Displaying publications 941 - 960 of 2920 in total

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  1. Lim TO, Looi HW, Harun K, Marzida
    Med J Malaysia, 1991 Sep;46(3):230-4.
    PMID: 1839917
    Data on number of cases of acute asthma seen at casualty department in 1987 as well as daily metereological data for 1987 were obtained and analysed for relation between climatic factors and acute asthma. Ambient temperature was significantly associated with acute asthma; the lower the temperature, the more the number of cases of asthma were seen. No association however was observed between asthma and the other climatic factors viz, rainfall, humidity, daily change in humidity and daily drop in temperature. We further discuss our finding.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  2. Dong SX, Davies SJ, Ashton PS, Bunyavejchewin S, Supardi MN, Kassim AR, et al.
    Proc Biol Sci, 2012 Oct 7;279(1744):3923-31.
    PMID: 22833269
    The response of tropical forests to global climate variability and change remains poorly understood. Results from long-term studies of permanent forest plots have reported different, and in some cases opposing trends in tropical forest dynamics. In this study, we examined changes in tree growth rates at four long-term permanent tropical forest research plots in relation to variation in solar radiation, temperature and precipitation. Temporal variation in the stand-level growth rates measured at five-year intervals was found to be positively correlated with variation in incoming solar radiation and negatively related to temporal variation in night-time temperatures. Taken alone, neither solar radiation variability nor the effects of night-time temperatures can account for the observed temporal variation in tree growth rates across sites, but when considered together, these two climate variables account for most of the observed temporal variability in tree growth rates. Further analysis indicates that the stand-level response is primarily driven by the responses of smaller-sized trees (less than 20 cm in diameter). The combined temperature and radiation responses identified in this study provide a potential explanation for the conflicting patterns in tree growth rates found in previous studies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  3. Brodie JF, Strimas-Mackey M, Mohd-Azlan J, Granados A, Bernard H, Giordano AJ, et al.
    Proc Biol Sci, 2017 01 25;284(1847).
    PMID: 28100818 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2335
    The responses of lowland tropical communities to climate change will critically influence global biodiversity but remain poorly understood. If species in these systems are unable to tolerate warming, the communities-currently the most diverse on Earth-may become depauperate ('biotic attrition'). In response to temperature changes, animals can adjust their distribution in space or their activity in time, but these two components of the niche are seldom considered together. We assessed the spatio-temporal niches of rainforest mammal species in Borneo across gradients in elevation and temperature. Most species are not predicted to experience changes in spatio-temporal niche availability, even under pessimistic warming scenarios. Responses to temperature are not predictable by phylogeny but do appear to be trait-based, being much more variable in smaller-bodied taxa. General circulation models and weather station data suggest unprecedentedly high midday temperatures later in the century; predicted responses to this warming among small-bodied species range from 9% losses to 6% gains in spatio-temporal niche availability, while larger species have close to 0% predicted change. Body mass may therefore be a key ecological trait influencing the identity of climate change winners and losers. Mammal species composition will probably change in some areas as temperatures rise, but full-scale biotic attrition this century appears unlikely.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  4. Mohammad Anwar Mohamed Iqbal, Muhammad Zulhelmi Nazri, Mohammad Norazmi Ahmad, Erna Normaya Abdullah, Umie Fatihah Mohamad Haziz, Mohd Rizal Razali, et al.
    Science Letters, 2020;14(2):71-84.
