Color Intensity Research Articles

OPTIMIZING PIGMENT PRODUCTION FROM PENICILLIUM SP. FOR SUSTAINABLE SILK DYEING

This study explores the use of microbial pigments from Penicillium sp. as a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes in textile dyeing, focusing on optimizing pigment production and assessing color fastness on silk. Static Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) at 28°C produced the highest concentration of red pigment after 27 days of incubation, with an optical density (O.D) of 1.010 at λmax = 530 nm. In contrast, 15°C resulted in slower pigment production (O.D = 0.860), and 37°C showed negligible growth. Adjusting the PDB pH to 5 increased pigment yield, aligning with previous studies showing Penicillium sp. thrive in acidic conditions. The final broth pH decreased to 4.0 due to organic acid production by the fungus.Silk samples dyed with these pigments were evaluated for color strength and fastness. The colorimetric values indicated moderate color intensity (K/S = 4.25) with a bright, pastel-like appearance (L* = 81.23), and a warm reddish-yellow hue (a* = 9.23, b* = 6.48). Fastness tests showed excellent performance for dry rub (rating 5), good results for wet rub (rating 4), and favorable wash fastness (rating 4 for staining and color change). However, light fastness was lower, suggesting potential fading under prolonged exposure.Overall, the study identifies Penicillium sp. as a promising source of natural dyes for silk, with optimized fermentation conditions (PDB, 28°C, pH 5, 27 days) leading to high pigment yield and strong fastness performance, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes in textiles.

Peat water purification using nanohydroxyapatite synthesized from Carbon Negative Precipitated Calcium Carbonate precursor

Peatlands covers a vast area globally and used as drinking water source in some parts of Indonesia. Peat water, commonly found in swampy areas, stands out for its striking color intensity, acidic pH levels, and its high affinity for metal binding. Developing various peat water treatment techniques can help provide clean water for local communities. This study reported the preparation of hydroxyapatite (HAp) via hydrothermal method using Carbon Negative Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) as precursor, obtained from PT. Pertamina, a leading energy company of Indonesia, for treating peat water. HAps were synthesized from precursors that were calcined at 900 °C (HAp 900) and 1000 °C (HAp 1000). Its potential as an adsorbent for peat water purification was evaluated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed good crystallinity in HAp 900 and HAp 1000, with values of 82.33 % and 86.90 %, respectively. These samples also displayed nano-sized crystals, measuring 14.2 ± 0.3 nm and 23.80 ± 0.2 nm. The Ca/P molar ratios were 1.6 for HAp 900 and 1.57 for HAp 1000, which was close to the the theoretical hydroxyapatite ratio of 1.67. FTIR analysis detected the presence of carbonate groups at 1450.42 cm−1 for HAp 900 and 1426 cm−1 for HAp 1000, indicating the formation of carbonated hydroxyapatite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed agglomerations and irregularly shaped particles in both HAp samples. Optimal conditions for peat water purification experiment, determined through UV-Vis spectrophotometry, were pH 2, 1 h contact time, and 1 g adsorbent mass for both HAp 900 and HAp 1000.

Usability of Hemp Plant in Poultry Nutrition

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an annual plant with 2n=20 chromosomes, one-year, C3 group, cultivated for its long and strong fibers and seeds. It is a plant that should be cultivated in a controlled manner due to the presence of THC in its natural structure. Producers who avoid control and monitoring have turned to alternative products instead of hemp farming. Countries that cultivate cannabis in large areas; France, China, and Canada. Some countries are updating their cannabis-related laws and making efforts to increase hemp acreage. It is known that hemp farming has been practiced in Anatolia since 1500 BC. Various products such as hemp seeds, hemp pulp, hemp oil have been used in various studies in poultry feeding studies, while no negative results have been encountered, but various positive results have been suggested and their use is recommended. It is of great importance to investigate the effects of cannabidiols, which have strong antimicrobial, antioxidant and immunostimulant effects, as they are expected to support the immune system in poultry, especially broilers. Some of the studies in which hemp products are used in poultry nutrition are as follows; Addition of hemp meal to laying hen diets has been reported to make no significant difference in egg production, feed consumption, feed utilization, body weight gain or egg quality, but results in lower palmitic acid concentrations and higher Linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) concentrations, which are healthier for human consumption. Hemp seeds and hemp oil used in chicken rations caused an increase in the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content and color intensity of egg yolks, but no adverse effects were observed on the sensory profiles of cooked eggs. Addition of cannabis meal to fast growing broiler diets did not affect performance or mortality, and no effect on the number of Clostridium perfringens in the cecum was reported. Hemp seeds have a remarkable effect on the growth of broiler chicks and can help reduce feed expenditures for broiler rearing. In this paper, the use and usability of the hemp plant, whose production areas are expanding rapidly, in poultry will be examined.

