BENEFIT OF PINEAPPLE - EAT WELL

MALAYSIA GROWS many varieties of premium pineapples variety including MD2, Moris, N36, Sarawak, Gandul, Yankee, Josapine, and Masapine. The MD2 variety (as photo above) is the most popular and is grown for its sweet taste, bright color, and long shelf life. Known by its trade names such as “Golden Ripe”, “Super Sweet”, “Rompine” or “Pineapple Gold”, MD2 is superior than other varieties because of its enrichingly bright and golden colour, sweeter taste and longer shelf life. The weight ranges from 1.5 kg to 3 kg, and the price is based on the current market price. In a question is pineapple Malaysia local fruit actually these non-seasonal fruits which can be enjoyed the whole year round are fruits like papaya, guava, pineapple and banana. However, these local fruits are generally inexpensive and can easily be available at the local supermarket, night market, roadside stall, anywhere during their peak season. The industry grew rapidly in Johor in conjunction with the rubber industry as pineapples were intercropped in the rubber plantations. The pineapple plant is a herbaceous perennial and produces up to 200 flowers that join together to create multiple fruits typically 15 to 20 months after planting. The world pineapple production rank by country in 2022 lead by Indonesia (3,203,775 million mt), Philippines (2,914,425 million mt), Costa Rica (2,909,750 million mt) and from Brazil (2,337,302 million mt). Malaysia ranked 22th in the pineapple prodution especiaaly for fresh segment. This article ini "Anim Agriculture Technology" I write ana rticle about the benefit of pineapple to eat well and healthy.

 

For me pineapple has its origins in the tropical regions of Brazil and Paraguay. Early Spanish settlers in the region were intrigued by the fruit’s regal look that resembled a pinecone. Reported that they described it as “pina de Indies”. Because of its look, native English speakers translated it to “pineapple”, even though it is not related to either the apple or the pine! In fact, the pineapple is a cluster of berries that is anchored to a core. The scales on the thick skin are actually its flowers. The pineapple is one of my favourite fruits, and not just because of its tangy, sweet taste. I find the pineapple to be one of the most gorgeous, exotic fruits to look at, with its vibrant yellow and green hues. It is such an attractive addition to a bowl of mixed tropical fruit on our kitchen counters. But it’s not only a looker, it has very impressive nutritional credentials to boot. A 100 grammes of fresh pineapple has only 50 calories, is fat-free, has a milligramme of sodium and 1.4g of dietary fibre. A 100g of pineapple also contributes 79 per cent of your vitamin C intake for the day. Other notable vitamins and minerals include potassium, vitamin B6 and thiamin. The most known pineapple benefit are BROMELAIN-RICH for health. Reported that pineapple is rich in a mix of enzymes called bromelain. The two active ingredients in bromelain are proteinases and proteases. Their function is to break down protein from the foods we eat. Pineapple can be used to marinate meats as it is an effective meat tenderiser. You can combine some fresh pineapple juice and soya sauce to make a simple meat marinade. How long to marinate would depend on the thickness of the cut of meat. 

However for thick chunks, marinate from 20 to 30 minutes. Thinly sliced meat can be marinated for no more than 10 minutes. Just don’t marinate the meat for too long with pineapple as the meat can get too tender and mushy. There is growing interest in the potential health benefits of bromelain among nutrition scientists. Research has shown that potential benefits include reducing inflammation, slowing the progression of cancer tumours and reducing blood clots.  Bromelain enzyme supplements are sold in pharmacies or online in various forms, ranging from capsules and powders in high dosages. However, more research is required to find out the safety of bromelain supplements in such high dosages. There have been reported side effects and contraindications, which include increased heart rate, gastrointestinal discomfort and menstrual complications. Pregnant and breast-feeding women are advised to avoid using bromelain supplements. Moreover, high dosages can interact with other medications such as sedatives, antiobiotics and anticoagulants. Always seek advice from your doctor if you are on any of these prescribed medications. My opinion is to consume your bromelain from eating whole, fresh pineapple. Eating it in its natural form in the recommended serving portion is by far the safest way to consume it. Add pineapple to your weekly fruit intake. A recommended serving is a cupful of fresh pineapple. If juicing, a serving is about three quarters of a cup of freshly squeezed, pure pineapple juice. Remember that when you juice the pineapple, you miss out on the dietary fibre. You can blend the pineapple with a handful of leafy green vegetables (I like baby spinach). Blending retains the fibre, but just changes its texture to a form that can be slurped up. Just add a little water if you prefer your smoothie to be more watery. Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to pineapples is if you have an allergy to latex. There is an estimated portion of the population who experience a cross-reaction from the proteins in latex and foods  such as certain fruit, vegetables and tree nuts. Pineapple is one of those fruits that can cause a cross-reaction. Depending on the severity of the allergy, symptoms can range from itchy skin to anaphylaxis shock. Thanks...

