Effects of temperature on food consumption of juveniles dog conch, Laevistrombus canarium (Linnaeus, 1758) in laboratory condition

The dog conch, Laevistrombus canarium (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the economically important marine molluscs that have high market value, particularly in the Southeast Asian region. This study investigates food consumption and assimilation by the juvenile conch at different temperature regimes (22, 26, 30 and 34°C). Live samples of the juvenile conch were collected on several occasions between December 2013 to May 2105 at Merambong shoal, Johor Straits, Malaysia. They were acclimatized for one week in stocking aquaria with well-aerated seawater at 30 PSU, 26°C and fed with commercial marine sinking pellets. Prior to experimentation, the gastric emptying levels of the samples were standardized by allowing them to feed until satiation, followed by 24 hrs starvation. All treatments were carried out in ten replicates of similar sized aquarium (20 x 15 x 15 cm) containing 4L of aerated seawater. The conch food consumption rate was significantly different (p<0.05) between different temperature regimes. The food absorption efficiency was also affected by different temperature regimes (P<0.05), and ranged between 50.14% to 73.76%. The food energy absorbed were then calculated, which showed significant variations between temperatures (P<0.05). Based on these calculations, higher food consumption and assimilation were recorded at 26°C followed by 30, 34 and 22°C. Results from this study allow us to predict the optimal temperature regimes (26°C) for the culture of these marine sea snail L. canarium. Further studies are indeed, needed to provide a better insight on the effect of climate change parameters on these species

Effects of salinity and water quality parameters on the breeding and larva rearing of black molly Poecilia sphenops in laboratory condition

A study was conducted to determine the effects of salinities (0, 3 and 6 PSU) and other water quality parameters on the breeding and larva rearing of black molly Poecilia sphenops (Valenciennes 1846) under laboratory condition. Each treatment was carried out in triplicates. Results showed that water salinity of 6 PSU represented the highest breeding success compared to salinities of 0 and 3 PSU. Nevertheless, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed at these three salinities for fry production in captivity. Moreover no significant differences were observed in weight increment when salinity raised from 3 to 6 PSU, however, these two treatments differed significantly when compared with 0 PSU. The survival rate was not significantly varied in comparison with 0 PSU. The highest total length increment was found at water salinity of 6 PSU followed by 0 and 3 PSU. Results on water quality parameters denoted no significant differences (p > 0.05) for all treatments except on ammonia (NH3) rates. The highest ammonia level was found at 0 PSU followed by 3 and 6 PSU. The findings of the present study suggested to culture black molly (P. sphenops) in a slight saline condition from 3 to 6 PSU

Potential of Jatropha curcas L. as biodiesel feedstock in Malaysia: a concise review

Fluctuation in fossil fuel prices and the increasing awareness of environmental degradation have prompted the search for alternatives from renewable energy sources. Biodiesel is the most efficient alternative to fossil fuel substitution because it can be properly modified for current diesel engines. It is a vegetable oil-based fuel with similar properties to petroleum diesel. Generally, biodiesel is a non-toxic, biodegradable, and highly efficient alternative for fossil fuel substitution. In Malaysia, oil palm is considered as the most valuable commodity crop and gives a high economic return to the country. However, the ethical challenge of food or fuel makes palm oil not an ideal feedstock for biodiesel production. Therefore, attention is shifted to non-edible feedstock like Jatropha curcas Linnaeus (Jatropha curcas L.). It is an inedible oil-bearing crop that can be processed into biodiesel. It has a high-seed yield that could be continually produced for up to 50 years. Furthermore, its utilization will have zero impact on food sources since the oil is poisonous for human and animal consumption. However, Jatropha biodiesel is still in its preliminary phase compared to palm oil-based biodiesel in Malaysia due to a lack of research and development. Therefore, this paper emphasizes the potential of Jatropha curcas as an eco-friendly biodiesel feedstock to promote socio-economic development and meet significantly growing energy demands even though the challenges for its implementation as a national biodiesel program might be longer

A study of road hazards faced by Malaysian school children using HIRARC

Road transport is the movement of passengers or goods on the road. To date, issues concerning the safety of students and school institutions have continued to attract public attention. The recent spate of incidents insideandoutside the school compound has brought the issue ofchildren safetyinto our attention. These include the escalating number of road casualties. This study was conducted to observe roadhazard outside the school compound and analyse the safety risksfaced by school childrenby using the risk matrix. The risks arecalculated to includelikelihood and severity of hazard as identified in theGuideline of HIRARC 2008. The area selected was the East Coaststateof Peninsular Malaysia, withover 111 schools randomly selected in Kelantan. Re sults werethen analysed and six highlighted hazards were discussed. The results show that the main road posed the highest risk due to speeding vehicles. These vehicles failed to slow down when approaching the school area. The school administration must enhance the safety ofthe staff, students, and public while in the school area. In conclusion, road safety awareness must be instilled among teachers, students, parents and road users alike

