This study evaluated and compared the antioxidant capacity between freshly prepared and lactic fermented Malaysian herbal teas. Herbal teas are rich in antioxidants. Fermentation has been known to be the oldest and cost effective method with the ability to preserve or improve food nutritional qualities. Information on the antioxidant capacity of lactic fermented food or beverage is still lacking. Hence, the objective of this study is to determine the changes in the antioxidant properties of Malaysian herbal teas after being subjected to lactic fermentation. Commercially available local herbal teas were used for this study. Herbal teas such as “Allspice”, “Scaphium”, “Gora” and “Cinnamon” were purchased from the local store in Malaysia and were subjected to 24-hour lactic fermentation. Lactic fermented herbal teas were analyzed for their total phenolic, total flavonoid and antioxidant properties via DPPH, FRAP, and β-carotene linoleate bleaching assay. All lactic fermented herbal teas exhibited higher phenolic contents, flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties compared to the freshly-prepared herbal teas with majority showing significant changes (p < 0.05) in FRAP and β-carotene bleaching assay. Lactic fermented herbal teas also showed an increase in antioxidant capacity in DPPH assay, however non-significant changes were observed.
The enormous attention and interest by both academics and industrial field for greener, biodegradable
and renewable materials implicate a persuasive trends towards the encroachment of nano-materials
science and technology in the polymer composite field. Nanocomposites creates high impacts on the
development of nano materials with advanced features to solve potential risks with their wider industrial
applications. Nano fibres are highly engineered fibres with diameters less than 100 nm that offer several
advantages over conventional fibres. One dimensional (1D) nanostructure fillers such as carbon nano
fibre and cellulose nano fibre are the most common, promising and unique for developing multifunctional
nanocomposites with better properties and extensive applications compared to micro size fibres. Nano
fibre technology brings revolution by providing products that are completely safe, truly greener, reliable
and environmentally friendly for industries, researchers and users. This review article is intended to
present valuable literature data on research and trend in the fields of carbon and cellulose nano fiber,
nanocomposites with specific focus on various applications for a sustainable and greener environment.