Ficus deltoidea leaves were widely used as a tea beverages in Malaysia with no information of its mineral content. Hence the mineral content of two species of Ficus deltoidea leaves were investigated. The dried leaves of F. deltoidea var. angustifolia and F. deltoidea var. deltoidea were acid digested and mineral elements of Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Cr, Fe and Zn were determined using ICP–MS. Magnesium, potassium, sodium, manganese, iron and zinc were found to be present in the leaves of F. deltoidea var. angustifolia and F. deltoidea var. deltoidea. Concentration of magnesium (1934 mg/L), manganese (58.37 mg/L), iron (6.89 mg/L) and zinc (1.77 mg/L) in F. deltoidea var. deltoidea species were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in F. deltoidea var. angustifolia species with concentration of 317 mg/L, 29.62 mg/L, 4.55 mg/L and 1.26 mg/L for magnesium, manganese, iron and zinc respectively. Meanwhile, concentration of sodium in F. deltoidea var. deltoidea species (3.13 mg/L) was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the concentration in F. deltoidea var. angustifolia species (9.11 mg/L). The finding showed that the leaves of F. deltoidea var. deltoidea has higher nutritional value than the leaves of F. deltoidea var. angustifolia. Leaves of Ficus deltoidea especially the F. deltoidea var. deltoidea species contain high amount of magnesium, manganese and potassium. Therefore, tea made of this leaves can be served as a good source of minerals for human consumption

Herbal-based slimming products which are consumed orally may be contaminated with heavy metals as well as microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the safety level of these slimming products by determining heavy metals and microbial contamination in different batch production. Six different brands of herbal-based slimming products (A, B, C, G, H and I) with three different batch productions (1, 2 and 3) were investigated (n =18). Five heavy metals Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper and Zinc were determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The presence of microorganisms was determined by total aerobic count and the bacteria were identified. The samples’ moisture content was determined by calculating the percentage of water loss after drying process. All batches of samples A and B had high content of zinc, over the permissible level of 5ppm while, 6 samples contained Chromium above the permissible level (1.5 ppm). All 3 batches of sample A presented with the highest total daily intake of heavy metals. Bacteria were present in all the samples tested with the highest numbers in samples G, H and A followed by B, I and C. The highest number of fungi was found in product A while product I was free from fungal contamination. Aspergillus spp. was the predominant fungus present in the samples. There was a weak correlation between moisture content and bacteria (r = 0.087) and fungal (r = 0.253) presence in the samples. As some herbal slimming products contain heavy metals as well as microorganisms, consumers need to be more vigilant and discerning when selecting products to be consumed.
Metals, Heavy

Abstract An epsilometer-test method was used to determine MIC values of several antibiotics against 29 Helicobacter pylori isolated from gastric antrum of dyspepsia patients. Isolates with resistance towards antibiotics were 6.9% -65.5% but these were tetracycline-sensitive. Eight isolates showed multi-resistance towards two antimicrobial agents. The high resistance strains towards metronidazole is alarming.

Introduction: Adequate knowledge of antibiotics usage among users is one of the key factors preventing the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains’ infections. This study is conducted to determine the level of awareness on antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance among the residents in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study that consisted of three parts: socio-demographic profile, antibiotic use awareness, and antibiotic resistance awareness. The questionnaire was distributed online using the snowball sampling method from January to March 2021. Results: A total of 239 respondents have participated in this study. The majority of the respondents involved were among the Malay youth residents in Selangor. Results showed that most residents in Selangor (65%) misunderstand that antibiotics can treat cold and flu. More than 44% of respondents also thought that antibiotic resistance could only occur to individuals who frequently take antibiotics and could not be spread to other people. Findings also showed associations (p<0.05) between the level of awareness on antibiotic resistance and the respondents’ socio-demographic profile (education level, household income and settlement category). A significant positive correlation was also observed between the level of awareness of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance (r=0.42, p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, the Selangor respondents’ antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance level of awareness are moderate to high. However, there is still a need to increase awareness of antibiotic resistance and correct the misunderstandings among the public to help curb the antibiotic resistance issue from rapidly increasing in the future.

Aims: The aquaculture industry has been identified as one of the sources for the emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. This study aimed to determine the level of bacterial contamination from selected catfish pond farming at Jasin, Melaka and its susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. The correlation between the sampling points’ Water Quality Index and the level of bacterial contamination was also determined. Methodology and results : Sampling was carried out at six sampling points of the river as well as selected catfish pond farming. Microbial counts were assessed using the membrane filtration and isolates were further identified by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were carried out using the disk diffusion method. Results showed that the total bacterial count obtained was not significantly different (P>0.05) between sampling points with an average of 4.47 ± 0.41 log CFU/mL. A total of 27 different bacterial species were identified where 63% were identified as Gram-negative bacteria. A medium negative correlation (r=-6.16, P<0.01) was found between the sampling points’ Water Quality Index and the level of bacterial contamination. Among bacterial species identified, 18 species are pathogenic strains. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Antibiotic susceptibility test indicated that only 4 isolates showed resistance to antimicrobials tested and the study shows the potential cross contamination between fishponds and Kesang River, Melaka. Thus, public health concerns are tangible, and prevention of the cross contamination is crucial for the farm.