This study was conducted to compare the total antioxidant activity (TAA), total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) from the different parts of papaya tree including their ripe and unripe fruit, seeds and the young leaves. Two methods namely DPPH radical scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching assay were used to determine the TAA, whereas TPC was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu’s method while TFC by aluminium trichloride (AlCl 3 ). For these purposes, methanolic extracts (80%) were prepared. The results showed that the highest antioxidant activity through β-carotene bleaching assay was observed in unripe fruit (90.67 ± 0.29%) followed by young leave, ripe fruit and the seed. In other hand, young leaves exhibited a significant higher scavenging effect compared to others and the dose required in reducing the absorbance of DPPH control solution by 50% (EC 50 ) was calculated at 1.0 ± 0.08mg/ml. The EC 50 values were 4.3 ± 0.01mg/ml, 6.5 ± 0.01mg/ml and 7.8 ± 0.06mg/ml for unripe fruit, ripe fruit and seeds respectively. Interestingly, both TPC and TFC also showed that young leaves had the highest antioxidant content (424.89 ± 0.22mg GAE/ 100 g dry weight and 333.14 ± 1.03mg rutin equivalent/ 100 g dry weight, respectively). Statistically, Pearson correlation showed there were positive correlations between TPC and TFC with antioxidant activity assayed by DPPH radical scavenging assay (r=0.846 and r=0.873, respectively). However there was no correlation between TPC and TFC with β-carotene bleaching activity. In brief, taken into account all the parameters measured, antioxidants were highly remarkable in the sequence of young leaves > unripe fruit > ripe fruit > seed. Nevertheless, further investigation for isolation and identification of the phytoconstituents responsible for antioxidant activity is desirable.
Chitosan has similar structure to glycosaminoglycans in the tissue, thus may be a good candidates as tissue engineering scaffold. However, to improve their cell attachment ability, we try to incorporate this natural polymer with collagen by combining it via cross-linking process. In this preliminary study we evaluate the cell attachment ability of chitosan-collagen scaffold versus chitosan scaffold alone. Chitosan and collagen were dissolved in 1% acetic acid and then were frozen for 24 hours before the lyophilizing process. Human skin fibroblasts were seeded into both scaffold and were cultured in F12: DMEM (1:1). Metabolic activity assay were used to evaluate cell attachment ability of scaffold for a period of 1, 3, 7 and 14 days. Scanning electron micrographs shows good cell morphology on chitosan-collagen hybrid scaffold. In conclusion, the incorporation of collagen to chitosan will enhance its cell attachment ability and will be a potential scaffold in tissue engineering.
This study was focused on the quantitative analysis of Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLAs) in rumen liquor and assessment of the relationship between CLAs and other carbon 18 fatty acids and rumen pH of cattle slaughtered for meat consumption.The fatty acids were extracted using modified Folch method and determined by gas chromatography.The mean (n = 22) level of CLAs in the rumen liquor was 14.97 ±7.46 mg/100 mL.t11) was the dominant isomer of CLA followed by trans-10,cis-12 (t10, c12).The level of CLAs was positively correlated with the concentration of octadecatrienoic (18:3), cis-9, cis-12 octadecadienoic (18:2), trans-11octadecenoic (18:1) and octadecenoic (18:0) acids.Ruminal pH was positively correlated with the amount of c9, t11 and total CLA and negatively correlated with t10, c12 CLA isomer.All these correlations and relationships indicated that CLAs production in the rumen is dependent on availability of carbon 18 fatty acids and pH of the rumen liquor.
This study evaluated four different doses of Strobilanthes crispa juice (700, 2100, 3500 and 4900 mg kg -1 of body weight) administered orally to normal female and male Sprague dawley rats on possible changes in various physical, behaviour, morphology and biochemical parameter. The rats were treated with a single dose of juice and observed for 14 days. No significant toxicity was observed with respect to clinical parameters and organ morphology. In addition, no significant changes were observed in the level of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and albumin. The S. crispus juice was found to be safe at the maximum dose used in this study (4900 mg kg -1
Durian (Durio zibethinus Murray) is a popular seasonal fruit in South East Asia. The uniqueness of the fruit lies on its smooth and creamy yellow or white pulp with strong flavour and odour. The quality of the fruit pulp varies greatly and cannot be determined externally. Development of physiological disorders such as granulation of the fruit pulp, internal browning of the pulp core, wet core and tip burn problems affect the quality severely. The fruit soften, turns slimy and deteriorates rapidly, resulting in off-flavour and astringent odour being produced. Effective bulk packing system had been developed by MARDI and successfully applied during the sea shipment trial to Hong Kong. The unique smell of durian was scented upon opening the lid of the bulk packing. The quality of the packed product was evaluated immediately upon arrival (after 6 days sailing), followed by subsequent daily observation on the products stored at 2°C. The fruit sweetness was still high at 30-32°Brix with no significant colour changes as noted on the L (70-74) and b (44-46) values. Lower microbial counts were observed until the end of the storage period as strict quality assurance protocols have been implemented during the handling operations. Consumer studies undertaken by 200 respondents indicated that the quality of the packed durian was still good and well accepted. The temperature in the package remained at 0°C for 60 hours, increased to 3°C after 72 hours (day 3) and later maintained at 10°C at the end of the sailing time (day 6).
The purpose of this study is to characterize 3 non-albicans Candida spp. that were collected from two major hospitals in a densely populated area of Kuala Lumpur for their susceptibilities to azole and genetic background. Fifteen non-albicans Candida clinical isolates in two major hospitals in Kuala Lumpur area of Malaysia were collected by convenience sampling during 2007 and 2010. The genetic diversity of 15 non-albicans Candida species comprising C. glabrata (n = 5), C. parapsilosis (n = 5) and C. rugosa (n = 5) were assessed by RAPD-PCR typing. Strains were initially identified using biochemical tests and CHROMagar Candida medium. Fluconazole and voriconazole susceptibilities were determined by E-test method. Commercial kits were used for DNA extraction and amplification with RAPD primers (OPA02, OPA03 and OPA08). PCR conditions were optimized and simultaneous identification was possible by agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR products and the bands obtained were analyzed using BioNumerics Applied Maths v.6.6 software. The RAPD primers used in this study generated 100% polymorphic profile. Cluster analysis using the RAPD-PCR profile showed 12.5-25% similarity among the strains. The genetic diversity was based on the strain susceptibility towards both the azoles, site of isolation and place according to their unique banding patterns. In contrast, strains susceptible to azoles were found to be genetically similar with clonal dissimilarity. The use of OPA02, OPA03 and OPA08 primers in differentiating non-albicans Candida spp. underscores the higher resolution of RAPD-PCR as a reliable tool for strain/species level differentiation.
Our objective is to determine the quality of tissue engineered human skin via immunostaining, RT-PCR and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Culture-expanded human keratinocytes and fibroblasts were used to construct bilayer tissue-engineered skin. The in vitro skin construct was cultured for 5 days and implanted on the dorsum of athymic mice for 30 days. Immunostaining of the in vivo skin construct appeared positive for monoclonal mouse anti-human cytokeratin, anti-human involucrin and anti-human collagen type I. RT-PCR analysis revealed loss of the expression for keratin type 1, 10 and 5 and re-expression of keratin type 14, the marker for basal keratinocytes cells in normal skin. SEM showed fibroblasts proliferating in the 5 days in vitro skin. TEM of the in vivo skin construct showed an active fibrocyte cell secreting dense collagen fibrils. We have successfully constructed bilayer tissue engineered human skin that has similar features to normal human skin.
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