A Portable Paper Strip Biosensor -based Smartphone for Detection of Glucose Content in Rice Samples

A paper strip biosensor was fabricated through the combination of horseradish peroxidase and glucose oxidase with 4-aminoantipyrine and phenol in order to produce a pink color. The color intensity was measured with a smartphone for quantitative analysis. To achieve highest paper strip biosensor performance, the concentrations of glucose oxidase, horseradish peroxidase, phenol, 4-aminoantypyrine, pH, and reaction time were studied. Under optimizations, the linear range of the glucose was 0.5-10 mM, and the detection limit was 0.17 mM. The detection of glucose was achieved within 7 min. The paper strip biosensor was successfully applied to the measurement of glucose in rice samples. The paper strip biosensor exhibits considerable promise as a portable instrument for the detection of glucose in rice and is also applicable to other types of samples. This research, nevertheless, necessitates controlled experimental conditions. Due to the fact that it impacts enzymatic activity.

Henna Tattoo: From Cosmetic Purposes to Dermatological Reactions

Abstract Introduction: Henna, commonly used as a hair dye, is also used for temporary tattoos. It is commonly mixed with para-phenylenediamine (PPD) to enhance color intensity, which may induce cutaneous sensitization. Aim: This study aimed to describe the clinicodemographic features of patients with dermatological reactions to henna tattoos. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, included patients with dermatological reactions to henna tattoos. All the patients were subjected to entire medical history including clinicodemographic data and general and dermatological examinations. Results: This study included 17 female patients with a mean age of 26.88 ± 6.6 years. Of these 17 patients; 41.2% were suburban residents, 58.8% were housewives, 70.6% were married, and 47.1% were middle socioeconomic class and 53% had type IV Fitzpatrick skin. All used black color and commercial henna for cosmetic purposes, 41.2% used market henna, and 35.3% used coiffeur henna. Many (70.6%) had localized reactions with 23.5% presenting with reaction of hands, 64.7% had acute eczematous reactions, and all had a progressive course. The mean duration of the reaction was 6.76 ± 2.6 days. The mean latency time of the reaction was 2.7 ± 0.85 days. Conclusion: This study concluded that public awareness of possible cutaneous reactions to henna tattoos should be increased. The health authority legislation should control the use of black henna to minimize the consequences.

Effects of substituting fish meal with Chlorella meal on growth performance, whole-body composition, pigmentation, and physiological health of marbled eel (Anguilla marmorata)

Chlorella meal is considered a promising alternative to fish meal in aquafeeds, but the effects of incorporating Chlorella meal as a feed ingredient on the growth and quality of eel have not been explored. The effects of partially substituting fish meal (0 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 %) with Chlorella meal on the growth performance, whole-body composition, pigmentation, and physiological health of marbled eel (Anguilla marmorata) were evaluated in this study. The results revealed that dietary inclusion of Chlorella meal significantly increased the final body weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), and specific growth rate (SGR), but it significantly decreased the feed conversion rate (FCR), with these parameters exhibiting linear trends (P < 0.05). The whole-body protein and fat contents were significantly higher in all groups fed with diets containing Chlorella meal compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the dorsal and abdominal skin of marbled eel exhibited an orange-yellow color, and the color intensity increased with increasing levels of dietary Chlorella meal. The color change corresponded to increased values of a* (redness), b* (yellowness), and lutein content in the fish skin (P < 0.05). The physiological health of marbled eel also improved in the groups where Chlorella meal was included. The optimal replacement rate was approximately 10 % (9 % Chlorella meal supplementation), because the whole-body protein content and most physiological health parameters were highest under this condition, and the growth performance did not show a significant increase when the fish meal replacement rate exceeded 10 % (P > 0.05). These findings indicate the potential of Chlorella meal as a promising alternative to fish meal in feed formulations, offering benefits in enhancing growth performance and quality of marbled eel.

