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Displaying publications 21 - 27 of 27 in total

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Fulltext Assessment of antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of selected commercial beverages

Abbe Maleyki MJ, Azrina A, Amin I

Malays J Nutr, 2007 Sep;13(2):149-59.
PMID: 22691753 MyJurnal

This study was aimed at assessing the antioxidant capacity and phenolic (free, bound, and total) contents in selected commercial beverages. Three different types of beverages commonly available in Malaysian supermarkets namely, cocoa, coffee and tea were selected. Phenolic contents were determined using a Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing power and scavenging activity) was determined using FRAP and TEAC assays. Based on analysis of variance, coffee showed the highest amount of free phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity compared to cocoa and tea (p < 0.05). The major phenolic compound detected in coffee was chlorogenic acid. Cocoa showed higher phenolic content than tea. However, cocoa and tea have similar catechin content and possessed comparable antioxidant capacity. The free phenolic content in the three beverages was found to be highly correlated with antioxidant capacity. In addition, moderate correlation was observed between total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. On the other hand, there was no significant contribution of bound phenolic compounds towards antioxidant capacity. The contribution of antioxidant capacity in these beverages could be due to phenolic compounds in the free form. The study indicated that the beverages studied possessed varying degrees of antioxidant capacity and phenolic contents.
Molecular characterization of anaerobic sulfur-oxidizing microbial communities in up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor treating municipal sewage

Aida AA, Hatamoto M, Yamamoto M, Ono S, Nakamura A, Takahashi M, et al.

J Biosci Bioeng, 2014 Nov;118(5):540-5.
PMID: 24930844 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2014.04.011

A novel wastewater treatment system consisting of an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and a down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor with sulfur-redox reaction was developed for treatment of municipal sewage under low-temperature conditions. In the UASB reactor, a novel phenomenon of anaerobic sulfur oxidation occurred in the absence of oxygen, nitrite and nitrate as electron acceptors. The microorganisms involved in anaerobic sulfur oxidation have not been elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we studied the microbial communities existing in the UASB reactor that probably enhanced anaerobic sulfur oxidation. Sludge samples collected from the UASB reactor before and after sulfur oxidation were used for cloning and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of the 16S rRNA genes of the bacterial and archaeal domains. The microbial community structures of bacteria and archaea indicated that the genus Smithella and uncultured bacteria within the phylum Caldiserica were the dominant bacteria groups. Methanosaeta spp. was the dominant group of the domain archaea. The T-RFLP analysis, which was consistent with the cloning results, also yielded characteristic fingerprints for bacterial communities, whereas the archaeal community structure yielded stable microbial community. From these results, it can be presumed that these major bacteria groups, genus Smithella and uncultured bacteria within the phylum Caldiserica, probably play an important role in sulfur oxidation in UASB reactors.
Laparoscopic appendicectomy: the ideal procedure for laparoscopic skill training for surgical registrars

Tata MD, Singh R, Bakar AA, Selvindoss P, P K, Gurunathan R

Asian J Surg, 2008 Apr;31(2):55-8.
PMID: 18490215

OBJECTIVE: Appendicectomy is a very common surgical procedure performed by registrars. It is mainly carried out by surgical registrars as an open procedure in many government hospitals. We aimed to evaluate laparoscopic appendicectomy as a laparoscopic training skill in a clinical setting for our registrars.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all attempted laparoscopic appendicectomies over 12 months by experienced surgeons and registrars was done. Factors evaluated were operating time, conversion rate, postoperative hospital stay, morbidity and mortality.
RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in operating time for surgeons and registrars (mean, 53 minutes vs. 60 minutes), conversion rate (10% vs. 11%). Mean hospital stay for patients operated on by surgeons was 3.1 days and 3.2 days for registrars. Morbidity was equal with both surgeons and registrars.
CONCLUSION: We conclude that laparoscopic appendicectomy is a safe laparoscopic training tool for registrars with basic laparoscopic knowledge who have had a proper apprenticeship, and can be done in a clinical setting.
Fulltext Successful Pregnancy Outcome in Malaysian Woman with Rare p Phenotype and Anti-PP1P(k) Antibody

Mohd Azri MS, Kunasegaran K, Azrina A, Siti Nadiah AK

Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus, 2014 Sep;30(Suppl 1):405-8.
PMID: 25332632 DOI: 10.1007/s12288-014-0439-4

We report the first case of young woman with the p phenotype and anti-PP1P(k) antibody in the Malaysian population who was identified during a blood grouping and antibody screening procedure after her first miscarriage. Further family screening detected two other siblings who possessed the same rare phenotype and antibody. Because of difficulties in finding compatible units in the local population, the patient and her two siblings were advised to become regular blood donor. Their blood was frozen for future use. After she had two recurrent miscarriages, her third pregnancy was successfully managed using oral dydrogesterone, which was started from 10 weeks into the pregnancy. Her pregnancy was uneventful and she gave birth to a healthy term neonate.
Fulltext Major inorganic elements in tap water samples in Peninsular Malaysia

