Development of an inhibitive enzyme assay for copper

In this work the development of an inhibitive assay for copper using the molybdenum-reducing enzyme assay is presented. The enzyme is assayed using 12-molybdophosphoric acid at pH 5.0 as an electron acceptor substrate and NADH as the electron donor substrate. The enzyme converts the yellowish solution into a deep blue solution. The assay is based on the ability of copper to inhibit the molybdenum-reducing enzyme from the molybdate-reducing Serratia sp. Strain DRY5. Other heavy metals tested did not inhibit the enzyme at 10 mg l(-1). The best model with high regression coefficient to measure copper inhibition is one-phase binding. The calculated IC50 (concentration causing 50% inhibition) is 0.099 mg l(-1) and the regression coefficient is 0.98. The comparative LC50, EC50 and IC50 data for copper in different toxicity tests show that the IC50 value for copper in this study is lower than those for immobilized urease, bromelain, Rainbow trout, R. meliloti, Baker's Yeast dehydrogenase activity Spirillum volutans, P. fluorescens, Aeromonas hydrophilia and synthetic activated sludge assays. However the IC50 value is higher than those for Ulva pertusa and papain assays, but within the reported range for Daphnia magna and Microtox assays

Integrasi Transportasi Publik, Bandar Udara dan Pelabuhan, Mendukung Peningkatan Industri Jasa Transportasi dan Pergudangan Indonesia

PP No.69 Tahun 2001 tentang Kepelabuhanan, menyatakan pelabuhan merupakan tempat kegiatan pemerintahan dan kegiatan ekonomi serta sebagai tempat perpindahan intra dan antar moda transportasi, pelabuhan merupakan salah satu simpul kelancaran angkutan muatan laut dan darat. Keputusan Menteri Perhubungan No. 44 Tahun 2002 tentang Bandar Udara, lapangan terbang merupakan pendukung pesawat udara, penumpang, kargo dan/atau pos, serta sebagai tempat perpindahan antar moda transportasi Integrasi transportasi publik bandar udara dan pelabuhan, merupakan salah satu faktor pendukung peningkatan pembangunan serta ekonomi daerah. Teknologi pendukung integrasi semakin mudah dengan memanfaatkan industri 4.0, berupa teknologi online GIS mobile untuk memperlihatkan efektiftas integrasi transportasi publik bandar udara dan pelabuhan. Berdasarkan analisis deskriptif, peningkatan industri jasa transportasi dan pergudangan di Indonesia, didukung integrasi transportasi publik bandar udara dan pelabuhan, yang paling efektif adalah di kota Semarang, melalui bandar udara Achmad Yani dan pelabuhan Tanjung Emas yang berjarak 6,13 KM, meski kota Semarang hanya pada ke-13 industri jasa transportasi dan pergudangan di Indonesia, senilai Rp 6,032 Trilyun, namun dengan kemudahan akses antar moda transportasi publik tersebut, dipastikan pada beberapa tahun mendatang akan meningkat ekonomi daerah, khususnya dalam pengembangan industri jasa transportasi dan pergudangan Kata kunci: ekonomi daerah, industri jasa, industri transportasi, industri pergudangan, transportasi publik

The physiological responses of cacao to the environment and the implications for climate change resilience. A review

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is a tropical perennial crop which is of great economic importance to the confectionary industry and to the economies of many countries of the humid tropics where it is grown. Some recent studies have suggested climate change could severely impact cacao production in West Africa. It is essential to incorporate our understanding of the physiology and genetic variation within cacao germplasm when discussing the implications of climate change on cacao productivity and developing strategies for climate resilience in cacao production. Here we review the current research on the physiological responses of cacao to various climate factors. Our main findings are 1) water limitation causes significant yield reduction in cacao but genotypic variation in sensitivity is evident, 2) in the field cacao experiences higher temperatures than is often reported in the literature, 3) the complexity of the cacao/ shade tree interaction can lead to contradictory results, 4) elevated CO2 may alleviate some negative effects of climate change 5) implementation of mitigation strategies can help reduce environmental stress, 6) significant gaps in the research need addressing to accelerate the development of climate resilience. Harnessing the significant genetic variation apparent within cacao germplasm is essential to develop modern varieties capable of high yields in non-optimal conditions. Mitigation strategies will also be essential but to use shading to best effect shade tree selection is crucial to avoid resource competition. Cacao is often described as being sensitive to climate change but genetic variation, adaptive responses, appropriate mitigation strategies and interactive climate effects should all be considered when predicting the future of cacao production. Incorporating these physiological responses to various environmental conditions and developing a deeper understanding of the processes underlying these responses will help to accelerate the development of a more resource use efficient tree ensuring sustainable production into the future

Review of Functional Markers for Improving Cooking, Eating and the Nutritional Qualities of Rice