    MyJurnal
    Silver (I) dicyanonitrosomethanide, Ag[ONC(CN)2] represent a 3D interwoven coordination polymer organization in which all the donor atoms of the functional groups of ONC(CN)2- are coordinated to the Ag(I). Oxidation of styrene utilizing H2O2 as an oxidant in acetonitrile (CH3CN) was used as a model reaction to investigate the catalytic potential of the Ag (I) complex. The CH3CN was chosen as the solvent based on the data collected from Conductor like Screening Model for Real Solvents (COSMO-RS) study. The data indicate that the Ag [ONC(CN)2] complex was compatible and soluble in CH3CN. Different parameters such as styrene:H2O2 molar ratio, reaction time, catalyst mass, and reaction temperature were studied. Highest styrene conversion (36%) with 100% selectivity towards benzaldehyde (BZ) was achieved when 25 mg catalyst, 1:1 styrene to H2O2 molar ratio were used. The reaction was carried out at 303 K for 3 h. The catalytic conversion of styrene to BZ is proposed to take place via [Ag-H2O2] adduct with styrene oxide (StO) as an intermediate. Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) shows that the Ag atom has the highest probability to coordinate with the oxygen atom of H2O2. The MEP data confirms the proposed mechanism.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  5. Hosen, Md Sabuj, Mariatul Fadzillah Mansor, Ainoor Mariana Mohd Ali, Alam, Md. Zahangir
    MyJurnal
    Increasing population, urbanization and industrial activities have increased the amount of solid waste worldwide. Food waste (FW) and sewage sludge (SS) are some of the solid wastes. Co-digesting of both substrates may improve process stabilization to increase biogas production and overcome the nutrients imbalance. Thus, anaerobic co-digestion has been recognized as a technology that could provide a clean renewable energy source and help reducing the landfill problem. In this study, the interaction between FW and SS as co-substrates in anaerobic digestion was studied under mesophilic temperature 36C (± 0.5). The experiments were conducted using five batch reactors with different ratios of substrates. There are four different analyses used to identify the characteristics of FW and SS, which are pH, reducing sugar (RS), total solid (TS), and total carbohydrate (TC). Water displacement method was used to record biogas yield. The experimental results showed that the highest biogas yield was from the composition of 50:50 (FW: SS) with a biogas volume of 1150.14 mL, while the least was the composition of 0:100 (FW: SS) with 170.47 mL biogas produced. The results for substrate degradation showed that the composition of 100:0 (FW: SS) has the highest percentage degradation for reducing sugar with the percentage of 56%, while the minimum was 0:100 (FW: SS) with a percentage of 35%. Besides, for TC, the highest percentage of degradation was the composition 50:50 (FW: SS) with 84%, and the least was 0:100 (FW: SS) with 44%. This study proves that using FW and SS enhanced biogas production as well as reducing the current issues of waste disposal.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  6. Dorairaj D, Suradi MF, Mansor NS, Osman N
    PeerJ, 2020;8:e9595.
    PMID: 32904129 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9595
    Globally, there has been an increase in the frequency of landslides which is the result of slope failures. The combination of high intensity rainfall and high temperature resulted in the formation of acidic soil which is detrimental to the healthy growth of plants. Proper plant coverage on slopes is a prerequisite to mitigate and rehabilitate the soil. However, not all plant species are able to grow in marginal land. Thus, this study was undertaken to find a suitable slope plant species. We aimed to evaluate the effect of different soil pH on root profiles and growth of three different potential slope plant species namely, Melastoma malabathricum, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Syzygium campanulatum. M. malabathricum showed the highest tolerance to acidic soil as it recorded the highest plant height and photosynthetic rate. The root systems of M. malabathricum, H. rosa-sinensis and S. campanulatum were identified as M, VH- and R-types, respectively. The study proposed M. malabathricum which possessed dense and shallow roots to be planted at the toe or top of the slope while H. rosa-sinensis and S. campanulatum to be planted in the middle of a slope. S. campanulatum consistently recorded high root length and root length density across all three types of soil pH while M. malabathricum showed progressive increase in length as the soil pH increased. The root average diameter and root volume of M. malabathricum outperformed the other two plant species irrespective of soil pH. In terms of biomass, M. malabathricum exhibited the highest root and shoot dry weights followed by S. campanulatum. Thus, we propose M. malabathricum to be planted on slopes as a form of soil rehabilitation. The plant species displayed denser rooting, hence a stronger root anchorage that can hold the soil particles together which will be beneficial for slope stabilization.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  7. Azlin Suhaida Azmi, Mohamed Anwar Awan, Azura Amid, Noor Illi Mohamad Puad, Fathilah Binti Ali
    MyJurnal
    Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing, transporting and storing CO2 geologically underground permanently. Carbon capture using solvent such as amine and aqueous ammonia has been extensively studied by many researchers. However, this capture technology for CCS scheme is costly. As an alternative, CO2 emission can be cost-effectively captured and stored by utilizing the well-understood natural photosynthetic process of marine cyanobacteria. In contrast, the capturing process using cyanobacteria is very slow compared to the chemical absorption mentioned prior. Hence, this study aimed to investigate carbon capturing and storing process using integrated aqueous ammonia and mutated marine cyanobacteria (Synechococcus PCC 7002 IIUM01). The conditions that can maximize CO2 reduction under various conditions; CO2 flow rate (Lpm), absorption temperature (C) and aqueous ammonia concentrations (% (w/v)) were to be identified. The effectiveness of the mutant cyanobacteria was quantified by measuring the cell concentration, percentage reduction in CO2 concentration and lipid content. Synechococcus PCC 7002 IIUM01 showed it robustness by growing in aqueous ammonia solution at the concentration of 0.5 to 1% (w/v) at which the parent strain was not able to tolerate. The best conditions in maximizing CO2 capture and storage while sustaining growth optimally and being a potential biofuel source was observed at 0.5 Lpm of 15% CO2 gas flow rate, 0.75% (w/v) of ammonia concentration and 33C of absorption temperature. At this specified condition, around 68% of CO2 removal was achieved with 9% (w/w) yield of lipid and more than 13% (w/v) of cell concentration obtained.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  8. Olalere OA, Gan CY, Abdurahman HN, Adeyi O, Ahmad MM
    Heliyon, 2020 Aug;6(8):e04770.
    PMID: 32923719 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04770
    The increase in wastes generated from jackfruit seeds has been largely under-utilized in Malaysia. Due to the high nutritional and medicinal content embedded in the cellulosic structure of jackfruit wastes, a need then arises for their physicochemical elucidations. In this study, the extraction of Artocarpus heterophyllus seed was carefully investigated using Taguchi orthogonal optimization design. Complete functional group characteristics and chemical profile of the A. heterophyllus seed extracts were obtained using different physicochemical characterization. The optimal conditions of the microwave extraction parameters were determined at 5 min of irradiation time, 450 W of power and 50 °C of temperature. Under this condition, the optimal yield of 17.34 (mg/g) % was achieved at an SNR ratio of 24.78. The mass spectrometry analysis tentatively identified a total of 90 and 148 secondary metabolites at positive and negative ESI modes, respectively. The chemical profile obtained provided a baseline reference for further investigation on the food and medicinal bioactive from Artocarpus heterophyllus seed oleoresins. The FT-infrared emission spectrum shows the presence of some specific carbohydrates and amide protein functional groups directly linked to C-O (1008 cm-1) the carbonyl (C=O) groups, respectively. Moreover, the morphological characteristics of the jackfruit raw and crude extracts conspicuously revealed large-sized globules which suggest the carbohydrates and protein contents. The result of this study indicates that the use of microwave extraction technology produced high-quality extracts with lower degradation of the thermal labile constituents. This will assist in determining the suitable conditions necessary for the total recovery of medicinal and nutritional constituents and conversion of agricultural waste products into useful products.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  9. Haditiar Y, Putri MR, Ismail N, Muchlisin ZA, Ikhwan M, Rizal S
    Heliyon, 2020 Sep;6(9):e04828.
    PMID: 32939416 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04828
    Malacca Strait (MS) has an important role and potential for many countries. It is a major transportation route for oil and commodities across continents. In addition, various activities such as shipping, fishing, aquaculture, oil drilling, and energy are also carried out in MS. Tides strongly affect the MS environment so that it becomes a major parameter in MS management. This paper is the first study, which presents MS tidal hydrodynamics based on a baroclinic and nonhydrostatic approach. Tidal hydrodynamics in MS and the surrounding waters were assessed using tidal forces, temperature, salinity, and density. This study analyzes the amplitude, phase, current ellipses, and semi-major axis of the tides. These variables are obtained from the simulation results of the three-dimensional numerical models of M2 tides and combined tides (M2, S2, N2, K1, and O1) with nonhydrostatic models. Then the results obtained are verified by observation data. Amplitude and phase of the tidal wave in MS originate from two directions, namely the northern part of MS (Andaman Sea) and the South China Sea (SCS). Tides from the north of MS propagate into the MS, while tides from the SCS travel to Singapore Waters (SW) and the south of MS. This causes a complex residual flow in SW and shoaling in the middle of MS. Shoaling in the middle of MS is characterized by a large amplitude and semi-major, as in B. Siapiapi. The results of this analysis show that tidal waves are dominated by semidiurnal types rather than diurnal types. The M2 current ellipse has dominantly anticlockwise rotation along the west of the MS, while along the east of MS, it has generally a clockwise rotation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  10. Kashim MZ, Tsegab H, Rahmani O, Abu Bakar ZA, Aminpour SM
    ACS Omega, 2020 Nov 17;5(45):28942-28954.
