Bleaching Method Research Articles

Bleaching techniques impact on some quality parameters in two different cold‐pressed oils obtained at farm scale

AbstractThe consumption of cold‐pressed oil, such as linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) oil has increased recently. In these oils obtained on the farm, a large number of components able to affect oil quality (mainly chlorophylls) are present. Given this, an experiment was conducted with the following aims: (1) to compare different bleaching methods by applying ultrasound waves and earths in cold‐pressed hempseed and linseed oils and (2) to evaluate the effect of different types (acid‐activated and natural) and amount (2% and 4%) of earths with different processing temperatures (60 and 80°C) in hempseed oil, utilizing a bleaching method with earths alone. Regarding the linseed oil, any bleaching methodologies adopted must not include ultrasound treatment, as the high temperatures reached determine high levels of oxidation to the detriment of the oil. Concerning the hemp oil, the natural earths, especially at farm level, should be preferred, because in addition to removing chlorophyll satisfactorily, when used at 4% even at the lowest temperature (60°C), an improvement of the stability and nutritional value (Vit. E) of the oil was observed.Practical applicationsThe use of ultrasound, applied together with bleaching earths, is considered an interesting and efficient bleaching method, in order to remove several pigments able to affect quality of many vegetable oils, with the exception of linseed oil. In fact, the use of ultrasound during the bleaching process determines a high oil temperature (120°C) and this, in an oil such as that of linseed characterized by a very high percentage (> 55%) of α‐linolenic acid, negatively affects the oil stability by the formation of high quantity of primary oxidation products, evidenced by very high peroxide values. In the bleaching activity carried out at farm level in particular, natural earths should be preferred to the acid‐activated ones. The latter, despite demonstrating an effective bleaching efficiency for few specific pigments, could increase the level of free fatty acids, reduce the antioxidant compounds (tocopherols) naturally present, and release undesirable contaminants in the oil.

Bilateral Symmetrical Oval Hyperpigmentation on the Face: A Case of Seborrheic Melanosis

Introduction: Seborrheic melanosis is one of the causes of facial hyperpigmentation presenting in the sebaceous areas of the face. It is most commonly seen in Fitzpatrick skin types 4 - 6. Seborrheic melanosis can cause cosmetic concerns for the patients, leading them to seek bleaching methods that could also be hazardous for them. Case Presentation: A 19-year-old male patient presented with dark brown spots on both sides of his nasolabial folds. According to the skin examination, there were nummular oval macules with hyperpigmentation and mild desquamation at the junction of the nasolabial fold and the supralabial area bilaterally. The patient applied an over-the-counter cream that contained hydroquinone to the hyperpigmented areas for bleaching for one month before he consulted our dermatology department. The pigmentation was homogeneous, brown-black, and showed no contrast under Wood’s light examination. Additionally, there were hyperpigmented macules on a seborrheic basement at the alar-supralabial junction bilaterally. The anamnesis and clinical findings supported the diagnosis of seborrheic melanosis. Tacrolimus ointment 0.1% once per night and isoconazole nitrate cream once per day were prescribed as treatments for one month. A water-based moisturizer and sunscreen were also added to the treatment. Further, he used a facial peeling combination of alpha-hydroxy acid 10% and beta-hydroxy acid 2% two times per week. Hyperpigmentation was barely discernible on his face five months after the beginning of the therapy. Conclusions: Seborrheic melanosis must be distinguished from other types of facial melanoses in order to start appropriate treatment. To ensure the most effective treatment, a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s medical history and a thorough physical examination are essential for an accurate diagnosis of seborrheic melanosis.

The Use of Chemical Bleaching and Thin-layer Chromatographic Methods for the Detection and Identification of Sudan-III Dye in Adulterated Palm Oil

The deleterious effect of consuming azo dye adulterants in palm oil is well documented including cancer. The presence of Sudan-III dye in palm oil cannot be detected by mere visual inspection. This study was aimed at developing a simple, cheap and convenient protocol for detection and identification of Sudan-III and other azo dyes in adulterated palm oil. The results revealed that the refractive index could be used to screen for azo dye adulteration in palm oil samples as the parameter increases with increasing concentration of Sudan-III dye in palm oil and were statistically different ((p<0.05) from crude unadulterated palm oil samples. Analytical thin layer chromatography and chemical bleaching using 20% v/v each of concentrated sulphuric acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide in palm oil was effective in detecting Sudan III dye adulteration in concentrations of 10mg/L and above.

