Defective sperm function has been identified as the most common cause of infertility. The objective of this study was to review recent findings on the effects of various antioxidants on male fertility. High amounts of poly unsaturated fatty acid are found in the mammalian spermatozoa membranes, thereby making them susceptible to lipid peroxidation. Although, free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) play major roles in reproduction, they are strongly associated with oxidative stress. Furthermore, factors such as obesity, inflammation, pollutants and cigarette smoking are negatively correlated with spermatogenesis. Endogenous antioxidants system exists to mediate these damages. In a normal physiological state, the seminal plasma contains antioxidant enzyme mechanism that is capable of quenching these ROS as well as protecting the spermatozoa against any likely damage. However, high level of ROS triggered by inflammatory cells and oxidation of fatty acid in obese subjects may down play antioxidant mechanism resulting in oxidative stress. Evaluation of such oxidative stress is the first step in the treatment of male infertility through administration of suitable antioxidant. Notably, antioxidant such as vitamin E and C, carotenoids and carnitine have been found beneficial in restoring a balance between ROS generation and scavenging activities. There are emerging evidences that herbal products can also boost male reproductive functions. Nonetheless, a good lifestyle, regular exercise, avoidance of stress and observing safety rules at work are habits that can reverse male infertility.

Background: Head and neck cancer patients usually need nutritional support due to difficulties in swallowing and chewing. Therefore, this study aimed to formulate Musa paradisiaca and Trigona sp. honey jelly (MTJ) as a convenient functional food. Methods: The antioxidant properties were analysed using 2,2′-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and 2,2′-azinodi 3-ethylbenthiazolinesulfonate (ABTS) assays. Cytotoxicity was assayed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and the induction of apoptosis was observed via caspase-3/7 activity assay. The identification of phenolic compounds was done via ultra-high-performance-liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS/MS). Results: The antioxidant analysis exhibited: the half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of DPPH inhibition, 54.10 (SD = 4.51) µg/mL; the FRAP value, 30.07 (SD = 0.93) mM TEQ/100 g; and the ABTS value, 131.79 (SD = 8.73) mg TEQ/100 g. Cinnamic acid was the most abundant phenolic compound, followed by maleic acid and salicylic acid. The IC50 for ORL115 and ORL188 were 35.51 mg/mL and 43.54 mg/mL, respectively. The cells became rounded and dissymmetrical which reduced in number and size. The apoptotic cell death in ORL115 and ORL188 was deduced as caspase-3/7 activities that significantly increased (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The study evidenced that the antioxidant activity of MTJ could influence the induction of apoptosis in ORL115 and ORL188 in future investigations and verifications.

Introduction: Honey is widely known as a natural product which is collected from various plants by bees. The aim of this study was conducted to determine the proximate composition (moisture, ash, crude protein, total fat, dietary fiber and total carbohydrate) of four Malaysian honey samples. Methods: TB1 (Trigona bee honey from Kedah), TB2 (Trigona bee honey from Kelantan), TU1 (Wild Tualang bee honey from Pahang) and TU2 (Tualang bee honey was collected from a farm from Pahang) were examined for their proximate compositions. Proximate composition was determined using the methods of AOAC (1990; 1995; 2003). Results: Moisture content was significantly the highest (p<0.05) in TB2 with a value of 30.586± 0.109 g/100g and the lowest in TU2 with a value of 18.914± 0.264 g/100g. TB2 had significantly (p < 0,05) higher ash content than other examined samples with a value of 0.766±0.010 g/100g. Protein content of TU1was significantly higher than the other analyzed honey samples with a value of 1.776±0.04 g/100g. The total fat content of TB2 was significantly lower than the other honey samples. Dietary fiber of TB1 was found to be significantly higher compared to the others with a value of 0.612±0.027. Total carbohydrate content was significantly (p<0,05) the highest in TU2 compared to other samples  with a value of 79.980±0.280 g/100g. Conclusions: All honey samples are good sources of nutrients for human consumption. Moreover, the differences in the components of the different honey samples were probably connected with the variances in the floral sources

With rising interest in health and nutrition, the demand for functional food is increasing. Therefore, M. paradisiaca and Trigona sp. honey jelly (MTJ) was formulated in the present study to introduce a healthy ready-to-eat product into the market. The MTJ was assessed for proximate analyses, pH, total soluble solids (TSS) and texture profile analysis (TPA). Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were also measured. Shelf life was estimated for five months with different packaging materials (aluminum and polypropylene) and storage conditions (4°C and 26°C). The results showed that MTJ has a high carbohydrate content (79.01 ± 0.23%), adequate amount of protein (7.07 ± 0.37%), low-fat content (0.1 ± 0.03%), and supplied 345.22 kcal/100 g of gross energy. Other results found moisture content (14.09 ± 0.95%), ash content (0.38 ± 0.03%), fiber (not detected), pH 5.07 ± 0.12 and TSS (78.33 ± 0.29°Brix). The TPA revealed valuable insights into physical properties of MTJ which are hardness (15.27 ± 1.11 N), adhesiveness (-416.14 ± 82.98 g.sec), cohesiveness (0.88 ± 0.00), springiness (0.85 ± 0.02 mm), chewiness (11.54 ± 1.13 N), gumminess (13.48 ± 0.94 N) and resilience (0.69 ± 0.02). The TPC was 18.30 ± 2.67 (mg GAE/100g), and the TFC was 0.35 ± 0.02 (mg CEQ/100 g), showing that the MTJ contains a comparable antioxidant content. Shelf-life study showed that the CFU values of SPC for the MTJ were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the control jellies. For YMC, the CFU values for MTJ were also significantly higher than the control jellies (p < 0.05) from month 0 to 3 but started to decrease from month 4 to 5. Although the colonies were detected in the MTJ, the CFU values were still within the limit allowed and safe to be consumed for up to five months. Overall results reveal the prospective of MTJ as a functional jelly based on its sufficient nutritional properties with satisfactory shelf life. Further benefits from this study could contribute to the commercial valorization of the local fruit and honey, thereby preventing post-harvest losses, improving local income, and promoting sustainable food development.