Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 943 in total

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  1. Fulltext The oil palm VIRESCENS gene controls fruit colour and encodes a R2R3-MYB
    Singh R, Low ET, Ooi LC, Ong-Abdullah M, Nookiah R, Ting NC, et al.
    Nat Commun, 2014 Jun 30;5:4106.
    PMID: 24978855 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5106
    Oil palm, a plantation crop of major economic importance in Southeast Asia, is the predominant source of edible oil worldwide. We report the identification of the virescens (VIR) gene, which controls fruit exocarp colour and is an indicator of ripeness. VIR is a R2R3-MYB transcription factor with homology to Lilium LhMYB12 and similarity to Arabidopsis production of anthocyanin pigment1 (PAP1). We identify five independent mutant alleles of VIR in over 400 accessions from sub-Saharan Africa that account for the dominant-negative virescens phenotype. Each mutation results in premature termination of the carboxy-terminal domain of VIR, resembling McClintock's C1-I allele in maize. The abundance of alleles likely reflects cultural practices, by which fruits were venerated for magical and medicinal properties. The identification of VIR will allow selection of the trait at the seed or early-nursery stage, 3-6 years before fruits are produced, greatly advancing introgression into elite breeding material.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants/classification; Plants/genetics
  2. The influences of thermal processing on phytochemicals and possible routes to the discovery of new phytochemical conjugates
    Wong FC, Chai TT, Xiao J
    Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2019;59(6):947-952.
    PMID: 29787299 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2018.1479681
    In our diets, many of the consumed foods are subjected to various forms of heating and thermal processing. Besides enhancing the taste, texture, and aroma of the foods, heating helps to sterilize and facilitate food storage. On the other hand, heating and thermal processing are frequently reported during the preparation of various traditional herbal medicines. In this review, we intend to highlight works by various research groups which reported on changes in phytochemicals and bioactivities, following thermal processing of selected plant-derived foods and herbal medicines. Relevant cases from plant-derived foods (garlic, coffee, cocoa, barley) and traditional herbal medicines (Panax ginseng, Polygonum multiforum, Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux, Angelica sinensis Radix) will be presented in this review. Additionally, related works using pure phytochemical compounds will also be highlighted. In some of these cases, the amazing formation of new compounds were being reported. Maillard reaction could be concluded as the predominant pathway leading to the formation of new conjugates, along with other possibilities being suggested (degradation, transglycosylation, deglycosylation and dehydration). With collective efforts from all researchers, it is hoped that more details will be revealed and lead to the possible discovery of new, heat-mediated phytochemical conjugates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal/chemistry
  3. The influence of hazard control and prevention toward safety behaviors and safety outcomes in coal-fired power plants using PLS-SEM
    Arifin K, Ali MXM, Abas A, Ahmad MA, Ahamad MA, Sahimi AS
    J Safety Res, 2023 Sep;86:376-389.
    PMID: 37718065 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2023.07.017
    INTRODUCTION: The electrical utility industry, which plays a vital role in sustaining other sectors, contributes to high occupational accident rates in the utility industries. The high accident rate shows that there has been insufficient effort made to control unsafe actions and conditions in the workplace. This study aims to examine the influence of hazard control and prevention as leading indicators of safety behaviors and outcomes in coal-fired power plants in Malaysia.

    METHODS: This quantitative research was conducted by distributing survey questionnaires randomly to five coal-fired power plants in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 340 respondents were involved in this research. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was performed using SmartPLS to validate and examine the relationship of the proposed model.

    RESULTS: The results validate the construct of hazard control and prevention consisting of planning, action, managing, and verifying, while the safety outcomes construct consists of occupational accidents, fatal accidents, near misses, and lost time injuries. The results indicate that hazard control and prevention significantly relate to safety compliance, safety participation, safety motivation, and safety knowledge. Moreover, safety outcomes were influenced negatively by hazard control and prevention through safety compliance.

    CONCLUSION: The model provides a better understanding of the influence of hazard control and prevention on safety behavior and outcomes.

    PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The model can be used as guidance for practitioners and researchers in planning and implementing hazard control and prevention to improve health and safety in the workplace.

    Matched MeSH terms: Power Plants*
  4. The indole-based subincanadine alkaloids and their biogenetic congeners
    Kalshetti MG, Argade NP
    Alkaloids Chem Biol, 2020;83:187-223.
