Now showing 1 - 10 of 25
  • Publication
    Studies on the third generation of Ionic liquids-Halophillic Cellulase system for Lignocellulose hydrolysis
    The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products requires pretreatment, hydrolysis (saccharification) and the conversion of simple sugar into end products. The limiting factor of these three processes lies in the pre-treatment steps. Conventional pre-treatment methods normally use strong acids or alkali which pose environmental problems. Recently pre-treatment using the third generation of Ionic Liquids (ILs), also known as Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) has been considered green and cost-effective. However, the main drawback of DESs pre-treatment is that it is not fully compatible with the enzyme required in saccharification. This compatibility issue was addressed in the present study by producing a salt tolerant enzyme (halophilic enzyme) and formulating low viscosity, thermal stable DES. The halophilic enzyme was produced from a newly isolated halophilic fungus, identified as Aspergillus terreus UniMAP AA-6; DESs were synthesized and screened using choline chloride as a hydrogen bond acceptor and selected carboxylic acids and polyol alcohols as hydrogen bond donors. The compatibility between halophilic cellulase and DESs was evaluated by monitoring the stability of halophilic cellulase in the presence of various concentrations of commercial ILs and DESs. The applicability of the DES-cellulase system for lignocelluloses hydrolysis was evaluated based on glucose production, energy consumption and kinetic performance. It was found that halophilic cellulase showed higher stability in the presence of 10% (v/v) ILs and also was stable and retained 90 % of its original activity in the presence of 10% (v/v) DESs. The DESs- Cellulase system exhibited higher glucose percentage enhancement and lower energy consumption as compared to diluted alkali system, while in terms of kinetic performance, DES exhibited good kinetic performance, which reflects the ability of DESs to serve as good saccharification media for the DESs-cellulase system. Finally, with regard to glucose production, rice husk treated with DESs-halophilic cellulase system were as good as the typical IL pre-treatment method but with extra benefits in terms of cost and environmental aspects. These findings have demonstrated a better approach for the in situ saccharification of DESs pre-treated lignocelluloses.
  • Publication
    THE EFFECT OF NANOFILLERS ON THE FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF PLA AND CHITOSAN BASED FILM
    ( 2023-01-01)
    Hashim R.H.R.
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    Kamaludim N.H.I.
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    The aim of this study was to develop poly (lactic acid) and chitosan-based films and to examine the effect of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) as nanofillers on the properties of the films. The biofilms were prepared by solvent casting method. The physical and mechanical properties of the resulting films were examined. SEM analysis showed that the surface of PLA/Cs films smoother when 1% and 2 % of CNC were added. The results for percent of water absorption of the films increased with increasing amount of CNC in PLA/Chitosan matrix. Tensile test results indicated higher TS value by incorporation of 2% of CNC. However, the PLA/Chitosan-CNC films at 3% and 4% CNC concentration exhibited a decreased TS value. PLA/Chitosan films were improved with the addition of a small amount of CNC resulting in PLA nanocomposite, which will be further evaluated for fruit packaging applications. The data obtained through this research could contribute to the establishment of a biofilms with improved the physical and mechanical properties promising significant advantages in term of longer storage life, maintaining safety, and keeping quality of a product especially in fruit packaging.
  • Publication
    Cellulose nanocrystals from bleached rice straw pulp: acidic deep eutectic solvent versus sulphuric acid hydrolyses
    The present work aims to investigate the feasibility of oxalic acid-choline chloride deep eutectic solvent (OA-ChCl DES), which serves as a promising green solvent that utilized in the acidic deep eutectic solvent (DES) hydrolysis. Oxalic acid-choline chloride DES cellulose nanocrystal (OA-ChCl DES CNC) was isolated from the bleached DES treated pulp (BP) through the acidic DES hydrolysis using 1:1 molar ratio of OA-ChCl DES. The functional groups, crystallinity index, morphological structure, particle size, zeta potential, thermal stability and surface chemistry of the OA-ChCl DES CNC were compared with the sulphuric acid cellulose nanocrystal (SA-CNC) that prepared via sulphuric acid hydrolysis. The findings revealed the presence of negatively charged carboxyl groups on OA-ChCl DES CNC surface after the acidic DES hydrolysis. The physicochemical analyses verified that the OA-ChCl DES CNC was in nano-sized range with polydispersity index (PdI) of 0.56, indicating slightly monodispersed nanoparticles. A stable OA-ChCl DES CNC colloidal suspension with zeta potential value of −52.1 ± 5.2 mV was obtained. The OA-ChCl DES CNC outweighed the SA-CNC in term of thermal stability (288 °C) despite having a slightly lower crystallinity index (76.7%). In fact, the OA-ChCl DES CNC with a yield of 55.1% was achieved through the acidic DES hydrolysis, suggesting that the OA-ChCl DES was capable of promoting efficient cleavage of strong hydrogen bonds in BP. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]
  • Publication
    Cellulose nanocrystal production from bleached rice straw pulp by combined alkaline and acidic deep eutectic solvents treatment: optimization by response surface methodology
    The present study aims to develop a statistical model utilizing the response surface methodology (RSM) to investigate the performance of oxalic acid-choline chloride deep eutectic solvent (OA-ChCl DES) in hydrolyzing amorphous domain of the bleached rice straw pulp (BP), while liberating the oxalic acid-choline chloride DES cellulose nanocrystal (OA-ChCl DES CNC). The process parameters, including temperature, reaction time, and BP to OA-ChCl DES mass ratio, were optimized through the RSM coupled with the face-centered central composite design (FCCCD). The mathematical models were generated, while the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to determine the most significant factors influencing the response which was measured in terms of yield. The findings revealed that the OA-ChCl DES CNC yield as high as 55.08% was attained under the acidic DES hydrolysis conditions of 79.5 Â°C, 4 h, and 1:12.64 mass ratio. This regression model enables researchers to predict the OA-ChCl DES CNC yield with respect to the influencing parameters as well as providing an insight for further scale-up process.
