Research List

No.	Researcher	Title	Abstract	Year
1101	Thu Zar Nyein	PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BISMUTH FERRITE (BiFeO3) NANOPARTICLES BY SOL-GEL METHOD	This research work was concerned with the preparation and characterization of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3), a trigonal or rhombohedral distorted perovskite structure, by sol-gel method. In this method, BiFeO3 powder was prepared by using bismuth(III) nitrate and iron(III) nitrate as starting materials. The precursor powders were calcined at different temperatures (450, 550, 650 and 750 ?C) for 4 h. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, TG-DTA and FT IR and SEM techniques. The calcined temperature of 550 ?C was selected as optimum temperature due to high crystallinity and average nanocrystallite size. Some physicochemical properties (pH, moisture, bulk density, porosity and surface area) of the prepared BiFeO3 powder sample calcined at 550 ?C were also determined.	2020
1102	Zin Thu Khaing	INVESTIGATION ON SOME BIOACTIVITIES AND THE NUTRIENTS OF NEPHELIUM LAPPACEUM L. (KYET-MAUK) SEEDS	Nephelium lappaceum L. (Sapindaceae) popularly known as Kyet-mauk in Myanmar which is one of the traditional medicinal plant. So, N. lappaceum (Kyet-mauk) seeds were chosen for this research work. The present research work was designated to evaluate the antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of N. lappaceum seed. The preliminary phytochemical investigation by test tube method revealed the presence of alkaloids, ?�amino acids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, organic acids, phenolic compounds, reducing sugars, saponins, starch, tannins and terpenoids. Cyanogenic glycosides and steroids were not found in N. lappaceum seed. Investigation on nutrients (moisture, ash, fat, protein, fiber and carbohydrate) of N. lappaceum seed has been carried out by AOAC method. An energy value (Kyet-mauk) seed was found to be 430.07 kcal/100 g on the basis of dried sample. The mineral contents: K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and Rb were relatively observed by EDXRF spectroscopy. Among them, potassium content of the sample was the highest (49.528 %). In the screening of the antioxidant activity by DPPH method, IC50 values of ethanol and watery extracts were found to be 16.34 ?g/mL and 17.31 ?g/mL, respectively. In vitro ?-amylase inhibitory activity of ethanol and watery extracts was investigated by using the starch-iodine method. The percent inhibition of ?-amylase activity of ethanol extract (IC50 = 80.58 ?g/mL) and watery extract (IC50 = 178.86 ?g/mL) indicated the superiority of ethanol extract over watery extract. The total phenol contents (TPC) of ethanol and watery extracts of N. lappaceum seed were determined by FCR method. The TPC contents of ethanol and watery extracts were respectively observed to be (79.88 � 2.86 �g GAE/mg) and (30.73 � 7.65 �g GAE/mg). The antimicrobial activities of the various crude extracts (petether, acetyl acetate, ethanol and watery extracts) of N. lappaceum seed sample were determined against six strains of microorganisms by agar well diffusion method. The ethanol extract showed the antimicrobial activity with the inhibition zone diameters range 10 ~ 14 mm against six microorganisms such as B. subtilis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, B. pumilus, C. albicans and E. coli. The cytotoxicity of ethanol and watery extracts of N. lappaceum seed were evaluated by brine shrimp cytotoxicity bioassay. The LD50 values of ethanol and watery extracts were LD50 > 1000 ?g /mL.	2020
1103	Nan Yu Nwe	CHARACTERIZATION OF MODIFIED CHITOSAN-ALGINATESTARCH-GLYCEROL/ SORBITOL COMPOSITE MEMBRANES AND THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIESZ	The chitosan-alginate-starch composite membranes (CAS 1- 4), modified chitosan-alginate-starchglycerol composite membranes (CASG 1- 4) and modified chitosan-alginate-starch-sorbitol composite membranes (CASS 1- 4) were prepared by using casting and autoclaving methods. These membranes have smooth surfaces, highly transparent and pale yellow colour. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break and tear strength of these prepared membranes were determined. Based on the mechanical properties of the prepared composite membranes: CAS-3, CASG-2 and CASS-2 composite membranes were chosen for further studies. The selected composite membranes were characterized by FT IR and SEM analyses. SEM micrographs of composite membranes showed their significant nature of surface morphologies. The antimicrobial activities of these membranes were tested by agar well diffusion method as to apply these membranes for biomedical applications.	2020
