Journal Of Agrobiotechnology (Journal of UniSZA - Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin)
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The Population of Airborne Microorganisms and the Presence of Staphylococcus aureus in Cattle Farm at Ladang Pasir Akar
Get PDFMicroorganisms found in bio aerosols from animals’ confinement buildings is not only foster the risk of spreading diseases among livestock itself, but also pose health hazard among farm workers and nearby residents. The objectives of this study are to observe the population of microorganisms and identify the present of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) inside the cattle farm. DRF e-MAS which was owned prepared by Arduino kit had been used to observe the microorganisms’ population. The air from surrounding that contained microorganisms being aspirated into the plate chamber of the DRF e-MAS. The nutrient agar that being placed inside the plate chamber will be incubated along with aspirated microorganisms and the result of microorganisms’ population will be observed. S. aureus is one of the possible bacteria that may be found among the population of the microorganisms in cattle farm. DRF e-MAS along with Baird Parker Agar being used to identify the present of S. aureus. Baird Parker Agar is used to enhance the growth of S. aureus while eliminating the others. After being incubated, a single colony of S. aureus that grew on the Baird Parker Agar had been picked and regrow on another nutrient agar. A single colony that formed on that nutrient agar will be picked and then undergo Coagulase test and IMViC test. Coagulase test involved the citrated plasma and the present of bubbles show positive result. On the other hand, IMViC test divided into four sub-test which are Indole test, Methyl red test, Voges-Proskauer test and Citrate test. These tests are important in order to confirm the present of S. aureus in this farm. According to the test, there was S. aureus found among the microorganisms’ population inside this barn
Traditional Knowledge and Botanical Description of Edible Bitter Plants from Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia
Get PDFMost elders in Malaysia prefer to consume ulam as side dishes with rice. The bitter taste of ulam attracts people to give good perception in certain plants and use them for alternative medicine or supplement. Most of them believe, bitter plants have good potential in medicinal aspect and contribute great benefits for human. They also believe, by eating bitter vegetables they may improve their health condition. Our objectives are to figure out the right scientific name and their botanical description of the bitter plant species consumed by the locals. Secondly, we investigate the traditional knowledge and method uses by the locals in consuming the bitter plants. To achieve this, we conducted a survey by interviewed 50 respondents for traditional knowledge on wild edible bitter plants commonly used by villagers based on purposive sampling. After plants identification in the field, botanical descriptions were documented and herbarium specimens were prepared. The keys and iconographies from experts had been referred and details were most helpful. From our research, we identified 17 species from 15 families of the edible bitter plants as alternative medicine by villagers. The botanical description of 17 species were successfully made as an important source for better reference related to edible bitter plants in Besut. Traditional knowledge of elders had been revealed, where it will be useful for research and development of sustainable natural product of edible bitter plants in future
Chemical and Biological Investigation of Apiculture Products from Stingless Bees Heterotrigona itama
Get PDFHeterotrigona itama is one of common stingless bee species in Malaysia. Similar to sting bee, stingless bee also produce honey, propolis and beebread in their hive. Propolis and beebread of Malaysian stingless bee were less explored compared to honey. This work examine nutritional content, antioxidant activity and chemical profiling of honey, propolis and beebread produced by stingless bee species Heterotrigona itama. Nutritional contents such as moisture content, ash, protein, fat and carbohydrate were measured. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH method; Folin-Ciocalteau method for total phenolic content (TPC) and Aluminium Chloride method for total flavonoid content (TFC). Chemical profiling was carried out by using thin layer chromatography (TLC) in solvent system of toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid with ratio 8 : 2 : 0.1 v/v/v. The results revealed that honey possessed the highest moisture content and total carbohydrate with values of 30.67%±1.30 and 65.88%±1.70, respectively. Meanwhile, propolis contained the highest total fat (49.2% ± 5.31) which due to its compositions of wax and resin. Total protein and ash contents were abundant in beebread with values of 30.43%±0.40 and 3.28%±0.13, respectively. The highest total phenolic (70.64%±01.81 µg/mL) and flavonoid contents (31.75%±0.05 µg/mL) were found in propolis. Propolis also possessed the highest antioxidant activity with the lowest IC50 value of 5 µg/mL as comparable to positive control, Trolox (IC50 value: 3µg/mL). These results revealed that propolis is a good source of antioxidant as compared to honey and beebread. TLC analysis revealed that propolis also contained higher chemical compositions as compared to honey and beebread. This finding shows that stingless bee products have potential in therapeutic as strong natural antioxidant (propolis) and high in their nutritional content (honey and beebread)
Sterilization of Anubias nana and Rotala macrandra for In Vitro Culture
Get PDFThis study was conducted to establish a sterilization protocol for Anubias nana and Rotala macrandra. The plants from its originated area are highly exposed to microbial contamination such as bacteria and fungi. Those contaminants can be eliminated by using suitable sterilizing agents. The sterilization is a vital step in preparing a healthy and viable explant in tissue culture. In this study, three different sterilizing agents which are fungicide, silver nitrate (AgNO3) and mercuric chloride (HgCl2) were used. The percentages of survived and contaminated explants were observed after one week of culture. The results showed that 100% of Anubias nana explant survived when the explants were rapidly rinsed with 0.1% (HgCl2). The explant of Rotala macrandra resulted in 56% of survival when it was rapid rinsed with 0.05% HgCl2. However, treatment 0.05% HgCl2 for Rotala macrandra also produced 33% of fungal contamination.
