The growth and reproductive performance of fish are influenced by ecological factors. This study investigated the biology of the climbing perch, Anabas testudineus, in relation to habitat. A total of 2,880 climbing perch were collected from three habitats (irrigation canal, swamp and paddy field) in Peninsular Malaysia during the dry and rainy seasons, and their biometric measurements (total length and body weight) and sexual maturity indices were measured. Two-way Classification Analysis (TCA) revealed significant sexual dimorphism in all morphometric parameters, significant habitat effects on fish size, and pronounced seasonal variation in environmental parameters, while condition factor and seasonal effects on morphometrics were not significant. Results showed that body size was largest in fish from irrigation canals during the rainy season, with males averaging 12.84 ± 1.17 cm in total length (32.38 ± 4.4 g body weight) and females averaging 13.70 ± 1.83 cm (52.84 ± 12.54 g), consistent with the upper size range reported for this species. Fish from irrigation canals also exhibited more advanced gonadal development, confirmed by higher gonadosomatic indices (GSI) and histological evidence of vitellogenic oocytes in females and spermatozoa-filled seminiferous lobules in males. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that larger body sizes and advanced gonadal development were associated with higher dissolved oxygen and pH, whereas smaller sizes correlated with elevated water temperature. This study highlights the critical roles of sex, habitat quality and seasonal variation in shaping the growth and reproductive traits of wild climbing perch populations and provides evidence-based insights for fisheries management in tropical freshwater ecosystems.
Aerides odorata Lour. is an epiphytic orchid with commercial potential due to its intriguing flowers. Nevertheless, the flowering patterns of this species have not been investigated. Flower initiation and development are important for plant reproduction because they mark the transition from vegetative growth to reproductive growth, allowing plants to produce flowers and ultimately, seeds or fruits. Besides, floral initiation and development in orchids differ among various species. This work seeks to observe and document the flowering stages and find the optimal maturity stage for Aerides odorata Lour seed pod, which is crucial for in vitro asymbiotic seed germination. Three orchid plants with 2-3 peduncles each were observed daily over five months, every morning (9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.) to record development from spike initiation to full bloom, and subsequently for three months post-pollination until capsule dehiscence. Summarising the information on floral developmental stages involved four main phases: spike formation (considered the first day of the phases), bud initiation, flowering and senescence until seed pod formation. The results showed that approximately twelve significant floral developmental stages were systematically documented, each correlated with time intervals and morphological landmarks. Upon observation, it was noted that each of these species could create a maximum of 22 flower buds per plant. The flower is fully wilted 85 days after being pollinated. In addition, the pollinated flowers transformed into capsules and fully reached maturity after 100 days following pollination. Gaining insight into the floral initiation process in orchid species is crucial for optimising cultivation conditions and promoting successful flowering in these aesthetically pleasing and varied plants..
A preliminary study showed that an ethyl acetate extract of the bark from Beilschmiedia lumutensis (Lauraceae family) exhibited promising inhibition activities against α-amylase and α-glucosidase by in vitro assays. Subsequently, this extract revealed three new cyclic polyketides endiandric acids, namely lumutensic acid A-C (1-3). Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, FT-IR, HRESIMS spectroscopic data analysis and by comparison with literature data. The molecular docking study showed that lumutensic acid C (3) showed the highest binding affinity and stability with both enzymes, with strong hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, outperfoming the standard drug acarbose. These findings suggest that compound 3 could be a promising candidate for anti-hyperglycemic therapeutic development, providing further insight into the potential of B. lumutensis as a source of bioactive compounds.
Hawksbills' (Eretmochelys imbricata) status in the state of Melaka is continuously being assessed due to Melaka being the only prominent location for hawksbills in Peninsular Malaysia. Over five years of nesting season, results of the survey revealed the cumulative nests collected the most were in Padang Kemunting and Kem Terendak with a range between 400 nests-700 nests yearly. A year-round nesting trend was observed, and the preferable peak period tends to occur between June to August almost every year. The clutch size ranged from 5 to 243 eggs over five years of the survey. An increase in temperature and rainfall amount will influence the increasing number of nests, while humidity and precipitation did not impact the nesting per month. This article presents updated nesting statistics for hawksbill turtles, showing an increase in annual nesting activity over the five-year period from 2015 to 2019 in Melaka, compared to the earlier years of 2013-2014. A greater comprehension of hawksbills' reproductive potentiality under environmental force will aid conservation and management aims.
