Malaysian Journal of Applied Sciences (Journal of UniSZA - Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin)
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Effects of Different Drying Methods and Hydrocolloids on Quality Properties of Semi-dried Catfish Jerky
Get PDFThis study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different drying methods (sun drying, cabinet drying and convection oven) and hydrocolloids (carrageenan and alginate) onphysicochemical properties of semi-dried catfish jerky. The concentration of hydrocolloids used was 1% and 2%. Samples without the addition of hydrocolloid served as the control group. The water activity of semi-dried catfish jerky decreased with the addition of hydrocolloids. For colour properties, lightness (L*) value of semi-dried catfish jerky increased with the increased concentration of hydrocolloids. The addition of 2% alginate (2%A) and 2% carrageenan (2%C) showed higher lightness (L*) than the controlled group for all drying methods, except for sun drying with carrageenan. Both carrageenan and alginate added into semi-dried catfish jerky increased the processing yields. The addition of 2% carrageenan (2%C) and 1% alginate (1%A) improved the product yields for all drying methods. This paper argues that the application of cabinet dryer gives better shelf stability due to the lower range of water activity than other drying methods while preserving colour quality and product yields
Rule-Based Discovery Technique for Ingredient Aware Mobile Application
No full textFood additives may come from natural and chemical sources. In some countries, this ingredient is coded into e-numbering system. E-Number identifies the additive substance, and it can be used to determine its possible sources hence the halal status and its value for health. However the use of scientific name or the coded number is confusing to consumers. This article presents an android-based mobile application that provides a database access to the detailed information about the additives. Information retrieval is done based on rule-based technique. The application also offers customer profiling services whereby upon user registration and sharing current health conditions, the consumer will be provided with extra information on the possible consequences of consuming the food. The system prototype system was analysed for the usability in terms of user satisfactions using System Usability Scale (SUS). The user satisfaction is rated from good to excellent according to SUS score in the range of 70%-80%. The application is expected to increase consumers’ awareness of choosing the right food that is halal and healthy
Machinability And Surface Quality Of Hybrid Composite CFRP/Al2024
Get PDFoai:myjas.www.journal.unisza.edu.my:article/1The use of hybrid composite has increased due to their special mechanical and physical properties. However, machining of composite materials is extremely difficult due to non-homogeneous, anisotropic and highly abrasive characteristics. The performance of machined surface quality of CFRP/Al2024 was described using two level full factorial methodology. Trimming test was performed under dry conditions using 6mm diameter of burr tools end mills. The factors investigated were spindle speed(N), feed rate(fr) and depth of cut(dc), furthermore Ra CFRP and Ra Al2024 were the response variables. This work aims to minimize the machined surface quality of CFRP/Al2024 between 1μm to 2μm. The finding of this empirical study has shown that, the best estimated value of fr should be 500 mm/min to 530 mm/min, N is between and 2313.870 rpm to 2336.042 rpm. For both response spindle speed is the most significant effect followed by Feed rate and Depth of Cut
Isolation and Characterization of a Potential Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptide from the Leaves of Leptadenia hastata (Asclepiadaceae)
Get PDFThis paper describes the isolation, purification and characterization of a potential Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide from the leaves of Leptadenia hastata (Asclepiadaceae). The leaves were collected from Kano state, Nigeria. Crude proteins were extracted from the leaves using a protein extraction kit. The proteins were purified by a three-step method: cold acetone precipitation, gel filtration using chromatography sephadex G-100 and ion exchange chromatography using CM-sephadex. The ACE inhibitory activity, protein content, effect of pH, temperature and digestive enzymes on the activity of the isolated and purified peptide were determined. In addition, the inhibition pattern, amino acid composition and sequence of the purified peptide were investigated. The specific inhibitory activity of the peptide increased from 0.0018 to 0.0085 U.mg-1 at a purification fold of 4.72 and yield of 9.57%. The optimum temperature and pH of the peptide ACE inhibitory activity was found to be 40ºC and 7.0 respectively. The digestive enzymes, pepsin and trypsin significantly (P<0.05) reduced the activity of the peptide compared to antihypertensive drug enalapril. The amino acid composition of the peptide was found to be aspartate (Asp), glutamate (Glu), glycine (Gly), valine (Val), leucine (Leu) and phenylalanine (Phe). The purified peptide showed a mixed pattern type of ACE inhibition. In conclusion, the results of this work suggest that Leptadenia hastata (Asclepiadaceae) leaves could be a potential source of peptides with high ACE inhibitory activities. Keywords: Leptadenia hastata (Asclepiadaceae); angiotensin converting enzyme; hypertension; peptide
Developing a Model Based On GIS and Statistical Analysis for Family Support of Substance Abuser in Terengganu
Get PDFFamily support has a strong impact on individuals and there is no exception in substance abuse recovery process. Family support manages to play a positive role in substance abuse problems. The present study deals with the developing model of family support substance abuser with the combination method of Geographic Information System (GIS) and statistical models. The data used for this study was collected from seven districts in Terengganu with a constant number of respondents. 35 respondents for each district were involved in this study. It was then processed using factor analysis (FA) to develop index of family support. By using the developed indices, GIS tool was used to plot the distribution map of family support indices according to each form of family support. The result indicated that the highest index for all form of family support abuser was located in Besut district. High level of family support is essential as an effort for rehabilitation process of substance abusers
Implementation of Sub-Grid-Federation Model for Performance Improvement in Federated Data Grid
