UBD BRC is set up for the purpose of research, education, ex-situ and in-situ conservation. As part of UBD BRC’s aims and objectives, the centre provide students with resources such as plants for their research studies.
Following are the list of research studies carried out by students at which the resources are found at the centre:
By: Nursyahirah Adriana Batrisyia Hj Md Jamil (BSc) & Mohamed Amirul Aizat Bin Haji Mohamed Daud (MSc)
Summary:
As a country known for its wealth in biodiversity, Brunei Darussalam should fully maximise the availability of these flora and fauna to help diversify the country’s economy. One suggested way of utilising these natural products would be to develop functional products. In this project, we propose developing lip care products based on natural local resources and some of the ingredients will be used are Heterotrigona itama and Tetragonula laeviceps propolis (including the honey), bunga simpur, bunga kuduk-kuduk and bunga telang.
By: Nurul Aliah Fathiah Binti Haji Abdullah (MSc)
Summary:
Propolis is utilized in a beehive as a defensive mechanism against predation and invasion from plagues of putrefaction. Bee propolis has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times. Its therapeutic and biological actions were contributed to its phenolic constituents. The awaken interest in these natural products has been apparent in recent times, especially with the raising concerns over suspected toxicity of some synthetic compounds. Hence the biological properties and action of composition of propolis should be studied further in order to explore its therapeutic and economic benefits.
By: Nurul Ashifah binti Shafie (MSc)
Summary:
For the screening of anti-diabetic properties of Anisophyllea disticha and Merremia borneensis, the leaves of the plant were collected and dried for a few weeks. The dried leaves were then pounded into powder and underwent extraction processes by means of Soxhlet extraction method using methanol, followed by removal of solvents under condensed pressure using rotary evaporator. Formulation of crude methanolic leaf extract was accomplished by mixing distilled water with leaf extract (concentration of 100 mg/ml) . The leaf extract is then delivered to the rats orally 3 times a week at doses 250 mg/kg body weight (low dose treatment) and 500 mg/kg body weight (high dose treatment) of leaf extract. On the other hand, formulation of leaf extracts for the assessment of wound healing properties is acheived by mixing the leaf extract with pure petroletum jelly to produce herbal ointments. The herbal ointments are prepared into dosages of 10% w/w leaf extract (low dose) and 50% w/w leaf extract (high dose), which will be topically administered to the wound areas of wound excision model.
By: Hajah Siti Nur Dalina binti Haji Awang Daud (MSc)
Summary:
In this research project, matured leaves of selected Betel leaves (Family name: Piperaceae) were analysed. The selected types of Betel leaves are Piper betle (Sirih Biasa), Piper sarmentosum (Sirih Kaduk) and Piper ornatum (Sirih Merah). Aqueous and methanolic extracts of each type of Betel leaves were obtained by Soxhlet extractions. The components in each extract will be analysed using GCMS. Antioxidant capacity of each betel leaves will be achieved by doing chemical assays (Radical Scavenging Activity using DPPH solution). In addition, electrochemical approaches (Cyclic voltammetry and DPV) will be done to strengthen the antioxidant capacity data. The phytochemistry and bioactive properties for each betel leaves will also be analysed. Lastly, toxicity tests will be carried out.
By: Nurul Izzati binti Hj Abd Ghani (MSc)
Summary:
This study is designed to develop an animal model that will mimic the pathological features seen in individuals with diabetes and metabolic syndrome (diabetes type II) and investigates the antidiabetic effects of local plant extract in these rat models.A combination of High-Fat Diet will be fed to rats to induce metabolic syndrome then diabetes is induced by a single Alloxan injection. Successful induction of diabetes with metabolic disorder will follow methanolic Lepisanthes alata (Malay cherry) extract administration to rats. Extracts of L. alata are expected to reduce blood glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity and decrease triglycerides and total cholesterol. The outcome of this experiment will hopefully lead to more relevant studies and development of improved therapeutics for diabetes.
By: Nurul Jannah binti Haji Abu Bakar (BSc)
Summary:
Three different plant species are collected from herbal garden, UBD. Extraction of the leaves with methanol are made. The extract is then used for different anti-bacterial tests (determination of inhibition zone, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration) against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. The results would indicate whether the leaves have the anti-bacterial properties against acne-inducing bacteria, that is by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria or kill the bacteria.
By: Mayang Yusof (BSc)
Summary:
Daily acitivity and pattern of stingless observed and recorded. Number of bees in and out and pollen carried back.
By: Norafiqah binti Yusof (MSc)
Summary:
This study aims to investigate the anti-diabetic properties of Tinospora crispa leaf and stem extracts on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Plant stem and leaves are prepared by methanolic extraction to give different doses, high and low dose. Rats are divided into several groups; subjected to high-fat and low-fat diet for several weeks and then administered with high-dose and low-dose leaf and stem extracts through intra-peritoneal injection. All physical changes such as weight loss and mortality are observed in rats. Final weight of rats is recorded including blood glucose level and lipid profile. Histopathological evaluation follows to further observe any effect of the plant extracts on rats pancreatic islets.
By: Nurafiqah binti Haji Mohd Yusof (BSc)
Summary:
Leaves of selected plants are are air dried. The dried leaves is then grind and extracted by using the ethanol extract.. The inhibition activity of the plants is then tested by using the agar well diffusion method where Muller-Hinton agar is used and a well is made. the extract is inserted into the well and incubated for 24 hour. after 24 hour, the agar plate is observed and the inhibition zone is measured. the minimum inhibition concentration and minimum bacteria concentration is then tested to determine the minimum concentration needed to inhibit the bacteria and to kill the bacteria. this test is determine by using the 96-well plate where the double dilution is carried out.
By: Abdul Wafi bin Sezeli (BSc)
Summary:
The plants will be picked freshly from UBD BRC and will be home-processed by using five different cooking methods (fresh-cut, frying, boiling, steaming and microwaving) on 5 different local plants. The vitamin C and dietary fibre contents will be quantified using kits manufactured by Megazyme.