Sunlight Exposure Research Articles

Gain of Protection Afforded by the Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate (MCE) UVA1 Filter on Pigmentary and Aging Signs: An Outdoor 4-Week Randomized, Intra-Individual Comparative Study in 52 Brazilian Women.

Conventional sunscreens shield the skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays up to 370 nm leaving wavelengths between 370 and 400 nm unfiltered despite their potentially harmful biological and clinical effects. The beneficial effects of methoxypropylamino cyclohexenylidene ethoxyethylcyanoacetate (MCE) UVA1 filter were explored at 1% in a SPF50 sunscreen under outdoors summer conditions against pigmentation and aging signs compared against a reference SPF50 without the MCE filter. A prospective randomized comparative intra-individual study was conducted in 52 Brazilian women (phototype I-III). A hemiface application was performed for the SPF50 sunscreen with 1% MCE and SPF50 reference without MCE before 1-h outdoor sunlight exposure, twice daily for 4 weeks. Study endpoint included expert panel grading of pigmentation (3), vascular (1) signs as well as facial skin ageing and assessment of facial skin radiance and skin homogeneity by a naïve panel. Significant differences were reported for all facial signs comparing areas protected with SPF50/MCE and SPF50, respectively: upper lip wrinkles, crow's feet wrinkles, upper lip texture, upper lip pigmentation, vascular abnormalities (all p < 0.0001), texture of the mouth contour (p = 0.001), ptosis of lower face (p = 0.003), lateral facial pigmentation (p = 0.005), and whole face pigmentation (p = 0.01). The evaluations performed by naïve panel showed a significant superiority of the SPF50/MCE product for skin homogeneity (p = 0.043). Overall, this study demonstrates a significant gain of protection with the SPF50 containing 1% MCE in reducing hyperpigmentation, redness and aging signs compared to the same SPF50 sunscreen without MCE, thus supporting the need for an enlarged UVA1 photoprotection.

Enhanced Saccharification Efficiency of Corn Straw by Laccase‐Cu2O Under Light/Dark Cycles

To strengthen the clean utilization of biomass waste, laccase modified cuprous oxide (Cu2O) composite catalyst is synthesized. The effects of catalyst type, catalyst concentration, pH, sunlight exposure time, and lighting method on the reducing sugar yield are investigated. The composite catalyst in combination with sunlight irradiation can effectively enhance the reducing sugar yield of corn straw. The optimum conditions were pretreatment time of 55 min, catalyst concentration of 58 mg L−1, pH of 5.5, enzyme hydrolysis process using a 30 DL (namely 20 min of dark/20 min of light alternating cycle for 30 h) scheme, and enzyme loading of 25 FPU g−1. Validation experiments show that the lignin removal percentage can reach 95.63%, and the reducing sugar yield can reach 124.79 mg g−1 under the optimum condition. The pretreatment and saccharification of straw executed twice are most advantageous for sugar production. Laccase‐Cu2O can be reused three times.

Phenothiazine Derivative-Based Photoinitiators for Ultrafast Sunlight-Induced Free Radical Polymerization and Rapid Precision 3D Printing.

In this work, we introduce twenty-six phenothiazine derivatives (PTZs) that were designed and synthesized as visible light photoinitiators. These compounds, in combination with an amine [ethyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate (EDB)] and an iodonium salt [di-tert-butylphenyl iodonium hexafluorophosphate (Iod)], could furnish high-performance three-component (PTZs/EDB/Iod) photoinitiating systems that were employed for the free radical polymerization of thick films of a low-viscosity model acrylate resin, namely, trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) under visible light and sunlight exposure. A commercial thioxanthone, i.e., isopropylthioxanthone (ITX) was selected to design a reference ITX/EDB/Iod photoinitiating system. Double bond conversions of 87% and 76% were measured for the developed and synthesized photoinitiating systems under 405 and 450 nm light-emitting diode irradiation, respectively, and a conversion as high as 70% could be determined under sunlight irradiation─about 23 times higher than the conversion obtained with the comparable system prepared with the commercial photoinitiator. The relevant photoinitiation abilities and photochemical mechanisms are comprehensively investigated by a combination of techniques including real-time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, steady-state photolysis, cyclic voltammetry, and electron paramagnetic resonance. Notably, the exceptional performance of the photoinitiators enabled the fabrication of 3D objects with precise morphology and superior resolution through 3D printing and direct laser write techniques. These findings not only provide opportunities for efficient polymerization under artificial and natural light conditions but also pave the way for scalable, cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and green chemistry-driven curing applications.