By,

M Anem,

Senior Agronomist Expert,

Melaka City,

Malaysia. 

(January 2025).

Updated June 2025.

COCONUT PICKING-MONKEY IN THAILAND

Thailand's Commerce Ministry stated that the coconut farmers and monkey school owners have dismissed claims that many monkeys trained to pick coconuts were mistreated. They also announced plans to get foreign diplomats to see the monkeys at work for themselves. According to the Bangkok Post reported that permanent secretary for the Commerce Ministry, Boonyarit Kalayanamit has said the monkey owners did not abuse or exploit the animals, which had been humanely trained to pick coconuts. Now the ministry is ready to invite foreign diplomats to visit coconut plantations and see how the monkeys pick coconuts so they will realise this is not animal cruelty [as claimed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta)]. He said Thai commercial attaches in Thai embassies overseas had been told to provide an explanation to retailers. He added that the ministry would discuss the issue with the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to find further solutions. Blog "Anim Agriculture Technology" write about a report regarding the coconut-picking monkey treated wlll in Thailand. Malaysia also has a monkey training school for this purpose in Kelantan as part of the proposal to pluck most tall coconut tree.

Governement official in Thailand claims that due to the falling price of coconuts, the group had asked operators of the coconut milk plants to justify their practices to Peta. The Department of Agriculture Thailand has to give details of the use of monkeys to pick coconuts. According to Somjai Sae Kow, the owner of a school which trains monkeys in Surat Thani's Kanchanadit district, said the practice of capturing monkeys from the wild to pick coconuts ceased a long time ago and monkeys were bred and raised before being trained. She also denied claims the monkeys were forced to pick up to 1,000 coconuts a day, adding that the monkeys did not work every day.

Coconut-picking monkeys were mostly males and their abilities varied, she said, adding that the owner of the monkey received two baht per coconut picked. Foreigners may not understand our livelihood. Also, humans are not built to climb up a coconut tree to pick fruit. They will be at risk, compared to monkeys which have the natural ability to do so. Then according to experts named as  Chaowalit Chusaneh, an owner of coconut-picking monkeys in Surat Thani's Muang district, also brushed aside claims of inhumane treatment. The current batch of monkeys working for us were bred from previous generations. There is no cruelty. They are looked after well. They are fed well three times a day. It was reported that major Western retailers had begun to pull Thai coconut products from their shelves amid allegations the coconuts were picked by poorly treated domesticated monkeys.  According to Peta, the monkeys were snatched from the wild and treated like compared to coconut-picking machines. It said monkeys were used by farms that supply some of Thailand's coconut milk brands, which are exported to Europe and the United States. Currently more than 15,000 stores will no longer purchase these brands' products, with the majority also no longer buying any coconut products sourced from Thailand monkey labour. Thanks...

By,

M Anim,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(August 2020).

