Coding-Complete Genome Sequence of an African Swine Fever Virus from an Outbreak in 2021 among Domestic Pigs in Pangasinan, Philippines.

We report a coding-complete genome sequence of an African swine fever virus from an outbreak in 2021 among domestic pigs in Pangasinan, Philippines using Oxford Nanopore Technologies minION. The linear genome assembly is a single contig with 192,377 bp.

Characterization of the physicochemical, thermal and rheological properties of cashew kernel starch.

The study aimed to characterize physicochemical, thermal, and rheological properties of cashew nut starch (CNS) and then compare the obtained results with the properties of potato and corn starches. CNS showed higher gelatinization temperatures (112.29 °C) than those noted for potato and maize starches (78.44-94.65 °C). In addition, CNS had higher peak viscosity (19.03 mPa·s) than high amylose corn starch. The static shear rheological test indicated that the CNS followed a pseudoplastic behavior. In addition, CNS sample showed a thixotropic patter, which was less pronounced than that observed for potato starch, but higher than the value reported for high amylose corn starch. These results demonstrated that the shear resistance of CNS was lower than high amylose corn starch, but higher than potato starch. The storage and loss modulus (G' and G", respectively) of the CNS were higher than those reported for the rest of samples. In this line, elastic properties were predominant in CNS sample. In conclusion, results from this study provided insight into physicochemical and structural properties of cashew nut starch, which could represent a preliminary step for its future application in food processing.

Field testing of ovicidal-larvicidal trap system with pelletized extracts of Piper nigrum L. for Aedes mosquito in Quezon City and Marikina City

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to validate the effectiveness of the ovicidal-larvicidal (OL) trap with the pelletized extracts of Piper nigrum L. in attracting female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for oviposition and in reducing teh number of larvae hatched, thus preventing the emergence of adult mosquitoes. METHODS: The OL trap system containing the developed plant-based pellets from Piper nigrum L. was field tested in Marikina and Quezon City. Paired OL traps were installed outdoors in 150 selected houses in each city. The OL trap is composed of a black painted can, a small strip of lawanit (paddle) for oviposition and extracts of Piper nigrum L. as the ovicide-larvicide solution or plain water. Pelletized form of Piper nigrum L. was prepared by grinding the seeds then mixing it with 1% previously cooked starch solution at a ratio of 1:1 followed by extrusion and forming into pellets using a granulator then drying. The number of positive OL traps was recorded. Larval mortality and the Ovitrap Index were also determined. RESULTS: Four collections were made using the pelletized form in which 2,314 OL traps were collected. The OL traps with the pelletized form showed a 53.2% attraction which is significantly higher than that with water (p-value CONCLUSION: The overall results indicate that the developed OL trap system with Piper nigrum L. is effective in attracting Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The OL traps with extracts of Piper nigrum L. were also found to be lethal to larvae.

Effects of aqueous and pelletized admixute of Piper nigrum L on the oviposition behavior of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and its larvicidal-ovicidal activity

OBJECTIVE: The aqueous and pelletized admixture of Piper nigrum L. was evaluated for its oviposition response and larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. METHODS: The aqueous and pelletized extract of Piper nigrum L. was prepared and first tested in the laboratory. Efficiency is evaluated using the mosquito-chamber test. A small-scale field test was also done to determine the oviposition response of the pepper extract to ovicidal-larvicidal (OL) traps. Larvicidal bioassay following the WHO standard protocols with slight modification at different concentrations was performed. RESULTS: Results of the mosquito chamber test in the laboratory showed that the aqueous solution exhibited an increasing rate of oviposition attraction of female Aedes aegypti to increasing rate of concentration with an average of 70% attraction at 1000 ppm as compared to 30% attraction to OL traps with water alone. The aqueous pepper-based solution and pelletized pepper solution at 1000 and 2000 ppm are considered attractants to Aedes mosquitoes. Both solutions have oviposition activity index (OAI) of > +0.3. It was also field tested on the 10 buildings within the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) compound. Results showed an oviposition ratio two times better in both the 1000 ppm concentration of the aqueous pepper-based solution and pelletized pepper solution as compared to the control. The positive ovitrap index was in the range of 78%-84% for both the aqueous pepper-based and pelletized pepper against water which is 70.0%. Larvicidal activity of the aqueous pepper-based solution against 3rd larval instars of Aedes aegypti at increasing dosages from 75mg/1 to 600 mg/I had an LCso of 127 mg/I and 395 mg/I for LC90 The LCso for the solution with pelletized pepper at the same dosing concentration is 117 mg/I with LC90 of 285 mg/1. The results also showed that these can be used to control larval instars of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. CONCLUSION: The overall results indicate that the aqueous and pelletized extracts of Piper nigrum L. are effective in attracting the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for oviposition and exhibit a larvicidal activity.

Tensile and tear strength of carrageenan film from Philippine eucheuma species.

The tensile and tear strength of carrageenan film from Philippines Eucheuma species were investigated using NEC tensilon universal-testing machine according to American Society for Testing Materials methods. These properties are important for assessing carrageenan film as packaging material. The kappa and iota types were used in the study. The effect of glycerine on the tensile and tear strength including elongation was also evaluated. Addition of glycerine tended to lower the tensile strength of the film and increase its elongation properties including the tear strength. Carrageenan film without glycerine was much stronger. Glycerine made the film more flexible and easy to deform. The composite film of carrageenan and konjac gum did not exhibit elongation. It also showed higher tensile strength than did the composite film of carrageenan and xanthan gum. Compared with iota-type carrageenan film, kappa-type carrageenan film without glycerine was more comparable to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film in terms of tensile strength as was the composite film of carrageenan-konjac gum. The kappa-type carrageenan film with glycerine was more comparable to LDPE film in terms of tear strength. The elongation reading for carrageenan film was lower than that for LDPE film. Morphologic studies showed that the carrageenan film had sets of pores distributed randomly at different places as compared to LDPE film. It also showed that the carrageenan film was more fibrous than LDPE film.