Kasetsart University

India and Thailand are two largest exporters of rice. Both countries are also well-known for high quality aromatic rice. As the world market for high quality rice has experienced increasing competition, the two countries have used Geographical Indication (GI) as intellectual property right protection to protect producers against unfair competition and misappropriation while protecting consumers against misleading information. This chapter analyzes GI systems in India and Thailand by selecting indigenous GI rice, namely Khao Sangyod Muang Phatthalung from Thailand and Navara rice from India to explore how the GI regulations and practices function in the two countries. We found that India puts a strong emphasis on the local environment, local wisdom and organic production to provide quality guarantee for consumers seeking high quality and traditional products while Thailand puts more emphasis on the authenticity of the variety and sources of seed. In Thailand, the government gives a strong support to GI producers while in India, the GI producer group plays a crucial role in protecting and ensuring the quality of the products. The benefits as observed from price premium is substantially larger for GI producers in India than in Thailand.

Heat exposure at the physiological level of oocyte-cumulus-granulosa cell complexes (OCGCs) during in vitro growth (IVG) culture decreases the reduced glutathione (GSH) level of oocytes, an antioxidant, but its mechanism has been unclear. We subjected OCGCs to IVG for 4, 8, or 12 days and investigated the effects of heat exposure on the gene expression of cumulus-granulosa cells associated with antioxidant capacity. Heat exposure did not alter the expression of genes related to GSH synthesis or reuse. Conversely, heat exposure increased mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase 2 and decreased that of glutathione peroxidase 1, which are antioxidant enzymes. Ultimately, heat exposure alters the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in growing follicles, which may indirectly decrease the GSH level of oocytes.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) can cause high morbidity and mortality in large felids and pose a significant threat to the conservation of captive and non-captive tiger (Panthera tigris). This study conducted in Thailand’s wildlife stations aimed to assess the risks of CDV introduction to captive tiger populations. A stochastic quantitative risk assessment model was employed to determine the pathways and estimate the risk probabilities through humans, animal reservoirs, and fomites. The final risk probability of entry, obtained from a combination of six entry pathways, indicated that the absence of measures resulted in a relatively high risk at 0.858. The sensitivity analysis identified CDV-contaminated human hands, followed by other CDV-infected wild animals, and CDV-contaminated equipment, as the most influential pathways of CDV spread. Risk probabilities were compared among those without intervention, with routine intervention at wildlife stations, and with full intervention implementation. Implementing all interventions at the captive wildlife stations significantly reduced the risk of CDV introduction. These interventions included control measures such as quarantining and isolating infected animals and providing treatment to reduce infectiousness. Preventive measures included screening tests for healthy individuals for early detection of asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic cases, preventing further spread or complications, CDV vaccination campaigns, and promoting hand hygiene among staff and visitors. Environmental interventions involve restricting dogs and cats from accessing tiger enclosures, disinfecting animal transport vehicles, using separate equipment for each cage, etc. Together, these interventions lowered the median risk of CDV introduction to 0.089, representing an 89.6% risk reduction. This approach assessed CDV infection risks and adapted interventions to specific situations at wildlife stations. Consistent implementation of these measures is essential to minimize CDV spread. Wildlife stations must strictly implement these interventions as standard procedures to protect the health of captive tigers.

The study evaluated the effectiveness of a synbiotic blend containing Lactococcus lactis KA-FF 1–4 and Fibersol-2 in modulating gut microbiota and inhibiting vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Compared to probiotic or prebiotic treatments alone, the synbiotic blend significantly altered the gut microbiota composition, increasing beneficial bacteria like Blautia, Clostridium, Parabacteroides, Prevotella, and Roseburia, while reducing VRE abundance. Moreover, the synbiotic treatment showed an increase in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, particularly acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Correlation analysis revealed that enriched taxa in the synbiotic treatment were positively associated with higher SCFA levels. These findings highlight the potential of synbiotic formulations in improving gut microbiota balance and combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens like VRE.

This paper optimizes portfolios using Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) as a risk measure with tradable assets such as cash, call and put options on the S&P 500. It develops a static pricing model for the buy-and-hold strategy and evaluates dynamic strategies. The CVaR model is compared to the mean-variance model, demonstrating its ability to minimize CVaR while achieving required returns and showing sensitivity to parameters, namely, the shape of the variance-gamma distribution, volatility, confidence level, and required return. Although the mean-variance model results in lower standard deviation, the CVaR-based optimization consistently yields lower CVaR values. For portfolios with liabilities, the model incorporates hedging strategies for standard European call option and Exotic options such as quadratic, log, digital, sine, and butterfly spread options in an incomplete market. The CVaR-based approach demonstrates risk reduction and robustness in the backtesting.

