Research on the use of Jatropha curcas triglycerides as biodiesel feedstock has received worldwide attention due to its inherent characteristics. Unlike palm oil, J. curcas oil is not edible, and thus, it will not disturb the food supply. However, to the researchers' experiences with the synthesis of J. curcas, oil-based biodiesel has shown that the fuel characteristics depend largely on the type of alcohol used as the excess reactants. Transesterification reaction is chosen for this process with sodium methoxide as the catalyst. Comparison studies on the yield of esters using methanol and ethanol, as well as the impacts on the reaction rate are discussed. The effects of reaction time and molar ratio on the reaction conversion are also examined. The determination of reaction yield is based on the conversion of triglycerides into alkyl esters as the main product. The findings are described as follows: the highest percentage yield of product is attained at 96% for methanol as an excess reactant, and this is 90% when ethanol is used. The optimum conditions of parameters are achieved at 6:1 molar ratio of alcohol to triglycerides, 50 min of reaction time and reaction temperature of 65°C for methanol and 75°C for ethanol. The biodiesel properties of both ester fuels were determined according to the existing standards for biodiesel and compared to the characteristics of diesel fuel.
Nipa sap or air nira is a sweet natural beverage obtained from a type of palm tree, Nypa fruticans.
It is readily and spontaneously fermented resulting in the development of alcoholic fermentation products. Objective of this study is to determine the volatile compounds (VOCs) responsible for the aroma in fresh and fermented nipa sap. The sap was left for natural fermentation at 30ºC for 63 days. VOCs of the sap were analysed using static headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Fresh nipa sap contained ethanol (83.43%), diacetyl (0.59%), and esters
(15.97%). Fermented nipa sap contained alcohols (91.16 – 98.29%), esters (1.18 – 8.14%), acetoin (0.02 – 0.7%), diacetyl (0.04 – 0.06%), and acetic acid (0.13 – 0.68%). Concentration of ethanol in fresh nipa sap increased from 0.11% (v/v) to 6.63% (v/v) during the fermentation, and slightly decreased to 5.73% (v/v) at day 63. No higher alcohols were detected in the fresh nipa sap. Concentration of 1-propanol and 2-methylpropanol were constant throughout the fermentation with average of 0.004 to 0.006% (v/v) and 0.0001 to 0.0009% (v/v), respectively. 3-methylbutanol increased during the fermentation process. The highest concentration (0.001% v/v) was recorded at day 35. This study has shown differences in VOCs types between fresh and fermented nipa sap.
The peels of pomelo contribute 30% of the fruit weight and yet it has been dump without recognizing the possible nutritional value of the peels. Study has been carried out to identify flavonoid content of the peels and analysed the activity of the flavonoid towards inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Optimization of flavonoid extraction was conducted using aqueous solvent (methanol and ethanol), extraction time (1-3 h) and extraction temperature (50°C-80°) via water bath extraction. The total content of flavonoids was quantitatively determined by using coloration methods with chromogenic system of NaNO2–Al (NO3)3–NaOH and and it was found that the extraction at 65ºC for 2 h in aqueous ethanol was the optimized condition for maximum flavonoids i.e. 190.42mg/L. A spectrophometric analysis was performed to evaluate flavonoid activity towards lipid peroxidation in the fish tissue. There was reduction in Peroxide value (PV) indicated the inhibition of lipid peroxidation in fish treated with pomelo peel as evidence of concurrency of positive flavonoid activity.
The objective of this study was to determine the physicochemical properties of pink guava (Psidium guajava) puree and its anti-hypertensive effect on Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats (SHR). Antioxidant activities of pink guava puree in water and ethanol extracts, based on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, were 1.43±0.04 mg/gfm and 0.28±0.01 mg/gfm, respectively. A total of 24 male SHRs were divided into a control group, CG, and 3 treatment dosage groups [low dose group, LDG (0.5 g/kg body weight/day), medium dose group, MDG (1.0 g/kg body weight/day), and high dose group, HDG (2.0 g/kg body weight/day)]. Final body weights for treatment dosage groups were lower [MDG (313.01±31.25 g), HDG (318.56±17.96 g), LDG (320.01±22.70 g)] compared to CG (331.08±41.29 g). Final systolic blood pressure values from the beginning and the end of the experiment in MDG and HDG were 231-179 mmHg and 246-169mm Hg, respectively. These results were significantly lower when compared with CG (241-223 mmHg) from the beginning until the end of the experiment. As a conclusion, these results showed that pink guava puree has anti-hypertensive properties.
