Color Composition Research Articles

Are fishes selecting the trash they eat? Influence of feeding mode and habitat on microplastic uptake in an artificial reef complex (ARC)

Every year, coastal countries generate ∼275 million tons of plastic, and the oceans receive from 4.8 to 12.7 million tons3. Pollution by synthetic polymers is even more problematic for the environment when this material is fragmented into small portions, forming microplastics (MPs). In the present study, we analyze the selection of MPs by the ichthyofauna based on the availability of the morphotypes and polymeric composition of microplastic in the environment and compare the amount of MP in surface water, water column, sediments and fish in different organs, trophic categories, habitats and areas with and without artificial reefs. In order to achieve this goal, the shape, color, abundance and chemical composition of MPs in the digestive tract and gills of 18 fish species in artificial reefs area and control area, were evaluated. A total of 216 fish were analyzed, and 149 (60 %) had MPs in at least one organ and showed a mean concentration of 1.55 ± 3.31 MPs/g. Of the 18 fish species collected in the reef complex area, 17 (94 %) included individuals with at least one MP in digestive tract or gills. Four species showed the higher selectivity of MP types, colors, and polymers. More MPs were found in the fish, surface water, water column and sediment in the artificial reef area compared to the control areas. This is the first evidence of MP selection by commercially important fish species in artificial marine structures worldwide. These results provide useful information on MP pollution in RAs and highlight yet another issue that must be considered in the management of fisheries resources in the region and in other reef complexes around the world.

Utilization of red and yellow Coffea arabica var. Caturra pulp: macronutrient analysis, carotenoid extraction, and encapsulation for dairy product enrichment.

This study aimed to investigate the macronutrient and carotenoid content of red and yellow Coffea arabica var. Caturra pulp, a by-product of coffee processing in Colombia. The study employed ultra-sound-assisted extraction (UAE) to extract carotenoids, and a 23 factorial design was used to evaluate the effects of pulp color, biomass-solvent ratio, and solvent mixture composition on carotenoid content and extraction yield. The condition that provided the highest carotenoid extraction was further encapsulated by spray drying and added to a dairy product. The results showed that coffee pulp has significant dietary fiber content and high levels of carotenoids, with yellow pulp having a higher content than red pulp. Lutein isomers and lutein esters were the most abundant carotenoids found in both red and yellow coffee pulp. The highest carotenoid extraction was achieved using a 1:40 (g/mL) biomass:solvent ratio and a 20:80% v/v Ethanol:Ethyl Acetate solvent mixture for the yellow pulp. The carotenoid extract also demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency (46.57 ± 4.03%) and was found to be stable when added to a fermented milk product. This study presents an alternative solution for utilizing coffee by-products in Colombia, which could positively impact the families of over half a million Colombian coffee producers.

Remote Sensing, Petrological and Geochemical Data for Lithological Mapping in Wadi Kid, Southeast Sinai, Egypt

The Wadi Samra–Wadi Kid district in southeastern Sinai, Egypt, has undergone extensive investigation involving remote sensing analysis, field geology studies, petrography, and geochemistry. The main aim of this study is the integration between remote sensing applications, fieldwork, and laboratory studies for accurate lithological mapping for future mineral exploration in the study region. The field relationships between these coincident rocks were studied in the study area. Landsat-8 (OLI) data that cover the investigated area were used in this paper. The different rock units in the study area were studied petrographically using a polarizing microscope, in addition to major and trace analysis using ICP-OES tools. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) images were used with several processing methods, such as false color composite (FCC), band ratio (BR), principal component analysis (PCA), and minimum noise fraction (MNF) techniques for detecting the different types of rock units in the Wadi Kid district. This district mainly consists of a volcano-sedimentary sequence as well as diorite, gabbro, granite, and albitite. Geochemically, the metasediments are classified as pelitic graywackes derived from sedimentary origin (i.e., shales). The Al2O3 and CaO contents are medium–high, while the Fe2O3 and TiO2 contents are very low. Alkaline minerals are relatively low–medium in content. All of the metasediment samples are characterized by high MgO contents and low SiO2, Fe2O3, and CaO contents. The granitic rocks appear to have alkaline and subalkaline affinity, while the subalkaline granites are high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonite series. The alkaline rocks are classified as albitite, while the calc-alkaline series samples vary from monzodiorites to granites. The outcomes of this study can be used for prospecting metallic and industrial mineral exploration in the Wadi Kid district.

