BUKU ABSTRAK - Universiti Putra Malaysia

Science, Technology & Engineering
Potential Anti-fungal Agent from Ardisia crispa for the Treatment of Athlete’s Foot
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nazrul Hakim Abdullah
Yunus Adam, Zuraini Ahmad, Mohd. Roslan Sulaiman and Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria
Sports Academy, University Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
+603-8946 4277; nazrul.hakim@gmail.com
Athlete’s foot is a skin fungal infection that causes scaling, flaking and itching of the affected skin. Blisters
and cracked skin may also occur, leading to exposed raw tissue, pain, swelling and inflammation. Secondary
bacterial infection can accompany the fungal infection. This work examined the anti-fungal activity of Ardisia
crispa (AC) against common fungi that cause Athlete’s foot and several other pathogenic fungi. The antimicrobial
activity of water, ethanol and chloroform extracts of AC was tested against fungal strains using the disc diffusion
and microdilution methods. This antimicrobial activity was compared to standard anti-fungal drugs (griseofulvin,
fluconazole and itraconazole). Results revealed that chloroform extract of AC had potent anti-fungal activity
against Trichophyton rubrum ATCC 40051 and Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 40004 which are the two
most commonly cause of Athlete’s foot. Moderate activity was observed against Candida albicans ATCC 14053,
Candida tropicalis ATCC 14056, Microsporum canis (Clinical isolates and identified at the Department of
Pathology and Microbiology, Universiti Putra Malaysia) and Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 14109. The ethanol
extract only had mild activity against the Candidia spp and the water extract was devoid of any activity. The
anti-fungal activity of chloroform extract was statistically more potent than griseofulvin and fluconazole but
less potent than itraconazole. Findings from current study support the use of AC in traditional medicine for the
treatment of various fungal infections and may potentially use in the treatment of Athlete’s foot.
Keywords: Antifungal, ardisia crispa, antimicrobial, fluconazole, griseofulvin, disc diffusion
Relationship between Percentage of Body Fat and Maximal Oxygen Uptake
Among Adults
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nazrul Hakim Abdullah
Ali Reza Amani, Yunus Adam, Azhar Yaacob, Mohd. Hafiz Rosli, Noor Idwan Naim and Mohd. Majid Konting
Sports Academy, University Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
+603-8946 4277; nazrul.hakim@gmail.com
Cardiovascular, muscular, cardio respiratory fitness with normal/suitable body composition are the main
factors to improve in athletic performance. The present study was conducted to examine the relationship between
maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and body fat percentage among international students in Universiti Putra
Malaysia. VO2max and body fat percent are two key factors for health and sport research. Twenty six male
students (26 +/- 5 years old in age and 168 +/- 5 cm in high and 73 +/- 5 kg in weight) were selected. Oxygen
Uptake and body fat percent were measured by the routine protocols. Skin fold thickness measurements were
done from standard anthropometrical reference points (Jackson Pollock method) as well as the Chest, Abdomen
and Thigh. Body fat Percent value was estimated by applying the standard equation. To measure the maximum
oxygen uptake, Bruce protocol were employed on the treadmill with a gas analyser. The Bruce treadmill protocol
is a standardised procedure used to evaluate the aerobic capacity and cardiovascular fitness of athletes or non
athletes. Results revealed that there is a significant and negative correlation (-0.042) between the VO2max and
body fat percent. Results of this investigation show that there is a negative correlation between maximum oxygen
uptake and body fat percent. Increase the VO2max parameter has been shown to improve on body composition.
Keywords: Maximal oxygen uptake, VO2max, body fat percentage
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