  • Publication
    Effect of hydrophobic deep eutectic oil-in-water nano coating on the quality preservation of postharvest ‘Harumanis’ mango
    ( 2024-06-20)
    Gidado M.J.
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    ; ;
    Wongs-Aree C.
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    Yusoff N.H.A.
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    Ibrahim R.
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    Laboh R.
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    Ali A.
    A hydrophobic deep eutectic oil-in-water nanoemulsion (HyDEN) was developed as a potential edible coating for preserving 'Harumanis' mango. Preventing water loss in mango during postharvest handling and storage is crucial to maintain their quality and market value. Mango with high respiration rates during storage tend to have shorter shelf life due to issues like softening and over-ripening. Edible coating materials such as lipids, polysaccharides, and proteins have setbacks such as poor water vapor barrier and potential contamination which affect their performance in preserving fruit quality. In this study, a HyDEN coating was prepared to preserve 'Harumanis' mango. The HyDEN coating exhibited good stability, with a high zeta potential value of −42.02 ± 0.12 mV, a robust antioxidant property of 97.89 ± 0.14%, and relatively low mean droplet sizes averaging 210.04 ± 0.89 nm. The application of HyDEN coating effectively extended the shelf life of 'Harumanis' mango. Additionally, it slowed down the ripening process, preserving the fruit's quality in terms of weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, colour, titratable acidity, pH, radical scavenging rate, browning index, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and sensory attributes after 20 days of storage, whereas the control fruit began to overripe and deteriorate after 10 days. This study introduces a novel delivery system for applying HyDEN as an edible coating for postharvest fruit preservation.
  • Publication
    Determination of degree of acetylation (DA) for chitin in deep eutectic solvents (DES)
    Degree of acetylation (DA) is an important parameter to determine the quality of chitin. Apart from the assessment on the bond structure in the chitin molecule, infrared spectroscopy is one of the methods that can be used to determine the value of DA. The DA value of chitin is an important parameter because the value indicates the purity of chitin quality. Chitin acetylation is the process of addition an acetyl substitution group (-COCH3) to a chitin chain. The addition of acetyl will improve its dispersing properties and subsequently will improve the chitin adhesion properties within hydrophobic matrix in composite materials as well. In this study, Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) was used as a medium for chitin extraction and acetylation in one single process. DES has two components namely Hydrogen Bond Donor (HBD) and Hydrogen Bond Acceptor (HBA). Betaine and choline chloride were used as HBA whilst urea was selected to be utilized as HBD. The findings showed that the quantity of extracted chitins by the DESs were 5.4609 % and 2.0020 % respectively. The DA values for the extracted chitins are 103.1699 and 83.4821. For acetylated chitin in DES betaine - urea, the DA value was increased from 103.1699 to 118.4818. The findings showed that the high quality acetylated chitin can be produced in a single process involving extraction and acetylation process by using DES as a medium.
  • Publication
    Fabrication of active food packaging based on PLA/Chitosan/CNC-containing Coleus aromaticus essential oil: application to Harumanis mango
    ( 2023-12-01)
    Hasnida Raja Hashim R.
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    Ting S.S.
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    Fong Y.Y.
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    Pareek S.
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    Makhtar M.M.Z.
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    Shukor H.
