This is a review of the use of effective microorganisms (EM) in sustainable agriculture to improve soil quality, increase crop yields, and control plant diseases. This review aims to contribute to understanding sustainable agriculture using microbes for our benefit by integrating microbial physiology and synthetic microbial innovations, with respect to community-level microbial interactions. Using a literature search strategy, the physiological mechanisms by which EM may enhance soil fertility through improved nutrient cycling and increased nutrient availability to plants, and/or by creating or modifying soil structure to support root growth, were described. Results showed that EM also increase the ability of plants to grow despite biotic stressors, such as soil-borne pathogens, through both the creation of antimicrobial compounds and competitive exclusion. Microbes also enhance plant tolerance to abiotic stressors, such as water loss from drought or salt accumulation, by altering how plants respond physiologically and by retaining soil moisture. This could be achieved by using effective microbes in agriculture via synthetic microbial communities (SynCom), which will enable greater resource efficiency, a lower environmental footprint, and contribute to achieving food security while addressing current global issues such as climate change and growing populations. However, there is still much to be learned about the long-term ecological implications, scalability, regulatory environments, and socio-economic feasibility of agricultural technologies based on microorganisms and SynComs, especially in developing and climate-vulnerable countries. Therefore, a comprehensive review that links microbial physiology, SynCom design, empirical data from crop studies, and future paths to innovation is both timely and needed.
The combination of rice flour, sweet potato flour, and watermelon seed powder remains a relatively unexplored resource within the realm of extruded snacks production. Thus, this study investigated the effect of three extrusion process parameters: feed moisture content (FMC, 16-18%), exit barrel temperature (EBT, 120-140 °C), and barrel screw speed (BSS, 300-420 rpm) on rice-sweet potato-watermelon seed extruded snacks. Physical (bulk density, expansion ratio) and textural properties (hardness, fracturability, chewiness, gumminess, and stringiness) were measured using standard procedures. Statistical analysis identified the most influential parameters, with Pareto charts at a 95% confidence level and contour plots visualizing their impacts. Results showed significant variations: bulk density (0.22-0.73 g/cm³), expansion ratio (2.25-2.58), hardness (54.01-464.95 N), fracturability (22.65-176.28 N), chewiness (0.02-5 N), gumminess (0.86-41.84 N), and stringiness (4.83-5.20 mm). EBT had the greatest impact on expansion ratio, while FMC significantly affected hardness, fracturability, chewiness and gumminess, and BSS influenced bulk density and stringiness. The study concluded that extrusion conditions critically shape the physical and textural attributes of the products, providing valuable insights for optimizing extrusion settings to achieve desired textural profiles and enhance overall snack quality.
Food waste (FW) management is a critical global challenge due to its environmental and economic impacts. Composting provides a sustainable recycling pathway but FW alone often requires supplementation with carbon-rich residues to balance moisture and enhance compost quality. This study investigated the effects of co-composting FW with dried coffee grounds, soybean meal (SM), banana peel, and light rubber wood ash (LA) in different proportions (0–20% w/w) for 14 days in foam box systems. The objective was to identify the additive and concentration that most effectively improved the nutrient composition of the obtained compost. Results showed that agricultural residues significantly increased macronutrient levels. In particular, 20% SM yielded the compost with the highest nutrient concentrations, with total N, P₂O₅, and K₂O reaching 3.39%, 1.77%, and 2.89% (w/w), respectively, compared with 1.51%, 0.93%, and 0.61% (w/w) in the control. LA enhanced compost alkalinity and K₂O content. These findings demonstrate that SM and LA are promising additives for producing a nutrient-rich compost from FW that could contribute to sustainable waste management and the development of high-quality organic fertilizers.
