Angzzas Sari Mohd Kassim

Environmental and seasonal influences on red raspberry anthocyanin antioxidant contents and identification of quantitative traits loci (QTL)

Consumption of raspberries promotes human health through intake of pharmaceutically active antioxidants, including cyanidin and pelargonidin anthocyanins; products of flavonoid metabolism and also pigments conferring colour to fruit. Raspberry anthocyanin contents could be enhanced for nutritional health and quality benefits utilising DNA polymorphisms in modern marker assisted breeding. The objective was to elucidate factors determining anthocyanin production in these fruits. HPLC quantified eight anthocyanin cyanidin and pelargonidin glycosides: -3-sophoroside, -3-glucoside, -3-rutinoside and -3-glucosylrutinoside across two seasons and two environments in progeny from a cross between two Rubus subspecies, Rubus idaeus (cv. Glen Moy)xRubus strigosus (cv. Latham). Significant seasonal variation was detected across pigments less for different growing environments within seasons. Eight antioxidants mapped to the same chromosome region on linkage group (LG) 1, across both years and from fruits grown in field and under protected cultivation. Seven antioxidants also mapped to a region on LG 4 across years and for both growing sites. A chalcone synthase (PKS 1) gene sequence mapped to LG 7 but did not underlie the anthocyanin quantitative traits loci (QTL) identified. Other candidate genes including basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH), NAM/CUC2-like protein and bZIP transcription factor underlying the mapped anthocyanins were identified.

Extraction and characterisation of pectin from dragon fruit (hylocereus polyrhizus) peels

Pectins are complex carbohydrate molecules that are used in numerous food applications as a gelling agent, thickener, stabiliser, and emulsifier. Dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is one of the tropical fruits that belong to the cactus family, Cactaceae. Since the peels of dragon fruit are often discarded as waste, it would be an advantage to convert it into a value-added product such as pectin. The objective of this study was to investigate the extraction of pectin from dragon fruit peels under different extraction time using hot water extraction method. The dragon fruit peels were extracted using distilled water at 80 °C with different extraction time of 20, 40, 60 and 80 min. The extracted pectin was characterised by its yield, moisture and ash content, degree of esterification and antioxidant activity. Determination of moisture and ash content was conducted using AOAC standard method. The determination of the degree of esterification of pectin was performed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). DPPH assay was used to determine the antioxidant activity of the pectin extract. Based on the result, the yield of pectin decreases (20.34 to 16.20 %) with the increase of extraction time, moisture contents were between 4 to 6 % while ash contents were between 7 to 10 %. Pectin from dragon fruit peels was determined as low methoxyl pectin and has high percentage of antioxidant activity with low value of inhibition concentration (IC50) (0.0063 to 0.0080 mg/mL). 60 min extraction sample exhibits the highest antioxidant activity (81.91 % at 40 µg/mL), followed by 80 min extraction (81.68 % at 40 µg/mL), 40 min extraction (81.38 % at 40 µg/mL) and 20 min extraction (81.31 % at 40 µg/mL).

Exploring Non-wood Plants as Alternative Pulps: From the Physical and Chemical Perspectives

The increasing demand in wood fibre consumptions especially in pulp and paper making has pushed forward the search for alternative fibre resources. Non-woods derived fibre could be good candidates due to its abundance availability. The objective of this study is to determine the potential of non-wood plants as alternative fibres for pulp and paper-based industries based on its chemical and physical properties. The chemical properties involved in this study (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, hot water and 1 % NaOH solubilities and ash contents) were determined according to relevant TAPPI test, Kurscher-Hoffner and Chlorite methods. Meanwhile, the physical properties (fibre length and diameter) were determined according to the Franklin method. In order to propose the suitability of the studied non-wood plants as alternative fibre resources in pulp and paper-based industries, the obtained results are compared to properties of published wood resources. Results show that lignin content (5.67 %) and 1 % NaOH solubility (19.64 %) of cogon grass are the lowest compared to cocoa pod husk and oil palm leaf. These contents influenced the production of higher pulp yield. Although cogon grass contains short fibres length than oil palm leaf, the paper product will have higher strength due to the good inter-fibre bonding. This study conclude, based on the chemical and physical properties, the cogon grass, cocoa pod husk, and oil palm leaf are suitable to be used as alternative fibre resources in pulp and paper-based industries with various applications such papers, boxes and craft materials.

