Associate Professor in Molecular Enzymology
BSc (UPM), PhD (2001, UMIST Manchester)

Tel: +6082583013

..............

Head of Department

Deputy Director, Centre of Excellence for Sago Research (CoESAR)

Research activities
My research interest involves the biochemistry, enzymology and molecular biology of microbial enzymes. In studying a particular enzyme of interest, molecular biology methods were employed as tools alongside protein chemistry studies to explore and understand the enzyme's function, regulation and degradation mechanisms. Currently our research group works on the indigenous amylase/cellulase enzyme of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UMAS 1002, which is capable of degrading sago pith waste. Genetic manipulation of the gene responsible for the amylolytic and cellulolytic properties has been successfully carried out and active recombinant protein was obtained through in vitro using the Escherichia coli expression system. We are hoping to be able to optimize the experimental conditions in order to increase the protein production. Achieving that, we will purify the native and recombinant crude enzymes to enable us to carry out in depth kinetic studies thus characterize the proteins. The knowledge and information gained, would contribute profoundly in our quest to produce a robust and commercially available recombinant protein specifically for the biodegradation of sago industries residual waste.

1) Indigenous fungal isolates for bioremediation of   pentachlorophenol (PCP), recalcitrant industrial pollutant.

2)Improvement of the CMS Agrotech Sdn Bhd Composting Technology for Production of Biofertilizer.

3) Production of amylase in solid substrate fermentation (SSF) using sago agro industrial residue as substrate by indigenous raw starch degrading fungi.

4) Isolation and characterization of marine bacteria involved in degradation of carbazole from coast of Sarawak.

5) Isolation, identification and characterisation of annomox
bacteria in Wastewater Treatment Plant in Kuching, Sarawak.

6) Isolation and characterization of novel marine bacteria involved in degradation of heterocyclic compound from coast of Sarawak.

7) Distribution and dynamics of indigenous hydrocarbon degrading fungi and their enzymes.


Selected publications - Refereed Journals

C. Y. Liew, A. Husaini, H.  Hussain, S. Muid, K. C. Liew , H.  A.  Roslan. (2011). Lignin biodegradation and ligninolytic enzyme studies during biopulping of Acacia mangium wood chips by tropical white rot fungi in the following paginated issue of World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology: Vol 27 (6): 1457.

Ang Chung Huap, Awang Ahmad Sallehin Awang Husaini and Hairul Azman Roslan (2011). Hot Phenol Extraction of Total RNA from Thermoascus aurantiacus and the Sythesis of a Thermostable Xylanase Gene. Borneo Journal of Resource Science and Technology. Vol 1: 55-58.

Husaini, A., Fisol F. A., Liew C. Y.,  Hussain, M. H., Muid, S. and Roslan, H. A. (2010). Lignocellulolytic Enzymes Produced by Tropical White Rot Fungi during Biopulping of Acacia mangium Wood Chips. Submitted to Journal of Biochemical Technology.  (Accepted).

Mohd Hasnain Hussain, Nikson Chong Fatt Ming, Christy Chan Sien Wei, Safarina Ahmad, Awang Ahmad Sallehin Awang Husaini. Xylanase gene from indigenous bacteria. Journal of Malaysian Applied Biology (Submitted Sept 2010, Accepted).

Husaini A., H. A. Roslan, K. S. Y. Hii and C. H. Ang. (2008). Biodegradation of aliphatic hydrocarbon by indigenous fungi isolated from used motor oil contaminated sites. World J Microbiol Biotechnol. 24:2789–2797.

Jeffrine Japning Rovie-Ryan, Andy K. H. Guan, Jayaraj V. Kumaran, Yuzine Esa, Awang A. Sallehin and M. T. Abdullah. (2008). Malaysian fruit bats phylogeny inferred using ribosomal RNA. Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. 31(1): 107- 117.

