Borneo Journal of Resource Science and Technology

Melaleuca cajuputi Powell Essential Oil: A Review of Botanical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties

ARIF AZIMI MD NOOR — 2023-12-24

Melaleuca cajuputi Powell essential oil (MCEO) is widely used in Malay traditional medicine for the treatment of stomach cramps, cough, acne, insect bites, thrush problems and many more. The demand for medicinal applications of MCEO is gradually increasing among the Southeast Asian community. All information regarding MCEO was collected via internet sources such as Google Scholar, Elsevier, PubMed, Baidu Scholar, Web of Science and local books. Meta-analysis method was performed to identify all publications or relevant books regarding the MCEO range from 1998 to 2021. The main bioactive compounds of MCEO include terpenes, esters, aldehydes and alkenes. Scientific research on MCEO has revealed a wide range of pharmacological activities such as contact and fumigant toxicity, repellence, antibacterial activity and many more. The MCEO has a huge potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications, but comprehensive toxicity studies must be conducted to ensure their safety. Research on pharmacokinetics studies and potential drug interactions with standard-of-care medications is still limited, which calls for additional studies, particularly in humans. Further assessments and clinical trials should be performed before it can be integrated into medicinal practices.

Evaluation of Piper nigrum L. as a Prebiotic Ingredient Using In Vitro Colon Model

SITI MAISARAH MOHD NASHRI — 2023-12-24

Black and white pepper of the species Piper nigrum L. is regarded as the king of spices, and Malaysia is the second largest producer of peppercorns, after Indonesia. This spice contains abundant bioactive compounds that are capable of enhancing human health. However, the prebiotic potential of P. nigrum L. as a food ingredient has not yet been explored. Therefore, this research studied P. nigrum L. through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation using human faecal slurry. Samples were analysed for the colonic bacterial changes and its metabolites production using HPLC. Both black and white pepper showed prebiotic responses similar to those in inulin, particularly in stimulating the growth of human gastrointestinal microbiota. This study finds that P. nigrum L. promotes the growth of probiotic strains such as Bifidobacterium spp., and Lactobacillus / Enterococcus. Both black and white pepper also showed the ability to suppress colonic pathogen strain like Clostridium histolyticum. In vitro colonic fermentation of P. nigrum L. also significantly stimulate production of health beneficial metabolites. The production of short-chain fatty acids like acetate and propionate were observed to be particularly abundant. This is the contribution of piperine in both black and white pepper. In which, piperine provide both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Overall, P. nigrum L. showed appreciable prebiotic value similar to the commercial prebiotic, inulin. Thus, black and white pepper from Sarawak, Malaysia helps in promoting human gastrointestinal health. This finding may contribute to the value-added of Sarawak pepper as a functional food that can be involved in daily meals as spices.

Modelling Distribution of Onthophagus Species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Sarawak

NURFARIDA ANUM ZAINADDIN — 2023-12-24

Dung beetles (Genus: Onthophagus) are members of the family Scarabaeidae and the subfamily Scarabaeinae. Despite their small size and unattractive appearance, dung beetles play an important role in the ecosystem, and they are widely recognised as one of the most effective bioindicators of ecosystem health. Although there has been an increase in dung beetle studies in Peninsular Malaysia, there are very few ecological studies of dung beetles conducted in Sarawak, despite being the largest state of Malaysia. Therefore, this study aims to provide recent information on the distributions of dung beetles from the genus Onthophagus in Sarawak. A total of 32 occurrences data for eight selected Onthophagus species representing 11 localities were successfully recorded. All analyses were performed using the Maximum Entropy Modelling Version 3.4.4 (MaxEnt) and Quantum Geographic Information Systems 3.28.2 (QGIS) software. It is revealed that most dung beetles’ distributions are strongly influenced by temperature and precipitation which suggests its capabilities as a bioindicator to identify high biodiversity areas. In conclusion, this study could be beneficial to identify the potential hotspot areas for biodiversity conservation and effective management practices in Sarawak.