Analysis of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) as a potential alternative fibre in paper industry

Abstract The forest tree had become beneficial as the major source of raw materials for paper production. However, the main concern is the dwindling forest tree resources. Fibre substitution from non-wood sources can overcome this problem. The abundance of napier grass is characterized as agro waste material, and has a high potential to become one of the substitution fibres. The objective of this work was to analyse the chemical composition of napier grass and to investigate the morphological properties of napier grass fibre. The chemical composition of the fibre was analysed by the TAPPI test method, chlorination method and Kuchner–Hoffner method. The results indicate the potential of napier grass as a fibre. The napier grass morphology showed a condensed composition of fibre structure under a scanning electron microscope. This study of napier grass indicated the suitability for promoting the green technology in developing an eco-friendly product.

Cocoa Pod Husk and Corn Stalk: Alternative Paper Fibres Study on Chemical Characterization and Morphological Structures

Due to a shortage of wood source fibre in paper making industrys interest to agriculture residues fibre as a potential fibre sources in this industry. In this situation, importance has been developing in the paper industry from agriculture residue that will replace the wood fibre. Cocoa pod husk and Corn stalk are agriculture residues, which is good materials for paper production. The objectives of this study are to investigate the chemical characterization and surface morphology structure of these materials. The main components of materials which are cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash content were parameters that involved in determination of chemical characterization in this study. The determination of chemical composition was accordance to Kurshner-Hoffner approach (cellulose), Chlorine Method (hemicellulose), T 222 om-06 (lignin) and T 211 om-07 (ash content). Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the surface structure of materials. From results obtained, corn stalk shows the higher amount in cellulose (39%) and hemicellulose (42%) content compared to the cocoa pod husk. In addition, lower lignin content also obtained in Corn stalk (7.3%) rather than that Cocoa pod husk (14.7%). From Scanning electron microscopy images, Corn stalk and Cocoa pod husk contained abundance lignocellulosic and rough surface structure due to the untreated materials. The result either chemical characterization or surface morphology that obtained in Corn stalk and Cocoa pod husk fibre wastes can be used successfully as an alternative fibres sources in papermaking application.

On the Bioremediation Potential of Inhabitant Microbes of Dredged Marine Soils: A Theoretical Framework

Biological degradation is one of the most beneficial and economical methods to clean up contaminated marine soils. Although biodegradation by microorganisms encourages the natural process of contaminant removal and serve as potentially cost-effective treatment, limited facts in microbes and contaminant interactions lead in treatment failure. The present study had identified the existence of potential microbes in marine soils dredged from the coasts of Peninsular Malaysia. These included the genera of Serratia, Vibrio, Enterobacter, and Pseudomonas. Among these, Vibrio and Serratia have potential to degrade oil and grease as well as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Irrespective of any additions of particular nutrients, the existence of these genera whereupon reduces the potential for bioaugmentation treatment. Major problem in bioaugmentation is rapid decline in number of introduce microbes due to abiotic or biotic stress. The first stage needed to develop treatment strategies are by understanding the environmental conditions and factors that limit the ability of microbes to degrade the contaminants. Considering these understanding, biodegradation treatments of contaminated dredged marine soils is ease to design. This theoretical framework therefore aims to assess on the bacteria capability to degrade correlated with the contaminant concentration.

Effect of Porous Materials Combination in Layers on Sound Absorption Characteristics

This paper describes the investigation and analysis on two materials in which one material is a relatively good sound absorber at low frequency range and another is a relatively good sound absorber at high frequency range, combined together in layers to form a better sound absorber for a wider range of frequencies. The layer combinations of the materials are varied and the values of Sound Absorption Coefficient, α are measured experimentally by using impedance tubes with two microphones transfer function method according to ISO 10534-2 standard. The results obtained are compared in terms of the order of material and the number of layer combinations of materials for each sample. The orders of combinations and number of layers of combinations have significant influence on the sound absorption characteristics. The order of materials has reversed effect on Sound Absorption Coefficient, α as the number of layer combination is increased. Increase in the combination number will make the specimen performed relatively better at a wider frequency range.

