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Physical and mechanical properties of Bambusa vulgaris and Schizostachyum brachycladum wereinvestigated. The sample were classified into two different ages which are young and mature foreach culm of bamboo. The aim of this study to investigate the physical properties such as density,basic density, moisture content, water absorption and thickness swelling. Other than that, themechanical properties also help to determine their flexural test for modulus of rupture (MOR) andmodulus of elasticity (MOE). The method used to analyse physical and mechanical properties werefollowing the ISO standard. From this study, young Bambusa vulgaris has indicated the highercontent of moisture content, water absorption and thickness swelling with 67.66%, 2.69% and34.03%, respectively while mature Schizostachyum brachycladum has shown the higher value inbasic density, density, and flexural test for MOR and MOE with 876.33 kg/m3, 1084.49 kg/m3, 317.01 N/mm2 and 122986.18 N/mm2, respectively.

Recently, the utilization of lignocellulosic materials to produce eco-friendly products is very promising as biodegradable reinforcing elements for composite materials like particleboards and medium density fiberboards. The growing shortage of wood supply has also led to the development of suitable alternative materials for construction. For this reason, the industry is working to develop high-efficiency green materials including the use of seaweed. This research is aims to study the potential of seaweed from Kappaphycus species as a particleboard. Several different target densities were produced according to following proportions: seaweed particles from 150 to 200 grams and UF resin from 15% to 20%. Mechanical properties including internal bonding and bending testing were tested in this study. Samples were also investigated by utilizing microscopy for surface characterization. The outcome showed that seaweed particleboard with highest amount of seaweed particle and UF resin resulted in highest MOE, MOR and internal bonding strength values with results 457.47, 1.5, and 4.73 MPa, respectively. According to Japanese Standard, Internal bonding (IB) strength values for all the samples met the IB requirements of the standards for general uses. Thus, seaweed particle has potential to be an alternative raw material in the manufacture of particleboards.

spp. wood trunks were processed into 1.0 gcm−3 particleboards at three different particle sizes with the addition of natural adhesives, i.e. soy flour and lignin. Samples of particleboards were cha...

Binderless particleboard panel made from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) bagasse was manufactured by using waste product of sugarcane. The target density, pressing temperature, pressing time and pressing pressure used were 0.8 g/cm3, 180 °C, 10–40 min and 12 Mpa respectively. Modulus of rupture, internal bonding strength, thickness swelling and water absorption of the boards were evaluated based on Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS A 5908: Particleboards). From this research, the 30 min pressing time panel had the highest modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values which were 15.16 Mpa and 1710 MPa respectively. Panels made from sugarcane bagasse with hot pressing time of 20, 30 and 40 min met the mechanical properties requirement stated in Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). Nevertheless, the sastifactory results were obtained for water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) test ranged from 8% to 25%. Therefore, the binderless particleboard made from sugarcane bagasse waste were successfully manufactured and can be alternative and consideration for building material especially for indoor application.

Oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) in Malaysia is one of the conventional plantations that is increasing year by year. Hence, the rate of oil palm biomass also increases in yet to come. Presently, oil palm biomass is going through research and development and appears to be the most sustainable alternative for the limitation of wood sources. Investigations on oil palm biomass have been conducted to support in draw out waste of oil palm and the meantime helping economic return to the country. This study was expected to estimate the effect of power intensity on the properties of microwave modified oil palm trunk lumber. Microwave treatment of oil palm trunk samples was set of connections by using a microwave operating at 2.45 GHz with the liberated process input power intensity (600-1000W). The impact and compression of the samples were tested. The analysis of properties of the fresh material and dry samples was employed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermal decomposition study using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The oven-drying samples were also conducted as a comparison of the conventional drying process in this research. Based on the outcomes of this study, microwave drying methods shows the effectiveness in the drying process

The objective of this study was to explore the potential of particleboard made from a type of mangrove hardwood, i.e. Rhizophora spp., bonded with soy protein, and evaluate its suitability as a water-equivalent material. First, the bark of the raw hardwood was removed from its trunk prior to the grinding process. Next, three particleboards were fabricated with different percentages of soy protein (0 %, 8 %, and 16 %). The fabricated particleboards were each characterised for their density, mechanical properties, effective atomic number, morphological structure, elemental composition, and probability of photon interaction. The dimensional stability of each fabricated particleboard was evaluated according to the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) A 5908, Type-8, while the other properties were compared with that of the standard water phantom. There were improvements shown by the fabricated particleboards with 8 % and 16 % soy protein, in terms of dimensional stability. The morphological images also revealed that the particleboards bonded with 8 % and 16 % soy protein, have better contact between the particles, compared to the one bonded with 0 % soy protein. The elemental analysis, effective atomic number, and probability of photon interaction of the fabricated phantom showed identical results with that of the standard water phantom. Based on the findings of this study, the Rhizophora spp. particleboard bonded with soy protein has opened up possibilities for another potential alternative of solid phantom material as water-equivalent material.

