Optimization of Lipase-Catalysed Synthesis and Characterization of Kojic Acid Esters

Kojic acid ester was successfully synthesized by esterification using lipase from Pseudomanas cepacia (Amano PS) as a biocatalyst in an organic media. The reaction mixture consisted of 90 mM of oleic acid, 360 mM of kojic acid and 0.15 g Amano PS in the presence of 2 mL of acetonitrile. The mixture was incubated at temperature of 50°C for 24 hour at shaking speed of 150 rpm. Lipozyme IM, Novozym 435, Pseudomonas cepacia lipase, Aspergillus niger, Candida rugosa and Eupergit C-Lipase were tested for their suitability as the enzyme in the reaction. Among the enzymes tested, lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia gave the highest enzyme activity (0.015 yield/μg protein content) and specific activity (3.738 x 10-6 mmol ester/min/mg protein content) in the synthesis. Oleic acid was found to be the best substrate to produce the ester but must be in the presence of acetonitrile as an organic solvent. The maximum percentage yield using Pseudomonas cepacia lipase at optimal condition was 44% without removal of water from the reaction mixture. From the optimization studies, kojic acid derivatives can be synthesized from palm oil and kojic acid, by Pseudomonas cepacia lipase (Amano PS). TLC analysis showed that kojic acid ester gave an Rf value of 0.28 in the TLC plate and a retention time of 31.752 min in the gas chromatogram. The product formation and the reactant disappearance were monitored by IR spectroscopy. A strong C=O stretching of the ester at 1746 cm-1 and weak absorption peak of O-H in the unreacted kojic acid indicated completion of the esterification reaction. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis gave a molecular ion peak at m/z 478 which was due to the kojic acid ester. 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectral data confirmed the molecular structure of the kojic acid ester

Environmental management systems and product innovation in polypropylene firms towards eco-efficiency / Wan Khamaruddin Wan Musa

This thesis presents the results of a study that evaluated thirty five polypropylene firms in Malaysia regarding their potential and factual contributions to the establishment of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) IS014001:2004 for eco-efficiency. The sample includes innovations in products, environmental management program EMS ISO 14001:2004, government regulations and firms' eco-efficiencies. Finns that are successfully certified with IS014001: 2004 standard are expected to demonstrate continual improvements in their environmental performances and controls on its significant environmental impacts of its activities, products and services, and achievement of their set environmental objectives and targets. Innovation on product through the establishment of environmental management systems (EMS) is believed to be the best solution to reduce the environmental impact of industrial activities and supports firms to promote and enhance their best practices for environmental performance. Therefore, environmental programs and innovations are needed not only for eco-efficiency and environmental performances, but to meet with the global and market pressures towards sustainable businesses. This study also discusses on the environmental issues by Polypropylene (PP) products that forces firm to demonstrate the best environmental practices while differentiating in the global market. As a petroleum by product, PP contributes to oil dependency, and contribute to air, land and water pollution. Most of them are not biodegradable and remains present in landfills indefinitely. Most of the previous literature shows that the current practices by Malaysian PP firms on environmental management systems (EMS) are not adequate henceforth more complaints and campaigns to ban the products increases from all the countries in the world. This thesis approach differs from existing work as the analysis is focused on the question on how the innovation of environmental management systems encourages PP firm's eco efficiencies. Questions were segregated into four parts; environmental management system, product innovations, government regulations, and firm's eco-efficiency. The pilot study has been conducted to analyze respondents' understanding on the questions. Questions were distributed in various way to the respondents; firms was firstly contacted through phone and sought for their permission to send for the questionnaire. Questionnaires were then posted to the firms with instructions on how to fill the survey and return it via enclosed stamped envelope. The second method used is by assigning a gate keeper at each of the PP firm to distribute the questionnaires. The gatekeeper was first briefed on the questionnaire. This study uses the conceptual model by Katja Grekova (2007) Environmental innovation: determinants and performance to explore the significance of EMS and product innovation towards PP firm's eco-efficiency. Finally, this study would also like to recommend that regulatory bodies that are responsible for the protection of product, health and safety and environmental management systems should give more consideration to the opportunities of EMS innovation in general for achieving their objectives and goals. Also, the major stakeholders in setting regulations, especially consumer and environmental organizations should systematically check the positive influence of EMS innovation on firms' towards eco-efficiencies