BACKGROUND Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a global staple, increasingly recognized for the nutritional and functional properties of its proteins (P). Protein characteristics change significant during rice grain development, encompassing flowering, milky, dough, and mature stages, each potentially suitable for distinct food applications. This study evaluated the impact of grain maturity on the physicochemical and structural properties of proteins in young (Y) and mature (M) grains from four rice varieties; Jasmine Rice 105 (JRP105), Hom Warin (IRP57514), RD6 (RDP6), and Hom Naka (HNKP); Parameters investigated included protein content, solubility, molecular weight distribution, amino acid composition, and secondary structures. RESULTS Young rice proteins, particularly from Y‐HNKP and Y‐IRP57514 varieties, demonstrated significantly higher protein content (633.3 g kg⁻¹) and solubility (19.20%) compared to mature grains. Mature rice proteins, especially from M‐HNKP, exhibited higher proportion of β‐sheet structures (100%) and lower solubility (11.41%), mainly attributed to increased protein aggregation and enhanced hydrophobic interactions. Additionally, young rice grains, notably Y‐RDP6, presented a superior profile of essential amino acids, while mature grains displayed a complex molecular weight distribution due to accumulated storage protein. CONCLUSION This study highlights significant differences in protein characteristics between young and mature rice grains. Young rice proteins, notably from Y‐JRP105 and Y‐IRP57514, are characterized by higher protein content, greater solubility, and enhanced bioavailability, making them ideal for applications in high‐protein foods and dietary supplements. Conversely, mature rice proteins, particularly from M‐HNKP, exhibit increased structural stability due to higher β‐sheet content and protein aggregation, making them suitable for demanding applications and storage stability. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

This study presented the potential of bio-calcium powder (BC) from Nile tilapia bone on enhancement of probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus) stability as supporting material in probiotic immobilization and novel nutritive resource, particularly calcium. Combined immobilization techniques of absorption using BC at different concentrations (0, 10, and 15%) and encapsulation using fish collagen peptide (CP) (10%) were applied. Immobilized probiotics (IP) were investigated for resistance through various adverse conditions, including freeze-drying, severe pH and temperature levels, and gastro-intestinal tract (GI) conditions. After freeze-drying, all IPs showed resistance with > 90% survivability. Under various pHs, all samples revealed non-significant differences on cell survival under neutral and alkaline conditions throughout the tested incubation period (P > 0.05). Notably decreased survivability was detected in IP with BC compared to other samples, especially under acid condition. IP with 10 and 15% BC (IP-10 and IP-15) showed higher stability to thermal condition (55 °C) with increased incubation time, compared with those without BC (IP-0). After GI digestion, IP with BC reveals a better survivability with greater recovery ability, compared with IP-0 (P < 0.05). Calcium solubility increased with BC level in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Based on morphology and microscopy analysis, IP with BC illustrated cells attached to the rough surface of BC, which was coated with collagen peptide. Elemental mappings and distribution content suggested BC could be a great supporting material and calcium resource, particularly IP-15. Therefore, the absorption by BC together with encapsulation by collagen peptide could render a highly stable immobilized probiotic and a good calcium resource. Graphical Abstract

Objectives Stress-induced transient hyperglycaemia may complicate the diagnosis of disease-related hyperglycaemia in cats during hospital visits. This study aimed to define the optimal acclimatisation period for reliable blood glucose measurements and determine the effect of hospital stress on physiological (heart rate [HR] and respiratory rate [RR]), behavioural (Cat Stress Score [CSS]) and metabolic (glucose, cortisol, total thyroxine [TT4] and bile acids [BA]) variables in cats. Methods A total of 10 healthy cats were evaluated at home and during hospitalisation. Blood glucose was measured hourly for 10 h after withholding food. HR, RR and CSS were determined at T01, T04 and T10. Serum cortisol, TT4 and BA were evaluated at T01 and T10. Results Stress-induced hyperglycaemia was observed in the hospital. The acclimatisation cut-off time for the cats’ return to euglycaemia was 6 h. Cats with hyperglycaemia had a higher CSS than cats with euglycaemia ( P <0.001). Elevated HR, RR, CSS, glucose and cortisol concentrations were observed in cats at the hospital compared with those at home ( P <0.001), while BA concentrations were significantly lower at the hospital ( P <0.001). Significant interactions between time and place were identified for CSS, cortisol, BA concentrations ( P <0.001) and glucose ( P = 0.009). Notably, CSS and concentrations of cortisol remained stable when the cats were at home but decreased over time in the hospital. Conversely, BA concentrations were stable during the period in the hospital but decreased over time at home. There was a moderate positive correlation for serum cortisol and CSS (ρ = 0.6621; P <0.001) and for blood glucose (ρ = 0.4999, P <0.001). Conclusions and relevance Stress from hospital visits impacts clinical and laboratory results in cats. Our study would suggest that healthy cats that experience stress-induced hyperglycaemia should be acclimatised for at least 6 h before re-evaluation. Similar studies in sick cats should be conducted.