    PMID: 32098650 DOI: 10.1016/bs.alkal.2019.12.001
    The tryptamine-derived polycyclic bridged bioactive indole alkaloids subincanadines A-G were isolated in 2002 by Ohsaki and coworkers from the bark of the Brazilian medicinal plant Aspidosperma subincanum. Kobayashi proposed that subincanadines D-F could be biosynthetically resulting from stemmadenine via two different pathways and, furthermore, that the subincanadines A-C could be biogenetically resulting from subincanadines D and E. Kam and coworkers, in their focused efforts, isolated five indole alkaloids from Malaysian Kopsia arborea species, namely valparicine, apparicine, arboridinine, arborisidine, and arbornamine in combination with subincanadine E. On the basis of structural features, it has been proposed and proved in some examples that subincanadine E is a biogenetic precursor of these five different bioactive indole alkaloids bearing complex structural architectures. All important information on isolation, characterization, bioactivity, probable biogenetic pathways, and more specifically racemic and enantioselective total synthesis of subincanadine alkaloids and their biogenetic congeners are summarized in the present chapter. Special importance is given to the total synthesis and the synthetic strategies intended therein, comprising a set of main reactions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
  5. The hypoglycaemic and insulinotropic activity of Tinospora crispa: studies with human and rat islets and HIT-T15 B cells
    Noor H, Hammonds P, Sutton R, Ashcroft SJ
    Diabetologia, 1989 Jun;32(6):354-9.
    PMID: 2668082
    In Malaysia, Tinospora crispa extract is taken orally by Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients to treat hyperglycaemia. We have evaluated the claimed hypoglycaemic property by adding aqueous extract to the drinking water of normal and alloxan-diabetic rats. After one week, fasting blood glucose levels were significantly (p less than 0.01) lower and serum insulin levels were significantly (p less than 0.01) higher in treated diabetic animals (10.4 +/- 1.0 mmol/l and 12.8 +/- 1.1 muU/ml respectively) compared to untreated diabetic controls (17.4 +/- 1.7 mmol/l and 8.0 +/- 0.7 muU/ml respectively). The insulinotropic action of T. crispa was further investigated in vitro using isolated human or rat islets of Langerhans and HIT-T15 cells. In static incubations with rat islets and HIT-T15 B cells, the extract induced a dosage dependent stimulation and potentiation of basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion respectively. This insulinotropic effect was also evident in perifused human and rat islets and HIT-T5 B-cells. The observations that (i) in all three models insulin secretory rates rapidly returned to basal levels on removal of the extract and (ii) in rat islets, a second challenge with T. crispa induced an additional, stimulated response, are all consistent with physiological release of insulin by B cells. Moreover, the rate of HIT-T15 glucose utilisation was not affected by incubation with T. crispa, suggesting that the cells were viable throughout. These are the first studies to provide biochemical evidence which substantiates the traditional claims for an oral hypoglycaemic effect of Tinospora crispa, and which also show that the hypoglycaemic effect is associated with increased insulin secretion.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal*
  6. The history, composition, chemistry & pharmacology of the betel-tobacco chew (QUID.)
    Lee HT
    Dent J Malaysia Singapore, 1973 May;13(1):63-9.
    PMID: 4521127
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal; Plants, Toxic
  7. Fulltext The efficacy of Morinda citrifolia leaves extracts in diabetic wound treatment
    Xin Ying Chong, Syafiiqa Parlan, Tiu Ling Yii, Dayang Nurafiqah Awang Lokman, Clementine Jrillus, Nur Syamira Zainal Abidin, et al.
