https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14353/1065 2026-08-25T02:50:14Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14353/1015 Bait management and depth‐based catch distribution of economically important marine crabs in the Visayan Sea, Philippines Macario, Angelo C.; Balsomo, Alexander J.; Tomiyama, Takeshi Efficient bait management and deployment strategies are essential for improving the sustainability of artisanal crab pot fisheries. This study investigated the effects of bait type, bait quantity and depth on the catch, size and bycatch composition of marine crabs in the crab pot fisheries in the Visayan Sea, Philippines. Field experiments utilized five bait treatments (salted fish, fresh fish, chicken intestines, crab shell and no bait), comparative tests of 40 versus 20 g bait quantities and depth sampling using 20g salted fish baits from 1 to 21 m. Salted fish significantly increased the catch and size of Portunus pelagicus and provided an effective alternative to fresh fish in areas with limited refrigeration. Chicken intestines attracted higher bycatch. Catch and size of P. pelagicus increased with depth, while Thalamita sima tended to be smaller in deeper waters. Integrating bait optimization, pot modifications and spatial deployment based on depth can enhance species and size selectivity, reduce bycatch and limit the capture of undersized crabs, thereby supporting more sustainable and ecologically responsible artisanal crabbing operations. 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14353/991 Identification and characterization of cyanobacteria population in organic milkfish farm during wet and dry season Casiple, Ma. Reliza Crisline P. This study was conducted to identify and characterize the cyanobacterial population in organic milkfish farm during the wet and dry season; and assess water quality parameters in three milkfish ponds in Brgy. Tiwi, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo. Four (4) species were identified using partial 16s rDNA sequencing, namely: Synechococcus sp. MMG-15, Synechococcus sp. NB0720, Nostoc sp. NTK29, and Haematococcus lacustris. Seasonal variations showed Haematococcus lacustris (0.447 cells/mL) dominance during the dry season, and Nostoc sp. (1.00 cells/mL) thrived during the wet season. The highest cyanobacterial densities during wet and dry seasons were found in Nostoc sp. (W=1.00 cells/mL, D=0.212 cells/mL), followed by Synechococcus sp. (W=0.722 cells/mL, D=0.271) and Haematococcus lacustris (W=0.586 cells/mL, D=0.447 cells/mL). It is found out that dissolved oxygen and nitrate levels varied significantly between the wet and dry season. Furthermore, results of this study indicate higher cyanobacterial abundance during the wet season. Finally, proactive water quality monitoring and cyanobacterial control measures are recommended for sustainable fish production. 2024-11-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14353/764 Knowledge about cholera and its prevention among household heads in a highly urbanized city in Western Philippines: A cross-sectional study Oscares, Karen Joy S.; Pacubas, Sarah Adelaide S.; Padpad, Felb Audrey Hope G.; Paglomutan, Precious Angel A.; Panelo, Pearl Krystelle R.; Oducado, Ryan Michael F. Introduction: Cholera remains a significant public health threat globally, but its impact can be significantly reduced with the right knowledge and correct preventive practices. Conducting a study to provide baseline data and identify knowledge gaps on cholera will benefit at-risk and vulnerable communities. This research aimed to determine the household heads' knowledge about cholera and its prevention in a barangay in the Western Philippines. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire was conducted in an urban barangay in Iloilo City in Western Philippines among 252 randomly selected household heads in May 2023. Data were described, and t-Test for independent samples and one-way ANOVA were used to test for differences. Results: The majority of household heads were generally knowledgeable about cholera and its prevention, but only 51.2% knew that oral rehydrating solution (ORS) could help manage symptoms of cholera. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in knowledge about cholera and its prevention based on sex (t = 2.92; p = 0.004). Conclusions: Household heads understood well and were informed of cholera and its prevention, although there were still some misconceptions. Continuous health education and knowledge assessment are recommended to raise awareness and ensure correct and timely information dissemination regarding cholera. Full-Text 2024-05-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14353/375 Marine sediment-derived Streptomyces strain produces angucycline antibiotics against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus harboring SCCmec type 1 gene Sabido, Edna M.; Tenebro, Chuckcris M.; Suarez, Angelica Faith L.; Ong, Sarah Diane C.; Trono, Dana Joanne Von L.; Amago, Diana S.; Evangelista, Jose E. Jr; Reynoso, Ann Marielle Q.; Villalobos, Ivy Grace M.; Alit, Luigi Dan D.; Surigao, Cherryl F.; Villanueva, Christelle A.; Saludes, Jonel P.; Dalisay, Doralyn S. The Philippine archipelago is geographically positioned in the tropics with rich areas of marine biodiversity. Its marine sediments harbor actinomycetes that exhibit antibacterial activity. Screening of actinomycetes isolated from marine sediments collected near the coast of Islas de Gigantes, Iloilo showed one isolate that exhibited high activity against the multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain carrying the Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) type 1 gene, a biomarker for drug resistance. The isolate was identified as Streptomyces sp. strain DSD011 based on its 16s rRNA and protein-coding genes (atpD, recA, rpoB, and trpB) sequences, and was found to be a new species of salt-tolerant marine Streptomyces. Further, the strain harbors both non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and type II polyketide synthase (PKS) in its genome. The targeted chromatographic isolation and chemical investigations by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry-Time of Flight (LCMS-TOF), tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and Global Natural Product Social molecular networking (GNPS) of the antibiotics produced by the strain afforded the two polycyclic aromatic polyketide angucycline glycosides, fridamycin A (1) and fridamycin D (2), which are products of type II PKS biosynthesis. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed antibacterial activity against MRSA with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 500 μg/mL and 62.5 μg/mL, respectively. These results suggest that the underexplored marine sediments near the coast of Islas de Gigantes, Iloilo offer access to undiscovered Streptomyces species that are invaluable sources of antibiotic leads. 2020-09-23T00:00:00Z