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Fulltext Effect of enzymatic transesterification using Mucor miehei lipase on physicochemical properties of engkabang (Shorea macrophylla) fat - canola oil blends

Roslan, N. I. M., Marikkar, J. M. N., Manaf, Y. N., Mustafa, S., Miskandar, M. S.

International Food Research Journal, 2019;26(5):1427-1435.
MyJurnal

The effect of transesterification of engkabang (Shorea macrophylla) fat - canola oil (EF35/ CaO65) blend by Mucor miehei lipase (1%, w/w oil) in a solvent-free system was investigated at different time intervals of 6 h, 12 h and 24 h. Compositional changes of the samples withdrawn at specified time intervals while the reaction in progress were analysed by chromatography, whereas the polymorphic forms and thermal properties were analysed by using X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. There were increases in the amounts of monounsaturated and triunsaturated triacylglycerol (TAG) molecular groups with concurrent reductions of the proportions of desaturated TAG molecular groups during different time intervals. This changing TAG composition led to changes in crystallisation behaviour and thermal properties of the samples, reducing some enthalpy values. All samples withdrawn at different time intervals displayed both β' and β type crystal polymorphs even though engkabang fat itself was predominantly β‐type. In terms of melting, solidification and polymorphic properties, the sample withdrawn at 6 h time interval was found to display the closest similarity to lard (LD).
Fulltext Effect of three plant-based shortenings and lard on cookie dough properties and cookies quality

Manaf, Y. N., Marikkar, J. M. N., Mustafa, S., Van Bockstaele, Nusantoro, B. P.

International Food Research Journal, 2019;26(6):1795-1802.
MyJurnal

Tropical fats such as palm oil (PO) from Elaeis guineensis (oil palm), cocoa (Theobroma cacao
L.) butter (CB), avocado (Persea americana) oil (Avo), palm stearin (PS), and Mee (Madhuca
longifolia) fat (MF) are useful raw materials for the formulation of bakery shortenings. Blending
these fats at differing ratios such as binary [MF:PS (99:1)], ternary [Avo:PS:CB (84:7:9)], and
quaternary [PO:PS:SBO:CB (38:5:52:5)] would lead to fat mixtures as replacement for lard
(LD). In the present work, the influence of these three fat blends and LD on cookie dough
textural properties and cookie quality was investigated. The results showed that the hardness of
cookies was correlated to the hardness of dough, which was influenced by the solid fat content
(SFC). The degree of unsaturation of triacylglycerol molecules also seemed to influence these
parameters. Nevertheless, the cookies of all different types of shortenings did not show any
significant differences with regard to their width and thickness. This could be probably due
to the fact that cookies made from formulated plant-based shortenings and LD expanded
uniformly during baking.
Fulltext Spray-dried immobilized lipase from Geobacillus sp. strain ARM in sago

Mohtar NS, Abdul Rahman MB, Mustafa S, Mohamad Ali MS, Raja Abd Rahman RNZ

PeerJ, 2019;7:e6880.
PMID: 31183251 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6880

Sago starch is traditionally used as food especially in Southeast Asia. Generally, sago is safe for consumption, biodegradable, easily available and inexpensive. Therefore, this research was done to expand the potential of sago by using it as a support for enzyme immobilization. In this study, ARM lipase, which was isolated from Geobacillus sp. strain ARM, was overexpressed in Escherichia coli system and then purified using affinity chromatography. The specific activity of the pure enzyme was 650 U/mg, increased 7 folds from the cell lysate. The purified enzyme was immobilized in gelatinized sago and spray-dried by entrapment technique in order to enhance the enzyme operational stability for handling at high temperature and also for storage. The morphology of the gelatinized sago and immobilized enzyme was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the spray-dried gelatinized sago was shrunken and became irregular in structure as compared to untreated sago powder. The surface areas and porosities of spray-dried gelatinized sago with and without the enzyme were analyzed using BET and BJH method and have shown an increase in surface area and decrease in pore size. The immobilized ARM lipase showed good performance at 60-80 °C, with a half-life of 4 h and in a pH range 6-9. The immobilized enzyme could be stored at 10 °C with the half-life for 9 months. Collectively, the spray-dried immobilized lipase shows promising capability for industrial uses, especially in food processing.
Fulltext Loop mediated isothermal amplification; a review on its application and strategy in animal species authentication of meat based food products

Tasrip, N.A., Khairil Mokhtar, N. F., Hanapi, U.K., Abdul Manaf, Y. N., Ali, M.E., Cheah, Y.K., et al.

