MyMedR

Displaying all 9 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Physicochemical and sensory properties of ice-cream formulated with virgin coconut oil

Choo SY, Leong SK, Henna Lu FS

Food Sci Technol Int, 2010 Dec;16(6):531-41.
PMID: 21339169 DOI: 10.1177/1082013210367546

The substitution of milk fat with virgin coconut oil (VCO) was used to produce nutritious ice cream with pleasant coconut flavor and aroma. Three formulations were developed whereby formulation VCO4, VCO8 and VCO12 was substituted with 4%, 8% and 12% of VCO, respectively. The physicochemical properties of ice creams analyzed include overrun, meltdown, pH, titratable acidity, total solid, protein and fat content. The fatty acids profile of VCO formulated ice creams and their stabilities over 3 and 6 weeks storage were studied respectively using gas chromatography (GC). Qualitative descriptive analysis (QDA) and consumer affective test were performed among the trained and untrained panelists. Significant differences (p < 0.05) of overrun, pH, total solid, protein and fat content between ice cream formulations were observed except titratable acidity. Increased VCO content in ice cream formulations lowered the melting resistance of ice cream. For GC analysis, the major fatty acid identified was lauric acid. Upon storage time, the concentration of unsaturated fatty acid decreased but the concentration of saturated fatty acid increased. The result of QDA showed that formulation VCO4, VCO8 and VCO12 were significantly (p < 0.05) different in attributes of color, firmness and smoothness as compared to the control ice cream. Formulation VCO12 was highly accepted by panelists in terms of the acceptance level of appearance, aroma, texture, flavor and overall acceptability. Hence, it has a potential marketable value.
Overproduction of lipoxygenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Escherichia coli by auto-induction expression and its application in triphenylmethane dyes degradation

Lu J, Zhang C, Leong HY, Show PL, Lu F, Lu Z

J Biosci Bioeng, 2020 Mar;129(3):327-332.
PMID: 31585857 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2019.09.006

In this study, the bacterial lipoxygenase (LOX) gene from Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853 (pse-LOX) was cloned, sequenced and heterologous expressed in Escherichia coli by auto-induction expression strategy. Production of the recombinant pse-LOX (pse-rLOX) gene up to 23,850 U/mL (264 mg pure protein/L bacterial culture fluid) was observed in the end of this process. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to manipulate LOX heterologous expression process using auto-induction expression approach, and it is the highest production of recombinant LOX compared with other reports. Subsequently, the resulted pse-rLOX was proved to efficiently degrade triphenylmethane dyes such as malachite green, brilliant green and aniline blue. Generally, an overproduction of the LOX from P. aeruginosa was observed in E. coli, and this recombinant gene is a potential candidate as biocatalyst for triphenylmethane dyes decolorization.
Characterization of a novel type I l-asparaginase from Acinetobacter soli and its ability to inhibit acrylamide formation in potato chips

Jiao L, Chi H, Lu Z, Zhang C, Chia SR, Show PL, et al.

J Biosci Bioeng, 2020 Jun;129(6):672-678.
PMID: 32088137 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2020.01.007

l-Asparaginases have the potential to inhibit the formation of acrylamide, a harmful toxin formed during high temperature processing of food. A novel bacterium which produces l-asparaginase was screened. Type I l-asparaginase gene from Acinetobacter soli was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant l-asparaginase had an activity of 42.0 IU mL-1 and showed no activity toward l-glutamine and d-asparagine. The recombinant l-asparaginase exhibited maximum catalytic activity at pH 8.0 and 40°C. The enzyme was stable in the pH ranging from 6.0 to 9.0. The activity of the recombinant enzyme was substantially enhanced by Ba2+, dithiothreitol, and β-mercaptoethanol. The Km and Vmax values of the l-asparaginase for the l-asparagine were 3.22 mmol L-1 and 1.55 IU μg-1, respectively. Moreover, the recombinant l-asparaginase had the ability to mitigate acrylamide formation in potato chips. Compared with the untreated group, the content of acrylamide in samples treated with the enzyme was effectively decreased by 55.9%. These results indicate that the novel type I l-asparaginase has the potential for application in the food processing industry.
Fulltext Characterization and Preliminary Application of a Novel Lipoxygenase from Enterovibrio norvegicus

Zhang B, Chen M, Xia B, Lu Z, Khoo KS, Show PL, et al.

