Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 82 in total

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  1. Wise SK, Damask C, Roland LT, Ebert C, Levy JM, Lin S, et al.
    Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 2023 Apr;13(4):293-859.
    PMID: 36878860 DOI: 10.1002/alr.23090
    BACKGROUND: In the 5 years that have passed since the publication of the 2018 International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis (ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2018), the literature has expanded substantially. The ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 update presents 144 individual topics on allergic rhinitis (AR), expanded by over 40 topics from the 2018 document. Originally presented topics from 2018 have also been reviewed and updated. The executive summary highlights key evidence-based findings and recommendation from the full document.

    METHODS: ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 employed established evidence-based review with recommendation (EBRR) methodology to individually evaluate each topic. Stepwise iterative peer review and consensus was performed for each topic. The final document was then collated and includes the results of this work.

    RESULTS: ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 includes 10 major content areas and 144 individual topics related to AR. For a substantial proportion of topics included, an aggregate grade of evidence is presented, which is determined by collating the levels of evidence for each available study identified in the literature. For topics in which a diagnostic or therapeutic intervention is considered, a recommendation summary is presented, which considers the aggregate grade of evidence, benefit, harm, and cost.

    CONCLUSION: The ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 update provides a comprehensive evaluation of AR and the currently available evidence. It is this evidence that contributes to our current knowledge base and recommendations for patient evaluation and treatment.

  2. Elhag AA, Mohamad R, Aziz MW, Zeshan F
    PLoS One, 2015;10(4):e0123086.
    PMID: 25928358 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123086
    The composite service design modeling is an essential process of the service-oriented software development life cycle, where the candidate services, composite services, operations and their dependencies are required to be identified and specified before their design. However, a systematic service-oriented design modeling method for composite services is still in its infancy as most of the existing approaches provide the modeling of atomic services only. For these reasons, a new method (ComSDM) is proposed in this work for modeling the concept of service-oriented design to increase the reusability and decrease the complexity of system while keeping the service composition considerations in mind. Furthermore, the ComSDM method provides the mathematical representation of the components of service-oriented design using the graph-based theoryto facilitate the design quality measurement. To demonstrate that the ComSDM method is also suitable for composite service design modeling of distributed embedded real-time systems along with enterprise software development, it is implemented in the case study of a smart home. The results of the case study not only check the applicability of ComSDM, but can also be used to validate the complexity and reusability of ComSDM. This also guides the future research towards the design quality measurement such as using the ComSDM method to measure the quality of composite service design in service-oriented software system.
  3. Namvar F, Rahman HS, Mohamad R, Baharara J, Mahdavi M, Amini E, et al.
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2014;9:2479-88.
    PMID: 24899805 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S59661
    Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 MNPs) are among the most useful metal nanoparticles for multiple applications across a broad spectrum in the biomedical field, including the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In previous work, we synthesized and characterized Fe3O4 MNPs using a simple, rapid, safe, efficient, one-step green method involving reduction of ferric chloride solution using brown seaweed (Sargassum muticum) aqueous extract containing hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino functional groups mainly relevant to polysaccharides, which acts as a potential stabilizer and metal reductant agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity and cellular effects of these Fe3O4 MNPs. Their in vitro anticancer activity was demonstrated in human cell lines for leukemia (Jurkat cells), breast cancer (MCF-7 cells), cervical cancer (HeLa cells), and liver cancer (HepG2 cells). The cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of Fe3O4 MNPs, and an MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay was used to test for cytotoxicity, resulting in an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) value of 23.83±1.1 μg/mL (HepG2), 18.75±2.1 μg/mL (MCF-7), 12.5±1.7 μg/mL (HeLa), and 6.4±2.3 μg/mL (Jurkat) 72 hours after treatment. Therefore, Jurkat cells were selected for further investigation. The representative dot plots from flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis showed that the percentages of cells in early apoptosis and late apoptosis were increased. Cell cycle analysis showed a significant increase in accumulation of Fe3O4 MNP-treated cells at sub-G1 phase, confirming induction of apoptosis by Fe3O4 MNPs. The Fe3O4 MNPs also activated caspase-3 and caspase-9 in a time-response fashion. The nature of the biosynthesis and therapeutic potential of Fe3O4 MNPs could pave the way for further research on the green synthesis of therapeutic agents, particularly in nanomedicine, to assist in the treatment of cancer.