1104	Phyu Phyu Lwin	PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND APPLICATION OF NANOSILICA AND NANOSILICA XEROGEL FROM BAMBOO LEAVES	Giant bamboo (Wa-bo-gyi) is the largest member of the grass family in Myanmar. In this research, the preparation and characterization of the nanosilica extracted from bamboo leaves (Dendrocalamas giganteus Munro, Wa-bo-gyi) were studied. At first, bamboo leaves ash was prepared from bamboo leaves by calcination at various temperatures with different times. Characterization of bamboo leaves ash samples was carried out by using EDXRF, XRD, SEM and FT IR techniques. The XRD data for all of these synthesized samples showed the silica with nanosize. From EDXRF analysis, the presence of SiO2, K2O, P2O5, CaO of bamboo leaves was found. The maximum relative abundance of SiO2 was found to be 52.29 % at the calcination temperature of 1000 �C for 2 h. The physicochemical properties of the selected sample (calcined at 1000 �C for 2 h), were 0.37 % of moisture, 3.08 % of ash, 1.44 g/mL of bulk density and 10.03 pH of Silica xerogel powder was prepared from the selected sample by using 1 M NaOH and 6 M H2SO4 solution. The prepared silica powder was characterized by EDXRF, XRD, SEM and FT IR analyses. The particle size of xerogel was slightly increased (30.5 nm) and the relative abundance of silica was significantly promoted to 84.15 %. The selected sample was introduced into the formulation of cement. The quality of cement (soundness, normal consistency, setting time, compressive strength and tensile strength) improved when mixing with the selected ash sample.	2020
1105	Htet Htet Than Sein	PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CELLULOSE NANOFIBRES FROM PINEAPPLE LEAF FIBRES AND SUGARCANE BAGASSE	The aim of the study was to extract cellulose nanofibres (CNF) from pineapple leaf fibres (PALF) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB). The CNF was isolated from PALF and SCB by mechanical treatments and chemical treatments using alkaline, acids and inorganic salts. The physicochemical properties of prepared samples such as moisture content, ash content, pH and solubility were determined conventionally. Yield percent of pineapple leaf cellulose nanofibres (PALCNF) was higher than that of sugarcane bagasse cellulose nanofibres (SCBCNF). The raw samples and prepared samples were characterized by XRD, FT IR, EDXRF and SEM analysis to confirm as cellulose nanofibres. Crystallinity index percent of the prepared cellulose nanofibres was investigated by using XRD analysis. According to the XRD investigation, PALCNF and SCBCNF have the sharp diffraction peak is 2? value at 22? and the amorphous diffraction peak is 2? value at 18?. It could be noticed that cellulose was present in the form of cellulose. Based on the FT IR spectrum, there are several peaks in raw samples which are not found in the spectrum of cellulose nanofibres. The EDXRF table shows the elemental constituents of the untreated raw samples and the CNF after chemical treatment. The SEM analysis showed that the PALCNF has fibrous nature and the SCBCNF has irregular aggregated shape fibrils.	2020
1106	Aye Khine Soe	FERMENTATION PROCESS, ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF KEFIR GRAINS FERMENTED MILK, GRAPE (VITIS VINIFERA L.) AND APPLE (MALUS PUMILA) JUICES	The purpose of this study was to prepare low alcoholic fruit beverages through fermentation of grape juice and apple juice with kefir grains and optimum conditions for fermentation has been studied. The present study includes phytochemical investigation of selected fruits (grape and apple), antimicrobial activity and some physicochemical analysis of kefir fermented milk and fruits juice such as pH, titratable acidity, alcohol content, reducing sugar content and total soluble solids were determined. During the12 - 48 h of incubation, pH values of the fermented milk kefir and fruits-based beverages ranged from 5.8 to 3.0. These pH values were similar to those previously reported for kefir beverage. The antimicrobial activity of water kefir, apple juice kefir, grape juice kefir and milk kefir was screened with microorganisms such as three Gram positive bacteria - Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus aureus, two Gram negative bacteria - Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a fungus Candida albicans by agar well diffusion method. Milk kefir exhibited higher antimicrobial potency against the test organisms with inhibition zone diameters ranged between 20mm - 25 mm. Apple juice kefir and grape juice kefir also exhibited antimicrobial potency against the test organisms with inhibition zone diameters ranged between 18 mm - 23 mm.	2020
1107	Khin Sandar Lin	ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ?-AMYLASE DURING GERMINATION OF MAIZE GRAINS (ZEA MAYS L.)	?-Amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) break down long-chain carbohydrate, ultimately yielding maltotriose and maltose. In this research, ?-amylase from germinating maize grains was extracted by using sodium chloride and acetate buffer pH 5.6 solution. Qualitative examination of ?-amylase activity in the solution was carried out by using iodine staining method. Soluble starch was used as a substrate for ?-amylase activity determination by measuring the absorbance of maltose using UVvisible spectrophotometer. ?-Amylase activities during germinating of maize grains were studied by determining the daily enzyme activity. The maximum ?-amylase activity was found on third day of growth. The protein content of enzyme solution was determined by Biuret method. The specific activity of enzyme solution was calculated to be 12.035 �mol min-1 mg -1 . The enzyme unit (EU) of crude ?-amylase was found to be 165.01 EU per gram of maize grains. The optimum pH of ?-amylase was found to be 5.6 in acetate buffer and optimum temperature was found to be 60 �C. The values of Km and Vmax treated statistically using the linear regression method were compared with various graphically methods (Michaelis-Menten, Lineweaver-Burk, Eadie-Hofstee and Hanes-Wilkinson). The Km and Vmax values of ?-amylase were found to be 0.192?10-2 g mL-1 and 1.978?10-3 M min-1 , respectively, from Lineweaver-Burk plot. The reaction order (n) for ?-amylase was calculated to be 1.203 proving that the reaction order is first order. The activation energy (Ea) of ?-amylase-catalyzed reaction was calculated to be 4.977 kcal mol-1 . In this research, cassava sample was used as a starch source for the preparation of maltose. The maltose content in the prepared sample was determined by using Dinitrosalicylic acid method.	2020
