The viability of three recently isolated local strains of Bact. typhosus has been studied on 20 specimens of local hawker’s syrup used for sweetening ice balls and ice water. Precise survival times cannot be stated and only relatively wide limits can be estimated differing possibly in every individual case. Survival is influenced by the following factors : 1. The character of the containing material 2. The presence of other bacteria 3. Temperature 4. The presence of bactericidal agents or substances Significant diminution of the number of bacteria in 2 to 5 days after inoculation to sugar solutions is an important observation although survival up to two weeks has been noticed in repeated experiments. The results of experiments conducted in market syrup samples and on control experiments with laboratory sugar solutions indicate that the survival of the organisms tends to be more prolonged in dilute solutions than in concentrated
The sugar content of twenty-four liquid medicines commonly prescribed for infants and young children were measured and the type of sugars present were also identified in four randomly selected samples. All the liquid medicines tested contained sugar, in the range of 29.4% to 61.2%. Sucrose appeared to be the most commonly used sugar. Whilst it is agreed that sucrose makes the medicine more acceptable to children, its continual use by the pharmaceutical industry should be discontinued due to its harmful effect on the dental health of children, particularly those taking these syrup-based medicines on prolonged basis. Sugar-free alternatives such as sorbitol or saccharin should be used instead.
Diet and sugar eating habits, in particular sweet preference levels, are gradually nurtured over time by culturally accepted dietary norms. The dietary habits of Malaysia's three main ethnic groups are distinctively different from each other and expectedly, many studies have discovered significant ethnic variations in caries experience. In order to guide further research work into the causes of these variations, this pilot study was designed to establish whether ethnic variations exist in sweet preference levels. This study found that although the difference in sweet preference between boys and girls in this sample was not statistically significant, the ethnic variation was statistically significant. The implications of this study and suggestions for further research in this field are discussed.
Food consumption of 50 female students in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia was recorded for 7 days. Foods and drinks most frequently consumed were selected for analysis of iron, zinc, copper and lead content. The mean daily intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat among the students are 6.5±1.4 MJ (1550±335 kcal), 59.8±18.5g. 227. 1±54.6 g and 46.0±11.5 g respectively. This diet contributed 19.6±6.4 mg Fe, 7.0±2.0 mg Zn and 1.6±0.6 mg Cu per day which were lower than the Malaysian RDA for Fe and US RDA for Zn, while Cu is within the recommended range. The main sources of these minerals in the student’s diet were rice, rice products, meat and animal products. Lead concentration in the diet (134±77 ug/day) is below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) value suggested by Codex Alimentarius Commission (1984). This study indicated concern regarding the low intake of the essential trace elements on long term basis among the students.
Diet is one of the major factors contributing to the development of obesity, apart from heredity and energy balance. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to assess energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat intakes in relation to bodyweight status among government office workers in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 185 Malay men and 196 Malay women aged 18 and above were randomly selected as the study sample. Height and weight were taken to determine body mass index (BMI). The dietary profile was obtained by using 24-hour dietary recalls and food frequency methods. This was analysed to determine average nutrient intake per day. Other information was ascertained from tested and coded questionnaires. The subjects were categorised into three groups of bodyweight status namely underweight (BMI < 20 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI 20-25 kg/m2) and obese (BMI > 25 kg/m2). The prevalence of obesity was 37.8%. The study showed that the mean energy intake of the respondents was 1709 ± 637 kcal/day. The energy composition comprised of 55.7 ± 7.6% carbohydrates, 29.7 ± 21.7 % fat and 15.6 ± 3.8% protein. There was no significant difference in diet composition among the three groups. The findings indicate that normal weight and overweight individuals had a lower intake of calories and carbohydrates than the underweight individuals (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in fat intakes.
Three primary schools with three different food service managements in Kuala Selangor were selected for this study. Food samples served for five school days were taken and analyzed for calories, protein, fat and carbohydrate. It was observed that most of the food served was rice-based such as nasi lemak, chicken rice, noodles and traditional cakes. The amount of calories and protein per serving ranged from 77-274 kcal and 0.9-3.6 g respectively. Food served under the Supplementary School Feeding Programme contained higher calories than those sold by these school canteens. However, the amounts of protein and calories were still short of the expected amounts recommended by the Ministry of Education, which according to menu should provide at least 10 g protein and 290-390 kcal. The percentage contributions of energy from protein in foods served at school canteens were also lower than the recommended.
