Polished Samples Research Articles

Single people in Poland and Brazil on social isolation: living situations

This text is a report related to the quantitative data of the study “Single people in social isolation: a transnational study”. This research started in 2020 and aims to understand, from a gender perspective, how single people from Brazil and Poland experienced social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The research included single adults of both sexes who were not involved in a romantic relationship at that time. The study is exploratory, with quantitative methods, using questionnaires as instruments. In this text, we are going to present the profile of the participants in the Brazilian and Polish samples, seeking to describe from a gender and an intersectional perspective how single people lived in the first months of 2020 when the pandemic was recognised by some essential socio-demographic characteristics, living conditions, parenting, casual relationships.

Honey differentiation with FTIR-ATR spectroscopy – Comparison with physicochemical parameters of a Polish honey sample set

The varietal discrimination of honey is important because its bioactive properties, as well as specific characteristics, depend on the botanical origin. The present study aimed to verify the discriminatory power of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) for differentiating Polish honeys and compare the results with the discrimination power of a model built on the basis of selected physicochemical parameters. For this purpose, buckwheat, rape, acacia, heather, goldenrod, and coniferous honeydew honeys were collected from trustworthy apiaries in different regions of Poland. The samples were further authenticated using pollen analysis and tested by means of FT-IR and the attenuated total reflection (ATR) technique. Basic psychochemical parameters were also assessed. The obtained data were analyzed by means of principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The obtained models were validated with a leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) procedure. PCA analysis confirmed the usefulness of the ATR FT-IR method as a honey differentiation tool. The LDA for the FT-IR model allowed to correctly classify 26 out of 32 samples (81.3% accuracy), which was only slightly lower than for data the model based on the physiochemical characteristics (27 out of 32 samples and 84.4% accuracy), revealing a certain potential of FT-IR as fast evaluation method.

Variability Among Polish Workers in Flexible Employment: A Sociodemographic Analysis

This paper presents sociodemographic data derived from an empirical study conducted on a sample of n=2118 workers engaged in flexible forms of employment, within a broader research endeavor titled “Occupational challenges among individuals working under flexible employment arrangements – a psychological perspective”. The decision to focus on this segment of the research stemmed from a trend identified in international literature, examining the profile of the average flexible worker in highly developed nations. Analysis of the sample of flexible workers reveals a cohort primarily comprised of young individuals, with comparable representation of both genders, residing in urban areas, and possessing relatively short tenures of employment. They tend to be well-educated, married with children, having a limited number of past employers, and predominantly employed within the private sector. The characteristics of the Polish study sample align with descriptions of the typical flexible worker in Europe.

Mental Health and Body Image and the Reduction of Excess Body Weight in Woman (Polish Sample).

In recent years, excessive body weight has become one of the most serious psychological, biological and social problems. According to forecasts by the World Health Organization, obesity and overweight will continue to increase among both adults and children in the coming years. Poland ranks sixth in Europe in this respect. In 2021, almost 58% of Poles had above-average body weight (overweight or obesity). In Poland, 29% of women are overweight, and 21% of women are obese. Body dissatisfaction, depression, and anxiety disorder are indicated as consequences of high BMI in women. Reducing excess body weight improves psychosocial functioning and changes body assessment. The most lasting effects of weight reduction are achieved by a properly selected diet combined with increased physical activity. This results in a change in lifestyle, changes in the levels of metabolic indicators, and changes in one's body image and mental health. Objective: Our objective was to assess changes in body image and mental health among Polish women and their dependence on the weight reduction method used (type of diet and physical activity). Comparative studies involving 122 women were conducted. These women were selected from 1000 volunteers based on BMI criteria. The effects of diet therapy were compared with the effects of diet therapy combined with physical activity. Research tools: The GHQ-12 scale was used to measure mental health, and the Body Esteem Scale was used to measure body image. The study lasted four years. The results showed changes in body image, general mental health index, and BMI in women who dieted and in those who dieted and exercised. In women using a diet combined with physical activity, greater positive changes in mental condition and stronger positive changes in body image, namely in the assessment of satisfaction with sexual attractiveness, physical condition, and body weight control, were observed compared to women using diet therapy alone.