Prevalence and Diversity of Antibiotic Resistance Heterotrophic Bacteria Found Along the Bintulu Rivers, Sarawak

SUI SIEN LEONG — 2023-12-24

The study aims (1) to isolate and characterise the heterotrophic bacteria from different rivers in Bintulu, Sarawak, (2) to investigate the hygienic condition of the rivers through faecal coliforms and (3) to determine the antibiotic resistance among the heterotrophic bacteria isolates. A total of 100 heterotrophic bacteria strains were identified from rivers of Bintulu, Sarawak. The characterisation of bacteria was performed using (GTG)₅ fingerprinting to investigate their genetic distribution diversity and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Microbiological variables tested including total viable count, coliform count, Escherichia coli confirmation test. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed against 10 antibiotics. Sample collected from Sungai Teknik showed higher mean bacterial population size (log 4.48 ± 0.00 CFU/mL). Sungai Sibiu, Waterfront and Sungai Plan revealed the highest most probable number (MPN) index (>1,600 per mL). Each dendrogram showed 3 to 7 clusters of bacteria groups confirmed as Enterobacter spp. (40%), Acinetobacter spp. (13%), Bacillus spp. (13%), Klebsiella spp. (13%), Staphylococcus spp. (7%), Chromobacterium spp. (7%) and Citrobacter spp. (7%). All the heterotrophic bacteria isolated showed high resistance against ciprofloxacin (63.70 ± 33.40%), piperacillin (58.10 ± 31.37%), aztreonam (48.40 ± 30.95%) and more susceptible to tetracycline (3.30 ± 10.44%). Our findings highlight the multiple antibiotics resistance and microbiological analysis of heterotrophic bacteria found in polluted river water. The preservation of the river water is vital as hydrologic purposes, sustain the microbial composition, ecological integrity of the river.

The Relationship between Odorrana hosii Skin Histology and Habitat Water Quality in Different Locations of Sarawak

AHMAD HATA BIN RASIT — 2023-12-25

Recent study has revealed that the poison gland in Odorrana hosii skin act as defensive mechanism and can help in wound healing management of a frog species. Since skin is the first organ that come into contact with the surrounding, the habitat of the species should be related to the properties of the frogs’ skin. Thus, we investigated the O. hosii skin histology in relation to water quality parameters at different localities in Sarawak. The goal of study is to uncover a link between O. hosii habitat and its skin histology at four different locations: Ranchan Recreational Park (RRP), Matang Wildlife Centre (MWC), Borneo Highlands (BH), and Santubong National Park (SNP). The water quality criteria for each area were pH, turbidity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen (DO). The results showed that DO concentration of the habitat is the most essential element in affecting the health of the amphibian skin, as well as the forested areas (MWC, SNP, and BH) that protect the skin from direct sunlight. The DO of the habitat differed significantly for the mean number of mucous and seromucous glands at 0.01 (α = 0.05) and 0.03 (α = 0.05), respectively. The number of mucous glands and DO were found to have a strong positive correlation at 0.701. However, the number of seromucous glands showed a strong negative correlation with DO at -0.623. O. hosii skin from the four different localities was found to have cutaneous gland variations that reflect the environment in the number of glands. Mucous glands play an important role in indicating the localities’ water quality, which reflects adaptation of O. hosii to its habitat. This highlights the importance of preserving natural habitats for this sensitive species.

Production and Decomposition of Mangrove Species Rhizophora apiculata Blume in Surabaya East Coast Indonesia

HERY PURNOBASUKI — 2023-12-25

The mangrove ecosystem is supported by the production and decomposition of leaf litter, as well as the release of nutrients into the environment and the neighbouring coastal seas. The release of phosphorus and nitrogen contributes significantly to the improvement of the nutritional values, which benefits marine species and the neighbourhood. In the current study, nutrient release, leaf decomposition rate, litter generation, and mangrove habitat at Surabaya East Coast, Java, Indonesia were all examined. Three transects and three plots in each transect were established. The percentage of initial dry mass remaining in the litter bags were determined by using two sample t-test in Statistica 6.0 software. The decomposition of Rhizophora apiculata leaves was studied by using litter bag technique. They were made of synthetic nylon with the dimension of 15×15×25 cm and mesh size of 1×1.25 mm². Senescent leaves were used because they present major leaves on the forest floor. According to the findings, daily mangrove litter production (dry weight) varied between 2.15 and 3.28 g/m². Branch litter (9.43 – 13.27%), reproductive parts (8.20 – 14, 31%), and leaf litter (76.26 – 78.53%) were the other major contributors. The 345.6 ha of mangrove forests along the east coast of Surabaya are the results of reforestation, which has the potential to produce nitrogen and phosphorus at the rates of 109.43 to 173.549 kg/ha/year and 5.467 to 8.12 kg/h/year, respectively. These results imply that decomposition breakdown rates differ across the research area due to the variation in the nutrients availability. Changes in the breakdown of detritus point to variations in nutrient intake, which is crucial for mangrove ecosystems.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Extract of Ficus septica Leaves from Sabah, Malaysia

