Mushroom contains a number of bioactive compounds that act as antibacterial agents, which can inhibit the pathogenic microorganisms. The antibacterial properties in the mushroom could be an alternative to the existing antibacterial medication. Different types of mushrooms have different bioactive compounds. Thus, the antibacterial properties of different types of mushroom against selected bacteria were tested. The types of mushrooms that were used in this experiment were Agaricus bisporus, Flammulina velutipes, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus. The mushrooms were extracted by using 95% ethanol. The ethanolic extracts of the four types of mushroom were tested against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli). The antibacterial activity was determined by microdilution assay. The results showed that the ethanolic extract of F. velutipes had the highest inhibitory activity against all tested bacteria while the least active was the ethanolic extract of P. ostreatus. The MIC value for all ethanolic extracts ranged from 500 mg/ml to 1000 mg/ml. It was also found that S. aureus was the most susceptible bacteria when being tested with ethanolic extracts of mushroom. The achieved results showed that the antibacterial activities of ethanolic mushroom extracts depend on the type of mushroom and the type of bacteria tested.

Protein production by bacteria might be increased in stressful conditions such as in the presence of antimicrobial agents. Many studies proved that antibiotics or antimicrobial agents at low concentration are able to activate or repress gene transcription process in bacteria. However, there are still few studies on potential of natural antimicrobial compounds such as Cymbopogon essential oils acting as specific chemical signal that can trigger biological functions of bacteria. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential of natural antimicrobial compound (Cymbopogon flexuosus and Cymbopogon nardus) at low concentration in regulating proteins production by Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC8014. The bacteria cells of L. plantarum ATCC8014 are exposed to Cymbopogon essential oils at low concentration in fermentation process for 48 hours at 37°C. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that a new intracellular protein with approximate size of 40 kDa was produced by L. plantarum ATCC8014 after being enhanced with C. nardus essential oil. Besides, the intracellular proteins, each with approximate size of 85 kDa, 45 kDa and 28 kDa synthesized by L. plantarum ATCC8014 prior to inducing with C. nardus or C. flexuosus were expressed differently. Some of the intracellular proteins were highly expressed and some of the proteins were repressed based on the intensity of protein bands appeared. Hence, L. plantarum ATCC8014 in the presence of Cymbopogon essential oils at low concentration could regulate the intracellular proteins production. The isolated protein also showed antimicrobial activity against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

A genome-wide association Study (GWAS) detects linkages between markers and traits of interest for application in genomics-guided breeding. This study utilized GWAS to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with important agronomic traits in selected palms from Malaysian Palm Oil Board’s (MPOB) African germplasm collection. A total of 635 African oil palm accessions from Angola, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Tanzania were genotyped using a 4451 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Chip via the Illumina platform. Subsequently, genetic diversity was analyzed using 1464 informative SNP markers, and the Angola germplasm was discovered to have the highest heterozygosity and, as expected, Madagascar the lowest. Population structure analysis revealed two main subpopulations, Madagascar versus the others (Angola, Nigeria, and Tanzania). Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis conducted using Haploview 4.2 suggested LD decay to be 1.9 kb at r2 = 0.1. Based on fixed and random model calculating probability unification (FarmCPU) analyses, 49 markers were significantly associated with 17 phenotypic traits, some located within the genomic regions associated with similar traits in other studies. QTL on chromosomes 6, 9, and 11 are common among the germplasm and advanced populations, thereby suggesting that the genomic region is selectively fixed in advanced breeding lines. This adds confidence to their potential utility in breeding programs to enhance selection efficiency and progress of the genetic improvement of a perennial crop like oil palm. Interestingly, protein STRUBBELIG-RECEPTOR family 6 and Beta-galactosidase 11 genes were also observed in the QTL intervals, which are potential candidates in expression studies to further dissect the genetic architecture of the traits.