A method of treating discoloration in persons associated with exposure to harmful industrial factors

INTRODUCTION. The search for the optimal bleaching method that minimizes the side effects of bleaching and prolongs the result of bleaching is an urgent task of dentistry.AIM. To study the effectiveness of the method of treating discoloritis in people exposed to harmful industrial factors.MATERIALS AND METHODS. 40 somatically healthy patients aged 23 to 45 years old, working at the plant, with harmful production factors, were identified. Of these, 22 were women and 18 were men who had teeth whitening. Tooth shade was determined using the VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER® scale before, after, 14 days, 3, 6, 12 months after bleaching.RESULTS. Examination of patients before the procedure of professional teeth whitening revealed the absence of hyperesthesia in all subjects (100 %), immediately after bleaching, the appearance of hypersensitivity in all patients was noted, based on clinical examination data and dynamics of the values of the IIGZ, IRGZ, Schiff and VAS indices, which creates the need for the use of remineralizing in persons working in hazardous production therapy. The assessment of the color shade of teeth after whitening revealed a change in color intensity in 100 % of cases, while the change in color lightness on the VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER scale was 1–2 steps. The use of the infiltration method after bleaching led to the restoration of the structure of hard tissues.CONCLUSION. The conducted research indicates the appearance of 100 % dental hyperesthesia during the professional whitening procedure in persons exposed to harmful industrial factors.

Pectinases production using an exotic caatinga passion fruit waste and wheat bran as a substrate for clarification of grape juice

Caatinga passion fruit waste (CPFW):Wheat bran has shown reliable performance for enzyme production. However, the mixture of wheat bran and CPFW may provide all nutrient sources needed by Aspergillus niger for pectinase generation. This work investigates the production of pectinolytic enzymes using a substrate composed of CPFW:Wheat bran using Aspergillus niger FSDE16 via semi-solid-state fermentation (SSSF). A blend of wheat bran:CPFW (1:1, g/g) with 60% moisture content was inoculated with 106 spores/mL for 144 h. Substrates were fermented using the 7 combinations of temperature (25–75 °C) and pH (3–6) dispose in an experimental design. Upon the completion of fermentation, all analyses were conducted including the enzymatic production, optimal activity, and enzymatic thermostability. Afterwards, grape juice clarification was conducted, and the clarified juice was evaluated considering viscosity reduction, yield increase, turbidity reduction, yield increase, colour, and phenolic profile. Results demonstrate that enzyme stability was achieved within the temperature range of 30–40 °C, with optimal activity recorded at 50 °C (42.7 U/g). The application of crude enzymatic extract in grape juice clarification led to an increase of yield (>280%), and a viscosity (>80%) and turbidity (>98%) reduction. The clarification treatment revealed a significant increase in the phenolic compounds evaluated, except epicatechin gallate, Pro-B2, and resveratrol, which reduced their concentrations. The clarification resulted in a colour intensity reduction. This study underscores the potential of using food waste for enzyme production, presenting a sustainable approach with implications for cost reduction and waste management in the food industry.

Genetic diversity analysis and molecular characterization of tropical rose (Rosa spp.) varieties

