Effects of soil variation between peat soil and mineral soil on fruit quality of pineapple (Ananas Comosus) cultivars: N36 and josapine

Consumption of pineapple is predicted to increase in the near future in which the demand for continuous supply of the fruit becomes of major interest. This research is focused on finding the influence of growth medium between peat soil and mineral soil to the weight and production of vitamin C and sugar contents of the pineapple fruits. Two cultivars were investigated: N36 and Josapine. The vitamin C is quantified by Iodate Titration and sugar content is analyzed by Digital Refractometer. The chemical soil properties were analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer at the Soil Analysis Section laboratory from Department Of Agriculture, Malaysia. All data were analyzed statistically through ANOVA by using SPSS. Results indicated that pineapple planted on peat soil produced heavier fruits than those in mineral soil. N36 pineapple reports no significant difference (p < 0.05) of the vitamin C content and the sweetness between different cultivation soil types. However, Josapine pineapples cultivated on mineral soil (FIMA Plantation) produce significantly 115% higher vitamin C content (19.243 ± 7.191 mg∙100g-1), and significantly 30% lower sugar content (5.403 ± 1.721% °Bx) than cultivated on peat soil (Peninsula Plantations). The finding of the soil type’s influence on the fruit quality production is beneficial for pineapple producers and researchers to broaden up the development of pineapple-based products in the long run. The promotion of pineapple nutritional contents is beneficial to increase consumers’ knowledge and awareness on the importance of pineapple consumption especially in Asian regions

Extraction and characterisation of pectin from dragon fruit (hylocereus polyrhizus) peels

Pectins are complex carbohydrate molecules that are used in numerous food applications as a gelling agent, thickener, stabiliser, and emulsifier. Dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is one of the tropical fruits that belong to the cactus family, Cactaceae. Since the peels of dragon fruit are often discarded as waste, it would be an advantage to convert it into a value-added product such as pectin. The objective of this study was to investigate the extraction of pectin from dragon fruit peels under different extraction time using hot water extraction method. The dragon fruit peels were extracted using distilled water at 80 °C with different extraction time of 20, 40, 60 and 80 min. The extracted pectin was characterised by its yield, moisture and ash content, degree of esterification and antioxidant activity. Determination of moisture and ash content was conducted using AOAC standard method. The determination of the degree of esterification of pectin was performed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). DPPH assay was used to determine the antioxidant activity of the pectin extract. Based on the result, the yield of pectin decreases (20.34 to 16.20 %) with the increase of extraction time, moisture contents were between 4 to 6 % while ash contents were between 7 to 10 %. Pectin from dragon fruit peels was determined as low methoxyl pectin and has high percentage of antioxidant activity with low value of inhibition concentration (IC50) (0.0063 to 0.0080 mg/mL). 60 min extraction sample exhibits the highest antioxidant activity (81.91 % at 40 μg/mL), followed by 80 min extraction (81.68 % at 40 μg/mL), 40 min extraction (81.38 % at 40 μg/mL) and 20 min extraction (81.31 % at 40 μg/mL)

Isolation and identification of polystyrene degrading bacteria from zophobas morio’s gut

Polystyrene (PS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) are commodity plastics widely used in many industries. The increase of PS in the environment causes ecological threats. It has been observed that the beetle larvae feed on plastic packages, and this has drawn the researcher’s attention towards the complex system within the larvae’s gut where relationships between fungi, bacteria, and the insect host have been established. The objective of this study is to isolate and identify PS-degrading microbe from super worms. The study used polystyrene as a sole carbon source to isolate the positive PS-degrading bacteria. Five bacterial colonies which showed positive growth on the modified PS-agar plate were isolated. All five colonies of the PS-degrading bacterial isolates were identified using partial 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed a close relationship between Bacillus aryabhattai and Bacillus megaterium strains. An examination via biochemical studies for distinction was implemented further. Based on the morphological characterization and taxonomic method, the isolates were identified as Bacillus megaterium. The isolates' viability was tested using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), and positive results were obtained with red-colored insoluble triphenylformazan (TPF) formed within 5 to 7 days. The isolation and identification of these bacteria from Zophobas morio’s gut may provide a promising source of a plastic degrading enzyme that can be further studied and manipulated in developing enzymatic biodegradation in plastic waste management