International Food Research Journal, 2019;26(1):1-10.
MyJurnal

Isothermal amplification is a technique that can amplify target DNA sequences at a single incubation temperature. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an extension of the isothermal DNA amplification technique that combines rapidity, simplicity, high specificity and sensitivity. Due to its overwhelming characteristics, LAMP has been explored for its feasibility in detecting various subjects, and recently in meat-based food products for DNA-based meat species authentication. It has been developed to target various meat species such as porcine, chicken, horse, and ostrich with sensitivity as low as 0.1 pg/μL. Further improvement with the use of magnetic beads, electrochemiluminescence and special dye such as calcein and crystal violet had increased the sensitivity of the LAMP assay. Other important characteristics were specific target gene primers as well as a shorter incubation time, warranting a good prospect for rapid testing authentication.
Fulltext Encapsulation of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum Strain G4 within Bovine Gelatin-Genipin-Sodium Alginate Combinations: Optimisation Approach Using Face Central Composition Design-Response Surface Methodology (FCCD-RSM)

Khalil KA, Mustafa S, Mohammad R, Ariff AB, Ahmad SA, Dahalan FA, et al.

Int J Microbiol, 2019;2019:4208986.
PMID: 31093290 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4208986

Bovine gelatin is a biopolymer which has good potential to be used in encapsulating matrices for probiotic candidate Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum strain G4 (G4) because of its amphoteric nature characteristic. Beads were prepared by the extrusion method using genipin and sodium alginate as a cross-linking agent. The optimisation of bovine gelatin-genipin-sodium alginate combinations was carried out using face central composition design (FCCD) to investigate G4 beads' strength, before and after exposed to simulated gastric (SGF), intestinal fluids (SIF), and encapsulation yield. A result of ANOVA and the polynomial regression model revealed the combinations of all three factors have a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the bead strength. Meanwhile, for G4 encapsulation yield, only genipin showed less significant effect on the response. However, the use of this matrix remained due to the intermolecular cross-linking ability with bovine gelatin. Optimum compositions of bovine gelatin-genipin-sodium alginate were obtained at 11.21% (w/v), 1.96 mM, and 2.60% (w/v), respectively. A model was validated for accurate prediction of the response and showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) with experimental values.
Seasonal variability of anthropogenic indices of PAHs in sediment from the Kuala Selangor River, west coast Peninsular Malaysia

Masood N, Halimoon N, Aris AZ, Zakaria MP, Vaezzadeh V, Magam SM, et al.

Environ Geochem Health, 2018 Dec;40(6):2551-2572.
PMID: 29802607 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-018-0122-z

Rapid increase in industrialization and urbanization in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia has led to the intense release of petroleum and products of petroleum into the environment. Surface sediment samples were collected from the Selangor River in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia during four climatic seasons and analyzed for PAHs and biomarkers (hopanes). Sediments were soxhlet extracted and further purified and fractionated through first and second step column chromatography. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for analysis of PAHs and hopanes fractions. The average concentrations of total PAHs ranged from 219.7 to 672.3 ng g-1 dw. The highest concentrations of PAHs were detected at 964.7 ng g-1 dw in station S5 in the mouth of the Selangor River during the wet inter-monsoonal season. Both pyrogenic and petrogenic PAHs were detected in the sediments with a predominance of the former. The composition of hopanes was homogeneous showing that petroleum hydrocarbons share an identical source in the study area. Diagnostic ratios of hopanes indicated that some of the sediment samples carry the crankcase oil signature.
Molecular beacon-based real-time PCR method for detection of porcine DNA in gelatin and gelatin capsules

Mohamad NA, Mustafa S, Khairil Mokhtar NF, El Sheikha AF

J Sci Food Agric, 2018 Sep;98(12):4570-4577.
PMID: 29505123 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.8985