Keywords: Rotala macrandra, Anubias nana, sterilization, fungicide, silver nitrate, mercuric chlorid
Identification and Characterization of The Causal Agent of Infected Iceberg Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L.) in Perak, Malaysia
Get PDFLack of knowledge about the causal agent of infected crops lead farmers to use wrong treatment on their crops, which is causing negative effects on environment and human’s health. This study was conducted to identify and characterize the causal agent from the infected iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in Perak, Malaysia. The infected iceberg lettuces were sampling from Perak area and the causal agent was isolated by direct plating technique on a nutrient medium. The isolated bacteria were identified by molecular method and biochemical test. Molecular identification was carried out using 16S rRNA sequence and then, several tests such as amylase, catalase, oxidase and others were done for identification of bacterial species based on their biochemical activities. The obtained results showed that Serratia marcescenes and Stenotrophomonas sp. were identified as the causal agents. The pathogenicity has been confirmed by the establishment of Koch’s Postulate, which showed 100% disease infection on them. The environmental effects also have been tested on the bacteria to study the ability of bacteria to grow in different environmental conditions based on different in pH, salinity, and temperature. All the bacterial sample showed that they able to growth on the pH between 4.0 to 9.0, at the temperature 10 °C to 45 °C and at the addition salinity to the medium between 2.5 %, 5.0% and 7.5 %.
Keywords: Stenotrophomonas sp., Serratia sp., lettuce, lettuce diseas
Detection of Somaclonal Variation in Aquatic Plant Pearl Grass (Hemianthus micranthemoides)
Get PDFHemianthus micranthemoides is an ornamental plan used for foreground plant in aquarium decorations. In Malaysia, the plant available on market is regenerated through tissue culture techniques which expose the risk for somaclonal variation. The objectives of this study are to identify suitable Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers for determining somaclonal variation rate in micropropagated plantlets of H. micranthemoides and to observe the effects of somaclonal variation on the plantlet growth (area of spreadability, shoot and root length). Out of 20 RAPD primers screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using mother plant, one was selected as a suitable marker to detect somaclonal variation of H. micranthemoides which was P15. Somaclonal variation rate of the H. micranthemoides was determined by analyzing the RAPD-PCR bands. The results showed somaclonal variation was observed at the fifth subculture (S5) with the percentage of polymorphic bands of 50 % when compared to mother plant. Repeated subclutures has affected the growth of the regenerates negatively. It was shown that as the number of subculture increased, the growth of plantlet decreased in terms of decreasing shoot and root length as well as area of spreadability. This findings serves as a guide especially for tissue culturist to minimize subculture numbers when micropropagating H. micranthemoides
Survey on Pest and Disease of Corn (Zea Mays Linn) grown at BRIS Soil Area
Get PDFA field survey was conducted to identified insect pest, beneficial insect and plant disease that associated with corn (Zea mays Linn) at BRIS soil area. Hybrid sweet corn variety Sugar King 516 was used as a sentinel plant in this study. All insect pest and beneficial insect observed at the experimental plot was collected and identified in the laboratory. Corn plant that shows the symptom of disease infection was collected for the isolation of pathogen and identification. The data on plant growth such as plant height, corn ear height, dry straw weight, ear weight, ear length, grain dry weight and shell weight was recorded. Data obtained shows the performance and adaptability of hybrid sweet corn variety Sweet King 516 in this experiment was comparable to the local hybrid sweet corn grown at other BRIS soil area at Terengganu. There is no strange pattern on the plant growth, thus prove that the insect infestation or disease infection does not disturb the plant development. Thirteen species of insect pest were identified. There are grasshopper (family Acrididae), katydid (family Tettigoniidae), sweet potato bug (Physomerus grossipes- family Coreidae), derbid plant hopper (Proutista moesta- family Derbidae), cotton stainer (Dysdercus sp- family Pyrrhocoridae), largid bug (Physopelta sp- family Largidae), corn leaf hopper (Peregrinus maidis- family Delphacidae), corn rootworms (Diabrotica virgifera- family Chrysomelidae), green chafer beetle (Anomala albopilosa- family Scarabaeidae) and tussock moth (Orgyia sp- family Erebidae). Three species of predatory insect were identified; Asian lady beetles (Harmonia axyridis- family Coccinellidae), transverse lady beetle (Coccinella transversalis- family Coccinellidae) and assassin bug (family Reduviidae). Two species of fungal pathogen that attacks corn in this experiment were identified as Fusarium sp. and Puccinia sp. Data obtained in this study provides info on pests and diseases associateed with corn, thus could be beneficial for the farmers to be prepared with the best pest and management strategies for their corn plantation at BRIS soil area.
