Malaysian Applied Biology

Taxonomic Significance of Petiole Anatomical Characteristics of Selected Hoya R.Br. (Apocynaceae) Species in Malaysia

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to identify the common characteristics, variations and diagnostics features of petiole anatomy that can be used to differentiate, identify and classify ten Hoya species. This anatomical study involves incision with a sliding microtome, staining with Safranin and Alcian green, hydration with a series of alcohols, slide preparation, drying process, and observation under a light microscope. The results of the study show that all species share five common characteristics: the presence of cuticles, the number of petiole epidermal cells, the presence of latex cells and ducts, and the presence of hypodermis layers. A total of nine anatomical variations of the petiole were observed, namely the outline shape of the petiole, the pattern of vascular tissue, the type of additional vascular bundles, the presence and pattern of sclerenchyma cells, the presence of sclereid and collenchyma cells, the presence and type of crystals, the presence of starch nodules, the presence and type of trichomes. Diagnostic features of the petiole anatomy of some study species can also be identified. The dichotomous key for identifying the studied Hoya species was constructed using the petiole anatomical features obtained from the study. In conclusion, the anatomical characteristics of Hoya leaves have taxonomic value and can provide added value for the differentiation and identification of Hoya species in Peninsular Malaysia.

Phenotypic Characterization of Malaysian Village Chicken Ecotypes in Peninsular Malaysia

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Livestock characterization is vital for effectively developing, breeding and conserving Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR). Beyond breed development, there is a growing need for the livestock genomic sector to become more accessible, ensuring its applications contribute to conservation initiatives as well. This study focused on identification and evaluation of diverse village chicken ecotypes in Peninsular Malaysia based on their distinct phenotypic characteristics. A total of 459 chickens, commonly known as Ayam Kampung, were sampled from 15 different indigenous ecotypes. These chickens were assessed for a range of traits, including plumage color and pattern, comb type and color, as well as beak, and shank color. The findings revealed noticeable physical differences among the ecotypes, with five major groups identified: Arab chickens, cockfighting chickens, Kurik chickens, Naked Neck chickens, and multicolor chickens. The most prevalent traits observed were multicolor plumage, yellow-brown beak, and yellow shank, with red single and pea/walnut comb types also frequently present. These variations, shaped by environmental and human factors, are at risk of disappearing due to disease, human interference, and the introduction of other breeds. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the morphological characteristics of village chickens, making a significant contribution to future breeding programs. These insights are also crucial for preserving these unique genetic resources, maintaining biodiversity and their sustainable use in the future.

In Vitro Comparative Analysis of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Development: Evaluating Natural versus Artificial Diets

Asma Talib, Fazlullah, Ravindra Chandra Joshi, Umer Ayyaz Aslam Sheikh Sheikh — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a notorious invasive pest of global economic concern, impacting a diverse array of crops, with a significant preference for maize. Its swift dispersal and capacity to adapt to various environments present substantial obstacles to consistent crop yields and global food supplies. This research sought to evaluate the growth and developmental characteristics of S. frugiperda larvae provided with either a natural diet (maize leaves) or a specifically formulated artificial diet, maintained under controlled laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C; 65 ± 5% relative humidity). Egg masses were collected and the resulting larvae were raised on two feeding regimens, each repeated three times: (i) a natural diet consisting of maize foliage, and (ii) an artificial diet with a precisely defined composition of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals, antimicrobial substances, and binding agents. Larvae that consumed the artificial diet displayed notably faster development, improved survival, greater pupal development, and less microbial contamination in comparison to those raised on maize leaves. The stable nutritional content of the artificial diet promoted more consistent and predictable growth, while the natural diet resulted in increased variability, likely due to changes in the nutrient content of plant tissues. These results emphasize the utility of artificial diets in enabling large-scale, uniform rearing of S. frugiperda for various experimental purposes, particularly investigations into insect toxicology and biological control approaches.

