Search

Dried, salted fish (Sardinella spp.), locally known as tuyo, is a Filipino food staple. Pandawan fisherfolk consider tuyo processing as their main source of livelihood. This study determined the relation of post-harvest practices with the physicochemical and microbiological quality of tuyo. Tuyo processing involves receiving, washing, salting, rinsing, sun-drying, pressing, cooling, and packaging. Although the documented tuyo processing complied with the code of practice, processors needed to follow Good Manufacturing Practices. Moreover, tuyo had lower salt content (7.77–9.08 %NaCl), higher water activity (0.79–0.81), and aerobic plate count (7.82– 8.36 log CFU/g) compared to national standards. Its yeast and mold count (3.58–3.66 log CFU/g) and histamine levels (134–141 ppm) were elevated but within the standard. The final product characteristics may be attributed to GMP non-compliance and high raw fish (aerobic plate count: 6.59–6.69 log CFU/g) and process water (heterotrophic plate count: 10.43 log CFU/mL, total coliform count: >3.20 log MPN/mL, and fecal coliform count: >3.20 log MPN/mL) microbial load. The lack of appropriate fish processing facilities and training programs impedes improving the safety and quality of tuyo. Continuous local government support would aid in ameliorating tuyo, ensuring the production of safe and sustainable foods.

Tilapia fish skin, rich in Type I collagen, has been shown to accelerate wound healing, reduce infection rates, and create an optimal environment for wound care. However, the potential application of other fish species, like milkfish, for skin grafting remains underexplored. Milkfish (C. chanos), an economically significant species in the Philippines, could expand the donor pool for fish skin grafting, addressing the accessibility issues in resource-limited regions where traditional graft materials may be costly or scarce. The current study investigates the feasibility of applying tilapia fish skin sterilization techniques to milkfish skin. Collected and prepared milkfish skin was subjected to a sterilization process using an established protocol for silver nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, to ensure sterility without compromising collagen integrity. Microbiological and histological evaluations were conducted to determine the collagen quality and sterility of milkfish skin. The results indicate that milkfish skin, after undergoing the same sterilization procedures as tilapia skin, maintained high collagen integrity and was free from microbial contamination. By demonstrating that milkfish skin can be effectively sterilized and used similarly to tilapia skin, this research provides innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable wound-healing solutions. This finding has the potential to transform wound care in underserved areas, improving patient outcomes in regions with limited access to advanced medical facilities.

Neste estudo, a moda é tratada na sua relação com um tipo de empresa que, além de dispor ao mercado peças do vestuário e outros produtos, oferece também aspectos e elementos diferenciados, tangíveis e intangíveis, que participam do portfólio de uma marca de moda. Aqui, são apresentados aspectos específicos da marca Colcci na sua relação com a indústria do vestuário, caracterizando um estudo sobre o percurso empresarial e o discurso visual de uma marca de moda reconhecida no mercado brasileiro. Tradicionalmente, a indústria catarinense de vestuário focalizou o produto. Porém, a marca em estudo é um exemplo de que, agora, essa indústria se orienta também para o mercado, investindo na construção e na gestão de suas marcas. Com relação a isso, dois aspectos devem ser considerados, o primeiro é o conteúdo estilístico e o segundo é o discurso e a comunicação da marca, consolidando suas associações positivas e valores junto ao público consumidor e ao mercado em geral.

This chapter aims to understand the complex process of investment and land deal making through the in-depth study of three cases of sugar cane investment in the Philippines and Indonesia. It focuses on three different trajectories of sugar cane schemes—one in northern Luzon, the Philippines, and two in Aceh, Indonesia. By means of a processual approach, the chapter identifies critical junctures—defined as crucial moments of dealmaking and interactions in which relations among actors are renegotiated—at which the investments took decisive turns. These are the collaboration of investors and bureaucratic cooperation between different levels of government; control of the development agenda; land deal making and control over land; control of labour; and curbing resistance. The chapter thus shows that investments in sugar cane and bioethanol—which often involve land deals—usually turn out differently than originally envisaged. Implementation problems arise due to the competing strategies and interests of investors, government departments, workers, landowners, and brokers, and due to specific historical and institutional constellations. Therefore, it can be argued that the implementation of investment schemes cannot simply be understood as the implementation of a contract or an already-planned programme; it should rather be understood as a constant process of negotiation and adaptation. In such a context, the identification of critical junctures is crucial for the conduct of monitoring activities and the adoption of adaptive policies during land deal processes.