Blue swimming crabs (Portunus pelagicus) consistently command higher prices in domestic and global markets due to elevated demand. Due to the rising issue of low crab larvae survival, farmers have begun using artificial hormones to increase survival rates and ensure hatchery production aligns with market demands. However, the outcomes of using artificial hormones are concerning, as these compounds pose serious risks to aquatic organisms, humans, and the environment. To address the harmful effects of artificial hormones, efforts are now focused on identifying affordable and ecofriendly plant-based alternatives, such as spinach (Spinacia oleracea), which contains bioactive compounds that could promote crab larval growth and survival. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of spinach in improving the growth performance of P. pelagicus larvae. This was accomplished by enriching Artemia with spinach, allowing it to serve as a nutrient-enhanced live feed. Compounds in the spinach leaf were extracted with methanol and analysed through GC-MS to identify potential growth-related compounds. LC50 analysis (1,000 ppm-2,000 ppm) was conducted on Artemia to determine the optimal enrichment concentration (1,600 ppm) before use in larval feeding. Results indicated spinach contains compounds such as steroids (5.9%), palmitic acid (5.2%), oleic acid (2.5%) and flavonoids (3.6%) that can potentially improve larval growth. Toxicity analysis showed that the 1,600 ppm treatment was the LC50, meaning it is the optimal concentration for Artemia enrichment, delivering the highest amount of bioactive compounds without affecting Artemia survival. Larvae were fed spinach-enriched Artemia (1,600 ppm) and compared with unenriched Artemia (control). The 1,600 ppm treatment resulted in significantly higher survival at various larval stages (Z1-Z2: 82.6%, Z2-Z3: 91.9%, M-C1: 38.1%), shorter intermoult periods for Z2-Z3 (2.9 days), Z3-Z4 (3.1 days), and M-C1 (3.8 days) and higher SGR (M: 22.5% day-1, C1: 24.5% day-(1)). Larval steroid analysis supported these findings, with treatment 1,600 ppm yielding higher steroid levels across all stages (511.63-3953 pg/mL), suggesting that spinach-derived steroids may stimulate moulting and enhance larval growth and survival.
Detection of Fasciola eggs in ruminant faecal samples typically occurs around 15 weeks post-infection during patent infections. The recent introduction of coproantigen ELISA (cELISA) enables rapid antemortem diagnosis of fasciolosis, highlighting the need to evaluate its diagnostic performance under the field conditions. This study aimed to assess the usability and effectiveness of a cELISA kit for detecting Fasciola gigantica infections in free-grazing cattle from an endemic area, and to explore the relationship between cELISA results and conventional faecal egg counts obtained via the Flukefinder® sedimentation method. A total of 92 faecal samples (46 positive and 46 negative by faecal egg count) were analysed. The cELISA detection limit was identified at 4.5 eggs per gram (epg), achieving 100% positivity above this threshold. A moderate, statistically significant positive correlation was observed between faecal egg counts and cELISA optical density (OD) values (Spearman’s r = 0.716, p < 0.01). Additionally, an odds ratio of 1.96 (p < 0.01) indicated that the likelihood of higher coproantigen levels nearly doubles with each additional egg detected. These findings suggest that cELISA is a sensitive and practical tool for diagnosing active Fasciola infections with moderate to high egg burdens, complementing traditional faecal sedimentation tests. Together, these approaches improve field diagnostics, enable targeted strategies and support effective fasciolosis control in endemic settings.
Genetic diversity is crucial in assessing biodiversity and is increasingly being utilised in conservation and management. This study aimed to analyse the population genetics of Matuta victor on Java Island. A total of 91 specimens was collected from 10 localities: Ujung Kulon, Pangandaran, Carita, Tanjung Pasir, Subang, Bancar, Banyuates, Ambunten, Situbondo and Banyuwangi. We obtained 801 bp fragments of COI mitochondrial DNA defining 38 different haplotypes, namely, 12 shared and 26 unique haplotypes. H1 was the most frequent, existing in eight localities. The haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide diversity (π) ranged from 0.667 to 1 and 0.003 to 0.022, respectively. The overall haplotype diversity was high (Hd = 0.921), indicating the presence of many haplotypes across populations, while the overall nucleotide diversity was low (π = 0.018), suggesting only small genetic differences at the nucleotide level. AMOVA analysis showed a low level of genetic differentiation among the 10 locations (FST = 0.266). Neutrality tests indicated the potential population expansion of M. victor in several locations in Java. These findings are expected to constitute a significant first step in designing targeted and sustainable conservation strategies for this species in its diverse coastal habitats in Indonesia.