Application of TiH2 dehydrogenation for vapour layer formation under boiling crisis conditions

This study explores TiH2 dehydrogenation for vapor layer formation under boiling crisis [1] conditions, aiming to reduce friction in the maritime sector. Despite the rise of electric vehicles for urban transport, marine vessels lack alternatives to fossil fuels. The research aims to combine compliant surfaces with two-phase flow generation, focusing on testing TiH2 (TH-2). Moreover, the study highlights the need for hydrogen-generating materials and suggests that material choices influence two-phase flow initiation conditions. After conducting experiments, it was determined that TiH2 affects the cooling dynamics: at the initial time moment, the cooling of the samples coated in TiH2 was more intense compared to polished aluminum samples (AL-1) due to the hydrophilic properties of the surface. When the TiH2-coated sample temperature dropped to approx. 200 °C, the cooling process would slow down, or the process would temporarily become isothermic (in some cases, a slight increase in temperature was observed as well) due to the formation of TiO2 or Al2O3, both of which are exothermic reactions. Dehydrogenation likely only takes place at the initial time moment and when the conditions for the Leidenfrost effect are favorable, which would serve to sustain the high temperature of the sample. It was concluded that the amount of accumulated hydrogen gas in cases of TH-2 samples was insufficient to cause a significant effect on critical Leidenfrost temperature. Nevertheless, a significant difference in heat transfer coefficient between AL-1 samples and TH-2 was observed due to physical–chemical processes on the TiH2 film.

Surface adsorption and corrosion resistance performance of modified chitosan: Gravimetric, electrochemical, and computational studies

Two novel chitosan derivatives (water soluble and acid soluble) modified with thiocarbohydrazide were produced by a quick and easy technique using formaldehyde as links. The novel compounds were synthesized and then characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Their surface morphologies were examined using scanning electron microscopy. These chitosan derivatives could produce pH-dependent gels. The behavior of mild steel in 5 % acetic acid, including both inhibitors at various concentrations, was investigated using gravimetric and electrochemical experiments. According to the early findings, both compounds (TCFACN and TCFWCN) functioned as mixed-type metal corrosion inhibitors. Both inhibitors showed their best corrosion inhibition efficiency at 80 mg L−1. TCFACN and TCFWCN, showed approximately 92 % and 94 % corrosion inhibition, respectively, at an optimal concentration of 80 mg L−1, according to electrochemical analysis. In the corrosion test, the water contact angle of the polished MS sample at 87.90 °C was reduced to 51 °C. The water contact angles for MS inhibited by TCFACN and TCFWCN in the same electrolyte were greater, measuring 78.10 °C and 93.10 °C, respectively. The theoretical results also support the experimental findings.

Thermal pre-treatment of reactive aluminium alloy waste powders

AbstractThis study focussed on assessing the efficiency of thermal pre-treatment of Al alloy waste powders to facilitate their subsequent treatment and disposal. Five samples originating from aluminium surface finishing industries underwent thermogravimetric analyses and were subjected to a laboratory tub furnace. Four set temperatures (450, 475, 500, 525 °C) for the tubular furnace were selected based on the TG results. Using sequential images of the sample inside the tubular furnace, the ignition delay time was calculated. In addition, the efficiencies of medium-temperature thermal pre-treatment were determined using the gas volume method. The shot blasting samples (S1 and S2) exhibited shorter ignition delay times compared to the sandblasting (S3) and one of the polishing samples (S4). The influence of ZnO alloy content on the ignition delay time was investigated, revealing that the ignition delay time decreased with an increase in ZnO alloy content. The raw and pre-treated materials were analysed for morphology, composition and reactivity. The pre-treatment efficiency of the samples improved, especially with a retention time longer than the ignition delay of the samples. Recommendations for the storage and handling of pre-treated products were provided.

Experimental and finite element simulation studies of the bio-tribological behavior of L-PBF Ti-6Al-4V alloys with various surface roughness

Recently, 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4 V alloys have been gradually used for medical implants, where surface quality plays a crucial role in bio-tribological resistance. In this study, we designed three Ti-6Al-4 V samples through mechanical grinding, polishing, and sandblasting to explore the effect of surface roughness on the bio-tribological behavior against the Si3N4 counter-ball in a simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. Results indicate an increasing trend in the bio-tribological properties with decreasing surface roughness, with the polished sample exhibiting the lowest wear rate (2.73 × 10−3 mm3/N·m) and superior bio-tribological resistance. Finite element simulation reveals that asperities on the rougher surface sample lead to stress concentration, forming larger asperity fragments, enhancing mechanical interlocking and thus intensifying wear. Additionally, with increasing surface roughness, the wear mechanism of the as-printed Ti-6Al-4 V alloy shifts from abrasive and adhesive wear to a combination of abrasive, adhesive, and oxidative wear. This study provides valuable insights into the effect of surface roughness on the bio-tribological properties of as-printed Ti-6Al-4 V alloys, offering guidance for regulating surface quality in biomedical implants.

