Can Tho University

Thailand’s transition to a super-aged society poses significant challenges for medication safety and rational health product use among older adults, particularly in rural Northeastern communities where health literacy remains limited. This study aimed to develop and refine the HLAA (Health Literacy–Learning–Access–Advocacy) Model, grounded in the culturally embedded 3T (Think–Test–Take Action) behavioral pathway, using a participatory action research (PAR) framework. A community-based PAR design guided by the Plan–Act–Observe–Reflect (PAOR) cycle was conducted in Schools for Older Persons across Northeastern Thailand from March 2021 to November 2022. The study progressed through iterative phases of situational assessment (Plan), participatory co-design (Act), pilot implementation (Observe), and model refinement (Reflect). A mixed-methods approach was applied. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t-tests after assessing distributional assumptions, and qualitative data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Pilot testing among 120 older adults demonstrated significant mean improvements in overall health literacy (mean difference = 16.1, p < 0.001), functional literacy (mean difference = 5.9, p < 0.001), critical literacy (mean difference = 2.6, p < 0.001), and safe medication behavior (mean difference = 16.8, p < 0.001), with large effect sizes (Cohen’s d range = 1.02–1.98). The HLAA (3T) Model provides a culturally grounded and system-oriented approach to health literacy empowerment. By aligning individual behavioral change with structural support mechanisms through iterative PAOR cycles, the model connects community learning platforms with local governance structures. This framework provides a context-sensitive pathway to promote rational medication use and active aging within decentralized health systems. Not applicable, as this study did not involve randomization, allocation to intervention groups, or clinical trial procedures.

This study aims to evaluate the changes in the content of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) leaf tea throughout the production process. The results show that leaf age significantly affects the accumulation of bioactive compounds, with mature leaves having the highest total polyphenol content and total flavonoid content. After processing, all tea samples showed increased antioxidant activity due to the heat process, helping to release bound phenolic compounds and inhibit the enzyme polyphenol oxidase. A 10% moisture reduction before fermentation resulted in the highest antioxidant activity (85%), while excessive moisture reduction (&gt; 15%) decreased total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. The best fermentation conditions were determined to be 40 °C for 5 h. Additionally, the best hot extraction conditions for the finished tea were 95 to 100 °C for 6 to 8 min, which allowed to obtain the highest phenolic content without causing thermal degradation.

Mangroves are among Earth's most carbon-dense ecosystems, yet belowground carbon cycling remains poorly understood compared to aboveground processes. Root exudation, the release of labile organic compounds from live roots, represents a critical pathway for transferring plant-derived carbon to soils. However, exudation has never been quantified in situ in mangroves due to technical challenges. Here, we developed and applied a sealed-cuvette system to quantify root exudation across two dominant species (Avicennia alba and Rhizophora apiculata) and contrasting wet–dry seasons in a deltaic mangrove (Can Gio, Vietnam). Mean root exudation rates were 0.135 ± 0.035 mg C·g⁻¹·h⁻¹ for Avicennia and 0.078 ± 0.017 mg C·g⁻¹·h⁻¹ for Rhizophora, with seasonal rates (pooled across both species) of 0.060 ± 0.013 mg C·g⁻¹·h⁻¹ for the wet season and 0.103 ± 0.031 mg C·g⁻¹·h⁻¹ for the dry season. Gamma GLMs testing for effects of species and season revealed no statistically significant differences in exudation rates (species: p = 0.093; season: p = 0.16), though substantial individual-level variation was observed within each group. Mangrove root exudation rates were comparable to global averages reported across terrestrial ecosystems (~0.058 mg C g⁻¹ h⁻¹), indicating similar root-level carbon release despite contrasting environmental conditions. When multiplied by mangroves' extensive fine-root biomass, and scaled to hectare and annual timescales, preliminary estimates suggest the exudation flux may represent a non-negligible and previously unaccounted-for component of mangrove carbon budgets.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes Solms) is a free-floating aquatic species widely distributed on rivers, canals and estuaries. It propagated quickly and extensively in a short period. This caused some obstacles for river traffic. This plant was utilized for the production of handicrafts, fertilizer, animal feed, and biofuel in the agro-industry. People also consumed the young stem of this plant as a natural vegetable food in cuisine due to its palatable taste. Pickling was well-known as one of the most ancient gastronomic professions to store food under acidic conditions for a long period of time in an ambient environment. This research evaluated the pickle production from the young stems of water hyacinth. Different technical parameters of the pickling process such as effect starter culture strains (Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with different inoculum ratios (5-25 mL of 109 CFU/mL starter culture), brine solutions (250 ppm of potassium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium acetate, magnesium chloride, aluminum chloride combined with 5% of sodium chloride), sugar content (2-4%) and fermentation time (0-10 days) were thoroughly examined. Firmness (N), total acidity (%), total phenolic content (mg GAE/100 g dry weight), total antioxidant capacity (mg AAE/g dry weight) and sensory score were measured to define the optimal species of starter culture, ratio of starter culture, brine solution, sugar content and fermentation time. Results showed that young water hyacinth stems should be fermented with 20 mL of 109 CFU/mL L. plantarum with 5% sodium chloride, combined with 250 ppm of calcium chloride, 3% sugar supplementation and 6 days of fermentation. Pickle of young water hyacinth stem maintained the highest texture firmness (11.86±0.03 N), total acidity (1.50±0.01%), total phenolic content (61.07±0.04 mg GAE/100 g dry weight), total antioxidant capacity (7.79±0.02 mg AAE/g dry weight) and sensory score (8.91±0.03). The added value of water hyacinth could be highly exploited from this research.