Cassava Peels for Alternative Fibre in Pulp and Paper Industry: Chemical Properties and Morphology Characterization

Without a proper waste management, the organic wastes such as cassava peels could result in increased amount of solid waste dump into landfill. This study aims to use non-wood organic wastes as pulp for paper making industries; promoting the concept of &lsquo;from waste to wealth and recyclable material&rsquo;. The objective &nbsp;of this study is to determine the potential of casssava peel as alternative fibre in pulp and paper based on its chemical properties and surface morphology characteristic. Quantified parameters involved are holocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, one percent of sodium hydroxide, hot water solubility and ash content. The chemical characterization was in accordance with relevant TAPPI Test, Kurscher-Hoffner and Chlorite methods. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe and determine the morphological characteristic of untreated cassava peels fibre. In order to propose the suitability of the studied plant as an alternative fibre resource in pulp and paper making, the obtained results are compared to other published literatures especially from wood sources. Results indicated that the amount of holocellulose contents in cassava peels (66%) is the lowest than of wood (70 - 80.5%) and canola straw (77.5%); however this value is still within the limit suitability to produce paper. The lignin content (7.52%) is the lowest than those of all wood species (19.9-26.22%). Finally, the SEM images showed that untreated cassava peel contains abundance fibre such as hemicellulose and cellulose that is hold by the lignin in it. In conclusion, chemical properties and morphological characteristics of cassava peel indicated that it is suitable to be used as an alternative fibre sources for pulp and paper making industry, especially in countries with limited wood resource

A Review on The Development of Panel and Membrane Sound Absorbers

Noise pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems, especially in developing countries. Noise pollution caused discomfort, dizziness, and continuous exposure to an excessive amount of it affects human health both physically and psychologically. The utilization of sound absorption material has become an effective solution in reducing or controlling this noise pollution problem. Panel and membrane material getting more attention because of its effectiveness in absorbing low-frequency sounds, more hygienic and safer to human health compared to the porous material. Therefore, the panel and membrane absorbers have been developed rapidly in various fields and also have evolved to become more designable, advanced, and efficient in absorbing sound. However, combinations of membrane or panel absorber with porous materials are still advantageous in term of sound absorption performance and even worth considering. This paper aims to provide an information and literature study on panel and membrane absorbers evolution in the past decades in terms of improving the sound quality. This paper also covers the introduction of panel and membrane sound absorption system, variations of panel and membrane absorber concepts, and factors affecting the absorption performance of the materials. From the review, material properties such as mass density, air cavity, thickness, and perforation found to influence sound absorption performances. By looking at the intensity of research and progress of panel or membrane absorber, it is predicted that there will be more development and improvement of panel and membrane absorbers. Therefore, it is essential to review the progress and development of the panel and membrane absorbers to give a better understanding of their absorption characteristics and to seek new research opportunities in the future

RNA Interference (RNAi) for plants

As we are facing global population development, strategies are required to improve agricultural production in the battle against hunger and poverty. Agricultural biotechnology provides a powerful method in combination of conventional breeding, new innovations and enhanced management of resources which improves the productivity of livestock, aquaculture, and crops. After the finding of RNA interference (RNAi), researchers have made considerable growth in improving this remarkable crop especially in defence technology. RNA interference is a vital plant growth, development and reaction regulator to various types of stresses. This technology leads to higher efficiency and potency of gene silencing, thus becoming the highly promising technology for crop improvements at a rapid rate with some advantages. Nowadays, RNAi has been widely used for the improvement in agricultural biotechnology and seems to be applicable and commercialized in other fields too

Evaluation of Lysinibacillus SP, isolated from Coptotermes curvignathus Gut, for the delignification of oil palm residues