    PMID: 33225124 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c02358
    The research presented here investigates the reaction mechanism of wollastonite in situ mineral carbonation for carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration. Because wollastonite contains high calcium (Ca) content, it was considered as a suitable feedstock in the mineral carbonation process. To evaluate the reaction mechanism of wollastonite for geological CO2 sequestration (GCS), a series of carbonation experiments were performed at a range of temperatures from 35 to 90 °C, pressures from 1500 to 4000 psi, and salinities from 0 to 90,000 mg/L NaCl. The kinetics batch modeling results were validated with carbonation experiments at the specific pressure and temperature of 1500 psi and 65 °C, respectively. The results showed that the dissolution of calcium increases with increment in pressure and salinity from 1500 to 4000 psi and 0 to 90000 mg/L NaCl, respectively. However, the calcium concentration decreases by 49%, as the reaction temperature increases from 35 to 90 °C. Besides, it is clear from the findings that the carbonation efficiency only shows a small difference (i.e., ±2%) for changing the pressure and salinity, whereas the carbonation efficiency was shown to be enhanced by 62% with increment in the reaction temperature. These findings can provide information about CO2 mineralization of calcium silicate at the GCS condition, which may enable us to predict the fate of the injected CO2, and its subsurface geochemical evolution during the CO2-fluid-rock interaction.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  11. Nda-Umar UI, Ramli I, Muhamad EN, Azri N, Taufiq-Yap YH
    Molecules, 2020 Nov 10;25(22).
    PMID: 33182532 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225221
    In this study, an optimized mesoporous sulfonated carbon (OMSC) catalyst derived from palm kernel shell biomass was developed using template carbonization and subsequent sulfonation under different temperatures and time conditions. The OMSC catalyst was characterized using acid-base titration, elemental analysis, XRD, Raman, FTIR, XPS, TPD-NH3, TGA-DTA, SEM, and N2 adsorption-desorption analysis to reveal its properties. Results proved that the OMSC catalyst is mesoporous and amorphous in structure with improved textural, acidic, and thermal properties. Both FTIR and XPS confirmed the presence of -SO3H, -OH, and -COOH functional groups on the surface of the catalyst. The OMSC catalyst was found to be efficient in catalyzing glycerol conversion to acetin via an acetylation reaction with acetic acid within a short period of 3 h. Response surface methodology (RSM), based on a two-level, three-factor, face-centered central composite design, was used to optimize the reaction conditions. The results showed that the optimized temperature, glycerol-to-acetic acid mole ratio, and catalyst load were 126 °C, 1:10.4, and 0.45 g, respectively. Under these optimum conditions, 97% glycerol conversion (GC) and selectivities of 4.9, 27.8, and 66.5% monoacetin (MA), diacetin (DA), and triacetin (TA), respectively, were achieved and found to be close to the predicted values. Statistical analysis showed that the regression model, as well as the model terms, were significant with the predicted R2 in reasonable agreement with the adjusted R2 (<0.2). The OMSC catalyst maintained excellent performance in GC for the five reaction cycles. The selectivity to TA, the most valuable product, was not stable until the fourth cycle, attributable to the leaching of the acid sites.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  12. Siti Noriah Mohd Shotor, Nur Anis Atirah Zulkiflee
    MyJurnal
    This paper deals with a review of the inhibition activity of a Schiff bases on the deterioration of mild steel in hydrochloric acid media. Two Schiff base ligands namely N,N’- Bis(salicylidene) ethylenediamine (Sadimine) and N,N’-Bis(bromosalicylidene)- ethylenediamine (Brosadimine) were synthesized from the condensation reactions of salicylaldehyde or 5-bromosalicylaldehyde with ethylenediamine respectively and evaluated as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M HCl solution using weight loss method. The use of inhibitors is one of the most practical methods for protection of mild steel against corrosion in acidic media. Schiff bases are widely being employed in such applications. This paper highlights the influence of structure–inhibition activity relationship of Schiff base compounds
    on their performance as corrosion inhibitors of mild steel in acid media. Sadimine and
    Brosadimine show appreciable corrosion inhibition efficiency against the corrosion of mild
    steel in 1 M HCl solution at room temperature. It has been found that Brosadimine shows
    greater corrosion inhibition efficiency than Sadimine due to extra halogen group presence in
    the structure. As the concentration of studied inhibitors increases, the corrosion inhibition
    efficiency of the prepared compounds also increases. This study demonstrated that corrosion
    inhibitors for metals and alloys can preserve the quality and life of metals from corrosion.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  13. Ekarizan Shaffie1, Ahmad Kamil Arshad, Ramadhansyah Putra Jaya, Khairil Azman Masri, Wardati Hashim
    MyJurnal
    Moisture susceptibiltiy is one of the common types of pavement failure found in asphaltic pavements.
