MyMedR

Introgression of blast resistance genes into the elite rice variety MR263 through marker-assisted backcrossing

Hasan MM, Rafii MY, Ismail MR, Mahmood M, Alam MA, Abdul Rahim H, et al.

J Sci Food Agric, 2016 Mar 15;96(4):1297-305.

Blast caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is a significant disease threat to rice across the world and is especially prevalent in Malaysia. An elite, early-maturing, high-yielding Malaysian rice variety, MR263, is susceptible to blast and was used as the recurrent parent in this study. To improve MR263 disease resistance, the Pongsu Seribu 1 rice variety was used as donor of the blast resistance Pi-7(t), Pi-d(t)1 and Pir2-3(t) genes and qLN2 quantitative trait locus (QTL). The objective was to introgress these blast resistance genes into the background of MR263 using marker-assisted backcrossing with both foreground and background selection.

Investigating the biometric and physicochemical characteristics of freshly harvested Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): a comparative approach

Okpala CO, Bono G

J Sci Food Agric, 2016 Mar 15;96(4):1231-40.

PMID: 25866918 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7211

The practicality of biometrics of seafood cannot be overemphasized, particularly for competent authorities of the shrimp industry. However, there is a paucity of relevant literature on the relationship between biometric and physicochemical indices of freshly harvested shrimp. This work therefore investigated the relationship between biometric (standard length (SL), total weight (TW) and condition factor (CF)) and physicochemical (moisture content, pH, titratable acidity, water activity, water retention index, colour values and fracturability) characteristics of freshly harvested Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) obtained from three different farms. The relationships between these parameters were determined using correlation and regression analyses.

Mechanisation of large-scale agricultural fields in developing countries-a review

Onwude DI, Abdulstter R, Gomes C, Hashim N

J Sci Food Agric, 2016 Mar 4.

PMID: 26940194 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7699

Mechanisation of large scale agricultural fields often requires the application of modern technologies such as mechanical power, automation, control and robotics. These technologies are generally associated with relatively well developed economies. The application of these technologies in some developing countries in Africa and Asia is limited by factors such as technology compatibility with the environment, availability of resources to facilitate the technology adoption, cost of technology purchase, government policies, adequacy of technology and appropriateness in addressing the needs of the population. As a result, many of the available resources have been used inadequately by farmers, who continue to rely mostly on conventional means of agricultural production, using traditional tools and equipment in most cases. This has led to low productivity and high cost of production amongst others. Thus, this paper attempts to evaluate the application of present day technology and its limitations to the advancement of large scale mechanisation in developing countries of Africa and Asia. Particular emphasis is given to a general understanding of the various levels of mechanization, present day technology, its management and application to large scale agricultural fields. This review also focuses on/ gives emphasis to future outlook that will enable a gradual, evolutionary, and sustainable technological change. The study concludes that large scale-agricultural farm mechanisation for sustainable food production in Africa and Asia must be anchored on a coherent strategy based on the actual needs and priorities of the large- scale farmers.

Generation mean analysis of grain quality traits in selected rice populations derived from different amylose characteristics

Ramli AB, Rafii MY, Latif MA, Saleh GB, Omar OB, Puteh AB

J Sci Food Agric, 2016 Mar;96(5):1593-600.

PMID: 25982124 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7260

Genetic analysis using generation mean analysis is a tool for designing the most appropriate breeding approaches to developing varieties of rice. It estimates the gene actions that control quantitative traits, as well as the additive, dominance and epistatic effects. This study was conducted using three rice populations that were derived from parental lines with different amylose content. The aim was to partition the gene actions using generation mean analysis for the selected populations.

Potential use of Lentinus squarrosulus mushroom as fermenting agent and source of natural antioxidant additive in livestock feed

Abdullah N, Lau CC, Ismail SM

J Sci Food Agric, 2016 Mar;96(5):1459-66.

PMID: 25926021 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7242

Fermenting feed has gained a lot of popularity in recent years owing to its renowned benefits to the livestock and feed quality. In the current study, Lentinus squarrosulus mushroom mycelium was tested for its potential as a fermenting agent and source of natural antioxidant in the feed.

Effects of condensed tannin fractions of different molecular weights from a Leucaena leucocephala hybrid on in vitro methane production and rumen fermentation

Saminathan M, Sieo CC, Abdullah N, Wong CM, Ho YW

J Sci Food Agric, 2015 Oct;95(13):2742-9.

