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Highlight Research • The homogenization process affected the particle size reduction • The homogenization process using both High Speed Homogenizer and Ultrasound had a smaller particle size and the highest efficiency in encapsulation Abstract Arthrospira platensis contains a high concentration of carotenoids mainly 80 % β-carotene. The use of β-carotene in functional food and nutritional supplements was constrained by its lack of chemical and physical stability. Therefore, efforts were needed to protect carotenoids from damage by using an encapsulation system. The emulsion preparation before the encapsulation process had an influence on the stability of the oil-in-water emulsion. Various methods were used to prepare emulsions, such as high shear homogenizers (HSH) and ultrasound (US) treatment. The homogenization step was critical because it influenced the chemical stability of any encapsulated compounds. The purpose of this work was to generate nanocapsules of β-carotene with minimum carotenoid degradation, high efficiency of encapsulation, and small particle size, with variation in the homogenization process. This study consisted of 5 treatments, including the homogenization processes used HSH 24.000 rpm for 90 s ; HSH 24.000 rpm for 60 s, amplitude 55 % for 120 s ; amplitude 94 % for 138 s ; amplitude 55 % for 138 s ; and amplitude 55 % for 120 s . Each parameter was analysed by ANOVA followed by Tukey pairwise comparisons with 95% confidence level and p

Background: Limited data exist from southeast Asia on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants and inactivated vaccines on disease severity and death among patients hospitalised with COVID-19., Methods: A multicentre hospital-based prospective cohort was enrolled from September 2020 through January 2023, spanning pre-delta, delta, and omicron periods. The participant hospitals were conveniently sampled based on existing collaborations, site willingness and available study resources, and included six urban and two rural general hospitals from East Nusa Tenggara, Jakarta, and North Sumatra provinces. Factors associated with severe disease and day-28 mortality were examined using logistic and Cox regression., Findings: Among 822 participants, the age-adjusted percentage of severe disease was 26.8% (95% CI 22.7-30.9) for pre-delta, 50.1% (44.0-56.2) for delta, and 15.2% (9.7-20.7) for omicron. The odds of severe disease were 64% (18-84%) lower for omicron than delta (p < 0.001). One or more vaccine doses reduced the odds of severe disease by 89% (65-97%) for delta and 98% (91-100%) for omicron. Age-adjusted mortality was 11.9% (8.8-15.0) for pre-delta, 24.4% (18.8-29.9) for delta and 9.6% (5.2-14.0) for omicron. The day-28 cumulative incidence of death was lower for omicron (9.2% [5.6-13.9%]) than delta (28.6% [22.0-35.5%]) (p < 0.001). Severe disease on admission was the predominant prognostic factor for death (aHR34.0 [16.6-69.9] vs mild-or-moderate; p < 0.001). After controlling for disease severity on admission as an intermediate, the risk of death was 48% (32-60%) lower for omicron than delta (p < 0.001); and 51% (38-61%; p < 0.001) lower for vaccinated participants than unvaccinated participants overall, and 56% (37-69%; p < 0.001) for omicron, 46% (-5 to 73%; p = 0.070) for pre-delta (not estimable for delta)., Interpretation: Infections by omicron variant resulted in less severe and fatal outcomes than delta in hospitalised patients in Indonesia. However, older, and unvaccinated individuals remained at greater risk of adverse outcomes., Funding: University of Oxford and Wellcome Trust., Competing Interests: The studies included in this analysis received funding from the COVID-19 Research Response Fund of the University of Oxford (0009109 and 0009308); Wellcome Africa Asia Programme Vietnam (106680/Z/14/Z); Wellcome Trust (222574/Z/21/Z). JKB, AHS and RLH are supported by the Wellcome Africa Asia Programme Vietnam (106680/Z/14/Z). We declare no other competing interests., (© 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)