Rafflesia is the most magnificent and largest flower in the world. In Southeast Asia, the species becoming endangered due to anthropogenic activities such as logging, conversion of forest into large-scale agricultural areas, urbanization and unsustainable ecotourism. This paper has specifically highlighted the efforts that have been taken by the Kelantan State Forestry Department (KFD) in ensuring the sustainability and survival of this gigantic flower in its natural habitat. A survey by Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) shows that many populations of Rafflesia were situated in the forest reserves under the administration of KFD, such as in Lojing, Mt. Chamah, Mt. Basor and Mt. Stong. A lot of initiatives have been implemented by KFD such as organising scientific expeditions and the establishment of the High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF). In July 2011, the State Government of Kelantan declared an area of 404 ha (1,000 acres) bordering Sg. Berok Forest Reserve in Lojing Highlands as the Rafflesia Preservation Area. This recognition by the state government resulted from collaboration efforts of UMK, KFD and South Kelantan Development Authority (KESEDAR). To date, KFD has established a total of two HCVFs in Kelantan and a new area of 50 ha in Compartment 1, Lojing Forest Reserve has also been dedicated for the protection of Rafflesia. This paper was also briefly discussed several issues and challenges in conserving Rafflesia in Kelantan such as the expansion of large-scale agricultural plantation, participation of local community, tourism and income generation, international and internal funds for conservation works, and provide an integrated tourism and management plans. Hopefully, this effort will lead to the establishment of a centre of excellence in nature conservation, ecotourism and scientific research of Rafflesia in Kelantan.

Recently, date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds have gained much popularity due to their vast applications that benefit people and the environment, elevated with plenty of research on food product formulation, cosmetics, and medicinal supplements. Date seeds constitute 10-15% of the date fruit weight. Although date seeds are considered waste products, however, they contain many valuable substances such as carbohydrates, oil, dietary fibre, protein, bio-active polyphenol, tannin and natural antioxidants. Thus, valorisation of the date seeds is necessary as the value could be utilized maximally if they are being studied aptly. This study was intended to (i) evaluate the physical properties of beef and lamb in terms of texture, pH, colour, cooking loss, and water holding capacity as affected by date seed powder; and (ii) compare the tendering effect of date seed powder towards beef and lamb. Texture profile analysis indicated significant differences (p≤0.05) in terms of hardness, springiness, chewiness, and gumminess between the different amount of seed powder used in marinated beef and lamb. The lowest pH value belonged to 20 g of date seed powder which was 5.7 and 6.2 for beef and lamb, respectively. The colour of the lamb was found to be significantly different in terms of lightness, redness, and yellowness when date seed powder was used regardless of its amount. Both beef and lamb displayed a statistically significant (p≤0.05) reduction of colour (L*, a*, and b*) from 20 g treatment samples with 29.7 and 26.5, respectively over the control samples. For beef, redness and yellowness demonstrated a significant difference (p≤0.05) for 20 g treatment samples marinated with date seed powder. Both cooking loss and water holding capacity (WHC) was reduced as the amount of date seed powder used was increased. Different amounts of date seed powder affected the physical properties of beef and lamb, while 15 g and 20 g of date seed powder showed a positive result in regards to meat tenderness.

Old folks especially in Kelantan, Malaysia like to consume specially prepared herbal rice or what is gastronomically known as “Nasi Kerabu”. In this preparation, white rice is soaked with the concoction of some local herbal plants for a few minutes and cooked without having the knowledge of the nutritional values of the herbal plants used. Without knowing the nutritional contents of the herbal plants used may lead to nutrient imbalance in the body and this was believed to be the root of other illnesses. So, the study was carried out with the objective of identifying the nutritional values of the concoction of Sauropus androgynus, Morinda citrofolia, Clitoria ternatea, Curcuma zanthorrhiza and Curcuma longa. The methods used for sample analysis and extraction were simple water extraction to extract plants sample, Nitric Acid Digestion to digest extracted samples, extraction procedure which was published by Behr Labor-Technik to analyze the fat content and sample analysis using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results shows that, concoction of 20 ml of Sauropus androgynus, Morinda citrofolia, Clitoria ternatea, Curcuma zanthorrhiza and Curcuma longa consists of 0.2 g of fat, 2 mg of Calcium, 5 mg of Magnesium, 50 mg of Potassium and 3 mg of Sodium. The fat, macronutrients (potassium and sodium) and minerals (calcium and magnesium) in the concoction are considered to be sufficient to meet the requirements of Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) used by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) especially when cooked with white rice.

Around the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, Malaysia there are housing areas, educational institutions, schools, hospitals and even houses of worship that are categorized as sensitive recipients. They’ve been receiving noise from the airport for decades and they are still there. They may feel uncomfortable but have no choice, or are they no longer aware of the disruption they receive on a daily basis or they can already accept the noise with an open heart. To answer this question an informal conversational interview was conducted. A total of 120 respondents were selected, 40 respondents per contour (500m, 1000m and 1500m). Results of the survey found that 50% (60 people) of respondents said the noise effect of the flight was strong, while another 25% said that the noise effect was moderate (30 people) and low (30 people). Most of the respondents who said the noise impact from the airport are strong came from respondents who sited within 500m from the airport. Meanwhile, for those who answered moderate and low was from 1000m and 1500m radius from the airport. As a conclusion, people who are leaving within 500m from the airport was badly affected by aircraft noise, So it needs to be rectified to avoid permanent hearing damage and stress problems for the residents.

Araceae or aroid is familiarly known as keladi to the locals. The purpose of this study is to assess the diversity and ecology of Araceae in the Water Catchment Area of Ulu Sat, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. The random sampling method was applied. A total of 26 species from 13 genera of Araceae were recorded from the water catchment area of Ulu Sat, Machang, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. This represents about 18.6% out of an estimated 140 species and 46.2% of the 28 genera of Araceae reported for Peninsular Malaysia. The result also shows that 24 species or 92.3% of the collection are the common Araceae species found in lowland dipterocarp forest in Peninsular Malaysia. However, the collection include the species recently recorded, Aglaonema cochinchinense Engl. and the endemic species, Alocasia puber (Hassk.) Schott for Peninsular Malaysia. The paper will also discuss the distribution and ecology of some important Araceae collected from this area.