MICROWAVE ASSISTED EXTRACTION; PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF MALAYSIAN PALM OIL TRUNK EPIPHYTES FERNS

Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate the, total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity and functional group of epiphytes ferns grows on the Malaysian palm oil trunk (MPOTEF): that includes Nephrolepis biserrata (NBF), Davallia denticulata (DDF), Asplenium longissimum (ALF), Gonioplebium percussum (GPF), Stenochlaena palustris (SPF), Vittaria elongata (VLF) and Vittaria ensiformis (VSF).Methods: For extraction, microwave oven assisted method was used. TPC was determined by following the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method and TFC was determined using aluminium chloride colorimetric assay. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH-scavenging assay methods.Results: All the ferns exhibited good results of TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity. SPF showed highest TPC and TFC in aqueous extracts; 639.4 mg/g and 172.71 mg/g respectively, and the same result showed in ethanol extracts; 271.61 mg/g and 174.54 mg/g, respectively. SPF also giving scavenged the free radicals 94.85% in aqueous extract while 98.17% in ethanol extract. The brine shrimp cytotoxicity revealed DDF having the strongest result (130µg/ml (dry mass) in ethanol extract as compared to in water extract and other species. The FTIR indicated the presence of alcohols, phenols, amine, alkanes, alkenes, alkyl halides, carbonyl, nitro compounds, acid, ether and ester in different species and extracts. Prediction Activity Spectra of Substances (PASS) program for SPF extract showed the most probable activities are antioxidant, lipid peroxidase inhibitor and radical scavengers. Conclusion: All the ferns showed active toxicity in ethanol extract whereas inactive in the water extracts except SPF. Amongst them, SPF shows its capability as a natural antioxidant source appears to be an alternative to synthetic antioxidants. It can be seen from the results of PASS for SPF extract that most probable activities are antioxidant, lipid peroxidase inhibitor and radical scavengers supported by cytotoxicity and FTIR results. Thus, the present approach can be very useful in fern prediction activity according to their required properties.Keywords: Epiphytes fern, Palm oil, Total phenolic compound, Total flavonoid compound, Antioxidant activity, Brine shrimp lethality test, FTIRÂ

Determination of Level of Food Additives in Labisia pumila (LP) Beverages Consumed in Kuantan, Malaysia

The content levels of several food additives (gallic acid, benzoic acid and caffeine) in commercial Labisia pumila (LP) beverage samples in Kuantan, Malaysia were determined by high performances liquid chromatography (HPLC). These analytical measurements were undertaken primarily to assess the compliance of content levels of the investigated food additives and their daily intake doses with permissible levels. The results obtained from this study indicated that the average levels of GA, caffeine and benzoic acid in the analyzed beverages were 37.62-229.35 ppm, 43.46 -168.00 ppm and 98.10-241.13 ppm, respectively. In addition, the concentrations of these food additives have been converted into daily intake doses based on beverage consumption. It was estimated that the mean daily intake of GA, caffeine and benzoic acid  by the adult population of Kuantan through the consumption of the analyzed beverages  were 0.39 mg/kg body weight/day for GA, 0.59 mg/kg body weight/day for caffeine (19.6 % ADI) and 0.43 mg/kg body weight/day for benzoic acid (8.6%ADI). None of the analyzed beverage sample was found to violate the current legal limits as stipulated in Malaysian food regulation

Quality analysis of meats using FTIR spectroscopy, colour spectrophotometer, texture analyser and physical image analysis

Assessment methods of meat such as physicochemical analyses and microbial techniques are laborious and time-consuming. A rapid and non-destructive quality analysis method of meat is needed and important to satisfy consumer demand. This study aims to implement FT-IR spectroscopy, colour spectrophotometer, texture analyser and physical image analysis to analyse the quality of raw, boiling and roasting meat. The FT-IR analysis revealed the functional group for proteins, triglycerides, fatty acids and carbohydrates with different intensities mostly focused at 3300 cm-1, 2967 cm-1, 1639 cm-1, 1546 cm-1, 1453 cm-1. Colour parameters showed slight alterations and partial degradation of some proteins in meat was observed. L*, a* and b* for raw meats decreased, L* and b* for boiled and roasted meats increased, and a* decreased. The texture analysis shows significant different tenderness of meats and even cooking methods. Tenderness of raw meats decreased while the cooked meats increased from the first until the fifth day. The image analysis shows no significant changes in the meat textural surface. The findings show that the quality of cooked meats was better than raw meats. The assessment methods applied can evaluate the quality of meats and provide additional information on the physical changes of meat composition and structure

Development and evaluation of polyherbal formulation for memory enhancement: study on its antioxidant properties and synergistic effects