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(105):12-0.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: An economical and alternative diabetic wound care product is needed to address the escalating cost of diabetic wound ulcer treatment in Indonesia. Morindac itrifolia or commonly called noni, is a medicinal plant, dietary supplement, and traditional wound care product. This leaves extract contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulant, and antimicrobial properties. Trigona honey which is currently used to treat the diabetic wound at Kitamura Wound Specialist Clinic, Pontianak, Indonesia is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-proliferative properties. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Morinda citrifolia leaves extract and Trigona honey in diabetic wound healing. Methods: A quasi-experimental study (a randomized control trial design) was conductedin the clinicon two subjects with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Trigona honey and Morinda citrifolia leaves extract packing was done to the ulcer of controlled subject and treatment subject respectively as a primary dressing. DFU assessment was done every 2 days using the MUNGS assessment tool and a wound closure rate for- mula. Wound C&S was analysed using a bacterial count machine. Results: Morinda citrifolia leaves extract was able to promote wound contraction, improved MUNGS score (from 9 to 8), reduced bacteria count significantly (from
    8.51 x 105 to 1.00 x 105), reduced the percentage of slough by 70% and increased granulating tissue by 60% after the first application. Whereas, Trigona honey extract showed no wound contraction but improved MUNGS score (from 11 to 7). However, bacteria count was maintained at the lowest level (1.00 x 105), reduce the percentage of slough by 10%, and only increased granulating tissues by 10% after the first application. Conclusion: Both products were able to promote diabetic wound healing but the Morinda citrifolia leaves extract was found to be more effective, thus concludes the potential use of Morinda citrifolia leaves extract in treating DFU.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal
  8. The effects of betel-nut chewing on the buccal mucosa: a histological study
    Lee KW, Chin CT
    Br. J. Cancer, 1970 Sep;24(3):433-41.
    PMID: 5475751
    Sixty-two "leukoplakias" from the cheeks of betel-nut chewers in West Malaysia were studied histologically. Ten biopsies were from non-tobacco betel-nut chewers. An amorphous von Kossa positive layer was seen on the keratin surface in 42 specimens. Tobacco did not appear essential for its formation, and it appeared to be significantly associated with parakeratosis. Its possible significance as a cuticle-like layer prolonging contact between carcinogens and the mucosa is discussed.Parakeratosis appeared to be the most common form of cornification seen, and the mitotic activity in parakeratinized leukoplakias appeared to be significantly greater than orthokeratinized leukoplakias.Comparison with studies on other population samples using different quids suggested that severe histological changes were more likely to be seen when tobacoo-containing quids were chewed as compared to non-tobacco-containing quids.An attempt to correlate the histological changes seen with the clinical habit in leukoplakias from chewers using tobacco-containing quids suggested that epithelial atrophy appeared to be significantly related to the duration of the habit but not to the "intensity" of the habit.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal*
  9. The effects of betel-nut chewing on the buccal mucosa of 296 Indians and Malays in West Malaysia. A clinical study
    Chin CT, Lee KW
    Br. J. Cancer, 1970 Sep;24(3):427-32.
    PMID: 5475750
    Changes in the buccal mucosa of 296 Indian and Malay betel-nut chewers in Perak, West Malaysia, were studied clinically. 167 out of 212 Indian subjects incorporated tobacco in their quids, while 45 out of 84 Malay subjects incorporated. "Gambir". The Indians appeared to show a higher proportion of mucosal changes, particularly when tobacco was used. "Gambir" did not appear to be potent in the production of mucosal changes. Comparison with studies in other parts of the world suggested comparable findings with respect to both tobacco and non-tobacco chewing samples, and there would appear to be some evidence that tobacco-containing quids are likely to produce a higher proportion of mucosal changes as compared to non-tobacco-containing quids. An attempt to demonstrate a dose-effect relationship by dividing the subjects into "slight" and "heavy" chewers did not yield significant differences between these two categories in each of the groups.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal*; Plants, Toxic*
  10. Fulltext The effects of Piper sarmentosum aqueous extracts on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and caudal fin tissue regeneration
    Zainol Abidin IZ, Fazry S, Jamar NH, Ediwar Dyari HR, Zainal Ariffin Z, Johari AN, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 08 25;10(1):14165.
    PMID: 32843675 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70962-7
    In Malaysia, Piper sarmentosum or 'kaduk' is commonly used in traditional medicines. However, its biological effects including in vivo embryonic toxicity and tissue regenerative properties are relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo toxicities and caudal fin tissue regeneration in the presence of P. sarmentosum aqueous extracts. The phytochemical components and antioxidant activity of the extract were studied using GC-MS analysis and DPPH assay, respectively. Embryo toxicity tests involving survival, heartbeat, and morphological analyses were conducted to determine P. sarmentosum extract toxicity (0-60 µg/mL); concentrations of 0-400 µg/mL of the extract were used to study tissue regeneration in the zebrafish caudal fin. The extract contained several phytochemicals with antioxidant activity and exhibited DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 50.56 mg/mL). Embryo toxicity assays showed that a concentration of 60 μg/mL showed the highest rates of lethality regardless of exposure time. Slower embryogenesis was observed at 40 µg/mL, with non-viable embryos first detected at 50 µg/mL. Extracts showed significant differences (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
  11. The effects of Labisia pumila var. alata on bone markers and bone calcium in a rat model of post-menopausal osteoporosis
    Shuid AN, Ping LL, Muhammad N, Mohamed N, Soelaiman IN
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2011 Jan 27;133(2):538-42.
