Screening and Optimization of pH and Temperature for Enhanced Chitosanase Production by Bacteria Isolated from Terengganu's East Coast

Chitosanase is an enzyme that can cleave chitosan polymers and generally can hydrolyse chitosan to chitosan oligomers and glucosamine as the product of hydrolysis. Chitosan oligosaccharides were traditionally processed in the industry using chemical processes that would cause environmental harm due to high short-chain oligosaccharide production, low oligosaccharide yields and high separation expenses. Revealed that some bacteria are productive in manufacturing chitosanase, which can give advantages such as compatibility with the environment, cost-effectiveness and reproducibility. Thus, it brings to the objective to isolate, screen and identify potential local bacteria chitosanase producers and to study the optimum condition for the production of chitosanase (pH and temperature) which the sample has been collected from ten different coasts near Kuala Terengganu and Besut Terengganu. Methodology: The experiments were performed with four main steps, which were isolation, screening, fermentation, and optimization. There were three analyses that were performed, which were optical density (OD) to measure the cell growth, colony-forming unit (CFU) for cell culturability, and chitosanase assay using the DNS method. Results: The bacteria strain from Pantai Benting Lintang (BL) exhibited the highest chitosanase assay (0.113 U/mL), indicating superior chitosanase production. Optimal conditions for growth and chitosanase production were determined at pH 7.0 (0.127 U/mL) and 28°C (0.19 U/mL). Conclusion: This bacteria strain (BL) proved effectiveness in generating chitosanase, offering a potential alternative to chemical processes in chitosan biodegradation, while minimizing environmental impact. The study's findings contribute valuable insights for future research on environmentally friendly chitosanase-producing bacteria with broader applications in daily life

The Effectiveness of Antibiotics and Fungicide to Prevent Microbial Contamination in Musa paradisiaca Cv. Tanduk Culture

Musa paradisiaca Cv. Tanduk (Banana) is an important cultivar in Malaysia, widely consumed due to high content of carbohydrates, minerals, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin C. Despite high market demand, it is still challenging to obtain free-disease symptoms and high-quality seedlings. The micropropagation technique is an effective approach to overcoming these problems. However, micropropagation is limited by bacterial and fungal contamination, resulting in plantlet mortality. Thus, this study will isolate fungal and bacterial contaminants and determine the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents in preventing culture contamination. The banana explant suckers were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, and contaminant microbes were isolated in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media and nutrient agar (NA). The effectiveness of gentamicin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, and chloramphenicol was evaluated with the disk diffusion method, and for carbendazim (fungicide) through the growth rate of isolated fungi in PDA media. Study successfully isolated three fungi and two Gram-negative bacteria. Results showed that gentamicin (50 mg/ml) exhibits the highest inhibition zones for white, rod-shaped (20 mm) and pink-red cocci (17 mm) isolated bacteria. Meanwhile, carbendazim (50 mg/ml) significantly suppressed the cottony, yeast-like fungal growth (16.67 mm). The combination of gentamicin (150 mg/ml) and chloramphenicol (50 mg/ml) into MS medium significantly suppresses the contamination in the banana culture. The findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate antimicrobial types and their concentrations to improve banana plantlet regeneration. Moreover, the study demonstrated that optimized antibiotic combinations can effectively control contamination in banana tissue culture, thereby enhancing the sustainability of M. paradisiaca Cv. Tanduk farming through micropropagation

Potential Of Banana Fiber Derived From Agricultural Waste For Sustainable Paper-Making