BACKGROUND: The pharmaceutical industry has boosted gelatin consumption worldwide. This is supported by the availability of cost-effective gelatin production from porcine by-products. However, cross-contamination of gelatin materials, where porcine gelatin was unintentionally included in the other animal sources of gelatin, has caused significant concerns about halal authenticity. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has enabled a highly specific and sensitive animal species detection method in various food products. Hence, such a technique was employed in the present study to detect and quantify porcine DNA in gelatin using a molecular beacon probe, with differences in performance between mitochondrial (cytochrome b gene) and chromosomal DNA-(MPRE42 repetitive element) based porcine-specific PCR assays being compared.
RESULTS: A higher sensitivity was observed in chromosomal DNA (MPRE-PCR assay), where this assay allows the detection of gelatin DNA at amounts as as low as 1 pg, whereas mitochondrial DNA (CBH-PCR assay) can only detect at levels down to 10 pg of gelatin DNA. When an analysis with commercial gelatin and gelatin capsule samples was conducted, the same result was observed, with a significantly more sensitive detection being provided by the repetitive element of chromosomal DNA.
CONCLUSION: The present study has established highly sensitive DNA-based porcine detection systems derived from chromosomal DNA that are feasible for highly processed products such as gelatin and gelatin capsules containing a minute amount of DNA. This sensitive detection method can also be implemented to assist the halal authentication process of various food products available on the market. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
Fulltext Evaluation of the effect of soluble polysaccharides of palm kernel cake as a potential prebiotic on the growth of probiotics

Bello B, Mustafa S, Tan JS, Ibrahim TAT, Tam YJ, Ariff AB, et al.

3 Biotech, 2018 Aug;8(8):346.
PMID: 30073131 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1362-4

This paper deliberates the extraction, characterization and examination of potential application of soluble polysaccharides of palm kernel cake (PKC) as a prebiotic. The PKC was defatted and crude polysaccharide was obtained through water, citric acid or NaOH extraction. The physiochemical properties of the extracted polysaccharides viz. total carbohydrates, protein content, solubility rate, monosaccharides composition, structural information and thermal properties were also determined. The extracted soluble polysaccharides were further subjected to a digestibility test using artificial human gastric juice. Finally, their prebiotic potential on two probiotics, namely Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 and Lb. rhamnosus ATCC 53103 were evaluated in vitro. It was observed that PKC contained ash (5.2%), moisture (7.4%), carbohydrates (65.8%), protein (16.5%) and fat (5.1%). There were significant differences (P 95%). Protein content in SCPW, SCPCA and SCPN are 0.72, 0.40 and 0.58, respectively, and the peaks which indicated the presence of protein were observed at approximately 1640 cm-1 (amide I). FTIR spectroscopy revealed that the polysaccharides extracts were linked to β and α-glycosidic bonds and thermal analysis using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) showed the main degradation temperature of SP is about 121 to 125 °C. The SP were found to be highly resistance (> 96%) to hydrolysis when subjected to artificial human gastric juice. The prebiotics potentials of the polysaccharides on probiotics in vitro demonstrated an increase in proliferation of Lb. plantarum ATCC 8014 and Lb. rhamnosus ATCC 53103 with decrease in the pH of the medium and producing organic acids.All the above findings strongly indicated that polysaccharides extracted from PKC, an industrial waste, have a potential to be exploited as novel prebiotics.
Occurrence, distribution, and sources of emerging organic contaminants in tropical coastal sediments of anthropogenically impacted Klang River estuary, Malaysia

Omar TFT, Aris AZ, Yusoff FM, Mustafa S

Mar Pollut Bull, 2018 Jun;131(Pt A):284-293.
PMID: 29886949 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.04.019

This baseline assessment reports on the occurrence, distribution, and sources of emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) in tropical coastal sediments of anthropogenically impacted Klang River estuary, Malaysia. Bisphenol A was the highest concentration detected at 16.84 ng g-1 dry weight, followed by diclofenac (13.88 ng g-1 dry weight) and E1 (12.47 ng g-1 dry weight). Five compounds, namely, amoxicillin, progesterone, diazinon, bisphenol A, and E1, were found in all sampling stations assessed, and other compounds such as primidone, diclofenac, testosterone, E2, and EE2 were ubiquitously present in sediment samples, with percentage of detection range from 89.04% to 98.38%. Organic carbon content and pH were the important factors controlling the fate of targeted compounds in the tropical estuarine sediment. On the basis of the literature from other studies, the sources of EOCs are thought to be from wastewater treatment plants, domestic/medical waste discharge, livestock activities, industrial waste discharge, and agricultural activities.
Fulltext Kinetic modeling of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance secretion by Pediococcus acidilactici Kp10 and its stability in food manufacturing conditions

Abbasiliasi S, Tan JS, Ibrahim TAT, Ramanan RN, Kadkhodaei S, Mustafa S, et al.

