F. Abu Bakar

Total Phenolic Compounds, Flavonoids, and Radical Scavenging Activity of 21 Selected Tropical Plants

UNLABELLED Free radical scavenging activity of 21 tropical plant extracts was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay (DPPH). Total phenolic compounds and flavonoids were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu and HPLC, respectively. Results of the study revealed that all the plants tested exhibited excellent antioxidant activity with IC(50) in the range of 21.3 to 89.6 microg/mL. The most potent activity was demonstrated by Cosmos caudatus (21.3 microg/mL) and Piper betle (23.0 microg/mL) that are not significantly different than that of -tocopherol or BHA. L. inermis extract was found to consist of the highest concentration of phenolics, catechin, epicatechin, and naringenin. High content of quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol were identified in Vitex negundo, Centella asiatica, and Sesbania grandiflora extracts, respectively. Luteolin and apigenin, on the other hand, were found in Premna cordifolia and Kaempferia galanga extracts. Strong correlation (R = 0.8613) between total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids (R = 0.8430) and that of antioxidant activity of the extracts were observed. The study revealed that phenolic, in particular flavonoids, may be the main contributors to the antioxidant activity exhibited by the plants. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Potent antioxidant from natural sources is of great interest to replace the use of synthetic antioxidants. In addition, some of the plants have great potential to be used in the development of functional ingredients/foods that are currently in demand for the health benefits associated with their use.

Stunning and animal welfare from Islamic and scientific perspectives.

The transformation of an animal into pieces fit for human consumption is a very important operation. Rather than argue about halal slaughter without stunning being inhumane or stunning being controversial from the Islamic point of view, we discuss slaughter, stunning and animal welfare considering both Islamic and animal welfare legislation requirements. With the world Muslim population close to two billion, the provision of halal meat for the Muslim community is important both ethically and economically. However, from the animal welfare standard point of view, a number of issues have been raised about halal slaughter without stunning, particularly, about stressful methods of restraint and the latency of the onset of unconsciousness. This paper sets out to, discuss the methods of stunning that are acceptable by Islamic authorities, highlight the requirements for stunning to be acceptable in Islam and suggest practical ways to improve the humanness of slaughter.

Influence of gas stunning and halal slaughter (no stunning) on rabbits welfare indicators and meat quality

This study assessed the effect of gas stunning which has not been conducted until now in comparison with slaughter without stunning on the welfare and meat quality of rabbits. Eighty male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into two groups of 40 animals and subjected to either halal slaughter without stunning (HS) or gas stunning using 61.4% CO2, 20.3% oxygen and 18.3 % nitrogen (GS). Analysis of the sticking blood revealed that both slaughter procedures caused a substantial increase in the levels of catecholamines, hypercalcemia, hyperglycemia, lactic acidemia and an increase in enzyme activities. The ultimate pH of the Longissimus lumborum muscle did not differ between treatments. GS exhibited higher lightness and cooking loss, and lower glycogen and MFI than HS. This indicates that both GS and HS can be significant stressors although the amount of stress may be below the threshold to negatively affect rabbit meat quality.

Detection and quantification of probiotic bacteria using optimized DNA extraction, traditional and real-time PCR methods in complex microbial communities

The aim of this study is to optimize molecular detection and quantification methods of probiotic bacteria in complex microbial communities that have long been difficult for traditional culture-based methods. Traditional and real-time PCR were optimized to detect and quantify Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. in complex microbial community. Fish and shrimp sauce were used as a model for complex microbial community. Directly form samples, 4 DNA extraction methods, primers specificity, PCR, and real-time PCR procedures were optimized, tested in comparison with samples, enriched bacteria and related standard bacterial strains, E. coli, Bacteroides, Enterococcus and Salmonella. Results showed that extracted genomic DNA using Wizard® Genomic DNA Purification Kit showed the highest yield, quality and performance. Moreover, the specificity of the primer set specific for Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. was checked and found highly specific. The sensitivity of real-time PCR was higher than the conventional PCR and its quantifying potential is very precise for the detection and quantification of Lactobacillus spp. but not Bifidobacterium spp. which was absent in the tested samples. In conclusion, PCR and real-time PCR assays could be used very efficiently in quantifying and detecting Lactobacillus spp. that are present in very PCR-suppressive and complex microbial environment.

Development of microbial spoilage and lipid and protein oxidation in rabbit meat.

This experiment aimed to determine microbial spoilage and lipid and protein oxidation during aerobic refrigerated (4°C) storage of rabbit meat. Forty male New Zealand white rabbits were slaughtered according to the Halal slaughter procedure. The hind limbs were used for microbial analysis while the Longissimus lumborum m. was used for determination of lipid and protein oxidation. Bacterial counts generally increased with aging time and the limit for fresh meat (10(8)cfu/g) was reached at d 7 postmortem. Significant differences in malondialdehyde content were observed after 3d of storage. The thiol concentration significantly decreased with increase in aging time. The band intensities of myosin heavy chain and troponin T significantly reduced with increased refrigerated storage while actin remained relatively stable. This study thus proposes protein oxidation as a potential deteriorative change in refrigerated rabbit meat along with microbial spoilage and lipid oxidation.

Optimizing conditions for methylmercury extraction from fish samples for GC analysis using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimum experimental conditions to extract methylmercury from fish samples for GC analysis. The influence of four variables – acid concentration (3–12 M), cysteine concentration (0.5–2% w/v), solvent volume (3–9 ml) and extraction time (10–30 min) – on recovery of methylmercury was evaluated. The detection limit for methylmercury analysis using a microelectron capture detector was 7 ng g−1 in fish samples. The mean recovery under optimum conditions was 94%. Experimental data were adequately fitted into a second-order polynomial model with multiple regression coefficients (r 2) of 0.977. The four variables had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the recovery of methylmercury from a reference material (BCR-463). Optimum conditions for methylmercury extraction were found using an acid concentration of 12.2 M, cysteine concentration of 2.4%, solvent volume of 1.5 ml and extraction time of 35 min. The validation of the developed method to analyze methylmercury in fish samples exhibited good agreement with mercury content in the samples.

Simultaneous lactic acidification and coagulation by using recombinant Lactococcus lactis strain

This study was an attempt to create a novel milk clotting procedure using a recombinant bacterium capable of milk coagulation.

Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus Induce the Development of Colorectal Cancer

The role, of microbial agents and the infection of the intestinal mucosa in the carcinogenesis, or the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the hot topics in the field of CRC where much research has been done. However, this topic has long been underestimated by most of the related books. This chapter is intended to cover the relationship of CRC development with bacteria implicated in the development of CRC such as S. bovis, S. gallolyticus, S. equines, S. infantarius, E .coli, C. difficile…etc. However, S. gallolyticus and S. bovis will be discussed thoroughly in this chapter as they are considered the prototype for intestinal microorganisms related to CRC and colorectal premalignant lesions.

The Role of Diet, Prebiotic and Probiotic in the Development and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)

Abdulamir, A.S.1,2, Muhammad Zukhrufuz Zaman3, Hafidh R.R.1,4 and Abu Bakar F.1,3 1Institute of Bioscience, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, 2Microbiology department, College of Medicine, Alnahrain University, Baghdad 3Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 4Microbiology department, College of Medicine, Baghdad University 1,3Malaysia 2,4Iraq