Dr Fairuzeta Ja'afar
fairuzeta.jaafar@ubd.edu.bn
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Science and Deputy Director, Office of AVC (Research)
Dr. Fairuzeta binti Haji Md. Ja'afar is an Assistant Professor in Physical Chemistry, in the Chemical Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science (FOS) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam, currently teaching Fundamentals in Physical Chemistry, Chemical Thermodynamics, Surface Chemical Phenomena, Molecular Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemistry. She is also involved in teaching Bibliographic Referencing and Using Microsoft Office tools for Postgraduate students.
Her current research interests include natural product utilisation for various applications. She is always open to discussions pertaining to research and collaborative works. To
Dr. Fairuzeta completed her PhD in Chemistry in 2015 from Imperial College London under the supervision of Prof. John Seddon (Department of Chemistry), Dr. Mengxing Tang (Department of Bioengineering) and Prof. Edward Leen (Department of Translational Medicine). The paper "Surface Charge Measurement of SonoVue, Definity and Optison: A Comparison of Laser Doppler Electrophoresis and Micro-Electrophoresis" was published in "Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology" based from the PhD work.
Prior to her PhD, she obtained an MRes in Bioimaging Sciences in 2010 and a BSc in Chemistry in 2009, both from Imperial College London.
In 2004, she received the Ministry of Education A' Level Special Scheme Scholarship, which funded her study in the United Kingdom, from A'Levels in Bedford High School all the way through to her PhD.
EDUCATION
2011-2015 PhD in Chemistry at Imperial College London, United Kingdom
2009-2010 MRes in Bioimaging Sciences at Imperial College London, United Kingdom
2006-2009 BSc in Chemistry at Imperial College London, United Kingdom
2004-2006 GCE A' Levels at Bedford High School Sixth Form, United Kingdom
1999-2003 GCE O' Levels PJN Pg. Hj. Abu Bakar Secondary School, Kuala Belait, Brunei Darussalam
1991-1998 St. James' School, Kuala Belait, Brunei Darussalam
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Developing under-utilised and agricultural waste materials for various applications
Chemical analyses of food products from selected local plants (natural products)
FUTURE PROJECTS
Chemical Analyses of Natural Products derived from Plants native to Brunei Darussalam
Brunei Darussalam is home to some of the most diverse species of flora and fauna. Whilst folklore medicine is commonly known within the community, very little scientific backing and evidence has been published on the natural products derived from the endemic flora and fauna of Brunei Darussalam. The active ingredients found in these natural products may be beneficial or toxic to our health. The aim of this project is to study some selected local food products derived from selected local plants. Identifying the key ingredients in the plant extract may lead to the production of formulations of high commercial values, which may be useful for the local Bruneian entrepreneurs. Chemical analyses and investigation of materials will be helped by methods including, but not limited to chemical assays, heavy metal analyses, nutritional composition, spectroscopy and microscopy.
Applications Invited
Developing under-utilised and agricultural waste materials for various applications
In the modern world, handling waste has been a major global concern. In Brunei alone, the amount of waste generated per capita is estimated at 1.4 kg per day. From the total waste produced, almost 70% goes directly to landfills. These waste materials have the potential to be a gold mine of functional materials. Therefore, our interest lies in the development of functional materials from domestic and agricultural waste. In this project, you will research methods of extracting useful materials from waste materials and its possible applications. This may involve making pulp or fertilisers from agricultural waste or small-scale recycling of plastic domestic waste.
Applications Invited
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
1. “Systematic Review of Medicinal Plants Used for Treatment of Diabetes in Human Clinical Trials: An ASEAN Perspective,” by N.H Salleh, I.N. Zulkipli, H.M. Yasin, F. Ja’afar, N. Ahmad, W.A.N. Wan Ahmad and S.R. Ahmad, Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, 5570939.
2. “Biohydrogen production from photodecomposition of various cellulosic biomass wastes using metal-TiO2 catalysts,” by S.A. Razak, A.H. Mahadi, R. Abdullah, H.M. Yasin, F. Ja’afar, N.A. Rahman and H. Bahruji, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2020, 1-12.