The aim of the current study was to biosynthesize the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the bacterial strain of Bacillus cereus (ATCC 14579) extracellularly. When bacterial extract was challenged with 1 mM silver nitrate (AgNO3) the color of the extract changed into brown confirms the formation of nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were capped with bovine serum albumin (BSA). UV- visible spectroscopy showed the absorption peak at 420 nm indicates the formation of AgNPs. Fourier Infra –red (FTIR) attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy showed amide and amine group associated with AgNPs that stabilizes the nanoparticles. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) showed a strong peak of silver confirms the presence of silver. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis was used to determine the protein degradation showed less protein degradation at higher temperature confirms the stability of nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the AgNPs are well dispersed and spherical, and 5.37 nm to 17.19 whereas albumin coated nanoparticles are size ranges from 11.26 nm to 23.85 nm. The anticancer effect of capped AgNPs (cAgNPs) showed the IC50 value against breast cancer MCF-7 at 80 μg/mL, intestinal colon cancer HCT- 116 60 μg/mL, and bone cancer osteosarcoma MG-63 cell line80 μg/mL while against normal fibroblast cells 3T3 cells showed the IC50 value at 140 μg/mL. Lactate dehydrogenase assay (LDH) showed higher toxicity on MCF-7, HCT-116, and MG-63 cells. The apoptotic study clearly showed the blebbing of membrane, chromatin condensation due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by ethidium bromide and acridine orange dual staining method. The DNA analysis showed the complete fragmentation of the DNA of treated cells when compared with control cells.

Sap from the trunk of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) was processed into syrup in this study. Physicochemical properties of syrups produced from the sap of freshly cut oil palm trunks (OPT0syrup) and sap of trunks stored for 60 days (OPT60syrup) at ambient temperature were compared to nipa palm syrup (Nsyrup), maple syrup (Msyrup), and two commercial glucose syrups (G1syrup and G2syrup). The total soluble solids for the syrups (OPT0sy, OPT60sy, Nsy, Msy, G1sy and G2sy) were in the range of 66 to 82 ˚Brix. The sugar analysis indicated that glucose was the main sugar for OPT0sy and OPT60sy as 367 and 300 mg/g, respectively, whereby sucrose was the foremost sugar for Nsy and Msy. The colour of the syrups was ranked from the darkest to the lightest; OPT60syrup > OPT0syrup > Msyrup > Nsyrup > G1syrup > G2syrup. OPT0syrup and OPT60syrup achieved reducing capacity of 825 and 886 mg GAE/100 g, respectively, significantly higher than other syrups. The free radical scavenging activities of OPT0syrup and OPT60syrup were 74% and 70%, respectively. In conclusion, the oil palm trunk syrup has similar physicochemical properties with the commercial syrups, and it has the potential to be an alternative to the commercial sweeteners with added nutritional benefits.

The bulk availability of banana waste in the world has made a move towards the development of alternative novel renewable sugars in present study as the pressed juice from banana frond and pseudostem was found to contain high level of renewable sugars such as glucose, sucrose and fructose. By using a simple sugarcane press, the glucose content in the banana frond juice was 16.6 g/L, which accounts for 55% of the total fermentable sugars. From the results, the lipase production reached ∼200 U/mL in medium comprising banana frond juice and banana pseudostem juice, comparable to basal medium with glucose (206.3 U/mL) as carbon source in basal media. As banana pseudostem possesses high content of starch, microwave heating pretreatment showed 36% enhancement of glucose content (10.4 g/L) in juice as compared to direct pressed juice (7.78 g/L). This result indicates that banana waste juice can be used as an alternative fermentable carbon source for lipase production and has potential as a fermentable carbon source.

Experimental particleboards are made from Rhizophora spp. wood trunk with three different percentages of lignin and soy flour (0%, 6% and 12%) as adhesives. The objective was to investigate the equivalence of Rhizophora spp. particleboard as phantom material with human soft tissue using Computed Tomography (CT) number. The linear and mass attenuation coefficient of Rhizophora spp. particleboard at low energy range was also explored using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) configuration technique. Further characterization of the particleboard was performed to determine the effective atomic number, Zeff using Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) method. Adhesive-bonded Rhizophora spp. particleboard showed close similarities with water, based on the average CT numbers, electron density calibration curve and the analysis of CT density profile, compared to the binderless particleboard. The effective atomic number obtained from the study indicated that the attenuation properties of all the particleboards at different percentages of adhesives were almost similar to water. The mass attenuation coefficient calculated from XRF configuration technique showed good agreement with water from XCOM database, suggesting its potential as phantom material for radiation study.

Oil palm is an important crop for global vegetable oil production, and is widely grown in the humid tropical regions of Southeast Asia. Projected future climate change may well threaten palm oil production. However, oil palm plantations currently produce large amounts of unutilised biological waste. Oil palm stems – which comprise two-thirds of the waste - are especially relevant because they can contain high levels of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) that can serve as feedstock for biorefineries. The NSC in stem are also considered a potent buffer to source-sink imbalances. In the present study, we monitored stem NSC levels and female reproductive growth. We then applied convergent cross mapping (CCM) to assess the causal relationship between the time-series. Mutual causal relationships between female reproductive growth and the stem NSC were detected, with the exception of a relationship between female reproductive organ growth and starch levels. The NSC levels were also influenced by long-term cumulative temperature, with the relationship showing a seven-month time lag. The dynamic between NSC levels and long-term cumulative rainfall showed a shorter time lag. The lower temperatures and higher cumulative rainfall observed from October to December identify this as a period with maximum stem NSC stocks.