The zinc oxide/chitosan nanocomposite functionalized with vancomycin (ZnO/CS/VA), which acts as a novel anticandidal modifier, was prepared using an environmentally friendly technique. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were biosynthesized using Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 4527 and then linked to chitosan (CS) and vancomycin (VA) through a green chemical method. Several methods were utilized to characterize the prepared nanocomposite. UV-Vis spectroscopy results indicated an absorption peak at 348 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analyses demonstrated that the material matrix of the nanocomposite included ZnO NPs and various active groups. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the ZnO/CS/VA nanocomposite was spherical-shaped with a size range of 56-80 nm. The anticandidal effect of ZnO/CS/VA, used as a modifier to enhance antimicrobial activity, was tested against Candida albicans ATCC 10231. ZnO/CS/VA exhibited significant anticandidal activity in the agar well-diffusion test, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) compared to the standard drug fluconazole. As the ZnO/CS/VA dose and the anticandidal inhibition increased, the antimicrobial activity became reliant on the nanocomposite dose. Five μg/mL was enough to cause complete biocidal action against Candida albicans, while 25 μg/mL of fluconazole was required. TEM micrographs of ZnO/CS/VA-treated Candida albicans showed various malformations and distortions in cell structure, including damage to the cell wall and the presence of vacuoles, indicating its potent antimicrobial effects. The results suggest that the combination of zinc oxide/chitosan nanocomposite and vancomycin could serve as an effective biomaterial for antifungal treatment and other medical applications.
Land use and land cover (LULC) is essential information for multiple users across multidisciplinary sciences. Currently, free downloads of remote sensing data and public software with novel algorithms are available for LULC classification by scientists and researchers. The study’s objectives were (1) to classify and map LULC data for 2022 using random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM) classifiers and (2) to assess the thematic accuracy of classified LULC maps with RF and SVM classifiers. The research methodology comprised four significant steps. As a result, the nine LULC classes classified in 2022 using RF and SVM achieve overall accuracy values above 90% and Kappa-hat values above 87%. According to the pairwise Z-test, nine decision tree numbers for RF and 12 combinations of g and C parameters for SVM can classify LULC data for 2022 with insignificant differences in Khat values. In this study, the optimal number of decision trees for LULC classification using RF was 150. Meanwhile, the most suitable parameter for LULC classification by SVM was the Gaussian radial basis function kernel with a g value of 0.01 and a C value of 0.1. However, to apply the EnMap-Box for LULC classification, preparing the training and testing datasets is an important step, and users must collect them carefully. Nevertheless, the research methodology can serve as a guideline for classifying land use and land cover information from Landsat imagery using the EnMap-Box software for urban and land-use planning.
Rice farming land in Indonesia has been decreasing annually, affecting rice productivity. Optimal fertilizer application is crucial to maintain rice quality and yield. Previous studies focused only on nitrogen content measured by leaf color, while rice plant growth quality is determined by more than just nitrogen content. Therefore, this study proposes a classification model of rice plant health in the vegetative phase based on nitrogen content and leaf width, using artificial neural networks. The proposed model uses digital imagery and computer vision to classify rice plants into low, medium, and high health levels. The model includes image acquisition, quality improvement, segmentation, feature extraction, and classification using backpropagation neural networks. The proposed method achieved an average accuracy of 85.9% and a Misclassification Error of 14.1%. This research can assist farmers in identifying rice plant health levels for optimal fertilizer application.
There is a growing interest in replacing synthetic dyes with natural colouring agents, primarily driven by increasing health concerns among consumers worldwide. This work aimed to reformulate hard candy products through incorporating different levels of roselle flower extracts (6-15 g) as an alternative colouring agent. The samples were also enriched with Javanese long pepper extract as a source of functional components and xylitol as an alternative sweetener. In this work, the properties of hard candy, including pH, solubility time, colour variation (expressed as Red, Green, and Blue – RGB), DPPH radical scavenging (% inhibition), and sensory acceptability, were evaluated. As a result, while pH, colour, and free radical inhibition were significantly altered, the treatments given did not affect solubility time. The pH level decreased consistently as the amount of roselle flower extract increased. Conversely, the RGB values and percentage inhibition increased with greater incorporation of roselle flower extracts into the formulation. In the case of colour, a higher proportion of the extract led to higher RGB values in hard candy, corresponding to a greater level of brightness achieved by F4. Meanwhile, F2 demonstrated the highest red intensity. Furthermore, the treatments resulted in significant effects on all sensory attributes, except aroma. F1 reached the highest sensory score for taste, texture, and overall attributes, while F2 reached the highest for colour. The work results confirm the further use of roselle flower in the formulation of red hard candy.
