Effect of postharvest storage of whole fruit on physico-chemical and microbial changes of fresh-cut cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. reticulatus cv. Glamour)

Cantaloupes continue to ripen after harvesting which is caused by ethylene production due to climacteric behaviour during postharvest storage. In this study, the cantaloupe fruits harvested at commercial maturity were evaluated for quality attributes during three weeks of storage at 10°C and a relative humidity (RH) of 90±5%. In addition, fresh-cut samples were stored for a further 19 days at 2°C and 87% RH. The fresh-cut samples were prepared on a weekly basis by dipping into deionised water (control) at 2°C for 1 minute. The effect of postharvest storage of cantaloupe on the physico-chemical properties and microbial activity was observed prior to fresh-cut processing. It was found that firmness, luminosity (L*), and titratable acidity (TA) decreased, while total soluble solids (TSS), pH, TSS:TA ratio, microbial activity (total plate count (TPC) and yeast and mould (YM)) of the fresh-cut increased over the postharvest storage period of the fruit. Meanwhile, the orange colour and the intensity (hue angle, hab, and chromaticity) of the flesh did not differ significantly during storage. The cantaloupe stored for three weeks at a low temperature indicated a successful potential for fresh-cut processing due to good maintenance of the product quality

Enzymatic hydrolysis of thermally pre‐treated chitin and antimicrobial activity of N,N'‐diacetylchitobiose

BACKGROUND: N,N’-diacetylchitobiose (GlcNAc2) is known to be highly functional and offers a wide range of applications, especially as an antimicrobial agent. In this study, a thermal pre-treatment process using steam under pressure in an autoclave, has been employed to facilitate subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis of chitin with chitinase from Streptomyces griseus. RESULTS: Pre-treatment of chitin with 0.05 M sodium acetate buffer (pH=6.0) at 121ºC for 60 min, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis involving 24 h incubation, was found to be the best condition for producing the GlcNAc2. The GlcNAc2 obtained was tested regarding its antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains and showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) at 5 and 10% w/v against Escherichia coli K-12 and Listeria monocytogenes 10403S, respectively. CONCLUSION: The extent of swelling and crystallite size of chitin increased with the pre-treatment residence time, and enhanced the rate of subsequent hydrolysis using chitinase

Potential influence of courtyard on indoor environment conditions of office buildings

It is recognized that the air conditioning system is a major factor that influencing energy consumption in Malaysia. In fact, residential and non-residential buildings, become a subject to significant cooling necessities due to the high intensity of heat passing from building external envelope, the rely on mechanical cooling systems to provide best indoor condition was directed to increase the energy consumption. Due to this fact, many designers highlighted the potential influence of courtyards as a natural cooling technique to enhance indoor comfort for building users and consequently minimize space-cooling conditioning. This research investigates the courtyard attributes as a natural cooling technique in tropical climates, to provide indoor thermal condition at single, double and three-story buildings; furthermore, to achieve low energy office buildings in Kuala Lumpur and Johor. The research objectives are to investigate the history of the courtyard in Malaysia, to evaluate indoor environmental conditions at office buildings and finally to assess, the effectiveness of a courtyard on conserving energy in office buildings in Malaysia. The research method is a combination of literature review, environmental measurement, post occupancy evaluation and energy consumption data. To achieve the first objective of this research previous study assessed to gain information of the courtyard at vernacular architecture, contemporary vernacular and modern architecture in Malaysia, it started before independence in 1957 and transformed through time until the dawn of the new millennium. Furthermore, several environmental aspects such as air temperatures, relative humidity, and air velocity were measured using a portable instrument (Lutron LM 8000) and thermal comfort station (BABUC A). Whereas, the post-occupancy evaluation used to assess the level of indoor thermal condition at office buildings, at least, the energy data examined through the electricity bills for the at least one-year period. According to the last findings of this research, the influence of the courtyard on providing indoor thermal conditions achieved at single and three storey buildings, while for double storey building the indoor condition did not comply with ASHRAE- 55 and ISO 7730 standards. For the term low energy office buildings, the results illustrated that single and double storey office buildings considered as low energy office buildings, while for three storey office buildings the amount of energy that used did not comply with MS 1525 standard

Effect of postharvest storage of whole fruit on physico-chemical and microbial changes of fresh-cut cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. reticulatus cv. Glamour)