Updated May 2025

HOW TO GROW SWEET POTATO

SWEET POTATO (Impomea batatas) are popular tubers grown in most ASEAN Countries. The part we eat is the tuberous root of this warm-weather perennial vining plant. The edible sweet potatoes are closely related to morning glories (Ipomoea tricolor) and are the same species as the sweet potato vining plants commonly grown as ornamentals. The edible and ornamental types are different cultivars of Ipomoea batatas. Although the terms sweet potato and yam are used interchangeably in the Malaysia and other Asean States they are two entirely different vegetables. They are also unrelated to regular potatoes. The orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are the most familiar, but sweet potatoes can be white, yellow, and even purple. Sweet potatoes are slow-growing and are always planted in spring because they require four months of warm temperatures to develop full-size tubers, but they are surprisingly easy to grow. Since the vines root wherever they touch the ground, a few plants can produce a generous harvest. There are also bush varieties, for smaller gardens. In the blog ''Anim Agriculture Technology'' I write about how to grow sweet potato.

Growing sweet potatoes grown for consumption are usually planted from purchased slips small rooted pieces of a tuber or from tubers that you root at home. You can try growing sweet potatoes from the grocery store, but the only way to be certain you have certified disease-free roots is to buy slips from a reputable seed supplier. Plant slips about 12 to 18 inches apart with 3 to 4 feet between rows. The vines will spread and fill in, so give them plenty of room. Sweet potatoes will generally thrive in any average well-drained soil in a sunny location. These plants are tropical in origin, so wait until the soil has warmed up fully before planting. If your soil is too dense or rocky, consider planting sweet potatoes in raised beds filled with a sandy but rich potting soil. To give them a head start, sweet potatoes are often planted in raised rows, about 8 inches high. This helps the soil warm faster and keeps them well-drained. If you are gardening in a cooler climate, spreading black plastic on the soil will also help it warm faster.  Keep the plants moist, especially during dry spells. Three to four months after planting, the tubers should be ready to harvest for eating. For sweet potato agronomic practices need light in full sun to part shade. They generally prefer full sun but appreciate some afternoon shade in hot, dry regions. For soil requirement sweet potatoes prefer soil that is well-drained but high in organic matter and for sandier soil is preferable to be a dense clay soil. Once established, sweet potatoes will tolerate growing in dry soil. It's best to keep it evenly moist with 1 inch of water given once a week. Don't water your sweet potatoes during the final three to four weeks prior to harvest to prevent the mature tubers from splitting. Sweet potatoes should not be planted outdoors until the temperature of the soil has warmed to 29.5 Celcius. Sweet potato  need soil growing temperatures between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and an air growing temperature of 65 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sweet potatoes are not heavy feeders, but it's important to give them balanced nutrition, typically with proper soil preparation. Overfeeding tends to promote growth of foliage rather than tubers. The best approach is to add compost to the beds before planting the sweet potatoes. Alternatively, you can apply an organic liquid fertilizer to the soil prior to planting. In Malaysia there are few commercial sweet potato grown by farmers such as Bukit Naga, Vitato, Keledek Bikam, Jalomas and few others. Sweet potato tubers are ready to harvest in about three to four months, depending on the cultivar. If there are demand to eat the leaves as greens, you can do so in moderation throughout the season. Be sure to leave enough to keep the plant growing. To harvest is by digging up the tubers once the foliage starts to yellow.  Ensure do not let them sit in the ground too long after the tops die back or they could start to rot. Be gentle when digging. Sweet potato tubers grow close to the surface. Their skins are tender and can be damaged and bruised easily. Dig up the tubers using cangkul and collect the tubers for grding. Divide them into pieces, making sure that each piece has at least one eye. Plant them in the garden after the threat of frost has passed and the soil temperature is at least 15 degrees Celsius. Wireworms and root-knot nematodes are the biggest problems when growing sweet potatoes in home gardens. Damage is lessened if you rotate your crop each year. Many diseases can be avoided by choosing disease-resistant varieties and using certified disease-free sweet potato slips. Rotating their location in the garden from year to year also helps. Mice can also be a problem, so be on the lookout. Thanks...

By,

M Anim,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

January 2021.

Updated May 2025.

HOW RICE INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA TODAY?

