Nutritional values of tempe inoculated with different strains of Rhizopus: its γ-aminobutyric acid content and antioxidant property

The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content and antioxidant profile of fermented soybean inoculated with eight different strains of Rhizopus sp. were studied. The ability of these strains, which were obtained from the Centre of Functional Food Cultures (CFFC) collection at MARDI, to produce GABA were compared to wild strains obtained from commercial tempe. Results showed that tempe inoculated with Rhizopus strains of MARDI contained higher GABA, mostly above 0.060 g/100 g dry weight compared to commercial tempe. The highest GABA content was seen in the tempe inoculated with Rhizopus 5351 strain with a concentration of up to 0.154 g/100 g dry weight at 48 h fermentation. The amount of beneficial free and essential amino acids of this tempe were also more than 1.70 g and 0.50 g/100 g dry weight respectively. Tempe inoculated with Rhizopus 5351 strain had the highest sensory score in organoleptic acceptability as evaluated by 14 experienced panellists. In addition, the antioxidant content of this tempe was within the range of commercial tempe. Overall, tempe inoculated with Rhizopus 5351 strain had better nutritional value compared to current commercial tempe available in Malaysia. Obviously, Rhizopus 5351 strain can be introduced as a commercial starter culture for making tempe in Malaysia

Antistress and antioxidant effects of virgin coconut oil in vivo

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been consumed worldwide for various health-related reasons and some of its benefits have been scientifically evaluated. Medium-chain fatty acids were found to be a potential antidepressant functional food; however, this effect had not been evaluated in VCO, which is rich in polyphenols and medium-chain fatty acids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antistress and antioxidant effects of VCO in vivo, using mice with stress-induced injury. The antistress effect of VCO (administered per os, at a dose of 10 ml/kg body weight) was evaluated using the forced swim test and chronic cold restraint stress models. VCO was able to reduce immobility time and restore oxidative stress in mice post-swim test. Furthermore, mice treated with VCO were found to exhibit higher levels of brain antioxidants, lower levels of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine and reduced weight of the adrenal glands. Consequently, the serum cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and corticosterone levels were also lower in VCO-treated mice. These results suggest the potential value of VCO as an antistress functional oil

Potensi gentian pisang sebagai sumber tekstil.

Kajian ini adalah untuk mengenalpasti tanaman pisang yang berpotensi untuk dijadikan gentian sebagai sumber tekstil dan juga kaedah yang terbaik untuk menghasilkannya. Ini adalah sejajar dengan galakkan oleh kerajaan untuk memperkembangkan industri tekstil dan juga menggalakkan penanaman pisang bagi eksport buahnya. Walaupun industri tekstil di Malaysia pesat membangun, kita masih tidak mempunyai bahan mentah sendiri. Oleh itu dengan mengadakan gentian pisang dari bahan terbuang batang pisang sebagai sumber bahan mentah tekstil adalah sangat menguntungkan. Sumber gentian dari batang ini ada tetapi masih belum dieksploitasikan lagi. Di dalam kajian ini sebanyak 8 jenis pokok pisang telah dipilih. Dua kaedah telah digunakan iaitu kaedah separa mekanikal dan kaedah rendaman. Rawatan kimia digunakan bertujuan untuk mendapatkan-gentian yang lebih halus melalui 'degumming'. Ciri-ciri fizikal dan prestasi gentian-gentian ini ditentukan. Hasil penyelidikan telah menunjukkan bahawa gentian pisang yang dihasilkan menggunakan kaedah mekanikal lebih efisien. Gentian pisang amatlah berpotensi sebagai sumber bahan mentah untuk tekstil. Gentian kasar yang dihasilkan setakat ini dapat dilembutkan dan dihaluskan lagi dengan menggunakan mesin-mesin yang lebih sofistikated dari negara luar. Projek ini dianggap s iap apabila gentian yang telah kami hasilkan setakat ini dapat ditukar ke bentuk tekstil untuk pakaian

Comparison of free amino acids, antioxidants, soluble phenolic acids, cytotoxicity and immunomodulation of fermented mung bean and soybean

BACKGROUND: Mung bean and soybean have been individually reported previously to have antioxidant, cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects, while fermentation is a well-known process to enhance the bioactive compounds that contribute to higher antioxidant, cytotoxic and immunomodulation effects. In this study, the free amino acids profile, soluble phenolic acids content, antioxidants, cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of fermented and non-fermented mung bean and soybean were compared. RESULTS: Fermented mung bean was recorded to have the highest level of free amino acids, soluble phenolic acids (especially protocatechuic acid) and antioxidant activities among all the tested products. Both fermented mung bean and soybean possessed cytotoxicity activities against breast cancer MCF-7 cells by arresting the G0/G1 phase followed by apoptosis. Moreover, fermented mung bean and soybean also induced splenocyte proliferation and enhanced the levels of serum interleukin-2 and interferon-γ. CONCLUSION: Augmented amounts of free amino acids and phenolic acids content after fermentation enhanced the antioxidants, cytotoxicity and immunomodulation effects of mung bean and soybean. More specifically, fermented mung bean showed the best effects among all the tested products. This study revealed the potential of fermented mung bean and soybean as functional foods for maintenance of good health

