Malaysian Plants Research Articles

In vitro study on efficacy of SKF7®, a Malaysian medicinal plant product against SARS-CoV-2

BackgroundIn early 2020, COVID-19 pandemic has mobilized researchers in finding new remedies including repurposing of medicinal plant products focusing on direct-acting antiviral and host-directed therapies. In this study, we performed an in vitro investigation on the standardized Marantodes pumilum extract (SKF7®) focusing on anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-inflammatory activities.MethodsAnti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of the SKF7® was evaluated in SARS-CoV-2-infected Vero E6 cells and SARS-CoV-2-infected A549 cells by cytopathic effect-based assay and RT-qPCR, respectively. Target based assays were performed on the SKF7® against the S1-ACE2 interaction and 3CL protease activities. Anti-inflammatory activity of the SKF7® was evaluated by nitric oxide inhibitory and TLR2/TLR4 receptor blocker assays.ResultsThe SKF7® inhibited wild-type Wuhan (EC50 of 21.99 µg/mL) and omicron (EC50 of 16.29 µg/mL) SARS-CoV-2 infections in Vero-E6 cells. The SKF7® also inhibited the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection in A549 cells (EC50 value of 6.31 µg/mL). The SKF7® prominently inhibited 3CL protease activity. The SKF7® inhibited the LPS induced-TLR4 response with the EC50 of 16.19 µg/mL.ConclusionsIn conclusion, our in vitro study highlighted anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-inflammatory potentials of the SKF7®. Future pre-clinical in vivo studies focusing on antiviral and immunomodulatory potentials of the SKF7® in affecting the COVID-19 pathogenesis are warranted.

Identification of Phytochemicals and Mineral Nutrients of Selected Malaysian Plant Extracts and its Effects on Seed Priming of Maize

Plants contain a variety of phytochemicals, which act as natural bioactive compounds to help plants enhance abiotic tolerance and promote growth. Therefore, plant extracts are considered to have great potential as environmentally friendly biostimulants in sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to identify the phytochemical compounds and quantify nutrients present in three plant extracts, namely Euphorbia hirta, Polygonum minus, and Eleusine indica, as well as to explore the effect on the growth of maize seedlings (Zea mays L.). The plant powder was extracted using methanol, followed by a solid-liquid extraction procedure. The phytocompounds were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, while mineral nutrients were quantified using inductively coupled plasma. Five concentrations of plant extracts, i.e., 5, 15, 25, 50, and 100%, were designed to evaluate seed germination and priming. The result showed that 53, 45, and 39 phytocompounds were identified from E. hirta, P. minus, and E. indica, respectively, and classified into different chemical groups (such as flavonoids and amino acids) and rich nutrients (for example, N, P, and K). Besides, P. minus and E. hirta extracts with lower concentrations (5 and 15%) showed a positive effect on germination, shoot length and fresh weight, and the Highest concentration (100%) of E. hirta and E. indica extracts exhibited strong toxicity. This study emphasizes that weed extracts containing abundant secondary metabolites and nutrients can be used as natural biostimulants for maize seed priming.

Safety attitudes among workers in Malaysian chemical manufacturing plants

AbstractStatistics in Malaysia show that accident cases in the manufacturing industry are the highest compared with other sectors. Concerns regarding changing workers' attitudes, controlling their current perceptions, and installing knowledge and experiences that travel through the culture are necessary. This study investigates workers' attitudes to safety between executives and operators. A total number of 309 respondents voluntarily participated. Results report that respondents' attitude toward individual responsibility (M = 4.24, SD = 0.63) is the highest, followed by the effectiveness of safety arrangements (M = 3.91, SD = 0.81) and safeness of the work environment (M = 3.17, SD = 0.73). Results revealed a significant difference between groups (t = 6.67, p = 0.014) for personal skepticism and (t = 15.775, p = 0.001) for personal immunity. There was a statistically positive correlation between attitudes measured with selected demographic factors. It can be concluded that increases in the level of education were associated with increases in individual responsibility, and an increase in age was directly correlated with increases in the effectiveness of safety arrangements. Furthermore, different groups of workers influence their attitudes toward safety arrangements and safeness of the work environment. This study can be used as a preliminary study or the first step for enhancing an organizational safety culture through behavior and attitude change.