RICE CULTIVATION IN MALAYSIA started long time ago as one of the important commodities by local. For me in Malaysia, rice is the third most important crop that was grown after oil palm and rubber. Rice (Oryza sativa) in Malaysia nowadays is planted twice (cropping seasons) annually in most granary area. The main season occurred with a humid weather (from Aug to Feb) is based on a non-irrigation-dependant system. However the off-season or so calle as dry weather occurred normally in Mac-July and it requires an irrigation system. Generally reported that the rice granaries are distributed across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Some of the granary areas named as locally paddy are also known as (1) Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) in Kedah, (2) Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) in Kelantan, (3) North Terengganu Integrated Agriculture Development (KETARA) in Terengganu, (4) Project Barat Laut Selangor (PBLS) in Selangor, (5) Krian, in Perak (6) Seberang Perak in Perak (7) Seberang Perai located in Pulau Pinang (8) Kemasin in Kelantan (9) Rompin in Pahang (10) Kota Belud in Sabah and (11) Batang Lupar in Sarawak. Granaries are defined as rice farms with proper irrigation systems and land areas spanning more than 4,000 ha per area. Apart from these recognized granaries, there are 74 secondary granaries and 172 minor granaries distributed sporadically in Malaysia and contribute up to 28,441 and 47,653 hectares, respectively. In the Southeast Asian region, Malaysia has the smallest total rice planting area of 689,268 ha, of which two third of the total planting area is distributed in Peninsular Malaysia and the remainder is found in Sabah and Sarawak. Currently in Malaysia approximately 195,000 farmers are toiling up in rice cultivation and productivity. This article in "Anim Agro Technology" blog we share the rice industry in Malaysia.

In early 2019, Malaysia’s paddy and rice production stood at 2.9 and 1.88 million MT, respectively while the self-sufficiency level (SSL) was reported at 72.85% (MARDI, 2010). According to Khazanah Research Institute (2019), Malaysians consumed 80 kg of rice per person which equalled to 26% of the total caloric intake per day. On average each household spends RM44/month (USD$ 9.93) on rice. Both Sabah (RM73/ USD $16.50) and Perlis (RM13/USD$2.93) are ranked as states that spend the most and least on rice consumption in Malaysia respectively. Reported that the national SSL has now dipped slightly to 69% due to the looming pandemic which resulted in food supply chain disruption and increased consumption of staple food. While the population has increased to more than 32 million, rice production areas have remained relatively constant since the 1990s. Comparatively, for the SSL of neighboring countries within the Southeast Asia region are significantly greater in which in Indonesia their reported as SSL = 97%, The Philippines in which their SSL = 93% while for Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia have surplus production with their SSL up to a value more than 200% (Source: Khazanah Research Institute, 2019). Although rice production shows an annual growth of 1.6%, the small growth rate does not sufficiently meet the consumption need of the population. The national average rice yield hovers at 4.2 metric ton/ha while high-performing granaries such as IADA Barat Laut Selangor, IADA Pulau Pinang, IADA Ketara and MADA yield above 5.0 metric ton/ha, low-productivity granaries such as Kemasin, IADA Pekan and Rompin yield below 3.0 metric ton/ha. Kedah from 1960's as I know are the rice bowl of Malaysia as MADA contributes to half of the total paddy production of the nation. Thanks...

By,

M Anem,

Senior Agronomist,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(August 2023)

Updated May 2025

STEPS TO STOP INVASIVE FISH

IT IS IMPORTANT how to stop invasive fish species
appeared recently in Malaysia and few other countries in ASEAN region. Raises concerns that the released invasive fish could cross into river systems and reach the ocean or marine ecosystems, posing a serious threat to broader environmental sustainability.  Reported that an invasive fish species known as the Chao Phraya Catfish was recently released into Tasik Biru, Kundang, Selangor, Malaysia as photo above. This raises concerns that the released invasive fish could cross into river systems and reach the ocean or marine ecosystems, posing a serious threat to broader environmental sustainability. However according to the Malaysian Fisheries Department said nets would be installed at the lake's exits after pictures of the release were circulated on social media. In Malaysia, there are laws against the release of invasive fish into public waters, such as the Fisheries Act 1985. The Act sets heavy penalties for individuals or entities that violate these regulations.  However reported that the violations are often not taken seriously or only incur light penalties, signalling to violators that their actions have no significant consequences. The gap between policy and society is one of the main causes of the inefficiency in policy implementation in this matter. Often some policies are not accompanied by sufficient awareness campaigns, leading to the public not understanding the importance or implications of their actions on ecosystems. It is essential to integrate a comprehensive educational approach with law enforcement to ensure maximum effectiveness. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" blog I report on how to stpo the invasive fish specien in Malaysia form media report.