    PMID: 20971181 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.10.033
    AIM OF THE STUDY: Postmenopausal osteoporosis is mainly treated with estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). However, ERT causes side effects, mainly breast cancer, uterine cancer and thromboembolic problems. Labisia pumila var. arata (LPva), a herb with phytoestrogenic effects has the potential to be used as an alternative agent to ERT. This study was conducted to determine the effects of LPva on bone biochemical markers and bone calcium content in ovariectomised rats.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty two Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, with 8 rats in each group. The first group was sham operated (Sham), the second group was ovariectomised (OVX), the third (LPva) and fourth group (ERT) were also ovariectomised and given LPva 17.5 mg/kg and Premarin(®) 64.5 μg/kg, respectively. Blood samples were taken before and after treatment to measure osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen levels using ELISA while the fifth lumbar bone samples were taken to measure bone calcium content using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).
    RESULTS: The osteocalcin levels were significantly higher in both the LPva and ERT groups compared to the OVX group. The CTX levels were significantly lower in both the LPva and ERT groups compared to the OVX group. However, only the ERT group had significantly higher bone calcium level compared to the OVX group.
    CONCLUSION: The supplementation of 17.5 mg/kg of LPva to ovariectomised rats for 8 weeks was able to prevent the changes in bone biochemical markers but failed to prevent the bone calcium loss induced by ovariectomy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal/chemistry
  12. The effects of Cosmos caudatus (Ulam Raja) supplementation on bone biochemical parameters in ovariectomized rats
    Mohamed N, Yin CM, Shuid AN, Muhammad N, Babji AS, Soelaiman IN
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2013 Sep;26(5):1027-31.
    PMID: 24035963
    Cosmos caudatus (ulam raja) contains high mineral content and possesses high antioxidant activity which may be beneficial in bone disorder such as postmenopausal osteoporosis. The effects of C. caudatus on bone metabolism biomarkers in ovariectomized rats were studied. 48 Sprague-Dawley rats aged three months were divided into 6 groups. One group of rats was sham-operated while the remaining rats were ovariectomized. The ovariectomized rats were further divided into 5 groups: the control, three groups force-fed with C. caudatus at the doses of 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg or 300mg/kg and another group supplemented with calcium 1% ad libitum. Treatments were given 6 days per week for a period of eight weeks. Blood samples were collected twice; before and after treatment. Parameters measured were bone resorbing cytokine; interleukin-1 and the bone biomarkers; osteocalcin and pyridinoline. Serum IL-1 and pyridinoline levels were significantly increased in ovariectomized rats. Supplementation of C. caudatus was able to prevent the increase of IL-1 and pyridinoline in ovariectomized rats. Besides that, C. caudatus showed the same effect as calcium 1% on biochemical parameters of bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats. In conclusion, Cosmos caudatus was as effective as calcium in preventing the increase in bone resorption in ovariectomized rats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal
  13. The effects of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees extract and diterpenoids on the CYP450 isoforms' activities, a review of possible herb-drug interaction risks
    Tan ML, Lim LE
    Drug Chem Toxicol, 2015;38(3):241-53.
    PMID: 25156015 DOI: 10.3109/01480545.2014.947504
    Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees is a popular medicinal plant and its components are used in various traditional product preparations. However, its herb-drug interactions risks remain unclear. This review specifically discusses the various published studies carried out to evaluate the effects of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees plant extracts and diterpenoids on the CYP450 metabolic enzyme and if the plant components pose a possible herb-drug interaction risk. Unfortunately, the current data are insufficient to indicate if the extracts or diterpenoids can be labeled as in vitro CYP1A2, CYP2C9 or CYP3A4 inhibitors. A complete CYP inhibition assay utilizing human liver microsomes and the derivation of relevant parameters to predict herb-drug interaction risks may be necessary for these isoforms. However, based on the current studies, none of the extracts and diterpenoids exhibited CYP450 induction activity in human hepatocytes or human-derived cell lines. It is crucial that a well-defined experimental design is needed to make a meaningful herb-drug interaction prediction.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal
  14. Fulltext The effectiveness of betel leaves extract as antifungal agent
    Emi Norzehan Mohamad Mahbob, Nurul Huda Musa, Zaidatul Shakila Mohamad Ashari, Fathiah Abdullah, Siti Hajar Noor Alshurdin
    Jurnal Inovasi Malaysia, 2019;2(2):41-54.
