Wichcha Journal Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University

Reducing the Production Costs of Pots from Wastes in Cockle Mushroom Cultivation Using Industrial Engineering Techniques

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Cockle mushroom lumps remaining after cultivation are waste materials that can be developed into pots; however, the production processes involve high costs. Thus, the objective of this research was to reduce the production costs of pots made from cockle mushroom cultivation waste using industrial engineering techniques. An operation process chart, flow process chart, waste reduction concepts, and production costs calculations were applied in this study. The results showed that unnecessary processes, working time, waiting time, and unnecessary movement could be reduced. At the same time, the ingredient formulation for pot production was improved by reducing the amount of high-priced raw materials, such as cassava starch, and eliminating the use of vegetable oil for coating molds. With the improved formulation comprising 100 grams of sawdust, 100 grams of cassava starch, and 300 milliliters of water without vegetable oil coating, the posts exhibited better vertical compressive strength (1,780 N) and lower water absorption (36.33%) compared to those produced with the original formulation. As a result of both the improved production process and the revised ingredient formulation, production costs were reduced by approximately 31.8%, decreasing from 9.68 baht per piece to 6.60 baht per piece.

Automated Mango Irrigation System Using Soil Water Potential Measurement Technique

Phumiphat Kakham — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study presents an automated mango irrigation system based on soil water potential measurements. Soil water potential, which reflects the plant’s water uptake needs, was measured using tensiometers. The irrigation system was developed on an Arduino-based platform and integrated with two tensiometers and a solar-powered water pump. The firmware was programmed to initiate watering when natural light exceeded 20,000 lux and the soil water potential fell below -25 kPa at 1/4 of the root zone depth and -10 kPa at 3/4 of the root zone depth. Watering ended when soil water potential at 1/4 of the root zone depth exceeds -25 kPa. The system was tested in a farmer's mango orchard in Pak Nam Subdistrict, Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao Province. This irrigation system was tested in a farmer's mango orchard in Pak Nam Subdistrict, Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao Province, between December 20, 2021, and January 11, 2022. Results showed that the system automatically irrigated the mango tress approximately 8 times per day between 8.00 AM and 4.00 PM, corresponding to 6.20% of operational hours. The soil water potential with 1/4 of the root zone depth was maintained between -10 and -30 kPa, with an average value of 53.16%. This range represents an optimal moisture level, allowing plant roots to efficiently absorb water from the soil.

Comparison of Green Color Stability and Qualities of Singapore Cendol (Lod Chong Singapore) Made from Pandan Leaves (Pandan amaryllifolius Roxb.) Using Sodium Bicarbonate Solution and Lime Water

Sansanee Tempiam, Woralak Panyathitipong, Sansanee Thimthong, Supuksorn Masavang — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This research investigates the effects of sodium bicarbonate solution and saturated limewater on extracting green pigment from pandan leaves, focusing on color values, texture characteristics, and sensory evaluation of pandan-flavored Singapore cendol (Lod Chong Singapore) to achieve a stable green color and consumer-acceptable quality. The green pigment was extracted from pandan leaves using sodium bicarbonate solution at various concentrations (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00%) and saturated limewater. The resulting extract was then used in the production of pandan-flavored Singapore cendol noodles. It was found that a 0.25% sodium bicarbonate solution produced Singapore cendol with the highest greenness (-a*), the most stable green color, and superior tensile strength and elasticity compared to other concentrations (p ≤ 0.05). Additionally, this formulation was more similar in quality to samples made with saturated limewater than to those made with other concentrations. Sensory analysis indicated that the pandan-flavored Singapore cendol noodles made with 0.25% sodium bicarbonate solution received the highest acceptance in terms of appearance, color, aroma, taste, texture and overall preference. Therefore, using a 0.25% sodium bicarbonate solution is suitable for extracting green pigment from pandan leaves to produce pandan-flavored Singapore cendol noodles with a stable green color and enhanced physical quality.

