Particle size analysis on ginger essential oil nanoemulsions

Ginger essential oil has various biological properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. However, ginger essential oils has its own weaknesses, such as high volatility, low absorption, and poor water-solubility. Transdermal drug delivery is one of the alternatives to transport ginger essential oil into the body. The transdermal drug delivery system which is a nanoemulsion was introduced to overcome the weakness of essential oil. The droplet size of a nanoemulsion is an important property which determines the stability and ease of penetration. In this research, the nanoemulsions were prepared using a spontaneous emulsification method. The effect of preparation conditions and system composition on particle size of ginger essential oil nanoemulsions were examined. In organic phase, ginger essential oil and surfactants which are Tween 40, 60 and 80 were used. In aqueous phase, distilled water and co-solvent (glycerol) were used. For nanoemulsion formation, the organic phase was slowly added into the aqueous phase while being stirred at 500 rpm. The surfactant type had a major effect on particle size, where the smallest droplets particle size were formed by using Tween 80 (15.40 nm). The surfactant concentration also shows a great impact on particle size, where at surfactantto- emulsion ratio (SER) 25 %, the smallest droplets were formed (11.3 nm). By increasing the temperature of organic phase and stirring speed, the particle size was reduced with the smallest droplets being formed at 90 °C (11.16 nm) and at 800 rpm (11.23 nm). Co-solvent addition also had shown an impact on particle size where at 10 % of co-solvent concentration, the smallest droplets were formed (11.22 nm). For thermodynamic stability, nanoemulsions with SER 15 %, 20 %, 25 % and 30% had shown a great stability with no phase and size separation. For storage stability, the droplets particle size were increased by 23 % throughout the two months of storage. In conclusion, a smaller droplet particle (< 15 nm) can be formed by optimizing the system composition and homogenization conditions of nanoemulsions

Surface sediment analysis on petroleum hydrocarbon and total organic carbon from coastal area of Papar to Tuaran, Sabah

Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and total organic carbon (TOC) were investigated in surface sediments along coastal area of Papar to Tuaran, Sabah. Surface sediment samples were collected in 24 different stations in each area by using Ponar grab sampler. Samples were extracted for TPH using standard method sediment/sludge APHA 5520E and analyzed using UV/VIS spectrophotometer while for TOC method analysis using United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/MAP Athens (2006). The range of TPH concentrations in surface sediments were recorded at 0.24 – 20.65 mg/kg dw Miri crude oil equivalents, meanwhile the TOC percentage ranged from 0.03 – 4.02%. In the mean time, the statistical analysis by Pearson correlation showed a positive correlation with coefficient, r = 0.790 which showing the TPH concentrations significantly have influence on the TOC accumulations in the surface sediment

Pemisahan dan pencirian sebatian semulajadi daripada kayu Vitex vestita (Verbenaceae)

Sampel kayu Vitex vestita (Verbenaceae) telah dikutip dari Hutan Simpan Bukit Belata, Hulu Selangor, Selangor. Kajian ini melibatkan penyaringan fitokimia, keaktifan biologi dan pemencilan komponen kimia dalam ekstrak metanol kayu. Penyaringan fitokimia dijalankan bagi menentukan kehadiran alkaloid, flavonoid, triterpena/steroid dan saponin manakala ujian biologi dijalankan bagi menilai ketoksikan ekstrak tersebut menggunakan ujian kematian anak udang (UKAU). Ujian awal fitokimia mendapati hanya sebatian steroid hadir dalam ekstrak manakala UKAU memberi LC > 1000 ppm. Pemisahan komponen kimia 50 ekstrak dilakukan dengan menggunakan kromatografi cecair vakum, kromatografi radial dan lapisan nipis penyediaan. Dua sebatian telah dipencilkan dan dikenalpasti sebagai 3-epi-20-hidroksiekdison dan 2,3,14,20 ,22,25-heksahidroksikolesta-4,6-diena. Struktur kedua-dua sebatian dielusidasi dengan pelbagai kaedah spektroskopi seperti spektroskopi ultralembayung (UL), inframerah (IM), jisim dan resonans magnet nukleus (RMN) serta secara perbandingan data spektrum diperolehi dengan data spektrum kepustakaan

Multi-step ft-ir spectroscopy analysis of the metabolite content in hibiscus sabdariffa var. UKMR-2 in response to soil media

The present study analyze the differences in metabolite content in UKMR-2 calyces in response to different soil media formulation ratio treatment by applying multi-step infrared based fingerprinting. The cultivation using two different media ratio (top soil, organic matter and sand); SM1 with 2:1:1 v/v/v and SM2 with 2:1:2 v/v/v. Multi-step infrared based fingerprinting: one dimensional infrared (1D-IR), second derivative infrared (SD-IR) and two dimensional correlation infrared (2D-IR) spectroscopy were used. The 1D-IR spectrums revealed a similar absorption in the fingerprint zone (1900 - 650 cm-1). SD-IR spectrums clearly showed have more peaks with different shape, position and intensity in the fingerprint zone. 2D-IR synchronous correlation spectrum clearly distinguished the metabolite content in the UKMR-2 calyx extract in the range of 1000 – 650 cm-1 . Therefore, multi-step infrared based fingerprinting has the potential as one of the effective methods to discriminate extract samples with similar infrared fingerprint features

The supervisory styles of supervisors as perceived by counselling interns in Malaysia