The whole plant extract of plant Sceletium tortuosum, plant native to South Africa, has been known
traditionally to have mood enhancing and stimulant properties. These properties have been confirmed before by proving serotonin-uptake inhibition activity. A further confirmation by using CB1 receptor binding assay has been performed in this study. The unfermented alkaloid extract was proved to posses a higher activity to bind CB1 receptor compared to that of the fermented one. GC-MS analysis confirmed that unfermented alkoloid extract contain more alkaloids than the fermented one. The ethanol extract was also more active than the fermented one, suggesting that non-alkaloid compounds in this extract could posses this activity. An additional test to check wether this extract can improve cognitive function and memory was performed by acetylcholinesterase inhibitory assay. Both fermented and unfermented alkaloid extracts could inhibit acetylcholinesterase with IC50 being 0.303 mg/ml and 0.330 mg/ml, respectively. However, the major alkaloid in the extract, mesembrine, did not show inhibition of the enzyme. A TLC based test proved that other alkaloids in the extract were responsible to the activity.
The demand for novel antimicrobial agents from natural resources has been increased worldwide for food conservation purpose. In this study antimicrobial activity of musk lime, key lime and lemon were evaluated against various food borne pathogens and spoilage bacteria using disc diffusion test. Type of extraction solvent and concentration level significantly influenced the antibacterial activity of all the extracts. Ethanol extracts of musk lime, key lime and lemon exhibited significant broadest inhibitory activity at 100% concentration level (pure extract) compared to water and juice extracts. 100% ethanol extracts of musk lime (39.7 mm), key lime (26.7 mm) and lemon (32.0 mm) exhibited the largest diameter of inhibition zone (DIZ) against Aeromonas veronii. 100% water extracts of musk lime (25.3 mm), key lime juice extract (23.3 mm) and water extracts of lemon (23.7 mm) was most effective against food spoilage bacteria, A. veronii. The prominent results of the antimicrobial activity from lime, key lime and lemon extracts may attribute them as potential natural food preservatives and could be used in pharmaceuticals field.
The objective of the study was to investigate the hypoglycaemic properties of Malaysian cocoa (Theobroma cacao) polyphenols extract in-vivo and insulin sensitivity in-vitro. Cocoa extract (CE) (containing 190 - 286 mg total polyphenol per gram extract) was prepared from fermented and roasted (140°C, 20 min) beans by extracting with 80% ethanol in the ratio of 1 to 10. For the in-vivo study, the CE was administered in three dosages (1%, 2%, and 3%) to groups of normal and diabetic rats for a period of 4 weeks by forcefeeding. Results showed that dosages of 1% and 3% CE significantly reduced (p < 0.05) plasma glucose levels in the diabetic rats. An in-vitro study (BRIN-BD11 cell lines) was used to evaluate the effect of CE on insulinsensitivity. The results demonstrated that CE at a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml significantly increased (p < 0.05) insulin level compared to the control. The results of this study showed that Malaysian cocoa polyphenol extract have the potential of being an insulin-mimetic agent. Further studies are on-going to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of polyphenols present in CE that contribute to the reduction of plasma glucose levels and insulin mimicking activity.