Comparison of in vivo toxicity, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of coconut, nipah and pineapple juice vinegars

Background: Vinegar is widely used as a food additive, in food preparation and as a food supplement. This study compared the phenolic acid profiles and in vivo toxicities, and antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of coconut, nipah and pineapple juice vinegars, which were respectively prepared via a two-step fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae 7013 INRA and Acetobacter aceti vat Europeans. Results: Pineapple juice vinegar, which had the highest total phenolic acid content, also exhibited the greatest in vitro antioxidant capacity compared to coconut juice and nipah juice vinegars. Following acute and sub-chronic in vivo toxicity evaluation, no toxicity and mortality were evident and there were no significant differences in the serum biochemical profiles between mice administered the vinegars versus the control group. In the sub-chronic toxicity evaluation, the highest liver antioxidant levels were found in mice fed with pineapple juice vinegar, followed by coconut juice and nipah juice vinegars. However, compared to the pineapple juice and nipah juice vinegars, the mice fed with coconut juice vinegar, exhibited a higher population of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the spleen, which was associated with greater levels of serum interleukin-2 and interferon-γ cytokines. Conclusions: Overall, the data suggested that not all vinegar samples cause acute and sub-chronic toxicity in vivo. Moreover, the in vivo immunity and organ antioxidant levels were enhanced, to varying extents, by the phenolic acids present in the vinegars. The results obtained in this study provide appropriate guidelines for further in vivo bioactivity studies and pre-clinical assessments of vinegar consumption

Islamic Educational System in Kelantan, Malaysia: Traditional and Modern Approaches

Abstract: Islamic Education in Malaysia began as an informal institution in its early days. This is because of the nature of development during those times, where some places such as surau, mosque and madrasah became centre for teaching the aspects of the religion. The system develops gradually, from informal to a formal system which has changed the style of learning. Nevertheless, the informal system is still existed even until today, along with the formal educational system. This is especially in Kelantan, where it becomes clear that both institutions are still running concurrently. In this paper, the authors aim to examine and analyse the Islamic Educational system in Kelantan as it is a unique experience for such a state to keep traditional institution running in this day. This paper will also discuss the development of the formal system that is established for educating the religion to the people

Synthesis and surface modification of biocompatible water soluble core-shell quantum dots

In this study, the applications of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) and its role in advanced sensings has been explored. The CdSe/ZnS was synthesized by using hot injection method with the shell ZnS layer was made using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The morphology of the CdSe/ZnS QDs was studied using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and the average particle size was in 10-12 nm range. The prepared QDs were optically characterized using spectrofluorescence and strong emission was observed at 620 nm. Comparison of the fluorescence emissions of CdSe/ZnS capped with various capping ligands such as L-cysteine, thioglycolic acid (TGA), mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) and mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) were studied. The CdSe/ZnS capped with TGA gave the strongest fluorescence emission compared to others

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of the food seasoning curry leaves Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. (Rutaceae)

Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. (Rutaceae), a common spice, has been traditionally used to reduce inflammation and hepatitis. The present study aimed to reveal the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity as well as the regulation of cytochrome P450 levels elicited by aqueous extracts of M. koenigii leaves in response to paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in BALB/c mice. Liver toxicity was induced by an overdose of paracetamol followed by treatment with a M. koenigii leaf aqueous extract. The levels of serum liver markers, liver antioxidants, inflammatory markers and liver cytochrome P450 2E1 were quantified after 14 days of treatment. Histopathological analysis of the liver was also carried out. In vitro antioxidant levels and phenolic acid characterization were also performed. The extracts (50 and 200 mg kg-1 body weight) effectively restored the serum liver profiles (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase), liver antioxidant levels (superoxide dismutase, glutathione and ferric reducing ability of plasma) and inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells and nitric oxide) to healthy levels in a dosage dependent manner. The level of liver cytochrome P450 2E1 was also lowered in the extract treated groups. Histopathological assessment showed that treatment with 200 mg kg-1 of the M. koenigii aqueous extract was able to reduce liver necrosis in mice fed paracetamol. Gallic acid concentration was the highest among all the phenolic acids detected in the extract. These results suggested that the M. koenigii aqueous extract, which possessed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, can be used as a potential treatment for liver diseases caused by oxidative stress

