Warmadewa University

Seaweeds, also known as macroalgae, are marine photosynthetic organisms that play an important role in aquatic ecosystems and hold great promise as raw materials for biodegradable packaging. This review investigates the biodegradability and toxicity of seaweed-based packaging materials, as well as their potential to lessen the environmental effect of traditional petroleum-derived plastics. Seaweed-based biopolymers are gaining popularity due to their renewability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, making them interesting options for sustainable packaging applications. The review emphasizes important safety factors, notably seaweeds’ tendency to absorb heavy metals, pesticides, and other environmental toxins from nearby waterways. Effective monitoring, purification, and detoxification of seaweed biomass are thus required to assure the safe use of seaweed-derived materials in packaging applications. In addition to its environmental benefits, seaweed-based packaging materials help to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, decrease reliance on fossil fuels, and reduce plastic waste accumulation in terrestrial and marine habitats. Overall, this review emphasizes the promise of seaweed-based packaging as an environmentally friendly option that also provides economic opportunities for coastal communities by creating jobs and diversifying resources. The findings highlight the necessity of incorporating biodegradability testing, toxicity testing, and sustainable cultivation procedures to promote the development and widespread use of seaweed-based packaging materials.

The growing global demand for tuna has raised concerns over heavy metal contamination, as these apex predators can bioaccumulate toxic elements through the marine food web. Chronic exposure to lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) via seafood consumption poses potential public health risks, particularly for sensitive groups such as children and women of reproductive age. This study quantified Pb, Cd, and Hg concentrations in fresh and frozen yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) over five years and evaluated non-carcinogenic risks using target hazard quotient (THQ) and total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) metrics. Risk estimates were calculated for children (2-5 years and 6-11 years) and women under both average and high-consumption scenarios. Results indicated that Pb and Cd contributed minimally to overall risk, whereas Hg consistently dominated the THQ profile. For most scenarios, THQ and TTHQ values remained below the United States Environmental Protection Agency's safety threshold of 1.0; however, exceedances were observed in some years for women with high consumption levels. Comparison with global datasets showed that heavy metal concentrations in Benoa Bay tuna were generally lower or comparable to those in other regions of concern, yet still within the worldwide range reported for tuna and other seafood products. These findings highlight the importance of continued monitoring, particularly in areas influenced by urbanization and industrial activities, alongside risk communication strategies and integration of seafood safety into national food policies. Such measures are critical to safeguard public health while advancing sustainable development goal (SDG) 14.

Siam orange (Citrus nobilis) is a key horticultural commodity in Indonesia, yet significant postharvest losses (20-50%) due to rapid deterioration pose a major economic and sustainability challenge. Conventional preservation methods often rely on synthetic chemicals with adverse environmental impacts. This study investigated the integrated application of the natural plant growth regulator gibberellic acid (GA3) and harvest timing as an eco-friendly strategy to prolong shelf life and maintain quality, aligned with ecological engineering principles. A field experiment employed a Nested Factorial Randomized Block Design with four GA3 concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 ppm) and three fruit maturity stages (immature/green, physiologically mature/greenish-yellow, over-mature/ yellowish-green). Results demonstrated that pre-harvest GA3 application, particularly at 50 ppm, combined with harvesting at the physiologically mature stage, acted synergistically to enhance yield, fruit size, and nutritional quality (Vitamin C). Most notably, this combination significantly extended shelf life by approximately 18% (from 16.33 to 19.44 days at ambient storage) and drastically reduced postharvest losses, lowering fungal decay incidence from 42.72% to 15.38% and non-edible matter from 54.78% to around 17-22%. The findings establish that integrating 50 ppm GA3 with harvest at physiological maturity offers a sustainable, practical protocol. This approach reduces dependency on synthetic postharvest chemicals, minimizes food waste, enhances resource-use efficiency, and contributes to a more resilient and eco-friendly citrus supply chain.

Alginate, a multifunctional polysaccharide derived from brown seaweeds, has gained increasing attention as a sustainable biopolymer for food and allied industries. Its structural composition, determined by the ratio and sequence of mannuronic and guluronic acid residues, governs its physicochemical and functional properties such as gelling, thickening, stabilizing, and film-forming abilities. However, conventional acid–alkali extraction methods remain resource-intensive and environmentally unsustainable, highlighting the need for greener, more efficient alternatives. This review systematically synthesizes recent advances in alginate valorization through a structured analysis of peer-reviewed studies on extraction technologies, structure–function relationships, and emerging food applications. Emphasis was placed on evaluating the efficiency, selectivity, and environmental impact of various green extraction methods. Findings reveal that sustainable technologies can significantly enhance yield and purity while reducing chemical and energy inputs. Parallel progress in structural and functional characterization has deepened our understanding of alginate’s molecular weight distribution, rheological behavior, and functional performance, linking extraction parameters to product quality. Beyond conventional uses, alginate is now being valorized into advanced food applications, including edible active films and coatings, encapsulation systems for bioactives, fat replacers in low-calorie formulations, and as emulsion stabilizers and foaming agents. Overall, this review underscores the promise of green extraction technologies in promoting environmentally responsible alginate production. It also highlights the need for standardized methodologies, species-specific optimization, and scalable processing to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial application.

This article examines how public administration shapes policy-making. Scholarship typically treats Classical Management, Neo-Classical Management, and New Public Administration (NPA) as successive stages, while policy studies often analyse decision-making, participation, and implementation separately. Consequently, literature lacks an integrated account of how shifting administrative logics structure policy-making and contribute to persistent governance challenges. Drawing on a systematic literature review guided by PRISMA, the study analyses 23 peer-reviewed, Scopus-indexed articles. Rather than aggregating empirical effects, it uses thematic coding to examine policy-making dynamics across paradigms, from Classical Management to NPA. Findings show each paradigm embodies a distinct logic: hierarchical technocratic control in the classical model; behaviourally informed but administratively managed decision-making in the neo-classical model; and collaborative, reflexive governance in the NPA model. Paradigms coexist rather than replace one another. In the Global South, although NPA principles support SDG 16.6 and 16.7, implementation is constrained by neo-classical reforms and residual classical bureaucracies, limiting participatory engagement envisaged by SDG 16.8. Effective governance reform requires aligning institutional capacity with participatory processes rather than adopting a new paradigm.