Anomaly is a congenital disorder. It is a medical condition that is present since birth. But the word congenital neither applies nor excludes genetic disorder. Congenital anomalies due to environmental factors are called as Teratogens. Infections, deficiency in the diet and toxins are environmental causes. Maternal folic acid deficiency may cause spina bifida. Intake of alcohol, and certain prescribed drugs like phenytoin may cause congenital anomalies or defects. Apart from physical anomalies, other types of congenital disorders are inborn errors of metabolism (Kumar, Abbas and Fausto, 2005). About 15% to 25% of anomalies are due to chromosomal factors or single gene factors, 8% to 12% anomalies are said to be due to environmental factors, 25% are said to be due to multifactorial inheritance 40% to 60% of anomalies are of unknown origin (Stevenson, 1993 ; Nelson and Holmes, 1984). Congenital anomalies are present since birth with structural deformity found immediately after birth or their presence may be detected by signs and symptoms later on (Holland and Brew, 1991). Congenital Anomalies are seen in 2% of population as major abnormality. There are two types of abnormalities, namely malformations where growth disturbances occur during embryogenesis and the other is deformation. It is late change that appears in a structure which was normal earlier (Roizen and Patterson, 2003).
This article reports on the structural characteristics and antioxidant activity of unmodified autohydrolyzed ethanol organosolv lignin (AH EOL) extracted from oil palm fronds (OPF) and modified autohydrolyzed ethanol organosolv lignin via incorporation of p-nitrophenol (AHNP EOL). The isolated lignin were analyzed by FTIR, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, 2D NMR; HSQC and HMBC, CHN analysis, molecular weight distribution using GPC analyzer, thermal analysis; TGA and DSC. The chemical modification by utilizing an organic scavenger during delignification process provided smaller lignin fragments and enhanced the solubility of lignin by reducing its hydrophobicity properties. It was revealed that the antioxidant properties increased as compared to the unmodified organosolv lignin. Additionally, the modified lignin has better solubility in water (DAHNP EOL=35%>DAH EOL=25%).
Ficus deltoidea or Mas cotek is one of the common medicinal plants used in Malaysia has been claimed to have antidiabetic activity. However, scientific evidence to confirm its efficacy is still lacking. Thus, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of ethanolic extract of Ficus deltoidea to reduce hyperglycaemia in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats at different prandial state. The results showed that, ethanolic extract of Ficus deltoidea significantly reduced fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia particularly after 4 and 6 hours of extract administration. Likewise, glucose tolerance activity was significantly improved in the presence of Ficus deltoidea ethanolic extract at a low dose, 100 mg/kg. It is suggested that ethanolic extract of Ficus deltoidea at particular doses, possess fasting and postprandial antihyperglycemic activity as well as glucose tolerance activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Six groups of adult Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with a variety of treatments to elucidate their cytoprotective effects. Absolute ethanol combined with HCl was used to induce gastric lesions in rats. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of Chromolaena odorata, a famous folk herb for treating skin wounds were evaluated to determine their protective effect on gastric mucosa. In this study, aqueous extract and ethanol extract of C. odorata were combined with honey. In addition, honey alone and honey combined with cimetidine were also evaluated. Rat stomachs were examined grossly and histologically. Results were expressed as inhibition percentage. The honey and aqueous extract combination showed the highest inhibition percentage (72.67%) followed by honey and ethanol extract (58.92%), honey and cimetidine (56.55%) and the lowest was honey alone (46.74%). However, there were no significant differences between the effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. odorata and honey in promoting cytoprotective effects and this may be due to the small sample size. Nevertheless, these results suggest that C. odorata and honey may be beneficial in treating induced gastric mucosal injury.
The protective effect of the ethanol extract of the rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe on acute hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (1000 mg/kg) was studied in plasma and hepatic tissue samples obtained from male Sprague-Dawley rats. The ethanol extract was given in oral doses of 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg to the rats at 0, 4 and 8 hrs after paracetamol was given orally. The plasma and liver of the rats were subjected to biochemical analysis 24 hrs after hepatotoxicity was induced to determine the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA) and aspartate transaminase (AST). The results were compared to the rats which were given the antidote N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (500 mg/kg) at 0, 4 and 8 hrs after the paracetamol dose. The results showed that at 200 mg/kg the extract reduced the plasma levels of SOD significantly (p < 0.05) while at a higher dose of 300 mg/kg it reduced plasma SOD, hepatic MDA, serum AST and increased the levels of plasma proteins significantly (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the ethanol extract of Z. officinale showed protective effect against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity at both dose levels and the protective effect was better at the higher dose.
