(Evaluating the Potential of Polysaccharides Extracted from Arthrospira platensis A1 as a Prebiotic Source to Bacillus velezensis FS26) Muhamad Firdaus Syahmi Sam-on, Shuhaimi Mustafa, Mohd Termizi Yusof, Amalia Mohd Hashim, Shahrizim Zulkifly Sains Malaysiana, 2025 Prebiotik ialah karbohidrat tidak hadam yang digunakan secara selektif oleh probiotik untuk memberi manfaat kepada kesihatan perumah. Arthrospira platensis berpotensi sebagai prebiotik kerana kehadiran polisakarida kompleks dalam strukturnya. Walau bagaimanapun, tiada kajian yang memfokuskan kepada potensi prebiotik daripada polisakarida sianobakteria ini. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk menilai polisakarida yang diekstrak daripada A. platensis A1 dan kesan prebiotiknya terhadap pertumbuhan probiotik akuakultur B. velezensis FS26. Polisakarida larut air telah diekstrak daripada A. platensis A1 menggunakan kaedah pemanasan bertekanan tinggi (121 ºC, 15 minit) dan air panas (90 ºC, 3 jam). Polisakarida mentah bagi kedua-dua kaedah pengekstrakan menunjukkan >85% ketidakcernaan dalam jus gastrik (pH 1-5) pada pengeraman sehingga enam jam. Puncak utama dalam analisis FTIR telah dikesan masing-masing pada panjang gelombang 860, 1000-1200 dan 3300-3400 cm-1, menunjukkan kehadiran ikatan α-glikosidik, cincin piranosa dan getaran hidroksil. Kehadiran sebatian larut air turut dikesan menggunakan spektrofotometer UV-Vis pada panjang gelombang 300-400 nm dalam kedua-dua ekstrak polisakarida. Selain itu, polisakarida daripada A. platensi boleh digunakan oleh probiotik B. velezensis FS26 berdasarkan ujian karbohidrat merah fenol yang mana berlaku perubahan warna merah ke kuning/oren. Di samping itu, polisakarida yang diekstrak menggunakan pemanasan bertekanan tinggi menunjukkan pertumbuhan yang ketara untuk B. velezensis FS26 dalam kedua-dua media diperkaya dan minimum masing-masing pada bacaan 0.6 × 109 dan 7.1 × 109 CFU/mL, berbanding ekstrak air panas, inulin atau tiada karbohidrat. Kesimpulannya, polisakarida mentah daripada A. platensis A1 mempunyai aktiviti prebiotik untuk probiotik B. velezensis FS26 dan berpotensi sebagai sinbiotik dalam akuakultur.
Prevalence and Survival of Salmonella spp. in Raw Chicken: Risks in Online Delivery and Storage Systems Alia Syafieqah Zulkifli, Sahilah Abd Mutalib, Muhamad Firdaus Syahmi Sam-On, Nurul Aqilah Mohd Zaini Sains Malaysiana, 2025 Nontyphoidal Salmonella is one of the most significant foodborne pathogens found mainly in poultry, with Salmonella enterica subp. enterica serovar Typhimurium is the most common cause of poultry-related outbreaks. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and S. Typhimurium in raw chicken purchased from online stores and to evaluate the shelf-life of raw chicken stored in frozen (-18 °C) and chilled (4 °C) conditions. A total of twenty-seven (n=27) samples were purchased in three consecutive months. Detection of Salmonella spp. and S. Typhimurium were determined using standard ISO 6579-1:2017 and molecular methods. Results show that all brands purchased online were contaminated with Salmonella spp. and S. Typhimurium, with Brand B exhibiting the highest prevalence of Salmonella spp. (100%) and Brand A, showing the highest prevalence of S. Typhimurium (66.7%). Chicken wings showed significantly higher contamination (p < 0.05) compared to breast and thigh parts. Shelf-life analysis combined with predictive modelling showed that freezing is effective in preserving raw chicken, with a daily inactivation rate of Total Viable Count (TVC) (0.23%) and Salmonella spp. (0.45%), which is also predicted to be safely stored up to 9 months in a freezer. Under chilled storage, the raw chicken acceptance limit was 0.38 days (≤ log 5 cfu/g), while the spoilage threshold was 4.2 days (≥ log 7 cfu/g). The results of this study suggest that raw chicken purchased from online stores is potentially contaminated with Salmonella spp. thus, safe handling and delivery need to be practised to reduce the risk.
