Fatty Acid Composition of Selected Street Foods Commonly Available in Malaysia

Despite growing evidence of increased saturated and trans fat contents in street foods, little is known about their fatty acid (FA) compositions. This study aimed to analyse the saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and trans fatty acids (TFAs) content of 70 selected and most commonly available street foods in Malaysia. The street foods were categorised into main meals, snacks, and desserts. TFAs were not detected in any of the street foods. Descriptively, all three categories mainly contained SFAs, followed by MUFAs, and PUFAs. However, the one-way ANOVA testing showed that the differences between each category were insignificant (p > 0.05), and each FA was not significantly different (p > 0.05) from one to another. Nearly half of the deep-fried street foods contained medium to high SFAs content (1.7 g/100 g–24.3 g/100 g), while the MUFAs were also high (32.0–44.4%). The Chi-square test of association showed that the type of preparation methods (low or high fat) used was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the number of SFAs. These findings provide valuable information about fat composition in local street foods for the Malaysian Food Composition Database and highlight the urgency to improve nutritional composition.

Global halal perspectives: past, present and future. 2020. [DOI: 10.32890/9789672363330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

Halal has become more than just an eating habit of Muslims around the world in todays global economy. It has evolved into a giant economic phenomenon which has affected the global ecosystem beyond the boundaries of religion, politics, culture and ethnicity. Politics, various halal businesses, social entities including geographical location play a part to reflect the complexity of the halal ecosystem.Discussions on its various aspects are richly illustrated through interdisciplinary global perspectives from students and scholars working across disciplines: social sciences, religious studies, humanities and sciences. Global Halal Perspectives past, present and future brings forth a special set of knowledge and information that even the public will find interesting. This book is the outcome of a research funded by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Malaysia through its Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (S/O 13246).

Issues of Commercialization Activities of Biotechnology-Related Researches in Malaysian Research Universities

This study aims to explore issues of commercialization activities of research results among academic researchers who work in biotechnology-related researches in Malaysian Research Universities. Accordingly, the conceptual framework based on the ‘Innovation Implementation’ model has been assessed for its applicability in describing the phenomenon under study. Through interviews, elements as specified in the ‘Innovation Implementation’ model were found in this case study. Significant patterns and themes were also identified that suggest local industries, funding for research, development and commercialization as well as leadership, political interference, researcher’s attitude, transition management and legal perspectives are considered as the contextual factors that affect the commercialization activities of research results. Finally, the revised framework of commercialization-activities implementation based on the findings from qualitative analysis was recommended.   Keywords: Commercialization activities, research results, biotechnology, academic researchers and qualitative analysis.

The effect of a single dose of mifepristone (RU486) on the fine structure of the human endometrium during the early luteal phase

This study examined the fine structure of the human endometrial glandular epithelium after the administration of a single dose of RU486 (mifepristone), given in the early luteal phase. The drug was administered on days 2, 3, 5 and 6 after the luteinizing hormone peak (LH + 0). Biopsies were performed on days LH + 5, 6, 8 and 9. These were compared with control biopsies taken on corresponding days. Qualitatively, the main cytological effect of the RU486 was on the secretory apparatus and on the polarity of the cell. The formation of the nuclear channel system was also affected by the drug. A two-way analysis of variance on cell and nuclear volume data revealed no significant effect of day of biopsy, condition or interaction. Mitochondrial volume and secretory apparatus volume data revealed a significant effect of day of biopsy and interaction term; mitochondrial volume at LH + 5 was 95.9 +/- 25.3 microm3 (mean +/- SD) for control and 57.7 +/- 31.9 microm3 for RU486-treated epithelium. The volume of the secretory apparatus in the treated group was smaller on days LH + 5 and 6 (14.6 +/- 4.2 microm3, 6.41 +/- microm3) when compared to day-matched control biopsies (35.9 +/- 10.5 microm3, 41.7 +/- 26.4 microm3). RU486 administration in the early luteal phase disrupted the secretory activity of the cells. These findings provide an insight into the cellular mechanisms of progesterone receptor blockade in the peri-implantation period.

[Free carbohydrate content of the cortex and nucleus of bovine lenses as a function of ageing (author's transl)]

The determination of the products of the sorbitol pathway and of inositol in the equator and nucleus of bovine lenses of different ages, performed by gas-chromatographic analyses, is described. Independent of age, the proportion of glucose, sorbitol, and fructose is higher in the equatorial part than in the nucleus. The proportion of inositol is about 3 mg/1 g lens fresh weight in the equator, and about 2 mg/1 g lens fresh weight in the nucleus, and seems to decrease slightly with ageing.

Chemical composition of the aqueous humor of bovine eyes dependent on predetermined time upon removal

The content of several carbohydrates [glucose (alpha and beta), inositol, fructose, galactose] and aminoacids in the aqueous of bovine lenses was measured in dependence on time after globe puncture, using the method of gas liquid chromatography (carbohydrates) and ion exchange chromatography (amino acids). The contents of the investigated compounds show distinct postmortal changes. Aqueous humor which had been obtained immediately after enucleation of the bovine eyes and kept at 37 degrees C for different periods of time (1-8 h) showed for the carbohydrates investigated a decrease in fructose concentration, whereas almost all amino acid concentrations were increased, with the exception of leucine, tyrosine, and arginine, which were decreased.