Temperature induced variation in oxygen consumption of juvenile and adult stage of the dog conch Laevistrombus canarium (Linnaeus 1758)

Laevistrombus canarium Linnaeus, 1758 is one of the important edible sea snail within the western Johor Straits, Malaysia. In this study, the impact of temperature on oxygen consumption (MO2) of L. canarium based on their ontogenetic changes (juvenile and adult) was measured in the laboratory condition at 22.0, 26.0, 30.0 and 34.0°C. Measurement of MO2 were taken every 1 s for 60 min on 4.20 – 34.00 g dog conch using respirometry chamber. All experiments were carried out in static conditions in five replicates with one snail per chambers. The results of oxygen consumption showed that juvenile dog conch respired at the rate of 0.163 ml h−1 and adult respired at the rate of 0.119 ml h−1. Consequently, the oxygen consumption in juvenile and adult dog conch was expressed as a total energy spends. The results indicates that total energy spend for oxygen consumed (ml h−1) of L. canarium at different temperature regimes (22.0 to 34.0°C) slightly increased over time period (0.63 ± 0.12 to 3.24 ± 0.05 J h−1) respectively. This finding of the present study suggested L. canarium is well adapted for life in high temperature environment

Perception of ergonomic safety training among school teachers in Kelantan, Malaysia

Ergonomic safety is one of the most important issues in many working sectors and this includes educational institutions especially school. It is important to get the information on the teachers’ perception of ergonomic safety training. Thus, the researcher manages to identify the suitable methods to prevent more ergonomic problem among teachers in future. Aim of this study was to analyze teachers’ perception on ergonomic safety in school and at the same time measured the training requirements on ergonomic safety. Ergonomic safety training in school is important in order to improve good body posture. Survey questionnaires were distributed to 400 teachers. 111 schools randomly selected from the 10 District Education Offices from whole state of Kelantan, Malaysia. Results were then analyzed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 24. Most of the respondents involved in this research are female with the percentage of 68%. Descriptive analysis showed that more than half of respondents understood about ergonomic safety, 78% of them possessed basic safety knowledge and 22% of them lacked on the basic understanding of safety. Interestingly most of the respondents agreed that ergonomic safety should be included in occupational safety and health training in school. It is suggested that all teacher must undergo ergonomic safety training to promote and improve ergonomic safety in school. Higher awareness and more information about ergonomic safety will help teachers teach their students about the importance of ergonomic safety and create a safer environment in their school. As for the conclusion, teachers and students having an important role to ensure ergonomic safety and their commitment will help in reducing the number of ergonomic problems in school

Kajian keperluan latihan berkenaan aspek keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan dalam kalangan guru sekolah di Negeri Kelantan

Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (KKP) merupakan salah satu isu yang paling penting dalam sektor pendidikan terutama di sekolah. Kebelakangan ini, terdapat peningkatan kes kemalangan yang dilaporkan berlaku di sekolah di Malaysia yang menyebabkan bukan sahaja kecederaan, tetapi juga kematian dan kerosakan harta benda sekolah. Justeru, pengetahuan KKP amat diperlukan terutamanya kepada guru yang bertanggungjawab dalam membimbing dan menyediakan budaya KKP terbaik di sekolah. Matlamat utama kajian ini adalah untuk mengenal pasti keperluan latihan dan amalan KKP di sekolah serta menilai dan mengenal pasti kesesuaian aspek KKP yang boleh diterapkan dalam latihan KKP kepada guru sekolah. Kajian ini dilaksanakan melalui tinjauan berbentuk soalan kaji selidik yang mengandungi beberapa bahagian soalan berkaitan 10 aspek keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan yang dibangunkan berasaskan kepada kajian terdahulu. Tinjauan soalan selidik ini melibatkan 400 orang guru sekolah daripada 111 sekolah yang dipilih secara rawak dari 10 daerah di 594 buah di negeri Kelantan. Data yang diperoleh dikumpul dan dianalisis dengan menggunakan perisian SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) Versi 24. Kaedah analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis deskriptif dengan mengambil kira nilai min dan sisihan piawai data yang diperoleh untuk mengenal pasti keperluan aspek latihan dan amalan KKP dalam kalangan guru di sekolah. Manakala, analisis faktor penerokaan digunakan untuk menentukan aspek yang sesuai untuk digunakan dalam modul latihan KKP kepada guru di sekolah. Dapatan kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa majoriti guru memerlukan latihan KKP di sekolah memandangkan amalan KKP kurang diterapkan di sekolah. Kajian ini juga mendapati bahawa daripada 10 aspek yang dikaji, hanya 9 aspek sahaja yang bersesuaian untuk digunakan sebagai instrumen bagi latihan keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan. Namun, semua item yang terkandung di bawah 10 aspek boleh digunapakai dalam latihan KKP di sekolah. Justeru, dominasi keperluan latihan KKP adalah terdiri daripada aspek keselamatan makmal dan bengkel, keselamatan persekitaran sekolah, keselamatan kimia, keselamatan kebakaran, keselamatan psikososial, keselamatan ergonomik, pengenalpastian hazad dan keselamatan fizikal. Secara keseluruhan, kajian ini dapat mengenal pasti aspek yang diperlukan dalam latihan KKP dalam kalangan guru di sekolah. Oleh itu, hasil kajian ini memberi satu impak yang sangat besar dalam sektor pendidikan dalam mewujudkan serta meningkatkan budaya dan persekitaran yang selamat dan sihat di sekolah

Food consumption and assimilation of the adult dog conch Laevistrombus canarium (linnaeus 1758) at different temperatures

Laevistrombus canarium (Linnaeus 1758) or the dog conch is a highly important fishery species with great potential for introduction into aquaculture. The present study evaluates food consumption and assimilation by the adult conch at different temperatures (i.e. 22°C, 26°C, 30°C and 34°C). The conchs were acclimated for one week in stocking tanks with well-aerated seawater of 30 PSU salinity and at ambient temperature of 26°C. Prior to experimentation, the gastric emptying level of the conchs were standardized by allowing them to feed till satiation, followed by 24 h starvation. Ten similar sized aquaria (20 x 15 x 15 cm) were used, each containing one individual conch. Each conch was provided with similar quantity of food (~ 102.13 ± 0.45 mg of sinking pellets) and they were allowed to feed within a 24 h period. The food consumption rate for adult conchs was significantly different (p<0.05) between different temperature regimes. Hence, the food absorption efficiency was also affected (p<0.05), which ranged from 55.21% to 74.75%. The food energy absorbed showed significant variations between temperatures (p<0.05). Higher food consumption and assimilation was recorded at 26°C followed by 30°C, 34°C and 22°C. Adult L. canarium can adapt well in captive conditions by efficiently digesting particularly food pellets. However, more studies are still needed, particularly by adopting longer exposure times as well as higher temperature ranges, in order to better understand the effect of temperatures on the species

Characterisation and Colour Response of Smart Sago Starch-Based Packaging Films Incorporated with Brassica oleracea Anthocyanin

To meet the need for food products to be safe and fresh, smart food packaging that can monitor and give information about the quality of packaged food has been developed. In this study, pH-sensitive films with sago starch and various anthocyanin concentrations of Brassica oleracea also known as red cabbage anthocyanin (RCA) at 8, 10, 12, and 14% (w/v) were manufactured using the solvent casting process. Investigation of the physicochemical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics of the films was performed and analysed. The response of these materials against pH changes was evaluated with buffers of different pH. When the films were exposed to a series of pH buffers (pH 3, 5, 9, 11, and 13), the RCA-associated films displayed a spectacular colour response. In addition, the ability of the starch matrix to overcome the leaching and release of anthocyanins was investigated. Higher concentrations of RCA can maintain the colour difference of films after being immersed in a series of buffer solutions ranging from acidic to basic conditions. Other than that, incorporating RCA extracts into the starch formulation increased the thickness whereas the water content, swelling degree, tensile strength, and elongation at break decreased as compared to films without RCA. The immobilisation of anthocyanin into the film was confirmed by the FTIR measurements. The surface patterns of films were heterogeneous and irregular due to the presence of RCA extract aggregates, which increased as the extract concentration enhanced. However, this would not affect the properties of films. An increase in thermal stability was noted for the anthocyanin-containing films at the final stage of degradation in TGA analysis. It is concluded that RCA and sago starch formulation has great potential to be explored for food packaging purpose