Telegram as a teaching aid for supporting mobile teaching and learning

Whilst there are many online quiz-based tools available in the form of web or mobile applications, there remains a need for applications that can provide not just a space for quizzes but also a room for discussion in a user-friendly way with low data consumption. One of simple yet useful applications that has the aforementioned criteria is Telegram, which is known as a mobile instant messaging (MIM) application. Based on a recent report by Tang and Hew (2020), to date, MIM in general still remains the least explored technological platform for education. Hence, there is a need for the investigation of MIM applications for educational purposes. The recent advancement of mobile technology has significantly changed the way individuals including teachers and students interact. It is projected that messaging applications will be used by 2.48 billion people worldwide in 2021 (eMarketer, 2019). Being an MIM application, Telegram can serve as an interesting tool that can gain users’ interest easily and can be manipulated further as an effective educational tool. Unlike most of the E-learning portals provided by higher learning institutions that are not available in the form of mobile applications, the availability of Telegram in the form of both mobile and desktop applications has made the application more convenient to be accessed by the users. In contrast to other social media like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, MIM applications such as Telegram are more straightforward and offer less distractions to the users. Students’ attention may not be easily deviated during the learning period

Characterisation of biocatalyst production within an integrated biorefinery context

With the emerging interest in integrated biorefinery concepts, there is a need to identify and develop profitable product streams and ensure the utilisation of as many waste streams as possible. Early stage bioprocess development for these processes can be facilitated by the use of high throughput bioreactor platforms that enables rapid, quantitative and scalable data acquisition. This thesis aims to establish high throughput methodologies for the production and characterisation of industrial biocatalysts within an integrated biorefinery context. Specifically, the work focuses on the production of the CV2025 ω-Transaminase (CV2025 ω-TAm) in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) using sugar beet vinasse, a bioethanol waste stream, as a fermentation feedstock. The high throughput platform to be explored is a 24-well, controlled microbioreactor (MBR) that provides individual monitoring and control of process parameters at the well level. Initially, batch E. coli BL21 (DE3) fermentations expressing CV2025 ω-TAm were established in the controlled MBR using a synthetic medium to provide benchmark data on cell growth and enzyme expression. These cultures indicated a good degree of monitoring and control with respect to process parameters as well as culture reproducibility across the wells. Significant enhancements in relation to maximum biomass concentration (Xmax), yield of biomass on substrate (YX/S) and CV2025 ω-TAm specific activity of 3.7, 1.9 and 2.2-fold, respectively, were shown in the MBR compared to conventional shake flask system, also representing a 31-fold volumetric reduction. Optimisation of CV2025 ω-TAm production in the MBR showed that the best cell growth and enzyme titre was achieved with an early induction (6 h), 0.1 mM IPTG and 0.024 mmol IPTG gdcw-1, yielding enhancements in Xmax, YX/S and CV2025 ω-TAm specific activity of 1.04, 1.2 and 1.4-fold, respectively over the non-optimised cultures. Control of dissolved oxygen (DO) levels between 30 - 50% oxygen saturation had no significant impact on cell growth and CV2025 ω-TAm titre. Evaluation of vinasse as a fermentation feedstock for CV2025 ω-TAm production has led to several novel findings. Characterisation of vinasse showed that the feedstock comprised mainly of glycerol along with several reducing sugars, sugar alcohols, acetate, polyphenols and protein. Preliminary results showed E. coli BL21 (DE3) cell growth and CV2025 ω-TAm production were feasible in cultures using 17 to 25% (v/v) vinasse with higher concentrations demonstrating inhibitory effects. The D-galactose in vinasse was shown to facilitate auto-induction of the pQR801 plasmid leading to comparable CV2025 ω-TAm expression as obtained in IPTG-induced cultures. Assessment of different vinasse pre-processing options confirmed the relevance of the dilution step in reducing polyphenol concentrations to below inhibitory levels. Moreover, the use of pasteurised vinasse was found to be promising for large scale applications. Further medium optimisation studies in the MBR showed the benefit of supplementing vinasse with specific media components. Supplementation of diluted vinasse medium with 10 g L-1 yeast extract enabled enhancements of 2.8, 2.5, 5.4 and 3-fold in specific growth rate, Xmax, CV2025 ω-TAm volumetric and specific activity, respectively, over those achieved in non-supplemented cultures. Additionally, the CV2025 ω-TAm titre attained here represented 81% of that obtained using an optimised synthetic medium. Investigation into the metabolic preferences of E. coli BL21 (DE3) when grown on a complex carbon source like vinasse showed the sequential metabolism of D-mannitol before glycerol utilisation, which was followed by the simultaneous metabolism of glycerol, D-xylitol, D-dulcitol and acetate thereafter. Finally, scale-up of the optimal conditions for CV2025 ω-TAm production using both synthetic and vinasse-based media, from the controlled MBR to a 7.5 L stirred tank reactor (STR) was shown based on matched kLa values and specific aeration rates. Results showed a good reproducibility with respect to cell growth, substrate consumption and CV2025 ω-TAm production between the scales, representing a 769-fold volumetric scale translation. The feasibility of further intensification of CV2025 ω-TAm production in STR at higher kLa values using both synthetic and vinasse-based media was also demonstrated leading to enhancements of 1.4 and 1.9-fold in enzyme titre, respectively. Overall, this work has established high throughput methodologies for the characterisation, optimisation and scale-up of industrial biocatalyst production. The approach was demonstrated within the context of an integrated sugar beet biorefinery. However, the utility of the high throughput approach is considered generally applicable across the industrial biotechnology sector

