Chitosan/modified cassava starch/curcumin (CS/S/Cur) films with a crosslinker were developed via the solvent casting technique for the application of food packaging. The effects of citric acid (CA) as a natural crosslinker were assessed at different concentrations (0–10.0%, w/w, on a dry base on CS and S content). To measure the most favorable film, chemical structure and physical, mechanical, and thermal properties were investigated. Successful crosslinking between CS and S was seen clearly in the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra. The properties of the water resistance of the CS/S/Cur films crosslinked with CA were enhanced when compared to those without CA. Furthermore, it was found that the addition of CA crosslinking would improve the mechanical properties of composite films to some extent. It had been reported that the CA crosslinking level of 7.5 wt% of CS/S/Cur film demonstrated high performance in terms of physical properties. The tensile strength of the crosslinked film increased from 8 ± 1 MPa to 12 ± 1 MPa with the increasing content of CA, while water vapor permeability (WVP), swelling degree (SD), and water solubility (WS) decreased. An effective antioxidant scavenging activity of the CS/S/Cur film decreased with an increase in CA concentrations. This study provides an effective pathway for the development of active films based on polysaccharide-based film for food packaging applications.

Rice protein has attracted considerable attention recently due to its physiological effects. This study extracted the proteins from paddy rice (PR) and germinated paddy rice (GPR) using three methods i.e., alkaline, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) reagent and enzymatic extractions. The extracted proteins or protein fractions were assessed for their properties using various techniques. Data were analyzed by 2′3 factorial design experiment. It was found that germination and extraction methods significantly affected the concentration of protein fractions when analyzed by Bradford assay. Average protein fraction concentration of the GPR was lower than that of PR. SDS-PAGE patterns of protein fractions obtained from PR and GPR using any extraction method displayed similar protein profiles. Three major protein bands at about 13 kDa (prolamin), 22–23 kDa (basic glutelin) and 37–39 kDa (acidic glutelin) with small amount of 57 kDa proglutelin were observed. For amino acid profile, germination increased the content of most amino acids, resulting in the higher content of amino acids in GPR, excepted for some amino acids. When processed with in vitro digestion, protein fractions from GPR exhibited a higher level of digestibility than those from PR as evidenced by the less intensity of the protein bands obtained from SDS-PAGE. Alkaline and SDS reagent extractions provided more digestible protein fractions than enzymatic extraction. Extraction methods also influenced phase transition of protein fractions as investigated by a DSC. Alkaline extraction resulted in protein fractions with higher phase transition temperature than the other methods. For antioxidant capacity, extraction methods as well as germination significantly affected antioxidant capacity of the protein fractions. Enzymatic extraction provided protein fractions with the best antioxidant capacity.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the phytochemical content, antioxidant activity, in vitro antimicrobial activity, DNA damage activity, and bioactive compound identifications in three different banana peels, namely Musa acuminata (Kluai Hom Thong; HT), Musa sapientum L. (Kluai Nam Wa; NW), and Musa balbisiana (Kluai Ta Nee; TN). The extraction was accomplished through maceration with 95% ethanol. Antioxidant capacity was determined to confirm the antioxidant and phytochemical contents. Their antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli) that commonly infect livestock. ANOVA analysis was used to statistically analyze the results. The amount of ethanolic extractive yield in NW peel extracts was the highest value (9.80 ± 0.12% of dry material weight). In addition, NW had the highest total phenolic content than that of other species, which may be related to its high FRAP, DPPH-antiradical, and DNA damage activity. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of NW peel extracts was more effective against B. subtilis, S. aureus, and E. coli with the mean inhibition zone of 13, 15 and 13 mm respectively. The bioactive compounds were identified using GC-MS. Several antioxidant compounds included n-hexadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester, and squalene. While phytol and squalene were found to possess antibacterial activity. The extracts of banana peels contained 9,19-cyclolanost-25-en-3-ol, 24-methyl-, (3.beta.,24S)- which exhibited antibacterial activity against E.coli. Phytochemical characteristics, antibacterial activity, and bioactive components of NW banana peel extracts were superior to those of HT and TN. Keywords: GC-MS, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Musa acuminata, Musa sapientum L., Musa balbisiana

Germinated paddy rice (GPR) could be a good alternative feed source for poultry with stocking density and heat stress problems. A total of 72 Hy-line Brown laying hens raised under low (LSD, 0.12 m²/bird) and high stocking densities (HSD, 0.06 m²/bird) were investigated. Three dietary GPR levels (0, 74 and 148 g/kg) were used. It was found that average daily feed intake, hen-day egg production, and egg mass significantly decreased in the HSD group. The levels of serum glucose (GLU), phosphorous (P), corticosterone (CORT), total Ig, lysozyme (LZY), and superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) in the HSD group were higher than those in the LSD group. Dietary GPR significantly affected GLU, P, alternative complement haemolytic 50 (ACH50), total Ig, and LZY. Moreover, CORT level significantly decreased in 74 and 148 g/kg dietary GPR groups, whereas SOD significantly increased only in the 148 g/kg dietary GPR group. Serum samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and 8607 proteins were identified. Proteome analysis revealed 19 proteins which were enriched in different stocking densities and dietary GPR levels. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR technique was successfully used to verify the differentiated abundant protein profile changes. The proteins identified in this study could serve as appropriate biomarkers.

This research aimed to investigate the effects of the intramuscular injection of vitamins AD3E and C in combination immediately before the estrus synchronization program (the Ovsynch program) on conception and pregnancy rates, blood parameters, serum biochemical properties, immune systems, antioxidant parameters, and proteomic and transcriptomic analyses during early gestation in dairy cows. Forty nonlactating multiparous cows were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (1) C: control with normal saline injection; (2) VAD3E: a single intramuscular injection (I/M) of vitamin AD3E; (3) VAD3EC: injection of both vitamins AD3E and C; (4) VC: a single dose of vitamin C. Blood and serum samples were taken immediately at day 0 (before AI), day 7, and day 14 (after AI for 5 days) from the coccygeal vein. Generally, injections of AD3E and C in combination had no effect on the rate of conception or pregnancy. However, they improved hematological parameters and immune and antioxidant activities. Serum samples were analyzed using LC-MS/MS, and 8190 proteins were identified. Five proteins were successfully validated using the quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) method. This study found that lymphocyte-specific protein 1 (LSP1, A0A3Q1M894) could be used as a protein biomarker for cows administrated with vitamins AD3E and C.

Germinated paddy rice (GPR) was examined for its potential as a feed ingredient in comparison with paddy rice (PR) without germination. The attributes related to the chemical composition, phytochemicals, thermal property, nutrient digestibility and ME value were evaluated. It was found that GPR samples contained 7.48% CP, 1.96% EE, 67.58% NFE and 12.55% crude fibre on an air-dry basis. The gross energy, 3.77 kcal/g, was found to be close to that of corn. Germinated paddy rice showed slightly lower ash, NFE and GE but higher CP, EE and CF than those of PR. The GPR exhibited high content of phytonutrients especially gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and this enhanced its antioxidant activities. Germination was found to alter gelatinization temperature as evidenced by the thermal property. The true digestibility and ME values were evaluated using eight 1-year old male White Tail Yellow chickens housed in individual cages. The results revealed the true digestibility values of CP, EE and CF as 35.41, 61.35 and 46.26 per cent, respectively. Apparent ME (AME) and true ME values were 3.20 and 3.28 kcal/g on an air-dry basis, respectively. It is concluded that GPR could be a good alternative source of feed ingredient for poultry.