Malaysian Journal of Biochemistry
& Molecular Biology
(E-ISSN: 2600-9005)
The Official Publication of the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (MSBMB)
Indexed by SCOPUS and Malaysian Citation Index (MYCITE)
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December 2018
Malay. J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. (2018) 21 (3)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 1-5
Page 6-10
Page 11-18
Page 19-28
Page 29-36
page 37-44
Page 45-55
page 56-61
page 62-71
page 72-76
page 77-80
page 81-84
page 85-92
Nurul 'Izzah Mohd Sarmin, Nurul Hana’ Mahmud, Adiba Najwa Jawahir, Hasnah Begum Said Gulam Khan and Nik Mohd Mazuan Nik Mohd Rosdy
QUANTITATIVE MONITORING OF MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION TO INCREASE AWARENESS IN CROSS INFECTION CONTROL DURING DENTAL PRACTICE
Abstract
Occupational hazards linked to dental practice are not a recent problem. In this study, the researchers quantified airborne microbial load in clinical environment during routine dental treatment and evaluated the microbial contamination in dental unit water line system (DUWLs) in Citrine and Zircon clinics. Air was sampled using settled plate method. The difference in the contamination level between the different clinical environments and the rooms where there was no treatment done was statistically significant (P<0.05). At the end of treatment, operative had the highest bacterial contamination (38 ± 8 CFU/mÑ) maybe due to the active usage of highspeed handpieces and scaler, while oral surgery had the lowest bacterial contamination (14±3 CFU/mÑ). The results for the microbial contamination of DUWLs in Zircon and Citrine clinic were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The highest bacterial count was from air-water syringe (60 CFU/mL) but was far below the recommendation from the American Dental Association (>200 CFU/mL) and it was of drinking water quality.
Asmirah Ahmadunissah and Aziyah Abdul-Aziz
POLYMORPHISMS OF coa GENE IN METHICILLIN RESISTANT AND METHICILLIN SENSITIVE Staphylococcus aureus ISOLATED FROM A HOSPITAL IN SELANGOR, MALAYSIA
Abstract
The emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus or MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus or MSSA is consistently reported worldwide, especially in healthcare settings. This study aims to determine the molecular typing of MRSA and MSSA from 17 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from a hospital in Selangor. The isolates were subjected to standard laboratory microbiological tests to confirm their identities. Eleven of the S. aureus were found to be MRSA while the rest were MSSA. Amplification of the coa gene resulted in multiple size bands ranging from 440 to 820bp. Genotyping of the coa gene via PCR-RFLP with AluI digestion exhibited seven coa-RFLP banding patterns with three to six fragments each. Four of the patterns were unique in the MRSA strains and two patterns were found unique only to the MSSA strains while one pattern was observed in both MRSA and MSSA strains indicating considerable heterogenicity of the S. aureus isolates. The most frequent RFLP pattern was P7, observed in 35.3% of the MRSA strains. This suggests the possible spreading of this strain in the hospital where they were isolated from. This study showed that the PCR-RFLP of coa gene can be used for easy and rapid molecular typing system for MRSA and MSSA.
Angelo Mark P. Walag and Romeo M. Del Rosario
PROXIMATE BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND BRINE SHRIMP LETHALITY ASSAY OF SELECTED SEA STARS FROM GOSO-ON AND VINAPOR, CARMEN, AGUSAN DEL NORTE, PHILIPPINES
Abstract
Marine ecosystems cover 70% or more of the earth’s surface and are home to a great diversity of marine organisms that play vital role in the ecological balance of marine environments. Various anthropogenic activities continue to pose harm to the coastal waters thus the need to conduct more studies. The goal of this research is to determine the proximate biochemical composition and the cytotoxicity of crude extracts of selected sea stars collected from the coastal waters of Carmen, Agusan del Norte, Philippines. Proximate biochemical analysis of sea stars were only limited to the ash, lipid, carbohydrate and protein contents. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in terms of brine shrimp lethality assay. The findings showed significant differences in the ash, carbohydrates, lipid, and protein contents in the three sea stars. Brine shrimp lethality assay showed that only A. planci had cytotoxic activity while the rest of the sea stars were categorized as non-toxic. Based on this study, the collected non-toxic sea stars could be used as an alternative source of proteins in the development of feeds and other food materials. Furthermore, the presence of cytotoxic activity of A. planci indicates the advanced studies required in discovering and isolating bioactive components that can be used a lead component in antibacterial and antitumor drugs.
Fatoki John Olabode, Badmus Jelili Abiodun, Adedosu Olaniyi Temitope, Adekunle Adeniran Sanmi and Adedeji Adebayo Lawrence
PON-1 ACTIVITY AND LIPID PROFILE IN MALE RAT EXPOSED TO LOCALLY FORMULATE ANTIMALARIAL HERBAL CONCOCTION
Abstract
Treatment of malarial with locally prepare herbal concoction (LPHC) is on the increase due to the high cost of synthetic anti-malarial drugs and because of increase resistance strains to the latter. These factors influenced the uncontrolled proliferation of hawkers of the herbal products with unknown toxicological fingerprints. The lipid dynamics of plasma, brain, erythrocyte and liver were assessed in rat exposed to 2.5 ml/kg b.w of selected LPHC sourced from ten (10) different vendors and control group (distilled water) for four (4) weeks. The concoctions decreased plasma cholesterol and increased plasma FFA in all the herbal exposed groups. Significant depletions of HDL-cholesterol and phospholipid with non-HDL lipoprotein triacylglycerol constipation were the hallmark of the herbs impact on lipoproteins. Herbal treatment enhanced hepatic and brain cholesterogenesis while down-regulated cardiac cholesterogenesis and phospholipidosis. The treatment also significantly induced astrocyte triacylglycerol constipation. Hepatic and brain HMG-CoA reductase activities were induced in nearly all the treated groups. Lowered plasma paraoxonase activities were observed in all the herbal exposed groups. These findings indicate that consumption of locally formulates antimalarial herbal concoction perturbs lipid metabolism spectrum and may represent some of its adverse effects.
