Workshop Publish or Perish

A workshop titled "Publish or Perish" was successfully held on March 16th, 2023. The speaker was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Salihin bin Muhamad, an experienced academician in publishing research journals from Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, and was attended by 40 postgraduate students

Review on Eurycoma longifolia Pharmacological and Phytochemical Properties

Eurycoma longifolia or Tongkat Ali is famous for its aphrodisiac property and the traditional uses range from tonic after childbirth to treating malaria. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as quassinoids, alkaloids, squalene derivatives, tirucallane-type triterpenes and biphenylneolignans. Existing research revealed that plant has potential to treat various diseases and to replace the current treatment. Purpose of this article is to evaluate and summarize the existing literatures concerning phytochemical, biological and toxicological studies of E. longifolia. It is expected that critical evaluation will be useful for researchers working o

Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of rambutan (Nappecium lappaceum L.) and its industrial usage : A mini review

Rambutan, a famous tropical fruit, contains a high concentration of bioactive chemicals. Most of the components from this plant including leaves, pulp and seed have many uses and are thought to have medicinal properties.Bioactive components or phytochemicals (such as polyphenols, flavonoids, vital minerals, and vitamins) are found in most tropical fruits, as well as their bioactivity. Thus, this review study aims to give a general description of the phytochemical contents, medicinal qualities of rambutan trees and prospective industrial applications

Characteristics, analysis, and potential applications of saponin as a biological surfactant from Nephelium lappaceum (Rambutan) leaves: A mini review

Saponins are naturally occurring glucoside compounds found in various plant species, including the leaves of the rambutan tree. With their amphipathic structure, saponins possess a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails, making them capable of lowering surface tension and exhibiting solubilizing and emulsifying properties. As the demand for synthetic surfactants in diverse applications such as detergents, cosmetics, and industrial processes continues to rise, there is some interest in exploring alternative sources of surfactants. This mini review article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the saponins, including their characteristics, qualitative and quantitative determination, and chromatography analysis methods. Furthermore, exploring the potential applications of saponins as a biological surfactant derived from rambutan leaves, highlighting their unique properties and benefits over synthetic alternatives

Comparison of three aphrodisiac plants (eurycoma longifolia, polyalthia bullata and stema tuberosa) synonymous with tongkat Ali

The indigenous people of Malaysia pioneered the use of Tongkat Ali for its aphrodisiac purposes. They gave at least three plants the common name of Tongkat Ali, including E. longifolia, P. bullataand S. tuberosa. Since E. longifoliais the most widely used root of the three, it has undergone extensive research compared to P. bullataand S. tuberosa. Proteins found in E. longifoliahave been proven to be the aphrodisiac bioactive constituent. Parameters such as pH level, moisture content, heavy metal content and microbial load were compared between all three roots after aqueous extraction under reflux, followed by quantitative protein assay, SDS PAGE and HPLC. The pH and moisture content of the extracts were within the acceptable ranges of 5% to 6% and 3% to 7% (w/w), respectively; additionally, no heavy metals were found. Microbes, which were initially detected, were undetectable once a decontamination step was introduced during the treatment. The protein yield for E. longifolia, P. bullataand S. tuberosawere 0.014%, 0.008% and 0.006% (w/w), respectively, and the SDS PAGE provided a single band within the range of 10 to 20 kDa molecular weight. The HPLC of Eurycomanone, a common quassinoid compound, was found in E. longifoliabut not in the other two Tongkat Ali. In conclusion, the three plants investigated possess several physicochemical differences but share the same protein, likely contributing to their aphrodisiac activity

Glycoprotein isolated from eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) is capable of boosting testosterone levels in leydig cells

Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) is renowned for its aphrodisiac potential, and its active constituent has been presumed to be a protein and more likely a glycosylated protein. In this study, the ability of the glycoprotein to increase testosterone hormone levels was investigated. The dried root powder of the plant was extracted using water under reflux. The protein fraction was separated using size-exclusion chromatography and subjected to SDS-PAGE analysis. Thereafter the protein fraction was isolated from its glycoprotein using a lectin column. Finally, TM-3 Leydig cells were treated with the isolated glycoprotein fraction (50 µg/mL). The extraction yielded 14.3% w/w protein and the SDS PAGE analysis showed a single band at approximately 20 kDa. Treatment of TM-3 Leydig cells with the glycoprotein fraction for 72 hours demonstrated an increase in testosterone levels by almost 100% (0.36 ± 0.03 nmol/L) in comparison to the untreated cells (0.18 ± 0.05 nmol/L). The findings suggested that the glycoprotein in E. longifolia root can be easily isolated because its sugar moiety can bind to a lectin affinity column. Moreover, this glycoprotein was shown to have testosterone-boosting activity. These findings identified the glycoprotein as the bioactive constituent associated with its aphrodisiac properties

Characterizing and isolating protein marker in authenticating eurycoma longifolia herbal products

Eurycoma longfolia or commonly known as Tongkat Ali has been identified as a valuable product in phytochemical industry due to its reputation in enhancing sexual properties. The proliferation of E. longfolia based herbal products renders quality control measure to be an important task. Standardization should be carried out, and currently the products are standardised to eurycomanone, the primary compound in the plant. Current research is on preliminary work in developing and isolating protein as marker compound to authenticate E. longfolia herbal products. From the market, 16 Malaysian Registered Products, 14 Malaysian Unregistered Products, 12 International Products and 8 Beverages were sampled. Eurycomanone analysis revealed that 24 or 48% of the total products contained eurycomanone while 26 or 52% did not. Protein marker analysis was commenced with Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS PAGE). The results indicated that a distinctive single protein band appeared in the SDS PAGE gel of product containing E. longfolia. Further inspection by 2 dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) revealed that E. longjfolia consisted of four proteins, with similar molecular weight, but differed by isoelectric point. The four proteins were denoted as Marker A, B, C and D. Marker A was chosen as the ultimate marker as it was consistently presented in products containing E. longfolia. The presence and quantity of eurycomanone and Marker A in products containing E. long jfolia was comparable with minor exception for four products (C I, C4, C7, and C21). Marker A was isolated using subsequent size exclusion chromatography and anion exchange chromatography. The purity of Marker A was proven by the appearance of single spot in 2DE gel, with the same electrophoretic profile of Marker A in E. longfolia extracts. Marker A then characterized by MALDI TOF MS and partially sequenced using de novo sequencing method. Marker A consisted of 22 amino acids. This study has led to the isolation of homogenous protein that can be utilized as novel and comparable marker to the chemical marker; eurycomanone, to authenticate E. longfolia products. Being a protein, subsequently an antibody can be developed and incorporated into biosensor device

Determination of thermal oxidation marker of frying palm oil in relation to total polar compounds

Thermally oxidized oil such as recycled cooking oil and repeatedly used oil were reported to impose deleterious effect to health.In light of the presence of those oils in the market and food preparation process,this study was carried out to differentiate between fresh and thermally oxidized oil and propose parameter that can replace total polar compounds(TPC),the international standard in determining oil degradation status but it is time consuming. In this study,samples were fresh oil,oil subjected to controlled heating and frying in the laboratory at 180 °C to 200 °C for 6 hr and waste oils collected from various food outlets.The differences between fresh and thermally oxidized oil were evaluated based on several parameters;total polar compounds(TPC),fatty acids composition,short chain fatty acids,trans fatty acid, iodine value (IV),free fatty acids (FFA)content,adsorption at 233 and 269 nm under ultra violet (UV)spectrum and oil color.Results showed that fresh and thermally oxidized samples had significantly different level of total polar compound.Color index or absorption at 420 nm showed good correlation(r= 0.848)to TPC but depended on frying parameter especially the food medium.Thermally oxidized oil had decrease in unsaturated fatty acids and increase in saturated fatty acids content.No trans fatty acid was detected in all samples. Short chain fatty acid, the octanoic acid(C8:0)only present in thermally oxidized oil,with correlation of r= 0.750 to TPC.Free fatty acids level showed good correlation(r= 0.863)to TPC but depended on frying parameter especially the moisture content.Iodine value showed acceptable correlation(r = 0.5602)to TPC, however no significant difference between fresh and thermally treated oil.Absorption at 233 and 269 nm, showed correlation of r= 0.8469 and r= 0.8295 to TPC respectively. The presence of octanoic acid(C8:0)was proposed to be used as marker component to differentiate between fresh and thermally oxidized oil as it only present in the later,with simple analytical procedure to be applied as routine analysis and showed good correlation with total polar compounds (r= 0.750)

