Noor Azian Morad

High efficient removal of lead(II) and nickel(II) from aqueous solution by novel polysulfone/Fe3O4–talc nanocomposite mixed matrix membrane

AbstractNovel mixed matrix membranes were prepared from polysulfone (PSf), talc and Fe3O4–talc nanocomposite by phase inversion technique. PSf/Fe3O4–talc membranes showed higher lead and nickel rejections compared to PSf/talc membranes, which reaches to 99.4 and 96.2% for lead and nickel ions, respectively, at feed pH 5 and lower rejections at pH 3.5 and 2. Higher surface area in Fe3O4–talc nanocomposite than talc could be considered as a main reason of higher heavy metals removal in PSf/Fe3O4–talc membranes. The heavy metals removal enhances with the increase in nanocomposite content from 7 to 9 wt.% because higher numbers of vacant sites in membrane morphology were available for adsorption. Heavy metals rejection reduces in higher nanocomposite concentrations (11 and 13 wt.%) due to the formation of macrovoids in membrane substructure. In addition, a reduction in the metal ion rejection was recognized by enhancement in feed solution concentration and applied pressure. This is caused by difficulty for th...

Mechanism of chemoprevention against colon cancer cells using combined Gelam honey and Ginger extract via mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways

The PI3K-Akt-mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin and apoptosis signaling pathways have been shown to be involved in genesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to elucidate whether combination of Gelam honey and ginger might have chemopreventive properties in HT29 colon cancer cells by modulating the mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin and apoptosis signaling pathways. Treatment with Gelam honey and ginger reduced the viability of the HT29 cells dose dependently with IC50 values of 88 mg/ml and 2.15 mg/ml respectively, their while the combined treatment of 2 mg/ml of ginger with 31 mg/ml of Gelam honey inhibited growth of most HT29 cells. Gelam honey, ginger and combination induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner with the combined treatment exhibiting the highest apoptosis rate. The combined treatment downregulated the gene expressions of Akt, mTOR, Raptor, Rictor, β-catenin, Gsk3β, Tcf4 and cyclin D1 while cytochrome C and caspase 3 genes were shown to be upregulated. In conclusion, the combination of Gelam honey and ginger may serve as a potential therapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer through inhibiton of mTOR, Wnt/β catenin signaling pathways and induction of apoptosis pathway.

Biomass Characteristics Index: A numerical approach in palm bio-energy estimation

In order to give a clear insight of the energy output estimation from the biomass, a comprehensive study on the physical properties of the biomass: bulk density and moisture content is crucial. A Biomass Characteristics Index (BCI) is proposed to represent the relationship between bulk density and moisture content. A numerical framework is developed to determine the BCI. This index is used to estimate the biomass bulk density and moisture content before the calorific value calculation. The classification of biomass according to its specific BCI can forecast the related bulk density and moisture content. Therefore, it reduces the hassle and time constraint to get those values through conventional empirical method. This will increase the overall biomass operational management efficiency.

Determination of overall mass transfer coefficient for 6-gingerol and 6-shagoal in subcritical water extraction

Subcritical water extraction (SWE) is introduced in the extraction of ginger bioactive compounds, namely 6-gingerol and 6-shagoal. The extraction mechanism is identified using mass transfer coefficient model. The overall mass transfer coefficient, k or driving force for each compound is measured through experimental determination. Compound identification and analysis iss conducted using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The k value for 6-gingerol and 6-shagoal under optimized condition (130°C, 3.5MPa) of 28:3 (ml:g) solvent to sample ratio are 0.02849 cm/min and 0.04873 cm/min, respectively.

Prediction of solubilities for ginger bioactive compounds in hot water by the cosmo-rs method

The solubilities in water of four main ginger bioactives, 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 8-gingerol and 10-gingerol, were predicted using a conductor-like screening model for real solvent (COSMO-RS) calculations. This study was conducted since no experimental data are available for ginger bioactive solubilities in hot water. The σ-profiles of these selected molecules were calculated using Gaussian software and the solubilities were calculated using the COSMO-RS method. The solubilities of these ginger bioactives were calculated at 50 to 200 °C. In order to validate the accuracy of the COSMO-RS method, the solubilities of five hydrocarbon molecules were calculated using the COSMO-RS method and compared with the experimental data in the literature. The selected hydrocarbon molecules were 3-pentanone, 1-hexanol, benzene, 3-methylphenol and 2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde. The calculated results of the hydrocarbon molecules are in good agreement with the data in the literature. These results confirm that the solubilities of ginger bioactives can be predicted using the COSMO-RS method. The solubilities of the ginger bioactives are lower than 0.0001 at temperatures lower than 130 °C. At 130 to 200 °C, the solubilities increase dramatically with the highest being 6-shogaol, which is 0.00037 mole fraction, and the lowest is 10-gingerol, which is 0.000039 mole fraction at 200 °C.

