Search Results (87)

The growing global demand for bioplastics highlights the need for sustainable starch sources, and Indonesia has considerable potential for cultivating such feedstock. While cassava has been widely promoted, there is limited scientific justification for prioritizing it over alternatives such as sago. An important distinction is that cassava is grown on mineral soils, where many alternative crops are viable, whereas sago is cultivated on peatlands, where relatively few crops can be grown sustainably. This study compares the socio-economic benefits of cassava and sago, considering their competitiveness against their main competing crops (i.e., corn on mineral soils and oil palm on peatlands). For new plantations, sago generated lower farm-level benefits than cassava, with net present values of 1534 EUR/ha and 5719 EUR/ha, respectively. However, when integrating starch processing and environmental impacts, sago provided greater benefits than cassava (4166 EUR/ha vs. 3555 EUR/ha). In the long term, sago may become more profitable than cassava due to its low maintenance and lack of replanting needs. Additionally, sago offers broader societal and environmental advantages, as it thrives on undrained peatlands, for which few alternatives exist. This study concludes that sago, as a paludiculture crop, is a sustainable option for bioplastic feedstock and can support peatland restoration. Full article

Breastfeeding women require specific nutrition to support the quality and secretion of breast milk, which can be achieved through the development of analog rice. Several potential alternatives to develop analog rice, including sago and corn flour, can be developed with the addition of moringa leaf powder due to its high nutritional composition and bioactive compounds, particularly high protein, iron, phytosterols, and flavonoids, which are suitable for breastfeeding women. However, as a new product, besides considering its nutritional value, developing the preferred and acceptable formulation of analog rice remains challenging. This research aims to gain the best formulation and investigate the physicochemical and sensory properties. Three formulations of analog rice were applied in this study utilizing extrusion technology, comprising sago, corn flour, and moringa leaf powder in ratio variations as follows: A, 60:37:3; B, 70:25:5; C, 80:10:10. Overall, the analog rice produced had a green color, a sticky texture, a distinct moringa aroma, and a slightly bitter taste, with Formulation C being most preferred (overall organoleptic value of 2.5, categorized as neutral), containing 6.22 ± 0.83% moisture, 1.04 ± 0.07% ash, 4.08 ± 0.17% protein, 0.46 ± 0.09% fat, 88.21 ± 0.59% carbohydrate, 3.42 ± 1.54% crude fiber, 382.62 ± 3.75 Kcal, 40.12 ± 13.38 ppm iron, 1.09 ± 0.05% sitosterol, 1.16 ± 0.03% stigmasterol, and 0.19 ± 0.07% flavonoid levels. The analog rice provides high energy and lactation-supporting bioactive compounds (iron, phytosterols, and flavonoids), demonstrating potential as a sustainable dietary intervention. This study offers a novel approach through the development of extruded analog rice, which transforms local ingredients into a functional food targeting maternal nutritional gaps by synergizing sago, corn flour, and moringa leaf powder. Full article

Annually, more than 10,000 synthetic dyes are produced worldwide, generating around 280,000 tons of waste, posing risks to human and aquatic life, and potentially creating even more toxic products than the dyes themselves. This study aims to immobilize organic dyes, forming hybrid pigments using ZnO as support obtained through starch combustion. ZnO was obtained by starch (sago) combustion and characterized by XRD, SEM and the BET method. It was then used for the adsorption of orange and green textile dyes, evaluating the adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, contact time, and selectivity with copper ions. The removal studies indicated up to 100% removal of both dyes at low concentrations. The co-adsorption system showed excellent performance, with removal percentages exceeding 90% for both textile dyes and Cu (II) ions. Hybrid pigments were assessed for solvent resistance and durability under extended white light exposure. ZnO immobilized the dyes, showing resistance to organic solvents and good stability under prolonged white light exposure. Full article

