In durian cultivation, the technique of maintaining and nourishing newly emerged branches is crucial, particularly during the early developmental stage. Healthy newly emerged branches and well-developed leaves support photosynthesis, promoting optimal plant growth. In a recent experiment conducted in Dak Lak, the use of two products, Oligochitosan and Peptides, demonstrated outstanding effectiveness in improving branch length and shortening the development cycle of newly emerged branches. Specifically, using a 1% Peptides solution for root irrigation increased branch length by 6–7% compared to the control. Additionally, a foliar spray of 0.5% Peptides combined with 0.5% Oligochitosan increased branch length by 10–11%. Both Peptides, individually and in combination with Oligochitosan, reduced the development time of newly emerged branches by a quarter, shortening it to 46–47 days compared to the average of 60 days.

 Peptides (CR01) provide essential macronutrients and amino acids, enhancing plant mineral and micronutrient absorption. They stimulate branching, vigorous shoot growth, quick recovery after harvest, and promote root development and soil improvement, supporting sustainable farming.

 Oligochitosan (COSL-02) acts as a “vaccine” for plants and a growth stimulant, aiding nutrient absorption by forming chelates. Combined with Peptides, it boosts plant growth and resilience to adverse conditions like extreme weather and pests.

 Fish-based fertilizers used by durian farmers are often imported, with unstable prices and quality. In contrast, hydrolyzed shrimp protein and Oligochitosan, derived from local shrimp by-products, offer a stable, high-quality alternative, benefiting farmers both technically and economically.

EXPERIMENTAL INFORMATION:

        • Location: Krong Nang, Dak Lak.

        • Time of implementation: June – August, 2024

        • Tested products: Peptides (9 Rồng 01 Fertilizer – CR01) and Oligochitosan (COSL-02 5% SL)

        • Oligochitosan Information:

                 + Oligochitosan concentration: 5%

                 + Degree of deacetylation (DD): ≥ 80%

                 + Viscosity: ~ 1.09 cPs

                 + Source: 100% chitosan from shrimp shells, produced by Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company

        • Peptides Information:

                 + Organic content: ≥ 25%

                 + Total nitrogen: ≥ 2%

                 + C/N ratio: 12

                 Oligochitosan and Peptides are produced by Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company

        • Experimental subject: Dona durian trees (Durio zibethinus L.) (3 years old)

        • Experiment method: Based on TCVN 12720:2019 standards for fertilizer trials on perennial crops

        • Treatments’ description:

        • Application method:

                 + Root irrigation: irrigate with 10 liters of diluted solution/ tree, applied every 15 days, 3 times.

                 + Foliar spray: in the early morning or late afternoon, applied every 15 days, 3 times.

 

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:

The experiment is arranged using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), including 6 treatments for 6 fertilizer formulas, with 3 replications and 5 trees/ treatment. The experimental area is nearly 10,000 m².

 

RESULTS 

* Durian Leaf Size: Using CR01 at a concentration of 0.5% combined with COSL-02 at 0.5% for foliar spraying resulted in the largest leaf size (length x width: 11.5 x 3.4 cm) (Figure 2). In addition, this combination resulted in higher nutrients absorption, as well as darker and thicker leaves (Figure 3).

* The length of newly emerged branches ranged from 31.1 to 34.5 cm. Using CR01 at 0.5% with COSL-02 at 0.5% for foliar spraying resulted in the best length (34.5 cm), an 11% increase compared to the control and a 10% increase compared to the farmer’s control (AT fish fertilizer). It was also recorded that root irrigation of CR01 at 1% increased the length by 6–7% compared to the controls (Figure 5).

*Development cycle of newly emerged branches: Using CR01 sped up the development cycle compared to the two controls. Applying a 1% CR01 solution for root irrigation or a 0.5% CR01 solution combined with 0.5% COSL-02 for foliar spraying shortened the development cycle to 46–47 days, reducing it by 15–16 days compared to the untreated control, and by 7–8 days compared to the farmer’s control (AT fish fertilizer).

CONCLUSION

Using Oligochitosan (COSL-02) and Peptides (CR01), either individually or in combination, had a positive effect on the development of newly emerged branches in durians during the formative stage. It shortened the development cycle by 1/4 and increased branch length. Specifically, using a 1% Peptides solution for root irrigation increased branch length by 6–11% compared to the control. Root irrigation with Peptides was particularly beneficial during the formative stage, while foliar spraying supported quick recovery after harvest or pest attacks. To maximize efficiency and reduce costs, combining both root irrigation and foliar spraying was recommended based on the plant’s condition.