Nutritional Quality of Meat from Barren Merino Ewes in Comparison to Meat from Traditional Lambs.

In Spain, lamb consumption has decreased over the last few years. To increase farmers' income, we studied the nutritional quality of the barren ewes' meat in comparison to traditional lambs' meat with 10 barren ewes, 10 male lambs, and 10 female lambs from the Merino breed. We measured the subcutaneous fat, muscle color, and carcass tissue composition, as well as proximal composition, mineral, tocopherol, retinol, lutein, and cholesterol contents, and the TPA texture profile, fatty acid profile, and lipid oxidation of the meat. There was no effect of the animal type (males, females, and ewes) on the pH, and the differences in the subcutaneous fat color, lipid oxidation, and texture were irrelevant from a practical point of view. The tissue composition in the three groups of animals reflected a high percentage of saleable meat, with no penalty incurred for intensive fattening in any of the groups. The ewes' meat presented a higher percentage of moisture, collagen, ash, calcium, iron, α-tocopherol, and retinol than the lambs' meat. In addition, it had higher content of DHA and CLA and lower values for the ratio n6/n3, which is beneficial for health, although it also contained more fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol than the lambs' meat.

Obtaining and characterizing polyphenol extracts based on anthocyanins from Melinis minutiflora inflorescences and Plinia cauliflora fruits and application in gelatins

Anthocyanins are a class of compounds potentially used as food dyes. Thus, this study aimed to obtain and characterize natural extracts from Melinis minutiflora inflorescence (M), Plinia. cauliflora peel (JP) and P. cauliflora peel and seeds (JPS) and apply them as natural food dyes in gelatins. The extracts did not show statistically significant differences in pH values and water activity. The M and JPS extracts showed similar values of anthocyanins and total phenolic compounds and were higher than those from the JP extract. The M and JPS extracts showed a bathochromic effect, which was not observed for the JP extract. The bathochromic effect may indicate a possible complexation of anthocyanins. The color composition analysis revealed that the JP extract has a higher absorbance at a wavelength of 520 nm, indirectly suggesting the presence of more monomeric anthocyanins in its composition. The extract application test in gelatin did not change the texture properties of the gelatins. In addition, our findings revealed that the JPS extract had the best color stability after ten days of analysis, indicating that anthocyanin complexation with the phenolic compounds of P. cauliflora seeds contributed more effectively to anthocyanin stability in the model used.

Impact of Overwintering Hoard on the Edible Tissues, Muscle Quality, Hepatopancreas Color, and Proximate Biochemical and Amino Acid Compositions of Male Eriocheir sinensis

The Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, is a popular food and an important breeding crab in China. In order to pursue higher sales prices and improve breeding efficiency, many farmers often hoard these crabs, until around the Spring Festival or even later, before selling them. Therefore, considering the time span of hoarding, the present study was designed to check the quality (edible tissues, muscle quality, hepatopancreas color, proximate biochemical and amino acid compositions) of E. sinensis, before and after overwintering hoard. The hepatosomatic index before hoarding in winter was higher than that of after hoarding in winter, but the gonadosomatic index, meat yield, total edible yield, and condition factor were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) lower after hoarding in winter. The texture profile analysis (TPA) of muscle, the springiness, chewiness, and cohesiveness after hoarding in winter were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) higher than those before hoarding in winter. The redness and yellowness of the hepatopancreas before hoarding in winter were lower than those after hoarding in winter. No significant difference ( p < 0.05 ) was found in moisture, crude protein, and crude lipid in hepatopancreas, gonad, and muscle tissues of male E. sinensis. The contents of all amino acids (except methionine and histidine) in hepatopancreas, gonad, and muscle before hoarding in winter were higher than after hoarding, but there was no significant difference ( p < 0.05 ) in hepatopancreas and gonad. While, in the muscle, the contents such as threonine, serine, glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, leucine, phenylalanine, histidine, and arginine, before hoarding in winter, were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) higher than after hoarding. This study showed that, for the male E. sinensis after overwintering hoard, the edible tissues and muscle quality increased, and, moreover, the hepatopancreas color and proximate biochemical and amino acid compositions of hepatopancreas and gonad have no significant changes, but the content of many good amino acids, ΣNEAA and ΣDAA, in muscle all decreased.

