UMT Journal Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
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284 research outputs found
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STUDY OF AN EFFECTIVE NON-TRACKING CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER SYSTEM AS A VIABLE SOLAR THERMAL BIOMASS CONVERSION PROCESS
No full textSunlight is a natural energy source and abundantly available but restricted to certain timeframe and angles depending on the Earth surface where it could be effectively harvest for energy source. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to evaluate the performance of fixed setting systems in comparison to a custom made non-tracking solar concentrator especially in their potential to reach suitable internal temperature ranges required for pyrolysis purpose within a sealed quartz glass reactor as the heat receiver. For the solar collector, six segmented mirrors were placed at varied angles to enable continuous sun ray directed toward one focal spot, at any time of the day without the need for electrical tracking or manually adjusting it based on the sun angle. The parameters in designing the system setup include: Focal Length, Tilt Angle of lens and Azimuth Angles. It is observed that by fixing the focal length to 35 cm and adjusting the tilt angle of the lens to be fixed at 30°, the reactor was able to achieve the desired temperature range of between 700 to 730. It can be concluded that the combination of Fresnel lens and simple mirror system were capable of concentrating sunlight into a specific area to reach the desired heating range without the need for complicated, costly equipments
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE IN TRAVEL INFORMATION INTERNET SEARCHES
No full textAdvances in technological development, especially with regards to mobile technology and applications, sees more and more tourists being prone to using social media to gather valuable travel and destination information particularly in the travel planning phase. This is in line with the theory of reasoned action, information reliability and enjoyment, which are some of the benefits that are positively associated with the intention to use social media. Most people, especially teenagers, are twice as likely to have profiles on social media and use it as a source to gather information on travel and destinations they would like to visit. Thus, this study examines the factors that influence the use of social media in travel information searches by students. The main objective of this study is to examine students’ intentions to use social media in travel information searches. Specifically, this study attempts to determine how perceived benefits (information reliability, enjoyment) influence travel information searches on social media. Data for the study was gathered at public universities in Malaysia using convenience sampling and questionnaires
EFFECT OF ROSELLE BY-PRODUCT (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE PRODUCTION AND QUALITY OF JAPANESE QUAIL EGGS
No full textRoselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is well-known for antioxidant properties and being utilised worldwide in the production of many processed products. Thus, the industrial production increases with the growing demand of roselle-based products. However, there is an alarming issue where the by-products or waste generated from the processing caused numerous risks for humans, animals and the environment. In this case, the utilization of bio-active compounds isolated from waste not only could reduce the risks and the costs for treatment of waste but also could potentially add more value for agricultural and food productions. Hence, this study aims to determine the effect of different concentrations of roselle by-product on physico-chemical content of Japanese quail eggs. Japanese quails were supplemented with roselle by-product to determine the effectiveness of the dietary treatments on the quality of the eggs. Parameters conducted included the number and weight of eggs, colour, pH, Haugh unit, ascorbic acid analysis and DPPH assay. There was no effect on the production viz total eggs and weight but significant differences were in other quality parameters such as albumen redness; albumen yellowness, pH and Haugh unit. Better performance of antioxidant properties can be obtained from treatment one with 2% of roselle by-product as compared to control and other treatments. In conclusion, the roselle by-product has tendency to provide nutritional attributes by antioxidant properties when it is incorporated into Japanese quail egg
INCORPORATING PINEAPPLE PEEL EXTRACT INTO CHITOSAN COATING FOR RETAINING POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF WHITE SHRIMP (Litopaeneus vannamei)
No full textThis study explored the effect of chitosan coating incorporated with pineapple peel extract on the postharvest quality of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) during nine days of storage at 5°C. Incorporation of pineapple peel extract in chitosan coating was able to delay the decline of some important postharvest quality measures of white shrimp which includes reduced formation of total volatile basic nitrogen and peroxide value. It also decreased melanosis formation and hindered growth of Pseudomonas which assists in prolonging shelf ife quality of white shrimp. Additionally, shrimp coated with chitosan incorporated with pineapple peel extract had an improved sensory score which includes assessment on overall acceptance. The results showed that chitosan coating incorporated with pineapple peel extract could be a natural approach towards retaining postharvest quality of shrimp as well as decrease the employment of synthetic treatments. The utilization of pineapple peel could also reduce the agricultural waste in the environment
