Color Products Research Articles

Verification of uncertainty estimates of autonomous field measurements of marine reflectance using simultaneous observations

The primary ocean color product is the spectrum of remote sensing reflectance RRS that allows the quantification of in-water optically significant constituents and all ocean color applications. The determination of its uncertainties is thus key to the creation of comprehensive uncertainty budgets for all derived ocean color products. The assessment of satellite RRS uncertainties has largely relied on corresponding field measurements but this process is solid only if these field measurements are in turn fully characterized. Uncertainty budgets have therefore been defined and reported for the radiometric measurements collected in the framework of the Ocean Color component of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET-OC). The contemporaneous deployment of two autonomous systems for 5.5 years on the Acqua Alta Oceanographic Tower (AAOT) located in the northern Adriatic Sea led to the collection of 4,449 pairs of coincident observations (collected with a time difference lower than 10 min) distributed over 659 days of data acquisitions that can be used to verify reported uncertainty values. The comparison of matched pairs showed a good agreement for RRS (with differences of typically 2%–3% between 412 and 560 nm), as well as for the aerosol optical thickness τa (3%–6%). Differences between data from the two systems appear generally consistent with their stated uncertainties, indicating that they are metrologically compatible and that uncertainties reported for AERONET-OC data are usually trustworthy (with possible exceptions depending on the level of error correlation between measurements from the two systems). Using uncertainty cone diagrams, this result holds across the range of uncertainty values with few exceptions. Independent uncertainty estimates associated with non-systematic error contributions were obtained using a collocation framework allowing for error correlation between measurements from the two systems. The resulting uncertainties appeared comparable with the reported values for τa and RRS. The related mathematical development also showed that the centered root-mean-square difference between data collected by two systems is a conservative estimate of the uncertainty associated with these data (excluding systematic contributions) if these data show a good agreement (expressed by a slope of method II regression close to 1) and if their uncertainties can be assumed similar with errors moderately correlated (typically lower than 0.5).

Dietary supplementation with natural antioxidants: assessment of growth performance and meat quality in broiler chickens

Exposure to air and light lowers the meat quality of chickens, which is mainly determined by the color alteration and accumulation of detrimental products from lipid oxidation. This study tests the effects of two supplements rich in polyphenols, Oxilem (OX) and OxiGem (OG), on broiler Ross 308 performance and meat quality in comparison to a control group (C). A total of 105 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were allocated to 21 pens and randomly assigned to one of the three treatments. The trial lasted 42 days. Individual live weight and feed intake per pen were recorded. Proximate analysis, color, cholesterol content and cholesterol oxidation products (COPs), fatty acids (FAs), volatile aldehydes profile, and secondary oxidation products of meat FAs were determined, with analyses for detecting oxidative alterations conducted on breast burgers preserved for seven days at 4°C. Birds fed OG grew 7 g/day more than those receiving OX, reaching a higher final weight. After slaughtering, meat from the OX group had a higher yellow index compared to C. After seven days of air and light exposure, the influence on the color parameters of the OG and OX burgers was significantly less pronounced than that of C. Secondary oxidation products of the FAs of the burgers were not significantly affected by the diet regimens. In addition, OX and OG burgers exhibited lower amounts of volatile aldehydes, triol and COPs. These results confirm the effectiveness of OX and OG supplementation against lipid oxidation at the inclusion level used in this trial.

Investigation and development of novel synthetic approaches for synthesis of euxanthone and derived dyes.

The historical dye Indian yellow, derived from euxanthic acid formed from 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone (euxanthone) and methyl (tri-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide) uronate, has significantly influenced the art world due to its vibrant color and unique production process. Studying Indian yellow is important for its historical relevance and impact on various art forms, as well as the challenges in its synthetic production. Herein, this work investigates the synthesis of the two main components, a novel method for obtaining euxanthone, and attempts to produce euxanthic acid and Indian yellow. All key intermediates and desired compounds have successfully been synthesized with good to high isolated yields, and characterized using different analytical and spectroscopic techniques. A proposed mechanism for euxanthone synthesis via 2,6,2',5'-tetramethoxybenzophenone formation is also offered. During this process, 2,7-dihydroxyxanthone has also been synthesized, revealing an equilibration reaction that produced three isomeric tetramethoxybenzophenones, confirmed by both GC/MS and NMR. Following the synthesis of euxanthone and clarification of the equilibration, the production of Indian yellow via euxanthic acid formation has further been explored.

