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  1. Fulltext Production of spray-dried Sarawak pineapple (Ananas comosus) powder from enzyme liquefied puree
    Pui, L. P., Ng. J. M. L., Wong, C. W.
    International Food Research Journal, 2015;22(4):1631-1636.
    MyJurnal
    Spray drying is used widely for converting liquid food products into powder form as the dried powder is known to have a longer shelf life at ambient temperature, convenience to use and low transportation expenditure. In this study, the Sarawak pineapple puree was spray-dried and the characterization of the resulting powder was performed. The process of enzyme liquefaction was optimized with Pectinex® Ultra SP-L and Celluclast® 1.5 L (single and combined treatment) at different concentrations (0–2.5 %) and incubation time (0-2.5 hours). The combined treatment with both enzymes (1.5% v/w Pectinex® Ultra SP-L + 0.5% v/w Celluclast® 1.5 L, 1.5 hour) was found to be the best parameter, which produced purees with the lowest viscosity of 67.98 ± 4.27 cp. Optimization of spray drying process was carried out using different inlet temperatures (150-180°C) and maltodextrin concentrations (15-30 % w/w). Results indicated that the spraydried powder produced at 160°C with 15% w/w of maltodextrin has the highest yield (31.63 %). The spray-dried powder was further characterized for the moisture content (6.00 ± 0.63%), water activity (0.36 ± 0.01 Aw), hygroscopicity (17.35 ± 0.64%), bulk density (0.46 ± 0.04 g/ cm3 ) and solubility (87.33 ± 2.08 seconds). The fruit powder of this study can be incorporated into different fruit added –value products, such as fruit juice, yogurt, jelly and other beverages.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  2. Isolation and structure elucidation of triterpenes from inflorescence of banana (Musa balbisiana cv. Saba)
    Tin, H.S., Padam, B.S., Abdullah, M.I., Chye, F.Y.
    International Food Research Journal, 2016;23(2):866-872.
    MyJurnal
    The study aimed to isolate and elucidate the chemical compounds that are found in banana
    (Musa balbisiana cv. Saba) inflorescences. Banana inflorescence buds were extracted using
    methanol and the resulted methanolic extract was partitioned using chloroform, ethyl acetate
    and butanol against deionized water. The chloroform partition was further separated into
    fractions using column chromatography assisted by thin layer chromatography. The structure
    elucidation was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR). Three
    triterpenes were isolated namely 31-norcyclolaudenone (1), cycloartenol (2) and (24R)-4a,24-
    trimethyl-5a-cholesta-8,25(27)-dien-3b-ol (3). This is the first report on the isolation of these
    triterpenes from Musa balbisiana inflorescence. The discovery of new triterpenes from banana
    inflorescence should be further explored to open a new perspective that banana by-products
    might serve as new source of natural products for food and pharmaceutical applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  3. Feed-based vaccination regime against streptococcosis in red tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus x Oreochromis mossambicus
    Ismail MS, Siti-Zahrah A, Syafiq MR, Amal MN, Firdaus-Nawi M, Zamri-Saad M
    BMC Vet Res, 2016;12(1):194.
    PMID: 27608936 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0834-1
    Streptococcosis is an important disease of tilapia throughout the world. In Malaysia, streptococcosis outbreak was commonly reported during the 3-month period of high water temperature between April and July. This study describes the duration of protection following single and double booster dose regimes against streptococcosis in tilapia using a feed-based vaccine containing formalin-killed Streptococcus agalactiae. A total of 510 tilapias of 120 ± 10 g were selected and divided into 3 groups. Fish of Group 1 were vaccinated at weeks 0 and 2 (single booster group) while fish of Group 2 were vaccinated at weeks 0, 2 and 6 (double booster group) with a feed-based vaccine against streptococcosis. Fish of Group 3 was not vaccinated. Serum samples were collected weekly to determine the antibody level while samples of eye, brain and kidney were collected for bacterial isolation. At week 10, all fish were challenged with live S. agalactiae and the survival rate was determined.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  4. Fulltext Diversity of Leptospira spp. in Rats and Environment from Urban Areas of Sarawak, Malaysia
    Pui CF, Bilung LM, Apun K, Su'ut L
    J Trop Med, 2017;2017:3760674.