Surface Tension Effect on Sound Absorption Characteristics of a Cavity-Backed Semi-Permeable Membrane

This paper describes the analysis on the characteristics of semi-permeable membrane sound absorber. The effects of membrane surface tension on the sound absorption characteristics were investigated. The characteristics of the membrane absorber was measured experimentally in terms of Sound Absorption Coefficient, α and Noise Reduction Coefficient, NRC. The membrane is made of thin, flexible, semi-permeable latex material and the tests were carried out by using impedance tube method according to ISO 10534-2 standard. The results showed that the surface tension has significant influence on the sound absorption characteristics. For the parameters used in the laboratory work, specimen with unstretched surface tension has the best absorption performance.

Cogon Grass As an Alternative Fibre for Pulp and Paper-Based Industry: On Chemical and Surface Morphological Properties

The increasing demand in wood fibre consumptions especially in pulp and paper making has pushed forward the search for alternative fibre resources. Non-wood derived fibre could be good candidates due to its abundance availability. Agriculture residues or non-wood annual plants are good potential fibre resource for pulp and paper making. The objective of this study is to determine the suitability of cogon grass as an alternative fibre for pulp and paper making by analysing its chemical and surface morphological properties. The holocellulose, cellulose, lignin, 1% NaOH solubility, hot water solubility and ash contents were quantified to analyse its chemical characteristics. Quantification of chemical compositions was conducted in accordance with relevant Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) Tests, Kurscher-Hoffner and Chlorite methods. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize the surface morphology of the cogon grass fibre. Results obtained indicate that the holocellulose (64.93%) content is comparable with other published non-woods and the lignin (5.67%) content is favourably the lowest. In addition, the hot water and 1% NaOH solubilities are (3.83%) and (19.64%) respectively. SEM images show that cogon grass fibres contained abundance and long fibres which provide good strength of the produced handsheet. Based on the chemical and surface morphological properties analyses, cogon grass is a good alternative fibre resource especially for pulp and paper making industries.

Analysis by Pineapple Leaf in Chemical Pulping Process

Malaysia has an abundance of agro waste material that have not been fully utilized to a maximum production. Thus, the finding of a new alternative fiber in non wood material will be favorable in paper production. Pineapple (Ananas Comosus) is the common tropical plant, which consists of coalesced berries. This pineapple is leading member of the family of Bromeliaceae and it came from genus Ananas. Fiber bundle from pineapple leaf can be separated from the cortex where it reveals the pineapple leaf fiber in multi-cellular and lignocelluloses pattern. This leaf has a ribbon-like structure and cemented together by lignin, pentosan-like materials, where it contributes to the strength of fiber [7]. All parts in pineapple from fruits to leaves could be consumed to give a health benefit for human life. Pineapple had been used as textile fiber, anti-inflammatory and also anti-helminthic agent. According to the FAO online database, the Malaysian country had consumed 255,000 tones per year and in third position in the world of consuming pineapple production. Pineapple is mainly produced as canned fruits and also coarse textiles in some Southeast Asian countries. Leaves of pineapple had been used as coarse textiles because of the fiber composition and structure inside the leaves [3]. All fibrous in non wood materials especially pineapple leaf consists of cellulose, holocellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin along with some extraneous material called extractives such as gum and resin. Previous research indicates pineapple leaf fiber contained higher cellulose content than wood fiber. Pineapple leaf fibers also consist of lignin [23], an adhesive component that binds the cellulose and hemicellulose. Pineapple leaf fiber had the lowest lignin content than other alternative fiber, which is favorable during chemical processing [12]. The chemical composition aspects have been considered in the previous literature, such as banana stem, coconut and oil palm and had been reported extensively. Pineapple leaf reported has a lowest lignin (10.5%) rather than banana stem (18.6%), oil palm (20.5%) and coconut (32.8%) that suggest can undergo bleaching more easily and have high fiber strength [12]. Besides that, pineapple leaf contains high holocelulose content (87.6%) than banana stem (65.2%), oil palm (83.5%) and coconut (56.3%) [11]. Those properties depend on the content of chemical composition in the pineapple leaf fiber, which is cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin content [15].