Skip to main content

Research

Research figure for Fucoxanthin biosynthesis has a positive correlation with the specific growth rate in the culture of microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Fucoxanthin biosynthesis has a positive correlation with the specific growth rate in the culture of microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum

In this study, the correlation between the specific growth rate of Phaeodactylum tricornutum and fucoxanthin biosynthesis was investigated both in batch and in semi-continuous cultures. Fucoxanthin content from P. tricornutum biomass showed a positive correlation with specific growth rate during the normal culture period. Our results are valuable to our understanding of the basic mechanism of fucoxanthin biosynthesis, thus providing theoretical guidance for the commercial production of fucoxanthin derived from P. tricornutum.

Journal of Applied Phycology
2021
Read Paper
Research figure for Optimization of antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities and ganoderic acid content of differentially dried Ganoderma lucidum using response surface methodology

Optimization of antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities and ganoderic acid content of differentially dried Ganoderma lucidum using response surface methodology

The dried Ganoderma lucidum (GL) has been widely used for its pharmacological properties and bioactive ganoderic acids (GAs). Herein, extraction procedures combining ultra-sonication and heating were optimized using response surface methodology based on four variables (antioxidant activity, anti-diabetic activity, total GAs content, and total polysaccharide content) and principal component analysis. These results suggest that extraction conditions might be a limiting factor for target-oriented investigations, and optimized extraction methods may improve the potential effect and quality of harvested GL products.

Food Chemistry
2021
Read Paper
Research figure for Production of low potassium kale with increased glucosinolate content from vertical farming as a novel dietary option for renal dysfunction patients

Production of low potassium kale with increased glucosinolate content from vertical farming as a novel dietary option for renal dysfunction patients

The production of low potassium vegetables arose out of the dietary needs of patients with renal dysfunction. Here, we investigated a new method of producing low potassium kale and present the characteristics of the resulting produce. By substituting potassium nitrate with calcium nitrate in the nutrient solution 2 weeks before harvesting, the potassium content of kale was reduced by 70% without a deterioration in yield and semblance qualities. This study demonstrates a novel method of producing low potassium kale for patients with renal failure, without a reduction in yield but with beneficial increase in glucosinolates.

Food Chemistry
2021
Read Paper
Research figure for Application of a Spectroscopic Analysis-Based Portable Sensor for Phosphate Quantitation in Hydroponic Solutions

Application of a Spectroscopic Analysis-Based Portable Sensor for Phosphate Quantitation in Hydroponic Solutions

Hydroponic plant culturing requires the concentration of nutrients in the supplied solution to be maintained at a constant level. For example, phosphate ion concentration directly affects crop growth, which necessitates the development of convenient and rapid techniques for on-site phosphate quantitation. Herein, we developed a new low-cost colorimetric method of quick on-site phosphate quantitation based on a modification of the conventional molybdenum colorimetric method. The PLSR model, employing smoothing preprocessing at a 5 nm wavelength spacing, exhibited the best prediction performance and showed an error of ~10% within the measurement range during verification.

Journal of Sensors
2020
Read Paper
Research figure for Design Optimization of Proportional Plus Derivative Band Parameters Used in Greenhouse Ventilation by Response Surface Methodology

Design Optimization of Proportional Plus Derivative Band Parameters Used in Greenhouse Ventilation by Response Surface Methodology

Ventilation is one of the most important factors in greenhouse cultivation because the inside temperature of greenhouses rises rapidly in warm climates, and this high temperature may be detrimental to plant growth. In this study, we attempted to optimize the P-band parameters for outside temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed affecting greenhouse ventilation by surface response analysis. The results showed that optimized parameters were successfully applied to temperature control and we obtained better performance than without optimized parameters, with a root mean squared error of ± 1.25°C.

Horticultural Science and Technology
2020
Read Paper
Research figure for Model Predictive Control via Output Feedback Neural Network for Improved Multi-Window Greenhouse Ventilation Control

Model Predictive Control via Output Feedback Neural Network for Improved Multi-Window Greenhouse Ventilation Control

Maintaining environmental conditions for proper plant growth in greenhouses requires managing a variety of factors; ventilation is particularly important because inside temperatures can rise rapidly in warm climates. In this study, a new ventilation control logic using an output feedback neural-network (OFNN) prediction and optimization method was developed, and this approach was tested in multi-window greenhouses used for strawberry production. A control system based on this logic was used in a field experiment for six days by comparing two greenhouses driven by conventional control logic and the developed control logic; a comparison of the results showed RMSEs of 3.01 °C and 2.45 °C, respectively.

Sensors
2020
Read Paper
Research figure for Silicon foliage spraying improves growth characteristics, morphological traits, and root quality of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey

Silicon foliage spraying improves growth characteristics, morphological traits, and root quality of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey

Ginseng is a perennial herb used as valuable traditional medicine for more than three thousand years. Present study was designed to investigate the impact of foliar silicon sprays on growth characteristics, physiological traits, and pharmaceutical quality of 6-year-old ginseng plants. Our study show that the application of aerial sprays with elevated Si levels increases the growth, promotes the physiological and morphological traits and increases the yield of 6-year-old ginseng plants. In addition, this study implied the importance of Si for commercial production of high-quality ginseng roots.

Industrial Crops and Products
2020
Read Paper