Isolation and characterization of Thraustochytrids from Malaysian mangrove ecosystem for fatty acids and terpenoid production Rishitharan Ponnambalan, Pranesha Prabhakaran, Muhamad Firdaus Syahmi Sam-on, Lim Seng Joe, Fareed Sairi, Nurul Aqilah Mohd Zaini, Aidil Abdul Hamid, Mohamed Yusuf Mohamed Nazir Journal of Applied Phycology, 2025 Thraustochytrids are well-known for their ability to produce a variety of fatty acids, including polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), saturated fatty acids (SFA), odd-chain fatty acids (OCFA), as well as terpenoids such as squalene and carotenoids. However, despite Malaysia's extensive mangrove ecosystems, there have been limited studies on the diversity and potential of these microorganisms to produce fatty acids and terpenoids. In this study, we have isolated and screened oleaginous thraustochytrids capable of producing PUFAs and terpenoids from the mangrove ecosystem at Kelanang, Selangor, Malaysia. Nine dominant thraustochytrid strains with distinct macroscopic and microscopic characteristics were further cultivated in three different types of medium: YEP, GY, and BURJA and the impact of these media on the production of fatty acids, squalene, and carotenoids were evaluated. All isolates exhibited significant production of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and palmitic acid (C16:0). The highest DHA and C16:0 yields were observed in isolate S1 grown in YEP medium (50.89%) and in isolate S10 grown in GY medium (69.03%), respectively. Additionally, isolate S13 demonstrated a remarkable capacity for pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) production, reaching nearly 15% of total fatty acids (w/w) when cultivated in GY medium. Squalene production reached up to 652.38 mg L -1 in isolate S5, while isolate S10 emerged as the highest carotenoid producer, yielding 1.77 mg L -1 in GY medium. Isolates S5 ( Thraustochytrium striatum strain S5), S1 ( Aurantiochytrium limacinum strain S1), and S10 ( Thraustochytrium kinnei strain S10) show promising potential for further optimisation and industrial applications in the sustainable production of high value bioproducts such as lipids, DHA, squalene, and carotenoids.
Bioremediation Potential of Cooking Oil-Degrading Microbes from Food Processing and Restaurant Wastewater Muhamad Firdaus Syahmi Sam-on, Mohd Asrore Mohd Shaufi, Ismail Nur Isz Aishah, Saad Nur Alyaa Afiqah, Muhammad Salahudin Kheirel Anuar, Mohd Termizi Yusof, Shuhaimi Mustafa, Mohd Zia Rosli ASM Science Journal, 2025 Fat, oil, and grease (FOG) pollution from the food industry poses significant environmental and economic challenges, contributing to wastewater blockages and river contamination. Traditional physical treatments, such as precipitation and oil-water separation, are costly, labour-intensive, and generate secondary waste. Microbe-based biological treatment has emerged as a safer and more effective alternative. This study aims to isolate and characterise oil -degrading microbes from wastewater produced by food processing factories and restaurants in Malaysia. Four microbial strains—Acinetobacter oryzae MSMA-I1, A. piscicola MSMA-I2, Candida palmioleophila MSMA- A3, and A. guillouiae MSMA-A7—were identified through biochemical and molecular testing. The isolates demonstrated high growth rates and emulsification activity when incubated with 2% cooking oil as the sole carbon source for 72 hours. These strains also exhibited resilience at temperatures of 25–37 °C and pH 6–9, conditions typical of Malaysian wastewater. Gravimetric analysis showed that isolates I2, A3, and A7 achieved oil degradation rates exceeding 50%, while isolate I1 exhibited lower efficiency at 31.58%. This study provides valuable microbial candidates for the efficient bioremediation of FOG in food industry wastewater, offering a sustainable solution to environmental pollution.
Exploring the Global Trends of Bacillus, Trichoderma and Entomopathogenic Fungi for Pathogen and Pest Control in Chili Cultivation Muhamad Firdaus Syahmi Sam-on, Shuhaimi Mustafa, Mohd Termizi Yusof, Amalia Mohd Hashim, Ku Nur Azwa Ku Aizuddin Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 2024 Chili, renowned globally and deeply ingrained in various cultures. Regrettably, the onset of diseases instigated by pests and pathogens has inflicted substantial losses on chili crops, with some farms experiencing complete production decimation. Challenges confronting chili cultivation include threats from pathogenic microbes like Xanthomonas, Fusarium, Phytophthora, Verticillium, Rhizoctonia, Colletotrichium and Viruses, alongside pests such as whiteflies, mites, thrips, aphids, and fruit flies. While conventional farming practices often resort to chemical pesticides to combat these challenges, their utilization poses substantial risks to both human health and the environment. In response to this pressing issue, this review aims to evaluate the potential of microbe-based biological control as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides for chili cultivation. Biocontrol agents such as Bacillus spp., Trichoderma spp., and entomopathogenic fungi present safer and more environmentally sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides. However, despite the recognised potential of biocontrol agents, research on their efficacy in controlling the array of pests and pathogens affecting chili farming remains limited. This review addresses this gap by evaluating the efficiency of biocontrol agents, drawing insights from existing studies conducted in other crop systems, regarding pest and pathogen management. Notably, an analysis of Scopus publications revealed fewer than 30 publications in 2023 focused on these three microbial agents. Intriguingly, India, as the world’s largest chili producer, leads in the number of publications concerning Bacillus spp., Trichoderma spp., and entomopathogenic fungi in chili cultivation. Further research on microbial agents is imperative to mitigate infections and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides for sustainable chili production.
