Halalsphere (Journal)
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Evaluating PCR and ELISA for porcine detection in collagen-based products for halal authentication
Full text linkCollagen is a widely used protein in various highly processed products across the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries due to its versatility and unique properties. Its primary sources include pigs, cows, and marine animals, with industrial extraction typically performed from hides, bones, tendons, and skin. Given the importance of halal authentication, especially in Muslim-majority markets, a key challenge lies in reliably detecting porcine-derived collagen in highly processed products due to DNA degradation, protein denaturation, and matrix interference. These issues often result in detection failures and false negatives, underscoring the need for a comparative evaluation of available analytical methods. This study compares two analytical approaches for porcine detection: the DNA-based Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and the protein-based Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). A total of nine collagen-based samples were analysed. PCR successfully detected porcine DNA in three samples, while ELISA detected porcine antigen in two samples, including one not detected by PCR. However, two porcine-labelled samples were missed, leading to a false negative rate of 66.7%. Four samples, specifically samples 5, 6, 8, and 9, resulted in an Overall Agreement Rate (OAR) of 44.4%. The combination of real-time PCR and ELISA offers complementary advantages. Real-time PCR is particularly effective for detecting low-level porcine DNA in undenatured type II collagen. At the same time, ELISA helps mitigate false negatives that may arise from DNA degradation or PCR inhibition caused by the presence of the collagen matrix. These findings suggest that integrating real-time PCR for detecting trace DNA in less processed matrices with ELISA for identifying degraded proteins in hydrolysed products enhances the overall reliability of porcine detection and strengthens halal authentication protocols across diverse product types
Impact of a nutrient-rich health bar intervention on health and cognitive performance among children and adolescents in the B40 community in Gombak
Full text linkDiet and nutrition are vital in preventing cognitive decline, yet research on their impact on children and adolescents, particularly in Malaysia, remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of a health bar intervention on the health and cognitive performance of children and adolescents from the B40 community. A health bar formulated with date powder, moringa, sacha inchi oil, and pumpkin seeds was assessed for acceptability and efficacy. Seventy participants aged 10–16 from two boarding schools underwent an eight-week intervention, during which anthropometric measurements, PedsQL 4.0, and RAVLT were used to evaluate health and cognitive outcomes. The results revealed significant improvements in physical health, emotional well-being, and mental performance, particularly among males, highlighting the influence of socioeconomic factors on nutrition and cognition. Overall, the health bar intervention led to significant improvements in physical health and cognitive function, suggesting the need for extended study durations and diverse data collection methods for future research
Effect of micro and nanoemulsions on wound healing: a review
Full text linkEmulsions, categorised by their particle size into microemulsions (<100 nm) and nanoemulsions (<200 to <100 nm), hold a position of burgeoning significance in the field of wound healing. Beyond their established role in diverse medical domains, emulsions have emerged as promising agents for drug delivery with wound-healing properties. This review explores a comprehensive analysis of the available literature to shed light on the impact of micro and nanoemulsions on wound healing. Covering research articles published from 2011 to 2022, this study meticulously follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines while employing bibliometric analysis tools, PRISMA, and VOSviewer. Through an extensive exploration of databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, this study identifies and includes 26 articles that align with the rigorous criteria for investigating emulsions in wound healing. Our bibliometric analysis underscores 'wound healing' as the most prominent keyword in this corpus. In conclusion, this study contributes substantially to the research by combining insights into the effects of nano and microemulsions on wound healing, offering a foundation for future investigations and applications within emerging nanotechnology
Application of artificial intelligence to toxicological assessment of plant: a bibliometric analysis and future research plans
Full text linkArtificial intelligence (AI) has gained attention in health science, with significant applications in the toxicological assessment of plants. However, a bibliometric analysis is essential to chart research trends and propose future advancements. This study explores key publications on AI’s role in plant toxicity assessment, identifying unresolved issues in pharmacological research. Articles from January 2008 to December 2023 were retrieved from the SCOPUS database, revealing a steady rise in publications, with a sharp increase from 2019 to 2023. A total of 75 research articles were analysed. The articles were categorised into four main clusters: AI applications, drug development, toxicity prediction models, and adverse drug event evaluations. ‘AI’ was the most frequently mentioned keyword, followed by ‘drug toxicity.’ Among 64 articles, the USA contributed 29, China 11, India 8, and the UK 4, with the UK having high citation rates. The findings highlight a growing trend toward AI-driven toxicity prediction in drug discovery. However, few studies provide definitive conclusions on AI’s potential in this field. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened interest among researchers and policymakers. This study urges increased government and agency funding for AI-driven toxicity research. Advancing this field will enhance drug safety, reduce harmful testing, and promote sustainable plant use, aligning with SDGs 3, 12, and 15
Conventional Blending Chitosan Lignin Nanocomposites Hydrogel (CsLNPs) for food coating application
Full text linkDespite the importance of bio-based materials for food coatings, studies on how LNPs enhance thermal stability, swelling behaviour, and barrier properties remain limited, creating a gap in sustainable food preservation solutions. This work successfully prepared the lignin chitosan nanocomposites hydrogel (CsLNPs) via a conventional, cost-effective blending method. The incorporation of LNPs into Cs hydrogels was confirmed via FTIR, showing interactions between LNPs’ -OH groups and Cs’ -NH2 groups, with peak shifts at 3400–3200 cm⁻¹. Thermal analysis revealed decomposition temperatures (Tmax) of 285–290°C, with T10% >170°C and >24% residue at 800°C. Glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranged from 143–154°C. LNPs initially improved thermal stability, although higher loading caused agglomeration, reducing performance. LNPs-Cs hydrogels displayed insolubility in non-polar solvents due to their inherent structure, while increasing lignin loading (5–20%) enhanced water absorption and swelling, slowing fruit rotting. This demonstrated improved moisture and oxygen barrier properties. The findings highlight CsLNPs as a sustainable, effective food coating, reducing waste, promoting eco-friendly packaging, and advancing bio-based solutions for food technology