CHARACTERISATION OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM KEFIR MILK MADE FROM DAIRY AND NON-DAIRY SOURCES AND THEIR SENSORY ACCEPTANCE
No full textKefir is a fermented milk obtained by fermenting milk with kefir grains. The chemical composition of dairy and non-dairy sources may affect the growth and characterisation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). In this study, different sources of milk (cow milk) and non-dairy milk (soymilk and coconut milk) were used as the fermentation media for kefir products. The objectives of the study were to isolate and characterise LAB from kefir drink produced from dairy and non-dairy milk. LAB was isolated using different cultural methods, such as MRS Agar, MRS with 0.8% CaCO3, and M17 Agar. The characteristics of the LAB isolates were determined using morphological, biochemical tests and the API 50 CHL kit. The physicochemical composition of the samples was determined using titratable acidity and pH level. Sensory evaluation of the kefir drink samples was also carried out. Results confirmed that the isolates were identified as Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus brevis 1, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus acidophilus 3 and Lactobacillus plantarum 1. The L. buchneri, L. brevis, Leu. mesenteroides and L. acidophilus are heterofermentative bacteria, whereas L. plantarum is a homofermentative bacterium. Four LAB isolates have the potential to be used as probiotic strains due to their high resistant to low pH and bile salt. The sensory scores of these products range between 5.00 and 8.00 in the 9-point hedonic scale. Most of the sensory panelists preferred cow milk kefir (p < 0.05) compared with coconut milk kefir and soy milk kefir during the sensory evaluation of all attributes. Meanwhile, the preference between coconut milk kefir and soy milk kefir was similar (p>0.05) in all attributes. Therefore, this study will be useful for probiotic manufacturers in the production of alternative probiotic drinks using dairy and non-dairy milk
THE POTENTIAL OF LIQUID ELECTROLYTE FROM Betta splendens WASTE FOR BATTERY APPLICATION
No full textThis study focuses on the potential of liquid electrolyte from the wastewater of Betta splendens for battery application. In this analysis, two different parameters were manipulated, namely the time period and the electrical energy production from the different wastewater properties involving the use of Terminalia catappa leaves. The battery plays an important role in achieving universal access to clean, reliable, and affordable electricity services. The presence of ammonium (NH4+) in wastewater can produce renewable energy and help reduce environmental pollution. A voltage (V) unit is used in the measurement of energy potential by using a voltmeter. 25 B. splendens were cultured for five weeks in two aquariums, one without T. catappa leaves, and one with T. catappa leaves to get their weekly wastewater. Voltage output is measured against the number of weeks from the wastewater sample without T. catappa leaves and with T. catappa leaves. Observation shows that the highest voltage produced from the wastewater sample was from the first week for a motorcycle battery and the fifth week for the research battery. The results of the wastewater sample without T. catappa leaves and T. catappa leaves against the number of weeks on motorcycle battery is 4.210V and 5.129V respectively, while for the research battery is 0.5360V and 0.5380V respectively. The highest voltage values from a motorcycle battery and the research battery are taken to test their longevity for one month. The t-test analysis of this experiment shows an insignificant result for the motorcycle battery and a significant result for the research battery, thus proving that the concentration level of NH4+ has a significant effect on the amount of energy produced
CUSTOMER PERCEPTION, SATISFACTION AND BEHAVIOURAL INTENTIONS TOWARDS HOSPITAL MEAL SERVICES IN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS IN ALOR SETAR, KEDAH
No full textThere are two types of hospital in general, which are government and private hospitals. This study will help us to understand the customer perception, satisfaction and behavioural intention of hospital meal services in both government and private hospitals in Alor Setar, Kedah. Private and government hospitals differ in their style of food offering and service system. From this, customer perception, satisfaction, and behavioural intentions were investigated using a questionnaire survey with 150 respondents using descriptive and inferential analysis. The study shows that between government and private hospitals in Alor Setar, Kedah, the respondents show a positive perception of hospital meal services in Alor Setar in both government and private hospitals. In terms of customer satisfaction, both types of