    This study aimed to determine the effect of Coleus aromaticus essential oil (CAEO) on the properties of an active film based on polylactic acid (PLA), chitosan (Cs), and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) in fruit packaging. The films were fabricated via solvent casting technique. The obtained films’ antimicrobial, antioxidant, microstructural, and mechanical properties were studied. Mechanical properties state how adding essentials oil into film improves the elongation breaks significantly (p < 0.05) by 5.3 and 6.1%, respectively, with the addition of 0.4 wt% and 0.8 wt% CAEO which reflets its flexibility. The antioxidant activity of biopolymer film increased significantly (p < 0.05), with antioxidant values ranging from 6.50 to 57.50% with the elevation of CAEO. The inhibitory impact of the film against pathogenic fungus was evaluated in vitro and in vivo by comparing the film with different concentrations of essential oil (EO), as well as the control and chemical fungicide. Disc diffusion was utilised to test mycelial growth suppression, and the film containing 1.2 wt% EO produced the best results. The biofilm containing 1.2 wt% EO successfully reduced illness incidence in vivo with damaged mango. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy imaging were used to observe the incorporation of CAEO in the matrix of the film. All Fourier-Transform Infrared spectra of PLA/Cs/CNC and EO blends exhibited the characteristic bands of PLA-based materials. The results indicate that the PLA/Cs/CNC/CAEO films provide a new way to improve microbial safety and extend the shelf life of mango fruit and have the potential for replacement of petroleum-based plastic for fruit packaging applications at the industrial level.
  • Publication
    Generation of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Cotton Waste and its Properties
    ( 2023-01-01)
    Tan W.Y.
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    Anbu P.
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    Velusamy P.
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    Chen Y.
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    Subramaniam S.
    Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a green material that has widespread applications in pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and other industries because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability, hydrophilicity, and acid-insolubility. In this study, MCC was prepared from cotton waste via alkaline treatment and sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Further, the synthesized cotton-based MCC was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopies. Based on these results, the major components were identified as carbon and oxygen. This finding was evidenced by the FTIR analysis, which displayed peak wavenumbers at 3446.9, 2891.1, 1649.5, 1380.1, 1061.2, and 1050 to 1150 cm-1. The surface morphology was also examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy and field emission transmission electron microscopy, which showed that the prepared MCC has a smooth surface and a consistent, rod-like shape. In addition, the MCC exhibited the typical diffraction peaks of a crystalline structure of cellulose II at 12.2°, 20°, and 22.03°, which correspond to the diffraction planes of 1-10, 110, and 020, respectively, and had a crystallinity index of 78.7%. Moreover, the prepared MCC had a diameter of 37.8 µm and exhibited good stability with a peak at-76.5 mV. Further, the cotton-based MCC exhibited high thermal stability, as revealed by the TGA.
  • Publication
    Delaying the Ripening of Banana Fruit and Increased Storage Shelf-Life Using Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Oil (Menthol–Thymol)-In-Water Nanoemulsion Coating
    ( 2024-01-01)
    Gidado M.J.
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    Sri Alamelu Sankari R.
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    Wongs-Aree C.
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    Shukor H.
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    Ibrahim R.
    Hydrophobic deep eutectic oil (menthol-thymol)-in-water nanoemulsion was developed to preserve the quality of banana fruit and extend their storage shelf life. Storage preservation of bananas presents several challenges due to their high respiration rate, ethylene production, and susceptibility to various physiological and biochemical changes. The storage shelf life of bananas is relatively short compared to other fruits due to the combination of rapid ripening and sensitivity to ethylene and temperature. In this study, the effectiveness of HyDEN treatment was assessed on changes in banana fruit’s physiological parameters such as firmness, weight loss, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and colour for 14 days storage time [25 Â°C ± 1 Â°C, 67% relative humidity (RH)]. HyDEN treatment preserved the physicochemical characteristics of banana fruit and was effective in delaying the ripening process. The storage shelf life of banana fruit treated with HyDEN increased for 14 days compared to control that ripened and physically damaged after 8 days of storage. This study provided a new delivery system for applying HyDEN as an edible coating to fruit after harvest preservation.
  • Publication
    Challenges of postharvest water loss in fruits: Mechanisms, influencing factors, and effective control strategies – A comprehensive review
    ( 2024-09-01)
    Gidado M.J.
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    ; ;
    Ali A.
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    Wongs-Aree C.
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    Salleh N.H.M.
    Water loss is a critical concern in postharvest fruit technology, significantly impacting fruit quality, shelf life, and market value. This phenomenon involves the loss of moisture from fruit tissues, leading to physiological changes, reduced quality, and lower market value, which can contribute to food waste. Consumers perceive fruit with visible signs of water loss as lower quality. Therefore, minimizing water loss is essential through proper postharvest handling and storage practices, including temperature and humidity control, cooling, humidification, and the application of edible coatings and new modified coating techniques. Despite the importance of managing water loss, comprehensive information on its mechanisms and contributing factors in postharvest fruit technology is scarce. This paper aims to provide insights into the mechanisms, impact, influencing factors, and control strategies related to water loss in the context of postharvest fruit technology.