Effect of the different encapsulation methods on the physicochemical and biological properties of Clitoria ternatea flowers microencapsulated in gelatin

Clitoria ternatea flowers are known as butterfly pea flowers which contain many bioactive compounds and can be found in tropical countries. However, the bioactive compounds are easily lost when exposed to various environmental conditions. Encapsulation technologies are introduced to provide maximum protection to the encapsulated bioactive compounds. The main objectives of this study were to determine the physicochemical properties of C. ternatea flowers encapsulated in gelatine prepared using different encapsulating methods and the microbiological properties of the best encapsulating methods for C. ternatea flowers with gelatine. In this study, the moisture contents for ultrasonic spray dried powders recorded the lowest (5.94±0.44%) while samples of convection oven recorded the highest (14.33±1.30%). However, the ultrasonic spray dried powders demonstrated the highest total flavonoid contents, but convection oven dried powders showed the lowest. The results for total anthocyanin contents were similar to total flavonoid contents. The highest encapsulation efficiency based on anthocyanin contents was found in freeze dried powders (95.75±0.24%). These results showed the same antioxidant activity (DPPH assay) with the highest percentage inhibition of freeze dried powders and the lowest percentage inhibition of ultrasonic spray dried powders. The phytochemical functional group that revealed from Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis also indicate the presence of high amount of phenolic compounds in freeze dried powders although with ‘collapse building’ shape with fibrillary structure. The freeze dried powder showed the highest L* value (45.62±0.54), yet ultrasonic spray dried powders highest a*, b* and C* value. Thus, the analysis for microbial properties was carried out on freeze dried powders as freeze dryer was chosen as the best encapsulating methods. The freeze dried powders showed inhibition against gram positive and gram negative bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica and fungi such as Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The current study demonstrated the potential of using gelatine to encapsulate technique to retain antioxidant compounds in gelatine encapsulated C. ternatea flowers. This finding provides useful information on the use of different encapsulated methods for the development of functional food products for gelatine encapsulated flowers of C. ternatea

The evaluation of shear deformation for contact analysis with large displacement

A common problem encountered in the study of contact problem is the failure to obtain stable and accurate convergence result when the contact node is close to the element edge, which is referred as "critical area". In previous studies, the modification of the element force equation to apply it to a node-element contact problem using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory [1]. A simple single-element consists two edges and a contact point was used to simulate contact phenomenon of a plane frame. The modification was proven to be effective by the convergeability of the unbalanced force at the tip of element edge, which enabled the contact node to "pass-through", resulting in precise results. However, in another recent study, we discover that, if shear deformation based on Timoshenko beam theory is taken into consideration, a basic simply supported beam coordinate afforded a much simpler and more efficient technique for avoiding the divergence of the unbalanced force in the "critical area". Using our unique and robust Tangent Stiffness Method, the improved equation can be used to overcome any geometrically nonlinear analyses, including those involving extremely large displacements

Accidents preventive practice for high-rise construction

The demand of high-rise projects continues to grow due to the reducing of usable land area in Klang Valley, Malaysia.The rapidly development of high-rise projects has leaded to the rise of fatalities and accidents.An accident that happened in a construction site can cause serious physical injury.The accidents such as people falling from height and struck by falling object were the most frequent accidents happened in Malaysian construction industry.The continuous growth of high-rise buildings indicates that there is a need of an effective safety and health management. Hence, this research aims to identify the causes of accidents and the ways to prevent accidents that occur at high-rise building construction site.Qualitative method was employed in this research. Interview surveying with safety officers who are involved in highrise building project in Kuala Lumpur were conducted in this research. Accidents were caused by man-made factors, environment factors or machinery factors.The accidents prevention methods were provide sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), have a good housekeeping, execute safety inspection, provide safety training and execute accidents investigation.In the meanwhile, interviewees have suggested the new prevention methods that were develop a proper site layout planning and de-merit and merit system among subcontractors, suppliers and even employees regarding safety at workplace matters.This research helps in explaining the causes of accidents and identifying area where prevention action should be implemented, so that workers and top management will increase awareness in preventing site accidents

Ramification of pH in pectinase-assisted extraction on the antioxidant capacity of Arabica spent coffee ground (SCG) extract

Spent coffee ground (SCG) is the by-product of coffee processing that is produced up to 45% in coffee beverage and instant coffee processing and is believed to contain high amounts of antioxidants. Despite the fact that SCG has exerted many advantages, the information on obtaining the antioxidant values using enzymes are still scarce. The objective of the study was therefore to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid content of antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity in Arabica SCG extracted using pectinase at different pH values. Arabica SCG was extracted using pectinase at pH 3, pH 4, pH 5, pH 6 and pH 7 and analyzed for its anti-microbial activity and antioxidant properties (DPPH, FRAP, total phenolic and total flavonoid content along with individual flavonoids using HPLC). Arabica SCG was extracted using pectinase at pH 3, pH 4, pH 5, pH 6 and pH 7 and analyzed for its antimicrobial activity and antioxidant properties (DPPH, FRAP, total phenolic and total flavonoid content along with individual flavonoids using HPLC). The result showed that the antioxidant capacity of the SCG extract at pH 4 exhibited higher DPPH and FRAP values. The total phenolic and flavonoid content exhibited in (1.38±4.42, mg GAE/g sample and 22.57±0.27 mg QE/g of dry sample). Flavonoids namely quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, gallic acid, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, pcoumaric acid and myricetin were present in all samples at various levels. The SCG in pH 7 extract showed the highest concentrations of the individual flavonoid compound in the sample and the highest inhibition zone on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, the optimum pH of the pectinase which is pH 4-5 had provided the highest yield in antioxidant capacity and activity of the Arabica SCG extract with this extraction method that can be used for food preservation as well as in the nutraceutical industry

