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Enhancing Sustainable Fish Gelatin Properties through Furcellaran Incoporation: Innovations in Eco-friendly Gelling Techniques

Abstract

Fish gelatin is increasingly recognized as an alternative source of gelatin, but its use has been limited due to weak gelling properties. To address these issues, the effect of furcellaran, a gelling agent, was examined at various levels (25-100% FG substitution) on the structural and physicochemical properties of FG gels. As the amount of FUR increased to 25%, the FG/FUR gel showed improved hardness and gel strength (P<0.05). Additionally, increasing FUR levels led to higher gelling and melting points, showing a dose-dependent relationship. Microstructural analysis revealed that adding FUR created a denser gel network with smaller gaps. SAXS scattering intensities also increased as FUR concentration rose. Overall, adding FUR improved the gelling properties of FG without negatively affecting springiness and syneresis, enhancing gel strength and gelling temperature.

Objective

The limitations of fish gelatin (FG) in terms of weak gelling properties, low gel strength, and inability to set at room temperature. By investigating the impact of furcellaran (FUR), a gelling agent, the study offers a solution to enhance FG’s functional properties, making it a more viable alternative to traditional animal-based gelatin. The findings suggest that FUR improves the texture, gel strength, and thermal stability of FG, which is crucial for a wide range of applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. This could lead to the development of more sustainable, plant-based gelling agents, offering ethical and environmental benefits. Additionally, the study enhances the understanding of the molecular interactions between FG and FUR, providing a foundation for further innovations in gelation technology and the creation of improved, multifunctional gel-based products.

Other Innovations

Medical Delivery Drone

คณะวิศวกรรมศาสตร์

Medical Delivery Drone

One of the most important aspects of responding to a medical case is the response time. In general, most fatalities are due to the patient not being able to reach the hands of the doctor in time. This also includes the arrival of medical equipment to the scene. The human brain will start to degrade in function after 3 minutes of oxygen starvation which conventional road transportation method first responders presently use is usually unable to reach the site in this golden 3 minutes, resulting in fatalities during transport or before the arrival of first responders at the scene. Therefore, medical equipment transport by fully autonomous aircraft is explored. This is done through drone deliveries which is much quicker than road methods as the equipment could be flown straight to the site as it is not affected by traffic, road conditions, and navigation. In this project, we will explore an aerial delivery system for medical equipment such as Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), First aid equipment, and other small requested medical devices. This will be done through a DJI drone platform and their SDK application. The main goal for this project is to decrease the response time by using an autonomous aerial drone to deliver medical equipment.

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Study on the Efficiency of Lime in Increasing  Alkalinity in White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Culture

คณะเทคโนโลยีการเกษตร

Study on the Efficiency of Lime in Increasing Alkalinity in White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Culture

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of lime containing more than 50% calcium oxide and not less than 29% magnesium oxide in enhancing water alkalinity for Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) aquaculture. The experiment was conducted at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 ppm over a 48-hour period, with data collected at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours. Results demonstrated that lime exhibited high dissolution efficiency (65-86%) within the first hour and reached complete dissolution (98.5-98.6%) within 6 hours. The pH values initially increased proportionally with lime concentration, gradually decreased during 3-12 hours, before stabilizing. Total alkalinity showed significant increase during the first 3-6 hours and remained stable until the end of the experiment. Statistical analysis revealed that both concentration and time significantly affected all parameters (p < 0.001)

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Photoelectrochemical sensor for salbutamol detection using molecular imprinted-polymer technique with CuO/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite

วิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีและนวัตกรรมวัสดุ

Photoelectrochemical sensor for salbutamol detection using molecular imprinted-polymer technique with CuO/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite

The photoelectrochemical detection of salbutamol, which is illicitly used as a lean meat promoter in pigs, is investigated using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based sensor with a CuO/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite to enhance detection performance, leveraging nanomaterials and molecular imprinting for high selectivity and sensitivity. This approach offers a promising strategy for the precise and efficient analysis of salbutamol in food samples.

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