hospital show high satisfaction from all respondents. However, private hospital scores a bit higher in terms of satisfaction since the services and facilities are more upgraded than those of the government hospital of which respondents did not have such a high expectation for satisfaction since the fee is much lower than the private hospital. In the comparison of hospital meal services in terms of socio-demographic profile, there is no significant difference in gender and education level in both types of hospital. However, age and income level show a significant level of p=0.011 in age for a government hospital and p=0.018 and p=0.020 in monthly income for a private hospital. For the relationship of all variables (customer perception, satisfaction and behavioural intention), all of those show a robust, lively and direct relationship with each other. Hence, this study can help public and private hospitals improve their meal services and image to attract more customers
BEACH PROFILE USING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE IMAGERY
No full textThe advancement of technology has allowed the application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for beach surveying to be used instead of theodolite method. This is still a debatable issue whether UAV can completely replace the theodolite method for future research. The studied area at Seberang Takir, Kuala Nerus is recognized as a critical erosion site and beach nourishment activity has been undertaken here on an approximately five year cycle. This study aims to show the potential of UAV application for coastal research. The results show that the elevation data of drone extracted from Digital Elevation Model (DEM) are match equivalent to the total station elevation data within 0.03 m. The beach profile graph of the drone and total station show significant differences in the steeper area. This study shows that the UAV image technique using a drone holds the potential for monitoring and quantifying the beach changes to levels of accuracy and precision that can be compared to the theodolite method. UAV has a big potential for beach monitoring and it is encouraged to be applied for further understanding of how and when they can be most useful
SURVIVAL STRATEGIES OF MALAYSIAN SHIPPING INDUSTRY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: APPROACH TO DIGITALISATION AND AUTOMATION: Article 5
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It has created chaos around the world, including the shipping industry. It struck at a difficult time for the maritime industry as companies are trying to navigate the issues of climate change, political risks, piracy and other problems as highlighted by the International Maritime Organisation in 2020. Thus, this study tries to identify the problems and discover key survival strategies adopted by the Malaysian shipping industry during the pandemic. The results show that Malaysia’s shipping industry is suffering from a sharp reduction of business as cargo volumes decline, rising costs and labour issues due to pandemic restrictions. The key survival strategies of companies included the implementation of digitalisation and automation technology. These approaches are found to be maximised by industry players to increase work efficiency, optimise human resources and prevent the spread of COVID-19
EFFECT OF ENRICHED COPEPODS ON THE GROWTH, SURVIVAL AND COLOURATION OF ANGELFISH (Pterophyllum scalare)
No full textCyclopoid copepod has a potential as live feed that can provide ornamental fish larvae with energy and essential nutrients, and promote their growth and survival, as well as affect their colouration. However, the nutrition, growth and nutritional requirements of this species are poorly understood. This research focuses on comparing the efficacy of enrichment types on copepods towards the growth rate, survival rate and colouration of Pterophyllum scalare larvae. The enrichment of copepods consists of four enrichment procedures (rice bran, palm kernel cake (PKC), Chlorella and yeast). This study was carried out over 50 days and the growth rate, survival rate and colouration (growth rate, survival rate, SGR and colouration) were used to evaluate the responses of P. scalare larvae towards different enrichment methods. Specific growth rates (8.0161 ± 1.4928 %; P = 0.775) and survival rates (66.667 ± 5.337%; P = 0.815) of fish larvae were found to not be significantly different (P = 0.775, P = 0.815; P >0.05). However, the colouration of the fish larvae was affected by the types of enrichment used (P <0.05). The growth and survival rates of P. scalare larvae were highest when fed with copepod enriched with rice bran and PKC. This enrichment type is the regulating factor for the growth rate, survival rate and colouration of P. scalare. The present study indicates that the organic fertilisers used, such as rice bran and PKC, have the potential for the aquaculture industry as an important enrichment medium for the growth and survival of fish larvae. Our results showed that both enrichment methods are applicable for the substitution of yeast and these findings will therefore provide better enrichment options in the larval rearing of the ornamental fish P. scalare. This study will allow the potential use of other live feed enrichment formulas to ensure that fish larval development is maintained in hatcheries