  4. Namvar F, Rahman HS, Mohamad R, Azizi S, Tahir PM, Chartrand MS, et al.
    PMID: 25784947 DOI: 10.1155/2015/593014
    The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity and cellular effects of previously prepared ZnO-NPs on murine cancer cell lines using brown seaweed (Sargassum muticum) aqueous extract. Treated cancer cells with ZnO-NPs for 72 hours demonstrated various levels of cytotoxicity based on calculated IC50 values using MTT assay as follows: 21.7 ± 1.3 μg/mL (4T1), 17.45 ± 1.1 μg/mL (CRL-1451), 11.75 ± 0.8 μg/mL (CT-26), and 5.6 ± 0.55 μg/mL (WEHI-3B), respectively. On the other hand, ZnO-NPs treatments for 72 hours showed no toxicity against normal mouse fibroblast (3T3) cell line. On the other hand, paclitaxel, which imposed an inhibitory effect on WEHI-3B cells with IC50 of 2.25 ± 0.4, 1.17 ± 0.5, and 1.6 ± 0.09 μg/mL after 24, 48, and 72 hours treatment, respectively, was used as positive control. Furthermore, distinct morphological changes were found by utilizing fluorescent dyes; apoptotic population was increased via flowcytometry, while a cell cycle block and stimulation of apoptotic proteins were also observed. Additionally, the present study showed that the caspase activations contributed to ZnO-NPs triggered apoptotic death in WEHI-3 cells. Thus, the nature of biosynthesis and the therapeutic potential of ZnO-NPs could prepare the way for further research on the design of green synthesis therapeutic agents, particularly in nanomedicine, for the treatment of cancer.
  5. Mohamad Kasim AS, Ariff AB, Mohamad R, Wong FWF
    Nanomaterials (Basel), 2020 Dec 10;10(12).
    PMID: 33321788 DOI: 10.3390/nano10122475
    Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been found to have extensive biomedical and biological applications. They can be synthesised using chemical and biological methods, and coated by polymer to enhance their stability. Hence, the changes in the physico-chemical characteristics of AgNPs must be scrutinised due to their importance for biological activity. The UV-Visible absorption spectra of polyethylene glycol (PEG) -coated AgNPs displayed a distinctive narrow peak compared to uncoated AgNPs. In addition, High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis revealed that the shapes of all AgNPs, were predominantly spherical, triangular, and rod-shaped. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis further confirmed the role of PEG molecules in the reduction and stabilisation of the AgNPs. Moreover, dynamic light scattering analysis also revealed that the polydispersity index values of PEG-coated AgNPs were lower than the uncoated AgNPs, implying a more uniform size distribution. Furthermore, the uncoated and PEG-coated biologically synthesised AgNPs demonstrated antagonisms activities towards tested pathogenic bacteria, whereas no antagonism activity was detected for the chemically synthesised AgNPs. Overall, generalisation on the interrelations of synthesis methods, PEG coating, characteristics, and antimicrobial activity of AgNPs were established in this study.
  6. Ishak N, Lajis AFB, Mohamad R, Ariff AB, Mohamed MS, Halim M, et al.
    Molecules, 2018 Feb 24;23(2).