Vitamin D Fortification in Lebanese Bread: Impact on Sensory Attributes, Consumer Perception and Public Acceptance

BackgroundLebanese bread plays a significant role in the Lebanese diet and presents a promising opportunity for fortification with vitamin D. However, there is currently no evidence of such fortification being implemented. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of the Lebanese population toward vitamin D-fortified bread and to evaluate the impact of vitamin D on the sensory characteristics of bread. Materials and MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed on respondents (n=300) who were randomly selected from different age groups and different districts in Lebanon via an online questionnaire from May to June 2022. For the fortification of the bread dough, a premix containing 100,000 IU/ml vitamin D3 (New Bridge Pharmaceuticals) was used. Three different concentrations of vitamin D were used, starting with 1000 IU/50 g, 1250 IU/50 g, and 1500 IU/50 g of bread. The dough samples were baked at 600°C. The samples produced were stored inside nylon bags in a refrigerator. A pilot study was conducted for bread tasting and sample evaluation. Statistical analysis was carried out via the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 21.0) for Windows SPSS, Inc. Figures were created using Origin Lab Software. ResultsA total of 300 respondents (188 females, 112 males) answered the questionnaire, with a mean age ranging from 20–30 years. Nearly half of them (48.3%) had either vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, and their daily vitamin D intake ranged between 0 and 7 µg/day. With respect to knowledge of vitamin D, 88.6% correctly identified sunlight as the main source of vitamin D, and 73% were aware that vitamin D preserves bone health. Half of the respondents (51.75%) had daily sunlight exposure, and 82.6% consumed bread on a daily basis. Those interested in increasing their vitamin D intake constituted 97.6% of the respondents. With respect to their willingness to consume vitamin D-fortified bread, only 39% of the participants reported that they would consume it. A considerable proportion (63.5%) did not know whether fortification with vitamin D can affect bread shelf-life, taste, or texture. For the evaluation of the sensory properties of the bread, the panelists reported that the overall acceptability reached 62.26%. No significant correlation was detected between vitamin D content and bread sensory characteristics (p value >0.05). ConclusionsThe findings of this pioneering study reveal that the concept of fortifying Lebanese bread with vitamin D was positively received by respondents, marking a significant step forward in the use of this staple food as a novel vehicle to increase vitamin D intake in the Lebanese population. As the first study of its kind, it underscores the importance of integrating bread backing with fortification strategies to achieve broader acceptance. Future research should build on this foundation by investigating the impact of fortification on the sensory attributes of bread, as well as conducting detailed physiochemical analyses to determine the retention of vitamin D after baking, fermentation, and storage.

Phenolic Content and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cultivated and Wild-Type Galium odoratum Extracts in Murine Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages

Galium odoratum, commonly known as sweet woodruff, is a perennial herbaceous plant that contains coumarin and is recognized for its medicinal properties. In this study, the influence of sunlight exposure on the phytochemical composition and anti-inflammatory potential of G. odoratum extracts is assessed. The extracts from cultivated and wild-grown plants were analyzed via chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods. In addition, the total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and effects on macrophage polarization were assessed. The results revealed that while coumarin levels remain stable regardless of environmental conditions, phenolic content and antioxidant activity increase significantly under sun-grown conditions, with chlorogenic acid and rutin identified as major contributing compounds. Additionally, the extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, effectively reducing the M1 macrophage population involved in inflammatory responses. These findings suggest that controlled sunlight exposure can enhance the bioactive profile of G. odoratum. This research highlights the critical role of environmental management in optimizing the medicinal properties of G. odoratum, providing a foundation for its future use in natural therapeutic applications.

