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Metabolic dysfunctions and dynamic of antioxidant enzymes activity in developing recalcitrant cacao (Theobroma cacao) seeds at different storage conditions
No full textA potential breakthrough in improving the short-term preservation of recalcitrant cacao (Theobroma cacao) seeds is the specific conditions with slow-drying procedures. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the effect of storage conditions on the physio-chemical and reactive oxygen species (ROS) antioxidant enzymes with slow-drying processes in cacao seeds. Seeds from ripened cacao pods (clone PBC 123) were demucilaged, placed in a zip-lock polyethene bag, and stored at 14°C and 16°C (40% and 80% relative humidity [RH]), room temperature (RT; 25°C), and control (0 days of storage). Seeds at 14°C tend to retain the highest respiration rate during 12 days of storage. Their impaired respiratory activity is reflected through the highest accumulation of soluble sugar during the first 6 days after storage, lower protein content with the highest antioxidant enzyme activities, indicating increased ROS production. Antioxidant enzymes involved in the glutathione-ascorbate cycle, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activity were crucially responsive to the oxidative status within seed cells at 14°C. In contrast, seeds demonstrated decreasing moisture content during storage (RT and 16°C, 40% RH). They displayed higher ROS (hydrogen peroxide) signalling but within the oxidative concentration threshold, giving the advantage of holding seeds with lesser exposure to oxidative stress. As the condition of 16°C, 40% RH produced lesser germinated seeds (8% to 12%) than seeds at RT during storage, it is then suggested to be the alternative to minimise seed’s physio-chemical changes, contributing to the maximum germination characteristics for 12 days of storage, and thus, increase the potential for further exploration
Jurulatih PALAPES tekankan seni dan disiplin kawad
No full textSERDANG, 11 September – Seni dan disiplin kawad menjadi asas utama dalam membentuk pegawai kadet Pasukan Latihan Pegawai Simpanan (PALAPES) di universiti awam termasuk di Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Pelajar UPM raih anugerah di Pertandingan Roket Antarabangsa
No full textSERDANG, 18 Sept – Pasukan Aero-Rocketry, Fakulti Kejuruteraan, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) mengharumkan nama negara apabila menerima plak perak dengan gelaran “Most Inspiring Team” pada Pertandingan Roket TEKNOFEST di Turkiye, baru-baru ini
Silica-supported ionic liquid-based dispersive microextraction of grapefruit peel flavonoid (hesperidin) and assessment of its antioxidant activities
No full textThe present research explores the application of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) of hesperidin (HSP) from grapefruit peel (GFP) while using silica-supported ionic liquids (ILs) as a stationary phase. The ILs [Et3NH][HSO4], Benzalkonium chloride, and didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride were immobilised on mesoporous silica support of particle size 150 micron. The parameters were optimised for the preparation of crude extracts. The extraction of GFP with a 50-mesh particle size using 1:1 (v/v) of 1% (v/v) acidified methanol (glacial acetic acid) and DMSO for 80 min at a liquid to solid ratio of 20 and 350 rpm shaking speed produced 18 g of crude extract/100 g of GFP. After using silica-supported IL as the stationary phase in a DLLME-based clean-up, an extract with 0.54 mg of HSP/g of crude extract was obtained upon elution with DMSO. Remarkably, 0.80 μg of HSP/g of crude extract was similarly recovered when IL was used as an eluent against a non-polar stationary phase. An enrichment factor for HSP equivalent to 2.1–3.4 was obtained by employing [Et3NH][HSO4] as a mobile phase against mesoporous silica or as a stationary phase supported on mesoporous silica. The findings support the great potential of silica-supported ILs as the stationary phase for DLLME
UPM lancar Projek Turapan Jalan FMA20 PG76 hasil inovasi Fakulti Kejuruteraan
No full textSERDANG, 26 September – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) menerusi Fakulti Kejuruteraan (FK) hari ini melancarkan Projek Turapan Jalan Fiber Mastic Asphalt 20 (FMA20) menggunakan Bitumen Terubahsuai Mampan (PG76), yang diperkenalkan sebagai teknologi turapan lebih tahan lama dan mesra alam
Behavioral and structural predictors of adolescents' attitudes towards voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV in East Java, Indonesia
No full textIntroduction: HIV remains a significant global public health issue, with East Java, Indonesia, contributing 15–20% of the national HIV cases. Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is a critical strategy for early detection and prevention, yet its uptake among adolescents is influenced by multifaceted factors. This study aimed to identify the determinants of adolescents' attitudes towards VCT for HIV in East Java. Methods: An observational analytic cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2024, involving 329 adolescents aged 18–24 years selected through random sampling. Data were collected via a validated online questionnaire assessing demographic, socio-economic, knowledge, psychosocial, and institutional factors. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to determine significant predictors of VCT attitudes. Results: Nine factors were significantly associated with positive attitudes toward VCT: younger age (OR = 0.81), male gender (OR = 2.34), higher parental income (OR = 1.86), higher HIV-related knowledge (OR = 2.18), better VCT knowledge (OR = 1.72), low-risk sexual activity (OR = 1.95), service availability (OR = 2.48), family support (OR = 1.77), and institutional support (OR = 1.63). Conversely, stigma remained a significant barrier (OR = 0.49). Conclusion: Addressing stigma, enhancing institutional and family support, and improving access to VCT services are crucial for increasing VCT uptake among adolescents. Targeted interventions, including family-based approaches and comprehensive sexual education, are recommended to foster positive attitudes and reduce HIV transmission in East Java
Supplementation with fish oil reduces αβ 42 burden and shifts αβ precursor protein processing toward non-amyloidogenic pathways in a rat model of hyperglycaemic Alzheimer’s disease.
