Journal of Hunan University Natural Sciences

Monascus purpureus is a promising microbial source of natural yellow pigments; however, citrinin contamination limits its application in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products. This study aimed to optimize the production of low-citrinin yellow pigments from M. purpureus using rice-based solid-state fermentation and to characterize the optimized extract through LC–MS/PDA fingerprinting. A modified Central Composite Design under Response Surface Methodology was applied to evaluate the effects of NaNO₃, methionine, glycerol, fermentation temperature, and cultivation time on yellow pigment production and citrinin concentration. The optimal conditions were achieved without NaNO₃ supplementation, with 0.24% methionine and 2% glycerol, at a fermentation temperature of 28°C and a cultivation time of 16 days. Under these conditions, yellow pigment production reached 2,438.88 ± 46.04 OD units/g, while citrinin concentration decreased to 0.1801 ± 0.0082 mg/kg. Compared with the basal medium, these results represented a 2.22-fold increase in yellow pigment production and a 52.91-fold reduction in citrinin concentration. LC–MS/PDA fingerprinting revealed multiple UV–Vis-active chromatographic features, supporting the chemical traceability of the optimized fermented extract without claiming definitive compound identification. These findings demonstrate that multi-response optimization of fermentation conditions can improve both the productivity and safety profile of M. purpureus-derived yellow pigments for further development as natural colorants.

Keywords: Monascus purpureus; Yellow pigment; Citrinin mitigation; Response surface methodology; Solid-state fermentation; LC–MS/PDA fingerprinting; Natural colorant.

DOI https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.53.6.13

This study explores the research gap concerning the relationship between budget participation and budget performance in public sector organizations over the past two decades, with particular attention to the shift from traditional behavioral outcomes to public financial performance. Following PRISMA guidelines, a combined bibliometric and systematic literature review approach was applied to 41 Scopus-indexed empirical articles published between 2006 and 2025, using VOSviewer for bibliometric analysis. The bibliometric and thematic findings reveal that, although budget performance is frequently associated with budgeting processes, evaluation, and budget adequacy, it remains an underdeveloped research area in relation to critical issues such as budgetary slack and budgetary information. Furthermore, only limited studies have explicitly examined the direct relationship between budget participation and budget performance. This study contributes by developing a novel conceptual framework through a dual-method review design that maps the evolution of public sector budgeting research. It also identifies key mediating mechanisms, particularly budgeting processes, evaluation, and budget adequacy, thereby providing a strategic foundation for future empirical model development in public financial management.

Keywords: Budget performance; Budget participation; Participatory budgeting; Systematic literature review; Bibliometric analysis; Public sector.

DOI https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.53.6.12

Malnutrition is associated with immune dysfunction and chronic inflammation, which may contribute to adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to explore bioactive compounds derived from lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.) with potential relevance to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-mediated inflammation related to malnutrition using an integrated in silico approach. Bioactive compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), followed by bioactivity prediction using PASS analysis. Selected compounds were further evaluated through molecular docking against TNF-α, along with in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADME/toxicity) predictions. GC–MS analysis identified nineteen compounds in the lima bean extract. Based on PASS screening and docking analysis, five compounds were prioritized, including fatty acid ester derivatives and α-linolenic acid-related compounds. Among these, 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl ester exhibited the most favorable predicted binding profile toward TNF-α (ΔG = −6.8 kcal/mol), indicating a weak to moderate interaction typical of preliminary virtual screening. In silico ADME and toxicity predictions suggested generally favorable pharmacokinetic properties with low-to-moderate toxicity, although these results remain predictive in nature. This study provides a hypothesis-generating computational framework linking lima bean-derived compounds to TNF-α-associated inflammatory pathways, supporting future experimental validation. 

Keywords: Lima bean; Inflammation; Malnutrition; TNF-α; In silico analysis.

DOI https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.53.5.13

This scoping review examines preclinical evidence on physical, probiotic, and nutraceutical interventions for type 2 diabetes mellitus using Wistar rat models. The distinctive contribution of this review lies in its explicit distinction between direct experimental evidence and a proposed future framework for a combined treadmill–Smallanthus sonchifolius–Lactobacillus acidophilus intervention. By systematically identifying the absence of direct evidence for this combined protocol, the review provides a focused rationale for future experimental studies rather than relying solely on extrapolation from separate intervention models. The study aimed to map intervention characteristics, animal models, outcomes, and evidence gaps related to glycemic control, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, inflammation, gut microbiota, and molecular pathways. A scoping review was conducted according to the Arksey and O’Malley framework and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Springer Nature databases/platforms were searched for studies published between 2015 and 2025 using terms related to Wistar rats, type 2 diabetes mellitus, treadmill exercise, yacon/Smallanthus sonchifolius, probiotics, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Records were screened using Rayyan, data were extracted using Microsoft Excel, and reporting quality and risk of bias were appraised using the ARRIVE reporting criteria and SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool. The search identified 1,389 records; after duplicate removal, title and abstract screening, and full-text assessment, 23 studies were included in the review. The strongest direct evidence was found for treadmill exercise, with 21 studies reporting improvements in fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, insulin resistance indices, lipid or adiposity parameters, and metabolic-inflammatory pathways. Direct evidence for Lactobacillus acidophilus was limited to two studies, which reported improvements in glycemia, insulin sensitivity, inflammatory markers, body weight, and fecal lactobacilli counts. No eligible study directly examined Smallanthus sonchifolius or the full three-component combination. Therefore, treadmill exercise is directly supported by preclinical evidence, Lactobacillus acidophilus has limited supportive evidence, and yacon-based as well as combined physical–nutraceutical–probiotic protocols remain hypothesis-generating strategies requiring direct experimental validation.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Wistar rats; treadmill exercise; probiotics; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Smallanthus sonchifolius; yacon; nutraceuticals; scoping review; inflammation.

DOI https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.53.6.11

This study aims to analyse the integration of health promotion through teacher role modelling in the formation of Clean and Healthy Living Behaviour (Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat, PHBS) among young children in early childhood education units in Central Lombok Regency. The study employed a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design involving formal early childhood education teachers selected through proportional random sampling. Data were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire measuring work experience, working conditions, knowledge, motivation, attitudes, intentions, and teachers’ role-modelling behaviour in PHBS practices. Validity and reliability tests were conducted prior to data collection. The relationships among variables were then analysed using path analysis to identify the direct and indirect effects of personal and environmental factors on teachers’ role-modelling behaviour.
The findings show that teachers’ role-modelling behaviour is relatively strong in relation to personal hygiene habits and light physical activity, while healthy eating habits still need to be strengthened through school environmental support and parental collaboration. Personal factors, including motivation, attitudes, knowledge, and intention, contribute to the consistency of teachers’ role-modelling behaviour. Environmental factors, such as school policies and the availability of sanitation facilities, influence the sustainability of healthy lifestyle practices. These findings have important implications for strengthening practice-based teacher training, developing a healthy school culture, and formulating more contextual and sustainable health promotion policies in early childhood education.

Keywords: Early childhood education; Health promotion; Clean and Healthy Living Behaviour; PHBS; Teacher role modelling; Healthy school culture.

DOI https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.53.6.10