Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering Journal
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BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF OLEYL PALMITATE AS AN ACTIVE AGENT IN COSMETIC FORMULATION
Get PDFOleyl palmitate, a wax ester extensively utilized in several industries, particularly in cosmetic formulation, is difficult to source naturally due to its elevated cost and restricted availability. In this study, oleyl palmitate was synthesized through an esterification reaction using oleyl alcohol and palmitic acid. Characterization of the synthesized wax ester was performed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to verify the existence of ester bonds in its molecular structure. The antibacterial activity of oleyl palmitate was evaluated against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using the agar diffusion test. The Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) value was ascertained through the microdilution method. Two biological activities, bactericidal effects (killing bacteria) and bacteriostatic effects (inhibiting bacterial growth), were determined by Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) value. Synthesized oleyl palmitate exhibited a bactericidal effect against all Gram-positive bacteria studied, including Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, physicochemical properties such as SPF values (15.0), peroxide values (18.0 mEq O2/kg), saponification values (90.0 mg KOH/g), and iodine values (87.0 g I2/100 g) were determined. The data obtained suggest that the synthesized oleyl palmitate holds potential as an active ingredient in cosmetic formulations
ADVANCING OZONE TECHNOLOGY: APPLICATIONS IN HAND SANITIZERS, COSMETICS, AND COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS (CFD) MODELLING FOR ENHANCED PERFORMANCE
Get PDFOzone technology has emerged as a revolutionary tool in disinfection, cosmetics, and process optimization. This review highlights advances in ozone applications, focusing on its role as a disinfectant in hand sanitizers and cosmetic formulations, and on its optimization using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling. Ozone-based hand sanitizers provide an effective, skin-friendly alternative to alcohol-based products, addressing concerns about dryness and irritation while ensuring broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. In cosmetics, ozonated oils are recognized for their healing, moisturizing, and antimicrobial properties and are used in diverse skincare formulations. The integration of CFD modelling has significantly improved the efficiency of ozone systems by enabling precise predictions of ozone mist behavior, ensuring safety and optimal disinfection in various environments. This review highlights the potential of ozone technology as a sustainable and versatile solution for enhancing public health and safety while paving the way for innovative applications in multiple industries
ELUCIDATING THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF STINGLESS BEE HONEY AS CRYOPROTECTANT AND THERMOREGULATED CONSTITUENTS
Get PDFStingless bee honey had been studied for their unique properties and their potential in medical aspects. In this study, the physicochemical properties of the stingless bee honey of Heterotrigona itama and Geniotrigona thoracica were investigated for their potential as cryoprotectant. The water content of the stingless bee honey was determined through water removal process where G. thoracica and H. itama contained 26.8% and 29.68% of water, respectively. The freezing point and properties of the stingless bee honey under different temperatures between 0?C, -20?C and -80?C were studied and the results showed that G. thoracica stingless bee honey had a slower freezing rate compared to H .itama. Thawing experiment of the stingless bee honey was conducted at room temperature in order to find the rate of thawing for the stingless bee honey. It was found that the melting rate of H. itama was slower compared to G. thoracica. Image analysis was done in order to analyze the freezing and melting rate of the stingless bee honey from G. thoracica and H. itama. DSC analysis thermograms of pure G. thoracica and pure H. itama stingless bee honey showed that the Tg value for G. thoracica was 36.64?C and H. itama was 58.06?C, while the Tm value of G. thoracica was 122.33?C and H. itama was 153.27?C. Finally, the Tc value for G. thoracica was 89?C, while for H. itama, the value was 129.47?C. Our study has shown that these stingless bee honey contained high water content and low Tg value. Stingless bee honey’s amorphous solid physicochemistry merit for study and should be further elucidated for its potential in cells and macromolecules such as mRNA and DNA protection and preservation under low temperature and extreme conditions
MORINGA OLEIFERA (MO) SEEDS AS A RENEWABLE DEWATERING AID IN ELECTRO FORCED SEDIMENTATION (EFS)
Get PDFMoringa oleifera (MO), a readily available and sustainable plant, holds a promising alternative to traditional chemical coagulants. The bioactive compounds present in the MO seeds such as cationic proteins and polysaccharides, can improve sludge settling efficiency and solid-liquid separation. The potential of utilizing MO seed-based coagulant as a renewable dewatering agent in electroforced sedimentation (EFS) process is investigated in this paper. The sedimentation rates between MO seed coagulant and the commonly employed chemical dewatering aid, polyacrylamide, PAC have been observed. The findings reveal that MO seed coagulant introduction into the slurry containing 7.5 mm and 9 mm initial solid concentration (expressed as total solid volume per unit cross-sectional area), results in a notably faster settling of sediment compared to PAC. This suggests that the effective application of MO seed coagulant as a dewatering aid in EFS depends on specific initial solid concentrations of the sludge under experiment
