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Comparative of intercropping and mono-cropping system on growth performance Ananas comosus L
No full textIn global production, pineapple is considered as the third most crucial tropical fruit. Pineapple is the pioneer crop grown as a commodity crop in Malaysia. This commodity brings up country's position to a better position in the world market between the late 60s and early 70s. Even more, trend of farming practice for pineapple plantation in Malaysia is mostly monocrop which is single crop only. Mostly, farmers cultivated a land with pineapple in mono-cropping system, yet, the practice contributed to yield reduction in pineapple production, because there are many weaknesses affecting the production of pineapple. Thus, this research was carried out to investigate the potential of intercropping of pineapple with banana and also to observe the different between the two cropping system of pineapple. Main focused of this study is, to observe the growth performance of pineapple, MD2 variety and the impact of agronomic practice in the mono-cropping and intercropping plot. The method used in this research are mono-cropping and intercropping system. The parameters of growth performance that have been measured in this research include number of leaves, length of leaves, width of leaves and height of plants. The different parameter of growth performance between two treatments were analysed by the Independent Variable of T- Test. The result indicated no significant difference showed in the parameter of growth performance from both treatments except for parameter height of plants. Apart of that, the result of agronomic practices showed that the soil structure in mono-cropping area was not well-drained causing, excess water lodging at the planting area and one of the bed plots collapsed. In addition, there were also frequent weed problem in monocrop area as compared to the intercropping area. The study showed that the intercropping system of pineapple and banana could improve the soil structure with less weeding without affecting its growth performance as compared to mono- cropping system. Thus, the study can be used as data to encourage intercropping of pineapple with banana
Compositional analysis of various local food waste
No full textFood is defined as "the wholesome of edible material that intended for human consumption". For the household, the process is included during or after preparation of the food. There are many studies conducted on waste in landfill that process have their own potential to be utilized as a source of energy and available to convert to valued product into the resources. The objective of the study is to analyze and identifies the nutritional value in the composition of local food waste in terms of moisture, ash, protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Besides that, this study is also intended to identify the suitable future product by using proximate analysis. There are 6 types of sample that has been chosen and the result indicated that three important compositions contained in the sample, tea waste high in protein 3.109 ± 0.02 and carbohydrates 79.27 ± 0.96 while coconut 44.42 ± 2.24 respectively
Black soldier fly Hermetia illucens larvae as protein source for giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae feed
No full textThe giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii is a targeted species in Malaysia with potential to become an income generator. The fall of production for cultured giant freshwater prawns in Malaysia were due to declining quality brood stock supply, small productivity, imported food dependence for larval stages and low culture technology. The objective of the study is to evaluate the performance of Black Soldier Fly larvae as a protein source for Al rosenbergii larvae. The study involves feeding giant freshwater prawn larvae in four different treatments with feed containing different inclusions of Black Soldier Fly larvae meal (BSFLM) and also Artemia nauplii. The growth and survival rate were monitored after a period of approximately 35 days. Black Soldier Fly (BSF) provides nutrients like protein, lipids and minerals. In treatment 1, the egg custard was made of eggs and skim milk powder without any Black Soldier Fly larvae as its ingredient. Treatment 2, 3 and 4 were formulated to partially replace skim milk powder at inclusion rate of 15%, 30% and 45%. Artemia nauplii were given in every treatment. Treatment 4 had the highest survival rate of larvae which is 2.33% and followed by Treatment 1, which was 0.33%. The survival rate for both treatment 2 and 3 were 0%. High mortality were probably due to overfeeding, operator error, Mid Cycle Disease (MCD) and Exuvia Entrapment Disease (EED). The growth rate of larvae were unable to be determined because no larvae reached post larvae (PL) stage. The result of the study was not significant in identifying the potential alternative protein sources to create feed for giant freshwater prawn larve
Sabah youth entrepreneurs' participation in halal food product labelling
