The increasing accumulation of plastic waste has intensified efforts to identify sustainable biodegradable alternatives. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are microbial polyesters with properties similar to conventional plastics; however, their commercial feasibility is limited by high production costs. This study investigated the use of oil palm waste, specifically palm kernel meal (PKM) and empty fruit bunch (EFB), as feedstocks for PHA production by Paraburkholderia sp. PFN29. Biomass pretreatment used sodium hydroxide (1-5% w/v) followed by hydrogen peroxide (3% v/v), and enzymatic hydrolysis with pectinase, xylanase, and cellulase. Reducing sugars were quantified using the dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method, and morphological changes were examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Optimal saccharification with 3% (w/v) NaOH at 50°C for 48 h yielded 10.53±0.33 and 21.02±0.38 mg/mL reducing sugars from PKM and EFB, respectively. Glucose was the predominant sugar in both hydrolysates. PHA biosynthesis was assessed under various carbon- and nitrogen-supplementation conditions. The EFB hydrolysate at 100 ml supplemented with 0.1 g NH₄Cl produced the highest PHA concentration (1.12±0.02 g/L), PHA content (59.02%), and productivity (0.01 g/L/h), which was comparable to that of the mineral medium control. The PKM hydrolysate supported optimal PHA production without supplementation (PHA content, 39.02%). Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses confirmed PHB-type PHA production. These findings indicate that palm oil residues, particularly EFB hydrolysates under optimized nitrogen conditions, are promising substrates for sustainable PHA production.
Phosphorus pollution from municipal and agricultural sources drives freshwater eutrophication globally, yet conventional removal technologies permanently immobilize phosphorus in metal laden sludge, precluding nutrient recovery. Water treatment residuals (WTRs) aluminum and iron rich byproducts of coagulation flocculation processes represent abundant, low-cost precursors for phosphorus adsorbent development. This systematic review and meta-analysis quantitatively evaluated the effectiveness of WTR modification techniques, with particular focus on thermal modification, for enhanced phosphorus removal from wastewater. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, systematic searches of Scopus, Science Direct, Engineering Village, and ProQuest (2000-2024) identified 32 studies meeting predefined eligibility criteria, of which 10 reporting sufficient statistical parameters were included in quantitative meta-analysis. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random effects REML models, with subgroup analyses stratified by modification method, treatment temperature, material composition, and physical form. Thermal modification exceeding 300°C emerged as the most effective enhancement strategy, yielding a statistically significant subgroup effect size of SMD = 1.24 [95% CI: 0.62, 1.87] (p<0.001; I² = 1.95%). The overall pooled effect was non-significant (SMD = 0.32, p = 0.64; I² = 83.40%), attributable to methodologically heterogeneous pooling including air drying (SMD = −2.25, p<0.001) rather than absence of genuine thermal enhancement. Powdered WTRs outperformed granular forms (SMD = 0.97, p = 0.01). Maximum adsorption capacity reached 37.8 mg P/g, following pseudo second order kinetics (R² = 0.9923) and Langmuir isotherm behavior (R² = 0.9889). Operational cost was confirmed at 0.74 USD/kg P removed, which was substantially lower than conventional adsorbents (1.60-20.26 USD/kg P) with environmental reductions in carbon footprint (87%), energy consumption (81%), and water usage (82%). Thermal modification above 300°C establishes thermally activated WTRs as technically viable, cost effective, and environmentally sustainable materials for wastewater phosphorus management, with future research priorities including field scale validation, regeneration optimization, and circular nutrient recovery.
Increasing volume of municipal solid waste (MSW) exerts significant pressure on global waste disposal systems and energy security. Waste-to-energy (WtE) technology has consequently emerged as a viable solution to reduce landfill reliance and generate renewable energy. This review examined recent advancements aimed at improving WtE power plant performance, focusing on AI-based combustion control, heat recovery strategies, and hybrid energy integration. Fuel stabilization through artificial intelligence techniques substantially reduces combustion variability and thermal losses, thereby enhancing operational stability. Heat recovery technologies improve energy utilization and boost power generation efficiency by capturing both high- and low-grade waste heat. Furthermore, hybrid integration with renewable energy systems, carbon capture, and smart grid technologies strengthen grid stability, mitigate load fluctuations, and increase overall energy system reliability. These results suggest that achieving high-performance WtE systems requires advancements at both the plant and grid levels. The review also underscores the necessity for integrated intelligent frameworks that combine these strategies to promote sustainable and resilient waste management systems.
