Journal Of Agrobiotechnology (Journal of UniSZA - Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin)
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Optimization and Characterization of Biocellulose Production from Bacteria Isolated from Passion Fruits
Get PDFBiocellulose is a strong polymer consisting of nanofibrillar structures that produce a large surface area and a microporous structure. This organic polymer is greatly in demand in various industries, such as the paper industry, biomedical industry and cosmetics industry. In this study, biocellulose production from two bacteria known as endophytic bacterium SV845 (M02) and Pantoea ananatis IADCAMBID (M03) isolated from passion fruit was selected. Three different media formulations (Media 1, Media 2, and Media 3) were used in order to optimize the biocellulose production where each media contained a different percentage of carbon sources (glucose and fructose). The highest biocellulose production (1.544 mg/mL) was demonstrated by M02 bacteria strain in Media 1 containing glucose alone which fermented at 30 ºC while at 37 ºC, the highest biocellulose (BC) production was demonstrated by M03 bacteria strain at 2.078 mg/mL in media containing glucose alone (Media 1). Data on pH changes during biocellulose fermentation in all the media were set at an initial pH of 6. The final pH values were observed in the range of 5.34 to 6.08 for M02 strain and 5.95 to 8.53 for M03 strain, respectively. Characterizations of biocellulose were compared to starch using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FTIR analysis indicated that the absorption peaks at 3200 cm-1 and 1630 cm-1 were derived from the association of intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds and H–O–H bending vibration of the absorbed water molecules in cellulose
The Characterization of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Isolated from Marine Sponge Producing Salt Tolerant Proteases
No full textProtease is an important industrial enzyme and salt tolerant protease in which has desirable properties that could enhance its uses not only in industries, but also in agriculture and environmental. Marine organisms usually harbour halophilic microorganisms which produce salt tolerant protease. In this study, salt tolerant protease producing bacteria from marine sponge were isolated and screened on skim milk marine agar supplemented with different NaCl concentrations (1.5 % w/v). Out of 11 isolates, 8 isolates (S1-1, S1-2, S1-3, S2-1, S2-3, S2-4, S2-5 and S2-6) showed clearing zones with ability to digest casein on the skim milk agar. Morphologically, these strains are gram negative bacilli which grow in yellow colonies and were found to be catalase-positive but oxidase-negative. They are also non-lactose fermenter that produce gelatinase but not α-amylase. The ribosomal 16S rRNA sequencing was used to identify each isolate (Acc. number of S1-1 for MT645770, S1-2 for MT645 771, S1-3 for MT645 772, S2-1 MT645 773, S2-3 MT645 774, S2-4 MT645 775, S2-5 MT645 776 and S2-6 MT645 7767). The 16S rRNA sequences showed that these isolates were highly similar to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S2-6, 99.87%) and to a related strain Pseudomonas hibiscicola (S1-1, S1-2, S1-3, S2-1, S2-3, S2-4, S2-5 (97.16-99.9 %). Further proteolytic studies were carried out using skim milk agar with 1.0 %, 2.0 %, 3.0 % and 4.o % (w/v) of NaCl concentrations. All isolates were able to hydrolyze casein which produced clear zones surrounding each colony at 1.0 % and 2.0 % (w/v) salt. However, only isolate S1-5 and S2-6 showed proteolytic activities at 3.0 % (w/v) salt but none of them at 4.0 % (w/v). The ability of these isolates to produce protease which active at higher salt may indicate their potential to be the sources for enzyme with useful properties
Eleusine Indica for Food and Medicine
Get PDFEleusine indica, a perennial herb that belongs to the Poaceae family, is locally known as “rumput sambauâ€. The species can be found in the tropical regions and it is the only species of Eleusine in Malaysia. In India, some parts of the plant such as the roots and the seeds are used as food and can be eaten raw or cooked. The young seedling is also used as a side dish with rice, while the seeds are sometimes used as a famine food. Although this grass is not considered as food in Malaysia, the local people utilise it to treat various ailments such as hastening the placenta delivery after childbirth, pain relieve for vaginal bleeding, asthma, fever, urinary infection, haemorrhoids, and tonic for flu related symptoms. Due to wide spectrum of traditional usage, a complete review of E. indica which focusing on food and medicinal perspectives is necessary to organize and evaluate its potential for further studies and commercial exploitation. The information on the species was collected from scientific journals, books, and reports searched through available databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals, Science Direct, Bioline International, and Reaxys. Contextually, the present review reveals that apart from the roots, the plant is relatively safe to ingest. It represents a rich source of nutrients and contains therapeutic phytochemicals such as flavonoids, steroids, essential oils, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, fatty acids, anthraquinones, anthrones, triterpenes, tannins, and alkaloids. Thus, E. indica can be considered as a natural reservoir for both food and medicine
Effect of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid and Activated Charcoal on Callus Induction of Cocos Nucifera L. Hybrid MATAG Inflorescence