Waste paper as a viable sustainable source for cellulosic extraction by chlorine free bleaching and acid hydrolysis method for the production of PVA-starch/cellulose based biocomposites

Cellulose nanofibers have displayed great promise for enhancing the mechanical and physical characteristics of polymer composites. Viable sustainable source such as office waste papers were used for the extraction of cellulose The cellulose was isolated using an alkali treatment followed by chlorine free bleaching, and acid hydrolysis method. This is followed by homogenization. The obtained cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were carefully studied for its structure, morphology, and thermal properties. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/starch composite films were prepared with isolated CNC (1, 3 and 5 wt%) by solution casting method. CNC added to polymer composites increased the film's mechanical strength and barrier characteristics. Films were characterised by), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The film exhibited excellent barrier properties and mechanical properties which is desirable for food packaging applications. Successful isolation of CNCs derived from waste paper enhanced the use of waste paper's fibre resources, resulting in increased economic advantages.

Assessment of antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-urease and anti-tyrosinase capacities of leaves extracts.

To characterize the chemical profile of methanolic crude extract and its fractions (Ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous) using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, to evaluate their biological and pharmacological properties: antioxidant (1, 1-diphenyl-2-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic) (ABTS), galvinoxyle free radical scavenging, reducing power, phenanthroline and β carotene-linoleic acid bleaching assays), enzymes inhibitory ability against several enzymes [acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE), buthyrylcholinesterase (BChE), urease and tyrosinase]. Secondary metabolites were extracted from Tamarix africana air-dried powdered leaves by maceration, the crude extract was fractionated using different solvents with different polarities (Ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous). The amount of polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins (hydrolysable and condensed) were determined using colorimetric assays. A variety of biochemical tests were carried out to assess antioxidant and oxygen radical scavenging properties using DPPH, ABTS, galvinoxyle free radical scavenging, reducing power, phenanthroline and β carotene-linoleic acid bleaching methods. Neuroprotective effect was examined against acetylcholinesterase and buthy-rylcholinesterase enzymes. The anti-urease and anti-tyrosinase activities were performed against urease and tyrosinase enzymes respectively. The extract's components were identified using LC-MS and compared to reference substances. The results indicated that Tamarix africana extracts presented a powerful antioxidant activity in all assays and exhibited a potent inhibitory effect against AChE and BChE as well as urease and tyrosinase enzymes. LC-MS analysis identified amount of eight phenolic compounds were revealed in this analysis; Apigenin, Diosmin, Quercetin, Quercetine-3-glycoside, Apigenin 7-O glycoside, Rutin, Neohesperidin and Wogonin in methanolic extract and its different fractions of Tamarix africana from leaves. Based on these findings, it is reasonable to assume that Tamarix africana could be considered as a potential candidate for pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industries to create innovative health-promoting drugs.

Characterization of cellulose nanocrystals prepared by different delignification methods and application of ultra-light, hydrophobic aerogels as oil absorbent in food systems

In this study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were isolated and characterized from sugarcane pith (SP), a renewable, low-cost agro-industrial residue. The effects of bleaching methods on CNCs morphology and physicochemical properties were investigated. Then, an ultralight and hydrophobic nanocellulose-based aerogel was fabricated as an oil absorbent for food systems. The results showed that hydrogen peroxide bleached CNC retained its good characteristics (a whisker-like shape, L/D 38, CrI 72.1%, zeta potential −29.97 ± 0.05 mV) and the typical shear-thinning rheological behavior, an eco-friendly delignification. In addition, the obtained MTMS-modified aerogels exhibited ultralight density (0.031–0.053 g/cm3), high porosity (96.45–97.44%), lipophilicity (water contact angle as high as 130.2 ± 5.8°), and reusability. Furthermore, their absorption capacity was up to 49.8 g/g, with a wide range of catering oils and organic solvents. This study provides insight into the high value-added utilization of agro-industrial residues and the application of nanocellulose-based aerogels for oil-water separation in food systems.