Malaysia's tropical rainforests host a rich biodiversity, including various nonvolant small mammals. Among these, murid rodents (family Muridae) are ecologically significant and frequently associated with zoonotic pathogens, making them important subjects for public health research. In recent years, treeshrews (family Tupaiidae), small omnivorous mammals once grouped with primates, have also gained increasing scientific attention due to their unique evolutionary position and emerging role in disease ecology. Rapid species identification is vital for effective surveillance, particularly in the context of emerging infectious diseases. In this study, PCR amplification targeting mitochondrial and nuclear DNA regions was performed using a range of primers, followed by Sanger sequencing to validate the amplicons. Among the primers tested, mcb398 and mcb869, targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, proved most effective, yielding consistent amplification and high-quality sequences for both rodents and treeshrews. Besides, 22 animals were captured and screened for selected zoonotic pathogens. Paramyxoviruses, coronaviruses, picornaviruses, orthoreoviruses and Dengue viruses were not detected in the faecal samples of rats, Asian house shrews and palm civets. However, mammalian orthoreovirus type 3 and Dengue virus serotype 2 were detected in one and three faecal samples from treeshrews, respectively. Notably, Tupaia sp. m ZYS-2025, detected in this study, may represent a novel species that has not known to science previously.
Traditionally in Malaysia, the leaves of Abrus precatorius, a flowering plant that belongs to the legume family, Fabaceae, are used to treat various ailments such as coughs, diarrhoea, wound healing and even as anticancer and antivirus remedy. The study aimed to identify the phytocompounds present in A. precatorius leaves using (1) different solvents and (2) two different extraction methods for each solvent. Additionally, we have also intended to investigate the anti-proliferative activity of those maceration-based extracts on selected cancer and normal cell lines. In this study, two extraction methods were used (maceration and Soxhlet extraction), using sequential solvents according to their polarity, starting with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The phytocompounds were identified via the GC-MS technique. The findings reported that the ethyl acetate extract (obtained via Soxhlet extraction) contained the highest amount of terpenoids, while the methanol extract (obtained via maceration) contained the highest combination of terpenoids and phenolic compounds. The triple negative breast cancer cell line, MDAMB-231 showed high sensitivity towards all A. precatorius leaf extracts (maceration-based). The hexane extract of A. precatorius leaves (maceration-based) showed the lowest IC50 on MDA-MB-231 cells at 80.75 ± 64.0 μg/mL. In conclusion, potential anticancer phytocompounds were identified in the A. precatorius leaves extracts such as 1-octacosanol, neophytadiene and 4-vinylphenol. All maceration-based extracts exhibited non-cytotoxicity effect on both normal breast cell MCF-10a and fibroblast cell NIH (3T3). The MDA-MB-231 cell line was the most sensitive towards all maceration-based extracts, particularly hexane-maceration based.
The global surge in antibiotic resistance, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), presents a significant public health challenge and emphasises the necessity for alternative therapeutic strategies. Moringa oleifera is rich in bioactive phytochemicals with established antimicrobial properties, however, the impact of various extraction solvents on its efficacy against MRSA has not been thoroughly investigated. This study offers a direct comparison of ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous M. oleifera leaf extracts (MOLE) to identify the optimal solvent for enhancing antibacterial and antioxidant activities. MOLE was extracted through maceration, and antibacterial activity against MRSA was assessed using colony-forming unit (CFU) assays at concentrations of 50 mg/mL, 100 mg/mL and 200 mg/mL, with vancomycin serving as the positive control. Antioxidant capacity was quantified using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, while phytochemical profiles characterised via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The ethanolic extract exhibited the highest bioactivity, achieving complete MRSA inhibition at 100 mg/mL and demonstrating efficacy statistically comparable to vancomycin at 50 mg/mL. It also showed significantly greater antioxidant capacity across all tested concentrations. LC-MS analysis linked this enhanced activity to a richer composition of flavonoids and phenolic acids in the ethanolic extract. In summary, ethanol emerged as the most effective solvent for extracting antibacterial and antioxidant compounds from M. oleifera leaves. The findings underscore the potential of ethanolic MOLE as a natural therapeutic candidate against MRSA, warranting further investigation in preclinical models.
