Royal University of Agriculture

Organic fermented foods represent an important component of sustainable food systems, combining traditional processing methods with growing consumer demand for natural, minimally processed, and health-promoting products. Microorganisms play a central role in organic fermentation by driving biochemical transformations that enhance food safety, nutritional value, sensory attributes, and shelf life. The selection of appropriate microbial strains is therefore critical to ensuring consistent product quality while meeting strict organic and food safety standards. This review examines potential microbial strains used in organic fermented foods, with emphasis on safety assessment, functional properties, and impacts on product quality. Key groups including lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and selected beneficial bacteria are evaluated in terms of their technological performance, probiotic potential, and ability to suppress spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. The review further discusses challenges related to strain variability, contamination risks, and regulatory compliance in organic production systems. By synthesizing recent findings from food microbiology, fermentation science, and biotechnology, this work provides a comprehensive framework for selecting and managing microbial strains to support safe, functional, and high-quality organic fermented foods.

Egg washing at home is generally discouraged in some regions because it can damage the egg’s natural protective cuticle and increase the risk of bacterial penetration. However, little is known about how consumers in Southeast Asia wash and handle eggs in domestic settings. This study aims to investigate egg washing and handling practices among consumers using a mixed-method approach. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with consumers from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. This was followed by 24 domestic kitchen observations and semi-structured interviews in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and logistic regression. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. The majority of participants reported washing eggs before cooking. More than half of those who washed eggs indicated that they would still wash eggs even when they appeared visually clean. Eggs were commonly rinsed under tap water, often to remove dirt, faeces, slime, or feathers. Respondents from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and those with greater perceived risk of Salmonella contamination in eggs were more confident in following the message. Observations revealed appropriate handwashing after handling or cracking eggs was rare and cross-contact opportunities were frequently observed. Semi-structured interview findings showed that egg washing was closely linked to perceived beliefs about cleanliness and safety, habitual practice, and uncertainty about how eggs had been handled before purchase. Some participants also described wiping as an alternative cleaning strategy, while informal information sources appeared to influence views on egg washing. Practical guidance should emphasise washing only visibly dirty eggs, cooking them immediately after washing, handwashing hands with soap and water after handling or cracking eggs and preventing cross-contamination during preparation.

Although cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is regarded as an important food and energy crop, the effects of its cultivation on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions remain poorly documented. This study, conducted in a tropical red Oxisol in Cambodia, quantified the effects of long-term cassava-based cropping systems on soil methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions using static chambers over two years (2022-24). Also accounting for measured change in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, the greenhouse gas balance (in CO2-eq) of the systems was determined. Established in 2009, the replicated treatments included: (1) conventional tillage mono-cropping cassava (CTM-Cs), (2) no-till mono-cropping cassava with biomass retention (NTM-Cs), and (3) no-till bi-annual cassava-maize rotation with cover crops (NTR), where cassava (Cs) and maize (Mz) are grown in two separate plots: NTR1 and NTR2. CH4-C emissions ranged from -123 to +141 & micro;g CH4-C m(-2) hr(-1), with negligible cumulative emissions (-1.76 to +0.94 kg CH4-C ha(-1) yr(-1)), depending on cropping systems and season. In cassava treatments, N2O-N emissions peaked after mineral fertilizer application (up to +141 & micro;g N2O-N m(-2) hr(-1)), while maize treatment showed the higher peaks (up to +437.18 & micro;g N2O-N m(-2) hr(-1)) after cover crop termination under NTR. Cassava treatments had lower (p < 0.05) average cumulative N2O-N emissions (0.74-0.87 kg N2O-N ha(-1) yr(-1)) than maize (1.42 kg N2O-N ha(-1) yr(-1)). With similar yield-scaled CH4 and N2O emissions, cassava yield under NTR-Cs was 20-30% higher (p > 0.05) than CTM-Cs and NTM-Cs, respectively. Accounting for CH4 and N2O emissions and annual SOC accumulation, NTM-Cs, NTR1 and NTR2 systems (2022-24) resulted in a net climate mitigation benefit by sequestering -3.52, -1.93 and -3.16 Mg CO2-eq ha(-1) yr(-1), respectively. Our results showed that while N2O emissions were consistently higher in the treatment characterized by greater cover crop residue quantity and quality, they only slightly offset the climate benefits due to increased SOC stocks. Overall, the findings underscore the potential of NT systems for sustainable cassava production and climate change mitigation.

Bioturbation, the physical disturbance and mixing of soil layers caused by the activity of living organisms, such as earthworms and termites, plays a critical role in shaping soil structure, enhancing nutrient cycling, and regulating ecosystem dynamics. In paddy fields, earthworms form cast-hills and termites build mounds with distinct soil properties compared to the surrounding soil, potentially influencing soil fertility, pest regulation, and resilience to climatic stress. Although the impact of earthworms and termites on plants is well documented, their broader influence on farming practices and rice production at the plot scale remains poorly understood. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of earthworms and termite mounds on Cambodian paddy field agroecosystems. We hypothesized that these organisms improve soil fertility and rice yields, reduce reliance on fertilizers and pesticides, regulate pest pressure, and enhance drought resilience, thereby supporting farm income and sustainability. Through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), we observed that earthworm abundance was positively associated with soil silt content and soil nitrogen content, double cropping and higher caterpillar (armyworm) occurrence. Termite mound presence correlated with higher pest presence (snails, crabs, brown plant hoppers), higher input use, and farmers' perceived drought risk, but not with soil properties. However, neither earthworms nor termites had direct or indirect effects on rice yield or income. These findings highlight the complex ecological roles of these two soil engineers, while suggesting that their contribution to rice productivity and income remains limited, underscoring further research in food-crop-based agroecosystems.

Abstract This study synthesizes and analyzes information on fall armyworm (FAW) outbreaks and maize production in mainland South-east Asia (MSEA) to inform regional pest management strategies. From 2018 to 2019, FAW infestations were widespread in MSEA, leading to decreased maize yields in Thailand. Although FAW incidence declined substantially in Thailand and Vietnam after 2019, this case study indicates that FAW remains a persistent threat, with potential for outbreaks and high infestation rates during certain maize-growing seasons. This case study demonstrates how regional cooperation and coordinated pest management strategies can effectively address transboundary agricultural threats, and maintain market stability through strategic trade relationships. Information © The Authors 2026.