Journal Of Agrobiotechnology (Journal of UniSZA - Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin)
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Comparative Study on Nutritive Value of Different Legumes Species (Leucaena leucocephala, Calopogononium muconoides and Stylosanthes guianensis)
Get PDFLegumes are the plant that contains high protein content that has been used as supplementary for animal feed and has a great potential to increase the productivity of livestock. However, no much study has been measured on the nutritive value of legume species. Thus, the aims of this study were to measure the nutritive content in the leaves of three different legume species (Leucaena leucocephala, Calopogonium mucunoides and Stylosanthes guianensis) and to compare the species that contain high of nutritive value. The samples were collected in Tembila area, Besut, Terengganu, then were brought to the Plant Physiology laboratory at UniSZA Kampus Besut for sample preparation. The samples were washed under tap water for 30 seconds to prevent nutrient leaching, then were dried and ground before analyzed by proximate analysis and mineral analysis using Induces Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) machine. The parameters that were measured by using the proximate analysis consist of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), ash, ether extract (EE) and Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE). For mineral analysis, the samples were analyzed for Calcium (Ca), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and Manganese (Mn). The results of this study showed that Leucaena leucocephala had significantly higher (p < 0.05) of CP and EE. While, Stylosanthes guianensis had significantly higher (p < 0.05) of the micro-elements which are Zn, Fe and Mn. Therefore, this study revealed that L. leucocephala contained the highest nutritive value of CP, EE and Calcium
Effect of Piper betle Leaf Extract-Loaded Chitosan Nano Particle as Fruit-Coating Assay to Control Anthracnose on Mango
No full textGreen betel leaf (Piper betle L.) is one of the plants being used for traditional herbal medicine. This study aimed to determine betel leaf extract-chitosan nanoparticles to control anthracnose disease on mango. Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation method using sodium tripolyphosphate as cross-linking agent. Characterization of the betel leaf extract was done by pyrolysis GC-MS; while chitosan nanoparticles were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, and PSA analysis. The results showed that the green betel leaf extract contains 71.18 + 0.3% of antifungal phenolic compounds. The most phenolic compounds and their derivatives in the betel leaf extract was 1-hydroxy-4-methylbenzotriazole. Chitosan hydrolysis reduced the chitosan MW from 754.89 kDa to 245.85 kDa. Based on FTIR analysis, hydrolysis treatment and the addition of extract affected the existence of chitosan functional group, and wave numbers. The absorption of aromatic groups was observed at 1000 - 650 cm-1 wave numbers. The sizes of particle were ranged from 101 + 6.25 nm to 431.1 + 4.32 nm. The size of chitosan without hydrolysis was bigger than that of chitosan with hydrolysis. The SEM morphology of the chitosan nanoparticle-betel leaf extract was spherical shape. Chitosan hydrolysis treatment had a higher antifungal effect than that of chitosan without hydrolysis. The mass ratio of chitosan nanoparticles and betel leaf extracts (3:1; v/v) of both without hydrolysis and with hydrolysis was found as a good formula in suppressing anthracnose on mangoes with the degree of disease inhibition of 85.88% and 98.82%, respectively. The betel leaf extract-loaded chitosan nanoparticle treatment may offer the fruit shelf life up to 6 days
Biological Studies of Novel Aspirin-Chalcone Derivatives bearing Variable Substituents
Get PDFThe evolution of drug resistant bacteria has now becoming a major concern in the search for new antibacterial agent. Ongoing interest has also developing to find a new class of compounds with antioxidant properties. Herein, a series of hydroxylated chalcones 1a-g and aspirin-chalcone derivatives 2a-g were successfully synthesised for antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Chalcones 1a-g were prepared by Claisen-Schmidt condensation of 4-hydroxyacetophenone and benzaldehyde derivatives, while 2a-g were synthesised via esterification of aspirin with 1a-g. All the synthesised compounds were elucidated using CHNS elemental analysis, FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. All compounds were evaluated for antibacterial assay via disc diffusion method and antioxidant assay using stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Only 1a showed moderate activity against Escherichia coli, while 1b-g and 2a-g showed no inhibition against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus in comparison ampicillin as standard antibiotic. Compounds 1b-g and 2a-g having various substituents contributed to bulky molecular structures and caused difficult penetration into the cell membrane thus, unable to inhibit the bacterial growth. Compounds 1a-g and 2a-g also displayed poor antioxidant properties on DPPH in comparison to ascorbic acid due to low phenolic pharmacophore. The formation of bulky structures for 2a-g have hindered the antioxidant properties compared to 1a-g
The Foetal Ultrastructural Images Obtained from Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Does Using Transrectal and Transabdominal Probes of Ultrasound Scanner