Foods, 2022 Sep 15;11(18).
PMID: 36140992 DOI: 10.3390/foods11182864

Lipoxygenases have proven to be a potential biocatalyst for various industrial applications. However, low catalytic activity, low thermostability, and narrow range of pH stability largely limit its application. Here, a lipoxygenase (LOX) gene from Enterovibrio norvegicus DSM 15893 (EnLOX) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). EnLOX showed the catalytic activity of 40.34 U mg-1 at 50 °C, pH 8.0. Notably, the enzyme showed superior thermostability, and wide pH range stability. EnLOX remained above 50% of its initial activity after heat treatment below 50 °C for 6 h, and its melting point temperature reached 78.7 °C. More than 70% of its activity was maintained after incubation at pH 5.0-9.5 and 4 °C for 10 h. In addition, EnLOX exhibited high substrate specificity towards linoleic acid, and its kinetic parameters of Vmax, Km, and Kcat values were 12.42 mmol min-1 mg-1, 3.49 μmol L-1, and 16.86 s-1, respectively. LC-MS/MS analysis indicated that EnLOX can be classified as 13-LOX, due to its ability to catalyze C18 polyunsaturated fatty acid to form 13-hydroxy fatty acid. Additionally, EnLOX could improve the farinograph characteristics and rheological properties of wheat dough. These results reveal the potential applications of EnLOX in the food industry.
The relationship between personality and short video addiction among college students is mediated by depression and anxiety

Zhang L, Zhuo XF, Xing K, Liu Y, Lu F, Zhang JY, et al.

Front Psychol, 2024;15:1465109.
PMID: 39534468 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1465109

BACKGROUND: Short video addiction (SVA) among college students is influenced by personality traits, namely, neuroticism and agreeableness. However, the role of depression and anxiety as mediators remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the mediating role of comorbid depression and anxiety in the relationship between different dimensions of university students' personalities and SVA.
METHODS: The SPSS PROCESS was utilized to analyze data from 804 university students across seven universities in China.
RESULTS: The findings show that neuroticism, agreeableness, and extraversion in the personalities of Chinese university students are all significantly linked to SVA; neuroticism and agreeableness in the personalities of university students have a greater impact on SVA; both neuroticism and agreeableness can first induce depression and then lead to anxiety and SVA, whereas only agreeableness can first lead to anxiety and then result in depression and SVA.
CONCLUSION: This study uncovers the intricate relationship between personality traits and SVA among college students, emphasizing depression and anxiety as critical chain mediators in this relationship. It reveals that neuroticism and agreeableness significantly influence SVA through specific pathways involving depression and anxiety, indicating that interventions targeting these traits are essential.
Fulltext Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on irritable bowel syndrome

Quek SXZ, Loo EXL, Demutska A, Chua CE, Kew GS, Wong S, et al.

J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2021 Aug;36(8):2187-2197.
PMID: 33615534 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15466

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastrointestinal manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may mimic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and social distancing measures may affect IBS patients negatively. We aimed to study the impact of COVID-19 on respondents with self-reported IBS.
METHODS: We conducted an anonymized survey from May to June 2020 in 33 countries. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices on personal hygiene and social distancing as well as psychological impact of COVID-19 were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences in well-being and compliance to social distancing measures between respondents with and without self-reported IBS. Factors associated with improvement or worsening of IBS symptoms were evaluated.
RESULTS: Out of 2704 respondents, 2024 (74.9%) did not have IBS, 305 (11.3%) had self-reported IBS, and 374 (13.8%) did not know what IBS was. Self-reported IBS respondents reported significantly worse emotional, social, and psychological well-being compared with non-IBS respondents and were less compliant to social distancing measures (28.2% vs 35.3%, P = 0.029); 61.6% reported no change, 26.6% reported improvement, and 11.8% reported worsening IBS symptoms. Higher proportion of respondents with no change in IBS symptoms were willing to practice social distancing indefinitely versus those who deteriorated (74.9% vs 51.4%, P = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, willingness to continue social distancing for another 2-3 weeks (vs longer period) was significantly associated with higher odds of worsening IBS.
CONCLUSION: Our study showed that self-reported IBS respondents had worse well-being and compliance to social distancing measures than non-IBS respondents. Future research will focus on occupational stress and dietary changes during COVID-19 that may influence IBS.
Fulltext Factors associated with high compliance behaviour against COVID-19 in the early phase of pandemic: a cross-sectional study in 12 Asian countries

Chua CE, Kew GS, Demutska A, Quek S, Loo EXL, Gui H, et al.

BMJ Open, 2021 08 09;11(8):e046310.
PMID: 34373296 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046310