This study explores the biosorptive potential of a metal-tolerant strain of Serratia marcescens isolated from soil near an underground fuel storage tank, for the removal of Cu(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. Batch biosorption experiments were conducted to assess kinetic and equilibrium behaviour. The Weber and Morris intraparticle diffusion and the diffusion-chemisorption (D-C) models were applied to elucidate transport mechanisms. Langmuir and the Freundlich isotherms were used for equilibrium modelling. Individual and sequential desorption tests using distilled water, CaCl2, EDTA and HCl were performed to identify the nature of attachment mechanisms. Both metals reached equilibrium within 60 min, with Cu(II) showing a faster uptake rate (half-time 2.2 min) than Pb(II) (13.9 min). Surface adsorption and intracellular diffusion were identified as the dominant transport pathways, with the D-C model indicating a stronger diffusion contribution for Pb(II) (RDC = 0.392) than for Cu(II) (RDC = 0.156). Langmuir analysis yielded monolayer capacities of 34.4 mg/g for Cu(II) and 22.2 mg/g for Pb(II). Desorption studies using distilled water, CaCl2, EDTA and HCl provided insight into binding mechanisms. CaCl2 and EDTA each desorbed 47.3% of Cu(II), suggesting a notable influence by ion-exchange and complexation, while HCl released 4.5%, consistent with intracellular accumulation. This study highlights the multifaceted biosorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) by S. marcescens. Integrating kinetic, equilibrium and desorption analyses provide mechanistic clarity, which guides optimization and regeneration strategies and strengthens the biosorbent’s practical value for cost-effective, sustainable heavy metal remediation.
Tempeh is one example of a food that contains significant amounts of resistant starch and dietary fiber. The quality of manufactured tempeh is affected by the raw materials and packaging employed. Variations in packaging influence the fermentation conditions accessible for Rhizopus sp. Jack bean sprouts are regarded for their abundant functional characteristics. However, no research has examined the starch profile and dietary fiber properties of jack bean sprout tempeh prepared in various packaging types. This study aimed to assess the effects of variations in packaging style on the starch profile and dietary fiber properties of tempeh derived from jack bean sprouts. This research used a non-factorial randomized block design. The treatment variables comprised three packaging types: teak leaves, banana leaves, and plastic packaging with nine repetitions for each. Starch and dietary fiber compositions were examined with ANOVA, followed by DMRT with significance determined at p<0.05. The results indicated that tempeh in plastic packaging contained the highest total starch (54.54%), but tempeh wrapped in banana leaves exhibited the most resistant starch concentration (14.54%). Conversely, tempeh encased in teak leaves possesses the highest dietary fiber level (28.1%) in comparison to tempeh wrapped in other materials. Applying appropriate tempeh packaging can optimize the starch profile and dietary fiber properties of tempeh.
