CURRENT APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Recent Discoveries in Zingiberaceae: A Review Highlighting New Species from Asia Over the Last Six Years

Alfin Fatwa Afifudin — 2025-10-10

The increasing pace of habitat loss and environmental changes necessitates urgent research into the biodiversity of plant families such as Zingiberaceae. This review explores the discovery of new species within the Zingiberaceae family in Asia over the past six years, focusing on their distribution, characteristics, and the significance of these findings. The literature review involved searching various databases, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Google Books, and the Internet Archive, for references on new Zingiberaceae species. Specific search terms such as "new Zingiberaceae species," "discovery," "Asia," and "characterization" were used to identify pertinent articles. After collecting and analysing data, a total of 119 new species were identified across 11 countries, namely Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The genera include Alpinia, Boesenbegia, Curcuma, Etlingera, Globba, Hedychium, Kaempferia, Monolophus, Plagiostachys, Pleuranthodium, Sundamomum, Wurfbaiana, Conamomum, and Zingiber. Notably, the genus Curcuma was the most prolific, with 37 new species. Thailand emerged as the leading country in terms of new species discoveries. This comprehensive review highlights the diverse characteristics of these species and underscores the critical role of Zingiberaceae in ecological and economic contexts. The findings emphasize the importance of continued botanical exploration and research to enhance our understanding of biodiversity and to unlock potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and other industries.

A Comparison of Deep Neural Network for Hevea Clone Identification

Thiraphat Romruensukharom — 2025-10-10

Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg, a rubber tree, is a highly heterozygous perennial plant usually grown from seed (seedlings). The tree exposed the disadvantage of no genetic uniformity. Unlike a clone, it was propagated by bud grafting from a single tree, possessing an identical genetic constitution and exhibiting uniformity among them. The leaf shape of seedlings is highly variable, while the leaf shape of clones is slightly variable. It also appears in similar characteristics to other clones. Therefore, the variation of leaf shape becomes the critical concern to distinguish them. The common cultivation clone RRIM 600 was considered for experiments, the dataset of RRIM 600 clones and seedlings was used for training the model. The objective of the research was to compare the performance of deep neural networks for H. brasiliensis clone identification, including VGG16, ResNet50, InceptionV3, MobileNet, Xception, DenseNet201, NASNetLarge, MobileNetV2, EfficientNetB7, RegNetX064, RegNetY064, ResNetRS50 and ConvNeXtBase. The appropriate hyperparameters were found through k-fold cross validation. The models were trained using transfer learning technique with FEA. Various augmentation techniques were applied in order to improve the performance. The results revealed that improved retraining the model on low resolution images by implementing ConvNeXtBase as feature extractor with S1 achieved the highest accuracy of 97.82% on a quarter of dataset (E3) and outperformed classification performance across all thresholds. This research suggests the potential for developing this Hevea clone identification application as a tool to overcome the lack of experienced Hevea clone inspectors.

An Optimized Feature for Content based Multimedia Image Retrieval System Using Deep Learning Approaches

G. Sai Chaitanya Kumar — 2025-10-10

The World Wide Web and developments in computer and multimedia technologies have led to increased picture databases and collections such as digital libraries, medical imageries, and art galleries, which collectively contain millions of pictures. Developing an efficient image retrieval system that can manage these enormous volumes of pictures at once is essential. The major goal of this study was to create a reliable system that could efficiently create, manage, and react to data. An effective tool for retrieving images was found to be the content-based image retrieval (CBIR) system, which allows users to query the system to retrieve their desired image from the image collection. In addition, the variety of pictures that users can access, and the expansion of online development and transmission networks have continued to increase. In this paper, we proposed employing an Improved Mobilenetv3 method for picture retrieval. To preprocess the images, we applied noise reduction with a median filter, normalization using the min-max normalization method, and contrast enhancement using Adaptively Clipped Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (ACCLAHE). Then, a Modified ResNet152V2 model was employed to extract detailed features related to shape, texture, and color. After that, the Quantum Chaotic Honey Badger Algorithm (QCHBA) was utilized to select the most relevant features, improving computational efficiency and performance. Finally, the images were classified using the Improved MobileNetV3 technique, which was optimized for high accuracy and efficiency. The performance of the image retrieval framework for content-based retrieval was improved by combining these techniques. Furthermore, the precision-recall value of the outcomes was computed to assess the effectiveness of the system.