An Explanation of Lean Six Sigma Barriers: Malaysia Wastewater Treatment Chapter

This study examines Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation challenges in Malaysian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to enhance the sustainability. LSS, known for waste reduction through the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” (3R) principles and statistical process stability, has excelled in manufacturing but faces hurdles in WWTPs. The need arises to consolidate LSS knowledge and identify key barriers. Findings indicate that “Management Barriers” (MgtBars) significantly influence “Resource Barriers” (ResBars), “Knowledge Barriers” (KnwBars), and “Process Barriers” (PrcBars) with a p-value < 0.005. This emphasizes the urgency for skilled WWTP personnel to adopt LSS, thereby improving compliance and wastewater treatment service quality.

Radiological Impact Assessment of Natural Radionuclides and Heavy Metal Contamination in Industrial Tin-Tailing Processing Effluent

This study investigates the radiological hazard and heavy metal contamination of water effluents from Malaysian tin-tailing processing plants. Samples were collected from retention ponds in seven separate tin tailing processing plants scattered throughout the state of Perak, Malaysia. Samples were analysed for radioactivity and heavy metal concentration using Gamma-ray Spectrometry System and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry, respectively. The analysis indicates that the concentration of Radium-226 (226Ra), Radium-228 (228Ra), and Potassium-40 (40K) in samples ranged from 2.4 - 34.9 Bq/l, 0.8 - 14.7 Bq/l, and 19.5 - 299.4 Bq/l, respectively. These levels surpassed the control limits (5 Bq/l and 10 Bq/l for 226Ra and 228Ra) set by the regulatory authority. The analysis of the heavy metal contamination showed that the concentration of Arsenic (As) and Lead (Pb) werehigher than the Maximum Concentration Level (MCL) of 0.01 and 0.015 mg/L, respectively. Further evaluation of radiological impact showed that the average Annual Effective Doses (AED) by water ingestion and AED for external exposure are 1.43±0.67 mSv/y and 1.71±0.79 mSv/y, respectively. While for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk assessments, the value of hazard index and lifetime cancer risk is 2.1×10-10 and 1.2×10-7, respectively. These research findings suggest that effective treatment of the effluent should be implemented before discharge into the drainage system to prevent the accumulation of radionuclides and heavy metals in the environment, which may pose a risk to public health.

Secondary metabolites from Aspergillus terreus F6-3, a marine fungus associated with Johnius belengerii

Two new terrein derivatives asperterreinones A-B (1–2), one new octahydrocoumarin derivative (±)-asperterreinin A (6), along with seventeen known compounds, were isolated from Aspergillus terreus F6–3, a marine fungus associated with Johnius belengerii. The structures of 1, 2, and 6 were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectroscopy, comparative electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra analysis, density functional theory calculation of 13C NMR, and DP4+ probability analysis. Among all the isolates, eurylene (7), a constituent of the Malaysian medicinal plant Eurycoma longifolia, was obtained from a microbial source for first time. In the in vitro bioassay, 11 and 13 showed potent inhibitory activity against the Escherichia coli β-glucuronidase (EcGUS) with IC50 values of 27.75 ± 0.73 and 17.73 ± 0.81 μM, respectively. It was the first time that questinol (11) and (±)-aspertertone B (13) were reported as potent EcGUS inhibitors.

Radioactivity and concomitant radiation dose from Malaysian herbal plants

Medicinal plants have been widely used in traditional treatment systems, food supplements, herbal remedies, and cultural practices. Medicinal plants uptake nutrients and radionuclides distributed in the environment and finally transfer them to the human body via various pathways, including plants-to-foodstuffs. It is important to assess the probable radiological impact of medicinal plants consumed for their therapeutic potential in Malaysia. In this study, for the first time, naturally occurring and artificial radionuclides in 14 different medicinal plants in Malaysia are quantified using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry. The average specific activities for 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K are found to be 5.42 ± 1.37, 3.81 ± 0.90, and 340 ± 13 Bq kg−1, respectively. The activity concentration of 137Cs is found to be 0.70 ± 0.18 Bq kg−1 only in the star anise sample. The estimated values have been compared with other reported data worldwide as well as the international advisory limits. All activity values are lower than the global average values compared. The values of the annual effective dose and associated excess lifetime cancer risk are lower than the acceptable limits prescribed by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. Thus, consuming the evaluated herbal plants, which are considered radiologically safe for adult consumption, has no radiological impact. Future research on the radiological safety of human health obtained from medicinal plants and herbs may benefit from the baseline data provided by this study on the radioactivity in medicinal plants.