Hairul Azman Roslan, Yasotha Sundaraj and Awang Ahmad Sallehin Awang Husaini (2008).  Multiple forms of alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) genes in sago palm: A preliminary study. BANWA. 5(1):29-40.

Faisal Ali bin Anwarali Khan and Awang Ahmad Sallehin Awang Husaini. (2006). Enhancing a-amylase and cellulase in vivo enzyme expressions on sago pith waste residue using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UMAS 1002. Biotechnology 5 (3): 391 - 403.


Selected publications - Proceedings

Awang Ahmad Sallehin, A. H., Hairul Azman, R., Mohd Hasnain, H., Frazer, M. & Zendher Mercer J. Production of pectinase by Aspergillus spp A6 using solid substrate fermentation of agricultural waste for use in the enzymatic retting of pepper. 11th Symposium of the Malaysian Society of Applied Biology (MSAB 2010). 13th – 15th June 2010, Hotel Grand Riverview, Kota Bahru Kelantan Darul Naim.

Ngieng Ngui Sing and Awang Ahmad Sallehin Awang Husaini Screening for pentachlorophenol (PCP) tolerant fungus. Proceedings of the 3rd Biotechnology Colloquium 2010. 24th-25th May 2010. Page 108- 113. Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. ISBN: 978-967-5418-08-2.

Mohammad Farhan Darin bin Azri, Awang Ahmad Sallehin Awang
Husaini, Mohd Azib Salleh. Screening of lignocellulolytic bacteria which are able to degrade lignocelluloses compounds of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB). Proceedings of the 3rd Biotechnology Colloquium 2010. 24th-25th May 2010. Page 22- 26. Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. ISBN: 978-967-5418-08-2.

Mohamad Azlan Shah Abu Bakar, Awang Ahmad Sallehin Awang Husaini and Hairul Azman Roslan. Establishing the freeze drying of TPH degrading bacterial consortium for use and application in the bioremediation of oil contaminated soils. Proceedings of the 3rd Biotechnology Colloquium 2010. 24th-25th May 2010. Page 119- 127. Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. ISBN: 978-967-5418-08-2.

Noorhidayah Mut, Awang Ahmad Sallehin Awang Husaini Optimization of production of raw starch degrading amylase by
Aspergillus sp. NSH9 under solid substrate fermentation. Proceedings of the 3rd Biotechnology Colloquium 2010. 24th-25th May 2010. Page 171- 175. Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. ISBN: 978-967-5418-08-2.

Rohanie B. and Awang Ahmad Sallehin, A. H. Feasibility of fungus bioaugmentation in sawdust composting.11th Symposium of the Malaysian Society of Applied Biology (MSAB 2010).13th – 15th June 2010, Hotel Grand Riverview, Kota Bahru Kelantan Darul Naim.

Mohd Hasnain, H., Nikson C. and Awang Ahmad Sallehin, A. H. Xylanase gene from indigenous Bacillus sp. 11th Symposium of the Malaysian Society of Applied Biology (MSAB 2010). 13th – 15th June 2010, Hotel Grand Riverview, Kota Bahru Kelantan Darul Naim.

Muhammad Suhaib M. H., Mohd Hasnain, H. and Awang Ahmad Sallehin, A. H. Alpha-Amylase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
UMAS 1002: Gene Characterization and Expression in Escherichia coli.11th Symposium of the Malaysian Society of Applied Biology (MSAB 2010).13th – 15th June 2010, Hotel Grand Riverview, Kota Bahru Kelantan Darul Naim.

Current Research Areas / Topics:
o Bioremediation of organopollutant (hydrocarbon and pentachlorophenol).
o Enzymatic studies on lignocellulolytic, pectinolytic and amylolytic degrading microorganism.
o Bioremediation of domestic wastewater.
o Biodegradation of sago industrial waste.
o Composting of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB).
o Green technology e.g. enzymatic retting of pepper for white pepper production, biodeinking, biopulping and etc.