A refined carrageenan is a form of carrageenan, extracted from red algae and purified. Important factors affecting the commercial production of carrageenan after alkaline extraction are the ratio of seaweed to water, temperature, and extraction time. In this study, extraction of refined carrageenan from Kappaphycus alvarezii was conducted on pilot plan scale. Extraction conditions were varied, affecting the final characteristics of the carrageenan product. The optimum conditions investigated for the extraction process included the ratio of seaweed to water, temperature, and extraction time determined using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Box-Behnken was used to investigate the interaction effects of three independent variables, namely seaweed to water ratio, extraction temperature and extraction time. The results showed that based on the RSM approach, ratio of seaweed to water, temperature and extraction time had a significant influence on the carrageenan. Optimum extraction conditions obtained were seaweed to water ratio of 1:25.22, extraction temperature of 85.80oC and extraction time of 4 h. Under these optimal conditions, the yield obtained was 31.74 % and gel strength was 1833.37 g.cm-2.
Chhana jalebi is a popular product in middle and northern parts of India and is prepared by frying of batter made from chhana, maida and water and finally soaking in sugar syrup. This chhana based fried sweet product is being prepared and sold by halwais in Indian sweet market. It has a coiled structure with syrupy interiors and chewy body. It has close resemblance to maida jalebi and khoa jalebi, but has firmer coils. The manufacturing procedure varies widely from manufacturer to manufacturer. There was no proper (standard) manufacturing method available for the preparation of chhana jalebi. Hence, a study was conducted to standardize a method for its manufacture consequently it will be helpful to produce the jalebi on a commercial scale. The chhana jalebi was standardized by various process parameters such as fat level in milk 3%, ratio of maida - chhana combination 1:1, water level in batter 45%, frying time and temperature 160-170°C, sugar syrup concentration 68°Brix and soaking time 2 min. Standardized product was analyzed by various physical, chemical, microbial, sensory and textural characteristics. The product had a light brown coloured coiled appearance, crispy body and texture. The nutritional composition percentage of chhana jalebi was protein 5.71±0.20, carbohydrate 67.11±0.19, fat 12.53±0.17 and moisture 20.23±0.25. The shelf life of the jalebi was found to be 5 days at 28°C. This was enhanced to 18 days by using potassium sorbate as preservative at the permitted levels. The optimized process and enhanced shelf life will pave way for commercialization and mechanization of chhana jalebi by food industry.
Animal proteins have become an useful source for producing gelatin nanoparticles, due to its application in cosmetics and therapeutics. Gelatin nanoparticle (GNP) is an excellent biodegradable and biocompatible material. Due to its chemical modification potential gelatin nanoparticles are very promising in carrier system for drug delivery. Most of the commercials gelatin are derived from mammalian sources, such as porcine and bovine. Fish gelatin has become a good alternative resource for GNPs production in view of the various religious, safety and economic reasons. In this present work, the tilapia fish gelatin was used as a raw material for the production gelatin nanoparticles via modified two-step desolvation method. In this process, obtaining high molecular weight (HMW) fraction content of fish gelatin is very crucial for the preparation of stable and small size GNPs. Hence the present study was carried out to assess the various formulation parameters in the first step in the two-step desolvation method to produce fish gelatin nanoparticles (FGNPs). The nanoparticles formed were characterized for mean size and size distribution, while the morphology of the particles was evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The size of fish gelatin nanoparticles was found to be 254±11 nm which is suitable for drug delivery. The study indicated that a high fraction of HMW in precipitate at the first step desolvation could be obtained by using gelatin concentration 9%, temperature 45°C, centrifugation speed at 12000 x g, and centrifugation time was 5 min. It showed that this method is efficient compared to conventional method.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus is prevalent in tropical marine environment in all seasons and can cause seafood-borne gastroenteritis. A total of 251 suspected isolates were tested including 60 from frozen shrimp, 50 from cultured live shrimp, 67 from sediments of culture ponds and 74 from water were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the toxR gene for confirmation as V. parahaemolyticus. Of the 128 toxR positive isolates, 15% of the isolates from culture environment (from live shrimp, sediments and water) and 7% of frozen shrimp samples were positive for the tdh and trh genes. Since urease production could be a marker of trh but not tdh in V. parahaemolyticus, a total of 189 of the 251 suspected V. parahaemolyticus isolates were tested for urease production and 41% of the isolates were found to be positive for urease production. However not all urease positive strains of V. parahaemolyticus were positive for either tdh or trh genes. Detection of virulent strains in shrimp culture environment in Malaysia suggests a probable risk for health of people consuming raw shrimp.