Glutinous rice requires a longer soaking time than other rice cultivars. In this study, water transport in Thai glutinous rice RD6 was compared with that in the non-glutinous cultivars Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML) and Chai Nat 1 (CN1) using time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance. The amylose and amylopectin percentages of the three rice cultivars were measured to study their potential links to the water absorption of the rice, which was measured after soaking for 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h. CN1 became saturated with water within 1 h, whereas RD6 and KDML became saturated after about 2 h. Glutinous rice RD6 absorbed the greatest amount of water, whereas CN1 absorbed the least. The amount of water absorbed was inversely related to the amylose percentage of the three cultivars. A smaller amount of amylose in the amylopectin structure may provide more space to absorb water. The rate of water absorption of RD6 and CN1 was considered to have been greatest in the first half hour of soaking, where their free-water peaks dominated the T2 spectra. Most of the absorbed water of the three rice cultivars was in the loosely bound state, corresponding to the water in the amorphous growth shells of granules. The physically bound water peak of RD6 gradually shifted to a higher T2 value with increasing soaking time, indicating that the molecular mobility of water increases with soaking time.
This study investigates the impact of various foliar nutrient solutions on the yield and quality of mung bean microgreens to identify the most effective formulation for enhancing growth and nutritional content. The experiment was carried out comparing four modified hydroponic foliar nutrient solutions (NSI): NSI, NSI+MSG (monosodium glutamate), NSI+U (urea) and NSI+AS (ammonium sulphate), alongside a distilled water (DW) control on plant growth and pigment, nitrogen, protein and amino acid composition. Results indicated that NSI treatment significantly improved fresh weight while NSI+MSG showed no significant from NSI and DW. Moreover, NSI+MSG and NSI+AS treatments yielded the highest chlorophyll A and B contents, enhancing nutritional value. Carotenoid contents increased notably with the NSI+AS, NSI+MSG, and NSI+U treatments. The study found significant variations in nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium content, with safe nitrate contents maintained across all treatments. Protein content was highest in the NSI and NSI+MSG treatments, highlighting their potential to enhance microgreen nutritional quality. Essential amino acids such as tyrosine and tryptophan were present across treatments, with phenylalanine detected only in NSI and NSI+MSG. Cysteine was not detected in NSI; only mung bean microgreens treated with NSI+MSG synthesized all four amino acids. In conclusion, NSI+MSG emerges as a promising foliar nutrient solution for optimizing both yield and quality of mung bean microgreens. These findings underscore the importance of tailored nutrient management in microgreen production, offering insights for sustainable agriculture and food security initiatives.
Gauze is a traditional wound dressing. However, it often adheres to the wound and is not highly absorbent. To address the limitations of traditional dressings, biopolymers are commonly considered suitable materials for wound-dressing applications. Silk fibroin (SF) is an interesting polymer known for its good water absorption, but it has poor mechanical properties. In this study, chitosan (CS) was selected to improve the mechanical properties of SF. SF/CS sponges were prepared with glycerol as a plasticizer at different ratios of SF to CS: 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100 (w/w of dry substances) using a freeze-drying process. Their physicochemical properties were investigated, including chemical structure, morphology, mechanical properties, swelling ratio, water uptake, and porosity, as well as cell viability. According to the results, all SF/CS sponges had suitable pore sizes (28–61 µm). The sponges exhibited high water uptake (90–96%) and swelling ratios (900–2,100%). The addition of CS greatly enhanced the mechanical properties of the sponges. Notably, SF/CS sponges at ratios of 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100 showed increases in tensile strength (0.49–0.65 MPa) and elongation at break (71–190%). However, the 0SF/100CS sponge was found to have limitations due to its low porosity (<60%). In addition, the MTT assay confirmed that none of the SF/CS sponges exhibited cytotoxicity. In summary, SF/CS sponges at 50/50 and 25/75 ratios showed potential as biomaterials for wound dressings, offering advantages in water uptake, mechanical properties, swelling ratio, porosity, and non-cytotoxicity.