Optimizing Peanut Seed Storage and Quality through Biological Coating with IAA-Producing Enterobacter kobei and Agrobacterium radiobacter

Saralee Prommayakul — 2025-10-10

Peanut seeds are prone to deterioration during storage due to their high oil content, which makes them susceptible to lipid oxidation, leading to the formation of free radicals that accelerate cellular degradation. This process can alter the seed structure and nutrient reserves, ultimately reducing seed viability and lowering germination rates over prolonged storage periods. Therefore, seed coating techniques are crucial in mitigating seed deterioration, particularly through the application of IAA-producing bacteria that enhance seed quality and slow down the degradation process. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of coating peanut seeds with Enterobacter kobei and Agrobacterium radiobacter at a concentration of 10⁷ CFU/mL on seed quality during a 4-month storage period under controlled (4°C with 50% RH) and ambient conditions (27°C±2 with 70%±5 RH). The results demonstrated that seeds coated with E. kobei at 10⁷ CFU/mL and A. radiobacter at 10⁷ CFU/mL exhibited significantly higher germination percentages, increased germination speed, and reduced mean germination time compared to non-coated seeds. These effects were particularly pronounced under controlled conditions, where coated seeds maintained superior quality and promoted seedling growth throughout the storage period. Furthermore, E. kobei at 10⁷ CFU/mL and A. radiobacter at 10⁷ CFU/mL significantly improved the shoot and root length as well as the shoot and root dry weight of peanut seedlings compared to the seedlings of non-coated seeds. Considering the overall results, it can be concluded that seed coating with A. radiobacter at 10⁷ CFU/mL exhibited the most substantial enhancement in seed quality, making it the recommended approach for improving peanut seed germination, vigor, and seedling growth during a 4-month storage period. Notably, the coated seeds maintained high germination percentage and vigor throughout the entire 4-month storage duration, indicating extended seed longevity under both controlled and ambient conditions.

Preparation of Composite Films of Rod-like Structure of ZnO and Corn Starch for Bending Sensor

Kitikamol Feemuchang — 2025-10-10

In this work, rod-like structure zinc oxide (R-ZnO) was synthesized by a hydrothermal process with the hydrothermal times of 3, 5, and 10 h. The effect of reaction time was reflected in the physical properties of the prepared R-ZnO, such as crystalline structure, shape geometries, and optical properties. Then, a bending device was fabricated with starch composite films and the rod-like structure of zinc oxide with different R-ZnO concentrations. The fabricated device exhibited flexibility characteristics at various bending angles. The composite film of corn starch and 1%wt. R-ZnO at a hydrothermal reaction time of 10 h demonstrated a high sensitivity at 89.5% with a gauge factor of 1.58. Moreover, the device of corn starch composited with R-ZnO exhibited fast response/recovery time of 0.23/0.15 s with high stability of bending cycle of more than 1,600 cycles. Therefore, the composite films of R-ZnO and natural starch are strong potential candidates for bending devices.

Influence of Dragon Fruit Peels on the Synthesis of Antibacterial Nano Zinc Oxide (Nano-ZnO) via Green Synthesis Method