No full textThis study examines the influence of fish oil on brain amyloidogenesis in hyperglycaemic Alzheimer’s disease animal models, emphasising the potential of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil to prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Thirty males of Wistar rats were divided into five groups: 1) control rats (NS); 2) rats supplemented with 3 g/kg of fish oil (NSþFO3); 3) rats injected via intraperitoneal (i.p) with Streptozotocin-Lipopolysaccharide (STZ-LPS); 4) rats injected with STZ-LPS (i.p) and supplemented with 1 g/kg of fish oil (STZ-LPSþFO1), and 5) rats injected with STZ-LPS (i.p) and supplemented with 3 g/kg of fish oil (STZ-LPSþ FO3). The cerebral brain was extracted for examination, and the αβ precursor protein (APP) level was measured using an immunoassay kit, while αβ 42 expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry staining. Brain amyloidosis-related genes were quantified using real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The results revealed that fish oil supplementation significantly increased APP levels and reduced αβ 42 accumulations in STZ-LPS rats. Moreover, the Apolipoprotein E, ε4 isoform (ApoE-4) and Beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (Bace-1) genes were downregulated while the Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (Lrp-1) gene was upregulated in STZ-LPS rats treated with fish oil, thereby elucidating the impact of fish oil on diminishing αβ buildup in the brain. Therefore, this study contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting dietary interventions as adjunctive strategies for the prevention or delay of Alzheimer’s disease progression in metabolic dysfunction
Rural tourism in Kiulu, Sabah, Malaysia: a critical examination through the lens of the host community
No full textLocal communities often face a number of challenges when seeking to participate in rural tourism including participation in decision making, the level of empowerment the community enjoys and other factors including knowledge of tourists and local culture and the role governments play in supporting rural tourism development. To investigate these issues, a mixed methods approach was used to collect data from 118 residents of Kiulu, a rural destination in Sabah, Malaysia through questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The results show that successful rural tourism in Kiulu is driven by strategies that promote local participation in decision-making, community empowerment and better knowledge of the tourism industry. However, the study also shows that there is a lack of positive correlation between rural tourism growth and knowledge sharing, a challenge that appears to be rooted in strained relationships between tourism stakeholders. Other barriers include financial constraints, inadequate road access and the need for specialised training in tourism services. Addressing these barriers through targeted government interventions such as financial support and capacity building programmes may help distribute the benefits of rural tourism more equitably and ultimately promote sustainable development within the community
Water absorption analysis of oil palm fibre reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composites by Fick's law
No full textOver the past twenty years, researchers have become increasingly interested in natural fibres reinforced thermoplastics. The major cause of hydrophilic tendency is the presence of voids and non-crystalline part of these fibres which affects the fibre and polymer matrix adhesion. Therefore, it is important to develop the proper mechanism and understanding the water absorption behaviour of these composites. The aim of this paper is to analyse the water absorption behaviour using Fickian diffusion model. The oil palm fibre reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) composites at different fibre loadings (0, 3, 5 and 7 wt %) were fabricated by FDM according to the ASTM D6980 and the water absorption was analysed by a Fickian diffusion model. The results showed that the percentage of water absorption increases with increasing of fibre loadings from 0 wt% to 7 wt%. The result of applying the Fickian model showed that when the fibre loading increased, the D value decreased. On the other hand, when the fibre loading rose, the M∞ value rose as well. The value of the kinetic parameters, n was closer to 0.5. It showed that the absorption process behaved like a Fickian process
Awareness of fasciolosis among household dairy farmers in Boyolali, Indonesia
No full textBackground: Fasciolosis is a global parasitic disease that causes enormous economic losses in the ruminant industry by affecting the production of meat and milk. Farmers play an influential role in mitigating the parasite’s lifecycle because cattle are a common host of the parasite. Aim: This study evaluated the awareness and knowledge of dairy farmers in Boyolali regarding fasciolosis. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a dairy farming center in Boyolali, Indonesia, among 72 farmers who were recruited conveniently and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the association between the independent and dependent variables. The significance level was set at a p-value of <0.05. Results: Forty-eight (66.7%) respondents had ever heard of fasciolosis. The educational level of the respondents was significantly associated with their awareness of fasciolosis (χ2 = 10.06, df = 1, p = 0.002). Farmers with a higher level of education were more likely to be aware of fasciolosis than those with a basic level of education [odds ratio (OR) = 5.80, 95% CI 1.85–18.18]. Nevertheless, 44 (61.1%) farmers were aware of the disease but demonstrated a lack of knowledge. Farmers with basic educational levels (OR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.05–0.52), and herd size less than five (OR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.10–0.95) were more likely to have poor knowledge of fasciolosis. Conclusion: Despite the relatively high level of fasciolosis awareness among dairy farmers, a knowledge gap remains. Periodic extension programs are recommended to improve the knowledge of farmers about fasciolosis and its control and prevention