In Vitro Evaluation of Tooth-Whitening Potential of Peroxide-Free OTC Dental Bleaching Agents

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the tooth-whitening potential of five over-the-counter (OTC), peroxide-free dental bleaching methods as well as an experimental tooth-whitening solution containing 0.1% hydrogen peroxide complexed with doping agents with a gold standard (positive control) containing 16% carbamide peroxide. Material and Methods: Eighty permanent bovine incisor teeth were randomly allocated to eight different groups. Two teeth from each group were immerged into five staining solutions represented by coffee, tea, red wine, and curry mixed in warm oil or distilled water (control group) and stored at 37 °C for 28 days in an incubator. The teeth were then reallocated to the eight groups, resulting in ten samples per group, and each group was matched with a bleaching product. The bleaching procedures were executed following the manufacturer's recommendations. The color of each sample was assessed over a white and black background using a quantitative numerical measurement approach with a calibrated spectrophotometer. Spectrophotometric measurements were performed after exposing the teeth to the bleaching agent for 60 min (T2), 100 min (T3), and 200 min (T4), and ΔE00 was calculated. Results: When analyzed over a white background, the mean ΔE00 values ranged from 2.14 (placebo) to 6.32 (Opalescence PF). When analyzed over a black background, the mean ΔE00 values ranged from 2.31 (placebo) to 5.78 (Opalescence PF). Statistically significant ΔE00 color changes over time for the eight groups and five staining solutions at T1 and T4 were assessed for both backgrounds using repeated ANOVA followed by Fisher's LSD post hoc test (p-value < 0.01). Conclusions: All tested over-the-counter whitening kits except one exhibited positive color variation. However, the individual performance differed vastly from one brand to the other, and the overall performance was less effective compared to the conventional carbamide-peroxide-based positive control.

Effect of Home Bleaching on the Optical Properties and Surface Roughness of Novel Aesthetic Dental Ceramics

The optical qualities of cutting-edge aesthetic dental ceramics are crucial for great aesthetics and may be impacted by various bleaching methods. The objectives of this study were to evaluate how home bleaching affected the translucency parameter (TP), contrast ratio (CR), total color difference (ΔE), and surface roughness (Ra) of various aesthetic dental ceramics, including innovative ultra-translucent zirconia. The three varieties of ceramics that were tested—IPS e.max-Press (IPS); classic zirconia with feldspathic layering (LZr); and translucent zirconia (TZr)—were each represented by seven samples. The samples were bleached at home using 15% carbamide peroxide for six hours a day for seven days. Each specimen’s pre- and post-bleaching CIE L*a*b* values were measured using a spectrophotometer, and the TP, CR, and ΔE were determined. Ra values were measured via 3D profilometry. In comparison to the pre-stage results, statistical analysis showed a significant decrease in TP and increase in CR for LZr and TZr in the post-stage (p &lt; 0.05), but not for IPS (p = 0.398). The results also showed substantial variations in ΔE for the three ceramics (p = 0.020). Ra readings during the post-stage were noticeably greater than those at the pre-stage (p = 0.018). Home bleaching had an impact on the optical characteristics and surface texture of the dental ceramics. Additionally, IPS had greater color stability than LZr and TZr.

Development of methods for discoloration and bleaching of textile waste

This article presents the results of research experiments conducted to study the process of decolorization of fibrous waste generated at different stages of the textile industry in order to use it in the production of paper types.

Arabica Coffee Pulp Cellulose: Isolation, Morphology, and its Capabilities to be Modified into Cellulose Nitrate

Cellulose nitrate was a cellulose derivative applied in various applications, from plastics to solid propellants for military ammunition and rocketry. Environmental impact from using cotton linter or wood as a source of cellulose for cellulose nitrate industry promoting attempt to use agricultural waste as an alternative source of cellulose. Utilizing non-wood agricultural waste is also advantageous to reduce waste accumulation and give economical value. However, specific cellulose properties should also considered to achieve optimum cellulose derivation process into cellulose nitrate through nitration reaction. Coffee pulp waste had potential to be used as source of non-wood cellulose for its abundance, considerable fraction of cellulose content, low economical value, and unique cellulose morphology. In this study, the cellulose from the coffee pulp was isolated through sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide bleaching method, which furthermore evaluated in terms of their morphology, physical properties, and its capabilities to be derived into cellulose nitrate. The result showed that coffee pulp cellulose has crystallinity and surface area around 59.63% and 0.5962 m2/g, respectively which is lower than cotton linter, suggesting advantageous properties for nitration reaction. Nitration to coffee pulp-based cellulose resulted in moderate nitrogen content cellulose nitrate which still suitable for non-military application.

