This study comprised of physicochemical characterizations of starch extracted from Msp94 sweet potato tuber and production of high fructose glucose syrup from the starch. Msp94 sweet potato starch consisted of 7.3% water, 0.2% protein, 0.4% fat, 1.3% total ash, 94.8% total carbohydrates, 83.0% starch and 20.6% apparent amylose. The starch granules were spherical, polygonal and irregular in shapes with the size of 13-14 mm. Enzymatic hydrolysis of Msp94 sweet potato starch for 24,48, 72 hours, using a mixture of amyglucosidase-pullulanase enzymes during saccharification process, produced starch hydrolysates with dextrose equivalent (DE) of 94.8, 99.1, 99.3 respectively. This is followed by reduction in viscosity of the starch hydrolysates. Conversion of the Msp94 starch to percent of glucose after hydrolysing for 24,48 and 72 hours were 97.1%, 109.5% and 103.2%, respectively. Msp94 starch hydrolysates was then purified using three types of ion exchange resins and isomerized to highfructose syrup using glucose isomerase enzyme (Sweetzyme T). Thefructose content in isomerized Msp94 syrup was (43.8-46.5%) was comparable to the fructose content (44%) in commercial High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) 42.
[Kajian ini merangkumi pencirian fizikokimia kanji yang diekstrak daripada ubi keledek Msp94 dan penghasilan sirap glukosa berfruktosa tinggi daripada kanji ini. Kanji ubi keledek Msp94 mengandungi 7.3% air, 0.2% protein, 0.4% lemak, 1.3% abu total, 94.8% karbohidrat total, 83.0% kanji dan 20.6% amilosa ketara. Purata saiz granul kanji adalah 13-14 mm, berbentuk bulat, poligon dan bentuk yang tidak tetap. Hidrolisis berenzim menggunakan gabungan enzim glukoamilase-pululanase dalam proses sakarifikasi, yang dijalankan ke atas kanji ubi keledek Msp94 selama 24, 48, 72 jam menghasilkan hidrolisat kanji dengan setaraan dekstrosa (DE) masing-masing pada 94.8, 99.1, 99.3. 1ni diikuti dengan kelikatan hidrolisat kanji yang semakin menurun. Penukaran kanji Msp94 kepada peratus glukosa adalah sebanyak 97.1 %, 109.5% dan 103.2% setelah dihidrolisis selama 24,48 dan 72 jam. Hidrolisat kanji Msp94 ditulenkan menggunakan tiga jenis resin penukar ion dan diisomer kepada sirap berfruktosa tinggi menggunakan enzim glukosa isomerase (Sweetzyme T). Kandungan fruktosa (43.8-46.5%) dalam sirap Msp94 yang telah diisomer adalah setara dengan kandunganfruktosa (44%) dalam sirap komersial, High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) 42].
Phytoplasmas (mycoplasmalike organisms, MLOs) associated with mitsuba (Japanese hone-wort) witches'-broom (JHW), garland chrysanthemum witches'-broom (GCW), eggplant dwarf (ED), tomato yellows (TY), marguerite yellows (MY), gentian witches'-broom (GW), and tsu-wabuki witches'-broom (TW) in Japan were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA and restriction enzyme analysis of PCR products. The phytoplasmas could be separated into two groups, one containing strains JHW, GCW, ED, TY, and MY, and the other containing strains GW and TW, corresponding to two groups previously recognized on the basis of transmission by Macrosteles striifrons and Scleroracus flavopictus, respectively. The strains transmitted by M. striifrons were classified in 16S rRNA gene group 16SrI, which contains aster yellows and related phytoplasma strains. Strains GW and TW were classified in group 16SrIII, which contains phytoplasmas associated with peach X-disease, clover yellow edge, and related phytoplasmas. Digestion of amplified 16S rDNA with HpaII indicated that strains GW and TW were affiliated with subgroup 16SrIII-B, which contains clover yellow edge phytoplasma. All seven strains were distinguished from other phytoplasmas, including those associated with clover proliferation, ash yellows, elm yellows, and beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence in North America, and Malaysian periwinkle yellows and sweet potato witches'-broom in Asia.
Background. Palm oil is commonly consumed in Asia. Repeatedly heating the oil is very common during food processing. Aim. This study is aimed to report on the risk of atherosclerosis due to the reheated oil consumption. Material and Methods. Twenty four male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control, fresh-oil, 5 times heated-oil and 10 times heated-oil feeding groups. Heated palm oil was prepared by frying sweet potato at 180°C for 10 minutes. The ground standard rat chows were fortified with the heated oils and fed it to the rats for six months. Results. Tunica intima thickness in aorta was significantly increased in 10 times heated-oil feeding group (P < 0.05), revealing a huge atherosclerotic plaque with central necrosis projecting into the vessel lumen. Repeatedly heated oil feeding groups also revealed atherosclerotic changes including mononuclear cells infiltration, thickened subendothelial layer, disrupted internal elastic lamina and smooth muscle cells fragmentation in tunica media of the aorta. Conclusion. The usage of repeated heated oil is the predisposing factor of atherosclerosis leading to cardiovascular diseases. It is advisable to avoid the consumption of repeatedly heated palm oil.
A survey was conducted to investigate patterns of fruits and vegetables consumption among Malaysian adults residing in Selangor, Malaysia. Two hundred forty two subjects comprises of male (28%) and female (72%) of major ethnics (Malays-52.3%; Chinese-30.5%; Indians-16.9%) with the mean age of 43.5±18 years were studied from July to November 2002. Consumption data for vegetables were collected using 24 hours duplicate samples method while for fruits 24-hour diet record was used. The results showed that most frequently consumed leafy, leguminous, root, brassica and fruits vegetables were celery (Apium graveolens), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), water spinach (Ipomoea aquatic), long beans (Vigna sesquipedolis), French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), carrot (Daucas carota), potato (Solanum tuberosum), Chinese mustard (Brassica juncea), round cabbage (Brassica reptans), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var cauliflora), chilies (red, green, small or dried) (Capsicum sp.), tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), long eggplant (Solanum melongena) and okra (Hibiscus esculentus). While most consumed ulam and traditional vegetables were petai (Parkia speciosa), sweet leaves (Sauropus andragynus) and Indian pennywor (Hydrocotyle asiatica). Other vegetables inclusive spices and flavorings that were preferred by subjects were shallot (Allium fistulosum), garlic(Allium sativum), onion (Alium cepa), green bean sprout (Phaseolus aureus) and curry leaves (Murraya koenigii). The most preferred fruits were banana (Musa spp.) and apples (.Malus domestica). A total consumption of fruits and vegetables among adults in Selangor was 173 g/day and the consumption among Malays (202 g/day) was significantly higher (P