Chromite-Bearing Peridotite Identification, Based on Spectral Analysis and Machine Learning: A Case Study of the Luobusa Area, Tibet, China

Chromite is a strategic mineral resource for many countries, and chromite deposit occurrences are widespread in the ultramafic rocks of the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite belt, particularly in the harzburgite unit of the mantle section. Conducting field surveys in complex and poorly accessible terrain is challenging, expensive, and time-consuming. Remote sensing is an advanced method of achieving modern geological work and is a powerful technical means of geological research and mineral exploration. In order to delineate outcrops of chromite-bearing mantle peridotite, the present research study integrates seven image-enhancement techniques, including optimal band combination, decorrelation stretching, band ratio, independent component analysis, principal component analysis, minimum noise fraction, and false color composite, for the interpretation of Landsat8 OLI and WorldView-2 satellite data. This integrated approach allows the effective discrimination of chromite-containing peridotite outcrops in the Luobusa area, Tibet. The interpretation results derived from these integrated image-processing techniques were systematically verified in the field and formed the basis of the feature selection process of different lithologies supported by the support vector machine algorithm. Furthermore, the distribution range of the ferric contamination anomaly is detected through the de-interference abnormal principal component thresholding technique, which shows a high spatial matching relationship with mantle peridotite. This is the first study to utilize Landsat8 OLI and WorldView-2 remote sensing satellite data to explore the largest chromite deposit in China, which enriches the research methods for the chromite deposits in the Luobusa area. Accordingly, the results of this investigation indicate that the integration of information extracted from image-processing algorithms using remote sensing data could be a broadly applicable tool for prospecting chromite ore deposits associated with ophiolitic complexes in mountainous and inaccessible regions such as Tibet’s ophiolitic zones.

RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM DETEKSI KEMATANGAN BUAH KELAPA SAWIT BERDASARKAN DETEKSI WARNA MENGGUNAKAN ALGORITMA K-NN

RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM DETEKSI KEMATANGAN BUAH KELAPA SAWIT BERDASARKAN DETEKSI WARNA MENGGUNAKAN ALGORITMA K-NN

The effect of aquarium color background on the survival, growth performance, body coloration, and enzymatic activity of laboratory cultured Cherax quadricarinatus juveniles

The effect of different background colors (red, yellow, blue, green, white, and black) on crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus juveniles was evaluated over a 50-day rearing period. Survival, growth, body color, and enzymatic activity were assessed. At the experiment's conclusion, survival, growth, and weight were calculated. Body color was analyzed using Lab color composition, and enzyme activities (amylase, lipase, superoxide dismutase, catalase) were assessed in the dissected hepatopancreas. Results showed no effect of background color on survival rate (P > 0.05). However, crayfish reared against black and red backgrounds exhibited significantly higher weight, growth rate, and condition factor compared to those on white and yellow backgrounds (P < 0.05). Background color also influenced body color, with deeper coloration observed on claws, tail, and abdomen against white, yellow, green, red, black, and blue backgrounds. Crayfish on white and yellow backgrounds showed similar coloration (ΔE = 1.69), in contrast to specimens cultured against the blue background (ΔE = 23.94). The amylase (AMS) activity varied, with the highest in black backgrounds and the lowest in blue. Lipase (LPS) activity did not differ significantly except for lower activity in the blue and green background. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was highest in the red background and lowest in the green background. Catalase (CAT) activity varied significantly, with the highest in red and black groups and inhibitory activity in green. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms behind enzymatic activity variations due to background color. The effect of environmental conditions on body color modification should be considered in C. quadricarinatus juvenile culture. Dark backgrounds are recommended for growth, while light backgrounds should be avoided.