Review of Malaysian Medicinal Plants with Potential Anticancer Activity

The global cancer incidence and its high mortality rate indicate limitations in its current treatment and chemotherapeutic strategies. This sparked a worldwide interest in the demand for chemical diversity in searching for therapeutic drugs derived from natural products. Natural products from medicinal plants, whether as pure compounds or crude extracts, offer inexhaustible sources of new drugs because of their unparalleled chemical diversity. This review aims to disseminate detailed information on the anticancer potential of Malaysian medicinal plants, focusing on the bioactive phytochemicals and mechanisms of action against cancer development in both in vitro and in vivo studies. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases was conducted to find relevant articles on the anticancer activity of Malaysian medicinal plants. A total of hundred and twenty-two (122) articles on the anticancer activity of Malaysian medicinal plants was identified and reviewed. Eighty-five (85) plants (in vitro) and 16 plants (in vivo) have been identified to possess anticancer activity. The activity reported was attributed primarily to diverse chemical groups of naturally occurring phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides, quercetin, and gallic acid. Henceforth, the findings will hope to aid further research in understanding the underlaying mechanism and the efficiency of the isolation of the bioactive compounds.

Performance Assessment of Malaysian Fossil Fuel Power Plants: A Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Approach

This paper investigated the performance of Malaysian power plants from the year 2015 to 2017 using Malmquist Total Factor Productivity (TFP) index, which is based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). This approach offers substantial advantages as compared to other existing methods as it can measure productivity changes over time for a variety of inputs and outputs. Moreover, it comprises two primary components: the technical efficiency change and the technological change indexes that provide clearer insight into the factors that are responsible for shifts in total factor productivity. This study uses a single input, installed generation capacity (MW), and two outputs, average thermal efficiency (%) and average equivalent availability factor (%). These output-input data included ten main power plants: TNB Natural Gas, SESB Natural Gas, SESB Diesel, SEB Natural Gas, SEB Coal, SEB Diesel, IPP Semenanjung Natural Gas, IPP Semenanjung Coal, IPP Sabah Natural Gas, and IPP Sabah Diesel. The results have two significant implications for fossil fuel power plants in Malaysia. First, technological change was the primary factor in boosting the TFP performance of the fossil fuel power plants in Malaysia. Meanwhile, the decline in TFP performance in Malaysian fossil fuel power plants may be attributed, in part, to a lack of innovation in technical components as the results found that the average technical efficiency changes in 2015 – 2016 were at 146% and then dropped significantly to 2% in 2016 – 2017. Second, the average scale efficiency changes rose dramatically from -53% to 3% providing a significant contribution to the improvement of technical efficiency changes. The fossil fuel power plants become efficient as the power plants’ size increases. This indicates that the size of a power plant positively impacts the performance of the TFP.

Search for the Natural Remedies for the Treatment of Gout

Gout is a well-known form of inflammatory arthritis, a condition that develops due to excessive synthesis and reduced excretion of uric acid. Extensively upregulated uric acid levels in the body culminate in the build-up of uric acid crystals in joints, tissues, and body fluids. Pain in the joints, heart, skin redness, and swelling, particularly at the base of the big toe, are the cardinal features. Permanent joint damage may occur if gout is left untreated. Even though many drugs are established for gout therapy, these drugs cannot impede or reverse disease progression. Moreover, chronic use of these anti-gout agents is associated with several undesirable effects. A safe alternative to these synthetic drugs can be natural remedies. These natural remedies are found to subside symptoms of gout efficiently with the additional benefit of minimum or no side effects even after prolonged use. Traditional Chinese medicines have demonstrated better effects against gout than conventional therapies. The medicinal property of Malaysian and Morocco medicinal plants, Apium graveolens, Dendrobium candidum, Aristolochia baetica, Aristolochia paucinervis, Prunus avium, Prunus cerasus, Paullinia pinnata, Euphorbia hirta and Coffea arabica against gout are summarized in this article. This article aims to highlight the importance of these medicinal plants as a safe alternative to current conventional therapies against gout.

