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Abstract: Based on sharing of experiences with trusted swiftlet farming consultants and scientific approach, it is concluded that birdhouse aroma is divided into top and floor aroma. Formulated from natural plant, top aroma known as attractant aroma served to lure swiftlets especially young couple to enter the birdhouse. However, additional top aroma known as pheromone aroma also need to be applied on nesting plank to stimulate those bird mate and breed. This aroma is made up of the bird's nest waste water from cleaning process. In addition, floor aroma that is usually applied on bottom region of birdhouse cannot be neglected as the smell of swiftlet's guano will convince those birds that the house is safe and were populated by other swiftlets although it is not. The main concern in aroma application is that ranchers need to avoid the wrong practice as swiftlets are sensitive to odour and may not build their nest on nesting plank stained with their guano.

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Abstract: Aquilaria malaccensis or gaharu is one of Malaysia’s top tropical resources that is being protected and conserved. Somatic embryogenesis is a plant tissue culture method used most extensively in commercial micropropagation systems and conservation purposes. This study aims to optimize callus induction techniques for somatic embryogenesis study using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis. In this study, callus was induced on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with a combination of plant growth regulators and optimized parameters (explant used, sterilization techniques, media content, pH media, plant growth regulators, incubation condition, and incubation temperature). The cells were subcultured for long-term callus maintenance and subjected to SEM analysis for somatic embryogenesis confirmation.

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Abstract: Oil palm frond (OPF) juice has been known as a good source of sugars to replace commercial sugars to produce methyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of temperature (°C), initial pH medium, agitation speed (rpm) and concentration of glucose (g/L) on the production of methyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate from OPF juice by using Ceratocystis fimbriata (C. fimbriata). The design of experiment (DOE) method was used to screen the best parameters affecting the production of methyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate.

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Abstract: This study was designed to investigate the compounds in the different types of commercial aroma used to attract swiftlets in the birdhouse. Analysis of the volatile compounds is done on two types of commercial aroma, which is categorized as floor aroma (F1, F2, F3) and top aroma (T1, T2, T3) using SPME-GC-MS. As a result, F1, F2 and F3 shows the presence of major constituents like 2-heptanone (13.53%, 3.22% and 0.37% respectively) and 2-nonanone (0.83%, 2.02%, and 0.82% respectively) using DB-1ms while 2-heptanone (5.87%, 0.78% and 0.45% respectively) and methoxy-phenyl-oxime (11.50%, 11.84% and 0.20% respectively) using DB-wax.

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