Several studies have reported that sub inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics or antimicrobials are capable to modulate bacteria transcription processes. Therefore, the bacteria might have introduced new proteins in mild stress surroundings like in the presence of antimicrobial agents at low concentrations. However, there are limited elucidations about unexpected ability of natural antimicrobial compounds to become a signaling agent capable to induce biological functions in bacteria at low concentrations. Thus, this present study aims to e'xplore the proteins production by Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 in the presence of Allium sativum at sub-minimal inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC). The Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) of A. sativum against L. plantarum was 33.33% from microdilution assay. L. plantarum cells were treated with A. sativum at sub-MIC (0.05 x MIC) in the fermentation process. Three new protein bands (approximate size of 97.83 kD, 53.56 kD and 46.71 kD) were detected by SDS-PAGE profile for the treated bacteria. LC-MSIMS analysis identified 11 possible proteins from the three protein bands expressed in mild stress condition. The proteins showed antimicrobial activity toward several Gram-positive and I Gram-negative bacteria. Hence, L. plantarum ATCC 8014 in mild stress condition with the presence of 0.05 x MIC A. sativum could regulate bioactive proteins production.

Marine microorganisms such as fungi and yeasts can adapt to extreme marine environment conditions and play different roles especially in the nutrient cycling and as bioindicator of ocean change. This study was carried out to isolate and identify fungi and yeasts associated with Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota from Pangkor Island, Perak, Malaysia in order to determine their species richness. Two specimens of H. leucospilota were collected from Giam Island and Teluk Nipah Beach of Pangkor Island. Nine samples of fungi and ten samples of yeasts were isolated from the internal and external parts of the H. leucospilota specimens such as cuticle, tentacle, coelomic fluid, cloaca, cuvierian tubules, and surrounding sediment and seawater. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region were applied for species identification of the microorganisms. Sequence analyses of the ITS region resulted in the identification of five genera of fungi i.e. Cladosporium, Curvularia, Polyporaceae, Acremonium, and Penicillium; and four genera of yeasts i.e. Sterigmatomyces, Pichia, Debaryomyces, and Candida with some of them could be identified up to the species level. The findings have significantly contributed to the recent information on the checklist of fungi and yeasts isolated from the H. leucospilota specimens from Pangkor Island.

Antimicrobials agents at low concentration could stress out bacteria by inducing proteins production via regulating the transcription and translation process. The interruption of bacterial quorum sensing (QS), or cell-to-cell communication is known to have the potential to weaken the bacterial pathogenicity by inhibiting their communication. This study aims to explore the potential of synthetic antimicrobial compound, ethyl pentanoate in stimulating proteins production by Bacillus subtilis ATCC11774 as well as to determine the anti-QS activity of microbial proteins produced. The bacterial cells were exposed to 0.01 MIC of ethyl pentanoate in fermentation process at 37°C for 48 h and 72 h respectively. The proteins produced were further isolated and analyzed by using Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Results showed that a new extracellular protein with approximate size of 15 kDa was produced by B. subtilis ATCC11774 after being treated with ethyl pentanoate at 37°C for 48 h and 72h. Despites of new protein band production, there was a deletion of protein band with approximate size of 18 kDa on protein synthesized at 72 h of fermentation. Whilst, the anti-QS activity of microbial proteins produced by B. subtilis at 37°C for 48 h and 72 h was determined by agar- wells diffusion assay, resulting “halo” inhibition zone ranged from 10.00 ± 1.00 to 10.33 ± 0.56 in diameter. Therefore, B. subtilis ATCC11774 in the presence of ethyl pentanoate at 0.01 MIC could regulate the extracellular protein production and expression. The isolated protein also exhibited anti-QS activity.