Potential Effect of Medicinal Plants on the Prevention of Gastric Ulcer: Mechanism of Actions

Medicinal plants have been widely studied to identify plant-based anti-gastric ulcer medicines. The mechanism of gastroprotective action is important to discover the potential lead compounds for drug development. All relevant articles between 2011 and 2021 focusing on Malaysian plants were collected and analyzed to understand the underlying pathways. Keywords include peptic ulcer, gastric ulcer, NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), Helicobacterpylori, medicinal plant, gastroprotection, antiulcer, acid secretion, cytoprotective, and digestion processes were applied in the search engines. Twenty-two of the plants had been reported based on the collected data. The review concludes that Malaysian plants could protect the gastric wall against necrotizing agents like ethanol and NSAIDs. This is mainly due to four critical defensive mechanisms: cytoprotective barriers, regulation of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) and pro-apoptotic protein (BAX), gastric acid secretion, and antioxidant capability. The mechanisms have been illustrated in the schematic diagrams for better understanding.

Characterization of Cenospheres from Malaysian Coal Generated Power Plants: Jimah, Kapar and Manjung

Cenosphere is a component of fly ash (FA) and has been used as part of sustainable material in wastewater treatment, automotive, ceramic, and construction industries due to its properties. This research presents the first study on characterization of cenospheres from Malaysian power plants namely Jimah, Kapar and Manjung. The characterization was conducted via X-ray fluorescence (XRF), particle size analyzer (PSA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRF analysis consisted of oxides elements ranged from 14.70 to 22.63% (aluminum oxide, Al&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;), 3.78 to 13.44% (calcium oxide, CaO), 34.73 to 57.67% (silicon dioxide, SiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;), 0.42 to 1.07% (sulphur trioxide, SO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;), 9.09 to 24.92% (iron oxide, Fe&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;), 3.62 to 3.67% (potassium oxide, K&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O), 1.76 to 4.24% (titanium oxide, TiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;) and 0.16 to 0.93% (magnesium oxide, MgO). The classifications of cementitious materials by American Standard of Testing Materials were Class F (Jimah, Kapar) and Class C (Manjung). The classification represents the quality and capability of cementitious materials as cement replacement material, additive, and filler in concrete mix. The sizes of cenospheres were Kapar &gt; Jimah &gt; Manjung. The sizes of cenosphere were found to be larger than FA (Jimah: 2.720-49.21 μm, Kapar: 5.069-98.29 μm, Manjung: 1.084-3.986 μm). Cenospheres contained quarts (Jimah, Kapar, Manjung: 26°) and silicates (Kapar, Manjung: 45°). Ferrospheres, cenospheres, aluminosilicate-spheres, plerospheres and carbon fragments were observed. The cenosphere from Manjung showed high quality as cement replacement material, additive, and filler with 13.44% of CaO.

Toxicity of Malaysian Medicinal Plant Extracts Against Sitophilus oryzae and Rhyzopertha dominica

The insecticidal activities of extracts from 22 Malaysian medicinal plant extracts from 8 botanical families were tested against rice weevil: Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and lesser grain borer: Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). The extracts were obtained using hexane, methanol, and dichloromethane to extract potential biopesticides from dried leaves. The toxicity levels were examined periodically based on antifeedant activity and contact toxicity assays using treated grain assay. Hexane extracts of Alpinia conchigera, Alpinia scabra, Curcuma mangga, Curcuma purpurascens, Goniothalamus tapisoides, Piper sarmentosum, and methanol extracts of Curcuma aeruginosa, C. mangga, and Mitragyna speciosa were the most potent extracts against S. oryzae and R. dominica with lethal concentration (LC50) values of ≤ 0.42 mg/mL and ≤ 0.49 mg/mL, respectively. The contact toxicity test results showed that methanol extracts of C. aeruginosa and C. mangga, dichloromethane extracts of Cryptocarya nigra, and hexane extracts of C. mangga, and C. purpurascens resulted in 100% mortality of both pests within 28 days exposure of 5 mg/cm2 concentration.