Comparison of vitamin D status in healthy Bangladeshi urban and rural individuals and their association with serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase: A pilot study.

Vitamin D insufficiency is a worldwide problem that is likely underestimated since physical symptoms may only be apparent in individuals with severe deficiencies. Previously, people in South Asian countries were thought to be vitamin D sufficient because of plentiful sunshine, but vitamin D insufficiency has also been reported in these countries. In a South Asian country like Bangladesh, people living in the rural and urban parts of the country can have considerable differences in their sun exposure, types of clothing worn, and levels of air pollution. This pilot study aimed to explore the vitamin D status (measured by serum 25[OH]D) of healthy urban and rural Bangladeshi people and to examine the association of serum 25(OH)D concentration with calcium and alkaline phosphatase concentrations. A total of 101 apparently healthy adult individuals, aged 20-58 years, were enrolled from both urban and rural areas. The participants were selected from students, staff and patient attendants from the outpatient department (OPD) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Mirsarai Upazila Health Complex, Chittagong. The overall rate of vitamin D insufficiency was 39.6% and of vitamin D deficiency was 51.5%. However, it was observed that the proportion of vitamin D-deficient participants in urban areas (70.6%) was more than double that of participants living in rural areas (32%) and that serum 25(OH)D concentrations were higher in rural compared to urban participants with similar sunlight exposure times. However, participants aged 50 years or more showed similar concentrations of serum vitamin D levels irrespective of their habitat. This pilot study highlights the need for further larger-scale studies in Bangladesh to determine the reasons for the high rates of vitamin D inadequacy overall and the differences between rural and urban populations.

Optimization of Solar Power Plant with Variation of Solar Reflector Angles and Use of Passive Cooling Integrated Internet of Things

With the growing global demand for energy, exploring alternative energy sources, particularly solar energy, in equatorial regions where abundant sunlight is essential. Solar panels, which convert sunlight into electricity, must be optimally positioned to capture the maximum amount of sunlight and operate within an ideal temperature range for efficiency. However, two key challenges must be addressed: ensuring solar panels are consistently aligned with the sun and managing heat buildup, which can reduce performance. This study proposes a specialized optimization system to enhance solar panel efficiency by addressing these issues. The system adjusts the angle of solar reflectors to maximize sunlight exposure. It incorporates passive cooling mechanisms, such as heatsinks and cooling blocks, which are attached to the back of the panels to regulate temperature. Real-time monitoring using Internet of Things (IoT) technology tracks critical parameters, including solar reflector angles, panel and ambient temperatures, light intensity, weather conditions and electrical output. A comparative analysis between standard solar panels and those equipped with this optimization system demonstrates that the latter significantly outperforms conventional setups. The system ensures maximum sunlight absorption, maintains optimal operating temperatures and boosts overall energy production. These findings underscore the potential of the proposed system to improve the reliability and efficiency of solar energy generation in equatorial regions, contributing to more sustainable energy solutions in high-sunlight environments.

Correlation Between Sunlight Exposure Time and Cataract Prevalence in Korean Adults

This study analyzed the survey data of the ophthalmic examination of the 5th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of cataracts in Koreans and exposure to sunlight in daily life. From January to December, 952 people in 192 districts were classified into a 2–5 h group and a group of more than 5 h of sunlight exposure, and statistical analysis using SMS version 26, including the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis, was conducted. Results: The gender difference was that women had a higher incidence of cataracts when the exposure time to sunlight was 2 to 5 h (46.7% for men, 53.3% for women, p &lt; 0.001) and men had a higher incidence of cataracts when it was more than 5 h (62.3% for men, 36.8% for women, p &lt; 0.001). The incidence increased significantly after age 45 for the groups of both 2 to 5 h (65.8% for men, p &lt; 0.001) and 5 h or more (80% for p &lt; 0.001) of sunlight exposure. In the group with 2 to 5 h of sunlight exposure, the prevalence of cataracts was high in people living in large cities, such as 52 people in Seoul (10.8%) and 63 people in Busan (13.1%), while in the group with 5 h or more, the incidence of cataracts was significantly higher in people living in rural areas, such as 36 people in Gangwon Province (7.7%) and 85 people in North Gyeongsang Province (18.1%). Through this, it was confirmed that Koreans had a higher incidence of cataracts when exposed to sunlight for more than 5 h, and differences according to socio-demographic characteristics could be identified in the case of a sunlight exposure time of 2 to 5 h or more.