Natchayaporn Sakulpeeb — 2025-10-10

This research focused on adding value to dragon fruit peel waste by utilizing it in the synthesis of antibacterial nano zinc oxide (Nano-ZnO) through a green synthesis process. In this study, all the dragon fruit peels were extracted using the solvent extraction technique with three different solvents (deionized water, ethanol, and methanol) for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 h, respectively. The amount of flavonoids from the extract was determined using UV-Vis spectrophotometer to obtain the optimum extraction time, which was 4 h for DI water as the solvent. Moreover, antibacterial Nano-ZnO was synthesized successfully by a green synthesis process using zinc nitrate Zn(NO₃)₂and the extracts. The molecular vibrations as well as the crystal structure and morphology were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy (Raman), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), respectively. Additionally, the antibacterial efficacy of the nano-zinc oxide samples was evaluated using disc diffusion method. Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) were the test agents. The research shows that the X-ray diffraction patterns of all synthesized ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited a wurtzite (hexagonal) crystal structure. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Zn-O stretching vibrations at approximately 500 cm⁻¹. Furthermore, the FE-SEM reveals that ZnO-yellow particles displayed spherical morphologies with an average particle size of 145 nm. At the same time, ZnO-White and ZnO-Red nanoparticles exhibited a combination of rod-like and elliptical morphologies, with average particle sizes of 168 nm and 321 nm, respectively. In addition, the antibacterial activity demonstrates effective inhibition against S. aureus and E. coli in all three ZnO nanoparticle conditions.

Physicochemical and Bacteriological Properties of Water from Owo Local Government Area, Nigeria

Ayodeji Sunday Adedeji — 2025-10-20

Water is indispensable for healthy living, but it can be a vehicle for disease transmission. This study evaluated physicochemical properties, bacteria and their antibiotic resistance patterns in water from Owo Local Government Area. Twenty one water samples from boreholes (BW), stream (SW), and wells (WW) were collected using aseptic techniques. Bacteria were isolated and subjected to plate counts and identified using biochemical and molecular characterization methods, while antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer method. The physicochemical parameters including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chloride, and fluoride content were determined using standard methods. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed for data analysis (p-values < 0.05). The findings revealed that BW had the lowest plate count value of 3.3×10³-6.0×10³ cfu/mL, followed by WW (3.9×10³cfu/mL-8.7×10³cfu/mL), and SW (9.2×10³cfu/mL) while coliform counts ranged from 0 to 1600 MPN/100 mL. Borehole water samples were less contaminated (0-48 MPN/100 mL) when compared to SW and WW (150-1600 MPN/100 mL). AST results showed that some isolates (Salmonella spp., Citrobacter spp., Vibrio spp., Klebsiella spp., and Pseudomonas spp.) were resistant to more than three antibiotics and were thus considered to be multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The physicochemical parameters were within the permisible limit (as recommended by WHO), except for chloride (122-255 mg/L) and flouride (0.39-1.99 mg/L) concentrations, which were above the standards (200 mg/L and 1.5 mg/L, respectively). Most of the water samples from wells and stream did not meet the standard criteria for drinking and domestic purposes. The presence of resistant bacteria poses serious health risks to individuals and the communities. Hence, this study recommends proper water treatment, monitoring, and good personal hygiene to avert the dangers associated with possible disease outbreaks in the study area.

Fungus Classification in Peanuts from Smart Lens Imagery Using Convolutional Neural Network

Kwankamon Dittakan — 2025-10-10

Classification of fungi in peanuts remains a critical challenge due to the microscopic nature of fungi, which requires specialized inspection methods. Without proper classification tools, there is a risk for consumers who consume contaminated peanuts, which can lead to severe health effects, particularly for those with fungal allergies. Traditional methods using microscopes or visual inspection by experts are impractical due to the bulky size of instruments, high cost, time-consuming process, and the potential for human error. This research addresses these limitations by proposing an efficient method for fungi classification in peanuts using convolutional neural network (CNN) and image processing techniques. The system utilizes a portable smart lens, an imaging device with high magnification (up to 50x), to capture detailed peanut images and paired with three CNN architectures: MobileNetv2, DenseNet121, and NASNetMobile. The experimental results demonstrated optimal performance with specific parameters for different peanut types. For ground peanuts, the system achieved 97.13% accuracy using 500x500 pixel grayscale images. Similarly, for peanut seeds, the system maintained 96.09% accuracy with 500x500 pixel RGB color images. This approach offers a practical, portable, and cost-effective solution for reliable fungal classification in peanuts.