This study aims to evaluate the attenuation properties of epoxy resin and Rhizophora spp. particleboards bonded with epoxy resin as tissue equivalent phantom materials. The calculated linear and mass attenuation coefficients of epoxy resin and Rhizophora spp. particleboards bonded with three different weight percentages of the epoxy resin (5%, 10% and 15%) were compared with theoretical (XCOM) and experimental measurements of human liver tissue and water at the same energy levels. The 241Am and 109Cd point sources were used to measure the linear and mass attenuation coefficients of the samples at gamma energies; 26.3, 59.5 and 88.0 keV. The computed tomography (CT) scanner was employed to determine the mean attenuation values (CT number) for the fabricated samples and water at CT tube energy 120 kVp. The linear and mass attenuation coefficients of epoxy resin and fabricated Rhizophora spp. particleboard bonded with 15% of epoxy resin provided excellent agreement to the values of XCOM calculated in the human liver tissue and water, respectively. The CT number results showed that the epoxy resin and the Rhizophora spp. particleboard bonded with15% epoxy were in a good agreement with those of human liver tissue and water, respectively. Therefore, the overall attenuation measurements of this study verify the applicability of epoxy resin as a phantom material to mimic the human liver in CT examinations and the epoxy–Rhizophora spp. particleboard fabricated with 15% epoxy resin can be used as a tissue equivalent material corresponding to CT energy range.

Some researchers formerly provided the mechanical, physical, and attenuation properties of the fabricated Eremurus–Rhizophora spp. particleboard phantom. In this study, the percentage depth dose (PDD) and the half value layer (HVL) of fabricated Eremurus–Rhizophora spp. particleboard phantom were determined and compared with those of Perspex and water phantoms, with the same standard phantom size (30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm) in the diagnostic energy range using TLD 100H. In addition, the energy range of X-ray was in diagnostic range of energy. The results indicated that the PDD and HVL of the fabricated Eremurus–Rhizophora spp. particleboard phantom were close to those of the Perspex phantom. Likewise, the PDD and HVL of the fabricated Eremurus–Rhizophora spp. particleboard phantom were found in good agreement with those of water phantom. According to the results of this study, the fabricated Eremurus–Rhizophora spp. particleboard phantom can be used as medical phantoms.

Oil palm trunk (OPT) is one of the most promising lignocellulosic bioresources. To develop effective biodegradation, thermophilic, anaerobic microorganisms were screened from bovine manure compost using fibrillated OPT (f-OPT) pretreated by wet disk milling as the substrate. One thermophilic, anaerobic bacterium, strain CL-2, whose 16S rDNA gene has 98.6% sequence identity with that of Caldicoprobacter faecale DSM 20678T, exhibited high degradation activity (32.7% reduction in total dry solids of f-OPT). Strain CL-2 did not use cellulose as a carbon source, but used hemicelluloses such as xylan, arabinoxylan, starch and pectin at 70 °C. Phylogenetic and morphologic analyses and the polysaccharide use suggest that CL-2 may be classified as a novel species of Caldicoprobacter, named Caldicoprobacter sp. CL-2. To characterize enzymatic activities of CL-2, extracellular enzymes were prepared from culture broth using beechwood xylan as the carbon source. The extracellular enzymes showed high xylanase activity, but low cellulase activity, suggesting that f-OPT degradation may depend on xylanase activity. To understand the xylanase system of CL-2, a major xylanase was cloned and characterized. The xylanase (CalXyn11A) had a modular structure consisting of a glycoside hydrolase (GH) family-11 domain and a family 36 carbohydrate-binding module. CalXyn11A did not show f-OPT degradation activity, but a strong synergistic effect was observed when CalXyn11A was added to the extracellular enzyme preparation. These results indicate that, rather than working alone, CalXyn11A has an important role in enhancing total lignocellulose degradation activity by cooperation with other GHs.

Detailed investigation on the physicochemical characterization of Malaysian crop and agro-industrial biomass residues has been carried out to identify promising feedstock for thermochemical and biochemical energy yield. This study covered a wide range of biomass residues including oil palm frond (OPF), oil palm trunk (OPT), empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm kernel shell (PKS), rice husk (RH), rice straw (RS) and kenaf biomass (K). From the detailed characterization studies based on proximate composition, CHNS/O analysis, calorific value and lignocellulosic content determination, physicochemical properties of biomass residues were correlated with their potential for bioenergy generation. In addition, various analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) were used to study various microscopic properties of biomass residues such as functional groups, crystallographic structure, thermal degradation and mineralogical composition, respectively. Results showed that in terms of volatile matter, the order followed was; EFB (83.42%) ˃ K (82.70%) ˃ OPT (81.46%) ˃ OPF (76.98%) ˃ RS (76.42%) ˃ PKS (69.66%) ˃ RH (66.65%). Proximate analysis revealed that RH has the highest ash content (18.82%). Notably, minimum undesirable ash material was generated by K (5.73%), EFB (6.56%) and OPT (7.71%) containing high fractions of catalytic species. PKS presented maximum thermochemical potential with higher heating value of 17.32 MJ/kg followed by K (16.66 MJ/kg), OPT (16.34 MJ/kg), RS (16.15 MJ/kg), EFB (16.07 MJ/kg), OPF (14.49 MJ/kg) and RH (14.37 MJ/kg). Due to highest apparent density and maximum content of fixed carbon as well as lignin, PKS can be an interesting energy resource in thermochemical processes. Compositional analysis revealed that OPF, OPT and K were rich in polysaccharide content with much less quantity of lignin. Based on XRD measurements, it was found that EFB and K would be more susceptible to enzymatic digestion due to lower crystallinity index (CrI) compared to other residues. We believe that these investigations could decisively contribute to a better understanding of the influence of different factors related to lignocellulosic biomass feedstock on the efficiency of conversion and biofuel potential.