Our country's rich marine resources must be protected through firm policies and coordinated actions to ensure the wellbeing of marine ecosystems and the human lives that depend on them. The Malaysian waters also hold significant economic importance. The fisheries sector contributes billions of ringgit to the economy and provides a vital source of protein for Malaysians. It is disappointing that we still do not have a comprehensive national plan for managing and monitoring marine resources. This also provides more reasons to establish a dedicated ministry for the management of the country's waters, including marine and maritime issues. By establishing a ministry to oversee our marine resources have been repeatedly recommended by experts in the country due to issues such as overlapping jurisdictions among government agencies, leading to inefficiency and confusion in policy, the absence of centralised management, and the lack of data and technical expertise. In Indonesia and South Korea, these dedicated ministries exist and play roles in managing maritime logistics systems, sustainable ocean management, achieving maritime security, and prospering fishing communities. The establishment of a dedicated ministry responsible for marine and maritime affairs is a critical step that should be taken.

This ministry will ensure that all aspects related to the country's waters, including fisheries, marine biodiversity conservation, pollution management, and maritime security, are managed more systematically and comprehensively. Apart from establishing the ministry, the government can take these steps:

(1) BY ESTABLISHING a comprehensive policy covering all aspects of marine management and protection, including controlling invasive species, pollution management, and conserving critical habitats such as coral reefs and mangroves;

(2) STRENGTHEN the enforcement of existing laws by increasing the resources and capabilities of enforcement agencies, ensuring that penalties are severe enough to deter violations;

(3) CONTINUOUSLY monitor and assess the condition of marine ecosystems, identify new threats, and evaluate the effectiveness of measures taken;

(4) ENHANCE the cooperation among government agencies, research institutions, the private sector, and non-governmental organisation to ensure an integrated and effective approach to managing marine issues; and,

(5) ENCOURAGE educational and research institutions to play a more active role not only in educating future generations and conducting research but also in expressesing opinions on marine issues. 

However, all these institutions need to be involved in information dissemination, policy advocacy and provide policy-makers evidence-based guidance. Firm measures must be taken before we pay a higher price for today's mistakes.

Thanks.

By,

M Anem,

Agronomist Expert,

Melaka,

Malaysia.

(September 2024).

Updated May 2025.

FOOD SECURITY AS A MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY

Many of us nowadays want to know what is the best definition of FOOD SECURITY?. From my knowledge that based on the 1996 World Food Summit, food security is defined when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. In Malaysia there is a question of food-insecurity asked recently. The nation want to know the fact flies in the face of abundance especially at Ramadan bazaars, buffet tables and the food waste in our landfills, which reached more than 16,000 tonnes in 2019. Reported in 2018 Malaysia ranked 39th out of 113 countries in the global food security index (GFSI). This data rankings measure food affordability, availability, quality and safety, including "natural resources and resilience" to assess a country's exposure to the impacts of climate change. Malaysia came eighth in the Asia-Pacific region and ranked second in Southeast Asia behind Singapore. Our southern neighbour with only one per cent of land available for food production and lacking in natural resources relies on a complex global supply chain to ensure food security for its 5.7 million residents. For me tha in Malaysia, on the other hand that we have 800,000ha for agro-food and yet cannot feed itself. Reported that no nation can afford to be complacent when it comes to food security and the urgency is compounded by events in Europe and increasingly, the climate crisis. In this blog "Anim Agriculture Technology'' I would like to write about the food security as a matter of national security importance in Malaysia.