Modification of Nata De Coco Composited with Cow Hoof Keratin as a Candidate for Proton Conducting Membrane

Irfan Gustian — 2025-10-10

Proton conducting membranes based on nata de coco (bacterial cellulose) and cow hoof keratin were synthesized. Nata de coco was produced by fermentation with Acetobacter xylinum bacteria and cow hoof keratin obtained from the hydrolysis of cow hoof using NaOH solvent. Membranes were synthesized with variations in the mass ratios of nata de coco: cow hoof keratin, namely 4.5:0.5, 4.7:0.3. 4.0:1.0. The proton conducting membranes were characterized by functional group analysis with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), diffractogram patterns were observed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and proton conductivity was tested at temperatures of 25°C, 40°C, 60°C and 80°C. The degree of swelling and methanol permeability were also analyzed. The FTIR spectrum results showed that physical interactions appeared at the peak of 3000-3500 cm^-1. The results of the XRD diffractogram analysis showed that all variations of the composite membrane mass were semicrystalline originating from a combination of the crystalline phase of bacterial cellulose and the amorphous phase of cow hoof keratin. The highest degree of swelling was obtained at a mass ratio of 4.0:1.0 of 33.05% while the lowest methanol permeability was at a mass ratio of 4.5:0.5 of 2.1×10^-9 mol/cm.s. For the proton conductivity of the composite of bacterial cellulose nata de coco and cow hoof keratin variation 4.0:1.0, the highest proton conductivity was obtained at 2.68×10^-4 S/cm and at a temperature of 25°C. In short, the results of this study indicate that the composite membrane has the ability to conduct protons and has the potential to be developed as an alternative fuel cell.

Formation of Type III Resistant Starch and Alterations in Starch Characteristics and Pasting Behavior of Arrowroot Starch by Autoclaving-Cooling Treatment

Judella Kusuma Halim — 2025-10-10

Resistant starch (RS) is employed as a functional food component to prevent non-infectious diseases. Due to its generous amylose content, which ranges from 20.5% to 30.27%, arrowroot tuber is a potential source of RS. The RS content of tuber starch can be further enhanced through physical modifications, such as an autoclaving-cooling cycle to generate type III RS. This research aimed to determine the optimal autoclaving temperature and duration in order to produce arrowroot starch with the maximum RS content, as well as to characterize its properties. The arrowroot starch was autoclaved at temperatures of 105°C, 120°C, and 135°C for 20, 40, and 60 min, respectively. The autoclaving cooling modification was carried out over 5 cycles. Based on the findings, the arrowroot starch with the highest RS content (5.02%) was generated by autoclaving at 105°C for 40 min. This was higher than that of the native starch (1.24%). This modified starch with the highest RS comprised 10.49% moisture content, 86.75% starch content, 27.93% amylose content, and 58.82% amylopectin content. The modified starch had higher amylose content than native starch (25.43%). Additionally, it had a bulk density of 0.68 g/mL, 2.24 g/g swelling power, 1.82% solubility, 0.83 g/g water absorption, and 83.33 brightness value. The swelling power and the solubility of modified starch were lower than the native starch. Amylograph curves demonstrated that the autoclaving-cooling modification generated starch with a more stable pasting profile. These results show that the autoclaving-cooling method improved the amylose and RS content of the modified starch. However, the modified starch has a lower value of pasting properties. Lower values for these viscosity parameters may be desirable in a variety of food applications that require a less viscous, more stable, and less retrograded starch paste.

