Effect on the physico-chemical properties of liberica green coffee beans under ambient storage

Green coffee beans are stored for a certain period and under certain conditions until they are finally utilized. The storage period may depend on customer demand while the storage conditions depend on where the coffee beans are stored. Thus, this research emphasizes the physico-chemical changes that occur in Liberica coffee beans during storage under the Malaysian climate (average temperature and relative humidity of 29.33ºC and 71.75% respectively). The changes in the physico-chemical (coffee size, mass, densities, colour, proximate analysis, sucrose, chlorogenic acid content) and microbiological (yeast and mould count) properties were evaluated during eight months of storage. After the storage, the physical properties of the coffee changed as the coffee beans expanded in size, reduced in mass and density and became brighter in colour. Changes in the chemical properties were also detected where the moisture decreased and the ash content increased. In addition, the sucrose level was found to decrease with a corresponding increase in chlorogenic acid. During storage, the counts of yeast and mould were reduced. Model equations describing the changes in the properties were developed. The overall conclusion was that the coffee beans reduced in quality during storage

Detrimental effects of bisphenol A on development and functions of the male reproductive system in experimental rats

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in manufacturing industries. It is commonly detected in the environment and was reported to exert oestrogenic effects which may be harmful to the reproductive system. The present study was carried out to observe the effects of oral administration of BPA on the development of the reproductive organs and plasma sex hormone levels in prepubertal male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Prepubertal male SD rats (n=8 in each group) were administered BPA in the doses of 1, 5, 10 and 100 mg/kg BW (body weight) via oral gavage for a period of 6 weeks. The control animals received the vehicle for BPA (Tween 80 in distilled water). Following 6 weeks of BPA exposure, the rats exhibited less evidence of spermatogenesis. There was seminiferous epithelial damage which included disruption of intercellular junctions and sloughing of germ cells into the seminiferous tubular lumen. Furthermore, the lumina of the seminiferous tubules and the epididymis of these animals were filled with immature germ cells and cellular debris. This damage may lead to the significant reduction in the seminiferous tubular diameter in BPA-treated animals. These findings were associated with the significant lower plasma testosterone and 17β-oestradiol levels. There was no significant difference between the body weight gain, the absolute as well as relative testis weight or epididymal weight of BPA-treated animals when compared to the control animals. The findings provided further evidence of the detrimental effects of BPA on the male reproductive system

Alpha-tocotrienol is the most abundant tocotrienol isomer circulated in plasma and lipoproteins after postprandial tocotrienol-rich vitamin E supplementation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tocotrienols (T3) and tocopherols (T), both members of the natural vitamin E family have unique biological functions in humans. T3 are detected in circulating human plasma and lipoproteins, although at concentrations significantly lower than α-tocopherol (α-T). T3, especially α-T3 is known to be neuropotective at nanomolar concentrations and this study evaluated the postprandial fate of T3 and α-T in plasma and lipoproteins.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ten healthy volunteers (5 males and 5 females) were administered a single dose of vitamin E [526 mg palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) or 537 mg α-T] after 7-d pre-conditioning on a T3-free diet. Blood was sampled at baseline (fasted) and 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 24 h after supplementation. Concentrations of T and T3 isomers in plasma, triacylglycerol-rich particles (TRP), LDL, and HDL were measured at each postprandial interval.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After TRF supplementation, plasma α-T3 and γ-T3 peaked at 5 h (α-T3: 4.74 ± 1.69 μM; γ-T3: 2.73 ± 1.27 μM). δ-T3 peaked earlier at 4 h (0.53 ± 0.25 μM). In contrast, α-T peaked at 6 h (30.13 ± 2.91 μM) and 8 h (37.80 ± 3.59 μM) following supplementation with TRF and α-T, respectively. α-T was the major vitamin E isomer detected in plasma, TRP, LDL, and HDL even after supplementation with TRF (composed of 70% T3). No T3 were detected during fasted states. T3 are detected postprandially only after TRF supplementation and concentrations were significantly lower than α-T.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Bio-discrimination between vitamin E isomers in humans reduces the rate of T3 absorption and affects their incorporation into lipoproteins. Although low absorption of T3 into circulation may impact some of their physiological functions in humans, T3 have biological functions well below concentration noted in this study.</p

Bio-composting oil palm waste for improvement of soil fertility

Sources of bio-compost as agro-industrial wastes includes wide range of oil palm wastes viz. waste, biomass, palm kernels, empty fruit bunch, mill effluent, trunk and frond compost. Various composting processes are summarized in brief with distinct reference of oil–palm composting covering aerated static pile, and co-composting with earthworms (vermicomposting). However, in-vessel composting and windrow composting has meritorious advantages in composting. This review article refers to various significant roles played by microorganisms associated. Noteworthy study of bio-compost applications and procedures are correspondingly glosses framework of ecological, economical and agro-ecosystemic benefits

Occupational stress and personality characteristics: are they related?