J Food Sci Technol, 2018 Apr;55(4):1270-1284.
PMID: 29606741 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-018-3037-x

This paper deliberates the modelling and validation of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) secretion by Pediococcus acidilactici Kp10 at different agitation speeds in a stirred tank bioreactor. A range of models namely the re-parameterised logistic, Luedeking-Piret and maintenance energy were assessed to predict the culture performance of the said bacterium. Growth of P. acidilactici Kp10 was enhanced with increased agitation speed up to 600 rpm while BLIS secretion was maximum at 400 rpm but decreased at higher agitation speed. Growth of P. acidilactici aptly subscribed to the re-parameterised logistic model while BLIS secretion and lactose consumption fitted well with the Luedeking-Piret model. The models revealed a relationship between growth of the bacterium and BLIS secretion. Bacterial growth and BLIS secretion were largely affected by the agitation speed of the stirred tank bioreactor which regulated the oxygen transfer to the culture. BLIS secretion by P. acidilactici Kp10 was however enhanced in oxygen-limited culture. The study also assessed BLIS from the perspective of its stability when subjected to factors such as temperature, pH and detergents. Results showed that BLIS produced by this strain was not affected by heat (at 25-100 °C for 20 min and at 121 °C for 15 min), surfactant (Tween 40, 60 and 80 and urea), detergents (up to 1% SDS), organic solvents (50% each of acetone, methanol and ethanol) and stable in a wide range of pH (2-10). The above information are pertinent with reference to commercial applications of this bacterial product in food manufacturing which invariably involve various sterilization processes and subjected to a wide pH range.
Successful sperm cryopreservation of the brown-marbled grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus using propylene glycol as cryoprotectant

Yusoff M, Hassan BN, Ikhwanuddin M, Sheriff SM, Hashim F, Mustafa S, et al.

Cryobiology, 2018 04;81:168-173.
PMID: 29355519 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2018.01.005

This study developed the cryopreservation of brown-marbled grouper spermatozoa for practical application. We examined 32 cryodiluents, developed from four types of cryoprotectants [propylene glycol (PG), dimethyl-sulphoxide (Me2SO), dimethyl-acetamide (DMA) and ethylene glycol (EG)] at four concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20% in combination with two extenders [Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and artificial seminal plasma (ASP). Cooling rates were examined by adjusting the height of straws (2.5-12.5 cm) from the liquid nitrogen (LN) vapor and cooled for 5 min before immersion into LN. DNA laddering was used to detect DNA damage in cryopreserved sperm. In fertilization trials, 0.5 g of eggs was mixed with cryopreserved sperm stored for 30 days in LN. The best motility of post-thaw sperm was achieved using 15% PG + 85% FBS (76.7 ± 8.8%); 10% PG + 90% FBS was also effective as cryodiluent. Generally, FBS gave better post-thaw motility compared to ASP. The optimum cooling rate was at 17.6 °C min-1 obtained by freezing at the height of 7.5 cm surface of LN. The results obtained showed that cryopreserved sperm of brown-marbled grouper suffered slight DNA fragmentation, which resulted in significantly lower motility. However, the fertilization (90.9 ± 0.5%), hatching (64.5 ± 4.1%) and deformity rates (3.8 ± 0.2%) obtained from cryopreserved sperm showed no significant difference with fresh sperm. These findings show that the developed protocol for cryopreservation of brown-marbled grouper sperm was viable and will be useful for successful breeding and seed production of brown-marbled grouper.
Fulltext Probiotic Properties of Exopolysaccharide-Producing Lactobacillus Strains Isolated from Tempoyak

Khalil ES, Abd Manap MY, Mustafa S, Alhelli AM, Shokryazdan P

Molecules, 2018 Feb 13;23(2).
PMID: 29438288 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23020398