Physical, chemical, and microbiological evaluation of sausages produced with chicken meat affected by deep pectoral myopathy

The purpose of the present study was to characterize the chemical composition, lipid oxidation, and physical characteristics of fresh sausages produced with meat from the pectoralis major muscle affected by deep pectoral myopathy. For the characterization of myopathy, samples were collected from broiler chickens slaughtered between 42- and 46-days old in a slaughterhouse in the state of São Paulo. The experiment consisted of samples from pectoralis major muscle of birds affected or not by DPM (normal-absence of myopathy and DPM category 3-progressive degeneration of the pectoralis minor with a greenish appearance). After classification of the samples, a part of raw products with the pectoralis minor removed, was submitted to microbiological and physical analyses for the characterization of DPM. Afterward, only the pectoralis major muscle was used to manufacture fresh sausages and 2 groups were established. The evaluated parameters were: color, pH, water-holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), shear force (SF), water activity (Aw), and chemical composition. Meat pH was higher (P < 0.05) in meats with DPM, however, WHC values were lower (71.92%), which made CL value increase (25.31%). In addition, the coloring increased and the technological characteristics of raw breasts were less favorable with the presence of DPM. All fresh sausages' color (except a* higher control group), pH, and Aw values were higher in DPM group. No effect on SF values was observed between fresh sausages. In chemical composition, only protein content increased in fresh sausages with DPM. Microbiological analyses did not indicate bacterial contamination of raw samples and fresh sausages. Data obtained in the present study suggest fresh sausages produced with breasts affected by DPM are a viable alternative and may confer more favorable qualitative characteristics to sausages than the raw marketed meat.

Chemical, physicochemical and sensory properties of yoghurt and yoghurt simulates produced from the blends of cow milk and coconut milk

Chemical, physico-chemical and sensory properties of yoghurt and yoghurt simulates produced from blends of cow milk and coconut milk were investigated to produce a value-added product from the blends. Cow milk and coconut milk were blended in ratios 100:0; 80:20; 60:40; 50;50; 40:60; 20:80 and 0:100. Colour, pH, titratable acidity (TTA), proximate and mineral composition of the yoghurt samples were determined using standard methods. A 30–member panel assessed the yoghurt samples for sensory attributes, using a 5-point Hedonic scale. The L* value showed that 100% cow milk was the lightest with a value of 101.78. The pH and TTA values ranged from 3.78-3.81 and 0.21-0.51% respectively. The moisture contents ranged from 77.28–84.92%, protein: 2.20 – 4.69%, ash: 0.44 – 1.02%, fat: 0.07 – 0.31%, carbohydrate: 11.06 – 16.52%., phosphorus: 26.55 – 84.7 mg/100g, potassium: 62.27 – 161.62 mg/100g, zinc: 0.15 – 0.73 mg/100g, iron: 39.38 – 91.59 mg/100g, magnesium: 6.34 – 20.69 mg/100g, calcium: 61.58 – 217.23 mg/100g and manganese: 7.07 – 220 mg/100g. The yoghurt blend with 40% coconut was the most preferred among the blends and next to the sample with 100% milk in terms of general acceptability. Coconut yoghurt could serve as substitute for yoghurt from cow milk.