Impending challenges in radiation dose estimation in patients especially in radiotherapy and nuclear medicine are of great concern. There is an urgent need to employ a human-like medium for verification before any radiation-related treatment or procedure to safeguard the patient and to ensure accuracy and efficiency of the treatment given. Rhizophora spp. is among the extensively studied alternative phantom material besides the widely commercialized resin-based phantom. This paper serves to review the evolution of Rhizophora spp. as phantom material and recent development of Rhizophora spp. phantom in medical physics applications and radiation study.

Here, we report the extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and determination of their antibacterial and anticancer properties. We also explore the efficacy of bioAgNPs incorporated in cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and alginate (Alg) for the formation of an antibacterial hydrogel film. Streptomyces sp. PBD-311B was used for the biosynthesis of AgNPs. The synthesized bioAgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, TEM, XRD, and FTIR analysis. Then, the bioAgNPs’ antibacterial and anticancer properties were determined using TEMA and cytotoxicity analysis. To form the antibacterial hydrogel film, bioAgNPs were mixed with a CNC and Alg solution and further characterized using FTIR analysis and a disc diffusion test. The average size of the synthesized bioAgNPs is around 69 ± 2 nm with a spherical shape. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of silver nanocrystals. FTIR analysis showed the presence of protein capping at the bioAgNP surface and could be attributed to the extracellular protein binding to bioAgNPs. The MIC value of bioAgNPs against P. aeruginosa USM-AR2 and MRSA was 6.25 mg/mL and 3.13 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, the bioAgNPs displayed cytotoxicity effects against cancer cells (DBTRG-0.5MG and MCF-7) and showed minimal effects against normal cells (SVG-p12 and MCF-10A), conferring selective toxicity. Interestingly, the bioAgNPs still exhibited inhibition activity when incorporated into CNC/Alg, which implies that the hydrogel film has antibacterial properties. It was also found that bioAgNP-CNC/Alg displayed a minimal or slow release of bioAgNPs owing to the intermolecular interaction and the hydrogel’s properties. Overall, bioAgNP-CNC/Alg is a promising antibacterial hydrogel film that showed inhibition against the pathogenic bacteria P. aeruginosa and MRSA and its application can be further evaluated for the inhibition of cancer cells. It showed benefits for surgical resection of a tumor to avoid post-operative wound infection and tumor recurrence at the surgical site.

The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards as phantom materials in the application of low- and high-energy photons. The tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards and density plug phantoms were created with a target density of 1.0 g/cm3. The elemental composition and effective atomic number of the particleboards were measured using energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The mass attenuation coefficient of the particleboards for low-energy photons were measured using the attenuation of X-ray fluorescence. The mass attenuation coefficients of high-energy photons were measured using the attenuation of 137Cs and 60Co gamma energies. The results were compared to the calculated value of water using XCOM calculations. The results showed that the effective atomic number and mass attenuation coefficients of tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards were similar to those of water, indicating the suitability of tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards as phantom materials for low- and high-energy photons.

The study evaluates the suitability of tannin-added particleboards made of Rhizophora spp. woods as phantom material for photon beams. The particleboards were fabricated at different particle sizes and target density of 1.0 g/cm 3 . The mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the particleboards were evaluated according to Japanese Industrial Standards ( JIS A 5908:2003 ). The microstructure, elemental composition and effective atomic number of the particleboards were studied using Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis. Computed tomography (CT) images were obtained to determine the CT numbers and density profiles of the particleboards. The results indicated addition of tannin had improved the IB strength and MOR of the particleboards between 5 and 48%. The value of effective atomic number showed good agreement of tannin-added Rhizophora spp. to water with percentage different of 3.7%. The autocondensation of tannin also had improved the compactness of the particleboards. The CT number and density profile of tannin-added Rhizophora spp. were close to water shown by the lower χ 2 of 0.041. The results indicated the suitability of tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards as phantom materials for photon beams.

Formaldehyde fumes from wood composite products and oil palm biomass waste disposal are two environmental problems that need to be solved. In this work, starch from oil palm trunks was used to reduce formaldehyde usage in wood composite making. Starch was extracted using sodium metabisulphite before being chemically modified using glutardialdehyde solution. Wood composites were made using glutardialdehyde modified oil palm starch at three density levels, 0.60 g/cm3, 0.70 g/cm3 and 0.80 g/cm3. Similar wood composite with an additional 2% urea-formaldehyde resin was also made, with urea-formaldehyde wood composite was prepared as a comparison. Wood and binder mixtures were laid into a mould and hot-pressed at 165 °C for 20 min. Produced panels were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, TGA and DSC. Physical and mechanical tests were also done to evaluate the effect of binder on the strength of the wood composites. Wood panels were exposed to Schizophyllum commune, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Formitopsis palustris and Trametes versicolor to study their fungal resistance. Results showed that the addition of urea-formaldehyde helps to stabilize the wood composite when exposed to moisture. Wood composite made using glutardialdehyde modified oil palm starch showed excellent properties at a 0.80 g/cm3 density level where the MOR, MOE and internal bonding strength were recorded as 15.45 N/mm2, 3944.62 N/mm2 and 0.59 N/mm2, respectively. These were further increased by the addition of 2% urea-formaldehyde with the strength measured as 18.06 N/mm2, 3626.48 N/mm2 and 0.65 N/mm2, respectively. All of the wood composites passed the requirement of Japanese Industrial Standard, with the addition of urea-formaldehyde into the formulation further improving their moisture and fungal resistance. Glutardialdehyde modified oil palm starch has the potential to be used in wood composite making, based on the results obtained.

