Drying Behavior and Sensory Quality of Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) Skin Using Vertical-type Mechanical Dryer

The general objective of this study was to determine the drying behavior of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) skin as benchmark research for processing tuna skin as food material. The drying temperature of 47±3°C and airflow rates of 0.95m/s and 0.80m/s were used. The target moisture content of 10.00% w.b. for the final product was attained from an initial moisture content of 61.86% w.b. Result shows that the drying rate was initially faster for 0.95m/s air velocity than at 0.80m/s. At 1.50hrs, case-hardening was observed for 0.95m/s so that drying became slower. Consequently, reaching the final moisture content took a longer time at 0.95m/s. This lead to significant differences in both drying time and drying rate, with better drying characteristics at a slower airflow rate of 0.80m/s. The findings of the study can be used to design a more energy-efficient system of processing tuna skin at mild drying conditions.

Characterization of genes involved in the autoregulation of nodulation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Establishment of an excess number of nodules markedly affects plant growth and development due to overconsumption of photosynthates for nitrogen fixation. Hence, the total root nodule number must be tightly controlled via a negative feedback mechanism (AON) to maintain an optimal nitrogen and carbon balance in chickpea plants. Chickpea genes whichplay important regulatory roles in root nodulation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) were identified by aligning these genes with known genes of legumes available at phytozome through BLAST search. Chickpea nodulation genes identified and characterized in this study include CaNFR1/5, CaENOD40, CaNARK, CaRIC1, CaRIC2, CaNIC1, CaRDN1, CaRDN2, CaRDN3, CamiRNA172 and CaNNC1. These genes were orthologous to Medicago truncatula nodulation genes and were significantly expressed by inoculating chickpea plants with Mesorhizobium ciceri analysed by qRT-PCR using RNA isolated from the root and leaf tissues of inoculated chickpea plants at 0, 2, and 6 days after inoculation. Non-inoculated plants served as control. CaNARK genes were expressed in roots and leaves while the rest of the nodulation genes were expressed only in the roots. The nodulation ability of chickpea may be controlled by an internal AON mechanism which involves several genes that are orthologues with other legumes.

Effect of commercial plant growth regulator on the growth of dragon fruit (Hyolocereus sp) cuttings under greenhouse condition

Information is limited on the effects of commercial plant growth regulators (PGRs) on dragon fruit. Most studies on rooting effects on dragon fruit cuttings employed very high doses of plant growth regulators (PGRs), which are not deemed practical for greenhouse and field applications. This study was initiated to evaluate the responses of four genotypes of dragon fruit (‘Royal Red’, ‘Moroccan Red’, ‘Mexican White’, and ‘Hawaiian White’) during greenhouse acclimatization to diluted concentrations of commercial PGRs that are readily available in the market. A single factorial experiment on genotype effects on root and shoot responses, without PGR, was conducted. A second experiment with a 4x3x2 completely randomized design, with four genotypes, three diluted commercial PGR formulations and two exposure times as factors was also done. Root length, number of roots, number of days to first shoot emergence and number of new shoots were measured after 50 days of acclimatization in the greenhouse. In the single factorial experiment, only ‘genotype’ had an effect on number of new shoots (P<0.05). In the multifactorial experiment, all factors tested did not have significant interaction effects. However, the main effect of ‘genotype’ on number of new shoots and number of days to first shoot emergence was also significant (P<0.05). The lack of significant effect of other factors and their interactions on most growth responses suggest that it is difficult to resolve differences among the four genotypes using highly diluted commercial PGR formulations after a 50-day observation period. However, our data still suggest that the ‘Red’ genotypes are more superior than the ‘White’ genotypes in terms of shoot growth.

From the Ashes of a Pandemic: Leveraging Omics for R&D

The COVID-19 pandemic caught the world unprepared for a global catastrophe. With the uncertainty of a vaccine in the near future, the pandemic marks the start of a new world that has to co-exist with the virus. COVID-19 has been a wake-up call to the lingering but neglected issues on environmental health and global food security but is also a timely opportunity to rise from the ashes, reboot our framework, and act with resolve for sustainable and resilient ecosystems and communities. The emerging tools and disciplines in the field of omics can be leveraged for a systems-level understanding of biological processes to accelerate advancements on knowledge, innovations, and policies towards a more sustainable utilization and management of resources in this post-pandemic age. In developing regions, omics research centers can serve as a gateway to this technology by providing access, building capacities, and facilitating collaborative and harmonized research engagements.

GIS-Modeling of Island Hopping Through the Philippines Demonstrates Trade-Offs Migrant Grey-Faced Buzzards During Oceanic Crossings

Migration can be costly with consequences that can influence population trajectories. These costs and consequences are especially heightened during over-water travels, which can be high-risk events for birds. We created spatial models to evaluate potential migratory responses of “oceanic”, island-hopping grey-faced buzzards that encounter variation in landscape parameters and weather as they move through and out of the Philippine archipelago. We constrained the modeled routes to enter the island chain at Basco and to use one of four potential exit points in the south of the country, either Balabac, Bongao, Balut Island, or Cape San Agustin. We used all possible combinations of our three external parameters (stopover sites, water crossings and wind direction) to model alternative migratory routes for each of the four exit points (n = 20 migratory routes). Modeled grey-faced buzzard routes were between 1,582 and 2,970 km. Routes overlapped over eastern and central Luzon, along a leading line created by the Sierra Madre Mountains. Routes also overlapped and suggested unavoidable over-water crossings between Mindoro and Palawan, Negros and Zamboanga del Norte, and Leyte and Surigao. Our models suggest that the optimal migratory strategy for these birds is to find the shortest route to an exit point with the greatest possible access to stopover habitats and fewest open-water crossings under wind resistance. Understanding how each of these external factors affected the geography and characteristics of the migratory routes helps us to understand the context for different migratory strategies of birds that face dangerous open-water crossings on migration.