Cultural Literacy on the Myth of Seni Barongan Kudus as a Local Wisdom Value

Tujuan penelitian ini berupaya untuk melakukan penelitian dengan judul “Literasi Budaya pada Mitos “Seni Barongan Kudus” Sebagai Nilai Kearifan Lokal”. Cerita ini mengandung nilai kearifan lokal yang menarik yang bisa dikembangkan untuk pembentukan literasi budaya lokal anak Sekolah Dasar. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah pendekatan etnografi sebagai salah satu strategi penelitian kualitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data penelitian ini menggabungkan dua metode utama, yaitu wawancara mendalam dan observasi. Teknik analisis data menggunakan model interaktif (interactive model analysis) adalah pendekatan yang umum digunakan dalam penelitian kualitatif. Dalam konteks penelitian ini, analisis data melibatkan tiga komponen pokok, yaitu reduksi data, sajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil analisis nilai-nilai kearifan lokal yang terdapat dalam cerita Seni Barongan di Kudus, dapat diambil beberapa kesimpulan: (1) kearifan dalam disiplin dan keterampilan; (2) kedamaian dan keberagaman agama; (3) penghargaan terhadap budaya lokal; (4) pemeliharaan keseimbangan alam; (5) sikap tanggap terhadap perubahan; (6) kepemimpinan yang bijaksana. Pentingnya melestarikan dan menghargai kearifan lokal, terutama melalui cerita rakyat seperti "Singo Barong" dalam Seni Barongan Kudus. Pesan moral dan budaya yang terkandung dalam cerita ini memang mencerminkan keharmonisan antara tradisi lokal dan perubahan sosial, serta pentingnya menjaga keseimbangan dalam kehidupan masyarakat. Literasi budaya tidak hanya membantu anak-anak memahami identitas bangsa Indonesia tetapi juga mempromosikan sikap toleransi dan penghargaan terhadap keberagaman budaya yang ada di seluruh nusantara.  The aim of this research is to attempt to conduct research with the title "Cultural Literacy on the Myth of "Seni Barongan Kudus" as a Local Wisdom Value". This story contains interesting local wisdom values that can be developed to form local cultural literacy in elementary school children. The research method used is an ethnographic approach as a qualitative research strategy. This research data collection technique combines two main methods, namely in-depth interviews and observation. Data analysis techniques using interactive models (interactive model analysis) are an approach commonly used in qualitative research. In the context of this research, data analysis involves three main components, namely data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of the analysis of local wisdom values contained in the story of Barongan Art in Kudus, several conclusions can be drawn: (1) wisdom in discipline and skills; (2) peace and religious diversity; (3) respect for local culture; (4) maintenance of natural balance; (5) responsiveness to change; (6) wise leadership. The importance of preserving and appreciating local wisdom, especially through folk tales such as "Singo Barong" in the Kudus Barongan Art. The moral and cultural messages contained in this story reflect the harmony between local traditions and social change, as well as the importance of maintaining balance in people's lives. Cultural literacy not only helps children understand the identity of the Indonesian nation but also promotes attitudes of tolerance and appreciation for the cultural diversity that exists throughout the archipelago

Organizational eco efficiency through environmental management system innovation

This paper is a literary review that explores on the possible significance of organizational eco‐efficiency through the establishment of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in compliance with the ISO14000 and IS017025 environmental management system standards. Organizations that are successfully certified with IS014001: 2004 standard are expected to demonstrate continual improvements in their environmental performances and controls on its significant environmental impacts of its activities, products and services, and achievement of their set environmental objectives and targets. Therefore, environmental programs and innovations are needed for not only for eco-efficiency and environmental performances, but to meet with the global and market pressures towards sustainable green technology and businesses. This paper also attempts to discuss employees’ involvements in EMS innovations and its integration in the production systems towards eco‐efficient production processes and producing substituted environmentally-friendly products, minimization of wastes and reducing environmental impacts such as pollution to the earth. Factors such as related government regulations and other requirements, and organizational compliances are also discussed to assess its implications on the EMS and the organizational performances towards green technology

Outbreak-associated Vibrio cholerae Genotypes with Identical Pulsotypes, Malaysia, 2009

A cholera outbreak in Terengganu, Malaysia, in November 2009 was caused by 2 El Tor Vibrio cholerae variants resistant to typical antimicrobial drugs. Evidence of replacement of treatable V. cholerae infection in the region with antimicrobial-resistant strains calls for increased surveillance and prevention measures

Enzymatic synthesis and characterization of palm-based kojic acid ester

Kojic acid ester was synthesized from acyl donor (fatty acid/palm oil) and kojic acid by esterification using lipase as a biocatalyst in an organic medium. Analysis of the product using GC and FTIR showed the presence of kojic acid ester. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectral data confirmed the molecular structure of the kojic acid ester. Among the enzymes tested,lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia gave the highest synthetic specific activity. Oleic acid was found to be the best substrate with which to produce the ester in acetonitrile. The optimum conditions for the synthesis of kojic acid derivatives using Pseudomonas cepacia lipase were time, 24 hr, temperature, 50oC, amount of enzyme, 0.15 g, solvent of log P = -0.33, mole ratio of 4 (kojic acid/oleic acid), with no added water, no control of water activity and oleic acid as substrate

DEGRADTION OF DIISOPROPANOLAMINE BY USING FENTON'S OXIDATION

Amines are used in the natural gas processing industries to remove acid gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide through the absorption process. Diisopropanolamine (DIPA) is one of the preferred amines for the removal of high concentration of carbon dioxide in natural gas. Absorption process units are prone to corrosion and need to undergo scheduled maintenance activity. This generates wastewater contaminated with DIPA with enhanced chemical oxygen demand (COD). In order to meet the stringent environmental regulatory limits, the wastewater must be treated prior to disposal. Studies have shown that DIPA is not readily degradable. Fenton's oxidation is one technique that is capable of degrading recalcitrant pollutants under mild conditions. This research work reports the investigations on the application of Fenton's oxidation as a new approach to degrade DIPA. The objectives ofthe present research work include testing of the efficacy of Fenton's oxidation to degrade DIPA, identification of the optimum reagents' dosages, reaction pH and temperature and to develop a kinetic model for the degradation of DIPA. All the experiments were conducted in batch mode using synthetically prepared wastewater. The results obtained show that Fenton's oxidation can be applied to degrade DIPA contaminated wastewater successfully. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to ascertain the workable range of reagents' dosages. Within these ranges, the optimum pH was identified as 2.5 using One Factor at a Time (OFAT) approach. Complete degradation of DIPA was found at several combinations of reagents dosages at the temperature of 30°C. DIPA concentration affects the rate of reaction the most, followed by concentration of hydrogen peroxide and then of ferrous ion. The apparent order of reaction determined by using integral method was found to be a second-order with respect to DIPA. This indicates that the reaction is non-elementary in nature. The apparent Arrhenius activation energy is obtained as 122 kJ/mol. A mechanism based reaction kinetic equation was developed and validated with the experimental observations. Optimum dosage ratios of reagents for total degradation of DIPA were identified as H202:DIPA of 23 and H202:Fe2+ of 77