This study was conducted to investigate the influence of copper sulphate (CuSO4) levels and spraying frequency on growth, yield and some physiological and biochemical characteristics in mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.) on grey fertile soil in Ho Chi Minh City. The two-factor experiment was arranged in a splitplot design, including nine treatments with three replicates. The main plot factor was three concentrations of CuSO4 with 0, 400 and 800 mg/L. The sub-plot factor was the number of sprays including 1 spray (10 days after cutting: DAC), 2 sprays (10 and 20 DAC), 3 sprays (10, 20 and 30 DAC), 4 sprays (10, 20, 30 and 40 DAC). The results indicated that mugwort was treated with copper sulphate at a concentration of 800 mg/L and sprayed three times, the physiological indices, including chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents in the leaves, reached the highest values with 9.34 and 4.74 mg/g, respectively. In addition, the highest total flavonoid, polyphenol and essential oil content (6.32 mg RE/g, 8.86 mg GAE/g and 0.18%, respectively) were attained when compared with other copper sulphate concentration. Finally, among the graded levels of CuSO4 application, the yield of essential oil increased progressively with increasing levels of CuSO4, obtaining the highest yield of essential oil at the treatment of 800 mg/L CuSO4, reaching 31.7 L/ha.

The Son La ancient chrysanthemum, a woody-stemmed variety, is prized for pot cultivation and bonsai, reflecting the cultural significance of chrysanthemums as symbols of longevity. This study, conducted from February to November 2024 at Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, aimed to evaluate the impact of gamma radiation (⁶⁰Co) on the in vitro propagation and mutation induction of Son La ancient chrysanthemum plants, thereby identifying the optimal radiation dose for mutation breeding. The experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design with a two-factor setup: tissue type (shoot clusters, callus) and radiation dose (0, 20, 30 and 40 Gy). Results showed significant impacts on survival, growth, and mutation frequency. The LD50 (lethal dose, 50%) values at 50 days after irradiation (DAI) were 36.8 Gy for shoot clusters and 16.0 Gy for callus, indicating higher callus sensitivity. In shoot clusters, 20 Gy significantly stimulated growth (6.1 shoots, 6.2 cm height, 43.4 leaves), while 40 Gy severely inhibited it (2 shoots, 1.1 cm height, 8.9 leaves); callus survival sharply declined at 20 Gy (31.1%) and reached 0% at 30 and 40 Gy. A dose of 20 Gy induced diverse morphological mutations in shoot clusters (leaf color, shape, stem), while 40 Gy caused 100% yellowing and stunting; callus primarily showed chlorophyll loss (6.9%) and shoot regeneration failure (15.6%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant tissue type-dose interaction (P < 0.01). A dose of 20 Gy was optimal for mutation induction in shoot clusters, whereas callus being too sensitive. This study provides new LD50 data, tissue-specific radiation sensitivity, and mutation potential, recommending 20 Gy for future breeding studies focusing on shoot clusters, and suggesting further investigation into shoot cluster radiation tolerance.

By optimizing container gardening practices for solanaceous vegetables like eggplant, urban agriculture and food security initiatives can be significantly advanced. This study examined the productivity of polybag-grown eggplants, focusing on polybag sizes and buffalo manure tea levels. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was utilized, featuring a 3 × 8 factorial arrangement with 24 treatments and 3 replicates. The experimental results showed that eggplants grown in 40.64 x 40.64 cm polybags demonstrated significantly higher growth and yield. Specifically, these polybags achieved average plant heights of 46.73 cm, a leaf count of 28.39, and a total yield of 2.01 kg per plant. The polybags required at least 6.5 kg of growing media, composed of a 2:2:1 ratio of garden soil, aged rice hull, and vermicompost. These findings offer valuable insights for urban gardeners and agricultural practitioners seeking to enhance eggplant productivity sustainably.

Feline panleukopenia, caused by the Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), a small DNA virus in the Parvoviridae family, is a highly contagious and often fatal disease affecting all feline species. This study was conducted from April to September 2024 at the K9 Veterinary Clinic system in Ho Chi Minh City. During this period, 47 FPV-positive cats were identified from 132 suspected cases, representing a prevalence rate of 35.61%. Age and the number of cats per household were significantly associated with FPV infection rates (P < 0.05). The FPV-positive cats exhibited alterations in specific hematological parameters, with a reduction in both white blood cell (WBC) count (2.79 x 10⁹/L) and neutrophil count (1.77 x 10⁹/L). The most commonly observed clinical signs in FPVpositive cats included vomiting, non-bloody diarrhea, poor skin turgor, lethargy, and anorexia. The results of the treatment indicated that 29 out of the 47 infected cats recovered, representing a success rate of 61.70%. In conclusion, feline panleukopenia remains a significant risk for cats, particularly in young or unvaccinated individuals. Early treatment of cats with leukopenia, combined with strict adherence to the treatment regimen, is essential to improve the recovery rate.