Gut Microbiota Diversity Between Normal And Moribund Orange-Spotted Grouper Epinephelus coioides in the Merbok River Using 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study was conducted in the Merbok River, northwest Peninsular Malaysia, which is exposed to annual episodes of pollution. The microbiota of foregut, midgut and hindgut were analyzed to identify differences in the gut microbiome between three normal and two moribund orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides. Live specimens were collected two weeks after an episode of mass mortality. The 16S amplicon sequencing targeting the V3-V4 highly variable region revealed similar community richness among samples with common dominant phyla, including Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Tenericutes, Cyanobacteria and Acidobacteria. Significantly higher abundance of phylum Cyanobacteria, genus Sphingomonas and species Eubacterium coprostanoligenes in normal guts was likely beneficial in maintaining gut health. Moribund guts were enriched with opportunistic pathogens, including Escherichia-Shigella, Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Shewanella. In particular, moribund hindguts displayed a reduced Firmicutes-to-Proteobacteria ratio and significant enrichment of Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae, indicating dysbiosis and predicted to associate with skin conditions. Higher abundance of Photobacterim in moribund fish hindguts may also correlate with the increased chitinolytic activity and altered metabolic pathways. The outcomes of the study provide fundamental insights into the roles of gut microbiota in regulating the orange-spotted grouper's survival in a polluted environment.

Biodegradation of Unpretreated Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) by Thermophiles Isolated from Paku Hot Springs water and sendiment, Sarawak Borneo, Malaysia

Sabrina Rancang Khairul, Seng Chiew Toh, Arlene Debbie Lingoh, Sui Sien Leong — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Plastic pollution has emerged as a significant environmental concern in nowadays, necessitating innovative solutions for its mitigation. Hot springs, while traditionally valued for their health and relaxation benefits, also present unique environments that may harbour thermophile bacteria species capable of degrading plastic polymers. The study aimed to screen thermophiles from Sarawak hot springs for the biodegradation of potential low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film and evaluate their efficiency in degrading the plastic in 30 days. Water and sediment samples were collected from each pond of the Paku hot spring in Sarawak Borneo, Malaysia in triplicate. The thermophiles were cultivated in an enriched medium supplemented with 0.5% (w/v) PE powder at 55°C for 5 days. Colony morphology and Gram staining were carried out. Screening of isolates for LDPE biodegradation was conducted using the BATH test, clear zone assay. Additionally, the efficiency of the isolates for 30 days of LDPE biodegradation was evaluated using the pH change, bacteria growth observation, and weight loss method. A total of 96 thermophilic isolates were cultured, 11 isolates exhibited hydrophobicity levels above 30%, and 7 isolates showed clear zone formation. After the biodegradation process, the pH was slightly decreased to pH 6.5. The bacteria colonies were Gram-positive (3) and Gram-negative (4) short rods. Isolates SPK(W)M1(1), SPK(SD)P1(2), and SPK(SD)P1(3) resulted in increased of growth (OD 0.06 ± 0.02, OD 0.08 ± 0.01, and OD 0.1 ± 0.02, respectively). The highest growth absorbance was shown by isolate SPK(SD)P1(3) while isolate SPK(W)M1(1) showed the highest LDPE film weight reduction of 10 % (0.45 ± 0.05 g). The thermophiles SPK(SD)P1(3) and SPK(W)M1(1) are potential to be used to biodegrade LDPE plastic. The preliminary study offers insight into microbial biodegradation mechanisms, further research and advanced sequencing techniques are necessary for a thorough analysis of the metabolic pathways involved.

Optimizing Bioethanol Production Via Consolidated Bioprocessing: The Potential of Aspergillus niger B2484

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) integrates enzyme secretion, hydrolysis, and fermentation into a single-step process, eliminating the need for costly separate enzyme production in bioethanol manufacturing. While CBP aims to utilize naturally occurring cellulolytic microbes, no single microorganism has been identified to efficiently perform all required processes. One of the key challenges in CBP is optimizing culture conditions to maximize bioethanol yield. This study investigates the potential of Aspergillus niger B2484 as a single-culture bioethanol producer and optimizes the physicochemical parameters for converting pretreated paddy straw into bioethanol through CBP. Key parameters, including saccharification and fermentation duration, temperature, substrate loading, and medium composition, were evaluated using the One-Factor-At-a-Time (OFAT) method and further optimized via Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions were determined to be 66.7 hr of saccharification at 29.8°C, followed by 32.3 hr of fermentation at 30.2°C, with a substrate loading of 2.6% (w/v) and a medium level of 14.8% (v/v). The actual ethanol yield (0.63 g/L) closely matched the RSM-predicted yield (0.61 g/L), confirming the reliability of the optimization model. This study demonstrates the feasibility of A. niger B2484 as a single-culture bioethanol producer in CBP, highlighting its potential for commercial application either as a standalone microbial agent or as part of a customized enzymatic system to enhance bioethanol yield.

