International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) contains bioactive antioxidants such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and vitamin C, which are believed to support testicular function and protect germ cells from oxidative stress. This study aimed to examine the effects of P. edulis extract on reproductive parameters in male mice, including sperm quality, testicular morphology, testosterone levels, and histological features related to spermatogenesis. Twenty-four adult male mice were randomly divided into four groups: a control group and three treatment groups receiving 100, 200, and 400mg/kg body weight of P. edulis extract for 28 days. Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were evaluated, followed by measurements of testicular weight, diameter, and volume. Serum testosterone levels were analyzed, and testicular tissues were processed for histology using the Johnsen scoring system and a spermatogenic index. The findings showed that the extract produced a general improvement across several reproductive parameters. Although not all differences were statistically significant, mice in the treatment groups tended to exhibit higher sperm concentration and motility compared to controls. A marked reduction in sperm abnormalities was observed at the highest dosage. Histological evaluation revealed more organized seminiferous tubules, thicker germinal epithelium, and a greater presence of mature spermatozoa in the treated groups. These observations were consistent with increased Johnsen scores and spermatogenic indices, suggesting enhanced germ cell development. The overall pattern indicates that the antioxidant components of P. edulis help maintain testicular architecture and support spermatogenesis. In conclusion, the Passiflora edulis extract shows potential as a natural supplement to improve male reproductive performance, although further studies are needed to clarify its molecular mechanisms.

Keywords: Passiflora edulis; Spermatogenesis; Sperm quality; Testicular histology; Male fertility.

Oligosaccharides (OS), carbohydrates composed of a small number of monosaccharide units, have attracted growing interest due to their diverse biological activities and promising health benefits. OS, naturally present in plants, milk, and diverse dietary sources, functions as a prebiotic by selectively promoting the growth of beneficial gut microbiota, thereby supporting gastrointestinal health. In addition to their prebiotic effects, emerging evidence underscores their immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. This review comprehensively examined the types of OS and their health benefits, with particular emphasis on antioxidant, immunomodulatory, metabolic-regulating, and prebiotic functions. OS, defined by a degree of polymerization of 3–10 (e.g., fructo- and galacto-oligosaccharides), act primarily as selective substrates for Bifidobacteria spp. and Lactobacilli spp., promoting gut-brain axis signaling, immunomodulation, and glycemic control. Additionally, this review emphasizes current developments in personalized nutrition and biotechnology that open avenues for their incorporation into nutraceuticals and functional foods. Integrating OS with PS, either alone or in synergistic formulations with probiotics and antioxidants, represents a powerful approach for managing and preventing diseases. With continued scientific exploration, these natural carbohydrates will assume an increasingly important role in human nutrition, offering novel strategies for disease prevention and prospects in human health management.

Keywords: Oligosaccharides, Prebiotics, Bioactivities, Health benefits.

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is a key tropical perennial crop with notable tolerance to moderate salinity, yet extreme saline conditions can impair growth and productivity. This study investigated the effects of saline irrigation on nutrient accumulation, leaf growth, and soil properties in Dua Ta coconut seedlings under greenhouse conditions. Five salinity levels (0.89, 6.25, 18.25, and 24.5dSm-1) were applied to five-month-old seedlings over 12 months. Leaf growth, biomass, leaflet formation, and nutrient concentrations in roots and leaves were measured, along with changes in soil physicochemical properties. Results indicated that increasing salinity reduced leaf number, length, width, biomass, and leaflet formation, with the most severe effects at 24.5dSm-1. High salinity increased soil EC, TDS, and Na+/Cl- concentrations while reducing organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. Mild salinity (≤ 6.25dSm-1) had minimal effects, moderate salinity (12.0 – 18.25dSm-1) partially inhibited growth, and extreme salinity (24.5dSm-1) severely disrupted physiological functions. The study highlights the interconnected pathway linking saline irrigation, soil nutrient availability, root nutrient uptake, and leaf growth, providing mechanistic insight to guide management strategies for sustaining coconut productivity under salinity stress.

Keywords: Coconut seedling growth, Salt stress, Saline irrigation, Soil nutrient, Root nutrient uptake.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in the physicochemical and functional properties of rice varieties, moisture content, and the popping and gun-puffing methods to improve the cooking quality of rice noodles. The study used a randomized block design with two factors. The first factor was white and black glutinous rice varieties, and the second factor was processing conditions. White glutinous rice varieties provided better hardness, porosity, color, and pasting properties compared to black glutinous rice varieties. However, black glutinous rice varieties were superior in nutritional components and functional properties, including resistant starch, digestible fiber, and anthocyanin content. Rice with an initial moisture content of 14% produced popping rice with higher porosity, meaning it expanded more than rice with an initial moisture content of 10%. The use of gun-puffing resulted in gun-puffed black rice expanding more than white gun-puffed rice. Brown rice flour and popcorn rice from the popped and puffed processes can be added to instant rice noodles. The addition of popping and puffed rice to instant rice noodles can reduce rehydration time and increase water absorption and cooking loss.