No full textMalaysia is one of the countries that hold status as a world leader for the Halal economy. Currently, young entrepreneur's involvement in the halal food industry is increasing due to Malaysia government policy which is providing incentives; continue supports and various strategies or programs to develop this group of entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is a good idea for the youth to increase their income besides the young generation nowadays is the asset to the economic development of the country. However, participation in halal food labelling for youth entrepreneur is not easy as they are facing many obstacles that prevent them to participate. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the participation of youth entrepreneur in halal food product labelling in Sabah since it is hard for them to obtain halal certification from JAKIM. Besides, there are a few problems that the youth entrepreneur faces to be a Halalpreneur. The problem is they are lack of knowledge, experiences, and sort of financing to start up their entrepreneurial activity. The sample size is 60 respondents and was conducted in a few districts in Sabah (Keningau, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tambunan). This study was conducted based on three objectives which are to identify the participation level of the youth entrepreneur in halal food product labelling, to determine the relationship between demographic with the attitude towards participation and to define the most influential factor for the youth entrepreneur's participation on halal food product labelling in Sabah. For the data collection, a survey method that provides questionnaire was used and the other method was by interviewing—'asking questions personally, email or by telephonic conversation. The result appears to, be the participation level of youth entrepreneur on halal food product labelling in Sabah is high. Then, there is a relationship between demographic towards participation and the most influential factor on the youth entrepreneur participation in halal food product labelling in Sabah is the subjective norm. The significance of this study is to, be a reference for the policymaker to make the procedure easier for the youth entrepreneur to apply halal certification since the difficult procedure is one of the obstacles for the entrepreneur to get a halal label for their food products. Then this study will increase the awareness of the youth entrepreneur to get the halal label even the procedure is difficult since it will improve country economic growth
Assessing Soil Phosphorus Availability and Dry Matter Production of Choy Sum (Brassica chinensis var. parachinensis) on a Tropical Acid Soil By using Rice Husk Biochar
Get PDFPhosphorus (P) is an important macronutrient for plant growth and development. However, phosphorus deficiency in tropical acid soils is a common problem because soluble inorganic phosphorus is fixed by iron. The application of biochar amendments could be used to mitigate phosphorus fixation in acid soil by reducing aluminium and iron availability in these soil. Thus, the objectives of this study were to (1) characterized the selected physico-chemical properties of soil samples, (ii) determine the soil
phosphorus availability (iii) assess the selected plant growth parameters of Brassica chinensis var. parachinensis (plant length, number of leaves, root length, dry weight
shoot and root) upon amending chemical fertiliser with commercial rice husk biochar. A pot trial was conducted for 30 days and chinensis was used as a test crop. The soil
samples were then collected and analysed at the end of pot trial. Rice husk biochar significantly increased soil pH compared with non-amended biochar. Additionally, rice
husk biochar also significantly declined exchangeable acidity and exchangeable of aluminium and iron. As a result, phosphorus availability increased within the soil due to
high affinity of biochar towards aluminium and iron drive efficient of inorganic P absorption which causing an increased in available P nutrients uptake. The results also
showed that increasing the availability of phosphorus in soil, improved the dry matter production of chinensis through declining the aluminium and iron concentration within the soil
Effect of epoxidised natural rubber on physical and mechanical properties of kenaf core fibre reinforced polypropylene composites
No full textIn this research, the kenaf core fibre (KCF) reinforced polypropylene (KCFRPP) composites were fabricated by melt blending using Brabender internal mixer and compression molding with the presence of different amount of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR). Brittleness had been a problem in engineering materials which caused to be a failure premature in applications. In order to achieve good toughness in composites, the incorporation of rubber phase (ENR) into KCFRPP had been done. Pure polypropylene (PP) matrix was used as a sample control of the composites. Seven samples with different formulations were prepared and undergo some characterizations such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy for chemical constituents and tensile test, to determines the mechanical properties by using Universal testing machine (UTM). Water absorption test was also carried out to reveal the physical properties of pure PP and KCFRPP composites with the presence of ENR. Field-Emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was also used to determine the surface morphology of the composite samples after mechanical failure. Overall, the result demonstrated that the increment in ENR content has given a significant improvement in impact related properties (elongation at break) but at the expense of strength and modulus properties. Whilst, the water absorption increased with the increment of ENR content. FESEM morphological studies proved that the presence of matrix fibrillation contributed for increasing of toughness properties of KCFRPP composites, but the existence of fibre pull-out and void contributed to the low strength, modulus and water absorption properties