Current state of knowledge on the extinction risk of Malaysian tree species: Proximate needs to mitigate loss

Societal Impact StatementAs one of the world's top megadiverse countries for tree species, Malaysia remains committed towards reducing tree population loss and species extinction. In order to ensure efficacy in the planning and implementation of conservation programmes, prioritisation of resources, and mainstreaming across the key drivers of biodiversity loss, it is essential to identify, document, and assess the extinction risk of families with high levels of endemism. In addition to being an integral component of ecosystems and their functions, from a socio‐ecological perspective, the rich biodiversity of Malaysia constitutes extraordinary natural capital that many people depend on for their livelihoods and well‐being.SummaryMalaysia is a megadiverse country for plant species. Knowledge of the diversity of Malaysian plant species is incomplete but has been significantly expanded by the Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak and Flora of Peninsular Malaysia projects. More than 400 new plant species, including at least 14 new genera, have been added since 1995. Between 1973 and 2015, Malaysia lost an estimated 29.4% natural forest cover; conserving plant species at immediate risk of extinction will help alleviate future loss of natural forests and biodiversity. With 9.2% of the world's tree species dwelling in Malaysia, of which 29.8% are endemic, species risk assessment is an important conservation planning tool for the Malaysian flora. Through the Global Tree Assessment project, Malaysia verified that approximately 24% of the tree diversity is exposed to a multitude of threats ranging from deforestation and forest degradation to poaching and incursion of invasive alien species. Here, we summarise the extent and types of extinction risk faced by several of our keystone tree families, namely, Dipterocarpaceae, and tree genera of Myristicaceae and Sapotaceae, whose timbers remain highly valued. We summarise the nature and aims of programmes that spur the country's conservation agenda for threatened plant species and describe some specific targets for Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. We focus on efforts that enhance in situ conservation and the understanding of population dynamics. Programmes that enable and support the main agenda, such as institutional capacity building and awareness of the importance of biodiversity, are also briefly explained.

Exploration of cassava plant xylem for water treatment: preparation, characterization and filtration capability.

Flood is among the natural disasters that commonly happened in Malaysia every year. During the flood, victims faced clean water shortages and deterioration of the environment resulting in long waiting times for aid to access. Hence, affordable and efficient filters are needed to supply clean water in the affected areas. Application of xylem tissue inside plant stem has the potential as a filter for water filtration. This research focuses on xylem tissue in Malaysian tropical plants from cassava stem. Cassava stems were prepared in a small-scale set-up as the xylem was used as a filter. Effects of cross-sectional area and hydrostatic pressure were analyzed and the results showed a directly proportional relationship with permeate flow rate. Upon filtration with red dye solution, total dye removal was achieved using a xylem with a minimal length of 3 cm and onwards. While for bacteria removal, E. coli bacteria have been removed when tested with a bacteria count plate. Thus, this study demonstrated the potential of the xylem tissue of the cassava plant as affordable and available natural raw materials to be used as water filters during an emergency.

Hepatoprotective Potential of Malaysian Medicinal Plants: A Review on Phytochemicals, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidant Mechanisms.

Hepatotoxicity is a major global public health concern. Despite advances in modern medicine, the demerits of chemically prepared drugs outweigh their merits. In addition, the treatment of liver diseases based on modern medical principles has been found to produce several undesired side effects. Therefore, the exploration of medicinal plants has gained worldwide attention for treating various diseases, including liver diseases, owing to their potential efficacy and cost effectiveness. Several plants, including Andrographis paniculata, Bauhinia purpurea, Commelina nudiflora, Dillenia suffruticosa, Elaeis guineensis, Lygodium microphyllum, and Nephrolepis biserrata, have been reported with hepatoprotection. Moreover, these plants have been shown to play a vital role in ameliorating cellular damage because they contain several phytochemicals, including alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, polyphenols, and diterpenoid lactones. The following antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and hepatoprotective compounds have been found in these plants: andrographolide, rosmarinic acid, phenol, eugenol, 9,12-octadecadienoic, n-hexadecanoic acid, dihydroxy dimethoxy flavone, sitosterol, demethoxycurcumin, quercetin, linoleic acid, stigmasterol, kojic acid, indole-2-one, α-terpinol, linalool, kaempferol, catechin, ellagic acid, and oleanolic acid. This paper aimed to provide an in-depth review of in vivo studies on Malaysian medicinal plants possessing hepatoprotective properties, phytochemical ingredients, and antioxidant mechanisms, with an emphasis on the species proven particularly useful for treating hepatic disorders.