    PMID: 28348601 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3760674
    Various prevalence studies on Leptospira in animals and humans, as well as environmental samples, had been conducted worldwide, including Malaysia. However, limited studies have been documented on the presence of pathogenic, intermediate, and saprophytic Leptospira in selected animals and environments. This study was therefore conducted to detect Leptospira spp. in rats, soil, and water from urban areas of Sarawak using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. A total of 107 rats, 292 soil samples, and 324 water samples were collected from April 2014 to February 2015. Pathogenic Leptospira was present in 5.6% (6/107) of rats, 11.6% (34/292) of soil samples, and 1.9% (6/324) of water samples. Intermediate Leptospira was present in 2.7% (8/292) of soil samples and 1.9% (6/324) of water samples. Saprophytic Leptospira was present in 10.3% (11/107) of rats, 1.4% (4/292) of soil samples, and 0.3% (1/324) of water samples. From this study, 76 Leptospira spp. were isolated. Based on DNA sequencing, the dominant Leptospira spp. circulating in urban areas of Sarawak are pathogenic Leptospira noguchii, intermediate Leptospira wolffii serovar Khorat, and saprophytic Leptospira meyeri, respectively. Overall, this study provided important surveillance data on the prevalence of Leptospira spp. from rats and the environment, with dominant local serovars in urban areas of Sarawak.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  5. Fulltext The environment: an agricultural perspective on what we know and what we need to know
    Devendra, C.
    ASM Science Journal, 2015;9(1):1-20.
    MyJurnal
    The natural environment embraces agriculture and all its components-crops, animals, land, water,
    forestry and fisheries. It is the most important user of environmental resources, made more complex
    by the interactions of the various systems, biophysical elements and their implications. Increased food
    production, especially of animal protein supplies are unable to meet current and projected future needs
    for humans, including about 15 %of the world population being malnourished. Agriculture is currently
    waning, and a coordinated and concerted technologically-driven transformation is necessary. Poorly
    managed agriculture for example, can lead to serious environmental degradation and exacerbate
    poverty. Land and water are considered to be the most limiting factors in the future. Non- irrigated
    rainfed areas can be divided into high potential and low potential areas; the former offers considerable
    promise to expand food production. This paper argues for increased Research and Development (R&D)
    focus that can maximise improved natural resource management(NRM), and whether agricultural
    development can maximise productivity yields .Other opportunities include expanding crop–animal
    production systems in less favoured areas (LFAs), intensifying land use for silvopastoral systems in
    rainfed areas , and enhance carbon sequestration. Ruminants can be used as an entry point for the
    development of LFAs, and the presence of about 41.5% of the goat population found in the semi-arid/
    arid AEZs X provides good opportunities for expanding food security and human well-being. Communitybased
    interdisciplinary and systems approaches are essential to provide the solutions. The legacy of
    continuing malnutrition and food insecurity must be overcome by effective development policy, multidonor
    resource allocation, governance and political will that target food insecurity and poverty. The R&D
    agendas and resource allocations are compelling, but dedicated vision can lead the way for sciencedriven
    sustainable environment, efficiency in NRM, and self-reliance to the extent possible , in harmony
    with nature and the environment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  6. Biodiesel Production from Citrillus colocynthis Oil Using Enzymatic Based Catalytic Reaction and Characterization Studies
    Nehdi IA, Sbihi HM, Blidi LE, Rashid U, Tan CP, Al-Resayes SI
    Protein Pept Lett, 2018;25(2):164-170.
    PMID: 28240158 DOI: 10.2174/0929866524666170223150839
    BACKGROUND: Biodiesel is a green fuel consisting of long chain fatty acid monoalkyl esters, which can be blended with diesel or used alone which is usually produced from vegetable oils/fats by either lipasecatalyzed transesterification. In this investigation, an enzyme (Novozym 435) catalyzed process was optimized to prepare methyl esters from crude Citrullus colocynthis oil (CCO) by transesterification of CCO with methanol. However, as per our knowledge, lipase-catalyzed transesterification have not been used for biodiesel production from Citrullus colocynthis.

    OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to transesterify the CCO in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase as catalyst and methanol. Additionally, the physicochemical parameters/fuel properties of the Citrullus colocynthis methyl ester (CCME) were assessed and compared.