Get PDFCocos Nucifera Linn. Var. MATAG is a Dwarf coconut variety that had high demand in Malaysia but low supply. Vegetative propagation of high-yielding MATAG coconut by using in vitro cloning must be considered in contributing to increase coconut productivity. Thus, attempts were made to develop a protocol that would enhance callogenesis as a first preliminary step towards a protocol for mass propagation of C. nucifera L. var. MATAG. The anther isolated from immature inflorescence was used as explants and cultured on modified Eeuwens Y3 media in different concentrations of 2,4-dicholorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and activated charcoal. The highest callus induction percentage (31.25 ± 12.18) was observed in 20 mg/L 2,4-D. However, 2,4-D at any level tested were not statistically significant. Callus induction media supplemented with 0.5 mg/L activated charcoal gave the highest callusing percentage (25.89 ± 13.59 %) indicating a positive effect of activated charcoal on callusing even though the result obtained not significant compared to control (15.95 ± 6.76 %). But, activated charcoal supplemented in media produced a significant effect compared to control in reducing the percentage of browning. In conclusion, media supplemented with activated charcoal produced a higher rate on callus induction and preventing tissue browning in explant. Besides that, the anther and ovule explant may serve as an efficient explant to study the callus induction of C. nucifera L. var. MATAG and as a basis to screen the potential useful plant growth regulators for somatic embryogenesis
Effect of Blanching and Drying Temperatures on Physicochemical Properties of Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Peel Powder
Get PDFLarge production of red dragon fruit by-products, which are frequently discarded from food industry has become a major waste problem. Converting this waste into useful products with good physicochemical properties could solve the pollution issues. Thus, a study was carried out to investigate the effect of blanching and drying temperatures on physicochemical properties of red dragon fruit peel powder. Dragon fruit peel was pre-treated with hot water at 90 °C for 2 minutes before being dried in hot air oven dryer at 50 °C, 60 °C and 70 °C. Results showed that the powdered sample of blanched and dried at 50 °C had significantly higher fiber, water activity and moisture content than those of unblanched/blanched and dried at 60 °C and 70 °C. Result also showed that the colour of this powder was similar to the fresh dragon fruit peel. When dried at 50 °C, the unblanched and blanched powders exhibited a slightly higher water solubility index compared to those dried at 60 °C and 70 °C. Based on the evaluation of bulk and tapped densities, all powders having the Carr Index in the range of values between 20 and 28 thus can be categorised as slightly poor flowing. For all conditions studied, powder that was blanched and dried at 50 °C was the best condition as it contained the highest amount of fiber with good physicochemical properties
Effects of Feeding Treatments on Growth and Survival of Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) in the Hatchery
Get PDFAsian clam (Corbicula fluminea) is potentially reared as aquaculture species but feeding regimes and nutrition for this clam remain questioned. The growth and survival of C. fluminea were evaluated with the assessment of feeding regimes raised in captive rearing treatments (with substrates) fed with spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). Three feeding methods were applied, Treatment A: deposit-feeding, Treatment B: suspension feeding, and Treatment C: combination deposit and suspension-feeding. Shell length (SL) and weight of the individuals were taken every 7 d which last for 6 wk. Condition index (CI), instantaneous growth rates of weight (Kw), and SL (KL) were determined after the experiment ends. Water parameters such as temperature (°C), pH, ammonia (NH4), and dissolved oxygen (DO) also being monitored along the experimental period. Significant weight gained (Kw) and CI was found higher in C. fluminea fed in Treatment C, where the increment was recorded at 6.24x10-3±2.4x10-3gday-1 and 4.34 ±0.3 respectively. Whereas, the increment of SL (KL) was insignificant in all treatments. Survival rates (SR) were greater than 95% in all treatments. The rearing conditions are significant factors that affect the feed utilization for their growth. The growth and survival indicate the specific feeding methods for captive C. fluminea and spirulina feasibility as their feed
Physical properties of kelulut honey emulsions with different oil types and emulsifier concentrations
Get PDFKelulut honey (KH) is a honey produced by stingless bee species, known for its high nutritional content and health benefits. Even though it is very healthy, some people cannot consume it directly. Therefore, incorporating this type of honey into an emulsion system is a good strategy to increase its consumption. Emulsion technology is one of the alternative technologies nowadays which combines two or more immiscible liquids to form a solution. In this study, KHemulsions were emulsified with glyceryl monostearate (GMS) and stabilised by xanthan gum. There were two stages involvedto determine the effects of variations in oil types and emulsifier concentrations on the physical properties of KH emulsions. In the first stage, three types of oil were used as the dispersed phase, which were palm oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil. Then in the second stage, different concentrations of GMS (0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1%) were applied. From the droplet size analysis, the emulsion with sunflower oil and the highest concentration of GMS gave the smallest diameter of 0.78 ± 0.01µm and the lowest polydispersity index (pdI) of 16.2±2.03 %. Meanwhile, the texture analysis shows that emulsion with palm oil has the highest firmness (45.16±2.83 g) and consistency (305.44±14.91 g.sec) values. The foaming index on the other hand depicts that emulsion with palm oil and that with the lowest concentration of GMS gave the highest foam stability. From this study, a physically stable oil-in-water KH emulsion was produced, which should undergo further chemical, sensory and storage studies for commercial production in the future