SOLID WASTE GENERATION IN SELANGOR DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (2019-2021)
Get PDFSelangor, like many other Malaysian states, experienced various disruptions due to the pandemic. In addition to health and economic challenges, the populous state also faced notable issues regarding waste production. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic rise in solid waste generation especially in its two largest sources, municipal solid waste (MSW) and clinical solid waste (CSW). The pandemic resulted in people staying at home and relying on home deliveries, which led to an escalation in MSW. Healthcare workers also faced longer hours due to the growing number of COVID-19 patients, causing increased production of CSW. Though, it is unclear which waste source is more affected by the pandemic. In the present study, the trend of solid waste generation in Selangor during the pandemic was investigated. A comparison was also made between the annual generation rates of both MSW and CSW, particularly spanning the period from 2019 to 2021. After collecting relevant numeric data from respective resources, the data is recorded into Microsoft Excel to generate graphs. The findings showed that in 2019, Selangor witnessed a generation of 1,358,786 tonnes of MSW, which increased to 1,426,551 tonnes in 2020, and further escalated to 1,484,282 tonnes in 2021. As for CSW, Selangor generated a total of 7,343 tonnes in 2019, 9,703 tonnes in 2020, and 12,993 tonnes in 2021. The analysis uncovered that MSW exhibited an average annual generation rate of 4.5%, whereas CSW demonstrated a higher average generation rate of 33%. An upward trend was seen in both MSW and CSW generation in Selangor from 2019 to 2021, with CSW demonstrating a significantly higher generation rate
STABILITY ANALYSIS OF IMMOBILIZED OZONATED VEGETABLE OIL ON SILICA NANOPARTICLES
Get PDFOzonated vegetable oils (OVO) have therapeutic potential due to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. However, their wettability and stability in aqueous solutions remain challenging, hampering their bioavailability. Silica nanoparticles offer a promising solution for enhancing bioavailability and controlled release of various hydrophobic drugs yet a similar approach has yet to be investigated with OVO. Thus, this study focuses on utilizing silica nanoparticles of ±100 nm as delivery vehicles to alter the wettability and stability of ozonated olive oil (OOO) in aqueous medium. The study includes preparing and characterizing non-porous and porous silica nanoparticles for OOO immobilization with the use of rhamnolipid biosurfactants as a linker agent. Both non-porous and porous silica nanoparticles, synthesized via a modified Stöber method, were compared in terms of structure and ability to immobilize OOO for wettability improvement. TEM and XRD revealed structural characteristics of the synthesized silica nanoparticles, confirming the amorphous solid and porous structure of the nanoparticles with an average size measured below 100 nm for both nanoparticles. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the successful immobilization of OOO on both silica nanoparticles showing the higher intensity of OOO on the non-porous silica nanoparticles (NPSiNPs) compared to porous silica nanoparticles (PSiNPs). DLS data shows that NPSiNPs had a mean size of 91.54 nm, while PSiNPs had a mean size of 201.5 nm with both having low PDI values (<0.5). Incorporating OOO onto silica nanoparticles, with rhamnolipid, significantly improved wettability and prolonged stability of OOO, maintaining over 80% of the OOO-silica nanocomposite in the water suspension after 3 days for NPSiNPs and over 50% for PSiNPs. The study highlights the synergistic effects of biosurfactants and silica nanoparticles in enhancing the stability and bioavailability of OVO in aquoeus medium, which could contribute to advancements in therapeutic applications
WATER QUALITY MONITORING USING MACHINE LEARNING AND IOT: A REVIEW
Get PDFWater remains one of the most essential natural resources. With the ever increasing population, the demand for water in various sectors, including agriculture, industry, power, as well as the prevelance of population. the avalaibility fresh and usable water is becoming limited, causing to significant strain on water supplies. Therefore, quality monitoring and analysis of water is of great importance to maintain for sustainable use and overall environmental protection. Traditional water quality monitoring techniques involve manual sampling, testing, and investigation, which in retrospect may not always be reliable and may be inefficient in advance warning of water quality detrioration. However, with the emergence of machine learning (ML) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, process of water quality monitoring and analysis have become more efficient, accurate, and cost-effective. ML algorithms are capable of analyzing large volumes of data on water quality, enabling the creation of data-centric approaches for designing, supervising, simulating, assessing, and refining different water treatment and management systems.This review paper provides an overview of the past and current application of machine learning and IoT in water quality monitoring and analysis. The paper consists and covers various algorithm within machine learning, such as supervised and unsupervised learning, deep learning, and the respective applications, as well as the use of IoT sensors for real-time monitoring of water quality parameters, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and turbidit
COMPARISON STUDY BETWEEN HYDROTHERMAL AND COPRECIPITATION METHOD FOR GREEN SYNTHESIZE OF MAGNETIC SILVER NANOPARTICLES