An assessment of the daily intake of major nutrients among 409 adults (males and females aged between 18-60 years, normal body mass index) residing in four regions in Malaysia was carried out as part of a major study on energy requirement. Subjects from both urban and rural areas completed a 3-day food record during the study. Mean energy intake among the men and women were 9.05 ± 2.21 MJ/day (2163 kcal/day) and 7.19 ± 1.60 MJ/day (1718 kcal/day) respectively, corresponding to 90% of the Malaysian RDA. A mean of 14% of the total energy was derived from protein, 23% from fat and 63% from carbohydrate. Energy intake amongst male subjects in the rural area (8.47 MJ/day, 2024 kcal) was significantly lower than their urban counterparts (9.52 MJ/day, 2275 kcal). There was no difference in mean energy intake in both the urban (7. 19 MJ/day, 1718 kcal) as well as rural women (7.16 MJ/day, 1711 kcal) corresponding to 86% of the RDA. The distribution of nutrients to the total energy intake amongst rural subjects were 13% for protein in both males and females, 65% for carbohydrate in males and 66% in females and 19% for fat in males and 21% for females. In the urban male and female subjects, the distribution of protein, carbohydrate and fat to the total energy intake were 14%, 55% and 29% and 30% respectively. The rural subjects showed a poorer mean intake of vitamins and minerals compared to the urban subjects. The diets of the male subjects in the rural area were deficient, less than two-third RDA in calcium, riboflavin and niacin. Calcium and iron intakes were less than two-third RDA in both the rural as well as the urban women. The rural women also had a poor intake of vitamin A and niacin. Overall, only protein and vitamin C intake met the RDA in most subjects from rural and urban areas.
AIM: To evaluate the anthropometric measurements and dietary intake of the free-living elderly in a Chinese community.
METHOD: A survey was carried out on 48 male and female subjects aged 60 to 96 years using anthropometric, dietary intake and questionnaire techniques.
RESULTS: The study indicated female subjects to have more health problems, like pain at the joints (33%), hypertension (17%) and diabetes (27%) as compared to the male subjects. Dietary intake analysis showed the Chinese male subjects to have a higher energy intake (1,623 kcal) compared to the females (1,197 kcal) even though they did not fulfill the recommended dietary intake. The intake for energy, fats and carbohydrates, was found to be significantly different (p < 0.05) between both sexes. Anthropometric measurements indicated male elderly subjects to be significantly heavier (p < 0.05, 55.4 kg) and taller (161.8 cm) than female elderly subjects (49.5 kg; 146.2 cm respectively). About half of the elderly were normal in their BMI (male 55.6%; female 50%) and only 6.6% of the female subjects were obese. More male subjects were found to be underweight (33%) compared to female subjects (17%). Waist hip ratio was 0.92 for male and 0.87 for female.
CONCLUSION: Our study showed that female elderly subjects had more health problems compared to male elderly subjects. On the whole, the elderly did not fulfill the recommended amount for energy intake while the percentage for carbohydrates, fats and protein from the total calorie intake were not in accordance with the healthy diet guidelines. Anthropometrically, male subjects were heavier and taller than female subjects. Looking at body mass index, most of the male elderly subjects were in the normal to underweight range. With these results, more research is warranted to give a clearer picture of the Chinese elderly in the country.
Study site: Kampung Baru Tabuh Naning, Alor Gajah, Malacca
The 3-day seminar-workshop on 'Food-based Dietary Guidelines and Nutrition Education' was held from 22-24 July 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to present the latest scientific information on nutrition and health and to discuss its impact on the rationale and process for the development of food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG). The first two sessions were devoted to a review of the current information on the relation between lifestyle factors and chronic diseases, particularly obesity; the present health status and food consumption patterns in Malaysia; the current consensus on carbohydrates and fats and oils and the importance of considering the glycemic index of foods; and the importance of micronutrients in health and disease. The third and fourth sessions dealt with the rationale of FBDG and the process of their development, drawing from the 1990 FAO/WHO Consultation on Development of FBDG and the experience in the Philippines and in Europe. The importance of effective dissemination of nutrition messages to the public was thoroughhly discussed. The workshop sessions arrived at recommendations on important issues in the development of FBDG in the region, including main research and information needs, the steps in the development of FBDG, and strategies for their dissemination.
This is to cross-over study to assess the effectiveness of fresh young coconut water (CW), and carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage (CEB) compared with plain water (PW) for whole body rehydration and blood volume (BV) restoration during a 2 h rehydration period following exercise-induced dehydration. Eight healthy male volunteers (mean age and VO2max of 22.4 +/- 3.3 years and 45.8 +/- 1.5 ml min kg-1 respectively) exercised at 60% of VO2max in the heat (31.1 +/- 0.03 degrees C, 51.4 +/- 0.1% rh) until 2.78 +/- 0.06% (1.6 +/- 0.1 kg) of their body weight (BW) was lost. After exercise, the subjects sat for 2 h in a thermoneutral environment (22.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C; 67.0 +/- 1.0% rh) and drank a volume of PW, CW and CEB on different occasions representing 120% of the fluid loss. A blood and urine sample, and the body weight of each subject was taken before and after exercise and at 30 min intervals throughout a rehydration period. Each subject remained fasted throughout rehydration. Each fluid was consumed in three portions in separate trials representing 50% (781 +/- 47 ml), 40% (625 +/- 33 ml) and 30% (469 +/- 28 ml) of the 120% fluid loss at 0, 30 and 60 min of the 2 h rehydration period, respectively. The drinks given were randomised. In all the trials the subjects were somewhat hypohydrated (range 0.08-0.18 kg BW below euhydrated BW; p > 0.05) after a 2 h rehydration period since additional water and BW were lost as a result of urine formation, respiration, sweat and metabolism. The percent of body weight loss that was regained (used as index of percent rehydration) during CW, PW, and CEB trials was 75 +/- 5%, 73 +/- 5% and 80 +/- 4% respectively, but was not statistically different between trials. The rehydration index, which provided an indication of how much of what was actually ingested was used for body weight restoration, was again not different statistically between trials (1.56 +/- 0.14, 1.36 +/- 0.13 and 1.71 +/- 0.21 for CW, CEB and PW respectively). Although BV restoration was better with CW, it was not statistically different from CEB and PW. Cumulative urine output was similar in all trials. There were no difference at any time in serum Na+ and Cl-, serum osmolality, and net fluid balance between the three trials. Urine osmolality decreased after 1 h during the rehydration period and it was lowest in the PW trial. Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly higher compared with PW ingestion when CW and CEB were ingested during the rehydration period. CW was significantly sweeter, caused less nausea, fullness and no stomach upset and was also easier to consume in a larger amount compared with CEB and PW ingestion. In conclusion, ingestion of fresh young coconut water, a natural refreshing beverage, could be used for whole body rehydration after exercise.