Nur Nadhirah Zakaria, Siti Aqlima Ahmad, Gillian Lee Li Yin, Nur Adeela Yasid, Motharasan Manogaran, Kavilasni Subramaniam, Tengku Athirrah Tengku Mazuki, Norazah Mohammad Nawawi and Mohd Yunus Shukor
BIODEGRADATION OF PHENOL BY ANTARCTIC BACTERIUM Rhodococcus baikonurensis STRAIN AQ5-001 IN THE PRESENCE OF HEAVY METALS
Abstract
In the past decades, the applications of indigenous microbes obtained from hydrocarbon-polluted environments in remediating phenol have proven effective even though phenol is highly toxic to microorganisms. The remediation of phenol in cold and polluted environments including Antarctica requires the usage of microorganisms that are able to adapt to low temperatures and can withstand the toxicity of phenol. Henceforth, this study is aimed at identifying the phenol-degrading ability of the Antarctic bacterium and its tolerance to 10 heavy metals; As, Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn. The bacterium was grown on phenol agar and supplemented with 0.2 g/L of phenol. Identification of the bacterium was found to be Gram-positive, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Through the analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence gene, the strain belonged to the Rhodococcus genus. Phenol degradation and optical density was monitored daily using 4-aminoantipyrine spectrophotometric assay method. The phenol-degrading abilities of the Antarctic bacterium was inhibited only by 1 ppm of Ag, Cd and Hg. Heavy metals Cd and Hg had values p<0.001 using ANOVA analysis. Complete degradation occurred in the other 7 heavy metals ANOVA analysis of p>0.05. It was found that Ag began its inhibition at 0.9 ppm, Cd at 0.8 ppm and Hg at 0.5 ppm. The IC50 of Hg was found to be 0.5 ppm. The tolerance towards heavy metals of phenol-degrading bacterium was proved ideal and has the potential to be used in remediation and waste-water treatments in low temperature environments.
Rabiatul-Adawiah Zainal-Abidin, Norliza Abu-Bakar,Sew Yun Shin and Sanimah Simoh
SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISM (SNP) RELATED DATABASES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF RICE BREEDING
Abstract
Molecular markers have been widely used in rice breeding programmes to improve the agronomical traits of rice. Among different types of molecular marker, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is the most preferable markers choosen by researchers. Recent advances in sequencing and genotyping technology have permitted the discovery of large-number of SNPs in many organisms. Consequently, the growing number of SNPs has influenced the development of many SNP related databases. The availability of SNP databases provides an opportunity for researchers to exploit these data for rice improvements through marker-assisted selection and molecular breeding approaches. This review presents features and outline of SNP databases related to rice. This paper also highlights major rice SNP databases, their uses, features as well as their current developmental status that will benefit the community of rice researchers. With this effort, the interest of rice breeder to explore and utilise the SNP databases is highly anticipate.
Salihu Ibrahim, Mohd Yunus Abd Shukor, Nur Adeela Yazid and Siti Aqlima Ahmad
MICROBIAL DEGRADATION OF VEGETABLE OILS: A REVIEW
Abstract
The use of vegetable oils by man dates back to ancient times. When spilt into the environment with wastewater derived from kitchens, restaurants and food processing industries led to serious anthropogenic problems can occur, such as blocking of pipes, depleting oxygen, oil film formation, odour problems, and congest treatment filters thus killing the marine organisms livings. Their specific properties and chemical composition have allowed them to be used as food, lubricants, fuels and in the manufacturing of agrochemicals, plasticisers, inks, and coatings. As such, biodegradation of vegetable oils contaminated water is very important because of its related negative effects. Microbial degradation is considered as the most effective technique in degrading vegetable oils within the environment. Even though there are other available methods for degrading vegetable oils using thermal degradation techniques like spectrophotometric methods, but the oil involves various modifications, thus causing lack of accuracy/specificity. Microbial vegetable oil degradation has been labelled as efficient as it is specific, reducing time management, eco-friendly, easy to be used, disease free and cost effective which effectively reduces chemical oxygen demand and suspended lipid solids compared to thermal methods. Many aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms capable of degrading vegetable oils have been well studied in fungal and bacterial strains mostly from the genus Rhodococcus and others such as Pseudomonas, Enterobacter aerogenes, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Serratia, Staphylococcus, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, Burkholderia sp., Acinetobacteria, Penicllium chrysogenum, and Lactobacillus sp.
