Abstract: Rice bran oil has attracted increasing attention not only for its nutritional ingredients, such as triacylglycerol with a well-balanced essential fatty acid composition, but also for its functional ingredients such as plant sterol, vitamin E, and γ-oryzanol. However, their accurate evaluation remains challenging because these ingredients exist as mixtures of structurally similar molecular species. This review introduces (1) the total measurement of triacylglycerol molecular species using near-infrared spectroscopy, (2) detailed individual measurement of γ-oryzanol molecular species using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), and (3) insights into the absorption and metabolism of γ-oryzanol molecular species using LC/MS. These technologies and insights are expected to ensure the health functionality of rice bran oil and to contribute to more efficient, high-quality rice bran oil production.

Abstract: This study explores the antidepressant efficacy of Magnolia sieboldii essential oils (MSEOs) and their underlying mechanisms in a reserpine-induced depression model utilizing mice. The impact of varying MSEOs concentrations on depressive behaviors was evaluated through the forced swimming test. Neuronal cell counts in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus were determined using Nissl staining. The expression levels of critical proteins, including 5HT-1A, 5HT-2A, and GR, were examined via immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, RT-qPCR was employed to detect the mRNA expression levels of CRF and TrkB. The findings indicate that MSEOs, particularly at medium and high doses, significantly enhance the survival motivation of mice, increase the quantity of normal neurons in the cortex and hippocampus, and mitigate depressive symptoms. Additionally, MSEOs markedly upregulate the expression of 5HT-1A and notably increase TrkB and GR levels at medium and high doses. Compared to the control group, MSEOs-treated groups demonstrate enhanced effects on neurotransmitter modulation and neuroprotection, especially at higher doses. In conclusion, MSEOs demonstrate therapeutic potential by enhancing survival motivation in mice, promoting neuronal proliferation in the brains of depressed mice, and upregulating the expression of 5HT-1A,5HT-2A, GR, CRF, and TrkB proteins. These findings suggest MSEOs may serve as a promising candidate drug for depression treatment.

Abstract: The increasing cost and sustainability concerns associated with soybean meal (SBM) necessitate alternative protein sources for aquaculture feeds. This study evaluated graded replacement of SBM with silkworm pupae meal (SWPM; 0, 25, 50, and 75 %) combined with probiotics in Pangasius pangasius. Among ten screened probiotic strains, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum showed strong antimicrobial activity against major fish pathogens. A 90-day feeding trial demonstrated that diets containing 25 % and 50 % SWPM significantly improved growth performance compared to the control, increasing final body weight from 19.83 g to 27.39 g and 28.54 g, respectively, with a concurrent reduction in feed conversion ratio from 1.29 to 1.22 (p ≤ 0.001). Antioxidant capacity was markedly enhanced, as evidenced by reduced lipid peroxidation and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (upto 236.9U/mg) and catalase (43.9U/mg) in the liver, kidney, and intestine (p ≤ 0.001). Gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, alongside strong upregulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (2.1-fold) at 25-50 % SWPM, whereas 75 % inclusion induced pro-inflammatory signaling. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 25-50 % SWPM combined with probiotics is optimal for enhancing growth, antioxidant defense, digestive efficiency, and immune homeostasis in P. pangasius, supporting its use in sustainable functional aquafeeds.