Blood clotting is an emerging problem that seriously threatens the health of human beings such as strokes and heart attacks. For the treatment, anti-coagulants are used in which it could prevent and interrupt the process involved in the formation of blood clots. Microbial proteases have now been attracted since it is cost effective and no side effects than typical anti-coagulant agents. The protease enzymes were discovered from many microorganisms including Bacillus sp. Previous study reported that B. subtilis could produce a serine protease, known as Bacillopeptidase F with anti-coagulant activity. However, study on anti-coagulant activity of microbial protein secreted by B. subtilis after being induced with Cymbopogonflexuosus essential oil and cultured at difference pH media is still limited. In this present study, B. subtilis ATCC21332 cells were treated with a low concentration (0.01 MIC) of C. flexuosus essential oil and cultured in difference pH media (pH 6, pH 7 and pH 8) at 30°C for 72 h of fermentation. The extracellular proteins were then extracted and precipitated by using 80% of ammonium sulfate before being further identified using Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) and tested for anti-coagulant activity. SDS-PAGE analysis exhibited a proteins profile with a band in approximate size of 30 kDa was appeared for the treated bacteria with C. flexuosus essential oil and cultivated at three difference pH of media. The extracellular proteins secreted by B. subtilis ATCC21332 after being treated with 0.01 MIC of C. flexuosus essential oil and cultivated either at pH 6 or pH 7 or pH 8 could also prevent blood clotting. However, the extracellular proteins produced by B. subtilis ATCC21332 without inducing with 0.01 MIC of C. flexuosus essential oil only exhibited anti-coagulant activity when the bacterial cells were cultured at pH 7. As a conclusion, B. subtilis ATCC21332 can be enhanced to produce anti-coagulant enzymes after being treated with low concentration of C. flexuosus essential oil and cultivated in natural pH media or even in slightly basic or slightly acidic environment. Further study should be done to purify, identify and analyze the anti-coagulant enzymes from B. subtilis ATCC21332. Keywords: Cymbopogonflexuosus Essential Oil, pH effect, Anti-Coagulants Activity, Extracellular Proteins, Bacillus subtilis ATCC21332.

Purpose of study: Bacteria can naturally produce pigments that can be useful for various applications as they possess antimicrobial metabolites among other numerous benefits towards the human health. This study was carried out to identify the species of marine bacterial isolates PMA, PM3C1 and PM5C1 exhibiting yellow, orange and green colors respectively. Methodology: The current study is using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification and sequence analysis of their 16S rRNA gene. The stability of pigments extracted from the bacterial samples was also analyzed against different temperature and light conditions. Main Findings: Sequence alignment using BLAST revealed that the yellow, orange, and green-pigmented bacteria have 84% similarity with Staphylococcus aureus, 85% similarity with Exiguobacterium profundum and 95% similarity with Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. The green pigment showed major changes in color following exposure to sunlight and fluorescent light, and when incubated at 24°C and 50°C. Exposure to direct sunlight also results in the reduction of color for the yellow and orange extracts, while no effect was observed for both pigments under fluorescent light. Incubation at 50°C results in the reduction of the orange color, while the yellow pigment was observed to be unaffected suggesting its stability at high temperature. Implications: Natural pigments production can provide many advantages including reduction of pollution generation, ease of disposal and other benefits to the human health.

he mangrove ecosystem contains sediment microorganisms that play a crucial part in the decomposition of organic matter and the cycling of water and nutrients in the mangrove. Here we present the metagenomics whole genome shotgun (mWGS) sequence data analysis from three soil samples that were collected at the freshwater riverine mangrove at Lukut River, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Data analysis shows different distributions of bacteria of the genera Bradyrhizobium, Methyloceanibacter and Desulfobacteaceae were detected in soil samples collected at freshwater riverine mangrove. In the data analysis, we report the existence of a large number of Carbohydrate-Active genes in metagenomes collected from mangrove soil. An in-depth exploration of functional annotation analysis based on the KEGG database also showed that the most abundant genes found in these three soils are those that function in carbon fixation pathways, followed by methane, nitrogen, sulfur metabolisms, atrazine and dioxin degradations

Duckweed is a future food and a source of affordable protein that has the potential to replace animal protein. This study aims to formulate a bio-fertilizer consisting of mangrove-associated bacteria to boost the growth and protein of duckweeds as a sustainable approach to increase plant-based protein yields. The culture-depending technique was performed by using Aleksandrow agar, Pikovskaya’s agar, and Jensen agar to screen potassium-solubilizing bacteria, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, respectively, from mangrove soil sediments. Mangrove-associated bacteria that are close to Acinetobacter radioresistens, Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum, and Enterobacter cloacae, which are known as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Klebsiella quasipneumoniae, Bacillus tropicus, and Paenibacillus pasadenensis known as potassium-solubilizing bacteria, and Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis known as phosphate-solubilizing bacteria were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. After that, three sets of bio-fertilizers were randomly formulated. Each set consisted of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, potassium- and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, as well as commercial compost as a carrier. These formulated bio-fertilizers were evaluated for plant growth promotion and protein production on duckweed plants under temperatures between 26 and 30°C. The results showed that each set of our formulated bio-fertilizer can increase the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), duckweed growth, and protein content when compared to the control group. It indicates that bio-fertilizers formulated with mangrove-associated bacteria and high NPK contents could enhance the growth of duckweed as well as its protein content, which could supply our future plant-based protein sustainably.