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis for flavonoids profiling of Napier grass herbal tea

Natural plant products are becoming more and more essential in helping to promote safe well-being worldwide. This leads to a substantial rise in the consumption of various herbal teas. The presence of beneficial bioactive ingredients such as flavonoids may be correlated with Napier grass herbal tea having health benefits associated with their intake. Studies have shown that herbal teas have preferentially high antioxidant activity due to the presence of flavonoids in them. The purpose of this study was to identify the Napier grass herbal teas flavonoids prepared under different conditions. Napier grass herbal teas have been formulated using green tea and black tea processes, respectively. The tea samples were extracted in water (95°C, 30 mins) and 60% (v/v) aqueous methanol (30 mins), respectively. Approximately, 1% (v/v) aqueous acetic acid solution (solvent A) and acetonitrile (solvent B) were used as the mobile phase. The flow rate was adjusted to 0.7 mL/min, the column was thermostatically controlled at 28°C, and the injection column was kept at 20 μL. HPLC chromatograms were detected using a photodiode array UV detector at 272 nm. Gallic acid, P-coumaric acid, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, quercetin, rutin, myricetin and kaempferol were found in both Napier grass water and methanolic extracts, respectively. The findings suggested that the HPLC techniques are ideal for the detection and identification of flavonoids in Napier grass teas

Antioxidant’s properties of Murraya koenigii: a comparative study of three different extraction methods

Nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries have been increasingly engaged in finding natural alternatives compounds as potential antioxidants. The use of phytochemicals is introduced as a good source of natural antioxidants. Murayya koenigii leaves, commonly used in cooking and traditional medicines have been examined for their remarkable antioxidant potential, yet still, it remains an understudied herb. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the antioxidant properties and flavonoids profile in M. koenigii leaves extracted using; solvent assisted extraction (SAE), microwave assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE). The antioxidant properties of M. koenigii were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). M. koenigii leaves extracted using the UAE method have responded strongly towards a 2, 2-diphenyl -2-picryl-hydrazyl DPPH assay with the highest inhibition (%) of 78.00±1.00. Using the ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method assays, the M. koenigii leaves with the lowest absorbance were assigned as a sample with the highest antioxidant activity. The M. koenigii leaves extracted using UAE had the lowest absorbance with 0.01±0.00. In the TPC assay, the MAE method showed the highest total phenolic content (120.60±14.81 mg GAE/g sample). The TFC assay demonstrated that MAE methods have the highest total phenolic content (93.38±4.33 mg QE/g sample. The M. koenigii leaves extracted by MAE showed the highest gallic acid, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, rutin and kaempferol concentration (mg/L). M. koenigii leaves subjected to SAE extraction has the highest concentration of p-coumaric acid, myricetin and quercetin (mg/L). This study found that M. koenigii leaves extracted using UAE exhibited better antioxidant activities than that of MAE and SAE. These useful findings have managed to narrow the knowledge gap regarding the effects of different extraction methods on the antioxidant property of M. koenigii

Influence of pectinase–assisted extraction time on the antioxidant capacity of Spent Coffee Ground (SCG)

Spent Coffee Ground (SCG) comprises a range of functional components with high antioxidant potential and health benefits. Although SCG has many advantages, antioxidant values obtained using enzymes is still scarce. Several studies reported that the use of enzyme-assisted extraction techniques could improve the detection of antioxidant compounds in samples of by-products. In this study, SCG was extracted using enzymeassisted techniques for different periods (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mins). The total antioxidant capacity was measured using Peroxidase, Catalase, Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Superoxide radical scavenging assay (SRSA) and 2,2-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) analysis. 60 mins extraction was found to exhibit antioxidant activity in DPPH, SRSA, Catalase and Peroxidase of 84.18±7.01%, 32.83±6.75%, 76.65±5.52% and 75.01±7.67%, respectively. Besides that, the extraction also gave a high amount of content with 267.17±26.69 mg TAE/mL and 58.30±2.36 mg QE/g in total phenolic content and total flavonoid content respectively. Flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, gallic acid, catechin, epigallocatechin, p-Coumaric acid and myricetin were found to be present in SCG extract. A high amount of catechin was found in all periods of extraction, whereby 60 mins had the highest concentration of 1741.65 mg/L, while 40 mins had the lowest concentration which was 389.85 mg/L. In conclusion, 60 mins extraction using a pectinase-assisted method was the best extraction period. Additionally, the individual flavonoid catechin in SCG showed that it has potential as an antioxidant. Finally, there is a strong correlation between antioxidative activity and both phenolic and flavonoid content