Centella asiatica, Piper sarmentosum and Morinda citrifolia is well-known for their memory enhancement contribution from traditional practices as well as recent researches. However, all three herbs are utilized individually and never mixed together. The nutrient data on the synergistic effect on all three herbs remain scarce. The aims of this research project were to apply Simplex-centroid mixture design in describing the study for the effect of polyherbal formulation on antioxidants properties and its synergistic effects. Based on results obtained, there was a significant difference in antioxidant properties of the polyherbal formulation. The results show the polyherbal formulation 3 and 13 (M. citrifolia only) has the highest antioxidant capacity when being tested with total phenolic content (TPC) (210.10 and 209.12 μg GAE/mL respectively) and 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (42.94 and 37.77%) assays. Contradict to this result, the highest in total flavonoid content (TFC) and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) for describing antioxidant properties are formulations 1 and 11 (C. asiatica only). The TPC for formulation 1 and 11 are 479.8 μg RE/mL and 470 μg RE/mL respectively while ABTS radical inhibition for formulation 1 and 11 are 64.53% and 60% respectively. For ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay, formulation 7 (2.11 μg FSE/mL) is the highest which have 1:1:1 ratio of each herb. In addition, TPC, TFC, and DPPH assays showed high antioxidant activities when only single herbs were added into the formulation. Meanwhile, ABTS and FRAP are prone to binary polyherbal formulation. Hence, this study showed an antagonism effect instead of synergistic effect since single formulation exhibited the highest for TPC, TFC and DPPH. All tests gave the lowest antioxidant properties when the mix was ternary polyherbal formulation

Determination of Level of Food Additives in Labisia Pumila (LP) Beverages Consumed in Kuantan, Malaysia

The content levels of several food additives (gallic acid, benzoic acid and caffeine) in commercial Labisia pumila (LP) beverage samples in Kuantan, Malaysia were determined by high performances liquid chromatography (HPLC). These analytical measurements were undertaken primarily to assess the compliance of content levels of the investigated food additives and their daily intake doses with permissible levels. The results obtained from this study indicated that the average levels of GA, caffeine and benzoic acid in the analyzed beverages were 37.62-229.35 ppm, 43.46 -168.00 ppm and 98.10-241.13 ppm, respectively. In addition, the concentrations of these food additives have been converted into daily intake doses based on beverage consumption. It was estimated that the mean daily intake of GA, caffeine and benzoic acid by the adult population of Kuantan through the consumption of the analyzed beverages were 0.39 mg/kg body weight/day for GA, 0.59 mg/kg body weight/day for caffeine (19.6 % ADI) and 0.43 mg/kg body weight/day for benzoic acid (8.6%ADI). None of the analyzed beverage sample was found to violate the current legal limits as stipulated in Malaysian food regulation

Application of statistically simplex-centroid mixture design to optimize the TPC and TFC on the proportion of polyherbal formulation used by jakun women

The objectives of this study were to model the extraction of Total Phenolic (TPC) and Flavonoid Content (TFC) from mixtures of Cnestis palala, Urceola micrantha, Labisia pumila and Microporus xanthopus and to determine the optimal formulation of the herbal mixture. The dried plant materials were extracted using hot boiling water extraction procedure. Samples (0.1 g) were infused in 200 mL boiling distilled water (100°C), stirred for 3 min using a magnetic stirrer, left to cool for 5 min and filtered using filter paper. Folin-Ciocalteu method and aluminium colorimetric method were used for measurement of TPC and TFC. About 24 formulations of herbal mixture were generated by using Design-Expert 9.0 Software. Quadratic and linear model were found to be the best model for describing the relationship between the proportion of polyherbs with the TPC and TFC. The optimal formulations were validate experimentally. The highest TPC and TFC were shown by single formulation of C. palala. The experiments reported in current study demonstrated that the application of statistical mixture design is an efficient tool to analyse the optimal formulation of herbal mixture

IN VITRO ANTI-ACETYL CHOLINESTERASE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SELECTED MALAYSIAN PLANTS

Objective: The aim of this study is to discover and identify the potential plant extracts that could be vital against Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the brain. The most promising target for the symptomatic treatment and slowing of AD progression is cholinesterase inhibitors from plants. Methods: To evaluate the antioxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChEI) activities leaves and roots were macerated and refluxed with ethanol extracts, from four medicinal plants, namely; C.asiatica, M.pudica, C.pumila, and L.camara. DPPH and β-carotene assays were used to determine antioxidant activity; whereas Ellman's colorimetric method was adopted to quantify AChEI activity. Results: The refluxed ethanol extract of M.pudica leaves exhibited the highest AChEI activity (IC50 = 0.047 mg/ml) and high antioxidant activity (β-carotene; IC50 = 0.14 mg/ml and DPPH; IC50 = 0.012 mg/ml). Conclusion: Results reveal that all plant extracts studied possess anti-oxidant properties. Most potent extracts could be a lead to novel antioxidants and acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors, for the treatment of AD. Keywords; Alzheimer's disease (AD); Acetylcholinesterase activity; Antioxidant activity; β-carotene; DPPH; Medicinal plants