The negative impacts of climate change and worsening air quality, driven by anthropogenic emissions from activities like construction, industrial production, energy generation and transportation, are well-documented. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from road transport, automakers are downsizing engine displacement to increase brake thermal efficiency, thereby improving fuel economy and reducing CO 2 emissions. However, downsized gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines are prone to knocking and emit higher levels of NO x and particulate matter (PM) compared to port-injected gasoline engines. This study investigates the effects of port-water injection (PWI) on the combustion and emission characteristics of a naturally aspirated GDI engine fuelled with gasohol E20 under steady-state conditions. Injecting up to 30% water (relative to fuel mass) with optimised ignition timing resulted in an 80% reduction in NO x , decreased PM diameter and mass and complete knock suppression. PM morphology analysis showed enhanced reactivity due to the generation of smaller particles with increased surface area. Adverse effects on engine performance and emissions from water injection were mitigated by advancing spark ignition timing. Optimal ignition timing for maximum thermal efficiency did not align with the Knock Limiting Spark Angle (KLSA), but a slightly lower advance favoured NO x reduction. Our findings suggest that automakers can produce GDI engines with minimal NO x and PM emissions without relying on precious metal-based catalysts, promoting sustainability in the transportation sector.

Cassava, a major economic crop in Thailand, yielded over 3 million USD in exports in 2023. However, its production has been declining since 2021 due to cassava mosaic disease (CMD) outbreaks, which affect cassava plantations. CMD infections have recently increased due to the scarcity of healthy stems and CMD-resistant varieties, the latter being key to controlling its spread. Developing novel methods is critical for accelerating the cultivation of high-yield, CMD-resistant varieties. In this study, signature peptide patterns were determined using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem MS (LC–MS/MS) to screen for CMD-resistant varieties. Peptide mass fingerprint (PMF) analyses revealed distinct peptide barcodes across 11 varieties, clearly delineating CMD-resistant and CMD-tolerant phenotypes. LC–MS/MS and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) further demonstrated clear distinctions between the peptide profiles of different phenotypes. Heatmap and PMF analyses consistently revealed unique peptide patterns across the varieties. Volcano plot analysis identified seven upregulated peptides—TATTVAGS, PAAGGGGG, PNELLSYSE, SSIEEGGS, GGGVGGPL, NNGGGFSV, and GPGPAPAA—in CMD-resistant plants. These peptides were associated with proteins containing CONSTANS-like zinc finger, C2H2-type, GST N-terminal, Tubby-like F-box, nuclear-localized AT-hook motif, auxin response factor, and C2 domains. Altogether, this study identified peptidome-based biomarkers for screening CMD-resistant varieties; however, further validation using larger samples is necessary.

Black goji berry (BGB) has gained attention for its reported health benefits, but its specific effects as a tea infusion and the potential enhancement by β-glucosidase treatment remain unexplored. β-glucosidase is known to enhance the release of bioactive compounds from their glycosylated forms, potentially improving their biological activities. This study aims to evaluate the biochemical and biological properties of BGB tea, focusing on how β-glucosidase treatment influences anti-hyperglycemic, bile acid binding, and antioxidant activities. BGB tea infusions (5–30% w/v) showed concentration- and time-dependent increases in phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), and anthocyanin content (TAC), along with enhanced α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition. Optimal β-glucosidase treatment (20 units/mL, 10 min) increased phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin content by 4.19%, 8.80%, and 9.44%, respectively. Furthermore, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition improved by 2.15-fold and 1.4-fold, respectively. Simulated digestion models showed that β-glucosidase-treated BGB was significantly more effective than untreated BGB in reducing glucose release and improving bile acid binding, with the 1:2 meal-to-BGB ratio identified as optimal for these effects. Antioxidant activity was enhanced in both treated and untreated BGB, showing comparable improvements. These findings suggest β-glucosidase-pretreated BGB tea can reduce glucose release, improve bile acid binding, and enhance antioxidant activity when co-digested with meals.