Efficacy of Preharvest Calcium Chloride and Calcium Gluconate Treatments on the Postharvest Quality Maintenance of Marian Plums During Shelf Life

Da Li — 2025-10-10

Marian plum is a commercial fruit that deteriorates rapidly during storage. The effects of preharvest treatment with calcium chloride (CaCl_₂) and calcium gluconate (CaGlu) at two concentrations (1 and 2%) on maintaining the postharvest quality of marian plum during shelf life at 26±2ºC were investigated. The fruits were sprayed with both calcium salts 2 days prior to harvest. The outcomes show that both the CaCl₂ and CaGlu treatments preserved fruit visual appearance and postponed color development during shelf life. No fruit rot incidence appeared on the 2% CaCl₂ and 2% CaGlu treated fruits during storage for 8 days. All calcium treatments retarded the increase in weight loss compared to the untreated fruits. The fruit firmness was maintained by the calcium treatments, and 2% CaGlu treatments improved the firmness greater than other treatments. Moreover, the increases in malondialdehyde (MDA), total soluble solids (TSS) and BrimA, as well as the decreased total acidity (TA) were lowered by the calcium treatments. The total phenols and antioxidant capacities, including ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and DPPH free radical scavenging activity, were enhanced by the calcium treatments. In correlation analysis, the firmness showed significantly negative correlation with MDA and parameters related to ripening. Moreover, the MDA had significant negative correlation with DPPH radical scavenging activity. The softening of the marian plum was closely related to membrane degradation. Both preharvest CaGlu and CaCl₂ treatments at 2% are feasible approaches to preserve the postharvest quality of marian plums during shelf life at room temperature.

Use of Bio-activators in Goat Manure Fermentation and Effects of Solid Goat Manure-based Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Sweet Corn

Isnin Kurnia Safitri — 2025-10-10

The presence of bio-activators in the decomposition of goat manure determines the nutrient content of the produced solid organic fertilizer. These experiments aimed to ascertain the impacts of several bio-activators on goat manured-based fertilizer’s nutrient content and its effects on the growth and yield of sweet corn. The first experiment, arranged in complete randomized design with three replicates, employed five treatments of bio-activators. The treatments were (1) no bio-activator, (2) cow blood, (3) cow rumen+cow blood, (4) yeast+cow blood, (5) effective microorganism (EM4). The second experiment was a bi-factorial complete randomized block design with three replicates. The first factor was types of bio-activators: (1) no bio-activator, (2) cow blood, (3) cow rumen+cow blood, (4) yeast+cow blood, (5) effective microorganism (EM4), respectively. The second factor was dosage of goat manure-based solid organic fertilizers: (1) 5 Mg ha^-1, (2) 10 Mg ha^-1, (3) 15 Mg ha^-1. The results indicated that goat manure-based fertilizer produced using cow rumen+cow blood bio-activator had the highest nutrient content. The presence of bio-activators in goat manure-based fertilizer increased the weight of sweet corn (husked-ear and unhusked-ear), the length of sweet corn (husked-ear and unhusked-ear), and the weight of husked-ear sweet corn plot^-1, but not the sweet corn diameter (husked-ear and unhusked-ear), and sweetness level. Moreover, the use of goat manure-based fertilizer with 5 Mg ha^-1 was generally sufficient to support growth and yield of sweet corn. The optimal combination of treatments to enhance sweet corn growth and yield was the interaction between the cow rumen+cow blood bio-activators and dosage of 5 Mg ha^-1.

Development of Seasoned Tilapia Fillet with Spicy Stir-fried Curry Paste Product

Arunothai Juemanee — 2025-10-29

The aim of this work was to develop ready-to-eat seasoned Tilapia fish with stir-fried red curry paste. A focus group discussion was conducted to generate product concepts. These concepts were then applied to study preliminary fish processing using 4 treatments: blanching and baking (BB) at 180°C (BB180) and at 200°C (BB200), marination (M), and sous-vide (SV) at 65°C. The relationship between physical, chemical, and sensory qualities of processed fish (with/without curry paste) packed in microwaveable packaging was analyzed. A biplot result explained 71.33% of the total variance. Among these, treatment BB200-FC (fish with curry paste) was found to be strongly linked to the positive end of PC1 with high sensory acceptance. In contrast, treatment BB180-F (fish without curry paste) was at a negative end. Then, the ingredients of seasoned curry paste were modified into 4 formulars (A-D) based on BB200-FC and compared with 2 commercial formulars (E and F). The results showed that all paste formulas received significantly different liking scores (p<0.05). Seasoned curry paste formular B received the highest overall liking score of 7.53 with slightly strong spiciness and saltiness. Therefore, the amount of curry and shrimp paste was reduced and tasted by 3 consumer groups (low, medium and high preferred spiciness levels). The results revealed no significant differences in preference scores among the various consumer groups (p>0.05) except for appearance. From PCA, there was a higher concentration of consumers close to formula B1 (with curry paste reduced by 75%) and formular B. These findings highlight the potential for developing a convenient and well-accepted Thai-inspired healthy seasoned fish with a nutritious curry paste.