Get PDFIn this work, a new model for federation data grid system called Sub-Grid-Federation was designed to improve access latency by accessing data from the nearest possible sites. The strategy in optimising data access was based on the process of searching into the area identified as ‘Network Core Area’ (NCA). The performance of access latency in Sub-Grid-Federation was tested based on the mathematical proving and simulated using OptorSim simulator. Four case studies were carried out and tested in Optimal Downloading Replication Strategy (ODRS) and the Sub-Grid-Federation. The results show that Sub-Grid-Federation is 20% better in terms of access latency and 21% better in terms of reducing remotes sites access compared to ODRS. The results indicate that the Sub-Grid-Federation is a better alternative for the implementation of collaboration and data sharing in data grid system. Keywords: Data grid, replication, scheduling, access latenc
Effect of Chitosan Oligosaccharides on the Growth of Bifidobacterium Species
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of chitosan and chitosan oligosaccharides (COS), prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulase from Trichoderma reesei, Celluclast® on the growth of Bifidobacterium sp. The growth of the two bacteria strains were determined every 12 h for 48 h under anaerobic incubation at 37 °C in four MRS media containing lactose, COS, chitosan and inulin. The bacteria cell growth in substrate-added medium increased significantly after 48 h of incubation, except for the chitosan medium. COS was found to have a similar growth effect on B. bifidum ATCC 11863 and B. breve ATCC 15700 when compared with inulin and lactose. The pH of medium containing COS, inulin and lactose fermented with B. bifidum ATCC 11863 and B. breve ATCC 15700 decreased rapidly after 12 h. B. bifidum ATCC 11863 showed the highest specific growth rate at 12 h. The results revealed that COS support the growth of probiotic bacteria, thus indicating that COS has the potential as new prebiotic source in the functional food industry. Keywords: Chitosan; cellulase; enzymatic hydrolysis; chitosan oligosaccharides; Bifidobacterium species
A Clinical Comparison on Success of Sealant and Preventive Resin Restoration on Caries Prevention
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to compare the clinical success between preventive resin restoration, and pit and fissure sealant in terms of retention and caries prevention on first permanent molar. Data were collected from the patients’ case records in Pediatric Dentistry clinic. Records of children who had done their sealants and preventive resin in their first permanent molar were reviewed. 61 patients had preventive resin restoration and 56 pit and fissure sealant done in permanent first molar 2 years ago were included and called for clinical review. Participants were between 6-10 years. Visual and tactile assessment was done to detect the integrity of preventive resin restoration and pit and fissure sealants under 4 categories whether the sealant or PRR is total lost, partial lost, completely present, carious. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. At the end of 2 years, sealants showed 64.3 % total retention, 21.4% partial retention and 10.7% complete loss when compared to PRR which showed 62.2% total retention, 14% partial retention and 4.9% complete loss. Preventive resin restoration have more tendency to have caries, while teeth with pit and fissure sealants does not (18% vs. 3.6%). As a conclusion, pit and fissure sealants have marginally higher retention compared to preventive resin restoration on permanent molars. Pit and fissure sealant is better in terms of caries prevention compared to preventive resin restoration
Factors Associated with Body Weight Changes among Nigerian Postgraduate Students at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Malaysia
Get PDFInternational students usually experience a change in body weight and eating behaviour after migrating to a host country. The aim of this study is to determine the factors associated with body weight changes among Nigerian postgraduate students at Unversiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Malaysia. A prospective study was conducted for six months to determine the association between body weight changes and socio-demographic, eating behavior, physical activity, dietary intake and quality of life. A total of 82 students (76 male and six females) completed a set of self-administered questionnaires, and their weight and height were measured. Descriptive statistic and paired t-test were carried out to analyze the data (IBM SPSS Version 20.0). Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors. Body weight significantly increased by 2.3 ± 0.5 kg after 6 months. Being an art student (β=1.67, p=0.006), being a female (β=-2.68, p=0.009), consuming breakfast once a week (β=5.10, P=<0.001), taking morning tea less than once a month or never at all (β= 3.62, p<0.001), consuming lunch one to three times a month (β=-2.57, p= 0.006), taking afternoon tea two to three days a week (β=2.56, P=0.005), skipping meal sometimes (β=1.22, p= 0.049), taking meal at other food stalls, coffee shops or hawkers’ centers less than once a month or never at all (β=-2.31, p= <0.001) were adjusted significant associated factors for body weight changes. Socio-demography and eating behaviour were found to be the significant predicting factors of body weight changes. This paper concludes that the change in environment has an impact on body weight and eating behaviour of Nigerian students.
Zamzam Water: Influence of Containers on Ionic Concentration and In-vitro Cytotoxic Effects on U87 Cell Line
Get PDFZamzam is holy water believed by Muslim to have remedial power for all kinds of diseases. It contains many electrolytes and the concentration of the electrolytes may be affected by the types of container used for its storage. This study was carried out to determine the difference in ions concentration of Zamzam water stored in plastic and glass containers, and to determine cytotoxicity effects of Zamzam water against U-87 cell line (human primary glioblastoma cell line). Ion Chromatography (IC) was used to analyze the concentration. The analyzed anions in the Zamzam water include bromide, chloride, phosphate, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate and fluoride whereas the cations were ammonium, lithium, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium. Subsequently, MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of Zamzam water on U-87 cell line. This study reveals that Zamzam water anions and cations concentration was not statistically significant neither in plastic nor glass container. In addition, the Zamzam water did not cause any toxicity on the U87 cell line. We postulate that types of container do not have much influence on the ion concentration of Zamzam water and it is non-toxic on U87 cell line. Keywords: Zamzam water; ion concentration; plastic; glass; U87 cell line