Colour reception(s): The Narrative of the Exhibition “Colour Revolution: Victorian Art, Fashion and Design” (Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 21 September 2023-18 February 2024)

This article analyses the aesthetics of reception from the angle of XIXth-century colour. Although the Victorian era is often depicted in sombre tones in popular culture, the age of industry in fact brought about a series of scientific and technical innovations in the fields of colour perception and production. The ERC project CHROMOTOPE analyses the artistic and literary impact of this chromatic turn. One of the major outcomes of this research programme was the exhibition “Colour Revolution : Victorian Art, Fashion and Design” which took place at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford from 21 September 2023 to 18 February 2024. In this article I shed light on the scenography of this show which explored how the colours of the past might be told to and staged for a modern audience.

Assessment of Ocean Color Products from the New Generation Himawari-8 AHI Geostationary Satellite and Its Application in the Calculation of the Photosynthetically Active Radiation

Assessment of Ocean Color Products from the New Generation Himawari-8 AHI Geostationary Satellite and Its Application in the Calculation of the Photosynthetically Active Radiation

Compressed fluid-based technology for downstream isolation of bluish anthocyanin-derived pigments obtained from blueberry surplus.

A dynamic compressed fluid-based separation process combining carbon dioxide and ethanol was explored to isolate portisins previously hemi-synthesized from blueberry surplus anthocyanins. The influence of process parameters such as pressure (100-500 bar), temperature (40-60 °C), and ethanol content in the compressed fluid mixture (20-50 wt%) on extraction yield, portisins yield, and portisins content in the extract was investigated. The two-step isolation process includes (1) a first step at 100 bar, 60 °C, and 20 wt% ethanol content in the compressed fluid mixture to remove the low polarity compounds; and (2) a second step at 500 bar, 40 °C, and 100 wt% ethanol to recover portisins, resulting in a 1.5-fold increase in portisins content. The performance of the two-step separation process was compared to centrifugal partitional chromatography and conventional reverse phase liquid chromatography already reported in terms of portisins content in the extract, process throughput, process efficiency, and total solvent used. The two-step separation process decreased the total solvent used, although with a decrease in the throughput and efficiency. Nevertheless, the choice of the best separation technology depends on the application, as these techniques result in different portisins purities. Overall, this study contributed to a scalable and more sustainable process for natural colorant production, specifically focusing on blue pigments, with several industrial applications.

Diversity of Carotenoid Pigmented Marine Photosynthetic Bacteria in the Dumai Sea Waters

Marine photosynthetic bacteria represent autotrophic microorganisms capable of synthesizing natural pigments. This study aims to explore the diversity of carotenoid-pigmented marine photosynthetic bacteria in the Dumai Sea waters, Riau Province, Indonesia. The research method was a survey using marine surface water as samples from six locations. The research was conducted in four primary phases: 1) measurement of environmental conditions; 2) enrichment and isolation of marine photosynthetic bacteria; 3) enumeration of total bacteria; and 4) analysis of pigments colour production. Isolation results and population density measurements of photosynthetic bacteria revealed fascinating patterns. The highest cell count was observed at fish auctions (sampling site 2), while the lowest cell count was recorded near a river estuary (sampling site 6). Detailed characterization studies identified ten isolates capable of producing natural carotenoid pigments exhibiting colours ranging from pink to deep red. These findings contribute to the understanding of marine microbial diversity and the potential of bacteria for biotechnology products, aquaculture, and medical applications.