Oleyl oleate was synthesized by green process of lipase-catalyzed esterification reaction between oleic acid and oleyl alcohol. Dual enzymes system consisting of Novozym 435 and Lipozyme TL IM were used due to its specificity towards an ester bond. The reaction was optimized by statistical approach of RSM with four important parameters such as reaction time, reaction temperature, amount of enzymes and molar ratio of substrates. 97.52 % of oleyl oleate was achieved at the most optimum condition (58.67 min, 59.68 °C, 0.37 g enzymes and 2.88 molar ratio of substrates). Regression analysis shows all parameters were significant (Prob P < 0.05) except for the reaction temperature. Keywords—Enzymatic esterification, Dual Enzymes System, Oleyl oleate, Response surface methodology.

The optimization method is vital in chemical synthesis and has been applied in many fields nowadays. Response surface methodology (RSM) is an example of an optimization method that is useful in examining the effects of multiple independent variables. RSM was applied in many studies to optimize the transesterification of biodiesel production from palm oil in the presence of a catalyst. This paper aims to provide an overview of recent catalyzed transesterification trends, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of heterogeneous, homogeneous, and enzyme catalysts in biodiesel production. RSM was used to design the process and statistically analyze the interaction effects of the independent reaction variables. The reaction variables, such as reaction time, reaction temperature, catalyst amount, and the molar ratio of the substrate, were optimized during the process. A statistical model and response surface plots were visualized graphically in the contour plots and three-dimensional figures to explain the interactive effects of variables on a response. In sum, this paper discussed the relationships between the reaction parameters and the production of biodiesel and the optimum conditions for biodiesel production using RSM.

Stressful environment especially in the presence of antimicrobial agents could increase the levels of protein produced by bacteria. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential of natural antimicrobial compound, Allium sativum at low concentration in producing protein by Bacillus subtilis ATCC11774. The bacterial cells were exposed to 0.01 MIC of A. sativum in fermentation process at 30 °C and 37 °C for 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. Analysis by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that new intracellular proteins with approximate size of ~13 kDa and ~38 kDa, each was produced by B. subtilis after being treated with A. Sativum at 37 °C for 24 h and at 30 °C for 72 h respectively. Besides, new extracellular proteins approximately ~20 kDa and ~36 kDa in size, each was synthesized by B. subtilis prior to treatment with A. sativum at 37 °C for 48 h and 72 h subsequently. However, the proteins were expressed differently in which some were highly expressed, while some were repressed based on the intensity of protein bands appeared. Thus, protein production by B. subtilis ATCC11774 could be enhanced in the presence of 0.01MIC of A. sativum.

Previous studies have established that subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics or antimicrobials are potent modulators of transcription process in bacterial cells. Hence, the bacteria might be introduced new proteins in mild stress environments like in the presence of antimicrobial agents at low concentrations. Although, there are still limited studies on the potential of antimicrobials at low doses play as a signaling agent that capable to modulate biological functions in bacteria. Therefore, this study aims to explore proteins production by Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 during stress which is in the presence of ethyl pentanoate at sub-minimal inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC). The Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) of ethyl pentanoate against L. plantarum is 14.29% and was performed by microdilution assay. L. plantarum cells were treated with ethyl pentanoate at sub-MIC (0.05 x MIC) in the fermentation process. Two new protein bands (approximate size of 46.51 kD and 6.91 kD) were detected for the treated bacteria showed by SDS-PAGE profile. Of the two bands, eight possible proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS analysis. Thus, L. plantarum ATCC 8014 capable to produce new proteins in mild stress condition with the presence of 0.05 x MIC ethyl pentanoate. Futhermore, the isolated microbial proteins exhibit antimicrobial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Copyright © WJSTR, all rights reserved.

