Thalassemia represents a diverse group of inherited hematological disorders characterized by defective globin chain synthesis, leading to chronic anemia and associated complications. The complicated pathophysiology of beta-thalassemia involves genetic mutations or rarely deletions of the beta-globin gene on chromosome 11 whereas alpha-thalassemia involves deletions in the HBA1 and HBA2 genes or occasionally alterations to the DNA sequence in or around these genes. These mutation and deletion effects disrupt the balance of α/β-globin chain production, resulting in ineffective erythropoiesis, hemolysis, and a cascade of clinical manifestations including anemia, bone deformities, and iron overload. Advances in diagnostic techniques have enhanced our ability to detect and characterize these mutations, facilitating early and accurate diagnoses. Current management strategies encompass regular blood transfusions, the use of hydroxyurea to improve hemoglobin levels, and iron chelation therapy to prevent iron-related organ damage. Moreover, other therapeutics such as thalidomide for those not responding to hydroxyurea, Sirolimus for patients with immunodeficiencies, and use of vitamin E as an antioxidant have proven to be effective. Innovative therapies such as gene therapy and bone marrow transplantation offer promising curative potential, opening a new era in the treatment of thalassemia. This review focuses on pathophysiological mechanisms underlying thalassemia, explores the diagnostic methodologies, and highlights recent advancements in therapeutic approaches.

Miang, a traditional fermented tea from Northern Thailand, potentially hosts beneficial probiotic bacteria. A total of 133 isolates of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from Miang were evaluated for probiotic potential. Among them, 5 strains showed high tolerance to bile and acidic conditions and were selected for further evaluation. All selected strains showed inhibitory activity against human pathogens, including Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella ser. Typhimurium. Nucleotide sequences analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that 3 isolates were identified as Lactobacillus pentosus; the remaining were L. plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus, respectively. All 5 strains showed a high survival rate of more than 90% when exposed to simulated gastrointestinal conditions and were also susceptible to antibiotics such as erythromycin, tetracycline, and gentamycin, and resistant to vancomycin, streptomycin, and polymycin. In addition, the selected isolates exhibited different degrees of cell surface hydrophobicity (58.3–92.9%) and auto-aggregation (38.9–46.0%). The antioxidant activity reflected in DPPH scavenging activities of viable cells and their cell-free culture supernatants (CFCS) were also found in selected LAB isolates. Moreover, selected LAB isolates showed ability to grow on commercial prebiotics (GOS, FOS or XOS). The preliminary study of spray-drying using cyclodextrin as thermoprotectant suggested that all strains can be designed as a powdered formulation. L. pentosus A14-6 was the best strain, with high tolerance against simulated gastrointestinal conditions, high cell surface hydrophobicity, effective response to tested commercial oligosaccharides, especially XOS, and the highest cell antioxidant properties. L. pentosus A14-6 was therefore targeted for further applications in food and synbiotic applications.

The study investigated the impact of the fermentation process on the phenolic contents and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in extracts of Miang, an ethnic fermented tea product of northern Thailand. The acetone (80%) extraction of Miang samples fermented by a non-filamentous fungi-based process (NFP) and filamentous fungi-based process (FFP) had elevated levels of total polyphenols, total tannins, and condensed tannins compared to young and mature tea leaves. The antioxidant studies also showed better the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values for fermented leaves in both 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity assays as well as improved ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) compared to young and mature tea leaves. Extracts of NFP and FFP samples at concentrations of 50 and 100 ppm showed better protective effects against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HT-29 colorectal cells without exerting cytotoxicity. Additionally, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (a proinflammatory mediator as well as a reactive nitrogen species) was also inhibited by these fermented Miang extracts with an IC₅₀ values of 17.15 μg/mL (NFP), 20.17 μg/mL (FFP), 33.96 μg/mL (young tea leaves), and 31.33 μg/mL (mature tea leaves). Therefore, both NFP-Miang and FFP-Miang showed the potential to be targeted as natural bioactive functional ingredients with preventive properties against free radical and inflammatory-mediated diseases.

This study focused on isolating tannin-tolerant yeasts from Miang, a fermented tea leaf product collected from northern Laos PDR, and investigating related food applications. From 43 Miang samples, six yeast isolates capable of ethanol production were obtained, with five isolates showing growth on YPD agar containing 4% (w/v) tannic acid. Molecular identification revealed three isolates as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (B5-1, B5-2, and C6-3), along with Candida tropicalis and Kazachstania humilis. Due to safety considerations, only Saccharomyces spp. were selected for further tannic acid tolerance study to advance food applications. Tannic acid at 1% (w/v) significantly influenced ethanol fermentation in all S. cerevisiae isolates. Notably, B5-2 and C6-3 showed high ethanol fermentation efficiency (2.5% w/v), while others were strongly inhibited. The application of tannin-tolerant yeasts in longan fruit wine (LFW) fermentation with longan seed extract (LSE) supplementation as a source of tannin revealed that C6-3 had the best efficacy for LFW fermentation. C6-3 showed promising efficacy, particularly with LSE supplementation, enhancing phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and inhibiting α-glucosidase activity, indicating potential antidiabetic properties. These findings underscore the potential of tannin-tolerant S. cerevisiae C6-3 for fermenting beverages from tannin-rich substrates like LSE, with implications for functional foods and nutraceuticals promoting health benefits.

Second-generation lactic acid production requires the development of sustainable and economically feasible processes and renewable lignocellulose biomass as a starting raw material. Weizmannia coagulans MA42 was isolated from a soil sample in Chiang Mai province, Thailand and showed the highest production of L-lactic acid and lignocellulolytic enzymes (cellulase, β-mannanase, xylanase, β-glucosidase, β-mannosidase, and β-xylosidase) compared to other isolates. Weizmannia coagulans MA42 was able to grow, secrete lignocellulolytic enzymes, and directly produce L-lactic acid in the medium containing various lignocellulosic feedstocks as the sole carbon source. Moreover, L-lactic acid production efficiency was improved after the substrates were pretreated with diluted sulfuric acid and diluted sodium hydroxide. The highest L-lactic acid production efficiency of 553.4 ± 2.9, 325.4 ± 4.1, 326.6 ± 4.4, 528.0 ± 7.2, and 547.0 ± 2.2 mg/g total available carbohydrate was obtained from respective pretreated substrates including sugarcane bagasse, sugarcane trash, corn stover, rice straw, and water hyacinth. It is suggested that structural complexity of the lignocellulosic materials and properties of lignocellulolytic enzymes are the key factors of consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) of lignocellulosic feedstocks to lactic acid. In addition, the results of this study indicated that W. coagulans MA42 is a potent bacterial candidate for CBP of a variety of lignocellulosic feedstocks to L-lactic acid production; however, further bioprocess development and genetic engineering technique would provide higher lactic acid production efficiency, and this would lead to sustainable lactic acid production from lignocellulosic feedstocks.