Junior Science Communication

Identification And Characterization With Antibiotics Resistant Profile Of Tannin Degrading Bacteria

Nur Farah Syuhada Mohd Zaki — 2024-10-01

Tannins are natural compounds used in substantial applications, but their presence can have negative sequences. Hence, there is a need for the production of tannase to break down tannins. Tannase is primarily exploited in microorganisms as these enzymes are commonly more stable, but its optimal activity can also be influenced by environmental factors. Furthermore, there is limited research on the antimicrobial resistance profile of tannin-degrading bacteria (TDB) and tannase.

Characterization of Chlorella vulgaris Cultivated with Different Medium Through FTIR and CHNS Analysis

Hawa Batrisyia — 2024-10-01

Cultivating microalgae on an industrial scale requires a significant amount of mineral fertiliser and the manufacture requires energy and fossil fuels, making it an unsustainable practice over time. On contrary, organic fertiliser is rich in nutrients that promote microalgae development. As part of this study, plant-based and animal-based compost are used to see how Chlorella vulgaris grows with a specific emphasis on the nutrient medium used. The goal of this study are to grow microalgae using nutrients from plant- and animal-based compost and to characterize microalgae using FTIR, CHNS and lipid extraction.

A Dispersive Micro-Solid Phase Extraction Using Ionic Liquid – Modified Graphene Oxide Sorbent for Pre –Concentration and Extraction of Acid Drug From Water Sample Using Liquid Chromatography

Siti Nor Ziana Mat Zain — 2024-10-01

Pharmaceutical waste has recently been identified as a significant cause of novel toxins and a grave ecological health concern. Dispersive micro-solid phase extraction (D-μ-SPE) is a miniaturized method that adheres to the same principle as the solid phase extraction (SPE) approach, based on the dispersion of miniature or milligram level of sorbent within a solution. The advancement of dispersive micro-solid phase extraction (D-μ-SPE) has offered a novel method that is straightforward, quick, and effective. Nowadays, graphene oxide (GO), combined with ionic liquid, has found applications as sorbents for diverse purposes.

Assessment of Whole-Body Vibration Exposure and Self-Reported Lower Back Pain among UiTM Bus Drivers

Nurulain Mustafa Udin — 2024-10-01

Vibration is commonly defined as an oscillating motion of a mechanical system or body and plays a role to humans as it affects comfort and their needs. Bus drivers are exposed to Whole-body vibration (WBV) due to contact with the vibrating surface for a long working period. Lower back pain (LBP) associated with WBV is an increasing problem that continues to get worse throughout the world.

Immunogenicity Of SARS-CoV-2 Epitopes Identified By Combination Prediction (COMPRED) Server

Zaleha Kadir — 2024-10-01

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 2020. Therefore, it is critical to develop a vaccine that is safe, affordable, and effective in order to halt the virus's spread and stop additional disease and fatalities. Nevertheless, the need for a quick and efficient vaccine production process was not provided by the conventional vaccine production approach. The most recent approach to producing vaccines utilising bioinformatics tools is appropriate and satisfies all needs for quick, efficient vaccine manufacture. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to use prediction methods to analyse the pattern of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and forecast the cytotoxic T lymphocyte cell epitope of the virus in order to quickly and effectively manufacture a vaccine.

Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Epitope Identified by Immune Epitope Database & Analysis (IEDB) Server

Amiera Nurshahira Izzah binti Mohd Yassin — 2024-10-01

In 2020, The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a pandemic due to the outbreak of a novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is imperative to stop the virus from spreading and to treat individuals who are affected effectively. Consequently, in order to meet the demands of the global community in fighting the pandemic, vaccine development must go quickly, enable mass production, be cost-effective, safe, and extremely accurate. The current vaccine takes longer to create and is more expensive since it is made using a traditional method that primarily involves live-attenuated whole-pathogen vaccines. A recent development in vaccine manufacture, reverse vaccinology makes more use of bioinformatics tools and computational techniques. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated in previous relevant studies that the use of bioinformatics tools in modern vaccine production yields better results than traditional vaccine production.

