Journal of the Austrian Society of Agricultural Economics (JASAE)

Abstract : This study investigated the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of coffee husk, cherry, raw coffee, and coffee beans roasted at different levels. Extracts were prepared using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and sonication. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH assay, and antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp., and Bacillus cereus using the agar well diffusion method. Dark coffee extracted by sonication exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 0.0549 mg/mL). Raw coffee extracted by sonication showed the strongest inhibition against S. aureus, while shell extract by sonication inhibited E. coli most effectively. Medium coffee extract by sonication demonstrated the highest activity against Enterobacter, and shell extract by SFE showed the best activity against B. cereus. These results highlight the influence of coffee type, roasting, and extraction method on bioactive properties..
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Abstract : This study evaluated the effects of supplementing probiotic cell walls (PCW) containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance, feed conversion, and immune responses of finishing pigs against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), and Classical Swine Fever (CSF) viruses. The experiment was conducted on 360 F1 crossbred pigs (Du × YL), divided into three treatments (three replicates of 30 pigs each): Control (C, no supplementation), FS (0.05% PCW in feed), and WS (0.05% PCW in drinking water). Results showed that PCW improved growth performance, nutrient absorption, and feed conversion efficiency, with an increase in weight gain of 3.23–4.52% and a reduction in feed intake of 2.09–4.72% compared to the control. PCW supplementation also enhanced antibody levels against FMD, PRRS, and CSF viruses, with statistically significant increases observed for FMD and PRRS, while the response to CSF was less pronounced and requires further investigation. Overall, PCW shows potential as an antibiotic alternative, contributing to improved economic efficiency, sustainability, and biosecurity in swine production..
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Abstract : Periodontal disease is one of the most common disorders in the oral cavity of dogs and humans. Periodontitis, the irreversible periodontal disease, arises progressively from gingivitis, the reversible inflammatory condition caused by dental plaque. Although the etiology of periodontitis has been widely studied in humans, it is still insufficient for the etiological studies on periodontitis in dogs. Many studies have reported that human periodontitis-related bacteria are putative pathogens responsible for periodontitis in dogs. However, most of these studies have focused on the appearance of a specific microbiome, and most of the cohort studies have insufficient sample sizes to generalize their results. In the present study, subgingival samples collected from 336 teeth were categorized into three groups at first, based on clinical outcomes (healthy, gingivitis, periodontitis). Subsequently, the periodontitis samples were further divided into three subgroups (early, moderate, and advanced periodontitis) according to the degree of periodontal attachment loss. Healthy and gingivitis were grouped as a reversible group, and the three subgroups were grouped as an irreversible group. To investigate trends of periodontopathic bacteria in the samples of dogs, a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for quantification of 11 human periodontopathic bacteria as follows: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola (Td), Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella intermedia, Parvimonas micra, Eubacterium nodatum, Campylobacter rectus, and Eikenella corrodens. The PCR results showed that Aa and Pg, the representative periodontopathic bacteria, were not significantly correlated or associated with the periodontitis cases in dogs. However, interestingly, Pi was strongly associated with the irreversible periodontal disease in dogs, in that it was the most prevalent bacterium detected from the dog samples. These findings indicate that the presence and numbers of Pi could be used as a prognostic biomarker in predicting the irreversible periodontal disease and the disease severity in dogs..
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Abstract : Determination of phenolic antioxidants in hotmelt adhesives for cigaretteDetermination of phenolic antioxidants in hotmelt adhesives for cigaretteDetermination of phenolic antioxidants in hotmelt adhesives for cigaretteDetermination of phenolic antioxidants in hotmelt adhesives for cigaretteDetermination of phenolic antioxidants in hotmelt adhesives for cigaretteDetermination of phenolic antioxidants in hotmelt adhesives for cigaretteDetermination of phenolic antioxidants in hotmelt adhesives for cigaretteDetermination of phenolic antioxidants in hotmelt adhesives for cigarette.
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Abstract : The less recognition given to some actors in the cassava value addition processes motivated this research to examine latent actors’ involvement in the cassava value addition in Oyo State, Nigeria, with respect to harvesters and transporters. Data elicited from a sample of 176 “latent actors” in cassava value addition across the four agricultural zones using a cross-sectional research design, were analysed using descriptive statistics, weighted average index, and factor analysis. Findings revealed an ageing population of actors with an average age of 41.5 years for harvesters and a mean age of 44.3 years for the transporters that were engaged in cassava value addition. Majority of actors were married, with a significant gender imbalance, particularly in harvesting and transportation where men dominate in the value addition process. Most actors had secondary education. The results also indicated that those actors (in harvesting and transporting) face severe constraints especially in rural areas. Despite these challenges, cassava value addition remains a key source of income for rural households, significantly contributing to food security and employment opportunities. Results from the factor analysis also showed that harvesters’ involvement in cassava value addition was influenced by three significant factors which collectively explain over 80% of the variance in their involvement, and each of these factors capturing different aspects of the harvesting, highlights the complexity and diversity of activities undertaken by harvesters. In the case of transporters’ involvement, the analysis also identified three significant factors, which explain about 71.5% of the total variance in the data, indicating these factors capture a significant portion of the variability and diversity in transporters’ activities in the cassava value addition. Consequent on the results of this study, provision of rural infrastructure is essential, while financial inclusion is another area. Gender-sensitive policies must be introduced to address the existing disparities in access to resources. Strengthening cooperatives and capacity-building programs can also improve access to markets and resources. All these are necessary to create a more resilient and inclusive agri-food sector that will benefit rural communities and the broader agricultural economy..
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