Atiqah Subki and Zetty Norhana Balia Yusof
BIOINFORMATICS IDENTIFICATION OF THIAMINE PYROPHOSPHATE (TPP) RIBOSWITCH IN OIL PALM
Abstract
Riboswitch is an mRNA element which binds specific ligands, resulting in a change in the production of the end proteins and it has gained high interest recently. The most widely studied riboswitch is thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) riboswitch where TPP binds directly to it to regulate gene expression via a variety of mechanisms. TPP riboswitches have been found in archaea, bacteria and eukaryotes. This study aims to explore the possibility of the presence of TPP riboswitch in oil palm (Elaies guineensis) and the seaweeds of Malaysia via bioinformatic tools. Various software were utilised to search for the conserved sequence namely RiboSW, RibEX, Riboswitch Scanner, and Denison Riboswitch Detector and further structural analysis was carried out using Clustal Omega and Mfold web server. The analysis revealed the position, segment length, secondary structure and derivatization of its conserve region (aptamer) and expression platform of putative TPP riboswitch. In oil palm, TPP riboswitch motif was found located at the 3’ end of the intron region of ThiC gene. While in seaweeds putative TPP riboswitch was predicted to be with 128 nucleotides in length. Identification of putative TPP riboswitch can pave the way for further exploitation of this motif for better understanding of the regulation of thiamine biosynthesis pathway in oil palm.
Suhaili Shamsi, Ai Luan Lim, Farhah Amirah Zukeflli and Uswatun Hasanah Zaidan
QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF STEVIOL GLYCOSIDES IN COMMERCIAL STEVIA EXTRACTS FROM LOCAL MARKET IN MALAYSIA
Abstract
Extracts from leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, steviol glycosides are used to sweeten food and beverages. It has been approved as sweeteners in many countries all over the world. The majority findings show there is no toxicity in steviol glycosides. However, the complex purification process on commercial stevia has caused its authenticity to be challenged and discussed. Furthermore, the safety of commercial stevia extract in Malaysia has been in query. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to screen and determine the quality of commercial stevia extract from local market in Malaysia, in comparison to the standard solution of steviol glycosides obtained from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana. The present study analysed and compared three independent commercial stevia samples by using High Liquid Performance Chromatography (HPLC), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the commercial stevia extracts have different qualities of steviol glycosides; in terms of the steviol glycosides content and composition. It is of a remarkable fact that all three analytical methods showed no steviol glycosides were able to be detected in commercial stevia Sample 1. Sample 2 was found to contain the highest concentration of steviol glycosides according to HPLC analysis, while Sample 3 showed the most identical compounds to the standard steviol glycosides according to FTIR analysis. The present study shows the different composition and quality of steviol glycosides in commercial stevia extracts, which warrants further investigation.
Yong Hui Tan, Eric Wei Chiang, Chan, Siew Ling Hii and Kwan Kit Woo
BEHAVIORAL PROPERTIES OF ACINETOBACTER SPECIES IN DEGRADING OIL
Abstract
Major shipping routes worldwide, such as the Straits of Malacca, are under constant threat from oil spills and the environmental impacts of these spills are directly related to the speed and efficiency of remediation methods. Three Acinetobacter strains of bacteria isolated from the soil and pond water were shown to have behavioral properties suitable for degrading petroleum hydrocarbon. The three strains (F1, F4 and F12) showed a close match with Acinetobacter radioresistens, A. baumannii and A. calcoaceticus, respectively, based on 16S rRNA sequencing. Biofloccule formation, an important behavioural property for oil degradation, was observed in all three strains when cultured in a minimal salt broth with 1% spent engine oil. F12 (A. calcoaceticus) was shown to reduce hydrocarbon abundance and diversity of crude oil three days after inoculation. The strain had the highest rate of crude oil degradation and the best growth rate.
Anton S. Tkachenko, Anatolii I. Onishchenko, Tatyana V. Gorbach and Galina I. Gubina-Vakulyсk
O-6-METHYLGUANINE-DNA METHYLTRANSFERASE (MGMT) OVEREXPRESSION IN SMALL INTESTINAL MUCOSA IN EXPERIMENTAL CARRAGEENAN-INDUCED ENTERITIS
Abstract
Aim: To assess a DNA repair enzyme MGMT expression in inflammation-involved small intestinal tissue of rats with chronic carrageenan-induced enteritis. Methods: MGMT expression was determined immunohistochemically in small intestine of ten rats orally consumed k-carrageenan-containing 1% processed Eucheuma seaweed solution during four months. The solution intake resulted in the development of small intestinal inflammation confirmed morphologically. Results: We have found that the oral intake of carrageenan is associated with the strong MGMT overexpression both in enterocytes and in the stroma. MGMT expression is mainly observed on the surface of villi, i.e. in regions directly exposed to carrageenan. We suggested a protective character of MGMT overexression and several mechanisms of its upregulation in inflamed intestine. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that MGMT is upregulated in the small intestine of rats administered carrageenan.
Tunku Syed Iskandar Syed Azhar, Suriani Mohamed and Lay-Harn Gam
DIFFERENTIATION OF THE MEAT SOURCES OF CHICKEN, BEEF AND PORK PRODUCTS BY USING PROTEIN PROFILING
Abstract
Halal issue is getting the attention worldwide lately. The Halal Food Authority rules for Halal are based on Islamic Shari’ah. As regards to meat product in terms of Halal concept, the main concern is the adulteration of pork meat that is unknown to consumers. In this study, we have developed a rapid and ease of use method to identify the meat sources in minced meat products, namely sausages and burgers which are highly consumed nowadays. The meat products were purchased from departmental stores in Penang, Malaysia. Proteins was extracted from the meat product and was purified to remove the additive, and protein profiles were analyzed after separation using SDS-PAGE, from which the unique pattern of protein profiles for each meat types namely chicken, beef and pork were identified. The unique protein profile can be used to differentiate the source of meats in meat finished products, it can also be used to determine and adulteration of pork in these food.