Isolation and Characterization of Antibacterial Actinomycetes from BRIS Soil in Setiu, Terengganu, Targeting ESKAPE Infections

Amirah Ahmad, Hamidah Idris, Mohd Fakharul Zaman Raja Yahya — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant challenge to global health, necessitating the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents. Actinomycetes are prolific producers of bioactive compounds, contributing to over two-thirds of clinically utilized antibiotics. While actinomycetes are widely recognized for their antibiotic production, little is known about those from BRIS soil in Setiu, Terengganu, and their antibacterial efficacy against ESKAPE pathogens remains unexplored. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of actinomycetes isolated from BRIS soil in Setiu, Terengganu, specifically against ESKAPE pathogens. The isolates were characterized by color groups, extracted using ethyl acetate and methanol, and screened for antibacterial activity using a gel plug assay. A selected actinomycete isolate was further analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), well diffusion (WD), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays, along with molecular identification. The results showed that isolate BA71 exhibited the largest inhibition zones with both methanol and ethyl acetate extracts compared to the other isolates tested. GC-MS analysis of the ethyl acetate extract from isolate BA71 identified nine bioactive compounds, including stigmasta-5,24(28)-dien-3-ol, gamma sitosterol, and lupeol. The WD, MIC, and MBC assays further confirmed the isolate's bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a close relationship between isolate BA71 and Streptomyces malaysiense MUSC 136T, with 100% similarity. These findings highlight the potential of BRIS soil-derived Streptomyces in the discovery of novel antibiotics, contributing to the ongoing search for effective treatments against ESKAPE pathogens.

Integrative Taxonomy of Diplazium Sw. (Athyriaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia: Insights from Morphological and Spore Ornamentation Data

Nur Aliah, Haja Maideen, Nurul Nadhirah — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The genus Diplazium Sw. (Athyriaceae) exhibits significant morphological diversity and complex taxonomy in Peninsular Malaysia. Building upon previously published anatomical and molecular phylogenetic data, this study integrates detailed morphological traits and novel spore ornamentation analyses to provide a comprehensive regional taxonomic assessment. Morphological data were collected from field and herbarium specimens, while spore surface ornamentation was examined using scanning electron microscopy on selected species representing key subclades identified through combined molecular datasets (plastid markers: rbcL, atpB, atpA, trnL-F; nuclear marker: ITS) as well as anatomical datasets from previous studies. Phylogenetic analyses based on these previously published molecular and anatomical data robustly support the monophyly of Diplazium species in Peninsular Malaysia. Morphological traits alone were insufficient to fully resolve species boundaries due to overlaps with related genera such as Athyrium, Deparia, and Cornopteris. Spore ornamentation revealed five distinct micro-morphological patterns that provide additional diagnostic characters, enhancing species delimitation and complementing classical morphological and molecular approaches. A dichotomous key to the Diplazium species of Peninsular Malaysia is also provided in supplementary material. This study presents an integrative taxonomic framework for Diplazium in Peninsular Malaysia by combining previously published molecular and anatomical phylogenies with new spore micromorphological data. The addition of spore ornamentation as supplementary evidence strengthens taxonomic resolution and supports future floristic, conservation, and evolutionary research in this biodiversity hotspot.