The incorporation of waste-derived materials in membrane technology is gaining interest due to their low cost, favorable physical properties, and potential to improve membrane stability. These materials are also attractive for their renewability, low production energy, and environmental benefits. Therefore, this study investigates the use of palm oil fuel ash (POFA) as a proton exchange membrane (PEM) for microbial fuel cell (MFC) application, comparing with montmorillonite (MMT) membrane along with its antifouling properties. POFA and MMT membranes were prepared via a phase inversion method and were sintered at 1150°C. These membranes were hydrothermally coated with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), producing POFA-SDS and MMT-SDS membranes. The POFA membranes exhibited higher conductivity (0.0926 mS/cm) and ion exchange capacity (0.913 meq/g) than the MMT (0.0079 mS/cm; 0.674 meq/g), while the MMT had a higher surface charge (−42.3 mV) than POFA (−17.6 mV). The MMT exhibited superhydrophilicity, while the POFA was moderately hydrophilic. With the attachment of SDS, the hydrophilicity of the POFA increased. Antifouling tests showed cell concentration reductions of 53.85% (POFA-SDS) and 66.27% (MMT-SDS), which were over two-fold higher than the pristine membranes. SEM-EDX revealed that the POFA-SDS had biofilm agglomeration with fewer attached microbes, suggesting better long-term antifouling potential. In MFC tests using municipal sewage as a feed, the pristine POFA and MMT showed low current densities (3.72 and 3.88 mA/m², respectively). SDS coating increased current density to 26.17 mA/m² for the POFA-SDS and 21.19 mA/m² for the MMT-SDS, with power densities of 12.31 and 10.59 mW/m², respectively. Despite their relatively low baseline performance, the POFA demonstrated promising potential as sustainable proton exchange membrane (PEM) materials.
An efficient and effective in vitro regeneration protocol was developed and standardized for the banana cultivar Rasthali using shoot tip explants. The explants were placed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium enriched with different concentrations of benzyl aminopurine (BAP) and thidiazuron (TDZ) to promote shoot induction and proliferation, whereas indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) were utilized to induce rooting. Among the various treatments, the MS medium fortified with 3.5 mg/L BAP produced the highest shoot proliferation, with an average of 4.67 shoots per explant. This response was superior to that observed with TDZ at 0.2 mg/L, which produced an average of 3.33 shoots per explant. A synergistic effect was observed when BAP (3.5 mg/L) and TDZ (0.2 mg/L) were combined, resulting in up to 6.67 shoots per explant. Notable improvement in shoot elongation was observed in MS medium enriched with 0.2 mg/L GA3, producing shoots reaching up to 9.4 cm in length. Rooting responses varied with auxin concentration, with the highest root number observed at 2.5 mg/L IBA. Rooted plantlets were successfully hardened in a soil mixture consisting of garden soil, farmyard manure, and sand in a 2:1:1 ratio, resulting in a survival rate of 90% under ex vitro conditions. The regenerated plants exhibited normal morphology, closely resembling the mother plants. This optimized protocol offers a reliable and scalable approach for the commercial micropropagation of banana cv. Rasthali.
Capsicum annum outer membrane (CAM) powder was applied for the first time as a natural adsorbent for the removal of AR-18 (acid red 18) dye from water. In a series of batch studies, Langmuir was found to be the best-fitted isotherm model for mono-layer adsorption of AR-18 dye with Qmax of 90.09 mg/g. Both BBD and CCD statistical tools were used to get the optimal conditions for the adsorption of AR-18 to cut down on chemical use and time and to conserve the environment in sustainable ways. In the BBD matrix, the value of F was much higher (201.32) than that of CCD (34.27), indicating the greater significance of the BBD model. Moreover, the BBD model had high R2 (BBD=0.995) compared to the CCD model (CCD=0.969), indicating it was the best-fitting model. Percentage removal of AR-18 dye (96.74%) on CAM was obtained at an initial AR-18 concentration of 53.32 mg/L, pH 6.27, contact time 84.40 minutes and dose of 2.0 g/L using the BBD model. Whereas 96.14% removal on CAM was obtained at an initial dye concentration of 40.57 mg/L, pH 5.24, contact time 64.94 min and dose of 1.86 g/L using the CCD model. The results indicated that BBD was the best model for optimization of the experimental results to yield the optimal conditions for AR-18 dye adsorption.