Characterization of rose varieties becomes essential for understanding, utilizing, and preserving the diversity among them, for their genetic improvement, cultivation, and conservation. With this purpose, 19 tropical rose varieties were evaluated via quantitative morphological and molecular markers. A significant degree of variation was observed across nearly all descriptors, suggesting a notable level of genetic diversity among the released rose varieties. Traits like flower diameter, flower yield/plot, and shelf life, considered to be of vital importance given the aesthetic value of rose, exhibited remarkable differences that would further aid in the selection of desirable varieties. The maximum flower diameter, flower yield/plot, and shelf life were recorded in Yellow Page, Lambada, and Delhi Princess, respectively. The varieties were evaluated by correlation matrix, hierarchical agglomerative clustering method-based dendrogram, network plot on phenotypic correlation, colour intensity graph including Red-Green-Blue (RGB) scattered plot. In the correlation matrix, it was found that more number of primary shoot contributes to higher flower yield, while increase in leaf area degraded the shelf life of the flower. Realizing the importance of molecular characterization, 10 selected polymorphic inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism primers were tested that amplified total 187 polymorphic loci with 94.4 % polymorphism. Cent percent polymorphism were found with SCoT-2, SCoT-18, SCoT-19, HB-12 and ISSCR3 primers. A principal component analysis based on molecular diversity highlighted that First Red, Local Selection 2, and Himroz exhibited distinct characteristics compared to the other varieties. The 19 varieties were grouped into 8 clusters viaunweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean-based dendrogram at 0.4 similarity co-efficient. The analysis revealed a significant genetic distance between Himroz, First Red, and Grand Gala, suggesting their potential to be utilized in hybridization programs for crop improvement. The distinguishable genetic background and high degree of variation revealed by molecular markers, specifically ISSR and SCoT, offer valuable insights that can contribute to the strategic improvement of roses. These findings provide a foundation for expediting rose breeding programs and comprehensive crop improvement strategies.

Method Development and Validation of a Rapid Silica Plate-Based Smartphone-Assisted Device in the Detection of Iron in Water

Iron (Fe) is a micronutrient that can be toxic at elevated concentrations, prompting its significance in frequent environmental monitoring. Typically analyzed using methods such as FAAS, ICP-OES and ICP-MS, the challenge of expensive instrumentation operated only in the laboratory presents a barrier for rapid and frequent testing. This study aimed to develop a silica-based smartphone-assisted on-site method for rapid detection of Fe in water using ImageJ software. Suitable conditions, including reagents and a color intensity measurement tool, were optimized for this method. Figures of merit such as detection limit, accuracy and precision were determined. The results showed that adding polyacrylic acid to detection points for silica worsened the results, in contrast to results for paper devices. It was also found that, on ImageJ, it is best to use an integrated density tool to measure color intensity, contrary to the previously reported mean gray tool. Results showed a limit of detection of 0.2 ng, a limit of quantification of 0.6 ng, a linear range of 0.6 ng to 4.5 ng and RSD of &lt;20%. This method is therefore an alternative in field pre-testing and screening. Future studies include application of this method in the field with real samples and in the analysis of other metals.

Powder bed fusion–laser beam (PBF-LB) three-dimensional (3D) printing: Influence of laser hatching distance on the properties of zolpidem tartrate tablets

Laser sintering, known as powder bed fusion–laser beam (PBF-LB), offers promising potential for the fabrication of patient-specific drugs. The aim of this study was to provide an insight into the PBF-LB process with regard to the process parameters, in particular the laser hatching distance, and its influence on the properties of zolpidem tartrate (ZT) tablets. PHARMACOAT® 603 was used as the polymer, while Candurin® Gold Sheen and AEROSIL® 200 were added to facilitate 3D printing. The particle size distribution of the powder blend showed that the layer height should be set to 100 µm, while the laser hatching distance was varied in five different steps (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 µm), keeping the temperature and laser scanning speed constant. Increasing the laser hatching distance and decreasing the laser energy input led to a decrease in the colour intensity, mass, density and hardness of the ZT tablets, while the disintegration and dissolution rate were faster due to the more fragile bonds between the particles. The laser hatching distance also influenced the ZT dosage, indicating the importance of this process parameter in the production of presonalized drugs. The absence of drug-polymer interactions and the amorphization of the ZT were confirmed.

Fracture characteristics and translucency of multilayer monolithic zirconia crowns of various thicknesses

