Glossy Appearance Research Articles

BoaCRTISO regulates the color and glossiness of Chinese kale through its effects on pigment, abscisic acid, and cuticular wax biosynthesis

Carotenoid isomerase (CRTISO) is an important enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis, and it catalyzes the conversion of lycopene precursors to lycopene in several plant species. However, the role of CRTISO in other biochemical processes during plant growth and development remains unclear. Here, we showed that Chinese kale boacrtiso mutants have distinctive characteristics, including a yellow-green hue and glossy appearance, and this contrasts with the dark green and glaucous traits observed in wild-type (WT) plants. Analysis of pigments in mutants revealed that the reduction in the content of carotenoids and chlorophylls contributed to the yellow-green coloration observed in mutants. An examination of cuticular waxes in Chinese kale indicated that there was a decrease in both the total wax content and the content of individual waxes in boacrtiso mutants (bearing a mutation of BoaCRTISO), which may be caused by the decrease of abscisic acid (ABA) content. The expression of carotenoid, chlorophyll, ABA, and wax biosynthesis genes was down-regulated in boacrtiso mutants. This finding confirms that BoaCRTISO regulates the biosynthesis of pigments, ABA, and cuticular waxes in Chinese kale. Our results provide new insights into the interplay between plant pigment and cuticular wax metabolic pathways in Brassica vegetables.

Characterization of Some Local Clay Minerals and Fabrication into Ceramic Floor-Tiles

Clay minerals deposits, which include, kaolin, ball-clay, fireclay and zircon, were investigated and used in fabrication of ceramic floor tiles. X-ray diffractometer (XRD-6100, Japan), was used to examine the various compositions and structures of the clay samples. 2000 grams of 0.005 mm grain size of each sample were homogeneously mixed into dough, compressed in metallic mould of 12 mm × 36 mm dimension, and allowed to dry for about 5 hours. Kiln draught oven, at 1200°C was set for glazing and firing of the moulded tiles, to ensure glossy appearance, smoothness and improved strength. XRD test showed higher content of alumina (Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) and Silicon (iv) oxide (SiO<sub>2</sub>) in all the clay samples. The percentage composition of Critobalite, Diphosphorus trioxide (P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>), Potassium Oxide (K<sub>2</sub>O) and Sodium Oxide (Na<sub>2</sub>O), were reasons for their excellent workability, improved mechanical and rheological properties of ceramics floor-tiles. Water absorption, chemical resistance, shrinkage properties of the different ceramic tiles were compare to some commercial products. This investigation had shown that locally available clay minerals could be fully integrated into ceramic industries to reduce cost of ceramic importation and create job opportunities for youths.

Effects of Different Shade Treatments on the Epidermal Wax Deposition of Hosta Genotypes with Different Glaucousness of Leaf Surface

Epidermal wax is strategically situated at the interface between plants and air; therefore, it plays a key role in plants’ interactions with their surroundings. It is also unstable and susceptible to light intensity. Hosta plants are shade-loving herbs with admirable flowers and leaves. Hosta ‘Halcyon’ and Hosta ensata F. Maek. are two species of Hosta with a glaucous and a glossy appearance, respectively. Light intensity can affect the composition of epicuticular wax on the leaf surface, which influences the leaf color phenotype and ornamental value. In this paper, the crystal micromorphology, content, and components of epicuticular wax on the leaves of two species of Hosta under different light conditions (10%-, 30%-, 50%-, 70%-, and 100%-intensity sunlight, relative light intensity (RLI)) have been studied using pot experiments. The results indicate that the epicuticular wax crystals of H. ‘Halcyon’ and H. ensata are tubular and platelet-like, respectively. The wax crystals of H. ‘Halcyon’ melted and formed a thick crust under 100% RLI, and those of H. ensata melted and formed a thick crust under 70% and 100% RLI conditions. The primary ingredients of the epicuticular wax of the two species of Hosta contained primary alcohols, alkanes, fatty acids, and esters; β-diketones were only detected in H. ‘Halcyon’. The quantity of epicuticular wax of H. ‘Halcyon’ reduced at first and then increased with an RLI increase, achieving its lowest value at 50% RLI, but that of H. ensata declined little by little. The amounts of C28 primary alcohols, C31 alkanes, and C18 fatty acids were significantly higher than those of other carbon atoms in the two genotypes of Hosta. The C31β-diketones content decreased with the increase in light intensity, which caused the white frost phenotype to gradually weaken in H. ‘Halcyon’.