Halal assurance beyond science: A perspective on socioeconomic factors and consumer trust in food authentication
Full text linkHalal assurance within the global food system has traditionally relied on scientific verification methods such as chromatographic, spectroscopic, genomic and immunological analyses to authenticate and determine product compliance with Islamic dietary laws. While these methods remain critical and essential for detecting non-compliant contaminants, this article argues that scientific validation alone is insufficient to foster consumer confidence and trust in halal certification. Drawing on an interdisciplinary synthesis of food science, analytical chemistry, sociology, economics, and religious studies, this article explores how socioeconomic and cultural factors, including education, income, religious literacy, cultural identity, and institutional credibility, influence consumer perceptions and acceptance of halal-certified products. The analysis also reveals that these sociocultural dimensions are significant in legitimising halal governance frameworks and sustaining public trust. This article recommends advancing halal literacy, enhancing transparency in certification processes, adopting participatory and inclusive governance models and utilising digital traceability tools to strengthen the integrity and inclusivity of halal certification systems. Hence, by expanding halal assurance beyond laboratory-based validation, this study calls for a more holistic, socially attuned and equitable approach to halal authentication that reflects the complexity of contemporary worldwide markets and the diverse expectations of Muslim consumers
Catering to Muslim travellers: a review on the value of Muslim-friendly tour guides services
Full text linkThe tourism industry is experiencing rapid growth and is expected to continue expanding. One of the most prominent developments within this sector is the emergence of tour guides in Muslim-friendly tourism, which involves catering to the specific needs of Muslim travellers. Through a literature review, this study aimed to delve deeper into this topic, focusing on the significance of tour guide services within the framework of Muslim-friendly tourism. The review revealed that tailored tour guide services play a crucial role in enhancing the overall satisfaction of Muslim tourists during their travels. These findings have important implications for tour operators and travel agencies, as they can use them to inform the design and marketing of tour guide services tailored to Muslim travellers' needs
The Halal Positive List: Streamlining the Path to Certification
Full text linkHalal certification, a crucial religious guideline for Muslims, has evolved beyond merely excluding meat and alcohol to encompass a wide range of products, including food, cosmetics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. This expansion necessitates thorough examinations of ingredient sourcing and processing methods, making certification more complex and time-consuming. The Halal Positive List (HPL) was introduced to streamline this process and developed by Islamic scholars, food scientists, and industry experts. The HPL aims to simplify certification by providing a comprehensive list of pre-approved ingredients, saving time and resources while ensuring consistency and trust. However, challenges remain, particularly in achieving universal acceptance among certifying bodies and addressing the potential toxicity of single-molecule compounds. To enhance compliance, we propose the Halal-Tayyib Positive List (HTPL), which verifies the halal nature and the wholesomeness (tayyib) of ingredients, ensuring they are safe and ethically sourced. The framework categorises ingredients as non-critical, critical, or highly critical, streamlining the halal certification process with a straightforward, standardised approach
A conceptual paper on the impact of technological innovations on halal SMEs supply chain performance: a mediating role of sustainability practices
Full text linkIn recent times, business environments have witnessed a surge in the usage and adoption of technological innovations to boost sustainability and resilience. This has shaped Malaysian government policies targeted at enhancing strategic or high impact industries where halal SMEs feature prominently. Also, technology and sustainable practice-related challenges hindering the Supply Chain Performance (SCP) of halal SMEs have been identified. However, available studies on halal SMEs do not cover the role of Technological Innovation (TI) on the SMEs’ SCP and the significance of Sustainability Practices (SP) in this relationship. Also, relatively few studies analyse technological innovation in halal SMEs. The objectives of this conceptual paper are: to explore the impact of technological innovation on halal SMEs' supply chain performance and the mediating role of sustainability practice in the practice; and propose a conceptual framework whereby the effects of technological innovations on halal SMEs’ supply chain performances are mediated by sustainability practices. Relevant extant studies in academic journal articles housed in various popular databases, such as Scopus, Emerald, Elsevier, etc., were comprehensively reviewed and incorporated into this study. The proposed model has potential to provide empirical data on the subject areas. The study suggests a tentative research agenda for future studies to achieve halal SMEs’ efficient, flexible, competitive, and sustainable supply chain performance through effective interactions of technological innovations and sustainability practices.
Cultured meat and halal: A comprehensive analysis from jurisprudence, biology, and ethics
Full text linkWith the growing global Muslim population, dietary practices remain firmly rooted in the principles of halal and tayyib. The rise of cultured meat, produced through cellular agriculture without traditional slaughter, presents significant ethical, spiritual, and jurisprudential challenges. This research evaluates the halal status of cultured meat by examining its production processes, scientific complexities, and alignment with Islamic dietary laws. Through a qualitative review of scientific literature, Islamic jurisprudence, and consumer perspectives, the study focuses on cell-based meat production techniques, health and ethical concerns, and theological positions regarding halal compliance. The findings reveal that cultured meat lacks essential components of natural meat, such as a functional immune system and inherent biological processes, and does not fulfil critical zabiha requirements, including invoking Allah’s name and proper blood drainage. Additionally, the absence of these spiritual and biological elements creates a disconnect from tayyib principles, contributing to scepticism and uncertainty among Muslim consumers. Despite its sustainability potential, cultured meat does not meet the criteria for halal status under current Islamic jurisprudence