Mutations in the blaKPC gene significantly influence the effectiveness of antibiotics and combination therapies used to combat Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance. This study aimed to analyze genetic variations, physicochemical properties, and structural characteristics between mutant and wild-type class A β-lactamase KPC enzymes responsible for ceftazidime–avibactam resistance. Strains with the most significant mutations relative to the wild-type were identified based on physicochemical changes, haplotype networks, and structural conformations. The binding mechanisms between antibiotics and KPC enzymes were also evaluated to determine the role of conserved residues in enzymatic interactions and catalytic activity. Two wild types and 260 KPC variant sequences were retrieved from the NCBI database. ProtParam analysis indicated that all KPC variants exhibited stable physicochemical characteristics. Motif analysis using MEME revealed 15 conserved motifs across all variants. Phylogenetic tree reconstruction with MEGA 10 and iTOL, combined with haplotype analysis using DnaSP, identified KPC-2 and KPC-3 as ancestral variants. Protein modeling with AlphaFold and structural superimposition in PyMOL showed conformational shifts in the Ω-loop, 240-loop, and 270-loop regions. Molecular docking in PyRx demonstrated that ceftazidime acted as the strongest inhibitor against several KPC variants, which was supported by visualization using Discovery Studio 2025. Variants such as KPC-9, KPC-117, KPC-135, KPC-201, and KPC-258 showed the highest divergence, whereas those in Haplotype 1 remained closest to the wild-type. Mutations predominantly occurred within loop regions, while the protein core remained conserved, suggesting selective adaptation under antibiotic pressure. Further in vitro and in vivo validation is recommended to confirm in silico predictions and improve future therapeutic design.
Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic pathogen associated with severe human infections, particularly in regions where consumption of raw pork is common. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of S. suis in raw pork products sold in fresh markets in Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. A total of 113 raw pork samples were collected from four fresh markets and analyzed microbiologically. S. suis was detected in one liver sample, corresponding to a low overall prevalence of 0.88%. Nonetheless, microbial growth was observed in 55.75% (63/113) of samples, yielding 68 isolates. Liver and loin samples demonstrated the greatest microbial diversity and frequency of contamination. Biochemical tests of the S. suis isolate revealed characteristic features including alpha-hemolytic activity, catalase negativity, and selective sugar fermentation, which were consistent with known profiles of the species. Identification was confirmed using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and detected species included Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Staphylococcus hominis, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that the isolate was susceptible to beta-lactams, quinolones, chloramphenicol, tigecycline, linezolid, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and vancomycin, while resistance was observed to macrolides, lincosamides, and tetracycline. Multiplex PCR confirmed the isolate as S. suis serotype 2, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) further identified it as sequence type 104 (ST104). These findings indicate the microbial contamination risk associated with raw pork sold at fresh markets and emphasize the importance of routine surveillance and improved hygiene practices.
Antimony telluride (Sb2Te3) thin films were deposited on 1-μm SiO2 / Si-wafer substrates to a thickness of approximately 250 nm by using pulse-dc magnetron sputtering method, and their thermoelectric (TE) properties were evaluated. This study examined the impact of post-annealing at 250°C under vacuum, argon (Ar), and nitrogen (N2) atmospheres on the thermoelectric (TE) properties. The surface morphology, crystalline structure, and atomic composition were analyzed for both as-deposited and post-annealed thin films using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GI-XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. The results revealed that post-annealing significantly influenced the thin film structure, enhancing the Sb2Te3 crystal orientations, particularly the (015) and (101̅0) peaks. Additionally, Hall effect measurement performed after post-annealing confirmed the electrical properties of all samples, providing further understanding of their electrical properties. For the thermoelectric (TE) properties, low temperature Seebeck coefficient analysis confirmed the p-type character of Sb2Te3. The argon post-annealed sample exhibited the highest Seebeck coeefficient of 1.0 x 10-4 V/K, corresponding to a maximum power factor (PF) of 4.40 x 10-4 W/m K-2. The results clearly show that post-annealing temperature directly affected both the electrical and thermoelectric characteristics.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder often linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Liver inflammation in T2DM is associated with the activation of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal combinations of Tithonia diversifolia, Moringa oleifera, and Curcuma longa (TMC) on SDF-1 expression in a T2DM-induced fatty liver mice model and assess their potential as a CXCR4 inhibitors through in silico analysis. The in silico study involved LC-HRMS compound identification, bioactivity prediction, drug-likeness screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations to analyze interactions with CXCR4. In the in vivo study, T2DM was induced by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin, followed by 21 days of oral TMC extract administration to evaluate its therapeutic effects. LC-HRMS analysis identified 23 bioactive compounds in TMC extracts, including curcumin, which after screening was used in molecular docking. Curcumin showed the strongest binding to CXCR4 (−6.3 kcal/mol), with residue similarity to IT1t and metformin. The stability of the CXCR4-Curcumin was rigorously confirmed by a 20 ns molecular dynamics simulation. SDF-1 expression was significantly increased in T2DM mice (38.72±6.12%) compared to normal (24.21±4.80%). The combination of TMC extracts, especially TMC3, reduced the expression to 24.59±4.68% which was close to the normal group. This decrease was attributed to the polyphenol and sesquiterpene content, which acted through anti-inflammatory pathways. These results suggest that the TMC herbal combinations have potential as an alternative phytotherapeutic agent acting to inhibit SDF-1 and CXCR4 activation in T2DM-induced fatty liver.