Keywords: Popped rice, Gun-puffed rice, Rice noodle, Functional foods.

Diseases caused by opportunistic bacteria such as Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio alginolyticus remain a major constraint in intensive aquaculture, while the use of antibiotics raises concerns about resistance and environmental risks. This research aimed to isolate and characterize gut-derived probiotic bacteria from Clarias batrachus and to evaluate their antagonistic activity against major aquaculture pathogens. Intestinal bacterial isolates were obtained through selective culturing, followed by biochemical and phenotypic characterization, antagonistic testing, agar-diffusion antibacterial assays, pH tolerance evaluation, and pathogenicity testing using the brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT). Six isolates were obtained, of which four (BP-1, BP-3, BP-4, and BP-6) exhibited significant inhibitory activity (P<0.05) against both pathogens, whereas two (BP-2 and BP-5) were inactive. The BP-3 isolate showed the best antibacterial activity against A. hydrophila and V. alginolyticus, with inhibition zone diameters of 14.33 mm and 13.67 mm, respectively. The active isolates were predominantly Gram-positive, catalase-variable, and tolerant of acidic conditions (pH 2-6), indicating suitability for survival in the gastrointestinal tract. Pathogenicity testing confirmed all active isolates as non-toxic (LC50>35×103ppm). These findings demonstrate that the intestine of C. batrachus harbors host-associated probiotic candidates with strong antibacterial potential and promising biosafety attributes. Based on biochemical and microscopic characterization, all four isolates were suspected to be Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Eubacterium. Further molecular identification and in vivo validation are recommended to confirm functional stability and the feasibility of application.

Keywords: Aeromonas hydrophila, Antibacterial, Cat fish, Probiotic bacteria, Vibrio alginolyticus.

The germination stage represents a critical phase in plant growth and development, determining subsequent vigor and yield potential. In soybean (Glycine max L.) low seed quality and rapid deterioration during storage remain major constraints to achieving uniform and vigorous germination. Seed priming with natural bio stimulants such as moringa leaf extract (MLE) offers a promising strategy to enhance seed performance. This study evaluated the effects of 4% MLE as a bio stimulant for soybean seed priming under laboratory conditions. A factorial experimental design was conducted using three cultivars (Dering-1, Dega-1, and Devon-1) and three priming treatments (MLE 4%, hydro-priming, and unprimed control). Results showed that MLE 4% significantly increased the percentage of normal seedlings and vigor index, particularly in the Dega-1 and Devon-1. While hydro-priming accelerated germination time, MLE 4% enhanced germination quality, uniformity, and seedling biomass accumulation. The combination of MLE 4% and the Dega-1 cultivar produced the highest fresh and dry weights. Pearson correlation and principal component analyses confirmed the positive Influence of MLE 4% on key germination traits. PCA clearly distinguished MLE 4% from the control, as evidenced by its superior germination performance. These findings demonstrate that MLE 4% is an effective and eco-friendly seed priming treatment for improving the physiological quality of soybean seeds, especially in cultivars responsive to bio-stimulant compounds.

Keywords: Germination, Moringa leaf extract, Seed priming, Soybean.

This study evaluated the influence of different seeding rates on photosynthetic activity, growth, and productivity of flax varieties under Northern Kazakhstan’s sharply continental climate. Field experiments were conducted in 2023–2024 using oil and long-fiber flax varieties at two seeding rates (10 and 23 million seeds/ha) in 2m² plots with three repetitions. Increasing the seeding rate significantly (P<0.01) enhanced plant height but reduced individual plant yield components. Productivity was significantly (P<0.01) higher at the lower seeding rate (10 million seeds/ha) for Talar (0.60 ± 0.80 t/ha), Lada (0.60 ± 0.03 t/ha), and UF1 (0.60 ± 0.04 t/ha) compared to the higher rate (e.g., Talar: 0.52 ± 0.1 t/ha). The 1000-seed weight was significantly influenced (P<0.01) by variety, seeding rate, and interaction (e.g., Lada: 7.0 ± 0.7 g at 10 million seeds/ha). Seed number per pod was significantly influenced by seeding rate (P<0.01), with Talar showing 8.5 ± 1.0 seeds/pod at 10 million seeds/ha versus 6.6 ± 0.9 at 23 million seeds/ha. Oil and protein content varied by genotype and density, but main effects and interaction with seeding rate were not statistically significant (ns). Talar recorded the highest oil content at 23 million seeds/ha (41.14 ± 0.9%), while protein content increased with higher seeding rates (e.g., Talar: 18.24 ± 1.1% at 10 to 19.08 ± 0.7% at 23 million seeds/ha). Photosynthetic productivity and net photosynthetic productivity showed significant (P<0.01) varietal differences, but seeding rate effects were non-significant (ns). Lada had the highest PP (1554.0 ± 2.3 thousand m²/ha/day at 10 million seeds/ha), and Talar exhibited the highest NPP (4.23 ± 0.0 g/m²·day at 10 million seeds/ha). These findings provide recommendations for optimizing flax production.