    METHODS: Lipase-catalyzed reactions were carried out in three necked flask (50 mL) attached with reflux condenser and thermometer, immersed in oil bath at constant stirring speed (400 rpm). The reaction mixture was consisted of CCO and varying the calculated amount of methanol, tert-butyl alcohol, and Novozym 435. The experimental parameters reaction time, methanol/oil molar ratio, reaction temperature, tert-butanol content, Novozym 435 content and water content were optimized for the transesterification reaction. The CCME yield was measured using gas chromatograph. The fuel properties of the produced CCME were determined as per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and European (EN) biodiesel standard methods.

    RESULTS: In this study, an enzymatic catalyst was employed to synthesize the CCME from CCO via transesterification. Several variables affecting the CCME yield were optimized as lipase quantity (4%), water content (0.5%), methanol/oil molar ratio (5:1), reaction temperature (43 °C), reaction medium composition (80% tertbutanol/ oil), and reaction time (3.7 h). A CCME yield of 97.8% was achieved using enzyme catalyzed transesterification of CCO under optimal conditions. The significant biodiesel fuel properties of CCME, i.e. cloud point (0.70 °C); cetane number (49.07); kinematic viscosity (2.27 mm2/s); flash point (143 °C); sulfur content (2 ppm) density (880 kg/m3) and acid value (0.076 mg KOH/g) were appraised. CCME also exhibited long-term storage stability (4.80 h) and all the biodiesel fuel properties were within the range of standards (ASTM D6751 and EN 14214).

    CONCLUSION: The lipase-catalyzed transesterification produced better conversion than the base-catalyzed reaction. The fuel properties of CCME were within the limits of the ASTM D6751 and EN14214 standards. Furthermore, CCME showed good oxidative stability and a long shelf life due its high natural antioxidant content. CCME showed better fuel properties and long-term storage stability due to which it can be used as a potential alternative fuel.

    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  7. Fulltext Quantification of anti-fertility compound-diosgenin concentration in the fenugreek seeds aqueous extract (FSA)
    Ahmed Kaid, N. A., Norbaiyah, M. B., Imad, M. A., Norazian, M. H.
    International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2016;15(1):75-80.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: This study aims to build a standardization method for preparation of effective powder from
    FSA and to quantify diosgenin in FSA. Methodology: One kg of FS were used in this study. Setting: BMS, KOM
    and KOP, IIUM Kuantan campus. FS were washed with distilled water to exclude any foreign matter, and
    were then air dried. FS-powder were put in distilled water in a ratio of 1 g of powder in 20 ml of distilled
    water and were shaken at room temperature for 24 hours. Ten mg of hydrolyzed extract sample was diluted
    in 10 ml volumetric flask with methanol for 15 minutes. Chromatographic estimation was performed using
    an equilibrated reverse phase Eclipse XDB-C18 column (particle size 5 µg, 4.6 mm x 150 mm). Results: One
    gram of FSA extract was hydrolyzed to produce sapogenins and 46.6% was recovered. A calibration curve
    that was constructed based on five dilutions of diosgenin standard at concentrations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 and
    50 ppm produced a linear graft (r = 0.999). The concentration of diosgenin in FSA extract as calculated using
    the regression analysis was found to be 29.66 µg/ml, 13.81 % w/w on dried weight basis. Conclusion:
    Preparation and standardization of effective powder from FSA are the corner stone of many scientific
    researches in IIUM and Malaysia. Diosgenin is available in the FSA in adequate concentration. The adequate
    amount of diosgenin in the FSA will guide us to do further study in the way of preparation of a natural
    product that can be used in the field of reversible anti-fertility therapy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  8. Fulltext A Holistic Approach to Managing Microalgae for Biofuel Applications
    Show PL, Tang MS, Nagarajan D, Ling TC, Ooi CW, Chang JS
    Int J Mol Sci, 2017 Jan 22;18(1).