Anthocyanin-Based Natural Food Colorant from Fresh Waste Carnation Flower Petals: Effect of pH, Temperature, and Drying Method on its Degradation Kinetics and its Use in Ice Cream

The carnation flowers (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) with broken stems or overgrown buds remain in the greenhouse and are discarded after all cutting operations are completed. Waste flowers are also separated while bouquets are being prepared. Therefore, this study aimed to utilize these fresh waste flowers in the production of natural food colorants. Anthocyanin extract was obtained from waste carnation flowers and turned into powder products via freeze- and spray-drying. Various properties of the powders were analyzed and statistically compared. Since degradation parameters of anthocyanins should be taken into consideration during the planning of the materials to which anthocyanin-based colorant will be added, the kinetic parameters of carnation anthocyanins were calculated at different pH (2.6, 4.0, and 6.0) and temperature (70, 80, and 90°C) values. Except for the liquid extract, the activation energies of all samples sharply decreased when the pH changed from 2.6 to 6.0. The most and least susceptible samples to the temperature elevation were freeze-dried samples at pH 2.6 and spray-dried samples at pH 6.0, respectively. Across all the data, the activation energies of the liquid extract sample at pH 2.6 and pH 4.0 were not significantly different from each other (p

Smart-detection approach for protein residues to evaluate the cleaning efficacy of reusable medical devices

Healthcare-associated infections are challenging problems to eradicate. In practice, infection prevention and control regarding the effective cleaning of reusable medical devices is performed. However, real-time monitoring of potentially contaminated devices is hindered by the complex, costly investigations and the time required. To develop an inexpensive approach providing high-sensitivity, rapid, and low-cost protein residue determination on medical devices. Colourimetric reactions for protein were modified and downscaled to produce a colour product on the moving drop platform and to operate combined with our custom-built smartphone application in order to evaluate and save protein contamination data. The intensity of a product colour was detected by photographing with a smartphone camera and was proportional to the protein concentration in the linear range of 5-20μg/mL. The protein content was processed on a custom-built smartphone application, namely PromoveCheck. The proposed procedure was highly sensitive, yielding limits of detection and limits of quantification, at 0.03 and 0.10μg based on the Bradford reaction. It was applied to reusable medical devices, showing no significant differences from the spectrophotometric method and a correlation with the o-phthaldialdehyde method (P<0.05). This approach demonstrates low cost, sensitivity, efficiency and traceability for investigating reusable medical device cleanliness. The PromoveCheck app can report and acquire protein content that can be used for traceability and alerts concerning questionable or discovered contaminant devices, improving the quality management of the Central Sterile Supply Department.

Electrically Triggered Color‐Changing Materials: Mechanisms, Performances, and Applications

AbstractElectrically triggered color‐changing materials, termed as electrochromic materials, offer precise and programmable color transistions through the manipulation of electric field frequency and amplitude. They are used as displays, sensors, military camouflage, wearable devices, and anticounterfeiting materials. Their future advancements depend on clear understanding of the color change mechanisms and pros/cons between different electrochromic materials. To this end, we starts by categorizing electrochromism into two classes according to color production mechanism: chemical color‐based and physical color‐based. Within the former, color emerges from chemical molecules selectively absorbing specific wavelengths of light and color changes stem from electrochemical redox reactions. The latter, meanwhile, hinges upon electrically induced alterations in the geometries, dimensions, or arrangements of nano/micro structures, such as photonic crystals and plasmonic nanostructures. The principles of color changes in both categories are detailed, and compare their differences in terms of response time, operating voltage, degree of color change, and stability. At the end, their applications will be discussed spanning from smart windows to color display, dynamic camouflage, energy storage, and thermal management. This critical review is aimed to provide multidisciplinary insights that will benefit both novices and seasoned experts engaged in fundamental exploration or practical investigations of electrochromic materials.

Improving Foundation Shade Recommendations using Skin Tone Recognition

As we concentrate on addressing the challenges in responsible beauty product recommendation, particularly when it involves comparing the product’s color with a person’s skin tone, similar as for foundation and robe p conditions. The features uprooted using the prints from illuminated terrain can be largely deceiving or indeed be inharmonious to be compared with the product attributes. Hence bad illumination condition can oppressively degrade quality of the recommendation. We introduce a machine learning frame for illumination assessment which classifies images into having moreover good or bad illumination condition. We also make an automatic stoner guidance tool which informs a stoner holding their camera if their illumination condition is good or bad. This way, the stoner is handed with rapid-fire feedback and can interactively control how the print is taken for their recommendation. Only a many studies are devoted to this problem, substantially due to the lack of dataset that's large, labeled, and different both in terms of skin tones and light patterns. Lack of similar dataset leads to neglecting skin tone diversity. Thus, we begin by constructing a different synthetic dataset that simulates colorful skin tones and light patterns in addition to a being facial image dataset. Next, we train a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for illumination assessment that outperforms the being results using the synthetic dataset. Eventually, we dissect how the work improves the shade recommendation for colorful foundation products.