ObjectivesMultilayer monolithic zirconia (M-Zr) crowns can be engineered to achieve gradational translucency and color intensity. However, this modification may compromise the mechanical strength, raising concerns regarding the ability of M-Zr crowns to withstand occlusal stresses. The effects of M-Zr crown thickness on translucency and ability to endure occlusal forces were investigated at different tooth positions (incisors, premolars, and molars). The objective was to determine the minimal thickness of M-Zr crowns used in tooth preparation to meet aesthetic and functional demands. MethodsM-Zr samples (Vita A1) with four thicknesses (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm) were prepared and subjected to translucency testing using a digital colorimeter by 3-third and 9-square division methods. Crown-shaped M-Zr samples with three thicknesses (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm) and three tooth positions (incisor, premolar, and molar) were digitally designed, and 2.0 mm metal abutments were fabricated. The samples were bonded to the abutments; their fracture characteristics were evaluated using a universal testing machine, and their fracture surfaces examined using an optical microscope. Statistical analyses included the Shapiro-Wilk test, Pearson correlation, and one-way and two-way ANOVA with a post hoc Tukey HSD test (α = 0.05). ResultsColor analysis results revealed a significant negative correlation between thickness and translucency (r < −0.96, P < 0.01), with the highest values in the incisal region. Cross-sectional profiles confirmed the uniform thickness and morphology of the digitally designed M-Zr crowns. The results of fracture strength analysis showed position-dependent variability, a strong positive correlation with thickness (r > 0.96, P < 0.01), and fracture strengths consistently exceeding 1200 N across all tooth positions. Fracture patterns indicated that thinner crowns at the incisors and molars were more prone to cracking, whereas those at the premolars demonstrated significantly higher strength (4872.51 N, P < 0.05), only with crack or even no fracture occurring at 2.0 mm. ConclusionsThickness significantly influenced both the translucency and fracture strength of M-Zr, with the tooth position playing an additional role, albeit to a lesser extent. Although thinner crowns exhibited lower strength at each tooth position, even at a thickness of 1.0 mm, fracture strength exceeding 1200 N was maintained, surpassing the typical occlusal forces. Thus, it can be asserted that M-Zr crowns with a minimum thickness of 1.0 mm can meet both aesthetic and functional requirements.

Dental Caries Detection Using Neural Turing Machines (NTM) and High Intensity Color Detection (NTM-HICD) Model

Dental Caries Detection Using Neural Turing Machines (NTM) and High Intensity Color Detection (NTM-HICD) Model

PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RED WINES (CABERNET SAUVIGNON AND TEMPRANILLO) FROM ENSENADA, BAJA CALIFORNIA

Ensenada wine country, in the State of Baja California, Mexico, accounts for approximately 70–80 % of Mexico’s wine production. Despite its significance, detailed knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of wines remains limited. In this study, we examined nine physicochemical properties of 69 commercial red wines produced from the Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals in the San Vicente, Santo Tomás, and Guadalupe valleys. The pH, total acidity, acetic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, total polyphenols, glucose/fructose ratio, alcohol content, and red color intensity were all analyzed. Tempranillo wines showed significantly higher levels of acetic acid, lactic acid, and total acidity, but lower levels of total polyphenols and malic acid than Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Furthermore, wines from the Santo Tomás region have significantly higher alcohol content, glucose/fructose ratio, total polyphenols, red color intensity, and total acidity, distinguishing them from the wines of San Vicente and Guadalupe. Our results highlight the influence of the grape variety on wine chemistry, emphasizing the possibility for further optimization of the winemaking processes for the benefit of vine growers, enologists, and wine production in the region.

Evaluation of Cytotoxicity of Allium sativum (Garlic Extract) against Human Dental Pulp Fibroblasts.

