Journal of Science of the University of Kelaniya
Journal of Science of the University of Kelaniya (JOSUK) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by the Faculty of Science of the University of Kelaniya. This Journal publishes two issues per year in May and December. The journal has a wider coverage of subject areas of all aspects of science. The journal accepts original research work as research articles and short communications. The Journal of Science of the University of Kelaniya is indexed in Sri Lanka Journals Online (SLJOL) and Google Scholar. The journal also has its own website here https://journals.kln.ac.lk/jos/ Call for Papers JOSUK is inviting papers for Vol. 18 issue 2 which is scheduled to be published on December 15 2025. More information can be found here.
Faculty of Science of the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Copyright on any research article is transferred in full to University of Kelaniya upon publication in the Journal of Science of the University of Kelaniya. The copyright transfer includes the right to reproduce and distribute the article in any form of reproduction (printing, electronic media or any other form). Articles in the Journal of Science of the University of Kelaniya are Open Access articles published under the Creative Commons CC BY License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) This license permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Sun Protection Formulation Development from Pyrrosia heterophylla and Pyrrosia lanceolata Leaves
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to detrimental effects on human skin, such as sunburn, premature aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Utilizing sun protection products is essential to mitigate these harmful effects. However, many of the sun protection products on the market contain synthetic chemicals, which may pose health risks with prolonged use. Pyrrosia heterophylla and Pyrrosia lanceolata are two ferns known for their traditional medicinal uses. It is used as a natural alternative for effective sun protection formulations in traditional medicine. Therefore, this study investigates the sunscreen activity of extracts from P. heterophylla and P. lanceolata, aiming to develop a natural and effective sun protection formulation. Plant leaves were collected and sequentially extracted into hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol, and plant extracts with highest yield were used to prepare a concentration series of 156.25 to 5000 μg/mL. The SPF value of each extract was calculated, and toxicity was determined using brine shrimp lethality assay. The extract with the highest activity and the lowest toxicity was used for the development of herbal sunscreen. The cream was evaluated for its stability, pH, viscosity and spreadability. According to the results, ethanol extracts of both plants exhibit significant sun protection factor (SPF) values, with P. heterophylla showing the highest SPF of 41.99 ± 2.00 at 5000 μg/mL concentration, while P. lanceolata demonstrated an SPF value of 40.55 ± 2.00 at the same concentration. The lowest toxicity was observed for P. heterophylla with a LC50 value of 2677 μg/mL in brine shrimp assay which was chosen for sunscreen development. Stable cream formulations created, achieving SPF values exceeding 15, with a maximum SPF of 30.90 ± 0.2 at a concentration of 5000 μg/mL. These formulations maintain stable pH levels and exhibit favorable spreadability and viscosity. The results underscore the potential of herbal extracts from P. heterophylla and P. lanceolata in natural sunscreen applications, providing significant sun protection without adverse effects. This research contributes to the advancement of environmentally friendly skincare alternatives, highlighting the need for continued exploration and innovation in natural sun protection solutions.
Copyright (c) 2025 University of Kelaniya https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Applications of Green Banana Flour as a Functional Food Ingredient: A Review
Banana is an edible, nutritive fruit in the genus Musa and is consumed in fresh or processed forms. As a sustainable solution for postharvest losses of banana, Green banana flour (GBF) manufacturing has been developed in many banana growing countries and is claimed as a rich source of slowly digestible starch, resistant starch, phenolic compounds and dietary fiber. GBF is a gluten-free alternative for wheat-based products and is used in a variety of food applications. Since functional food application is one of the most intensively and widely promoted areas in the food industry, many studies have been accomplished to investigate the health benefits of GBF incorporated products. Previous research findings have shown that the health benefits of GBF are related to gastrointestinal and non- communicable diseases. In comparison to the products made with 100% of wheat flour, these products have positive effects in digestibility, human health, and biological functions namely stimulation of gut health, immunostimulatory effect, and prebiotic effect. However, not all the GBF-based products developed for functional properties were supported by solid scientific evidence to verify such claims. Therefore, further clinical studies are required to investigate specifications related to varietal differences, standardized dosages, and age limits for GBF incorporated foods to provide a more detailed understanding of their potential health effects and to investigate the mechanisms thereof.