Recent advancements in flexible perovskite solar cells (f‐PSCs) have significantly improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) and mechanical durability, particularly when using a polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrate. In this study, we investigate the effects of two‐dimensional (2D) organic surface treatments—including phenylethylammonium iodide (PEAI), 5‐ammonium valeric acid iodide (5‐AVAI), and butylammonium iodide (BAI)—on the photovoltaic performance and mechanical properties of f‐PSCs. Our findings reveal that radiative voltage losses near the band edge were minimal for 2D‐BAI (0.032 V) and 2D‐PEAI (0.027 V) but significantly higher for 2D‐5AVAI (0.136 V). After 2D‐BAI treatment, the average Young’s modulus increased to 0.48 GPa, reaching a maximum of 2 GPa, reinforcing the mechanical resilience of the perovskite layer. Consequently, 2D‐BAI‐treated f‐PSCs achieved a PCE of 19.81% while maintaining structural integrity after 10,000 bending cycles. This study underscores the effectiveness of 2D treatments in simultaneously enhancing both device efficiency and durability, offering valuable insights for the development of robust and flexible electronic devices.

Background Lawsonia inermis L., commonly known as henna, is a traditional medicinal Indian plant used for anti-dandruff and antifungal purposes. The plant is rich in phytochemicals and is believed to have significant bioactivity potential. However, limited information is available on the phytochemical compositions of L. inermis cultivars in Thailand. Therefore, this study aims to assess the phytochemical constituents and investigate the bioactivity of L. inermis extract. Methods L. inermis leaf extracts were prepared by macerating in ethanol (HenE), methanol (HenM), chloroform (HenC), hexane (HenH), and water boiling (HenW). The phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to qualify polyphenolic contents. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. Moreover, antibacterial activity was tested against two gram-positive and four gram-negative bacteria by the agar well diffusion and the broth dilution methods, and antifungal activity was carried out using the poisoned food technique. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of the extracts against MDA-MB-231, SW480, A549 and A549RT-eto cancer cell lines was determined by using (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay. The scratch wound healing assay was performed to determine the effect of anti-migration on A549 cells. Results Quantitative analysis revealed that HenE and HenM extracts had high phenolic and flavonoid contents. Gallic acid, catechin, ellagic acid, apigetrin, lawsone and quercetin were identified by HPLC. The HenE and HenM extracts exhibited strong antioxidant properties, and the extracts showed different inhibition growth against bacteria tested, especially B. cereus and S. aureus . In addition, all extracts had potential inhibitory activity to all fungal strains, especially HenE and Hen M, which exhibited strong antifungus activity against Penicillium sp. All extracts showed cytotoxic effects in the cell lines MDA-MB-231, SW480, A549 and A549RT-eto, except HenH. The HenE and HenM exhibited the best IC 50 values of 57.33 ± 5.56 µg/ml and 65.00 ± 7.07 µg/ml against SW480 cells, respectively. The HenC, HenW, and HenH were found to suppress A549 cells migration. Discussion and Conclusion This study revealed that the L. inermis extracts, particularly those obtained from polar solvents (HenE and HenM), had a strong potency for antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. Our findings highlight the valuable biological properties of extracts that can be promoted through additional investigation into their applications in Thailand for medicinal and industrial purposes.

Eight indole‐boron‐difluoride complexes were synthesized from 2,3‐arylpyridylindole derivatives via Sonogashira coupling and Larock heteroannulation. These complexes exhibited distinct photophysical properties. Solvent polarity influenced their spectral behavior showing hypsochromic absorption, bathochromic emission shifts, and aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) in mixed solvents. The ¹⁹F NMR shifts and photophysical properties, including excitation, emission maxima, and Stokes shift, correlated with Hammett substituent constants highlighting electronic effects on molecular properties. The synthesized complexes exhibited a range of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) behaviors, as evidenced by their Lippert‐Mataga parameters. TD‐DFT calculations aligned with experimental data, offering insight into spectroscopic behavior. Notably, the indole‐boron‐difluoride complex bearing a methyl ester group exhibited significant anticancer activity against HeLa cells and potential for fluorescence imaging, indicating its promise for biomedical applications in cell imaging and therapy.

The aim of this work was to develop composite films from microcrystalline cellulose modified with copper via a green process for use as electrical capacity thin films. MCC/Cu contents of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 phr were mixed with PLA to prepare composite films via a one‐step cast film extrusion process. Compared to PLA film, the composite films had slightly lower crystallization and melting temperatures, unchanged glass transition temperature, increased crystallinity, higher dielectric constant, and lower loss tangent. The highest dielectric constant, 11.47, was found in PLA‐MCC/Cu2. The composite films were also successfully biaxially oriented with 2 × 2, 3 × 3, and 4 × 4 draw ratios. Crystallinity significantly increased after stretching the composite films, while the glass transition and melting temperatures remained unchanged. Furthermore, BOPLA‐MCC/Cu with a 4 × 4 draw ratio exhibited the highest dielectric constant of 51.05, representing a fivefold increase compared to unstretched films.

