In this study, for the first time, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to understand the prevalence and genetic diversity of haemosporidian parasites—namely, Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon—in avian species in Southeast Asia. Following the PRISMA guidelines, 14,211 studies were retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus, which contain data relevant to ‘Plasmodium’ or ‘Haemoproteus’ or ‘Leucocytozoon’ and ‘birds’ or ‘chickens’. Of these, 15 articles reporting the prevalence of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus or Leucocytozoon in Southeast Asia were selected for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon were analyzed using a meta-analysis of their proportions, implemented in R programming. The publication bias was checked using a funnel plot and Egger’s test. Consequently, the pooled prevalences of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon in Southeast Asia were found to be 21% (95% CI: 18–25%), 18% (95% CI: 15–22%) and 34% (95% CI: 30–37%), respectively. The prevalence of Plasmodium in domestic poultry (37.94%) was found significantly higher than in wild birds (6.46%). There was substantial heterogeneity among studies related to Plasmodium (χ² = 171.50, p < 0.0001, I² = 94.84%), Haemoproteus (χ² = 52.20, p < 0.0001, I² = 90.4%) and Leucocytozoon (χ² = 433.90, p < 0.0001, I² = 98.80%). Additionally, this review revealed 23 lineages of Plasmodium, 35 lineages of Haemoproteus and 21 lineages of Leucocytozoon reported from both domestic poultry and wild birds in Southeast Asia. In conclusion, this systematic review suggested that the prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites in Southeast Asia is high. Particularly, domestic poultry has a high prevalence of Plasmodium, suggesting that monitoring of this parasite should be implemented in the poultry production system. Furthermore, several parasites found in wild birds are undescribed species. Further experimental studies using combined microscopic and molecular techniques might reveal the characteristics of overlooked parasites.

Background and Aim: Probiotic viability remains a critical challenge during gastrointestinal (GI) transit, storage, and feed processing. Conventional encapsulation materials often fail under acidic and thermal stress. This study aimed to develop and characterize a novel, eco-friendly microencapsulation system using Ficus pumila (FP) seed extract as a natural encapsulating matrix for Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (LP) WU2502, enhancing its functional resilience and storage stability. Materials and Methods: Microcapsules containing LP and FP were formulated through ionic gelation using calcium chloride. Physicochemical properties were assessed using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR). Functional evaluations included encapsulation efficiency (EE), swelling kinetics, controlled release in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, stress tolerance (acid, bile, enzymes, thermal), and viability during 60-day storage at 4°C and 25°C. Results: The LP/FP microcapsules demonstrated high EE (80.5%) and spherical morphology (~200 μm). FTIR confirmed the presence of ionic and hydrogen bonding in the matrix. The system exhibited pH-responsive swelling and controlled release, reaching 89.17% cumulative release in intestinal fluid. Encapsulated cells showed significantly improved tolerance to acidic pH, bile salts, digestive enzymes, and heat compared to free cells (p < 0.05). After 60 days, the viability of encapsulated cells remained above 60% at both storage temperatures, while free cell viability dropped by over 85%. Conclusion: FP seed extract offers a biodegradable, plant-derived alternative for probiotic encapsulation. The developed LP/FP system effectively enhances probiotic survival under GI and thermal stress and during extended storage. These results support its application as a sustainable delivery platform for animal feed and functional food formulations. Keywords: Ficus pumila, gastrointestinal stability, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, plant-based matrix, probiotic microencapsulation, storage viability, thermal resistance.

Background and Aim: The global shift toward antibiotic-free poultry production necessitates sustainable alternatives to conventional growth promoters. Hydrolyzable tannins (HTs) from plants have shown antimicrobial, antioxidant, and gut-modulatory effects, making them promising feed additives. However, reliance on imported tannins from temperate species limits access for tropical producers, especially in Thailand. This study aimed to systematically evaluate locally available Thai plant species as alternative sources of HTs for poultry feed, with a focus on their biological activities, economic feasibility, and practical integration potential. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search (2020–2024) was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the Thai citation index. Studies assessing Thai plant-derived HTs and their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and gut health effects were included in the study. A total of 21 studies covering 24 plant species were analyzed. Data extraction included tannin type, target microbes, experimental outcomes, and yield/economic feasibility, assessed through a validated scoring system. Results: Gallic and ellagic acids were the predominant bioactive compounds reported. HT-rich extracts demonstrated strong antimicrobial effects against 19 pathogenic bacterial species and enhanced the growth of beneficial gut microbiota, including Lactobacillus spp. and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Manihot esculenta (cassava) and Senna siamea (Siamese cassia) emerged as top candidates based on both bioactivity and economic feasibility. In vivo studies, although limited, supported their positive impact on gut health in broilers. Conclusion: Thai HT-rich plants, particularly cassava and Siamese cassia, show strong potential as sustainable feed additives in poultry production. These species offer dual benefits: antimicrobial and gut-modulatory effects and reduced reliance on expensive imported tannins. However, more standardized extraction protocols and large-scale in vivo trials are essential to validate efficacy, optimize dosage, and ensure feed safety. Keywords: antibiotic alternatives, antimicrobial activity, ellagic acid, gallic acid, gut health, hydrolyzable tannins, Manihot esculenta, poultry feed, Senna siamea, sustainable agriculture, Thai plants.

This study examined the physicochemical characteristics, antibacterial activity, and anti-biofilm efficacy of Curcuma longa nano-emulsions formulated using a lactic acid–menthol–based hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent as the oil phase and Tween 80–propylene glycol or Tween 20–propylene glycol (1:1, v/v) as surfactant systems, designated C. longa -T-80-8 and C. longa -T-20-8, was evaluated. Droplet size, PDI, and zeta potential were determined for both formulations, and their morphological characteristics were analysed using SEM. The C. longa -T-80-8 formulation demonstrated superior physicochemical performance, exhibiting a smaller droplet size (235.2 ± 6.4 nm), lower PDI (0.219 ± 0.008), and greater electrostatic stability (− 36.6 ± 3.7 mV). Antibacterial assays revealed strong inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus (0.1–0.3 / 0.1–0.6% v/v), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (0.1–0.6 / 0.3–1.25% v/v), and Staphylococcus chromogenes (0.1–1.25 / 0.3–2.5% v/v) isolated from bovine mastitis, with C. longa -T-80-8 exhibiting consistently lower MIC and MBC values. Both nano-emulsions significantly inhibited biofilm formation and effectively eradicated established biofilms. At 32× MIC, C. longa-T-80-8 achieved up to 92.2%, 90.9%, and 90.5% reduction in mature biofilms of S. aureus , S. haemolyticus , and S. chromogenes , respectively. A significant negative correlation between MIC values and biofilm inhibition/eradication indicated a close association between antibacterial potency and antibiofilm efficacy. Furthermore, Random Forest–based machine-learning models provided data-driven validation of the experimental findings, demonstrating predictive performance for growth inhibition, biofilm formation, and bacterial viability, and identifying dose and formulation type as the primary determinants of antimicrobial efficacy. Overall, the Tween 80-based nano-emulsion exhibited superior stability and biological activity, highlighting its potential as a natural alternative to conventional antibiotics for bovine mastitis management. However, the underlying mechanisms of antimicrobial action were not directly investigated in this study and require further validation.