SENTY VUN-SANG — 2023-12-25

Medicinal plants have long been used as primary antidotes for a variety of ailments, including tuberculosis, heart diseases, cancer, wound healing, asthma, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, pharyngitis, etc. Medicinal plant of Ficus septica Burm. f. (Moraceae) is a subtropical tree commonly known as the ivory fig, septic fig or white-veined fig. The present work aims to investigate the antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid content, and qualitative screening of various phytochemicals in aqueous extracts of F. septica leaves. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were calculated using Folin-Ciocalteau and aluminium chloride reagents. The antioxidative effect of F. septica was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Ficus septica was found to contain 27.32 ± 0.03 mg/g total phenolics expressed as gallic acid equivalent and 12.65 ± 0.00 mg/g total flavonoid expressed as catechin equivalent. In addition, the leaf extracts were found to contain various secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids and triterpenoids. The ability of F. septica to scavenge the DPPH radical was determined by its IC₅₀ value. The IC₅₀ value of F. septica was 4.45 µg/mL. Inferred from the presence of phytochemicals, total phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of the plant, F. septica could be a potential addition to pharmaceutical products to improve human health by participating in the antioxidant defence system against the production of free radicals.

The Mechanism of Anxiolytic Effects of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extracts Associated with Significant Differential Expression of Crhb, Faah2a, Mao, and Pah Genes in Danio rerio

MUHAMMAD FAIQ NAJMI — 2023-12-25

The search and development of new therapeutic agents from medicinal plants to alleviate anxiety is well justified due to the increasing cases of anxiety disorder and lack of effective treatment. Moringa oleifera has been used traditionally to treat anxiety. However, there is still lack of understanding on the mechanism for its anxiolytic effect. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anxiolytic effects and the mechanism of ethanolic extracts of the leaves of M. oleifera (MOLE) by observing behavioural changes of the Danio rerio and the differential gene expression analysis using custom RT² Profiler PCR array. A 14-day chronic behaviour study was conducted using three concentrations of MOLE (500 mg/L, 1000 mg/L and 2000 mg/L) fluoxetine as the positive control. Stress-induced D. rerio treated with 1000 mg/L MOLE showed the lowest level of anxiety compared to other groups as evidenced by a decrease in freezing episodes and freezing time, increased entries into the light region. The fish also showed significant changes in the expression of crhb, faah2a, mao, and pah genes. MOLE with the presence of quercetin and kaempferol are believed to exert its anxiolytic effects through differential expression of gene (i) modulating the function of GABAA receptor (crhb), (ii) inhibiting the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the production of nitric oxide, (iii) increasing the AEA levels in the brain (faah2a), (iv) increasing the level of dopamine levels in the brain (mao). These findings provide valuable insights into the potential use of MOLE as a treatment for anxiety-related disorders as well as the significance of the molecular pathways involved in its anxiolytic properties.

New Record of Edible Chicken of the Wood Mushroom, Laetiporus versisporus (Lloyd) Imazeki (Fomitopsidaceae, Polyporales) from Sabah (Northern Borneo), Malaysia

ILY AZZEDINE ALAIA MH SUBARI — 2023-12-25

The genus Laetiporus has been previously reported from Mesilau in Sabah, Northern Borneo in 1964. To date, no further documentation of the Laetiporus genus has been reported in Sabah, Malaysia. This study provides an overview of recent literature on taxonomic updates, distribution and sequence data of Laetiporus in Malaysia. During the period March – June 2020, two Laetiporus specimens were collected in Maliau Basin Conservation Area and Sipitang. These two specimens were identified as L. versisporus based on morphological characteristics and molecular methods. Interestingly, no sequence data for this particular species have been documented for Malaysian Borneo. This study represents the initial documentation of L. versisporus in Sabah (Northern Borneo) that have potential applications in medicine and food industry and provide insights into its phylogenetic relationship within the genus Laetiporus.

Analysis of Seven Human Respiratory Coronavirus (CoV) S Proteins from a Bioinformatics Approach

LEONARD WHYE KIT LIM — 2023-12-25

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a huge pandemic repercussion across the globe and it is mainly contributed by the human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). There are seven human respiratory coronaviruses identified to date, namely HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. A recently published bioinformatic human CoV comparison only covered four human CoV. Therefore, in this study, a bioinformatics approach-based analyses route was taken to dissect the S proteins of all the available (seven) human respiratory coronaviruses publicly available in the GenBank database. The antigenic epitope amount is postulated to be the most accurate bioindicator among all in determining the severity of a particular human respiratory coronavirus. Other powerful bioinformatic indicators are global similarity index, maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis as well as domain analysis. The data generated in this study can be channelled to the vaccine and antiviral drug development to combat the current and future spread of the human respiratory coronaviruses.