    Climatic factor such as temperature and moisture has a profound effect on the durability of hot mix
    asphalt pavements. Couple with high traffic loads/stresses made stripping of pavement materials
    inevitable. Thus, it has become necessary to improve the efficiency of the design of hot mix asphalt
    (HMA) for better performance and safe riding comfort. This study investigates and discusses the findings
    on the stripping performance of dense graded Superpave mixes using two type of binder; un-modified
    binder and rubber polymer modified binder (RPM) using Superpave mix design (AASHTO TP4)
    procedure. The RPM binder consists of 4% of both rubber crumb and EVA polymer. Modified Lottman
    and Resilient Modulus tests were used to evaluate the stripping performance in these mixtures and this
    study also documents the effect of different temperature on tensile strength ratio (TSR) and resilient
    modulus ratio (RMR) on the HMA mixtures. Experimental evidences show that the RPM binder mixes
    were found to have significantly improved the resistance to moisture damage compared to unmodified
    binder mixtures. The RPM binder application may able to alleviate problems related to aggregate
    stripping and potholes on our road. Statistical analysis showed good correlation between resilient
    modulus and tensile strength ratio.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  14. Quah HJ, Ahmad FH, Lim WF, Hassan Z
    ACS Omega, 2020 Oct 20;5(41):26347-26356.
    PMID: 33110962 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c02120
    Nitrogen-infused wet oxidation at different temperatures (400-1000 °C) was employed to transform tantalum-hafnia to hafnium-doped tantalum oxide films. High-temperature wet oxidation at 1000 °C marked an onset of crystallization occurring in the film, accompanied with the formation of an interfacial oxide due to a reaction between the inward-diffusing hydroxide ions, which were dissociated from the water molecules during wet oxidation. The existence of nitrogen has assisted in controlling the interfacial oxide formation. However, high-temperature oxidation caused a tendency for the nitrogen to desorb and form N-H complex after reacting with the hydroxide ions. Besides, the presence of N-H complex implied a decrease in the passivation at the oxide-Si interface by hydrogen. As a consequence, defect formation would happen at the interface and influence the metal-oxide-semiconductor characteristics of the samples. In comparison, tantalum-hafnia subjected to nitrogen-infused wet oxidation at 600 °C has obtained the highest dielectric constant, the largest band gap, and the lowest slow trap density.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  15. Kannaiyan K, Biradar Sharashchandra M, Kattimani S, Devi M, Vengal Rao B, Kumar Chinna S
    J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2020 Aug;12(Suppl 1):S399-S403.
    PMID: 33149494 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_117_20
    Introduction: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has been widely accepted and used in dentistry owing to its working characteristics, aesthetics and stability in the oral environment, ease in manipulation, and inexpensive processing methods and equipment.

    Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the flexural strength of a high-impact PMMA denture base resin material and flexural strength of a commonly available heat cure PMMA denture base material with Kevlar, glass, and nylon fibers.

    Materials and Methods: The test samples were studied under two groups. The Group I (control group) comprised pre-reinforced PMMA (Lucitone 199; Dentsply Sirona Prosthetics, York, Pennsylvania, USA) consisting of 12 samples and second group comprised regular PMMA (DPI, Mumbai, India) reinforced with different fibers. The second test group was further divided into three subgroups as Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 comprising 12 samples each designated by the letters a-l. All the samples were marked on both ends. A total of 48 samples were tested. Results were analyzed and any P value ≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant (t test).