As a report that on March 28, 2020, the head of the FAO or United Nations World Food Programme warned that the war in Ukraine is creating an agricultural crisis not seen since World War 2. Ukraine and Russia are the nations that produce 30 per cent of the world's supply of wheat and 20 per cent of its maize. Russia and its ally, Belarus, are also among the top three potash used as fertiliser and as the producers in the world. The war's impact on agriculture is not just skyrocketing food prices but the world risks famine, destabilisation of countries and mass migrations, warns WFP. Even before the war started in February, the global food supply chain was buckling under the strain of two years of Covid and dealing with natural disasters, such as droughts and flooding. Disruptions in supply chains pushed up transport cost and commodity prices. The ongoing conflict will only escalate global hunger, poverty and worsen inflation. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reports that the food price index reached an all-time high in February, up by almost 20 per cent compared with a year ago. In Malaysia reported that the consumer price index (CPI) increased 2.2 per cent to 125.2 in February 2020 from 122.5 in the same month of the preceding year and driven mainly by the increase in food inflation. A food security problem could turn easily into a national security issue. Malaysia's agricultural sector accounts for only 7 per cent of GDP (2019 figures) and with a relatively small population, it is still unable to be self-sufficient in basic food production. The self-sufficiency level of major food commodities of rice, vegetables, fruits, beef and milk stood at 63 per cent, 44.4 per cent, 78.2 per cent, 22.3 per cent and 63 per cent in 2019. We rely heavily on imports to feed ourselves and our foodstuff import bill hit RM51.4 billion in 2019 compared with RM50.14 billion in 2018.

The National Food Policy Action Plan 2021-2025 is the strategy to secure our future food systems in Malaysia. It places heavy emphasis on digital transformation to ensure the sector can meet future demands. The goal is to forge a resilient, inclusive, competitive and sustainable agro-food sector that is prepared to mitigate and manage food security crises and disruptions of agro-food value chains. The urgency is compounded by global warming with experts already warning that last year's "once-in-a-century" floods will become increasingly a norm. The agro-food sector recorded losses of more than RM67 million from December's flooding. The cost of such natural disasters and their impact on food production will be more severe. One unlikely nation from which we can learn about food self-sufficiency is Qatar. As one of the most water-stressed nations in the world, it offers some important lessons on the nexus between food security and national security. There are report on June 5, 2017 that Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt imposed an air and maritime blockade against Qatar that ostensibly over Doha's support for terrorism. The Gulf neighbours effectively strangled Qatar's food supply lines overnight but while the blockade was designed to "punish" Doha, it had the opposite effect. It pushed Qatar further away from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and created a more independent nation, which has spent the last five years transforming its food and resource security. Before the blockade, Qatar imported nearly 40 per cent of its goods and services through Saudi Arabia. All its fresh fruits and vegetables were also imported but the blockade forced it to hasten its economic diversification efforts. Reported that the country remarkably is now self-sufficient in dairy when it once relied on imports for 72 per cent of its supplies. A company called Baladna is now one of the largest cattle farms in the region. It started with 4,000 dairy cows in 2017 and today, has more than 20,000 cows housed in special "cool" sheds. Cows are milked daily using the most advanced rotary milking system to provide a wide selection of dairy products. The farm is also open to the public with popular schoolchildren touring the milking parlours. Two years after it was set up, Baladna exported its products to Afghanistan, Yemen and Oman. Born out of a blockade, the company ensured that Qatar went from being dependent on dairy imports to 100 per cent milk self-sufficiency. Qatar's National Food Security Strategy (2018-23) outlines five main pillars: international trade and logistics, local self-sufficiency, strategic stocks, local markets and supply chains, and research and development. The production of vegetables increased from 66,000 tonnes in 2018 to about 103,000 tonnes, a 41 per cent self-sufficiency rate, with the target set to reach 70 per cent self-sufficiency rate in 2023. The Qatari example shows that if there's political will to act, it is possible to transform our agro-food sector into a more resilient, inclusive, sustainable and competitive one while striving to "leave no one behind" within the Sustainable Development Goal framework. Source of information - NST. Thanks.