After yield, quality is one of the most important aspects of rice breeding. Preference for rice quality varies among cultures and regions; therefore, rice breeders have to tailor the quality according to the preferences of local consumers. Rice quality assessment requires routine chemical analysis procedures. The advancement of molecular marker technology has revolutionized the strategy in breeding programs. The availability of rice genome sequences and the use of forward and reverse genetics approaches facilitate gene discovery and the deciphering of gene functions. A well-characterized gene is the basis for the development of functional markers, which play an important role in plant genotyping and, in particular, marker-assisted breeding. In addition, functional markers offer advantages that counteract the limitations of random DNA markers. Some functional markers have been applied in marker-assisted breeding programs and have successfully improved rice quality to meet local consumers’ preferences. Although functional markers offer a plethora of advantages over random genetic markers, the development and application of functional markers should be conducted with care. The decreasing cost of sequencing will enable more functional markers for rice quality improvement to be developed, and application of these markers in rice quality breeding programs is highly anticipated

Pengambilan logam berat oleh pokok daun kari (Murraya koeniggi) dalam tanih ultrabes dari Felda Rokan Barat, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Kajian ini telah dijalankan di kawasan tanih ultrabes di Felda Rokan Barat, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. Sebanyak lima belas sampel tumbuhan dan substratnya telah diambil dari kawasan kajian dengan kaedah berkelompok. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk menentukan kandungan logam berat Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn, Co, Zn, Cu, Cd dan Pb di dalam tanih dan bahagian akar, batang dan daun tumbuhan. Koefisien penyerapan biologi (BAC) ditentukan secara perkiraan. Kandungan logam berat di dalam tumbuhan diekstrak secara penghadaman basah manakala kandungan di dalam tanih diekstrak dengan kaedah pengekstrakan berjujukan. Kandungan logam berat di dalam larutan ekstrak tanih dan tumbuhan ditentukan menggunakan spektrofotometer penyerapan atom kaedah nyalaan (FAAS). Hasil kajian menunjukkan kepekatan logam berat paling tinggi dalam substrat pokok daun kari Murraya koenigi adalah Fe, diikuti oleh Mn, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cd dan Pb dengan purata kepekatan masing-masing sebanyak 1699.64 mg/kg, 532.59 mg/kg, 212.43 mg/kg, 195.02 mg/kg, 174.97 mg/kg, 48.11 mg/kg, 43.86 mg/kg, 3.65 mg/kg dan 0.48 mg/kg. Kepekatan logam berat tersedia bagi Mn dan Pb adalah lebih tinggi berbanding logam berat tersedia yang lain berdasarkan peratus. Kandungan Fe dan Mn adalah tinggi di dalam semua bahagian tumbuhan. Walau bagaimanapun, berdasarkan nilai purata kumulatif BAC, hanya logam Pb menunjukkan nilai penimbunan yang agak tinggi dalam tumbuhan. Kajian ini menunjukkan pokok daun kari (Murraya koenigi) bukan tumbuhan penumpuk logam berat berdasarkan kepada nilai BACnya yang rendah

Evaluation of antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer activities of ganoderma lucidum extracts

G. lucidum is an oriental fungus loaded with antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. G. lucidum extracts obtained by using soxhlet and Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction (UAE). The antioxidant activity determined by DPPH assay resulting in IC50 value of extract for soxhlet water 372.21μg/mL followed by soxhlet ethanol 431.00μg/mL, UAE ethanol 541μg/mL and UAE water 560.90μg/mL shown weak antioxidant properties. Well plate diffusion used for antimicrobial activity test against E. coli and S. aureus. The UAE water extract shown highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus (20-23) mm followed by soxhlet water extract (6-13) mm. The ethanol extract for both soxhlet and UAE are (5-13) mm and (4-14) mm respectively. G. lucidum extract exhibited zero inhibition zone against E. coli due to presence of barrier membrane. CCK-8 used to test anticancer activity against MCF-7 cells. The IC50 values of soxhlet ethanolic extract is 4.797 μg/mL followed by UAE ethanolic extract 5.291 μg/mL, soxhlet water extract 7.196 μg/mL and UAE water extracts 9.455 μg/mL. The lower IC50 value indicated that the extracts inhibited cell viability of MCF-7

Impact of Mg rich synthetic gypsum application on the environment and palm oil quality