BrWax1 function in wax biosynthesis was verified by allelic mutations in Chinese cabbage

The primary function of cuticular wax is to prevent non-stomatal water loss, while the wax deficiency conferring a glossy appearance on plants is conductive to crop commodity qualities. We previously mapped a wax-deficient gene BrWax1 in a natural mutant ‘08A235-2’ by SSR marker, and predicted Bra013809 (BrWax1) as the candidate gene in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis). In order to verifying the function of BrWax1, two allelic wax-crystal deficiency mutants wdm4 and wdm8 from an EMS mutagenesis population of Chinese cabbage were screened. wdm4 was applied to identify the mutant gene, with the finding that BraA01g015290.3C, the homologous of AT4G24510 (AtCER2), was the candidate gene. Bra013809 in Brara_Chiifu_V1.5 and BraA01g015290.3C in Brara_Chiifu_V3.0 were annotated as the same gene in Brassicaceae Database. A SNP (C to T) on BrWax1 in wdm4 resulted in a stopgain, and a SNP (G to A) on BrWax1 in wdm8 led to the deletion of 38 bases which caused a stopgain at the 190th amino acid. These results finally verified the function of BrWax1 in the wax biosynthesis. Our findings emphasize the crucial role of the BrWax1 gene in cuticular wax biosynthesis in Chinese cabbage and suggest its potential as a valuable genetic resource for breeding for glossy appearance.

Research on Automated Fiber Placement Surface Defect Detection Based on Improved YOLOv7

Due to the black and glossy appearance of the carbon fiber prepreg bundle surface, the accurate identification of surface defects in automated fiber placement (AFP) presents a high level of difficulty. Currently, the enhanced YOLOv7 algorithm demonstrates certain performance advantages in this detection task, yet issues with missed detections, false alarms, and low confidence levels persist. Therefore, this study proposes an improved YOLOv7 algorithm to further enhance the performance and generalization of surface defect detection in AFP. Firstly, to enhance the model’s feature extraction capability, the BiFormer attention mechanism is introduced to make the model pay more attention to small target defects, thereby improving feature discriminability. Next, the AFPN structure is used to replace the PAFPN at the neck layer to strengthen feature fusion, preserve semantic information to a greater extent, and finely integrate multi-scale features. Finally, WIoU is adopted to replace CIoU as the bounding box regression loss function, making it more sensitive to small targets, enabling more accurate prediction of object bounding boxes, and enhancing the model’s detection accuracy and generalization capability. Through a series of ablation experiments, the improved YOLOv7 shows a 10.5% increase in mAP and a 14 FPS increase in frame rate, with a maximum detection speed of 35 m/min during the AFP process, meeting the requirements of online detection and thus being able to be applied to surface defect detection in AFP operations.

How to Build a Blackberry Trellis System: A Complete Guide

Blackberry (Rubus spp.) is a deciduous fruit crop. The fruit are usually small, round, and dark purple to black. Blackberry fruit is comprised of multiple drupelets that cluster together to form a berry, which has a glossy appearance when matured. Blackberries have a complex flavor profile that blends sweetness and acidity, and taste may vary depending on the variety and maturity stage. They are rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Blackberries are best grown in sub-tropical to temperate climates. Blackberry is a new emerging fruit crop in Florida, where they are harvested in May-June. There are several varieties, some of which are native to Florida. This publication aims to provide a general overview of the importance of trellis, different types of trellis, and their installation in blackberry production for county and state Extension faculty, growers, homeowners, and students interested in growing blackberries in Florida.