 

Vietnam Food Corporation (VNF) offers a diverse range of Peptides and Chitosan products suitable for various applications in crop cultivation, such as fertilizers, plant protection products, and agricultural preservatives. These products are derived from shrimp by-products (heads and shells) in seafood processing and are seen as “Value-added solutions from by-products for agriculture.” The solutions align with sustainable farming trends, reducing emissions and enhancing benefits for farmers.

Source: This experiment was conducted as part of the Improving Private Sector Competitiveness (IPSC) Project, funded by the Agency for Enterprise Development (AED) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and implemented by Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company

In a recent study conducted in Buon Me Thuot, Dak Lak, the combination of Oligochitosan and Peptides demonstrated exceptional results in improving the yield and quality of Choy sum (Brassica integrifolia L.). The experiment, conducted from June to July 2024, aimed to assess the combined effects of these two biosolutions on the growth and yield of the crop. The results showed that using base fertilizer combined with spraying Peptides at a 0.5% + Oligochitosan at a 0.25% concentration yielded the best growth and productivity (44.9 tons/ha), shortened the harvest time (reduced by 2–4 days), and provided high profits for farmers (650 million VND/ha). Additionally, the separate use of Peptides at a 0.5% concentration also showed significantly better results compared to the untreated control and the farmer control (using fish protein of farmer), with a yield of 43.2 tons/ha and a profit of 618 million VND/ha.

Peptides and Oligochitosan are two promising bioactive compounds for enhancing crop yield and health, particularly for leafy vegetables. The advantage of these compounds is that they are both naturally derived, safe for users, and minimize negative environmental impacts, contributing to sustainable horticulture.

Peptides is the product of enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins into peptides and amino acids. Peptides are easily digestible nutrients, which plants can quickly absorb through leaves and roots without needing to undergo complex microbial decomposition or transformation and synthesis processes. This helps plants save energy and time in synthesizing proteins from ammonium or nitrate. Therefore, incorporating peptides into the fertilization process helps plants grow faster and absorb mineral nutrients more effectively.

Chitosan is a bioactive compound produced through the deacetylation process of chitin, a common component found in the shells of crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs. With its outstanding biological properties, chitosan is applied in agriculture as a biological plant protection agent and a natural resistance inducer to enhance plant health. Oligochitosan, a low molecular weight form of chitosan, is easily soluble in water, has high bioactivity, and improves plant absorption.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Location: Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak.

• Duration: June to July 2024

• Product: Peptides (9 Rong 01 Fertilizer – code: CR01) and Oligochitosan (COSL-02)

• Implementer: Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company

• Oligochitosan specification:

+ Oligochitosan content: ≥ 4%

+ Degree of Deacetylation (DD): ≥ 80%

+ Viscosity: ~ 1.09 cPs

+ Sources: 100% chitosan from shrimp shells produced by Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company

• Peptides specification:

+ Organic matter content: ≥ 25%

+ Total Nitrogen: ≥ 2%

+ C/N: 12

• Object: Choy sum (Brassica intergrifolia L.)

• Experimental method: Based on the TCVN 12719:2019 standard for fertilizer trials on annual crops.

• Treatment design:

Note: All treatments used a base fertilizer application at a rate of 5,000 kg of Japanese chicken manure per hectare at 15 days before planting.

• Application method:

+ Application method: foliar spraying

+ Spraying: in the early morning or late evening

+ Time: 3.  1st  spraying at 3 – 5 days after planting, periodically every 7 days

+ Spraying dosage:

○ 3 – 5 days after planting: 400 L/ha

○ 10 – 12 days after planting: 500 L/ha

○ 17 – 19 days after planting: 600 L/ha

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:

The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block (Randomized Complete Block Design – RCBD) includes 6 treatments corresponding to 6 fertilizer formulas, 3 replicates. Experimental layout diagram:

RESULTS

Effect of Combining Peptides (CR01) and Oligochitosan (COSL-02) on Growth Indicators and Harvest Time: Spraying a combination of COSL-02 at 0.25% concentration with CR01 at 0.5% concentration resulted in the highest plant height (31.5 cm) among treatments, an increase of 17% compared to the untreated control. The number of leaves in the treatments ranged from 7 to 8. The use of CR01 and COSL-02 shortened the harvest time by 2–4 days compared to the control.