Abstract: Lipases are biocatalysts of great industrial and agricultural importance. The production of lipase by microbial sources can be optimized by adjusting the physicochemical and nutritional parameters. The aim of the present study was to determine the optimal production of extracellular lipase by Aspergillus flavus in solid-state fermentation and to evaluate its impact on lipid mobilization and seed germination in Brassica napus. A. flavus, a morphologically identified and molecularly confirmed strain, was initially isolated from oil-roasted bread and cultured on malt extract agar for enzyme production under solid-state fermentation. Optimization of fermentation parameters, including incubation time, temperature, pH, inoculum type and size, substrate type and concentration, and supplementation with metal ions, carbon, oil, and nitrogen sources, was performed using the one-variable-at-a-time (OVAT) approach as a preliminary optimization method. Lipase activity was determined by a titrimetric method using an olive oil emulsion. The optimized enzyme extract was applied to B. napus seeds to assess its effects on germination, seedling growth, and lipid mobilization. The optimal conditions were 48 h incubation, 40 °C, pH 8, spore inoculum (1 mL), 20 g Nigella meal, 2 % (w/v) CdCl₂, 3 % (w/v) fructose, 3 % (v/v) mustard oil, 2 % (w/v) ammonium sulfate, and 1 % (w/v) yeast extract, resulting in maximum extracellular lipase activity (14.99 ± 1.66 U mL-1). Application of the optimized lipase significantly improved germination, radicle length, seedling fresh weight, and free fatty acid content by 12.8 %, 31.4 %, 16.4 %, and 50.4 %, respectively (p ≤ 0.05) compared to the control, indicating enhanced lipid mobilization and seed vigor. These findings demonstrate the potential of fungal lipase in industrial production and agricultural applications, particularly in improving seed germination and early seedling development.

Abstract: The multifunctional β-carotene synthase, CrtIBY, derived from Aurantiochytrium sp. KH105 catalyzes to produce β-carotene from geranylgeranyl diphosphate through three serial enzymatic reactions with a trace amount of intermediates such as phytoene and lycopene. In this research, the functions of domains of CrtIBY were studied and the product specificity was modified by protein engineering techniques including the removal of functional motif and site-directed mutagenesis. Saccharomyces cerevisiae transformants expressing the functionally modified CrtIBY mutants accumulated phytoene and lycopene. These mutants are expected to be useful to supply raw materials of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and health foods.

Abstract: Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological condition that is often worsened by hot and humid climates, such as those in Indonesia. These conditions promote the growth of Propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium involved in acne pathogenesis. Long-term use of topical antibiotics may lead to resistance, highlighting the need for natural alternatives. This study aimed to formulate and optimize a nanoemulsion of basil leaf extract (Ocimum basilicum L.) and evaluate its antibacterial activity against P. acnes. The nanoemulsion was prepared by spontaneous emulsification using Tween 80 as the surfactant and PEG 400 as the co-surfactant. Optimization was performed using the Box-Behnken Design with Design Expert 13 software, considering pH and transmittance as responses. The optimal formulation contained Tween 80 (41.09 %) and PEG 400 (23.35 %), resulting in a nanoemulsion with a particle size of 13.80 ± 0.36 nm, PDI 0.18 ± 0.04, and zeta potential -20.00 ± 0.80 mV. The formulation showed good physical stability and caused no irritation in animal skin tests. Antibacterial testing showed an inhibition zone diameter of 12.30 ± 0.28 mm, indicating weak activity. These findings suggest that basil leaf extract nanoemulsion has potential as a natural topical alternative for acne treatment.

Abstract: Although conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has attracted attention as a potent body fat-reducing agent, its detailed molecular mechanism of action remains obscure. Here, we evaluated the effect of short-term feeding of CLA on metabolism in adipose tissue of mice fed a high-fat diet. Mice were fed a high-fat diet for 8-wk to promote the accumulation of body fat, then divided into control and 1 % CLA groups and kept for 1-wk. CLA did not affect the weight of epididymal and perirenal adipose tissues. To detect the metabolic changes that precede the body fat-reducing effect of CLA, a comprehensive metabolite analysis in adipose tissue was performed using a capillary electrophoresis quadrupole time-of-flight system. Principal component analysis clearly showed differentiation in the pattern of quantitative data for metabolites between control and CLA groups. KEGG enrichment analysis of metabolites indicated the importance of three metabolite sets. Seventeen metabolites were significantly upregulated in the CLA group compared to the control and no metabolites were downregulated. Taken together, these changes in metabolite profile induced by CLA are indicative of early onset metabolic change, potentially leading to a reduction in adipose tissue mass.