Mohammad Zarith Zol¹, Nur Aida Hashim^1*, Khadijah Saad¹, Norasmah Basari², Suhaila Ab Hamid³, Nur Faeza Abu Kassim³, Shamsul Bahri AR¹

¹Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

²Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

3School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia

Abstract

Sweet potato is one of an important cash crop in Malaysia. Varieties such as orange, white and purple fleshed were planted in Terengganu state which is one of the biggest sweet potato producer in Malaysia. The production of sweet potato is limited by the infestation of insect pests. Farmers in Terengganu have reported that sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius attacked their sweet potatoes during cultivation and this problem continue after harvest where the pest affected produces at commercial centres. To study the distribution of sweet potato weevil, field sampling were conducted in eight districts of Terengganu by visiting sweet potato cultivation areas and commercial centres (market, stalls and grocery stores). In this study, five kilogram of damaged sweet potatoes from variety orange, white and purple fleshed collected from all eight districts of Terengganu were highly infested by C. formicarius where Besut was recorded with the highest number of weevil emergence, X2(7, N = 7748) = 1764.79, p< 0.05. This showed that C. formicarius population had distributed all over Terengganu. A survey was conducted on 240 respondents showed that the majority (72.92%) of them have low knowledge level regarding sweet potato weevil and its associated problems which led to the low level of awareness/attitude (71.25%) and practice (99.58%) on this issue. The findings of this study are useful to plan guidelines for sweet potato integrated pest management (IPM) programs which will ensure adequate food production and food security for the nation.
Keywords: Pest infestation, Cash crop, Cultivation, Post-harvest, Wetland

Mohd Zul Helmi Rozaini ^1*, Habibah Hamzah², Mohd Hasmizam Razali³, Uwaisulqarni M. Osman³,

Chia Poh Wai³, Siti Kamilah Che Soh³, Saidatul Radhiah Ghazali⁴, Nor Hayati Ibrahim², Low Chen Fei⁵

¹Institute of Marine and Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, MALAYSIA.

²Faculty of Fisheries and Food Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, MALAYSIA.

³Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, MALAYSIA.

⁴Faculty of Chemical Engineering Technology, Tati University College, 24000, Kemaman, Terengganu, MALAYSIA.

⁵Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Fringescale sardinella or Tamban sisik bones have been discovered can be utilized as sunscreen agent in cosmeceuticals. Its flesh is the main ingredient in keropok lekor or fish crackers in Malaysia and the bones contained very high hydroxyapatite (HAp), (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) compound which exhibit as UV light absorber. The percentage yields obtained from the hydrothermal extraction consist of 41.2 ± 0.66 % (w/w) of HAp which was almost half of the dry weight of 100 g samples. The additional of manganese and ferum, initiated the novel sunscreen materials from hydroxyapatite-Fe and hydroxyapatite-Mn doped (modified bones). The unmodified HAp recorded with SPF 20 and modified HAp-Mn measured with SPF 40. Modified HAp-Fe emulsions were recorded with SPF 50 as the highest SPF value. Therefore, the bones have been characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and x-Ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The results obtained clearly indicated that the HAp existence in waste of Fringescale sardinella bones with addition of FeCl2 which exhibits high potential as sunscreen compared to manganese and unmodified bones. Thus, the utilization of waste from the fish bones not only produce value-added products from low-cost resources, but also help in reducing pollution to the environment and preserved the global sustainability.
Keywords: Hydroxyapatite (HAp), Hybrid sunscreen, Fringescale sardinella, Crystallite, Utilization fish waste

Edmund Ching Cheng Kian¹, Ainie Rahim², Chong Kah Hui¹, Norhayati Hadi¹, Anam Aman¹, Asma Ali¹,

Philip C. Calder³, Hayati Mohd Yusof^1*

¹Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

²University Health Centre, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

3Human Development of Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK

Abstract

Honey and lime (Citrus microcarpa) are known to have antioxidant properties and have been used for traditional medical purposes. Honey and lime juice have shown positive hepatoprotective effects in animals and human studies, respectively. No studies have documented the effects of a combination of honey and lime juice on liver function tests. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of lime juice mixed with brown sugar vs lime juice mixed with honey on liver function tests and digestive health among healthy adults. A randomized study was carried out involving 34 healthy adults (14 males and 20 females) aged between 20 and 50 years. Face-to-face interviews for health screening were conducted and data were collected using a questionnaire. The supplementation was taken daily for 30 days early in the morning at the restaurant of the School of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. Venous blood was collected before and after supplementation, to determine any changes of the liver function test enzymes. Most serum enzymes in the lime juice mixed with honey group did not change significantly. However, there were significant decreases in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in both groups in both males (-46.1%) and females (-35.6%). In terms of digestive health that was measured using questionnaires, lime juice is more beneficial than honey mixed with lime juice. Glutamic oxalate transaminase (GOT) was decreased with lime juice mixed with honey (-5.1%) but increased with lime juice mixed with brown sugar (13.5%). Based on the present study, it may be suggested that the beneficial effects observed might be influenced by the baseline levels of the parameters. This study provides support for the use of lime juice for improving digestive health among healthy adults.
Keywords: Glutamic oxalate transaminase, Honey, Lactate dehydrogenase, Lime juice

Nur Syafinaz Mohd Razali¹, Nakisah Mat Amin¹, Wan Bayani Wan Omar¹, Mhd Ikhwanuddin²,