Synergistic Multi-Enzyme Inhibition by Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants: A Promising Strategy for Effective Diabetes Management - A Comprehensive Review
Diabetes mellitus (DM) remains a major global health burden, characterized by chronic hyperglycemia that leads to severe complications such as cardiovascular diseases, nephropathy, and neuropathy, significantly contributing to its high mortality rates. Effective management of post-prandial hyperglycemia is a key therapeutic strategy, with enzyme inhibition emerging as a promising approach. While targeting individual enzymes like alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase—responsible for starch breakdown—has shown efficacy, growing evidence suggests that the simultaneous inhibition of multiple key enzymes, including dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), offers superior glucose regulation by preserving incretin hormones like Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Peptide (GIP). Medicinal plants, rich in bioactive compounds, have demonstrated the ability to exert multi-targeted inhibitory effects on these enzymes, exhibiting potent synergistic activity that enhances their therapeutic potential. This comprehensive review explores the pivotal roles of alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and DPP-IV in glucose metabolism and highlights medicinal plants with multi-enzyme inhibitory properties. By emphasizing the significance of synergistic inhibition, this review provides insights into the development of next-generation plant-based anti-diabetic therapeutics, offering a more effective, natural, and safer approach to managing DM.
Forecasting Dengue Outbreaks in Kalutara District using Hybrid Machine Learning Techniques
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6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Mention"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Smart Hyperlink"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Hashtag"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Unresolved Mention"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Smart Link"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!-- [if gte mso 10]> <![endif]--> Dengue is the most rapidly expanding mosquito–borne viral disease that has emerged as a significant global public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions. Almost all districts in Sri Lanka, one of the dominant countries affected by the dengue epidemic, are announcing dengue cases, and Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts in the western province have recorded the highest case rate. Ongoing prevention efforts aim to reduce dengue risk, and accurate forecasting is vital for effective surveillance and control. This study demonstrates that a hybrid machine learning approach improves vector-borne disease forecasting accuracy. The spread of dengue depends on factors such as weather, urbanization, population density, water storage containers and tanks, etc. This study aims to design an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model utilizing the Backpropagation (BP) algorithm and Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm independently, to forecast the average number of Dengue cases for next week in Kalutara District where one of the highest dengue-reported districts in Sri Lanka, based on various weather factors, and enhance the accuracy of the models by applying gradient boosting method. The model's input and output were selected as the current week's climate factors and the number of Dengue cases for the following week in the Kalutara district, respectively. Weekly data from 2022 January to 2023 June, a period with minimal external impact due to COVID-19, were collected from District Secretariat Kalutara, and NASA POWER Project which provides solar and meteorological data sets from NASA research. Parameters and accuracy of the models were measured based on minimum values of mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). While the ANN model with the LM algorithm initially performed well (MSE=0.012166, RMSE=0.113006, and MAE=0.069093), applying gradient boosting improved model accuracies, and the BP algorithm later achieved high accuracy (MSE=0.000613, RMSE=0.025006 and MAE=0.017425). These results show that hybrid machine learning algorithms effectively enhance the accuracy of vector-borne disease forecasting.
Role of Reverse Logistics in Solid Waste Management: A Systematic Review
This systematic review aims to identify factors and practices related to reverse logistics applicable to solid waste management. The review covers 58 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025, sourced using the PRISMA framework. This review reveals that academic interest in reverse logistics in solid waste management has been growing, especially since 2016, with the highest concentration of studies originating from Asia and the Americas. The thematic analysis identifies seven main categories of influencing factors, including organizational, economic, regulatory, technological, infrastructure, stakeholder collaboration, public awareness and participation. In addition, the integration of digital tools such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and tracking systems emerges as a key enabler of reverse logistics effectiveness. The review further describes the key challenges in adopting digital tools and technology solutions, including financial constraints, limited digital infrastructure, interoperability issues, shortage of skilled human capital. This review addresses a significant gap by systematically synthesizing current knowledge on strategies, practices, and influencing factors, and providing a foundational understanding for researchers, policymakers, and businesses aiming to improve the circularity and sustainability of solid waste systems.
