This review synthesizes current research on nature-based solutions (NbS) for riverbank protection, focusing on vegetation planting, soil bioengineering, and wetland restoration as sustainable approaches to erosion control and ecosystem resilience. It evaluates ecological effectiveness, hydro-mechanical performance, and implementation factors, including design, maintenance, and stakeholder engagement. A systematic analysis of 60 studies from diverse geographic contexts indicates that vegetation-based bioengineering enhances slope stability, soil cohesion, and biodiversity, with species selection and adaptive maintenance as critical success factors. Wetland restoration contributes to sediment retention, improved water quality, and ecological resilience, although long-term performance data remain limited. Hybrid approaches combining vegetation with structural elements demonstrate greater reliability under high-energy hydraulic conditions. Despite these advantages, persistent challenges include maintenance requirements, invasive species management, and limited standardization of performance assessment. Overall, NbS provide multifunctional riverbank protection but require improved long-term monitoring, quantitative evaluation, and integration of socio-economic considerations. The findings offer practical guidance for context-specific implementation and highlight key priorities for future research

This study aimed to evaluate the survival rate (stability) and the living cell counts (viability) of probiotics in fermented dairy products (cheese and yogurt) under various storage conditions through a systematic literature review. The Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) framework was used to determine the research question. The literature selection process followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Articles published during 2013–2022 in the Scopus and PubMed databases were used. Keyword searches yielded a total of 864 studies, among which 32 articles were chosen for this review. The stability and viability of probiotics in fermented dairy products stored for up to 14 or 15 days (first shelf-life period) and 28 or 30 days (second shelf-life period) were determined. The stability of probiotics in fermented dairy products during storage was influenced by the (i) probiotic genus, (ii) microencapsulation materials, (iii) storage temperature, and (iv) packaging type. The factors that affected the viability of probiotics in fermented dairy products during storage were (i) product form and (ii) storage temperature. The stability of most probiotics decreased under the various storage conditions and until the 30^th day. However, most products met the minimum standard (10⁶ CFU/g) for probiotic viability to be considered functional foods with health benefits.

The demand for natural flavor compounds, or bioflavors, continues to rise as consumers seek clean-label and sustainable ingredients. Microbial fermentation and biosynthesis offer environmentally friendly and scalable alternatives to traditional extraction and chemical synthesis. This review summarizes recent progress in microbial production of bioflavors, focusing on key microorganisms, including Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces, Pseudomonas, and engineered strains of Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium glutamicum. The biosynthetic routes for major flavor classes, including esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and lactones, are examined with emphasis on metabolic precursors, enzymatic steps, and regulatory controls. Advances in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and bioprocess optimization that improve flavor yield, selectivity, and industrial feasibility are also discussed. Remaining challenges related to substrate cost, downstream processing, and regulatory approval are highlighted. Overall, this review provides an updated perspective on microbial bioflavor production and its expanding relevance to the food, beverage, and fragrance sectors.

Postharvest deterioration of fruits and vegetables remains a major source of global food loss, reducing both nutritional and economic value. Power ultrasound (20–100 kHz) is a non-thermal technology that supports postharvest handling through acoustic cavitation, with reported benefits for surface decontamination and quality retention. This systematic review synthesizes recent advances and highlights key gaps to guide future research and application. Across the literature, ultrasound performs most reliably when integrated with other postharvest treatments, including sanitizers, controlled or modified atmosphere packaging, coatings, calcium salts, and gentle heating. These combined approaches more often achieve stronger microbial reductions and better retention of firmness, color, and bioactive compounds than ultrasound alone, which typically shows modest, commodity dependent effects. Major barriers to wider use include incomplete reporting of ultrasound parameters, variable responses across commodities and product forms, and limited pilot scale validation. Progress toward commercial adoption will require standardized reporting and validation protocols, clearer guidance on commodity specific application windows, and technoeconomic evaluation alongside mechanistic studies that track longer term biological responses during storage.

Clonostachys species are functionally diverse filamentous fungi with strong potential for sustainable crop protection. They suppress plant pathogens, plant-parasitic nematodes, and insect herbivores, while also promoting plant growth. These fungi are widely distributed in soils and plant-associated habitats, reflecting their ecological adaptability and multitrophic interactions. Despite their promising agricultural potential, the practical use of Clonostachys species as microbial agents remains limited. This review summarizes current knowledge on the taxonomy, ecology, and functional diversity of Clonostachys species, with emphasis on the mechanisms underlying their biocontrol activity. We also discuss their multitrophic interactions, potential risks of opportunistic pathogenicity, and key challenges for practical application. Finally, future perspectives are presented to support the development of reliable Clonostachys-based strategies for sustainable agriculture.

The cooperative life cycle framework has been predominantly developed from evidence in Western economies where cooperatives emerge from grassroots collective action. However, in many Asian countries, agricultural cooperatives are frequently initiated, designed, and governed with strong state involvement and embedded within federation systems. This raises a fundamental question: can the cooperative life cycle framework adequately explain cooperative evolution in contexts where development is institutionally structured rather than primarily member-driven? This study addresses this question through a PRISMA-based systematic review and bibliometric analysis of 74 studies on agricultural cooperatives in Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and China. The review shows how cooperatives evolve from pre-establishment to regeneration or degeneration under varying degrees of government intervention and federation-based governance. The findings show that although cooperatives in these countries pass through stages resembling those described in existing life cycle frameworks, transitions between stages are largely driven by government intervention, regulatory frameworks, and federation structures rather than by internal governance dynamics. Across countries, cooperatives respond to developmental challenges through four strategic pathways (reinvention, status quo maintenance, spawning, and exit), but these responses are often triggered by government reform or withdrawal. Most importantly, the review highlights the role of the initiator and federation governance as underexplored dimensions in existing interpretations of the cooperative life cycle. By synthesizing fragmented evidence across disciplines and countries, this study revisits the cooperative life cycle framework and offers new insights into how it operates in institutionally embedded contexts.