Overview on Mechanisms and Complications of Dental Bleaching

Abstract: The practice of bleaching teeth is very common, and various tools and methods have been developed specifically for this purpose. Whiten teeth, various approaches and products are available, each with a distinctive mode of operation. These include products used at home, such as toothpaste, gels, and films, and systems used in dental offices where products with highly concentrated bleaching agents are used under close supervision. Intrinsic and extrinsic staining are the two main types of tooth discolouration causes. Intrinsic staining, also known as internal staining, can be caused by a variety of things, including genetics, ageing, antibiotics, high fluoride levels, and developmental disorders. It can even begin before the tooth has fully emerged. The effectiveness of these various techniques depends on the specific tooth discolouration being treated. Dental bleaching procedures have emerged due to technical advancements to make the procedure easier to use and increase comfort, safety, and efficiency. External dental whitening is typically accomplished with hydrogen peroxide that has been photoactivated or not or carbamate. However, the teeth whitening process in the home and business leads to sensitivity. Certain risks associated with tooth whitenings, such as increased tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation, have been known to the public and professional communities. Recent research has identified other risks, including tooth surface softening and roughening, increased demineralization risk, dental restoration degradation, and unfavourable colour change. This article aims to review and synthesize the most recent research on tooth bleaching methods and side effects.

Developing Alternative Methods to Reduce the Deformation of the Traditional Moonwash Method on Knit Fabrics

The textile industry is a sector that is constantly alive and growing, and the technologies and designs used in the sector are constantly developing. In recent years, there has been a great demand for products that look worn and faded paint. (Hacı et al., 2015) In order to obtain this image, bleaching techniques and washing techniques are used. This technique is extensively used on denim and knitted fabrics. (Technical Bulletin, 2000). In this study, it was aimed to reduce energy costs, working hours of workers and textile waste by testing the bleaching method with AKR001 on products made of knitted fabric, and the results were evaluated statistically. The advantages provided in this alternative study, which was developed instead of the traditional moonwash method, are interpreted in detail in the results section of the article. The current process developed will contribute to the change of the sector in terms of sustainability when considered in terms of environmental awareness and efficiency.

Effectiveness and safety of bleaching agents on lithium disilicate glass ceramics.

Aesthetic expectations have increased the use of aesthetic materials in dentistry. Lithium disilicates are frequently used materials for these expectations. Bleaching is another method used to provide aesthetics. Bleaching processes on restorative materials are not fully known. This study investigated the effect of at-home and in-office bleaching methods on the color change, surface roughness, and topography of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic materials produced with two different techniques and subjected to different polishing procedures. A total of 144 disc-shaped pressed and computer-aided design (CAD) lithium disilicate glass-ceramic specimens were randomly divided into four groups. Glazing and three different chair-side polishing procedures were performed. The specimens in each group were randomly divided into two groups and subjected to at-home and in-office bleaching processes (n=9). The home bleaching process was repeated with 16% carbamide peroxide agent for six hours for seven days, while the in-office bleaching process was applied with 40% hydrogen peroxide agent for two sessions of 20 minutes. After the bleaching processes, the final color and surface roughness experiments of the specimens were carried out, and the results were recorded. ANOVA and Tukey multiple comparison tests were used FOR the statistical analysis of the data (α=0.05). The material*polish*bleaching, polish*bleaching, material*bleaching, and material*polishing interactions were not statistically significant regarding color and roughness changes of both specimens (P>0.05). Both bleaching processes can be safely applied to lithium disilicate glass-ceramic materials.

Performance of Bleach Method Sputum Smear Microscopy for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in a Highly Endemic District in Lima, Peru.

Background: Sputum smear microscopy (SSM) is a screening test used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB); however, its performance and sensitivity are relatively low, which can lead to false negatives. We designed a cross-sectional study to estimate the performance of SSM that includes a pretreatment based on sputum digestion with bleach (sodium hypochlorite) for the diagnosis of TB. Methods: We evaluated 73 sputum samples from patients with a diagnosis of TB confirmed by the Xpert MTB/RIF test and 114 samples from patients without TB. We performed sputum digestion using a 5% sodium hypochlorite solution, centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 15 min. We prepared smears for direct and bleach-treated SSM and used Ziehl−Neelsen staining. Results: The bleach-treated SSM obtained absolute identification of the cases of TB confirmed by the Xpert test, compared to 95.9% identified by the direct smear method (without bleach treatment). We also found a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the recovery of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) obtained by the bleach-treated SSM (293.8 ± 215.1 AFB) compared to the direct SSM method (222.9 ± 195.5 AFB). The AUC of the bleach-treated SSM and direct SSM was 100% and 96.6%, respectively. Conclusion: The bleach-treated SSM performs better than the direct SSM in identifying AFB and increasing the bacillary count in the sputum samples.

