http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/handle/123456789/13 IMB Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:52:31 GMT 2026-04-05T16:52:31Z http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/handle/123456789/23395 Title: PALM KERNEL EXPELLER (PKE) AS AN INERT FEED FOR BRINE SHRIMP Artemia: IMPLICATION ON GROWTH, BIOMASS AND MICROBIAL COMPOSITION DURING TANK CULTURE Authors: KRISHNNAPPRIYAA A/P GOPI; QL 444 .B815 K75 2024 Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/handle/123456789/23395 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/handle/123456789/23392 Title: ELUCIDATING MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF AAPTAMINE ON ATTENUATION OF STATIN-INDUCED PCSK9 EXPRESSION AND CHOLESTEROL UPTAKE IN LIVER Authors: ABDUL MATIN, RM 666 .S714 M38 2025 Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/handle/123456789/23392 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/handle/123456789/22748 Title: PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF Pandanus tectorius LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC STRESSORS INGNOTOBIOTIC Artemia TEST SYSTEM Authors: PRATHIBHA PATABANDIGE SARATH KUMARA PATABANDI Abstract: This thesis work investigated a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to replacing chemical-based alternatives for improving abiotic stress tolerance and preventing shrimp diseases in aquaculture. The efficacy of methanolic Pandanus tectorius leaf extract (PLE) as a natural alternative for increasing shrimp tolerance to lethal abiotic stressors (i.e., temperature at 42°C for 15 min, pH 5.3 for 24 h, and salinity at 100 g/L for 48 h), and Vibrio campbellii (10⁶ cells/mL), the latter of which causes Vibriosis, was examined. Artemia franciscana brine shrimp was used as the model organism in this study because it can be hatched axenically and grown in gnotobiotic systems. These systems provide conditions for precise evaluation of the prophylactic and metaphylactic effects of specific compounds or extracts, and the impact on host-environment or host-microbe interactions. The application of PLE increased Artemia's tolerance to abiotic stresses and Vibrio challenge at the series of doses (1 g/L - 6 g/L) during pretreatment. Tolerance can also be achieved by exposing the Artemia to methanolic PLE during the challenge in continuous exposure at 0.2 g/L. Methanolic PLE was found to be non-toxic to Artemia up to 6 g/L during pretreatment and 1 g/L during continuous exposure. It also increased the expression of genes necessary for maintaining the structural integrity of the exoskeleton against abiotic stresses, and innate immune genes (hsp70, hsp60, hsp90, hmgb1, proPO, and tgase) that protect against Vibrio. The upregulation of heat shock proteins and other immune genes following methanolic PLE exposure, as demonstrated by qPCR and transcriptomic analysis, as well as their potential roles and mechanistic actions in contributing to protection, were discussed. Moreover, it was revealed that methanolic PLE inhibited virulence factors such as enzyme activities (i.e., caseinase, lipase, phospholipase), swimming and swarming motilities, Vibrio colonisation in Artemia, and bacterial growth significantly. This study added to our understanding of the molecular basis of stress responses in shrimp, as well as the potential of methanolic PLE as a stress and bacterial disease control strategy. Further research should focus on optimizing methanolic PLE dosage, application methods, and its long-term effects on Artemia. Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/handle/123456789/22748 2024-04-01T00:00:00Z http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/handle/123456789/22747 Title: SUSTAINABLE GREEN SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING Coffea arabica HUSK WITH POTENTIAL BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES Authors: KAVIN TAMILSELVAN Abstract: This research focused on the sustainable green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Coffea arabica husk, an agro-industrial byproduct, as a reducing and capping agent. The primary problem addressed by this study is the environmental challenges posed by agro-waste disposal and the limitations of conventional nanoparticle synthesis methods, which often involve toxic chemicals and high energy consumption. This eco-friendly approach provides an alternative to conventional chemical and physical methods, promoting waste valorization and reducing environmental impact. The objective of this research was to develop an efficient, sustainable method for synthesizing AgNPs while exploring their potential applications in antimicrobial and anticancer therapies. Bioactive compounds in the coffee husk extract were identified through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which facilitated the formation of AgNPs. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, showing an absorption peak around 400 nm, confirming successful AgNPs synthesis. Morphological analysis via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed spherical AgNPs with an average size of approximately 147 nm. Zeta potential measurements indicated good nanoparticle stability, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of functional groups responsible for nanoparticle stabilization. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis further verified the crystalline structure of the AgNPs, with diffraction peaks corresponding to the face-centered cubic structure of silver. The AgNPs demonstrated significant antibacterial activity in agar disc diffusion assays, effectively inhibiting bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis. Furthermore, Coffea arabica husk-derived AgNPs were tested for cytotoxicity using the MTS assay against the MCF-7 cancer cell line and L6 skeletal muscle cell line, showing selective cytotoxic effects on cancer cells with an IC50 value of 16.7 µg/mL, while exhibiting no toxic effects on normal skeletal muscle cells. These findings underscore the potential of Coffea arabica husk-derived AgNPs as promising antibacterial and anticancer agents, supporting their application in sustainable biomedical fields. Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/handle/123456789/22747 2024-12-01T00:00:00Z