The aims of this research were to estimate the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity from different parts of cucumber. The antioxidant activity was investigated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total flavonoid and phenolic contents were estimated using aluminium chloride and Folin-Ciocalteau reagents assays, respectively. Our finding showed that the ethanolic peel extract contained the highest phenolic (23.08 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (14.02 mg QE/g). Also, ethanolic peel extract demonstrated significantly (p<0.05) higher FRAP value. Pearson correlation revealed that there were positive correlations (p<0.01) between TPC and TFC with FRAP assay. These findings suggest that consumption of cucumber with peel may provide optimum health benefit than its peeled counterpart.

FTIR spectroscopy is a fast, non-destructive and sensitive technique, which has been widely used for chemicals fingerprinting. It is suitable for natural products bioactive compounds analysis, 1 since no two compounds will have the same spectra. 2 It has been used for comparison and discrimination of plant/food from different origins and cultivars, such as almond cultivars subjected to oxidative treatments. 3 Ficus deltoidea belongs to the family of Moraceae. It is distributed throughout the Southeast Asia as well as Africa. 4 In Malaysia, it is called mas cotek or sempitsempit, while in Indonesia is known as tabat barito. Its other vernacular names are Delta fig, Fig shrub and Mistletoe. 4 It is a herb with various therapeutic benefits such as for reducing diabetic symptoms and other health risk related conditions such as obesity. 5 Various studies have applied spectroscopy coupled with MVDA to examine the differences/similarity in cultivars or plant varieties. 6 Previously, the six varieties that showed leaf morphological variations by quantitative measurement on different parts of the plant, are:

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The roles of protein in bodybuilding and the regulation of biological processes are important in sustaining life. A large amount of protein is required by both humans and animals and this cannot be supplied by only conventional sources. This is because of the rapid increase in world population. The present sources of protein will not meet global protein demand in years to come. Scientists explore the production of single-cell protein (SCP), as an alternative source of protein, through the utilization of wastes and low-value materials. SCP can supply high-quality protein containing both essential and non-essential amino acids that can be utilized by humans and animals. Protein from microbial biomass is cheaper than animal proteins because the substrates used in the production are generally cheaper and more readily available. Moreover, the production process does not require arable land and the entire process can be completed within a short time. This article reviewed the process of SCP production. Different raw materials used in the production and variations in growth media preparation methods were discussed. Various sources of fermentation microorganisms and their potential substrate were reviewed. Growth media enrichment using different carbon, nitrogen, and mineral sources was also discussed.