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Nitrogen nutrient removals from wastewater and river water

Abdul-Rahman R, Tsuno H, Zainol N

Water Sci Technol, 2002;45(12):197-204.
PMID: 12201103

Elevated levels of nutrients in agroindustry wastewaters, and higher reliance on chlorination pose health threats due to formation of chlorinated organics as well as increased chlorination costs. Removals of ammonium and nitrate compounds were studied using activated carbon from palm shells, as adsorbent and support media. Experiments were carried out at several loadings, F:M from 0.31 to 0.58, and hydraulic residence times (HRT) of 24 h, 12 h and 8 h. Results show that the wastewater treatment process achieved removals of over 90% for COD and 62% for Total-N. Studies on removals from river water were carried out in sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and activated carbon biofilm (ACB) reactor. Removals achieved by the SBR adsorption-biodegradation combination were 67.0% for COD, 58.8% for NH3-N and 25.5% for NO3-N while for adsorption alone the removals were only 37.0% for COD, 35.2% for NH3-N and 13.8% for NO3-N. In the ACB reactor, at HRT of 1.5 to 6 h, removals ranged from 12.5 to 100% for COD, 16.7 to 100% for NO3-N and 13.5 to 100% for NH3-N. Significant decrease in removals was shown at lower HRT. The studies have shown that substantial removals of COD, NO3-N and NH3-N from both wastewater and river water may be achieved via adsorption-biodegradation by biofilm on activated carbon processes.
Data on modeling mycelium growth in Pleurotus sp. cultivation by using agricultural wastes via two level factorial analysis

Dzulkefli NA, Zainol N

Data Brief, 2018 Oct;20:1710-1720.
PMID: 30263925 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.09.008

In this article, five variables including type of substrates, sizes of substrates, mass ratio of spawn to substrates (SP/SS), temperature and pretreatment of substrates were used to model mycelium growth in Pleurotus sp. (oyster mushroom) cultivation by using agricultural wastes via two level factorial analysis. Two different substrates which were empty fruit bunch (EFB) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) were used. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for both mycelium extension rate (M) and nitrogen concentration in mycelium (N) showed that the confidence level was greater than 95% while p-value of both models were less than 0.05 which is significant. The coefficient of determination (R2) for both M and N were 0.8829 and 0.9819 respectively. From the experiment, the best condition to achieve maximum M (0.8 cm/day) and N (656 mg/L) was by using substrate B, 2.5 cm size of substrate, 1:14 for SP/SS, incubated at ambient temperature and application of steam treatment. The data showed that EFB can be used to replace sawdust as a media for the oyster mushroom cultivation. Data analysis was performed using Design Expert version 7.0.
Fulltext Morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular characterization of statin-producing Penicillium microfungi isolated from little-explored tropical ecosystems

Seydametova E, Zainol N

Curr Res Microb Sci, 2021 Dec;2:100044.
PMID: 34841335 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2021.100044

As hypercholesterolemia is a primary risk factor for coronary artery disease and stroke, there is now an increasing demand for cholesterol-lowering drugs. Statins are a group of extremely successful drugs that lower the cholesterol level in the blood. Natural statins are produced by fermentation using different species of microorganisms. The overall aim of the present study was to identify statin-producing microfungi, which were isolated from different types of little-explored mangrove and oil palm plantation soils. Isolated fungal cultures were characterized on the basis of morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular features. Morphological variability was detected amongst the fungal isolates in regard to colony morphology, conidiophores structures, and conidia coloration. Based on their physiological properties and enzyme assays, rapid differentiation of statin-producing isolates was achieved. Further molecular characterization allowed reliable identification of the selected Penicillium microfungi up to the species level. The identified Penicillium cintrinum ESF2M, Penicillium brefeldianum ESF21P, and Penicillium janthinellum ESF26P strains have a scientific interest as novel wild-type producers of natural statins.
Fulltext Optimization of chlorophyll extraction from pineapple plantation waste

Abd Rahim SH, Zainol N, Samad KA

Heliyon, 2022 Nov;8(11):e11851.
PMID: 36458307 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11851

The abundance of pineapple waste generated in Malaysia has becomes a serious issue as it puts our environment in grave danger. The presence of chlorophyll in pineapple waste has attracted many researchers to produce a natural dye from chlorophyll as a sensitizer for solar cells. Natural dyes can be considered a promising substitute for synthetic dyes as they are more environmentally friendly and cost less when compared to the synthetic dyes that are currently available on the market. This research aims to optimize the conditions of chlorophyll extraction from pineapple leaves using a mechanical extraction method. A response surface methodology was used to design an experimental design table using a central composite design based on two significant factors. The extraction cycle and the storage time varied between 1 and 5 cycles and 7 and 9 h, respectively, were studied. From the study, the maximum concentration of total chlorophyll (TC) was 693.292 mg/L. The optimum conditions for extraction cycle and storage time were at 3 cycles and 8 h, respectively. Among those two factors, it has been discovered that the storage time has a smaller p-value (p = 0.1106) than the extraction cycle, indicating that this factor was the critical factor affecting the TC concentration. The value of R2 for the analysis was 0.8673, making the analysis a well-fitted model. Thus, it has been established that the models are suitable for optimizing the extraction conditions in order to maximize the concentration of TC using the mechanical method.
Fulltext Development and Characterization of Cinnamon Leaf Oil Nanocream for Topical Application