Plastic waste contaminated with aluminum film, particularly metallized film, was recognized as a severe environmental issue because it could not decompose naturally, leading to a long-lasting environmental presence with heavy metal contaminants. Therefore, effective management was required to address this problem. This study aimed to recycle metallized film into new materials to maximize its reusability by using linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) incorporated with metallized film at 5, 7.5, and 10 phr. The morphology, thermal properties, and thermal degradation of aluminum (Al) film were investigated. The results showed that the addition of aluminum film into the LLDPE matrix slightly increased the melting point due to the effect of the third polymer component and the presence of aluminum particles in the blend. The melt flow index (MFI) of LLDPE with 5, 7.5, and 10 phr aluminum film significantly decreased because the aluminum particles restricted molecular chain mobility, resulting in lower flowability. Furthermore, phase separation of the polymer was observed after the addition of aluminum film into the LLDPE matrix. In addition, the mechanical property results showed that the tensile strength and modulus decreased, whereas the elasticity increased due to the presence of the Al film layer within the LLDPE matrix.
Skin aging, exacerbated by oxidative stress and environmental factors including UV radiation, has led to increased demand for effective anti-aging solutions. Strawberry extract, rich in antioxidants including catechins and flavonoids, has garnered attention for its potential in combating skin aging through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigates the anti-aging effects of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa L.) extract, focusing on its antioxidant capacity, inhibition of collagenase and elastase, and its impact on key aging biomarkers. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and H₂O₂ scavenging assays. The inhibition of collagenase and elastase was evaluated through enzyme activity assays. Molecular docking simulations assessed interactions between bioactive compounds in strawberry extract and anti-aging target proteins, including KEAP1, MMP1, and elastase. Strawberry extract demonstrated marked antioxidant capacity, as reflected by its IC₅₀ values of 229.91 ± 4.42 µg/mL (DPPH) and 234.08 ± 4.20 µg/mL (H₂O₂). It also showed enzyme inhibitory effects, with IC₅₀ values of 112.81 ± 1.96 µg/mL for collagenase and 28.03 ± 0.68 µg/mL for elastase. Cyanidin-3-glucoside showed binding interactions with KEAP1 and elastase (ΔG values of -9.6 and -6.4 kcal/mol), while cyanidanol interacted with MMP1 (ΔG = -9.8 kcal/mol). Strawberry extract demonstrated significant anti-aging and antioxidant effects, both in vitro and through molecular docking simulations, highlighting its potential as an potential anti-aging agent. These results highlight the potential application of strawberry extract in topical skincare products or as a dietary supplement.
Correction Article title: Characterization of extracellular protease-producing bacteria isolated from the coastal environment of Bangladesh and optimization of parameters for enzyme production Authors: Md. Habibur Rahman, Shahittya Mitra Pranto, Mousumi Das, Koushik Chakroborty, Mauching Marma, Md. Shahanoor Alam and S. M. Rafiquzzaman Journal: Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology Bibliometrics: 2025;30(06): APST-30-06-01 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14456/apst.2025.84 URL:https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/APST/article/view/277557 Content of Correction: In the published article, the x-axis labels in Figure 3 were incorrectly identified as the numerical string "123456." The correct labels are (A) pH and (B) Temperature, as shown below. This error has been corrected and does not alter the content, interpretation, or conclusions of the study.