Mangrove Filters or Microplastic Traps? Insights from Microplastic Ingestion in Polymesoda erosa in Butuan Bay, Philippines

Carl Kenneth Navarro — 2025-12-01

Microplastic pollution threatens ecosystems, particularly in mangrove environments where complex ecological interactions occur. This study investigated the ingestion of microplastics by Polymesoda erosa, a mangrove-dwelling bivalve and evaluated whether mangroves function as natural filters or inadvertent traps for microplastics. A total of 135 specimens were collected from three mangrove sites along a transect in Butuan City, Philippines. Microplastics were extracted from the gastrointestinal tract and characterized by type, color, shape, and polymer composition using stereomicroscopy and ATR-FTIR analysis. The results revealed a prevalence of microplastics across all sites, with fibers being the most dominant shape and blue and black the most frequently observed colors. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test indicated no significant differences (p = 0.787) in microplastic abundance among the sampling sites. Polymer analysis identified polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and ethylene-vinyl acetate among the common materials ingested. These findings suggest that mangroves may serve a dual role: acting as filters that retain microplastics while also becoming traps that expose benthic and filter-feeding organisms to microplastic contamination. However, the study is limited by the small sample size, short sampling duration, and lack of sediment MP analysis, which constrain broader ecological generalizations. Despite these constraints, the findings offer valuable insights into the role of tropical mangrove ecosystems in influencing microplastic bioavailability and microplastic accumulation that may compromise bivalve health, disrupt food webs, and pose potential risks to human consumers. This study highlights the urgent need for improved plastic waste management and further research into the long-term impacts of microplastic exposure in mangrove-associated biota.

The Characteristics of Wood Vinegar from Cocoa Pod Husks as an Antifungal Agent for Natural Rubber Sheets

Juntima Chungsiriporn — 2025-12-01

Natural rubber sheets are susceptible to fungal contamination during storage, leading to quality degradation and economic losses. Traditional antifungal treatments often involve synthetic chemicals, which raise environmental and health concerns. Wood vinegar, a byproduct of biomass pyrolysis, has emerged as a potential natural antifungal agent. The aims of this study were to evaluate the physical and chemical properties as well as the antifungal activity of wood vinegar derived from cocoa pod husks, and comparing it with wood vinegar from rubberwood and bamboo. Wood vinegar was produced through pyrolysis at 400°C, and its components were qualitatively identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Antifungal activity was assessed at concentrations ranging from 15% to 60% using the spread plate method to evaluate fungal inhibition. The results showed that wood vinegar from cocoa pod husks exhibited medium quality in terms of odor, color, and transparency. It had a pH of 4.8, a total soluble tar content of 0.12% (wt), a specific gravity of 1.003 g/mL, and a ^oBrix of 1.5. The major components of cocoa pod husk wood vinegar were acetic acid (36.90%) and phenol (4.61%), with concentrations close to those found in bamboo wood vinegar. Wood vinegar from cocoa pod husks demonstrated inhibitory effects on fungal growth, significantly reducing fungal counts on rubber sheets. Higher concentrations of wood vinegar correlated with greater fungal inhibition, with a 60% concentration reducing fungal growth to 5.6 × 10⁴ CFU/g, while the control rubber sheet had 1.1 × 10⁶ CFU/g during storage. However, at the same concentration, wood vinegar derived from rubberwood exhibited the highest antifungal efficacy, followed by bamboo, while cocoa pod husk wood vinegar showed the least effectiveness among the three.