This study investigates the potential of banana fiber as an eco-friendly and sustainable material for paper production. It highlights the extraction process of banana fiber from agricultural waste, and its physical and chemical properties, and examines its potential as an alternative to traditional wood-based pulp. The findings demonstrate that banana fiber offers comparable strength and quality to conventional paper materials while significantly reducing environmental impact. The banana stems for this study were collected from nearby banana plantation in Jengka, Pahang. The systematic process was carried out in raw material preparation, pulping, screening, disintegration, beating, and hand sheet formation. In the process of pulping, the chemical treatment of sodium hydroxide was applied to extract cellulose fibers. The fiber underwent different beating revolutions, which are 0 beating, 1000 beating, and 2000 beating revolutions to analyze their impact on the paper quality. Hand sheets were produced using a Cylinder Handsheet Papermaking machine and dried under heated platens. The resulting papers were tested for freeness, tearing strength, folding endurance, and burst strength. The freeness test assessed fiber refinement and bonding potential, while tearing strength and folding endurance indicated durability and flexibility. Burst strength measured pressure resistance, critical for packaging applications. The results support the fact that banana fiber demonstrates potential as a renewable alternative feedstock that is sustainable for paper industries. These findings provide valuable insights for researchers and manufacturers interested in sustainable practices in the paper industry

In silico Analysis of Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase in Ipomoea batatas

Abiotic stresses like drought and heat significantly impact sweet potato production (Ipomoea batatas) by inducing oxidative stress. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes are a crucial line of defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we focused on the Cu/Zn SOD from I. batatas employing in silico analysis to elucidate its physicochemical properties, structural features, and potential role in stress tolerance. The Cu/Zn SOD protein sequence was analyzed using bioinformatics tools such as ExPASy ProtParam and TargetP 2.0 tools. The protein exhibited a theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 5.64, suggesting an acidic nature with predominance of negative charge. The aliphatic index (73.09) and instability index (18.62) reflected thermal stability and in vivo stability, while a negative GRAVY value (-0.186) denoted hydrophilicity and potential solubility in aqueous environments. Our analysis on subcellular localization prediction indicated a cytosolic localization with the highest likelihood (0.545), confirming its identity as a Cu/Zn-type SOD rather than a chloroplastic or mitochondrial isoform. These results suggest that Cu/Zn SOD of I. batatas is a stable, soluble, cytosolic enzyme with physicochemical properties well-suited for maintaining redox homeostasis under oxidative stress, supporting its role in stress tolerance mechanisms in sweet potato

Characteristics Analysis of Type II Solar Radio Bursts Detected by CALLISTO Spectrometer at The Space Technology Complex (STC), Banting, Malaysia During Ascending Phase of Solar Cycle 25

Within the meter wavelength region, Type II Solar Radio Bursts (SRBs) have been determined to be some of the most significant solar radio emission events.  They are produced by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) shocks generated by solar flares or Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). This paper presents an analysis of the characteristics of Type II SRBs detected by the CALLISTO (Compound Astronomical Low-cost Low-frequency Instrument for Spectroscopy and Transportable Observatory) station at the Space Technology Complex (STC), Banting, managed by the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA).  In this paper, a total of 21 type II SRBs were observed at the station, during the period of 1 October 2021 to 29 February 2024, based on data from the e-CALLISTO website. The characteristics of these SRBs were thoroughly analysed to gain insights into their properties. The analysis focused on their association with flare event classes and CME parameters categorized by linear speed and angular width. Additionally, the study examined the occurrence of Herringbone or harmonic structures and drift rates during the solar cycle 25’s ascending phase. Data on solar flares were obtained from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), while CMEs were obtained from the Large Angle Spectroscopy Coronagraph Observatory (LASCO). Based on the present study, it is found that 20 out of 21 type II SRBs are connected with both solar flares and CMEs. Among these, 18 out of 21 type II SRBs were connected with intense GOES X-rays flares.  Furthermore, 45% of the type II SRBs were related to fast and wide CMEs, whereas only 20% of the type II SRBs were linked with slow and narrow CMEs.  Additionally, partial and full halo CMEs were observed in conjunction with half of the detected type II SRBs.  The study also identified the drift rate and duration of type II SRBs, varying between 0.08 to 1.56 MHzs−1 and ~ 1 to 5 minutes, respectively.  Among them, 62% exhibited harmonic structures, and the rest, 38% showed herringbone structures

