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Topic Review
Fucoidan-Derived Functional Oligosaccharides
Oligosaccharides derived from natural resources are attracting increasing attention as both food and nutraceutical products because of their beneficial health effects and lack of toxicity. New interest has emerged in fucoidan, partially hydrolysed into fuco-oligosaccharides (FOSs) or low-molecular weight fucoidan, owing to their superior solubility and biological activities compared with fucoidan. There is considerable interest in their development for use in the functional food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. 
  • 1.4K
  • 21 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Mitigation Strategies for Heat Stress on Dairy Buffalo
Increases in temperature and the greater incidence of extreme events are the consequences of the climate change that is taking place on planet Earth. High temperatures create severe discomfort to animal farms as they are unable to efficiently dissipate their body heat, and for this, they implement mechanisms to reduce the production of endogenous heat (reducing feed intake and production). In tropical and subtropical countries, where buffalo breeding is more widespread, there are strong negative consequences of heat stress (HS) on the production and quality of milk, reproduction, and health. The increase in ambient temperature is also affecting temperate countries in which buffalo farms are starting to highlight problems due to HS. 
  • 1.4K
  • 19 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Plant Cytoplasmic Male Sterility
Plant cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited trait maintaining female fertility but producing abortive pollen. CMS is widespread among plants and widely used to produce hybrids with significant heterosis. CMS is usually associated with chimeric open reading frames (ORF) caused by mitochondrial genome reorganization.
  • 1.4K
  • 02 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Control Strategies of the Major Soilborne Fungal/Oomycete Diseases
Globally, tomato is the second most cultivated vegetable crop next to potato, preferentially grown in temperate climates. Processing tomatoes are generally produced in field conditions, in which soilborne pathogens have serious impacts on tomato yield and quality by causing diseases of the tomato root system. Major processing tomato-producing countries have documented soilborne diseases caused by a variety of pathogens including bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and oomycetes, which are of economic importance and may threaten food security. Surveys in the Australian processing tomato industry showed that plant growth and yield were significantly affected by soilborne pathogens, especially Fusarium oxysporum and Pythium species. Globally, different management methods have been used to control diseases such as the use of resistant tomato cultivars, the application of fungicides, and biological control. Among these methods, biocontrol has received increasing attention due to its high efficiency, target-specificity, sustainability and public acceptance. The application of biocontrol is a mix of different strategies, such as applying antagonistic microorganisms to the field, and using the beneficial metabolites synthesized by these microorganisms. 
  • 1.4K
  • 16 Feb 2023
Topic Review
RNAi-Based Biocontrol of Pests
Insects and ectoparasites are causes for major concern throughout the world due to their economic and welfare impacts on livestock agriculture. Current control measures involve chemicals such as acaricides which pose challenges like chemical resistance and longer withholding periods. To enable more sustainable agriculture practices, it is important to develop technologies that combine targeted effectiveness with minimal environmental footprint. RNA interference (RNAi) is a eukaryotic process in which transcript expression is reduced in a sequence-specific manner. This makes it a perfect tool for developing efficient and effective biological control against pests and pathogens. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is the key trigger molecule for inducing RNAi; this concept is widely studied for development of RNA-based biopesticides as an alternative to chemical controls in crop protection for targeting pests and pathogens with accuracy and specificity.
  • 1.4K
  • 10 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Zebrafish Motile Cilia
Zebrafish is a vertebrate teleost widely used in many areas of research. As embryos, they develop quickly and provide unique opportunities for research studies owing to their transparency for at least 48 h post fertilization. Zebrafish have many ciliated organs that include primary cilia as well as motile cilia. Using zebrafish as an animal model helps to better understand human diseases such as Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), an autosomal recessive disorder that affects cilia motility, currently associated with more than 50 genes. 
  • 1.4K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Management Strategies of Peach–Potato Aphid Myzus persicae
The peach–potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is one of the most important pests of economic crops. It damages the plant directly by consuming nutrients and water and indirectly by transmitting plant viruses. This pest has the unenviable title of having resistance to more insecticides than any other herbivorous insect pest. Due to the development of its resistance to chemical pesticides, it is necessary to find other control options. Consequently, increased efforts worldwide have been undertaken to develop new management approaches for M. persicae. 
  • 1.4K
  • 01 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Enhanced Traceability of Livestock-Based Products by Blockchain Technology
Blockchain has become a modern technology that can enhance the traceability of products and services, which is particularly relevant to agri-food supply chains. While blockchain technology is potentially sustainable and worthy of applications, there remain various limitations and complications toward adoption, such as the low awareness among stakeholders, the weak sector-wide coordination, and the lack of capacity in primary suppliers. Potential benefits and implications of blockchain technology for the food industry have yet to be widely understood, especially in the ASEAN. These findings would call for coordinated support from both the governments and the private sector, especially to raise awareness of the technology, reinforce sector-wide coordination, and develop skills required for adoption.
  • 1.4K
  • 17 Feb 2023
Topic Review
The Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps militaris
Cordyceps militaris is an entomopathogenic ascomycete with similar pharmacological importance to that of the wild caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis C. militaris has attracted significant research and commercial interest due to its content in bioactive compounds beneficial to human health and the relative ease of cultivation under laboratory conditions. 
  • 1.4K
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Gray Fox
The Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is a species of fox native to North and Central America, recognized for its distinctive grayish fur, bushy tail, and characteristic black stripe running along its back. Unlike other fox species, the Gray Fox is adept at climbing trees, utilizing its semi-retractable claws to ascend and evade predators or hunt for prey. With a diverse diet including small mammals, birds, insects, fruits, and vegetation, the Gray Fox occupies a variety of habitats ranging from forests and woodlands to suburban areas, making it a versatile and adaptable carnivore.
