Nazaruddin Ramli

Kappaphycus alvarezii waste biomass: A potential biosorbent for chromium ions removal

The Cr(III) sorption experiments onto Kappaphycus alvarezii waste biomass were conducted at different pH values (2-6) under the conditions of initial metal concentration of 10-50 mg/L and the chemical compositions of Cr-Cu and Cr-Cd. The Cr(III) sorption capacities were slightly dependent on pH, and the maximum sorption capacity was 0.86 mg/g at pH 3. The sorption capacities increased with increase in the initial metal concentration, whereas it was suppressed by the presence of Cu(II) and Cd(III) in the solution. The Cr(III) sorption equilibrium was evaluated using Langmuir, Freundlich and BET isotherms. The sorption mechanisms were characterised using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The main mechanisms were ion exchange coupled with a complexation mechanism. Kappaphycus alvarezii waste biomass represents a potential for Cr(III) ion removal from aqueous solution.

ANALYSIS OF FUCOXANTHIN CONTENT AND PURIFICATION OF ALL-TRANS-FUCOXANTHIN FROM Turbinaria turbinata AND Sargassum plagyophyllum BY SiO2 OPEN COLUMN CHROMATOGRAPHY AND REVERSED PHASE-HPLC

Reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was used to analyze fucoxanthin content of two species of Malaysian brown seaweeds, Turbinaria turbinate, and Sargassum plagyophyllum. The fucoxanthin contents of T. turbinata and S. plagyophyllum were 0.59 ± 0.08 and 0.71 ± 0.01 mg/g dry-weight, respectively. Ultraviolet spectrum of fucoxanthin showed the maximum absorbance at 450 nm. Furthermore, the HPLC chromatograms of purified all-trans-fucoxanthin from showed one major peak with a retention time of 7.8 min.

Effect of microwave pretreatment on the oil yield of mango seeds for the synthesis of a cocoa butter substitute.

The effect of microwave (MW) radiation on mango seeds (MS) was investigated as a pretreatment process prior to oil extraction by solvents. Pretreatments were carried out at two levels of power (300 W and 450 W) and for four radiation times (180, 130, 90 and 70 s). It was observed treatment at 300W for 180s lead to improved extraction efficiency so that oil yield of MS increased to 8.9% which was higher compared to the conventional method. The quality characteristics (e.g. peroxide value, acid value) and oil composition was clarified. MSO profile can be suitable to synthesize cocoa butter substitute (CBS) through the enzymatic interesterification with cocoa butter (CB) in three different ratios of (MSO:CB) : 60:40, 50:50 and 40:60. The slip melting point, saponification value and iodine value of the 40:60 blend were 28.75oC, 186.8 and 36.3 respectively. The melting behavior of the 40:60 blend was close to cocoa butter, compared to the other enzymatic and non-enzymatic blends. The thermal behavior of the 40:60 blend showed that crystallization occurred between 18.73°C and -52.55°C, with a ΔHc of 89.74 J/g, and melting between -8.72°C and 45.56°C. The fusion maximum was 24.79°C for the α and s polymorphic forms, and the fusion enthalpy was 77.04 J/g. The 40:60 MSO:CB blend had a profile similar to that of CB.

Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Plants and Algae for Extraction of Bioactive Compounds

Plants and algae contain novel biocompounds with therapeutic potentials. These compounds are either embedded within the cell wall matrix or bonded with polymers at cell cytoplasm, which hinders release of bioactive compounds during extraction. Enzymatic hydrolysis of cell wall and cytoplasm polymers enhances the release of biocompounds while preserving their biological potencies. Previous works have focused more on comparative studies of different enzymes, whereas other process parameters, such as agitation speed, substrate particle sizes, hydrolysis time, degree of hydrolysis, and multistage extraction, have received less attention. This review examines the extent of studies in this area and highlight current research gaps to be explored in future researches.

Characterization of ɽ -carrageenan and its derivative based green polymer electrolytes

The new types of green polymer electrolytes based on ɽ -carrageenan derivative have been prepared. ɽ -carrageenan act as precursor was reacted with monochloroacetic acid to produce carboxymethyl ɽ -carrageenan. The powders were characterized by Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to confirm the substitution of targeted functional group in ɽ -carrageenan. The green polymer electrolyte based on ɽ -carrageenan and carboxymethyl ɽ -carrageenan was prepared by solution-casting technique. The films were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to determine the ionic conductivity. The ionic conductivity ɽ -carrageenan film were higher than carboxymethyl ɽ -carrageenan which 4.87 ×10−6 S cm−1 and 2.19 ×10−8 S cm−1, respectively.

Essential Oils in The Leaves of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L ) Clone UIT1 and NA33

Abstract Essential oils of the leaves of two cocoa clones UITI and NA33 were investigated qualitatively by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty-four components of the oil obtained from UITI leaf oil were identified. These compounds were: four aldehydes, 13 alcohols, six ketones and one fatty acid. Twenty compounds were identified in the leaf oil of NA33: an aldehyde, nine alcohols, eight ketones and two fatty acids. The above findings show that genetic variations of the same species yield oils of differing compositions.

Synthesis and characterization of carboxymethyl κ-carrageenan for dye-sensitized solar cells application

κ-Carrageenan is an anionic polymer extracted from marine red algae. In order to increase conductivity of the κ-carrageenan, carboxymethyl κ-carrageenan was synthesized by the reaction of κ-carrageenan with monochloroacetic acid. A polymer electrolyte comprising κ-carrageenan and carboxymethyl κ-carrageenan was prepared by solution-casting technique. The films were characterized by Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to investigate the presence of the complexes. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy was conducted to obtain ionic conductivity. Ionic conductivity was found to increase with the addition of carboxymethyl group on carrageenan. The conductivity achieved for κ-carrageenan and carboxymethyl κ-carrageenan were 5.34×10-7 S cm−1 and 2.02×10−4 S cm-1, respectively.

Spectroscopic studies of carboxymethyl chitosan-ammonium triflate (NH4CF3SO3) based solid polymer electrolytes

Carboxymethyl chitosan is the promising material to be used as host polymer for solid polymer electrolyte application. The film has been prepared by solution casting technique with different weight percentage of ammonium triflate (NH4CF3SO3) added to carboxymethyl chitosan. The highest ionic conductivity achieved by carboxymethyl chitosan with 20 wt. % of NH4CF3SO3 was 8.90 × 10−6 S cm−1. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy had been used to examine the effect of ammonium triflate salt on each functional group of carboxymethyl chitosan. The shifting of wavenumber for hydroxyl, carbonyl and ether groups prove there are interaction between ammonium triflate salts and polymer host. The film is electrochemically stable up to 0.8 V.

Preparation of hybrid nano biocomposite κ-carrageenan/cellulose nanocrystal/nanoclay

Biodegradable composites film based on κ-carrageenan and nano particles as filler was prepared to study the mechanical strength of carrageenan composites. Solution casting technique was used to prepare_this biocomposite. Preparation of composite film and nano filler involve two stages, preparation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) from kenaf with alkali treatment, bleaching, and hydrolysis followed by the preparation of two types of nano composite. Tensile test was carried on the composite film based on κ-carrageenan with the variation percentage of CNC and nano clay to obtain the optimum CNC and nano clay loading. After that hybrid nano-biocomposite film based on κ-carrageenan with the variation percentage of CNC/nano clay (OMMT) according to optimum value of composite carrageenan/CNC and composite carrageenan/nano clay film was prepared. The effect of nano filler on the mechanical properties of carrageenan films was examined. κ-carrageenan biocomposite increased with the optimum at 4% CNC and nano clay co...