    PMID: 28117737 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18010215
    Microalgae contribute up to 60% of the oxygen content in the Earth's atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis. Microalgae are abundantly available in the natural environment, thanks to their ability to survive and grow rapidly under harsh and inhospitable conditions. Microalgal cultivation is environmentally friendly because the microalgal biomass can be utilized for the productions of biofuels, food and feed supplements, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. The cultivation of microalgal also can complement approaches like carbon dioxide sequestration and bioremediation of wastewaters, thereby addressing the serious environmental concerns. This review focuses on the factors affecting microalgal cultures, techniques adapted to obtain high-density microalgal cultures in photobioreactors, and the conversion of microalgal biomass into biofuels. The applications of microalgae in carbon dioxide sequestration and phycoremediation of wastewater are also discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Waste Water
  9. Fulltext Effect of germination on total dietary fibre and total sugar in selected legumes
    Megat, R.M.R., Azrina, A., Norhaizan, M.E.
    International Food Research Journal, 2016;23(1):257-261.
    MyJurnal
    Legume is a plant in the family of Fabaceae (or Leguminosae) that is cultivated and consumed
    throughout the world. Legume’s role in human health appears to be limited because of several
    limiting factors such as low protein and starch digestibility, poor mineral bioavailability and
    high antinutritional factors. Germination is defined as a process that occurs during seed growth
    that starts with uptake of water until the emergence of radicle through the surrounding structure.
    It has been suggested that germination is a cheaper and more effective technology that can
    improve the quality of legumes by increasing their nutritional value. This study was conducted
    to compare changes in dietary fibre and total sugar compositions after germination process in
    kidney, mung, soy beans and peanuts. Total dietary fibre was found to be significantly increased
    (p
    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  10. Fulltext Pathogenic waterborne free-living amoebae: An update from selected Southeast Asian countries
    Abdul Majid MA, Mahboob T, Mong BG, Jaturas N, Richard RL, Tian-Chye T, et al.
    PLoS One, 2017;12(2):e0169448.
    PMID: 28212409 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169448
    Data on the distribution of free-living amoebae is still lacking especially in Southeast Asian region. The aquatic environment revealed a high occurrence of free-living amoebae (FLA) due to its suitable condition and availability of food source, which subsequently causes infection to humans. A total of 94 water samples consisted of both treated and untreated from Laos (31), Myanmar (42), and Singapore (21) were investigated for the presence of pathogenic FLA. Each water sample was filtered and cultured onto non-nutrient agar seeded with live suspension of Escherichia coli and incubated at room temperature. Morphological identification was conducted for both trophozoites and cysts via microscopic stains (Giemsa and immunofluorescence). The presence of Naegleria-like structures was the most frequently encountered in both treated and untreated water samples, followed by Acanthamoeba-like and Vermamoeba-like features. To identify the pathogenic isolates, species-specific primer sets were applied for molecular identification of Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, and Vermamoeba. The pathogenic species of Acanthamoeba lenticulata and A. triangularis were detected from untreated water samples, while Vermamoeba vermiformis was found in both treated and untreated water samples. Our results suggested that poor water quality as well as inadequate maintenance and treatment might be the cause of this alarming problem since chlorine disinfection is ineffective in eradicating these amoebas in treated water samples. Regular monitoring and examination of water qualities are necessary in order to control the growth, hence, further preventing the widespread of FLA infections among the public.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Microbiology
  11. Fulltext Physiological effects of thermal stress on red hybrid tilapia
    Nadirah Musa, Najiah Musa, Hazza Roshada Ramli, Tajuddin Abd Manaf
    Journal of Engineering and Science Research, 2017;1(2):27-32.
    MyJurnal
    Exposure to any type of stressors either environmental, chemical or perceived stressors, results in a series of physiological responses in animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thermal stress on physiological responses in red hybrid tilapia. Adult red hybrid tilapia were previously exposed to gradual increment of water temperature in thermoregulated recirculating tanks at a rate of 1oC/8 h from 28 to 31oC and kept for 1, 7 and 14 days. Cortisol, HMG-CoA reductase, total protein and osmolality were determined. Plasma cortisol and HMG-CoA levels were significantly increased in the heat-stressed groups compared to nonstressed groups. Osmolality was also significantly higher (p
    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  12. Fulltext Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Antenna Sensor Based Microwave Breast Imaging: A Review
    Mahmud MZ, Islam MT, Misran N, Almutairi AF, Cho M
    Sensors (Basel), 2018 Sep 05;18(9).
