Chemical composition of Cinnamomum species collected in Sarawak

Cinnamomum species (Lauraceae) are well known for their fragrance and medicinal value. The essential oils of three Cinnamomum species (C. macrophyllum, C. crassinervium and C. griffithii) collected in Sarawak were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatograpy mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analysis of the oils showed that most of the essential oils were mainly phenylpropanoids and monoterpenes with a small amount of sesquiterpenes present. Both C. griffithii and C. crassinervium contained similar major chemical composition such as β-linalool, methyl cinnamate and eugenol methyl ether. No presence of methyl cinnamate and β-linalool were found in the oil of C. macrophyllum. m-Eugenol was prominent in the leaf oil of C. macrophyllum, while cinnamaldehyde was found mainly in the bark oil of C. macrophyllum. High percentage of camphor was identified in the bark and root oil of C. macrophyllum, compared to small amount of camphor found in the both root oil of C. griffithii and C. crassinervium

Optimization and Validation of RP-HPLC-UV/Vis Method for Determination Phenolic Compounds in Several Personal Care Products

An HPLC method with ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry detection has been optimized and validated for the simultaneous determination of phenolic compounds, such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as antioxidants, and octyl methyl cinnamate (OMC) as UVB-filter in several personal care products. The dynamic range was between 1 to 250 mg/L with relative standard deviation less than 0.25% (n = 4). Limits of detection for BHA, BHT, and OMC were 0.196, 0.170, and 0.478 mg/L, respectively. While limits of quantification for BHA, BHT, and OMC were 0.593, 0.515, and 1.448 mg/L, respectively. The recovery for BHA, BHT, and OMC was ranged from 92.1–105.9%, 83.2–108.9%, and 87.3–103.7%, respectively. The concentration ranges of BHA, BHT, and OMC in 12 commercial personal care samples were 0.13–4.85, 0.16–2.30, and 0.12–65.5 mg/g, respectively. The concentrations of phenolic compounds in these personal care samples were below than maximum allowable concentration in personal care formulation, that is, 0.0004–10 mg/g, 0.002–5 mg/g, and up to 100 mg/g for BHA, BHT, and OMC, respectively

Fatty Acid Profiles in the Kernel Oils of Artocarpus odoratissimus and Litsea garciae

Kernels of A. odoratissimus and L. garciae fruits collected from different areas in Sarawak were extracted and the fatty acid profiles in their kernel oils were studied. Proximate analysis of the kernels such as moisture content, ash content, crude fat and crude fiber were determined. The kernels were extracted using Soxhlet extraction apparatus and the Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) composition in the kernel oils were analysed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The number of FAME components found in A. odoratissimus kernel oil was higher in comparison to L.garciae kernel oil. The major compound in kernel oil of each fruit sample also differs from each other; C12:0 (lauric acid) (28.75±0.09-34.12±1.02%) was the main FAME in L.garciae while C18:2n6c (linoleic acid) (37.30±4.62-40.74±6.19%) was the dominant compound in A. odoratissimus. This study is significant as it has revealed that the kernel oils of these underexploited indigenous fruits have a great potential to be developed for the applications in nutrition, industrial and cosmetics

Role of Extractives in the Durability of Neobalanocarpus heimii and Shorea falcifera Heartwoods

Wood durability refers to the resistance of the wood from decay agents such as fungi, termites, marine borers and weathering. Extractives isolated from the heartwood of durable hardwood species and some other plants species may provide alternatives to pest control because of their bioactive compounds. Wood extractives are known to affect wood resistance against fungi and termites attack. This study was carried out to determine the role of extractives of two natural durable woods namely Neobalanocarpus heimii (chengal) and Shorea falcifera (balau kuning) towards fungal decay and termites attack. A nondurable wood, Dyera polyphylla (jelutong paya), was used as control. Sequential Soxhlet extractions were done by using firstly mixture of 95% ethanol and toulene at a ratio of 2.32:1 (v/v), followed by 95% ethanol, 95% methanol and finally hot distilled water. The extracted and unextracted wood cubes were tested for decay resistance based on soil blocks decay test using white-rot (Trametes versicolor) and brown-rot (Coniophora puteana) decay fungi. A no-choice termite resistance test was carried out using a subterranean termite Nasutitermes sp. The weight loss due to fungal decay and termite attacks were determined after twelve weeks and three weeks of exposure, respectively. Chemically extracted test blocks were compared to unextracted blocks. Extracted durable species were also compared to nondurable controls. Sequential Soxhlet showed that Shorea falcifera yielded the highest amount of extractives at 19.81%. Results showed that non-durable wood recorded the highest weight loss in both fungi and termite attacks. Decay resistance test also showed that all extracted N. heimii and S. falcifera blocks exhibited significantly higher weight loss due to fungi and termites attacked compared to unextracted blocks. Overall results of these tests indicated that extractive content is primarily responsible for durability of N. heimii and S.falcifera

Geomorphological and Sedimentological Features of River Sadong, Sarawak, Malaysia

The effect of topography, climate, soil, and geology on River Sadong sediments is related to its geochemistry. Eighteen surface sediments and five core samples were collected in replicates from six sampling sites along River Sadong, Sarawak, Malaysia. The main aim of this study is to describe the geomorphology and sedimentological characteristics of the river sediments. This was achieved by the study of the processes that form the sediments and influence their physical and chemical characteristics. The sediments were analyzed for their sedimentological characteristics. The results indicated that the studied area is enriched with organic matter, and there are no sedimentary structures in its vicinit

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons In Surface Sediments From South China Sea Off Kuching Division, Sarawak

Eighteen surface sediment samples collected from South China Sea off Kuching Division, Sarawak were analyzed for aliphatic hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons were recovered from sediment by Soxhlet extraction method and then analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with mass spectrometer (GC/MS). Total concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from South China Sea off Kuching division are ranged from 35.6 ug/g to 1466.1 ug/g dry weights. The sediments collected from Bako Bay, Kuching showed high concentrations of total aliphatic hydrocarbons. Several molecular indices were used to predict the predominant sources of hydrocarbons. Carbon preference index (CPI) value revealed widespread anthropogenic input in this study area (CPI= 0 to 4.1). The ratio of C31/C19and C29/C31indicated that major input of aliphatic hydrocarbon mostly transfer by lateral input to the marine environment than atmospheric movements. Generally, the concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediment from South China Sea off Kuching division are generally higher compare to other area in the world

Geomorphological and Sedimentological Features of River Sadong, Sarawak, Malaysia

The effect of topography, climate, soil, and geology on River Sadong sediments is related to its geochemistry. Eighteen surface sediments and five core samples were collected in replicates from six sampling sites along River Sadong, Sarawak, Malaysia. The main aim of this study is to describe the geomorphology and sedimentological characteristics of the river sediments. This was achieved by the study of the processes that form the sediments and influence their physical and chemical characteristics. The sediments were analyzed for their sedimentological characteristics. The results indicated that the studied area is enriched with organic matter, and there are no sedimentary structures in its vicinity