The prevalence of Salmonella in chicken and beef sold in retails outlets in Malaysia was
determined by analysing 312 raw beef and chicken meat samples including their processed
products. Samples purchased from supermarkets, butcher shops and wet market, which being
classified into raw, minced and processed chicken and beef. A total of 86 (27.6%) samples were
found positive for Salmonella spp., with chicken meat samples (40.4%) showed greater presence
compared to beef (15.4%). Highest presence of Salmonella were detected from wet market
samples (35.4%), followed by supermarket (26.9%) and butcher shop (21.3%). The prevalence
of Salmonella were higher in unpacked chicken meat (84.8%), followed by unpacked beef
(27.8%). Salmonella serovars were identified as S. Enteritidis, S. Hadar, S. Dublin, S. Anatum,
S. Stanley, S. Gallinarum, S. Choleraesuis and S. Typhimurium. Detection of 8 Salmonella
serovars showed possibilities of cross contamination in various sources either at slaughtering
house, processing plant or until storage at retails level. Improper cooking method on meats and
hygiene practices prior to consume should be avoided in order to ensure food safety before
ingestion.
A total of 112 burger patties (35 beef burger patties, 39 chicken burger patties and 38 fish burger patties) which are commercially available at retail level were investigated for the presence and number of Listeria monocytogenes. These samples were analyzed using MPN-PCR method and conventional culturing methods. L. monocytogenes was detected in 33.3% of chicken burger patties, 22.9% of beef patties, and 10.5% of fish patty samples. From all contaminated raw burger patties, the estimated count of L. monocytogenes was ranged from 3 to 75 MPN/g. The results suggest that burger act as a potential source of listeriosis if the contaminated burger patty is consumed without adequate cooking. The risk associated with consumption of these samples was found to be high particularly for processed food at retail level in Malaysia. Therefore, food manufacturers play an important role in monitoring the manufacturing process and conduct a periodical surveillance on microbiological quality assessment on the processing plants. Besides, there is a need to increase awareness of consumers and food handlers to practice proper cooking of the burger patties before the point of consumption, to reduce the risk of listeria infection.
The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in retailed sushi were examined using the techniques of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in combination with most probable number (MPN) to quantify the bacteria in 150 samples obtained from three supermarkets. The average prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in retailed sushi was 26.6% with 32%, 16% and 32% from supermarket I, II and III, respectively. Campylobacter jejuni was found to be the predominant species in retailed sushi with 82.49% of all Campylobacter spp. positive samples. Campylobacter coli was not detected in all samples. The maximum MPN number of Campylobacter spp. in retailed sushi purchased from supermarket I, II and III ranged from 3.6-11.0 MPN/g, 9.4->1100 MPN/g and 27-1100 MPN/g, respectively. The isolation of C. jejuni from a variety of ready-to-eat retail sushi may indicate that these products can act as possible vehicles for the dissemination of food-borne campylobacteriosis.
The aims of the present work were to determine the prevalence of Aspergillus spp. and occurrence of aflatoxins (AFs) along the peanut sauce processing line from different peanut sauce
companies in Malaysia, and to determine to which extent peanut sauce processing steps
employed by the peanut sauce industries could efficiently reduce AFs in peanut sauce. Peanut
and chili samples were collected at each processing step along the peanut sauce production
from three peanut sauce companies which were different in companies’ profile. Peanut
samples from Companies B (87.5%) and C (100%) were contaminated with AFs. Of these,
12.5% (Company B) and 75% (Company C) samples exceeded the Malaysian regulatory limit.
None of the samples from Company A was contaminated. The steps efficient in reducing AFs
in peanut sauce identified in the present work were (i) safety monitoring of raw materials, (ii)
sorting of raw materials, and (iii) heat treatment of raw materials.
Little is known on the biosafety level of Vibrio spp. in freshwater fish in Malaysia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and concentration of Vibrio spp. and V. parahaemolyticus in
freshwater fish using the Most Probable Number-Polymerase Chain Reaction (MPN-PCR) method. The study was conducted on 150 samples from two types of freshwater fish commonly sold at hypermarkets, i.e. Pangasius hypophthalmus (catfish) and Oreochromis sp. (red tilapia). Sampling was done on the flesh, intestinal tract and gills of each fish. The prevalence of Vibrio spp. and V. parahaemolyticus was found to be 98.67% and 24% respectively with higher percentages detected in samples from the gills followed by the intestinal tract and flesh. Vibrio spp. was detected in almost all red tilapia and catfish samples. V. parahaemolyticus was detected in 25% of the catfish samples compared to 22.6% of red tilapia fish. The density of Vibrio spp. and V. parahaemolyticus in the samples ranged from 0 to 1.1x107 MPN/g. Although the maximum value was 1.1x107 MPN/g, most samples had microbial loads ranging from 0 to >104 MPN/g. The outcome on the biosafety assessment of Vibrio spp. and V. parahaemolyticus in freshwater fish indicates another potential source of food safety issues to consumers.