Get PDFNanoparticle research has been attractive for the past decade due to its unique electronic, mechanical, optical, chemical, and magnetic properties, which can be used in various applications, including sensors, medical, food, and others. Yet, the use of toxic chemicals in the synthesis of nanoparticles limits their potential use in the medical and food industries. The green synthesis of nanoparticles is eco-friendly and well-suited for many applications. However, there are some issues related to it as there are limited comparisons made between nanoparticles synthesized through different routes, and even the physiochemical and morphological properties are also not compared. Therefore, this study attempts to synthesize magnetic silver nanoparticles using the greener technique, which utilized the banana peel waste extract as the reductant during the synthesis of nanoparticles. The banana peel waste extract and the nanoparticles were characterized using a UV-VIS spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) to analyze the properties of the extract and the fabricated nanoparticles. The results found that the -OH group was present in both banana peel extract as well and the synthesis of silver nanoparticles in FTIR analysis, which is believed to come from the phenolic group that helps in the reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles during the synthesis process. VSM analysis indicates that the synthesized silver nanoparticles had ferromagnetic properties of 2.83 emu/g for the coprecipitation method and 3.91 emu/g for a hydrothermal method, which is considered stronger to be utilized for further application. In addition, FESEM analysis shows that the hydrothermal could synthesize the uniformly distributed and mono-dispersed spherical shape compared to the coprecipitation method, which produces uneven shapes like rods, pellets, and spheres. The study concludes that the green-synthesized silver nanoparticles using banana peel waste extracts could produce medium-strength magnetic silver nanoparticles, especially through a hydrothermal process when the diluted precursor ions were used compared to concentrated ones
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF BIOFOULING GROWTH AND ADHESION - A FIELD STUDY OF OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION FACILITY
No full textOcean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a renewable energy technology that exploits temperature differences between warm surface ocean waters and cold deep ocean water to generate energy based on the principle of thermodynamic heat engine systems. Due to the system's direct contact with seawater, it has a high potential for becoming potential sites of unwanted accumulation and growth of biofouling such as microorganisms, plants, algae, or turnips on wet surfaces. Based on the future location of OTEC facility in Port Dickson, Malaysia, no specific study has been done to evaluate potential biofouling, particularly its minimum period for growth stages in this site. Therefore, this study focuses on conducting preliminary assessments of biofouling growth profile on the coastal area where OTEC facility could be deployed. These proposed research activities involved direct field work where two cages containing a set of coupons for biofouling growing sites were immersed in the coastal area in Port Dickson beach. The collected samples were collected periodically within six weeks and analyzed accumulated weight of sample and area covered by visible macrofouling on the immersed coupons. The results biofouling formation particularly visible macrofouling samples could occur after a minimum of three weeks. It was proven with clear and visible presence of macrofouling samples, likely to be perna viridas (green mussels) and balanus glandula (acorne barnacles). In addition, a drastic increase in the accumulated weight of sample was recorded between 21st day to 41st day (during the fourth visit) for almost 25% and the covered area was recorded for more than 50%. Although there is no clear quantitative and consistent data of biofouling growth profile from the accumulated and covered area sample, this preliminary assessment provides a good basis for the next biofouling study as it provides input for the minimum period for biofouling assessment
SIMULATION OF NON-STRUCTURAL MEASURES TO REDUCE FLOODING IN SG. BENTONG CATCHMENT
Get PDFFlood is one of the most common and recurring natural disasters in many parts of the tropical and sub-tropical world. Climate change may increase the frequency and severity of flood-related calamities, causing more damage to human life and surrounding environments. Malaysia is one of those countries that frequently experiences flash and regional flooding due to geographical location, topography, climate, and improper development activities. Both structural and non-structural methods have been utilized extensively to mitigate flood disasters. Numerous structural and non-structural flood management are already being introduced, for example, dams, levees, floodways, floodwalls, river improvement, education, public awareness, flood warnings, and many more. Nonetheless, few articles focus on the non-structural measures, in terms of land-use planning and zoning, computer-based flood modelling studies, and flood risk maps. This research was carried out in Bentong, Pahang by analyzing the efficacy of numerous non-structural flood prevention interventions such as proper land use planning, rainwater harvesting system, and floodplain planning. A computer-based flood modelling was conducted to understand the physical design of the flood plain for the aim of flood disaster management planning. HEC-HMS and HEC RAS models were chosen to create the flood map for various scenarios. In this study, the ArcGIS model was used to create a flood map. The model simulates a 100-year 6-hour storm with a 99.38 km2 flooded area. The water depth in the study region ranged from 0.5 to 5.90 meters, causing significant damage