Thin Cell Layer Cultures for In Vitro Shoot Regeneration and Proliferation of Kaempferia parviflora

Zaleha Abdul Aziz, Rizasella Jamili, Nurul Alya Azman — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Kaempferia parviflora contains bioactive compounds with beneficial effects on health, including the management of obesity, diabetes, and cardiorespiratory disorders, as well as anticancer properties. However, in vitro propagation of this species remains challenging due to the limited availability of rhizomes as explants, which is caused by the prolonged dormancy period and low rate of rhizome splitting. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the suitability of thin cell layer (TCL) cultures as an alternative explant source for the shoot regeneration of K. parviflora. TCLs of different thicknesses (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 & 5.0 mm) were assessed to determine the optimum explant size using in vitro aerial shoots. The effects of various concentrations of BAP (1.0–5.0 mg/L), kinetin (0.5–4.0 mg/L), TDZ (0.5–4.0 mg/L), NAA (0.5–4.0 mg/L), and 2,4-D (0.2–1.0 mg/L) applied individually were tested for shoot regeneration. Subsequently, the effect of 1.0 mg/L BAP in combination with 2,4-D or TDZ (0–0.8 mg/L) was evaluated. TCLs of 5.0 mm thickness produced the highest shoot regeneration rate (46.33 ± 11.64%). Among the cytokinins, BAP at 1.0 mg/L induced the highest percentage of TCL-forming shoots (44.4 ± 15.7%) with an average of 2.38 ± 0.75 shoots per explant. Supplementing BAP with TDZ further enhanced shoot regeneration, with the combination of 1.0 mg/L BAP and 0.6 mg/L TDZ producing the highest regeneration rate (70.83 ± 8.33%). After 5 weeks of acclimatisation, 90% of plantlets survived in a soil and burnt rice husk mixture (1:1). These findings demonstrate that TCLs are effective explants for the in vitro regeneration of K. parviflora, reducing dependency on rhizomes and supporting large-scale propagation of this medicinal species.

Evaluation of Species-Specific PCR Primers for Detecting Pork DNA in Food Seasoning Products

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Food adulteration remains a critical issue, particularly in highly processed foods where DNA degradation reduces the effectiveness of species identification. This study evaluated the performance of three different lengths of species-specific primers (398, 288 & 149 bp) targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome B gene in pork and aimed to determine the most effective primer for detecting pork DNA in food seasoning products using species-specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Furthermore, species-specific primers for bovine and chicken were applied as controls to confirm species identification. The DNA was extracted from raw meat, binary mixtures, and seasonings. Sensitivity was tested with low pork concentrations, and the applicability of pork-specific primers was further evaluated in seasoning products without halal certification to assess potential pork adulteration. The results show that the DNA extracted from raw meat samples exhibited high purity (OD260/280:1.82 –2.00) and concentration (114.83 to 257.16 ng/µL), whereas food seasoning products yielded extremely lower values of purity (OD260/280:0.97 – 1.81) and concentration (2.75 to 66.18 ng/µL). Despite DNA degradation in processed foods, PCR products remain detectable. The shortest 149 bp primer demonstrated the highest sensitivity among the primers, successfully detecting pork DNA at a minimum concentration of 1% (w/w) in a binary meat mixture. The results demonstrated the absence of pork DNA in all non-pork labelled samples. However, the detection of chicken DNA in fermented pork cube samples indicated potential mislabelling or cross-contamination during processing. These findings emphasise the importance of primer selection for detecting highly degraded DNA. This also underscores the applicability of species-specific PCR as a practical and robust approach for routine food authentication, providing a valuable tool to ensure halal compliance within the food industry.

Use of LC-MS for The Quantitative Determination of Advanced Glycation End-Products in Ultra-Processed Malaysian Foods: A Protocol Development Pilot Study

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are formed through non-enzymatic reactions between reducing sugars and proteins, accelerated by high-temperature food processing. Excessive dietary intake of AGEs has been linked to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegeneration. An AGE content database is lacking for Malaysian foods, unlike database developments in the United States and China. This pilot study aimed to establish a protocol for AGE quantification using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in selected Malaysian foods. Eleven food samples, categorised by processing level according to the Nova classification, were analysed for two major AGE markers - Nε-carboxymethyllysine (CML) and Nε-carboxyethyllysine (CEL). Results showed significant variation in AGE content between samples, with the highest CEL levels found in deep-fried fish balls and steamed grouper fish, while pan-fried chicken sausages had the highest CML concentration; whereas levels in fresh fruits and minimally processed items like rolled oats were below detection. These findings suggest that food processing methods, particularly dry-heat techniques, significantly influence AGE formation. This developed protocol will be applied to a larger number of Malaysian foods to facilitate the development of an AGE food composition reference database for supporting dietary guidance in chronic disease prevention strategies.