Citrawati Dyah Kencono Wungu, Mochamad Amin, Ulfa Kholili, Gwenny Ichsan Prabowo, Poernomo Boedi Setiawan, Soetjipto and Retno Handajani
THE ANALYSIS OF MUTATION PROFILE ON PRE-S1 AND PRE-S2 REGION OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS IN CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to complete the data frequency and mutation profile of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) pre-S1 and pre-S2 in Indonesia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was used 32 blood serum samples of Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) patients with Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) at Endoscopy Outpatient Clinic, RSUD Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of HBV DNA was performed on the samples based on pre-S1 and pre-S2 region. Then, electrophoresis was performed on the PCR product and followed by sequencing on samples with positive electrophoresis result. The sequencing results were analyzed by comparing them with the published sequences of HBV nucleotide. Results: The amplification results of nested PCR DNA HBV with primers based on HBV pre-S1 and pre-S2 region were positive at 21 serums. In patients with CLD in this study, pre-S1 and / or pre-S2 HBV mutations were found in 11 (84.62%) chronically infected HBV patients, 4 (100%) patients with liver cirrhosis, and 4 (100%) HCC patients. Dominant mutations were L101V (16.57%), M120I / T or pre-S2 start codon (10.82%), and F141L (10.81%). M120 and F141L mutations have been previously reported to be associated with CLD, while the dominant L101V mutation in this study as well as several other mutations has not been reported in previous studies. Conclusions: Mutations of pre-S1 and pre-S2 HBV regions were obtained in 90.48% of CLD patients in the form of substitution and deletion of amino acids.
August 2018
Malay. J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. (2018) 21 (2)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 1-5
Page 6-11
Page 12-16
Page 17-22
Page 23-27
page 28-33
Page 34-37
page 38-42
page 43-46
page 47-51
M. A. Adibah, A. Siti Nor Akmar and M. M. Hanafi
EVALUATION OF EXPRESSION OF OsAMT1;1 UNDER DIFFERENT NITROGEN CONCENTRATION
Abstract
The NH4+ and NO3− are N sources available for plant nutrition in most soils. The NH4+ role in plant nutrition has most likely been underestimated. This study provides basic information on the expression of OsAMT1;1 that is needed in understanding factors contributing to upland rice Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) at the molecular level. The objective of this studies is to evaluate OsAMT1;1 expression on landraces with different NUE under different nitrogen level. To further understand the molecular basis of responsiveness of these two contrasting upland rice landraces to different N inputs at the N uptake level, a laboratory experiment was conducted to study how members of ammonium transporter gene family respond to different nitrogen conditions. Two upland varieties, Landrace III (high Nitrogen Use Efficiency) and Landrace I (low Nitrogen Use Efficiency) were grown in 4 nitrogen levels (0.05mM NH4NO3, 0.1mM NH4NO3, 1mM NH4NO3 and 2mM NH4NO3). Quantitative RT-PCR was used to study the expression of patterns of rice OsAMT1;1 genes. Results from this study showed that Landrace III has relatively higher expression of OsAMT1;1 compared to Landrace I for all treatments. Expression of OsAMT1;1 is clearly up-regulated in response to low-nitrogen treatment. Expression levels of OsAMT1;1 in high-NUE upland rice landrace was higher compared to low-NUE upland rice landrace. These results suggested, expression of OsAMT1;1 had certain degree of influenced in NUE of upland rice landraces.
Ahmad Norasidi Mohd Raffie , Navindra Kumari Palanisany, Jamal Houssaini, Norazah Ahmad and Zaini Mohd Zain
MOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN DIFFERENT Haemophilus influenzae SEROTYPES
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance in Haemophilus influenzae is increasingly common and caused significant burden in patients’ management and treatment. Factors contributing to the resistance vary in some strains and depend on genetic elements they possessed. In this study, we aim to determine the antibiotic resistant determinants in 18 clinical strains of Haemophilus influenzae. Serological typing has identified four strains to be H. influenzae type a (Hia) while fourteen were non-typeable H. influenzae (NTHi). Antibiotic susceptibility testing using disk diffusion method was carried out to determine their susceptibility patterns against three types of antibiotics. Strains that exhibited resistance to ampicillin (AMP), tetracycline (TE) or cotrimoxazole (SXT) were selected and underwent plasmid detection by PCR. These strains also were tested for the presence of integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) and antibiotic resistance genes. Multiple resistances were only seen in NTHi with two strains exhibited resistance to all three antibiotics. AMP resistant gene (blaTEM-1) was detected in 7/8 AMP resistant strains; TE resistant genes, tet(B) was detected in 2/4 TE resistant strains and tet(M) in another 1/4 strains. Both trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole resistant genes (dfrA1 and sul2) present in only 2/6 SXT resistant strains and the other 4/6 strains lack either gene. ICEs were not detected in Hia strains but present in six antibiotic resistant NTHi which represented by int and ofr51 genes. In conclusion, antibiotic resistance in Haemophilus influenzae is independent to the presence of ICEs and the genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance may differ among strains of Haemophilus influenzae.