Impact of Shade Nets on Tomato Output and Quality in Temperate Region of Kashmir Valley

A field trial was conducted at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, Shalimar Campus during 2020-21 to ascertain the impact of shade nets on tomato output and quality inside the protected structure. During the study, it was found that no significant difference was observed in average monthly temperature and relative humidity inside polyhouse with shade net and without shade net. Significant difference was recorded in yield and the light intensity. Highest average plant yield of (15.5 kg/plant) was found in polyhouse in which the plants were covered with shade net and lowest yield was observed (13 kg/plant) where plants were not covered with shade net inside the polyhouse during afternoon day time. It was also found that the tomatoes that were grown in shade nets showed good colour development and a glossy appearance as compared to plants grown under protected structures without shade net. No significant difference was observed in quality attributes viz. TSS, acidity and ascorbic acid by shade net. However, the higher TSS (7.1 oBrix), Acidity (0.77%) and Ascorbic acid (45.86 mg/100gm) was recorded in polyhouse without shade net as compared to polyhouse with shade net (6.7, 0.51 and 38.52) respectively. Thus, use of shade net brought improvement in yield and no significant improvement was observed in quality of tomato grown in temperate region of Kashmir valley. Also, the shade net application during winter duration of 2021-22 during evening/night hours led to increase in the temperature inside polyhouse.

Effect of hot air circulation roasting temperature on the sensory property and odor characteristics of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.)

AbstractEffects of hot air circulation roasting temperature on cashew nut sensory and aroma profiles were assessed in this study. Optimal roasting at 130°C for 20 min yielded a uniform, glossy appearance and rapid water loss. Sensory and electronic nose (E‐nose) analyses indicated enhanced sweet, milky, and fatty aromas. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry identified more than 180 volatile compounds. Roasting at 150°C for 20 min produced a burnt aroma, with a decrease in alkenes and aromatic hydrocarbons and an increase in alkanes, acids, ketones, and pyrazines. Principal component analysis distinguished between 130 and 150°C roasting samples, and key volatile compounds included phenylethanol, 1‐octen‐3‐ol, naphthalene, (−)‐alpha pinene, trans caryophyllene, 2,5‐dimethylpyrazine, 2‐methylbutyr‐aldehyde, heptaldehyde, 2,3,5‐trimethylpyrazine, and n‐octanol. Compared to traditional roasting, hot air circulation roasting offers efficiency, convenience, energy savings, and environmental benefits.Practical applicationsCashew nuts are esteemed as a nutritious treat mainly due to their profound taste and elevated nutrient content. This research explored the influence of applying hot air circulation during the roasting procedure on various aspects of physical and chemical properties, flavor, and energy consumption. By establishing a systematic theoretical model of the process, this work can effectively manipulate the roasting parameters to attain an optimal flavor profile desirable for cashew nuts. Moreover, the efficiency of this novel approach outperforms conventional techniques, offering substantial energy cost savings, and showcasing its virtues of high efficacy, eco‐friendliness, and environmental preservation. The investigation revealed that utilizing hot air circulation leads to cashew nuts possessing a superior gustatory sensation and nutritional profile. Therefore, it can safely be stated that hot air circulation roasting could serve as an exemplary methodology for household nut manufacturing, thereby warranting further consideration of this innovative technique in private nut production.

Development of a Palm Kernel-Based Emulgel Loaded with Mitracarpus scarber Leaf Extracts for Effective Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Mitracarpus scaber is a tropical herb used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of inflammation and a variety of other diseases. The aim of this study was to develop a palm kernel-based emulgel containing Mitracarpus scarber and examine the product's physicochemical characteristics and anti-inflammatory efficacy on Wister rats. Different batches of emulgel comprising Mitracarpus scarber leaf extracts (MSE), different proportions of oils (palm kernel oil and/or liquid paraffin), and surfactants (tween-80 and/or Cremophor EL-30) were prepared. The freshly prepared and 5-month-old formulations, stored at room temperature (28 ± 2 °C), were evaluated for rheology, syneresis, and extract/excipient compatibility using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The spreadability, extrudability, and anti-inflammatory activity of the optimal formulation were compared with those of a commercial anti-inflammatory emulgel. Even after five months of storage, the created emulgels remained olive green and creamy, with a homogeneous texture, consistency, and glossy appearance. The optimized batch containing palm kernel oil, tween-80, and xanthan gum had the most stable characteristics, with no significant change in pH (P = 1.000) or FT-IR spectrum after 5 months of storage. It exhibited spreadability and extrudability of 12.75 cm2 and 600 g/cm2, respectively, compared to 16.82 cm2 and 400 g/cm2 for the commercial formulation. Four hours post-treatment, the anti-inflammatory effect of the optimized batch was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the aqueous MSE dispersion. The obtained results demonstrate the prospects of palm kernel-based emulgel loaded with Mitracarpus scarber leaf extracts as an innovative therapeutic approach to inflammation treatment. Keywords: Inflammation, Emulgel, Mitracarpus scarber, Palm kernel oil, Formulation