    PMID: 30189633 DOI: 10.3390/s18092951
    Globally, breast cancer is reported as a primary cause of death in women. More than 1.8 million new breast cancer cases are diagnosed every year. Because of the current limitations on clinical imaging, researchers are motivated to investigate complementary tools and alternatives to available techniques for detecting breast cancer in earlier stages. This article presents a review of concepts and electromagnetic techniques for microwave breast imaging. More specifically, this work reviews ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna sensors and their current applications in medical imaging, leading to breast imaging. We review the use of UWB sensor based microwave energy in various imaging applications for breast tumor related diseases, tumor detection, and breast tumor detection. In microwave imaging, the back-scattered signals radiating by sensors from a human body are analyzed for changes in the electrical properties of tissues. Tumorous cells exhibit higher dielectric constants because of their high water content. The goal of this article is to provide microwave researchers with in-depth information on electromagnetic techniques for microwave imaging sensors and describe recent developments in these techniques.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  13. Quantification of selected steroid hormones (17β-Estradiol and 17α-Ethynylestradiol) in wastewater treatment plants in Klang Valley (Malaysia)
    Yien Fang T, Praveena SM, Aris AZ, Syed Ismail SN, Rasdi I
    Chemosphere, 2019 Jan;215:153-162.
    PMID: 30316157 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.032
    Steroid estrogens, such as 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) are potent and were categorized as "Watch List" in Directive 2013/39/EU because of their potential risks to aquatic environment. Commercialized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits have been used to quantify steroid estrogens in wastewater samples due to their simplicity, rapid, cost-effectiveness, and validated assays. Hence, this study aims to determine the occurrence and removal of steroid hormones in Malaysian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by ELISA, to identify the association of removal efficiency (E2 and EE2) with respect to WWTPs operating conditions, and to assess the potential risks of steroid estrogens to aquatic environment and human. Results showed E2 concentration ranged from 88.2 ± 7.0 ng/L to 93.9 ± 6.9 ng/L in influent and 35.1 ± 17.3 ng/L to 85.2 ± 7.6 ng/L in effluent, with removal of 6.4%-63.0%. The EE2 concentration ranged from 0.2 ± 0.2 ng/L to 4.9 ± 6.3 ng/L in influent and 0.02 ± 0.03 ng/L to 1.0 ± 0.8 ng/L in effluent, with removal of 28.3-99.3%. There is a correlation between EE2 removal with total suspended solid (TSS) and oxidation reduction potential (ORP), and was statistically significant. Despite the calculated estrogenic activity for E2 and EE2 was relatively high, dilution effects could lower estrogenic response to aquatic environment. Besides, these six selected WWTPs have cumulative RQ values below the allowable limit, except WWTP 1. Relatively high precipitation (129-218 mm) could further dilute estrogens concentration in the receiving river. These outputs can be used as quantitative information for evaluating the occurrence and removal of steroid estrogens in Malaysian WWTPs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Waste Water
  14. Fulltext Effect of Organic Loading Rate on Anaerobic Digestion Performance of Mesophilic (UASB) Reactor Using Cattle Slaughterhouse Wastewater as Substrate
    Musa MA, Idrus S, Hasfalina CM, Daud NNN
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2018 10 11;15(10).
    PMID: 30314290 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15102220
    In this study, the performance of a laboratory scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor operating at mesophilic temperature (35 °C) was examined. Cattle slaughterhouse wastewater (CSWW) was used as the main substrate. The total and effective volumes of the reactor were 8 L and 6 L, respectively. Twelve different organic loading rates (OLR) were applied and the performance was evaluated. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was more than 90% during batch study. In the continuous study, COD removal was also approximately 90% at OLR 0.4 g/L d-1 which subsequently dropped to below 50% when the loading rate increased to 15 g/L d-1. Approximately 5 L/d of biogas was obtained with high methane concentration at stages VI and XI corresponding to OLR of 2 and 10 g/L d-1, respectively. It was observed that the concentration of volatile fatty acids was low and that the alkalinity of the wastewater was sufficient to avoid acidification. Specific methane yields of 0.36 and 0.38 LCH₄/g COD added were achieved at OLR 7 and 10 g/L d-1. A hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1 day was sufficient to remove greater than 70% of COD which correspond to 89% methane concentration. Parameters like soluble COD, NH₃-N, pH, alkalinity, total suspended solid (TSS), fats, oil, and grease were also investigated. The results show that the UASB reactor could serve as a good alternative for anaerobic treatment of CSWW and methane production.