3. “Radical Scavenging Activity Assay and Red Fluorescence Microscopy Studies: Antioxidant Properties of Selected Young and Mature Leaves for Application in Pharmaceutical Industry,” by D. Daud, S.C. Yang, C.C. Balaja, F. Ja’afar, H.M. Yasin, E. Kusrini, W.W. Prihandini and A. Usman, EVERGREEN Joint Journal of Novel Carbon Resource Sciences & Green Asia Strategy, 2020, 7(2), 216-220.
4. “Electrochemistry, Antioxidant Activity and Toxicity of Unfermented Aidia borneensis Leaves Infusions,” by S.N.F.H. Ajak, F. Ja’afar, H.M. Yasin, M.I.R. Petalcorin and A. Usman, 2020, Chinese Traditional Medicine Journal, 3(1), 1-11.
5. “pH-Dependent Yield and Physicochemical Properties of Pectin Isolated from Citrus Maxima,” by N.Z.A. Daud, B.N.M. Said, F. Ja'afar, H.M. Yasin, E. Kusrini and A. Usman, Chemical Engineering, 2019, 10(6).
TOP PUBLICATIONS
1. “Physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacities, and metal contents of virgin coconut oil produced by wet and dry processes,” by NAA Ghani, AA Channip, P Chok Hwee Hwa, F Ja'afar, HM Yasin and A Usman, Food science & nutrition, 2018, 6 (5), 1298-1306.
2. “Physicochemical analyses, antioxidant, antibacterial, and toxicity of propolis particles produced by stingless bee Heterotrigona itama found in Brunei Darussalam,” by N.A. Abdullah, F. Ja’afar, H.M. Yasin, H. Taha, M.I.R. Petalcorin, M.H. Mamit, E. Kusrini, A. Usman, Heliyon, 2019, e02476.
3. “Surface charge measurement of SonoVue, Definity and Optison: A comparison of laser doppler electrophoresis and micro-electrophoresis,” by F Ja'afar, CH Leow, V Garbin, CA Sennoga, MX Tang and JM Seddon, Ultrasound in medicine & biology, 2015, 41 (11), 2990-3000.
4. “Systematic Review of Medicinal Plants Used for Treatment of Diabetes in Human Clinical Trials: An ASEAN Perspective,” by N.H Salleh, I.N. Zulkipli, H.M. Yasin, F. Ja’afar, N. Ahmad, W.A.N. Wan Ahmad and S.R. Ahmad, Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, 5570939.
5. “Biohydrogen production from photodecomposition of various cellulosic biomass wastes using metal-TiO2 catalysts,” by S.A. Razak, A.H. Mahadi, R. Abdullah, H.M. Yasin, F. Ja’afar, N.A. Rahman and H. Bahruji, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2020, 1-12.
GRANT DETAILS
Principal Investigator for Faculty Block Grant Project entitled, "Raman and Fluorescence Microspectrometry and Imaging for Characterisation of Fabricated Nano and Micro Materials". Awarded in August 2018.
Research Member for External Grant Project entitled, "Preliminary Investigations into the Determination of Bioactive Compounds in Traditional Herbal Plants (Tongkat Ali and Agarwood). Awarded in April 2018.
CONSULTANCY
Will provide consultancy services upon request. Please contact fairuzeta.jaafar@ubd.edu.bn
Industry, Institute, or Organisation Collaboration
Professor Masayoshi Arai, Natural Products for Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University
Professor Quamrul Hasan and Professor Yoshinori Sumimura, Centre for Global Initiatives, Osaka University
AP Dr. Anwar Usman and Dr. Hartini Yasin, Physical Chemistry Research Team, Chemical Sciences Programme, FOS, UBD
Dr. Norhayati Hj. Ahmad, Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, FOS, UBD
Dr. Saifullah Abu Bakar, Faculty of Integrated Technologies, UBD
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, or ACADEMIC BENEFITS
Natural products: Systematic chemical analyses could provide information and scientific backing for improvements in existing formulations for mass production. The information would be of high commercial value for local entrepreneurs seeking to back their health benefit claims for their products. Development of local products sourced from natural flora and fauna materials, taking into account the economic insight of local entrepreneurs, therefore helping Brunei to diversify its economy in line with the Brunei vision 2035.
Waste utilisation: Research into waste utilisation could help minimise waste materials that would go into landfills, as well as provide an avenue for providing raw materials for processing.
Capacity building of human resources, facilities and infrastructure; mentorship of early career academics, training of postgraduate students, research staff and relevant staff of other ministries.