By,

M Anem,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(January 2024).

Updated May 2025.

TURNING PAPAYA LEAVES TO CURE DENGUE FEVER

THE POTENTIAL therapeutic effect of Papaya (Carica papaya) or locally known asa 'Buah Betik' in Malaysia with the use of leaf juice has attracted wide interest from the public and scientists in relieving dengue related manifestations. Currently scientist in few universities in Malaysia stated that there is a lack of evaluated evidence on its juice form. Therefore, this scoping review aims to critically appraise the available scientific evidence related to the efficacy of C. papaya leaf juice in dengue. A systematic search was performed using predetermined keywords on two electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar). Searched results were identified, screened and appraised to establish the association between C. papaya and alleviating dengue associated conditions. A total of 28 articles (ethnobotanical information: three, in vitro studies: three, ex vivo studies: one, in vivo study: 13, clinical studies: 10) were included for descriptive analysis, which covered study characteristics, juice preparation/formulations, study outcomes, and toxicity findings. Other than larvicidal activity reported that in this review also reveals two medicinal potentials of Carica papaya leaf juice on dengue infection, namely anti-thrombocytopenic and immunomodulatory effects. Carica papaya leaf juice has the potential to be a new drug candidate against dengue disease safely and effectively. This article I rewrite in blog "Anim Agriculture Technology" about the turning of papaya leaves to cure dengur fever in Malaysia as one of an important infirmation.

Research regarding 'Turning papaya leaf into a cure for dengue fever' as a traditional herbal remedy for the dangerous tropical disease ‘dengue fever’ could be turned into a pill to treat patients thanks to groundbreaking research by scientists at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. Papaya leaf juice has for a long time been used in some areas of India and South East Asia as a treatment for dengue fever. Reported that a compound in the juice is known to help with blood clotting and can restrict the internal bleeding caused by the disease. They thanks to funding from the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education in which a team of chemical engineers in the University’s Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering Group in Malaysia are tackling the challenge of extracting the bioactive compound ‘carpaine’ for use in a pill for dengue. Dengue is a mosquito-born viral infection found in tropical and sub-tropical climates and tends to be concentrated in urban and semi-urban areas. The infection causes flu-like symptoms and can develop into a potentially fatal form of the disease – Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever. The incidence worldwide has grown dramatically in recent decades with severe dengue now a leading cause of hospitalisation and death among children and adults in Asia and Latin America. There is currently no vaccine for it. Leading the research at University of Nottingham Malaysia, Associate Professor Dr Ching Lik Hii, said: “Dengue has been a big issue in Malaysia and other countries with similar climates for more than 20 years. People are dying and more people are being infected as the Aedes mosquito population grows and becomes more active. This global problem inspired me to look for something that is a well-known traditional plant-based remedy and make it much easier to process and consume. The researchers are targeting the active bio-compound carpaine which we know can increase blood platelets and therefore helps reduce internal bleeding. We are also looking at whether the younger leaves or the older leaves contain more carpaine, and also whether the stems of the papaya plant could also be useful. The carpaine compound is extracted by using alcohol. An acid-base extraction procedure is then used to yield crude carpaine material. Further purification steps produces solid carpaine that is at least 95% pure. At the end of the three-year project, the team hopes to have developed the best processing method to achieve the highest yield of carpaine. Other aims are to find out how the carpaine degrades during storage and which parts of the papaya plant are best to use. The challenge will eventually be to find adequate supply sources of papaya leaf because there are not many large papaya farms in Malaysia and existing farms do not harvest the leaves as their priority is to grow papaya fruit. Eventually the researchers aim to work with industry partners in Malaysia and beyond to produce a carpaine medication. They anticipate the product could take at least ten years to bring to market because extensive approvals and clinical trials are needed. Thanks....

By,

M Anim,

Senior Agronomist Expert,

Malacca City,

Malacca,

Malaysia.

(Febuary 2025).

Updated May 2025.