Decoding of lime-based binder materials of ancient vernacular Chettinad constructions in Southern India through microanalytical characterization

Vernacular Chettinad lime binder is widely popular in Southern India because of its quality in terms of durability over centuries and the fine glossy finishes attainable. However, its manufacturing technique concerning raw materials, the application process, and resultant characteristics are not explored or documented. The present study attempts to explore the mix compositions and application strategies of Chettinad lime plaster and mortar by characterizing samples collected from two ancient structures approximately 100 years old and in intact condition. Like any Chettinad constructions, the plaster in both buildings constitutes a base coat (coarser as observed) and a superior smooth glossy appearance finishing layer. The plaster samples collected from various locations from the two sites were thoroughly characterized for their physicochemical properties, microstructural characteristics, surface properties, mineralogical compositions, porosity, and pore size distribution. Analyses of the plaster samples suggest that the air lime and locally available, river-based siliceous aggregates were utilized as binder and aggregate, respectively, in ratios ranging from 1:1.51 and 1:2.57 in each of the buildings studied and correlated the ratio to their durability performance as well. Shell lime and organics such as curd and egg white were utilized to obtain the glossy plaster finish. The art of manufacturing and application of such a durable indigenous binder system is lost, not continued, and undocumented. The present study would act as (i) documentation that aids the continuation of the technique of the traditional binder production, as well as (ii) decoding the compositional differences of the plaster and mortar at various locations/applications, which would help in properly maintaining and restoring degraded portions of building structures by reproducing similar and compatible material.

Development and Evaluation of Herbal Shampoo as an Antifungal Formulation

The herbal shampoo is a normal hair care solution used to clear out grease, debris and dandruff, stimulating hair growth and strength. It also gives the hair a glossy appearance and smoothness, reducing tenderness. This research aims to develop an herbal shampoo and assess its physical and chemical properties with an eye toward ensuring its safety and effectiveness. Moreover, it also aims to replace hazardous synthetic chemicals and with safe natural ones. Herbal shampoo was formulated using plants viz Tea, ashwagandha, sandalwood and Nagarmotha which compared with the marketed formulation. Various physicochemical tests were carried out, like visual inspection, pH, detergency, dirt dispersion, determination of foam, viscosity and stability evaluation, and antimicrobial activity. It was observed that prepared herbal shampoo had good cleansing properties and was very efficient in controlling the growth of Candida and Malassezia fungi.

Dazzled by shine: gloss as an antipredator strategy in fast moving prey.

Previous studies on stationary prey have found mixed results for the role of a glossy appearance in predator avoidance-some have found that glossiness can act as warning coloration or improve camouflage, whereas others detected no survival benefit. An alternative untested hypothesis is that glossiness could provide protection in the form of dynamic dazzle. Fast moving animals that are glossy produce flashes of light that increase in frequency at higher speeds, which could make it harder for predators to track and accurately locate prey. We tested this hypothesis by presenting praying mantids with glossy or matte targets moving at slow and fast speed. Mantids were less likely to strike glossy targets, independently of speed. Additionally, mantids were less likely to track glossy targets and more likely to hit the target with one out of the two legs that struck rather than both raptorial legs, but only when targets were moving fast. These results support the hypothesis that a glossy appearance may have a function as an antipredator strategy by reducing the ability of predators to track and accurately target fast moving prey.

Identification of an epicuticular wax crystal deficiency gene Brwdm1 in Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis).

