The use of chemical preservatives in food products to inhibit the growth of microorganisms is widely used nowadays. However, their use has become a concern due to several negative side effects, and when consumers question the safety of the foods they eat. Therefore, the present work was conducted to investigate the potential of plant natural sanitiser from Cosmos caudatus Kunth extract to reduce the natural microflora present in raw beef and shrimp meat samples. The present work aimed to investigate the reduction of natural microflora (B. cereus, E. coli, Pseudomonas spp., S. aureus, and L. monocytogenes) in raw beef and shrimp meat samples following sanitisation with different concentrations of C. caudatus extract (0.05, 0.50, and 5.00%) at different soaking times (5, 10, and 15 min). The sanitised samples were further evaluated with sensory acceptability (colour, odour, texture, and overall acceptability) to determine their acceptance level after treatment. Based on the results, the microflora in beef and shrimp meat samples were reduced significantly (p < 0.05) started from 0.05% at varied soaking times. The decrease in bacterial populations was proportional to the increase in extract concentrations and soaking times. In sensory acceptability, all cooked samples achieved acceptance level by the panellists at 0.05% after 10 min of soaking time. Food samples treated with 0.05% of C. caudatus extract and 10 min of soaking time showed the best combination in terms of bacterial reduction and the level of acceptance by the panellists. Hence, it can be concluded that C. caudatus extract has a high potential as a natural-based food sanitiser that can prevent bacterial contamination while maintaining the sensory acceptability of the foods.

Highlight ResearchEffects of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder on pellet water stability in shrimp diet.Evaluation of squid oil attractant on feed palatability.The quality of water after inclusion of CMC binder and squid oil in pellet.CMC and squid oil improved dry matter retention and feeding responses in shrimp. AbstractPellet water stability and feeding attractant are the crucial factors to be considered in the formulation of shrimp feed to minimize nutrient leaching and improve food palatability, respectively. The aim of this study was to determine the binding effect of supplementation of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) during pellet manufacturing, and feeding responses with the inclusion of squid oil in pellet. Both experiments were conducted separately in five feed formulations ranged from 0.00% to 3.00% of CMC and squid oil. All T0 was referred as control with no CMC or squid oil. Experiment was conducted using 30 shrimps/treatment with triplicates. The dry matter retention up to 120 min of immersion and the feeding response test were evaluated in pellet supplemented with CMC and squid oil, respectively. Results showed the percentage of dry matter retentions increased with the increase of CMC, over time. The CMC containing pellets at 2.00% and 3.00% had minimal disintegration in water and possessed high water stability after 120 min immersion. The addition of 3.00% squid oil in feed exhibited a significant result (p<0.05) in the time taken for shrimp to access the pellet, also increased the time starts for ingestion. No significant change was observed in water quality indicated no water contamination occurred throughout the study. Results demonstrated that the addition of CMC binder at 2.00% and 3.00% improved pellet water stability, whilst 3.00% squid oil was recommended to enhance feed palatability. However, future studies on the activity of enzymes in shrimp bodies after treatment would be an advantage.

Although exercise is proven as an effective strategy to combat post-stroke complications and the risk of stroke recurrence, many stroke survivors fail to engage in this activity following rehabilitation. In this study, we assessed the feasibility and usefulness of a low-frequency group exercise to determine its suitability as an approach to facilitate exercise engagement among stroke survivors. Forty-one stroke survivors, mean (SD) age 59.34 (10.02) years, mean time post-stroke 17.13 (17.58) months, completed a 90 minute, once per week, group exercise supervised by therapists for 12 weeks. The exercise outcomes were measured using standardized clinical tests. We observed improvement in the group’s physical performance; balance score by 3 units (Z = −3.88, p < 0.001), speed of repetitive sit to stand by 3.4 s (Z = −4.69, p < 0.001), and walking speed by 8.22 m/min (Z = −3.25, p < 0.001). Scores of seven out of 14 Berg’s balance scale items increased significantly, indicating better balance ability among the survivors. In conclusion, a 12-week, once per week group exercise session seems feasible and sufficient to improve the physical performance of community dwelling stroke survivors. This exercise arrangement may be offered to stroke survivors to facilitate exercise practice following rehabilitation.

Shrimp consumption has increased steadily around the world, as has the emergence of bacterial pathogens, which cause massive economic losses. The incorporation of plant extracts in aquatic animal feeds has been suggested to improve growth performance and resistance against bacterial pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Cajeput Melaleuca cajuputi leaf extract (MCLE) on the growth performance, physiological responses and resistance of Giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii against Aeromonas hydrophila. The phytochemical composition of the MCLE was analysed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Thereafter, the MCLE was included in diets (0.0, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 g/kg) fed to the M. rosenbergii. The growth was observed after 45 days of the feeding trial, whereas physiological responses and clearance efficiency (%) against A. hydrophila were observed on the 60th day. 2‐Isopropyl‐10‐methylphenanthrene, phenanthrene, 1‐methyl‐7‐(1‐methyl ethyl) and 4H‐1‐Benzopyran‐4‐one, 3‐acetyl‐5, 7‐dihydroxy‐2‐methyl‐ compounds were detected as the major compounds in the MCLE. A significant improvement (p < 0.05) of growth and survival of M. rosenbergii fed with MCLE supplementation at 15.0 g/kg was observed. The total haemocyte count, hyaline cells and granular cells were also increased (p < 0.05) in the M. rosenbergii fed with diets included with MCLE. Upon challenging the primed M. rosenbergii with sub‐lethal doses of A. hydrophila, the highest clearance efficiency (73%) was achieved in the prawn‐fed 15.0 g/kg MCLE based diet (p < 0.05) after 96 h post injection. These findings indicate the potential of MCLE supplementation to improve growth, immune responses of M. rosenbergii and their resistance against A. hydrophila.

Paraquat is the most widely used herbicide in agricultural activities for land preparation and weed control. Uncontrolled usage and poor waste management will introduce the chemical into the aquatic ecosystem due to agricultural runoff, causing harm to non-targeted aquatic species, especially fish. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the histological alterations of the gill, liver and kidney of the freshwater fish Anabas testudineus. Fish were exposed to four paraquat concentrations (2.0, 5.0, 12.0 and 15.0 mg/L) for 96 hours in controlled water parameters and without feeding. Following treatment, all fish were pithed and their gills, livers and kidneys were collected. Histopathological analysis with semi-quantitative scoring lesions were performed to determine the severity of the tissue changes in each fish organ. Histopathological changes in the gills after 96 hours of paraquat exposure showed lamella curvature, hyperplasia, edema, blood vessel congestion and necrosis compared with the control group. Histological changes, like degeneration in hepatocytes and necrosis were observed in the livers and kidneys exposed to 2.0-12.0 mg/L of paraquat. Prominent histopathological changes were observed in 15.0 mg/L of paraquat exposure, including nuclear pyknosis and necrosis. Overall, this study demonstrated deleterious effects of paraquat on the tissues of A. testudineus. The histopathological changes were proportional to the paraquat concentration and may impair organs’ vital functions which in turn affects the fish’s health.