Get PDFReal time B-mode ultrasound scanner becomes very effective tools to detect early pregnancy diagnosis in small ruminant such as goat. Ultrasound scanner used in two way which are transrectal and transabdominal probes. Transabdominal probe used as it is less harmful than transrectal probe. The objectives of the study are: 1) to detect the ultrastructural images in non-pregnant does for artificial insemination purposes using ultrasound scanner, 2) to diagnose of difference foetal ultrastructural images obtained during gestation period using ultrasound scanner and 3) to compare the foetal ultrastructural image obtained from trans-rectal and trans-abdominal probes of ultrasound scanner. There are three pregnant does and 26 non-pregnant does with two successfully delivered out of 29 totals does chosen in this experiment. The ultrastructural images visible are ‘C’ shape placentome, heartbeat, foetus and hydrometra. It is shown that the size of heart determines the age of foetus during gestation period. At the end of this study, the farmers should be exposed to this modern way to diagnose the pregnancy and non-pregnancy in does and another ruminant. The farmer is able to manage their farm management for pregnant does and ready the non-pregnant does with culling or rebreeding for second time. The result of the study would be an alternative reference to increase the production of milk and farm management in goat industry at UDGF and Malaysia especially. The ultrasound technique to diagnose pregnancy in goats
Population Abundance of Insect Trapped on Different Colours of Sticky Trap in Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) Field
Get PDFA study was conducted to attract insects using different colours of sticky trap in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) field. Sticky trap was chosen as it is one of a method to estimate the insect population density in field as it requires a low cost and less skilled labour. Four different colours of sticky traps (i.e. red, white, blue and yellow) were used to determine the insect population abundance at the pumpkin field. All the traps were installed at the height of 100 cm at a random of 1 ha of pumpkin plot with five replicates for each colour and the insect samples were collected weekly for three months (October-December 2019). Overall, a total of 13,052 insects were collected throughout 11 weeks of sampling. The results showed that the percentage of insect population abundance recorded the highest was on week eight (15.01%) whilst the least abundance of insects trapped was on week one (2.28%). The most attractive colour to attract insects was significantly the yellow colour (44.34%) followed by blue (20.12%) and white (19.15%) whilst the lowest insect trapped was on red colour (16.40%). A total of nine insect orders recorded were; Diptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Blattodea, Isoptera and others. Diptera was the most abundant of insect’s order trapped in the yellow trap with 3427 individuals and followed by Hemiptera order (1022 individuals). Whilst the Isoptera order was the least number of insects caught on a red colour trap with only one individual. In conclusion, our findings showed that the yellow sticky trap colour is the most attractive to attract insects of C. moschata compared to other colours. Therefore, this study could provide essential knowledge that may be useful for the future ecological survey of insects of C. moschata
Effect of Different Types of Fertilizer Application on the Soil Fertility of Oil Palm Reclamation Soil under Polyculture System
Get PDFTo evaluate the effect of different fertilizer application on soil fertility under polyculture cropping system (okra, water spinach and yard long bean), a field experiment was conducted in the oil palm reclamation soil at the research farm in ICA UTM-Pagoh. There were five treatments involved which were: (T1) no fertilizer, (T2) organic fertilizer, (T3) inorganic fertilizer, (T4) organic inorganic compound fertilizer and (T5) organic + inorganic fertilizer. The initial and final soil samples were collected to study the effect of different types of commercial fertilizer application on soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), moisture content, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), C/N ratio, soil organic matter (SOM), bulk density and nutrients (P and K) contents in the soil surface layer (0–15 cm) of the experimented site for 14 weeks. Results showed that the soil pH was the lowest with an average of 6.05 units in T5 and was significantly higher in T1 (8.23 units). The EC value in T5 is the highest with 172.4 ds/m and lowest in T1 with an average of 25.5 ds/m. T5 showed the highest soil moisture and soil organic matter with 15.81% and 4.01% respectively. The combine application of organic and inorganic fertilizers has increased SOC and TN values compared with the T1 (control) specifically, which resulted in 3.7% and 0.33% of SOC and TN concentrations, respectively (). Bulk density showed no significant different among all the treatment with the highest value was in T4 (1.22g/cm3) and lowest in T3(1.05g/cm3). The average amounts of C/N ratio ranged from 11.11 to 13.60 between all treatments with the highest ratio in T4 (13.6). The average P and K contents were highest in T5 (1564.7 mg/kg and 1056.2 mg/kg). Thus, it showed that the application with the mixture of organic and inorganic fertilizer (T5) improved the soil condition
Total Phenolic, Total Flavonoids Content and Antioxidant Activity of Mangifera sp. Leaf Extracts