Effect of Co-Solvent on the solubility of ginger bioactive compounds in water using COSMO-RS calculations

The effects of co-solvent to the solubility of ginger bioactive compounds, 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 8-gingerol and 10-gingerol in hot water were calculated using the conductor-like screening model for real solvent (COSMO-RS). In this work, ethanol was used as the co-solvent. The σ-profiles of the molecules were calculated using Gaussian software and the solubility were calculated using the COSMO-RS method. The solubility of these ginger bioactive compounds were calculated at 50 to 150°C.The amounts of ethanol used were 0 mol (binary system), 0.005, 0.010 and 0.015 mol. The results show that when the concentration (mole fraction of ethanol) of co-solvent increases, the solubility of ginger bioactive compounds increase. While the temperature increases, the concentration (mole fraction of ethanol) of co-solvent decreases.

Effects of processing parameters in the sonic assisted water extraction (SAWE) of 6-gingerol

The use of water in subcritical conditions for extraction has several drawbacks. These include the safety features, higher production costs and possible degradation of the bioactive compounds. To overcome these problems, sonic energy and an entrainer were used as external interventions to decrease the polarity of water at milder operating conditions. The effect of low (28kHz) and high (800kHz) frequencies of sonication in the extraction of the main ginger bioactive compound (6-gingerol) were compared. Six parameters were studied: mean particle size (MPS, mm), time of extraction, applied power, sample to solvent ratio (w/v), temperature of extraction, and the percentage of entrainer. The optimum conditions for high frequency SAWE prototype were MPS 0.89-1.77mm, 45min, 40W applied power, 1:30 (w/v), 45°C, and 15% of ethanol as entrainer. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) gave the most significant parameter, which was power with F (1, 45.07), p<2.50×10-9. Although the effect of low frequency was stronger than high frequency, at the optimum conditions of the sample to solvent ratio 1:30 (w/v) with 700mL solvent and temperature 45°C, the concentration and recovery of 6-gingerol from high frequency of SAWE prototype was 2.69 times higher than at low frequency of SAWE. It was found that although the effects of high frequency (800kHz) were negligible in other studies, it could extract suitable compounds, such as 6-gingerol, at lower temperature. Therefore, the effects of sonication, which cause an enlargement in the cell wall of the ginger plant matrix, were observed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It was found that the applied power of sonication was the most significant parameter compared to the other parameters.

Design and modeling of hot compressed water extraction process for palm oil

The steady state HCWE process for palm oil and the minor component have been modeled using the multivariable regression method. The MISO strategy model with two independent variables; pressure and temperature and four process outputs; overall oil yield, β-carotene, α-tocopherol and α-tocotrienol concentration have been employing to getting four multivariable equations in this process. At the first step, three different models including linear and nonlinear, have been tested and analyzed to getting the best fit model based on the adjusted r2, residue, p value and RMSE value. Three process outputs that is overall oil yield, β-carotene and α-tocotrienol concentration was successfully being predicted using the polynomial equation. Meanwhile, its found that all of these simple models are not enough to model the concentration of α-tocopherol. The selected model will be utilized for the process optimization in the development of the palm oil HCWE control system.

Optimisation of squalene from palm oil mesocarp using supercritical carbon dioxide

A promising technique of Green Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (SC-CO2) process was developed for the extraction of squalene from palm oil mesocarp. In this study, the green SC-CO2 was compared with the conventional Soxhlet extraction for quantify the best extraction method. The independent variables in SC-CO2 were selected as follows: temperature (45-75°C), pressure (16-30 MPa) and CO2 flow rate (2-5 ml/min). The responses are oil yield and the concentration of squalene. On the other hands, the conventional soxhlet extraction condition was type of solvents. Furthermore, the conditions of SC-CO2 extraction for squalene and oil yield were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) following Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The optimum conditions were at pressure (16 MPa), temperature (45.01°C) and CO2 flow rate (2 ml/min) and the concentration of squalene was 0.506%. Meanwhile for soxhlet extraction method showed the concentration of squalene was 0.143% with chloroform. In overall, the results indicated the green SC-CO2 was the best an alternative technique.

Solubilities prediction of ginger bioactive compounds in liquid phase of water by the COSMO-RS method

The solubilities in water of four main ginger bioactive compounds, 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 8-gingerol and 10-gingerol, were predicted using a conductor-like screening model for real solvent (COSMO-RS) calculations. This study was conducted since no experimental data are available for ginger bioactive compounds solubilities in liquid phase of water. The σ-profiles of these selected molecules were calculated using Gaussian software and the solubilities were calculated using the COSMO-RS method. The solubilities of these ginger bioactive compounds were calculated at 50–200 °C. In order to validate the accuracy of the COSMO-RS method, the solubilities of five hydrocarbon molecules were calculated using the COSMO-RS method and compared with the experimental data in the literature. The selected hydrocarbon molecules were 3-pentanone, 1-hexanol, benzene, 3-methylphenol and 2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde. The calculated results of the hydrocarbon molecules are in good agreement with the data in the literature. These results confirm that the solubilities of ginger bioactive compounds can be predicted using the COSMO-RS method. The solubilities of the ginger bioactive compounds are lower than 1.0 × 10−4 at temperatures lower than 130 °C. At 130–200 °C, the solubilities increase dramatically with the highest being 6-shogaol, which is 3.7 × 10−4 mole fraction, and the lowest is 10-gingerol, which is 0.39 × 10−4 mole fraction at 200 °C.