Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology

Influence of Host Matrix on Optical Properties of Samarium-Doped Glasses: A Comparative Analysis of Zinc Oxide and Zinc Fluoride

2025-11-27T16:44:53+07:00

Samarium-doped glasses have attracted considerable interest due to their promising optical properties for use in photonic, laser, and optoelectronic applications. In this work, a comparative study was conducted on Sm³⁺-doped borotellurite glasses with the chemical composition 29TeO₂–30B₂O₃–10X–20BaO–10Nb₂O₅–1Sm₂O₃, where X represents either ZnO or ZnF₂. The influence of the modifier type (oxide vs. fluoride) on the structural and luminescence behavior of the glasses was thoroughly examined. The incorporation of Sm³⁺ ions into these host matrices leads to significant variations in optical performance, dictated by the local environment and bonding characteristics. Comprehensive characterization, including absorption and emission spectra, and luminescence lifetimes, was performed to evaluate the suitability of each glass system for optical device applications. The findings highlight the critical role of glass composition in tailoring the emission efficiency and optical response of rare-earth-doped glass materials.

Growing Miniature Waterlilies Under Different Lighting Conditions

2026-01-27T15:20:40+07:00

An experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan–ok, Chonburi, from July to September 2023. The objective of this research was to determine the optimal growing conditions for Nymphaea minuta based solely on variations in the color temperature of the LED growth lights. This experiment used five light sources to investigate the growth of N. minuta rhizomes, including 1) 6500K-LED growth light (6500K-LED), 2) 4500K-LED growth light (4500K-LED), 3) Mixed 6500K +3500K+450 nm+660 nm+730 nm-LED growth light (Mix LED) and 4) white fluorescent (White-Flu) light sources compared to the control (sunlight). Specimens from each group were planted in a ceramic cup with a 12.7 cm top diameter and a 10.16 cm depth, which was half filled with heavy clay soil. Characterization of the samples was conducted from day 28 to day 84 post-planting to assess growth. Our findings indicate that the responses of N. minuta to different light qualities diverged from those observed in most terrestrial plants. The leaf count under artificial light treatments did not significantly differ from that under sunlight treatment after 84 days. However, the leaf length, leaf width, and petiole length under sunlight treatment were lower than those under artificial light treatments. The Mix LED treatment exhibited the shortest time to flowering (54.75 days), whereas the White-Flu treatment required the longest duration to reach flowering (75.00 days).

Mycochemical Composition, Antioxidant Properties, and Cytotoxic Activity of Xylaria papulis Lloyd (Xylariaceae) Mycelia Grown in Static and Shaking Indigenous Liquid Culture Conditions

2026-01-27T15:16:46+07:00

The search for promising and sustainable sources of secondary metabolites with potential biofunctional activities is important for the possible sources of drugs to treat human diseases. Hence, this study qualitatively assessed the mycochemical composition and investigated the biofunctional activities (antioxidant activity and cytotoxic activity) of Xylaria papulis Lloyd mycelia grown in static and shaking indigenous liquid culture medium. Mycochemical screening revealed the presence of several classes of secondary metabolites, such as phenolics, terpenoids, fatty acid derivatives, alkaloids, and sugar derivatives, in mycelial mat (shaking) and in culture spent (static). Mycelial mat (static) and culture spent (shaking) also contain the same classes of secondary metabolites, with the former including essential oils. Mycelial extracts have greater antioxidant property (≤ 43.19±1.63% RSA) and total phenolics (≤ 47.75±2.31 mg/GAE) compared to the culture spent. Culture spent from shaking condition exhibited cytotoxicity (LC50 = 94.39µg/mL) against brine shrimp larvae. These findings indicate that X. papulis (Lloyd) grown in liquid culture medium can be a sustainable source of diverse secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties and cytotoxic activity. Further, cytotoxicity studies against cancer cell lines can also be investigated for future studies.

Macrofungi Species in Para Rubber Plantation in Kaeng Hang Maeo District, Chanthaburi Province, Thailand

2025-12-09T10:41:15+07:00

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.

Production Performance and Proximate Nutrient and Myco-chemical Composition of Paddy Straw Mushroom, Volvariella volvacea, Isolates Cultivated on Supplemented Banana Leaf Substrates

2026-01-08T15:30:05+07:00

Volvariella volvacea (Bull.: Fr.) Singer (Plutaceae), commonly known as the paddy straw mushroom, is widely cultivated in the Philippines, where banana leaves are traditionally used as a substrate. However, standardized protocols for their efficient utilization remain limited. In this study, six isolates of V. volvacea were evaluated, comprising three commercial isolates from San Jose, Nueva Ecija (SJ), Tarlac City (TC), and La Union (LU), and three wild isolates collected from Brgy. Rang-ayan, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (VVA), Central Luzon State University (VVB), and San Mateo, Rizal (SP). Supplementation of rice bran to banana leaf substrates significantly enhanced fruiting performance in isolates SJ, TC, LU, and SP, yielding biological efficiencies of 9.17%, 17.04%, 7.65%, and 10.98%, respectively. In contrast, coconut water supplementation was more effective for isolates VVA and VVB, with biological efficiencies of 9.22% and 9.61%, respectively, under uniform cultivation conditions. Proximate analysis of the harvested fruiting bodies revealed appreciable amount of carbohydrate (43.8-49.1%), crude protein (23.8-29.7%), crude fiber (10.4-19.7%), ash (12.2-14.2%) and very low crude fat (0.4-0.7%). Phytochemical screening further showed the presence of flavonoids and alkaloids exclusively in isolates SJ and TC. These confirm that both production performance and biochemical composition in V. volvacea are strongly isolate-dependent, highlighting the importance of strain selection and substrate optimization in improving cultivation efficiency and functional properties.

