Chemometric Determination of the Geographical Origin of Milk Samples in Malaysia

In this work, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) and Ultrasound Milko Tester were used to study milk samples obtained from various geographical locations in Malaysia. ICP-MS was used to determine the concentration of trace elements in milk, water and soil samples obtained from seven dairy farms at different geographical locations in peninsular Malaysia. IRMS was used to analyze the milk samples for isotopic ratios of δ13C, 15N and 18O. Nutritional parameters in the milk samples were determined using an ultrasound milko tester. Data obtained from these measurements were evaluated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Analysis (HA) as a preliminary step in determining geographical origin of these milk samples. It is observed that the isotopic ratios and a number of the nutritional parameters are responsible for the discrimination of the samples. It was also observed that it is possible to determine the geographical origin of these milk samples solely by the isotopic ratios of δ13C, 15N and 18O. The accuracy of the geographical discrimination is demonstrated when several milk samples from a milk factory taken from one of the regions under study were appropriately assigned to the correct PCA cluster

Chemometric Determination of the Geographical Origin of Milk Samples in Malaysia

In this work, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) and Ultrasound Milko Tester were used to study milk samples obtained from various geographical locations in Malaysia. ICP-MS was used to determine the concentration of trace elements in milk, water and soil samples obtained from seven dairy farms at different geographical locations in peninsular Malaysia. IRMS was used to analyze the milk samples for isotopic ratios of δ13C, 15N and 18O. Nutritional parameters in the milk samples were determined using an ultrasound milko tester. Data obtained from these measurements were evaluated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Analysis (HA) as a preliminary step in determining geographical origin of these milk samples. It is observed that the isotopic ratios and a number of the nutritional parameters are responsible for the discrimination of the samples. It was also observed that it is possible to determine the geographical origin of these milk samples solely by the isotopic ratios of δ13C, 15N and 18O. The accuracy of the geographical discrimination is demonstrated when several milk samples from a milk factory taken from one of the regions under study were appropriately assigned to the correct PCA cluster

Chemometric Determination of the Geographical Origin of Milk Samples in Malaysia

In this work, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) and Ultrasound Milko Tester were used to study milk samples obtained from various geographical locations in Malaysia. ICP-MS was used to determine the concentration of trace elements in milk, water and soil samples obtained from seven dairy farms at different geographical locations in peninsular Malaysia. IRMS was used to analyze the milk samples for isotopic ratios of δ13C, 15N and 18O. Nutritional parameters in the milk samples were determined using an ultrasound milko tester. Data obtained from these measurements were evaluated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Analysis (HA) as a preliminary step in determining geographical origin of these milk samples. It is observed that the isotopic ratios and a number of the nutritional parameters are responsible for the discrimination of the samples. It was also observed that it is possible to determine the geographical origin of these milk samples solely by the isotopic ratios of δ13C, 15N and 18O. The accuracy of the geographical discrimination is demonstrated when several milk samples from a milk factory taken from one of the regions under study were appropriately assigned to the correct PCA cluster

Assessment of Copper and Zinc Concentrations in Anadara granosa

Due to economic growth and increased human activities, large amounts of metal pollutants have been discharged into the aquatic environment. Anadara granosa, which is a filter feeder cockle species, can act as an indicator to evaluate the presence of metal elements. It is a prominent cockle species and an important protein source in Southeast Asia. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the distributions of metal elements in commercialised Anadara granosa sampled from Jeli wet market, and to assess the safety of consumption using Target Hazard Quotients (THQ). The concentrations of Cu, and Zn in those samples were determined using the acid digestion method, which has been verified with standard reference material. Based on the findings, metal concentrations in Anadara granosa followed the order of; Zn > Cu. The differences in metal accumulation observed in Anadara granosa were probably due to the differences in their environmental conditions. Results from preliminary risk assessments suggest that the risks posed by metals via consumption of Anadara granosa for Cu and Zn were within the tolerable region. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) of, Cu and Zn was < 1, indicating no potential human health risk. However, it is advisable to limit the intake of Anadara granosa to reduce the risk of potential health effects

Lead concentration in long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) hair in Kuala Selangor, Malaysia

Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) has the potential to be a good biological indicator for toxic exposure because they have an almost similar physiology and behaviour to humans. The objective of this study is to determine the concentration of lead (Pb) in hair samples of long-tailed macaques which were found in and out of the Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KSNP) area. The hypothesis is long-tailed macaques that live in the anthropogenic area (outside KSNP) may be exposed to high levels of lead compared to long-tailed macaques living in the forest area (inside KSNP). Analysis of hair samples were carried out using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The study found that the average mean of lead concentration in the anthropogenic area is 6.31 μg/g while for the forest area it is 3.16 μg/g. Lead concentration in the two areas are statistically insignificant. Nevertheless, lead concentration in the anthropogenic area recorded a slightly higher mean concentration than in the forest area. Even so, results of this study indicate that long-tailed macaques in Kuala Selangor are not exposed to high levels of lead. This study is the first in Malaysia to utilise long-tailed macaques as a biological indicator for testing the concentration of toxic substances in the environment. This study is still in its early stages; thus, future research requires improvements