Rengas (Gluta torquata) wood is as potential source of antioxidants and α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. This is the first report of the inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase tested in vitro. The ability of Rengas wood compounds delay the breakdown of carbohydrates potentially helping to control postprandial hyperglycaemia. The antioxidant properties of the leaf, bark, and wood methanolic extracts were analyzed by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2′-azinobis(2-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. The wood extract exhibited highest antioxidant activities and enzymes inhibitions. Subsequently, the Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) analysis revealed the presence of the caffeic acid, quercetin and sulfuretin in the wood extract samples. The analyses of the antioxidant, antihyperglycemic properties and the phenolic compounds found in this study revealed great potential of rengas wood extracts that may be potentially useful in pharmaceutical industries.

Rhizophora spp. (R. spp.) particleboard phantoms based on defatted soy flour and soy protein concentrate were fabricated using itaconic acid polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (IA-PAE) at different concentrations with the incorporation of NaOH. The results showed that the mass attenuation coefficients and effective atomic numbers of the particleboard phantoms at 16.59–25.26 keV photon energies were in good agreement within 0.88% and 0.01% of the XCOM values in water with p-values of 0.072 and 0.075. In addition, DSF-SPC-R. spp. phantom with 15 wt% IA-PAE content shows the nearest CT numbers, electron density, and density profiles to water substitutes at three CT energies. These results indicate the suitability of cured DSF-SPC-R. spp. particleboards as phantom materials for the selected X-ray energies.

The optimization data presented here are part of the study planned to remove the caffeine from aqueous solution through the large surface area optimized H3PO4-activated Acacia mangium wood activated carbon (OAMW-AC). The maximum adsorption capacity of the OAMW-AC for caffeine adsorption was achieved (30.3 mg/g) through optimized independent variables such as, OAMW-AC dosage (3.0 g/L), initial caffeine concentration (100 mg/L), contact time (60 min), and solution pH (7.7). The adsorption capacity of OAMW-AC was optimized with the help of rotatable central composite design of response surface methodology. Under the stated optimized conditions for maximum adsorption capacity, the removal efficiency was calculated to be 93%. The statistical significance of the data set was tested through the analysis of variance (ANOVA) study. Data confirmed the statistical model for caffeine adsorption was significant. The regression coefficient (R2) of curve fitting through the quadratic model was found to be 0.9832, and the adjusted regression coefficient was observed to be 0.9675.

The large availability and cheap price of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) trunk makes it an attractive raw material for value-added applications, but its low density and high carbohydrate content are highly undesirable. In this work, oil palm trunk (OPT) was steam-pretreated and compressed at high temperature. The compressed OPT was laminated using polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) using either 250 or 500 g/m2 adhesive spread rate (ASR). Soil burial testing was performed for three months on two different samples to study the deterioration and weight loss by bio-organisms. The laminated, compressed OPT formed with high PVAc ASR was found to be more durable against bio-organisms. The thermal stability of the compressed OPT was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and it was observed that the weight loss was lower for steam-pretreated samples compared to those without steam pretreatment. Moisture absorption-desorption testing of compressed OPT was performed, and a hysteresis curve was generated. It was found that laminated, compressed OPTs with 500 g/m2 ASR had lower moisture absorption than those with 250 g/m2 ASR.

In this study cellulose nanocrystals were isolated from oil palm trunk (Elaeis guineensis) using acid hydrolysis method. The morphology and size of the nanocrystals were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the nanocrystals isolated from raw oil palm trunk (OPT) fibers and hot water treated OPT fibers had an average diameter of 7.67 nm and 7.97 nm and length of 397.03 nm and 361.70 nm, respectively. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy indicated that lignin and hemicellulose contents decreased. It seems that lignin was completely removed from the samples during chemical treatment. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that cellulose nanocrystals after acid hydrolysis had higher thermal stability compared to the raw and hot water treated OPT fibers. The X-ray diffraction analysis increased crystallinity of the samples due to chemical treatment. The crystalline nature of the isolated nanocrystals from raw and hot water treated OPT ranged from 68 to 70%.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) was treated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to make its surface suitable for methyl orange (MO) dye adsorption. CTAB-treated OPEFB samples were characterized for their surface functional groups using FTIR, pHzpc, proton-binding capacity, and Boehm titration techniques. The surface morphology and elemental composition of the sample were also studied, employing field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). It was found that in totality, acidic surface functional group increased after CTAB treatment. The adsorption process was well explained with pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The obtained equilibrium sorption data were then analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Tempkin isotherms. The results showed that sorption was surfactant dose dependent and adsorption increased with an increase in the percentage of surfactant applied on the OPEFB. The maximum adsorpt...

The objective of the study was to characterize and to evaluate physical and mechanical properties of experimental particleboard panels made from rubberwood (Heveabrasiliensis) using modified starch-urea formaldehyde as binder. Panels were manufactured using 13% corn starch modified with glutardialdehyde with addition of 2 % urea formaldehyde resin and tested for their physical and mechanical properties. All of the particleboards satisfied the Japanese Industrial Standard which required 2000 N/mm2, 8.0 N/mm2and 0.15 N/mm2for modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture and internal bonding strength, respectively. The mechanical properties were comparable to those made using 15 % urea formaldehyde resin with reduction of formaldehyde fume was over 50 %.

