Science Heritage Journal | Galeri Warisan Sains (GWS)

Acropora sp. is the second-most abundant among the coral genera in the Kuantan coastal region (KCR) located on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This study investigated the timing of coral spawning of two Acropora species; Acropora cytherea and Acropora clathrata through dissection and histological analyses of coral fragments that were collected during predicted spawning months (March until May 2018) from Balok reef, Kuantan. Histological results showed the presence of mature oocytes from a sample collected in April and May 2018, which indicate an extended gamete release pattern for these species within KCR. The gamete maturity coincided with the peak sea surface temperature within KCR from April until May. Both Acropora species spawned between 10-11 nights after the full moon. Present results also indicated that both Acropora species have optimal pelagic larvae duration (PLD) between 6 – 8 days after spawning. This study contributed to the limited knowledge of coral reproductive biology on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. In addition, the timing of coral spawning provides valuable data for population connectivity modelling.

Production of leaf vegetables requires intensive soil nutrients management. A 3-year field experiment was carried out to assess effects of vermiculite application rates on the growth and yield of Brassica napus. The experiment was conducted during the 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 summer seasons at the Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) farm, Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe. Vermiculite was applied at five levels of 0 (control), 1, 2, 5 and 10 t ha-1 in a completely randomised block design (RCBD) with 3 replicates. Basal and top-dressing fertilizers were applied using the recommended rates in the study area. The B. napus leaf width, leaf length, fresh and dry matter yield, leaf nutrient concentration and N and P uptake were measured. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) at p = 0.05 was done to compare the effects of vermiculite application rates on growth and yield of B. napus. Growth parameters and yield of B. napus significantly (P <0.05) differed among the five levels of vermiculite. Application rates of 5 t ha-1 and 10 t ha-1 improved leaf width and length, fresh and dry matter yield of B. napus. Farmers may therefore apply 5 -10 t ha-1 of vermiculite in order to increase rape leaf yields. However, there is need for further researches to determine the optimum application rates of vermiculite are essential.

The epidermal characteristics of five selected Melastoma L. species in Fraser Hill, Pahang that belongs to Melastomataceae family had been investigated. These five species namely M. muticum Ridl., M. decemfidum Roxb., M. perakense Ridl., M. sanguineum x malabathricum and M. malabathricum var. normale. The objective of this study is to determine whether epidermal characteristics in Melastoma could be taxonomic value in systematic and diagnostic investigations. Methods of the investigation involved epidermal peel and scanning electron microscopy. Results obtained revealed that the presence of hypostomatic stomata and guard cells pairs were elliptic in shaped for all species studied. Apart, the pattern of anticlinal walls on adaxial and abaxial surfaces was straight to wavy for all species studied except for wavy to sinuous anticlinal walls on abaxial surface of M. sanguineum x malabathricum. Furthermore, two types of stomata were observed among species studied such as anomocytic and diacytic stomata. Results showed that diacytic type was only present in M. sanguineum x malabathricum therefore could be a criterion to diagnose the species. Lastly, this present study was also reported on the presence of two types of guard cell pairs such as raised or slightly raised and sunken guard cell pairs. In conclusion, the present study revealed that the anticlinal walls and stomata patterning possess as taxonomic importance in identification and classification of Melastoma either at genus or species level.

Blooms of toxic Alexandrium tamiyavnichii have been recorded in several parts of the world including Malaysia. This Harmful algal bloom (HAB) has led to human illness and loss to fishery industries. In order to control the bloom and minimize the effects, the growth of the species needs to be inhibited using a mitigation agent, preferably environment friendly agent. In this study, an ornamental plant, Sansevieria trifasciata will be used to inhibit the growth of A. tamiyavanichii. The plants were fractionated to obtain fractions (dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol) from ethanol fresh and dried plants extracts. Eight concentrations (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg/mL) of these fractions were tested on the algae for 24 hours and removal efficiencies (RE) were determined. Toxicity test was conducted on Artemia using 10, 50, 100 and 500 mg/mL concentrations of active fractions for 24 hours. Phytochemical compounds were detected using standard procedures. Results obtained showed that the growth of A. tamiyavanichii was inhibited by all concentration tested. Active fractions from DCM using both fresh and dried plants showed good results with more that 80% RE values at 5 mg/mL within 2.5 to 5 hours. During the experiments, DCM used did not change the pH of the culture medium compared to methanol fraction. For phytochemical screening tests, compounds detected in all fractions were alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, reducing sugars and terpenoids. These compounds might cause the inhibition of targeted algae, however further study is needed to determine the bioactivity and its specific effect on HAB species. To conclude, fractions of DCM from fresh and dried S. trifasciata have the potential in the mitigation of A. tamiyavanichii. This could help to minimize the impact of this species on human health and reduce the loss to fishery industries.