Keywords: Flax varieties, Long-fiber flax, Yield, Productivity, Correlation analysis.

Durian (Durio zibethinus) processing generates substantial agro-industrial waste that remains underutilized despite its potential as a functional feed ingredient. Fermenting Lentinus edodes can enhance the nutritional value and bioavailability of durian waste by improving fiber degradability and releasing bioactive compounds; however, information on the safe inclusion level and physiological effects in broiler diets is limited. This study evaluated the effects of graded dietary levels of L. edodes-fermented durian waste (DzWF) on growth performance, gut health, immune response, lipid metabolism, and meat fatty acid composition in broiler chickens. A total of 200 Lohmann MB 202 broilers were assigned to five dietary treatments containing 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20% DzWF with four replicates of 10 birds each, and fed isoenergetic and isonitrogenous starter and finisher diets. Dietary DzWF up to 20% did not affect growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass yield, or abdominal fat deposition. Thymus index increased linearly with increasing DzWF levels, while bursa and spleen indices were unaffected. DzWF supplementation significantly improved intestinal morphology by increasing villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio and reducing crypt depth, accompanied by decreased ileal Escherichia coli counts and increased lactic acid bacteria populations. Blood lipid profiles were favorably modulated, with increased high-density lipoprotein levels and reduced meat cholesterol content. Omega-3 fatty acids increased at all inclusion levels, and omega-6 fatty acids increased notably at 20% DzWF. These findings indicate that DzWF can be safely included in broiler diets up to 20% and functions as a sustainable feed ingredient that enhances gut health, immune development, and meat lipid quality.

Keywords: Broiler chickens, Fermented durian waste, Lentinus edodes, Intestinal morphology, Blood lipid profile.

TTauco is a soybean that has undergone mould and salt fermentation and is commonly used as a flavor enhancer in Indonesia. During fermentation, enzymes from microorganisms catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins into peptides and amino acids, including those that contribute to umami flavors. The objective of this study was to ascertain the abundance of enzymes and predict their activity in tauco using the Metagenome Analyzer. The enzymes were predicted from the DNA sequences of microorganisms from tauco obtained from three regions in Indonesia: Cianjur, Pekalongan, and Singkawang. The most prevalent enzymes in all tauco were transferases, while hydrolases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of ester and peptide bonds, were the second most prevalent. The peptidases in tauco are predominantly endopeptidases, with significantly more assignments (3828 reads) than exopeptidases (3254 reads). A comparative analysis reveals that the number of peptidases assigned to tauco Singkawang (3257) is not significantly different from that of tauco Pekalongan (3177). However, the number of peptidases in tauco Cianjur is considerably lower (1520). This is also evidenced by the elevated level of peptides (14331.92mg/mL) in tauco Cianjur, as compared to the lower levels observed in the other two tauco. Both serine and metallo-carboxypeptidases in tauco are predicted to play a role in flavor production, as they have been shown to enhance umami and eliminate bitterness. The total activity of aminopeptidase, serine, and metallo-carboxypeptidase activity in tauco accounts for 2252 assignments (1.7%) out of the 135996 reads of the total enzyme activity.

Keywords: Fermentation, Enzyme prediction, Peptidases, Tauco, Umami.

The success of Pesisir cattle breeding programs depends on sperm quality and the presence of functional proteins associated with motility and fertility, which may serve as reproductive biomarkers for sperm quality. This study evaluated individual sperm kinematic parameters, mapped protein profiles, and examined their relationships with sperm motility and molecular weight. Ten Pesisir bulls (aged <2-4 years) were assessed. Sperm motility was analyzed using Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA; IVOS-Hamilton) for accurate and objective measurements. Protein molecular weights were determined via one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D SDS-PAGE) using a PM2700/3-Color Broad Range Protein Marker (5-270 kDa). The results showed inter-individual variation in the kinematic parameters, all within the normal range. A total of 6-14 protein bands were identified in the sperm of Pesisir bulls. Total and progressive motility exhibited strong positive correlations (r=0.97; P<0.05) with all kinematic parameters, including VCL, VSL, VAP, DCL, DSL, and DAP (r>0.70). Protein bands in the 21-25 kDa and 50-75 kDa ranges were significantly correlated with motility parameters and the number of protein bands detected. In conclusion, Pesisir bull sperm exhibited normal motility kinematics, and 6-14 protein bands were identified as potential markers for semen quality assessment.

Keywords: Reproduction, CASA, Protein function, Molecular Weight, Electrophoresis.