Integral application of electrical resistivity tomography, geochemistry and borehole data in groundwater seepage assessment

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) has increasingly adopted as an alternative approach in engineering, environmental and archeological studies. In the past, several limitation of conventional method in groundwater mapping was always relative to the high cost, time consuming and limited data coverage. Hence, this study adopted an ERT in order to identify the unknown problematic zone due to the excessive groundwater seepage occurrences. During data acquisition, five (five) ERT spread lines was conducted using ABEM SAS4000 equipment set. Then, field raw data was processed using RES2DINV and ROCKWORKS software to generate 2-D and 3- D of the inverse model resistivity section respectively. Engineering properties and information related to the borehole and geochemistry results was also used for interpretation and verification purposes. Geochemistry test was performed to identify groundwater sources using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) and Ion Chromatography (IC) in order to determine the elements of cation (sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium) and anions (chloride, bicarbonate, nitrate and sulfate) respectively. Based on ERT results, it was found that low electrical resistivity value (10 ~ 100 Ωm) which commonly associated to groundwater was detected at ground surface (0 m) until greater depth (> 10 m). Furthermore, it was found that the groundwater was classified as Ca-HCO that indicates the water was originally come from a typical shallow of the fresh groundwater. Finally, this study has successfully demonstrate that the integral application of ERT, geochemistry and borehole data was applicable to produced comprehensive outcome with particular reference to the problematic groundwater seepage assessment

The molecular phylogenetic signature of Bali cattle revealed by maternal and paternal markers

Bali cattle is a domestic cattle breed that can be found in Malaysia. It is a domestic cattle that was purely derived from a domestication event in Banteng (Bos javanicus) around 3,500 BC in Indonesia. This research was conducted to portray the phylogenetic relationships of the Bali cattle with other cattle species in Malaysia based on maternal and paternal lineage. We analyzed the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) mitochondrial gene and SRY of Y chromosome obtained from five species of the Bos genus (B. javanicus, Bos gaurus, Bos indicus, Bos taurus, and Bos grunniens). The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) was used as an outgroup. The phylogenetic relationships were observed by employing several algorithms: Neighbor-Joining (PAUP version 4.0), Maximum parsimony (PAUP version 4.0) and Bayesian inference (MrBayes 3.1). Results from the maternal data showed that the Bali cattle formed a monophyletic clade, and together with the B. gaurus clade formed a wild cattle clade. Results were supported by high bootstrap and posterior probability values together with genetic distance data. For the paternal lineage, the sequence variation is low (with parsimony informative characters: 2/660) resulting an unresolved Neighbor-Joining tree. However, Bali cattle and other domestic cattle appear in two monophyletic clades distinct from yak, gaur and selembu. This study expresses the potential of the COI gene in portraying the phylogenetic relationships between several Bos species which is important for conservation efforts especially in decision making since cattle is highly bred and hybrid breeds are often formed. Genetic conservation for this high quality beef cattle breed is important by maintaining its genetic characters to prevent extinction or even decreased the genetic quality

Subchronic toxicity, immunoregulation and anti-breast tumor effect of Nordamnacantal, an anthraquinone extracted from the stems of Morinda citrifolia L.

Background: Morinda citrifolia L. that was reported with immunomodulating and cytotoxic effects has been traditionally used to treat multiple illnesses including cancer. An anthraquinone derived from fruits of Morinda citrifolia L., nordamnacanthal, is a promising agent possessing several in vitro biological activities. However, the in vivo anti-tumor effects and the safety profile of nordamnacanthal are yet to be evaluated. Methods: In vitro cytotoxicity of nordamnacanthal was tested using MTT, cell cycle and Annexin V/PI assays on human MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells. Mice were orally fed with nordamnacanthal daily for 28 days for oral subchronic toxicity study. Then, the in vivo anti-tumor effect was evaluated on 4T1 murine cancer cells-challenged mice. Changes of tumor size and immune parameters were evaluated on the untreated and nordamnacanthal treated mice. Results: Nordamnacanthal was found to possess cytotoxic effects on MDA-MB231, MCF-7 and 4T1 cells in vitro. Moreover, based on the cell cycle and Annexin V results, nordamnacanthal managed to induce cell death in both MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cells. Additionally, no mortality, signs of toxicity and changes of serum liver profile were observed in nordamnacanthal treated mice in the subchronic toxicity study. Furthermore, 50 mg/kg body weight of nordamncanthal successfully delayed the progression of 4T1 tumors in Balb/C mice after 28 days of treatment. Treatment with nordamnacanthal was also able to increase tumor immunity as evidenced by the immunophenotyping of the spleen and YAC-1 cytotoxicity assays. Conclusion: Nordamnacanthal managed to inhibit the growth and induce cell death in MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cell lines in vitro and cease the tumor progression of 4T1 cells in vivo. Overall, nordamnacanthal holds interesting anti-cancer properties that can be further explored