The cuticle wax covering the plant surface is a whitish hydrophobic protective barrier in Chinese cabbage, and the epicuticular wax crystal deficiency normally has higher commodity value for a tender texture and glossy appearance. Herein, two allelic epicuticular wax crystal deficiency mutants, wdm1 and wdm7, were obtained from the EMS mutagenesis population of a Chinese cabbage DH line 'FT'. The cuticle wax morphology was observed by Cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM) and the composition of wax was determined by GC-MS. The candidate mutant gene was found by MutMap and validated by KASP. The function of candidate gene was verified by allelic variation. The mutants had fewer wax crystals and lower leaf primary alcohol and ester content. Genetic analysis revealed that the epicuticular wax crystal deficiency phenotype was controlled by a recessive nuclear gene, named Brwdm1. MutMap and KASP analyses indicated that BraA01g004350.3C, encoding an alcohol-forming fatty acyl-CoA reductase, was the candidate gene for Brwdm1. A SNP 2,113,772 (C to T) variation in the 6th exon of Brwdm1 in wdm1 led to the 262nd amino acid substitution from threonine (T) to isoleucine (I), which existed in a rather conserved site among the amino acid sequences from Brwdm1 and its homologs. Meanwhile, the substitution changed the three-dimensional structure of Brwdm1. The SNP 2,114,994 (G to A) in the 10th exon of Brwdm1 in wdm7 resulted in the change of the 434th amino acid from valine (V) to isoleucine (I), which occurred in the STERILE domain. KASP genotyping showed that SNP 2,114,994 was co-segregated with glossy phenotype. Compared with the wild type, the relative expression of Brwdm1 was significantly decreased in the leaves, flowers, buds and siliques of wdm1. These results indicated that Brwdm1 was indispensable for the wax crystals formation and its mutation resulted in glossy appearance in Chinese cabbage.

Evaluation of characteristics for microwave-assisted polymer coating of the steel substrate

Abstract Polymeric barrier coatings are one of the most sought-after methods for protecting metallic parts from corrosion and for ensuring a glossy appearance. In this work, pure polyester barrier coating was applied on a steel substrate using a microwave-assisted curing process with an experimental design based on L9 Taguchi orthogonal array. It included three key factors, viz. voltage, powder output from the spray gun and microwave power with three levels of each. The heat required for curing was achieved through electromagnetic-thermal energy conversion with the aid of a graphite susceptor. A multi-physics numerical study was carried out to identify the magnitude of temperature attained at different levels of microwave power and irradiation time. This was used to build the microwave curing set-up. The impact of parametric variation of the microwave-assisted process on the gloss was quantified. In addition, an assessment of dry film thickness, corrosion resistance, and impact strength was performed. Taguchi analysis reveals that out of three factors used, microwave power has the most significant impact on the gloss units. The desired level of impact strength was achieved for all samples, with the exception of the one coated with the factor combination of the least levels. Corrosion resistance for specimens was measured to be 240 h using a standard salt spray test. Specimen prepared with larger power input showed lesser blistering. The results substantiate the feasibility of a microwave-assisted process route for the industrial coating process.

3D Printed Flavor-Rich Chewable Pediatric Tablets Fabricated Using Microextrusion for Point of Care Applications.

Over the past few years, 3D printing technologies have gained interest in the development of medicinal products for personalized use at the point of care. The printing of drug products offers personalization and flexibility in dose, shape/design, and flavor, potentially enhancing acceptability in pediatric populations. In this study, we present the design and development of ibuprofen (IBU) chewable flavor-rich personalized dosage forms by using microextrusion for the processing of powdered blends. The optimization processing parameters such as applied pneumatic pressure and temperature resulted in high quality printable tablets of various designs with a glossy appearance. Physicochemical characterization of the printed dosages revealed that IBU was molecularly dispersed in the methacrylate polymer matrix and the formation of H bonding. A panelist's study demonstrated excellent taste masking and aroma evaluation when using strawberry and orange flavors. Dissolution studies showed very fast IBU dissolution rates of more than 80% within the first 10 min in acidic media. Microextrusion is a 3D printing technology that can be effectively used to generate pediatric patient centric dosage forms at the point of care.

Extraction and Characterization of Cellulose Nanofibers From Yellow Thatching Grass (Hyparrhenia filipendula) Straws via Acid Hydrolysis

