In Silico Carotenoid Compound with Protein in Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) Seed Waste and Hedonic Test Innovation in Making Healthy Cereal Organic (HCO) (Nutrient-rich Functional Food Alternative)
Durians’ seeds have potential as a food source due to their content and nutrients. Durians’ seeds contain fiber, minerals, vitamins A, B1, B2, C, carbohydrates, folate, potassium and copper. Nutrients are needed for the body's health and growth and development process. Durians’ seeds have the potential as a nutrient-rich food alternative. Researchers made an innovation in the form of cereal, Healthy Cereal Organic (HCO). Analysis of durians’ seed content through two stages. First, wet lab examination and second, in silico method. The wet lab examination shows the results that durians’ seeds contain 10.17 Kcal of fat energy, 4.09% ash content, 11.25% water content, 72.79% carbohydrates, 1.13% total fat and 10.74% protein and the in silico method shows the content of carotenoid compounds (vitamin A, quercetin, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin) as a drug delivery system which means that this compound is able to be absorbed by the body with the help of albumin as a carrier that maintains stability and increases its activity. Feasibility analysis based on toxicity tests, Durians’ seed compounds show inactive (non-toxic) results. Allergenicity test showed non-allergen durians’ seed content. Hedonic test was conducted on 20 panelists dominant to the HCO1 sample for aroma by 60%, texture 90%, taste 40%. It can be concluded that durians’seeds can be used as a basic ingredient for making nutrient-rich Healthy Cereal Organic (HCO).
Autonomous Ecosystem Surveillance Robot
Our project, the Autonomous Ecosystem Surveillance Robot, aims at closing the aquatic gap in biosecurity measures by including several functions, such as water quality monitoring, aquatic species monitoring, and seabed topology surveillance. Several instances have shown the need for such a system, as demonstrated below. The United States Corps of Engineers completed an electrich fish barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in 2002, in order to prevent the invasive Asian carp from moving into the Great Lakes. The introduction of the Asian carp into the Great Lakes would be an ecological disaster, as the Great Lakes provide an ideal habitat for the carp to proliferate, choking out native fish species that exist there. This would result in a major loss for the fishing industry in the area. One of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie, suffers annual algae blooms threats, which affect up to 12 million people in the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. These algae blooms are caused by runoff pollution, which occurs when rainfall washes fertilizer and manure from farmland into Lake Erie, fueling algae that can make water toxic to humans and animals alike. In addition, there are many existing customs regulations around the world that are set in place to ensure biosecurity of national ecosystems, such as in Taiwan, where it is illegal to bring pork from abroad. Despite this, there still exists a very large gap in biosecurity measures; that of the aquatic nature. Through these three functions, we have the ability to protect local aquatic biodiversity via the ability to detect invasive species, therefore allowing authorities to properly deal with them. This allows less harmful measures to be taken against them, thereby limiting collateral damage to endangered native species. Coupled with the ability to map bodies of water, the Autonomous Ecosystem Surveillance Robot is an extremely potent tool to preserve aquatic biodiversity and to ensure biosecurity of local waters.
Vitas: Digital Therapy Based on a Combination of Binaural Beats and Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) to Reduce Stress in Gen Z Students
Vitas is a combination of binaural beats (BB) with background white noise (ASMR) as accompanying music without reducing the quality of brain stimulation and is able to stimulate the left and right brain while synchronizing brain waves so that it can be used as a media for coping with stress for Gen Z students. To find out the effect Vitas in reducing stress levels, research was conducted on high school students belonging to Gen Z. This research aims to measure the stress index of students belonging to Gen Z, then find the effect of the combination of binaural beats (BB) and ASMR on students'stress levels, and finding the best audio combination to reduce stress levels as a coping mechanism. This research uses a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design using a one group pre-test-post-test design scheme. The sample in this study consisted of 105 students who were divided into seven treatment groups to listen to a combination of BB and ASMR with different bandwidths. Stress levels were measured using the DASS 42 stress section questionnaire which has been tested for reliability and validity. The results of the student stress index were 16.26 in the mild stress category. There was a significant difference between the negative group, the alpha + ASMR group and the positive group with a T-Paired test result of less than 0.05. Based on the results of the Post Hoc LSD test, it was found that the combination of binaural beats alpha (12hz) + ASMR was the best combination for reducing stress in students.These findings were developed into a digital therapy application product called "Vitas" as an alternative media for coping with stress for Gen Z.