Gas-liquid mass transfer performance of dual impeller system employing rushtons, concave-bladed disc (CD-6) turbines and their combination in stirred tank bioreactor

The degree of oxygenation in stirred tank bioreactor is normally described and characterized L by the volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient (kL a). Throughout this study, the gas liquid mass transfer performance of dual impeller stirring system employing either two Rushton turbines (RT), two Concave-bladed disc (CD-6) turbines or the combination of both was comparatively investigated in Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid systems. Static gassing-out technique was applied in all experimental kLa determinations and subsequent modeling of mass transfer correlations for all configurations were developed by incorporating the effects of power number (N3D2) and superficial velocity (Vg) on kLa. Ultimately, the use of dual CD-6 stirrers on a mixing shaft improved the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) by about 5-50 % and 18-65 % higher than the conventional RT-RT system in Newtonian and non-Newtonian systems, respectively

Effect of medium supplementation on very high gravity bioethanol fermentation using sago hampas hydrolysate as a feedstock

Bioethanol fermentation under very high gravity (VHG) conditions by using sago hampas hydrolysate (SHH) supplemented with yeast extract as a fermentation medium has resulted in an incomplete metabolism of glucose, leading to relatively low bioethanol production in comparison to the theoretical titre. Therefore, additional supplementation of the fermentation medium is necessary to increase the yeast tolerance towards inhibitors and high concentration of glucose and bioethanol. This work investigates the effect of supplementing SHH media with various nutrients on bioethanol fermentation under VHG conditions. The nutrients included magnesium sulphate (0.12 g/L), urea (3 g/L), glutamic acid (5 g/L), and peptone (5 g/L). Our results showed that culture supplemented with peptone has significantly improved the yeast growth by 0.9-fold and glucose consumption efficiency by 10% compared to the control cultures. Besides that, the media formulation has also increased bioethanol production by 13%, with a maximum concentration of 126.20 ± 3.0 g/L. In general, the results suggest an improved formulation of fermentation medium consisting of SHH for bioethanol production under VHG conditions. These results will provide useful insights into the development of bioethanol production from sago-based feedstock in the future

Feasibility of Pre-Harvest Sago Frond as State-of-the-Art Resources to Produce Animal Feed

Global crises such as climate change, war and borderless diseases are the factors that lead to limited supply and unstable prices of the raw material to produce animal feed placing a major burden on the farmers and smallholders to produce livestock at a reliable cost. Malaysia is among the most affected country due to its high dependency on imported resources to produce animal feed. Hence, cheap and locally available raw material is the key to producing sustainable and safety-ensured animal feed for domestic consumption. Due to the adaptability and resilient nature of sago palm towards extreme environmental distress, sago frond was selected as an alternative raw material to produce animal feed in the form of silage. Sago frond was pruned from growing sago palm (age between 3-7 years), then leaves and rachis were pulverised before vacuum packed into silo bag. Analysis shows that optimised sago frond silage (1:1 RSF/SL) possessed five ideal characteristics that include dry matter (47.76 %), acid detergent fibre (31.98 %), total water-soluble sugar (2.4 g/Kg), minimum pH (4.3) and protein content (16.85 %). Hence, the ensiling technique applies to produce high-quality animal feed from optimum formulated sago frond by preserving nutrient content and improving in-vitro digestibility of the silage designated for ruminant consumption. The feeding trial shows significant growth performance of animal models (Malin Breed Sheep) fed with optimised SFSil with Average Daily Gain (61.12 g/day) and Feed Conversion Ratio (9.64 g/g). Therefore, manufacturing animal feed from pre-harvest sago frond provides the solution to high dependency on imported animal feed and also offers a new lucrative commodity for the sago farmers while waiting for the sago palm to be harvestable

Potential of sugar beet vinasse as a feedstock for biocatalyst production within an integrated biorefinery context