Determination of Heavy Metals in Henna using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy

Safwan Azraei Abd Rahman — 2024-10-01

This research addresses concerns about heavy metal contamination in henna products, widely used for tattoos and hair colouring. A study in Zliten, Libya, highlighted variable heavy metal content, emphasizing the need for manufacturing oversight. Heavy metals like lead and mercury pose health risks, especially in black henna, prompting the investigation into potential dangers and intentional additions. The study recommends using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for accurate heavy metal analysis, ensuring consumer safety and compliance with regulatory limits.

Assessment of Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) Exposure and Neck Pain Disability Index among UiTM Bus Driver

Nurulain Mustafa Udin — 2024-10-01

Vibration refers to every regular movement a body produces in relation to a fixed point. Bus drivers are exposed to vibration from the movement of the vehicles on the road, which also vibrates the driver's body and the bus seat. The level of WBV that drivers are exposed to in their daily lives is impacted by several factors, such as the bus's design, its speed, the condition of the road, and the driver's position. As a result of their exposure to vibration, bus drivers are consequently at risk for Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) related to low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, and disorders like decreased motor function.

The Determination Of Heavy Metals In Hair Chalk Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

Noraini Kasim — 2024-10-01

Hair chalk is a popular temporary hair coloring cosmetic that offers a convenient way for individuals to change their hair color without the commitment of permanent dye. Heavy metal concentration, including iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and magnesium (Mg), has raised concerns about possible health dangers related to its use. To ensure customer safety, precise scientific techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), are employed to precisely measure these heavy metal concentrations in hair chalk, as exposure to excessive quantities of these metals over time might be harmful to one's health.

LCMS-Based Profiling and Identification of Phytochemicals in Albertisia Papuana Becc. Buffer Extracts

Izyan Aljeffri — 2024-10-01

Albertisia papuana Becc. is a flowering plant from the family of Menispermaceae. This species is native to various regions, including Borneo, Cambodia, Jawa, Sulawesi, Sumatera, and Thailand as it thrives in the wet tropical biome. In Malaysian Borneo, the plant goes by the local names ‘Pokok ajinomoto’ or ‘Tapa’, and it is traditionally used by the local people in Borneo for culinary and traditional medicinal purposes including treating symptoms related to stroke, hypertension, cancer, and tumour. The plant has been reported to execute biological activities including antiplasmodium, cytotoxic, and suppressor for morphine-addiction withdrawal symptoms. However, the phytochemistry of the plant’s leaves remain understudied. The objectives of this research were to profile and identify the phytochemical constituents present in A. papuana buffer extracts.

LCMS-Based Phytochemicals Profiling and Identification of Albertisia Papuana Becc. Extracts

Siti Hajar Nurain Zainuddin — 2024-10-01

Albertisia papuana Becc. (Menispermaceae) is a plant species which can be found in Indonesia, such as Sulawei, Jawa, Maluku, Kalimantan, and Papua. This plant which is known by a local name ‘Bekai’ is used traditionally as substitute for monosodium glutamate (MSG) in food flavoring. The plant was also used to treat various ailments including symptoms related to hypertension, stroke, cancer, and tumor. However, the phytochemicals information on the plant is not well documented. This research study focuses on profiling and identifying the phytochemical constituents present in the methanolic leaf extract of A. papuana.

Physicochemical Characterization of Cationic Surfactant-Modified Banana Stem as an Adsorbent for Wastewater Treatment

Nor Athirah Mohamad Nasir — 2024-10-01

Biomass-modified surfactants provide a viable and environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment option. Because of their superior adsorption qualities, these modified surfactants speed up the remediation process and remove contaminants from water sources. By using more renewable resources and lowering dependency on conventional surfactants derived from petroleum, this strategy encourages sustainability. Utilizing biomass-modified surfactants in wastewater treatment allows for the possibility of an economical and environmentally friendly method of water filtration, while also resolving environmental issues. Research has been done on the use of biomass modified with surfactants in wastewater treatment. For instance, biomass has been used as an adsorption technique for the removal of oil, heavy metals, and decolorization from wastewater. This innovative approach involves utilizing natural materials, such as banana stems, modified with surfactants to enhance their adsorption capabilities. The objective is to investigate the effects of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant modification on the physical and chemical characteristics of banana stems.