    MyJurnal
    Piper betle (sirih) is a medicinal plant that has been reported for various pharmacological activities such as antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and, anti-inflammatory. The researchwas carried out to study the antifungal activity of ethanolic extract from P. betle leaves. Matured leaves of P. betle were collected and processed to a fine powder before being extracted using ethanol. The first part of the research involved evaluation of antifungal activity of the ethanolic extracts using disk diffusion method at four different concentrations (5, 25, 50, 100 mg/mL) against 3 types of fungi isolated from laboratory surfaces. The sensitivities of the fungal towards the ethanolic extracts were determined by measuring the size of inhibitory zones. Results showed that highest concentration of the extract (100 mg/mL) inhibited fungal growth for all three types of isolated fungi with 0.97, 0.83, and 0.77 cm zone of inhibition for yeast, Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp., respectively. Low concentrations (5, 25 and 50 mg/mL) did not inhibit the fungal growth except for Penicillium sp. that showed zone of inhibition, 0.53 cm at concentration of 50 mg/mL. The second part of the research involved evaluation of fungal count utilizing effective dose of betel leaves ethanolic extract obtained from the first part of this research which is 100 mg/mL. This study found that no fungal growth on the microscope wire that has been sprayed with betel leaves ethanolic extract on Day 1, Day 4 and Day 7. For wire that been sprayed with ethanol 70%, the average of fungal count was same on Day 1 and Day 4 (5.6 x 102 cfu/mL) but increased to 9.2 x 102 cfu/mL on Day 7. In conclusion, betel leaves extract exhibit fungicidal properties that support their use as antifungal agents from natural products which are safe, easily available with no adverse effects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal
  15. The effect of selected plant extracts on the development of single-species dental biofilms
    Abdul Rahim ZH, Shaikh S, Hasnor Wan Ismail WN, Wan Harun WH, Razak FA
    J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 2014 Nov;24(11):796-801.
    PMID: 25404435 DOI: 11.2014/JCPSP.796801
    To determine the effect of a mixture of plant extracts on the adherence and retention of bacteria in dental biofilm.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
  16. The effect of heavy metals on nitrogen and oxygen demand removal in constructed wetlands
    Lim PE, Tay MG, Mak KY, Mohamed N
    Sci Total Environ, 2003 Jan 01;301(1-3):13-21.
    PMID: 12493181
    The objective of this study is to investigate the respective effects of Zn, Pb and Cd as well as the combined effect of Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu on the removal of nitrogen and oxygen demand in constructed wetlands. Four laboratory-scale gravel-filled subsurface-flow constructed wetland units planted with cattails (Typha latifolia) were operated outdoors and fed with primary-treated domestic wastewater at a constant flow rate of 25 ml/min. After 6 months, three of the wetland units were fed with the same type of wastewater spiked with Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively, at 20, 5 and 1 mg/l for a further 9 months. The remaining unit was fed with the same type of wastewater spiked with a combination of Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) at concentrations of 10, 2.5, 0.5 and 5 mg/l, respectively, over the same period. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammoniacal nitrogen (AN) concentrations were monitored at the inlet, outlet and three additional locations along the length of the wetland units to assess the performance of the wetland units at various metal loadings. At the end of the study, all cattail plants were harvested for the determination of total Kjeldahl nitrogen and metal concentrations. The results showed that the COD removal efficiency was practically independent of increasing metal loading or a combination of metal loadings during the duration of the study. In contrast, the AN removal efficiency deteriorated progressively with increasing metal loading. The relative effect of the heavy metals was found to increase in the order: Zn
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants
  17. The effect of habitat on the prevalence of human scrub typhus in Malaysia
    Cadigan FC, Andre RG, Bolton M, Gan E, Walker JS
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1972;66(4):582-7.
