Cassava-starch composites enriched with fish proteins offer a means to tailor texture and moisture management during thermal processing. We evaluated ten formulations (P1–P10) with varying proportions of snakehead fish and mackerel proteins and measured expansion, water absorption, color (ΔE*), and density. Expansion peaked at low protein ratios and subsequently declined: mackerel P2 reached 4.38 ± 0.96%, snakehead P1 reached 4.08 ± 1.40%, and both decreasing to 0.8% at P10. Water absorption also decreased with increasing protein, from 14.04 ± 0.93% (mackerel P1) and 11.67 ± 1.36% (snakehead P1) to 5.54 ± 2.16% and 4.10 ± 0.41% at P10, respectively. The water-absorption-expansion relationship was non-linear and best described by second-order polynomials (Snakehead: y = 0.0764x² − 0.8101x + 2.9686; R² = 0.978 and Mackerel: y = 0.0975x² − 1.4896x + 6.1685; R² = 0.960), indicating diminishing expansion gains at higher absorption. Apparent (saturated) density increased during soaking and plateaued at ~150 min; lower-protein formulations exhibited higher saturated density due to greater water uptake. Collectively, these results show that choosing the protein type and ratio enables targeted control of expansion, hydration, and density—mackerel favoring higher expansion at lower absorption, and snakehead providing a more gradual, controllable response—offering practical levers for designing fish-protein–starch products with desired textures.

The fig plant is cultivated for its fruit due to its high economic value. Vegetative propagation can serve as an alternative for mass propagation of fig plants, such as grafting. Vegetative propagation of figs is conducted in several ways, including grafting and cuttings. The problems encountered in grafting are mainly caused by unsuitable media conditions. This research aims to determine the best composition of grafting media for fig plants. The study was conducted in Dwiwangsa Tin Garden Park, Sidomulyo Village, Krian District, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java. Rainfall at the research site was classified as dry season, with 0 mm in October 2023, 7 mm in November 2023, 150 mm in December 2023, 211 mm in January 2024, and 485 mm in February 2024. The research employed a randomized block design (RBD) consisting of nine media combination treatments. The treatments included soil medium, husk medium, husk charcoal medium, cocopeat medium, sawdust sewing powder medium, a combination of soil and husk medium (1:1), a combination of soil and charcoal husk medium (1:1), a combination of soil and cocopeat medium (1:1), and a combination of soil and sawdust medium (1:1). Each grafting medium showed a different growth response in terms of root number. Based on the results, the husk charcoal medium produced the highest values, with 89.8 roots, root length of 7.24 cm, root diameter of 1.38 cm, root fresh weight of 5.22 g, root volume of 7.7 ml, and root dry weight of 0.37 g.

Gambier (Uncaria gambir Roxb.) contains potent bioactive compounds with strong natural antimicrobial properties, making it a promising ingredient for acne treatment. However, its application in topical formulations remains limited due to a lack of understanding regarding the impact of processing conditions, particularly heating, on its functional efficacy. This study investigated the effect of heating duration on the characteristics of an acne treatment balm formulated with black cube gambier. Experiments using a completely randomized design (CRD) were carried out for 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes of heating durations to evaluate the balm's physical, chemical, and microbial properties. The results demonstrate that heating duration significantly influenced key parameters, including homogeneity, spreadability, melting point, irritation potential, texture, color, pH, total phenol content, and antibacterial activity (p < 0.05). The most optimal results were obtained at 120 minutes, yielding a balm with superior homogeneity, spreadability (4.47 cm), melting point (50°C), pH (7.44), total phenol content (54.28%), and diameter of the inhibition zone (16.35 mm). FTIR analysis confirmed an increase in phenolic compound stability, indicating enhanced antibacterial potential. These findings suggest that extended heating duration improves the stability and performance of gambier-based formulations. The optimized acne balm formulation highlights the potential of locally sourced gambier as a natural, eco-friendly acne treatment. Further research is recommended to evaluate product shelf-life, consumer acceptability, and industrial scalability.

Palm olein esters are potentially convertible into epoxy oil, which can serve as a plasticizer. Palm olein can be reacted with alcohol in the presence of a base catalyst in a process named transesterification. This study aimed to investigate the application of palm olein to produce fatty acid methyl esters (POLe-ME) using sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide as catalysts, which are then evaluated for their potential as plasticizers. The research process involved selecting raw materials based on the iodine and acid numbers. Subsequently, transesterification was conducted using 1% base catalysts. The characterization of POle-ME included evaluating its acid number, iodine number, viscosity, fatty acid composition, and functional groups. The findings indicate that using a molar ratio of oil to methanol of 1:6 and potassium hydroxide as a catalyst achieved the highest yield at 94.99%. The produced POle-ME exhibited a peak at 1436 cm-1, indicating the presence of a methyl ester functional group. The fatty acid composition of POle-ME consisted predominantly of oleic unsaturated fatty acid (C18:1) at 49.13%. Additionally, POle-ME exhibited an iodine number of 60.42, an acid number of 1.395, and a viscosity of 7.16 mPa·s, indicating its potential as a raw material for epoxy oil (plasticizer) production.

Dry gambier extract obtained from gambier plants contains tannins at relatively low levels. Tannins can be obtained by extracting dry gambier using water to achieve high yields within a relatively short processing time. This study aims to analyze the interaction between extraction time and microwave power in the tannin extraction process from gambier using the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method to maximize tannin yield. The research method employed was a factorial design (AxB). Factor A was extraction time, consisting of five treatments (1; 2; 3; 4; and 5 minutes) and factor B was microwave power, consisting of five variations (180W; 300W; 450W; 600W and 850W). The results showed that the gambier extraction process using MAE demonstrated an interaction between extraction time and microwave power on the yield produced, but not on the tannin content. The most optimal temperature and power that can be used is 4 minutes at 600W microwave power with a yield of 44.66%. The treatment of temperature and microwave power in the gambier extraction process showed a significant interaction with the extract yield.