    Matched MeSH terms: Waste Water
  15. Fulltext Streptomyces as a Prominent Resource of Future Anti-MRSA Drugs
    Kemung HM, Tan LT, Khan TM, Chan KG, Pusparajah P, Goh BH, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2018;9:2221.
    PMID: 30319563 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02221
    Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose a significant health threat as they tend to cause severe infections in vulnerable populations and are difficult to treat due to a limited range of effective antibiotics and also their ability to form biofilm. These organisms were once limited to hospital acquired infections but are now widely present in the community and even in animals. Furthermore, these organisms are constantly evolving to develop resistance to more antibiotics. This results in a need for new clinically useful antibiotics and one potential source are the Streptomyces which have already been the source of several anti-MRSA drugs including vancomycin. There remain large numbers of Streptomyces potentially undiscovered in underexplored regions such as mangrove, deserts, marine, and freshwater environments as well as endophytes. Organisms from these regions also face significant challenges to survival which often result in the production of novel bioactive compounds, several of which have already shown promise in drug development. We review the various mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in MRSA and all the known compounds isolated from Streptomyces with anti-MRSA activity with a focus on those from underexplored regions. The isolation of the full array of compounds Streptomyces are potentially capable of producing in the laboratory has proven a challenge, we also review techniques that have been used to overcome this obstacle including genetic cluster analysis. Additionally, we review the in vivo work done thus far with promising compounds of Streptomyces origin as well as the animal models that could be used for this work.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fresh Water
  16. Fulltext Synergistic Effect of Hybridized Cellulose Nanocrystals and Organically Modified Montmorillonite on κ-Carrageenan Bionanocomposites
    Zakuwan SZ, Ahmad I
    Nanomaterials (Basel), 2018 Oct 24;8(11).
    PMID: 30352971 DOI: 10.3390/nano8110874
    The synergistic effect of using κ-carrageenan bionanocomposites with the hybridization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) reinforcements was studied. The effects of different reinforcements and filler contents were evaluated through mechanical testing, and morphological and water uptake properties. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of both bionanocomposites increased with filler loading and optimized at 4%. OMMT incorporation into the κ-carrageenan/CNCs bionanocomposites resulted in further mechanical property improvement with an optimum ratio of 1:1 (CNCs:OMMT) while maintaining high film transparency. X-ray diffraction and morphological analyses revealed that intercalation occurred between the κ-carrageenan bionanocomposite matrix and OMMT. The water uptake of the κ-carrageenan bionanocomposites was significantly reduced by the addition of both CNCs and OMMT. The enhancements in the mechanical properties and performance of the hybrid bionanocomposite indicate compatibility among the reinforcement, biopolymer, and well-dispersed nanoparticles. This renders the hybrid CNC/OMMT/κ-carrageenan nanocomposites extremely promising for food packaging applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  17. Optimization of co-culture inoculated microbial fuel cell performance using response surface methodology
    Islam MA, Ong HR, Ethiraj B, Cheng CK, Rahman Khan MM
    J Environ Manage, 2018 Nov 01;225:242-251.
    PMID: 30092551 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.08.002
    Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are considered as promising technology to achieve simultaneous wastewater treatment and electricity generation. However, operational and technological developments are still required to make it as a sustainable technology. In the present study, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the effects of substrate concentration, co-culture composition, pH and time on the performance of co-culture (Klebsiella variicola and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) inoculated double chamber MFC. From the statistical analysis, it can be seen that the performance of MFC was not influenced by the interaction between the initial COD and time, pH and time, pH and initial COD, time and initial COD. However, the interaction between the inoculum composition and time, pH and the inoculum composition, initial COD and inoculum composition significantly influenced the performance of MFC. Based on the RSM results, best performance (power density and COD removal efficiency) was obtained when the inoculum composition, initial COD, pH and time were about 1:1, 26.690 mg/L, 7.21 and 15.50 days, respectively. The predictions from the model were in close agreement with the experimental results suggesting that the proposed model could adequately represent the actual relationships between the independent variables generating electricity and the COD removal efficiency.