This study focused on optimizing sago-starch-derived sodium starch glycolate (SSG) as a superdisintegrant using a Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The aim was to enhance the formulation performance by achieving an optimal degree of substitution (DS) in the synthesis of SSG from sago starch and evaluating its performance in mefenamic acid tablet formulation. The SSG was synthesized using an organic solvent slurry method, which involves crosslinking starch with sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) and substituting it with sodium monochloroacetate (SMCA). The reaction conditions, including the temperature, SMCA ratio, and reaction time, were optimized using the RSM. The optimal conditions were identified as a temperature range of 45–55 °C, an SMCA ratio of 0.75–1.5, and a reaction time of 120–240 min. The maximum predicted DS value was 0.24, with a validated DS value of 0.246 ± 0.021. The SSG-containing mefenamic acid formulation met USP standards and showed a superior disintegration time compared to the existing SSG. The optimized SSG derived from sago starch can be effectively used as a superdisintegrant in pharmaceutical formulations, offering a sustainable and economically viable alternative source of SSG. This contributes to the development of more effective drug delivery systems and promotes sustainable agriculture in Indonesia. Full article

This study aimed to determine the nutritional properties of selected edible insects as a potential future food. A total of eight species of edible insects, including the dubia roach (Blaptica dubia), super worm (Zophobas morio) larvae, locust (Locusta migratoria), silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae, house cricket (Acheta domesticus), sago palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) larvae, black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae, and grasshopper (Oxya Yezoensis) have been obtained and analyzed for their macronutrient contents. Results showed that grasshopper (68.18 g/100 g) has the highest protein content, which is comparable to conventional animal meats. This indicates that the edible insect is a valuable alternative protein and provides essential amino acids. Thus, some edible insects could serve as a source of sustainable nutrients for daily requirements and mitigating food insecurity in the future. Full article

The utilization of red and blue light-emitting diode (LED) lights for cultivating leafy vegetables in closed plant factories has increased in recent years. This study examined the growth and biosynthesis of functional compounds in twelve Spinacia accessions, including cultivars and wild relatives, under the irradiation of fluorescent light and three different red-to-blue LED light combinations (red:blue = 1:1, 1:3, and 3:1). Results showed that, except for the three examined Japanese cultivars, the fresh weight of most spinach accessions increased when red light comprised 50–75% of the light’s spectral composition. This indicated the vital role of the red-light photoreceptor phytochrome in inducing plant growth. The contribution of blue-light photoreceptors was also notable. Significant variations in the accumulation of amino acids and sugars were observed in specific accessions. The effects of spectral photons on the primary metabolite pathways were probably the leading causes of these variations. Some critical enzymes in the Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt cycle and the asparagine and glycolysis pathways were suggested as rate-limiting enzymes, which determined the biosynthesis of functional compounds. Among the examined Spinacia accessions, ‘CGN09429’, ‘CGN09511’, and the wild S. turkestanica ‘CGN25013’ were identified as potential breeding materials, while red:blue = 1:1 was determined as the optimal red-to-blue ratio for spinach growth in a closed-cultivation system. Full article

The consumption of edible insects is a promising approach to meet the increasing global demand for food. Commercialization of edible insects in the EU is regulated by the Novel Food regulation. To date, the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva), the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria), the house cricket (Acheta domesticus), and the buffalo worm (Alphitobius diaperinus larva) have been authorized in the EU for human consumption. We aimed to develop a method based on DNA barcoding and high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis for the identification and differentiation of these four EU-authorized edible insect species in food. A primer pair previously designed for DNA metabarcoding, targeting a ~200 bp sequence of mitochondrial 16S rDNA, allowed discrimination between the four insect species in highly processed food. However, house cricket and migratory locust could not unambiguously be differentiated from tropical house cricket, desert locust, superworm, cowpea weevil, and sago worm, respectively. This problem could be solved by designing primers specific for house cricket and migratory locust. By combining these primers with the insect primers, additional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products for house cricket and migratory locust were obtained, resulting in more complex melt curves compared to the unauthorized insect species. The optimized PCR-HRM assay is a very cost-efficient screening tool for authentication of EU-authorized edible insect species in food. Full article