    PMID: 29495254 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23020501
    The synthesis of kojic acid derivative (KAD) from kojic and palmitic acid (C16:0) in the presence of immobilized lipase from Rhizomucor miehei (commercially known as Lipozyme RMIM), was studied using a shake flask system. Kojic acid is a polyfunctional heterocycles that acts as a source of nucleophile in this reaction allowing the formation of a lipophilic KAD. In this study, the source of biocatalyst, Lipozyme RMIM, was derived from the lipase of Rhizomucor miehei immobilized on weak anion exchange macro-porous Duolite ES 562 by the adsorption technique. The effects of solvents, enzyme loading, reaction temperature, and substrate molar ratio on the reaction rate were investigated. In one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) experiments, a high reaction rate (30.6 × 10-3 M·min-1) of KAD synthesis was recorded using acetone, enzyme loading of 1.25% (w/v), reaction time of 12 h, temperature of 50 °C and substrate molar ratio of 5:1. Thereafter, a yield of KAD synthesis was optimized via the response surface methodology (RSM) whereby the optimized molar ratio (fatty acid: kojic acid), enzyme loading, reaction temperature and reaction time were 6.74, 1.97% (w/v), 45.9 °C, and 20 h respectively, giving a high yield of KAD (64.47%). This condition was reevaluated in a 0.5 L stirred tank reactor (STR) where the agitation effects of two impellers; Rushton turbine (RT) and pitch-blade turbine (PBT), were investigated. In the STR, a very high yield of KAD synthesis (84.12%) was achieved using RT at 250 rpm, which was higher than the shake flask, thus indicating better mixing quality in STR. In a rheological study, a pseudoplastic behavior of KAD mixture was proposed for potential application in lotion formulation.
  7. Mohamad R, Awang N, Kamaludin NF, Jotani MM, Tiekink ERT
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2018 Mar 01;74(Pt 3):302-308.
    PMID: 29765711 DOI: 10.1107/S2056989018001901
    The crystal and mol-ecular structures of the two title organotin di-thio-carbamate compounds, [Sn(C4H9)2(C7H14NO2S2)2], (I), and [Sn(C6H5)3(C5H10NOS2)], (II), are described. Both structures feature asymmetrically bound di-thio-carbamate ligands leading to a skew-trapezoidal bipyramidal geometry for the metal atom in (I) and a distorted tetra-hedral geometry in (II). The complete mol-ecule of (I) is generated by a crystallographic twofold axis (Sn site symmetry 2). In the crystal of (I), mol-ecules self-assemble into a supra-molecular array parallel to (10-1) via methyl-ene-C-H⋯O(meth-oxy) inter-actions. In the crystal of (II), supra-molecular dimers are formed via pairs of weak phenyl-C-H⋯π(phen-yl) contacts. In each of (I) and (II), the specified assemblies connect into a three-dimensional architecture without directional inter-actions between them. Hirshfeld surface analyses confirm the importance of H⋯H contacts in the mol-ecular packing of each of (I) and (II), and in the case of (I), highlight the importance of short meth-oxy-H⋯H(but-yl) contacts between layers.
  8. Mohamad R, Awang N, Kamaludin NF, Jotani MM, Tiekink ERT
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2018 May 01;74(Pt 5):630-637.
    PMID: 29850080 DOI: 10.1107/S2056989018005133
    The crystal and mol-ecular structures of two tri-phenyl-tin di-thio-carbamate compounds, viz. [Sn(C6H5)3(C8H16NS2)], (I), and [Sn(C6H5)3(C10H12NS2)], (II), are described. The di-thio-carbamate ligand in each mol-ecule coordinates in an asymmetric fashion resulting in heavily distorted tetra-hedral C3S coordin-ation geometries for the Sn atoms, with the distortions traced to the close approach of the non-coordinating thione-S atom. The mol-ecular packing in both compounds features C-H⋯π(Sn-phen-yl) inter-actions. In (I), the donors are Sn-phenyl-C-H groups leading to centrosymmetric aggregates, while in (II), the donors are both Sn-phenyl-C-H and methyl-C-H groups leading to supra-molecular chains propagating along the b axis. The identified aggregates assemble into their respective crystals with no directional inter-actions between them. An analysis of the Hirshfeld surfaces show distinctive patterns, but an overwhelming predominance (>99% in each case) of H⋯H, C⋯H/H⋯C and S⋯H/H⋯S contacts on the respective Hirshfeld surface.
