Research Publications

Academic theses and dissertations are regularly published and widely disseminated in YUOE Journal, Monographs, Universities Research Journal (URJ), Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science (MAAS) Journal, AsTEN Research Journal and International online Journals for sharing knowledge and contributing to the development of our education.

Myanmar Academy of Art & Science List of Research

No. Researcher Title Abstract Year
311 Nyein Chan Aye CHARACTERIZATION OF BANANA STEM FIBER AND EGG SHELL POWDER – NATURAL RUBBER COMPOSITES This research work mainly concerned with the characterization of banana stem fiber(BSF) and egg shell powder(ESP)- natural rubber composites. Banana stem fiber and egg shell powder were used as fillers in the process of preparation of natural rubber composites. The banana stem fiber and egg shell powder-natural rubber composites were prepared by moulding method with various weight ratio (5 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 %) of banana stem fiber and egg shell powder and were also characterized by modern technique such as SEM. The mechanical properties such as hardness, specific gravity, tensile strength, elongation at break and tear strength of banana stem fiber and egg shell powder- natural rubber composites were determined by standard rubber testing methods. From the experimental results, it was found that as the BSF and ESP loading increased, hardness and specific gravity also increased. Tensile strength of BSF and ESP composites decreased as BSF and ESP loading increased. Scanning electron micrograph results of both revealed that the distribution and adhesion interaction between the fillers and rubber matrix was good. It was generally observed that the egg shell powder presented better potentials for reinforcement than the banana stem fiber. These composites can be used as an alternative for various industrial applications. 2019
312 Aye Aye Myat EXTRACTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CHITOSANASE ENZYME FROM Bacillus megaterium UNDER LIQUID STATE FERMENTATION The present research work focuses on the extraction of chitosanase enzyme from soil bacteria (Bacillus megaterium). In this research, the soil sample was collected from Htauk-kyant Township, Yangon Region for the isolation and cultivation of bacteria. In the isolation process, bacteria were isolated from the soil sample by serial dilution plate method, followed by culture in nutrient agar medium. Ten bacterial strains (A1 to A10) were isolated from the soil sample and were characterized by microscopic examination and gram staining methods. Among these bacterial strains, A1, A2, A3, A4, A6, A8, A9 and A10 were found to be gram positive, whereas only A5 and A7 were gram negative. According to the biochemical tests, out of eight gram positive bacterial strains, only A2 was observed to give the positive results on motility tests, methyl red tests, citrate utilization tests, starch hydrolysis tests, sugar fermentation tests and negative results on indole tests, nitrate tests, (VP) Voges-Proskauer tests that similar to the characteristics of chitosanase enzyme producing bacteria (Bacillus megaterium). Hence, A2 might be identified as Bacillus megaterium. For extraction of chitosanase enzyme, the isolated bacterial strain (A2) was cultured on chitosanase producing medium of 0.6 % poly peptone, 0.1 % K2HPO4, 0.05 % MgSO4.7H2O, 0.6 % yeast extract, 0.1 % glucose and 0.5 % colloidal chitosan and incubated at 30 .C. The optimum incubation time (3 days) of enzyme forming bacteria, inoculum sizes of bacteria (10 %), age of culture of bacteria (3 days), temperature of enzyme-catalyzed reaction (55 .C) and pH (7.0) of chitosanase producing medium were determined based on the chitosanase activities. Turbid enzyme bacterial solution was so prepared under above conditions for preparation of enzyme bacterial solution. The enzyme bacterial solution was centrifuged with 3000 rpm at room temperature and the supernatant enzyme solution was collected. The crude chitosanase solution was obtained and then partially purified by successive precipitation method by using 30 % and 70 % saturation of ammonium sulphate. Finally the total enzyme activity, protein contents and specific activity of crude enzymes obtained from each purification step were determined. 2019
313 Khin Cho Lin ISOLATION AND GENOTYPIC IDENTIFICATION OFACIDITHIOBACILLUS FERROOXIDANS In this study, bioleaching of mineral pyrite ore collected from Moehti Moemi mining area, Yamethin Township, Mandalay Region was conducted by using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Two Soil samples were collected from two sampling areas, (Sakhangyi, SKG and Shwesin, SHN mining sites), Moehti Moemi, Yamethin, Mandalay Region. A. ferrooxidans was isolated from these two soil samples. The principal objective of the present investigation was to isolate and identify the acidophilic sulphur oxidizing A. ferrooxidans and to grow the isolates on selected 9K medium. The most commonly studied pyrite oxidizing bacteria are thermophilic A. ferrooxidans, which oxidizes ferrous iron and sulphur. The isolated bacteria were identified by phenotypic and genotypic identifications. In phenotypic identification, twelve biochemical tests such as motility test, hydrogen sulphide test, catalase test, urease test, starch hydrolysis test, indole test, methyl red test, gelatin liquefaction test, Voges- Proskauer test, nitrate reduction test, citrate utilization test and triple sugar iron test were performed. In genotypic identification, A. ferrooxidans was detected and confirmed by using specific primers for 16S rDNA PCR. 2019
