Biotechnology Commons^™

Non-Invasive Digital Refractometer To Measure Maturation Of Climacteric Fruits, Jhoorhanah A. Halim, Denni Kurniawan, Dina S. Laila, Allysa Norjemee, Nuur A. L. Nesseruddin, Asrarul A. Noraidi, Beston F. Nore

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Sugar content is a superior quality indicator for the post-harvesting and ripening status of climacteric fruits. Total soluble solids (TSS) represented by °Brix index is a measure of the sugar content. The conventional way to measure TSS is by invasive (IN) technique using manual or digital refractometers. While non-invasive (NIN) infrared refractometer devices have been developed in recent years for various agricultural and food science applications, its accuracy to measure fruit TSS directly is not straightforward, as the device is only dedicated to uses for a specific fruit. This study aims to investigate the suitability of the use of a …

Formulation Of Naturally Flavoured Mineral Water With Curcuma Longa, Zumirra Affno, Aida M. Basri, Beston F. Nore

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Natural, organic flavoured beverages have become an increasingly important market in the food industry due to flavour and sensory requirements among consumers. Throughout human history, herbs and spices provide a spectrum of natural food flavouring, which became an eminent component of food preparations worldwide. However, their applications in beverages have not been fully exploited. The main objective of this study is to develop flavoured water formulation based on organic turmeric extracts from flower, leaf, and rhizome parts. We adhered the natural mineral water flavouring integrity at refrigerated storage condition (4oC) for a period of 12 weeks. The flavoured water was …

Development Of Halalan Tayyiban Plant-Based Cheese Formulations, Hasna B. Mazalana, Mas M. Rambli, Syazana A. Lim, Beston F. Nore

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The worldwide cheese production is dominated by animal milk sources with various industrial procedures, including animal rennet. There is a need to diversify the animal-based dairy products into plant-based one, not only to nurture the halalan tayyiban concept for Muslims, but also to accommodate the dietary restriction of some consumers. The objective of this work is to formulate a cheese type derived from plant-based milk with permissible ingredients to create a product for Muslim and non-Muslim consumers. In this study, we explored the use of conventional and non-conventional cheese-making procedures. A total of four experimental formulations (EF1-4) combinations were conducted …

Food Labelling Practices Of Local Products In Brunei Darussalam, Asrarul A. Noraidi, Zikri Zulkifli, Aida M. Basri, Ernina Rani, Beston F. Nore

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Food labelling is an essential feature for food product marketing and is mainly regulated by national food authority. Food package labelling provides information on product composition, usage instructions, shelf-life safety, storage conditions, and nutritional profile. The purpose of this study is to review the scope of the current food labelling system used in local food products. We surveyed 3 different food categories: 1) processed meat products, 2) bread, and 3) snacks, and examined the nutritional labelling criteria with respect to the carbohydrates, protein, and particularly sodium (salt) content. A broad market survey was carried out across Brunei and Muara district, …

Unveiling The Antioxidant Properties Of Stenochlaena Palustris And Diplazium Esculentum Through Time-Dependent Analysis, Nurnajiihah A. Samad, Hasna B. Mazalan, Hazimah Sharifulazar, Aida M. Basri, Masayoshi Arai

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Medicinal plants are generally known for its health benefits and there has been ongoing research to gather evidence on potential plants that could exhibit antioxidant activities. In this study, we explored underutilised local medicinal plants which are Stenochlaena palustris and Diplazium esculentum, locally known as ‘Lemiding’ and ‘Pakis’, respectively. The aim was to determine the effect of extraction time on phytochemical contents, antioxidant activities and total phenolic content (TPC) of the two plant species. Maceration method was used to extract the compounds from leaves of the plant in distilled water at different durations of extraction i.e. 2 hours, 4 hours, …

Nanocellulose Synthesized From Sugarcane Bagasse (S. Officinarum) Via Alkaline-Mechanical Process And Its Characterization, Wafiqah Daim, Hiroshi Uyama, Syazana Abdullah Lim

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Nanocellulose is one of many promising materials that have garnered the attention of researchers and industries. In this study, sugarcane bagasse (S. officinarum) was used to synthesize cellulose nanofiber (SB-CNF) via an alkaline-mechanical process. A comprehensive characterization of SB-CNF was conducted to explore its morphology via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic force microscopy (DFM), assess its functional groups using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), analyze its thermal properties through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and lastly, evaluate light absorbance and transmittance using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Our findings revealed that SB-CNF resulted in a highly intertwined nanofiber structure within a nano-scale dimension. …

Rice Farmer’S Perception And Factors Influencing Intention And Attitude On Adoption Of Hybrid Rice, Ahmad Mas'oud Muhd Halimi, Ulaganathan Subramanian

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Rice is considered the staple food of Brunei Darussalam, where most rice is imported from different countries. This poses a risk regarding food security wherein an unwanted event of restricted rice importation, Brunei, may experience difficulties. Hybrid rice cultivation is one of Brunei's best food security options. We studied the farmers' attitudes towards mixed rice farming in Brunei. We divided the farmers into two groups for the purpose of our study. Agriculture cooperative members and non-members. For attitude, perceived ease of use positively impacts attitude significantly for member rice farmers, while perceived usefulness positively impacts attitude for non-member rice farmers. …

Innovative Approaches And Challenges In Brunei's Agricultural Management, Nuramalina Manshor, Ulaganathan Subramanian

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The management and development in agriculture attract agricultural economic science for the pricing, business, farm policy, and financial knowledge. It conjointly draws on plant and animal sciences for soil, seed and fertilizer information, weed control, insect management, and rationing and breeding; agricultural engineering knowledge for farmhouses, vehicles, irrigation, field drying, drainage, and management of erosions; and data on human behavior in Science and Social Science.