    Matched MeSH terms: Waste Water
  18. Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with dispersive solid-phase extraction for gas chromatography with mass spectrometry determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aqueous matrices
    Mohd Hassan FW, Muggundha Raoov, Kamaruzaman S, Sanagi MM, Yoshida N, Hirota Y, et al.
    J Sep Sci, 2018 Oct;41(19):3751-3763.
    PMID: 30125466 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201800326
    This study describes a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with dispersive solid-phase extraction method based on phenyl-functionalized magnetic sorbent for the preconcentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from environmental water, sugarcane juice, and tea samples prior to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis. Several important parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were investigated thoroughly, including the mass of sorbent, type and volume of extraction solvent, extraction time, type of desorption solvent, desorption time, type and amount of salt-induced demulsifier, and sample volume. Under the optimized extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometric conditions, the method revealed good linearity (10-100000 ng/L) with coefficient of determination (R2 ) of ≥0.9951, low limits of detection (3-16 ng/L), high enrichment factors (61-239), and satisfactory analyte recoveries (86.3-109.1%) with the relative standard deviations 
    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  19. Fulltext Molecular dynamics simulations of sodium alginate/sulfonated graphene oxide membranes properties
    Shaari N, Kamarudin SK, Basri S
    Heliyon, 2018 Sep;4(9):e00808.
    PMID: 30246163 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00808
    The influence of methanol as a solvent on the properties of sodium alginate/sulfonated graphene oxide (SA/SGO) membranes was explored in water-methanol mixed conditions with various methanol concentrations and temperatures through molecular dynamics simulations. The methanol uptake of the membrane showed an isolation phase determined from the simulation results. The distance between the sulfonic acid groups increased in higher methanol concentrations, as observed from S-S RDFs. Furthermore, the distance between the SA-chain RDFs and the solvent molecules was analysed to determine a) the affinity of water towards the sulfonic acid groups and b) the affinity of the aromatic backbone of the SA towards methanol molecules. A decrease in water molecule diffusion led to an increase in methanol diffusion and uptake. SA/SGO membranes exhibited a smaller diffusion coefficient than that for the Nafion membranes, as calculated from simulation results and compared to the experimental work. Additionally, the diffusion ability increased at higher temperatures for all permeants. The interaction information obtained is useful for DMFC applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water
  20. Fulltext A simple and inexpensive physical lysis method for DNA and RNA extraction from freshwater microalgae
    Yee W, Abdul-Kadir R, Lee LM, Koh B, Lee YS, Chan HY
    3 Biotech, 2018 Aug;8(8):354.
    PMID: 30105179 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1381-1
    In this work, a simple and inexpensive physical lysis method using a cordless drill fitted with a plastic pellet pestle and 150 mg of sterile sea sand was established for the extraction of DNA from six strains of freshwater microalgae. This lysis method was also tested for RNA extraction from two microalgal strains. Lysis duration between 15 and 120 s using the cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) buffer significantly increased the yield of DNA from four microalgalstrains (Monoraphidium griffithii NS16, Scenedesmus sp. NS6, Scenedesmus sp. DPBC1 and Acutodesmus sp. DPBB10) compared to control. It was also found that grinding was not required to obtain DNA from two strains of microalgae (Choricystis sp. NPA14 and Chlamydomonas sp. BM3). The average DNA yield obtained using this lysis method was between 62.5 and 78.9 ng/mg for M. griffithii NS16, 42.2-247.0 ng/mg for Scenedesmus sp. NS6, 70.2-110.9 ng/mg for Scenedesmus sp. DPBC1 and 142.8-164.8 ng/mg for Acutodesmus sp. DPBB10. DNA obtained using this method was sufficiently pure for PCR amplification. Extraction of total RNA from M. griffithii NS16 and Mychonastes sp. NPD7 using this lysis method yielded high-quality RNA suitable for RT-PCR. This lysis method is simple, cheap and would enable rapid nucleic acid extraction from freshwater microalgae without requiring costly materials and equipment such as liquid nitrogen or beadbeaters, and would facilitate molecular studies on microalgae in general.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fresh Water
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