One-Probe Nanoprobing of Power Devices and Electronic Packages

Results involving the use of a single nanoprobing contact are presented, on both a SiC planar MOSFET device, and a small system-in package. In both cases, mechanical polished samples were prepared, and then probed with a single contact. For the SiC MOSFET, the depletion zones were imaged while the samples were mounted on a 45 ° stub. Discussion of the different signals generated from Passive Voltage Contrast (PVC) and Electron Beam Induced Current (EBIC), as well as possible artifacts of sample grounding, are provided. For the package, Electron Beam Absorbed Current (EBAC) provided indication of connected features within the sample. The experiment showed the capability of measuring features across three orders of magnitude in size.

Grain growth of ice doped with soluble impurities

Abstract. The grain size of polycrystalline ice affects key parameters related to the dynamics of ice masses, such as the rheological and dielectric properties of terrestrial ice as well as the ice shells of icy satellites. To investigate the effect of soluble impurities on the grain-growth kinetics of polycrystalline ice, we conducted annealing experiments on polycrystalline ice samples doped with different concentrations of KCl (10−2, 10−3, 10−4 and 10−5 mol L−1) or MgSO4 (10−2 and 10−5 mol L−1). Samples were annealed for a maximum of 100 h at a hydrostatic confining pressure of 20 MPa (corresponding to a depth of about 2 km) and different constant temperatures of 268, 263, 258 and 253 K (corresponding to −5, −10, −15 and −20 °C, respectively). After each experiment, images of a polished sample surface were obtained using an optical microscope equipped with a cold stage. With grain boundaries detected, grains were reconstructed from the images, and an average grain size was determined for each sample. Normal grain growth occurred in all samples. Grain-size data are interpreted using the following grain-growth model: dn-d0n=kt (d: grain size; d0: starting grain size; n: grain-growth exponent; k: growth constant; t: duration). Values of the best-fit grain-growth exponent, n, for all samples range from 2.6 to 6.2, with an average value of 4.7. Pure ice exhibits 3.1 ⩽n⩽ 4.6, with an average value of 3.8. Above the eutectic point, soluble impurities enhance grain growth, as a melt phase is formed, and it could provide a fast diffusion pathway. Below the eutectic point, soluble impurities impede grain growth probably via the formation of salt hydrates that could pin the grain boundaries. Close to the eutectic point, the grain growth of doped ice is similar to pure ice. Natural ice is impure, often containing air bubbles and soluble impurities, and is usually subjected to a hydrostatic pressure. Our data set will provide new insights into the evolution of grain size within and the dynamics of natural ice masses.

Enhancing the surface finish and corrosion resistance of laser powder bed fusion NiTi surfaces through chemical polishing

NiTi alloys exhibit significant potential for biological applications, and the fabrication of customized NiTi geometries is greatly facilitated by the use of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) processing. However, there are several challenges with post-processing NiTi specimens processed via LPBF, such as uneven, loosely packed, weakly corrosive surfaces, and low dimensional precision. Therefore, solving the surface problem of metals prepared by LPBF has become the key to the application. In this paper, the influence of the solution and parameters on surface roughness, surface shape and size, composition, and corrosion resistance was studied by adjusting the composition of the polishing solution and polishing parameters. The results show that polishing for 2 h in S2 solution (HNO3: HF: H2O = 40:10:50) produces the smoothest surface with the roughness characteristics Sa is 10.41 ± 0.63 μm and Ra is 0.39 ± 0.30 μm. At the same time, the corrosion resistance of polished samples has been significantly improved in simulated body fluids (SBF), and the corrosion current density (Icorr) reduced by up to one order of magnitude, reaching 5.38 ± 0.24 × 10−8. By altering the polishing process duration, it is possible to achieve a micron-level roughness surface while maintaining dimensional accuracy, making LPBF-NiTi more suitable for implant applications. Ultimately, we conclude with a brief discussion of how chemical polishing affects the handling of materials with complex structures. Between 30 and 1 h, LPBF-NiTi scaffolds were polished in S2 solution to provide porosities and dimensional accuracy that best matched the design parameters.