A study was conducted in an oil palm plantation in Peninsular Malaysia to elucidate the effects of applying Magnesium Rich Synthetic Gypsum (MRSG), a by-product of chemical plant, on the chemical properties of soil, the uptake of heavy metals by the palm trees, the oil quality and its impact on the surrounding environment. The results showed that MRSG application onto soil cropped to oil palm could bring positive impact in terms of soil chemical properties and oil palm production. The quality of the oil was not significantly affected by the continuous MRSG application as shown by the low heavy metals and trace elements of concern content (Cu: 0.062 mg/kg; Fe: 2.10 mg/kg; Mn: 1.93 mg/kg; Pb: 0.006 mg/kg; Zn: 0.103 mg/kg; Cr: 0.354 mg/kg; Ni: 0.037 mg/kg). From the I-geochem index, the soil was found to have values ranging from -3.81 to -1.03 which is considered as uncontaminated. Further, its application did not result in negative impact on the surrounding environment; hence, the quality of the soil and surface water in the plantation and/or the surrounding area remained intact. Phytotoxic elements in the oil palm tissue (As: 0.12 mg/kg; Se: 0.05 mg/kg; Zn: 1.48 mg/kg; Ce: 0.47 mg/kg; La: 0.26 mg/kg; Sr: 3.03 mg/kg) and cytotoxic elements in the oil were below the acceptable limit. Based on the results of the Environmental Monitoring out during the period of the study, it was concluded that application of the by-product of the chemical plant as a source of Mg to enhance soil fertility in the oil palm plantation was considered safe and sustainable. The effects of applying MRSG and Chinese kieserite was almost similar. So, MRSG can be used as a possible source of Mg to replace Chinese kieserite for oil palm production on the Ultisols in Peninsular Malaysia

Influence of amang (Tin Tailing) on geotechnical properties of clay soil (Pengaruh amang timah terhadap sifat geoteknik tanih lempung)

Amang or tin tailing is commonly found in the vicinity of disused mining area and responsible in downgrading the water quality, landscape and mechanical behaviour of soils. It was generated from extraction process of separating valuable metal from particular ore. This paper presents the geotechnical characteristics of amang-contaminated clay soil. The geotechnical properties of uncontaminated soils were studied in order to compare to that of amangcontaminated soils. The base soil used in this study represents completely weathered horizon of metasedimentary rock. Meanwhile, tin tailing sample was taken from the disused mine at Sungai Lembing, Pahang. The geotechnical characterisations of base soil and contaminated soils were determined based on consistency index, compaction behaviour, hydraulic conductivity and undrained shear strength (UU tests). Contaminated soil samples were prepared by adding 5, 10 and 20% of tailing, based on dry weigh of the studied base soil. The results from the particle size distribution analysis showed that residual soil from metasedimentary rock comprised 42.6% clay, 32.2% silt and 25.2% sand whilst tailing was dominated by 98% of sand fraction. XRD analysis indicated the presence of quartz, kaolinite and muscovite minerals in the studied soil. The specific gravity of soil used is 2.67 and the pH is 3.88. Tailing found to have higher specific gravity of 3.37. The consistency index of contaminated soils showed that liquid limit, wL and plastic limit, wP decreased with the increase in the percentage of tailing added to the soil samples. The value of maximum dry density, ρ dry max increased while optimum moisture content decreased due to the increase in tailing content in soil sample. The permeability of contaminated soil also increased with the increase in tailing contents ranged from 19.8 cm/hr to 23.8 cm/hr. The undrained shear strength, Cu, of contaminated soil decreased from 646 kPa (5% of tailing) to 312 kPa (20% of tailing) suggesting that the presence of tailing has influenced the geotechnical properties on the studied soil

Contribution of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in phosphorus bioavailability and growth enhancement of aerobic rice

The phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can solubilize insoluble forms of phosphorous (P) into simple soluble forms that can be taken up by plants. The main focus of this study was to determine the effect of PSB on P availability in presence of different P rates for improved and sustainable rice (Oryza sativa L.) production under aerobic conditions. Triple superphosphate (TSP) at three levels (0, 30 and 60 kg ha�1) and two isolated PSB (Bacillus sp.) strains (PSB9 and PSB16) were tested in glasshouse conditions. Surface sterilized seeds of aerobic rice (M9 variety) were planted in plastic pots containing 3 kg of soil for 60 days. PSB strains exhibited capability of producing organic acids from soil and plant roots and increased yield of aerobic rice. Significantly, high P solubilization (28.7 mg kg�1) and plant uptake (7.94 mg kg�1) was found in PSB16 inoculated treatments at 30 kg ha�1 of P2O5. In this treatment were also observed high leaf chlorophyll content (34.57), photosynthesis rate (7.59 µmol CO2 m�2 s�1) and root development. Isolated strains showed potential to make higher availability of P and increase content of organic acids from soil and roots at lower doses of TSP in aerobic rice. With the production of organic acids (oxalic, malic, succinic and propionic) higher amounts of P in the soil solution increased plant P uptake and resulted in higher plant biomass. The application of these potential inoculants in an appropriate combination with chemical fertilizers could be considered in organic and sustainable aerobic rice cultivation system