Understanding source and sink pattern of coral larvae is among the key elements for effective ecosystem management and future habitat restoration. This study examined dispersal pattern of coral larvae among three known inshore reefs (Pulau Ular, Balok Reef and Raja Muda reef) in Kuantan coastal waters by simulating virtual larvae trajectories during spawning event in 2018. Dispersal pathways were modelled and constructed by incorporating biological traits (timing of spawning and pelagic larvae duration) using Langragian particle tracking module integrated with 2-dimensional, hydrodynamic, flexible network model (MIKE 21 FM). Results indicated that Acroporid larvae moved in southward direction throughout dispersal period. Source and sink dynamic suggested that Pulau Ular has high larvae retention (70%) in which most of larvae originated from natal reef. Balok reef was dominant source of larvae for Raja Muda reef. Results also indicated that patches reefs near Raja Muda was ideal sink site for coral larvae and should be prioritized for future ecosystem management action.

The propagation, extraction, and antibacterial studies of Azolla pinnata were carried out in this study. The propagation involved two fertilizers, which were chicken manure and inorganic AB fertilizer. The dry yield was extracted using two methods, which were Soxhlet and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Methanolic extracts were obtained and subjected to several antibacterial tests, which include the disk diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests, against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results showed that AB fertilizer produced more dry yield compared to chicken manure. The extract yield from Soxhlet exhibited a higher yield than that of SFE, recording its highest at 21.20%. The findings of antibacterial tests revealed that all extracts inhibited the growth of B. subtilis and S. aureus, but none showed inhibition against E. coli and P. aeruginosa. The largest diameter of inhibition zone of 2.67 ± 1.53 mm was obtained by E2 (CM-SFE), with a MIC value of 0.125 mg/mL against B. subtilis. High MBC values further confirm that the mechanism of inhibition against B. subtilis and S. aureus were due to the bacteriostatic properties of the extracts tested.

Ficus deltoidea or commonly known as ‘mas cotek’ is a herbal plant indigenous to Southeast Asia including Malaysia and Indonesia. This plant is popular for its medicinal values such as improve blood circulation, regain energy and enhance fertility naturally for both men and women. The main objective of this study is to develop in vitro clonal propagation method for rapid production of F. deltoidea using different concentrations of benzyl aminopurine (BAP) through shoot induction and multiplication, rooting and subsequent establishment in soil following acclimatization. Surface sterilization of the leaf explants was done using mercury chloride and ethanol as the disinfectants. Pre-treatment of the explants with carbendazim successfully reduced the occurrence of fungal contamination. At the end of the experiment, no shoot and root induction were observed but calli were successfully induced on MS medium containing 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mg/l BAP, with calli induced from 3.0 mg/l BAP were bigger and healthier. In short, the higher the concentration of BAP used, the higher tendency for the explant to induce callus.

Plant anatomy can play vital role in plant taxonomy for successfully resolve taxonomic problems among different plant species. The anatomical studies of plant species living in coastal area of Kuantan, Pahang are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the common, variation and diagnostic characteristics of leaf anatomy and micromorphology of selected plant species collected from Balok and Sepat beach area which can give additional information for identification of species. Four species studied namely Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br., Calophyllum inophyllum L., Hibiscus tiliaceus L. and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl. Methods used were sectioning using sliding microtome, epidermal peeling and leaf micromorphology method using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The findings from this study showed that only three characteristics are similar among them which include the presence of collenchyma, sclerenchyma and mucilage cells or canals in either petiole or midrib of the leaves. Meanwhile, there are eight differences were observed which are types of stomata and trichomes, pattern of anticlinal wall and vascular bundles, type of epicuticular wax structures, cuticle ornamentations, size of epidermal cells and the presence of cell inclusions. The diagnostic characteristics identified in this study are closed-system of vascular bundle, presence of multicellular capitate glandular, 2-4 armed trichomes and 5-8 armed stellate trichomes and also flakes type of wax layers that can only be found in H. tiliaceus while 1:1 ratio size of epidermal cells can only be found in I. pes-caprae. The study reveals that leaf anatomy and micromorphology characteristics could be beneficial as an additional data for identification of species along the coastal area of Kuantan, Pahang.

Internet of things (IoT) plays a great role in the 21st century than a couple of years ago. Internet of things (IoT) provides us a technologically and optimistic image of the future where several computing objects are linked to the internet and they can recognize themselves with additional computing strategies. In this paper detail review of security issues over different layers of IoT has been covered. This paper also discusses the solutions possible to overcome those security issues. In this paper the brief discussion on security threats and how to measure it respectively to protect information or confidential information of the users IoT accentuations on controlling different assignments and attempt to approve the physical things to act denied of any obstruction of the human. The up and coming and existing IoT introductions are much guaranteed to expand the solace level, effectiveness, and robotization of the clients. The objects can represent digitally because IoT is very significant.

Kaduk (Piper sarmentosum) is popular due to its culinary and medicinal properties and has been used traditionally in different parts of the world to cure many diseases and ailments. One of the studies which was conducted by Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) shows that the extract from P. sarmentosum leaves contains antioxidant properties. However, a scientific study of its antioxidant level based on leaf maturity has not yet been conducted. Thus, this study aims to screen the antioxidant activity of P. sarmentosum based on the leaf maturity, from young, middle-age and matured leaves. The leaves were extracted by maceration using methanol and the antioxidant activity was determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Results showed that the middle-age leaves contain the highest antioxidant activity followed by the young and matured leaves. Hence, if P. sarmentosum’s leaves are to be collected for its antioxidant properties, it is best to harvest the middle-age leaves to gain the optimized yield of antioxidant properties.