Potency of fibraurea tinctora lour. extract as anti-bacterial agents towards pathogenic bacteria

This research aimed to explore antibacterial activity of Fibraurea tinctora Lour. extracted by ethanol and hot water. The treatments of study consisted of six levels of F. tinctora plant extract (0 %, 0.625 %, 1.25 %, 2.50 %, 5.00 % and 10.0 %, respectively) either using ethanol or hot water, resulting in 12 experimental treatments according to 6 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. Each of the treatment was replicated three times. Results of this research showed that either ethanol or hot water F. tinctora extract have potency to control farm pathogenic bacteria. In the lowest concentration (0.625 %) both extract significantly inhibited bacteria growth (Minimum Inhibition Concentration). The highest antibacterial activity was in group that had the highest concentration (10 %) of extract in both of the bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus were more susceptible to the F. tinctora extract than Escherichia coli. Result from spectrophotometry UV-vis assessments showed that the total composition of tannin, alkaloid, and saponin from ethanol extract of F. tinctoria is higher than its water based extract. Meanwhile, phenol composition of water-based extract from F. tinctoria is higher than from ethanol extract. Keywords: Antibacterial, bioactive compounds, herbal medicine, natural yellow roo

Physicochemical characteristics of bionanocomposites, polycaprolactone/starch/cocoa pod husk microfibrillated cellulose

The development of biocomposites has increased due to their biodegradability,renewability, and high specific strength which are comparable with other polymer composites. Even though, the conventional composites are still in high demand due to their durability, however, it cannot decompose and the accumulation of these wastes for a long period is harmful to the living things and to the environment. Therefore, in this study the biodegradable polymers, polycaprolactone (PCL) and starch were selected in this study to synthesize bionanocomposite incorporated with microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). The microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) was extracted from cocoa pod husk (CPH–MFC) and was mixed with PCL and starch, where its amount was varied between 3-10wt%. The prepared bionanocomposites were characterised in terms of its water uptake rate, and structural and thermal properties using Fourier transform infared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The morphology analysis using scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows that the CPH–MFC extracted was in nanoscale size. The percentage of water uptake of the prepared bionanocomposites increased with the amount of CPH–MFC. Meanwhile, the FTIR spectra of the prepared bionanocomposites showed almost similar characteristic peaks with the FTIR spectra of pure PCL. DSC analysis showed that the melting temperature increased as the amount of CPH–MFC increased. This study justifies that the incorporation of CPH–MFC with the PCL–starch matrix improved the water uptake rate and thermal properties but did not show significant changes to the structure of PCL

Nanoengineered hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the delivery of antimicrobial proteins into biofilms

The delivery of bactericidal proteins into biofilms is challenging. Hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles with large cone-shaped pores were synthesized to deliver antimicrobial proteins into biofilms and showed enhanced antimicrobial activities. © 2018 The Royal Society of Chemistry

A short review on diamond reinforced aluminium composites

Diamond, which is a type of carbon material, is an attractive reinforcement material for aluminium matrix composites due to its excellent properties such as high hardness, high thermal conductivity and low coefficient of thermal expansion. Diamond reinforced aluminium (diamond/Al) composite is a promising candidate material for applications of thermal management and electronic packaging. However, there are some major issues between Al metal matrix and diamond reinforcement that limit the utilization of the composites such as poor wettability and low interfacial bonding. This review discusses the challenges in diamond/Al composites, initiatives taken to solve the issues and processing techniques used to fabricate diamond/Al composites along with related advantages and limitations