This work investigates the optimization of aniline content in polyaniline (PANI)/sago starch blends prepared via in situ oxidative polymerization under ultrasonic irradiation. Building upon our previous optimizations of pH and sonication time, this study focuses on the effect of aniline concentration (5–65 wt%) on electrical conductivity, morphological dispersion, and thermal stability. Various characterization techniques, including field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT–IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), confirm that a well-connected, conductive network forms at about 35 wt% aniline. Electrical conductivity measurements reveal a pronounced rise from ~1.6 × 10⁻⁸ to ~2.2 × 10⁻³ S/cm between 5 wt% and 35 wt% aniline. Conductivity stabilizes above this threshold due to PANI agglomeration. Morphological assessments confirm a shift from smooth, uniform blends at low aniline to rougher, void-filled surfaces when aniline exceeds 50 wt%. TGA shows improved thermal stability with increasing aniline content. These findings highlight an optimum aniline loading of ~35 wt% to achieve synergy between conductivity and structural integrity in biopolymer-based PANI/sago starch composites, offering a pathway to sustainable, high-performance biopolymer-based conductors for applications in sensors, flexible electronics, and electromagnetic shielding. Full article

This work proposes an optical fiber copper ion sensor, which is fabricated by an ion-imprinted sodium alginate/graphene oxide (SA/GO) hydrogel and single-mode fiber (SMF). This sensing Fabry–Perot Interferometer (FPI) achieves −1.98 nm/(mg/L) sensitivity with 0.998 linearity. To achieve higher sensitivity, we add a reference FPI to create a Vernier effect. We achieve 19.58 nm/mg/L sensitivity and 0.989 linearity at a concentration range of 0 mg/L–1.4 mg/L. It was 9.9 times higher than that of a single-sensing FPI. The experimental results also demonstrate that when the FSR values of two FPIs are closer, the higher response sensitivity is achieved. The sensor also has good measurement repeatability and dynamic response. In addition, the experimental results of response selectivity show that its response sensitivity to copper ions is significantly higher than other six types of ions, including iron ions, lead ions, magnesium ions, manganese ion, zinc ions, chromium ions. The copper ion is also mixed with six types of ions to deeply investigate the response selectivity. Good response selectivity and cross-responding are demonstrated by experimental results. Full article

Background: Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) reduces the incidence of stroke/bleeding events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, high risk of stroke, and contraindication in continuing anticoagulation therapy. Of them, patients with heart failure may remain at high risk of these events after LAAC. Method: Patients who underwent LAAC and were listed for the multi-center, prospectively collected OCEAN-LAAC registry, were eligible. Of them, individuals without baseline plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and those dependent on hemodialysis were excluded. The prognostic impact of baseline plasma BNP levels on the incidence of death or stroke/bleeding events after LAAC was evaluated. Results: A total of 937 patients (median 78 years, 596 men) were included. The LAAC device was successfully implanted in 934 (98%) patients. Over the 366 (251, 436) days after the LAAC, 148 patients encountered a primary outcome. The common logarithm of baseline plasma BNP was independently associated with the primary outcome with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.46 (95% confidence interval 1.06–2.18, p = 0.043). A calculated cutoff of 2.12 (equivalent to 133 pg/mL of plasma BNP level) significantly stratified the cumulative incidence of the primary outcome (29% vs. 21% for 2 years, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Using prospectively collected large-scale multi-center Japanese registry data, we demonstrated that a baseline higher plasma BNP level was independently associated with a higher incidence of stroke/bleeding events and mortality after LAAC. Further studies are warranted to understand the optimal therapeutic strategy for LAAC candidates with elevated baseline plasma BNP levels. Full article

In-demand fresh-cut fruits are highly perishable and require shelf stability. Starch, such as sago, is a naturally available polysaccharide with good gas barrier properties. The study aimed to develop an edible coating and examine the effect of its application on the quality parameters of fresh-cut apples. The coating solution was prepared with sago and soy oil in concentrations of 3, 4, and 5% and 0, 0.25, and 0.50%, respectively. Lecithin (0.50%) was used as an emulsifier and glycerol (1.5%) as a plasticizer. Coated fresh-cut apples were evaluated for physicochemical properties (TSS, pH, non-enzymatic browning index, moisture content, weight loss, headspace gas, and color attributes) during a 12-day shelf-life study at 4 °C. Sensory analysis was also performed to assess consumer acceptability, and microbial analysis to investigate its inhibiting effect against yeast and mold. Compared to the control, developed coatings reduced browning, respiration rate, moisture, weight loss, and microbial load in fresh-cut apples. The study indicates that the blend of 5% sago and 0.5% soy oil produced the best coatings which were most effective for retaining the original quality attributes and in extending the shelf life of apple slices for 12 days in storage at 4 °C. Full article