1108	Mi Myat Su Mon	MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NATURAL RUBBER CHITOSAN COMPOSITES	The present research work focuses on the preparation and characterization of natural rubber composite by incorporation of chitosan as filler into the rubber matrix. In the preparation of natural rubber chitosan composites, the chitosan powder loading were 0 %, 2.5 %, 5 %, 7.5 % and 10 %. The rubber chitosan composite compounding was prepared by using two roll mills and then molded by compression molding method. The mechanical properties of natural rubber chitosan composites such as specific gravity, tensile modulus (MPa), tensile strength (MPa), elongation at break (%) and tear strength (kN/m) were determined by standard rubber testing methods (ASTM). The result suggested that increasing the chitosan powder loading, specific gravity and tensile modulus of the composites were increased and tensile strength, elongation at break and tear strength of the composites were decreased. The prepared natural rubber chitosan composites were characterized by SEM technique.	2020
1109	Nyein Chan Aye	EFFECT OF ALKALI TREATMENT ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BANANA STEM FIBER REINFORCED NATURAL RUBBER COMPOSITES	In this present work, composites are made by using untreated banana stem fiber, alkali treated banana stem fiber and natural rubber. A mixture of 4 % NaOH and 2 % Na2SO3 were used for modification of banana stem fiber (BSF). The alkali treatment was conducted to reduce the lignin content on the surface of fiber and to improve the adhesion between the rubber and matrix. The natural rubber-banana stem fiber composites were prepared by moulding method with various weight ratio (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) of untreated and treated banana stem fiber. The untreated and alkali treated banana stem fiber were characterized by modern techniques such as FT IR and SEM. The mechanical properties such as hardness, specific gravity, tensile strength, elongation at break and tear strength of natural rubber- banana stem fiber composites were then determined by standard rubber testing methods.	2020
1110	Aye Aye Mar	STUDY ON NUTRITIONAL VALUES, PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND CYTOTOXICITY OF PREPARED NUTRACEUTICAL TABLET FROM SELECTED FRUITS	In the present work locally grown T. Chebula (Phan -kha), P. emblica (Zibyu) and T. bellerica (Thit-seint) were selected to make nutraceutical tablets. The selected fruit samples were identified at Botany Department University of Yangon. Then the nutritional values, mineral contents, Physicochemical properties, effect of storage time, phytochemical constituents, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of the prepared tablet samples were determined. The water content of 29.94 %, ash content of 4.00 %, protein content of 1.89 %, fiber content of 2.22 %, fat content of 3.04 %, carbohydrate content of 58.91 %, in the tablet sample energy value of 270.56 kcal/100g and vitamin C content of 44.88 mg/100g were observed. The pH of the prepared sample was 4.20 and the total acidity of tablet contained 2.08 mg/100 g . The effect of storage time on water contents, ash contents, vitamin C contents, total acidity contents and pH of prepared tablet samples were also determined. It was found that, the water content slightly decreased from 1 month to 3 month storage time duration. The ash also slightly decreased and the vitamin C content significantly decreased within 3 months duration time. The total acidity slightly decreased and pH values were not changed with the longer storage time. The mineral contents of prepared tablet samples were determined by ED XRF spectrum. It was found that 0.549 % K, 0.138 % Si, 0.118 % Ca, 0.024 % P, 0.021 % S, 0.008 % Fe, 0.003 % Mn, 0.002 % Rb, 0.002 %Cu, 0.002 % Sr and 0.001 % Zn were present in this sample The preliminary phytochemical tests indicated that various types of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, reducing sugars, saponins, terpenoids and organic acids together with ? -amino acids and starch were present in the sample. The antimicrobial activity of tablet samples from medicinal plant species has been evaluated in vitro against microorganisms including five bacterial species (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus pumilus and Escherichia coli) and one fungus species (Candida albicans). In general ethanol and watery extracts of tablet samples exhibited antimicrobial activity. The cytotoxicity of water extracts of nutraceutical tablets was evaluated by brine shrimp cytotoxicity bioassay. The crude watery extract was not cytotoxic to brine shrimp up to maximum dose of 1000 �g/ L. The LD 50 value of standard K2Cr2O7 was <1 �g/L and caffeine was > 1000 �g/L.	2020

Research Publications

Myanmar Academy of Art & Science List of Research