Vital pulp therapy procedures in primary dentition focuses on preservation and maintenance of pulp tissue that has been compromised due to caries, trauma, etc. Several pulp dressing materials have been used in primary teeth and some natural materials from the field of traditional medicine have also been introduced as medicaments in vital pulp therapy. The understanding of biologic and cytotoxic properties of newer materials is important for safe clinical usage. The biologic compatibility of these newer materials is imperative to limit or avoid tissue irritation or degeneration. To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of Allium sativum on cultured human primary dental pulp fibroblasts. Primary pulp fibroblasts were cultured from the pulp tissue obtained from extracted deciduous primary canines and central incisor teeth. The freshly prepared concentrations of 1000, 500, 250, 125, and 62.5 µg/mL A. sativum extract were added to the 96-well plate in triplicates to which culture medium containing fourth passage cell suspension was added previously. Cells without treatment served as control, while cells treated with 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) served as toxic control. After the addition of experimental and control agents, cells were incubated for 24 and 48 hours at 37°C in 5% CO2 atmosphere. After the incubation period, 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to determine the number of viable cells. Absorbance was read with a microplate reader at 570 nm wavelength and the relative viability of dental pulp fibroblasts at various concentrations was expressed as color intensity of the experimental wells relative to that of control. The percentage of cell viability was also calculated accordingly. The MTT assay results revealed that A. sativum extract, in all the concentrations tested at both the time intervals maintained a cell viability of greater than 90%. At 24 hours, the mean absorbance value of untreated control wells was recorded as 0.84400 ± 0.00916 with 100% cell viability. Among all the concentrations of garlic extract tested, highest mean absorbance value of 0.83933 ± 0.00550 with 99.44% cell viability was recorded for 62.5 µg/mL concentration. At 48 hours, the mean absorbance value of untreated control wells was recorded as 1.22767 ± 0.01106 with 100% cell viability, and the highest mean absorbance value of 1.22567 ± 0.01006 with 99.83% cell viability was recorded for 62.5 µg/mL concentration. The cell viability did not seem to be affected by the concentration of A. sativum extract at 24 hours. However, at 48 hours, the sensitivity of the cells was observed to be dependent on the concentration of A. sativum with a decrease in the viability of cells noted with the increase in concentration. A. sativum extract is noncytotoxic in nature and preserves the vitality of cultured human primary dental pulp fibroblasts making it a suitable material for use in vital pulp therapy procedures of primary teeth. Devaraju R, Reddy D, Paul ST, et al. Evaluation of Cytotoxicity of Allium sativum (Garlic Extract) against Human Dental Pulp Fibroblasts. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(2):143-148.

Evaluating smartphone-based optical readouts for immunoassays in human and veterinary healthcare: A comparative study

Recent advances have significantly enhanced the use of smartphone devices for medical diagnostics. This study uses high-resolution cameras in mobile devices to capture and process bioassay images, enabling the quantification of diverse biomarkers across a range of diagnostic tests conducted on 96-well microplates. The study evaluates the effectiveness of this technology through protein quantification techniques and immunoassays that generate colorimetric responses at specific wavelengths. It includes the assessment of bicinchoninic acid and Bradford protein quantification methods, alongside a conventional immunoassay for detecting mare antibodies in colostrum to monitor foal immunodeficiencies. Further application involves the readout of magneto-actuated immunoassays aimed at quantifying bacteria. The results obtained from benchtop spectrophotometry at 595, 562, and 450 nm are compared with those acquired using a smartphone, which identified color intensities in shades of blue, purple, and yellow. This comparison yields promising correlations for the samples tested, suggesting a high degree of accuracy in the smartphone capability to analyze bioassay outcomes. The analysis via smartphone is facilitated by a specific app, which processes the images captured by the phone camera to quantify color intensities corresponding to different biomarker concentrations. Detection limits of 12.3 and 22.8 μg mL−1 for the bicinchoninic acid assay and 36.7 and 45.4 μg mL−1 for the Bradford are obtained for protein quantification using the spectrophotometer and the smartphone app, respectively. For mare's antibodies in colostrum, the values are 1.14 and 1.72 ng mL−1, while the detection of E. coli is performed at 2.0 x 104 and 2.9 × 104 CFU mL−1, respectively. This approach offers further advantages, including wide availability, cost-effectiveness, portability, compared to traditional and expensive benchtop instruments.

Influence of the thickness of oak alternatives on the composition and quality of red wines

This work studies the influence of the thickness of oak alternatives on the composition and quality of red wines. A red wine was aged in control conditions and also in contact with oak chips, and with thin and thick oak staves for 12 months. As expected, all the wines aged in contact with all the oak alternatives were enriched in total polyphenols and had a higher colour intensity. In addition, the contact with all the oak alternatives enriched the wine in furfural and total furans, vanilla and total aldehydes and ketones, eugenol and total volatile phenols, and in β-methyl-γ-octalactones. However, the thickness of the oak alternative seems to play an important role in the composition and quality of the wine. Specifically, the wines aged in contact with the two types of staves had a more intense colour than the wine aged with oak chips, as well as a higher total phenolic index and higher eugenol concentration. Moreover, the β-methyl-γ-octalactones concentration was higher in the wine supplemented with thick staves. Finally, the wines supplemented with the two types of staves had a higher intensity of the spicy attribute than the wine aged with oak chips. The wine supplemented with thick staves had a higher intensity of candy/pastry, toasted, smoked, complexity, aromatic intensity, sweetness, structure, and persistence. Finally, the panel preferred the wine aged with thick staves followed by, in descending order, the wines aged with thin staves, oak chips, and the control.

