Nutritional quality of tropical black long-spined urchin, Diadema setosum gonads: a comparative analysis between male and female gonads

Sea urchin gonads or roes are luxurious culinary and medicinal ingredient of which quality is greatly influenced by their biochemical compositions. This study aimed to assess and compare nutritional compositions between roe of male and female black long-spined urchin (Diadema setosum) inhabiting a tropical coastal area of Malaysia. The proximate nutritional composition of both male and female roe exhibited an order of protein > carbohydrate > lipid, which is contradictory to that of temperate D. setosum. Major amino acids in D. setosum roe were glycine, glutamate, aspartate, leucine and lysine whereas dominant fatty acids were C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:1 n-9; C20:4 n-6 and C20:5 n-3. The ratio of essential amino acids to non-essential amino acids; unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) to saturated fatty acids (SFA); as well as PUFA to saturated fatty acids of roe from either gender were found to be similar i.e. 0.6, 1.2 and 0.5 respectively. Prominent protein as well as AHA and EPA content suggest D. setosum roe as an interesting subject recommended for investigation as active ingredient in nutraceutical, functional food and pro-health formulations. This study is also the first to illustrate some variations between tropical and temperate species of D. setosum

Diel patterns of zooplankton community structure in nearshore waters of different substrates off Tinggi and Sibu Islands, Malaysia, with special reference to copepods

The relationship between zooplankton community structure and selected environmental conditions was investigated by simultaneous two-day consecutive sampling in the waters overlying coral and sand sites off Sibu Island and a seagrass site off Tinggi Island, Johor, Malaysia. A total of 129 taxa were identified, 60 non-copepod taxa and 69 copepod species in all samples. Uni- and multi-variate analyses reveal distinct coral, sand, seagrass copepod assemblages with indicator copepod species and attributes of their size fractions. Small fraction (100–335 μm) samples contained greatest number of individuals, few rare species and were densest at onshore depths, and the opposite for large fraction (>335 μm) samples but were densest at nighttime and most species rich in the coral site at night. Higher species diversity at offshore stations is due likely to ecotonal effects of overlapping oceanic and nearshore communities. This study demonstrates the usefulness of uni- and multi-variate analyses in identifying patterns in zooplankton community structure in representative shallow tropical habitats, and the need for accurate zooplankton taxonomy, nighttime and daytime and onshore and offshore sampling, and size fractionation of samples

Razvoj i komparativno ispitivanje bubnjeva za vršidbu riže sa gvozdenim i najlonskim letvama

Two types of threshing cylinders, namely cast iron rasp bar threshing cylinder and nylon rasp bar threshing cylinder, were developed and fitted with portable paddy thresher. Each threshing cylinder was tested for its performance in terms of threshing efficiency and grain damage at different levels of factors: concave clearance (15, 20, 25 mm), cylinder peripheral speed (11.7, 14.1, 16.5 m•s-1), grain moisture (13.5%, 16.5%, 19.5%) and feed rate (200, 400, 600 kg•h-1). Comparing the maximum threshing efficiency, minimum grain damage in different combinations was achieved at 20 mm concave clearance, 16.5 m•s-1 cylinder speed, 13.5% moisture content and at a feed rate of 600 kg•h-1. The grain damage occurred at this combination was 2.76% and 1.73% respectively, for cast iron rasp bar and nylon rasp bar threshing cylinders. The threshing efficiency occurred at this combination was 99.95% and 99.93% respectively, for cast iron rasp bar and nylon rasp bar threshing cylinders.Dve vrste vršidbenih bubnjeva, sa gvozdenim i najlonskim letvama, su razvijene i ugrađene u prenosivu vršalicu za pirinač. Kod svakog bubnja su ispitivani efikasnost vršidbe i oštećenje zrna pri različitim vrednostima: zazora (15, 20 i 25 mm), periferne brzine bubnja (11.7, 14.1 i 16.5 m•s-1), vlage zrna (13.5% , 16.5% i 19.5%) i protoka mase (200, 400 i 600 kg•h-1). Poredeći maksimalnu efikasnost vršidbe, minimum oštećenja zrna u različitim kombinacijama je postignut sa zazorom od 20 mm, perifernom brzinom bubnja od 16.5 m•s-1, vlažnošću zrna od 13,5 % i protokom mase od 600 kg•h-1. Oštećenje zrna u ovoj kombinaciji je bilo 2,76% i 1,73% redom, za gvozdene i najlonske letve. Efikasnost vršidbe u ovoj kombinaciji je bila 99,95% i 99,93% redom, za gvozdene i najlonske letve

Periphyton-based apparatus for improving aquaculture production and method preparing thereof.