The objective of this study was to evaluate layering effects and adhesive rates of laminated compressed panels manufactured from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) fronds. Nine types of panels, namely 6-layer, 8-layer and 10-layer bonded with adhesive spread rates of 200 g/m 2 , 250 g/m 2 and 300 g/m 2 were manufactured. The results showed that both bending and internal bonding strength properties all types of panels increased with increasing number of layers and adhesive amount with an exception of 10-layer panels bonded with 300 g/m 2 . Mechanical properties of such samples were slightly reduced due to their possible brittleness as a result of effect of densification, high resin content and temperature. Thickness swelling and water absorption of the samples enhanced with increasing number of layer and adhesive content. 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A new pyridine alkaloid derivative named as 2-(6-benzyl-4-oxo-5-phenyl-1,4-dihydro pyridine-3-yl)-benzoic acid ethylester (3) has been prepared by the reaction of ninhydrin with 1,3-diphenylacetonep-tosylhydrazone and the structure has been established with the help of spectral analysis and X-ray analysis. The title compound demonstrated potent inhibitory activity against butyrylcholinesterase (BChE; IC50 = 4.91 µM) comparable to physostigmine (IC50 = 4.72 x 10-1 µM). However it showed moderate inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE; IC50 = 82.00 µM)). It was BChE selective over AChE, in contrast to physostigmine, which was more AChE selective. Being a potent and selective BChE inhibitor, it may serve as a new class of drug for prevention of the progression of neurodegeneration as well for symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer patient.

Palm sap extracted from old oil palm trunks was previously found to contain sugar and nutrients (amino acids and vitamins). Some palm saps contain a low content of sugar due to differences in species or in plant physiology. Here we condensed palm sap with a low content of sugar using flat membrane filtration, then fermented the condensed palm sap at high temperature using the thermotolerant, high ethanol-producing yeast, Kluyveromyces marxianus. Ethanol production under non-optimum conditions was evaluated. Furthermore, the energy required to concentrate the palm sap, and the amount of energy that could be generated from the ethanol, was calculated. The condensation of sugar in sap from palm trunk required for economically viable ethanol production was evaluated.

The objective of this study was to evaluate some of the mechanical and physical properties of experimental particleboard panels manufactured from rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) bonded using oil palm starch, wheat starch, and urea formaldehyde (UF) at a density of 0.60 g/cm3. Bending characteristics, internal bond strength, thickness swelling, and water absorptions of the samples were determined based on Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). Overall mechanical properties for natural binder oil palm starch resulted in higher values than those made from wheat starch. The highest internal-bonding strength (IB) value of 0.41 N/mm2 was determined for the samples made from oil palm starch. Dimensional stability in the form of thickness swelling of the samples made from oil palm starch had higher values, ranging from 4.24 to 22.84% than those manufactured from wheat starch. Natural adhesive showed comparable strength with panels manufactured with UF. Overall results meet the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) requ...

The roots of Eremurus spp. were used as a bio-adhesive in the fabrication of Rhizophora spp. particleboards. The mass attenuation coefficients of Eremurus–Rhizophora spp. particleboard of six samples with two different weight percentages of the Eremurus spp. root (6% and 12%) and three various Rhizophora spp. particle sizes (≤149 µm, 149–500 µm and 500–1000 µm) were determined by using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) photons in 16.63 keV and 25.30 keV of the photon energy range. The results were compared with theoretically calculated mass attenuations using the XCOM computer program for younger-age (breast 1: 75% muscle+25% fat), middle-age (breast 2: 50% muscle+50% fat), and old-age (breast 3: 25% muscle+75% fat) breasts. The results indicated that Eremurus–Rhizophora spp. particleboard is the appropriate suitable phantom in the diagnostic energy region. The mass attenuation coefficient in the low weight percentage of the bio-adhesive and the large Rhizophora spp. particle size were found very close to breast 1. Moreover the mass attenuation coefficient of the sample with high weight percentage of the bio-adhesive and small Rhizophora spp. particle size was found very close to water as a standard material phantom. In addition, the viscosity of dissolved Eremurus spp. root in water could be considerably higher than that of formaldehyde-based adhesives, which affects on some properties such as high strength and high binding.

The effective atomic number of tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards was determined based on elemental composition using Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDXA). The value of mass attenuation coefficients were measured using 137Cs and 60Co gamma energies. The attenuation properties of PDD curves and beam profile of tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards were investigated using Gafchromic EBT2 film at 6 MV photon and 6 MeV electrons and compared to the value in water and solid water phantoms. The results showed that tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards having effective atomic number close to the value of water. The mass attenuation coefficients were near to the value of water with χ2 values of 0.018 and 0.357 to 137Cs and 60Co gamma energies respectively. The PDD of tannin-added Rhizophora spp. particleboards at 6 MV photons showed good agreement within 3.21 and 5.91% to that in solid water phantoms and water respectively. The PDD at 6 MeV electrons showed a good agreement within 3.32 and...

ObjectiveTo evaluate antioxidant activities of seven medicinal plant species and their fractions, and to identify their phenolic compounds.MethodsTwo extractions were processed and further fractionated by column chromatography to evaluate the concentration that inhibit 50% of 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-suslfonic acid, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radicals, and their ferric reducing antioxidant power. The identification of the fractions of phenolic compounds was done by ultra performance liquid chromatography.ResultsThe aqueous-acetone extracts of Feretia apodanthera and Ozoroa insignis exhibited the highest antioxidant potentials comparable to those of the standard quercetin. Their subsequently silica gel column fractionation showed three most active fractions from which the major constituents quercetin, myricetin, kampferol, rutin and isoquercetin were identified.ConclusionsThese plant species have potent antioxidant profiles and polyphenol compounds that may help to manage with radical related disease and aging.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the mechanical and physical properties of the particleboard manufactured from Rhizophora spp. in three particle sizes bonded with powdered Eremurus spp. root as a bio-based adhesive in two adhesive treatment levels. The samples acquired high internal bond strength values when the Rhizphora spp. particle size was reduced and the adhesive treatment level was increased. Dimensional stability normally increased with the reduced Rhizophora spp. wood particle size. The hydrophilic property of Eremurus spp. indicates that dimensional stability also increased with decreased adhesive treatment level. However, dimensional stability is affected by the adhesive treatment level when the wood particle size is smaller than that of the adhesive particle. The density distributions of the fabricated particleboards were evaluated using Surfer8 software, which showed significant homogeneity in all samples. The microstructures of the fabricated particleboards were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy, which refers to the better surrounding adhesive with bigger particles than Rhizophora spp. particles. This study indicates the potential of Eremurus spp. root as a bio-adhesive, which improved the characterization of Rhizophora spp. particleboard.