Tempoyak is a functional Malaysian food (an acid-fermented condiment) which is produced from the pulp of the durian (Durio zibethinus) fruit. The current study aimed to isolate and identify potential exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing Lactobacillus strains from tempoyak for potential use as probiotics. Seven isolates (DUR2, DUR4, DUR5, DUR8, DUR12, DUR18, and DUR20) out of 44 were able to produce EPS, and exhibited resistance to acid and bile salt compared to the reference strains Lactobacillus rhmnosus (ATCC53103) and L. plantarum (ATCC8014). The seven isolated strains belonged to five different species-L. plantarum, L. fermentum, L. crispatus, L. reuteri, and L. pentosus-which were identified using API 50 CHL and 16S rRNA gene sequences (Polymerase chain reaction, PCR - based). The seven strains displayed different ability to produce EPS (100-850 mg/L). Isolates exhibited a high survivability to acid (pH 3.0), bile salts (0.3%), and gastrointestinal tract model (<70%). Results showed that the auto-aggregation and cell surface hydrophobicity ranged from 39.98% to 60.09% and 50.80% to 80.53%, respectively, whereas, the highest co-aggregation value (66.44%) was observed by L. fermentum (DUR8) with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The isolates showed good inhibitory activity against tested pathogens, high antioxidant activity (32.29% to 73.36%), and good ability to reduce cholesterol (22.55% to 75.15%). Thus, the seven tested strains have value as probiotics.
Fulltext Stability of Bacteriocin-Like Inhibitory Substance (BLIS) Produced by Pediococcus acidilactici kp10 at Different Extreme Conditions

Md Sidek NL, Halim M, Tan JS, Abbasiliasi S, Mustafa S, Ariff AB

Biomed Res Int, 2018;2018:5973484.
PMID: 30363649 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5973484

Nowadays, bacteriocin industry has substantially grown replacing the role of chemical preservatives in enhancing shelf-life and safety of food. The progress in bacteriocin study has been supported by the emerging of consumer demand on the applications of natural food preservatives. Since food is a complex ecosystem, the characteristics of bacteriocin determine the effectiveness of their incorporation into the food products. Among four commercial media (M17 broth, MRS broth, tryptic soy broth, and nutrient broth) tested, the highest growth of Pediococcus acidilactici kp10 and bacteriocin-like-inhibitory substance (BLIS) production were obtained in the cultivation with M17. BLIS production was found to be a growth associated process where the production was increased concomitantly with the growth of producing strain, P. acidilactici kp10. The antimicrobial property of BLIS against three indicator microorganisms (Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus) remained stable upon heating at 100°C but not detectable at 121°C. The BLIS activity was also observed to be stable and active at a wide pH range (pH 2 to pH 7). The BLIS activity remained constant at -20°C and -80°C for 1 month of storage. However, the activity dropped after 3 and 6 months of storage at 4°C, -20°C, and -80°C with more than 80% reduction. The ability of bacteriocin from P. acidilactici kp10 to inhibit food-borne pathogens while remaining stable and active at extreme pH and temperature is of potential interest for future applications in food preservatives.
Laser-induced changes of in vitro erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Al Musawi MS, Jaafar MS, Al-Gailani B, Ahmed NM, Suhaimi FM

Lasers Med Sci, 2017 Dec;32(9):2089-2095.
PMID: 28967036 DOI: 10.1007/s10103-017-2340-5

The study of the effects of low-level laser (LLL) radiation on blood is important for elucidating the mechanisms behind the interaction of LLL radiation and biologic tissues. Different therapy methods that involve blood irradiation have been developed and used for clinical purposes with beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different irradiation protocols using a diode-pumped solid-state LLL (λ = 405 nm) on samples of human blood by measuring the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Human blood samples were obtained through venipuncture into tubes containing EDTA as an anticoagulant. Every sample was divided into two equal aliquots to be used as an irradiated sample and a non-irradiated control sample. The irradiated aliquot was subjected to a laser beam with a wavelength of 405 nm and an energy density of 72 J/cm2. The radiation source had a fixed irradiance of 30 mW/cm2. The ESR change was observed for three different experimental protocols: irradiated whole blood, irradiated red blood cells (RBCs) samples re-suspended in non-irradiated blood plasma, and non-irradiated RBCs re-suspended in irradiated blood plasma. The ESR values were measured after laser irradiation and compared with the non-irradiated control samples. Irradiated blood plasma in which non-radiated RBCs were re-suspended was found to result in the largest ESR decrease for healthy human RBCs, 51%, when compared with RBCs re-suspended in non-irradiated blood plasma. The decrease in ESR induced by LLL irradiation of the plasma alone was likely related to changes in the plasma composition and an increase in the erythrocyte zeta potential upon re-suspension of the RBCs in the irradiated blood plasma.
Fulltext Detection of Lard in Cocoa Butter-Its Fatty Acid Composition, Triacylglycerol Profiles, and Thermal Characteristics