Distribution of Commercially Important Edible Mollusc (Bivalvia and Gastropoda) from Six Districts of Terengganu, Malaysia

NURUL AQILAH PAUSI — 2023-12-25

Terengganu has a large coastal and wetland area where it provides habitat for edible mollusc. The edible molluscs are one of the most important sources of animal protein for the local communities. The distribution of edible molluscs was studied in six districts of the Terengganu coastal waters between August 2020 and March 2022. In each district, samples were purchased from the wet market, fishing villages and roadside outlets every four months interval. A total of 1,043 individuals was observed and 23 species of edible molluscs were recorded from six districts of Terengganu representing 11 families. Bivalves were found to be dominated by 14 species from seven families. The family Cyrenidae (bivalve) was widespread in five districts where Geloina expansa, was recorded in almost all districts. Meanwhile, for gastropods, nine species from four families were found where Ellobiidae (gastropod) was dominant and the most common gastropod species was Faunus ater, which was found in four locations in Terengganu. These species have great commercial value in Terengganu districts as they are sought extensively as food by the locals and also represent one of their sources of financial survival, especially for those living near to coastal areas. This baseline study could serve as a future indicator for the sustainable management of fisheries resources and for further ecological studies.

Optimisation of Phytate Degradation in Whole Grain Rice During Germination Processing Using Response Surface Methodology

HUEI-HONG LEE — 2023-12-28

Phytic acid (IP6), stored in seeds as metal salts known as phytates, binds to micronutrients and prevents its absorption by the human body. The germination process could improve cereal nutritional values by stimulating endogenous phytase activity and promoting phytate degradation. This study evaluated the physicochemical changes of phytates in rice cultivars with different IP6 contents, followed by optimisation of phytate degradation using response surface modeling. The magnitude of changes in IP6 content and phytase activity differed among rice cultivars. This suggested that the efficiency of germination treatments relied on the amount of natural phytic acid and phytase activity present in the rice grains. The cultivar “Tuan” was then selected and studied for the germination effect on phytate degradation using a central composite design. The cultivar gave a lower IP6 content, enhanced phytase activity and improved minerals bioaccessibility under acidic conditions. Acidic germination facilitated the degradation of phytate complexes in whole grain rice by making phytate complexes more soluble, accelerating phytase activity and thus, releasing mineral micronutrients from phytate globoids. The optimum germination condition was identified at pH 2.7, 25 °C over 12 h. In conclusion, germination processing facilitated phytate degradation in whole grain rice to make value-added rice products with low phytic acid and good mineral bioaccessibility.

Assessment of Toxic Metals in Commonly Used Energy-Stimulating Herbal Drugs Manufactured in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh

MAMUN- AR- RASHID — 2023-12-28

Having been a common healthcare distress, erectile dysfunction is upsetting the quality of life of men from all walks of life. Along with allopathic therapy, a sizable number of patients opt for energy-stimulating herbal drugs (ESHDs) to treat the ailment. However, a global threat vestige for metal contamination in plant-based drugs at above threshold concentrations. Investigation into metal toxicity through samples from Bangladesh is scarce. Six metals: chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were probed in 25 energy stimulating herbal drug samples by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (F-AAS). Metal content was below detection limit, 51.86 ± 0.07 ppm for Cr, below detection limit, 7.26 ± 0.07 ppm for Cu, 3.41 ± 0.14 – 59.00 ± 0.09 ppm for Fe, 3.54 ± 0.09 – 26.16 ± 0.04 ppm for Mn, below detection limit to 67.34 ± 0.58 ppm for Pb, and below detection limit 27.79 ± 0.07 ppm for Zn. Exposure assessment found Cr and Pb concentrations in the objectionable limits in 12% and 20% of the samples, respectively. This study signifies concern metal toxicity in ESHDs which demands additional probes in the future for other samples to guarantee safe consumption of the drugs.

Risk Screening of Introduced African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) (Burchell, 1822) in Sarawak Using the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK v2)

CHIN HAN KIAT — 2023-12-28

African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is a popular non-native fish for aquaculture in Malaysia. The issues of non-native fish species have not been much discussed despite general perception of the negative effects of the species on the native biodiversity. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the possible risk of C. gariepinus in Sarawak using a semi-quantitative system of Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit version 2 (FISK v2). There are 49 questions in FISK v2 assessment which was assessed by three independent assessors with fisheries knowledge in Sarawak. Threshold was set at 19.0. Descriptive Statistics using SPSS 25.0 was used to run FISK score from three assessors. Result shows that Clarias gariepinus was categorised as “very high risk”. Clarias gariepinus has a FISK score of 43.00 ± 1.00 with a certainty factor of 0.89 ± 0.08. Environmental and biological criteria, followed by the economic impacts for this species and the gaps in legislation and framework in Sarawak were discussed thoroughly. It can be concluded that this preliminary assessment might have indicate a sign of invasion of this non-native species to the local biodiversity. The tool could be more robust if more comprehensive data are included which eventually be useful to assist in decisions regarding future management of non-native species in Sarawak.

Synthesis, in vitro and in silico Studies of Alkylated Paracetamol Derivatives as Potential Antibacterial Agent

AINAA NADIAH ABD HALIM — 2023-12-28

A New Record of Panulirus homarus homarus (Panulirus spp.) from Malaysia Waters with its Molecular Phylogeny

WEI-LING NG — 2023-12-28

Spiny lobsters Panulirus spp. of the family Palinuridae Latreille, 1802 occupies the shallow tropical and subtropical waters (<100 m depth). These species are ubiquitous and abundant, yet knowledge of its range, biodiversity, and population abundance in Malaysia is limited. Panulirus homarus is listed as “Least Concern” along with other 11 species out of 21 spiny lobster species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) red list in 2022. A total of five species were reported from Malaysia waters. Whilst, this study reports the sixth spiny lobster species, Panulirus homarus homarus, with morphology and molecular genetic information (Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene) provided. The p-distance within P. h. homarus was 0.2 – 0.6%, n = 12; between P. h. homarus with P. h. rubellus and P. homarus “Brown” was 6.4 – 6.8%, n = 12 and 0.8 – 3.3%, n = 12, respectively. Intra-species p-distance within Panulirus spp. was below 3%, while inter-species was above 10%. This validates the collected specimen as P. h. homarus and P. h. rubellus is the subspecies, but leaving P. h. “Brown” taxonomic status unclear. Thus, genetic information is important in solving many of these systematic and taxonomic problems, because often these species are difficult to distinguished based on morphological criteria. A key to all Panulirus spp. identified in Malaysia waters was constructed. This study updates the marine biodiversity list in Malaysia, where the acquisition of biological knowledge is vital to the protection of the world’s natural resources as well as to the sustainable management of spiny lobster fisheries.

Characterisation of Chemical Compounds from the Root and Leaf Extract of Abrus precatorius

HENRY YUSUFU WAKAWA — 2023-12-25

A total of five secondary metabolites were isolated and purified from dichloromethane root and leaf extracts of Abrus precatorius using different chromatographic methods. The structures were elucidated using different spectral data and were confirmed to be 5,7-Dimethoxyflavanone (1), Xanthoxylin (2), Hexadecanoic acid (3) successfully isolated from the root extract, and Beta-eudesmol (4) and Squalene (5) successfully isolated from the leaf extract. 5,7-Dimethoxyflavanone (1) and xanthoxylin (2) were reported for the first time from the root extract and this contributed to the pharmacological importance of A. precatorius.

External Environmental and Insects Factor for Attraction of Edible Bird Nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) in Sarawak

ALVIN AMOS — 2023-12-29

Edible Bird Nest (EBN) swiftlet industry plays a significant role in the economic growth in Sarawak. This study aimed at identifying both the external environmental factors and types of insects that are important for a successful swiftlet farmhouse (SFH). For this purpose, a total of 21 SFHs from the southern areas of Sarawak were selected. The external environmental factors of SFH and the type of insects present in relation to the number of EBN swiftlet populations were analysed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that external environmental locations, namely rural and remote areas, were highly selected (71.42%) for the construction of SFHs (p<0.05) compared to the other location categories, as analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Significant relationships (p<0.05) were observed between environmental factors (habitat origin and predation) and the population of EBN swiftlets in the SFHs. Large densities of the EBN swiftlet populations were found in SFHs located in areas with fewer disturbances. The highest population of insect types in most SFHs was Diptera (52.38%). This study can be used as a guideline for swiftlet ranchers looking to startup their EBN swiftlet farming.