The presence of nutrients and phytochemicals including alkaloids, sterols, phenols and flavonoid in Phoenix dactylifera L. has been related to the health-benefits of date fruits consumption. Metabolomics study has been conducted to explore the human urine metabolome modifications after date fruits intake. After overnight fasting, urine samples were collected before the ingestion at 0h and every 4 hours after the consumption of date fruits at 4-24-h. Samples were analysed using LC-QTOF-MS, followed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results revealed the changes of urinary metabolome during the 24 h after date fruits intake. Some phytochemicals, including alkaloids, sterols, phenols and flavonoids were appeared and disappeared after date fruits intake. These findings confirm that metabolomics is an effective tool that can be practiced in order to further discover the metabolism of phytochemicals and its relation with human health. � 2019, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All rights reserved.

Pig derivatives such as collagen are commonly added as an ingredient in cosmetics to improve appearance and skin health. To ensure cosmeceutical products comply with halal regulations in Muslim countries, the development of a quick, valid, practical, and economical method to detect the presence of porcine DNA is necessary. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of pork DNA from cosmetic product. Genomics DNA from highly processed cosmetics cream products and raw meat (as positive control) were isolated by using Wizard Genomic DNA purification kit from Promega. Five cosmetics cream samples that labeled as collagen cream were purchased through the online store. One of the products is declared contains piggy collagens, one is halal and other three are unknown source. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was performed to amplify the fragment of the 12S rRNA gene by a set of species-specific primer which produces amplicons length 387 bp in porcine DNA. The result showed the presence of porcine DNA which was isolated from raw pork, cream cosmetics that contain piggy collagens and cream hands that contains collagen from unknown source using commercially PCR MyTaq™ DNA polymerase kit and a set of species-specific primer with an annealing temperature of 44.4 ºC. The band produced from this PCR was the highest intensity. The success of the amplification of porcine DNA shows that this method is practical, easy and efficient for routine product analysis for halal authentication in undeclared and declared of the porcine material presence in the product. Hence, consuming cosmetic cream contains porcine DNA is prohibited according to the Islamic view in Malaysia.

Date fruits (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) are considered as an ideal food because it consists of high nutrients and provide beneficial effect to human health. Bioactive compounds in Ajwa dates have different polarities thus require different polarities of solvents for the extraction. In this study, we investigated the effects of selective extracting solvents and their combination on extraction of bioactive compounds in Ajwa flesh using mixture design. Methanol, chloroform and hexane were used in the design. Identification of bioactive compounds using GCMS shows Ajwa date flesh contain antioxidants, antifungal, anticholesterol, antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory. Most bioactive compounds were identified in methanolic extract (D1) except ?-Sitosterol and Vitamin E were identified in hexane extract (D3). Meanwhile, Longifolenaldehyde and Nonadecyl pentafluoropropionate were identified in hexane layer (D5H) from the combination of methanol: hexane (1:1). Copyright � 2017, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.

In this study, polycondensation of 88wt% lactic acid (LA) was performed by irradiating LA with microwave at different powers (P=250, 440, 715 and 900W) for 5 min, in the absence of a catalyst. The recovered products were analysed by attenuated total reflectance-infrared (ATR-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that raising microwave power resulted in a significant increase in mass loss, even much higher than the water content of the fresh LA (12wt%). Such an observation was likely to be caused by two occurrences. The first is associated with the evaporation of 12wt% of water molecules in the fresh LA that escalated upon increasing microwave power. This is supported by ATR-IR analysis illustrating a decreasing trend in the intensity of O-H stretching band. The second is linked to the intensified polycondensation of LA to polylactic acid (PLA) when elevating microwave power, forming more ester bonds and consequently eliminating more water molecules. The increased formation ester bonds was evidenced by the shift in Tonset values towards higher temperatures, as exhibited by TGA profiles. As overall, the outcomes of this study could lead to a cost effective and energy saving production of biodegradable plastics, substituting the time-consuming conventional heating. � Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.