Xanthosoma undipes K. Koch (Beneng taro) leaves are rich in bioactive compounds with reported antioxidant and anticancer potential. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts from Beneng taro leaves cultivated in three locations, identified active compounds using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and assessed their anticancer potential through in silico analysis. Extraction was performed with 96% ethanol, followed by phytochemical screening, quantification of total flavonoids and phenolics, and antioxidant evaluation using the DPPH assay. LC-MS/MS identified several bioactive phenolic and flavonoid compounds, including quercetin, isorhamnetin, hispidulin, oleocanthal and cyclovalone, as key contributors to antioxidant activity. Leaves from high-altitude Cisarua (TB-1) had the highest flavonoid (94.49 ± 1.61 mg QE/g) and phenolic (97.35 ± 1.74 mg GAE/g) contents, with the strongest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 42.96 μg/mL). Drug-likeness screening indicated favourable pharmacokinetic properties for several compounds. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities of quercetin, isorhamnetin, hispidulin, cochliophilin A, cyclovalone and oleocanthal to Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS), a key oncogenic protein regulating cell growth, division and mutation, suggesting potential anticancer effects. These findings indicate that cultivation at higher altitudes enhances bioactive compound levels and antioxidant potential. Future studies should isolate active compounds, validate their effects in vivo, optimise cultivation practices, and explore their development into functional foods or nutraceuticals.
The study investigated the effects of gallic acid (GA) and methyl gallate (MG), in combination with cisplatin (CIS), on apoptotic protein expression, antioxidant gene expression and cell migration in HeLa cervical cancer cells. HeLa cells were treated with the combinations CIS-GA and CIS-MG prior to further analysis. The expression of apoptotic proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-9 and p53) was determined via western blot analysis. Antioxidant gene expression in treated HeLa cells was then assessed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The migration-inhibitory effect of the compound combinations was assessed using a scratch wound-healing assay. Treatment with CIS-GA significantly upregulated the expression of p53, Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9, and downregulated the expression of Bcl-2. Results from RT-qPCR revealed downregulation of human catalase (hCAT) in the CIS-GA group and no changes in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) expression in either the CIS-GA or CIS-MG groups. Moreover, lower wound closure percentages were observed after 24-hour incubation in both treated groups, indicating inhibited cell migration. These findings suggest that GA and MG combined with CIS upregulate apoptotic proteins by downregulating antioxidant gene (hCAT).
Drought stress remains one of the most significant challenges facing the development and production of upland rice. Seed osmopriming represents a method to enhance plant growth and offers potential against drought stress. This study aimed to investigate the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 seed osmopriming and drought stress on the growth, yield, physiological and biochemical parameters of Tadong upland rice. The growth and yield of the Tadong upland rice variety were evaluated at five osmotic potentials using PEG 6000 for drought-induced osmopriming and at varying levels of drought stress with three soil moisture contents (SMC). Significant interaction effects between PEG 6000 osmotic potential levels and drought stress levels were observed across all measured parameters of Tadong upland rice. The combination of 20% SMC with-4 bar PEG proved optimal for growth and yield, showing a 55.68% increase compared to 10% SMC with-2 bar PEG, which produced the lowest yield per plant. Additional research should examine the effects of different PEG 6000 osmotic potential and drought stress levels on other upland rice varieties.
Photosynthetic bacteria (PSB) are widely utilised in agriculture to enhance plant growth and crop quality by improving nutrient uptake and phytohormone production. This study aimed to analyse the metagenomic composition of a photo-fermentative bacterial solution derived from fermentation and assess its effects on the growth and yield of Mini Green Cos lettuce. Metagenomic analysis revealed that Bacteroidota (38%) was the most abundant phylum, followed by Proteobacteria (23%), Thermotogota (17%) and Firmicutes (15%). Within Proteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria was dominant followed by Gammaproteobacteria. At the genus level, Petrimonas (22%), uncultured clones belonging to family Petrotogaceae (17%), Rhodopseudomonas (11%), Rubrivivax (6%), and an unidentified genus from Lentimicrobiaceae (4%) were the most prevalent. These findings highlight the microbial diversity of PSB solution, suggesting its potential role in plant growth promotion. A plant growth experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) with four treatments: control (T1), chemical fertiliser (T2), undiluted PSB solution (T3) and PSB solution diluted at a 1:1 ratio (T4), with 10 replicates per treatment. Among all treatments, lettuce irrigated with undiluted PSB solution (T3) exhibited the highest growth rate, yield and total chlorophyll content. However, its performance was not significantly different from that of the chemical fertiliser treatment (T2). These results suggest that PSB can effectively promote plant growth and yield, yielding results comparable to chemical fertilisers. Therefore, photo-fermentative bacterial solutions offer a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilisers, supporting environmentally conscious agricultural practices.
