Mae Fah Luang University

Enterobacter spp., members of the ESKAPE group of pathogens, are increasingly recognized for their involvement in nosocomial infections and remarkable adaptability, particularly in hospital settings. This review highlights the intricate quorum-sensing (QS) systems in Enterobacter species, emphasizing both canonical and non-canonical pathways, including the acyl-homoserine lactone-mediated AI-1 system, LuxS-dependent AI-2 systems, and the solo LuxR system. QS systems regulate critical bacterial behaviors, including biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, and virulence gene expression. Additionally, the role of quorum quenching (QQ) as a potentially effective anti-virulence strategy is also discussed, with a focus on enzymatic and natural-product-based approaches that disrupt bacterial communication. Enzymes, such as lactonases, and synthetic or plant-derived QS inhibitors have been explored for their ability to attenuate pathogenic traits without exerting the selective pressure that typically drives antimicrobial resistance. Despite significant advances in elucidating QS and QQ processes in Enterobacter spp., notable limitations remain in the molecular understanding of species-specific QS control, particularly regarding the AI-3 signalling pathway and its functional significance. This extensive study seeks to promote future investigations into quorum-sensing disruption as a novel anti-virulence approach and its possible therapeutic application.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are highly desirable nanomaterials for reinforcing biopolymer films. Coconut husks are generated in massive quantities after harvesting and processing, leading to waste management issues. This study isolated and characterized CNCs from young (y-CNCs) and mature (m-CNCs) coconut husks via acid hydrolysis (32% H2SO4, 50 °C, 5 h), comparing them with commercial CNCs (c-CNCs) to evaluate their performance in gelatin-based films. TEM confirmed rod-shaped morphology for all CNCs. Notably, m-CNCs exhibited a smaller particle size (199 nm), a higher surface charge (-46.8 mV), and superior crystallinity (63.98%), demonstrating properties comparable to c-CNCs. FTIR and XRD confirmed characteristic cellulose functional groups and crystalline structure, while TGA demonstrated excellent thermal stability above 300 °C for all samples. Incorporation of CNCs into gelatin films significantly improved tensile strength (from 15.63 to 24.93 MPa) and reduced water vapor permeability (from 2.65 to 2.43 × 10-10 g m m-2 s-1 Pa-1; p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate how coconut husk residues can be upcycled into high-value nanomaterials fostering economic growth with innovation in sustainable manufacturing. This research also promotes responsible waste utilization, highlighting the benefits of biodegradability and a reduced carbon footprint for sustainable food packaging applications.

Talaromyces (Eurotiales, Trichocomaceae) is a monophyletic genus with species that impact the environment, human health, and various industries. Talaromyces consists of eight sections, and their ecology, diversity, and number of recognised species are rapidly expanding due to advances in morpho-molecular studies. In this study, we analyse the fungal diversity of soil samples collected from the Doi Tung Forest areas, which are dominated by Pinus kesiya in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Morphological and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2), ß-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM), and the second largest subunit of the DNA-directed RNA polymerase II (rpb2) sequences were used to confirm the taxonomic placements of the new isolates. Herein, we describe Talaromyces doitungensis as a new species, report T. rubidus for the first time in Thailand (marking its second global record). Further, multi-gene phylogenetic analyses confirmed the distinct placement of these species and determined their relationships, supporting their recognition based on the phylogenetic species concept. In addition, preliminary antibacterial screening revealed that Talaromyces rubidus exhibited activity against Bacillus subtilis. Our findings contribute to the understanding of Talaromyces diversity and ecology by documenting a new species and new geographic records from pine-dominated forest soils in northern Thailand, and further studies are necessary to explore the bioactive compounds produced by Talaromyces species.

A biodiversity and taxonomic study of yeast isolates collected from rotten wood in Northern Thailand, revealed the presence of a novel yeast species. Morphology, phylogeny, and physiological and biochemical characteristics revealed it as a novel species of Magnusiomyces. According to maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of the combined dataset of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) regions, our isolate formed an independent clade within Magnusiomyces. Biochemical and physiological characteristics confirmed that there are some carbon and nitrogen assimilation differences compared to the closely related species M. fungicola, M. gigas, M. japonicus, M. suaveolens, M. magnusii, M. tetrasperma, and M. pitmudophilus. Therefore, by using a polyphasic approach, incorporating morphology, phylogeny, physiology, and biochemical analysis, we recognize Magnusiomyces doitungensis as a new species.