Evaluation of corrosion behaviour and susceptibility to hydrogen-induced cracking in high-strength low-alloy X70 steels under sour gas conditions

High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels find extensive usage in the oil industry for manufacturing pipes due to their requirement for materials with high mechanical and corrosion resistance. Among these steels, the HSLA X70 steels are particularly of great interest to the petroleum industry because of its high mechanical resistance, ductility and weldability. In this study, it was aimed to assess the corrosion behaviour of HSLA API X70 pipelines using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique and evaluate its resistance to hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC). The analyses were conducted in non-sour and sour media, as per NACE TM0284 standard. Microstructural characterisations of polished and corroded samples were also conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM). The results indicate that the resistance to HIC in API 5L X70 steel is compromised when exposed to surface corrosion in sour gas media. This susceptibility may be attributed to the presence of microconstituents MnS and M/A along the grain boundaries, which were found in the crack trajectory. The identified microstructural features are deemed to exert a significant influence on the propagation of cracks and the consequent susceptibility to HIC. Moreover, the EIS tests revealed the lowest corrosion resistance when exposed to H2S media, as MnS inclusions accelerate the active regions in the matrix, consequently leading to the formation of a plethora of corrosion products and the dissolution of iron.

Characterization of microstructure and magnetic properties of 3D printed bonded magnets made by fused deposition modeling

Abstract Bonded magnets are composite materials consisting of polymer matrix and magnetic powders, prepared by rapid solidification processes from Nd-Fe-B alloys. They are synthesised by the compounding process on a twin-screw extruder, whereby, the finished products of complex shapes can be made from bonded magnets using injection moulding or 3D printing by fused deposition modelling method (FDM). The main advantages of 3D printing are the possibility to produce parts with complex geometries that are not possible with traditional manufacturing techniques and low-cost production of small batches. The aim of the research work was to identify the optimum processing parameters, which would give 3D printed bonded magnets characteristics similar to those produced by injection moulding. The characterization of the microstructure of bonded magnets was made on cryo-fractured, conventionally mechanically prepared and ion beam polished samples. The microstructures of bonded magnets were analysed by stereo, optical and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the influence of the 3D printing parameters on the magnetic properties has been examined. The results of the research work have shown that desired magnetic properties of 3D printed bonded magnets can be obtained by optimizing the thickness of the printed layer, printing speed and flowrate. In addition, it was revealed that selection of the materialographic preparation method plays a crucial step for correct microstructural characterization. Namely, the impropriate sample preparation results in artifacts that are mostly misinterpreted as microstructural defects (pores, cracks, non-adherent layers, etc.) accidently caused during 3d printing.

Pilot clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of a professionally delivered high fluoride varnish on erosive tooth wear in an in-situ model

ObjectivesThe aim for this pilot study was to investigate the effect of a sodium fluoride varnish on step height measured by a profilometer from human enamel worn by healthy volunteers with a novel in situ/ex vivo erosion design. MethodHealthy volunteers aged 18–70 years wore a palatal splint containing 8 human enamel samples and underwent two 3-day treatment periods for 6 h a day with a varnish containing sodium fluoride at 22,600 ppm and the control with the same ingredients but without fluoride. Each splint contained 4 polished and 4 unpolished samples. The interventions were applied to the surface of the enamel samples in randomised order, removed after 6 h, then immersed ex-vivo in 1 %, pH 2.7 citric acid for 2 min, repeated 4 times a day, over 2 days. Measurements of enamel were assessed blindly by microhardness on day 2 and by non-contact laser profilometry on day 3 for the two treatments. Results24 volunteers, 2 males and 22 females aged 27–54 years, were screened and recruited. The delta microhardness, from polished samples removed at the end of day 2, for the control and fluoride treatment was 95.7 (22.9) kgf/mm2 and 123.7 (28.9) kgf/mm2, respectively (p < .005). The mean (SD) step height for the control polished enamel surfaces was 3.67 (2.07) µm and for the fluoride varnish was 1.79 (1.01) µm (p < .0005). The control unpolished enamel surfaces had a mean 2.09 (1.53) µm and the fluoride varnish was 2.11 (1.53) µm but no statistical difference was detected. ConclusionsThe results from this pilot study, utilizing an in-situ model where enamel was exposed to acid over the course of 2 days, demonstrated that a high fluoride varnish containing sodium fluoride at 22,600 ppm prevented erosive wear compared to a control on the polished enamel surfaces. Clinical significanceIntra-oral study demonstrated that a high fluoride varnish containing sodium fluoride at 22,600 ppm reduced erosive tooth wear.