Population Fluctuation of Rice Leaffolder, (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) in Two Consecutive Rice Seasons
Get PDFLarvae of rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis attack rice crop at all three phases (from tillering until maturity stages). Their population throughout season was influenced by abiotic and biotic factors. Study on population fluctuation is important to understand the population dynamic and its factors in natural field condition. Thus, a study of population fluctuation of C. medinalis was conducted at rice field in Semanggol, Perak. Larvae were collected from 10 rice hills per plot in three 15 m x 4 m plots started on April 5, 2015 until June 7, 2015 (off season) and from October 25, 2015 until December 27, 2015 (main season). Abiotic data namely temperature, relative humidity (RH) and rainfall were obtained from Department of Meteorology Malaysia. Comparison of C. medinalis population between two seasons at different weeks was analysed using two-way ANOVA. The relationship of C. medinalis population with abiotic factors was analysed using Pearson correlation and stepwise regression. There was a significant interaction effect between season and week (F9,40=2.19; p<0.05). The highest population was recorded at week 55 day after transplanting (DAT) in main season comprised of 17% of total collection, followed by week 62 in off season (14%), week 48-main season (13%) and week 55-off season (13%). There was a positive correlation between C. medinalis population and RH in main and off season with RH was the key factor in regulating population in both seasons. Our results revealed that population of C. medinalis at different weeks was influenced by season. It is due to differences of weather condition between seasons, management practices and plant stages. The highest population recorded during reproductive phase is due to the morphology of rice plant that offers great suitability for larvae feeding and development. The abiotic factors also influenced C. medinalis population. Therefore, the abiotic factors should be considered in management of C. medinalis besides the plant stage and fertilizer effect. Future research on effect of natural enemies on C. medinalis population in field is needed in order to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence the population
Susceptibility of Malaysian Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivar to Saline Water Submergence Based on the Morphological Traits
Get PDFSaline water submergence is a newly emerge abiotic stress jeopardizing rice production especially for the rice fields located nearby or alongside coastal areas. The stress was caused by the intrusion of sea water into those rice fields causing flash flood mainly during monsoon season. The present study was conducted to evaluate susceptibility level of selected Malaysian rice cultivars to saline water submergence at seedling stage based on the morphological traits and survival rate. There were six genotypes involved in the study mainly IR64-Sub1 as submergence tolerant control, Pokkali as salinity tolerant control, IR64 as susceptible control and MR297, MR284 and MR253 as local rice cultivars, respectively. The experiment was conducted using split plot design with three replications. On the day 14 after germination, all rice seedlings were totally submerged of about one-meter depth in a polyethylene tank containing saline water at 0, 4, 8 and 12 dS/m for 14 days while the non-submerged plant was control of the experiment. Seedling growth attributes and survival rate were recorded before, right after de-submerged and 14 days after de-submerged. All genotypes however were susceptible to saline water submergence at 4, 8 and 12 dS/m. In contrast, under 0 dS/m, IR64-Sub1 recorded significantly higher survival rate at 83% as compared to MR284 (17%), MR297 (17%), Pokkali (8%), MR253 (0%) and IR64 (0%). All genotypes were not survived under saline submergence. Therefore, further phenotypic screening of rice genetic resources originated from or nearby coastal areas could be suggested in order to increase chance of identifying potentially tolerant genotype to saline water submergence
Effects of Processing Technique on Physical and Organoleptic Properties of Whole Meal Bread
Get PDFWhole meal bread made up from whole grains mostly consumed due to health purpose. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of processing technique on physical (colour, moisture content, pore size, texture and specific volume) and organoleptic properties of whole meal bread. Three treatments which B1, B2 and B3 of whole meal bread were prepared which represent the processing technique straight dough, sponge and dough, and sourdough, respectively. Whole meal bread between B1 and B2 with B3 showed significant (p < 0.05) increased in density (276.58, 270.35, 647.84 g/cmᶾ), hardness (747.16, 747.16, 2425.75 g/cmᶾ) and chewiness (495.71, 519.98, 2843.73 g) respectively. Variations were observed for crumb (internal) and crust (external) colour from 33.77 to 39.63 (L-value), 3.08 to 9.80 (a-value) and 25.38 to 10.82 (b-value), 23.65 to 27.94 (L-value), 2.27 to 2.95 (a-value), 9.26 to 13.11 (b-value) respectively. Hence, straight dough method produced whole meal bread with higher value of specific volume (3.58 cmᶾ/g), moisture content (24.66 %), lightness of crumb (23.65) and chewiness (495.71 g). Thus, results showed that straight dough method was the most efficient and acceptable method for bread baking process in order to get the good physical and organoleptic properties of whole meal bread