Influence of Compounding Parameters on Color Space and Properties of Thermoplastics with Ultramarine Blue Pigment.

The incorporation of thermoplastics with pigments imparts diverse aesthetic qualities and properties to colored thermoplastic products. The selection of pigment type and content, along with specific processing conditions, plays a pivotal role in influencing color properties and overall product performance. This study focuses on optimizing these parameters to ensure the desired color quality and product functionality. Two types of polypropylene copolymer (PPCP) with different melt flow rates (MFRs) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) were compounded with ultramarine blue pigment masterbatch (MB) in concentrations ranging from 1 to 5 wt.% using a twin-screw extruder. The compounding process was conducted at a constant screw speed of 200 rpm and a die temperature of 210 °C. The effects of screw speed and die temperature were investigated at a constant MB of 3 wt.%. Colored samples were fabricated by injection molding. Microscopic analysis revealed a well-dispersed pigment within the PPCP matrix when using the MB. Rheological properties, assessed through the power law index, confirmed effective pigment dispersion, facilitated by shear thinning behavior and controlled shear rate via the manipulation of screw speed and die temperature. The effects of masterbatch contents and processing conditions on color spaces were evaluated using CIELAB and CIELCH, with one-way ANOVA employed to identify statistical significance. Higher opacity in high-MFR PPCP and ABS resulted in increased lightness and color strength, surpassing low-MFR PPCP by 15-40% at equivalent MB contents. Masterbatch content emerged as a significant factor influencing the color spaces of all colored thermoplastics. Further analysis, including Fisher pairwise comparisons of one-way ANOVA, revealed that screw speed influenced the redness and hue of low-MFR PPCP, whereas die temperature affected the lightness and hue of high-MFR PPCP and ABS. Interestingly, the blueness and chroma of colored thermoplastics were minimally affected by both screw speed and die temperature. Notably, regardless of processing conditions, the flexural properties of colored thermoplastics remained comparable to the neat polymer when incorporated with ultramarine blue pigment masterbatch.

An easy-to-use platform for colorimetric determination of dextran: A potential application for the sugar industry

A user-friendly platform based on foam sheets and silica solid support was developed for colorimetric sensing of dextran via phenol–sulfuric acid assay. The chemical reagents, sulfuric acid and phenol were separately preserved by silica gel. The brown color product of the phenol–sulfuric acid reaction occurred on the silica solid support when sample solutions were added. The color intensity of brown products was easily obtained by a smartphone and color processing software. Subsequently, a broad concentration range of dextran could be determined up to 10,000 mg/L dextran, with a detection limit of 360 mg/L. Furthermore, a precision study, including inter-day and intra-day studies, presented a satisfactory performance for dextran detection. The developed platform was successfully applied for the sugar industry's dextran determination of syrup samples.

Exploring colorant production by amazonian filamentous fungi: Stability and applications.

The aim of this study was to investigate the production, stability and applicability of colorants produced by filamentous fungi isolated from soil samples from the Amazon. Initially, the isolates were evaluated in a screening for the production of colorants. The influences of cultivation and nutritional conditions on the production of colorants by fungal isolates were investigated. The colorants produced by selected fungal isolates were chemically characterized using the Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry technique. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, stability evaluation and applicability of the colorants were investigated. As results, we observed that the isolates Penicillium sclerotiorum P3SO224, Clonostachys rosea P2SO329 and Penicillium gravinicasei P3SO332 stood out since they produced the most intense colorants. Compounds produced by Penicillium sclerotiorum P3SO224 and Clonostachys rosea P2SO329 were identified as sclerotiorin and penicillic acid. The colorant fraction (EtOAc) produced by these species has antimicrobial activity, stability at temperature and at different pHs, stability when exposure to light and UV, and when exposed to different concentrations of salts, as well as being nontoxic and having the ability to dye fabrics and be used as a pigment in creams and soap. Considering the results found in this study, it was concluded that fungi from the soil in the Amazon have the potential to produce colorants with applications in the textile and pharmaceutical industries.