Modeling and analysis for material removal and surface roughness in fluid jet polishing of optical glass

Fluid jet polishing (FJP) is a non-contact polishing technology that can fabricate free-form optical surfaces with sub-micron-level form accuracy and nano-level surface roughness, especially for hard and brittle materials. The surface generation model of FJP can be used to guide the determination and optimization of process parameters and is of great significance for understanding the evolution mechanism of surface microtopography. However, predictive models for the microscopic topography of polished surfaces are still lacking. This study established a macroscopic surface profile model for predicting 3D material removal characteristics and surface texture by combining the 3D computer fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation model and single-particle erosion mechanism. A fractal theory-based erosion model has been built to calculate the material removal caused by the erosion of a single abrasive particle on the rough surface; thus, it predicts the micro-topography and surface roughness of the polished samples. A series of polishing experiments were conducted to analyze the feasibility and accuracy of the model quantitatively and study the influence mechanism of process parameters on the material removal characteristics and surface quality. Results indicated that the models could well predict material removal and surface roughness. The prediction accuracy of the surface roughness Ra and maximum removal depth is better than 91.6% and 90%, respectively. It is also found that the material removal rate of FJP could reach 0.517 mm3/min, and the surface roughness convergence rate could reach 62.9%.

Effect of zirconia surface conditioning before glazing on the wear of opposing enamel: an in vitro study.

This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the wear of natural teeth opposing 3mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) with different surface conditions. Sixty 3Y-TZP specimens were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 10), differing in surface condition. In three groups, the samples underwent glazing-with the glaze applied to roughened (i.e., 106-µm-grit diamond-finished), as-sintered, and polished zirconia. The three remaining groups consisted of unglazed specimens: solely polished samples and diamond-finished samples (106-µm-grit and 46-µm-grit) without further conditioning. Two-body wear was evaluated at extracted, non-carious molars (n = 60), which served as antagonists in chewing simulation (10,000 masticatory cycles, 49N load). As a control, natural teeth with intact enamel surfaces were tested against natural molars (n = 10). All samples were 3D-scanned before and after the chewing simulation (7 Series, Straumann). Volume loss was calculated (Inspect Software, GOM), and statistically analyzed (SPSS Statistics 24, IBM). Volume loss of the natural antagonists decreased in the following order: 106-µm-grit diamond-finished zirconia (4.6 ± 2.5 mm3), glazed 106-µm-grit diamond-finished zirconia (3.8 ± 1.1 mm3), glazed as-sintered zirconia (3.5 ± 0.9 mm3), 46-µm-grit diamond-finished zirconia (1.7 ± 0.6 mm3), control (1.6 ± 0.7 mm3), glazed polished zirconia (1.4 ± 0.5 mm3), and solely polishing (0.4 ± 0.2 mm3). Even when polishing the surfaces before glazing, volume loss was not mitigated to the same extent as after polishing alone. The zirconia surface condition beneath the glazing influences antagonist wear. Although polishing before glazing resulted in acceptable levels of antagonist wear, this approach did not yield as favorable results as polishing alone. For operators favoring glazing, pre-polishing the zirconia surface could be advantageous to reduce wear.