Effects of different types of solvent on the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Quercus infectoria extract have not been well documented. Therefore, extraction process was conducted using conventional Soxhlet extraction with six different types of solvent (100% methanol, ethanol, acetone, water and 70% methanol, and ethanol). High performance liquid chromatography was implemented to identify gallic acid and tannic acid in the extracts. Water extracts contained the highest concentration of both gallic acid and tannic acid compared to other types of solvent; 51.14 mg/g sample and 1332.88 mg/g sample of gallic acid and tannic acid. Meanwhile, antioxidant and antibacterial activity were tested using DPPH free radicals scavenging and disc diffusion assay. Results demonstrated that water extracts gave the highest antioxidant activity (approximately 94.55%), while acetone extract gave the largest inhibition zone for disc diffusion assay (19.00mm respectively). The results also revealed rich sources of gallic acid and tannic acid in Q. infectoria which might provide a novel source of these natural antioxidant and antibacterial activity.
Current ethanol production processes utilizing crops such as sugar cane and corn starch have been well established over the decade. Other crop such as cassava is a potential candidate in producing ethanol. However, thermal processes are required to hydrolyze starch for the production of fermentable sugars. The processes are energy intensive and could lead to undesirable by-products generation. In this work, the hydrolysis of cassava starch is studied following an experimental design as a statistical problem solving approach. Central composite design (CCD) is used in order to select the most important variables from the simultaneous study on the effect and influence of operating conditions of bioreactor utilized, namely, pH, temperature and substrate concentration, as well as to optimize the process of cassava starch hydrolysis. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the cassava starch hydrolysis is enhanced by pH and temperature. Model validations show good agreement between experimental results and the predicted responses.
The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of sociodemographic factors on smoking and alcohol consumption among adults in Penang (Malaysia). A cross-sectional primary survey data with 398 respondents was used for analysis. The present study applied logistic regression models to examine the factors affecting the odds of smoking and alcohol consumption. The results showed that gender, ethnicity and education could significantly affect smoking. In particular, males (OR: 26.678) had a higher likelihood of smoking compared to the females, whereas Chinese (OR: 0.177), Indians/others (OR: 0.331) and individuals with tertiary education (OR: 0.258) had a lower likelihood of smoking than others. In terms of alcohol, gender, ethnicity and marital status were found to have a significant influence on the likelihood of alcohol consumption. Specifically, males (OR: 5.051), Chinese (OR: 37.796) and Indians/others (OR: 10.863) were more likely to consume alcohol than others, while married individuals (OR: 0.380) were less likely to consume alcohol than unmarried individuals. Based on the findings of the present study, numerous population-based intervention measures were suggested.
In light of the increases in alcohol-induced diseases and social problems, the present study sets out to examine the factors affecting alcohol consumption among adults in Penang (Malaysia) using a cross-sectional survey sample consisting of 398 respondents. The results of the logistic regression analysis show that age, gender, ethnicity, marital status and smoking are significantly associated with alcohol consumption. In particular, males (OR: 3.720; 95% CI: 1.939, 7.136), Chinese (OR: 3.628; 95% CI: 1.808, 7.279) and smokers (OR: 5.083; 95% CI: 1.876, 13.774) are more likely to consume alcohol than others, whereas, old individuals (OR: 0.971; 95% CI: 0.941, 1.002), Malays (OR: 0.059; 95% CI: 0.021, 0.165) and married individuals (OR: 0.419; 95% CI: 0.211, 0.833) are less likely to consume alcohol than others. Based on the findings of the present study, several intervention strategies toward reducing alcohol consumption are proposed. Specifically, these strategies should be targeted at young individuals, males, Chinese, unmarried individuals and smokers.
