Chitosan that was isolated from horseshoe crabs, Tachypleus gigas, for this study were from estuary area in Balok Pahang (East coast) and Muar Johor (West coast) of the Malay Peninsula. The isolation of chitosan was carried out by chemical processes involving deproteinization, demineralization and deacetylation. Physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity were analysed to determine its potential commercialization. The degree of deacetylation (DD) was higher for samples from Balok than Muar (42.4% and 35.2% respectively), but lesser than the commercial grade. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the physicochemical properties but obviously they had lesser moist (1.11±0.22 -1.25±0.13%), higher ash content (1.99±0.06 -2.37±0.07%), and low in its solubility (58.00±9.63 -61.70±1.35%) as well as viscosity (52.52±5.38 -64.37±4.73 cP) if compared with commercial chitosan. Chitosan from both field sites also showed great antibacterial activities which concentration dependent against Staphylococcus aureus and Eschericia coli.

This study investigates the effect of salinity on the fatty acid profile of a harpacticoid copepod Amphiascoides neglectus exposed to constant laboratory lighting and temperature (25-26 o C) at pH7 for 40 days. The results were compared with those cultured in the common open hatchery environment which is almost the same as in the natural ecosystem. Different fatty acid levels were determined using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in fatty acid content for both 20ppt and 30ppt treatment but the percentage of EPA was higher in 20ppt. Harpacticoid copepods in the hatchery showed significantly (p<0.05) more fatty acids in 30ppt than 20ppt. EPA was also higher in harpacticoids cultured under 30ppt. Manipulation of salinity and temperature in combination of light factor for copepod rearing system could improve the deposition of fatty acids in their body.