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection of trace metal contents of children cosmetics

Consumption of cosmetic products in daily life in order to improve skin quality or appearance is becoming quite common. Over time, it may expose consumers to skin problems and effects caused by the absorption of chemical elements. Clean cosmetic production is important for our health. However, heavy metals can be found as impurities in raw materials or as by-products of the cosmetic production process. Women's ingestion and exposure to organic and inorganic contaminants in cosmetics through dermal absorption, due to reasons such as personal habits and characteristics of the living environment, may contribute to carcinogenic risks following daily dietary exposure. NCS ZC 81002b (Human Hair) was performed as a certified reference material in method validation. This work was conducted to evaluate element concentrations of selected elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Hg, Cd and Pb) in 3 different brands of children's cosmetic products such as bright and colorful 22 eye shadows (7 different colour) 4 lipsticks (3 different colour) and 4 nail polishes (3 different colour) used by children in Turkey. The sample solutions were analyzed with the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique after the microwave digestion system. Consequently, the highest concentration of Al used as pigment was found in the eye shadow, lipstick and nail polish samples for the 3 brands, while the Se concentrations were the lowest in lipstick samples. The results of As, Cd, Hg, Pb, which are restricted or banned for use in cosmetic products in most countries, are below the limits set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada Product Safety Laboratory (PSL).

Public preference for the rewilding framework: A choice experiment in the Oder Delta

Abstract Rewilding is an emerging paradigm in restoration science and is increasingly gaining popularity as a cost‐effective ecosystem restoration option. A rewilding framework was recently proposed that contains three integral components: restoring trophic complexity, allowing for stochastic disturbances and enhancing species' potential to disperse. However, as of yet, there has been limited quantitative analysis looking at public preference for rewilding and each of its elements. We used a discrete choice experiment approach to determine public preference for rewilding in the Oder Delta. The unique geographical context of the Oder Delta, spreading evenly across two countries, allowed us to analyse differences between the German (n = 1005) and Polish (n = 1066) samples. In both countries, we found that respondents were willing to pay for rewilding interventions when compared against a status quo option. Notably, preferences were strongest for restoring trophic complexity through promoting the comeback of large mammals. In addition, we found respondents living locally to the study region had significantly different preferences than the nationwide samples, exhibiting negative willingness to pay for the restoration of natural flooding regimes and the presence of large predator species. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The Big Three Perfectionism Scale: Validation of the Polish Version

The Big Three Perfectionism Scale (BTPS) was created to integrate different aspects of perfectionism, including the newly conceptualized concept of narcissistic perfectionism. The goal of our two studies ( N = 1341) was to examine the psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation of the BTPS, supporting the validity and portability of the measure. The studies were conducted among people who had a child, thus contributing to a better understanding of parental perfectionism, one of the key factors influencing parental well-being and a child’s functioning. Our analyses included investigating the structure of the scale, intercorrelations between subscales, reliability, and convergent validity by correlating BTPS scores with other measures of perfectionism and correlates of psychopathology (borderline symptoms) and parental difficulties (parental stress and parental burnout). Results supported the structure of the original BTPS. As predicted, confirmatory factor analysis indicated that items comprising the Polish adaptation of the questionnaire, like the original version, measure three related but specific aspects of perfectionism: rigid perfectionism, self-critical perfectionism, and narcissistic perfectionism. The three dimensions were also found to be specifically related to the difficulties experienced by parents. Further, the Polish version of the BTPS was found to have good internal reliability and validity. Our results from two independent Polish samples suggest that the Polish version of the BTPS is a psychometrically robust measure of perfectionism for assessing the three perfectionism factors.

Investigating the effects of grain quality, processing and environmental conditions on aflatoxin contamination in rice

This study examined the impact of aflatoxin contamination on rice, a widely consumed staple food. Various forms and types of rice from three regions in Pakistan between 2019 and 2022 were investigated for their relationship with processing, infestation severity and physicochemical characteristics. Semi-polished rice displayed the highest aflatoxin levels employing significant variability, while parboiled rice was also found to be contaminated. Nearly 22% of polished rice samples and 3% of brown rice samples exceeded the EU limit. Non-basmati rice varieties, particularly IRRI-6 (47.3 μg/kg), showed twice as much contamination as basmati rice. The coastal Zone-IV exhibiting significantly higher aflatoxin levels (avg. 14.40 µg/kg). Environmental conditions played a significant role, with moisture in brown rice and protein in parboiled rice exhibiting positive and negative correlations (p < 0.01) with aflatoxin levels, respectively. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that semi-finished and non-basmati rice were more associated with non-compliant rice. The first principal component, explaining 57.8% of variance, was positively loaded with aflatoxin, moisture, and insect infestation, while negatively loaded with protein, amylose, ash, immature, chalky, and foreign matter. These findings are insightful for local and international stakeholders for mitigating aflatoxin contamination in rice.