Nurul Huda Abd Kadir^1*

¹Faculty of Science & Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Terengganu, Malaysia

2Institute of Tropical Aquaculture, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

Mud crabs are commonly found in Southeast Asia and are in high demand for its nutrients. However, studies reported that estuary areas are easily contaminated with pollutants due to the anthropogenic activities. Hepatopancreas is one of important tissues that involve in food digestions and detoxifications. Glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) play roles in metabolisms of detoxification of xenobiotics. Therefore, this study focuses on the analysis of trace metals in hepatopancreas of mud crabs from Kuala Sepetang (highly contaminated area) and Setiu Wetlands (low contaminated area) and their protein response. Trace metals in hepatopancreas were analyzed by using Inductive Couple Plasma–Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Proteins of hepatopancreas were extracted and GSH activity was measured. Next, protein expressions were observed in 1D electrophoresis and Western blotting. Our results shows that the concentrations of trace metals in hepatopancreas were highly significant in Kuala Sepetang compared with Setiu Wetlands. However, there is no significant difference in GSH activity in both locations. From 1D electrophoresis, the intensity of the protein band at ~60-75 kDa were dense in Kuala Sepetang compared with Setiu with values 15620.23±7829.83 and 3687.83±2933.69 respectively. Based on Western blot result, this protein band was related to GST as the response towards the level of trace metals abundance in the area. This proved that mud crabs in Sepetang location were stressed in polluted areas.
Keywords: Trace metals, Mud crabs, Hepatopancreas, Proteins

Tran Nguyen Duy Khoa^1,2*, Faizah Shaharom Harrison²

¹Department of Coastal Aquaculture, College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Can Tho University, Can Tho city, Viet Nam

2Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

Setiu Wetlands is located along the Terengganu coastline which comprises various ecosystems providing a suitable natural environment for breeding and grow out of various organisms. The mud crab is considered to be one of the important natural resources and a source of income for the local community in the Setiu Wetlands. The aim of this study is to develop the breeding and larviculture technology of mud crab (Scylla paramamosian) for conservation and livelihood activities in Setiu Wetland. The matured broodstock of mud crab was collected from Setiu Wetland and transferred to AKUATROP hatchery in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu for the breeding experiments. After eyestalk ablation, crabs were separately cultured in 50L dark tanks with sandy bottom connected with recirculating systems and fed trash fish and with blood cockle twice a day. After egg spawning, ovigerous crabs were moved to incubated tanks with continuous aeration and not fed until hatching. Strong phototactic larvae were collected and stocked in 500L tanks at 300inds/L of density. The crab larvae were fed Artemia from Zoea 1 to Zoea 3, and intergraded artificial feed from Zoea 4. After megalope metamorphosis, larvae were transferred to larger tanks with substrates. The results showed that 80-90% of broodstock spawned eggs after 50 days of maturation culture. The larvae took 23 to 27 days to complete the ontogenetic development with 5 -10% of crablet survival rate. These results could contribute to crab conservation and livelihood activities in Setiu Wetlands.
Keywords: Mud crab, Breeding, Larviculture, Conservation, Scylla paramamosian

Wan Bayani Wan Omar^1*, Faridah Mohamad¹, Nurul Eizzati Ibrahim¹

1Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

The genetic variability among individuals of Anadara cornea from Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu was examined by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. The genomic DNA was extracted from the clam by using Macherey-Nigel DNA kit and was amplified by RAPD technique with five primers (OPA O3, OPA O9, OPA 17, OPA 19 and OPA 20) for twenty samples of A. cornea. A total of 79 RAPD bands with 78 polymorphic bands (98%) with size ranging from 150-3700 bp were identified from the population indicate that the population of A. cornea has high level of polymorphism due to low inbreeding factor within a population. High polymorphism of A. cornea revealed that this species has genetically variable. The results of this study can be useful to the sustainable management of wild stocks of this species. Further study should be done for a better understanding about variation and also for conservation and management of this species.
Keywords: Anadara sp, Blood ark, Clam, Genetic variability, RAPD, Setiu Wetland

Shamsul Bahri Abd Razak^*, Azmi Ismun, Siti Asma Samsuddin

Apis and Meliponine Research Group, Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

A study on the efficacy of stingless bee (Heterotrigona itama) rearing in Stevia rebaudiana farming was conducted at Pusat Tunas Stevia (PTS), Kampung Tempinis, Jabi, Terengganu from January until December 2015. Integration honey of stingless bee and stevia is a new approach in honey industry. Stingless bee colonies were placed in stevia farm so that, stingless bee roamed and visited for nectar collection naturally thus produced natural stevia stingless bee honey. The combination of honey and stevia which is high in nourishment is good for health with enhancement of its sweetness. The objective of this research was to produce the designer stingless bee honey that contained stevioside, a compound from stevia. Peak of stevioside was detected at retention time 1.383 via High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis and peaks with identical retention time found in samples. Stingless bees also foraged nectar from herb such as stevia plant by proving the stevioside content in stingless bee honey. In conclusion, this study can help the community to improve their lifestyle and income indirectly, by increase value of honey and can export to abroad and contribute a lot of benefits to many sectors in Malaysia such as stingless bee keeper and government to increase the economy of honey sector.                                                                      Keywords: Stevia, Stingless bee, Stevioside, Kelulut, Terengganu