Shrimp farming in Vietnam, particularly in intensive systems, faces many challenges: disease outbreaks, environmental stress, feed quality issues, and water management, leading to high mortality and reduced efficiency. Chitosan, a natural biopolymer derived from crustaceans like shrimp and crab, offers a sustainable solution. With antimicrobial, immune-boosting, and growth-enhancing properties, chitosan has been shown to improve shrimp health by boosting immunity, reducing oxidative stress, and supporting growth, while also increasing feed efficiency and water quality. The purpose of this paper is to review the current knowledge on the potential application of chitosan in shrimp farming, particularly in Vietnam, and its role in addressing the challenges of sustainability, disease prevention, and feed efficiency in the shrimp aquaculture industry. Vietnam, as a global leader in shrimp production, possesses large quantities of shrimp by-products from processing plants and molted shells at farms, provides an abundant resource for chitosan production, creating a closed-loop solution within the shrimp industry itself. Converting this waste into chitosan supports circular economy goals and reduces reliance on antibiotics. Integrating shrimp-derived chitosan could foster a more sustainable and resilient shrimp farming industry, benefiting both the economy and the environment.

Myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in small to medium-sized dog breeds (Dachshund, Miniature and Toy Poodles, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Maltese…). The objective of this research was to study the prevalence of MMVD and predisposing factors of an affected population dogs in the Cardiology clinic at Thonglor International Pet Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic medical records of 151 dogs confirmed with MMVD were collected. Assessment criteria included signalments (breed, age, sex, and body weight); physical examination findings (clinical signs and heart murmur grades); subjective measurement findings on diagnostic imaging (vertebral heart score (VHS), left atrial to aorta ratio (LA/Ao), normalized left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVIDDN), normalized left ventricular internal diameter in systole (LVIDSN), and fractional shortening (FS)). The prevalence of MMVD in the study population was 33.4%. Based on The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) consensus guidelines, the study population comprised 80 (53.0%) dogs in stage B1, 47 (31.1%) dogs in stage B2, and 24 (15.9%) dogs in stage C. The prevalence of the disease was higher in small-breed dogs over 10 years old. A high number of male dogs (58.9%) was affected by MMVD compared to female dogs (41.1%). Heart murmurs severity generally increased with disease stage. Coughing was the most common clinical sign, reported in 40.8% of MMVD population. Cardiomegaly (based on VHS), increased LA/Ao along with increased LVIDDN, and increased LVIDSN were significantly associated with ACVIM stages (P < 0.001).

Climate change significantly impacts the livelihoods of agricultural households, increasing their vulnerability. This study developed 49 indicators grouped into 12 main components to assess the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) of agricultural households in Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province. Using data from a survey of 300 farm households, complemented by secondary data on climate factors, a composite index was calculated to compare variations in vulnerability across the region. The overall LVI for Chau Thanh district was 0.32, indicating moderate vulnerability. Among the 12 main components, livelihood strategies, land, water, natural disasters and climate variability, and finance and income were identified as the most vulnerable dimensions, whereas housing was the least vulnerable. Using the LVI developed based on the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) framework, Giao Long commune was found to be more vulnerable than the other communes. To address these challenges, solutions based on the human, natural, and financial capitals of the livelihood efficiency index (LEI) were proposed. These solutions aim to enhance the adaptive capacity of agricultural households while mitigating the impacts of climate change, thereby fostering sustainable livelihoods in the district.

College campuses usually have diverse floral habitats and plant communities. Nong Lam University is one of the largest universities in Vietnam with an area of 118 ha. This study determined the diversity of flora on the Nong Lam University campus. This research was carried out from June to September 2024 and collected systematic data to support the management of the university’s flora. There were 243 recorded species, distributed in 70 families, including 12 rare species listed in the 2024 IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature), and 9 species recorded in the Vietnam Red Data Book (2024). The study evaluated species diversity at many taxa such as phylum, class, order, genus, species, as well as plant growth forms, and origins. The current flora management practices were analyzed. Prior to this study, no flora database existed at the Nong Lam campus, including names, years of planting, ages, etc. Hence, the study recommended that the flora should be collected and managed using geographic information systems (GIS) and integrated into the university's website (webGIS). This will inform staff and students about the campus's plant biodiversity, promote awareness of the role of plants in ecology, and encourage the protection of existing flora.

Establishing land use map is a mandatory requirement for all projects involving land use. Mapping the current land use status will use different methods, which depend on factors such as purpose, requirements and scale of the project ... The Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 2 project passes through many areas from urban to agricultural areas. The scope of the project has a total length of 6 km and a width of 120 m. The total area is more than 61 ha, passing through 6 wards of Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City. The research objective was to establish a high-precision land use status map to serve the work of compensation and site clearance. The study used unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which had captured 637 images in the project area with a spatial resolution of 2 cm. The images were combined and adjusted to the VN2000 coordinate system. From the orthomosaic images, the study digitized and directly interpreted the images to extract information about land use layers in the study area. From that result, the study established a map of the current land use status in 2024. The statistical results showed that the total area to be recovered for the project is 17.66 ha, mainly urban residential land.