  9. Mohamad R, Awang N, Kamaludin NF, Jotani MM, Tiekink ER
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2017 Feb 01;73(Pt 2):260-265.
    PMID: 28217355 DOI: 10.1107/S2056989017001098
    The complete mol-ecule of the title compound, [Sn(C4H9)2(C5H10NOS2)2], is generated by a crystallographic mirror plane, with the SnIV atom and the two inner methyl-ene C atoms of the butyl ligands lying on the mirror plane; statistical disorder is noted in the two terminal ethyl groups, which deviate from mirror symmetry. The di-thio-carbamate ligand coordinates to the metal atom in an asymmetric mode with the resulting C2S4 donor set defining a skew trapezoidal bipyramidal geometry; the n-butyl groups are disposed to lie over the longer Sn-S bonds. Supra-molecular chains aligned along the a-axis direction and sustained by methyl-ene-C-H⋯S(weakly coordinating) inter-actions feature in the mol-ecular packing. A Hirshfeld surface analysis reveals the dominance of H⋯H contacts in the crystal.
  10. Mohamad R, Awang N, Kamaludin NF, Jotani MM, Tiekink ER
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2016 Oct 1;72(Pt 10):1480-1487.
    PMID: 27746946
    The crystal and mol-ecular structures of two tri-phenyl-tin di-thio-carbamates, [Sn(C6H5)3(C16H16NS2)], (I), and [Sn(C6H5)3(C7H14NO2S2)], (II), are described. In (I), the di-thio-carbamate ligand coordinates the Sn(IV) atom in an asymmetric manner, leading to a highly distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination geometry defined by a C3S2 donor set with the weakly bound S atom approximately trans to one of the ipso-C atoms. A similar structure is found in (II), but the di-thio-carbamate ligand coordinates in an even more asymmetric fashion. The packing in (I) features supra-molecular chains along the c axis sustained by C-H⋯π inter-actions; chains pack with no directional inter-actions between them. In (II), supra-molecular layers are formed, similarly sustained by C-H⋯π inter-actions; these stack along the b axis. An analysis of the Hirshfeld surfaces for (I) and (II) confirms the presence of the C-H⋯π inter-actions but also reveals the overall dominance of H⋯H contacts in the respective crystals.
  11. Mohamad R, Awang N, Jotani MM, Tiekink ER
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2016 Aug 1;72(Pt 8):1130-7.
    PMID: 27536397 DOI: 10.1107/S2056989016011385
    The crystal and mol-ecular structures of two di-phenyl-tin bis-(di-thio-carbamate)s, [Sn(C6H5)2(C5H10NOS2)2], (I), and [Sn(C6H5)2(C7H14NO2S2)2], (II), are described. In (I), in which the metal atom lies on a twofold rotation axis, the di-thio-carbamate ligand coordinates with approximately equal Sn-S bond lengths and the ipso-C atoms of the Sn-bound phenyl groups occupy cis-positions in the resulting octa-hedral C2S4 donor set. A quite distinct coordination geometry is noted in (II), arising as a result of quite disparate Sn-S bond lengths. Here, the four S-donors define a trapezoidal plane with the ipso-C atoms lying over the weaker of the Sn-S bonds so that the C2S4 donor set defines a skewed trapezoidal bipyramid. The packing of (I) features supra-molecular layers in the ab plane sustained by methyl-ene-C-H⋯π(Sn-ar-yl) inter-actions; these stack along the c-axis direction with no specific inter-actions between them. In (II), supra-molecular chains along the b-axis direction are formed by methyl-ene-C-O(ether) inter-actions; these pack with no directional inter-actions between them. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was conducted on both (I) and (II) and revealed the dominance of H⋯H inter-actions contributing to the respective surfaces, i.e. >60% in each case, and other features consistent with the description of the mol-ecular packing above.