Tooth Bleaching and Its Adverse Effects: A Review

The technique of lightening the shade of a person's teeth is known as tooth whitening or tooth bleaching. For a variety of reasons, teeth can become discoloured, and whitening is frequently the preferred solution. Nowadays aesthetics play a major role in today’s lifestyle. One of the common procedures in cosmetic dentistry is bleaching of the tooth. There are many causes of tooth discolouration. According to the aetiology and localization it is divided into intrinsic and extrinsic causes. This review article tells us briefly about various aspects of tooth bleaching like causes of tooth discolouration, bleaching material and its mechanism, bleaching techniques and the adverse effect of bleaching. The walking bleach technique and in-office thermocatayltic bleach technique is non vital tooth bleaching techniques. Walking bleach method uses sodium perborate with distilled water while thermocatalytic bleaching uses hydrogen peroxide with heat. Extracoronal tooth bleaching techniques are in-office vital bleach technique and at-home vital bleach technique. There are number of adverse effects of tooth bleaching. Gingival irritation and tooth sensitivity are common side effects in vital tooth bleaching while root resorption, chemical burns is seen in non vital bleach technique. Chemical burn can be avoided by application of petroleum jelly or Vaseline to gingiva and oral mucosa during bleaching. Gingival irritation is mainly seen in in-home vital bleach technique where the customized tray irritates the gingiva. This can be prevented by trimming the customized tray. Tooth sensitivity is also a common side effect of vital tooth bleaching.

Effect of delignification and bleaching stages on cellulose purity of oil palm empty fruit bunches

Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) have not been properly utilized by most palm oil mills and communities in Indonesia. The processing and utilization of OPEFB by palm oil mills are still limited. Due to high cellulose contents, it potentially made into various bioproducts, especially as biomaterials. Therefore, a proper extraction technology is needed to obtain a high level of cellulose purity because alkaline treatment can solely remove a part of hemicellulose and lignin. A higher cellulose content can be obtained by further chemical treatments through the bleaching process. However, no information regarding the difference of the isolation performance method to produce cellulose purity by delignification first or vice versa bleaching as an initial stage. The research determined the purity of EFB cellulose with differences in the sequence of bleaching and alkaline delignification stages. The three methods were carried, namely the first method by bleaching using sodium chlorite 3% two times, followed by delignification of NaOH 10% at room temperature, second method with the same conditions but delignification of NaOH 10% at a temperature of 70-80°C and third method by delignification and continued bleaching under the same conditions. The results showed the bleaching method of sodium chlorite of 2 cycles and continued by alkaline delignification (NaOH 10%) at room temperature resulted in higher cellulose purity than other methods. The FTIR test results indicated the detection of the C-O functional group at a wavelength of 1196 cm-1 and the C-H functional group at a wavelength of 2967 cm-1.

Phenolic and Flavonoid Content of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra L.) Stem and Their Evaluation Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Profile

The black mulberry (Morus nigra) plant has been widely developed for its bioactivity as natural medicine. This study evaluated plant extracts' total phenolic and flavonoid content and their correlation to M. nigra stem's antioxidant activity and toxicity. Dry powder from the M. nigra stem was extracted by maceration with 96% ethanol to obtain a thick extract (TE) and fractionated using hexane (HF), ethyl acetate (EAF), and ethanol-aqueous (EF). The samples were analyzed for a compound using reagents and the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content. The samples were evaluated for antioxidant activity using several parameters and their cytotoxic effects using the BSLT method. Identification of compounds in EAF was confirmed to contain phenolic, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroids, and terpenoids. EAF showed higher phenolic and flavonoid content than others. The evaluation of antioxidant activity showed that extracts and fractions from M. nigra stems showed the ability to reduce ions and free radicals. EF sample has activity in reducing Mo (IV) ion by TAC method of 98.82±0.53 µM/mg, indicating substantial antioxidant capacity. In addition, EAF samples showed potential activity in reducing DPPH, hydroxyl, and peroxide radicals in the β-carotene bleaching method with IC50 values of 12.13, 42.06, and 57.6 µg/mL, respectively. Similar activity was also seen in the cytotoxic effect of a robust EAF sample with an LC50 value of 16.31 µg/mL. The results show that EAF can be developed as a raw material for traditional medicine as an antioxidant and anticancer candidate with a significant flavonoid and phenolics content.

