Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology

Optimization of vegetarian burger patties through mushroom substitution with peanut: Formulation, nutritional Profile, bioactivity, and consumer acceptability evaluation

2024-05-13T10:29:42+07:00

The consumption of meat has been linked to an increasing prevalence of various diseases and negative environmental impacts, highlighting the necessity for alternative protein sources. Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) and peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) offer promising alternatives for use in vegetarian burger patties. Achieving the optimal ratio between oyster mushrooms and peanuts is crucial to produce a vegetarian burger that meets the desired standards of consumer acceptability, nutritional value, and bioactivity. Four different formulations of vegetarian burgers were developed, each varying in the level of mushroom-peanut substitution (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%). Each formula was evaluated based on its nutritional value (moisture, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate, and dietary fiber), bioactive compounds (antioxidant activity, total phenolic compounds, and β-glucan), and sensory attributes (color, aroma, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability). The selected formula was characterized for its amino acid profile. The results revealed that substituting mushrooms with peanuts led to an increase in protein content, lipid content, and total phenolic compounds, significantly impacting consumer acceptance in all vegetarian burger patty attributes. On the contrary, the addition of peanuts resulted in a reduction in moisture content, ash content, dietary fiber content, antioxidant activity, and β-glucan content. Meanwhile, it did not significantly impact consumer acceptance in all vegetarian burger patty attributes. After a thorough assessment, the formulation featuring a 10% peanut substitution was identified as the most optimal, striking a balance between sensory evaluation, nutritional value, and bioactivity of the vegetarian burger patty. Afterward, the selected formula was characterized for its free amino acids profile.

Strength properties of crushed Mangima Stone as coarse aggregate for pavement base materials stabilized with sugarcane bagasse ash

2024-03-15T09:37:12+07:00

The demand for base coarse materials has increased as a result of the fast growth in road infrastructure development, imposing stress on the available resources. To address this problem, this study explores the viability of using Portland cement, sugarcane bagasse ash, and Mangima aggregate as the fundamental components for road bases. An extensive number of laboratory experiments, including the Sieve Analysis Test, Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit Test, Abrasion Test, Modified Proctor Test, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS). Stabilized base coarse composed of two sets, control mix: (Mangima stone + soil + cement) and design mix (Mangima stone + soil + cement + varying amount of sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) of 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%). Results revealed that the mixture of 3% sugarcane bagasse ash and 6% cement yielded the highest Maximum Dry Density (MDD), CBR, and UCS values of 2101 kg/m³, 102.6%, and 102.6psi, respectively Hence, the results of this study indicate that 100% Crushed Mangima aggregate replacement, combined with 6% cement and 3% SCBA can indeed be considered as a viable alternative coarse aggregate for road base applications. Moreover, further study on increasing the amount of SCBA while decreasing the amount of cement is recommended.

Prescription errors in patients with systemic sclerosis: Exploratory data analysis from scleroderma clinic

2024-06-10T10:36:46+07:00

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis, inflammation, and vasculopathy. Treatments aiming to manage all pathologic processes and polypharmacy may inevitably increase the likelihood of prescription errors. We aimed to quantify the numbers of prescription errors and identify factors associated with prescribing errors among SSc patients at the Scleroderma Clinic from January 2016 to December 2022. Prescription error was defined as any modification or cancellation of a medication in the prescription, excluding logistic issues. Among 9,741 prescriptions, 199 (2%) were prescription errors. The most common type of prescription error was duplicated medication (50.5%), followed by prescribed incorrect amount of medicines (34.2%), improper dosage regimen (5.6%), improper drug selection (5.1%) and a history of adverse drug reaction (4.6%). Immunosuppressants and vasodilators were frequently modified and canceled due to their serious side effect history. Neither physician experience nor the types of medication were associated with the occurrence of prescription errors. While the overall rate of prescription errors in the Scleroderma Clinic was low, duplicated medication was the most prevalent type. Implementing strategies targeting these errors could potentially reduce their incidence.

Comparative study of high-intensity laser therapy versus low-intensity laser therapy as an add-on therapy in chronic myofascial pain syndrome at upper trapezius; randomized controlled trial

2024-06-11T14:22:22+07:00

The study compared the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) and low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) for treating patients with chronic myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius muscle through a randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to either the HILT (n=30) or LILT (n=30) groups. Both groups were instructed to perform daily home-based muscle stretching exercises. HILT or LILT was administered twice a week for four weeks based on the assigned group. The study assessed pain score, cervical range of motion, and pressure pain threshold of the upper trapezius muscle at baseline, after the first session, after treatment, and four weeks after treatment. Results showed all outcomes significantly improved in both groups over the measured period. However, no significant differences were found between groups. The study concluded that HILT combined with home-based stretching exercises did not yield superior clinical outcomes compared to LILT combined with home-based stretching exercises.

Total phenolic, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity of strawberries and local medicinal plants

2023-09-26T12:00:36+07:00

In this study, we assess and compare the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), tannin content (TC), free radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power in seven local plants. Two strawberry cultivars (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) with five native medicinal plants, namely, Pandanus amaryllifolius, Cymbopogon citratus, Centella asiatica, Tiliacora triandra, and Melissa officinalis, are investigated. All the plant extracts were found to contain phytochemical content with antioxidant activity. The leaves of the strawberry “American jumbo” exhibit the highest levels of TPC and TC, while C. asiatica shows the highest levels of TFC (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the free radical scavenging activities of both strawberry cultivars. However, these cultivars exhibited a significant difference (p < 0.05) from others based on the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate assay. Therefore, this study clearly reveals that water-soluble extracts of strawberry “Pharachatan 80” leaves is the most promising source of potential natural antioxidants among these plant extracts.

Effects of corn cob biochar on physiological responses and yield of chili peppers

2023-10-02T08:46:46+07:00

Biochar is a porous and carbon-rich material that is used in soil reclamation to improve the quality of acidic tropical agricultural soils. It has become an important tool for enhancing agricultural productivity. This study aims to investigate how corn cob biochar (CCB) affected the development, fruit yield, and photosynthetic efficiency of chili peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) grown for 91 days in acidic soils with a low pH of 4.3. Two treatments, CCB and non-CCB were established in a randomized complete block design. There were six replications in each treatment. The acidic soil was treated with 37.5 t/ha of CCB, and chili peppers were grown in the experimental plots containing the acid soil with CCB applications. The application of CCB considerably (p < 0.05) enhanced the performance index (Pi), single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) value, and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm); however, it did not affect the total quantity of chlorophyll and carotenoids. Moreover, CCB also enhances plant growth and fruit production by increasing the sugar content of the leaves (p < 0.05) after 63–84 days of amendment. After treatment, the soil pH increased from 4.3 to 5.8. These findings confirm that CCB can be used for soil reclamation in acidic soil to efficiently increase soil pH and improve chili pepper productivity.