Lead Absorption Abilities of Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd.) and Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum G. S. Bunting) in Lead-Based Paint Coated Compartments

Lead has multiple detrimental effects in developing children and pregnant women. It can cause behavioral problems and decrease in IQ among children while complications may occur among pregnant women. This research is focused on two plants, Epipremnum aureum (money plant) and Bougainvillea spectabilis (bougainvillea), and their ability to sequester lead from air released by lead-based paint. The age of the plants (young or mature) and the type of plants were the factors used in the study. Each plant was placed inside a wooden compartment for seven days, where the interior surface was coated with lead-based paint. For baseline reading, one gram of leaves was collected from each plant before each was placed inside the painted compartment. Leaf samples were collected after the plants were placed inside the painted wooden compartments. The leaf samples were then subjected under atomic absorption spectroscopy to determine the amount of lead present. Results revealed that both Epipremnum aureum (money plant) and Bougainvillea spectabilis (bougainvillea) are capable of absorbing lead released in air from the lead-based paint coated compartments with differences at 2.4 ppm and 14 ppm; respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences on the lead absorption abilities of Bougainvillea spectabilis and Epipremnum aureum based on age (P=0.44). However, there was a significant difference in their capacity to absorb lead released in air based on the type of plant (P=0.009). Read full article here.

Screening for Potential Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Associated with Five Musa spp. Cultivars in SOCCSKSARGEN, Philippines

Rhizospheric bacteria (PGPR) associated with 5 banana cultivars planted in SOCCSKSARGEN were studied. Microbial population in newly established and old plantation was compared. Bacteria were purified and their beneficial characteristics were determined. This study was able to collect one hundred twenty (120) bacterial isolates, 20 (17%) of which were nitrogen-fixers, nineteen (19/20) were phosphate solubilizers and seventeen (17/20) were IAA producers. From this study, five bacterial isolates coded PE05, RS10, PE11, PE13, and PE18 were found positive for nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization and IAA production which may be further evaluated for their potential application in the formulation of biofertilizers for banana cultivation. Read full article here.

Distribution of Sea Urchins in Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City

This study investigated the distribution and diversity of sea urchins along the intertidal zone of Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City. A total of 100 quadrats (1m x 1 m) spaced 5 m apart, in 3 transects laid perpendicular to the shoreline, recorded a total of 347 individuals, resolved into 5 species, namely, Echinometra mathaei (rock- boring or common sea urchin), Echinothrix calamaris (Hatpin urchin), Diadema setosum (long-spine or “tuyom”), Prionocidaris verticillata (rough spine urchin), and Diadema savignyi. Among the 347 individuals recorded, Echinometra mathaei was the most abundant in the site with a total of 286 individuals. Shannon-Weiner Diversity Analysis (0.602) suggests low species diversity. Physicochemical measurements such as water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity revealed that the study site is suitable for the culture of sea urchins. Read full article here.

Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Water Quality Evaluation of the Four Tributaries in Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL), South Cotabato, Philippines

Healthy riverine systems provide ecological services that can be translated into human use and consumption. However, human activities cause environmental degradation limiting available pristine water supply and raising public health concerns. In the present study, four tributaries surrounding Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL) were selected (Glandang, Linan, Kawit, and Amlok) for evaluation of their physicochemical and microbial characteristics between wet and dry season. The pH and total dissolved solids (TDS) of the river waters ranged from 6.75-8.68 and 55.96-221.89 ppm, respectively, with a pronounced pH fluctuation and TDS increase in Glandang and Linan tributaries from upstream to downstream stations. All tributaries showed varying dissolved oxygen (DO) levels upstream but become relatively stable downstream. All DO values, however, are below the standard limit set for freshwater quality. In terms of microbial load, total coliform ranged from 51-275 cfu/ml while E. coli showed absence (0 cfu/ml) to as high as 77 cfu/ml. Higher total coliform counts were observed on Kawit and Amlok tributaries which are situated in areas that are relatively more forested than the other two rivers. Presence of E. coli was also detected in the water samples from all tributaries. Temporal variation is significant indicating increased pH, TDS and microbial load during the wet season and DO during the dry season. The present microbial load of the four tributaries would restrict the utilization of water resource and necessitate proper treatments prior to domestic use. Read full article here.

Temporal Variation Analyses of Suspended Sediment Load in an Agricultural Catchment and its Land Use Implications

The suspended sediment load of a small agricultural river was estimated using suspended sediment rating curves established using discharge-suspended sediment discharge correlation and stratified aggregate or seasonally clustered data; and the results were correlated to the land use of the watershed. The results showed that: (a) on regression, nonlinear least squares method in establishing rating curves produced significantly better and more efficient suspended sediment rating curves; (b) seasonally clustering the data produced better suspended sediment rating curves; (c) based on statistical and physical relations, suspended sediment load in the catchment followed a clear cyclical seasonal pattern; and (d) the land use and agricultural activities, other than rainfall, had a significant impact on the temporal distribution and variability of the suspended sediment load. Read full article here.