Rice production faces serious threats from salinity and drought, which individually or in combination disrupt source-sink relationships and grain yield formation. While the effects of each stress have been widely studied, their interactive impact from a source-sink perspective remains unclear. This study investigated source-sink dynamics and grain yield formation in rice under single and dual salinity-drought stresses. A completely randomized design was conducted in a screen house using two rice varieties (Inpara 8 and IR64) grown under control, salinity (4 dS m-1), drought (40% field capacity), and dual salinity-drought stress. Key source traits (leaf area index, net assimilation rate) and sink traits (pollen viability, panicle length, panicle number per clump, grain number per panicle, filled grain percentage, grain weight, productivity, and harvest index) were assessed, followed by correlation and structural equation modeling - partial least square (SEM-PLS) analysis. Results revealed that salinity and drought, especially when combined, drastically reduced reproductive success, with pollen viability declining by up to 24% and filled grain percentage decreasing by nearly 58%. Yield-related traits, including panicle number, grain number, and grain weight per clump, decreased sharply, reducing productivity and harvest index by over 80% under dual stress. Varietal effects were minor, indicating that stress severity outweighed genotypic differences. Correlation and SEM-PLS analyses highlighted sink-related traits as the primary determinants of yield, whereas source traits played a secondary role. These findings demonstrate that reproductive sink strength is the critical bottleneck under dual salinity-drought stress, emphasizing the need for breeding strategies that enhance sink capacity and resilience, supported by integrated management to sustain rice productivity.
Psoriasis is commonly treated with topical corticosteroids, but long-term use is associated with safety limitations. Uncaria gambir, rich in catechins, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may offer a safer topical alternative. This study evaluated the efficacy, early physical stability, systemic safety, and histopathological effects of U. gambir cream in an Imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasiform rat model. Male Wistar rats were induced with 5% IMQ and divided into six groups: psoriasis control (K1), betamethasone (K2), vehicle (PCG0), and U. gambir cream at 2%, 4.5%, and 7% (PCG2, PCG4.5, PCG7). Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores were assessed on days 5, 8, and 10. Organoleptic stability was observed for 14 days. Blood glucose and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured, and skin histopathology was evaluated using H&E staining. The results showed that PASI scores were comparable across groups on day 5 (p=0.396). Significant reductions were observed on day 8 (p=0.020) and day 10 (p=0.007), with the greatest improvement in PCG2–PCG4.5 (median PASI ≈1-2), compared with vehicle. All creams remained physically stable. Blood glucose (p=0.716) and NO levels (p=0.611) showed no significant differences. Histology confirmed reduced epidermal thickness and absence of parakeratosis in PCG2–PCG4.5. In conclusion, U. gambir cream at 2-4.5% effectively attenuated psoriatic severity with good physical stability and no detectable systemic effects, supporting its potential as a safe topical therapy.