Cantaloupes continue to ripen after harvesting which is caused by ethylene production due to climacteric behaviour during postharvest storage. In this study, the cantaloupe fruits harvested at commercial maturity were evaluated for quality attributes during three weeks of storage at 10°C and a relative humidity (RH) of 90±5%. In addition, fresh-cut samples were stored for a further 19 days at 2°C and 87% RH. The fresh-cut samples were prepared on a weekly basis by dipping into deionised water (control) at 2°C for 1 minute. The effect of postharvest storage of cantaloupe on the physico-chemical properties and microbial activity was observed prior to fresh-cut processing. It was found that firmness, luminosity (L*), and titratable acidity (TA) decreased, while total soluble solids (TSS), pH, TSS:TA ratio, microbial activity (total plate count (TPC) and yeast and mould (YM)) of the fresh-cut increased over the postharvest storage period of the fruit. Meanwhile, the orange colour and the intensity (hue angle, hab, and chromaticity) of the flesh did not differ significantly during storage. The cantaloupe stored for three weeks at a low temperature indicated a successful potential for fresh-cut processing due to good maintenance of the product quality

Effects of postharvest storage and dips in calcium salts on fresh-cut cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. reticulates cv. Glamour)

Extending the postharvest storage of the whole fruits at an optimum temperature (10 °C) may decrease the quality of the fruit itself. In this study, postharvest storage and Ca salts were applied to the whole fruit and fresh-cut cantaloupe, respectively, in order to observe the shelf life and to reduce the changes in quality during storage. The observations of the quality of the fresh-cut cantaloupe were carried out every 3±1 days for the physico-chemical (firmness, colour, total soluble solids content (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and pH), microbiological (total plate counts (TPC) and yeast and moulds (YM)), and sensory analyses during storage at 2 °C and 87% relative humidity (RH) for 19 days. The firmness of the fresh-cut cantaloupe decreased as postharvest storage of the whole fruit and the storage time of the fresh-cut increased. By using a Ca chloride dipping treatment, a higher level of firmness maintenance of the fresh-cut cantaloupe was observed compared to the samples dipped in Ca lactate. Both the TPC and YM counts increased significantly during storage. The microbial growth of the fresh-cut cantaloupe prepared within one week and treated with Ca chloride can be consumed after up to 15 days of storage, while after more than one week of postharvest storage (W2, W3, and W3), the consumption period of the fresh-cut treated with both types of Ca salts decreased to 12 days of storage. Trained panellists also scored higher firmness and lower juiciness in the samples treated with Ca chloride and prepared within three weeks of postharvest storage. The colour and chemical properties of the fresh-cut cantaloupe were not significantly different (P<0.05) between both types of Ca salt treatment. The TSS increased and the TSS:TA ratio decreased significantly over the postharvest storage period of the whole fruit. No significant difference (P<0.05) between treatments was observed in terms of colour and the other chemical properties as the postharvest storage period of the whole fruits increased. In conclusion, the freshcut cantaloupe treated with Ca salts and kept for three weeks of postharvest storage resulted in a reduced amount of quality degradation and were acceptable for consumption

Development of N,N’-diacetylchitobiose as coating containing antimicrobial agent for ready-to-eat food product

N,N’-diacetylchitobiose (GlcNAc2) is known to be highly functional, soluble in water and offers a wide range of applications, especially as an antimicrobial agent. In this study, we aim to explore the use of thermal pre-treatment on chitin, prior hydrolysis to produce GlcNAc2. The compound has been assessed for its antimicrobial activity against food pathogenic strains, as well as its effectiveness as an antimicrobial coating on ready-to-eat (RTE) cooked shrimp. A thermal pre-treatment process using an autoclave, has been employed to facilitate subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis of chitin with chitinase from Streptomyces griseus. Pre-treatment of chitin with 0.05 M sodium acetate buffer (pH=6.0) at 121 ºC for 60 min, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis involving 24 h incubation, were found to be the best conditions for producing GlcNAc2. The GlcNAc2 obtained was tested for its antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains and showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) at 5 and 10% w/v against Escherichia coli K-12 and Listeria monocytogenes 10403S, respectively. The inhibitory effect of 1% (w/v) GlcNAc2 used as antimicrobial coating on RTE cooked shrimp was studied at 4 ᵒC for 16 days. In addition, the quality of the shrimp meat was also determined. The results indicated that the GlcNAc2 coating retarded the changes in texture properties, TBARS values and moisture content of the RTE shrimp during storage. The incorporation of GlcNAc2 coating did not significantly change the shrimp colour in comparison with the control. However, the growth of L. monocytogenes inoculated on the GlcNAc2-coated RTE shrimp was slower than control sample, and the highest log reduction observed was 0.5 log CFU/mL. This study shows that autoclaving of chitin facilitates subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis to form a mixture dominating in GlcNAc2, which possesses antimicrobial activity that is able to inhibit food pathogenic strains and maintain the quality of ready-to-eat shrimp during refrigerated storage

Heavy metal resistant bacteria from marine sediment of Pantai Balok, Pahang, Malaysia