Azir M, Abbasiliasi S, Tengku Ibrahim TA, Manaf YNA, Sazili AQ, Mustafa S

Foods, 2017 Nov 09;6(11).
PMID: 29120362 DOI: 10.3390/foods6110098

The present study investigates the detection of lard in cocoa butter through changes in fatty acids composition, triacylglycerols profile, and thermal characteristics. Cocoa butter was mixed with 1% to 30% (v/v) of lard and analyzed using a gas chromatography flame ionization detector, high performance liquid chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results revealed that the mixing of lard in cocoa butter showed an increased amount of oleic acid in the cocoa butter while there was a decrease in the amount of palmitic acid and stearic acids. The amount of POS, SOS, and POP also decreased with the addition of lard. A heating thermogram from the DSC analysis showed that as the concentration of lard increased from 3% to 30%, two minor peaks at -26 °C and 34.5 °C started to appear and a minor peak at 34.5 °C gradually overlapped with the neighbouring major peak. A cooling thermogram of the above adulterated cocoa butter showed a minor peak shift to a lower temperature of -36 °C to -41.5 °C. Values from this study could be used as a basis for the identification of lard from other fats in the food authentication process.
An improved SPE-LC-MS/MS method for multiclass endocrine disrupting compound determination in tropical estuarine sediments

Omar TFT, Aris AZ, Yusoff FM, Mustafa S

Talanta, 2017 Oct 01;173:51-59.
PMID: 28602191 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2017.05.064

Estuary sediments are one of the important components of coastal ecosystems and have been regarded as a sink for various types of organic pollutants. Organic pollutants such as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) which have been associated with various environmental and human health effects were detected in the estuary sediment at trace level. Considering various interferences that may exist in the estuarine sediment, a sensitive and selective method, capable of detecting multiclass EDC pollutants at the trace levels, needs to be developed and optimized to be applied for environmental analysis. A combination of Soxhlet extraction followed by offline solid phase extraction (SPE) cleaned up with detection based on LC triple quadrupole MS was optimized and validated in this study. The targeted compounds consisted of ten multiclass EDCs, namely, diclofenac, primidone, bisphenol A, estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), 4-octylphenol (4-OP), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), progesterone, and testosterone. The method showed high extraction efficiency with percentage of recovery from 78% to 108% and excellent sensitivity with detection limit between 0.02ngg-1 and 0.81ngg-1. Excellent linearity from 0.991 to 0.999 was achieved for the developed compounds and the relative standard deviation was less than 18%, an indication of good precision analysis. Evaluation of the matrix effects showed ionization suppression for all the developed compounds. Verification of the method was carried out by analyzing the estuarine sediment collected from Langat River. The analyzed estuarine sediments showed a trace concentration of diclofenac, bisphenol A, progesterone, testosterone, primidone, and E1. However, E2, EE2, 4-OP, and 4-NP were below the method's detection limit. Diclofenac exhibited the highest concentration at 2.67ngg-1 followed by bisphenol A (1.78ngg-1) while E1 showed the lowest concentration at 0.07ngg-1.
Fulltext In vitro assessment of Pediococcus acidilactici Kp10 for its potential use in the food industry

Abbasiliasi S, Tan JS, Bashokouh F, Ibrahim TAT, Mustafa S, Vakhshiteh F, et al.

