This research aims to study the pre-pandemic and pandemic-period Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 characteristics in SME research using scientometrics and systematic review using the PRISMA 2020 approach. A total of 691 articles were found in SCOPUS database using keywords ((“Industry 4.0” OR “Industry 5.0”) AND “SME”). However, 398 documents, which were either conference proceedings, reviews, book chapters or published in languages other than English, were excluded, and the remaining 221 articles that were published in SCOPUS indexed Journals were included in the study. This research adopted a novel mix of scientometrics and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 recommendations for identifying the thematic evolution of pre-pandemic and pandemic-period Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 SME Research. The major findings of this systematic review are, (1) There is a conceptual shift among researchers in studying the Industry 4.0 adoption of SMEs during the pandemic period; (2) The pandemic period research focused on (a) human-centric approaches, (b) adoption/acceptance models, (c) cost-effective solutions, (d) COVID-19 impact and resilience, (e) artificial intelligence and predictive maintenance, and (f) the emerging role of open innovation in Industry 4.0 adoption of SMEs; (3) Though the concept of Industry 5.0 clearly emerged and supplemented industry 4.0, the keyword “Industry 5.0” is not widely adopted by researchers. From the systematic literature review, a conceptual model for assessing the Industry 4.0 adoption and digital transformation of SMEs, digital integration of value chains and participation in a global value chain for trade expansion and sustainable growth of SMEs is proposed.

Purple glutinous rice bran (Kum Doi Saket rice (KUM)) contains high content of edible polysaccharides and anthocyanins and has an excellent antioxidant activity. This research aimed to optimize the extraction of crude polysaccharides from defatted purple glutinous rice bran using an ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) and compared with a hot water extraction (HWE). Results showed that optimal extraction condition was as follows: a defatted rice bran to water ratio of 1:20 w/v, extraction temperature and time of 70 °C for 20 min. Under the optimal extraction condition, the yield of polysaccharide of UAE (4%) was significantly higher than that obtained from the HWE (0.8%). Additionally, antioxidant activities of extracted polysaccharide including IC₅₀ value DPPH, IC₅₀ value ABTS, and FRAP value were 1.09 mg/mL, 2.80 mg/mL and 197 µM Fe²⁺/g, respectively. It is suggested that the UAE process is promising method to decrease the processing time and to enhance extracted polysaccharide yields by 4 times.

Viral infections may cause serious human diseases. For instance, the recent appearance of the novel virus, SARS-CoV-2, causing COVID-19, has spread globally and is a serious public health concern. The consumption of healthy, proper, functional, and nutrient-rich foods has an important role in enhancing an individual's immune system and preventing viral infections. Several polysaccharides from natural sources such as algae, bacteria, and fungi have been considered as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration. They are safe, low-toxicity, biodegradable, and have biological activities. In this review, the bioactive polysaccharides derived from various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and algae were evaluated. Antiviral mechanisms of these polysaccharides were discussed. Finally, the potential use of microbial and algal polysaccharides as an antiviral and immune boosting strategy was addressed. The microbial polysaccharides exhibited several bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities. Some microbes are able to produce sulfated polysaccharides, which are well-known to exert a board spectrum of biological activities, especially antiviral properties. Microbial polysaccharide can inhibit various viruses using different mechanisms. Furthermore, these microbial polysaccharides are also able to modulate immune responses to prevent and/or inhibit virus infections. There are many molecular factors influencing their bioactivities, e.g., functional groups, conformations, compositions, and molecular weight. At this stage of development, microbial polysaccharides will be used as adjuvants, nutrient supplements, and for drug delivery to prevent several virus infections, especially SARS-CoV-2 infection.