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Aim: To determine the antibacterial effect of ethanolic Z. mauritiana leaves extract against Streptococcus mutans, which is known as an aetiological agent in the development of dental caries. Materials and Methods: The plant extracts were prepared using maceration method in 100 % ethanol for 72 hours. The ethanol filtrate was separated and concentrated using a rotary evaporator. Then, the extract was lyophilized using freeze dryer for three days. The antibacterial assay of the leaf extracts was conducted on S. mutans (ATCC 25175) by disc diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results: The results of disc diffusion method were determined by the diameter of zone of inhibition. For 200 mg/mc and 500 mg/mℓ of the ethanolic extract of Ziziphus mauritiana leaf extract the zone of inhibition were 11.67 mm and 13.9 mm respectively. The MIC and MBC value was 3.125 mg/mℓ. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that ethanol extracts of Ziziphus mauritiana leaves have the potential to be developed as a therapeutic agent in preventing development of dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, food safety and quality have become critical issues of great concern throughout the world. The issue of Halal food particularly has attracted public attention in Malaysia. Muslim consumers should be sure about the food quality in Halal Food Products starting from the ingredients. The confidence can be gained when the whole processes from the production, processing and distribution of the products are traced and confirmed to be Shariah-compliant ones. One of the current important issues nowadays which set as a background of this research is feeding animals with unclean food or unnatural feed to the animals. According to Islamic Jurisprudence, these animals are termed as al-Jallalah or contaminated animals, they are called Coprophagia or Coprophagy. 'Jalla' means contaminant or impurity. There are several issues of aquatic animals which need a clear clarification on their status whether they are Halal or haram to be consumed. For example, catfish (Clariasbatrachus, Linnaeus), which is fed with filth or najs and catfish (Pangasiushypopthalmus) which is fed with derivatives of pig organs in several ponds at Batu Gajah, Tronoh and Papan, Perak. The mixture in animals feed with such impurities is applied to save the maintenance and fasten the growing of fish. This research aims to identify the concept of al-Jallalah and its characteristics. It also aims to develop the standard of the contaminated animals (al-Jallalah) and to create new mobile application on this issue for the future development of meat and poultry industry. This study helps to enhance the quality of meat and poultry, to provide consumers with informative choices and it can be used as a marketing tool for the Halal Industry in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]