Supervisors play different roles and styles during supervision process. However, the styles of supervisors in Malaysia has not been explored and investigated thoroughly. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the prevalent supervisory styles among supervisors in Malaysian public universities as perceived by counselling interns. Descriptive research design was used in this study. Sample size of 138 respondents from four public universities in Malaysia were chosen through stratified random sampling technique. The inventory used to measure the styles was The Adapted Supervisory Styles Inventory by [1]. The inventory measures four type of supervisory styles namely; Directive Teacher Style, Supportive Teacher Style, Counsellor Style and Consultant Style. The findings showed that most of the respondent perceived their supervisors using Supportive Teacher Style followed by Directive Style during supervision process. Practical and theoretical implications are then discuses

Money Laundering: A Review of Literature and Future Research

Money laundering is one of the financial crimes that has become a major concern in most countries worldwide. The rising number of reported instances of money laundering could be driven by several reasons. With this growth, there is a growing academic interest in money laundering research; therefore, opportunities should be created for interested academics to evaluate the evolution of research in this field. This study was intended to evaluate published studies in this field from the origin of the idea of money laundering to the present to identify major trends or issues in money laundering research and to propose a research agenda for the future. A qualitative research design was adopted using a content analysis approach. It was found that most of the research focuses more on the relationship of money laundering with other offenses and the detection methods but lacking in the understanding of money laundering and the rules and regulations related to money laundering. This study is intended to be useful to current and future scholars in the field of financial crimes who are interested in the evolution of the literature and in identifying areas for future researc

Petroleum hydrocarbon in mud clam (polymesoda erosa) and its ambient medium in the coastal area of Putatan and Tuaran, Sabah

Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), total organic carbon (TOC) content and particle size were investigated in mud clam (Polymedosa erosa) and sediment in the coastal area of Putatan and Tuaran, Sabah. Mud clams and sediments were collected by hand-picking and trowel in five stations respectively for both coastal area. Mud clams and sediment samples were extracted for TPH using standard method APHA 5520 and analyzed using UV/VIS spectrophotometer. The determination of TOC content was based on United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/ MAP Athens (2006). The overall range of TPH concentrations in mud clam and sediments in both study areas were recorded at 0.72 – 2.16 mg/kg dw and 0.15 – 0.62 mg/kg dw Miri crude oil equivalents, respectively. The overall mean and range of TOC content from coastal area of Putatan and Tuaran were 9.30% (5.37 – 15.82%) and 7.98% (4.21 – 12.93%) respectively and sandy particles are majority in these two sites. In the meantime, the statistical analysis by Pearson correlation showed a moderately positive correlation with coefficient for TPH concentration in mud clam and sediment (r=0.6340 for Putatan; r=0.6978 for Tuaran), meanwhile showed a strong positive correlation for TPH concentration and TOC content in sediment (r=0.9637 for Putatan; r=0.9340 for Tuaran). Therefore, TOC can be used as the screening for TPH in sediment for both areas

Villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix with lymph node metastasis - A case report and review of the literature

Villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma was first described by Young and Scully in 1989 as a distinct entity with the histological features of exophytic growth proliferation, villous and papillary architecture and mild to moderate nuclear atypia. We report one case of villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma (VGPA) of the uterine cervix with lymph node metastasis and reviewed the clinicopathological features of six other cases reported in the literature. Our patient is the seventh similar reported cases. They ranged in age from 29 to 54 (mean, 41) years. Five had lymphovascular invasion. All except our patient were treated with radical hysterectomy and radiotherapy. She was followed-up for 7 months and unfortunately died due to chest infectio

Evaluating Audit Oversight Board’s Regulatory Impact: Analysis of Sanctions Imposed on Malaysian Audit Firms

This study analyzes the 12-year trend of cases involving auditor wrongdoing as disclosed on the Audit Oversight Board (AOB) Malaysia's website from 2012 to 2023. Utilizing content analysis, the research examines the nature, frequency, and severity of penalties or sanctions imposed on audit firms for various offenses. Findings indicate a dynamic pattern of regulatory actions, reflecting Malaysia's evolving landscape of audit quality and regulatory oversight. It was revealed that a total of 56 breaches of the Securities Commission Act 1993 involving 30 audit firms were reported and disclosed by the Audit Oversight Board over the period from 2012 to 2023.&nbsp; The findings revealed that most misconduct cases relate to the failure of audit firms to comply with the requirements of International Auditing Standards, International Standard on Quality Control and Malaysian Institute of Accountant By-Laws. There has been a notable decrease in cases involving auditors over the past six years. This could also indicate the dedication of the AOB to monitoring auditors' conduct to prevent their involvement in malpractice. This study contributes to the understanding of audit regulation effectiveness and the behavioral patterns of auditors in response to regulatory scrutiny

Petroleum hydrocarbon in surface sediment from coastal area of Putatan and Papar, Sabah

Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and percent total organic carbon (TOC) were investigated in surface sediments from coastal area of Papar and Putatan, Sabah. Samples were collected in five different stations in each area by using Ponar grab sampler. Samples were extracted with Soxhlet, concentrated and analyzed by using UV/VIS spectrophotometer. The overall mean and range of TPH concentrations in the sediments from coastal area of Papar and Putatan were 1.95 (0.53 – 4.59 mg/kg dw Miri crude oil equivalents) and 0.85 (0.26 – 1.64 mg/kg dw Miri crude oil equivalents) respectively. Meanwhile, the TOC ranged from 0.81 – 2.32% and 0.35 – 0.81% respectively. Statistical analysis using Pearson correlation showed no significant differences between TPH and TOC (p < 0.05) in both areas