Effect of Combining Peptides (CR01) and Oligochitosan (COSL-02) on Yield and Economic Efficiency of Choy sum: Spraying a combination of COSL-02 at 0.25% concentration with CR01 at 0.5% concentration resulted in the highest actual yield of 44.9 tons/ha, a 35% increase compared to the untreated control and a 24% increase compared to the farmer control using fish protein. Spraying CR01 at 0.5% concentration alone also produced good results, yielding 43.2 tons/ha.

Economic Efficiency of Combining Peptides (CR01) and Oligochitosan (COSL-02) in Choy sum Cultivation in Dak Lak: The combination of COSL-02 at 0.25% concentration with CR01 at 0.5% concentration generated the highest profit of 650 million VND/ha, a 55% increase compared to the untreated control and a 35% increase compared to the farmer control using fish protein.

Note: This experiment showed higher yields and profits compared to conventional Choy sum cultivation models due to a dense planting density (1,000,000 plants/ha) and organic farming practices, which resulted in a higher farmgate price. At harvest time, the price was 20,000 VND/kg.

CONCLUSION

Using base fertilizer combined with spraying CR01 at 0.5% concentration and COSL-02 at 0.25% concentration resulted in the best growth and yield (44.9 tons/ha), shortened the harvest time (by 2–4 days), and provided high profits for farmers (650 million VND/ha). Additionally, spraying CR01 at 0.5% concentration alone also delivered good results compared to the untreated control and the farmer control (using homemade fish protein), with a yield of 43.2 tons/ha and a profit of 618 million VND/ha.

Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) offers a diverse portfolio of Peptides and Chitosan products tailored for various applications in horticulture:  fertilizers, plant protection, and after harvest preservation. The products are derived from shrimp shell by-products of the seafood industry, offering a “Value-added solution for agriculture.” The solutions align with sustainable farming practices, reducing emissions, and enhancing benefits for farmers.

Source: The experiment is part of the Vietnam Improving Private Sector Competitiveness Project, funded by the Agency for Enterprise Development (AED) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), , and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and implemented by Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company.

The effectiveness of chitosan, a biopolymer derived from crustacean, was evaluated in reducing the turbidity of drinking water through flocculation. In this study, Chitosan with molecular weight ranges in 50 – 1000 kDa effectively reduced turbidity by 90-99% in water containing bentonite and kaolinite clay. Optimal results are achieved at low dosages (1-3 mg/L) making chitosan a potential eco-friendly alternative to traditional metal-based coagulants. With its cost efficiency and reduced sludge toxicity, chitosan not only provides effective water treatment but also offers significant environmental and economic benefits, promoting more sustainable water treatment practices.

Managing turbidity is essential for water treatment, particularly in large-scale plants and community systems. Effective turbidity control boosts treatment efficiency and safeguards public health by facilitating the removal of contaminants. It is the critical first step to ensuring the success of subsequent processes like filtration and disinfection, ultimately providing safe, clean water to millions.

Traditional coagulants are still widely used in the treatment of drinking water due to their high efficiency and ability to handle large volumes. However, their use often results in sludge containing heavy metals and other pollutants, which requires complex and costly treatment before safe disposal to prevent environmental contamination. Additionally, these chemicals can leave metal residues in treated drinking water, raising concerns about potential health risks for human consumption. Therefore, chitosan, a natural biopolymer, is considered as an alternative for effectively reducing turbidity at low doses. It holds the potential to partially or fully replace traditional metal-based or synthetic coagulants, providing a safer, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic solution for drinking water treatment.

The use of non-toxic materials in water treatment such as Chitosan could reduce costs associated with the disposal of hazardous sludge by making it safer and easier to handle compared to traditional chemicals. Moreover, recovered sludge from nutrient-rich streams can even be utilized as animal feed ingredient or organic fertilizer. While this approach addresses many current challenges, it sets a promising foundation for cleaner, more sustainable water treatment solution in the future.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Location: University of North Carolina, USA.
• Duration: 2019
• Chitosan types: 11 types of acid-soluble Chitosan and 6 types of water-soluble Chitosan with different specifications.
• Chitosan specifications:

+ Molecular Weight (MW): 5 – 1,000 kDa

+ Deacetylation (DD): 70 – 95%

+ Viscosity: 5 – 12,500 mPa·s

+ Derivatives: Carboxymethyl (CMC), Lactate, Acetate, Hydrochloride (HCl)

+ Sources: Commercial chitosan product supplied by Heppe Medical Chitosan (Germany), Acros Organics (USA) and HaloSource (USA)

• Subject: Artificial surface water – As guided by UEPA (1989) and NSF International (2008)

+ Method: Kaolinite and bentonite are used to create turbidity in the test water.