BACKGROUNDThis work explores the feasibility of vinasse as an inexpensive feedstock for industrial biocatalyst production within the context of an integrated sugar beet biorefinery. As an exemplar, production of CV2025 ω‐Transaminase (ω‐TAm) in Escherichia coli BL21 was studied.RESULTSCharacterisation of vinasse showed that it comprised mainly of glycerol along with several reducing sugars, sugar alcohols, acetate, polyphenols and protein. Preliminary results showed E. coli BL21 cell growth and CV2025 ω‐TAm production were feasible in cultures using 17% to 25% (v/v) vinasse with higher concentrations demonstrating inhibitory effects. The d‐galactose present in vinasse facilitated auto‐induction of the pQR801 plasmid enabling CV2025 ω‐TAm expression without addition of expensive Isopropyl‐β‐d‐thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). Assessment of different vinasse pre‐processing options confirmed simple dilution of the vinasse was sufficient to reduce the concentration of polyphenols to below inhibitory levels. Optimisation experiments, carried out using a controlled, 24‐well microbioreactor platform, showed supplementation of diluted vinasse medium with 10 g L−1 yeast extract enabled enhancements of 2.8, 2.5, 5.4 and 3‐fold in specific growth rate, maximum biomass concentration, CV2025 ω‐TAm volumetric and specific activity, respectively. Investigation into the metabolic preferences of E. coli BL21 when grown in vinasse showed a preference for D‐mannitol utilisation before simultaneous metabolism of glycerol, d‐xylitol, d‐dulcitol and acetate. Scale‐up of optimised conditions for batch CV2025 ω‐TAm production to a 7.5 L stirred tank reactor (STR) was demonstrated based on matched volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa). The results showed good comparability with respect to cell growth, substrate consumption and CV2025 ω‐TAm production representing over a 700‐fold volumetric scale translation. Further enhancements in CV2025 ω‐TAm production were possible in the STR when operated at higher kLa values.CONCLUSIONThis work describes the promising application of vinasse for production of microbial enzymes and insights into carbon source utilisation in complex feedstocks. Exploitation of vinasse as a fermentation feedstock could be further extended to other processes involving different microorganisms and target enzymes

Digital Comics as an Alternative Teaching and Assessment Tool for Biotechnology Courses

Storytelling has been long applied in teaching and learning. Nevertheless, application of storytelling through digital comics for teaching and learning Biotechnology is still limitedly explored. This presentation highlights the initiative of using digital comics as an alternative teaching and assessment tool for Bioprocess Technology and Environmental Biotechnology. The courses were taken by 136 students of Resource Biotechnology programme at Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, UNIMAS in Semester 1 and 2 2021/2022. Engaging digital comics entitled Ahmad’s FYP story, To RIP: Landfills or Composting?, Save Our Souls and From Textile Waste to Biofuel were topics of Environmental Biotechnology. The resulting comics produced by the students were disseminated to selected schools and matriculation centres and also in social media. Upon the created and used in the teaching and learning session of the aforementioned courses. Questions that assess students’ understanding were also integrated in the comics in order to engage the students to think and reflect whilst reading the comics. We have also used comics as a means of a graded assessment whereby the students were required to produce digital comics related to the implementation of the approach, the students’ average scores for both courses have improved by 30 to 36%. This is further supported by the positive feedback from the students indicating good acceptance of the approach. The initiative has also resulted in several added values amongst the students such as enhancement of art skill, digital skill, science communication skill, storytelling skill, community responsibility besides promoting the culture of learning during leisure time. Moreover, the comics also have a potential to be used as life-long learning materials in both formal and informal contexts besides having the commercial potential to be marketed in the form of digital or printed comics. In summary, the positive impacts of this initiative have clearly proved the efficacy of digital comics as an alternative teaching and assessment tool for Biotechnology courses

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SAGO FROND SAP FROM TWO SELECTED GROWTH STAGES; ANGKAT PUNGGUNG AND UPONG MUDA PALMS

Sago frond is produced in abundance upon harvesting of the sago palms for starch extraction, hence need to be utilized and developed into beneficial products. In this study, the sap which contains sugars and starch is obtained by roller crushing the skinned frond for use as fermentation medium. Fronds from two selected growth stages (namely Angkat punggung and Upong muda) and two different positions within the rosette (inner and outer circle) of the sago palm were studied. Based on the results, the outer circle frond of Upong muda palm gave the highest volume of sap at 290mL/kg which equivalent to 1600 mL/frond. On top of that, sago frond sap has an acidic pH, with glucose as major sugar component and contained various kinds of minerals like calcium, potassium and manganese. All fronds from two selected growth stages contain glucose between 28-68 g/L and xylose 21-29 g/L, respectively. After 21 days of storage, it can be concluded that the amount of reducing sugars and starch in most samples obtained from two selected growth stages decreased slightly from the original. Subsequently after this study, both fresh and stored sago frond sap can be used as a fermentation substrate without any pre-treatment or modification

Kojic acid: applications and development of fermentation process for production

Kojic acid, 5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-g-pyrone, has many potential industrial applications. In this review, the properties and diverse applications of kojic acid in industries are described. The review also discusses the advance in kojic acid fermentation, focusing on the process development in microorganisms and strain selection, medium and culture optimization, as well as fermentation modes for commercially viable industrial scale production. The performances of various fermentation techniques that have been applied for the production of kojic acid are compared, while the advantages and disadvantages of each technique are discussed in this paper