INTRODUCTION: Regardless of having effective vaccines against COVID-19, containment measures such as enhanced physical distancing and good practice of personal hygiene remain the mainstay of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries across Asia have imposed these containment measures to varying extents. However, residents in different countries would have a differing degree of compliance to these containment measures potentially due to differences in the level of awareness and motivation in the early phase of pandemic.
OBJECTIVES: In our study, we aimed to describe and correlate the level of knowledge and attitude with the level of compliance with personal hygiene and physical distancing practices among Asian countries in the early phase of pandemic.
METHODS: A multinational cross-sectional study was carried out using electronic surveys between May and June 2020 across 14 geographical areas. Subjects aged 21 years and above were invited to participate through social media, word of mouth and electronic mail.
RESULTS: Among the 2574 responses obtained, 762 (29.6%) participants were from East Asia and 1812 (70.4%) were from Southeast Asia (SEA). A greater proportion of participants from SEA will practise physical distancing as long as it takes (72.8% vs 60.6%). Having safe distancing practices such as standing more than 1 or 2 m apart (AdjOR 5.09 95% CI (1.08 to 24.01)) or more than 3 or 4 m apart (AdjOR 7.05 95% CI (1.32 to 37.67)), wearing a mask when they had influenza-like symptoms before the COVID-19 pandemic, preferring online news channels such as online news websites/applications (AdjOR 1.73 95% CI (1.21 to 2.49)) and social media (AdjOR 1.68 95% CI (1.13 to 2.50) as sources of obtaining information about COVID-19 and high psychological well-being (AdjOR 1.39 95% CI (1.04 to 1.87)) were independent factors associated with high compliance.
CONCLUSIONS: We found factors associated with high compliance behaviour against COVID-19 in the early phase of pandemic and it will be useful to consider them in risk assessment, communication and pandemic preparedness.
Fulltext Association between well-being and compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures by healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional study

Shah SU, Xiu Ling Loo E, En Chua C, Sen Kew G, Demutska A, Quek S, et al.

PLoS One, 2021;16(6):e0252835.
PMID: 34097719 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252835

IMPORTANCE: Knowledge and attitude influence compliance and individuals' practices. The risk and protective factors associated with high compliance to these preventive measures are critical to enhancing pandemic preparedness.
OBJECTIVE: This survey aims to assess differences in mental health, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of preventive measures for COVID-19 amongst healthcare professionals (HCP) and non-healthcare professionals.
DESIGN: Multi-national cross-sectional study was carried out using electronic surveys between May-June 2020.
SETTING: Multi-national survey was distributed across 36 countries through social media, word-of-mouth, and electronic mail.
PARTICIPANTS: Participants ≥21 years working in healthcare and non-healthcare related professions.
MAIN OUTCOME: Risk factors determining the difference in KAP towards personal hygiene and social distancing measures during COVID-19 amongst HCP and non-HCP.
RESULTS: HCP were significantly more knowledgeable on personal hygiene (AdjOR 1.45, 95% CI -1.14 to 1.83) and social distancing (AdjOR 1.31, 95% CI -1.06 to 1.61) compared to non-HCP. They were more likely to have a positive attitude towards personal hygiene and 1.5 times more willing to participate in the contact tracing app. There was high compliance towards personal hygiene and social distancing measures amongst HCP. HCP with high compliance were 1.8 times more likely to flourish and more likely to have a high sense of emotional (AdjOR 1.94, 95% CI (1.44 to 2.61), social (AdjOR 2.07, 95% CI -1.55 to 2.78), and psychological (AdjOR 2.13, 95% CI (1.59-2.85) well-being.
CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: While healthcare professionals were more knowledgeable, had more positive attitudes, their higher sense of total well-being was seen to be more critical to enhance compliance. Therefore, focusing on the well-being of the general population would help to enhance their compliance towards the preventive measures for COVID-19.
Fulltext Cardiovascular risk and events in 17 low-, middle-, and high-income countries

Yusuf S, Rangarajan S, Teo K, Islam S, Li W, Liu L, et al.

N Engl J Med, 2014 08 28;371(9):818-27.
PMID: 25162888 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1311890

BACKGROUND: More than 80% of deaths from cardiovascular disease are estimated to occur in low-income and middle-income countries, but the reasons are unknown.
METHODS: We enrolled 156,424 persons from 628 urban and rural communities in 17 countries (3 high-income, 10 middle-income, and 4 low-income countries) and assessed their cardiovascular risk using the INTERHEART Risk Score, a validated score for quantifying risk-factor burden without the use of laboratory testing (with higher scores indicating greater risk-factor burden). Participants were followed for incident cardiovascular disease and death for a mean of 4.1 years.
RESULTS: The mean INTERHEART Risk Score was highest in high-income countries, intermediate in middle-income countries, and lowest in low-income countries (P<0.001). However, the rates of major cardiovascular events (death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart failure) were lower in high-income countries than in middle- and low-income countries (3.99 events per 1000 person-years vs. 5.38 and 6.43 events per 1000 person-years, respectively; P<0.001). Case fatality rates were also lowest in high-income countries (6.5%, 15.9%, and 17.3% in high-, middle-, and low-income countries, respectively; P=0.01). Urban communities had a higher risk-factor burden than rural communities but lower rates of cardiovascular events (4.83 vs. 6.25 events per 1000 person-years, P<0.001) and case fatality rates (13.52% vs. 17.25%, P<0.001). The use of preventive medications and revascularization procedures was significantly more common in high-income countries than in middle- or low-income countries (P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Although the risk-factor burden was lowest in low-income countries, the rates of major cardiovascular disease and death were substantially higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries. The high burden of risk factors in high-income countries may have been mitigated by better control of risk factors and more frequent use of proven pharmacologic therapies and revascularization. (Funded by the Population Health Research Institute and others.).
Note: Malaysia is a study site (Author: Yusoff K)