Mir-Let-7i-5p As A Novel Regulator of MYC Gene Expression in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a severe bone marrow malignancy with a high mortality rate. Recent advancements in high-throughput technology and bioinformatics have facilitated the identification of microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the pathogenesis of AML. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of MicroRNA-let-7i-5p (miR-let-7i-5p) in the progression of AML. MiR-let-7 family has been widely utilised as a tumour inhibitor, suppressing its expression in several types of human cancer. Hence, dysregulation of miR-let-7i-5p is critical to cancer progression. However, the role of miR-let-7i-5p in AML remains unclear. Using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, the expression of miR-let-7i-5p in AML patients was investigated. The role of miR-let-7i-5p and its potential target genes in AML was examined using bioinformatic tools. Subsequently, the effect of miR-let-7i-5p was assessed through transfection, followed by the analysis of target gene expression using RT-qPCR. Further investigations employed the MTT and cell cycle assays on the effects of miR-let-7i-5p on AML cell proliferation and cell cycle. According to the GEO database, miR-let-7i-5p was significantly downregulated in AML patients compared to controls. AML development has been associated with miR-let-7i-5p by KEGG pathway analysis. Bioinformatics suggested that miR-let-7i-5p targets MYC in AML cells. Transfection of miR-let-7i-5p into AML cell lines decreased MYC expression, suggesting MYC regulates AML progression. However, MTT and cell cycle assays showed no significant effect of miR-let-7i-5p on AML cell proliferation and cell cycle, indicating the potential involvement of miR-let-7i-5p in alternative pathways in AML pathogenesis. The study highlights the potential significance of miR-let-7i-5p in regulating AML progression.

Oxidative Stress and Activation of Enzymatic Antioxidative Defence Mechanism in Tetraselmis chui

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an organism's ability to detoxify these harmful intermediates, posing a significant challenge for aquatic organisms, including microalgae. Tetraselmis chui has developed defence mechanisms to manage oxidative stress, ensuring its survival and functionality in various ecosystems. This study explores the interactions between the growth, oxidative stress markers and the activation of enzymatic antioxidative defence systems in T. chui after 8 days of incubation. T. chui was cultured in F2 media and subjected to variations in media strength (F/2, F, F/4 and F/8), sucrose concentrations (0 to 50 g/L), pH (5 to 9), and light intensities (0 to 600 lux). Growth was highest in full-strength media and improved with 40 g/L sucrose addition. Growth was largely unaffected by pH, except at pH 5, which reduced it, while higher light intensities boosted fresh and dry weights. Full-strength media led to significant MDA and H₂O₂ accumulation, while F/2 media exhibited higher ion leakage. The absence of sucrose increased H₂O₂ and ion leakage but lowered MDA, whereas higher sucrose concentrations raised MDA while reducing ion leakage. pH 7 stimulated MDA production, with H₂O₂ concentrations largely unchanged except in controls. Cells grown in darkness showed elevated MDA and ion leakage but reduced H₂O₂. CAT and APX activities were significantly enhanced in F/8 media, while gPOD was highest in full-strength media. Sucrose-free media induced CAT and APX but reduced gPOD activity. All enzyme activities were most strongly induced at pH 9. Light intensity at 150 lux favoured CAT and gPOD, whereas APX was more active in dark conditions. These findings unveil the strategies employed by T. chui in response to oxidative stress, highlighting its ecological adaptability and contributing to its potential to produce antioxidants for various industrial applications.