Cultivation of Ganoderma multipileum on Rubber Wood Sawdust and Coffee Grounds: Growth Performance and Bioactive Properties

2026-01-08T15:27:20+07:00

Ganoderma multipileum is a tropical wood-decaying fungus with high capacity for crop waste disposal and promising medicinal properties. In this study, a Vietnamese strain of G. multipileum was identified through morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. To enhance sustainable mushroom production, two cultivation substrates were compared: rubber tree sawdust by itself (control) and rubber tree sawdust supplemented with 25% coffee grounds. The coffee-supplemented substrate reduced the carbon/nitrogen ratio from 83.87:1 to 41.86:1, accelerated mycelial colonization from 28 to 22 days, and increased the mycelial growth rate from 6.53 to 7.59 mm/day. Ethanolic extracts from fruiting bodies grown on the supplemented substrate showed higher antibacterial activity against both methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus compared with the control. Antioxidant capacity, as measured by DPPH assay, was reduced in the supplemented treatment, with a higher IC₅₀ value (104.27 μg/mL) compared with the control (47.44 μg/mL). These findings highlight the potential of lignocellulolytic Ganoderma fungi in a circular economy for reducing agro-industrial waste byproducts like sawdust and coffee grounds. An additional benefit accrues because the use of such substrates enhances the cultivation efficiency and bioactive properties of G. multipileum, promoting its application in pharmaceutical and cosmetic production as well as waste reduction.

Development of Silk Fibroin/Chitosan Sponge for Wound Dressing

2026-03-09T11:16:48+07:00

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.

Utilizing Open-Source GIS and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Onion Cold Storage Site Selection in Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines

2025-08-01T14:19:50+07:00

Onion is an important agricultural commodity in the Philippines, and it provides livelihood to the farmers and contributes to food security in the country. Despite its observed increase in production, challenges remain in terms of postharvest management, particularly due to inadequate storage. This study aimed to locate suitable sites for cold storage infrastructure in the province of Nueva Vizcaya using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). Spatial data such as land cover, road network, onion production area, and agricultural markets were used for weighted overlay analysis through Quantum GIS (QGIS). The findings showed that approximately 43.84% (171,997 ha) of the total area of the province is suitable for cold storage of onions, with a large extent of areas in the municipalities of Kayapa, Aritao, Santa Fe, and Bambang. The applicability of the model was demonstrated by the spatial analysis that verified the proposed onion cold storage location in Aritao was in an appropriate location. This exhibited the capability and importance of using an open-source GIS for siting postharvest facilities. It is suggested for future studies to incorporate parameters including socioeconomic indicators, facility capacity, and logistical costs to enhance future investments in agricultural infrastructure.

Bio-Based Ion Exchange Resin from Water Hyacinth for Efficient Groundwater Hardness Treatment

2026-02-16T09:23:07+07:00

This study aims to prepare cation exchange resin from the stems and leaves of water hyacinth via the sulfonation process and to evaluate their efficiency and capacity for water softening. The water hyacinth was separated into stems and leaves and was then ground to powder. The powders were subjected to sulfuric acid treatment (sulfonation) to introduce active sulfonic acid (-SO₃H) groups. Treated materials were classified as stem- and leaf-derived water hyacinth resin. The results revealed that sulfuric acid-treated water hyacinth enhanced the porosity of resin due to the incorporation of sulfonic acid groups. This improvement provided a larger surface area and more active sites for cation exchange compared to untreated samples. Sulfuric acid-treated water hyacinth leaves demonstrated greater hardness removal efficiency compared to stems, attributed to the higher cellulose content in the leaves. The optimal dosage of leaf-derived resin for complete hardness removal (414 mg·L^-1 as CaCO₃) was determined to be 22.5 g·L^-1, equivalent to an ion exchange capacity of 0.810 meq·g^-1. The resin exhibited selective affinity for ions in the order of Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ >> Na⁺. Additionally, the resin retained its efficiency after the first and second regeneration cycles using 0.01 M hydrochloric acid, maintaining 100% hardness removal, comparable to the performance of the new resin. These results highlight the potential of bio-based resins derived from water hyacinth leaves as a sustainable, cost-effective solution for water softening. Bio-based resins contribute to environmental conservation, promote eco-friendly materials, and support the circular economy and sustainable resource management principles.

Protective and Therapeutic Effects of Thai Vegetable Extracts Against Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells

2026-02-26T11:28:55+07:00

Consuming vegetables is vital for disease prevention, and Thailand’s diverse vegetable resources are of particular interest. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities of ethanolic extracts from 48 Thai vegetable species. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using FRAP and DPPH assays, and total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Schinus terebinthifolius (MT) and Caesalpinia mimosoides (KY) exhibited the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity and were selected for further study. In RAW 264.7 macrophages exposed to H₂O₂ (200 µM), cell viability decreased to approximately 30%, whereas co-treatment with KY extract (12.5-100 µg/mL) restored viability in a dose-dependent manner, reaching 84.65%, while MT extract increased viability to approximately 50%. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that H₂O₂ induced apoptosis in ~90% of cells; MT extract reduced apoptotic cells by up to 20.65%, whereas KY extract produced a modest reduction (≤3.37%). RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated the upregulation of antioxidant-related genes (CAT, SOD1) and downregulation of pro-apoptotic genes (p53, caspase-9). Trace-element analysis further suggested that copper, selenium, and zinc may contribute to antioxidant enzyme activity. Collectively, MT and KY extracts exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects, supporting their potential as non-toxic natural agents for mitigating oxidative stress and apoptosis-related conditions.

Advancing sustainable agriculture through beneficial microbes: From microbial physiology to synthetic community-based innovations

2025-10-17T16:08:12+07:00

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.