Natural light-induced self-healing antibacterial superhydrophobic coatings based on ODA/Ag-PDA@HMS-ODA

Self-healing superhydrophobic coatings have garnered widespread attention in recent years. However, developing rapid, multi-cycle, and multifunctional self-healing superhydrophobic coatings remains a significant challenge. In this study, we designed and synthesized a core–shell structured porous nanosphere with hollow mesoporous silica (HMS) as the core, loaded with octadecylamine (ODA) inside, and coated with polydopamine (PDA) on the HMS surface. Finally, nanosilver (AgNPs) and ODA were loaded on the outer surface, and the resulting material was formulated into a new type of sunlight-responsive, self-healing, and antibacterial coating via an adhesive. This coating exhibits multi-cycle and rapid self-repair properties under sunlight exposure and achieves superhydrophobicity (WCA = 157.3°). The multi-cycle self-healing process is mainly attributed to the large specific surface area of HMS (with a specific surface area of 521.27 m2/g), which allows for the loading of more low surface energy ODA. Additionally, due to the low melting point of ODA and the synergistic photothermal effect of PDA and AgNPs, ODA can migrate to the damaged surface more quickly, endowing the coating with faster self-healing capabilities. Moreover, the prepared coating also possesses excellent antibacterial properties, ensuring a reduction in biological contamination and extending the service life of the superhydrophobic coating.

Thermo- and light responsive microgels for efficient brackish and seawater forward osmosis desalination

Forward osmosis desalination presents a promising solution to address water shortages in areas near brackish or seawater sources. This study investigates the use of thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide-rand‑sodium acrylate) microgels as innovative draw agents for forward osmosis desalination. The drawing ability and responsiveness of these microgels are significantly influenced by the charged comonomer content. Unlike bulk hydrogels, these microgels, owing to their core-shell morphology, maintain thermo-responsivity even at higher comonomer content. Incorporating graphene oxide as a light absorber allows for partial heating, required to reach the transition temperature, to be obtained using UV light radiation. In forward osmosis, microgels can be used either in a dried state or as a concentrated aqueous dispersion. A sample with 25 mol% charged units achieved a balance between water flux and responsiveness. It reached fluxes of 2.84, 4.79 and 4.39 L·m−2·h−1 for the dried state, 40 wt% and 20 wt% dispersions, respectively, when tested with 5 g·L−1 brackish water. Furthermore, a 40 wt% dispersion drew 35 g·L−1 seawater at a flux of 1.36 L·m−2·h−1. This sample, which contains graphene oxide, exhibited a volume phase transition temperature at 41 °C that can be achieved through UV light radiation or natural sunlight exposure. Water separation from the microgels was accomplished through filtration under UV-light radiation with a power of 4 kW·m−2, at 2–4 bar pressure, with a microfiltration membrane and a flux of 36 L·m−2·h−1. These findings highlight the potential of these thermo-responsive microgels for efficient forward osmosis desalination.

Immediate effect of sunlight exposure through blue glass on blood pressure in hypertensive patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Hypertension affects approximately 1.28 billion adults worldwide, driving the search for integrative therapeutic approaches alongside conventional treatments. While chromotherapy, particularly blue light exposure, has historical roots in traditional medicine and its specific impact on blood pressure regulation remains understudied. So, the present study aims to investigate the immediate impact of exposure to blue glass through sunlight on blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. This randomized controlled trial was carried out with a sample of 60 hypertensive patients, who were divided into two groups: a study group that received blue glass exposure for 20 min and a control group that received exposure to colourless glass. The primary outcome measures were systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and oxygen saturation levels. The results of the study revealed statistically significant differences in systolic blood pressure (p=0.006) and pulse rate (p=0.005) after the intervention in the study group and no such changes were noted in the control group. The findings of this study suggest that blue glass exposure has a significant impact on reducing blood pressure and pulse rate in hypertensive patients, indicating its potential use as a integrative treatment in the management of hypertension.