A Study of Metabolite Profiles and Relationships in the Seaweeds Sargassum polycystum, Caulerpa lentillifera and Gracilaria fisheri

Arachaporn Thong-olran, Tiwtawat Napiroon, Supenya Chittapun — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Seaweeds exhibit high biodiversity and produce secondary metabolites with potential applications in various industries. This study aims to analyze the profiles and relationships of metabolites extracted from the lipophilic fractions of three seaweed species commonly found in Thailand, including Sargassum polycystum, Caulerpa lentillifera, and Gracilaria fisheri. The seaweeds were extracted using methanol and fractionated by column chromatography with hexane:ethyl acetate as the solvent system at ratios ranging from 85-95:15-5 (%v/v). Chemical compositions were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and their relationships were assessed using cluster analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). A total of 112 metabolites were identified and classified into 26 major groups according to their chemical structures. Steroids were the dominant compounds in S. polycystum and C. lentillifera (24% and 23%, respectively), whereas unsaturated fatty acid esters were predominant in G. fisheri (21%). Cluster analysis and PCA revealed similarities in the key metabolite compositions of S. polycystum and C. lentillifera, which were distinct from those of G. fisheri. This solvent system effectively isolated unsaturated fatty acid esters in Fraction 2 of S. polycystum and steroids in Fraction 3 from both C. lentillifera and G. fisheri. This research highlights the potential of these three seaweed species as raw materials for metabolite extraction and demonstrates that metabolite relationship data can be applied to optimize extraction processes, paving the way for product development in various industries.

Assessment of Species Diversity, Nutritional Content, and Antioxidant Activity of Indigenous Vegetables in the Rice Noodles with Fish Curry Sauce Dish from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study assessed the species diversity, nutritional content, and antioxidant activity of 25 indigenous vegetables used with a traditional dish of rice noodles with fish curry sauce from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, and ash contents. Clausena cambodiana leaves had the highest energy content (448.53±34.44 kcal/100 g), while Peperomia pellucida leaves had the lowest (288.77±0.02 kcal/100 g). Parkia speciosa seeds exhibited the highest protein content (28.61±0.05 g/100 g), while Alpinia malaccensis fruits had the lowest (7.43±0.04 g/100 g). Fat content was highest in P. speciosa seeds (17.18±0.07 g/100 g) and undetectable in its peel (0.00±0.00 g/100 g). Carbohydrates content was highest in Baccaurea ramiflora fruits (82.05±0.12 g/100 g) and lowest in P. pellucida leaves (48.85±0.08 g/100 g). P. pellucida leaves also showed the highest ash content (23.84±0.01 g/100 g). Antioxidant capacity, analyzed by ORAC, FRAP, and DPPH assays, showed distinct variations depending on the plant part. Leaves and young shoots, such as those from Litsea petiolata and Anacardium occidentale, demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity, which correlated with their high flavonoid and phenolic compound content. Spondias pinnata and Clausena cambodiana leaves also showed high ORAC and FRAP values. Fruits, including Ficus botryocarpa and Baccaurea ramiflora, had moderate antioxidant activity, while P. speciosa seeds displayed lower values. The peel of P. speciosa performed better than its seed, particularly in the FRAP and DPPH assays. Flowers, represented by Etlingera elatior, exhibited relatively low antioxidant and nutrient levels. These findings highlight the superior nutritional and antioxidant properties of leaves and young shoots, emphasizing their importance for functional food and dietary applications.

Evaluation of Optimal Conditions for Bromelain Enzyme Activity from Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. cv. Phuket

Chaowaneeporn Chepprasop, Jirapa Kongkeaw, Kanitta Phongarthit — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Bromelain is a general term for proteolytic enzymes containing sulfhydryl groups at the active site, derived from pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.), which function in the hydrolysis of proteins. This study aimed to compare the activities of crude bromelain extracts obtained from the fruit, core, and peel of the A. comosus (L.) Merr. cv. Phuket, as well as to investigate the differences between unripe and ripe pineapples. The activity of crude bromelain was determined by measuring the amount of tyrosine released, compared with a tyrosine standard, and expressed in units per milliliter of enzyme. The results revealed that the highest enzyme activity was observed in the extract from the ripe fruit flesh under optimal conditions: pH 4.5, 50 °C and 10 minutes of incubation when using casein as a substrate, which yielded enzyme activity of 5.4 and 5.7 units per milliliter, respectively. Additionally, the efficiency of the crude enzyme extract at pH 4.5 and incubated at 50 °C was evaluated for removing soy sauce stains from cotton fabric. It was found that crude bromelain effectively removed stains, with the highest efficiency observed after soaking the fabric in the enzyme extract for 24 hours. These findings indicate that bromelain from the fruit flesh of A. comosus (L.) Merr. cv. Phuket has high potential for application in the detergent industry and could be further developed into enzyme-based textile care products in the future.