In Malaysia, the study on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is limited. Most studies only focus on gene neuroligin 3 (NLGN3), NLGN4X, neurexin 1 (NRXN1) and SH3. This study focuses on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) that was believed to have a significant effect on ASD. In this study, potential compounds and drugs that can restore receptor function in autistic patients were analysed. This research used an effective in silico method known as drug-repurposing to discover and rediscover drugs and analyse the binding of potential compounds or drugs to the NMDA receptor. AMPA and DOCK4 were used as controls in this study. Using a trusted server, Drug ReposER, 13 potential compounds or drugs that bind to NMDAR were identified. Then, proceed to the docking of potential compounds or drugs that bind to the NMDA receptor using Autodock Vina, Autodock, Hdock and CB dock and three drugs were selected that have the best binding score to NMDA, AMPA and DOCK4. The drugs were alitretinoin, salicylic acid and indinavir, respectively. Next, molecular dynamics simulations were performed with all selected compounds to study drug-protein binding, with detailed analysis of bond stability using root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) oscillations. Finally, ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity) predictions identify 4-androstenedione, tryptophan, carbocisteine and vitamin A as having minimal toxic effects. This study showed that alitretinoin, which was known to treat skin lesions from Kaposi’s sarcoma, might have the ability to reverse the effect in ASD, particularly in NMDA receptors, potentially making a significant impact on the field of neurology and psychiatry.
Quantifying dietary composition is crucial for basic ecological research and to formulate conservation management. For predatory fishes, DNA-metabarcoding can yield more accurate estimates than conventional morphological-based analyses. In Southeast Asia, Malaysian mahseers are experiencing declines in the wild due to their commercial and aesthetic value. Current practice in artificial propagation for mahseer has yet to fulfil high market demand due to constraints in dietary formulations that affect fish fertility and optimal growth. Here we applied cytochrome oxidase I (COI) metabarcoding with one species of Malaysian mahseer, Tor tambra or 'kelah', to characterise their food assimilation and feeding habits from seven different locations of wild and farm origins. Prey DNA sequences were grouped into 54 taxonomic groups at the species level. The diet comprised four predominant classes: Insecta, Actinopterygii, Arachnida and Aconoidasida. Representative taxa from each class were detected in wild and farmed fish. However, less than a quarter of the total taxa overlapped between both fish origins. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) indicated greater prey taxonomic diversity and composition in wild fish across different rivers compared to those in farmed fish (PERMANOVA, pseudo-F = 1.959, p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that prey availability from the surrounding play roles in determining the fish food composition and dietary overlap. Expanding dietary analyses could offer ways to optimise diet for cultured fish as one of strategies to reduce fishing pressure on wild populations.
This study establishes a foundational understanding of the dietary preferences of two insectivorous bats (Family Hipposideridae), Hipposideros larvatus and Hipposideros cineraceus caught in the rice field areas. The investigation focused on the analysis of their fecal pellets collected in areas near Gunung Keriang, Kota Setar, Kedah. A total of 40 pellets from eight individuals were meticulously examined. These eight bats were categorised into two distinct groups based on sex and reproductive stages (lactating and non-reproductive) from the two bat species. The dietary composition of H. larvatus comprised 55.2% Coleoptera, 23.2% Lepidoptera, 10.1% Hemiptera, 9.2% Diptera and 2.1% Hymenoptera. The diet of the bat species was significantly dominated by Coleoptera, accounting for over half of the overall dietary percentage. On the contrary, H. cineraceus, exhibited a different diet composition, with 68.0% Lepidoptera, 18.5% Coleoptera, 7.0% Diptera, 5.1% Hemiptera and 0.6% Hymenoptera. These variations in dietary preferences can be attributed to factors such as their differing abilities to digest chitin found on the elytra (forewing) of beetles, variations in size between the two species, distinct echolocation frequencies and differing reproductive states. Both H. larvatus and H. cineraceus have the potential to serve as effective pest controllers in rice fields by reducing insect pest populations, especially from the order Lepidoptera (rice stem borer) and Hemiptera (leafhoppers). Further research should be conducted in different locations to gain a more comprehensive understanding of these bat species' diets and whether they exhibit exclusive or generalised feeding patterns.
Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger spp.) is a species with high catch volumes, amounting to approximately 451.750 tonnes over five years. This substantial yield holds significant potential for local communities, making sustainable utilisation crucial. This study focuses on the fishing season of Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger spp.) and the development of a habitat suitability model in the waters of the western of Banda Sea, Indonesia. The Fishing Season Index (FSI) method identified November as the peak fishing season, with the highest CPUE recorded at 220 kg trip-1. During this period, stable salinity levels were observed, which supported the reproductive processes of Indian mackerel. Additionally, high rainfall and strong winds facilitated local upwelling, influencing currents and bringing nutrients to the surface, which were consumed by mackerel larvae. The ANN (Artificial Neural Network) models used to estimate potential fishing zones for Indian mackerel demonstrated high accuracy, with an error rate of just 1.12%. The analysis revealed that salinity and currents were the most influential environmental parameters, contributing 16% and 14% to catch success during the peak fishing season with salinity levels at 34.2 psu and current velocity at 3.29 cm s-1. The implementation of this model in analysing Indian mackerel habitats and their relationship with environmental factors supports data and technology-driven fisheries management. This study also introduces a novel integration of the Fishing Season Index (FSI) method and ANN modelling to simultaneously identify peak fishing seasons and predict potential fishing zones based on dynamic oceanographic parameters. The application of machine learning in this model enables the identification of non-linear relationships between environmental variables and fish distribution with high accuracy, representing a significant advancement in predictive habitat modelling for Indian mackerel in Indonesian waters. This approach contributes to sustainable fisheries resource management and aligns with the achievement of SDG 14 in Indonesia.
Bio-based plasticisers have been developed as sustainable alternatives to phthalate-based plasticisers. However, limited information on their potential ecotoxicological effects on aquatic organisms could hinder their widespread adoption in the market. This study addresses this gap by providing ecotoxicological data on epoxidised methyl oleate (EMO), a potential bio-based plasticiser. This study evaluated the acute toxicity of EMO on five aquatic species (Moina macrocopa, Daphnia magna, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella vulgaris and Macrobrachium lanchesteri) to develop a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curve for determining the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) of EMO for ecological risk assessment. Additionally, the biodegradation potential of EMO in aquatic environments was assessed using the OECD 301F Manometric Respiratory Test. These results indicate that EMO exhibits a concentration-dependent toxic effect on all tested species. The SSD curve, developed using a normal distribution and a Maximum Likelihood Estimation fit model, yielded 0.359 mg/L for hazardous concentration for 5% of species (HC05). This HC05 value suggests that EMO poses a minimal ecological risk, as it exceeded the water solubility limit (0.012 mg/L). Furthermore, EMO demonstrated favourable biodegradation potential under aerobic conditions. At a concentration of 30 mg/L, EMO achieved 60% biodegradation within four days of incubation, whereas at 100 mg/L, the same level of biodegradation was achieved by Day 11. These findings underscore the importance of assessing the environmental impact of bio-based plasticisers and highlight the EMO's potential as an eco-friendly alternative to less biodegradable, petroleum-based plasticisers.
Physalis minima L. is an herbaceous plant with ethnobotanic importance across many Asian cultures. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the plastid genome (plastome) of a P. minima sample from Malaysia, and conducted intraspecific pairwise and phylogenetic analyses with available data of its relatives. Our sample had a plastome of 156,973 bp in size with a GC content of 37.5%. The genome was circular, consisting of a large single-copy of 87,196 bp, a small single-copy of 18,447 bp and a pair of inverted repeats of 25,665 bp each. A total of 129 genes were annotated, including 84 CDSs, 37 tRNAs and eight rRNAs. Between the China and Malaysia accession, 458 variable sites were identified, and the pairwise distance was 0.003. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using the complete plastome sequence based on the maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The findings revealed that our sample was significantly differentiated from the accession from China, and that both P. minima accessions clustered away from P. angulata, the synonym suggested by certain taxonomic authorities. This study facilitates precise taxonomic identification of P. minima within ethnomedicinal frameworks, enabling its distinction from closely related or putatively synonymous species that may exhibit divergent phytochemical compositions. These results provide important insights into the genetic diversity and taxonomic status of P. minima, and support its informed use in future research, conservation, and medicinal applications.