Analyzing the adoption of nutrition-sensitive carp-SIS polyculture technology: evidence from a case study in Bangladesh

IntroductionSmall indigenous species (SIS) of fish are rich in micronutrients that are essential to combat the existing malnutrition in Bangladesh. However, their availability is constantly decreasing due to gradual environmental degradation making their availability irregular and hence expensive in the market. Integrating SIS with carps in homestead ponds is being promoted as a form of nutrition-sensitive aquaculture to enhance both production and consumption of these nutrient-rich species. Various improved pond management techniques (IPMTs) are suggested to boost the nutrition-sensitive carp-SIS polyculture.ObjectivesThis study examines the trends and factors influencing the adoption of IPMTs using the sustainable livelihood framework (SLF) approach. We address the following three key questions: (i) What are the trends in production and consumption of fish, in particular SIS from homestead ponds? (ii) Have farm households adopted or disadopted IPMTs over time? (iii) What are the determinants of adoption and disadoption of IPMTs?MethodsBased on primary data of 234 households from Barishal district from 2014 and 2022, we perform significance tests to compare project and non-project households in 2014 versus 2022 and apply fixed effects Poisson regression and fixed effects negative binomial regression models to identify household decisions to adopt the IPMTs.Results and conclusionQuantitative survey results indicate a significant increase in the production and consumption of SIS over time. In 2014, the project households exhibited adoption rates of 60% or more for various IPMTs such as stocking of fast-growing species, pre-stocking liming, pond dike construction, fertilizer application, stocking of high quality fish seeds, aquatic weed control, and turbidity management. However, by 2022, some of these IPMTs were disadopted by project households and only a few techniques, including providing sunlight exposure to ponds, pre-stocking liming, and supplementary feeding, were more widely used. Additionally, many non-project households also increased their adoption rates of IPMTs significantly. The fixed effects regression model shows that adoption is positively influenced by the number of household members participating in aquaculture, size of the pond, sole ownership of the pond and the number of years household has been involved in aquaculture. Follow-up activities such as monitoring and training of the project beneficiaries and government support are recommended to support long-term adoption of the IPMTs.

Investigation into the Mechanism of the Impact of Sunlight Exposure Area of Urban Artificial Structures and Human Activities on Land Surface Temperature Based on Point of Interest Data

With rapid urbanization, the urban heat island (UHI) effect has intensified, posing challenges to human health and ecosystems. This study explores the impact of sunlight exposure areas of artificial structures and human activities on land surface temperature (LST) in Hefei and Xuzhou, using Landsat 9 data, Google imagery, nighttime light data, and Point of Interest (POI) data. Building shadow distributions and urban road surface areas were derived, and geospatial analysis methods were applied to assess their impact on LST. The results indicate that the sunlight exposure areas of roofs and roads are the primary factors affecting LST, with a more pronounced effect in Xuzhou, while anthropogenic heat plays a more prominent role in Hefei. The influence of sunlight exposure on building facades is relatively weak, and population density shows a limited impact on LST. The geographical detector model reveals that interactions between roof and road sunlight exposure and anthropogenic heat are key drivers of LST increases. Based on these findings, urban planning should focus on optimizing building layouts and heights, enhancing greening on roofs and roads, and reducing the sunlight exposure areas of artificial structures. Additionally, strategically utilizing building shadows and minimizing anthropogenic heat emissions can help lower local temperatures and improve the urban thermal environment.

Altitudinal variations in forensically relevant dipterans in Trentino Region (Italy): implications for PMI estimation and forensic ecology.