Aziyah Abdul-Aziz, Izdinur Izzat Anuar, Sharifah Aminah Syed Mohamad, Zaini Mohd-Zain and Mohd Faiz Foong Abdullah
DETECTION OF TYPE I-V SCCmec IN METHICILLIN-RESISTANT Staphylococcus capitis ISOLATES FROM MALAYSIA
Abstract
Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosomes carrying the mecA gene (SCCmec) confers resistant to methicillin and a number of β-lactam antibiotics in the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. The SCCmec can be transferred to other staphylococcal species which are commensals on the human body. Seventeen clinical isolates of Staphylococcus capitis were tested for the presence of SCCmec type I to V using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and their correlation to resistance towards Cefoxitin and Oxacillin. All isolates (100%) were found to be resistant to Cefoxitin and Oxacillin. A total of 11 out of 17 isolates carry all five types of SCCmec elements tested. About 94% of isolates were positive for the presence of the mecA gene and SCCmec type V, while 88% of isolates show positive results for SCCmec type II and III and 82% of isolates were positive for both SCCmec type I and IV. Only one isolate tested negative for SCCmec typing and mecA despite being resistant to both antibiotics. The results show that commensal staphylococci can carry multiple versions of SCCmec and raise the concern that they may serve as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes.
Amyra Nurfarhana Mohd Zarib, Aliana Najwa Hamsah Zollappi, Mardhiah Zainal Abidin, Mohd Badrin Hanizam Abdul Rahim, Shafinaz Abdul Gani, Muhajir Hamid and Mohd Ezuan Khayat
TOTAL PHENOLIC, TOTAL FLAVONOID AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF EXTRACT FROM RHIZOME OF Cibotium Barometz PREPARED BY VARIOUS SOLVENTS
Abstract
The extract from rhizome of Cibotium barometz prepared using a number of various solvents extraction technique was previously shown to possess antioxidant activity. However, due to the structural complexity of bioactive compound in plants, thus, it is important in determining the most suitable solvents for the antioxidant extraction. In this study, the extracts of rhizome from C. barometz was prepared using various polarities of solvents; cyclohexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the solvent extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method and aluminium colorimetric assay, while the antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH radical scavenging assay, ABTS radical scavenging assay and FRAP assay. Among the solvent extracts, ethyl acetate extract has the highest total phenolic content followed by methanol, cyclohexane and dichloromethane extract. Similarly, the highest flavonoid content was also observed in ethyl acetate but no significant different was observed between the flavonoid contents of the remaining solvent extracts. The antioxidant activity of the solvent extracts was also found to be related to the phenolic content where the highest DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity, and ferric reducing power were found in ethyl acetate extract, followed by methanol, dichloromethane and cyclohexane extract. Therefore, ethyl acetate appears to be the most suitable extracting solvent for antioxidant from the rhizome of C. barometz. The information obtained from the study could be used as a reference to extract antioxidant from rhizome of C. barometz for various applications
Mizaton Hazizul Hasan, Maisarah Mohd Zin, Ibtisam Abd Wahab, Thellie Ponto and Aishah Adam
MYRMECODIA PLATYTYREA AQUEOUS TUBER EXTRACT INHIBITS PAIN
Abstract
Myrmecodia platytyrea, locally known as Sarang semut is an epiphytic plant mainly found throughout the entire Indonesian Archipelago, the Philippines, Papuasia and its associated islands, Solomon Island and the Cape York Peninsula in Australia. Myrmecodia sp. has been used as a remedy to treat minor ailments to severe diseases such as hyperuricemia, tuberculosis and cancer by local people of Indonesia. In this study, the analgesic effect of Myrmecodia platytyrea tuber aqueous extract (MPAE) was investigated using carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model and acetic acid-induced writhing test. In both studies, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, a non-steroidal inflammatory drug) (200 mg/kg) was used as a standard reference. In the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model, oedema was quantified by measuring the hind rat paw thickness after 4th hour of carrageenan induction. Administration of MPAE (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.), significantly reduced the oedema thickness in a time-dependent manner. The same was also observed in rats treated with ASA. MPAE (100 mg/kg) was also able to reduce secretion of TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine. As for acetic acid-induced writhing test on mice, significant inhibition of abdominal constriction induced by 0.6% of acetic acid was observed in mice treated with MPAE (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o), when compared to control. These analgesic effects shown by MPAE may be due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics and phytosterol in this extract. Our study suggests that M. platytyrea tuber aqueous extract have potential to be developed as an antinociceptive agent.