PMID: 25418980 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7016

Molecular weights (MWs) and their chemical structures are the primary factors determining the influence of condensed tannins (CTs) on animal nutrition and methane (CH4 ) production in ruminants. In this study the MWs of five CT fractions from Leucaena leucocephala hybrid-Rendang (LLR) were determined and the CT fractions were investigated for their effects on CH4 production and rumen fermentation.

Nutritional values and bioactive components of under-utilised vegetables consumed by indigenous people in Malaysia

Abdul Wahab N, Ahdan R, Ahmad Aufa Z, Kong KW, Johar MH, Shariff Mohd Z, et al.

J Sci Food Agric, 2015 Oct;95(13):2704-11.

PMID: 25410129 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7006

Diverse plants species in the forest remain under-utilised and they are mainly consumed only by local people. However, increasing issues in food security prompted the present study, which explores the nutritional and antioxidant aspects of Malaysian under-utilised vegetables. The studied vegetables were Paku Nyai (Stenochlaena palustris), Cemperai (Champereia manillana), Maman Pasir (Cleome viscose), Dudung (Erechtites valerianifolia) and Semambuk (Ardisia pendula).

Fulltext Petroselinum crispum has antioxidant properties, protects against DNA damage and inhibits proliferation and migration of cancer cells

Tang EL, Rajarajeswaran J, Fung S, Kanthimathi MS

J Sci Food Agric, 2015 Oct;95(13):2763-71.

PMID: 25582089 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7078

BACKGROUND: Petroselinum crispum (English parsley) is a common herb of the Apiaceae family that is cultivated throughout the world and is widely used as a seasoning condiment. Studies have shown its potential as a medicinal herb. In this study, P. crispum leaf and stem extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant properties, protection against DNA damage in normal 3T3-L1 cells, and the inhibition of proliferation and migration of the MCF-7 cells.

RESULTS: The dichloromethane extract of P. crispum exhibited the highest phenolic content (42.31 ± 0.50 mg GAE g(-1) ) and ferric reducing ability (0.360 ± 0.009 mmol g(-1) ) of the various extractions performed. The extract showed DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 3310.0 ± 80.5 µg mL(-1) . Mouse fibroblasts (3T3-L1) pre-treated with 400 µg mL(-1) of the extract showed 50.9% protection against H2 O2 -induced DNA damage, suggesting its potential in cancer prevention. The extract (300 µg mL(-1) ) inhibited H2 O2 -induced MCF-7 cell migration by 41% ± 4%. As cell migration is necessary for metastasis of cancer cells, inhibition of migration is an indication of protection against metastasis.

CONCLUSION: Petroselinum crispum has health-promoting properties with the potential to prevent oxidative stress-related diseases and can be developed into functional food.

Infrared-metabolomics approach in detecting changes in Andrographis paniculata metabolites due to different harvesting ages and times

Yusof NA, Isha A, Ismail IS, Khatib A, Shaari K, Abas F, et al.

J Sci Food Agric, 2015 Sep;95(12):2533-43.

PMID: 25371390 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6987

The metabolite changes in three germplasm accessions of Malaysia Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Nees, viz. 11265 (H), 11341 (P) and 11248 (T), due to their different harvesting ages and times were successfully evaluated by attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and translated through multivariate data analysis of principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). This present study revealed the feasibility of ATR-FTIR in detecting the trend changes of the major metabolites - andrographolide and neoandrographolide - functional groups in A. paniculata leaves of different accessions. The harvesting parameter was set at three different ages of 120, 150 and 180 days after transplanting (DAT) and at two different time sessions of morning (7:30-10:30 am) and evening (2:30-5.30 pm).

Use of lyophilised and powdered Gentiana lutea root in fresh beef patties stored under different atmospheres

Azman NA, Gordon MH, Skowyra M, Segovia F, Almajano MP

J Sci Food Agric, 2015 Jul;95(9):1804-11.

PMID: 25139796 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6878

Gentiana lutea root is a medicinal herb that contains many active compounds which contribute to physiological effects, and it has recently attracted much attention as a natural source of antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on the colour, pH, microbial activities, sensory quality and resistance to lipid oxidation (through the thiobarbituric acid method) during storage of beef patties containing different concentrations of G. lutea. Fresh beef patties were formulated with 0-5 g kg(-1) of G. lutea and 0 or 0.5 g kg(-1) of ascorbic acid and packed in two different atmospheres, Modified Atmosphere 1 (MAP1) and Modified Atmosphere 2 (MAP2), and stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 10 days. MAP1 contained 20:80 (v/v) O2:CO2 and MAP2 contained 80:20 (v/v) O2:CO2.