  • 1.4K
  • 28 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Applications of AMPs in Packaging
Antimicrobial Peptides can be defined as the molecules of the innate immune system present in all life forms, ranging from bacteria to human beings. The innate immune system is a defence system working non-specifically against injury or infection in the barrier surface. AMPs are composed of a sequence of amino acid ranging from 5 to 50 chains, usually L-amino acids.
  • 1.4K
  • 13 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Constraints to Cowpea Production
Climate change and variability trends affect crop yields both directly and indirectly. Direct impacts include effects caused by a modification of physical characteristics such as low or high atmospheric temperature, soil fertility level, and water deficiency or erratic rainfall distribution in specific crop production systems. Indirect effects are those that affect production through changes in other species such as pollinators, insect pests, diseases, and weeds. These indirect effects can play a significant role in the production and productivity of cowpea. These limiting factors can broadly be termed abiotic and biotic stresses, resulting in climatic variations and ultimately reducing cowpea yield potential and its productivity.
  • 1.4K
  • 27 Jun 2022
Topic Review
African Clawless Otter
The African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) is a fascinating semi-aquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. Renowned for its sleek, streamlined body and lack of visible claws on its forelimbs, this otter species is well-adapted to its aquatic lifestyle in freshwater habitats, including rivers, lakes, and wetlands. With a diet consisting primarily of fish, crustaceans, and amphibians, the African Clawless Otter plays a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of aquatic ecosystems across its range.
  • 1.4K
  • 08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Genital Tract Microbiome of Cattle
The term microbiota refers to the entire population of microorganisms that colonizes a particular location and includes not just bacteria, but also other microbes such as fungi, archaea, viruses, and protozoans. Cows have bacteria inhabiting the uterus even before calving and establish a unique endometrial microbiome within 20 min of calving where the microbiome is similar between cows that develop metritis and cows without endometritis until at least the second day postpartum.
  • 1.4K
  • 23 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Epididymal Sperm of Canine and Feline
Epididymal spermatozoas  are often described as immature, immotile, and infertile sperm cells, yet the epididymis is the organ where spermatozoa mature, acquire motility, and become fully fertile. This coiled duct constitutes a reservoir for millions of spermatozoa before ejaculation.
  • 1.4K
  • 03 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Automated Tracking Systems for Assessment of Farmed Poultry
One of the most commonly farmed livestock is poultry and their significance is felt on a global scale. Current poultry farming practices result in the premature death and rejection of billions of chickens on an annual basis before they are processed for meat. This loss of life is concerning regarding animal welfare, agricultural efficiency, and economic impacts. The best way to prevent these losses is through the individualistic and/or group level assessment of animals on a continuous basis. On large-scale farms, such attention to detail was generally considered to be inaccurate and inefficient, but with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology individualised, and per-herd assessments of livestock became possible and accurate.
  • 1.4K
  • 15 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Narrow-striped Mongoose
The Narrow-striped Mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata) is a small carnivorous mammal native to Madagascar. With its slender body, distinctive narrow stripes running along its back, and elongated snout, the Narrow-striped Mongoose is easily recognizable. It inhabits various forest habitats across Madagascar and is known for its elusive nature and solitary behavior.
  • 1.4K
  • 08 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Digital Horizon of Smart Agriculture
Agriculture is essential to the existence of the human race, as well as the foundation of our civilization, because it provides food, fuel, fiber, and other resources necessary for survival; however, it is facing critical challenges due to anthropogenic climate change, which hampers food and nutritional security. Several measures have been implemented to enhance agricultural productivity, including plant breeding, genetic engineering, and precision agriculture. The world has witnessed the burgeoning development of novel scientific innovations and technological advancements enabled by drones, smart sensors, robotics, and remote sensing, resulting in a plethora of revolutionary methods that can be applied to real-time crop modeling, high-throughput phenotyping, weather forecasting, yield prediction, fertilizer application, disease detection, market trading, farming practices, and other environmental practices vital to crop growth, yield, and quality. Digitalization is the most significant technological advancement of our time, and it profoundly affects agriculture and other industries. Delivering a comprehensive view of how technology could help in tackling critical issues like environmental degradation and threatened world biodiversity, this perspective emphasizes the perks of digitalization.
  • 1.4K
  • 09 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Applications of Gellan Gum
Gellan gum (GG) is a linear, negatively charged exopolysaccharide that is biodegradable and non-toxic. When metallic ions are present, a hard and transparent gel is produced, which remains stable at a low pH. It exhibits high water solubility, can be easily bio-fabricated, demonstrates excellent film/hydrogel formation, is biodegradable, and shows biocompatibility. These characteristics render GG a suitable option for use in food, biomedical, and cosmetic fields.
  • 1.4K
  • 13 May 2024
Topic Review
Drought and Salinity in Citriculture
Among the various abiotic stresses, drought is the major factor limiting crop productivity worldwide. Citrus has been recognized as a fruit tree crop group of great importance to the global agricultural sector since there are 140 citrus-producing countries worldwide. The majority of citrus-producing areas are subjected to dry and hot summer weather, limited availability of water resources with parallel low-quality irrigation water due to increased salinity regimes. Citrus trees are generally classified as “salt-intolerant” with high water needs, especially during summer. Water scarcity negatively affects plant growth and impairs cell metabolism, affecting the overall tree growth and the quality of produced fruit. Key factors that overall attempt to sustain and withstand the negative effect of salinity and drought stress are the extensive use of rootstocks in citriculture as well as the appropriate agronomical and irrigation practices applied.
  • 1.4K
  • 29 Jun 2021
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