Azrina A, Khoo HE, Idris MA, Amin I, Razman MR

Malays J Nutr, 2011 Aug;17(2):271-6.
PMID: 22303580 MyJurnal

Quality drinking water should be free from harmful levels of impurities such as heavy metals and other inorganic elements.
Fulltext The trans fatty acids content of selected foods in Malaysia

Akmar ZD, Norhaizan ME, Azimah R, Azrina A, Chan YM

Malays J Nutr, 2013 Apr;19(1):87-98.
PMID: 24800387 MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of information on the trans fatty acid (TFA) content in Malaysian foods. The objective of this study is to determine the TFA content of bakery products, snacks, dairy products, fast foods, cooking oils and semisolid fats, and breakfast cereals and Malaysian fast foods. This study also estimated the quantity of each isomer in the foods assayed.
METHODS: The trans fatty acid content of each food sample was assessed in duplicate by separating the fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) in a gas chromatography system equipped with HP-88 column (USA: split ratio 10: 1) for cis/trans separation. Five major TFA isomers, palmitoelaidic acid (16: 1t9), petroselaidic acid (18:1t6), elaidic acid (18:1t9), vaccenic acid (18: 1t11) and linoelaidic acid (18:2t9, 12), were measured using gas chromatography (GC) and the data were expressed in unit values of g/100 g lipid or g/100 g food.
RESULTS: The total TFA contents in the studied foods were < 0.001 g-8.77 g/100 g lipid or < 0.001 g-5.79 g/100 g foods. This value falls within the standard and international recommendation level for TFA. The measured range of specific TFA isomers were as follows: palmitoelaidic acid (< 0.001 g-0.26 g/100 g lipid), petroselaidic acid (< 0.001 g - 3.09 g/100 g lipid), elaidic acid (< 0.001 g-0.87 g/100 g lipid), vaccenic acid (< 0.001 g-0.41 g/100 g lipid) and linoelaidic acid (< 0.001 g-6.60 g/100 g lipid).
CONCLUSION: These data indicate that most of the tested foods have low TFA contents (< 1 g/100 g lipid).
Fulltext Nutritional Composition, in vitro Antioxidant Activity and Artemia salina L. Lethality of Pulp and Seed of Tamarindus indica L. Extracts

Khairunnuur FA, Zulkhairi A, Azrina A, Moklas MM, Khairullizam S, Zamree MS, et al.

Malays J Nutr, 2009 Mar;15(1):65-75.
PMID: 22691806 MyJurnal

This study was designed to examine the nutritional composition, antioxidant activity and medium lethal concentration (LC50 value) of Tamarindus indica L. pulp and seed extracts in vitro. The extraction was set at 40◦C, 60◦C and 100◦C for 12 hours, 6 hours and 15 minutes respectively to determine the optimum extraction parameter whereas the anti-oxidant activity of the extracts was measured using iron (III) reduction (FRAP) assay. Total phenolic content (TPC) of the extracts was estimated as gallic acid equivalent by Folin-Ciocalteau method. Toxicity potential of the extract was assessed in vitro by Artemia salina lethality test both in seed and pulp samples. The results showed that tamarind seed contained a higher percentage of carbohydrate, protein, fat and energy (15%, 82%, 95% and 33.13% respectively) than the pulp. On the other hand, the pulp demonstrated a high moisture (51.1%) and ash (34.84%) content than the seed. For the mineral analysis, tamarind seed contained higher Ca and C (1.0% and 50.73% respectively) than the pulp (0.27% and 40.40% respectively). No heavy metals were detected in both samples. Seed extracted at 60◦C/6 hours and 100◦C/15 minutes showed the highest TPC value and were significantly different (p<0.05) than the seed extracted at 40◦C/12 hours. Anti-oxidant activity is positively correlated to the TPC value of the extracts (R=0.991). The pulp and seed extracted at 100◦C/15 minutes showed the highest FRAP value among its groups (216.17 ± 14.06 μmol (Fe)/g and 659.74 ± 16.40 μmol (Fe)/g respectively). This study indicates that tamarind pulp and seed extracts possess beneficial antioxidant properties and the optimum extraction parameter is 100◦C for 15 minutes. In Artemia salina lethality test, tamarind pulp caused significant mortality of the crustacean larvae with LC50 in the range of 26-28 μL/mL. Tamarind seed were not toxic to Artemia salina since the LC50 of the extracts was higher than 1000 μL/mL.