The application of ligninolytic bacteria and enzymes is a green pre-treatment alternative in the production of paper and biofuel from oil palm residues. In this study we investigated the ability of Lysinibacillus pakistanensis isolated from termite gut in degrading the lignin component of oil palm residues. The residues were biotreated with the bacterial strain in an aerated submerged fermentation system for 7 days at 30 , pH 7 and compared with untreated control. Enzyme activities were determined using specific substrates. Peak lignin peroxidase (377.6 U/L), manganese peroxidase (218.19 U/L), and laccase (405.4 U/L) activity were recorded after 4,4, and 5 days of incubation respectively, using oil palm leaf as substrates. Lignin loss of 4.5%, 5.7% and 6.6% in oil palm leaf, oil palm trunk and empty fruit bunch respectively was achieved after treatment with the microorganism. SEM images revealed structural changes in the cell wall of the residues. Pre-treatment with this bacterial strain has promising prospects of improving the efficiency of the pulping process in an environmentally safe manner

Kajian rekabentuk dan susun atur perabot dan peralatan makmal perpaipan - satu cadangan

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk merekabentuk ruang dalaman dan susunatur perabot dan peralatan Makmal Perpaipan agar dapat digunakan secara efektif untuk menampung pelbagai aktiviti pelajar serta memenuhi keperluan keija dan flzikal mereka. Aspek-aspek yang diambilkira dalam kajian ini adalah keluasan ruang, kapasiti pelajar, jumlah perabot dan kelengkapan makmal serta aktiviti-aktiviti yang akan dilakukan di makmal tersebut. Garispanduan dan Peraturan bagi Perancangan Bangunan oleh Jawatankuasa Kecil Piawaian dan Kos bagi JPPN, Jabatan Perdana Menteri digunakan untuk mengenalpasti masalah dan panduan dalam proses merekabentuk makmal perpaipan. Pemerhatian juga telah dibuat terhadap tiga (3) buah Makmal Perpaipan iaitu di Makmal Teknologi Perpaipan , KUiTTHO, Makmal Perpaipan Akademi Binaan Malaysia, Johor Bahru dan Makmal Perpaipan Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, Jitra. Seterusnya, penilaian rekabentuk dengan menggunakan borang soalselidik dilakukan terhadap sampel terpilih iaitu 5 orang responden yang mahir dalam bidang rekabentuk dan susunatur perabot dan peralatan makmal. Hasil dapatan dianalisis menggunakan kaedah peratusan, skor min dan sisihan piawai. Daripada hasil kajian dan perbincangan, dapatan yang diperolehi menunjukkan bahawa majoriti responden bersetuju bahawa rekabentuk ruang dan susunatur perabot dan peralatan makmal tersebut telah disediakan dengan baik bagi memboleh aktiviti pengajaran dan pembelajaran dilaksanakan dengan berkesan, fleksibel dan selesa. Diharapkan hasil kajian ini dapat diguna pakai dalam ruang makmal perpaipan pada masa akan datang

Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) handsheet production from optimized biodelignification of rhynchophorus ferrugineus microbiome’s enzymes

Oil palm plantation generates massive amount of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) which source great amount of cellulose. However, wrapping this cellulose is an adhesive compound called lignin. Biodelignification process was applied to remove lignin in pulp and paper industry. Therefore, this study is focused on optimum conditions of delignification process using a combination of bacteria from Rhynchophorus ferrugineus on OPEFB. The composition of chemicals was characterized according to the TAPPI standard method and Kursher-Hoffner method. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to determine the optimum conditions of delignification process based on lignin loss of OPEFB. The optimized fiber was investigated based on mechanical properties according to TAPPI standard methods. From BBD analysis, the finest conditions for delignification were recognized to be at 35 °C in 48 h incubation time with 5 mL of 1% glucose for predicted value 54.3% compared to experimental value 52% of lignin loss as revealed by confirmatory study. The highest result of chemical analysis was recognized at run 12 (1.15%), 10 (12.35%), 4 (48.99%) and 5 (1.28%) for extractive, lignin, cellulose and ash content respectively. The tensile, burst and tear were identified as 9.93 Nm/g, 0.98 kPa.m2/g and 2.57 mN.m2/g respectively for handsheet product at optimum conditions. In conclusion, the results obtained was indicated that the delignification process via bacteria combination from R. ferrugineus is a viable alternative pulping process for pulp and paper-based industry. The delignification process on OPEFB also provides a cleaner technology process and more sustainable development for the country

Fruit quality metabolites and gene regulation in red raspberry

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