Wine tasters’ sensory response to delicate and robust flower arrangements

The arrangements of flowers and wine counterparts are inextricably linked. Whether a fundamental aspect of tablescaping or acolytes to broader entertainment rituals, they have an interlaced history since ancient times. The aim of this contribution is twofold: first, we seek to understand how the colour composition pattern of flower arrangements (e.g., value, saturation, and temperature) influence the subjects' perception of flower arrangements' delicacy or robustness. Second, we aim to verify the influence of visually delicate and robust flower arrangements on individual judgment of wines. Forty-one subjects evaluated the delicacy and robustness of eight flower arrangements with different colour composition patterns in an online environment. Results showed that analogous flower arrangements that combined flowers with high value, low saturation, and cool temperature were perceived as more delicate than the analogous flower arrangements that combined flowers with low value, high saturation, and warm temperature. The latter were perceived as more robust. Subsequently, sensory descriptions and hedonic judgments of wines were investigated during subjects' exposure to three different conditions: the presence of delicate, robust, or totally absent flower arrangements. In each condition, two wines were tasted blind: a wine previously defined as delicate – a Pinot Noir from Australia, and a wine known for its robust character – a Tannat from Uruguay. Results showed that both wines were perceived as being more delicate when tasted in presence of the ‘delicate’ flower arrangement (compared to ‘robust’ or ‘no’ arrangements). There was, however, no interaction effect between type of wine and flower arrangement. Despite this lack of interaction, Tannat wines were clustered together with Pinot Noir wines, when tasted in the presence of the delicate flower arrangement and were described as more delicate than when the same wine was tasted in the control room (no flowers present), suggesting a visual-mouthfeel cross modality effect. The results of this investigation could help event organisers (i.e., weddings and the entertainment-related sector), as well as wine lovers in general, consider the style of wines and how they combined with the colour characteristics of flower arrangements during tablescaping.

Untargeted Metabolomics Approach Using UHPLC-HRMS to Unravel the Impact of Fermentation on Color and Phenolic Composition of Rosé Wines.

Color is a major quality trait of rosé wines due to their packaging in clear glass bottles. This color is due to the presence of phenolic pigments extracted from grapes to wines and products of reactions taking place during the wine-making process. This study focuses on changes occurring during the alcoholic fermentation of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault musts, which were conducted at laboratory (250 mL) and pilot (100 L) scales. The color and phenolic composition of the musts and wines were analyzed using UV-visible spectrophotometry, and metabolomics fingerprints were acquired by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Untargeted metabolomics data highlighted markers of fermentation stage (must or wine) and markers related to the grape variety (e.g., anthocyanins in Syrah, hydroxycinnamates and tryptophan derivatives in Grenache, norisoprenoids released during fermentation in Cinsault). Cinsault wines contained higher molecular weight compounds possibly resulting from the oxidation of phenolics, which may contribute to their high absorbance values.

Children's preferences of the colour composition of art paintings

AbstractColour composition is acknowledged as a key contributor to aesthetic evaluation in visual art. Adult observers tend to prefer colour compositions that are particularly close to the original, regardless of the painting's category or the observer's cultural background. In this study, we examined whether children aged 5–12 years expressed a preference for the colour composition of original paintings using three scene types: abstract, figure, and botanical. The children each selected one of their preferred images from the paintings with four different colour compositions, including the original hue. A preference for the colour compositions of original figure paintings emerged between the ages of 5 and 8, and a similar preference for abstract and botanical paintings emerged between the ages of 9 and 12. Thus, preferences regarding colour composition in paintings are gradually acquired from childhood to adulthood.Highlights Children aged 9–12 years showed a preference for colour compositions closer to the originals, as did adults. Children aged 5–8 years showed no particular colour preference for abstract or botanical paintings but did show a preference for figure paintings that were closest to the original with respect to colour composition. Preferences for original colour composition in painting develop gradually from childhood to adulthood.