+ Artificial surface water characteristic parameters:

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:

• Prepare chitosan solutions with different MW and DD, then apply to turbidity-controlled artificial surface water with kaolinite and bentonite.
• The flocculation test was performed using the Jar Test method, with different chitosan doses (1, 3, 10, 30 mg/L).

 

RESULTS

• Processing efficiency of different molecular weights: Chitosan has a higher molecular weight (50 kDa -1,000 kDa) for the best turbidity reduction results, especially at doses of 1 and 3 mg/L, achieving turbidity reductions of up to 99% for bentonite and 90% for kaolinite. The lowest molecular weight (5 kDa) gives the worst efficiency, reducing turbidity by only about 46%.

• Treatment efficacy of deacetyl varies: Chitosans with deacetyl content of 70% to 95% all achieve good turbidity reduction at a dose of 3 mg/L, with a reduction of 99% for bentonite and about 90% for kaolinite. However, at higher doses (10-30 mg/L), the treatment efficacy decreases for Kaolinite water

• Efficacy of different chitosan derivatives: Chitosan derivatives such as HCl, Acetate, and Lactate have the same turbidity reduction effect on bentonite water as unmodified chitosan, reaching 98-99% reduction. For kaolinite water, HCl and lactate derivatives show an 88-91% reduction in kaolinite turbidity at a dose of 3 mg/L. Carboxymethyl Chitosan has the worst effect,  It only reduces bentonite turbidity by about 60% and is ineffective with kaolinite at all doses.

Chitosan is an effective flocculant in reducing the turbidity in drinking water treatment, with optimal efficacy achieved at doses of 3 mg/L. Chitosan has a high MW (from 50 kDa to 1,000 kDa) showing superior ability to reduce turbidity, especially for bentonite due to its large surface area and high cation exchange capacity enable it to react more efficiently with chitosan. In contrast, kaolinite, with its distinct structure and chemical properties, is less efficient in treatment with chitosan.

Besides, chitosan derivatives, such as HCl, acetate, and lactate, have all shown similar efficacy in reducing turbidity of bentonite water, while carboxymethyl derivatives are less effective. When Carboxymethyl Chitosan is in solution form, the carboxymethyl group (COO–) attenuates the interaction between the amino group (NH3+) and the clay particles, resulting in lower flocculant efficiency compared to other derivatives. From these findings, chitosan emerges as a promising alternative to traditional flocculants, is not only effective in reducing turbidity, but also safer for the environment, which play an important role in more sustainable and economical water treatment solutions in the future.

Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) is able to provide a diverse portfolio of Chitosan by utilizing advanced biotechnology, for the ability to customize specifications of viscosity, deacetylation, solubility and other derivatives (HCl, Lactate, Acetate), to meet diverse needs in water treatment. VNF has conducted many successful tests in surface water treatment and turbidity reduction, with the company’s chitosan products showing outstanding effectiveness in removing suspended organics, metals, improving water transparency, and ensuring environmental safety. These tests prove that VNF’s chitosan is suitable for large-scale applications, providing a sustainable and economical solution for water treatment.

Source: Ampai Soros (2019) Turbidity reduction in drinking water by coagulation-flocculation with chitosan polymers LINK

Astaxanthin, a potent carotenoid extracted from the natural source (microalgae), has been proven to have remarkable benefits for skin improvement through a clinical study conducted in Japan. This study specifically focused on women and yielded impressive results in combating aging and enhancing various aspects of skin health, from reducing wrinkles and improving elasticity to diminishing dark spots and refining skin texture.

As the demand for natural and effective skincare products continues to rise, astaxanthin has emerged as a potent antioxidant, capturing the attention of both scientists and consumers. With its proven anti-aging and skin-protective properties, astaxanthin is becoming a top choice for maintaining youthful skin. This study was conducted on 30 women aged 20 to 55 over 8 weeks to test the combined effects of oral supplementation and topical application. The results demonstrated that astaxanthin reduced wrinkles, improved skin elasticity, and reduced dark spots, solidifying its role in the skincare industry.