Gum Arabic (GA) was used as a binder for the fabrication of Rhizophora spp. particleboards. The physical and mechanical properties of the bioadhesive bonded particleboards, including moisture content, internal bond (IB) strength, thickness swelling (TS), water absorption (WA) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to characterize the manufactured particleboards. Three different particle sizes of the Rhizophora spp. with four adhesive levels were utilized. Results revealed that the addition of GA into the particleboards noticeably improved panel overall properties. The GA bonded particleboards resulted in smoother surfaces, more rigid texture and better internal bonding strength compared to binderless particleboards made without using any adhesive. All specimens had internal bond strength of more than the minimum requirement of the Japanese Industrial Standard JIS A-5908 Type-8 of 0.15 N/mm 2 and were noticed to increase by increasing the adhesive level. However the GA bonded particleboards had higher percentage of WA and the TS compared with the binderless boards. Microscopic study also revealed that particleboards bonded with the gum had better contact compared to the binderless boards. Based on these results, it could be concluded that gum Arabic is an effective natural substance that could be added to manufacture particleboards to improve some of panels’ physical and mechanical properties.

The existing approach of response surface methodology was extended to study the adsorption of methyl orange dye on optimized Acacia mangium wood-based activated carbon with a Brunauer, Emmett and Teller surface area of 1,767 m2/g. The experiments were carried out in a batch system, and the optimal condition was determined by means of the face-centered central composite design of response surface methodology. The effect of activated carbon dose, temperature and contact time on the adsorption capacity and percentage removal of methyl orange dye molecules were optimized. The experimental results indicated that the optimal conditions for the maximum adsorption capacity were 0.515 g/L, 55.0 °C and 24 h for adsorbent dose, temperature and contact time, respectively. Under these conditions, the maximum adsorption capacity and percentage removal were found to be 181 mg/g and 90.5 %, respectively. At optimized conditions of methyl orange dye removal, studies of the kinetic and thermodynamic behavior of adsorption revealed that it followed the pseudo-second-order rate model and was spontaneously endothermic in nature.

A study on the preparation of activated carbon from Acacia mangium wood was conducted, and the operating factors, such as activating agent concentration, activation temperature and activation time, were optimized using response surface methodology. In order to determine the effects of the operating factors namely H3PO4 concentration (6.48–48.5 %), activation temperature (364–1,036 °C) and activation time (19–146 min) on the characteristics of activated carbon, a three-level rotatable central composite design was used. The second-order mathematical model was proposed by regression analysis of the experimental data gathered from 20 batch runs. The optimum H3PO4 concentration, activation temperature and activation time were found to be 40 %, 900 °C and 45 min, respectively. At optimum conditions of the operating factors, the percent yield and surface area were 20.3 % and 1,767 m2/g, respectively. The activated carbon was found to be largely composed of mesopores. About 95 % of the total surface area was attributed to mesopores.

The objective of this work was to evaluate properties of experimental particleboard panels manufactured from oil palm ( Elais guineensis ) trunks and Acacia mangium . Samples were made having five different ratios of two types of raw materials without using any adhesives. Both physical and mechanical properties of the specimens were evaluated based on Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). Panels made with 100% oil palm particles had the highest modulus of rupture and internal bond strength values of 22.91% MPa and 0.59 MPa, respectively. Addition of A. mangium particles in the panels adversely influenced their mechanical properties while improved both thickness swelling and water absorption of the specimens. All panels made in this work met minimum strength requirements stated in JIS. Based on the findings in this work it appears that both types of underutilized species could have a potential to be used as raw material to manufacture binderless value-added panels.

The objective of this study was to determine the isothermal drying kinetics of Acacia mangium wood blocks by employing a relative humidity-controlled drying chamber. A model was developed based on solution of Fick's second law and evaluated through the coefficient of determination (R 2 ), sum of square error (SSE), root mean square error (RMSE), and reduced chi-square (χ 2 ). This model was compared to semi-theoretical models which are commonly used to describe the drying behavior of biomass in previous studies. The porosity and shrinkage characteristics of dried specimens were also evaluated. Based on the findings in this work, it was determined that the proposed model resulted in an excellent fit with experimental data for all four drying temperature levels of 30, 35, 40, and 45 ∘ C to describe the isothermal drying kinetics of Acacia mangium . It appears that volumetric shrinkage of the samples decreased quadratically with decreasing moisture ratio. The activation energy of the drying process was deter...