Thriving In Turbulent Times: The Dynamic Link Between Economic Condition And Fintech Business Lending Success, Nur ‘Asyiqin Ramdhan, Imbarine Bujang, Amirul Afif Muhamat, Ninuk Dewi Kesumaningrum

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This study aimed to understand how FinTech business lending was affected by the pandemic crisis, which caused small businesses to struggle with limited access to funds. During this crisis, demand for alternative financing, like peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, surged. However, P2P lending faces challenges related to information imbalances, especially during crises, when transparency and economic conditions impact investor decisions in Malaysia. We examined factors like platform interest rates, loan duration, investment size, bank lending rates (BLR), inflation, and the crisis using ARDL analysis. Our long-term analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between investment size and P2P lending, while economic conditions had …

The Conceptual Review On The Effect Of Corporate Governance Monitoring Mechanisms On Tax Avoidance, Eveana Mosuin, Nor Balkish Zakaria, Yvonne Joseph Ason

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Taxes are the primary source of revenue for many nations in order to increase budget revenues and fund national development. Taxation serves multiple purposes because it can positively impact a nation's investment, education, social and economic development. However, tax authorities require assistance with the issue of tax non-compliance, which impedes tax administration and collection. One of the categories of tax non-compliance is tax avoidance, which is one of the company's strategies for legally reducing its tax burden by exploiting loopholes in tax regulations to minimise tax liability. Tax avoidance is when a company follows a particular tax strategy in the …

A Gold Mine: The Importance Of Information And Communication Technology (Ict) On Bank Liquidity In Asia And The Pacific, Sarmila Udin, Imbarine Bujang, Nancy Chiuh Noemi

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Financial systems are the entities in charge of promoting, growing, and enhancing economic growth and development. To be viable in the market, financial institutions must maintain enough liquid assets to meet any unforeseen demand from customers at any time needed. Currently, banks are pursuing cutting-edge technologies to survive and thrive in an ever-changing market environment. This paper aims to examine the relationship between information and communication technology (ICT), macroeconomics and bank liquidity risk in Asia and the Pacific. The research took place between 2012 and 2018 and the nations were chosen based on data availability; as a result, the sample …

Interest Rate Mismatches In Indian Banking: Causes, Strategies, And Implications, Baba Gnanakumar P, M.K. Baby, Ulaganathan Subramanian

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Despite the global trend of rising interest rates, India's Reserve Bank (RBI) has adopted a unique approach, emphasizing a rate pause and a solid anti-inflation stance. This unconventional strategy has sometimes led to periods of credit expansion, even during monetary tightening measures implemented by the RBI. One significant consequence of these policies is the widening gap between deposit and lending rates within the Indian banking sector. This research study aims to comprehensively analyze the implications of interest rate mismatches among Indian banks in this context. Specifically, the investigation focuses on the challenges posed by deposit and lending rate mismatches and …

Debunking Indian Neo-Banks' Customer Effort Score And Esg Values, Baba Gnanakumar P, Ulaganathan Subramanian, M.K. Baby

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Neo-banks in India are harnessing data analytics to address ESG risks, collaborating with various stakeholders, and striving to promote ESG values. Their endeavours not only enhance the customer experience but also contribute to a more sustainable and ethical financial system, with the potential to reduce the carbon footprint as digital banking gains traction in India. We examine whether ESG-rated banks can diminish customer effort and improve the overall customer experience, ultimately encouraging greater participation in sustainable financial practices. We employ text mining to analyse 2156 reviews of ESG-rated banks' digital services, from which we derive the Customer Effort Score. We …

Social Media Marketing Audiences And Adaptive Behavior In Brunei: Sem Analysis Using Smartpls, Shahid Anjum, Asmah Ahmad, Jefri Basiuni, Najeeba Tazeen

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The social media and Internet technology penetrations and usage are quite high in Brunei Darussalam. The use of social media marketing among micro, small, and relatively medium businesses to promote their products has also grown as businesses desire to engage and build relationships with customers through social media. This has generated an interest in studying the adaption of social media marketing campaigns among customers, which indirectly determines the effectiveness of social media marketing itself, as well as in studying the facilitation factors for such an adaption. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) has been used extensively because of its simplicity and usefulness. …