314 Khaing Khaing Myint ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FUNGAL LACCASE FROM TRAMETES VERSICOLOR The present work focuses on screening, isolation, and partial characterization of the extracellular laccases from mushroom Trametes versicolor. Laccase-producing fungi were screened and isolated from the selected samples on Malt Extract Agar (MEA) medium. Laccase-producing fungi were detected by qualitative examination with guaiacol and tannic acid. The isolated fungal strain was identified by Lactophenol cotton blue dye method and microscopic examination. Laccase producing fungal strain was cultured under solid state fermentation using banana skin as support-substrate. The highest laccase activity was found on 12 days of incubation. Laccase was partially purified by ammonium sulphate fractionation (20 % and 70 %) and its activity was monitored by guaiacol assay method. Laccase was purified 6.4 fold over crude extract. The optimum pH and optimum temperature of fungal laccase was 5 and 40 oC, respectively. 2019
315 Khin Thandar Moe PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS, NUTRITIONAL VALUES AND ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF SARACA INDICAL. (THAWKA) Plant materials have been used for the treatment of serious diseases throughout the world before the advent of modern clinical drugs. Saracaindica L. (Thawka) is an important indigenous plant with lots of traditional importance and has been claimed to possess various activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-diabetic etc. Therefore the leaf and bark of the plant has been chosen for the investigation of some biological activities. The samples were collected and identified. By phytochemical tests, carbohydrates, glycosides, organic acid, phenolic compounds, saponins, steroids and terpenoids were detected in the leaf; and alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, organic acids, saponins, starch, steroids, tannins and terpenoids, in the bark. Proximate analysis of the leaf showed ash (6.8 %), moisture (11.25 %), protein (13.24 %), fat (3.84 %), fiber (38.21 %), carbohydrates (26.66 %) and energy value (194 kcal/100 g ); and for the bark, ash (12.96 %), moisture (15.96 %), protein (5.55 %), fat (4.15 %, fiber (25.71 %), carbohydrates (35.67 %) and energy value (202 kcal/100 g). Antimicrobial activity was screened by agar well diffusion method on six strains of bacteria. The highest inhibition zones were observed on Pseudomonas aeruginosa (32 mm) and Bacilliuspumilus (30 mm)for EtOAc extract of the bark, followed by Bacilliuspumilusand Candida albicans(16 mm each) for EtOAc extract of the leaf. No activity was found in the PE and watery extracts of both of the bark and leaf. According to the spectrophotometric DPPH assay, the antioxidant activity (IC50) decreases in the order, ethanol extract of leaf (2.86 ?g/mL), ethanol extract of bark (6.70 ?g/mL), watery extract of bark (8.35 ?g/mL) and watery extract of leaf (12.98 ?g/mL), the reference used being vitamin C (1.17 ?g/mL). Two compounds namely A (?-sitosteryl acetate), B(?-sitosterol) were isolated by SiO2 column chromatography and identified by FT IR. 2019
316 Swe Swe Ohn GASEOUS AIR POLLUTANTS AND PARTICULATES IN AMBIENT AIR OF AHLONE TOWNSHIP, YANGON CITY Rapid and unsystematic industrialization has become a major environmental concern for both developed and developing countries. Long-term and short-term effects on human health have been observed due to poor quality. In this study, a number of pollutants such as total suspended particulate matter (TSPM), particulate matter(PM-10), SO2 and NO2 affecting ambient air quality were measured for specified location in Ahlone Township, Yangon City. During study period from November 2015 to October 2017, variations of the pollutants have been monitored weekly, monthly and seasonally. On the basis of the monthly average, the statistical distribution parameters such as average, standard deviation (SD), minimum (Min) and maximum (Max) values for each of the pollutants were obtained. The average concentrations of TSPM, PM-10, SO2 (24 h) and NO2 (24 h) observed during the period of (2015-2017) were found to be 73.24 ± 43.44 ?g m-3, 38.43 ± 27.27 ?g m-3, 0.109 ± 0.271 ?g m-3, 6.38 ± 8.46 ?g m-3 and 19.31 ± 33.41 ?g m-3 respectively. All pollutants were observed to be high in concentration during summer as compared to winter and rainy, due to slow dispersion and dilution of pollutants. The results of this study identified the degree of air pollution in Ahlone Township, Yangon City. The data obtained will be statistically treated using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Science) software version 22. 2019
317 Kyaw Tun San EXTRACTION OF GLUCOSE ISOMERASE FROM STREPTOMYCES SP. AND ITS ACTIVITY The present study is concerned with the screening and isolation of glucose isomerase producing Streptomyces species from soil. Eleven soil samples were collected from the University of Yangon Campus (YU) and Pharmaceutical Research Department Campus (PRD), Yangon, Myanmar. A total of 29 strains of microorganisms were isolated and their glucose isomerase activites were screened by two different methods such as plate assay method by using three different media; X+P+, X+P- and wheat bran, and by fructose estimation method by using Seliwanoff’s reagents. Among these 29 strains, only four strains: YU1-MAN3, YU3-PNI42, YU3-PNI44 and YU7-RCC3 showed glucose isomerase activity, and two strains YU3-PNI42and YU3-PNI44 were characterized as Streptomyces sp. according to the morphology, Gram’s staining, spore staining, catalase test, gelatin test and nitrate test. The activities of glucose isomerase enzymes GI-PNI42 and GI-PNI44, extracted from Streptomyces sp. YU3-PNI 42 and YU3-PNI 44, were found to be 0.070 ?mol min-1 mL-1 and 0.052 ?mol min-1 mL-1, respectively. 2019