Keywords: Sweet corn, insect pest, plant disease, BRIS soi
Micro-propagation of Aquatic Plant Brazilian Micro Sword (Lileaopsis brasiliensis)
Get PDFLileaopsis brasiliensis is one of the ornamental aquatic plants and yet still being commercialized in Malaysia because of the grassy foreground features. This study is conducted to propagate higher quantity and quality of L. brasiliensis and to determine the optimum concentration of plant growth regulator for the micro-propagation in Murashige and Skoog (MS) (1962) basal media with different concentration of Naphteneacetic acid (NAA) and 6- Benzylaminopurine (BAP) for four weeks period following with subculture procedure. All treatments for 1 L MS media were adjusted to pH 5.7-5.8, adding sucrose and pytagel with 30 g/L and 2.5 g/L, respectively. The explants were sub-cultured at least three times within five months. The results of the quality and quantity of this species within different concentration of NAA and BAP have been determined. For shoot regeneration, the highest number of shoot induced in initial culture (C0), first (C1), second (C2) and the third subculture (C3) were 103, 102, 104 and 137 respectively. There was no significant different of shoot regeneration in different concentration of NAA and BAP combination. However, the high number of shoot regeneration was obtained from the following concentration NAA: BAP: zero concentration in both C0 (103.0±5.3) and C2 (104.0±14.2), 1.5: 0.0 mg/L with 102.0±4.4 and1.5:0.5 mg/L with 137.0±41.2 in C1 and C3, respectively. Based on the results, it can be concluded that shoot regeneration was observed even though in very low concentration of NAA and BAP.
Keywords: Aquatic plants, lilaeopsis brasiliensis, micro-propagation, plant growth regulator
Differences in Total Yield and Physicochemical Attributes of Virgin Coconut Oil from Coconut Milk Demulsification using Direct Heating and Microwave Heating
Get PDFThe objective of the present study is to determine the total yield and physicochemical properties of virgin coconut oil (VCO) extracted from coconut milk using controlled direct heating and microwave heating. The heating temperature for the controlled direct heating method was 90 ÌŠC for the first hour of heating and maintained at 60 ÌŠC once the oil began to separate from the coconut protein until the demulsification was over. In the microwave heating method, coconut milk was heated at medium microwave power level (500W) for 30 minutes at 5 minutes intervals. The heating process for both methods was stopped before the proteinaceous latik turned brown. The recovered oils were subjected to four standard analyses for accessing the quality of VCO, which are moisture content (MC), iodine value (IV), peroxide value (PV) and acid value (%FFA). The percentage of oil yield and time taken during heating process for the controlled direct heating and microwave heating methods showed significant differences where the highest oil recovery (23.83%) with the shortest time taken (15.33 minutes) was given by the microwave heating method. There were no significant differences in the physicochemical properties of VCO extracted from both heating methods. By comparing the quality of the experimental VCOs to a commercial VCO, the VCO extracted from the controlled direct heating and microwave heating methods had no significant differences (p >0.05) than the commercial VCO. The present obtained results would be useful for micro and small-scale enterprises to correctly apply the heating methods in producing a high quality VCO commercially.
Keywords: Virgin coconut oil, coconut milk, demulsification, direct heating, microwave heatin
Evaluation of DPPH Free Radical Scavenging, α-Glucosidase Inhibitory, and Antimicrobial Activities of Aquilaria malaccensis Leaf Extracts
Get PDFHerbs and medicinal plants are major ingredients in traditional or folk medicine for many countries of the world, including Malaysia. This study evaluated the potential of the leaf extract in different solvent polarities and drying methods of Aquilaria malaccensis, in scavenging free radicals and inhibiting the enzyme α-glucosidase as well as antimicrobial activities. Both methanol and ethanol extracts in oven dry method were efficient solvents to extract the antioxidant constituents of A. malaccensis. To analyze α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, the methanol extracts of A. malaccensis in air dry method exhibited the highest activity with an IC50 value of 196.31 μg/mL. In addition, for the antimicrobial activity, each extract was tested by a serial two-fold dilution method against selected Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria, and this suggested that hexane in oven dry method possessed the maximum antimicrobial activity against the gram-positive bacteria tested. It is suggested that the antioxidant and antidiabetic properties were exhibited most in a polar solvent (MEOH) whether in air dry or oven dry method with no significant difference. In contrary with antimicrobial which was efficient in a non-polar solvent (HEX) in oven dry method. These results indicate that A. malaccensis is a promising source as herbal medicine