  12. Ahmad S, Israf DA, Lajis NH, Shaari K, Mohamed H, Wahab AA, et al.
    Eur J Pharmacol, 2006 May 24;538(1-3):188-94.
    PMID: 16650843
    Some chalcones, such as hydroxychalcones have been reported previously to inhibit major pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and reactive oxygen species production by suppressing inducible enzyme expression via inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and nuclear translocation of critical transcription factors. In this report, the effects of cardamonin (2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone), a chalcone that we have previously isolated from Alpinia rafflesiana, was evaluated upon two cellular systems that are repeatedly used in the analysis of anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds namely RAW 264.7 cells and whole blood. Cardamonin inhibited NO and PGE(2) production from lipopolysaccharide- and interferon-gamma-induced RAW cells and whole blood with IC(50) values of 11.4 microM and 26.8 microM, respectively. Analysis of thromboxane B(2) (TxB(2)) secretion from whole blood either stimulated via the COX-1 or COX-2 pathway revealed that cardamonin inhibits the generation of TxB(2) via both pathways with IC(50) values of 2.9 and 1.1 microM, respectively. Analysis of IC(50) ratios determined that cardamonin was more COX-2 selective in its inhibition of TxB(2) with a ratio of 0.39. Cardamonin also inhibited the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and secretion of TNF-alpha from RAW 264.7 cells in a dose responsive manner with IC(50) values of 12.8 microM and 4.6 microM, respectively. However, cardamonin was a moderate inhibitor of lipoxygenase activity when tested in an enzymatic assay system, in which not a single concentration tested was able to cause an inhibition of more than 50%. Our results suggest that cardamonin acts upon major pro-inflammatory mediators in a similar fashion as described by previous work on other closely related synthetic hydroxychalcones and strengthens the conclusion of the importance of the methoxyl moiety substitution on the 4' or 6' locations of the A benzene ring.
  13. Farouk AE, Batcha MF, Greiner R, Salleh HM, Salleh MR, Sirajudin AR
    Saudi Med J, 2006 Sep;27(9):1397-400.
    PMID: 16951781
    To develop a molecular technique that is fast and reliable in detecting porcine contamination or ingredients in foods.
  14. Jahromi MF, Liang JB, Ho YW, Mohamad R, Goh YM, Shokryazdan P
    J Biomed Biotechnol, 2012;2012:196264.
    PMID: 23118499 DOI: 10.1155/2012/196264
    Ability of two strains of Aspergillus terreus (ATCC 74135 and ATCC 20542) for production of lovastatin in solid state fermentation (SSF) using rice straw (RS) and oil palm frond (OPF) was investigated. Results showed that RS is a better substrate for production of lovastatin in SSF. Maximum production of lovastatin has been obtained using A. terreus ATCC 74135 and RS as substrate without additional nitrogen source (157.07 mg/kg dry matter (DM)). Although additional nitrogen source has no benefit effect on enhancing the lovastatin production using RS substrate, it improved the lovastatin production using OPF with maximum production of 70.17 and 63.76 mg/kg DM for A. terreus ATCC 20542 and A. terreus ATCC 74135, respectively (soybean meal as nitrogen source). Incubation temperature, moisture content, and particle size had shown significant effect on lovastatin production (P < 0.01) and inoculums size and pH had no significant effect on lovastatin production (P > 0.05). Results also have shown that pH 6, 25°C incubation temperature, 1.4 to 2 mm particle size, 50% initial moisture content, and 8 days fermentation time are the best conditions for lovastatin production in SSF. Maximum production of lovastatin using optimized condition was 175.85 and 260.85 mg/kg DM for A. terreus ATCC 20542 and ATCC 74135, respectively, using RS as substrate.
  15. Mohd Yusof H, Abdul Rahman N, Mohamad R, Hasanah Zaidan U, Samsudin AA
    Animals (Basel), 2021 Jul 14;11(7).