Quality Characteristics, Sensory Profiles and Ethylene Production of Stored ‘Abate Fetel’ Pears Sorted at Harvest by Time-Resolved Reflectance Spectroscopy

Time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy (TRS), a nondestructive technique, can help the industry to provide high-quality fruit to encourage pear consumption. The absorption coefficient measured by TRS at 670 nm (μa670) represents a maturity index for pear fruit, with less mature pears high μa670 and more mature low μa670. The aim of this work was to study the quality characteristics, the sensory profiles and the ethylene production of ‘Abate Fetel’ pears sorted at harvest in different TRS maturity classes and stored in different atmospheres. At harvest, 540 pears were measured by TRS for μa670, ranked by μa670 in three maturity classes (less-LeM, medium-MeM and more-MoM mature) and randomized in nine samples according to 1-MCP treatment (treated, control), storage time (4–6 months) and atmosphere (air-NA; CA: 8–12 kPa O2, 1 kPa CO2). Fruits were examined at harvest and after 7 days of poststorage shelf life for skin color, firmness, soluble solids, acidity and ethylene production and were submitted to sensory analysis. At harvest and after storage, MoM pears were less green and showed a higher SSC content than LeM ones. After storage, MoM pears produced less ethylene and were perceived to be firmer (especially in 1-MCP-treated pears), more astringent and less juicy (when stored for 6 months) than LeM ones.

Forensic analysis of white automotive paint of same manufacturer with Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics

AbstractDiscriminating paints of the same color has always been a challenge in automotive paint examination. The process is even more difficult when these paints originate from the same manufacturer and color. Raman spectroscopy is an effective and non‐destructive method that is commonly used to differentiate automotive paint. This method is often used to provide a reliable information about pigments and extenders contained in topcoats and is barely used to examine other layers of paints. In this study, A total of 54 white automotive paints from one single manufacturer (Volkswagen) were prepared and analyzed by Raman Spectroscopy. Each layer of the samples was measured in order to evaluate if Raman spectroscopy can provide good discrimination power. Statistical methods were used to characterize and classify these samples. Correlations between paint characteristics and discriminating factors (such as model, topcoat color code, production year, and assembly plant) were also investigated to get a deeper understanding of automotive paints.

Sorption of Congo red Dye from Aqueous Solution by Mercerized and Benzoylated Sugarcane Bagasse: Isotherm, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies

The use of large quantity of synthetic dye in process industries to colour products amongst other things has given rise to aqueous effluents containing high level of this pollutant. This paper therefore evaluates the use of isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic to study the sorption capacities of congo red dye by mercerized sugarcane bagasse (MSB) and benzoylated sugarcane bagasse (BSB) in aqueous solution using batch experimental protocol. Data obtained show that MSB was the most effective adsorbent material, with equilibrium sorption (qe = 13.64 mg/g) after 50 minutes. The optimum pH and dosage for dye uptake were 3.0 and 3.5 g respectively. Sorption of dye by the modified surfaces decreases with increasing temperature and ionic strength. The 4% NaOH presented the best desorption of dye on the adsorbents. Kinetic studies showed pseudo second-order model fit for the experimental data. Adsorption of the anionic dye on the modified surfaces fits the Langmuir isotherm model based on the R2 values. Thermodynamic results showed ∆Go values (-12.42 to -4.16 KJ/mol) for MSB and (-15.13 to -7.55KJ/mol) for BSB, consistent with the spontaneity and feasibility of the sorption process. The uptake of dye by the modified surfaces depicts a random nature at the solid-solution interface and showed that the sorption is exothermic as evidenced by value (0.256-0.334KJmol/K) and (-18.41 to -10.17 KJ/mol) for ∆So and ∆Ho respectively. The results present MSB and BSB as effective sorbent materials for removal of anionic dye from waste effluents.