In recent years, the production of purpleback flying squid (Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis) has increased and plays an important role in Vietnam’s fisheries. This squid species is widely distributed in Vietnamese waters. Although its production is high, the cooked squid is generally considered less palatable than other squid species. When stored for an extended period, it develops an acrid taste, and dried squid often turns black, reducing the product’s commercial value. Therefore, utilizing purpleback flying squid for the production of value-added products, such as squid sausage, is desirable to enhance its utilization and market value. In this study, the effects of different concentrations of NaCl (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2%) and seaweed (0.5, 1, and 2%) on the color, drip loss, protein solubility, texture, seasoning ratio, and gel strength of squid sausage were investigated. The results showed that the addition of salt and seaweed improved the texture of squid sausage compared to samples prepared without these ingredients. The best texture was observed in sausages formulated with 2% salt. The highest sensory score was achieved with a seasoning formulation consisting of 2% salt, 4% sugar, 0.5% monosodium glutamate (MSG), 0.7% garlic powder, 1% seaweed, 0.5% chili powder, and 1% chili sauce. These findings demonstrate that purpleback flying squid has strong potential for developing value-added products, and the optimized squid sausage formulation provides a promising application to enhance its commercial value and industrial utilization.

The primary objective of this investigation was to determine the optimal conditions for extracting phenolics from Morinda citrifolia fruit, while also examining the trace element content and biological properties of the extract. The study scrutinised the impact of various extraction conditions, specifically, ethanol concentration, extraction duration, and temperature, on the total phenolic content within Morinda citrifolia fruit. Utilising the singlefactor and response surface methods (RSM), the optimal extraction conditions were predicted to be a 60% ethanol concentration, an extraction duration of 5.4 h, and a temperature of 72°C. These conditions yielded the highest phenolic content at 7.38 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dried weight (dw). Additionally, the fruit contained 106 and 14 mg/kg dw of zinc and copper, respectively. The extract demonstrated robust DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 137 μg/mL. Moreover, it demonstrated efficacy against various bacteria, including Gram-positive strains such as Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus, as well as Gram-negative strains like Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) essential oil (OEO) has attracted growing attention as a natural antimicrobial agent for modern food safety applications. This interest is driven by rising consumer demand for clean-label preservatives and the need to control foodborne pathogens. The OEO exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, primarily due to its high content of phenolic monoterpenes such as carvacrol and thymol. These compounds disrupt microbial cell membranes and metabolic functions, leading to leakage of cellular contents and cell death, even at relatively low concentrations. The physicochemical properties of OEO, with strong aroma, hydrophobicity, and volatility, enhance its antimicrobial activity but also present challenges in formulation and food compatibility. The OEO has been successfully incorporated into various food preservation strategies, including edible films and coatings, antimicrobial packaging, and vapor-phase treatments, to inhibit microbial growth and extend shelf life. However, its practical application is limited by sensory impacts at effective concentrations and instability caused by evaporation or degradation. To overcome these challenges, recent innovations have focused on controlled-release delivery systems like nano-encapsulation, emulsions, and biodegradable polymers to improve stability and performance. This review summarizes the antimicrobial mechanisms of OEO, evaluates its applications across diverse food systems, and discusses current limitations, innovative formulation strategies, and future directions for its application to enhance food safety.

This study investigated the processing parameters for the formulation of a premixed puree incorporating Syzygium cumini and Nipa palm syrup, with the objective of developing a natural, nutritionally rich, and palatable product. Syzygium cumini, a fruit abundant in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, is recognized for its high antioxidant and polyphenol content but is under-utilized due to its susceptibility to damage. Nipa palm syrup, a natural sweetener with low-glycemic index, was integrated to enhance both the sensory attributes and nutritional profile of the puree. The research examined key processing factors, including blanching duration, the ratio of Syzygium cumini puree to Nipa palm syrup, pectin concentration, and pasteurization conditions. Experimental results indicated that blanching for 2 min effectively preserved the fruit's characteristic purple color and sensory qualities. A puree formulation with a Syzygium cumini-to-Nipa palm syrup ratio of 7:3 achieved optimal sensory acceptability. The addition of 0.75% pectin resulted in desirable viscosity while maintaining cost efficiency. Pasteurization at 94°C for 4 min was found to ensure microbial stability without inducing significant nutrient degradation. These findings offer a foundation for optimizing processing of a functional puree with enhanced sensory and nutritional properties.

This study investigated the formulation of nano xanthan gum (XG) through a hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by the enzyme lysozyme (Ly). Different reaction conditions of the xanthan gum cleavage process were studied including reaction times of 15, 30, and 45 min; pH levels of 8, 10, and 12; and reaction temperatures of 60, 80, and 100oC. Reaction efficiency was evaluated based on dextrose equivalent (DE) and XG/Ly particle size. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) results showed that nano XG/Ly particles could be formulated with an average particle size of 500 nm when the reaction was operated at a pH of 12 and a temperature of 80oC for 15 min. Moreover, these nano polysaccharide particles were successfully applied in preparing pickering emulsions and improved their stability.