Get PDFMangifera sp. is a versatile plant that was reported to have various bioactivities, however only the fruits have gain popularity due to it sweet flesh and been known worldwide. It has a potential source of flavonoids and carotenoids, which makes them a nutritious functional food to consume. This study focused on determination of the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity of the Mangifera sp. leaves extract in different water extraction methods. The TPC and TFC was determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu method and aluminium chloride method respectively while antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Soxhlet extraction (SXE) produced the highest extraction yield compared to microwave extraction (MWE). MWE at 8 minutes extract showed the highest TPC (262.13±0.05 mg GAE/g). SXE showed the highest TFC (413.46±0.77 mg rutin/g). The highest antioxidant activity was recorded in MWE 8 minutes extract through DPPH and FRAP assays compared to other two MWE extract and SXE extract
Prototype Design of Rainwater Harvesting and Solar Irrigation System for Small-Scale Farm
Get PDFThe current irrigation system at Taman Tanaman Dapur that used by the Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry (FBIM) is operated manually, and the water source is directly from Syarikat Air Terengganu (SATU). The cost incurred to maintain the current system is expensive therefore, the UniSZA fund for maintenance purpose. By observing these factors, there is an opportunity to improve the irrigation system by utilising the available natural resources in the form of sun and rain, respectively, as a source of energy and water. Thus, the objectives of this project are to design and validate the prototype of rainwater harvesting and solar irrigation system for small scale farm use. By utilising the prototype, it is possible to take advantage of the available natural resources resulting in a technological advancement that optimises the energy usage producing a cost-effective, efficient irrigation system. The prototype design was carried out using a two-dimensional computer-aided design software, AutoCAD. Furthermore, the prototype development was carried out and validated with several readily-available types of equipment in the laboratory as well as equipment that could be obtained by local farmers or individuals. As a result, after going through phases of prototype creations, from the proof of concept, through mock-up testing, and pre-production, it has been well-function as designated. The value of Gross Irrigation Requirement (GIR) for this study was 308.22 mm/month while the minimum requirement of power production from the solar panel output was 0.552 kWh. More improvement can be made for further development of the prototype by integrating with other technologies such as attach it with moisture sensor and timer for the optimum condition
Shoot Generation and Callus Induction of Dioscorea hispida Dennst by Different Plant Growth Hormones and Basal Media
Get PDFDioscorea hispida Dennst produces tuber which possess valuable medicinal properties but unsustainable harvesting has led to its reduction. The plant propagates slowly because of its low tuber sprouting rate. In average, Dioscorea hispida Dennst tubers took approximately 60 d to break dormancy and sprout. Hence, callus culture is proposed as a possible efficient type of culture for manipulation of this species. In the present study, calli were induced from stem segments to evaluate callus culture potential of Dioscorea hispida Dennst. Results indicate that the combination of 1 mgL-1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 1 mgL-1 6- benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mgL-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) in Gamborg (B5) medium improved callus multiplication and differentiation in the stem culture as opposed to those in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The findings from the present study provide the basis of callus culture protocol for stem explant of Dioscorea hispida Dennst with B5 being the more effective basal medium
Comparison on Effects of Temperature on Different Strains of Phytase Producing Bacteria Isolated from Malaysia’s Hot Spring
Get PDFThe main purpose of this research was to find the best growth curve for bacterial growth and the optimum temperature for the production of phytase from different potential phytase producing bacterial strains. A total of four strains used were originally isolated from hot springs in Malaysia, which were in Labis, Johor (L3), Dusun Tua, Selangor (RT), Ulu Legong, Kedah (A) and Ranau, Sabah (B9). Nutrient Agar (NA) and modified Phytase Screening Medium (PSM) liquid media were used for the culture enrichment while optimisation was carried out through batch culture method using a shake-flask scale. Strains growth and enzyme activity were quantitatively measured at different temperatures at (30°C and 37°C) values. Enzyme activity was determined according to the reaction of the phytase with its substrate (sodium phytate) and expressed in units of phytase activity (U/ mL). As for the overall, strain L3 (from Labis, Johor) exhibit promising rate of Pi released in the media at 30°C and 37°C, with optimum phytase activity values of 0.2047 U/mL and 0.2195 U/mL, respectively. The pH of the cultures was also measured, where it shows that strains grown in cultures at 37°C produced a higher phytase activity and resulting a lower reading of pH compared when grown at 30°C. All around, L3 strains has the lowest value of pH when cultured at 30°C and 37°C, with the pH value of 3.62 and 2.37, respectively. From the result obtained, the lower pH indicates the process of phytic acid degradation take place by the phytase in producing inorganic phosphate (Pi) due to the accumulation of organic acid. Since these bacterial strains were originally taken from Hot Springs, further analysis of temperature optimization using 55°C and even 60°C should be carried out. In the future, biochemical research and molecular identification may also be carried out to identify molecular identity in the strains