Nur Syahira Mohammad, Muhd Fauzi Safian, Shahrul Hisham Zainal Ariffin and Zaidah Zainal Ariffin
BIOTRANSFORMATION OF NITROFURANS ANTIBIOTICS BY ASPERGILLUS SPECIES – RESIDUAL ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY
Abstract
Nitrofurans antibiotics are banned drug. Nitrofurans antibiotics that administered to the animal will be excreted out in parent or metabolite through faeces. The excretion causes soil contamination and also the emerging of bacteria that resistant the nitrofurans antibiotics. The aim of this study is to isolate potential soil fungi species that able to degrade nitrofurans antibiotics and determine the antibacterial activity of the nitrofurans antibiotic residues. Nine different colonies were successfully identified using molecular tools, polymerase chain reactions. ITS 1 (forward) and ITS 4 (reverse) primer were used in this study. A total of six species from Aspergillus namely Aspergillus sydowii strain SCAU066, Aspergillus tamarii isolate TN-7, Aspergillus candidus strain KUFA 0062, Aspergillus versicolor isolate BAB- 6580, Aspergillus protuberus strain KAS 6024 and the rest are Cephaliophora tropica strain xsd08001 and Lichtheimia ramosa strain R and two species from Penicillium which are Penicillium citrinum strain FIB SR4 and Penicillium citrinum isolate J33. Growth curve of Aspergillus species was plotted, most fungi showed exponential phase from day 2 to day 6. Aspergillus species were used in degrading nitrofurans antibiotics furaltadone, furazolidone and nitrofurazone. This study showed Aspergillus tamarii efficiently degraded 12-30 % of nitrofurans antibiotics after 96 h of incubation. Thus the isolated soil fungi, Aspergillus tamarii showed the ability to degrade nitrofurans antibiotics.
Nurul Athirah Adam, Norrizah Jaafar Sidik, Nurul Izzati Osman and Nur Inani Rezal
EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT CULTURE SYSTEM FOR MICROPROPAGATION OF in vitro PLANTLETS Melastoma decemfidum
Abstract
The current work was done to study the micropropagation of in vitro plantlets Melastoma decemfidum via different culture system which involve gelled cultures, permanent liquid cultures and temporary immersion bioreactor. In vitro grown cultures which aged three weeks were used in this study. Each system contained nutrient MS medium supplemented with 0.3 mg/L of BAP hormone. In temporary immersion bioreactor, in vitro plantlets is temporary immerse by liquid nutrient medium. In vitro plantlets were immersed with nutrient medium for 30 minutes in every one hour. The in vitro plantlets cultured in temporary immersion bioreactor gave the highest growth rate with significant differences (p<0.05) on shoot multiplication (4.62 ± 0.39), shoot length (0.34 ± 0.03) and leaves number (10.67 ± 0.62) as compared to permanent liquid cultures and agar gelled cultures. In this study, in vitro propagation of M. decemfidum has been successfully optimized by using temporary immersion bioreactor.
Rizal Husaini Razali, Nurul Ain Khoruddin, Hisyam Jamari, Geik Yong Ang, Choo Yee Yu, Richard Johari James, Kok Hoi Teh, Hishamshah Mohd Ibrahim, Lay Kek Teh and Mohd Zaki Salleh
UNDERSTANDING THE GENETIC RISK OF CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA AMONG THE ORANG ASLI AND MALAY IN MALAYSIA: MINING THE WHOLE GENOME SEQUENCE DATABASE
Abstract
Leukemia is the seventh most common childhood malignancy in Malaysia. It is of great interest to determine the genetic factors that cause leukemia in order to strategise for prevention and treatment modalities. We aim to determine the genetic variability that increases Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) susceptibility of the Orang Asli and the Malays using existing genome database. For the Orang Asli, the genomic DNA were isolated from blood and the whole genome sequencing analysis were performed. Genomes were assembled, aligned and variants were called using GATKBest Practise workflow. Leukemic-associated variants were identified and analysed from 98 Orang Asli and 96 Malays in this study. Of the 126 codon changes identified, the number of variants predicted to be deleterious among the Orang Asli was 24. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with the highest allele frequency associated with ALL risk in the Orang Asli and the Malays was XRCC1rs25487-G with 72.4% and 68.7%, respectively. This study is believed to be the first to report on the prediction of the genetic risks of susceptibility against leukemia among the Orang Asli compared to the Malays.
Wan Razarinah WAR., Rizlan Ross, E.E., Nor Farinna Abdul Rahim, Batrisyia Syazana Faridon and Khairul Adzfa Radzun.
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF MARINE GREEN ALGAE EXTRACT AGAINST MICROBIAL PATHOGENS
Abstract
Marine macroalgae (seaweeds) had been recently discovered to be a highly potential alternative to commercial drugs in terms of their antimicrobial properties. Thus, this provides new option in production of novel drugs in pharmaceutical industries. In the present study, extract of green algae from Halimeda sp. which was found abundance in the coastal area of Peninsular Malaysia was evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. Green algae collected from the intertidal zone of Pulau Singgah, Port Dickson were extracted using methanol and further screened for their antimicrobial activities against microbial pathogens which are Gram positive bacteria (B. subtilis, S. aureus and B. cereus), Gram negative bacteria (P. aeruginosa, E. coli), yeast (C. albicans) and mold (A. niger). by disc diffusion method. The results showed that methanol extract of Halimeda sp. could inhibit the growth of B. subtilis, S. aureus and B. cereus. The highest zone of inhibition against B. subtilis S. aureus and B. cereus were recorded at 350 mg/ml concentrations with 13.67 ± 0.58 mm, 12.00 ± 0.00 mm and 9.67 ± 0.58 mm, respectively. Further tested with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC) demonstrated that both values were between 9.37 mg/ml to 75 mg/ml. As a conclusion, Halimeda sp. collected from Pulau Singgah, Port Dickson showed promising antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and B. cereus.