Leveraging Economic and Market Variables for Improved Tile Demand Forecasting using Machine Learning
The dynamic nature of the tile market requires precise demand forecasting to ensure inventory optimization, cost control, and enhanced customer satisfaction. This study focuses on developing a robust forecasting model that integrates time series and regression techniques to predict tile sales. Utilizing historical sales data, economic indicators such as GDP growth, inflation, and interest rates, and customer preferences, the research evaluates the performance of various machine learning models, including CatBoost, ARIMA, and Gradient Boosting. The results indicate that models integrating multiple variables significantly outperform those relying on individual factors, with Gradient Boosting and CatBoost demonstrate the highest accuracy for monthly and quarterly forecasts. These findings highlight the value of combining historical sales data, market trends, and economic indicators to achieve reliable sales predictions, thereby enabling more informed decision-making in the tile industry.
Knowledge and Hygiene Practices Regarding Soil Transmitted Helminths Infections in Ijebu Division, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria
Behaviour is one of the risk factors considered during the transmission of Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections. Our study examined behavioural practices and identified the practices that aid the transmission of STH infections amongst parts of the Ijebu people in Ogun State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study across six communities was conducted among 571 consented participants. Study participants were administered close-ended questionnaires which assessed demographic factors, knowledge on STH infections and their practices towards health, water, sanitation and hygiene. Responses were subjected to statistical analysis and chi-square was performed with significance set at p<0.05. Results revealed that majority (95.6%) of the participants had access to a water source with tap water being the most. For toilet facilities, water-closet frequently cleaned was used by 86% of the participants, thus the washing of hands after the use of the toilet facility was done by 89% of the participants. However, significant differences of (p = 0.006) and (p = 0.009) showed that hygiene practices such as biting of fingernails and walking barefoot indulged in by the participants could aid the transmission of STH infections in the study area. Across the communities, observations showed that more than 50% of the participants were not aware of STH infections. Based on the poor knowledge on STH infections in the study area, we recommend that bi-annual sensitization health programmes on STH infections be carried out in the study area by health stakeholders.
Exploring the Potential of Allelopathy of Parthenium hysterophorus in Ecological Agriculture
Parthenium hysterophorus, an invasive and ecologically harmful weed, produces allelopathic chemicals including phenolics and sesquiterpene lactones that impact surrounding vegetation. These chemicals can serve as natural growth regulators, herbicides, and antimicrobial agents, presenting an alternative to synthetic pesticides. The use of P.hysterophorus in ecological agriculture, particularly in crop rotation, intercropping, and as a green manure or compost, has shown promise in improving soil health, fertility, and plant growth. Parthenium-derived compost enhances seed germination, root development, and nutrient content, while increasing organic matter and soil porosity. Additionally, the plant’s biomass can sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2 and N2O. Despite its potential benefits, the use of P.hysterophorus compost remains underutilized due to limited adoption by farmers. Innovative composting methods and the development of biopesticides could facilitate more widespread use, turning this harmful weed into a valuable resource for sustainable agriculture. Further research and awareness are essential to fully harness the allelopathic properties of this plant in agricultural systems.
