Isolation, Screening and Growth of Monoaromatic Hydrocarbon Utilising Bacteria

A total of 131 isolates originating from different soils were obtained through enrichment and direct plating methods using 0.1% (v/v) of either benzene, toluene or mixture of benzene and toluene as their sole energy and carbon sources. Most of the isolates were from S5 (garden soil) and the least from SI (ESSO refinery soil) obtained by the enrichment culture method. Out of this, 107 motphologicaUy different isolates were rescreened in 1% (v/v) of their respective hydrocarbon of either benzene or toluene. Out of the 34 good isolates grown in varying hydrocarbon concentrations ul> to 50% (v/v), 23 gave good and moderate growth. These isolates were further grown in different concentrations of BTEX. Six isolates (145yw, 113i, 205y, 205w, 113 & 146) exhibited good growth withstanding up to 75 % (v/v) concentration of BTEX. The isolates were also able to grow in 0.4 M NaCl (35 p.s.u.) which is equivalent to sea salinity level. Studies done on the 3 isolates (145yw, 113i & 205y) showed that they were metabolically active throughout their growth in the hydrocarbon spiked media deduced from the !NT stain test, increased oxygen consumption and increased plate COWlts. High colony fonning Wlits / mL percentage (50% or more) were obsetVed in different organic solvents of varying log P values. Isolate 145yw gave the highest growth rate of 0.22 ht in 0.1% (v/v) benzene. Biodegradability of the isolates were further confinned by positive CO2 production and the reduction in the hydrocarbon peaks obsetVed by GC. Extensive degradative profiles were obtained with isolate 113i and mixed culture. Laboratory biodegradation studies showed that all the 3 isolates were able to grow in both single and mixture of site samples

A preliminary study on intraparticle diffusion of turbidity through nanomagnetic biocarbon composite (NBC)

The accessibility of safe drinking water is a fundamental element of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). A novel nanomagnetic biocarbon composite (NBC) has been developed utilising coconut shells for purifying raw groundwater. One of the primary concerns associated with groundwater is turbidity, a condition resulting from the presence of clay, dirt, and silt particles. The presence of turbidity in untreated water has a significant effect on both the visual appeal and overall cleanliness of the water. For the purposes of comparison, commercialised activated carbon (CAC) was utilised in this study. According to the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, it was observed that the average pore diameter of NBC was smaller compared to commercially available activated carbon (CAC), despite having a higher BET surface (SBET) value of 916.189 m/g compared to CAC. Based on the results of the kinetic study, it was determined that intraparticle diffusion, specifically external film diffusion, exhibited the most suitable fit as the kinetic model for NBC and CAC. This conclusion was supported by the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) values obtained, which were 0.04 for NBC and 0.13 for CAC, surpassing the performance of alternative models. The diffusion coefficient (Di) values for NBC (7.40 x 10–15 cm2/s) and CAC (7.80 x 10–15 cm2/s) demonstrated the phenomenon of bulk diffusion from high to low concentration. Notably, the diffusion coefficient for NBC was found to be lower than that for CAC. Accordingly, it is suggested that average pore diameter played important roles in intraparticle diffusion of an absorbent

Consumer Decision-Making Process in Purchasing Packaging Products in Malaysia

This research paper highlights the consumer decision-making process in purchasing the packaged product in Malaysia. This paper aims to discover the consumer intention when buying the products, specially packaged products. The finding of this research paper can be used by companies that produce product packaging to ensure that their products meet customer’s wants and needs. All data have been analyzed to ascertain the relationship between each variable that is related to packaged products. Results show that all variables are related to each other

The perception on halal label of MAMEE products among consumers in Selangor

The halal label on food products is important to provide health and create awareness among MAMEE consumers. The official halal label on food packaging has been investigated as one of the good health indicators that is beneficial for people who consume it. A shift towards sustainable halal labels should be taken to ensure good absorption of food nutrition. Consumers’ perception of the halal label on MAMEE products has changed due to their awareness of the halal label’s effect on consumer health. This study is conducted to investigate the relationship between demographic factors and the perception of consumers towards MAMEE products based on the halal label. The questionnaire was distributed to 114 respondents in Selangor. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). From this study, the consumers are able to give a positive perception towards MAMEE products based on the halal label. The result showed a relationship between demographic factors and the perception of MAMEE consumers in Selangor, with significance values below 0.1. The significance of this study is to be a reference for the MAMEE Company to conduct research and development (R&D) in producing halal food products for the consumers

Phytochemical Screening and Chemical Analysis of Freeze-dried Lawsonia inermis Leaves Extract