The pollen of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a strong allergen and causes severe pollinosis in Malaysia and Singapore. In the previous study (Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 64, 820-827 (2002)), from the oil palm pollens, we purified an antigenic glycoprotein (Ela g Bd 31 K), which is recognized by IgE from palm pollinosis patients. In this report, we describe the structural analysis of sugar chains linked to palm pollen glycoproteins to confirm the ubiquitous occurrence of antigenic N-glycans in the allergenic pollen. N-Glycans liberated from the pollen glycoprotein mixture by hydrazinolysis were labeled with 2-aminopyridine followed by purification with a combination of size-fractionation HPLC and reversed-phase HPLC. The structures of the PA-sugar chains were analyzed by a combination of two-dimensional sugar chain mapping, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and tandem MS analysis, as well as exoglycosidase digestions. The antigenic N-glycan bearing alpha1-3 fucose and/or beta1-2 xylose residues accounts for 36.9% of total N-glycans: GlcNAc2Man3Xyl1Fuc1GlcNAc2 (24.6%), GlcNAc2Man3Xyl1GlcNAc2 (4.4%), Man3Xyl1Fuc1-GlcNAc2 (1.1%), GlcNAc1Man3Xyl1Fuc1GlcNAc2 (5.6%), and GlcNAc1Man3Xyl1GlcNAc2 (1.2%). The remaining 63.1% of the total N-glycans belong to the high-mannose type structure: Man9GlcNAc2 (5.8%), Man8GlcNAc2 (32.1%), Man7GlcNAc2 (19.9%), Man6GlcNAc2 (5.3%).
Recurring reports of a highly allergenic 42-46-kDa protein in Hevea brasiliensis latex appeared to have been resolved with the discovery of a 43-kDa allergenic latex protein that was a homologue to patatin. However, the low to moderate prevalence of sensitization to the protein, designated Hev b 7, among latex-allergic patients could not adequately explain the frequent observations of the 42-46-kDa allergen. This led to the hypothesis that another, more allergenic protein of a similar molecular mass existed in Hevea latex. We report the isolation and purification of a 42.98-kDa latex glycoprotein showing homology to the early nodule-specific protein (ENSP) of the legumes Medicago sativa, Medicago truncatula, and Glycine max. The protein is allergenic, being recognized by immunoglobulin E (IgE) in sera from latex-allergic patients. The IgE epitope resides on the carbohydrate moiety of the protein, and the presence of a similar carbohydrate component on potato tuber patatin enables the latter to inhibit IgE binding to the ENSP homologue. The cDNA encoding the ENSP homologue was isolated by reverse transcription-PCR and cloned. The protein predicted from the cDNA sequence has 391 amino acids, the first 26 of which constitute a putative signal peptide. The deduced molecular mass of the mature protein is 40.40 kDa, while its isoelectric point is estimated at 5.0. The discrepancy between the predicted and observed molecular mass might be due to glycosylation, for which three N-sites on the protein are predicted. The purified protein showed lipase and esterase activities and may be involved in plant defense.
A laboratory-scale study was undertaken to evaluate the liquid state bioconversion (LSB) in terms of biodegradation of microbially treated domestic wastewater sludge (biosolids) as well as its kinetics. The potential fungal strains and process factors developed from previous studies were used throughout the study. The results presented in this study showed that an effective biodegradation occurred with the biosolids (sludge cake) accumulated. The maximum biosolids (sludge cake) accumulated (93.8 g/kg of liquid sludge) enriched with the biomass protein (30.2 g/kg of dry biosolids), was achieved which improved the effluent quality by enhancing the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), reducing sugar (RS), soluble protein (SP), total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS). The higher reduction of specific resistance to filtration (SRF) was observed during bioconversion process. The kinetics results showed that the experimental data were better fitted for the biodegradation efficiency, and biosolids accumulation and biodegradation rate.