A method to manufacture an apparatus for aquaculture improvement comprises the steps of providing at least one suitable construct into purified periphyton culture; growing a purified periphyton on the surface of a suitable construct until its surface coated with the periphyton; and removing the coated construct from the culture container for use. The construct is for use to improve water quality and increase growth and survival of aquatic organisms in aquaculture systems

Feeding habits of larval fishes of the family Clupeidae (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes) in the estuary of River Pendas, Johor, Malaysia.

Studies on feeding habits and seasonal variation of diet of fish larvae of family Clupeidae was conducted from October 2007 to September 2008 in the estuary of Sg. Pendas, Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia. The diet composition were grouped into seven major categories consisted of phytoplankton, zooplankton, plant-like matter, debris, fragment of copepod, algae and unidentified food items. The most predominant food items in the gut of clupeids was phytoplankton (82.53%), followed by plant-like matter (7.34%), debris (4.86%), fragment of copepods (2.69%), algae (0.92%), unidentified items (0.77%) and zooplankton (0.54%)

Physical water quality and algal density for remediation of algal blooms in tropical shallow eutrophic reservoir

This study is on physical water quality data with regards to algal bloom occurrence in a shallow eutrophic reservoir in Malaysia. Some of the important physical parameters emphasized for future remedial studies for the Semberong Dam, a tropical reservoir, are dissolved oxygen, temperature and light intensity. The use of Planktothrix culture as a dominant algae or a mixed culture with a spike of this dominant algae is suggested for remedial study. Other in?uencing factors for consideration are food-web interaction such as in?uence of macrophytes; metereological mainly climatic features, wind-?ows and rainfall; as well as hydrological factors such as water in?ows, lake size and depth, catchment area apart from human and agricultural activities effecting algal bloom formation

Physical Water Quality and Algal Density for Remediation of Algal Blooms in Tropical Shallow Eutrophic Reservoir

Papers reported in the 9th International Symposium on \u22Novel Carbon Resource Sciences\u22 Nov. 2-3, 2012This study is on physical water quality data with regards to algal bloom occurrence in a shallow eutrophic reservoir in Malaysia. Some of the important physical parameters emphasized for future remedial studies for the Semberong Dam, a tropical reservoir, are dissolved oxygen, temperature and light intensity. The use of Planktothrix culture as a dominant algae or a mixed culture with a spike of this dominant algae is suggested for remedial study. Other influencing factors for consideration are food-web interaction such as influence of macrophytes; metereological mainly climatic features, wind-flows and rainfall; as well as hydrological factors such as water inflows, lake size and depth, catchment area apart from human and agricultural activities effecting algal bloom formation

Extracts from microalgae for use in cancer treatment

The present invention relates to crude extracts derived from the microalgae Chaetoceros calcitrans prepared by the use of ethanol or ethyl acetate, which are effective in the treatment, prevention and/or delay of progression of a proliferative disease. Preferably the extracts of the present invention are for use in the treatment, prevention and/or delay of progression of cancer, such as breast cancer. The invention furthermore describes medicaments and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive extracts of Chaetoceros calcitrans. Also method for preparing extracts of Chaetoceros calcitrans are provided, which include the use of solvents, such as ethanol and ethyl acetate

Physical Water Quality and Algal Density for Remediation of Algal Blooms in Tropical Shallow Eutrophic Reservoir

This study is on physical water quality data with regards to algal bloom occurrence in a shallow eutrophic reservoir in Malaysia. Some of the important physical parameters emphasized for future remedial studies for the Semberong Dam, a tropical reservoir, are dissolved oxygen, temperature and light intensity. The use of Planktothrix culture as a dominant algae or a mixed culture with a spike of this dominant algae is suggested for remedial study. Other influencing factors for consideration are food-web interaction such as influence of macrophytes; metereological mainly climatic features, wind-flows and rainfall; as well as hydrological factors such as water inflows, lake size and depth, catchment area apart from human and agricultural activities effecting algal bloom formation.Papers reported in the 9th International Symposium on "Novel Carbon Resource Sciences" Nov. 2-3, 201