Barbados cherry (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) is notable for its rich vitamin C and phenolic content, both of which are significantly influenced by the fruit’s maturity stage and tend to decline during storage. This study evaluated the physicochemical and bioactive attributes of Barbados cherry at different maturity stages—unripe, half-ripe, and ripe—and during the preservation period to determine changes in fruit quality. The results indicated that the highest amounts of vitamin C (100 mg/g) and total phenolic content (TPC, 90 mg GAE/g) were found in unripe fruit, while half-ripe and ripe fruits exhibited higher protein, carotenoid, and sugar contents. During storage, half-ripe Barbados cherry stored at 12 ± 2 °C maintained superior physical and nutritional quality, retaining vitamin C (57.15 mg/g), TPC (51.46 mg GAE/g), and antioxidant activity (DPPH, 29.45 mg TE/g) after six days. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships among vitamin C, TPC, and DPPH, suggesting coordinated degradation of antioxidant compounds during preservation. These findings emphasize that harvesting Barbados cherry at the half-ripe stage and storing it under moderate refrigeration effectively maintains both nutritional and sensory qualities, providing practical recommendations for postharvest handling and short-term commercialization.
This study aimed to investigate the macrofungi species in a para rubber plantation in Kaeng Hang Maeo District, Chanthaburi Province, to identify them by a molecular method, and to evaluate their mode of life, and edibility data. Twenty-three macrofungi samples were collected, of which 16 macrofungi with different fruiting body forms were selected for identification. Based on macro-morphological characteristics, they were divided into 5 groups: (i) Cordyceps, Xylaria, and Daldinia, (ii) Earth tongues, (iii) Gilled fungi, (iv) Polypores and bracket fungi, and (v) Jelly fungi. The gilled fungi (37.5%) were mostly found in this area. Subsequently, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) was amplified by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and its sequence was analyzed. The macrofungi were classified into 2 phyla, 4 classes, 5 orders, 9 families, and 15 genera. Most macrofungi were classified in the phylum Basidiomycota (75%) and the family Polyporaceae (31.25%). However, only 1 sample could not be identified at the species level, which was Gerronema sp. (KM12). Additionally, most of the macrofungi played a role as saprotrophs in the ecosystem (93.75%), and only 1 sample was found to be a pathotroph (6.25%). Although most macrofungi lacked edibility data (87.5%), edible macrofungi, including Schizophyllum commune (KM2) and Dacryopinax spathularia (KM3), were identified (12.5%). However, poisonous macrofungi were not reported in this study.
Curcuma aromatica Salisb. is a monocotyledonous plant whose rhizomes contain essential oils with documented medicinal properties. This study evaluated the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) at different concentrations on in vitro shoot development and essential oil accumulation. A completely randomized design with 17 treatments, including naphthalene acetic acid (NAA, 1.0–2.5 mg·L⁻¹), benzyladenine (BA, 2.0–15.0 mg·L⁻¹), gibberellic acid (GA₃, 5.0–20.0 mg·L⁻¹), Ethephon (5.0–20.0 mg·L⁻¹), and a control, with 10 replicates per treatment, was used. After two weeks, morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters were measured. Significant increases in bud fresh weight, dry weight, and diameter were observed at NAA (2 mg·L⁻¹), BA (10 mg·L⁻¹), GA₃ (20 mg·L⁻¹), and Ethephon (10 mg·L⁻¹). Among these, NAA (2.0 mg·L⁻¹) and BA (10.0 mg·L⁻¹) were most effective. Compared with the control, NAA (2.0 mg·L⁻¹) increased rhizome diameter (103%), fresh weight (61%), dry weight (327%), sugar content (56%), and essential oil content (143%). BA (10.0 mg·L⁻¹) showed greater effects, increasing rhizome diameter (114%), fresh weight (90%), dry weight (686%), sugar content (80%), and essential oil content (203%) (p < 0.05). The number of primary thickening meristem (PTM) cells was significantly higher in NAA (2 mg·L⁻¹) than in BA (10 mg·L⁻¹) or other treatments. Both NAA and BA increased auxin, zeatin, and gibberellin activities, while reducing abscisic acid (ABA) activity compared with the control. These results indicate that NAA and BA enhance rhizome development and essential oil biosynthesis in C. aromatica through modulation of endogenous hormones.