Study of Demagnetization Energy in FCC Ferromagnetic Thin Films with Two Spin Layers Using the Fourth-Order Perturbed Heisenberg Model
This research explores the magnetic behaviour of ferromagnetic thin films with a face-centred cubic (FCC) structure using the fourth-order perturbed Heisenberg Hamiltonian. By incorporating all key magnetic energy parameters, including spin exchange interactions, anisotropy constants, applied magnetic fields, stress-induced anisotropy, and demagnetization energy, a comprehensive analysis of the energy landscape in FCC thin films is provided. MATLAB simulations generate 3D and 2D plots, highlighting the influence of higher-order anisotropy terms on magnetic energy distribution, and revealing distinct energy maxima and minima. The results show that the total magnetic energy in the demagnetization model is lower compared to the stress-induced model, suggesting that internal stress plays a significant role in enhancing the system’s energy state. Additionally, the study reveals deviations from the conventional 90-degree separation between magnetic easy and hard axes, indicating the complex interplay of anisotropy and spin interactions. The exchange of fourth-order anisotropy constants between the two spin layers also subtly influences the energy landscape, emphasizing the importance of anisotropy distribution in system stability. These findings contribute valuable insights for optimizing the magnetic properties of ferromagnetic thin films in spintronic applications, data storage, and other advanced magnetic materials. Future research could extend the analysis to multilayered structures and higher perturbation orders to refine the theoretical framework for thin-film magnetism.
Fourth order perturbed Heisenberg Hamiltonian
Nutrient-Rich Vegetable Wastes as Substrates for Fungal Propagation: A Dual-Phase Growth Assessment
Fungal cultivation is traditionally based on commercially available standard media such as Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). However, the growing demand for economic, sustainable and environmentally friendly practices has led to increased interest in the use of alternative media. Using organic waste, especially vegetable and fruit waste, as culture media not only reduces the laboratory costs but also promotes the recycling of biomass. In addition, they can improve the growth characteristics of specific fungi depending on the nutritional profile of the residues used. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of vegetable waste, including cabbage, onion, carrot, beans, beetroot and drumstick as an alternative nutrient source for fungal cultivation. Six different fungal genera were selected for the investigation: Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., Mucor sp., Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp. and Trichoderma sp. Quantitative analysis of fungal growth was conducted using spore counts obtained with a haemocytometer on the 3rd, 4th and 5th day from the day of inoculation, along with measurement of mycelial dry weight after five days from the day of inoculation. All the experiments were carried out using liquid media with Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) serving as the control. Where Onion supported the higher spore and mycelial biomass production of Mucor sp. and Rhizopus sp. Higher spore production of Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. was observed in carrot waste media. Furthermore, drumstick and cabbage highly induced the spore production of Fusarium sp. and Trichoderma sp., respectively. Moreover, Aspergillus sp. and Fusarium sp. showed higher mycelial biomass growth on cabbage waste media. Notably, several vegetables waste-based media exhibited superior performance compared to PDB, demonstrating their potential as cost-effective and sustainable alternatives for fungal cultivation.
Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Rivea ornate choisy Leaf Extract with Antimicrobial Activity Assessment
Nanotechnology is a rapidly advancing field that involves the manipulation of materials at the nanoscale. In recent years, "green" synthesis methods have gained popularity for nanoparticle production due to their eco-friendly and sustainable nature. This study presents a green synthesis approach for the production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the leaf extract of Rivea ornata choisy, widely used as a medicinal plant. The objective of this study was to explore the antimicrobial potential of AgNPs synthesized from the leaves of Rivea ornate choisy. The formation of AgNPs was indicated by a noticeable color change in the silver nitrate solution upon addition of the plant extract. This change was further confirmed through UV-Visible spectroscopy, showing characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks in the range of 425–475 nm. The nanoparticles were then separated via centrifugation and subjected to further characterization. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed distinct diffraction peaks corresponding to the (111), (200), (220), (222), and (311) planes, confirming the crystalline nature of the synthesized AgNPs. (24 nm) The antimicrobial activity of the biosynthesized AgNPs was evaluated by using the standard disc diffusion method. Antibacterial activity was tested against two Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus sp. and Staphylococcus sp.) and three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp., and Proteus sp.). Antifungal activity was assessed against Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Fusarium sp., and Penicillium sp. Statistical analysis revealed that the synthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited significantly higher degree of antifungal and antibacterial activity against all tested fungi and bacteria. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using Rivea ornata choisy leaf extract proved excellent antimicrobial activity. These findings highlighted the potential of Rivea ornata-mediated AgNPs as effective antimicrobial agents, paving the way for future applications in biomedicine and sustainable nanotechnology.