A variety of lignocellulosic raw materials have been previously reported for the production of cellulose and cellulose derivatives, but little research effort has been dedicated to producing cellulose from Hyparrhenia filipendula. In this study, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were extracted from Hyparrhenia filipendula waste straws via sulphuric acid hydrolysis. The straws were pretreated with a combination of physiochemical processes and hydrolyzed using sulphuric acid at three different concentrations (1 M, 3 M and 5.6 M) for 2 h at 80 °C. The properties of the CNFs was checked by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for surface chemistry, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystallinity, Scanning Electron microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for morphology. A high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) was used to quantify the amount of biopolymers in the CNFs. The results show that CNFs, denoted as CNF 1, CNF 3, and CNF 5.6 for 1 M, 3 M, and 5.6 M sulphuric acid, respectively, were successfully extracted at the various concentrations of sulphuric acid. The cellulose content of CNF1, CNF3, and CNF5.6 determined by HPLC analysis were 85%, 77% and 78% respectively. Also, the hemicellulose content in CNF 1, CNF 3, and CNF 5.6 was 10%, 15%, and 12% respectively, showing a high carbohydrate content of the CNFs. The FTIR spectra confirm the absence of characteristic peaks for lignin in the CNFs. The XRD analysis reveals presence of characteristic cellulose Iβ peaks at 2θ of 18°, 26°, and 40° with the crystallinity of 78%, 74% and 73% for CNF1, CNF3 and CNF5.6, respectively. Moreover, SEM analysis shows the deposition of lignin polycondensate on the surface of CNF 1, CNF 3, and CNF 5.6 while the bleached sample has a smooth and glossy appearance. The TEM analysis shows long unbranched nano-sized fibers for CNF 1 and shorter fibrous network of fibers for CNF 3, and CNF 5.6. The average diameter of the fibers, measured with ImageJ software is 40 nm for CNF 1, 57 nm for CNF 3, and 92 nm for CNF 5.6. CNFs were successfully produced from Hyparrhenia filipendula and reported for the first time in open literature. In view of the structure and properties of the produced CNFs, they are a potential material for value-added applications such as polymer matrices, films, and membranes, thus enabling efficient utilization of agricultural waste.

A Pilot Study on Evaluation of Formulated Herbal Hair Oil

Hair follicles are surrounded by the dermis, but the cells are part of the epidermis and are separated from the dermis by the basal lamina layer. The main aim of the study is to design and evaluation of versatile Herbal Hair Oil to prevent and control hair-related problems. The main objectives of the study are Provides hair conditioning, Prevention & control of hair fall, Reduce scalp irritation, Prevents premature greying of hair, Treats Dandruff, Relieves all types of headaches especially migraine & Hangover headaches gives a shiny and glossy appearance.

Post‐harvest application of micellar pomegranate peel extract (MPPE) enriched starch‐casein composite coating to preserve the plum (Prunus salicina L.) fruit during cold and ambient storage

AbstractThe present investigation applied a new coating (taro starch‐casein composite enriched with micellar pomegranate peel extract (MPPE)) to mature plum (Prunus salicina L.) fruits in a randomized factorial design with five replicates. Results showed that, during storage of 20 days at 5 and 23°C, a recognizable reduction in weight and firmness loss with a stable respiration rate of coated plums than uncoated ones (4.5% and 8.4% at 5 and 23°C respectively) were noticed. The coating provided appealing optical properties with exceptionally controlled changes in pH and acidity of plums. The coating significantly reduced the change in total soluble solids (TSS) at the end of storage which was 9 and 11.67°brix compared to uncoated fruits (11.83 and 13.08°brix) at 5°C and 23°C, respectively. Moreover, the loss of bioactives (polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, and ascorbic acid) was arrested due to bioactive coating. A slight rise in total anthocyanins, carotenoids, and reducing sugars was observed at 23°C. However, they were efficiently suppressed in coated fruits stored at 5°C. Microbial growth was also effectively controlled in coated plum fruits. Overall, the results suggested that applying MPPE starch‐casein composite coating on plum fruits exhibited a noticeable shelf life of ≥20 and 14 days at 5 and 23°C, respectively, over uncoated fruits (about 12 and 8 days).Novelty impact statementPlum fruit is a nutritionally rich climacteric fruit. However, it is very prone to deterioration and thus a quick loss in its quality. Many postharvest practices, such as irradiation, controlled and modified atmosphere storage, and chemical and thermal treatment have been used. However, these methods affect the nutritional value of fruits. The biodegradable bioactive coating is one of the cost‐effective ways for the shelf‐life extension of fruits. In this regard, natural bioactive and antioxidant‐rich MPPE enriched starch‐casein composite acts as a barrier against moisture loss and gas exchange and provides a glossy appearance to the fruits. Moreover, the bioactive coating provides excellent pathogen resistance with effective retention of bioactive compounds. Using the finding of this study, the application of MPPE enriched starch‐casein composite coating to plum fruits stored at ambient (23°C) and cold (5°C) storage can extend the postharvest shelf‐life of plum, save cost and energy, and open the global marketing window for plum fruits. MPPE‐taro starch‐casein composite coating was successfully used to prolong the postharvest life of plum fruits as well as to minimize fruit processing industrial waste by utilizing pomegranate peel as a source of a bioactive ingredient. Physical (color, firmness, and weight loss), chemical (pH, acidity, and TSS), and bioactive (polyphenols, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and anthocyanins) properties of plums were found to be retained with the application of coatings during storage. The composite coating containing natural bioactive compounds can be used as an effective alternative to synthetic preservatives with an eco‐friendly approach.