Experimental information:

• Location: Fuji Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., Kamiichi, Toyama, Japan
• Duration: 8 weeks
• Subjects: 30 healthy women from ages 20 to 55
• Product types: Astaxanthin from Haematococcus Pluvialis, extracted by canola oil
• Dosages & Application Methods:

– 6 mg oral supplementation per day: A 3mg capsule was administered to each subject twice daily, after breakfast and dinner.

– 2ml per day (Cm Asta = 78.9 uM): 1ml of topical application onto the whole face twice daily, every morning and evening after washing.

Experimental design:

• The study was open-label and noncontrolled
• The measurement parameters for each subject included Wrinkles, Elasticity, Age spots, Skin texture, and Moisture content. These were performed at 3 points of the experiment: at week 0, after week 4, and 8.

Results:

Astaxanthin protects the skin from oxidative damage, helping to restore and boost collagen fibers in the dermis. This maintains skin firmness and elasticity, and prevents melanin production, reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

• Wrinkles Reduction: Significant improvements were observed in the deepest point and mean depth of wrinkles, especially in the crow’s feet. These improvements were noted by week 8.
• Elasticity: Skin firmness and elasticity around the crow’s feet significantly improved by weeks 4 and 8.
• Age Spots: Significant reduction in the size and visibility of dark spots on the cheeks by week 8.
• Skin Texture: Smoother skin with a marked reduction in roughness, with noticeable improvements by the eighth week.
• Moisture: Increased hydration in the cheek, especially in participants with dry skin.

Astaxanthin offers a comprehensive beauty solution for women, particularly in anti-aging efforts. The study highlights the impressive results achieved through the combined approach of oral supplementation and topical application, which significantly improved various aspects of skin health. The synergistic effect of this dual application method underscores astaxanthin’s potential as a key ingredient in cosmetic products designed to combat the visible signs of aging and promote lasting skin vitality.

Source: Tominaga (2012), Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects, LINK

Shrimp Protein Hydrolysate (SPH) and Squid Meal (SM), derived from seafood by-products, contain high levels of amino acids and antioxidant capacity, which improve digestibility and enhance beneficial gut microbiota. These effective and sustainable protein sources reduce environmental impact on the pet food industry.

As the pet food industry grows with high demand for quality and sustainable protein sources, this new research offers a novel approach: protein from seafood processing by-products not only ensures nutritional content but also enhances the digestibility and gut health of pets, thereby reducing negative environmental impacts and improving economic efficiency.

Experiment information:

• Location: University of Porto, Portugal
• Year: 2023
• Duration: 30 days
• Subjects: 12 Beagle dogs (2.2 years old, 12.6kg initial weight)
• Products: in powder form
  • SPH is produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of shrimp heads and cephalothoraxes (L. vannamei)
  • SM is obtained by steaming and pressing for liquid extraction from squid (D. gigas).

Experimental design:

• Dogs were fed three meals daily with food supplemented with 50, 100, and 150 g/kg of SPH or SM.
• Digestibility evaluations included apparent total tract digestibility – ATTD, metabolizable energy content, fecal characteristics, and gut microbiota.

Results:

• SPH and SM provided 445 gkg -1 and 652 gkg -1 dry weight total amino acid content, respectively.
• SPH and SM – supplemented diets had higher apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) compared to basal diet, indicating high digestibility of the supplemented foods.

• SPH-supplemented diets had higher levels of volatile fatty acids like acetate, propionate, iso-butyrate, and iso-valerate (these constitutes the main source of energy for colonocytes, maintenance of cell growth and differentiation in gut, prevention in inflammation and colon cancer, regulation host metabolic / acetate and propionate regulates host metabolic, immune response, and lowers cholesterol).
• SPH showed higher antioxidant activity compared to SM in different antioxidant assays like ABTS: 19.8 > 4.35 mgQ g -1, FC: 10.4 > 1.58 mgQ g -1, FRAP: 2.27 > 0.36 mgQ g -1 [ ABTS, FC, FRAP: the antioxidant activity assays]

• While SM did not impact gut microbiota, SPH supplement increased the populations of beneficial bacteria such as Turicibacter, Blautia, Oscillosperaceae, Firmicutes, and Lactobacillus.

The potential of protein from seafood by-products (squid meal and shrimp protein hydrolysate) opens new sustainable pathways for the pet food industry, contributing to reduce environmental impact and raise consumers awareness and responsibility in choosing products that protect pet health.

Source: Joana Guilherme-Fernandes (2024), Squid meal and shrimp hydrolysate as novel protein sources for dog food, LINK