BMC Microbiol, 2017 May 23;17(1):121.
PMID: 28535747 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-017-1000-z

BACKGROUND: Selection of a microbial strain for the incorporation into food products requires in vitro and in vivo evaluations. A bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacterium (LAB), Pediococcus acidilactici Kp10, isolated from a traditional dried curd was assessed in vitro for its beneficial properties as a potential probiotic and starter culture. The inhibitory spectra of the bacterial strain against different gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, its cell surface hydrophobicity and resistance to phenol, its haemolytic, amylolytic and proteolytic activities, ability to produce acid and coagulate milk together with its enzymatic characteristics and adhesion property were all evaluated in vitro.
RESULTS: P. acidilactici Kp10 was moderately tolerant to phenol and adhere to mammalian epithelial cells (Vero cells and ileal mucosal epithelium). The bacterium also exhibited antimicrobial activity against several gram-positive and gram-negative food-spoilage and food-borne pathogens such as Listeria monocytgenes ATCC 15313, Salmonella enterica ATCC 13311, Shigella sonnei ATCC 9290, Klebsiella oxytoca ATCC 13182, Enterobacter cloaca ATCC 35030 and Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 12378. The absence of haemolytic activity and proteinase (trypsin) and the presence of a strong peptidase (leucine-arylamidase) and esterase-lipase (C4 and C8) were observed in this LAB strain. P. acidilactici Kp10 also produced acid, coagulated milk and has demonstrated proteolytic and amylolactic activities.
CONCLUSION: The properties exhibited by P. acidilactici Kp10 suggested its potential application as probiotic and starter culture in the food industry.
Evaluation of intestinal damage caused by V. cholerae O139, an in vivo study

Murugaiah C, Noor NZ, Mustafa S, Manickam R, Pattabhiraman L

Microb Pathog, 2017 Apr;105:25-29.
PMID: 28179117 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.02.002

Cholera, a severe form of gastroenteritis, is one of the most widespread diseases in developing countries. The mechanism of intestinal infection caused by V. cholerae O139 remains unclear. In order to explore some morphological aspects of its infection in the intestine including Peyer's patches, we investigated the V. cholerae O139 infection at intestinal site of the rabbit gut-loop model. The electron microscopic analysis revealed denuded mucosal surface with loss of microvilli and integrity of the surface epithelium. Infection of the intestine with V. cholerae O139 induces destruction of villi, microvilli and lining epithelium with exposure of crypts of Lieberkuhn.
Fulltext [Zinc induces normoxic accumulation of transcriptionally active hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha in mammary epithelial cells]

Lee SY, Mustafa S, Ching YW, Shafee N

Mol Biol (Mosk), 2017 3 3;51(1):104-110.
PMID: 28251972 DOI: 10.7868/S0026898417010116

Both zinc and the α-subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) play important roles in the remodelling of mammary gland tissues. In the present study, we examined the level and the transcriptional activity of HIF-1α in mammary cells upon zinc treatment. In MCF-7 mammary adenocarcinoma and MCF-10A mammary epithelial cell lines, the toxicity levels of zinc differ. Interestingly, both cell lines overexpress HIF-1α following zinc treatment. As it was evident from an up-regulation of its specific target gene CA9 that encodes carbonic anhydrase IX, the stabilized HIF-1α translocated to the nucleus and was transcriptionally active. Hence, we conclude that zinc causes normoxic accumulation of transcriptionally active HIF-1α by interfering with its post-translational regulation.
Effects of low-level laser irradiation on human blood lymphocytes in vitro

Al Musawi MS, Jaafar MS, Al-Gailani B, Ahmed NM, Suhaimi FM, Suardi N

Lasers Med Sci, 2017 Feb;32(2):405-411.
PMID: 28044209 DOI: 10.1007/s10103-016-2134-1

Low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) has various effects on cultured human lymphocytes in vitro, but little is known about such effects in whole blood. This study investigated whether LLLI affected lymphocyte count in human whole blood in vitro. A total number of 130 blood samples were collected from apparently healthy adult patients through venipuncture into tubes containing EDTA. Each sample was divided into two equal aliquots to be used as a non-irradiated control sample and an irradiated sample. The irradiated aliquot was subjected to laser wavelengths of 405, 589, and 780 nm with different fluences of 36, 54, 72, and 90 J/cm(2), at a fixed irradiance of 30 mW/cm(2). A paired student t test was used to compare between non-irradiated and irradiated samples. The lymphocyte counts were measured using a computerized hematology analyzer and showed a significant (P

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