Tomato plants are vulnerable to a wide range of diseases that affect their growth and crop yield, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of tomato plant life cycle and environmental conditions required for optimum crop growth. It explores tomato varieties along with their properties, detailed information on diseases across all the growth stages, including causes, symptoms, and control measures. The paper also provides an extensive evaluation of different artificial intelligence methods for tomato plant disease detection and prediction. It is observed that the detection accuracy of AI models ranges from 92% to 99%. Additionally, the paper explores advanced technologies like drones/UAV, IoT, cloud and edge computing, and blockchain for tomato cultivation management. The advantages and challenges w.r.t each technology are analyzed. The insights and solutions discussed in this paper can help farmers and researchers effectively manage tomato plant diseases and better understand supporting technologies that can enhance productivity and enable disease prediction for sustainable tomato cultivation.
This study investigated the effects of filter cake as an alternative growing medium on the growth, yield, and economic profitability of melon in a soilless system. The greenhouse experiment followed a completely randomized design with three treatments: 100% coconut coir (control), 100% filter cake, and 50% filter cake + 50% coconut coir, each with three replications (90 plants in total). Growth was recorded weekly from 7 to 63 days after transplanting (DAS), and fruit quality was assessed at harvest. The 100% filter cake treatment significantly enhanced vegetative growth (P<0.05), producing the highest plant height (95.40 cm), number of nodes (13.30), number of leaves (13.30), and leaf width (19.30 cm) at 21 DAS. Although fruit quality parameters did not differ significantly (P>0.05), 100% filter cake tended to yield superior fruit weight (1.16 kg) and total soluble solids (16.69 °Brix). Economic analysis revealed that 100% filter cake provided the highest gross profit (82.70 THB plant⁻¹), return on growing media cost (55.68 times), yield per unit investment (0.464 kg THB⁻¹), and maximum investment efficiency (2.46 times per crop cycle). Its economic advantage resulted from the lowest growing-medium cost (2.50 THB plant⁻¹) while maintaining good yield and quality. Filter cake shows high potential as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to coconut coir in soilless melon production. The results apply to the ‘Khaitongkham Melon’ variety during one growing season; further studies across varieties and seasons are recommended.
Plant microbial fuel cells (PMFCs) are emerging biotechnological devices that support renewable energy sources. PMFCs can be integrated with various substrates, such as sewage sludge, municipal compost, or even fertilizer, to enhance bioelectricity production. In this study, the performance of paddy (Oryza sativa) PMFCs was evaluated using municipal wastewater treatment sewage sludge and the PMFC performance was compared with natural paddy soil. Graphite fiber electrodes containing 3 kg of paddy soil and sewage sludge were installed in each PMFC system. All PMFCs were conducted on a balcony equipped with a rain shelter, where sunlight, temperature, and humidity varied for 90 days. The voltage outputs for the PMFC and sewage-PMFC reached maximum power outputs of 680±28.31 mV (27.78 mW/m²) and 562.50±69.22 mV (19.01 mW/m²), respectively. Notable decreases in pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were observed throughout the experiment and were attributed to bioelectrochemical processes within the PMFCs. The dominant microbial phyla identified in both PMFCs were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chloroflexi. This study demonstrated that the power generation of PMFCs can be enhanced by bio-treatment of sludge and various plants can be used for future sludge treatment. Overall, this research demonstrated the potential of plant microbial fuel cells for further improving energy recovery from sewage sludge generated by the biological treatment process.