POTENTIAL OF VIRGIN COCONUT OIL PASTE AS EXTRINSIC DENTAL STAIN REMOVAL

Introduction: Dental stain is a common condition in society, apart from being an aesthetic problem it can be a predisposing factor for periodontal disease.One type of dental stain is extrinsic dental stain. Virgin Coconut Oil contains lauric acid which has the potential to remove extrinsic dental stains through the foaming mechanism. This research is to determine the effectiveness of Virgin Coconut Oil paste on removing extrinsic dental stain through an in vitro study. Material and Methods: Twenty-five post extraction premolars with extrinsic dental stain on buccal area were divided into 5 groups that is : K1/Control(given artificial saliva), K2(given placebo paste), K3(given 50% Virgin Coconut Oil paste), K4(given 75% Coconut Oil Paste) and K5(given 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Paste). Difference colour intensity (ΔE) before and after treatment were observed using Adobe Photoshop CC 2018 in the CieLAB system. Results and Discussion: Data were analyzed using One Way ANOVA and Post-Hoc Multiple Comparison test. One Way ANOVA test showed that there were significant differences within groups (p&lt;0.05). Post-Hoc Multiple Comparison test showed that there were significant differences between each groups, except for K2 and K3 groups also K4 and K5 groups (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion: Virgin Coconut Oil Paste is effective on removing extrinsic dental stain in vitro

Seasonal forecasting of Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel, 1912 (Diptera: Tephritidae) in bioclimatic zones of Sri Lanka using the SARIMA model

Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel is a severe fruit pest that causes significant economic losses globally. Despite B. dorsalis having been distributed mostly across Asia, studies on its current and future density variation in Sri Lanka are sparse to date. The present study was thus carried out to assess the contemporary density variation (2020–2022) and future density fluctuation (2023–2025) of B. dorsalis in bioclimatic zones of Sri Lanka. The density was assessed using the monthly-based fruit fly trap collection method from randomly selected 40 locations in all bioclimatic zones (wet, intermediate, dry, and arid). The SARIMA modelling technique was applied for delineating the best-fit model and for density forecasting in each bioclimatic zone. The density variations were depicted for the year and for the bioclimatic zone (2020–2025) by colour intensity maps using QGIS. According to the findings, B. dorsalis shows a seasonal component to its year-round density variation and an ascending trend in its density from 2020 to 2025. Density forecasting records a 20%, 30%, 26%, and 37% density increase in the wet, intermediate, dry, and arid zones, respectively, in 2025. In 2025, the highest predicted B. dorsalis density from the arid zone and the lowest predicted density from the wet zone were recorded. This study contains the first forecasting attempt for B. dorsalis density using the SARIMA approach as well as the application of colour-intensity depiction for its density variation in Sri Lanka, which leads decision makers and stakeholders in economic agriculture to plan the scientific management of B. dorsalis to avoid its current and potential future threat to the country’s fruit industry.

Phenolic profiles differentiate wild bilberry and cultivated blueberry fruit

The dark fruit of European wild-grown blueberry known as common bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is associated with many health-promoting properties and has a steadily growing global market, especially in the food supplement sector. The adulteration of bilberry products with some less expensive fruits and berries with an intense color is a well-known problem. Phytochemical profiling is a viable option to discern different plant species from each other. In this study, the chemical composition of the fruit of wild bilberry and its close relative, cultivated blueberry (Vaccinium sp.), were analyzed and compared. A large number of samples of different geographical origin was collected. The major phenolics, including anthocyanins, chlorogenic acid, and condensed tannins, were determined by liquid chromatography using various detection methods. Significant differences were found in the phenolic profiles between wild-grown bilberry and cultivated blueberry. Principal component analysis indicated that it was possible to distinguish bilberry from cultivated blueberry based solely on their anthocyanin or tannin profiles. However, the geographical origin of the berries could not be identified according to their phenolic compound composition.