Phytosterols and their extraction from various plant matrices using supercritical carbon dioxide: a review

Uddin MS, Sarker MZ, Ferdosh S, Akanda MJ, Easmin MS, Bt Shamsudin SH, et al.

J Sci Food Agric, 2015 May;95(7):1385-94.

PMID: 25048690 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6833

Phytosterols provide important health benefits: in particular, the lowering of cholesterol. From environmental and commercial points of view, the most appropriate technique has been searched for extracting phytosterols from plant matrices. As a green technology, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using carbon dioxide (CO2) is widely used to extract bioactive compounds from different plant matrices. Several studies have been performed to extract phytosterols using supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) and this technology has clearly offered potential advantages over conventional extraction methods. However, the efficiency of SFE technology fully relies on the processing parameters, chemistry of interest compounds, nature of the plant matrices and expertise of handling. This review covers SFE technology with particular reference to phytosterol extraction using SC-CO2. Moreover, the chemistry of phytosterols, properties of supercritical fluids (SFs) and the applied experimental designs have been discussed for better understanding of phytosterol solubility in SC-CO2.

The use of vermicompost in organic farming: overview, effects on soil and economics

Lim SL, Wu TY, Lim PN, Shak KP

J Sci Food Agric, 2015 Apr;95(6):1143-56.

PMID: 25130895 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6849

Vermicomposting is a process in which earthworms are used to convert organic materials into humus-like material known as vermicompost. A number of researchers throughout the world have found that the nutrient profile in vermicompost is generally higher than traditional compost. In fact, vermicompost can enhance soil fertility physically, chemically and biologically. Physically, vermicompost-treated soil has better aeration, porosity, bulk density and water retention. Chemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter content are also improved for better crop yield. Nevertheless, enhanced plant growth could not be satisfactorily explained by improvements in the nutrient content of the soil, which means that other plant growth-influencing materials are available in vermicomposts. Although vermicomposts have been shown to improve plant growth significantly, the application of vermicomposts at high concentrations could impede growth due to the high concentrations of soluble salts available in vermicomposts. Therefore, vermicomposts should be applied at moderate concentrations in order to obtain maximum plant yield. This review paper discusses in detail the effects of vermicompost on soil fertility physically, chemically and biologically. Future prospects and economy on the use of organic fertilizers in the agricultural sector are also examined.

Tocopherol and tocotrienol contents of different varieties of rice in Malaysia

Shammugasamy B, Ramakrishnan Y, Ghazali HM, Muhammad K

J Sci Food Agric, 2015 Mar 15;95(4):672-8.

PMID: 24841131 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6742

The present study examined the contents of tocopherols and tocotrienols and their distribution in 58 different varieties of whole rice cultivated in Malaysia. The analytical method used was saponification of samples followed by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Chemical profile and antiacetylcholinesterase, antityrosinase, antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of Cynometra cauliflora L. leaves

Ado MA, Abas F, Ismail IS, Ghazali HM, Shaari K

J Sci Food Agric, 2015 Feb;95(3):635-42.

PMID: 25048579 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6832

The aim of the current study was (i) to evaluate the bioactive potential of the leaf methanolic extract of Cynometra cauliflora L., along with its respective hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH) and aqueous fractions, in inhibiting the enzymes α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tyrosinase as well as evaluating their antioxidant activities. (ii) In addition, in view of the limited published information regarding the metabolite profile of C. cauliflora, we further characterized the profiles of the EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions using liquid chromatography-diode array detection-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.

Identification and quantification of phenolic and flavonoid components in straw and seed husk of some rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.) and their antioxidant properties

Karimi E, Mehrabanjoubani P, Keshavarzian M, Oskoueian E, Jaafar HZ, Abdolzadeh A

J Sci Food Agric, 2014 Aug;94(11):2324-30.

PMID: 24415452 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6567

Plant foods are rich sources of bioactive compounds that can act as antioxidants to prevent heart disease, reduce inflammation, reduce the incidence of cancers and diabetes. This study aimed to determine the phenolics and flavonoids profiling in three varieties of rice straw and five varieties of the seed husk of Iranian rice using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated by using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and nitric oxide assays.

Effect of extraction solvents and plant parts used on the antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects of Garcinia atroviridis: a comparative study

Al-Mansoub MA, Asmawi MZ, Murugaiyah V

J Sci Food Agric, 2014 Jun;94(8):1552-8.