Introduction : To determine association between occupational stress and personality characteristics among nurses at Maternal and Child Health Clinic in the state of Malacca, emphasizing on type of personality and personal perception of stress. Methods : A cross sectional study was conducted among 152 nurses of Maternal and Child Health Clinics in Malacca using self administered questionnaires and selected via multistage sampling. Results : This study showed that a total of 28.3% of the nurses were found to be stressed. Almost half (41.2%) of those who perceived that they were stressed were likely to be really stressed (p = 0.004). Therefore those who perceived themselves to be stressed should be referred for stress evaluation and further management if necessary. However self-perception of stress cannot be used as a screening tool for stress due to its lack of sensitivity (56.8%) and poor Positive Predictive Value (41.2%). Majority of the nurses were of Guardians Personality Type (98%) and 72.4% of them had extrovert trait. However there were no significant associations between stress with personality type or characteristic, most probably due to the preponderance of one personality type or characteristic. Other studied variables such as socio-demographic factors (age, gender, ethnicity, religion, marital status, educational level, body mass index, type of work place, position, duration of service and poverty level) and social factors (placement, chronic medical illness, chronic care taker, smoking status and alcohol drinker) were suggestive of an association between them and stress but were not statistically significant. Conclusion : There is no association between occupational stress and personal characteristics among nurses in Malacca

Orghanophosphate food poisoning in a family in Mukim Rantau, Negeri Sembilan

Organophosphates are used in large quantities around the world as agricultural pesticides. They are well documented as a cause of acute poisoning in humans including suicidal ingestion, occupational exposure and unintentional exposure through inhalation, skin absorption and ingestion. This is a report of an incident of organophosphate food poisoning in a family residing in Mukim Rantau, Negeri Sembilan. The victims (three males and one female) were aged between 32 to 60 years old. All suffered from symptoms of severe acute food poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating, confusion, headache, difficulty in breathing and muscle weakness ajier taking their dinner. The female victim died one hour after developing symptoms. The other three were admitted to the hospital. Investigation revealed 'fried lady's fingers' as a suspected source with possibility of cross contamination occurring during preparation of the meal. The suspected chemical substance was pesticide containing organophosphate, based on classical symptoms and signs of acute organophosphate poisoning, severe low levels of serum cholinesterase, good response to treatment with intravenous atropine, evidence of pesticide use in the patients' plantation, and post mortem results of organophosphate substance in the deceased's stomach content

Stres dalam kalangan penduduk dewasa luar bandar,daerah Hulu Langat,Selangor.

Background : Study of stress among adults in rural community is seldom been conducted and this study aims to see the prevelence of the stress among this group of population. Methodology : A cross sectional study was conducted to measure the prevalence of stress among the rural people in Hulu Langat District, Selangor using O`Donnell Personal Stress Inventory and coping mechanism practiced by them. Result : A total of 265 respondents through universal sampling participated in this study. The stress prevalence identified was 16.2%. The factors which have significant association with stress were age, education level, marital status, working women, duration of working per day and body mass index. Diseases such as diabetis mellitus and hypertension showed no association with stress. Preferred coping mechanism used by respondents included emotional support, instrumental support, behaviour modification and denial. Conclusion : Stress among the rural population is high in Malaysia. Measures has to be taken to reduce the stress as it can effect the general health of the people

Ontology-based generic template for retail analytics

The retail industry in Malaysia and in the world at large is growing at a fast pace.The ability to make informed decision is the key for retailers‘ survival.The wealth of customer data available for retailers is a key asset, which should provide retailers with information that guides their decisions. Retailers have not been able to use this data effectively to make better predictions on customer buying behaviour and marketing decisions because of the difficulty involved in processing large amount of data. The focus of this research is to derive a generic retail ontology template and then customize it for grocery store owners.The method used for developing thontological tool retail analytics is based on Grüninger and Fox method, which was adopted due to its simplicity yet, provides a vivid explanation of the processes involved.Our research findings show that the generic ontology template can be customized for specific purpose in data-oriented decision support systems.This paper will illustrate how the generic template can be customized to segment the customers into various categories which provide managers with interfaces to better monitor their business processes and marketing programs