Nutrient enrichment of fermented soybean tempeh via anaerobic fermentation with various biological activities

Fermented soybean is found to contain increased level of bioactive contents such as proteins, polyphenolics, vitamins and minerals as a result of its microbial activity. Tempeh is an example of fermented soybean that has been recognized to have various health benefits contributed by the increased level of amino acids and antioxidants. Further enhancement of the bioactive properties of tempeh can be achieved via combination of anaerobic fermentation with selected strain of Rhizopus sp. as an innoculant. The purpose of this study is to determine and compare the cytotoxic,immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, liver ameliorative activities as well as acute toxicity of aqueous extract of nutrient enriched of soybean tempeh (NESTE) with nonfermented soybean (SBE). The production of NESTE involved by normal aerobic fermentation of tempeh followed by anaerobic fermentation using Rhizopus oligosporus (R. oligosporus) 5351 strain that was obtained from the culture collection of Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). NESTE was produced by soaking soybeans for 18 h, steaming for 40 min, mixing with R. oligosporus 5351 strain starter culture prior to packaging with perforated plastic, incubating in aerobic condition for 30 h at 30 ˚C and continue incubating in anaerobic condition for 20 h at room temperature. Results have demonstrated that anaerobic fermentation on soybean had successfully produced NESTE, which contains 3210 ± 0.01 mg/ 100 g DW (dried weight) total free amino acids, 1100 ± 0.01 mg/ 100 g DW (dried weight) total essential amino acids and 338 ± 0.025 mg/ 100 g DW (dried weight) gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Besides, NESTE also contains 42.64 ± 1.59 μg/ g extract of soluble phenolic acids and 22.56 ± 0.31 mg GAE/ g extract of total phenolic acids. These results indicated that the level of amino acids, GABA and antioxidants had significantly increased (p < 0.05). In addition, NESTE also inhibited the growth of MCF 7 cells in MTT assay with IC50 3.6 ± 0.22 mg/ mL after 72 h incubation while no cytotoxicity was detected in MCF 10A normal breast cell line. Cell cycle with flow cytometry analysis illustrated that NESTE arrested MCF 7 cells at G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, increment of the cell population in sub G0/G1 has shown that IC50 of NESTE at 72 h was able to induce the best apoptotic effect towards MCF 7 cells. Annexin V-FITC/PI assay has further confirmed the apoptotic effect induced by NESTE on MCF 7 cells where substantial amount of early apoptotic cells were detected. On the other hand, the immunomodulatory study of NESTE has shown that NESTE stimulated splenic cells proliferation in time and dosage dependent manner which can be observed through MTT and BrdU assays. Additionally, NESTE was also able to stimulate and enhance cytokine secretion (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) in time and dosage dependent manner.Antiinflammatory study has shown that NESTE exhibited no sign of cytotoxicity towards RAW 264.7 cells (macrophage cells) and was able to suppress the level of nitric oxide,which is an inflammatory indicator. In vivo tests on mice ear edema and analgesic demonstrated that the best effect was achieved when treated with 1000 mg/ kg of NESTE suggesting that NESTE was able to suppress the edematous effect of mice ear and produce better and lasting analgesic effect. The evaluation of in vivo liver ameliorative activity of NESTE indicated that NESTE could revert the effect of steatosis in hepatocytes to normal condition, increase the antioxidant level and reduce the inflammation of the ethanol treated mice. Moreover, NESTE exhibited no sign of toxicity towards mice up to 5000 mg/ kg. Overall, anaerobic fermentation of soybean using R. oligosporus sp. 5351 strain has successfully produced NESTE with higher bioactive contents such as GABA, amino acid and antioxidants. This finding suggested that NESTE could be formulated as a healthy food supplements that possessed the anticancer, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and liver ameliorative effect

Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Untreated, Germinated, and Fermented Mung Bean Aqueous Extract

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of untreated mung bean (MB), germinated mung bean (GMB), and fermented mung bean (FMB) was performed on both in vitro (inhibition of inflammatory mediator, nitric oxide(NO)) and in vivo (inhibition of ear oedema and reduction of response to pain stimulus) studies. Results showed that both GMB and FMB aqueous extract exhibited potent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in a dose-dependent manner. In vitro results showed that GMB and FMB were potent inflammatory mediator (NO) inhibitors at both 2.5 and 5 mg/mL. Further in vivo studies showed that GMB and FMB aqueous extract at 1000 mg/kg can significantly reduce ear oedema in mice caused by arachidonic acid. Besides, both 200 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg concentrations of GMB and FMB were found to exhibit potent antinociceptive effects towards hotplate induced pain. With these, it can be concluded that GMB and FMB aqueous extract exhibited potential anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects