Programme / Abstract Book - Universiti Kebangsaan … · CV of Career Talk Speaker 9 ... Dr. Izyanti binti Ibrahim Aimi Amira binti Abdul Jalil ... Nur Farahin binti Mohamed Yaziz

Jointly Organised By:

Programme / Abstract Book

2 | 25th Intervarsity Biochemistry Seminar Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

CONTENTS

Committee 3

Foreword by Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology, 4

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Foreword by President of M alaysian Society for Biochemistry 5

and Molecular Biology (MSBMB)

Message by Chairperson of the 25th

Intervarsity Biochemistry Seminar 6

Scientific Programme 7

CV of Career Talk Speaker 9

List of Abstracts 10

Abstracts Oral presentation 14

Poster presentation 24

25th Intervarsity Biochemistry Seminar | 3 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

COMMITTEE

ADVISORS MARKETING

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasidah binti Mohd Sidek Muhammad Fuad bin Ab Kadir

Assoc. Prof Dr. Aidil bin Abdul Hamid Nurul Izzati binti Azmi

Dr. Izyanti binti Ibrahim Aimi Amira binti Abdul Jalil

Dr. Shazrul Fazry bin Sa'ariwijaya Ana Syakirah binti Khairul Ansor

Dr. Muhammad Ashraf bin Shahidan Ummi Aqilah binti Omiza

CHAIRPERSON

Khairom Muslihin bin Baharom RECEPTION AND SOUVENIR

Nor Nadia Fadiha binti Aizuddin

VICE CHAIRPERSONS Mohamad Aznan bin Mohamad Thoni

Muhammad Ameerul Amin bin Bakar@Omar Liya Syuhada binti Linazah

Amal Fitri Izzati binti Aziz Syahirah Banu binti Mohd Akram

Mohamad Saufi Bin Roslee

SECRETARIAT

Norziana binti Julmohamad TECHNICAL AND LOGISTICS

Thanuja A/P Ramanathan Danish Adli bin Zulkifli

Mohamad Azizi bin Md Said

TREASURERS Mohamad Mustaqim Bin Abas

Andi Norafiqah binti Andik Mohd Alwi Nurhanani binti Nordin

Lee Yann Yin Hanim binti Ahmad

PROTOCOL AND PUBLIC RELATION PUBLICITY AND MULTIMEDIA

Ayumawarni binti Yusni Yeng Jee Long Muhammad Dzul Ammar bin Aslan

Tan Hooi Ni Nur Izzati binti Zainuddin

Rahimah binti Mohamad Zuki Siti Norhafeezah binti Mohd Yusoff

Nur Farahin binti Mohamed Yaziz Raja Mohd Azlan bin Raja Ali

Anna Fira binti Ahmad Rizal

Siti Atiqa binti Sabran


FOREWORD

PROF. DR. SAHRIM AHMAD

Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

On behalf of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, I would like to extend a warm welcome to

all of you to the 25th

Intervarsity Biochemistry Seminar (IBS) 2014.

This year, we are proud to be the host for IBS, working closely with the Malaysian

Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB), to bring this event into fruition.

With the aim of creating opportunities for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology undergraduates

from public and private higher learning institutions nationwide to gather and share their findings

and insights, we welcome such event to be held at our campus as we continue to make Universiti

Kebangsaan Malaysia a knowledge hub for students, academic experts as well as industry

professionals.

IBS serves as a platform for exchanging scientific knowledge between local public and

private institutions of higher learning, specifically between the undergraduates with the theme,

“Learning Never Ends” and from this seminar, we hope to hear from the experts and our young

talents on how we can identify current and future global issues that can be resolved through

biochemistry.

Here, at the School of Biosciences and Biotechnology of Universiti Kebangsaan

Malaysia, we strive to equip our students not only with discipline-specific knowledge, but also

with key soft skills. Hence, we encourage participants of this seminar to network among

themselves and increase their involvement in the learning process.

With this, I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in planning

and organising this event. I hope you will enjoy the seminar as much as we do hosting it!


FOREWORD

ASSOC. PROF. DR. HASIDAH MOHD. SIDEK

President

Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

On behalf of the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB),

I am pleased to welcome you to the 25th

Intervarsity Biochemistry Seminar. The event which is

jointly co-organised this year by MSBMB with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), is an

annual assembly of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics undergraduates from

local institutes of higher learning. I would like to particularly congratulate the undergraduate

student Biochemistry Club at the School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science

and Technology under the guidance of faculty mentors, for successfully bringing together

participants from at least nine local universities this year to the seminar. Together they have

worked diligently in bringing you an outstanding programme for scientific discourse. Tahniah.

MSBMB is committed to promote biochemistry, molecular biology and related fields

among the scientific community, and the organisation of the Intervarsity Biochemistry Seminar

is a significant step toward the direction. The seminar provides a fitting platform for enthusiastic,

young researchers to share and deliberate on final year project findings with their peers. The

meeting also offers opportunities for students to gain perspectives on possible research areas for

post-graduate studies. Congratulations to participants who have been hand-picked to represent

their universities at today’s presentation sessions.

It is my sincere hope that participants will take advantage of the event today to interact

and exchange ideas to gain insight into research carried out beyond their own universities. May

you have a rewarding meeting. Thank you.


MESSAGE

KHAIROM MUSLIHIN BIN BAHAROM

Chairperson

25th

Intervarsity Biochemistry Seminar 2014

On behalf of the School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, I would like to thank the

Malaysian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for giving us an opportunity to be a

part of this prestigious annual event.

This is a journey that will allow young scientists to embark and advance in the scientific

arena in the field of biochemistry. I hope everyone involved will take advantage of this event and

to get to know other like-minded individuals in the same area of research.

As the Chairperson of the 25th

Intervarsity Biochemistry Seminar, I have enjoyed

working with our advisors, sponsors, peers and speakers in the effort to make this event a reality.

The leadership, communication and problem-solving skills acquired during our stint

(participation) as part of the organising committee are invaluable.

I would like to thank all the parties involved for giving us the right guidance and support

to make this seminar one of the best Intervarsity Biochemistry Seminar in the country.


SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME

Saturday, 17 May 2014

DK43.101 Kompleks Tun Abdullah Mohd Salleh (KTAMS)

TIME PROGRAMME

7.00 am

-

8.45 am

Registration

8.50 am

-

9.00 am

Opening Address

Prof. Dr. Maslina binti Darus - Deputy Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan

Malaysia

9.00 am

-

10.15 am

Oral Presentation (Session 1)

Yeo E.H. (Monash University) -Effects of peptidyl halomethylketone peptides on cell death and proliferation

in NPC/HK1 tumor cell line

Swee-Teng Lim (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman) -Quantitative RT-PCR analyses of kaempferol, lauric acid and resveratrol

effects on hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) mRNA expression in IFN-γ

stimulated human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell line

Yong J.S. (University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus) -Development of enzyme-linked amperometric genosensor for detection of

avian influenza viral genes

Hamimi Rasyiqah H.K. (Management & Science University) -Study on the phytochemical properties and anti-angiogenic of Morinda

citrifolia.L (mengkudu) leaves extract using chicken chorioallantoic

membrane (CAM) assays

10.15am

-

11.00 am

Tea Break and Poster Viewing


11.00 am

-

12.00 noon


Muhammad Asyraf O. (University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus) -The analysis of arsenite S-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase (arsM)

gene in soil microbial populations

John Prakash S. (Management & Science University) -The usage of essential oil, Carvacrol in Plectranthus ambonicus as an

alternative remedy for allergen induced inflammatory diseases, Asthma

Joko Logis (UCSI University)

-Quorum sensing inhibitory properties of manuka propolis on Vibrio fischeri

12.00 noon

-

12.45 pm

Career Talk

Dato’ Norhalim bin Yunus

-CEO of Malaysian Technology & Development Corporation (MTDC)

12.45 pm

-

2.15 pm

Lunch and Poster Viewing

2.15 pm

-

3.15 pm


Lim Wan Chi (UCSI University) -Molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus atopic dermatitis

clinical isolates

Jia-Yong Lam (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman) -Prevalence of detoxification enzymes glutathione S-transferase-Mu

(GSTM1), CYP2E1-RsaI and CYP2E1-DraI gene polymorphisms among

UTAR students

Octavia L. (Monash University) -Effect of refrigerated storage on the colour and composition of bioactive

compounds in strawberry

3.15 pm

-

3.45 pm

Tea Break

3.45 pm

-

4.30 pm

Closing Address and Token Presentation

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasidah Mohd Sidek

-President of Malaysian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

(MSBMB)


SPEAKER

DATO’ NORHALIM YUNUS

Chief Executive Officer

Malaysian Technology Development Corporation

Norhalim is the Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Technology Development

Corporation (MTDC). MTDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional, the

investment arm of the Malaysian Government.

Norhalim has been the CEO of MTDC since June 2008 and has extensive experience in

the commercialization of public sector universities’ research results, early stage technology

ventures, innovation policy development and fund management. He is one of the pioneers in the

commercialization of public universities/research institutes R&D results in Malaysia and has

played many roles related to the overall development of the Malaysian technology

commercialization ecosystem; as a venture capital fund manager, government grant manager,

incubator manager and as an industry expert in various public sector innovation‐related

committees.

He joined MTDC a few months after its formation in 1993 and has had the opportunity to

be deeply involved in the Malaysian commercialization ecosystem. His contributions span all

phases in the development of the ecosystem, from the early beginnings of working with local

universities to commercialise their research results, to introducing various funding schemes to

assist entrepreneurs to start companies, to the creation of the first university‐based incubator and

various other innovation initiatives that have been introduced by MTDC in Malaysia for the past

20 odd years.


ABSTRACTS

CONTENTS

ORAL PRESENTATIONS PAGE

1

Yeo E.H. (Monash University)

Effects of peptidyl halomethylketone peptides on cell death and proliferation in NPC/HK1

tumor cell line

14

2

Swee-Teng Lim (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman)

Quantitative RT-PCR analyses of kaempferol, lauric acid and resveratrol effects on

hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) mRNA expression in IFN-γ stimulated human

hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell line

15

3

Yong J.S. (University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus)

Development of enzyme-linked amperometric genosensor for detection of avian influenza

viral genes

16

4

Hamimi Rasyiqah H.K. (Management & Science University)

Study on the phytochemical properties and anti-angiogenic of Morinda citrifolia.L

(mengkudu) leaves extract using chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays

17

5

Muhammad Asyraf O. (University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus)

The analysis of arsenite S-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase (arsM) gene in soil

microbial populations

18

6

John Prakash S. (Management & Science University)

The usage of essential oil, Carvacrol in Plectranthus ambonicus as an alternative remedy

for allergen induced inflammatory diseases, Asthma

19

7

Joko Logis (UCSI University)

Quorum sensing inhibitory properties of manuka propolis on Vibrio fischeri

20

8

Lim Wan Chi (UCSI University)

Molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus atopic dermatitis clinical isolates

21


9

Jia-Yong Lam (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman)

Prevalence of detoxification enzymes glutathione S-transferase-Mu (GSTM1), CYP2E1-

RsaI and CYP2E1-DraI gene polymorphisms among UTAR students

22

10

Octavia L. (Monash University)

Effect of refrigerated storage on the colour and composition of bioactive compounds in

strawberry

23

POSTER PRESENTATIONS PAGE

1

Nurul Fatin (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

Screening of laccase from local mushroom

24

2

Irene Cheng (UCSI University)

Partition of Bacillus macerans cyclodextrin glycosyltranferase (CGTase) in aqueous-two

phase system (ATPS)

25

3

Aniqah Zulfa (International Medical University)

The effects of short single-walled carbon nanotubes in marine microalgae

26

4

Seah Siew Wei (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

Cloning, expression and partial characterization of putative farnesol dehydrogenase of

Plutella xylostella

27

5

Yong K.J. (Monash University)

Biodegradation of para-nitrophenol in synthetic wastewater by immobilized acclimated

activated sludge in poly(vinyl alcohol)-alginate hydrogel beads

28

6

Wei Jian Tan (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

Study of substrate specificity on Polygonum minus nerol dehydrogenase (PmNeDH)

through structure-guided mutagenesis

29

7

Yee Cheng, G. (Monash University)

Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties of Citrus Maxima

30

8

Kar Bee, Choo (Monash University)

Antibiofilm properties of Echinodorus amazonicus and Echinodorus bleherae

31

9

Chuah Xin Qi (UCSI University)

Screening for heavy metals in Eucheuma cottonii and in vivo toxicity evaluation in rats

32


10

Mohamad-Latiffi, M.R.R. (University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus)

Antibacterial properties of a moraceae hybrid species, Artocarpus heterophyllus x integer

33

11

Bo Zhuang Mian (UCSI University)

Molecular profiling of Candida albicans blood culture clinical isolates via multilocus

sequence typing (MLST)

34

12

Timmy Richard (UCSI University)

Overexpression of truncated Ara h2.02 peanut allergen

35

13

Cheng, H.S. (Monash University)

The Effects of Glycyrrhizic Acid on Glucose Homeostasis and Weight Gain of Juvenile

Rats Feeding on High-Fat-High-Sucrose Diet

36

14

Irene Mei Yen. Lau (Monash University)

Characterization of probiotic properties of two Lactococcus lactis strains for use in

aquaculture

37

15

Cheng Chew Weng (Management & Science University)

Alternative staining using extracts of hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) and red beet

(Beta vulgaris L.) in diagnosing ova of intestinal nematodes (Trichuris trichiura and

Ascaris lumbricoides)

38

16

Melonney Patrick (Management & Science University)

Phytochemical Constituents And Antiangiogenic Activity Of Ixora Coccinea

39

17

Vikneswary .A (Management & Science University)

Evaluation of antiangiogenic properties of Quisqualis indica Linn. (Rangoon creeper)

leaves extract in chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay

40

18

Chai C.Y. (University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus)

In vitro evaluation of osteoblast adhesion, proliferation and differentiation on chitosan-

titanium dioxide composite scaffolds functionalized with Ca2+

ions

41

19

Zu H.M. (University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus)

Chitosan-titanium dioxide nanotube scaffolds for proliferation and early differentiation of

MG63 by functionalization with fetal bovine serum

42

20

Woon S.S.Y. (University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus)

Transient expression of avian influenza neuraminidase in Nicotiana benthamiana

43


21

Afiah Nasuha A. (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

Generation and Characterization Of cDNA Sequence Serpin From Eimeria maxima

44

22

Ahmad Zamir N.Z. (Universiti Putra Malaysia)

Antioxidant activity and teratogenicity effect of Clinacanthus nutans on zebrafish

embryos

45

23

Wong, S.Y. (UCSI University)

Potential anti-aging properties of L. japonica and C. indicum floral tea infusions

46

24

Lai Wen Liang (UCSI University)

Purification of laccase from Termitomyces heimii using aqueous two phase system

47

25

Muhammad Faiz I. (Management & Science University)

Efficiacy OF Cymbopogon nardus against larvae and adult musca domestica

48

26

Morghandass Candira Segaran (Management & Science University)

Screening of Pereskia bleo extracts for antidiabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

49

27

Nurul Ainaa` Adilah (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

The effects of potential positive effectors on the activity of Fatty acid synthase (FAS) and

ATP-Citrate Lyase (ACL) of Schizochytrium sp.

50

28

Chin Ying Yee (Taylor’s University)

Carotenoid profile and antioxidant capacities of selected Malaysian seaweed species

51

29

Hui Xin Tan (Taylor’s University)

Preliminary study of probiotic-fermented calcium-fortified soymilk on oral health

52


Oral Presentation 1

Effects of Peptidyl Halomethylketone Peptides on Cell Death and

Proliferation in NPC/HK1 Tumor Cell Line

YEO E.H. and CHOW S.C.

School of Science, Faculty of Science,

Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Selangor

Corresponding author email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Peptidyl halomethyl ketones are synthetic protease inhibitors that are specifically designed to

study enzyme structure, function and mechanism in serine and cysteine proteases. Although they

are widely used and claimed to be specific, recent studies have shown other non specific effects

as well. By using Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC/HK1 cell line) as a model, this study aims to

examine the antiproliferative effects of z-FA-FMK at non toxic concentration and the cytotoxic

effects of z-FA-CMK as well as the mode of cell death involved. Trypan Blue exclusion Assay

and MTT cell proliferation assay was performed to study antiproliferative effects of z-FA-FMK.

The cytotoxic effects of z-FA-CMK was investigated using MTS cell viability assay followed by

Hoechst staining to study the mode of cell death involved. Results of this study showed that z-

FA-FMK inhibits proliferation of NPC/HK1 while z-FA-CMK is cytotoxic in NPC/HK1.

Hoechst staining also showed that NPC/HK1 is capable of apoptosis but did not display classical

apoptotic nuclear morphology in response to z-FA-CMK treatment. Collectively, we have

demonstrated that Peptidyl halomethyl ketones have other non-specific effects other than serine

and cysteine protease inhibition.


Oral Presentation 2

Quantitative RT-PCR Analyses of Kaempferol, Lauric Acid and Resveratrol

Effects on Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α (HNF4α) mRNA Expression in IFN-

γ Stimulated Human Hepatocarcinoma HepG2 Cell Line

SWEE-TENG LIM, CHOY-HOONG CHEW

Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Perak Campus, Universiti Tunku Abdul

Rahman (UTAR) Perak Campus, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900, Kampar, Perak,

Malaysia.


ABSTRACT

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) is a member in nuclear hormone receptor family of

transcription factors. Interferon γ (IFN-γ) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a role in

immune response against infection and tumor immune surveillance. The aim of this study was to

determine the effects of different concentrations of kaempferol, lauric acid and resveratrol on

HNF4α mRNA expression in IFN-γ stimulated HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were treated with

different concentrations of IFN-γ for 24 hours and HNF4α gene expression was quantified using

Real-Time RT-PCR. HepG2 cells were treated with 50 ng/ml of IFN-γ for 24 hours and then

treated with different concentrations of antioxidants ranging from 1 μM to 20 μM respectively

for another 24 hours. The mRNA expression of HNF4α was quantified by Real-Time RT-PCR

by normalization to β-actin, and compared to untreated control. HNF4α mRNA expression was

significantly suppressed to 0.61-fold when 50 ng/ml of IFN-γ were used to treat the HepG2 cells

and hence this concentration was used for the subsequent treatments. The HNF4α mRNA

expressions of the IFN-γ pre-treated cells were induced when the cells were post-treated with

kaempferol. Besides, the HNF4α mRNA expressions in IFN-γ pre-treated HepG2 cells that

treated with lauric acid and resveratrol were also induced. HNF4α mRNA expression were

induced in dose-dependent manner in the presence of kaempferol, lauric acid and resveratrol.

These results suggested that all three kaempferol, lauric acid as well as resveratrol have the great

potential to counteract the inhibitory effects of IFN-γ.


Oral Presentation 3

Development of Enzyme-Linked Amperometric Genosensor for Detection of

Avian Influenza Viral Genes

YONG, J.S.1, LOW, S.S.

2, CHIA, J.S.Y.

2, TAN, M.T.T.

2 and LOH, H.S.

1*

1School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science,

2Department of Electrical and Electronic

Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC),

Jalan Broga 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan


ABSTRACT

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) outbreaks have been

reported in Southeast Asia causing high mortality in poultry and HPAI H5N1 is capable of

crossing the species barrier to infect humans. Therefore, development of a fast and accurate

detection method for HPAI H5N1 strain is of high importance. In this study, a novel enzyme-

based amperometric electrochemical genosensor platform for the detection of polymerase chain

reaction (PCR) amplicons derived from the haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes

of HPAI H5N1 was developed. Principally, PCR amplicons generated by using biotin- and

fluorescein- primers were detected with peroxidase-conjugated antifluorescein antibodies on

streptavidin-treated screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). This genosensor converts

chemical change of hybridization into a measurable current signal by which the current

magnitude is relatively dependent on the concentration range of PCR amplicons. Factors

affecting the immobilization of streptavidin, hybridization and non-specific binding were

optimized to ensure good sensitivity and specificity of the platform. Significant current signals

were obtained for HA and NA genes which contrasted from their respective controls with

negligible background signal of 0.01 μA and below. In general, this genosensor is concluded

gaining better time- and cost-efficiency, sensitivity and accuracy of detection as compared to the

enzyme-linked PCR Western assay and conventional electrophoresis. Furthermore, the user-

friendliness and flexibility of SPCE as a multi-analyte genosensor can be adaptable for on-site

detection of DNA in the field for various applications.


Oral Presentation 4

Study On The Phytochemical Properties And Anti-Angiogenic Of Morinda

citrifolia.L (Mengkudu) Leaves Extract Using Chicken Chorioallantoic

Membrane (CAM) Assays

HAMIMI RASYIQAH .H.K*, HALIJAH .H, and ZULHABRI.O

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management & Science University,

40100 Shah Alam, Selangor

*corresponding author, email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Angiogenesis plays a critical role in the growth and spread of cancer .Anti-angiogenesis or

inhibition of blood vessel formation is the best way to prevent the growth and spreading of

tumors. This study aims to investigate the anti-angiogenic properties of Morinda citerifolia.L

leaves extracts using CAM assay. The Fertile White Leghorn eggs were divided into 5 groups

which are control, Bevacizumab, 25%, 50% and 75% treatments. Each group was repeated for 3

times. The different concentrations of extracts were applied on the sixth day of incubation. The

anti-angiogenic effect of Morinda citrifolia.L extracts was evaluated after 12hours and 24hours.

The numbers of blood vessel was sketched and counted .The phytochemical screening was done

using chemical assay. The anti-angiogenic test has indicated that Bevacizumab have the highest

reduction 38.8% of blood vessels formation after 12hours and increasingly reduced to 49.2%

after 24 hours. The treatment at 75% showed reduction of blood vessel formation at 21.7%% and

37.1% after 12hours and 24hours respectively. However, the treatment at 50% reduced about

9.5% and 12.8% after 12hours and 24 hours. Meanwhile, the treatment at 25% showed only a

few reduction of blood vessel about 2% and 4% after 12 hours and 24hours.Control group were

no reduction. A significant differences were indicated using one-way Anova (P<0.05). It showed

that the Bevacizumab have a greater inhibition than other treatments. Thus, these finding of the

study indicated that Morinda citrifolia.L leaves extraction have phytochemical compound and

has the ability to inhibit angiogenesis and can be the potential alternative for anti-cancer

treatment.


Oral Presentation 5

The Analysis of Arsenite S-Adenosylmethionine Methyltransferase (arsM)

Gene in Soil Microbial Populations

MUHAMMAD ASYRAF, O., CHUA, C.K., SYMONDS, R. and CHIN, C.F.*

School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC),



ABSTRACT

Methylation of arsenic (As) is a microbial mediated process which occurs in soils prior to plant

uptake. This process was shown to be due to the presence of arsM gene in the microbial species.

In this study, primers designed for arsM gene from Rhodopseudomonas palustris GCA009

which has been shown previously to contain arsM gene were used on different microbial

populations from various soil samples collected. The microbial DNA was extracted from 8 soil

samples collected from a field site that has been surveyed for its soil chemistry and microbial

activity. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was conducted to determine which soil samples

harbour the microbial populations with arsM gene. Subsequently, the soil sample that gave

positive PCR results was serial diluted 10 folds. The samples were plated out such that discrete

bacterial colonies were obtained. These bacterial colonies were then divided into smaller number

of groups and subjected to PCR selection to detect which groups of bacterial colony contain the

arsM gene. The groups of bacterial colonies with the arsM gene underwent further microbial

analysis and tests such as gram-staining, catalase test, anaerobic test and streaking on selective

agars to classify the types of bacteria in the soil samples. The findings demonstrated that our

tropical soil harboured bacteria containing arsM gene and provide a preliminary identification of

the bacterial groups.


Oral Presentation 6

The usage of essential oil, Carvacrol in Plectranthus Ambonicus as an

alternative remedy for allergen induced inflammatory diseases, Asthma

JOHN PRAKASH.S and VENKATARAMAN



*corresponding author, email : [email protected]

ABSTRACT

High occurrences of allergen induced inflammatory diseases poses a severe threat nowadays.

Although the preferred method of corticosteroid treatment is effective, the presence of local and

systemic side effects causes concern. This study aims to find an alternative remedy for allergen

induced inflammatory diseases such as asthma using natural phytochemicals. The proposed

phytochemical is Carvacrol, from the Plectranthus Amboinicus plant. Protein ligand docking is a

method to support the rational design and optimization of novel drug candidates. The chemical

ligand is bonded to a protein receptor by in-silico protein ligand docking and acts as an inhibitor

or promoter. Firstly, all protein receptors in the Th1 and Th2 cell pathway, which controls

asthma, are found. The ligand, Carvacrol is obtained from the ZINC database. Protein

information is determined from Uniprot database and cross referenced in BLASTp to find highly

similar comparisons in the RCSB protein structure database. For non-existent protein structures,

the protein FASTA one letter sequence code is used for homology modelling using SwissModel

online software. The docking is done using Molegro Virtual Docker and SwissDock online

software. Results are successful if the binding RMSD is less than 2.0 Angstrom and has a low

binding energy, indicating a higher binding affinity. Results prove the ligand Carvacrol bonded

successfully to the protein receptors and the alternative hypothesis is accepted. Corticosteroid

treatment for allergen induced inflammatory diseases could be reduced in the future. However,

in-silico design is only a computational model; further wet lab analysis could be done for further

studies.


Oral Presentation 7

Quorum Sensing Inhibitory Properties of Manuka Propolis on Vibrio fischeri

JOKO LOGIS and CRYSTALE LIM SIEW YING*

Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, No. 1 Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights,

Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

*Corresponding author email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Quorum sensing (QS) allows bacteria to control their population density where specific

biological functions would be performed by the population, if and when certain cell densities are

reached. In recent years, inhibition of QS-controlled pathogenic factors, instead of simply being

bacteriostatic or bactericidal, has become the main focus to combat antibiotic resistance in Gram-

negative bacteria. Manuka propolis has been demonstrated to possess QS inhibitory (QSI)

properties in Chromobacterium violaceum. Thus, this study investigated the QSI potential of

manuka propolis (MP) on Vibrio fisheri, a bacterium whose bioluminescence is QS-controlled

through the Lux pathway. Dose-response assays of V. fisheri after MP treatments of 0-50 µg/ml

were carried out hourly for 21 hours in a multi-mode spectrophotometer. Bacterial growth

(OD600) and bioluminescence (in relative light units/RLU) of V. fisheri were measured

concurrently. Dose-response assessment was based on the 14th

-hour time-point, where optimal

bioluminescence of the non-treated control was measured. It resulted in an inverse correlation

between increasing MP (oops) (what is PF5?) concentration and bioluminescence intensity. In

addition, no bactericidal or bacteriostatic effects was observed compared to non-treated controls.

For luxI expression investigation, a regulator in the Lux pathway, the bacteria were treated with

0, 5, 20 and 40 µg/ml of MP for 14 hours, after which RNA was extracted for reverse

transcription real-time PCR, with recA as the reference gene. An inverse correlation was shown

between increasing MP concentration and luxI expression levels. This study thus puts forward

the notion that luxI is the possible target for inhibition by MP in V. fischeri. While this is the first

study to report the QS inhibitory properties of propolis on QS-regulated phenotype and gene

expression of V. fischeri, future investigations of other genes involved in Lux system are needed

to further asserting its QS inhibitory activity.


Oral Presentation 8

Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Atopic Dermatitis

Clinical Isolates

WAN CHI LIM1, IRENE CHEW KEK LEE

2, MOHD YASIM MOHD YUSOF

3 and

CRYSTALE SIEW YING LIM1*

1Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights, Cheras

56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2Laurent Bleu Skin Science Center, School of Anti-Aging, Aesthetics, and Regenerative Medicine, UCSI

University, No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights, Cheras 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 3University Malaya Medical Centre, University Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 59100, Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia.

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder,

whereby the exact cause remains unknown. Staphylococcus aureus is usually found on the skin

and hair as normal flora. However, in AD patients, S. aureus colonization and formation of

biofilms on the afflicted sites aggravates AD in a vicious cycle by interfering with skin healing,

thereby resulting in more severe skin “flares”. It has been hypothesized that S. aureus strain

differences are associated with AD severity. Thus, this study aimed to investigate genetic

variation in five out of 55 S. aureus AD clinical isolates obtained from the Laurent Blue Skin

Science Center via multilocus sequence typing (MLST). MLST was performed using seven

housekeeping genes, which were later subjected to DNA sequencing. The sequencing results

were analysed using bioinformatics from the MLST.net [http://saureus.mlst.net/] database and

MEGA. The consolidated results showed that, with a mean pairwise distance of 0.005, these

isolates were not of the same strain and hence not genetically identical. Out of the five isolates,

two potentially novel strains have been identified. The sequence data of these two isolates,

designated as strain types CHI_0330 and CHI_2341, have been submitted to the MLST.net S.

aureus database for curation. Extensions of the S. aureus MLST.net database would contribute to

current epidemiological data on the geographical distribution of global S. aureus infections, as

well as to investigations on the clinical prevalence of the various S. aureus strains and the

possible genetic association of certain strains with AD.


Oral Presentation 9

Prevalence of Detoxification Enzymes Glutathione S-Transferase-Mu

(GSTM1), CYP2E1-RsaI and CYP2E1-DraI Gene Polymorphisms among

UTAR Students

JIA-YONG LAM, YEE-HOW SAY

Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Perak Campus, Universiti Tunku Abdul

Rahman (UTAR) Perak Campus, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900, Kampar, Perak,

Malaysia.


ABSTRACT

Glutathione S-transferase-Mu (GSTM1), which plays a key role in detoxification of carcinogenic

electrophiles, is highly polymorphic and its genetic variations may increase the susceptibility to

carcinogens. The GSTM1 null allele results in a complete loss of enzyme activity for binding to

genotoxic substrates. Meanwhile, CYP2E1 is believed to play a vital role in the activation of

potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines leading to the development of numerous cancers, including

nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The objective of the study was to determine the allele

frequencies and distributions of GSTM1, CYP2E1 RsaI and DraI gene variants among UTAR

students. The GSTM1 polymorphism was genotyped by duplex PCR, whereas the CYP2E1-RsaI

and CYP2E1-DraI polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-based RFLP among 177 subjects (77

males; 157 Chinese, 20 Indians). These polymorphisms were also tested for association with the

saltiness intensity perception, intake frequency and preferences of salty foods. The allelic

frequencies of the GSTM1 null allele, CYP2E1-RsaI c2 allele and CYP2E1-DraI C allele for all

subjects were 0.52, 0.18 and 0.23, respectively. Individuals with the variant GSTM1 null allele

had significantly lesser preference of fried nuggets and hot dogs, while individuals with

CYP2E1-DraI variant genotype and allele had lesser intake frequency of chicken ham. In

conclusion, the study suggests that the prevalence of each of the polymorphisms is consistent

with the frequencies from other Asians populations. Although the subjects had increased genetic

risk factors for NPC (GSTM1, CYP2E1-RsaI, CYP2E1-DraI variant alleles), they might have a

reduced environmental risk factor (intake and preference of salty preserved foods).


Oral Presentation 10

Effect of Refrigerated Storage on The Colour and Composition of Bioactive

Compounds in Strawberry

OCTAVIA, L. and CHOO, W. S.

School of Science

Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, 46150, Selangor


ABSTRACT

Refrigerated storage (4oC) of strawberries (Fragaria annanasa) for six consecutive days

resulted in degradation of three bioactive compounds: Ascorbic acid, folate and anthocyanin. The

bioactive compounds were extracted from strawberries day by day and measured using High

Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Ascorbic acid content in fresh strawberries was

56.94 11.26 mg / 100 g of fruit and reached 55% of loss on the sixth day of storage. Five forms

of folate: tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5 methylene-THF, 5 methyl-THF, 5 formyl-THF and 10

formyl-FA were identified in fresh strawberries. 5 methyl-THF (65%) was the dominant form of

folate in the strawberries, followed by 10 formyl-FA (28%), 5 methylene-THF (4%), 5 formyl-

THF (2%) and THF (<1%). The total folate content of fresh strawberries was 82.95 5.79 g /

100 g and it reduced significantly during refrigerated storage, reaching 93% of loss on the sixth

day of storage. Total anthocyanin content in fresh strawberries was 38.44 1.96 g / 100 g of

fruit with a total loss of approximately 88% on the sixth day of refrigerated storage. Although the

anthocyanin content was reduced significantly, the colour changes of the external skin of

strawberries measured using a colourimeter during refrigerated storage showed significant

fluctuation only on L* values (lightness), but not on a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values. It

is recommended that the strawberries should be consumed freshly. The consumption of

strawberries within 2 days of refrigerated storage is acceptable as there were still more than 50%

of the three bioactive compounds remaining in the strawberries.


Poster Presentation 1

Screening of Laccase From Local Mushrooms

NURUL FATIN BINTI ZAINAL ABIDIN*, NIK MARZUKI SIDIK

School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology,

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Selangor


ABSTRACT

Enzyme industry has grown rapidly as result of the evolution of modern biotechnology. Laccase

is an enzyme that found in plants, fungi, insects and bacteria. In fungi, laccase present in

ascomycetes, deuteromycetes, basidiomycetes and produce immensely in white-rot fungi that can

degrade lignin. Laccase has been the subject for intensive research in the past decade because of

the broad substrate specificity. The objectives of this study are to screen for production of

laccase from isolated mushrooms and to identify the qualitative production of mushroom that

able to produce a vast amount of laccase. Twenty six mushrooms were isolated and screened for

their ability to produce laccase on medium containing 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-

sulphonic acid) ABTS. Among these mushrooms, sixteen isolates showed positive laccase

activity. These sixteen isolates belongs to genera Conocybe, Tricholoma, Cystoderma,

Marasmus, Xeromphalina, Galerina, Pleurotus, Mycena, Lepiota, and Lentinus. The color

changes that occurred upon the media from colorless to green or purple color reflect the present

of laccase activity. This color changes occur due to oxidation of laccase that react with artificial

substrate ABTS. Xeromphalina sp. (M48), Pleurotus sp. (M54), and Pleurotus sp. (M56)

showing the widest diameter of color changes which is 14 mm. This study is important to

identify the new sources for laccase production and this study may contribute in providing

additional information for further research.



Partition of Bacillus macerans cyclodextrin glycosyltranferase (CGTase) in

aqueous-two phase system (ATPS)

IRENE CHENGA, CHIEN WEI OOI

B, TAU CHUAN LING

C, MOHD NORIZNAN

MOKHTARD, HUI SUAN NG

A

a Faculty of Applied Science, UCSI University, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

b Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University, 46150 Bandar Sunway,

Selangor, Malaysia. c Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

d Department of Process and Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra

Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.


ABSTRACT

Partition of Bacillus macerans cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) in the polyethylene

glycol (PEG)/phosphate aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) was investigated with an aim to

study the partitioning behavior of commercial CGTase in an optimized ATPS. This preliminary

study was useful for the future studies on the starch bioconversion to produce cyclodextrins

(CDs) by the CGTase in an ATPS. In this study, a polymer/salt aqueous two-phase system

(ATPS) was employed for the partition of Bacillus macerans CGTase. Effects of different

parameters such as phase composition, tie-line length (TLL), volume ratio (VR), crude feedstock

load, system pH and addition of sodium chloride (NaCl) on the partition behavior of CGTase

were investigated. Optimum conditions for the recovery of CGTase were obtained in PEG 8000/

potassium phosphate system using tie-line length of 31.5% (w/w), with VR of 2.30 and 3% (w/w)

NaCl addition at pH 7 for 20% (w/w) crude load. CGTase exhibit the PEG-rich phase preference

with the high partition coefficient (K). However, difference in the partition coefficients of

CGTase was observed between the two ATPSs with different molecular weight of PEG,

suggesting that CGTase partition differently as a result of the difference in the hydrophobic

interactions with the phase components. The exclusive partition of CGTase into the PEG-rich

phase is beneficial for the recovery of CGTase in ATPS. In conclusion, this study proved that

ATPS can be an effective, simple and inexpensive method for recovery of enzyme CGTase.



The Effects of Short Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Marine Microlagae

KOK, Y.Y.*, ANIQAH ZULFA, A.L. and CHU W.L.

School of Health Sciences, Medical Biotechnology,

International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur


ABSTRACT

In this study, the effect of short single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) in Dunaliella

tertiolecta and Isochrysis sp. was investigated based on quantification of photosynthetic

pigments, characterisation of particle size and zeta potential and its physiological response

towards nanoparticles. To investigate the effect of short-SWCNT effect, algal cells were exposed

to this nanoparticle for 4 days at concentrations 0 to 100 mg/L. Photosynthetic pigments were

quantified using spectrophotometric method. This study showed that short-SWCNT decreased

the cell number and cell viability of Dunaliella tertiolecta and Isochrysis sp. We conclude that

short-SWCNT have a negative effect on the growth of Dunaliella tertiolecta and Isochrysis sp. It

caused the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipids peroxidation in algal culture.



Cloning, Expression and Partial Characterization of Putative Farnesol

Dehydrogenase of Plutella xylostella

SEAH SIEW WEI2, MAIZOM HASSAN

1, NG CHYAN LEONG

1, SAIDI ADHA SUHAIMI

1,

AHMAD FARIS KAMARULZAMAN1 and NURUL HIDAYAH MOHD TAHIR

1

1Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor.

2School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti

Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor


ABSTRACT

The synthesis of juvenile hormone (JH) has attracted attention as a target for the control of insect

pests. Farnesol dehydrogenase (FolDH) is an enzyme involved in the JH III biosynthetic pathway

which catalyzes the oxidation of farnesol to farnesal. Inhibition of FolDH leads to suppression of

JH biosynthesis then induces precocious metamorphosis which generates unviable miniature

adults. However, the minute size of the corpora allata (CA) which is the gland that synthesizes

JH has toughened the studies of the enzymes in JH biosynthetic pathway. Hence, gene FolDH in

Plutella xylostella was characterized using molecular approaches. P. xylostella is a major pest

which causes heavy damage to cruciferous plants. It is also resistant to all main groups of

insecticides. The only recognized FolDH expressed in the CA of an insect was recently reported

from Aedes aegypti (AaSDR-1). The screening of the AaSDR-1 in P. xylostella database led to

the identification of putative gene FolDH (PxFolDH). To confirm that the PxFolDH encoded

farnesol dehydrogenase enzyme, recombinant expression of PxFolDH was performed in

Escherichia coli using expression vector pET28 (b+). SDS-PAGE analysis showed that a ~27

kDa soluble protein was successfully expressed. Trans, trans-farnesol was oxidized at the

highest level among various kinds of alcohol tested in the presence of NADP+. Therefore,

PxFolDH is expected to code for FolDH. Further studies on this recombinant protein can be used

to determine potent analogue inhibitor for enzyme in JH III pathway.



Biodegradation of para-nitrophenol in synthetic wastewater by immobilized

acclimated activated sludge in poly(vinyl alcohol)-alginate hydrogel beads

YONG*, K.J.L. and NG, S.L.

School of Science,

Monash University, Sunway Campus, 46100,Bandar Sunway Selangor


ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study are: (i) to investigate the effect of the operational parameters,

namely polymer concentrations, crosslinking agents concentrations (CAs: CaCl2 and KNO3),

crosslinking time (CT) and AS concentration, on the PNP biodegradation by para-nitrophenol

(PNP)-acclimated activated sludge (AS) immobilized in poly(vinyl alcohol)-alginate (PVA-Alg)

hydrogel beads, and (ii) to compare the biodegradation efficiencies between suspended and

immobilized AS at different PNP concentrations. The AS used in this study was acclimated to

PNP (200 mg/l) in a sequencing batch reactor. During the biodegradation studies, the

concentrations of PNP and nitrite were monitored. In all studies, complete PNP biodegradation

was indicated by the increase in the concentration of nitrite which was corresponding to the

reduction in the concentration of PNP. It was observed that longer duration was required to

achieve complete biodegradation by using higher concentrations of PVA-Alg and CAs,

respectively. Stable bead was formed by using longer CT, however, slower PNP biodegradation

was observed due to higher mass transfer resistance. Higher concentration of immobilized AS

did not have pronounced effect on PNP biodegradation efficiency attributed to the unexposed

inner AS. At the AS concentration of 200 mg/l, biodegradation of 200 mg/l PNP was achieved in

17 and 21 h, respectively, for the suspended and immobilized AS. The biodegradation by the

suspended AS was inhibited at 400 mg/l, whereas complete biodegradation was achieved by

immobilized AS in 39 h. This result indicates the protective effect of PVA-Alg matrices and the

importance of immobilization to enhance the biodegradation of PNP.



Study of Substrate Specificity on Polygonum minus Nerol Dehydrogenase

(PmNeDH) through Structure-guided Mutagenesis

WEI JIAN TAN1,2

, CHENG SENG TAN1,2

, ZAINAL ZAMRI1,2

and CHYAN LEONG NG2

1School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti

Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Selangor,Malaysia. 2Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi,

Selangor,Malaysia.


ABSTRACT

Nerol dehydrogenase (PmNeDH) of Polygonum minus Huds is a NADP+-dependent

oxidoreductase which is capable to catalyse the bioconversion of nerol into neral reversibly.

Kinetic analysis of wild type PmNeDH revealed that this alcohol dehydrogenase has a broad

substrate range with the highest affinity towards nerol (Km 1.8 mM) followed by its isomer

geraniol (Km 48.5 mM). To study amino acid residues that are important for substrate

specificity, structure-guided mutagenesis of selected residues A303F and A303G that located

inside the substrate-binding pocket of PmNeDH enzyme were carried out. We have successfully

created and overexpressed the recombinant protein of PmNeDH mutants (A303F and A303G)

cloned in expression vector pET28b(+) using E. coli Rosetta-gami (DE3). PmNeDHA303F

mutant

enzyme shows a partial loss of enzymatic activity towards substrate nerol and geraniol but

remain the highest substrate specificity towards nerol. However, suprisingly, PmNeDHA303F

mutant enzyme shows an increase in enzymatic activity towards other substrates. On the other

hand, PmNeDHA303G

mutant enzyme showed a dramatic loss of activity towards all substrates.

The PmNeDHA303G

mutant enzyme appeared to have the highest enzyme specificity towards

cinnamyl alcohol compared to other tested substrates including nerol and geraniol. Both

PmNeDHA303F

and PmNeDHA303G

were also found to catalyse the same substrate range as wild

type PmNeDH. Our results suggest that residue A303 of PmNeDH play an important role on

substrate binding specificity of nerol dehydrogenase.



Antimicrobial and Anti-biofilm Properties of Citrus maxima

YEE CHENG, G.*, YAU YAN, L., JOASH BAN LEE, T. and SUI MAE, L.

School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 46150 Bandar Sunway,

Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.


ABSTRACT

Emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a public health concern and treatments of infections

are further complicated by the ability of bacteria to form biofilms, which are more recalcitrant

towards conventional antimicrobial therapy. Due to reduced effectiveness of antibiotics, plant

secondary metabolites are receiving greater attention. In this research project, leaves, peels and

pulps of C. maxima were extracted via methanol crude extraction (MCE) and sequential solvent

extraction (SSE). From broth microdilution assay, leaf SSE-MeOH extract inhibited the growth

of S. aureus, B. cereus, B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa at 5 - 10 mg/mL. Images from scanning

electron microscopy did not show any morphological changes, indicating that leaf SSE-MeOH

extract possibly exerted the antibacterial activity via internal mechanisms. Besides, leaf SSE-

HEX extract exhibited potent biofilm inhibition activity, with 92 % and 85 % reduction in the

biofilm biomass of S. aureus ATCC 43300 and S. aureus ATCC 6538P respectively, compared

to the negative control (significantly different at α = 0.05). Phytochemical screening suggested

that the compounds present in the leaf SSE-HEX extract are sterols with deoxysugar residues.

Partial purification by thin layer chromatography showed that spot 2 of leaf SSE-HEX extract

exhibited the greatest biofilm inhibition activity. Spot 2 showed a prominent peak at 12.56th

minute in reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Further

identification work such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic

resonance has to be carried out to elucidate the structure of the compound. Overall, C. maxima

crude extracts showed good inhibitory effect on microbial growth and biofilm formation.



Antibiofilm Properties of Echinodorus amazonicus and Echinodorus bleherae

KAR BEE, CHOO*, YAU YAN, LIM, JOASH BAN LEE, TAN, and SUI MAE, LEE

School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 46150

Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.


ABSTRACT

Bacteria are capable of producing an extracellular matrix called biofilm, which is harder to treat

compared to their planktonic form. This poses a serious threat to public health especially in food

and healthcare industries. Hence, there is a need to search for novel antibiofilm compounds from

natural sources. Aquatic plants have been suggested as a promising source of antibiofilm agent

because plants living in aquatic environment are prone to biofilm formation on their surfaces if

they lack any means of biofilm control. The aim of this study was to determine the antibiofilm

properties of two aquatic plants: Echinodorus amazonicus and Echinodorus bleherae; and to

partially identify the bioactive compound(s) responsible for the antibiofilm activity. Leaf crude

extracts were prepared using methanol crude extraction (MCE) and sequential solvent extraction

(SSE). The biofilm inhibition and biofilm disruption properties of the leaf crude extracts were

conducted against Staphylococcus aureus by using crystal violet assay. It was found that the

SSE-water extracts of both E. amazonicus and E. bleherae showed significant biofilm inhibition,

while the SSE-hexane, SSE-dichloromethane, SSE-ethyl acetate and SSE-water fractions of both

plant species exhibited significant biofilm disruption activity. The SSE-water fractions were

determined to have surfactant-like properties, suggesting the presence of saponins. Meanwhile,

SSE-hexane and SSE-ethyl acetate fractions were partially purified by using preparative thin

layer chromatography, then re-tested for the biofilm disruption activity and the active spot

extracts were subjected to high performance liquid chromatography. Based on the positive

antibiofilm results from this study, these two aquatic plants should be further studied to purify

and identify the antibiofilm compounds.



Screening for heavy metals in Eucheuma cottonii and in vivo toxicity

evaluation in rats.

CHUAH XIN QI and TEO SWEE SEN

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Science, UCSI University Kuala Lumpur,

Cheras, 56000, Malaysia.

Corresponding author email:[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Seaweed consumption is becoming more popular in Asian population especially the red seaweed,

Eucheuma cottonii. However, there are few reported studies on the safety of E. cottonii for

consumption in Malaysia. This study focuses on the in vivo evaluation of toxicity and heavy

metals of E. cottonii performed in albino rats. E. cottonii were sent for heavy metal analysis

while methanolic extracts of E. cottonii were administered orally to albino rats (2000mg/kg)

daily for a total of 28 days according to OECD guidelines. The water level and feed consumption

of both groups were observed daily. At day 28th

the control and experimental group of rats were

sacrificed, blood and organs such as kidney and liver were collected and sent for haematology

and biochemical analysis. There was low to no detectable concentration of heavy metals such as

Arsenic, iron and zinc in E. cottonii. In addition, the low levels of heavy metals the E. cottonii

samples did not caused toxicity in rats due to the results obtained from haematological test and

biochemical parameters showed no significant different between experimental and control

groups of rats under statistical analysis. It is therefore concluded that E. cottonii which is rich in

nutrients and antioxidants is safe for human consumption.



Antibacterial Properties of a Moraceae Hybrid Species, Artocarpus

heterophyllus x integer

MOHAMAD-LATIFFI, M.R.R.1, LIM, K.H.

2 and LOH, H.S.

1

1School of Biosciences,

2School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham

Malaysia Campus (UNMC), Jalan Broga 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan


ABSTRACT

Plants are valuable sources of biologically active compounds that possess antimicrobial

properties towards a wide range of bacteria. It is said to be a surplus that hybrid plants typically

embrace the combination of existing metabolites from individual species. With the raise of

antibiotic resistant strains, the search of new antibiotics is desperately needed. The metabolite

compounds derived from plant source have become a primary target. In this study, Artocarpus

heterophyllus x integer (local name: Nangkadak) was chosen because it is enriched with good

flavour and taste features and has not been extensively commercialised. The study aimed to

investigate the antibacterial properties of hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts towards three

gram positive and four gram negative bacterial species. Disc diffusion and turbidometric assays

were adopted to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the plant extracts and

survival index of the tested bacteria. The disc diffusion results showed susceptibility of gram

positive bacteria towards all leaf extracts and selectively towards the bark extracts while most of

the gram negative bacteria were found resistant to the extracts except Escherichia coli. Leaf

ethyl acetate extracts showed the highest inhibitory effects on the bacteria with the lowest MIC

values among all extracts obtained. Turbidometry assay showed positive correlation with disc

diffusion method but with lower MIC values. The morphological changes of bacteria responsive

to the treatment like deterioration of bacterial cell wall were examined under scanning electron

microscopy. This preliminary finding offers a new insight into this edible fruit plant, revealing its

antibacterial activity.



Molecular profiling of Candida albicans blood culture clinical isolates via

multilocus sequence typing (MLST)

BO ZHUANG MIAN1, CHONG PEI PEI

2 and CRYSTALE LIM SIEW YING

1*

1Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, No. 1 Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights,

Cheras 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra

Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor.


ABSTRACT

Candida albicans is the predominant fungal pathogen in humans. This opportunistic fungus,

which is normally associated with the common mucocutaneous candidiasis, can cause potentially

fatal bloodstream infections (candidemia) in persons with a challenged immune system. The

mechanism of infection is little understood, and treatment of candidemia is difficult due to the

different virulence levels and responses to antifungal drugs, possibly due genetic variation in

different strains. Thus, this study aimed to investigate genetic variation in six C. albicans

candidemia clinical isolates from University Putra Malaysia via multilocus sequence typing

(MLST).These six clinical isolates were previously found, via randomly amplified polymorphic

DNA (RAPD)-PCR analysis, to be genetically dissimilar, with SAB values of <1.00. C. albicans

clinical isolates were subjected to genomic DNA extraction, MLST-PCR and DNA sequencing

of seven standardized housekeeping genes. Sequence analyses of these seven genes were carried

out using bioinformatics software from the MLST.net [http://calbicans.mlst.net] database. This

study found that within these six isolates, eleven potentially novel alleles for five of the seven

genes have been identified: one each for AAT1a and ADP1, two for ZWF1b, three for MPIb, and

four for VPS13. The sequence data of these new alleles have been submitted to MLST.net C.

albicans database to be assigned with new allele identification numbers, which can then be used

to elucidate the sequence types of these isolates. Thus far, only three C. albicans sequence types

of blood origin from Malaysia are recorded in MLST.net. This study will contribute six more.

Expansion of the C. albicans MLST.net database would contribute to existing epidemiological

data on the geographical distribution of C. albicans infections worldwide, as well as to studies on

the clinical prevalence of the different C. albicans strains and the possible genetic predisposition

of certain strains for greater virulence.



Overexpression Of Truncated Ara h2.02 Peanut Allergen

TIMMY RICHARDO, KELVIN LEW MIN HAN, RENEE LIM LAY HONG*

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University

No.1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights, 56000 Cheras Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


ABSTRACT

Peanut is one of the most allergenic food as it is frequently associated with life threatening food

induced allergic reaction. There are two major peanut allergen Ara h2 isomers, namely Ara h2.01

and Ara h2.02, the latter being more potent due to the presence of a third IgE binding epitope.

The Ara h2.02 was previously produced as an insoluble protein with moderate yield in the pET-

28(+) E.coli expression. As such, we aimed to generate truncated recombinant versions of Ara

h2.02 in the same system, followed by the purification and characterisation of these recombinant

proteins. Two truncated proteins Ara h2.02 (A) and Ara h2.02(B) were generated by eliminating

some of the hydrophobic N-terminal sequences as predicted by PROTPARAM and ESPRESSO

protein analysis softwares, in an attempt to generate soluble proteins of higher yield that

maintains the important IgE binding epitopes. The corresponding truncated genes were PCR

amplified and cloned into the pET-28(+) vector for expression in BL21 (DE3) cells. Higher

expression of protein Ara h2.02 (A) (17.3 kDa) was observed compared to both Ara h2.02(B)

(14.2 kDa) and the full length Ara h2.02 protein. The truncated protein Ara h2.02 (A) was further

purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography for further characterisation, and potentially can be

used as reagents for the development an animal model or diagnostic kit for peanut allergy



The Effects of Glycyrrhizic Acid on Glucose Homeostasis and Weight Gain of

Juvenile Rats Feeding on High-Fat-High-Sucrose Diet

CHENG, H.S.1*, KONG, J.M.X.F.

1, CHAN, W.K.

1 and TON. S.H.

1

1School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 46150, Bandar Sunway, Selangor


ABSTRACT

The ever-increasing prevalence of the metabolic syndrome has swiftly developed into a

worldwide health threat. The aetiology is closely linked to unhealthy diet high in lipid and sugar

load. As a potent 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor and a peroxisome proliferator-

activated receptor-γ activator, glycyrrhizic acid (GA) may be a potential therapeutic drug for

diet-induced metabolic abnormalities. Thus, this study aimed at investigating the effects of GA

on the weight gain, blood glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity using high-fat-high-sucrose

(HFHS) diet-induced metabolic syndrome rat models. Twenty four male, 7-week old Sprague

Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups: (1) Group A, normal diet with standard

rat chow (n=8); (2) Group B, HFHS diet (n=8); (3) Group C, HFHS diet and oral administration

of 100mg/kg GA per day (n=8). The treatment period lasted for four weeks. The weight gain of

the rats on HFHS diet was significantly lower, whether GA was given or not. This might be

related to the low protein content in the HFHS diet which caused stunted growth. HFHS diet also

elevated the fasting blood glucose level and insulin resistance index, indicating the central role of

HFHS diet in the onset of impaired glucose tolerance. GA treatment ameliorated the diet-induced

hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance. The diet-induced hyperglycaemia was not reflected in the

glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level. This was attributable to the relatively short treatment

duration. It was concluded that HFHS diet could cause impaired glucose tolerance and insulin

resistance while GA supplementation helped to ameliorate the metabolic dysregulation.



Characterization of probiotic properties of two Lactococcus lactis strains for

use in aquaculture.

IRENE MEI YEN. LAU*, MEI WEI, LIM, SUI MAE, LEE

School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan Bandar

Sunway, 46150, Selangor, Malaysia


ABSTRACT

Disease outbreaks have been a limitation to the aquaculture industry, causing economical and

productivity losses. Probiotics are an alternative treatment to antibiotics because it does not only

improve health conditions but also promotes growth in animals. Two Lactococcus lactis strains

were isolated from Tilapia nilotica and Clarias gariepinus. Probiotic properties of two L.lactis

strains were characterized through co-culture and in vitro adhesion assay. Isolated L.lactis strains

were co-cultured with pathogens Aeromonas hydrophila and Edwardsiella tarda separately at

C for 48 hours in Todd-Hewitt broth. Then, the CFU/mL for each bacterium was determined

through MRS, GSP and MacConkey agars. The growth of E.tarda was not affected by the two

isolates. However, the growth of A.hydrophila was reduced by 13.94 % and 11.56 % by both

isolates. The reduction in A.hydrophila growth may be caused by the production of lactic acids

or by secondary antimicrobial metabolites. In vitro adhesion assay was carried out by incubating

both isolates and pathogens individually with the intestinal mucus of T.nilotica and C.gariepinus

on glass slides. Bacterial cells were stained with methylene blue and counted using the

microscope. Isolated L.lactis strains indicated strong adhesion properties towards the fish

intestinal mucus it was originally isolated from while A.hydrophila, Vibro anguillarum and

Streptococcus iniae adhered weakly unto the intestinal mucus of C.gariepinus. Streptococcus

agalactiae adhered weakly unto the intestinal mucus of T.nilotica. Further studies on the

competition for adhesion sites between the isolates and pathogens can be carried out. In

conclusion, both isolates indicated good probiotic properties.



Alternative Staining Using Extracts of Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) and

Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in Diagnosing Ova of Intestinal Nematodes

(Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides)

CHENG CHEW WENG*, ROSIDA ABDULLAH, and SUHANA MD SAAD




ABSTRACT

Parasitic infections prevail millions of the people globally and frightful suffering and mortality,

especially in the population where access to health care is constrained. At present, wet mount

procedure is widely employed due to its economical and rapid diagnosis for intestinal parasites.

Distilled water and ethanol extracts of two plants namely hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.)

and red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) were used to stain ova of intestinal nematodes (Trichuris

trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides). These extracts were used as alternative stains against

Lugol’s iodine in wet mount procedure for diagnosing ova of intestinal nematodes. Both dyes

were extracted using distilled water and ethanol. The ethanol extracts were made with two

different percentage, 50% and 80%. The study emphasized on the ability of each stain to

demonstrate the presence of intestinal nematodes ova in the faecal samples and to clearly define

their morphology. The colour stability of each stain was also evaluated. Generally, ethanol

extracts stained better than distilled water extracts. 50% ethanol extraction of hibiscus gave the

superior staining result when compared with 50% ethanol extraction of red beet. 80% ethanol

extractions of both plants stained darkly on the ova of intestinal nematodes which interfered the

identification. Distilled water extraction was the poorest staining dye which stained faintly on the

ova of intestinal nematodes. On the stability of colouration, the colour intensity of hibiscus and

red beet began to fade after five minutes. In conclusion, 50% ethanol extraction of hibiscus has

the potential to be used as a staining agent in diagnostic parasitology.



Phytochemical Constituents and Antiangiogenic Activity of Ixora Coccinea

MELONNEY PATRICK *, HALIJAH HASSAN

, SUHANA MD SAAD




ABSTRACT

Angiogenesis is the process of formation of new blood vessels from pre existing blood vessels.

Since angiogenesis is critical for tumor growth and metastasis, antiangiogenic treatment is a

highly promising therapeutic approach. Ixora Coccinea is used to treat various diseases. This

study aimed to identify the antiangiogenic activity in leaves extraction of Ixora Coccinea. This

research conducted based on the methanol extract of the leaves of Ixora Coccinea through

angiogenic activity by CAM assay. Through phytochemical screening, the presence of

flavanoids, saponin, tannins and phenols were detected. This research involved 5 groups which

were the control, 10 %, 20 %, 40 % of extraction and the standard drug (Bevacizumab). The

antiangiogenic effect was determined after 24 hours and the total number of the blood vessel in

CAM assay was calculated. By observation, there were inhibition of blood vessel due to

reduction of the blood vessel growth. 40 % extraction shows more inhibition of blood vessel

(antiangiogenic ). It was more prominent compared to the concentration of 10 % and 20 %

extraction and control. By comparison, standard drug showed more antiangiogenic activity than

the extracted compound. Inhibition of blood vessel in 10%, 20% and 40% extraction shows

decreasing from the normal number of blood vessel by 5.4 %, 7.4 % and 33.4 % accordingly.

The standard drug showed a reduction by 73 % of blood vessel ( P < 0.05 ). In conclusion, Ixora

Coccinea extraction had shown it ability to inhibit the formation of blood vessel. Further

research such as toxicity study and using different species of eggs on CAM assay may be require

to support this findings.



Evaluation of Antiangiogenic Properties of Quisqualis indica Linn. (Rangoon

creeper) Leaves Extract in Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) Assay

VIKNESWARY A.*, SANTOSH FATTEPUR, FADLI ASMANI

School of Pharmacy, Management & Science University,



ABSTRACT

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing. The general concept is

that development of tumor is dependent on angiogenesis. Currently, allopathic medicines are

practice for cancer treatment, but since it is an artificial creation, causes many side effects and

also expensive. Herbals are an alternative treatment for cancer therapy. Quisqualis indica Linn.

(QI) (Family Combretaceae) is commonly known as Rangoon creeper, traditionally used to

relieve flatulence. However, there were no scientific data available indicating the effect of QI on

angiogenesis. This study was aimed to explore the anti-angiogenic properties of QI leaves extract

in chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) Assay. The principle method is composed of standard

drug Bevacizumab and QI leaves extract in three different concentrations of 10%, 40% and 70%

were applied on the 8th

day of the incubation. The formations of blood vessel were evaluated

through visualized observation and manual counting on 12 and 24th

hours after treatment. The

result were analyzed statistically by using ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s multiple comparing

tests. The results indicated anti-angiogenic effects in dose dependent manner in all three

concentrations. However, 70% QI extract exhibits the most potential response among the three

concentrations. Results of phytochemical tests reveal the presences of flavonoids, saponins, and

phenolic group that might have contributed to the strong anti-angiogenic action. In conclusion,

reduction in the number of blood vessels indicates QI extract possess anti-angiogenic properties

that may have chemotherapeutic or chemoprevention potential.



In Vitro Evaluation of Osteoblast Adhesion, Proliferation and Differentiation

on Chitosan-Titanium Dioxide Composite Scaffolds Functionalized with Ca2+

Ions

CHAI, C.Y.1, LIM, S.S.

2 and LOH, H.S.

1*


2Department of Chemical and Environmental




ABSTRACT

In this study, the composite scaffolds were made of titanium dioxide nanotubes by hydrothermal

synthesis and fabricated with chitosan followed by functionalized with different concentrations

of CaCl2 solutions: 40.5mM, 13.5mM, 4.5mM, 1.5mM, and 0.5mM. The adsorption capacity of

Ca2+

ions of composite scaffolds was measured by using Ca/Mg hardness kit. In 40.5mM,

13.5mM, 4.5mM, 1.5mM, 0.5mM CaCl2 solutions; 18.3mg, 8,39mg, 5.34mg, 3.66mg, 2.2mg

Ca2+

ions were absorbed per 1g of scaffolds, respectively. The biological properties of composite

scaffolds were investigated in MG63 cell lines. By using 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-

diphenytetrazolim bromide (MTT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA)

assays, the osteoblast adhesion, proliferation and differentiation were evaluated. Cells on

polystyrene had the highest reading and cells on scaffolds without CaCl2 treatment were of the

lowest reading as tested by MTT. The optimum CaCl2 concentrations for proliferation were

4.5mM and 1.5mM for 5 days and 40.5mM and 0.5mM for 7 days. Meanwhile, scaffolds with

40.5mM and 4.5mM treatments showed the best early differentiation which had the most

significant increment in ALP activity on 14 days. Declination of ALP activity on 21 and 28 days

indicates the cease of proliferation leading to subsequent mineralization. In FDA assay, after 4-

hour incubation, adhesion of cells was investigated. Scaffolds with CaCl2 treatment had more

viable cells as compared to scaffolds without treatment. These results showed that the cells can

adhere, proliferate and differentiate on the Ca2+

-functionalized composite scaffolds indicating a

good cellular biocompatibility.



Chitosan-Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Scaffolds for Proliferation and Early

Differentiation of MG63 by Functionalization with Fetal Bovine Serum

ZU, H.M.1, LIM, S.S.

2 and LOH, H.S.

1*


2Department of Chemical and Environmental




ABSTRACT

Scaffold has been used in bone regeneration as an alternative biomaterial to overcome several

physiological bone disorders such as rickets, osteomalacia and so on. Production of an ideal

scaffold has been challenging in order to fulfil these criteria: biodegradability, mechanical

sustainability and biologically functional with cellular interaction. Basically, the types of

scaffold of choice and protein to be adsorbed onto the scaffold surface are very important for

enhancing the cell growth. Therefore, this study aimed at using a new type of nano-scaffold

comprising chitosan and titanium dioxide nanotubes by functionalization with fetal bovine serum

(FBS) to investigate the kinetic adsorption of FBS and cellular interaction with MG63

osteoblast-like cells such as cell attachment, proliferation and early differentiation. The

adsorption of FBS onto the scaffolds was found to be complex where saturation of adsorption

was hardly attained within the duration tested. Besides, the amount of protein adsorbed by the

scaffold was not directly reflected at cellular level. Nonetheless, cellular proliferation increased

significantly on 7 days and differentiation on 26 days after incubation. In general, adsorbed FBS

onto scaffolds was able to enhance a higher level of cellular attachment and growth as compared

to the scaffold without FBS functionalization which exhibited growth inhibition instead.

Individual FBS proteins are recommended to be included in future investigations to identify the

specific protein which is responsible for the higher proliferation and differentiation activities of

the cells.



Transient Expression of Avian Influenza Neuraminidase in Nicotiana

benthamiana

WOON, S.S.Y., PANG, E.L., WANG, E.S., PUA, T.L. and LOH, H.S.*

School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC),



ABSTRACT

H5N1 is a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV) which particularly infects upper and

lower respiratory tracts. Human cases of H5N1 happen sporadically, but have high mortality rate.

The rapid mutation and antigenic shift of influenza virus might allow the virus to acquire the

ability to trespass species barrier, making the human-to-human transmission possible. This raises

the concern that H5N1 could be a potential pandemic threat which leads to the global efforts in

developing H5N1 vaccine. In overcoming the disadvantages of conventional production platform

for influenza vaccine such as long development time, limited scalability and expensiveness, an

alternative plant-based production system was attempted. The current study was aimed at

producing recombinant neuraminidase type 1 (NA1) antigen in Nicotiana benthamiana, as a

potential H5N1 vaccine candidate. Firstly, the codon-optimised NA1 gene sequence of Malaysian

AIV fused with apoplast targeting signal (PR1a) and endoplasmic reticulum retention signal

(KDEL) was inserted into cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV)-based viral vector. The resultant

recombinant vector was transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens and delivered into N.

benthamiana via vacuum infiltration. The transient expression of NA1 was then assessed at 2, 4,

6, and 8 days post infiltration by using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel

electrophoresis and Western blotting assays. Preliminary findings showed that NA1 gene has

been successfully expressed in N. benthamiana which warrant future investigations on vaccine

development against AIV.



Generation and Characterization Of cDNA Sequence Serpin From Eimeria

maxima

AFIAH NASUHA, A.*, SUE KIM, H and KIEW LIAN W.

School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology,

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Selangor


ABSTRACT

Eimeria maxima is an apicomplexan parasite which infect the intestine of chicken and causes

coccidiosis. Rapid replication of Eimeria in epithelium cells of intestine lead to necrosis of the

cells and digestion problem. Coccidiosis is one of the most economically impactful disease in the

poultry industry and the common way control it by prophylactic chemoteraphy. However,

widespread development of resistance againts drugs in the parasite has rendered drugs

ineffective. Past study showed passive immunization of chickens against E.maxima infection

with a monoclonal antibody developed against a gametocyte antigen. Thus, this study was

undertaken to generate and analyse the serpin sequence from E.maxima for better understanding

of its mechanism and function of serpin responsible to infect the host. Extraction of recombinant

plasmid was done to obtain template subsequence for DNA cycle sequencing. Pregap4 was used

to remove low nucleotide quality and VecScreen scan the presence of vector. In order to obtain

full sequence of serpin, internal primers design by Primer3 was conducted associate with vector

primer forward and reverse. Bioedit used to align the sequence into contig caontaining 1707 bp.

From the 1707 bp, ORF finder analysis find the frame that most probable encode for proteins is

1369 bp in length translate 456 amino acids. Then, the frame base pairs used in Blastx analysis

againts GenBank nr database. Result showed serpin has high matches with serpin in E.acervulina

(Score 233) and E.tenella (Score 230). To strength the hypothesis the full sequence generated is

serpin, Clustal Domain Database (CDD) analysis was done, showed presence of serpin domain

in serpin superfamily. Besides that, multiple sequence alignment also showed similar conserved

part domain between serpin sequence in E.maxima and E.acervulina. The objective to generate

and characterized cDNA serpin from E.maxima is successful.



Antioxidant Activity and Teratogenicity Effect of Clinacanthus nutans on

Zebrafish Embryos

AHMAD ZAMIR, N.Z., NURLIYANA NAJWA, M.R., GUK-TING, Y., SYAHIDA, A.*

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Science,

Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor.


ABSTRACT

Currently, cancer has stands as one of the major silent killers to our Malaysian population. Many

researches prove that tumorigenesis is closely associated with elevated level of intracellular free

radicals. However, many cancer drugs have demonstrated teratogenicity effect which capable of

interfering and retarding the development of a fetus, causing birth defects. Clinacanthus nutans

is a traditional medicine that has been used to treat cancer. Thus, the aim of this study was to

determine the antioxidant activities and teratogenicity effect of Clinacanthus nutans leaves

extracts on zebrafish embryos. Initially, Clinacanthus nutans was extracted in 80% methanol and

then fractionated in 5 solvents which were acetone, water, dichloromethane, hexane and ethyl

acetate. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by determining the free radical scavenging ability

and phenolic contents of Clinacanthus nutans leaves extracts using 1,1-diphenyl-2-

2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and Folin-Ciocalteu method, respectively. The teratogenicity

effect was determined by observing the phenotypic changes on the zebrafish embryos at 0-5 days

of treatments. Results showed that water fraction of C. nutans demonstrated the highest

scavenging activity on DPPH with IC50 value of 126.94 μg/mL and phenolic contents with 18.35

µg/mg of Gallic acid equivalent. Water and ethyl acetate fractions at >250 µg/ml showed only

mild toxicity effects on the zebrafish embryos and larvae. However, hexane fraction showed

teratogenicity effects such as coiled body, bended tail and yolk sac edema and pericardial edema

to the zebrafish larvae at concentration >31.63 µg/ml. Thus, our preliminary findings showed

that water leaves fraction of C. nutans has potential antioxidant properties with low toxicity

effect towards the fetus in maternal bodies.



Potential anti-aging properties of L. japonica and C. indicum

floral tea infusions

WONG, S.Y., WONG, B.Y. and YAP, W.S.*

Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University,

No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.


ABSTRACT

People are always trying their best to maintain youth and prevent the aging process,

unfortunately, wrinkles always remind them of the ruthless passing of time. Lonicera japonica

and Chrysanthemum indicum flowers are well-known traditional Chinese medicine, usually

consumed as tea which have shown to possess antioxidant properties. However, its anti-aging

effect has not been reported. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the anti-aging

properties of L. japonica and C. indicum floral tea at different infusion times (1st, 5

th, 10

th, 20

th

and 30th

min) using anti-elastase and anti-hyaluronidase assays. Besides that, the total phenolic

(TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) content were also determined and their correlation with anti-aging

properties were analysed. All comparison of assays was done using per 100mg of the respective

dried flower powder. The results showed that the anti-elastase activity of L. japonica did not

differ significantly against the infusion time used, with the average of 64.5 ± 7.3% inhibition

whereas for C. indicum, the best inhibition was achieved at 10th

minutes with 287.2 ± 15.9%.

Both L. japonica and C. indicum showed the best anti-hyaluronidase activity at 1st minute of

infusion with 204.9 ± 2.5% and 217.5 ± 5.8%, respectively. For TPC and TFC, L. japonica had

the highest TPC at 10th

minute of infusion with 578.8 ± 5.2µg GAE, while its highest TFC was

obtained at 30th

minute with 1703.9 ± 24.0µg CE. For C. indicum, both TPC and TFC was the

highest at 30th

minute with 579.4 ± 5.7µg GAE and 955.5 ± 9.4µg CE, respectively. L. japonica

did not show any correlation of anti-elastase activity with both TPC and TFC, whilst its anti-

hyaluronidase activity showed significant negative correlation with both TPC and TFC. On the

contrary, C. indicum showed no significant correlation of its anti-elastase and anti-hyaluronidase

with both TPC and TFC. In summary, these findings conclude that both L. japonica and C.

indicum tea infusions contain potent anti-aging properties that are possibly not associated with

TPC and TFC, therefore suggesting the involvement of other bioactive compounds conferring

the anti-aging activities.



Purification of Laccase from Termitomyces Heimii using Aqueous Two Phase

System

LAI WEN LIANG, TAN YONG HUI*, GRRACE NG HUI SUAN

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, No 1, Jalan

Menara Gading, UCSI Heights, 56000 Kuala Lumpur.

Correspondence author: Yong Hui Tan; Fax: +603-9102 3606; e-mail:

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Laccase was studied due to its wide range of benefits in paper and pulp industry, textile industry,

food industry, soil bioremediation and others. Laccase can replace the chlorine-based method to

degrade wood pulps, to blech indigo-dyed denim, to modify the appearance of food and

beverages and to remove phenolic-based pollutants. In this study, laccase from mushroom,

Termitomyces Heimii was purified using aqueous two phase system (ATPS). The fruit body of

mushroom was homogenized and supernatant was subjected to ammonium sulfate precipitation.

The precipitate was dialyzed against sodium phosphate buffer pH 6.0. The dialysed fraction was

tested for laccase enzyme activity with ABTS as substrate and BCA kit for protein activity test.

The dialysed sample was subsequently purified by using ATPS which composed of 50% (w/w)

PEG-3000, polyethylene glycol and 40% (w/w) potassium phosphate salt. Parameters such as

phase system, volume ratio, crude load, pH and addition of NaCl were investigated. The optimal

system was obtained at pH 6.0, 10% crude load with enzyme partition coefficient of 8.125,

purification factor of 18.65 and 93.14% yield of enzyme activity in top phase. Acetone

precipitation was applied to the optimal system fraction samples from ATPS to concentrate the

protein. SDS-PAGE analysis shows that laccase from T.Heimii was approximately 90-100 kDa.



Efficiacy of Cymbopogon nardus Against Larvae and Adult Musca Domestica

MUHAMMAD FAIZ I., SALEH.I, AZIMAH.A




ABSTRACT

House fly Musca domestica acts as the vector of shigella organism, cholera, thypoid fever,

dysentery, antrax, parasitic desease and virus desease. Nowdays,chemical insecticides are potent

substances used to control vector including house fly. Cymbopogon nardus can be use as

alternative insectiside to solve this problems. Active component of citronella leaves are

citronella, geraniol, and flavonoid. This compound may cause the house fly death. The aim of

this experiment was to investigate the potency of citronella extract against larvae and adult house

fly. Distilled water used as negative control, commercial citronella liquid as positive control and

concentration of citronella extract as much as 2%, 3% and 5%. Each experiment was observed in

every 12 hour and 24 hour respectively. For insecticidal activity, extract solution of citronella

leaves will diluted with dimethyl sulfoxide DMSO and poured in a petri dish filled with fog then

put in cages containing 10 pieces of house flies. For larvacidal activity, extract solution of

citronella leaves will diluted with dimethyl sulfoxide DMSO and poured in a petri dish filled

with fog then put inside the petri dish 10 larvae of Musca domestica. The data obtained will be

tested using the test statistic one-way ANOVA. The results show there were significant

differences of insecticidal potency of citronella extract solution and time. Consentration of 5%

showed the most effective insecticidal effect in 24 hour. For conclusion, extract of citronella has

potency as Musca domestica insecticide and its safe to use without side effect.



Screening of Pereskia bleo Extracts For Antidiabetic Activity In Alloxan-

Induced Diabetic Rats

MORGHANDASS CHANDIRA SEGARAN*, SANTOSH FATTEPUR, FADLI ASMANI

School of Pharmacy, Management & Science University,



ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia which has

effected 2.6 million people in Malaysia. In 2030 it is predicted to be 7th

leading cause of death.

Allopathic medicines are practiced for DM treatment, but causes many side effects and not

affordable for lower income people. Thus herbals became more research interest. Pereskia bleo

(PB) leaves are a commonly consumed vegetable in Malaysia, used as folk remedy to treat

diabetes, hypertension, ulcer and rheumatism. No scientific data is available for antidiabetic

activity. Thus this study was aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of PB aqueous and

ethanolic extracts in Alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The principle method includes preliminary

qualitative phytochemical investigation, acute oral toxicity study (OECD/OCED guideline) and

aqueous and ethanolic extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg PO) screened for antidiabetic activity in

alloxan-induced rats. The data obtained were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA)

followed by Dunnett’s test. Phytochemical analysis of PB extracts showed the presence of

saponins, diterpenes, alkaloids and phenols in ethanolic extract and the presence of flavonoids

and phenols were indicated in the aqueous extract. In acute toxicity study, no toxic symptoms

were observed for PB up to dose 2000 mg/kg. Oral administration of PB extracts (400mg/kg) for

21 days exhibited high significant hypoglycaemic activity as compared to others. Observation

confirms that aqueous and ethanolic leaves extract of the plant has antidiabetic activity. It is also

warrants further investigation to isolate and identify the hypoglycaemic principles in this plant so

as to elucidate their mode of action.



The effects of potential positive effectors on the activity of fatty acid synthase

(FAS) and ATP-citrate lyase (ACL) in Schizochytrium sp.

NURUL AINAA’ ADILAH *, ROSMAH ROSLI, SUAIDAH ZN ABIDIN

Faculty of Science and Technology, National University of Malaysia

43600 Bangi, Selangor


ABSTRACT

The biofuel product from microbial has attracted huge attention in recent years. The oleaginous

microalgae, Schizochytrium sp. was proposed as an alternative source for the production of

polyunsaturated fatty acid. Docosahexanoic acid was the main omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty

acid produced. The regulatory of key enzymes in lipid production is investigated in order to

provide the optimum condition for the cultivation of Schizochytrium sp. that yields highest DHA.

Biomass composition, lipid profiling and the effects of adding potential positive effectors on the

activity of Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) and ATP-Citrate Lyase in oleaginous microalgae,

Schizochytrium sp. were studied at 30oC. Lipid production was highest on the third day of

cultivation which is 57.2% of production from its biomass. The use of ammonium, in the form of

ammonium tartrate and citrate in the form of potassium citrate, in the production culture can

increase the activity of Fatty Acid Synthase and ATP-Citrate Lyase. The enzyme profiling done

showed the activity of these enzymes was highest on the second day of cultivation. These

findings provided the new information for further development of DHA production by

Schizochytrium sp.

mailto:[email protected]



Carotenoid Profile and Antioxidant Capacities of Selected Malaysian Seaweed

Species

CHIN YING YEE, WONG CHING LEE and CHEW LYE YEE*

School of Biosciences, Taylor’s University, Taylor’s Lakeside Campus,

No 1, Jalan Taylor’s, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan.


ABSTRACT

Seaweeds are nutritionally dense marine plants. There are 375 seaweed species reported in

Malaysia. Nevertheless, consumption of local seaweeds is generally low. Hence, this study was

aimed to determine the carotenoid profile and antioxidant capacities of local seaweeds. The

selected seaweed species Padina australis, Sargassum binderi, Sargassum polycystum (brown

seaweeds), Caulerpa racemosa, Caulerpa sertularioides (green seaweeds) and Gracilaria

changii (red seaweed) were harvested at Port Dickson through convenience sampling method.

Total carotenoid content (TCC) was determined using UV-VIS spectrophotometry, and

carotenoid profile determination was done using high performance liquid chromatography

(HPLC). Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric-reducing antioxidant power

(FRAP) and DPPH radical scavenging activity assays were performed to evaluate the antioxidant

capacities of seaweed. TCC of seaweeds were observed in the range of 0.29 to 4.75 mg

fucoxanthin equivalent/ g dried weight sample. This study indicated that brown seaweeds have

the highest TCC, followed by green and red seaweeds. Fucoxanthin could only be detected in

brown seaweeds, in range of 2.09 to 0.94 mg/ g dried weight sample. Results showed little

correlations between TCC and TEAC (r=0.14); and between TCC and DPPH scavenging activity

(r=0.06). Moderate correlation was observed between TCC and FRAP (r=0.66). This implied

that not only carotenoids were involved in the antioxidant activities but could be due to other

bioactive compounds. Local seaweeds high in carotenoids and antioxidant capacities can be

suggested to be incorporated into our daily diet. This study had provided useful information to

popularize local seaweed consumption in Malaysia.



Preliminary Study of Probiotic-Fermented Calcium-Fortified Soymilk

on Oral Health

HUI XIN TAN and JOO-ANN EWE

Taylor’s University, No. 1, Jalan Taylor’s, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Email: [email protected] & [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Lactobacilli have been widely used to improve health status. This study aimed to develop

Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 fermented calcium-fortified soymilk and to examine whether

short-term consumption of this product could reduce the caries-associated salivary Streptococcus

mutans in healthy adult subjects. Firstly, growth characteristics of L. casei in calcium-fortified

soymilk were evaluated. Calcium-fortified soymilk was shown to be a potential carrier of

probiotics because the growth of L. casei increased significantly (P < 0.05) by 37.5 %, had pH of

6.3, and 0.17 mg/mL of organic acids were detected upon fermentation at 37 oC for 10 hours.

The effect of the product on oral microbiota (lactobacilli and Strep mutans) was assessed in a

randomized, single-blinded, and placebo-controlled study. Results showed that the salivary

lactobacilli level was significantly higher in probiotic treatment group than placebo during the 3

weeks intervention (p = 0.001). Yet, the salivary S. mutans was not significantly different

between placebo and treatment groups during the entire three weeks intervention (p = 0.612).

This study showed that L. casei-fermented calcium-fortified soymilk could be produced by

fermenting the calcium-fortified soymilk with L. casei at 37 oC for 10 hours. The increasing

lactobacilli implicated the ability of the cells to adhere and could serve as a probiotic product to

enhance oral health.


JOINTLY ORGANIZED

SUPPORTED BY

SUPPORTED BY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology

- Management of Faculty of Science and Technology

- Student Services Department

- Department of Bursary


PARTICIPATED BY

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