This study evaluated the effects of fungicidal seed coating on Fusarium sp. inhibition, seed quality, and seedling growth in vegetable soybeans. Laboratory tests showed that mancozeb, prochloraz, and carboxin completely inhibited fungal growth for nine days, whereas thiram, captan, and metalaxyl-M provided only partial suppression. Among the tested fungicides, prochloraz was most effective in maintaining seed germination and seedling vigor. In seed coating trials, prochloraz applied at 6 g of active ingredient (g.ai.) increased shoot length to 26.5 cm and root length to 21.3 cm under sand test conditions, while mancozeb and carboxin produced similar but slightly lower values. Seedling survival reached up to 87% with prochloraz at 4 to 6 g.ai., compared with only 65% in uncoated seeds. Storage experiments demonstrated that prochloraz-coated seeds maintained germination above 85% for up to 4 months under controlled conditions, whereas uncoated seeds dropped below 70%. Under ambient conditions, germination of all treatments declined after 4 months, but coated seeds still performed better than untreated ones. Overall, prochloraz at 6 g.ai. was identified as the most effective treatment for improving germination, seedling vigor, and disease resistance, particularly in the short-term storage of vegetable soybean seeds. These findings highlight the practical value of fungicidal seed coating as a cost-effective strategy for protecting soybean seeds from early infection and improving seedling establishment in pathogen-prone environments.
Honey and bee bread from stingless bees are widely recognized for their health benefits and are considered promising sources of bioactive compounds for medicinal applications. Inhibition for amylase and acetylcholinesterase activities is an important medicinal property involved in the prevention of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, respectively. In this study, the anti-amylase and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities of stingless bee honey and bee bread, flower extracts of Clitoria ternatea L., and a honey-flower drink were evaluated using colorimetric assays. The phytochemical profiles of these samples were further analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The findings of this study indicated the presence of anti-amylase and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities in the honey and bee bread, flower extracts of C. ternatea L., and the formulated flower and honey drink. The flower and honey drink exhibited the strongest anti-acetylcholinesterase activity, while ethanol extracts from bee bread demonstrated the highest anti-amylase activity. In addition, these findings indicated that the FTIR showed functional groups of flavonoids, while GC–MS confirmed the presence of several phytochemicals with biological activities. Interestingly, a siginifcant positive correlation was found between anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and FTIR data (β=0.427, p-value <0.05), while a significant negative correlation was found between anti-amylase activity and FTIR data (β=-0.307, p-value<0.05). Honey and bee bread can be developed as healthy drinks.
Water shortage crisis and poor water quality in Iraq represent a substantial environmental challenge caused by climate change and the constructed dams on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in upstream countries. It is important to minimize the usage of water. Irrigated agriculture relies on surface and groundwater, rendering it the primary water consumer in Iraq. Utilizing the FAO CROPWAT 8.0 model indicated that evapotranspiration in Al-Qadisiya Governorate, the middle of Iraq, peaked in July and reached its bottom in January. A high evapotranspiration number signifies enhanced evaporation due to elevated temperatures and maximal sunlight exposure. Conversely, a low evapotranspiration value due to lower temperatures indicates lower crop water requirements. Evapotranspiration is intimately connected with the length and intensity of solar radiation. The effective rainfall values were 23.2%, 26.3 %, and 0% which were used by wheat, barley, and rice, respectively. In this study, it was obvious that the main feature of rainfall values for crops was that their amounts varied temporally. The total amount of water that wheat, barley, and rice needed for irrigation in the study area was 99.1 mm, 103.1 mm, and 404.1 mm, respectively. The data demonstrated that the irrigation need for rice (summer crops) was greater compared to other seasonal crops, such as wheat and barley. The study highlighted the fact that the crop grown in the hot season required more water consumption, which was adversely correlated with less rainfall and positively with higher Etc. On the contrary, high rainfall and lower crop evapotranspiration are prevalent in the cold season (winter season). The irrigation water needs of wheat, barley, and rice in the study area were 99.1 mm, 103.1 mm, and 404.1 mm, respectively. Furthermore, water demand remained rather stable, with a peak during the intermediate phase. This peak is essential to avoid water stress, especially during critical growth stages such as root formation stage, tillering, flowering, grain formation and dough stage, when consistent moisture is critical for optimal growth. However, water requirements declined in the later phase, reflecting the necessity of dry conditions to facilitate harvesting. The results indicated that rice requires longer irrigation periods than the other two crops due to the lack of rainfall during its growing season. The research promotes the use of CROPWAT for the calculation of crop water requirement, irrigation water requirements, and irrigation scheduling for sustainable agriculture in Iraq and globally.