Bacillus cereus is a soil inhabitant gram positive bacterium, and is known to cause severe food poisoning. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify the presence of Bacillus cereus s.l. from selected ready to eat cereals purchased randomly from local supermarkets in Kuching and Kota Samarahan, Sarawak. The result showed that four of the 30 food samples were detected to be contaminated by B. cereus s.l. . Our findings suggested that it is important for the public to be aware of the safety of RTE cereals consumption, as it is possible that B. cereus s.l. may be present in high count number and pose hazardous health effects to the consumers.
The present work investigated the antioxidant properties and antihypertensive activity of
magnesium orotate (MgOr) using various established in vitro assays, such as β-carotene
bleaching activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and nitric oxide scavenging activity as well as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Magnesium orotate
nanoparticles (MgOrGANPs) were prepared using the gum arabic (GA) as stabiliser coatings
for nanoparticles through freeze-drying method. The in vitro cytoxicity of MgOrGANPs
against human breast cancer MCF7, liver cancer HepG2, and colon cancer HT29 was investigated. The nitric oxide (NO) and DPPH scavenging assays of MgOrGANPs showed a
dose-dependent trend, while 500 and 200 µL/mL were significantly more effective than the
other concentrations with an IC50 of 89.56 µg/mL and 63.22% DPPH scavenging capacity
respectively. The exposure of human cancer cells to MgOrGANPs at 1.56 – 1,000 µg/mL
using 3-)4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl(2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) inhibited the
growth of cell lines examined in a dose-dependent manner. Hence, MgOrGANPs may have
great potential to be applied for cancer treatments.
Fish crackers made from freshwater fishes is a new dimension in fish cracker industry. In this study, three species were chosen based on their general preference and acceptability by Malaysian. Together with other ingredients, these crackers were prepared using standard formulation and tested in laboratory for their proximate analysis and physical characteristic analysis includes linear expansion, oil absorption, color measurement and texture. Sensory analysis for overall acceptability was carried out among trained panelist in the school. The results for proximate composition and physical analysis showed that there were significant differences (p
Enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins is an important bioprocess method to prepare bioactive peptides with many functionality and health benefits. The aims of the present work were to prepare and determine the physicochemical characteristics of gelatine hydrolysate from skin of shortfin scad (SSGH) via hydrolysis using alcalase. Analyses on chemical composition, molecular weight by SDS PAGE, protein concentration, amino acid composition, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic features, and solubility of SSGH were thus performed. The yield of SSGH obtained was 51.01% (d.b.). The chemical compositions of SSGH for moisture, protein, fat, and ash were 13.82%, 90.05%, 1.95%, and 12.48%, respectively. SSGH showed low molecular weight (
This study examined the effects of drying temperatures (25 and 45 °C) on the physical properties
of different formulations of gelatin/CMC/chitosan composite films. The physical properties
of each formulated film were assessed via Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy,
X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD), Water Vapour Permeability (WVP) and biodegradability. The
incorporation of CMC and chitosan significantly influenced film properties. Increased chitosan
concentrations reduced the film’s amorphous character by increasing its crystalline structure.
The blended films also exhibited amino peaks that shifted from 1542 to ~1548 cm-1 while NH
and/or OH peaks shifted from 3384 to 3288 cm-1. Formulation E had the second lowest WVP
for both drying condition and the highest weight loss for biodegradability after burial in soil for
5 days. In conclusion, different temperature did not affect the properties of film produced and
formulation E qualified as ‘high quality packaging material’ with promising potential for the
food packaging industry.
Unripe and ripe kundang fruits (Bouea macrophylla Griffith) is either consumed fresh or is cooked in Malaysia. In this study composition of unripe and ripe fruits (proximate, amino acids profile, minerals and heavy metal contents) were evaluated. Results obtained showed unripe kundang fruit to possess higher moisture, ash, crude lipid, crude fiber and crude protein contents than the ripe fruits. With regard to amino acid contents, unripe fruits had higher content of essential amino acids. The unripe and ripe fruits were found to be rich in essential minerals with potassium (K) to be in abundance. Heavy metals such as cadmium, nickel, mercury, lead and arsenic, were detected in trace amounts (< 5.0 mg/kg) in both unripe and ripe fruits. Through this investigation, it is concluded that both unripe and ripe fruits to posses’ adequate amount of nutritionally important compounds beneficial to human health and can be explored for commercial purposes.