Zainol NA, Ming TS, Darwis Y

Indian J Pharm Sci, 2015 12 15;77(4):422-33.
PMID: 26664058 DOI: 10.4103/0250-474x.164785

Cinnamon leaf oil contains a high percentage of eugenol and has antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. However, the undiluted oil can cause irritation to the skin. Therefore, the aims of this study were to develop and evaluate cinnamon leaf oil nanocream using palm oil. Nanocream base was prepared using different ratios of oil, surfactants and water. The surfactant used were mixture of Tween 80:Carbitol or Tween 80:Span 65 at different hydrophile-lipophile balance values. The pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify the nanocream base areas and the results showed that the nanocream bases using Span 65 as co-surfactant produced bigger cream area. Fifteen formulations using mixtures of Tween 80:Span 65 were further evaluated for accelerated stability test, droplet size, zeta potential, rheological properties and apparent viscosity. The nanocream base which had an average droplet size of 219 nm and had plastic flow with thixotropic behavior was selected for incorporation of 2% cinnamon leaf oil. The nanocream containing cinnamon leaf oil had the average size of 286 nm and good rheological characteristics. The in vitro release study demonstrated that eugenol as the main constituent of cinnamon leaf oil was released for about 81% in 10 h. The short-term stability study conducted for 6 months showed that the cinnamon leaf oil nanocream was stable at a temperature of 25° and thus, cinnamon leaf oil nanocream is a promising natural based preparation to be used for topical application.
RARE PRESENTATION OF BILATERAL CAROTID-CAVERNOUS FISTULA AS SUPRACHOROIDAL HEMORRHAGE DURING CATARACT SURGERY

Zainol N, Raman P, Devi-S P, Mohd Khalid KH

Retin Cases Brief Rep, 2023 Jul 01;17(4):362-364.
PMID: 34381008 DOI: 10.1097/ICB.0000000000001186

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of suprachoroidal hemorrhage during phacoemulsification in a patient with bilateral carotid-cavernous fistula.
METHOD: Case report.
RESULT: A 76-year-old woman with underlying hypertension presented left eye poor vision due to an underlying dense cataract. Her initial preoperative assessment was uneventful, and she underwent phacoemulsification. During epinucleus removal, there was sudden, unexpected anterior chamber shallowing, resulting in posterior capsule rupture. While the surgeon extended the wound to facilitate epinucleus removal, there was a further decrease of red reflex, followed by hardening of the globe, indicating a suprachoroidal hemorrhage. The corneal wound was opposed swiftly without an intraocular lens. Further evaluation after that revealed the patient had a chronic headache for several years, and ocular examination showed bilateral esophoria. A computed tomography demonstrated features suggestive of bilateral carotid-cavernous fistula, which was confirmed with computed tomography angiography later.
CONCLUSION: Patients with carotid-cavernous fistula have elevated episcleral venous pressure and vortex venous pressure. Sudden decompression of the globe in these patients predisposes them to higher suprachoroidal hemorrhage risk, although this condition is generally rare in phacoemulsification.
Fulltext Component analysis of nutritionally rich chloroplasts: recovery from conventional and unconventional green plant species

Gedi MA, Briars R, Yuseli F, Zainol N, Darwish R, Salter AM, et al.

J Food Sci Technol, 2017 Aug;54(9):2746-2757.
PMID: 28928514 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-017-2711-8

A study of the literature indicates that chloroplasts synthesise a range of molecules, many of which have nutritional value for humans, but the nutritional credentials of chloroplasts recovered from plant cells are not established. Chloroplast-rich-fractions (CRFs) were prepared from green plant species and the macro- and micro-nutrient composition compared with the whole leaf materials (WLMs). The results indicated that, on a dry weight basis, CRF material from a range of green biomass was enriched in lipids and proteins, and in a range of micronutrients compared with the WLM. Vitamins E, pro-vitamin A, and lutein were all greater in CRF preparations. Of the minerals, iron was most notably concentrated in CRF. Spinach CRFs possessed the highest α-tocopherol [62 mg 100 g-1, dry weight (DW)], β-carotene (336 mg 100 g-1 DW) and lutein (341 mg 100 g-1 DW) contents, whilst grass CRFs had the highest concentration of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (69.5 mg g-1). The higher concentrations of α-tocopherol, β-carotene, lutein, ALA and trace minerals (Fe and Mn) in CRFs suggested their potential use as concentrated ingredients in food formulations deficient in these nutrients.
Fatty acid profile from immobilised Chlorella vulgaris cells in different matrices

Abu Sepian NR, Mat Yasin NH, Zainol N, Rushan NH, Ahmad AL

Environ Technol, 2019 Apr;40(9):1110-1117.
PMID: 29161985 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2017.1408691