Comparison of phytochemicals, antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activity of unripe and ripe fruit of sonneratia caseolaris

Sonneratia caseolaris, also known as mangrove apple produces the edible fruit which can be found mainly on tidal mud in mangroves area. Since this fruit is considered as underutilized fruit as it is not fully discovered for its potential health benefits and not fully commercialized, hence this study aimed to determine the phytochemicals contents (i.e. total flavonoid, phenolic, anthocyanins and carotenoids contents), antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activity of different parts (flesh and stem cap) of the unripe and ripe fruit extracts. Phytochemicals, antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities were determined using standard methods of spectrophotometric analysis. The flesh part of unripe S. caseolaris displayed the highest total phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid contents as compared to the other parts in 80% methanol extract with the values of 67.67±0.10 mg (GAE/g), 37.06±0.30 mg (RE/g) and 5.41±0.10 mg (BC/100 g), respectively. The flesh part of unripe S. caseolaris in 80% methanol extract exhibited the best antioxidant properties in three different assays (i.e. DPPH, FRAP and ABTS) with the values of 98.32±0.28%, 67.72±0.74 mmol/g and 91.24±1.23 mg/g, respectively. The acetylcholinesterase inhibition also was found to be higher in the flesh part of unripe 80% methanol S. caseolaris extract with 47.18±0.68% at the concentration of 250 µg/mL. Therefore, utilization of this fruit as natural antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition sources may develop new pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products

Comparison of nutrients uptake in different varieties of rice in Pakistan

The objective of this research was to determine the uptake of different elements (K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Co, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni) which are used as nutrients by the rice crop. Different types of rice seeds KSK-282, KSK-134, BAS-515, IR6, BAS-2000, KSK-133 and super-BAS were collected from National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Islamabad Pakistan and grown in different plastic pots containing soil under the same condition. Ten days old immature plants of different varieties of rice were dried and their roots were separated from the whole plants. The dried roots were ground into fine powder followed by acid digestion (HNO , H SO and 3 2 4 HClO ) solution in a ratio of (5:1:0.1) individually. After digestion the solutions were filtered and the filtrates 4 were diluted by adding distilled water. The diluted solutions of all the above mentioned varieties of rice were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) for nutrients (K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Co, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni) concentration. The different values obtained from AAS had shown that some rice varieties had taken up nutrients (elements) in large amount (e.g., KSK-134 had taken up maximum Fe while KSK-133 had taken up minimum) as compared to other varieties. Similarly, several verities absorbed comparatively minimum concentration of elements. The results obtained in this research work clearly indicated that the absorption of these elements from the soil was dependent on the rice variety (e.g., BAS-2000 absorbed maximum Mg while minimum Super-BAS). Interestingly most of the rice vaities had absorbed the beneficial elements in large quantity as compared to other toxic elements

The effect of coating condition and aqueous phase composition on the performance of thin film composite reverse osmosis flat sheet membranes

Thin film composite (TFC) layers are formed using interfacial polymerization reaction between an aqueous phase and organic phase on membrane supports. In the preparation of thin film composite membrane, there are many interfacial reaction factors that influence the membrane performance, amongst them are dipping time, curing temperature and composition of aqueous phase. Thus in this project these factors were studied in two stages. In the preliminary stage, the effect of dipping time and curing temperature on the performance of TFC membrane were evaluated using two different kinds of polymer membrane supports, cellulose acetate and polysulfone. Initial results revealed that dipping time does not affect the performance of TFC membranes especially rejection rate but curing temperature have significant influence. Curing temperature ranging from 40??C to 100??C was used during the interfacial reaction process. Cellulose acetate TFC membranes cured at 60??C exhibited highest rejection rate of 76% whilst polysulfone TFC membranes cured at 80??C showed not only highest rejection rate of 80% but also excellent flux rates. Since polysulfone TFC membranes showed superior performance compared to cellulose acetate, it is chosen for the second stage of the experiment. In this stage, a systematic experimental design based on the response surface methodology was used to identify the significant interfacial reaction factors which influence the membrane performance. The factors considered were the composition of aqueous phase that includes the ratio of m-phenyldiamine to hydroquinone as monomer, percent of tetrabutylammonium bromide as a catalyst and percent of sodium hydroxide as an acid acceptor. Rejection and flux rates were the response variables investigated. The experimental results indicate that the proposed mathematical model suggested could adequately describe the performance indicators within the limits of the factors that are being investigated