Employees are an asset to an organisation where they could be the determinant behind organisational’s success or failure in an industry. In this study, the relationship between perceived organisational support (POS), perceived supervisor support (PSS), and organisational commitment (OC) with employee’s intention to stay with their current jobs were studied. For that purpose, 717 questionnaires were collected among casual dining restaurants employees in Klang Valley area and analyses Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were run by using SPSS version 21. The results suggest that POS, PSS, and OC were positively correlated with employee’s intention to stay with their current job. Furthermore, OC was also found to be the most influential factor in affecting employees’ staying intention. The finding is hoped to have important implications where the management can formulate strategies to retain employees in restaurant industry in Malaysia.
Salmonella remains to be a major foodborne pathogen for animals and humans and is the
leading cause of foodborne infections and outbreaks in various countries. Salmonella Enteritidis
is one of the most frequently isolated serotypes in poultry and poultry products from human
food poisoning cases. It can cause mild to acute gastroenterititis as well as other common
food poisoning symptoms when infection takes place in human. Nucleic acid amplification
technologies such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a tool that is rapid and sensitive
for detection of bacterial pathogen. We report the successful detection of S. Enteritidis by
PCR in raw chicken meat artificially-contaminated with serial concentration of S. Enteritidis
using crude DNA extracts as DNA template. PCR primers, ENT-F and ENT-R targeted on sdfI
gene were used to amplify DNA region unique to S. Enteritidis with crude DNA extract of the
samples, yielded product with the size of 303 bp. These primers were specific to S. Enteritidis
when tested by in-silico simulation against genome database of targeted bacterial species and
confirmed in PCR as amplification bands were observed with S. Typhimurium, S. Polarum and
S. Gallinarum. The established PCR can detect as few as 9.4 X 101
CFU/ml of inoculated S.
Enteritidis concentration and proved that pre-enrichment effect have significant effect on PCR
detection by increasing 1000-fold of the sensitivity limit compared to the non pre-enriched
samples. The PCR technique indicated that it can be successfully coupled with pre-enrichment
step to offer advantage in routine screening and surveillance of bacterial contamination in food
samples.
Cocoa pod borer (Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen)) is the main fatal pest that destroys cocoa plantations in South East Asia, mainly in Indonesia and Malaysia. Infested cocoa beans stick to each other, the pulp become hard and normal fermentation process to produce flavour precursors cannot be done. This research aimed to utilize the infested cocoa beans as a source of phenolic compounds. Extraction of phenolic compounds was carried out for three infestation levels regarded as low, medium and heavy. Parameters of study were bean size, shell content, fat content, total polyphenol and antioxidant activity. Results of the study showed that the increase in cocoa pod borer infestation significantly decreased cocoa bean size, fat content and total polyphenol; but shell content was increased. Antioxidant activity of the extracted polyphenol was not significantly affected by the infestation. The results clearly indicate that cocoa beans infested by cocoa pod borer can potentially to be used as a source of phenolic compounds for natural antioxidant uses.
Rubber seed as a waste product from rubber plantations contains nutritive values that can be harnessed
as food for human, feed for animals or biofuel for energy. Proximate analysis showed moisture content of
3.99%, protein content of 17.41 g/100g, fat content of 68.53 ± 0.04 g/100g and ash content of 3.08 ± 0.01
g/100g. Amino acid in rubber seed is high in Glutamic acid (16.13%) and low in Cysteine (0.78%). Despite its potential as a source of protein, fresh rubber seeds contain a toxic factor, cyanogenetic glucoside (186 mg/kg). FAME analysis indicated that rubber seed oil is high in oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid. The fuel potential of rubber seed (585.41 kJ/kg) is in reasonable agreement with ASTM.
The application of non-thermal processing technology (NTP) is increasing within the food industry. The absence of heat in this technology offer some advantages such as the sensory and nutritional attributes of the product remaining unaffected, thus yielding products with better quality compared to traditional processing methods. Suitability of technology for a certain application varies according to the nature of the reason and the purpose for processing. Some NTP has long been used in the food industry in Southeast Asia, but most are still at the initial stage of research. Despite several existing challenges, these technologies have the potential to be taken up as an alternative to processing of value-added food products especially now when consumer and trade demands as well as economic strength in the region is changing.