Investigation of potential anti-urolithiatic activity from different types of Musa pseudo-stem extracts in inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallization.

Background: The banana or scientifically referred to as Musa sp., is one of the most popular fruits all over the world. Almost all parts of a banana tree, including the fruits, stem juice, and flowers are commonly used as traditional medicine for treating diarrhoea (unripe), menorrhagia, diabetes, dysentery, and antiulcerogenic, hypoglycemic, antilithic, hypolipidemic conditions, plus antioxidant actions, inflammation, pains and even snakebites.

Evaluation of probiotic potential and anti-hyperglycemic properties of a novel strain isolated from water kefir grains.

A total of eight strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from water kefir grains and assessed for their in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. K8 demonstrated significantly higher inhibition as compared to the other strains, thus was selected for in vitro probiotic potential characterization, antibiotic resistance, hemolytic activity and adaptation to pumpkin fruit puree. K8 demonstrated tolerance to pH 2.

Development of a novel fermented pumpkin-based beverage inoculated with water kefir grains: a response surface methodology approach.

Pumpkin () is well known for its health and nutritional benefits and is recommended for daily consumption. This is the first report on optimization and development of fermented pumpkin-based water kefir beverage. Optimum pumpkin puree and brown sugar concentrations were found at 22.

Floricoccus tropicus gen. nov., sp. nov. and Floricoccus penangensis sp. nov. isolated from fresh flowers of durian tree and hibiscus.

Three strains of Gram-staining-positive, coccus-shaped, lactic acid bacteria, designated as HibF3, HibF2 and HibF5 were isolated from fresh flowers of hibiscus, and a fourth, DF1, was isolated from fresh flowers of durian tree, in Penang, Malaysia. Taxonomic characterisation was performed by polyphasic analysis. Sequence similarities of the 16S rRNA gene and the housekeeping rpoA and pheS genes of these strains with their closely-related lactococcal and streptococcal relatives were 92-94, 78 and 81 %, respectively.

Genome Sequence of "Anthococcus," a Novel Genus of the Family Streptococcaceae Isolated from Flowers.

Here, we report the draft whole-genome sequence of "Anthococcus," a novel genus of the family Streptococcaceae isolated from fresh flowers of a durian (Durio zibethinus) tree. The draft genome of Anthococcus sp. strain DF1 contains 2,157,756 bp, with a G+C content of 33.

Physio-chemical, microbiological properties of tempoyak and molecular characterisation of lactic acid bacteria isolated from tempoyak.

This study aims to determine physio-chemical properties of tempoyak, characterise the various indigenous species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present at different stages of fermentation and also to determine the survival of selected foodborne pathogens in tempoyak. The predominant microorganisms present in tempoyak were LAB (8.88-10.

Genetic Relatedness of Salmonella Serovars Isolated from Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Tilapia (Tilapia mossambica) Obtained from Wet Markets and Ponds in Penang, Malaysia.

A total of 43 Salmonella enterica isolates belonging to different serovars (Salmonella Albany, Salmonella Agona, Salmonella Corvallis, Salmonella Stanley, Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Mikawasima, and Salmonella Bovismorbificans) were isolated from catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and tilapia (Tilapia mossambica) obtained from nine wet markets and eight ponds in Penang, Malaysia. Thirteen, 19, and 11 isolates were isolated from 9 of 32 catfish, 14 of 32 tilapia, and 11 of 44 water samples, respectively. Fish reared in ponds were fed chicken offal, spoiled eggs, and commercial fish feed.

Characteristics of Metroxylon sagu resistant starch type III as prebiotic substance.

Resistant starch type III (RS3 ) was produced from sago (Metroxylon sagu) and evaluated for its characteristics as a prebiotic. Two RS3 samples designated sago RS and HCl-sago RS contained 35.71% and 68.

Fractionation of oil palm frond hemicelluloses by water or alkaline impregnation and steam explosion.

Steam explosion of oil palm frond has been carried out under different temperatures between 180 and 210°C for 4 min (severity of 2.96-3.84) after impregnation of the frond chips with water or KOH solution.

Exposure measurement of aflatoxins and aflatoxin metabolites in human body fluids. A short review.

Aflatoxins are highly toxic secondary fungal metabolites mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Human exposure to aflatoxins may result directly from ingestion of contaminated foods, or indirectly from consumption of foods from animals previously exposed to aflatoxins in feeds.

Genotyping of Salmonella strains isolated from ducks, their rearing and processing environments in Penang, Malaysia, using RAPD.

Salmonella species are important foodborne pathogens that can cause illness and death in humans. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic relatedness of 115 Salmonella strains isolated from ducks and their environment using random amplified polymorphic deoxyribonucleic acid (RAPD). The analysis of Salmonella strains by RAPD produced DNA fingerprints of different sizes for differentiation purposes, and cluster analysis at a coefficient of 0.

Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of Coccinia cordifolia L. plant.

The medicinal plant, Coccinia cordifolia L. was analyzed for its chemical composition. The antimicrobial activities of the methanol, water, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Coccinia cordifolia L.

Associations of serum aflatoxin B1-lysine adduct level with socio-demographic factors and aflatoxins intake from nuts and related nut products in Malaysia.

Aflatoxins are one of the major risk factors in the multi-factorial etiology of human hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, the information on aflatoxins exposure is very important in the intervention planning in order to reduce the dietary intake of aflatoxins, especially among the children. This study investigated the relationship between aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) lysine adduct levers in serum and socio-demographic factors and dietary intake of aflatoxins from nuts and nut products in Penang, Malaysia.

Exposure assessment and risk characterization of aflatoxin B1 in Malaysia.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was detected in 57% of the nuts and nut products marketed in Penang, Malaysia using the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The contamination levels ranged from 0.40 to 222 μg/kg and 17 out of 128 samples (13.

Effect of autohydrolysis and enzymatic treatment on oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) frond fibres for xylose and xylooligosaccharides production.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is one of the most important commercial crops for the production of palm oil, which generates 10.88 tons of oil palm fronds per hectare of plantation as a by-product.

Enhanced growth of lactobacilli in soymilk upon immobilization on agrowastes.

Cell immobilization is an alternative to microencapsulation for the maintenance of cells in a liquid medium. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of agrowastes from durian (Durio zibethinus), cempedak (Artocarpus champeden), and mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) as immobilizers for lactobacilli grown in soymilk. Rinds from the agrowastes were separated from the skin, dried, and ground (150 microm) to form powders and used as immobilizers.

Fermentation of Metroxylon sagu resistant starch type III by Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium bifidum.

The in vitro fermentability of sago (Metroxylon sagu) resistant starch type III (RS(3)) by selected probiotic bacteria was investigated. Sago RS(3) with 12% RS content was prepared by enzymatic debranching of native sago starch with pullulanase enzyme, followed by autoclaving, cooling, and annealing. The fermentation of sago RS(3) by L.

Evaluation of agrowastes as immobilizers for probiotics in soy milk.

The objective of this study was to evaluate agricultural wastes as immobilizers for probiotics in liquid foods, such as soy milk. Probiotic strains were initially evaluated for acid and bile tolerance and the ability to produce alpha-galactosidase. Rinds of durian, mangosteen, and jackfruit were dried, ground, and sterilized prior to immobilization of selected strains ( Lactobacillus acidophilus FTDC 1331, L.