Detection and Quantification of Eurycomanone Levels in Tongkat Ali Herbal Products

Tongkat Ali is most famous for its aphrodisiac property and has gained reputation worldwide. Due to this, Tongkat Ali products are in demand and can be obtained in various forms. The quality of these products is not often authenticated. As Malaysia is one of the major producing countries of Tongkat Ali products, this study adapted a method which is used to determine the quality of Tongkat Ali products in the market. The quality of those products is based on the level of eurycomanone, the major compound in Tongkat Ali and the level should be around 0.8-1.5 w/v (%). A total of 41 products were obtained internationally and from Malaysia, with different pharmaceutical dosage, single or combined formulation. Those products were analyzed for eurycomanone content using HPLC, C18 column with acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase. The result indicated that 24 of the products contained eurycomanone. Eleven out of the 24 products complied (0.84-8.48% w/v) with the criteria set by Malaysian Standard and 9 of the products even have the eurycomanone level above (1.6-8.48% w/v) the set criteria. It was observed no urycomanone was detected in some products even though the products have been registered with Malaysian herbal regulatory body, National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau (NPCB). In conclusion, this study suggests that the eurycomanone level should be utilized as a mandatory regulatory parameter for Tongkat Ali herbal preparation in the market besides the current parameters; microbial load and heavy metal contents alon

Preliminary development of enterprising Tongkat Ali herbal capsule authenticated to be original by Universiti Malaysia Pahang scientists

Eurycoma longifolia is widely known for its aphrodisiac properties. Due to this, abundant of the E. longifolia based products are sold in the market without any specific regulation. To control the quality and authentication of E. longifolia product, the common marker used to authenticate E. longifolia is eurycomanone. This project is to develop E. longifolia product according to Malaysian Standard as well as to obtain approval of MAL number from National Pharmaceutical Regulations Agency (NPRA). HPLC analysis has been used as quantitative and qualitative analysis to determine the presence and quantity of eurycomanone content in water extract of E. longifolia derived Tongkat Ali Capsules by Indigenous People (TAC-IP) and Tongkat Ali Capsule in House Formulation (TAC-IHF). TAC-IP is herbal capsules manufactured by the indigenous people of Kampung Bukit Cermin, Perak without NPRA approval and sold to customers for the past 15 years. While TAC-IHF is a prototype manufactured in this project specifically to be standardized and tested prior to NPRA registration fulfillments. The result indicated the quantity of eurycomanone in E. longifolia root water extract is 1.24 (w/w) %. The formulation of TAC-IHF has been done by standardizing the percentage of eurycomanone content into 0.80 w/w %. This percentage was chosen as it is in accordance to the Malaysian Standard which stated to be in the range of 0.8 - 1.5 w/w% of eurycomanone. The formulation of TAC-IHF was to adopt the method used by the Indigenous people i.e. by sieving the powdered root. Several requirements of NPRA was fulfilled which is heavy metal test, microbial load test, uniformity of weight test and labeling process. Besides that, the additional test was conducted which is uniformity of eurycomanone content in each capsule by HPLC. It was conducted to gauge the percentage of eurycomanone in each capsule to be similar. Lastly, a survey to investigate the acceptance and effectiveness of TAC-IP was carried out. The proposed method and analyzing showed TAC-IHF to be standardized and in accordance to the Malaysian standard and partially fulfilled requirements of NPRA. Next, the powdered material weighing 1.5kg was submitted to Dong Foong Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (hired contract manufacturer) for the MAL number approval. After a series of documentation, GMP capsulation, testing and many more procedures the manufactured capsules submitted to NPRA. Currently, the capsules obtained clearance at early phases and pending MAL number approval