This study compared the performance of the Bayesian multivariate survival tree approach constructed from extended Cox proportional hazard with gamma frailty term, and two shared gamma frailty models with exponential and Weibull baseline hazard function, respectively. A simulation study was applied to evaluate the impact of the baseline hazard function, number of clusters (200, 500, 1000), cluster size (5, 10, 20), and right censoring rate (10%, 50%, 80%) on the performance of classification. We generated 90 clustered survival datasets having correlated failure times and 50 covariates at cluster level and at individual level. Each dataset was resampling 1000 times by selecting clusters at random 70% as training datasets and the rest 30% as the test datasets. The performance of a Bayesian multivariate survival tree approach based on shared gamma frailty models with Weibull distribution provided the highest accuracy. All three models, the accuracy tended to increase with an increase in the cluster size and the number of clusters. The accuracy decreased monotonically with increasing the percentage of censoring rate. In conclusion, the use of the Bayesian multivariate survival tree approach constructed from the shared gamma frailty with baseline hazard function as Weibull distribution was recommended.

Background and Aim: Canine femoral fractures are prevalent in veterinary medicine, necessitating effective fixation methods to ensure stability and promote healing. Conventional bone plate fixation methods, including non-locking and locking plates, have inherent limitations, such as periosteal damage and mechanical failure. This study aims to evaluate the biomechanical performance of three fixation methods – non-locking bone plates, locking bone plates, and a novel double-rod clamp internal fixation system – using finite element analysis (FEA). Materials and Methods: A computed tomography-based canine femur model was created to simulate a midshaft commin-uted fracture with a 20 mm gap. Three fixation configurations were modeled: A non-locking bone plate, a locking bone plate, and a double-rod clamp system. FEA was performed to assess implant stress and proximal fragment displacement under physiological axial loading. Mesh refinement and multiple loading conditions were incorporated to enhance computational accuracy. Results: The non-locking bone plate exhibited the highest implant stress (1160.22 MPa), surpassing the material yield strength and indicating a risk of mechanical failure. The double-rod clamp system demonstrated lower stress (628.34 MPa), whereas the locking bone plate had the lowest stress (446.63 MPa). Proximal fragment displacement was highest in the non-locking bone plate (2.37 mm), followed by the double-rod clamp system (0.99 mm), with the locking bone plate exhibiting the least displacement (0.34 mm), suggesting superior stability. Conclusion: The double-rod clamp system emerged as a promising alternative, offering a balance between stability and stress distribution while minimizing periosteal damage. While the locking bone plate provided the greatest stability, the double-rod clamp fixation demonstrated favorable mechanical properties and could serve as a cost-effective and minimally invasive alternative in veterinary orthopedics. Keywords: bone plate, canine, clamp, femoral fracture, finite element analysis.

The utilization of gelatin capsule waste (GCW) poses a challenge for the industry. This study investigates its potential as a functional food ingredient by evaluating the physico-chemical, rheological, and techno-functional properties of gelatin capsule waste powder (GCWP). To achieve this, the gelatin capsule waste (GCW) was mixed with maltodextrin at varying ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, and 1:5) and subjected to spray drying. The findings highlight maltodextrin’s crucial role in stabilizing the drying process, reducing stickiness, and enhancing handling and storage properties. All the obtained GCWP samples appeared light white and had a slightly sticky texture. The 1:5 (w/w) GCW-to-maltodextrin ratio produced the highest powder recovery with minimal stickiness, indicating enhanced drying efficiency. Increasing maltodextrin reduced gel strength, texture, and foaming properties while raising the glass transition temperature. The FTIR analysis indicated a decline in protein–protein interactions and increased polysaccharide interactions at higher maltodextrin levels. The rheological analysis demonstrated lower elastic and loss moduli with increased maltodextrin, affecting GCWP’s structural behavior. For overall properties, the GCW mixed with maltodextrin at a 1:1 ratio (GCW-1M) is recommended for future applications, particularly for its gelling characteristics. The GCW-1M, being rich in amino acids, demonstrates its potential as a functional food ingredient. However, certain properties, such as gel strength and powder stability (hygroscopicity and stickiness), require further optimization to enhance its industrial applicability as a functional food ingredient.