The Diversity of Freshwater Fish at Three Selected Lakes in Jengka, Pahang

Freshwater fishes in Malaysia are relatively diverse with species of primary freshwater fishes. The total species richness of freshwater fishes of Malaysia remains unknown, this is due to many inland water bodies that have not been sampled. This study was conducted to ascertain the abundance of the freshwater fish at selected lakes in Maran, Pahang. The aim of this study to determine freshwater fish diversity and the relationship with water characteristics. All captured fish were measured, weighed and identified. Sample of water were collected from each lake. Water was analysed for pH, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen demand. A total of 107 individuals of fish compromising 8 species and 7 families were recorded. Trichopodus trichopterus was the most abundant species with total of 44 individuals which belonging to Order Anabantiformes and the least species with total of one individual captured which belonging to Order Cypriniformes, which is Puntigrus partipentazona. The highest diversity of fish was recorded at Lake 3 with Shannon Wiener Diversity Index H’= 1.428 and the lowest was at Lake 1 with H’= 0.968. The highest evenness index of fish species was detected at Lake 3 with Pielou’s Evenness J’= 0.797 and the lowest was at Lake 1 with J’= 0.698. Meanwhile, the most diverse species was found at Lake 3. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) ordination diagram of fish communities and selected water properties showed that Notopterus notopterus, Pristolepis fasciata and Puntigrus partipentazona were associated with the environment variables such as total dissolved solids (TDS) and turbidity while Oreochromis mossambicus and Oxyeleotris marmorata were not associated with any of the variables.and water salinity. &nbsp

Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Properties of Ficus Carica L. Leaves

Ficus carica L. are well known to possess a number of bioactive substances such as flavonoids and phenolic acids which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. This study aimed to screen phytochemicals in the leaf and evaluate the antioxidant activities with different polarity extracts. The leaves of Ficus carica L. were obtained from Taman Herba in UniSZA Besut Campus, Terengganu.  The leaves collected were dried under room temperature before grinded into powder. The leaf powder was then soaked in methanol at a ratio of 1:10 to obtain the crude extract and further extracted with solvent partitioning method to get hexane (HEX), dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol fractions. Total amount of phenolic and flavonoid were determined by total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) test. Antioxidant activities of the leaves extract from different fractions were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) assay. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed to screen the chemical profile of fig leaves using mobile phase of hexane: ethyl acetate: acetic acid at ratio 7.8: 1.8: 0.4. In determination of TPC, the highest value of phenolic content obtained from MeOH crude (79.72 mg GAE/g) followed by DCM fraction (67.06 mg GAE/g), MeOH fraction (51.67 mg GAE/g) and Hexane fraction (48.27 mg GAE/g). For determination of flavonoid content, MeOH crude also possesses the highest value (77.13 mg QE/g) followed by Hexane fraction (70.33 mg QE/g), DCM fraction (52.13 mg QE/g) and MeOH fraction (31.81 mg QE/g). For all antioxidant test, MeOH fraction followed by MeOH crude obtained the highest percentage of inhibition (antioxidant activity) and possess lowest IC50 value as the percentage of inhibition exceed 50%. The evaluation of antioxidant properties using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), and ferric ion-reducing assays indicates that Ficus carica Linn. leaves methanol crude and fraction extract possess significant antioxidant properties due to its ability to scavenge free radicals and reduce ferric ions. Screening of bioactive compounds in TLC profiling indicated presence of coumarin, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and phenols in the Ficus carica Linn. leaves extract in which methanol crude and methanol fraction reveal a diverse array of compounds. Screening of bioactive compounds and the assessment of antioxidant activities determined the polarity strength of solvent for extraction as well as enhancing the understanding of the therapeutic potential of Ficus carica leaves

A Systematic Review on the Radiation Shielding Performance of Metal-Polymer Composites

