROUND: Adult obesity and overweight pose a substantial risk to global public health and are associated with various noncommunicable diseases. Although intermittent fasting (IF) is increasingly used as a relatively new dietary strategy for weight loss, the effectiveness of 2 days per week of dry fasting remains unknown.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined dry IF and healthy plate (IFHP) and healthy plate (HP) intervention in improving anthropometric outcomes and body composition.

    METHODS: This nonrandomized controlled trial involved 177 adults who were overweight and obese. Among them, 91 (51.4%) were allocated to the IFHP group and 86 (48.6%) were allocated to the HP group. The overall study duration was 6 months (October 2020 to March 2021). The intervention was divided into 2 phases: supervised (3 months) and unsupervised (3 months). The data were collected at baseline, after the supervised phase (month 3), and after the unsupervised phase (month 6). Anthropometric (weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference) and body composition (body fat percentage, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, and visceral fat area) data were measured at all 3 data collection points. Sociodemographic data were obtained using a questionnaire at baseline.

    RESULTS: Most participants were female (147/177, 83.1%) and Malay (141/177, 79.7%). After 3 months, there were significant reductions in weight (difference -1.68; P.05).

    CONCLUSIONS: A combined IFHP intervention was effective in improving anthropometric outcomes and body composition in adults with overweight and obesity.

    INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/33801.

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