Camfil expands Malaysian plant

Camfil Malaysia (Ipoh) is expanding its manufacturing plant to meet growing global demand for air filter products and services.

In Vitro Interactions of Costus speciosus (J. Koenig) Sm., Cymbopogon citratus (Dc. Ex Nees) Stapf. and Tabernaemontana coronaria (L.) Willd. with First-Line Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37rv

Global tuberculosis (TB) burden underscores the importance of developing new effective anti-TB drugs. This study was concerned with prospecting for potential anti-TB agents from Malaysian medicinal plants. In our previous study, we have reported that n-hexane fractions of Costus speciosus (C. speciosus) (J. Koening) Sm., Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus ) (DC.) Stapf. and Tabernaemontana coronaria (T. coronaria) (Jacq.) posses promising anti-TB activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) H37Rv with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 200–100 µg/mL. This study aimed to investigate the interactions of these active fractions with first-line anti-TB drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and streptomycin) against M. tuberculosis H37Rv using the microdilution checkerboard method. C. citratus (stem-rhizome) n-hexane fraction exhibited synergism with all drugs except ethambutol which showed additive interaction. Synergistic was also observed when C. speciosus (stem-flower) n-hexane and T. coronaria (leaf) n-hexane fractions in combination with rifampicin. C. speciosus (stem-flower) n-hexane and T. coronaria (leaf) n-hexane exhibited additive interaction with isoniazid, ethambutol and streptomycin. Hence, these active plants are worthy of further investigations for the discovery of anti-TB drug leads.

Study of Bio-Waste Anaerobic Digestion and its Membrane Purification Technologies in Oversea: I. Malaysian Biogas Scale-up Case

The palm oil mill industry in Malaysian generates 100 million ton of palm oil mill effluent (POME) and EFB (empty fruit bunch) as byproducts annually. This study identified the location, capacity and technology of biogas refinery plants for the production of biogas from the byproducts of the Malaysian palm oil mill plant. This study investigated the production of biogas via the anaerobic co-digestion of EFB under mesophilic anaerobic condition. The results revealed that subjecting EFB to an alkaline pretreatment method enabled a high-concentration methane yield. The raw biogas obtained from the anaerobic co-digestion of POME and EFB at 1.013 bar contained 61% CH₄, 33.5% CO₂ and 180 ppm H₂S and was produced at rate of 51 - 68㎥/h. The utilization of biomethane as a bio-CNG gas has been unexplored: hence, this study investigated the purification of POME biogas into bio-CNG gas. The pretreatment of raw biogas using chelate-iron (EDTA-iron solution) process, which is the most promising technique for the removal of 99% H₂S, was employed in this study. A pilot-scale separation plant with a capacity of 20㎥/hr that utilize cellulosic spiral wound membrane (MTR, USA) for upgrading biogas to CNG fuel quality was constructed and operated at the biogas plant. The result contained 99.1% CH₄, 1.8% CO₂, 0.004% H₂O and 0.9 ppm H₂S. These results indicate that the energy contents of biogas can be significantly enhanced by upgrading it to CNG fuel.

A practical approach of using bioinformatic tools in searching for cetp drug candidates from Malaysian local plant

Background and Aims: Artherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease which caused by a long term process of an accumulation of lipids combines with an inflammatory response. The most promising strategy is to increase the HDL-c level by inhibiting the CETP function. The aims of this study is to see whether the ligand that are being selected binds perfectly into the binding pocket of CETP using in silico approach.