ntroduction: Currently, researchers are aiming to explore herbal plants to replace synthetic drugs because herbal plants contain high active compounds and fewer side effects. Our study was done to determine the antibacterial activity of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (E. longifolia) root using ethanol based extract. Methods: Five types of pathogenic bacterial strains were used; Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus ce- reus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Disc diffusion assay and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) tests were used to determine the inhibition zone and turbidity of suspension which reflects the antibacterial activity of the extract. Results: The ethanolic extract of E. longifolia Jack root extract showed positive results against Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and B. cereus) and Gram- negative (S. typhi). B.cereus and S.typhi showed inhibition zone values of 11.76mm and 14.33mm at the extract concentration of 150mg/ml that were higher than the positive control values (9.00, 12.67mm) respectively. However, E. coli and P. aeruginosa did not show any inhibition by the ethanol-based extract. Conclusion: From the results we can conclude that E.Longifolia root extract possesses antibacterial activity that can be further explored to produce new medicinal products.
Bunga rafflesia cantleyi Solms-Laubach merupakan salah satu jenis tumbuhan liar boleh ditemui di hutan tanah rendah di Semenanjung Malaysia dan digunakan secara meluas dalam ubatan tradisional. Objektif utama dalam kajian ini adalah untuk menguji keberkesanan ekstrak tumbuhan ini sebagai agen aktiviti antibakteria. rafflesia cantleyi Solms-Laubach diesktrak dengan menggunakan tiga kaedah pengekstrakkan berperingkat iaitu petroleum eter (PE) diikuti dengan etil asetat (EA) dan berakhir dengan etanol. Kesemua ekstrak ini kemudiannya diuji terhadap beberapa bakteria ujian iaitu Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 dan Salmonella typhimurium dengan menggunakan kaedah resapan telaga. Hasil keputusan menunjukkan ekstrak etil asetat dan etanol mempunyai kesan perencatan bakteria yang baik, manakala ekstrak petroleum eter langsung tidak menunjukkan sebarang aktiviti antibakteria. Hasil kajian juga mendapati bahawa ekstrak etil asetat lebih ketara merencat kesemua bakteria yang diuji berbanding dengan ekstrak ethanol. Dua ujian lain yang dijalankan iaitu ujian penentuan nilai kepekatan perencatan minimum (MIC) dan nilai kepekatan minimum bakterisidal (MBC) didapati menyokong keputusan ujian kaedah resapan telaga di mana nilai MIC yang diperoleh bagi ekstrak etil asetat adalah lebih rendah iaitu dalam julat 6.25 hingga 12.5 mg/ml dan nilai MBC pula dalam julat 25.0 hingga 50.0 mg/ml berbanding ekstrak etanol dengan nilai MIC yang lebih besar iaitu dalam julat 25.0 hingga 50.0 mg/ml dan nilai MBCnya adalah 100.0 mg/ml.
Ocimum basilicum seed extracts were found to possess significant anti-ulcer activity against ethanol-induced ulceration in experimental animal models. Three groups of adult male rats were used, with each group consisting of six rats. Oral administration of absolute ethanol to rats pre-treated with 10% Tween 20® (Group 1) produced extensive haemorrhagic lesions of the gastric mucosa. Rats orally pre-treated with O. basilicum extract suspended in 10% Tween 20® (Group 2) or cimetidine in 10% Tween 20® (Group 3), 30 min before oral administration of absolute alcohol had significantly reduced (p
Introduction: The study was done at the aim to assess the functionality and viability of the β cells of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats model following repetitive dosage of administration of ethanolic extracts of Andrographis paniculata. Materials and Methods: The diabetic rats were treated with the extracts for fourteen days and at the dose given was 500 mg/kg twice daily. The assessments were made on fasting blood glucose, insulin, and immunohistochemical aspect of β cells before and after treatment. Results: The results showed that there was a signifi cant reduction on fasting blood glucose levels in metformin, 95% and 50% ethanolic plant extracts-treated groups but on insulin level only 95% and 50% ethanolic extracts-treated groups gave a signifi cant reduction(p