    PMID: 4561007
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants
  18. The effect of adenosine monophosphate deaminase overexpression on the accumulation of umami-related metabolites in tomatoes
    Chew BL, Fisk ID, Fray R, Tucker GA, Bodi Z, Ferguson A, et al.
    Plant Cell Rep, 2017 Jan;36(1):81-87.
    PMID: 27662835 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-016-2058-z
    KEY MESSAGE: This study highlights the changes in umami-related nucleotide and glutamate levels when the AMP deaminase gene was elevated in transgenic tomato. Taste is perceived as one of a combination of five sensations, sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami. The umami taste is best known as a savoury sensation and plays a central role in food flavour, palatability, and eating satisfaction. Umami flavour can be imparted by the presence of glutamate and is greatly enhanced by the addition of ribonucleotides, such as inosine monophosphate (IMP) and guanosine monophosphate (GMP). The production of IMP is regulated by the enzyme adenosine monophosphate (AMP) deaminase which functions to convert AMP into IMP. We have generated transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) lines over expressing AMP deaminase under the control of a fruit-specific promoter. The transgenic lines showed substantially enhanced levels of AMP deaminase expression in comparison to the wild-type control. Elevated AMP deaminase levels resulted in the reduced accumulation of glutamate and increased levels of the umami nucleotide GMP. AMP concentrations were unchanged. The effects on the levels of glutamate and GMP were unexpected and are discussed in relation to the metabolite flux within this pathway.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Genetically Modified
  19. Fulltext The effect of Palm Oil Mill Effluent Final Discharge on the Characteristics of Pennisetum purpureum
    Osman NA, Ujang FA, Roslan AM, Ibrahim MF, Hassan MA
    Sci Rep, 2020 04 20;10(1):6613.
    PMID: 32313095 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62815-0
    Phytoremediation is one of the environmental-friendly and cost-effective systems for the treatment of wastewater, including industrial wastewater such as palm oil mill effluent final discharge (POME FD). However, the effects of the wastewater on the phytoremediator plants, in term of growth performance, lignocellulosic composition, and the presence of nutrients and heavy metals in the plants are not yet well studied. In the present work, we demonstrated that POME FD increased the growth of P. purpureum. The height increment of P. purpureum supplied with POME FD (treatment) was 61.72% as compared to those supplied with rain water (control) which was 14.42%. For lignocellulosic composition, the cellulose percentages were 38.77 ± 0.29% (treatment) and 34.16 ± 1.01% (control), and the difference was significant. These results indicated that POME FD could be a source of plant nutrients, which P. purpureum can absorb for growth. It was also found that the heavy metals (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb) inside the plant were below the standard limit of the World Health Organization (WHO). Since POME FD was shown to have no adverse effects on P. purpureum, further research regarding the potential application of P. purpureum following phytoremediation of POME FD such as biofuel production is warranted to evaluate its potential use to fit into the waste-to-wealth agenda.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants
  20. The effect of Malaysian cocoa extract on glucose levels and lipid profiles in diabetic rats
    Ruzaidi A, Amin I, Nawalyah AG, Hamid M, Faizul HA
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2005 Apr 8;98(1-2):55-60.
    PMID: 15763363
    The present study aims to investigate the effect of cocoa extract on serum glucose levels and lipid profiles in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Cocoa extract (contained 285.6 mg total polyphenol per gram extract) was prepared from fermented and roasted (140 degrees C, 20 min) beans by extracting using 80% ethanol in the ratio of 1-10. The extract of three dosages (1, 2, and 3%) was fed to normal and diabetic rats for a period of 4 weeks. In hyperglycaemic group, cocoa extract (1 and 3%) diets were found to significantly lower (p<0.05) the serum glucose levels compared to the control. Furthermore, supplementation of 1 and 3% cocoa extract had significantly reduced (p<0.05) the level of total cholesterol in diabetic rats. In addition, 1, 2, and 3% cocoa extract diets had significantly lowered (p<0.05) the total triglycerides. Interestingly, this study found that serum HDL-cholesterol had increased significantly (p<0.05) in diabetic rats fed with 2% cocoa extract, while the LDL-cholesterol had decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the 1% treated group. These results indicate that cocoa extract may possess potential hypoglycaemic and hypocholestrolemic effects on serum glucose levels and lipid profiles, respectively. The results also found that the effect of cocoa extract was dose-dependent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal/chemistry
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