Cationic Surfactant-Modified Banan Stem For Adsorption Of Reactive Dye: Column Study

Farah hazis — 2024-10-01

Reactive Orange 16, an anionic sulfonated reactive azo dye has demonstrated that the dye was difficult to remove from the wastewater. Agricultural waste was tested for its ability to adsorb Reactive Orange 16 dye from wastewater. In this study, a surfactant modified banana stem with Cetyltrimethylammoiumbromide (CTAB) was utilized as adsorbent to remove Reactive Orange 16. The banana stem is a herbaceous and non-woody portion of the banana tree that resembles a trunk whereas it has a soft inner core and tightly wrapped leaf sheaths. Moreover, banana stem fibers, also known as musa fibers, are a biodegradable substance made by converting dried stems into short, fiber-like strands.

Assessment on Occupational Noise Exposure at Manufacturing Company in Negeri Sembilan

Putri Yasmen Soraya Razak — 2024-10-01

Manufacturing of truck and bus bodies involves various work processes and machinery, exposing workers to potentially dangerous high noise levels. Noise emitted from machinery and tools has been linked to several occupational health hazards such as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus. The major sources of noise in manufacturing plants are angle grinders, fans, motors, hammers, pumps, cutting saws and drillers. This study aimed to evaluate the noise exposure level in the workstations, assess workers’ daily noise dose, and investigate the relationship between noise exposure level and worker’s daily noise dose.

Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties of Carrageenan/Gelatin Film Incorporated with Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)

Nur Fathini — 2024-10-01

Packaging is the most crucial component in guaranteeing food safety. To address the issues of environmental pollution and resource depletion brought on by petrochemical-based, non-degradable and non-renewable plastic materials with sustainable alternative materials are urgently required. Food is frequently packaged in plastic, but consumers are constantly asking for safer substitutes. Although synthetic plastics made from petrochemical resources are convenient for packaging, a serious issue today is that they are not biodegradable or recyclable, leading to the production of enormous amounts of waste. The utilisation of biodegradable polymers derived from natural resources like polysaccharides and protein can be attributed to serve as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic polymers. The study focused on the use of carrageenan and gelatin as the primary components in composite films incorporating with bottle gourd. The objective was to assess the physical, mechanical, and antioxidant characteristics of carrageenan/gelatin composite films blended with bottle gourd as bottle gourd has high amount of antioxidants.

Graphene Transfer: Influence of Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Layers on Graphene Properties

Siti Nur Surayah Md Aris — 2024-10-01

Graphene is the most fascinating nanomaterial to be studied due to its outstanding properties such as optical properties and has been used in a lot of fields. The most crucial and critical part in the graphene synthesis process was the transfer process from metal substrate to target substrate which is ITO.

The Antibacterial Effect of Ethanolic and Methanolic Extract of Nigella Sativa

Suliza Hanim — 2024-10-01

The black cumin seed of Nigella sativa is the plant that is most widely known and contributes to the medicinal properties of the plant. There are elements in the thymoquinone that support its active function. Thymoquinone contains a variety of active ingredients, including pyrazolanthrone, which inhibits the growth of cancer cells, celebrex, which acts as an anti-inflammatory, granisol, which prevents nausea and vomiting, and CDPPB, which lessens symptoms of schizophrenia. Consuming N. sativa seeds may help with a variety of disorders, including cancer, diabetes, inflammatory issues, many chronic illnesses, and infectious diseases caused by parasites, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This species' seed, one of the most prized and nutrient-rich plants in history, has undergone a great deal of scientific scrutiny. The results of these investigations support the conventional wisdom regarding the seed. This initiative aims to monitor Nigella sativa's antibacterial efficacy against pathogens.