Assessment of image ratio technique: Targeting structural features and mineralization characteristics in the southwestern part of the Sokoto Basin in Nigeria using Landsat 8 imagery

Landsat 8 used multispectral images to map surface structures and validate the existence of suspected mineral alteration zones in the southwestern part of the Sokoto Basin in Nigeria. The area falls within contrasting sedimentary, metasediment, metamorphic, and older granitoid lithologies. The processing and analysis of the Landsat 8 imagery involving false color composite (FCC), band ratio, and principal component analysis (PCA) were implemented in the visible near-infrared and short-wave infrared bands of Landsat 8. PCA highlighted areas with high concentrations of clay minerals and iron oxides using RGB composite bands 7, 5, and 3. Moreover, PCA enhanced iron oxide, hydroxyl-bearing minerals, and likely prospective zones mainly constrained in amphibolite, phyllite, quartzite, and alluvial deposits that have undergone metamorphism and metasedimentation within Yegiwa and Kurege. It identified iron ore and clay mineral alteration, suggesting the occurrence of manganese, goethite, and carbonate minerals around Maburo and Derrena. The observed alteration zones and their associated quartz veins are usually consistent with the main NE–SW provincial structural trend dipping to the northwest zone. However, field verification validates rock units typically consisting of muscovite, hornblende, manganite, tourmaline, quartz vein, and granitic rocks. Accordingly, remote-sensing and field verification served as a guide for future subsurface structural investigation and in-depth geophysical exploration.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) for Seaweed Conservation: Impact on Physicochemical Characteristics and Microbiological Activity.

Conventional conservation techniques such as drying, salting or freezing do not allow for preserving the original characteristics of seaweeds. The present work aims to study the impact of minimal processing, in particular "Modified Atmosphere Packaging" (MAP), on the physicochemical characteristics and food safety of two seaweed species, "laver" (Porphyra umbilicalis) and "sea-lettuce" (Ulva lactuca), stored at 6 °C for 15 days. Different parameters were evaluated using analytical methods, namely the composition of headspace gases, color, texture, microorganisms, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The main findings of this study were that the MAP treatment was able to inhibit the respiration rate of minimally processed seaweeds, also preserving their color and texture. There was a remarkable reduction in the microbial load for P. umbilicalis treated under modified and vacuum atmospheres, and U. lactuca exhibited relatively steady values with no notable differences between the treatments and the control. Therefore, during the 15-day study period, both seaweeds met the requirements for food safety. GC-TOF-MS allowed to conclude that both MAP and vacuum treatments were more efficient in maintaining the odor characteristics of U. lactuca compared to P. umbilicalis with no significant differences throughout the storage days. Metabolic responses to diverse sources of abiotic stress seemed to account for most of the changes observed.

Technological Analysis of Glazed Tiles Unearthed from Bao’ensi in Nanjing

To understand the firing technology and the level of production of glazed tiles in the Ming Dynasty, an ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared (UV-vis-NIR) spectrophotometer and an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer were used to systematically analyze the glaze color and chemical composition of glazed tiles unearthed from the southern area of the Bao’ensi site. The results revealed that little difference exists in the main wavelengths of the same glazed tile samples, but that the colored elements of glaze with different colors are different. Iron (Fe) is the main element that affects the color of yellow glaze; copper (Cu) is the main element that affects the color of green glaze; and the main colorants that affect the color of black glaze are Fe, Cu, and manganese (Mn). The yellow and black glaze unearthed from the southern area of the Bao’ensi site were relatively mature in terms of raw material composition and technological formula, whereas the raw material and technological formula of green glaze were not stable enough. To meet temple construction needs, workers were skilled in firing glazed tiles with different glaze color requirements, indicating that the glaze color of the glazed tiles was relatively mature at that time.