Toward the development of non-noble metal electrocatalysts for the valorization of glycerol, the effect of the addition of Bi on Co-Ni electrocatalysts supported on carbon cloth (CC) for the electro-oxidation of glycerol (EOG) was investigated. The CoNiBi/CC electrocatalysts were prepared via an electroless deposition method and characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Their electrochemical activity was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. The effect of the Bi (NO3)3 concentration in the electroless bath on the EOG performance was studied, finding that CoNiBi/CC prepared using 6 mM Bi (NO3)3 (CoNiBi_6/CC) provided higher current density and lower onset potential than other electrocatalysts. The effect of applied potentials on the formation of products was also investigated. The analysis of the liquid products using high-performance liquid chromatography showed that formic acid (FA) was obtained as the main product along with oxalic acid as a minor product. The highest rate of FA formation was 772.95 mol cm−2 h−1 at 0.7 V vs. Ag/AgCl after 2 h of reaction, and the highest selectivity for FA was 77.5% at 0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Overall, the CoNiBi/CC electrocatalyst is a promising and cost-effective alternative for the electrochemical valorization of glycerol into value-added chemicals.
A green and efficient method was developed for extracting triterpenoids from Abelmoschus sagittifolius roots using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) combined with a choline chloride–citric acid-based deep eutectic solvent (DES). Optimization by response surface methodology identified optimal conditions (365 W, 46 min, 40 mL/g), yielding 39.8 mg/g of triterpenoids, in close agreement with the predicted value (39.5 mg/g). This yield was significantly higher than those obtained by ethanol-based MAE (32.69 mg/g) and Soxhlet extraction (28.14 mg/g). SEM analysis revealed marked cell wall disruption in DES–MAE-treated samples. The extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity (84.56% DPPH and 96.67% ABTS at 0.55 mg/mL) and notable tyrosinase inhibition (IC₅₀ ≈ 0.17 mg/mL), outperforming conventional extracts. GC–MS analysis identified 18 bioactive compounds, predominantly triterpenoids. Overall, DES–MAE represents a sustainable approach for producing triterpenoid-rich extracts for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications.
Plasticizer is an essential component in rubber compounding, characterized by the ability to reduce compound viscosity, improve the dispersion of additives, and significantly affect processing efficiency and vulcanization kinetics. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the vulcanization kinetics of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) with varying amounts of paraffinic oil plasticizer. The experimental procedures included mixing rubber and additives, followed by compound testing using a rheometer. The kinetic parameters of the Deng-Isayev and Kamal-Sorour models were determined using the sum of squared error (SSE) optimization of the rheological data. The results showed that increasing the vulcanization temperature and reducing plasticizer content caused a decrease in induction time (ts2) and optimum vulcanization time (tc90). Furthermore, the experimental data were accurately modeled using the Kamal-Sorour model. The vulcanization reaction occurred concurrently with the predominance of the autocatalysis mechanism (k2 > k1), while the values of m and n were inversely proportional to the amount of plasticizer. The vulcanization reaction was primarily influenced by the initial reactant compound rather than the catalytic effect on the product reaction (n > m), showing that high plasticizer content increased energy requirement (E2 > E1) for autocatalytic reactions.
The increase in global consumption has led to a significant increase in the amount of paper waste, one of the major components of municipal solid waste. As a cellulose-based material, paper can undergo biological degradation through composting. In this study, the biodegradation of five commercial paper-based packaging materials in a home composting system under ambient conditions was evaluated. Test samples (2.5 × 2.5 cm) were composted with synthetic organic waste from three microbial sources: dairy cow manure (DCM), microbial activator super LDD1 (LDD1), and photosynthetic bacteria (PSB). The results indicate that LDD1 and PSB, combined with DCM, significantly accelerated degradation, achieving visible decomposition within 2 weeks. However, nonbiodegradable plastic coatings on paper food boxes hindered complete degradation. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed progressive fiber decomposition, while germination index values exceeding 60% indicated compost maturity. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of paper waste biodegradation, thus informing waste management strategies and promoting sustainable organic waste treatment.