Assessment of metal variations in water, sediment, and fish species (Pangasius sp. and Hemibagrus sp.) from Selangor River, Pahang River and nearby aquaculture ponds / Nor Shahirul Umirah Idris

This study aims to evaluate the spatial distributions of metal elements in water, sediments, and fish species (Pangasius sp. and Hemibagrus sp.) sampled from Selangor River, Pahang River and nearby aquaculture ponds, and to assess the safety of the fish consumption. The concentrations of Na, Mg, K, Ca, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, and Pb in those samples were determined using the microwave-assisted digestion-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometric method which has been verified with a series of certified reference materials. The natural clustering tendency corresponding to metal variability was explored using principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. The results revealed that the metal variability in the waterbody and sediment samples mostly originated from human activities around the sampling sites, in addition to natural variations. Such variations were also reflected on the metal accumulation pattern in the sampled fish, although the variations between different tissues were mainly subjected to their metabolic activities. Based on the findings, Hemibagrus sp. was suggested as a potential bioindicator for hazardous metal pollution. In risk and safety assessment, the metal concentrations in the edible muscle of the fish samples were found to be below the established limits, although target hazard quotient of As and Se in wild Hemibagrus sp. from Selangor River approached unity

The removal of total suspended particulates (TSP) using chitosan/PVA electrospun fibers

Total suspended particle (TSP) is the measurement of the amount of suspended particle with a diameter less than 100 micrometers. The exposure of particulate matter can be significant for human health and environment. It can cause respiratory and cardiovascular effects, reduce visibility, and reduce water quality. Electrospun fibers is a versatile technology that can produce large surface area, controllable fiber diameter and interconnected pore structure. In this study, the effectiveness of chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (CS-PVA) fibers incorporated with activated carbon (AC) for capturing TSP in the air was investigated. The CS-PVA fibers was prepared by combining CS and PVA solutions at ratio of 30:70 with various AC concentrations ranging from 0-3 wt.%. The CS-PVA fibers prepared were fitted in the low-volume air samplers (LVAS) and placed nearby the main road of UMK Campus Jeli, for the collection of PM2.5 and PM10. Additionally, the weathering data during the sampling days was requested from My MET website to observe the influence of weather on TSP collection. Based on the results, as the AC concentration increased in the CS-PVA fibers, the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 also increased. The CSPVA-3 showed the highest collection of PM10 and PM2.5 compared to other CS-PVA fibers and standard quartz filter. However, the collection of TSP on the filter paper were also influence by the humidity, rainfall, and wind speed of the sampling day

The removal of total suspended particulates (TSP) using chitosan/PVA electrospun fibers

Total suspended particle (TSP) is the measurement of the amount of suspended particle with a diameter less than 100 micrometers. The exposure of particulate matter can be significant for human health and environment. It can cause respiratory and cardiovascular effects, reduce visibility, and reduce water quality. Electrospun fibers is a versatile technology that can produce large surface area, controllable fiber diameter and interconnected pore structure. In this study, the effectiveness of chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (CS-PVA) fibers incorporated with activated carbon (AC) for capturing TSP in the air was investigated. The CS-PVA fibers was prepared by combining CS and PVA solutions at ratio of 30:70 with various AC concentrations ranging from 0-3 wt.%. The CS-PVA fibers prepared were fitted in the low-volume air samplers (LVAS) and placed nearby the main road of UMK Campus Jeli, for the collection of PM2.5 and PM10. Additionally, the weathering data during the sampling days was requested from My MET website to observe the influence of weather on TSP collection. Based on the results, as the AC concentration increased in the CS-PVA fibers, the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 also increased. The CSPVA-3 showed the highest collection of PM10 and PM2.5 compared to other CS-PVA fibers and standard quartz filter. However, the collection of TSP on the filter paper were also influence by the humidity, rainfall, and wind speed of the sampling day

Assessment of Copper and Zinc Concentrations in

Due to economic growth and increased human activities, large amounts of metal pollutants have been discharged into the aquatic environment. Anadara granosa, which is a filter feeder cockle species, can act as an indicator to evaluate the presence of metal elements. It is a prominent cockle species and an important protein source in Southeast Asia. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the distributions of metal elements in commercialised Anadara granosa sampled from Jeli wet market, and to assess the safety of consumption using Target Hazard Quotients (THQ). The concentrations of Cu, and Zn in those samples were determined using the acid digestion method, which has been verified with standard reference material. Based on the findings, metal concentrations in Anadara granosa followed the order of; Zn > Cu. The differences in metal accumulation observed in Anadara granosa were probably due to the differences in their environmental conditions. Results from preliminary risk assessments suggest that the risks posed by metals via consumption of Anadara granosa for Cu and Zn were within the tolerable region. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) of, Cu and Zn was < 1, indicating no potential human health risk. However, it is advisable to limit the intake of Anadara granosa to reduce the risk of potential health effects