Many studies have reported that the primary activity of most inhibitors of bacterial function is to modulate transcription processes at much lower concentrations than that required for antibiosis. Therefore, the bacteria might be produced and secreted more proteins in the mild stress surroundings (e.g. in the presence of low doses of antimicrobial agents) than in the normal environment. However, not much is known about unexpected ability of natural antimicrobial compounds at low concentration to become a signaling agent that capable to modulate biological functions in bacteria. Thus, this study aims to explore the potential of natural antimicrobial compound (Allium sativum) at sub-minimal inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC) in regulating proteins production by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 21332. The Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) of A. sativum on B. subtilis resulting 14.29% was determined by microdilution assay. The bacteria cells were further exposed to A. sativum at sub-MIC (0.05 x MIC) in fermentation process. SDS-PAGE profile showed that two protein bands with approximate size of 51.36 kD and 9.74 kD were produced for the bacteria treated with A. sativum. LC-MS/MS analysis identified six possible proteins from the two bands expressed in mild stress condition. The proteins exhibited antimicrobial activity towards several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Hence, B. subtilis ATCC 21332 in mild stress condition with the presence of 0.05 x MIC A. sativum could regulate bioactive proteins production. Copyright © AJBCPS, all rights reserved. Keywords: Bacillus subtilis ATCC 21332, Allium sativum, proteins, sub-MIC, antimicrobial agent, transcription

DNA identification method is indispensable for the detection of a plant pathogen. However, established techniques, though reliable, requires advanced equipment, and their application outside specialized laboratories is limited. Along with the advancement of molecular techniques, several isothermal amplification methods, including Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA), has been developed in this study. In fact, RPA is a rapid and sensitive amplification method, operating optimally at 37-42 degree celcius for 15 to 30 minutes with minimal sample preparation, and can amplify as low as 1-10 target copies. Furthermore, RPA has been a favourable method for the detection of plant pathogens due to its advantageous parameters. This review presents the current knowledge of RPA and its application in plant pathogen detection.

The cosmetic sector is one of the fastest-growing industries and continuously evolving as new technology is established. Skincare, haircare, make-up, and body care items were among the products available. Cosmetic formulas have progressed in recent years, allowing for the creation of more beneficial cosmetics. In chemistry, solids, liquids, and gases are primarily physicochemical characteristics. These are typically determined by a density, refractive index (RI), oxidation state, and vibrational frequency measurement. Physical and chemical qualities show a distinct feature that aids in the formulation of an enhanced emollient and day cream. This paper focuses on physicochemical characteristics such as RI, saponification value (SV), iodine value (IV), and acid value (AV). As for this review, the use of synthesised vegetable-based wax ester was utilised to formulate emollient and day cream. The esterification of vegetable-based waxes was performed by synthesising oleic acid from vegetable-based products and oleyl alcohol in the solvent.

Species identification of sea cucumbers that have undergone body deformation due to extensive food processing, e.g., beche-de-mer, is difficult, especially with the copresence of cases of unlabelled or mislabelled sea cucumber-based products on the market. Therefore, a study was done to determine the species identities of processed sea cucumbers from selected Malaysian markets using concatenated gene sequences of non-protein-coding 12S and 16S mitochondrial rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the distance-based Neighbor Joining method and character-based methods, i.e., the Maximum Parsimony method, Maximum Likelihood method, and the Bayesian Analysis method, of 47 ingroup sequences, representing 37 processed sea cucumber specimens, 6 reference samples, and 4 additional specimens, suggested the presence of 3 main clusters, i.e., gamat family, consisting of genus Stichopus and genus Thelenota; and timun laut family, comprising family Holothuriidae. A number of 3 gamat species, i.e., Stichopus horrens, Stichopus vastus, and Thelenota anax, were recorded. Meanwhile, the specimens of Holothuria (Halodeima) atra, Holo-thuria (Halodeima) edulis, Holothuria (Metriatyla) lessoni, Holothuria (Merten-siothuria) leucospilota, and Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra were the 5 timun laut species that are grouped under the family Holothuriidae. The outcomes of this study can be utilised by enforcement agencies to monitor and overcome the issues of species substitution and product mislabelling of processed sea cucumber products in Malaysian markets.