Radiation usage in various sectors necessitates effective shielding materials to protect workers from ionizing radiation hazards. While lead is commonly used, its application in personal protective equipment (PPE) poses ergonomic and environmental challenges. This systematic literature review has focused on the efficacy of metal and polymer composites in shielding against photon rays. Published papers from the past decade were identified and the selected papers from 2015 to 2023 were analysed based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The paper included must be original studies, English language, published within the last ten years, and the findings of shielding properties against radiation are included. Based on this review, various metals and polymers have been integrated to explore the potential shielding efficiency of composites. As a result, multiple factors such as the metal type, particle size, metal composition, atomic number, thickness, and energy level could affect the radiation shielding ability of these composites. Metals with a high atomic number, for example, tungsten (Z = 74) have been proven to have superior shielding ability compared to metals with a low atomic number, for example, tin (Z = 50). Thus, combining multiple metals could enhance their shielding efficiency based on elevated metal composition and thickness. Nonetheless, the mechanical properties of these composites could be reduced. Higher energy levels were also associated with decreased protection against photon rays. This review would be able to provide comprehensive insights into the efficiency of metal and polymer composites in photon ray shielding for radiation protection by considering multiple factors, such as the type of metal, particle size, metal composition, atomic number of composites, thickness, and energy levels

A Comprehensive Review of Peperomia pellucida: Chemical Composition, Traditional and Pharmacological Uses, and Potential in Dermatitis Management

Peperomia pellucida has been used widely in ethnomedicine and many studies have been conducted on this plant. Locals have been using this plant in traditional medicine and consumed as food. This review summarized previous studies conducted on this plant, focusing on plant’s chemical composition, pharmaceutical and traditional uses, pharmacological activities and dermatitis management. P. pellucida contains phytochemical groups, namely alkaloids, tannins, resins, flavonoids, steroids, phenols and carbohydrates, while the nutritional and mineral profile revealed that the plant is rich in crude protein, carbohydrate and total ash content. Traditionally, this plant has been used to treat different medicinal conditions such as conjunctivitis, convulsions, fatigue, fever, headache, gout, rheumatic pains, skin diseases that include dermatitis, acnes and eczema, breast cancer and diabetic. Studies reported that the plant possesses  antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activities. The natural pharmacological activities and active compounds in P. pellucida, namely tannins, saponins and flavonoids have been shown to help in managing dermatitis. This review concludes that P. pellucida can be utilized as a promising candidate for developing new therapeutic drug for the treatment of various diseases including dermatitis

Laboratory Assessment of Cadmium, Copper, and Zinc Phytoaccumulation by Ipomoea aquatica, Peltandra virginica, and Salvinia molesta for Phytoremediation Potential

Heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems poses significant risks to biodiversity and human health. Conventional remediation methods, while effective, are often expensive and inefficient. This study explores phytoremediation—a sustainable and cost-effective alternative that uses plants to remove pollutants—as a potential solution. We assessed the accumulation capacities of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) by three aquatic plant species: Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach), Peltandra virginica (arrow arum), and Salvinia molesta (giant salvinia). Plants were acclimatized for seven days before exposure to metal solutions at concentrations of 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L, and 15 mg/L over a 20-day period under controlled laboratory conditions. Sampling was performed every four days, and metal accumulation was quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine statistically significant differences in uptake among species. I. aquatica exhibited the highest Cd accumulation (13.77 mg/L) at 15 mg/L concentration, with a removal efficiency of 89.7%. S. molesta showed the greatest Cu (57.3%) and Zn (92.6%) removal efficiencies at 15 mg/L and 10 mg/L, respectively. Statistically significant differences in metal uptake were observed at higher concentrations. These findings suggest that I. aquatica and S. molesta are potential plant for phytoremediation applications in contaminated aquatic environments. Further research is recommended to enhance their uptake mechanisms and evaluate scalability under field conditions