The immobilisation of Chlorella vulgaris 211/11B entrapped in combinations of natural matrices to simplify the harvesting process was demonstrated in this study. Three combinations of matrices composed of calcium alginate (CA) and sodium alginate (SA), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and SA, and mixed matrices (SA, CA, and CMC) were investigated. The number of cells grown for each immobilised matrix to microalgae volume ratios (0.2:1-1:1) were explored and compared with using SA solely as a control. The optimum volume ratios obtained were 1:1 for SA, 0.3:1 for CA and SA, 1:1 for CMC and SA, and 0.3:1 for mixed matrices. The immobilised microalgae of mixed matrices exhibited the highest number of cells with 1.72 × 109 cells/mL at day 10 and 30.43% of oil extraction yield followed by CA and SA (24.29%), CMC and SA (13.00%), and SA (6.71%). Combining SA, CA, and CMC had formed a suitable structure which improved the growth of C. vulgaris and increased the lipid production compared to the immobilisation using single matrix. Besides, the fatty acids profile of the oil extracted indicates a high potential for biodiesel production.
Fulltext Epidemiology and molecular identification of mixed yeast isolates in Malaysia: A way forward

Farooq H, Monowar T, V Chinni S, Swe Latt S, Hasliza Zainol N, Shankar Sabesan G

Curr Med Mycol, 2022 Sep;8(3):35-38.
PMID: 37051557 DOI: 10.18502/cmm.8.3.11209

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Invasive candidiasis is one of the most common systemic mycoses, and studies have shown mixed yeast infections. Malaysia lacks mixed yeast culture data.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Yeast isolates were collected in Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital, North Malaysia, from October 2020 to October 2021. Chromogenic Candida differential agar media and PCR-RFLP were used to identify yeast species.
RESULTS: A total of 206 yeast isolates were collected from different body sites of patients. The majority of the yeast isolates (n=104) were obtained from the urine. Other isolates were extracted from blood (n=52), vaginal swabs (n=45), ear discharge (n=2), tracheal aspirate (n=2), tissue (n=2), skin (n=1), nail (n=1), sputum (n=1), and cerebrospinal fluid (n=1). In total, 200 yeast samples were identified as single species, and six isolates were a mixture of Candida species.
CONCLUSION: Malaysia lacks accurate epidemiological data on mixed yeast infections. We identified all samples to the species level, including mixed yeast cultures, using the MspI enzyme and PCR-RFLP.
Development of sustainable polymer-based dielectric composites from agricultural waste: A review

K B M, Abu Talip Yusof N, Sudhakar K, Zainol N, Hasan N, Abdul Karim MS

Heliyon, 2024 Nov 15;10(21):e39118.
PMID: 39524823 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39118

Dielectrics are essential for storing and controlling electrical energy in the electrical and electronic industries. However, their production from non-renewable sources raises environmental concerns. This review investigates sustainable polymer-based dielectric composites made from agricultural waste, focusing on the various parameters that affect dielectric characteristics. These composites offer improved dielectric properties and contribute to waste reduction and environmental sustainability. Agricultural waste, including crop residues and by-products, offers a promising, sustainable source of dielectric composite materials. This review also highlights the feasibility of using agricultural waste-based polymer dielectric composites for dielectric material in various electronics applications. Dielectric composite's permittivity is influenced by carbon, oxygen, filler, temperature, cellulose, and morphological changes. Biodegradable materials like agricultural waste, which have good fibre and carbon content, can produce good dielectric constants, making them suitable for antennas and microwave absorbers. In conclusion, the review underscores the importance of sustainable practices in dielectric composite material development and the valuable role of agricultural waste in advancing environmentally friendly solutions.
New insights into the phytochemical composition, enzyme inhibition and antioxidant properties of desert cotton (Aerva javanica (Bum.f) Shult. -Amaranthaceae)

Saleem H, Zengin G, Khan KU, Ahmad I, Waqas M, Mahomoodally FM, et al.

Nat Prod Res, 2021 Feb;35(4):664-668.
PMID: 30919661 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2019.1587427

This study sets out to probe into total bioactive contents, UHPLC-MS secondary metabolites profiling, antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating) and enzyme inhibitory (acetylcholinesterase- AChE, butyrylcholinesterase- BChE, α-amylase, α glucosidase, and tyrosinase) activities of methanol extract of Aerva javanica, also known as desert cotton or Kapok bush. Aerva javanica contains considerable phenolic (44.79 ± 3.12 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (28.86 ± 0.12 mg QE/g) contents which tends to correlate with its significant antioxidant potential for ABTS, FRAP and CUPRAC assays with values of 101.41 ± 1.18, 124.10 ± 1.71 and 190.22 ± 5.70 mg TE/g, respectively. The UHPLC-MS analysis identified the presence of 45 phytochemicals belonging to six major groups: phenolic, flavonoids, lignin, terpenes, glycoside and alkaloid. Moreover, the plant extract also showed potent inhibitory action against AChE (3.73 ± 0.22 mg GALAE/g), BChE (3.31 ± 0.19 mg GALAE/g) and tyrosinase (126.05 ± 1.77 mg KAE/g). The observed results suggest A. javanica could be further explored as a natural source of bioactive compounds.

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