318 Tun Min Htet BIS-NAPHTHO-?-PYRONES FROM ENDOPHYTIC FUNGUS ISOLATED FROM THE LEAF OF Andrographis paniculata (Burn.f.) Wall. ex Nees AND THEIR BIOACTIVITIES In this research work, one of the Myanmar medicinal plants, Andrographis paniculata (Burn.f.)Wall. ex Nees was selected for chemical investigation of its endophytic fungus. The endophytic fungi from the leaf of the selected medicinal plant were cultivated on water-agar medium under sterile condition and isolation of pure culture was carried out. Selection of the target fungus was done based on chemical screening (spot pattern on TLC). The selected fungus was found to be Alternaria sp. according to morphological studies. After selecting the target fungus, up-scaled fermentation for pure isolated target fungus was performed on M2 medium. After two weeks, the well-grown culture broths were exhaustively extracted with ethyl acetate. Then, the ethyl acetate extract was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to obtain brown crude extracts. The resulting microbial extracts were chromatographed to isolate the pure metabolites. The two pure yellow pigment organic compounds bis-naphtho-g-pyrones derivatives and ferulic acid were isolated from the extracts by using various chromatographic techniques. Furthermore, the structure of isolated compounds were deduced by NMR and mass studies.In addition, antimicrobial activities, cytotoxicity assay and the evaluation of antioxidant activitiy for the two pyrone derivatives compounds were also performed. 2019
319 Ei Ei Sann ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY, CHOLESTEROL LOWERING EFFECT AND CHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF PO-SA (STEM) Po-sa (Morus alba L.) plant possesses many useful biological activities which has been the reason for the selection of this plant for the present study. The present work is concerned with the detection of antioxidant and cholesterol lowering activities of Po-sa (stem). Antioxidant activity of Po-sa (stem) extracts was determined by using 1,1-Diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl assay method. The IC50 values of EtOAc, EtOH and watery extracts of stem were 2.94?g/mL, 1.21?g/mL and 1.20 ?g/mL, respectively. The EtOH and watery extracts of stem showed more radical scavenging activity than EtOAc extract. Cholesterol lowering activity of crude extracts of stem was also studied by Zlatkis, Zak and Boyle method on rats model. The cholesterol levels were determined after orally administrated rats with 600 mg/kg/day of plant extracts for 10 days. It indicated that watery extract of stem has the ability to reduce bad cholesterol (Triglyceride, Total cholesterol and Very low density lipoprotein) and it also could effectively increase the good blood cholesterol (High density lipoprotein) level. By using silica gel column chromatographic separation method, umbelliferone (0.001 %) and scopoletin (0.002 %) were obtained from the EtOAc extract of the stem. The isolated compounds were identified and elucidated by melting points and by using joint application of modern spectroscopic techniques such as UV-visible, FT IR, 1 H NMR and mass spectrometry, compared with the reported data. Umbelliferone and scopoletin isolated from Po-sa(stem) also showed radical scavenging activity determined by using semi-quantitative DPPH staining method. The evaluation of in-vitro antioxidant activity of isolated compounds showed up to 6.25 ?g/mL. 2019
320 Ohnmar Aye BIOSORPTION OF HEAVY METALS BY USING PRETREATED BIOMASS OF METAL-TOLERANT FUNGI Soil samples were collected from selected area of Pathein Township during June to July, 2015. Fourteen different soil fungi were isolated by using physical treatment dilution method and soil plating method. All isolates were initially grown on PGA medium and selected heavy metals such as Cu2+, Cr6+ and Ni2+ tolerance activities were checked by plate diffusion method. In plate diffusion method, results of zone formation indicate the ability of the isolates as heavy metal-resistant or sensitive. Based on their zone of inhibition, the maximum tolerance levels of isolates were chosen. Four different fungi (OMA-4, OMA-9, OMA-11 and OMA-14) were found to possess the metal tolerance potential in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Moreover, functional group and elemental analysis of active surface of fungi were characterized by FT IR and EDXRF analyses. The metal-tolerant fungi were carried out to investigate the production of biomass by time course of incubation, effect of pH, effect of carbon source consumption and effect of nitrogen source consumption. The observed conditions were applied for the biosorption process by effect of solution pH, biomass dosage, metal ion concentration and contact time. Experimental results revealed that the isolated soil fungi have shown a high level of resistance to tested metals and which makes them attractive potential for their ability to remove metal ions. 2019