Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Sago (Metroxylon Sagu) via auto claving method

Sago (metroxylon sagu) is a polysaccharide bio resource, which is biodegradable and low in toxicity that can be found in large scale in Mukah, Sarawak. A simple green method of synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been developed using sago dissolved in water as the reducing agent. The mixture of dissolved sago and silver nitrate (AgNO3) were autoclaved at 121 °C for 20 minutes. The size, morphology and structures of the AgNPs formed in the sago solution were investigated through UVVis spectrophotemeter, XRD and FESEM analysis. The synthesized AgNPs were spherical in shape and well distributed with average particle sizes of 19.3 ± 2.7 n

Membraneless enzymatic biofuel cell powered by starch biomass

This present work reports on an eco-friendly and membraneless enzymatic biofuel cell (EBFC) with direct utilization of starch as biofuel. This study examines the compatibility of Metroxylon Sagu (Sago) starch to be used as a substrate in the production of biofuel in EBFC via enzymatic hydrolysis, which has not yet been explored. The hydrolysis is adapted from the idea of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF), which is widely used in another biofuel production. Alpha-amylase (ĮAmy) and glucoamylase (Gamy) enzymes (1:1 ratio) are used simultaneously in the hydrolysis process of Sago to produce glucose. Membraneless EBFC makes the biofuel cell less bulky and reduces the cost. The presence of glucose after the hydrolysis process was identified using the DNSA method. Meanwhile, the catalytic currents have been successfully observed in the cyclic voltammetry analysis to confirm the redox reaction. Furthermore, the electrochemical performances of the membraneless EBFC were evaluated in terms of the open circuit voltage (OCV) and the maximum power density. All the measurements were carried out with a potentiostat. The best catalytic currents of an EBFC employing 1.5% (w/v) concentration of Sago substrate and 200 l of enzymes and present a maximum power density of 39.3 W cm-2 and an OCV of 0.32 V. The results proved that the direct use of Sago in EBFC successfully produces biofuel and thus generates electricity. Membraneless EBFC is a potential candidate for low-powered implantable and wearable devices

Direct energy conversion from metroxylon sagu via multienzyme catalysis in enzymatic biofuel cell

Biomass substrates have been used extensively in the production of biofuel by the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) method. Biomass sources from the plant are preferable to produce biofuel because of the high sugar content. Adapting the SSF method, this work reported on the direct energy conversion from Metroxylon sagu via multienzyme catalysis in an enzymatic biofuel cell (EBFC). Metroxylon sagu locally called Sago is an industrial crop mainly found in Mukah, Sarawak. Sago is a type of starch that consists mainly of amylose and amylopectin structures. In this study, the polysaccharides are converted to glucose using alpha-amylase (α-amylase) and glucoamylase (GAmy) enzymes. The factors influencing the multienzyme catalysis, such as the substrate concentration, enzymes loading, pH and time, were varied to obtain the optimized condition for glucose production. The results of the glucose content using a microplate reader indicate that glucose was successfully produced via multienzyme catalysis. The oxidation of glucose employed in the EBFC was confirmed by the cyclic voltammogram (CV) analysis. The performance of EBFC was also assessed based on its maximum power density (MPD) and open circuit voltage (OCV) values. This multienzyme catalysis simplifies the multi-step process involved in converting polysaccharides to glucose

GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING SAGO (METROXYLON SAGU) VIA AUTOCLAVING METHOD

Sago (metroxylon sagu) is a polysaccharide bio resource, which is biodegradable and low in toxicity that can be found in large scale in Mukah, Sarawak.  A simple green method of synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been developed using sago dissolved in water as the reducing agent. The mixture of dissolved sago and silver nitrate (AgNO3) were autoclaved at 121 °C for 20 minutes. The size, morphology and structures of the AgNPs formed in the sago solution were investigated through UV-Vis spectrophotemeter, XRD and FESEM analysis. The synthesized AgNPs were spherical in shape and well distributed with average particle sizes of 19.3 ± 2.7 nm. ABSTRAK: Sago (Pokok Rumbia) adalah sumber bio polisakarida yang bioterurai dan rendah ketoksikan yang boleh didapati dalam skala yang besar di Mukah, Sarawak. Satu kaedah hijau yang mudah untuk mensintesis nanopartikel perak telah dihasilkan dengan menggunakan sagu yang larut dalam air sebagai ejen penurunan. Campuran sagu yang dilarutkan dan perak nitrat (AgNO3) telah autoklaf pada suhu 121°C selama 20 minit. Saiz, morfologi dan struktur nanopartikel perak yang terhasil di dalam larutan sago telah disiasat melalui analisis spektrofotometer UV-Vis, XRD dan FESEM. Nanopartikel perak yang dihasilkan adalah berbentuk bulat dengan purata saiz partikel 19.3 ± 2.7 nm

Carotenoid content and composition in 20 medicinal plant species of traditional Malay midwifery postnatal bath

Today in Malay community, midwifery traditional knowledge of herbal medicine has disappeared and extinct. The facts are Malay midwives are becoming rare and the more crucial is medicinal plants are over-harvested. The aim of this research is to identify and investigate the active pharmaceutical ingredients content in 20 selected species used in the Malay traditional bath. There is a solid need to analyse the potential of these natural bioactive compounds,particularly carotenoids to be fully utilised and commercialised especially in halal market and health advantages.Through High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, all 20 species were found to have at least four individual carotenoid pigments with a relatively high concentration of lutein and β-carotene and lower concentrations of zeaxanthin. Strobilanthes crispus (Pecah Kaca) leaf was detected to have the highest total carotenoid content (1546.80±283.45 μg/g DW) while Psidium guajava (Jambu Batu) shoot has the lowest total carotenoid content (112.9±82.2 μg/g DW). The significant outcome of the research was a new findings of new natural bioactive compound sources as health promoting agents which covers not only the Shariah requirement, but also safety aspects. Moreover, it will preserve the traditional knowledge of Malay traditional bath practices