    PMID: 34359225 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072093
    Since the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the poultry industry is currently a serious threat, there is an urgent need to develop a more efficient and alternative antibacterial substance. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have exhibited antibacterial efficacy against a wide range of microorganisms. Although the in vitro antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs has been studied, little is known about the antibacterial mechanisms of ZnO NPs against poultry-associated foodborne pathogens. In the present study, ZnO NPs were successfully synthesized using Lactobacillus plantarum TA4, characterized, and their antibacterial potential against common avian pathogens (Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus) was investigated. Confirmation of ZnO NPs by UV-Visual spectroscopy showed an absorption band center at 360 nm. Morphologically, the synthesized ZnO NPs were oval with an average particle size of 29.7 nm. Based on the dissolution study of Zn2+, ZnO NPs released more ions than their bulk counterparts. Results from the agar well diffusion assay indicated that ZnO NPs effectively inhibited the growth of the three poultry-associated foodborne pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were assessed using various concentrations of ZnO NPs, which resulted in excellent antibacterial activity as compared to their bulkier counterparts. S. aureus was more susceptible to ZnO NPs compared to the other tested bacteria. Furthermore, the ZnO NPs demonstrated substantial biofilm inhibition and eradication. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular material leakage was quantified to determine the underlying antibacterial mechanisms, whereas a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the morphological changes of tested bacteria treated with ZnO NPs. The findings suggested that ROS-induced oxidative stress caused membrane damage and bacterial cell death. Overall, the results demonstrated that ZnO NPs could be developed as an alternative antibiotic in poultry production and revealed new possibilities in combating pathogenic microorganisms.
  16. Mohd Yusof H, Abdul Rahman N, Mohamad R, Zaidan UH, Samsudin AA
    Sci Rep, 2020 Nov 17;10(1):19996.
    PMID: 33204003 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76402-w
    This study aims to utilize the cell-biomass (CB) and supernatant (CFS) of zinc-tolerant Lactobacillus plantarum TA4 as a prospective nanofactory to synthesize ZnO NPs. The surface plasmon resonance for the biosynthesized ZnO NPs-CFS and ZnO NPs-CB was 349 nm and 351 nm, respectively, thereby confirming the formation of ZnO NPs. The FTIR analysis revealed the presence of proteins, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups on the surfaces of both the biosynthesized ZnO NPs that act as reducing and stabilizing agents. The DLS analysis revealed that the poly-dispersity indexes was less than 0.4 for both ZnO NPs. In addition, the HR-TEM micrographs of the biosynthesized ZnO NPs revealed a flower-like pattern for ZnO NPs-CFS and an irregular shape for ZnO NPs-CB with particles size of 291.1 and 191.8 nm, respectively. In this study, the biosynthesized ZnO NPs exhibited antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria in a concentration-dependent manner and showed biocompatibility with the Vero cell line at specific concentrations. Overall, CFS and CB of L. plantarum TA4 can potentially be used as a nanofactory for the biological synthesis of ZnO NPs.
  17. Ashari SE, Mohamad R, Ariff A, Basri M, Salleh AB
    J Oleo Sci, 2009;58(10):503-10.
    PMID: 19745577
    Kojic acid monooleate is a fatty acid derivative of kojic acid which can be widely used as a skin whitening agent in a cosmetic applications. In avoiding any possible harmful effects from chemically synthesized product, the enzymatic synthesis appears to be the best way to satisfy the consumer demand nowadays. The ability of immobilized lipase from Rhizomucor meihei (lipozyme RMIM) to catalyze the direct esterification of kojic acid and oleic acid was investigated. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and 5-level-4-factor central composite rotatable were employed to evaluate the effects of synthesis parameters such as enzyme amount (0.1-0.4 g), temperature (30-60 degrees C), substrate molar ratio (1-4 mmol, kojic acid:oleic acid) and reaction time (24-48 h) on percentage molar conversion to kojic acid monooleate. Analysis of the product using TLC, GC and FTIR showed the presence of kojic acid monooleate. The optimal conditions for the enzymatic reaction were obtained after analysis with backward elimination using 0.17 g of enzyme and 4 mmol of substrate at 52.50 degrees C for 42 h. Under these conditions the esterification percentage was 37.21%. The results demonstrated that response surface methodology can be applied effectively to optimize the lipase-catalysed synthesis of kojic acid monooleate. The optimum conditions can be used to scale up the process.