Lawsonia inermis or Henna is proven to give a natural dye to skin and hair. However, there is still a lack of studies evaluating the properties of Henna in terms of its phytochemical composition. Thus, this study aims to extract henna leaves using the freeze-dried method before testing the phytochemicals in the extract. This study also seeks to analyze the presence of chemicals in the plant extract. The Thin Layer Chromatography, TLC method was used to test the extract's antioxidant, phenolic and polyphenol compounds. Gas Chromatography was applied to analyze the presence of chemicals in the plant extract. This study found that the extract of henna leaves contained antioxidants, phenolic, and polyphenol compounds. There are four chemicals found in the plant sample that show antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties. This study proves that Henna leaves are composed of dye and other valuable compounds that could benefit the body. Hence, the application for this leave could be extended not only for dye purposes but also for others

Characterizing local Garden Croton (‘pokok puding’) leaf powder as low cost biomaterial for Chromium(VI) uptake

This paper reports the first ever characterization of the use of raw Garden Croton (locally known as ‘pokok puding’) leaf powder as low cost biomaterial for Cr(VI) removal. Biosorption experiments were carried out at ambient temperature to study the effects of initial pH (1-7), contact time (15, 30, 45, 60 min), leaf powder’s particle size (≤ 150, 151-300, 301-500 μm), and initial Cr(VI) concentrations (10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/L) towards Cr(VI) uptake. Optimum Cr(VI) uptake was observed at pH 1 (2.41 mg/g) and 2 (2.19 mg/g) (p > 0.05). The leaf powder in the 151-300 μm size displayed better Cr(VI) uptake up to 2.77 mg/g (77.78%; Co = 100 mg/L) at pH 2, after 30 min (p < 0.05). Equilibrium metal uptake fitted best (R2 = 0.927) to the Freundlich isotherm model (Kf = 0.21 mg/g, n = 1.23) indicating biosorption onto a heterogeneous surface of active sites. Morphological and elemental analyses by SEM/EDX and FTIR confirmed Cr retention, and presence of active chemical moieties. Interestingly, XRD revealed that Cr was immobilized within the biomass leaf powder in both forms, i.e. hexavalent, Cr(VI) as chromatite (CaCrO4) and trivalent Cr(III), as chromium(III) oxide (Cr2O3). Overall findings support the feasibility of the leaf powder as potential biomaterial for water pollution abatement

Characterizing local Garden Croton (‘pokok puding’) leaf powder as low cost biomaterial for Chromium(VI) uptake

This paper reports the first ever characterization of the use of raw Garden Croton (locally known as ‘pokok puding’) leaf powder as low cost biomaterial for Cr(VI) removal. Biosorption experiments were carried out at ambient temperature to study the effects of initial pH (1-7), contact time (15, 30, 45, 60 min), leaf powder’s particle size (≤ 150, 151-300, 301-500 μm), and initial Cr(VI) concentrations (10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/L) towards Cr(VI) uptake. Optimum Cr(VI) uptake was observed at pH 1 (2.41 mg/g) and 2 (2.19 mg/g) (p > 0.05). The leaf powder in the 151-300 μm size displayed better Cr(VI) uptake up to 2.77 mg/g (77.78%; Co = 100 mg/L) at pH 2, after 30 min (p < 0.05). Equilibrium metal uptake fitted best (R2 = 0.927) to the Freundlich isotherm model (Kf = 0.21 mg/g, n = 1.23) indicating biosorption onto a heterogeneous surface of active sites. Morphological and elemental analyses by SEM/EDX and FTIR confirmed Cr retention, and presence of active chemical moieties. Interestingly, XRD revealed that Cr was immobilized within the biomass leaf powder in both forms, i.e. hexavalent, Cr(VI) as chromatite (CaCrO4) and trivalent Cr(III), as chromium(III) oxide (Cr2O3). Overall findings support the feasibility of the leaf powder as potential biomaterial for water pollution abatement

The perception on halal label of MAMEE products among consumers in Selangor

The halal label on food products is important to provide health and create awareness among MAMEE consumers. The official halal label on food packaging has been investigated as one of the good health indicators that is beneficial for people who consume it. A shift towards sustainable halal labels should be taken to ensure good absorption of food nutrition. Consumers’ perception of the halal label on MAMEE products has changed due to their awareness of the halal label’s effect on consumer health. This study is conducted to investigate the relationship between demographic factors and the perception of consumers towards MAMEE products based on the halal label. The questionnaire was distributed to 114 respondents in Selangor. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). From this study, the consumers are able to give a positive perception towards MAMEE products based on the halal label. The result showed a relationship between demographic factors and the perception of MAMEE consumers in Selangor, with significance values below 0.1. The significance of this study is to be a reference for the MAMEE Company to conduct research and development (R&D) in producing halal food products for the consumers