Switching cell fate by the actin–auxin oscillator in Taxus: cellular aspects of plant cell fermentation

Key messagePaclitaxel synthesis in Taxus cells correlates with a cell-fate switch that leads to vacuoles of a glossy appearance and vermiform mitochondria. This switch depends on actin and apoplastic respiratory burst.Plant cell fermentation, the production of valuable products in plant cell culture, has great potential as sustainable alternative to the exploitation of natural resources for compounds of pharmaceutical interest. However, the success of this approach has remained limited, because the cellular aspects of metabolic competence are mostly unknown. The production of the anti-cancer alkaloid Paclitaxel has been, so far, the most successful case for this approach. In the current work, we map cellular aspects of alkaloid synthesis in cells of Taxus chinensis using a combination of live-cell imaging, quantitative physiology, and metabolite analysis. We show evidence that metabolic potency correlates with a differentiation event giving rise to cells with large vacuoles with a tonoplast that is of a glossy appearance, agglomerations of lipophilic compounds, and multivesicular bodies that fuse with the plasma membrane. Cellular features of these glossy cells are bundled actin, more numerous peroxisomes, and vermiform mitochondria. The incidence of glossy cells can be increased by aluminium ions, and this increase is significantly reduced by the actin inhibitor Latrunculin B, and by diphenylene iodonium, a specific inhibitor of the NADPH oxidase Respiratory burst oxidase Homologue (RboH). It is also reduced by the artificial auxin Picloram. This cellular fingerprint matches the implications of a model, where the differentiation into the glossy cell type is regulated by the actin–auxin oscillator that in plant cells acts as dynamic switch between growth and defence.

Correlation between sensory and instrumental characterization of developed sunscreens containing grape seed extract and a commercial product.

In the development of cosmetic products, sensory evaluation is an important step in determining consumer acceptance before it is released on a market but is often time-consuming and costly. However, correlating sensory characteristics with instrumental parameters using multivariate techniques is a potential way to facilitate the development of cosmetic products. Sunscreen formulations varied in the content of grape seed extract (GSE) and ultraviolet (UV) filters, and benchmark products were characterized using sensory descriptive analysis and instrumental analysis. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to the panel's performance data to study how well the panelists performed compared to each other and to find an association between rheological and textural instrumental parameters of cream samples. Further, applying Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression analysis, the association between sensory attributes and instrumental parameters was analyzed. In addition, a preference for the sensory properties of the studied sunscreen products that are important for consumers living in Southeast Asia was assessed by PLS. In this study, both the sensory and instrumental properties of all tested formulations were described well by PCA. The practicality of PLS was confirmed by an established correlation between sensory attributes from the categories of appearance (glossiness), pick-up (integrity of shape, firmness, glossiness, stringiness), and after-feel (glossiness, spreadability, stickiness) with both rheological and textural parameters. Although the instrumental analysis could not completely replace sensory evaluation, a described method applying PLS can be used as an additional cost-effective and time-saving method during the development of cosmetic products. Moreover, PLS revealed that sunscreens with a light texture and glossy appearance providing smooth skin after-feel are likely to be preferred over the thicker formulations having a residual color appearance in Southeast Asia. Until a universal model is created, the cosmetics developers and companies can apply a described method of determining sensory properties from the instrumental parameters of their own products. Future studies will be worth exploiting the applicability of the PLS regression model on instrumental datasets predicting sensory characteristics of other sunscreen products.