This work aimed to determine the physicochemical and functional properties of starch cassava grown in two different locations in Sabah, namely Tawau and Semporna. In this study, the starch of the cassava was extracted using a wet method and analysed for its physicochemical and functional properties. The total starch content of cassava grown in Semporna showed a higher value (61.21 g/100 g) compared to the sample from Tawau (51.77 g/100 g). No significant difference (p>0.05) observed for starch yield extracted from these two locations. However, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) showed for total starch, resistant starch and amylose content. The amylose content of starch isolated from Semporna (23.16%) was higher than from Tawau (13.87%). Scanning electron microscope revealed that starch isolated from both locations had smooth surfaces with some granules spherical, elongated and irregular in shape. Cassava starch from Semporna exhibited a high value of swelling power (6.85%) compared to Tawau (4.07%), and they were significantly different (p<0.05). The solubility values of the starch samples from Tawau and Semporna were 28.48% and 24.34%, respectively. The pH was observed to be lower for cassava starch isolated from Tawau (4.80) than for starch obtained from Semporna (5.49). The water absorption capacity of starch from Semporna absorbed slightly more water than starch from Tawau, with values of 76.51% and 63.64%, respectively. Pasting properties results showed no significance for all profiles measured except for setback viscosity. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed for all gelatinisation and retrogradation properties. This study suggests that location influenced the physical, chemical and functional properties of cassava’s starch.
Noni (Morinda citrifolia) is a climatic small evergreen plant that belongs to the Rubiaceae or coffee family, available throughout the year. This study aimed to identify the nutritional contents, extraction of noni seed oil (NSO) and their physicochemical properties, antioxidants, specifically total phenolic content (TPC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay of noni seed (NS) and NSO cultivated in Sabah, Malaysia. The results showed 8.37 g/100 g moisture, 10.55 g/100 g crude oil, 7.1 g/100 g protein, 1.29 g/100 g ash, and 25.20 g/100 g carbohydrates indicating NS has considerable biomolecules that can be utilized as excellent resources of biomolecules. NSO showed a high iodine value of 125.90 g I2/100 g, peroxide value of 10.60 mEq/g, and free fatty acid (FFA) of 1.07%. The fatty acids composition revealed that NSO dominated by linoleic acid (omega-6) (71.74%) which makes it beneficial for human health. The TPCs for NS powder and NSO were 22.65 mg GAE/g and 48.85 mg GAE/g, respectively. Moreover, NS powder's FRAP was 73.15 mM/100 g. These results suggest that NS and NSO have the potency to be a healthier source of edible functional food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, and vegetable oil due to considerably high omega-6 fatty acid, carbohydrates, low FFA, and antioxidant activities.
This study was set out to determine the total fat content, physicochemical properties, and crystal morphology of mango kernel fat (MKF) obtained from three popular mango varieties cultivated in Sabah, Malaysia. The total fat contents of the MKFs were 7.02, 9.50, and 8.41% for Air, Manila, and Harumanis. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detector analyses revealed three major fatty acids namely, palmitic (6.67 to 7.51%), stearic (42.32 to 48.95%), and oleic (32.91 to 38.14%) acids in studied MKFs as novel mango kernel constituents. The iodide, saponification, acid, peroxide, and slip melting point values of the MKFs were found to be 47.79–52.27 g I2/100 g, 181.4–194.5 mg KOH/g, 5.15–6.26 mg KOH/g, 1.05–1.32 meq O2/kg, and 31.0–35.2°C, respectively. The crystals of the three MKFs were spherulites and densely packed. With respect to the characteristics, MKFs potentially can be applied as cocoa butter equivalents and ideal for use in confectionery industry. Practical applications Exploitation of fat from mango kernel is still attracting considerable interest in recent year since it is a source of valuable ingredients that suitable for wide applications in food processing, especially as cocoa butter equivalent (CBE). Different mango varieties and cultivation regions would give rise to variations in characteristics of MKFs. Most of the results indicated that MKFs had the potential to be applied as CBEs and useful in chocolate industry.
Stingless bee honey is a good source of antioxidants, which is attributed to the phenolic compounds. The type and concentration of phenolic compounds in honey can be affected by botanical origin. Therefore, in this study, Heterotrigona itama honey from three botanical origins (gelam, acacia, and starfruit) was evaluated for its antioxidant activity and profile of phenolic compounds. Apis mellifera honey was used as a comparison. Antioxidant activity and profile of phenolic compounds in honey were determined using spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods, respectively. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), free radical scavenging activity (IC50), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of H. itama were ranged between 52.64 and 74.72 mg GAE/100 g honey, 10.70–25.71 mg QE/100 g honey, 11.27–24.09 mg/mL, and 77.88–164.88 µmol FeSO4.7H2O/100 g honey, respectively. The findings showed that the antioxidant activity and phenolic and flavonoid contents in H. itama honey were significantly higher than Apis honey. Benzoic acid and taxifolin were found as the predominant phenolic acid and flavonoid in all samples. However, chrysin was significantly highest in Apis honey than stingless bee honey. This result suggested that chrysin can be used as a chemical marker to distinguish Apis honey from stingless bee honey. Gallic acid and ellagic acid were found as the chemical marker for gelam honey, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid for starfruit honey while ferulic acid for acacia honey.
The intake of heterocyclic amines is influenced by the amount and type of meat and fish ingested, frequency of consumption, cooking methods, cooking temperature, and duration of cooking. In this study, the dietary intake of heterocyclic amines in Malaysia and their main sources were investigated. Forty-two samples of meat and fish were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector to determine the concentration of the six predominant heterocyclic amines, namely: 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoline(MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline (7,8-DiMeIQx), and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP). Dietary intake data were obtained using a food-frequency questionnaire when interviewing 600 Malaysian respondents. The level of total heterocyclic amines in food samples studies ranged from not detected to 38.7 ng g(-1). The average daily intake level of heterocyclic amine was 553.7 ng per capita day(-1). The intake of PhIP was the highest, followed by MeIQx and MeIQ. The results reveal that fried and grilled chicken were the major dietary source of heterocyclic amines in Malaysia. However, the heterocyclic amine intake by the Malaysian population was lower than those reported from other regions.
ABSTRACT: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are currently in demand in the pure form and actively being studied to understand their potential roles in human health. Arachidonic acid, 20:4 (n‐6), and DHA, 22:6 (n‐3), are important in normal neurodevelopment and visual function. Infants fed formula often have low blood lipid 20:4 (n‐6) and 22:6 (n‐3). Consumption of fish oils may increase the 20:5 (n‐3) (EPA) and 22:6 (n‐3) (DHA) in human blood. Some marine fish oils contain higher amounts of arachidonic acid, EPA, and DHA. PUFA contents in different marine fishes and methods for their extraction and fractionation, in terms of fatty acid constituents in the form of methyl esters, are covered in this review. Emphasis is given to the fractionations of EPA and DHA by means of supercritical fluid extractions (SFE). The advantages of SFE compared to conventional methods are discussed in this review. PUFAs are usually extracted at about 10 to 30 MPa and at 40 to 80 °C. SFE is a promising and currently the best technique to extract PUFAs, especially EPA and DHA, from marine and freshwater fish.