This paper describes the creativity, design, and construction of a customized sago machine with a kneading pipe, filter, storage tank, and shredder. The main objective of this innovation is to maximize the conversion of sago stems into superior starch. Sago, an essential food staple in many areas, is typically processed by hand, which results in tedious and time-consuming processes. This project focuses on developing an automated and efficient system to drastically increase productivity and the simplicity of use and transform the sago processing sector. Full article

Materials based on highly reactive α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) powder were developed and evaluated. Furthermore, the impact of different polymeric additives, such as citrus pectin or polyacrylamide (PAAM) modified with sago starch, neem flower, or rambutan peel, on the physiochemical and biological properties of the developed materials was assessed. The addition of modified PAAM shortened the setting process of bone cements and decreased their compressive strength. On the other hand, the addition of citrus pectin significantly enhanced the mechanical strength of the material from 4.46 to 7.15 MPa. The improved mechanical properties of the bone cement containing citrus pectin were attributed to the better homogenization of cementitious pastes and pectin cross-linking by Ca²⁺ ions. In vitro tests performed on L929 cells showed that 10% extracts from α-TCP cements modified with pectin are more cytocompatible than control cements without any additives. Cements containing PAAM with plant-derived modifiers show some degree of cytotoxicity for the highly concentrated 10% extracts, but for diluted extracts, cytotoxicity was reduced, as shown by a resazurin reduction test and live/dead staining. All the developed bone substitutes exhibited in vitro bioactivity, making them promising candidates for further biological studies. This research underscores the advantageous properties of the obtained biomaterials and paves the way for subsequent more advanced in vitro and in vivo investigations. Full article

While a large proportion of the population in Papua New Guinea (PNG) maintain a subsistence lifestyle, exposure to modernisation and industrialisation since European contact has influenced a transition towards Western diets. This review aimed to scope and summarise the published research on dietary intake among Pacific Islander adults in PNG. Four electronic databases and grey literature were searched. Two reviewers completed the screening and data extraction. Fourteen studies were included from the Highlands (n = 7), Southern (n = 5), Momase (n = 1) and both the Highlands/Southern region (n = 1). No studies were from the Islands region. The majority of the studies were published prior to the year 2000 (n = 9). Geographical region and degree of urbanisation had an impact on dietary intake. Urban areas reported higher intakes of energy, protein and fat compared to rural areas. In the Southern region, a variety of foods, including sago, taro, kaukau, cooked banana, coconut and cassava contributed to energy intake, while kaukau was the main energy and protein source in the Highlands. The main foods contributing to protein in the Southern region were fresh fish, land animals and purchased animals. This review highlights an evidence gap regarding dietary intake research. Within the context of international initiatives, there is an urgent call for research aimed at understanding the social and cultural contextualisation of dietary behaviours in PNG. Full article

Traditional gene set enrichment analysis falters when applied to large genomic domains, where neighboring genes often share functions. This spatial dependency creates misleading enrichments, mistaking mere physical proximity for genuine biological connections. Here we present Spatial Adjusted Gene Ontology (SAGO), a novel cyclic permutation-based approach, to tackle this challenge. SAGO separates enrichments due to spatial proximity from genuine biological links by incorporating the genes’ spatial arrangement into the analysis. We applied SAGO to various datasets in which the identified genomic intervals are large, including replication timing domains, large H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 domains, HiC compartments and lamina-associated domains (LADs). Intriguingly, applying SAGO to prostate cancer samples with large copy number alteration (CNA) domains eliminated most of the enriched GO terms, thus helping to accurately identify biologically relevant gene sets linked to oncogenic processes, free from spatial bias. Full article