Caretenoid in ulam species as alternative food intervention to combat the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic

• Main Authors: Mat Ali, Qurratu Aini, Mohd Hatta, Farah Ayuni, Othman, Rashidi, Ramya, Razanah, Wan Sulaiman, Wan Syibrah Hanisah, Mohd Latiff, Nur Hanie
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: TX Home economics; TX341 Nutrition. Foods and food supply
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/93404/1/93404_Carotenoid%20in%20ulam%20species%20as%20alternative%20food.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/93404/; https://www.ukm.my/isicas/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PROGRAMME-BOOK-ISICAS-2021-updated-26102021-1600.pdf

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic that threatens global health, socioeconomics, and the environment. During MCO 4.0, over 15,000 new COVID-19 infections were reported daily in Malaysia. The best treatment for this severe respiratory infectious disease is unknown, as are the long-term effects of acute COVID-19 (long COVID). Various dietary sources rich in bioactive ingredients such as carotenoids, flavonoids, steroids, and alkaloids are being researched as an alternative food intervention to combat the COVID-19 infection. Ulam, or Malay traditional vegetables, includes over 120 species, from groundcovers to large trees. However, there is little information available about the ulam in terms of its health and nutritional impact. In fact, ulam has many benefits: antioxidant-rich, antimicrobial, rich in vitamins, etcetera. Ulam's health-promoting properties can be used in food or pharmaceutical applications to combat the COVID-19 pandemic's aftermath. The pharmaceutical industry is essential in assuring the health of the community. There are various sources of ingredients being manipulated during the production of pharmaceutical products. Thus, the study on the carotenoid composition and bioactivities in ulam is vital to provide concrete evidence for ulam to be manipulated as Halal active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).