The Effect of ZnO Transfer to Graphene Layer as ZnO/Graphene Nanocomposite: A Potential pH Sensor

Muhammad Nur Hakimi Yuzine — 2024-10-01

The accurate measurement and monitoring of pH levels are crucial in various fields, including environmental monitoring, healthcare, and industrial processes. However, the development of an efficient graphene-based pH sensor with enhanced sensitivity, wide sensing range, and long-term stability remains a challenge. The objective of this research project is fourfold: firstly, to fabricate graphene through Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition (TCVD) using waste engine oil (WEO) as a carbon precursor; secondly, to transfer graphene onto Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) substrate. Thirdly, to fabricate ZnO/Graphene nanocomposites through a transfer process; and finally, to characterize the structural, optical, and bonding properties of the nanocomposites. The primary focus of this study lies in investigating the effect of transferring ZnO onto a graphene layer as a ZnO/Graphene nanocomposite on the structural, optical, and bonding properties of graphene, with the goal of evaluating its potential as a pH sensor.

Electrodeposition of Platinum on Carbon Electrode

Nur Ain Nadzirah Mustafa — 2024-10-01

The title of this study is “Electrodeposition of Platinum on Carbon Electrode". Platinum has the characteristics of corrosion resistance and inert that make it suitable to be coated on carbon electrodes. Other than that, carbon needs to be electro-deposited because carbon does not resist to high voltage. By replacing carbon with electrodeposited platinum, platinum will last longer because it can resist a high voltage condition. The objectives of this study include to optimize the deposition process of Platinum deposited onto the carbon surface and to compare the hydrogen production efficiency for Platinum-carbon electrodes with pure carbon and pure platinum.

Neem (Azadicarta indica) against Pathogenic Microbes: A Review

Lily Sofea Samsuddin — 2024-10-01

The neem tree belongs to the Meliaceae family, which is found in tropical and semitropical countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. For many centuries, the neem tree has been used as a traditional treatment for many kinds of human diseases. Numerous studies have revealed that neem is one of the most adaptable and beneficial plants because it has a wide range of phytochemicals and antimicrobials activities that may be used to produce and improvise the innovative works on industrial, agriculture and health fields. The objectives of this study are to conduct a review and determine the antimicrobial activity and importance of neem against pathogenic microbes.

Anti-Corrosion Evaluation of Organic and Pharmaceutical Compounds for Mild Steel in 3.5 wt% NaCl Solution

Irfan Khan — 2024-10-01

Corrosion on mild steel is a significant concern as it is widely used in various industries for construction, machinery parts, pipelines, and other metal-based engineering applications. Corrosion can occur spontaneously and is inevitable. However, one of the most effective ways to combat it is with corrosion inhibitors. An azomethine compound can be identified by the presence of an imine functional group specifically the carbon-nitrogen double bond (C=N). The azomethine compound's structure with its electron-rich C-N bond has shown promising potential for chemical interactions including complexation with metals. In addition, the molecular structure of paracetamol contains heteroatoms and aromatic rings, which can impact their inhibitory properties. For this investigation, the selection was made to focus on organic compounds Benzylidene aniline and pharmaceutical compounds Paracetamol. These compounds were selected due to their unique properties that allow them to form a protective barrier on the surface of mild steel through adsorption. This barrier helps prevent corrosion when the steel is exposed to a corrosive environment.

Physical Ergonomic Risk Factors and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Office Workers in Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Muhammad Adli Syukri Zain Khairi — 2024-10-01

The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) has become significant among office workers in Malaysia. Due to the rapid growth of technology, the usage of computers in workstations has increased and workers spend much time at their workstations daily. Risk factors presence from office activities such as awkward posture, repetitive motion, static and sustained posture, and contact stress are highly associated with WMSD and cause discomfort to various parts of the body. The effects of WMSD have contributed to work absenteeism, poor life quality, work changes, increased work-related injuries and medical cost, and leads to permanent disability and affects employment and the company reputation.