Siti Aqlima Ahmad, Gayathrie Asokan, Nur Adeela Yasid, Norazah Mohammad Nawawi, Kavilasni Subramaniam, Nur Nadhirah Zakaria and Mohd Yunus Shukor
EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS ON BIODEGRADATION OF PHENOL BY ANTARCTIC BACTERIUM: ARTHROBACTER BAMBUSAE STRAIN AQ5-003
Abstract
Antarctica which was known as the most pristine ice dessert is largely influenced by anthropogenic contamination. Usually, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) contaminate Antarctic environment via Long Range Atmospheric Transport (LRAT) as well as via in situ activities like research, tourism and marine transportation. The extreme environment of Antarctica becomes the greatest challenge in degrading these pollutants where they trapped in the environment and unsurprisingly accumulate in higher concentration. Unprocessed petroleum is a natural substance mainly composed of hydrocarbon molecules comprising hydrogen and carbon and can be broken down over time by microbes using unconventional metabolic pathways in a process called bioremediation. Nevertheless, the ability of microbes to bioremediate phenol can be affected by heavy metals that can be found in the environment. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of heavy metals on biodegradation of phenol using psychrophilic Arthrobacter bambusae strain AQ5-003 which was identified as Gram-positive cocci, tested (-) for Oxidase test and (+) for Catalase test. As a result, Arthrobacter bambusae strain AQ5-003 which completely degraded phenol at the concentration 0.2 g/L within 192 h at 15˚C was supplemented with heavy metals Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn with the concentration 1 ppm and only Ag and Cd proven to inhibit the whole degradation process (p<0.001). Phenol degradation was affected by 0.4 ppm Ag which had caused a 40% inhibition while Cd concentration with 0.1 ppm had caused a 10% inhibition within 192 h of incubation. The IC50 of Ag and Cd on phenol degradation are 0.53 and 0.04 ppm. This study suggests that this Arthrobacter bambusae strain AQ5-003 has the potential to tolerate As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn but intolerant to Ag and Cd in the bioremediation of phenol.
Full text
April 2018
Malay. J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. (2018) 21 (1)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page 40-77
Ejike Udochukwu Camillius, Bo Zhuang. Mian, Crystale Siew Ying Lim, Renee Lay Hong Lim
ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE OF COMMENSAL THROAT BACTERIA FROM HEALTHY SUBJECTS
Abstract
The human oral cavity comprises of a plethora of commensal bacteria and their resistance to antibiotics may arise from inappropriate prescription of antibiotics for sore throat. Current literature is lacking in studies on antibiotic profile of throat commensal bacteria in healthy subjects and thus this study aimed to investigate the throat commensal bacteria’s resistance to 5 antibiotics commonly prescribed for throat infections. Tonsil and posterior pharynx swabs of 50 non-sore throat subjects (aged 19.8±1.8 years) were used for bacterial isolation and identification of isolates using biochemical tests. Isolates were screened for antibiotics resistance using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and identity of multi-drug resistant (MDR) isolates was confirmed using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS) analysis. Staphylococcus (S. epidermidis and S. aureus) and Micrococcus luteus were most prevalent commensal bacteria detected. Surprisingly, only 12% subjects did not harbor resistant isolates whereas 88% subjects harbored isolates resistant to at least one antibiotic, while 10% subjects harbored MDR isolates resistant to more than three antibiotics. Resistance to amoxicillin was the most prevalent (34.3%), followed by erythromycin (24.3%), cephalexin (23.6%), azithromycin (13.4%) and cefaclor (4.4%); similar to the preferred antibiotics prescribed by primary care providers for sore throat patients. The five MDR isolates were identified to be Chryseobacterium gleum (JL82-3), Chryseobacterium indolegenes (CK95-1) and Stenotrophomonas maltophlia (RJ69-1, RN40-1, JA14-2), rarely found in throat. Due to an alarmingly high prevalence of subjects harboring throat commensal isolates resistant to amoxicillin, erythromycin or cephalexin, this study recommends urgent awareness or intervention by the appropriate regulatory agencies on the prudent use of frontline antibiotics for throat infections.
Short Communication
Yong Hui Tan, Johan Soekwanto, Wei Keat Tan, Crystale Siew Ying Lim, and Hip Seng Yim
ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND PROTEIN CONTENT OF PLEUROTUS DJAMOR CULTIVATED ON RICE HUSK
Abstract
Introduction: The present work aims to optimise the percentage of rice husk used in Pleurotus djamor (pink oyster mushroom) cultivation. Parameters tested were yield, cultivation duration, protein content, free radical scavenging ability and total phenolic content (TPC). Methods: Mushroom was cultivated in substrate bags containing 5%, 20% and 35% rice husk supplements, no rice husk supplement as control. Free radical scavenging ability and TPC were determined using DPPH and Folin-Ciocalteu methods, while Kjeldahl method was used to determine the protein content of the cultivated pink oyster mushroom. Results: The results showed that highest DPPH radical scavenging ability, total phenolic content, and protein content were observed in pink oyster mushroom cultivated with 35% supplementary rice husk. However, cultivating using 20% rice husk as supplement gives the most economical growth duration (68 days). Conclusion: The present study found that supplementary rice husk has a positive effect (P < 0.05) on the growth, protein content and antioxidant capacity of cultivated pink oyster mushroom.
