Rosli Noormi, Raba’atun Adawiyah Shamsuddin, Amir Muhaimin Akmal Shukri, Nur Syamimi Liyana Sahabudin, Razia Abdul Rahman, Sharatul Nurhafiezah Abdul Mutalib
The knowledge of biological diversity serves new insights and opportunities for sustainable environment. However, information pertaining to the species composition and biodiversity of University of Technology MARA (UiTM) Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan is scanty. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the species and diversity of organisms at UiTM Kuala Pilah. Using the quadrat sampling technique, 4 plots (labelled as A, B, C and D) with a size of 50 m2 were established to obtain the organisms present in the study area. Twelve different plant species (Sensitive plant, White Spider Lily, Golden Trumpet, Weeds, Dandotapala, Camphor Grass, Love Grass, Evergreen Rose, Dandelion, Closed Gentian, Flatweed and Chinese Violet) were observed. Meanwhile, a total of ten species were identified as animals (toad, snail, earthworm, grasshopper, millipede, carpenter bee, moth, rhinoceros beetle, bird and gray’s leaf). However, only four species were obtained as fungi (mushroom, orange sea lichen, tree-dwelling lichen and button jelly lichen) in the entire plots. The findings of this study suggest that UiTM Kuala Pilah environments can provide baseline information as well as offers the contemporary strategies for preserving cultural and ecological diversity.
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have a high potential application for simultaneous wastewater treatment and electricity
generation. However, the choice of the electrode material and its design is critical and directly affect their performance.
As an electrode of MFCs, the anode material with surface modifications is an attractive strategy to improve the power
output. In this study, stainless steel (SS) and carbon steel (CS) was chosen as a metal anode, while graphite felt (GF)
was used as a common anode. Heat treatment was performed to convert SS, CS and GF into efficient anodes for MFCs.
The maximum current density and power density of the MFC-SS were achieved up till 762.14 mA/m2
and 827.25 mW/m2
,
respectively, which were higher than MFC-CS (641.95 mA/m2
and 260.14 mW/m2
) and MFC-GF (728.30 mA/m2
and 307.89
mW/m2
). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of MFC-SS showed better catalytic activity compared to MFC-CS and
MFC-GF anode, also supported by cyclic voltammetry test.
Knowledge of species richness and distribution is decisive for the composition of conservation areas. Plants typically contain many bioactive compounds are used for medicinal purposes for several disease treatment. This study aimed to identify the plant species distribution in area of UiTM Kuala Pilah, providing research scientific data and to contribute to knowledge of the use of the plants as therapeutic resources. Three quadrat frames (1x1 m), which was labeled as Set 1, 2 and 3 was developed, in each set consists of 4 plots (A, B, C and D). Characteristics of plant species were recorded, identified and classified into their respective groups. Our findings show that the most representative classes were Magnoliopsida with the total value of 71.43%, followed by Liliopsida (17.86%) and Lecanoromycetes (10.71%). A total of 28 plant species belonging to 18 families were identified in all sets with the largest family of Rubiaceae. The most distribution species are Desmodium triflorum, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Flavoparmelia caperata, Xanthoria elegans and Phlyctis argena. Most of the plant possesses their potential to treat skin diseases, fever, ulcers and diabetes as well as digestive problems with their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study suggests that study site and plant species can be delineated as an important area to preserve these therapeutic resources. Finally, this study could also be useful for preliminary screening of potential therapeutic plant found in the study area and useful for the researchers in the pursuit of novel drug discovery.