This study investigates the populations of dipterans in the southeastern Prealps of Trentino, Italy, along an altitudinal gradient that exceeds 1000m. The study is important because dipterans play a significant role in crime scene analysis by helping to determine the post-mortem interval (PMI) and understand corpse relocation dynamics. Nine aerial traps were used across three sites from May to November 2023, and a total of 17,876 individuals from diverse species were captured. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in dipteran populations across sites and exposure levels. The study identified relationships between species and environmental factors such as altitude, temperature, and sunlight exposure using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Results demonstrated that species composition varied with environmental conditions, offering insights into potential shifts due to climate change. The presence of specific species was notably affected by temperature fluctuations, which could impact their usefulness in PMI estimation. Continuous monitoring is crucial to track dipteran population dynamics amidst changing environmental conditions. Such knowledge is important for improving accuracy in PMI estimations and enhancing forensic investigations. In conclusion, ongoing research is pivotal in adapting forensic entomological analyses to evolving ecological contexts, ensuring their reliability in forensic science applications. This study highlights the dynamic nature of dipteran ecology within forensic contexts and emphasises the need for further investigation to observe shifting population dynamics under climate change impacts.

The evolution of BRAF-targeted therapies in melanoma: overcoming hurdles and unleashing novel strategies.

Melanoma, a highly aggressive form of skin cancer, poses a significant global health burden, with 331,647 new cases and 58,645 deaths reported in 2022. The development of melanoma is influenced by various factors, including sunlight exposure and BRAFV600 mutations that activate the MAPK/ERK pathway. The introduction of BRAF and MEK inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment landscape for melanoma patients. However, innate and acquired therapeutic resistance remains a significant challenge. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of BRAF-targeted therapies in melanoma, highlighting the efficacy and limitations of FDA-approved combinations of BRAF and MEK inhibitors such as vemurafenib, dabrafenib, trametinib, and cobimetinib. The review also explores the off-target effects of BRAF inhibitors on endothelial cells, emphasizing the need for more selective therapies to minimize vascular complications and metastatic potential. The article also discusses potential druggable targets, including ERK5, CD73, ALDH1A1, PLA1A, and DMKN, which are promising in addressing diagnostic hurdles and guiding personalized therapeutic decisions. Recent studies on regorafenib, ERK5 signaling, and CD73 inhibition are highlighted as novel strategies to overcome resistance and improve treatment outcomes. The review also delves into the role of advanced therapeutic tools, such as mRNA vaccines and CRISPR-Cas9, in revolutionizing personalized oncology by targeting specific genetic mutations and enhancing immune responses against melanoma. The ongoing synergy between advancing research, targeted interventions, strategic treatment combinations, and cost-effectiveness evaluations offers a promising pathway to elevate patient outcomes in the persistent battle against melanoma significantly.

Enhanced dissipation of azoxystrobin in loam soil under direct sunlight exposure

Enhanced dissipation of azoxystrobin in loam soil under direct sunlight exposure

Prevalence and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency among Afghan primary school children

Vitamin D deficiency is common in many societies and causes rickets and non-skeletal disorders in children. There are no published data on vitamin D deficiency in Afghanistan. We, therefore, investigated the prevalence and associated factors of vitamin D deficiency in Afghan school children in Kandahar City, Afghanistan. This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from September 2022 to April 2023 in 510 primary school students aged 6–15 years from six randomly selected schools. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression. Of the 510 enrolled children, 54.3% were boys and 91.8% were poor. The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 9.3 ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) was detected in 436/510 (85.5%) children that was severe in 267/510 (52.4%). By logistic regression analysis, independent factors for vitamin D deficiency were: (i) older age group 11–15 vs. 6 − 10 years, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.8 (95% confidence interval 1.2–6.2), (ii) poverty AOR 2.0 (1.0–4.3), (iii) not doing outdoor physical activity AOR 4.8 (2.8–8.1), and (iv) daily sunlight exposure < 60 min AOR 2.2 (1.3–3.7). Although Kandahar is very sunny throughout the year, vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among school boys and girls, placing them at great risk of vitamin D-deficient rickets. More work is needed to define the country-wide prevalence of vitamin D deficiency to inform robust strategies of vitamin D supplementation, the provision of vitamin D-fortified food to the school children in Kandahar City and health education programs that can be conducted with the help of international organizations.

