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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the perceived knowledge of the general concept of halal food and actual knowledge of halal food principles with emphasis on alcohol (alcoholic drinks and ethanol).

A cross-sectional descriptive survey, using quantitative research methods, was utilized. A self-administered survey was distributed to 188 undergraduate students of the food technology programme at Universiti Sains Malaysia, and a total of 114 responses were obtained.

Results indicate that respondents believed that they have above average competence regarding the concept, sources, ingredients, processing and the overall production of halal foods (score: 3.75-4.18). In addition, all of the 114 respondents also agreed that alcoholic drinks are fundamentally prohibited in Islam. However, the survey also revealed that the respondents were less certain about the application of alcohol in halal food production. Respondents’ actual knowledge on these issues was low to average.

This study is limited by its cross-sectional nature. In addition, the research was only conducted on undergraduate-level students of the food technology programme, and therefore, results derived might not be generalized to the other segments of the population. The overall uncertainty and misconception about the application of alcohol in halal food highlights the need to improve the knowledge of these undergraduate students to more than a mere theory of the concepts of halal and haram.

No previous study has been conducted to explore the issue pertaining to alcohol in halal food, and this paper categorically strives to fill this gap.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of cell immobilization on bioactive property of lactobacilli‐fermented soymilk.

Agrowastes from durian (Durio zibethinus), cempedak (Artocarpus champeden), and mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) were used as immobilizers for lactobacilli (Lactobacillus acidophilus FTDC 1331, L. acidophilus FTDC 2631, L. acidophilus FTDC 2333, L. acidophilus FTDC 1733, and L. bulgaricus FTCC 0411) in soymilk fermentation. Fermented soymilk was stored at different temperatures (4°C, 25°C and 37°C) for 168 h and sampled for analyses periodically.

Scanning electron micrographs showed that cells of lactobacilli were immobilized onto the matrix of agrowastes powder. The proteolytic activity was higher in soymilk supplemented with immobilized lactobacilli at 37°C and 25°C compared to that at 4°C. Soymilk fermented by cells immobilized on cempedak rind powder showed higher proteolytic activity (p<0.0001), followed by durian and mangosteen rinds powder (p<0.001). The highest ACE inhibitory activity was also found in soymilk fermented by cells immobilized on cempedak rind powder for all temperatures studied (p<0.0001). In addition, ACE inhibitory activity was higher in soymilk fermented at 37°C, compared to 25°C and 4°C (p<0.0001).

The results in the paper show that cell immobilization enhances the bioactive property of fermented soymilk, in terms of proteolysis and in‐vitro ACE inhibitory activity.

The aim of this study is to examine the bioactive properties of lactobacilli‐fermented B‐vitamin soymilk, namely the in‐vitro antihypertensive property and bioconversion of isoflavone glucosides to aglycones.

Lactobacillus acidophilus BT 1088, L. fermentum BT 8219, L. acidophilus FTDC 8633 and L. gasseri FTDC 8131 were investigated for their bioactive potential and enhanced bioconversion of isoflavones in soymilk supplemented with individual B‐vitamins at a concentration of 1 mg/L.

The supplementation of thiamine, riboflavin, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, biotin and folic acid enhanced the ACE‐inhibitory activity of lactobacilli in soymilk accompanied by a lower IC₅₀ value compared to the control (P<0.05). The β‐glucosidase specific activity of lactobacilli was also enhanced on supplementation of B‐vitamins, leading to increased bioconversion of isoflavones in soymilk. The concentration of genistein was decreased, accompanied by an increased concentration of genistein on fermentation in the presence of thiamine, niacinamide, biotin, calcium pantothenate and folic acid. Additionally, the supplementation of niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, biotin and folic acid also led to lower concentrations of malonyl daidzin, indicating increased hydrolysis of malonyl daidzin to daidzin. Results from the present study indicated that the supplementation of B‐vitamins could enhance the bioactive potential and bioconversion of isoflavones in lactobacilli‐fermented soymilk.

This work has shown that the supplementation of B‐vitamins in lactobacilli fermented soymilk has exerted in vitro ACE‐inhibitory activity and increased the accumulation of bioactive isoflavone aglycones. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first evaluation reporting on such aspects.

This research aims to examine and compare differences in waṣiyyah wājibah (obligatory bequest) (WW) practices in Malaysia and Indonesia.

This is an exploratory qualitative research, employing a thematic analysis approach. Six Muslim Wills (State) Enactments [Enakmen Wasiat Orang Islam (Negeri)] in Malaysia, Islamic Law Compilation (Kompilasi Hukum Islam) in Indonesia, two fatwas (ruling in religious matters) and one court case from each country are analysed. Data is collected from official government websites and other reliable search engines.

First, the findings show that the WW practice in both countries is similar regarding the quantum of the beneficiaries' entitlement. However, the practice varies between both countries in terms of the types of beneficiaries and how the bequest is distributed. Second, this study shows the potential of WW as an estate planning instrument to complement the existing instruments in each country, especially when addressing family members who are not entitled to succeed by farāʾiḍ (Islamic inheritance law).

The provision of relevant laws and regulations regarding WW needs to be formulated to guarantee the well-being of dependants. The differences in practice between the two countries can be a guideline to expand the WW scope and context to other Muslim countries.

This study is the first attempt to compare WW between two Muslim-majority countries focusing on relevant laws, court cases and regulations.