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Surface and interfacial tension is a force that keeps a fluid together at the air/ fluid and fluid/oil interface respectively (Figure 1). It is the intermolecular force of attraction between adjacent molecules, expressed in force per unit width as dynes centimetre-1 (dynes cm-1) or milliNewtons metre (mN m-1). Water, at ambient temperature, has a high surface … Read more

Optical microscopy is one of the techniques which involve the use of polarized light to detect liquid crystalline structure (Figure 1). A polarizing microscope equipped with a heating stage permits visual observation of the phase transformations, from micelles phase through liquid crystal phase (Figure 2). The transformation could be as a result of the change of temperature … Read more

Most of the products which we encountered daily are homogeneous mixtures of chemical species dispersed at a molecular level. Some of these particles are so small that they are invisible to our naked eyes. For example, a microemulsion solution appears to be clear and colourless. Some of the examples of dispersion of particles, which we … Read more

Pantha rei” as the Greek philosopher said everything flows. We live in a world whereby everything flows in a matter of time. To describe these flows, we have come up with a variety of terms such as flowing, gushing slipping, dripping, running, squirting, oozing, seeping, etc. and we can immediately associate each word with the motion … Read more

Thermal analysis is defined as the measurement of changes in chemical or physical properties of a sample as a function of temperature or time in a controlled atmosphere. A special instrument called the TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) which consists of a furnace, weight balance and photodiode sensors is designed to make such measurements (Figure 1). TGA measures … Read more

The levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, copper, tin, zinc, mercury and cadmium in edible oils and fats have been monitored because of their toxicity. The maximum permissible limit of these metals in edible oils and fats are stated in the Malaysian Food Regulations and Codex. Main Research: Dr. Mohtar Yusof 

Esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid such as methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl, commonly known as parabens are widely used as preservatives in cosmetic and personal care (CPC) products because they have a broad-spectrum anti microbial activity, non -irritating and non-sensitizing. They are stable over wide pH range and are sufficiently soluble in water to produce the effective … Read more

In Asia, 50% of women ages 15-30 years old are concerned about oily skins. In Europe, 80%-95% of the teenagers are concerned while in America only 50% of this specific population uses appropriate cleaning products by: ZAFARIZAL ALDRIN AZIZUL HASAN and ROSNAH ISMAIL ANTI-ACNE EFFICACY TESTING SERVICES 300 to fight oily skins with comedones (Mas-Chamberlaine … Read more

Biodegradability is one of the most important parameters for the environmental fate of a substance. There are three types of biodegradation process: Primary biodegradation is the measurement of conversion of an organic substance into different products by biological system. This is the first step in biodegradation. Readily biodegradation occurs when biodegradation performance is greater than … Read more

Isopropyl p-toluenesulphonic acid esters (IPTS) is a by-product that may be formed during synthesis of isopropyl palmitate (IPP) and isopropyl myristate (IPM). The synthesis route is via esterification of palmbased palmitic and palm kernel-based myristic acids, by reaction with isopropanol. Under certain reaction conditions (anhydrous, no base and high temperature) isopropyl alcohol may react with … Read more