The Contribution Of Outcome Expectation In Water Saving Among Malaysians For Sustainable Living Standard, Ganesh. R, Vxynette Fiorna, Ammar Abdulaziz Al-Talib, Haslinda. A, Elango Natarajan

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Saving water is an essential component of a higher level of living for each individual in any Nation. The current and next generation will be greatly impacted by attitudes and emotional aspects of social cognitive behaviour. This empirical investigation was carried out in Malaysia. To determine their attitude and behaviour, a convenience sampling method was applied to a sample size of 265 individuals. It was discovered that outcome expectancy significantly improves water saving. Observed self-efficacy, personal elements, and environmental elements all impacted the outcome expectancy. The model evaluation showed that the adjusted R2 was 0.78, or about 78% of the …

Developing Cellular Systems To Elucidate Rna Structural Dynamics Of Cag Expansion Transcripts In Spinocerebellar Ataxias, Victoria Demeo

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a diverse group of over 40 genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders, many of which are caused by a trinucleotide CAG repeat expansion in the coding region of specific genes. These expansions lead to the production of polyglutamine (polyQ) tracts that interfere with normal protein function, triggering cellular dysfunction and contributing to disease pathogenesis. The most well-known of these SCAs, such as SCA1, SCA2, and SCA3, exhibit progressive neurodegeneration, yet the precise mechanisms through which these mutations cause disease remain poorly understood.

A significant challenge in studying CAG repeat expansion disorders lies in the complexity of the disease …

Implementing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles To Collect Human Gait Data At Distance And Altitude For Identification And Re-Identification, Donn E. Bartram

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Gait patterns are a class of biometric information pertaining to the way a person moves and poses. Gait information is unique to each person and can be used to identify and reidentify people. Historically, this task has been achieved through the use of multiple ground-based imaging sensors. However, as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) advance, they present the opportunity to evolve the process of persons identification and re-identification. Collecting human gait data using UAVs at distances ranging from 20m to 500m and altitudes ranging from 0m to 120m is a challenging task. The current biometric data collection methods, primarily designed for …

Quantitative Raman Analysis Of Human Blood Serum Of Glaucoma Patients Supplemented With Macular Pigment Carotenoids., Joy Udensi, Ekaterina Loskutova, James Loughman, Hugh J. Byrne

Datasets

Carotenoids have been widely studied for their high dietary, antioxidant, and vision protection roles in the human body. Blood contains all major dietary carotenoids and hence presents as a suitable and efficient substrate for the estimation of dietary carotenoids in vivo. Following the 18-month supplementation of open angle glaucoma patients with macula pigment carotenoids (Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-Zeaxanthin) in the European Nutrition in Glaucoma Management (ENIGMA) trial, Raman spectroscopic analysis of the pre-supplementation baseline and 18-month supplemented blood serum carotenoids from participants was carried out, to investigate the systemic impact of supplementation in the blood and explore a more direct …

Building Better Biofuel Crops: A Field Evaluation Of Transgenic Populus Modified To Improve Feedstock Performance For Bioenergy Use, Molli Elisabeth Coombs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A transition away from fossil fuel use is necessary for the future of energy production, and biofuels are a renewable energy option that can mitigate the impacts of fossil fuels through lowered carbon emissions and possible carbon sequestration. In order to successfully compete with fossil fuels, the production of biofuels must be sustainable and cost effective. Populus species are a biofuel crop used for bioenergy conversion from lignocellulosic biomass that have been proposed for use in feedstock plantations on marginal lands, which would avoid competition with agricultural production. Two challenges of feedstock production being faced are recalcitrance to chemical processing, …

Measures Of Feed Efficiency In Beef Cattle: Biological Basis And Effect On Response To Dietary Supplementation, Modoluwamu Idowu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

During the feedlot receiving period, newly weaned beef cattle face various stressors, including weaning, transportation, vaccination, and exposure to pathogens. Additionally, changes in diet and low dry matter intake contribute to nutrient deficiencies, heightening susceptibility to disease and performance declines. Therefore, we examined the effects of dietary supplementation with a multicomponent blend of prebiotics and probiotics on the health, immune status, metabolism, and performance of newly weaned beef steers during a 35-day receiving period. Our results showed that compared to the control group, the supplemental additive (SYNB) increased average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake, and meal events during the …

Structural And Functional Consequences Of Pde6 Prenylation In Rod And Cone Photoreceptors, Faezeh Moakedi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Phosphodiesterase-6 (PDE6) serves as a pivotal component in the phototransduction pathways of both cone and rod photoreceptors. In cones, PDE6 consists of tetrameric subunits: inhibitory (γ') and catalytic (α'). The catalytic subunit, PDE6α', contains a C-terminal prenylation motif. Deletion of this motif is associated with achromatopsia (ACHM), a form of color blindness. The mechanisms underlying the disease and the roles of PDE6 lipidation in vision remain elusive. Meanwhile, rod PDE6 is composed of α and β catalytic subunits and γ inhibitory subunits, with alterations in the C-terminal "prenylation motif" of PDE6β linked to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) pathology. In this comprehensive …