    Results: All the 48 specimens were subjected to a 3-point bending test on a universal testing machine (MultiTest 10-i, Sterling, VA, USA) at a cross-head rate of 2 mm/min. A load was applied on each specimen by a centrally located rod until fracture occurred; span length taken was 50 mm. Flexural strength was then calculated.

    Conclusion: Reinforcement of conventional denture base resin with nylon and glass fibers showed statistical significance in the flexural strength values when compared to unreinforced high impact of denture base resin.

    Matched MeSH terms: Hot Temperature
  16. Arris FA, Thai VTS, Manan WN, Sajab MS
    Foods, 2020 Nov 29;9(12).
    PMID: 33260330 DOI: 10.3390/foods9121769
    Process-based contaminants in food-particularly in vegetable oils-have been a topic of interest due to their potential health risk on humans. Oral consumption above the tolerable daily intake might result in health risks. Therefore, it is critical to correctly address the food contaminant issues with a proper mitigation plan, in order to reduce and subsequently remove the occurrence of the contaminant. 3-monochloropropane-1,3-diol (3-MCPD), an organic chemical compound, is one of the heat- and process-induced food contaminants, belonging to a group called chloropropanols. This review paper discusses the occurrence of the 3-MCPD food contaminant in different types of vegetable oils, possible 3-MCPD formation routes, and also methods of reduction or removal of 3-MCPD in its free and bound esterified forms in vegetable oils, mostly in palm oil due to its highest 3-MCPD content.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hot Temperature
  17. Aziz NAM, Yunus R, Hamid HA, Ghassan AAK, Omar R, Rashid U, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 11 12;10(1):19652.
    PMID: 33184363 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76775-y
    Microwave-assisted synthesis is known to accelerate the transesterification process and address the issues associated with the conventional thermal process, such as the processing time and the energy input requirement. Herein, the effect of microwave irradiation on the transesterification of palm oil methyl ester (PME) with trimethylolpropane (TMP) was evaluated. The reaction system was investigated through five process parameters, which were reaction temperature, catalyst, time, molar ratio of TMP to PME and vacuum pressure. The yield of TMP triester at 66.9 wt.% and undesirable fatty soap at 17.4% were obtained at 130 °C, 10 mbar, sodium methoxide solution at 0.6 wt.%, 10 min reaction time and molar ratio of TMP to PME at 1:4. The transesterification of palm oil-based methyl ester to trimethylolpropane ester was 3.1 folds faster in the presence of microwave irradiation. The total energy requirement was markedly reduced as compared to the conventional heating method. The findings indicate that microwave-assisted transesterification could probably be an answer to the quest for a cheaper biodegradable biolubricant.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
  18. Yang J, Ching YC, Chuah CH, Liou NS
    Polymers (Basel), 2020 Dec 29;13(1).
    PMID: 33383626 DOI: 10.3390/polym13010094
    This study examined the development of starch/oil palm empty fruit bunch-based bioplastic composites reinforced with either epoxidized palm oil (EPO) or epoxidized soybean oil (ESO), at various concentrations, in order to improve the mechanical and water-resistance properties of the bio-composites. The SEM micrographs showed that low content (0.75 wt%) of epoxidized oils (EOs), especially ESO, improved the compatibility of the composites, while high content (3 wt%) of EO induced many voids. The melting temperature of the composites was increased by the incorporation of both EOs. Thermal stability of the bioplastics was increased by the introduction of ESO. Low contents of EO led to a huge enhancement of tensile strength, while higher contents of EO showed a negative effect, due to the phase separation. The tensile strength increased from 0.83 MPa of the control sample to 3.92 and 5.42 MPa for the composites with 1.5 wt% EPO and 0.75 wt% ESO, respectively. EOs reduced the composites' water uptake and solubility but increased the water vapor permeability. Overall, the reinforcing effect of ESO was better than EPO. These results suggested that both EOs can be utilized as modifiers to prepare starch/empty-fruit-bunch-based bioplastic composites with enhanced properties.
    Matched MeSH terms: Temperature
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