PMID: 24166055 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6456

Garcinia atroviridis is a seasonal fruit plant found in many parts of South East Asia. The fruit rind is used in cooking and traditionally consumed for various reasons, including to lower blood cholesterol. A comparative study was undertaken to investigate the influence of extraction solvents and plant parts used on the lipid-lowering and antioxidant activities of Garcinia atroviridis.

Green biocides, a promising technology: current and future applications to industry and industrial processes

Ashraf MA, Ullah S, Ahmad I, Qureshi AK, Balkhair KS, Abdur Rehman M

J Sci Food Agric, 2014 Feb;94(3):388-403.

PMID: 23983055 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6371

The study of biofilms has skyrocketed in recent years due to increased awareness of the pervasiveness and impact of biofilms. It costs the USA literally billions of dollars every year in energy losses, equipment damage, product contamination and medical infections. But biofilms also offer huge potential for cleaning up hazardous waste sites, filtering municipal and industrial water and wastewater, and forming biobarriers to protect soil and groundwater from contamination. The complexity of biofilm activity and behavior requires research contributions from many disciplines such as biochemistry, engineering, mathematics and microbiology. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of emerging novel antimicrobial techniques, including those using myriad organic and inorganic products as well as genetic engineering techniques, the use of coordination complex molecules, composite materials and antimicrobial peptides and the use of lasers as such or their modified use in combination treatments. This review also addresses advanced and recent modifications, including methodological changes, and biocide efficacy enhancing strategies. This review will provide future planners of biofilm control technologies with a broad understanding and perspective on the use of biocides in the field of green developments for a sustainable future.

Effects of dietary prebiotics, probiotic and synbiotics on performance, caecal bacterial populations and caecal fermentation concentrations of broiler chickens

Mookiah S, Sieo CC, Ramasamy K, Abdullah N, Ho YW

J Sci Food Agric, 2014 Jan 30;94(2):341-8.

PMID: 24037967 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6365

In view of a worldwide attempt to restrict or ban the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal production, probiotics, prebiotics and combinations of both, as synbiotics, have been suggested as potential alternatives. In this study, the effects of a prebiotic (isomalto-oligosaccharides, IMO), a multi-strain probiotic (consisting of 11 Lactobacillus strains), and a combination of these dietary additives as a synbiotic on the performance, caecal bacterial populations and concentrations of caecal volatile fatty acids and non-volatile fatty acids of broiler chickens were evaluated.

Nutrient composition, antioxidant properties, and anti-proliferative activity of Lignosus rhinocerus Cooke sclerotium

Yap YH, Tan N, Fung S, Aziz AA, Tan C, Ng S

J Sci Food Agric, 2013 Sep;93(12):2945-52.

PMID: 23460242 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6121

Lignosus rhinocerus (tiger milk mushroom) is an important medicinal mushroom used in Southeast Asia and China, and its sclerotium can be developed into functional food/nutraceuticals. The nutrient composition, antioxidant properties, and anti-proliferative activity of wild type and a cultivated strain of L. rhinocerus sclerotia were investigated.

Sargassum polycystum reduces hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress via increasing insulin sensitivity in a rat model of type 2 diabetes

Motshakeri M, Ebrahimi M, Goh YM, Matanjun P, Mohamed S

J Sci Food Agric, 2013 May;93(7):1772-8.

PMID: 23208488 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.5971

BACKGROUND: Sargassum polycystum, a brown seaweed, contains various nutrients and bioactive compounds that have antioxidant and healing properties. The research hypothesises that antioxidants and pigments in dietary S. polycystum extracts can improve insulin sensitivity, blood sugar levels and blood lipid levels in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. The diabetes was induced by a high-sugar, high-fat diet for 16 weeks to enhance insulin resistance, followed by a low-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg kg(-1) body weight). The doses of S. polycystum tested on diabetic rats were 150 and 300 mg kg(-1) body weight for the ethanolic extract or 150 and 300 mg kg(-1) for the water extract. Normal rats, untreated diabetic and metformin-treated diabetic rats (n = 6) were used as control.

RESULTS: Both doses of the alcohol extract of S. polycystum and the 300 mg kg(-1) water extract, significantly reduced blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C ) levels. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride levels and plasma atherogenic index were significantly decreased after 22 days treatment in all seaweed groups. Unlike metformin, S. polycystum did not significantly change plasma insulin in the rats, but increased the response to insulin.

CONCLUSION: The consumption of either ethanolic or water extracts of S. polycystum dose dependently reduced dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetic rats. S. polycystum is a potential insulin sensitiser, for a comestible complementary therapy in the management of type 2 diabetes which can help reduce atherogenic risk.

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