  18. Jumaidin R, Sapuan SM, Jawaid M, Ishak MR, Sahari J
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2017 Jun;99:265-273.
    PMID: 28249765 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.02.092
    The aim of this paper is to investigate the characteristics of thermoplastic sugar palm starch/agar (TPSA) blend containing Eucheuma cottonii seaweed waste as biofiller. The composites were prepared by melt-mixing and hot pressing at 140°C for 10min. The TPSA/seaweed composites were characterized for their mechanical, thermal and biodegradation properties. Incorporation of seaweed from 0 to 40wt.% has significantly improved the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of the TPSA/seaweed composites. Scanning electron micrograph of the tensile fracture showed homogeneous surface with formation of cleavage plane. It is also evident from TGA results that thermal stability of the composites were enhanced with addition of seaweed. After soil burial for 2 and 4 weeks, the biodegradation of the composites was enhanced with addition of seaweed. Overall, the incorporation of seaweed into TPSA enhances the properties of TPSA for short-life product application such as tray, plate, etc.
  19. Jumaidin R, Sapuan SM, Jawaid M, Ishak MR, Sahari J
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2017 Apr;97:606-615.
    PMID: 28109810 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.01.079
    The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of sugar palm fibre (SPF) on the mechanical, thermal and physical properties of seaweed/thermoplastic sugar palm starch agar (TPSA) composites. Hybridized seaweed/SPF filler at weight ratio of 25:75, 50:50 and 75:25 were prepared using TPSA as a matrix. Mechanical, thermal and physical properties of hybrid composites were carried out. Obtained results indicated that hybrid composites display improved tensile and flexural properties accompanied with lower impact resistance. The highest tensile (17.74MPa) and flexural strength (31.24MPa) was obtained from hybrid composite with 50:50 ratio of seaweed/SPF. Good fibre-matrix bonding was evident in the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph of the hybrid composites' tensile fracture. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis showed increase in intermolecular hydrogen bonding following the addition of SPF. Thermal stability of hybrid composites was enhanced, indicated by a higher onset degradation temperature (259°C) for 25:75 seaweed/SPF composites than the individual seaweed composites (253°C). Water absorption, thickness swelling, water solubility, and soil burial tests showed higher water and biodegradation resistance of the hybrid composites. Overall, the hybridization of SPF with seaweed/TPSA composites enhances the properties of the biocomposites for short-life application; that is, disposable tray, plate, etc.
  20. Azizi S, Mohamad R, Bahadoran A, Bayat S, Rahim RA, Ariff A, et al.
    PMID: 27318600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.06.007
    The use of nontoxic biological compounds in the synthesis of nanomaterials is an economic and eco-friendly approach. The present work was undertaken to develop zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) by a green method using simple precursor from the solution consisting of zinc acetate and the flower extract of Anchusa italica (A. italica). Effect of annealing temperature on structural and antimicrobial properties was investigated. The crystalline structure of ZnO-NPs was shown using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that ZnO-NPs are hexagonal in shapes with mean particle size of ~8 and ~14nm at 100°C and 200°C annealing temperatures respectively. The optical band gap was increased from 3.27eV to 3.30eV with the decreasing of the particle size. The antimicrobial activity of ZnO-NPs towards Gram positive (Bacillus megaterium and Stapphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium) pathogens decreased with the increasing of the heat treating temperature. In vitro cytotoxicity studies on Vero cells, a dose dependent toxicity with non-toxic effect of concentration below 142μg/mL was shown. The results indicated that A. italica is an appropriate reaction media to prepare ZnO-NPs for cosmetic and bio-medical productions.
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