The trend for eco‐friendly products is driving the usage of green materials in building applications, including sound absorption panels. This study aims to utilize natural pulp fibers extracted from rice straw waste to create binderless acoustic panels, using three forming processes: wet fibers (W), dry fibers (D), and a combination of wet and dry fibers (DW) in varying depths. Because the amount of water use in the three forming processes was regulated, the 20 mm thick panels exhibited significant differences in fibrous porosity architectures and varied degrees of fiber‐to‐fiber bonding, resulting in distinct physical characteristics and sound absorption. The W panel was stiff, while the D panel achieved exceptional sound absorption. The DW panel, on the other hand, coupled the benefits of high rigidity with superior sound absorption across a wide frequency range. The current DW panel, with a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) up to 0.92, outperformed other natural fiber‐based panels and most commercial synthetic fiber materials (NRC 0.10–0.95). A “cradle‐to‐gate” life cycle assessment confirmed that these natural pulp panels have a significantly lower carbon footprint (50% less) than petroleum‐based synthetic counterparts, highlighting their potential as an excellent green acoustic material for noise management in buildings and construction.

Abstract Thua Nao is a traditional Thai fermented soybean product in which Bacillus species play a dominant role during fermentation. Poly-γ-glutamic acid (PGA), a biopolymer responsible for the viscous texture characteristic of several fermented soybean foods, is widely associated with Bacillus species; however, molecular information on PGA-associated genes in Thua Nao remains limited. This study aimed to perform a preliminary screening of PGA-related genes in Bacillus isolates obtained from Thua Nao. A total of 24 isolates were examined for the presence of the pgsC gene, involved in PGA biosynthesis, and the pgdS gene, associated with PGA degradation, using polymerase chain reaction. Strain TN51, previously identified as a potential PGA-producing strain based on the formation of a slime-like mucous substance, was included as a reference. Our findings showed that only five isolates yielded amplification products for one or both target genes. Among these, strains TN14 and TN51 carried both pgsC and pgdS , whereas strains TN01 and TN20 were positive only for pgdS , and strain TN02 was positive only for pgsC . The limited distribution of PGA-associated genes among the isolates indicates genetic diversity within the Thua Nao Bacillus population. Overall, this study represents the first screening of the PGA-associated genes pgsC and pgdS in Bacillus strains isolated from Thua Nao and provides a molecular basis for future studies investigating PGA metabolism in this traditional fermented food.

This study introduces a new species, Lasiobelonium sublanceolatum H.L. Su, K.D. Hyde &amp; Q. Zhao, collected from Yunnan Province, China. This species differs from other members of Lasiobelonium Ellis &amp; Everh. in the morphological characters of its hairs, paraphyses, asci, and ascospores. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combined internal transcribed spacer (ITS), nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU) and the two largest subunits of RNA polymerase II ( RPB1 and RPB2 ) sequences of Solenopeziaceae Ekanayaka &amp; K.D. Hyde also support its recognition as a distinct species, sister to the clade including Las. belanense and Las. lonicerae . This study provides illustrations, detailed descriptions, phylogenetic relationships, and a comparative table summarizing the morphological characteristics of all reported Lasiobelonium species. Our findings increase the reported species diversity of Lasiobelonium and provide baseline data for understanding the discomycete diversity in Yunnan Province, China.

Two new lichenized species, Chicitaea yueliangshanensis and Coniocarpon chishuiense are described through the combination of morphological characteristics, chemical profiling and phylogenetic analyses, along with a new geographical record of Synarthonia inconspicua, collected from Guizhou, China. Chicitaea yueliangshanensis is characterized by prominent lecanorine apothecia with a black, epruinose, ± flat disc and lacking isidia and soredia. This species contains perlatolic acid, 2'-O-methylperlatolic acid and an unidentified lichen substance. It forms a well-supported singleton based on both ML and Bayesian analyses in the phylogenetic tree. Another new species, Coniocarpon chishuiense is distinguished by irregularly rounded to elliptical ascomata with epruinose disc and the presence of psoromic acid along with an unknown compound. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations and a compiled species checklist summarizing diagnostic features are provided.