Volume 21 Issue 3

The nutrient profile and pharmaceutical activities were analyzed for seaweeds (Ascophyllum nodosum, Sargassum polycystum, Sargassum cristaefolium, Hormophysa cuneiformis, and Hormophysa triquetra) in the fish diet. The total protein content was greatest (8.4±0.2%) in S. polycystum, and the highest lipid content was detected in S. cristaefolium (3.7±0.1%). The crude fiber content was greatest (13.8±0.7%) in S. polycystum, and the carbohydrate content was high (35.2±0.5%) in S. polycystum. The phenol (73.1±1.1 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid (85.2±1.1 mg CE/g DW) contents were high in S. polycystum, whereas the tannin content was high in S. cristaefolium (15.5±0.8 mg GAE/g DW). Sargassum polycystum presented the maximum DPPH activity (64.4±2.2%) and H₂O₂ activity (45.8±1.3%). Equal amounts of seaweed (A. nodosum, S. polycystum, S. cristaefolium, H. cuneiformis, and H. triquetra) were mixed and used for feed formulation. The experimental diet was prepared by mixing 5% to 10% seaweed with other feed ingredients. The experimental diet was prepared with soybean oil, fish oil, and water. Compared with the control diet, the seaweed-supplemented diet improved fish growth (p<0.05). Overall, the results revealed the beneficial effects of seaweed on the feed of goldfish.

Individual and combined effects of thermal treatment and zinc borate (ZB) addition were studied relative to the mechanical properties and water resistance of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) wood-plastic composites (WPCs). Wood flour was thermally treated at 150 °C for 120 min under saturated steam before composite manufacturing. Flexural, tensile, impact, and water resistance properties were evaluated, and the data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). Thermal treatment increased the flexural strength from 57.2 MPa to 75.0 MPa, while the combined treatment produced the highest impact strength (7.56 J/m). Zinc borate-containing composites exhibited lower maximum water absorption (2.8 to 3.0%) than the control (8.6%), despite showing higher moisture diffusion coefficients. This indicated that the diffusion rate and equilibrium moisture uptake were driven by different mechanisms. SEM observations revealed that the combined treatment produced a more cohesive fracture morphology, although these changes were not accompanied by improved flexural or tensile strength. Overall, thermal treatment and zinc borate affected the performance characteristics through distinct mechanisms, providing an effective approach for improving the moisture resistance and durability of wood-plastic composites.