Effect of kaolin-alumina ratio on physical and structural properties of ceramic porcelain
No full textCeramic porcelain was prepared by sintering process at temperature of 850 °C, using minerals such as kaolin (Al2H4O9Si2) and feldspar (Na2OAl2O3•6SiO2) as main raw materials with addition of alumina (Al2O3) and silica (SiO2). This study was focus on the effect of kaolin addition and alumina reduction on the physical and structural properties of ceramic porcelain. Fixed value of feldspar and silica which are 20 wt% and 10 wt% respectively was mixed with x wt% of kaolin and 70-x wt% of alumina (with x= 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50). The composition was then mixed and sintered at 850 °C for 4 hours. Characterization were done to observe the properties of ceramic porcelain samples through X-Ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), density, water absorption and firing shrinkage. XRD results show that the amount of corundum as main phase has increased with the increasing amount of kaolin and decreasing amount of alumina. XRF results show the percentage of elements presence in the raw materials. Density of the samples show decreasing values with the increasing amount of kaolin and decreasing amount of alumina. Both water absorption and firing shrinkage results show increasing values with increasing amount of kaolin and decreasing amount of alumina. Result obtained shows strong evidence that proved the addition of kaolin and reduction of alumina give significant effect on the physical and structural properties of ceramic porcelain
Synthesis of sodium alginate graphene oxide-silver thin film for antibacterial activity
No full textZinc oxide (ZnO) structures were synthesized via hydrothermal method by the different times of growth from 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes. The effect of different growth time on crystallize size and optical properties of ZnO structures were studied and investigate. Then, the samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Ultraviolet Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction method revealed that ZnO structured exhibit the hexagonal zincite structure and the average crystallite size of ZnO particles was calculated. The average crystallite size of ZnO were 21.11, 21.13, 21.26, 21.38, and 21.49 nm for 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes respectively. The average crystallite size increasing with increasing the growth time. UV-Vis spectroscopy shows the absorption or reflectance of zinc oxide and the band gap was decrease throught the the growth time of ZnO. The direct energy band gap of ZnO structures were 3.22, 3.20, 3.10, 3.01 and 2.9 eV which are the energy band gap of the growth ZnO will be decrease with increasing the growth time. Thus, the growth time of the ZnO structures gave influence to the optical energy band gap properties, crystallite size and the structures of the ZnO
Effect of milling parameters on brass- alumina nanocomposites prepared by high energy ball milling
No full textCu-Zn nanocomposite is known to have good corrosion resistance, low cost manufacturing, good machinability, low melting point and ideal for a wide range of applications. However, Cu-Zn composite was known to have low strength and tend to corrode in the presence of water. One of the methods to overcome these problems is by adding a suitable reinforcement that can give the desired properties for the brass composite. Cu-Zn can be reinforced with alumina (Al2O3) to form a metal matrix composites (MMCs). The effects of different milling parameters were observed on the milled powder particles. The structural changes will be determined using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) while the composite morphology will be observed using Optical Microscope (OM). Increasing milling time will also increase the crystallite size and decreased the lattice strain, while different ball size use during milling affects the size of composite powders formed
Humic acid degradation by the ozonation process: parameters effect and kinetic
No full textHumic acid is one of the constituents that are easily found in the water. Interest of humic acid degradation has been escalating as water is one of the most important source in this world. Though these recent years, extensive research in ozonation has been rising as it a feasible and dynamic process. Thus, this study was aimed to investigate the efficiency of humic acid degradation by ozonation method under different operating conditions, such as initial concentration of humic acid, pH, temperature. The humic acid were characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) before and after experiment. Different methods of ozonation were also applied in order to study the capability of each method for degradation of humic acid. The most efficient method for the degradation of humic acid was ozonation with hydrogen peroxide (H202), gave the higher degradation rates of 98.82 % in 120 min of reaction. Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order model were used to simulate the degradation of humic acid as function of time. Overall, humic acid degradation data was found to fit well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum humic acid degradation of 95.29%, was achieved at pH 2, temperature 34 0C and 2.5 mg/L of initial humic acid concentration, respectively. The results of temperature effect showed that the activation energy Ea values -67.640 kJ/mol and -103.958 kJ/mol. The results lead to the conclusion that ozonation process is an efficient method for removing humic acid from aqueous solutions