Izyanti Ibrahim and Paul C. Engel
HALOPHILIC GLUTAMATE DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITIES OF HALOBACTERIUM SALINARUM STRAIN NRC-36014 CULTURED IN DIFFERENT GROWTH CONDITIONS
Abstract
The discovery of four glutamate dehydrogense(s) in the genome of a colourless extreme halophile, H. salinarum strain NRC-36014 raised the question regarding the role of these enzymes in this halophile’s metabolism. NRC-36014 was firstly cultured in different conditions, in terms of temperature, salt concentration and nitrogen source, to establish the pattern of expression of these GDH(s). A basic chemically defined medium for NRC-36014 was also generated as no suitable CDM was available. The optimum salt concentration and percentage for NRC-36014 growth is at 4 to 4.5M NaCl and between 20 to 30%, respectively. As for the growth temperature, NRC-36014 favours between 37°C and 45°C. NRC-36014 grown in a range of salt percentages displayed two different NAD+-GDH activities. NADP+- GDH activity was increased in NRC-36014 grown in high NH4Cl concentrations. However, there were two different NAD+-GDH activity observed too, with a possibility that one of them is from a dual-specificity GDH.
Aisyah Mohd Ismail and Farida Zuraina Mohd Yusof
PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF THE ORANG ASLI IN TAMAN NEGARA BASED ON ALU8 BI-ALLELIC MARKERS
Abstract
Orang Asli is a collection of ethnic groups that are believed to be indigenous peoples of Peninsular Malaysia. Till now, there is very few research carried out in Malaysia involving Orang Asli population. In this study, the evolutionary history and relationship among Orang Asli in Taman Negara is based on the Alu insertion polymorphisms specific to chromosome 8. Alu bi-allelic markers are generally most preferred among others markers, as there is no known mechanism of back-mutation has been reported and this means that they are identical by descent markers. Analysis includes the distribution of Alu polymorphisms specific on chromosome 8 (using PCR) in 49 samples of Orang Asli and also the genetic distance between the tribes (Bateq and Semoq Beri) of Orang Asli in Taman Negara. Results revealed that a total of twenty-one Orang Asli individuals contained APO insertion. Whilst, fourteen Orang Asli individuals contained FXIIIB insertion. Furthermore, there were significant differences occurred in the Alu FXIIIB element compared to the Alu APO element of Orang Asli population based on the phylogenetic trees construction. It is yet to be concluded whether intermarriage or outbreeding occurred within the Orang Asli population as the number of research sample collected was small.
Razak, M.A. , Mishra, R.K. , Bustami Effendi, T.J. and Majeed, A.B.A
MEMANTINE HYDROCHLORIDE LOADED POLY N-VINYL CAPROLACTAM NANOPARTICLES A CANDIDATE FOR NOSE TO BRAIN DELIVERY: FORMULATION AND IN VITRO RELEASE STUDY
Abstract
Blood brain barrier (BBB) isolates the brain from circulating blood and poses intimidating challenge for the entry of various neuroprotective compounds into the brain. This study aims to formulate and characterize the memantine (MEM) loaded novel poly N-vinyl caprolactam (PNVC) nanoparticles (NPs) to improve brain targeting of MEM via the intranasal route. Novel PNVC NPs were synthesized using the aqueous dispersion polymerization (ADP) method. The remote loading method was used to load MEM into the polymer NPs, followed by characterization with particle size distribution, zeta potential, fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wide angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and microscopy study. LCMS methods were used for analysis and quantification of MEM. DSC thermogram showed no melting peak of MEM indicating molecular dispersion of the drug in the NPs. The mean particle size measured ranged from 137-142 nm with negative surface charge of zeta potential ranged between -19.8 ± 1.52 to -25.5 ±1.98. The EE% ranged between 19.94% ± 3.75–74.87 ± 3.11. In vitro drug release studies were done using dialysis bag technique for formula PNVC 2 nanoparticles which shown better particle size, PDI and EE (137 ± 3.66 nm, 0.465 ± 0.083, 62.52 ± 3.04 %) respectively. These observations together with other characterization data suggest a stable formulation. Drug release pattern showed an initial burst followed by a steady release, suggestive of a sustained release preparation. Collectively, the observations justify a future in vivo study to quantify the release of intranasal drug into the brain.
Muhammad Farhan, Sana Wali, Fatima Riaz, Safia Habib
PSYCHOSTIMULANT- LIKE BEHAVIORAL SENSITIZATION AND ANOREXIA INDUCED BY MODAFINIL IN RATS
Abstract
Behavioral sensitization is the phenomenon that occurs when repeated, intermittent drug administration leads to a progressive increase in a response to that drug over time. Modafinil (MOD) is a novel psychostimulant that has shown efficacy in, and was recently marketed for, treating excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. The mechanism of action of modafinil is unknown, but, unlike other stimulants, the drug is highly selective for the central nervous system, has little effect on dopaminergic activity in the striatum, and appears to have a lower abuse potential. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the psychostimulant and sensitization inducing potential of this novel agent using comprehensive neuropsychological behavioral models in rats. Male rats were divided into two groups, control were given water orally and test group rats were administrated with Modafinil daily for 7 days at dose 100 mg/kg/day. Present study revealed that oral administration of MOD increased locomotive activity in familiar and non-familiar environments on repeated administration but not on single administration. Repeated administration of MOD were reported to elicit anxiolytic effects in light dark box and elevated plus maze. In conclusion, present study demonstrated that repeated administration of modafinil enhance the extracellular level of serotonin (5HT), which indicate that modafinil is sufficient to produced psychostimulants effects and reduce anxiety.
ABSTRACTS OF THE 42ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE MSBMB