 Abstract—For the first time, Gum Arabic (GA) is used as a binder in particleboards preparation and the attenuation properties of the fabricated particleboards were evaluated to check their suitability as tissue equivalent material. Gum Arabic was added into Rhizophora spp. particleboards of four particle sizes at three different GA adhesive levels. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique was used to measure the linear and the mass attenuation coefficients of the fabricated particleboards at effective energy range of 17.4 - 26.7 keV. This was achieved by determining the attenuation of Kα1 X-ray fluorescent (XRF) photons from niobium, molybdenum, palladium, silver and tin targets. The results were compared with theoretical values of water calculated using XCOM computer program. The mass attenuation coefficients of the GA bonded Rhizophora spp. particleboards were found to be close to the values of water calculated in XCOM at the same photon energies. Luckily, fabricated particleboards showed tissue equivalent results which optimistically can open a new window on the consumption of such a natural adhesive in particleboards as phantom material in dosimetric phantoms and quality control applications.

The objective of this study was to evaluate variation of mechanical and physical properties of binderless particleboard panels manufactured from raw material of young and old oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) trunks. Results revealed that such experimental panels made from particles of young oil palm trunks had higher mechanical characteristics than those of made from old trunks. Addition of sugar compounds in the samples produced having particles from young trunks with and without extracted material enhanced their bending and internal bond strength values. Overall dimensional stability in the form of thickness swelling and water absorption those panels made from young trunks was adversely influenced. However adding sugars in the samples improved their thickness swelling and water absorption in both cases of with and without applying of extraction process.

Subcritical water extraction of low-molecular-weight phenolic compounds from oil palm biomass (trunk, bark, petiole, rachis, leaves, empty fruit bunch fiber, midrib spine leaf lets, stalk of fruit bunches, flesh, kernel shells, and albumen) was conducted. It was elucidated that gallic acid, protocatechuicaldehyde, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillic acid, syringic acid, vanillin, syringaldehyde p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid, all of which could be used as 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) precursors, were contained in all parts of oil palm, although their composition differed. The peak yield of p-hydroxybenzoic acid was obtained among the PDC precursors. With regard to extraction conditions, temperature: 200°C, time: 20-60 min, and liquor ratio: 50-125 were the most efficient. The kernel shell exhibited the highest yield of PDC precursors, followed by the trunk, empty fruit bunch fiber, and bark. The results of our study indicate the oil palm is a potentially valuable source of PDC precursors. Discipline: Forestry and forest products Additional key words: Elaeis guineensis, Malaysian biomass, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-pyrone-4, 6-dicarboxylic acid precursors

The availability of fermentable sugars in high concentrations in the sap of felled oil palm trunks and the thermophilic nature of the recently isolated Bacillus coagulans strain 191 were exploited for lactic acid production under non-sterile conditions. Screening indicated that strain 191 was active toward most sugars including sucrose, which is a major component of sap. Strain 191 catalyzed a moderate conversion of sap sugars to lactic acid (53%) with a productivity of 1.56 g/L/h. Pretreatment of oil palm sap (OPS) using alkaline precipitation improved the sugar fermentability, providing a lactic acid yield of 92% and productivity of 2.64 g/L/h. To better characterize potential inhibitors in the sap, phenolic, organic, and mineral compounds were analyzed using non-treated sap and saps treated with activated charcoal and alkaline precipitation. Phthalic acid, 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid, aconitic acid, syringic acid, and ferulic acid were reduced in the sap after treatment. High concentrations of Mg, P, K, and Ca were also precipitated by the alkaline treatment. These results suggest that elimination of excess phenolic and mineral compounds in OPS can improve the fermentation yield. OPS, a non-food resource that is readily available in bulk quantities from plantation sites, is a promising source for lactic acid production.

The proposed study aimed to biosynthesize the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Artocarpus integer (Family-Moraceae) The aqueous extract of A. integer was challenged with silver nitrate solution to produce silver nanoparticles. The color change of the solution confirms the formation of nanoparticles. Characterization of the nanoparticles was performed through UV–Vis spectrophotometry which showed an absorption peak at 425 nm; the FTIR analysis revealed the presence of alkenes, amines, and amides associated with the nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the particle size ranges from 5.76 nm to 19.1 nm and is spherical. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed the actual protein degradation of 9.262% (ΔY) at 71.89 °C. The AgNPs were further evaluated for antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella entertica and Escherichia coli which exhibited good antibacterial activity when compared with ciprofloxacin. Anticancer activity was assessed by MTT assay against osteoblast MG-63 cells which showed IC50 value at 90 μg/ml against MCF-7 cells and 70 μg/ml against MG-63 cells while on normal skin fibroblast showed IC50 value at 110 μg/ml upon 24 h of incubation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of corn starch-bonded Rhizophora spp. particleboards as phantom for SPECT/CT including the image contrast, source dimension ratio and recovery coefficient values. Phantom set made of the Rhizophora spp. particleboards was constructed according to the Jaszczak phantom commonly used in SPECT/CT with external dimension of 22 and 18 cm diameter and length respectively. Cylindrical vials with different diameter sizes filled with 99mTc unsealed source were inserted in drilled holes of the constructed particleboards phantom. The particleboards phantom was scanned by using SPECT/CT scanning mode and the SPECT images were reconstructed using clinical protocol. The results showed that the contrast value, source dimension ratio and recovery coefficient of Rhizophora spp. particleboards in good agreement with Jaszczak phantom. The overall results showed an excellent agreement of performance between corn starch-bonded Rhizophora spp. particleboards to the Jaszczak (water) as standard phantom material. The overall results indicated that the corn starch-bonded Rhizophora spp. can be highly recommended to be used as tissue-equivalent phantom material for Quality Assurance and dosimetry works in SPECT/CT imaging.