Growth, development and yield of safflower genotypes in response to environmental variations

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a crop that is drought tolerant and grown in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) for its commercial utility as vegetable oil, animal feed, cut flower, leafy vegetable, pharmaceuticals, foods colorant, textile dye, cosmetics, and biofuel production. These important attributes make safflower an ideal crop to diversify the economy and improve the socioeconomic status of many smallholder farmers in ASALs. This study evaluated the growth, development, and yield of five safflower genotypes in three different locations in the southern part of Botswana under farmers’ fields during winter and summer. The results showed that there was a significant (P ≤ 0.05) genotypic variability for all phenological development (days to emergence, stem elongation, and flowering), plant growth (plant height and shoot biomass), the yield and yield components (number of branches/plant, number of capitula/plant and 1000-seed weight), oil content and oil yield. However, genotypes did not vary significantly (P ≥ 0.05) in number of primary branches/plant. The results showed that winter planting significantly (P ≤ 0.05) promoted safflower growth and yield than planting in summer. The growth, development, yield, and yield components of safflower genotypes varied across locations with Ramonaka being the most favorable. The GGE biplot revealed that genotype Kenya-9819 was found to be the most stable and adaptable with above-average yields. Sebele winter planting was the best representative environment and most suitable for discriminating genotype performance. The genotype by yield*trait combination (GYT) biplot revealed that genotypes ranked as Kenya9819 &gt; Turkey &gt; Sina &gt; PI537636 &gt; Gila. The results suggested that safflower was best planted in winter and that Kenya9819 was the best genotype to be planted in the greater Gaborone region.

Tunable Reflection through Size Polydispersity of Chiral-Nematic Liquid Crystal Polymer Particles

Micro-sized chiral-nematic liquid crystal (N* LC) polymer particles have attracted considerable interest as versatile reflective colorants with selective circularly polarized light (CPL) properties. However, challenges in achieving the desired size distribution of N* LC particles have led to an incomplete understanding of their reflective characteristics. In this study, we successfully synthesized N* LC particles via dispersion polymerization, enabling precise control over size polydispersity by manipulating the composition of the polymerization solvent. Our investigation revealed that monodisperse N* LC particles displayed distinct reflection bands with high CPL selectivity, while polydisperse particles exhibited broader reflection with lower CPL selectivity. These findings underscore the potential to synthesize N* LC particles with tailored reflective properties using identical monomeric compounds. Furthermore, we demonstrated the production of multifunctional reflective colorants by blending N* LC particles with varying reflection colors. These discoveries hold significant promise for advancing the development of reflective colorants and anti-counterfeiting printing techniques utilizing micro-sized N* LC particles.

Pollinator and habitat-mediated selection as potential contributors to ecological speciation in two closely related species.

In ecological speciation, incipient species diverge due to natural selection that is ecologically based. In flowering plants, different pollinators could mediate that selection (pollinator-mediated divergent selection) or other features of the environment that differ between habitats of 2 species could do so (environment-mediated divergent selection). Although these mechanisms are well understood, they have received little rigorous testing, as few studies of divergent selection across sites of closely related species include both floral traits that influence pollination and vegetative traits that influence survival. This study employed common gardens in sites of the 2 parental species and a hybrid site, each containing advanced generation hybrids along with the parental species, to test these forms of ecological speciation in plants of the genus Ipomopsis. A total of 3 vegetative traits (specific leaf area, leaf trichomes, and photosynthetic water-use efficiency) and 5 floral traits (corolla length and width, anther insertion, petal color, and nectar production) were analyzed for impacts on fitness components (survival to flowering and seeds per flower, respectively). These traits exhibited strong clines across the elevational gradient in the hybrid zone, with narrower clines in theory reflecting stronger selection or higher genetic variance. Plants with long corollas and inserted anthers had higher seeds per flower at the Ipomopsis tenuituba site, whereas selection favored the reverse condition at the Ipomopsis aggregata site, a signature of divergent selection. In contrast, no divergent selection due to variation in survival was detected on any vegetative trait. Selection within the hybrid zone most closely resembled selection within the I. aggregata site. Across traits, the strength of divergent selection was not significantly correlated with width of the cline, which was better predicted by evolvability (standardized genetic variance). These results support the role of pollinator-mediated divergent selection in ecological speciation and illustrate the importance of genetic variance in determining divergence across hybrid zones.