Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan - Monograf

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Nutritive and physical quality analysis of black pepper dried with optimized-hybrid solar drying systems
(2025-01)
Ying, Gan Zhi
Black pepper holds significant commercial importance in Malaysia. Consumer preference is driven by its nutritional and physical properties. While open sun drying (OSD) is widely used in tropical countries by virtue of its cost effectiveness, it presents several limitations, including labour intensive, time consuming, weather dependency and contamination risks. Hybrid Solar Drying System (HSDS) have emerged as an alternative to address these limitations. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the efficiency of HSDS compared to OSD and assess the nutritional composition and physical quality of HSDS-dried black pepper relative to commercial black pepper. The efficiency of HSDS drying the black pepper was evaluated by plotting a moisture removal graph to analyse the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) in the curve. Nutritional composition (moisture, ash, protein, oil, crude fiber and carbohydrate (CHO)) of HSDS-dried and commercial samples were determined using standard methods. Physical properties including colour, density, geometric mean diameter, and sphericity, were also analyzed. Drying kinetics demonstrated that HSDS was more efficient than OSD in removing moisture from black pepper. Proximate analysis revealed significantly higher oil content (6.23%) and lower ash content (3.08%) in HSDS-dried pepper compared to commercial pepper (4.71% and 3.70% respectively, p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in moisture, protein, crude fiber, carbohydrate, density, geometric mean diameter, sphericity and a* value between HSDS-dried and commercial black pepper. Significant differences were observed in L* and b* values, indicating that HSDS-dried pepper exhibited a darker colour and a bluish hue compared to commercial black pepper which increase the market value. dE*ab value of 4.50 represented significant colour difference between HSDS-dried black pepper and commercial black pepper. In conclusion, these outcomes highlight the effectiveness of Black pepper holds significant commercial importance in Malaysia. Consumer preference is driven by its nutritional and physical properties. While open sun drying (OSD) is widely used in tropical countries by virtue of its cost effectiveness, it presents several limitations, including labour intensive, time consuming, weather dependency and contamination risks. Hybrid Solar Drying System (HSDS) have emerged as an alternative to address these limitations. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the efficiency of HSDS compared to OSD and assess the nutritional composition and physical quality of HSDS-dried black pepper relative to commercial black pepper. The efficiency of HSDS drying the black pepper was evaluated by plotting a moisture removal graph to analyse the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) in the curve. Nutritional composition (moisture, ash, protein, oil, crude fiber and carbohydrate (CHO)) of HSDS-dried and commercial samples were determined using standard methods. Physical properties including colour, density, geometric mean diameter, and sphericity, were also analyzed. Drying kinetics demonstrated that HSDS was more efficient than OSD in removing moisture from black pepper. Proximate analysis revealed significantly higher oil content (6.23%) and lower ash content (3.08%) in HSDS-dried pepper compared to commercial pepper (4.71% and 3.70% respectively, p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in moisture, protein, crude fiber, carbohydrate, density, geometric mean diameter, sphericity and a* value between HSDS-dried and commercial black pepper. Significant differences were observed in L* and b* values, indicating that HSDS-dried pepper exhibited a darker colour and a bluish hue compared to commercial black pepper which increase the market value. dE*ab value of 4.50 represented significant colour difference between HSDS-dried black pepper and commercial black pepper. In conclusion, these outcomes highlight the effectiveness of HSDS in maintaining quality through controlled drying conditions, minimizing colour degradation and ensuring better preservation of key characteristics.
The physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory properties of cookies made with pumpkin flour
(2025)
Seng, Gan Yong
Dietary habits play a crucial role in overall health, yet limited research has explored the impact of nutrient-dense cookies on consumer preferences. This study examined the use of pumpkin flour as a fat replacer to enhance the nutritional value of cookies while reducing their fat content. Pumpkin flour was produced in-house and incorporated into cookie formulations at substitution levels of 10%, 15%, 20%, and a control group. The cookies were analyzed for physicochemical properties, nutritional composition, and sensory attributes through panel evaluations. Substituting butter with pumpkin flour at a 20% level resulted in cookies with the highest carbohydrate content (70.42%) and ash content (1.07%), while maintaining similar protein levels, highlighting its potential to improve nutritional value. A 10% substitution level had minimal effects on aroma, taste, and overall acceptability, closely resembling standard cookies with slight differences in hardness, color, and appearance, making it a well-received option. Additionally, partially replacing butter with pumpkin flour significantly reduced the fat content of cookies, with levels decreasing from 37.0% in the control group to 29.7%, 28.25%, and 25.62% in the experimental groups (p < 0.05), underscoring its effectiveness as a fat-lowering alternative in baked products. Pumpkin flour's naturally high carbohydrate and fiber content contributed to increased moisture, ash, and carbohydrate levels, further demonstrating its effectiveness as a fat replacer. In conclusion, pumpkin flour can be effectively incorporated into cookies as a fat replacer, enhancing their nutritional profile without compromising sensory acceptability.
Knowledge and practice of preconception care among women in kampung orang asli Ulu Kampar Gopeng Perak
(2025-08)
Nordin, Mayzuvin Bah
Preconception care is an important preventive approach to improve maternal and child health. However, the awareness and practice of preconception care remain limited among the Orang Asli community in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge and practice of preconception care among women in Kampung Orang Asli Ulu Kampar, Gopeng, Perak, and to examine the association between them. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 119 Orang Asli women aged 18 years and above. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS Version 28.0, employing descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed that 63% of respondents had good knowledge of preconception care, while 79.8% demonstrated good preconception care practices. However, there was no significant association between knowledge and practice (p=0.139). In conclusion, the majority of women practised good preconception care, knowledge gaps remain, particularly in areas such as nutrition and birth spacing. Strengthening health education, improving culturally sensitive outreach services, and conducting further qualitative research are recommended to enhance preconception care in Orang Asli communities.
Knowledge, attitude and practice towards 5 moments for hand hygiene among undergraduate nursing students at Univerisiti Sains Malaysia
(2025-08)
Jumain, Julaikha
Hand hygiene is essential in healthcare to prevent infections, yet compliance among nursing students remains a challenge. This cross-sectional study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practice towards Five Moments for Hand Hygiene among undergraduate nursing students at Universiti Sains Malaysia. A total of 141 participants were recruited via convenience sampling, and data were collected using a self-administered validated questionnaire. Results showed that 95.7% of students had good hand hygiene practice, while most had moderate knowledge (72.3%) and attitude (58.9%). Weak, non-significant positive correlations were found between knowledge, attitude, and practice (knowledge-attitude: r = 0.137, p = 0.105; knowledge-practice: r = 0.129, p = 0.127; attitude-practice: r = 0.134, p = 0.111). Furthermore, no significant differences in practice were observed based on gender (χ² = 1.681, p = 0.219), education level (χ² = 0.187, p = 1.000), and year of study (χ² = 2.741, p = 0.506). These findings emphasize the need for ongoing education, regular hand hygiene campaigns, accessible placement of hand rubs and sinks, continuous supervision and practical training to maintain and enhance hand hygiene compliance.
The relationship between parental knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and their attitudes and intentions towards vaccinating their sons with hpv vaccine in secondary schools in Gombak, Selangor
(2025-08)
Ramle, Hajar Izzati
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant public health concern globally, affecting both men and women and contributing to various types of cancers. Despite the availability of HPV vaccines in Malaysia, immunisation efforts predominantly target adolescent girls, leaving boys unprotected and contributing to gender disparities in HPV prevention. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between parental knowledge of HPV infection and attitudes toward vaccinating their adolescent sons in secondary schools in Gombak, Selangor. A total of 315 parents participated in the study through self-administered questionnaires adapted from validated scales (GK23 and HABS). The results revealed that only 28.87% of parents demonstrated good knowledge of HPV infection, while 38.7% had poor knowledge. Parental attitudes varied, with concerns noted regarding vaccine safety, lack of communication on sexual health, and misinformation. Statistically significant associations were found between higher parental knowledge and more positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination, as well as between positive attitudes and willingness to vaccinate. The findings underscore the urgent need for inclusive public health policies, targeted educational interventions, and gender-neutral HPV vaccination strategies to enhance vaccine uptake and reduce HPV-related disease burden among Malaysian males.

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