Sulfate resistance and microstructure of metakaolin geopolymer reinforced by cellulose nanofiber and wollastonite

As an alternative to the ordinary Portland cement (OPC), it is imperative to improve the performance of geopolymer under harsh conditions (such as sulfate/seawater attack). Sulfate attack is one of the reasons which cause deterioration and damages of geopolymer structures. Thus, the strategy of sulfate resistance attracts attention of researchers. As a reinforcement for geopolymer, the cellulose nanofiber (from waste bamboo powder) facilitates the utilization of waste bamboo powder. High-purity cellulose nanofiber (CNF) was obtained by using alkali, bleaching and acid hydrolysis treatments on waste bamboo powder. The purification effect and environmental impact of CNF were compared by different bleaching methods. The optimal conditions (containing 5 wt% H2O2, 0.04 wt% MgSO4 and 0.05 wt% TAED) for CNF purification were determined. This work aims to investigate the effect of CNF and wollastonite (WS) on the sulfate resistance of metakaolin (MK) geopolymer. The deterioration mechanism of geopolymer reinforced by natural fiber (CNF and WS) exposed to sulfate environment was revealed by employing XRD, SEM and MIP. The influence of extreme sulfate environment on mechanical properties and microstructure was investigated. The analysis results of microstructure, mass loss rate and mechanical properties were also combined to evaluate the sulfate resistance. The outcomes show that the bleaching method of H2O2 can effectively remove impurities and enhance the purification effect of CNF. The optimum mix proportion of MK geopolymer reinforced by natural fiber (formulated as 2% of CNF, 10% of WS and 88% of MK) is obtained. The compressive and flexural strengths are increased by up to 76.1% and 135.5% (compared to the control group), respectively. The deterioration of geopolymer is related to the concentration of Na2SO4 and the immersion time. The degradation mechanism is attributed to the incomplete geopolymerization and the destruction of the pore structure due to sulfate attack exposure. The deterioration processes of geopolymer can be slowed down by introducing WS and CNF. It improves the sulfate resistance of the matrix from the structural aspect.

A clinicopathological profile and role of newer methods in diagnosis of paediatric tubercular lymphadenopathy

Objectives: Lymphadenopathy is a common finding in children and poses a diagnostic dilemma. There are various conventional methods for the diagnosis of tubercular lym- phadenopathy with some newer methods like GeneXpert Assay recently introduced. This study emphasizes the role of newer diagnostic methods and a detailed clinicopathological profile of paediatric patients. Methods: This was a four-year prospective study including a total of 512 children under 13 years who were clinically suspected of tubercular lymphadenopathy were included. FNAC followed by ZN staining, Modified bleach method, MTP 64 Antigen testing, Ge - neXpert MTB/RIF Assay analysis and Culture was performed on the adequate samples and studies of comparison were done. Results: Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of different methods were com - pared and GeneXpert outshined the other method of diagnosis with a sensitivity of 93.1%, specificity of 100 % and diagnostic accuracy of 97.5%. Interpretation &amp; conclusions: GeneXpert essay should be included in early in the diag- nostic workflow of paediatric lymphadenopathy which will potentially improve the ove - rall detection and reduce the turn-around time, thus preventing the unnecessary delay in treatment thus reducing the overall burden of TB.

Methodical study implicating the effectiveness of Microbial treatment over Xylanase Enzymatic treatment for Pulp Bio-bleaching

This research work evaluated a straight forward approach for pulp bio-bleaching by growing the xylanase producing microorganism ( Bacillus pumilus ) directly onto the soda pulp and then comparing the results of this approach with effect of the extracted xylanase enzyme from the same microorganism. The kappa number for the bacterial treated pulp sample decreased by 26.4% whereas after the enzymatic treatment only 10.3% decrease was found. Physical properties of the paper also improved more significantly in case of bacterial treated pulp samples (52.3% increase in the tear factor, 5% improvement in tensile strength) as compared to the paper formed after enzymatic treatment of pulp (27.57% increase in tear factor, 2.9% increase in tensile strength). The results suggest a novel method of pulp bleaching by direct growth of B. pumilus which is much simpler and time efficient method. The paper quality improved considerably following this approach in comparison to the extracted enzyme. • Direct approach for Pulp bio-bleaching was examined. • Bacillus pumilus SSF onto soda pulp was performed. • Xylanase enzyme was extracted from the same strain B. pumilus . • Indirect enzymatic treatment was also assessed. • Both methods for pulp bio-bleaching were compared critically. • Direct SSF approach showed significant results in comparison to enzymatic treatment.