Heavy metal pollution particularly in the coastal water has become an issue of serious international concern. Heavy metal pollution not only affect the quality of water and soil, but it also affects the animals and plants as well as the microorganisms inhabiting the coastal area. This study aimed at isolation of heavy metal resistance bacteria from marine sediment of Pantai Balok as an attempt to assess possible heavy metal pollution present in that area as well as in search of potential candidates for bioremediation purposes. A total of 33 isolates were obtained and subjected for heavy metal resistance test using the following heavy metals - chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd). Results revealed that almost all isolates showed high tolerance towards Cr, Ni, Co and Cu but low tolerance towards Cd. Heavy metal resistance profile associated with Pantai Balok was in the following order: Cr > Ni > Co > Cu > Cd. Five isolates namely PB1, PB9, PB17, PB18, and PB 33 exhibited strong heavy metal resistance pattern and their identities were determined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. PB1 was closely related to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (99%) while PB9 to Staphylococcus pasteuri (98%). Isolates PB17 and PB18 were highly similar to Bacillus pumilus (99%) and Bacillus sp. (99%) respectively whereas PB33 is Pseudomonas aeruginosa (99%). The presence of heavy metal resistant bacteria may indicate the occurrence of heavy metal pollution in Pahang coastal water and may pose a potential health risk to the public

Physico-chemical changes in cantaloupe variety glamour during storage

Cantaloupe cultivated in Malaysia appears as the biggest potential in fresh-cut produce industry and offer higher profit returns. From this opportunity, several changes on physico-chemical properties of untreated fresh-cut cantaloupe(variety Glamour) cubes, harvested at ¾ maturity stage, dipped in deionized water for 1 min at 2° C were observed. Changes of total soluble solid (TSS), pH, total acidity (TA), freezing point, and moisture content were determined during 19 days storage at 2° C and 86-87% relative humidity (RH) air. The pH increased from 6.29 to 6.46 and the freezing point varied between -0.98°C and -0.81°C as moisture content increased from 90.89% to 92.38% d.b. The total acidity and TSS decreased with increase in storage time from 0.11% to 0.09% and 9.07 to 8.60 respectively. The results had implication with significant differences (P < 0.1) for the untreated fresh-cut cantaloupe during storage period

A case study on turnover of operational staff at multinational company in Kuantan, Pahang and its effect to the productivity = kajian kepuasan kerja dan komitmen organisasi serta kesannya terhadap kecenderungan / niat berhenti kerja di kalangan staf bahagian operasi syarikat multinasional di Kuantan, Pahang

This study aims to identify the factors that influence the turnover phenomenon among the operational staffs of multinational companies in Kuantan Pahang. This study focuses on assessing the facets of job satisfaction which are People on Your Present Job, Work on Present Job, Pay, Opportunities for Promotion & Supervision, Job in General, organizational commitment and its effect on the tendency to leave their job and organization. This study uses survey design and multivariate analysis. A total of 79 personnel of of full-time employees (operational staffs division) at two multinational companies in Kuantan Pahang were selected as subject by using probability sampling-simple random sampling technique. Data obtained through a survey demographics profile and four instruments which are Job Descriptive Index & Job in General (JDI & JIG), Organizational Commitment Questionnaires (OCQ) and Intent to Quit (ITQ). Data was analyzed based on t-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOV A) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)-Partial Least Squares (PLS) statistical techniques by using SPSS 16.0 and SmartPLS 2.0 M3. Findings indicate that there was significant relationship between demographic variables with the components of job satisfaction, commitment to the organization and the tendency to leave the organization. This study also analyzes the significance of the measurement model and structural model that includes the idea of job satisfaction, commitment to the organization and the tendency to leave the organization. This study involves measurement and structural model that includes the dimensions of job satisfaction, organizational commitment and the tendency to leave the organization especially among operational division staffs. Thus, concepts and theories used in this study can be developed for cross-cultural and local context, particularly for organizations in Malaysia. In addition, it becomes the basis for further studies to various factors that increase job satisfaction, organizational commitment thus reducing the phenomenon of turnover among employees. Based on the findings, implications and recommendations for future research are also discussed

Detection of novel gammaherpesviruses from fruit bats in Indonesia

Bats are an important natural reservoir of zoonotic viral pathogens. We previously isolated an alphaherpesvirus in fruit bats in Indonesia, and here establish the presence of viruses belonging to other taxa of the family Herpesviridae. We screened the same fruit bat population with pan-herpesvirus PCR and discovered 68 sequences of novel gammaherpesvirus, designated 'megabat gammaherpesvirus' (MgGHV). A phylogenetic analysis of approximately 3.4 kbp of continuous MgGHV sequences encompassing the glycoprotein B gene and DNA polymerase gene revealed that the MgGHV sequences are distinct from those of other reported gammaherpesviruses. Further analysis suggested the existence of co-infections of herpesviruses in Indonesian fruit bats. Our findings extend our understanding of the infectious cycles of herpesviruses in bats in Indonesia and the phylogenetic diversity of the gammaherpesviruses