Physicochemical Properties of Bird’s Nest Orange Drink Treated Using Different Retort Times and Cooling Processes

Idris Maimanah Faizah, Lok Ying Phang, Ashari Rozzamri — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Bird’s nest drinks are widely recognised as a healthy beverage option. Introducing a bird’s nest orange drink represents a promising advancement in food technology, anticipated to offer enhanced health benefits. This study focuses on retort sterilisation, a crucial method for ensuring food safety and quality. However, prolonged retort processing can negatively impact beverage characteristics. This study investigated the effects of varying retort times (3, 5, and 7 minutes at 121°C) and cooling methods (room temperature and ice bath) on bird’s nest orange drink properties. The main goal was to find the best processing conditions to maintain product quality. Results showed that retort time significantly (p < 0.05) impacted most physical and chemical traits, including moisture, protein, fat, pH, total soluble solids, viscosity, and colour (L* values). Longer retort times decreased (p < 0.05) these properties, while ash and carbohydrate content, and redness/yellowness (a* and b* values), increased (p < 0.05). Cooling methods had less impact, mainly affecting (p < 0.05) viscosity and lightness, with ice water cooling performing slightly better. Crucially, the drink’s ability to scavenge free radicals notably (p < 0.05) declined with longer retort times, regardless of the cooling method. This shows that heat treatment degrades the antioxidants. The findings highlight a trade-off between ensuring microbial safety and preserving the drink’s nutritional and sensory quality, emphasising the importance of optimising thermal processing parameters for bird’s nest orange drinks.

Targeting PCSK9: Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Functionally Damaging Missense Variants

Loo Keat Wei, Huey Chyi Loh , Lyn R Griffiths — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) modulates cholesterol homeostasis by targeting low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) for lysosomal degradation. Genetic polymorphisms in PCSK9 can alter its autocatalytic processing, secretion, or binding affinity to LDLR. Reduce binding efficiency between PCSK9 and LDLR leads to elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level, thereby promoting atherosclerotic plaque formation and increasing the risk of ischemic stroke. The objective of this study was to identify the most functionally significant non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in PCSK9 via an integrated in silico analysis combining functional prediction tools (PROVEAN, SIFT, PolyPhen-2, SNAP2), protein stability and disease-association predictors, ligand-binding assessment, and post-translational modification analysis. A total of 4,979 PCSK9 variants were retrieved from Ensembl GRCh37/hg19, and HGMD. Functional annotation using PROVEAN, SIFT, PolyPhen-2, and SNAP2 identified 253 nsSNPs, with PolyPhen-2 predicting the largest subset. Upon filtering through the protein stability, disease association, ligand binding, and post-translational modification, five nsSNPs (W156R, H226L, H229R, G337R, and G394V) emerged as the most deleterious, with potential to disrupt secondary autocatalytic processing and significantly impair LDLR-PCSK9 interactions. These findings highlight novel candidate variants that may serve as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease.

Genome Editing for Enhanced Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Selected Cereal (Poaceae) Crops: Current Applications, Tools, and Future Perspectives

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Recent progress in genome editing (GEd) technology offers an opportunity to accelerate the breeding of improved crops with enhanced resistance and high tolerance to drought and salinity. In this article, we highlight four programmable site-specific nucleases that are considered prominent GEd technologies: meganucleases, zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) nucleases. We then focus on the application of CRISPR/Cas9 system and access the transformation methods that have been used to deliver the system into major cereal crops including rice (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays), barley (Hordeum vulgare), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and wheat (Triticum aestivum). This review further emphasises the applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to impart tolerance to two major abiotic stresses, salinity and drought, in these selected crops. Finally, we summarise bioinformatics tools that are available for cereal genome editing works, including guide RNA (gRNA) design and post-editing analysis tools. This review provides an overview of current progress, identifies research gaps, and offers perspectives for prospective scientists embarking on genome editing in cereals and related crops.

Effects of Entomopathogenic Fungi on Natural Enemies: A Systematic Review of Their Use in Biological Control

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This review evaluates the potential negative impacts of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) on natural enemies, a key component of sustainable pest management. Literature from Scopus and PubMed, covering 12 countries, 13 EPF species, and 33 natural enemy species, was classified according to the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) scale. EPF often caused lethal effects, such as Lecanicillium muscarium killing the parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae, as well as sublethal effects, including reduced reproduction, shortened longevity, decreased survival rates, and prolonged development. These outcomes varied depending on specific EPF–natural enemy interactions. The findings highlight the need for more field-based and long-term studies to ensure EPF applications do not compromise the ecological role of natural enemies in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).