Composites based on high density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and Organically Modified Montmorillonite (OMMT) clays were made by melt compounding followed by compression molding. Mechanical properties, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the nanocomposites. The addition of clay, compatibilizer agent, Maleic Anhydride Polyethylene (MAPE) and irradiation technique, High Energy Electron Beam (EB) considerably improved the properties of nanocomposites. Tensile Strength and Modulus (MPa) were found to increase significantly with increasing clay content and decreasing as the clay content exceeds 4 vol%. The largest improvement in nanocomposite tensile properties occurred at clay loading of 4 vol% (2-8 vol%) with irradiation technique. The d spacings of the clay in nanocomposites were monitored using XRD and the extent of delamination was examined by TEM. TEM photomicrographs illustrated the intercalated and exfoliated structures of the nanocomposites with OMMT, MAPE and irradiation process.

A histological and anatomical comparative analysis of Gelam, Melaleuca cajuputi Powell was conducted to determine the adaptability Gelam (Melaleuca cajuputi Powell, Family = Myrtaceae) in two different microecosystems of Terengganu. The sites sampling chosen were Jambu Bongkok Amenity Forest (Formerly known as Rantau Abang Amenity Forest), a large swamp forests and prominent flooding site in the District of Marang, Terengganu and Taman Penyelidikan Alam, Bukit Kor -a hard top soil area of Marang, Terengganu. The objective of this study is to compare the anatomy and histology features of gelam in these two areas. Results show that gelam from both ecosystems exhibits morphological differences and variations in some tissues (in leaf, petiole, bark, and root anatomy such as in type of epicuticular waxes, bark anatomy, leaf anatomy, vascular bundle, bark fibre pits, vessel, phloem, xylem, cortex, epidermal cells and mesophyll cells). This initial observation may suggest that gelam can adapt well in different ecosystems of Terengganu. Its ability to response well toward Terengganu's different coastal environmental changes could make gelam a viable tree for conservation and landscape program.

Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) flower is commonly used to treat various diseases and has long been part of the science of phytomedicines. Ultrasonic assisted extraction technique is a simple, cheap and efficient alternative to traditional extraction methods, producing a much smaller particle size than conventional spray drier. This study was aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological properties of microencapsulated butterfly pea flower (MEBP) powder prepared using ultrasonic spraying technique. The samples were microencapsulated with different amount of Gum Arabic (GA) (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10%). Surface morphology of the MEBP powder was examined using SEM showed different molecular structures in different MEBP powder. FTIR analysis identified phenolic hydroxyl group (1061.69 cm-1 and 3385.36 cm-1 ), sulfite group (1062.01 cm-1 , 1065.92 cm-1 , 1077.15 cm-1 , 1234.72 cm-1 and 1261.74 cm-1 ) and amide group (1635.99 cm-1 , 1636.74 cm-1 , 1654.14 cm-1 and 3417.2 cm-1 ). 2,2-diphenyl-1 -picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) found to be ranging from 35.85±0.57 to 130.85±3.00 mg GAE/g dried sample, 4.32±0.04 to 6.90±0.11 mg QE/g dried sample, respectively. It was found that Bacillus cereus was sensitive to MEBP powder as the results showed a prominent inhibition zone (5.67±0.6 mm to 11.67±2.3 mm). MEBP produced with GA 6% ultrasonic spray drier was found to be effective in sustaining its antioxidative activities and the microbial activities were found to be active. This result provided useful information data on the best technique to use ultrasonic spray dryer to retain antioxidant compounds.

Nanocomposites are the materials that are created by introducing nanoparticulates that always referred to as filler into the matrix. Blends of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM)/Montmorillonite (MMT) were treated by compatibilizer MAPP and irradiation of electron beam. The effects on mechanical properties for both samples were compared with the untreated nanocomposites. Because each samples used different portion of clay loading, the effects of clay loading on mechanical properties is also observed. The sample is characterized by using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), tensile test and impact test.

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