To identify novel advancements in plant diseases detection and classification systems employing Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), and Transfer Learning (TL), this research compiled 111 peer-reviewed papers published between 2019 and early 2023. The literature was sourced from databases such as Scopus and Web of Science using keywords related to deep learning and leaf disease. A structured analysis of various plant disease classification models is presented through tables and graphics. This paper systematically reviews the model approaches employed, datasets utilized, countries involved, and the validation and evaluation methods applied in plant disease identification. Each algorithm is annotated with suitable processing techniques, such as image segmentation and feature extraction, along with standard experimental metrics, including the total number of training/testing datasets utilized, the quantity of disease images considered, and the classifier type employed. The findings of this study serve as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to identify specific plant diseases through a literature-based approach. Additionally, the implementation of mobile-based applications using the DL approach is expected to enhance agricultural productivity.

Red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) can be transformed into various processed products, such as chips, jam, and juice. However, thermal processing may significantly alter its physical and chemical properties. As the calorific properties vary among different fruits, this study aims to measure the thermal properties of red dragon fruit. By measuring its thermal properties, red dragon fruit can be processed with improved energy efficiency and optimized thermal management. This study aims to examine the thermal properties and perform a cooling simulation of red dragon fruit. The cooling simulation, based on one-dimensional radial thermal flow, was conducted using the spherical heat equation explicitly discretized by the Forward Time Central Space (FTCS) scheme within the Finite Difference Method (FDM). The specific heat, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity of red dragon fruit were 3.827 kJ/kg oC, 9.18 x 10-4 cm2/s, and 0.34 W/m oC, respectively. The overall average coefficient of determination (R2) from the validation test of the simulation results was 0.9654. Based on these findings, the one-dimensional (radial) discretized heat transfer equation model can be used to predict the temperature distribution in spherical fruit over time, based on its thermal diffusivity. However, this approach has limitations. Future research would benefit from measuring the thermal diffusivity of whole red dragon fruit and applying a three-dimensional discretized heat transfer equation to obtain more accurate results and minimize potential errors.

The sustainable rubber industry, particularly in the tire sector, is supported by the use of biomaterials such as multifunctional additives. Fatty amine, derived from the esterification of illipe butter, is considered a promising bio-based multifunctional additive for the development of green tires. This research aimed to investigate the effect of varying dosage of fatty amine on the properties of green tire treads based on NR/BR blends reinforced with a silica/silane system. DPG and unmodified illipe butter were used as comparative references. The "magic triangle of tire performance" was employed as a benchmark for evaluating green tire tread performance. The result indicated that both unmodified illipe butter and fatty amine functioned as bio based multifunctional additives, specifically serving as a bio-plasticizer (filler dispersant) and fast-delayed bio-accelerator, respectively. Therefore, they have the potential to substitute DPG in rubber formulations. The combination of unmodified illipe butter and fatty amine at dosages of 2.5 and 1.25 phr, respectively, exhibited similar behavior by enhancing rubber-filler interaction. Consequently, they meet the desirable criteria outlined in the magic triangle of tire performance.

Biofertilizers contain N-fixing and P-solubilizing bacteria. The microbial population is dynamic and influenced by nutrient availability and storage temperature. Maintaining microbial populations requires appropriate carrier media to maximize microbial viability. The aim of the research is to determine the appropriate carrier material for the biofertilizer after storage based on the nutrient content and microbial population. The experiment utilized a completely randomized design with seven treatments and four replications, resulting in 28 experimental units. The treatments were as follows: B0 = Compost, B1 = Compost + Bacteria (Azotobacter and Pseudomonas fluorescens), B2 = Compost + Bacteria (Azotobacter + P. fluorescens) + Molasses, B3 = Compost + bacteria (Azotobacter + P. fluorescens) + CMC, B4 = Compost + bacteria (Azotobacter + P. fluorescens) + Arginine, B5 = Compost + bacteria (Azotobacter + P. fluorescens) + Sugar + CMC, and B6 = Compost + bacteria (Azotobacter + P. fluorescens) + Molasses + Arginine. The study results showed that the highest bacterial colonies were observed seven days after storage in treatment B2, reaching 156.33 CPU. The highest bacterial population growth in the first month was recorded in treatment B5; however, in months 2, 3, 4, and 5, treatment B2 exhibited the highest bacterial colony population. The pH remained more stable in treatments B2, B4, and B6. The highest nutrient content, including pH, N, P, K, and C/N ratio, was recorded in treatment B2, respectively, with values of 6.67, 2.49%, 2.04%, 1.77%, and 20.01. Findings in this study suggested the potential biofertilizer can be applied in the field to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers to support sustainable agriculture.

Indonesia is one of the biggest producers of cocoa bean. However, this big production of cocoa is not followed by its quality to fulfill chocolate industry requirement in flavor. Fermentation of cocoa is the most important process for producing high-quality flavor in cocoa beans. The goal of this study was to find out the fermentation effects of four clones on the sensory and chemical profile of cocoa liquor. Sensory analysis was conducted using a Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) method and the volatile components of the cocoa liquor were extracted using Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) and then followed by identification using Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Correlation between volatile components and sensory attributes were determined by OPLS (orthogonal partial least square) test. The results of this study indicate that OPLS S-plot GC-MS determination 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine and acetic acid were found as the active compounds. Fermented and unfermented cocoa liquor from various cocoa clones had different sensory attributes. All cocoa clones of fermented cocoa beans were dominated by attributes of specific cocoa aroma, cocoa, and acidity, whereas in unfermented cocoa, they were dominated by astringent and bitter.