Using the band ratio approach, FULL-PIXEL (SAM and SFF) and SUB-PIXEL (MF and SID) methodologies to discover areas with alteration using the Aster sensor: a case study in north westen Iran - Sivardaghi Area

ASTER sensor data is among the most potent satellite data accessible for doing geological investigations, with images for the whole earth's surface. In order to test the capability of this sensor to detect places with geochemical alterations, photographs of Mount Seiver Daghi in the western Iranian province of Samal were utilized in this study. This region, which comprises of magmatic and volcanic terrain, is part of the Arsbaran territory and is covered by intrusive masses with alluvial and sedimentary deposits. To conduct this study, an ASTER measuring frame was utilized, which, after performing atmospheric corrections using the internal average relative reflectance (IARR) method of false color composite images and principal component analysis (PCA), was able to differentiate between different lithological units using the Band assignment method, full-pixel methods of spectral angle mapper (SAM) and base spectrum algorithm of spectral feature fitting (SFF) as well as sub-pixel methods of matched filtering. The study demonstrates that the approach of principal component analysis and false color composition is efficient for distinguishing sedimentary rock units from igneous rock units, and its application is suggested for the designated rock units. Due to the lack of spectral characteristics of feldspars and quartz in the short infrared wavelength range, the basic spectrum methods utilized in this work are incapable of identifying such minerals. It is not advised to use these algorithms to distinguish between various magmatic units.

Potential of Endangered Local Donkey Breeds in Meat and Milk Production

The problem of the erosion of animal genetic resources is evident in certain local donkey breeds, and their long-term sustainability can be achieved by economically repositioning them. To develop alternative and sustainable commercial programs, the meat and milk production characteristics of Istrian donkey and Littoral Dinaric donkey breeds were investigated. The meat production characteristics were examined in mature males, whose carcasses were dissected, and meat composition was determined using NIT spectrophotometry and gas chromatography. Milk yield and milk composition were determined in jennies in second or subsequent lactations by measuring milk volume and using infrared spectrometry and gas chromatography. Compared to the Littoral Dinaric donkey, the Istrian donkey has a higher carcass weight and dressing percentage (p &lt; 0.001). The share of boneless meat in relation to live weight was 28.27% in the Istrian donkey and 26.18% in the Littoral Dinaric donkey. The absolute masses of primal cuts of meat in E, I, and II classes were significantly greater in Istrian donkeys than in Littoral Dinaric donkeys (p &lt; 0.01), although the differences in the proportions of primal cuts were not significant. The breed did not have a significant impact on the color, pH, or meat composition. A significant influence of breed on milk yield, lactose, protein, and the fat content of milk was observed (p &lt; 0.01). A significant influence of breed on the ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA fatty acids in donkey milk was observed (p = 0.002). The values of the atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes were favorable, considering potential beneficial effects of donkey milk and meat on consumer health. The findings of this research suggest that local donkey breeds hold significant potential for meat and milk production, focusing on the uniqueness and quality of their products rather than the quantity of meat and milk they can produce.

Petrographic and Chemical Characterization of the Frescoes by Saturnino Gatti (Central Italy, 15th Century)

This study presents the petrographic and chemical characterization of the frescoes in the Church of San Panfilo in Tornimparte (AQ, Italy) by Saturnino Gatti, a prominent painter of the late 15th–early 16th century, known for his exquisite technique, composition, and use of color. The characterization of the frescoes is essential for understanding the materials and techniques used by Gatti, as well as for identifying the stratigraphy and painting phases. Eighteen samples were collected from the original paint layers, later additions (17th century), and restored surfaces, and analyzed by optical microscopy, cathodoluminescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), μ-Raman, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The analyses revealed a microstratigraphy often made of three main layers: (1) preparation, consisting of lime plaster and sand; (2) pigmented lime, applied by the fresco technique; and (3) additional pigmented layer on the surface. The most often recurring pigments are black, red, yellow (all generally linked with the fresco technique), and blue (applied “a secco”). The presence of two painting phases was also noted in one sample, probably resulting from a rethinking or restoration. These findings contribute to the understanding of the history and past restoration works of this cultural heritage site, providing important insights not only for conservators and restorers, but also for a broader understanding of Italian fresco painting and art history of the late 15th and early 16th centuries.