Effects of pH and temperature on the growth and ß-glucosidase activity of lactobacillus rhamnosus NRRL 442 in anaerobic fermentation

This study investigated the effects of pH and temperature on the growth and β- glucosidase activity of Lactobacillus rhamnosus NRRL 442 during anaerobic fermentation. Initially, the β-glucosidase activity of the cell harvested from shake flask culture was characterized. The result indicated the cell exhibited the highest specific β-glucosidase activity (1.7990±0.0096 UE mg-1 DCM) at pH 6.5 and 46oC. Subsequently, the effect of fermentation pH (range: 4.5-6.5) on cell growth and β-glucosidase activity was investigated in 2-L bioreactor. Cell suppression due to acidity (pH ≤ 4.5) was observed in fermentation with controlled and uncontrolled pH. Significant improvement of cell growth was found at higher pH (5.5-6.5). The cell exhibited the highest growth rate at pH 6 and highest β-glucosidase activity (30.09 ± 0.16 UE, 4.16 times β-glucosidase activity in uncontrolled fermentation). The optimum temperature for the fermentation in bioreactor was found to be 40oC for cell growth and β-glucosidase activity. All profiles including studies on effect of pH and temperature indicated that the cells exhibited higher β-glucosidase activity at higher growth rate. In addition, a short period of starvation (3h) enhanced the β-glucosidase activity of the cell under all studied conditions except for fermentation where cell growth was suppressed due to acidity

Demetallisation of heavy metals from indian mackerel (R. kanagurta) fish

Fish especially Indian Mackerel (R. kanagurta) provides protein, essential fatty acids and essential metals that are needed in the human diet, however high concentration of essential metals will cause adverse health effect towards human. Thus, the removal of heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) from R. kanagurta (Indian mackerel) by using different types of natural waste adsorbents was implemented in this study. Initial concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cu) in Indian mackerel (R. kanagurta) fish were above the permissible limit set by World Health Organization and Malaysia Food Regulation 1985. Thus, in this study, corncob and eggshell were applied as natural waste adsorbents to enhance the demetallisation process. The result showed only the corncob able to efficiently remove all the heavy metals in Indian Mackerel (R. kanagurta) up to 78.31% compared to the eggshell, which yielded about 71.34%. Besides, this study proved that using corncob; the Cd metal found to be wholly removed from (R. kanagurta) which met the permissible limit set by WHO and MFR

Assessing the Dimensions of Solat From the Perspectives of the Quran and Hadith

Solat is the most important pillar in Islam. The objective of this paper is to assess the dimensions of solat from the two main sources of Islam which are the Qur'an and hadith of the Prophet (PBUH). These dimensions may assist in examining the implications of solat. This study employed content analysis, a qualitative descriptive design, to analyse the data. The findings show that the Qur'an and hadith of the Prophet reveal at least four dimensions of the solat, namely spiritual, social, physical, and cognitive dimensions. The present study recommends that the revealed dimensions of solat can be further examined and included in Islamic education syllabus for the purpose of enhancing the implication-based education in Islamic teaching

A comprehensive review of barriers to a functional Zakat system in Nigeria: what needs to be done?

Purpose: Muslims in Nigeria, like in many Muslim-majority countries, are striving to have a functional Zakat system in search of solutions to the perennial problem of poverty and its damning consequences. Nevertheless, there are still unsettled concerns arising from the current and widespread implementation of dissimilar (diverse) approaches to the Zakat system in various parts of the country. The purpose of this paper is to review comprehensively what are the hindrances of a vibrant Zakat system and how far the identified impediments may affect the system in the Nigerian context.Design/methodology/approach:The methodology adopted is the review of extant relevant literature in the field of scholarly publications.Findings: The findings of this study revealed that the fragmented implementation of the Zakat system within the context of the Nigerian democratic system of government lead to the weak governance with respect to law, administration and management; lack of a generally accepted fatwa from the Muslims scholars (Ulamas); absence of Zakat accounting standard; and low compliance behavior are the major barriers that require the attention of government and other stakeholders such as the traditional leaders, the accounting regulatory bodies, the Ulamas, as well as the economic and accounting researchers.Practical implications: It was recommended that the stakeholders should make concerted efforts toward ensuring success of the Zakat system for attaining salvation in the hereafter and for social security, as well as economic prosperity. Originality/value: The paper is the first paper that comprehensively reviews previous literature in the Zakat environment on factors that become barriers to implement a comprehensive Zakat system in Nigeria