Vitamin D content of products recently launched on to the marketplace – findings from the MINTEL Global New Products Database

Vitamin D deficiency is a cause for concern among the UK population, with many failing to achieve the recommended daily amount of 10µg/day(1). Sunlight exposure is not sufficient in the UK to maintain year-round vitamin D status so therefore the population rely heavily on dietary sources, including fortified foods(2). In the absence of standardised and/or mandatory vitamin D fortification policies in many countries(3), such products often contain variable amounts of vitamin D(4), however this has not been investigated to-date on a global scale. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the vitamin D content of newly launched products worldwide over a 5-year period.Data were extracted from Mintel’s Global New Product Database across all regions. Search criteria were filtered by nutrient and/or ingredient, to only include products launched from December 2018 to December 2023, and containing &gt;0.1µg vitamin D per 100g/ml. Of the total 2,963 products identified, 608 were excluded owing to missing data, resulting in 2,355 products included in the final dataset for analysis. Vitamin D content was quantified as µg per100g/ml (µg = IU/40, when required). Data were compared by food category (n = 12) and between branded vs private label (own-brand) products, using ANOVA (with Tukey post-hoc tests) and independent samples t-tests, respectively.The overall mean ± SD vitamin D content of newly launched products was 12.5 ± 71.2 µg per 100g/ml (range: 0.01-2380 µg per100g/ml). By category, the mean ± SD vitamin D content of products (µg per100g/ml) were as follows: baby food (7.1 ± 20.3), bakery (210.4 ± 683.3), breakfast cereals (9.4 ± 21.2), chocolate confectionary (134.4 ± 135.1), dairy (6.0 ± 23.7), desserts and ice cream (1.8 ± 2.1), rice and noodles (4.4 ± 0.1), processed meat and fish (20.9 ± 39.0), sauces and seasonings (39.3 ± 123.5), snacks (6.7 ± 9.3), sugar confectionary (101.4 ± 90.9) and sweet spreads (56.7 ± 95.5). Products in the bakery, chocolate confectionary and sugar and gum confectionary categories had a significantly higher vitamin D content per 100g/ml, compared to all other categories. In the total dataset, branded products (n = 2832; 96%) had a significantly higher vitamin D content than private label products (n = 131; 4%) (12.7 ± 72.5 vs. 6.1 ± 11.3 µg per 100g/ml, respectively; P&lt;0.001).This preliminary analysis has demonstrated a wide range in the vitamin D content of newly launched products worldwide, which varies significantly between food categories and is higher in branded compared to private label products. Future research using this dataset will explore changes over time, as well as regional differences in the vitamin D content of new products, both between and within the different categories. Such evidence may help to inform future new product development opportunities and vitamin D fortification policies.

Enhanced Photovoltaic Efficiency through 3D-Printed COC/Al₂O₃ Anti-Reflective Coversheets

In the past few years, there has been a considerable growth in the utilization of solar cells to produce electrical power to fulfil the growing worldwide energy demands. An optical loss is a crucial factor that impacts the performance of the photovoltaic conversion process. This loss occurs when incoming sunlight is reflected back on the outer layer of the photovoltaic cells. The application of antireflective materials on the photovoltaic substrates can enhance the absorption of sunlight and minimize the reflection. Currently, there is no ideal anti-reflective coating for solar cells that can allow the transmission of sunlight without any reflection. In this research, a transparent cyclic-olefin-copolymer (COC) was used to fabricate anti-reflection (AR) coversheet by fused deposition modelling process (3D printing). Further, the aluminium oxide Al2O3 powder was added at the proportions of 1wt%, 2wt%, 3wt%, and 4wt% to the COC polymer to increase the anti-reflection characteristics. The structural, morphological, mechanical (tear strength), electrical and temperature characteristics were studied. The performance of COC with aluminium oxide (COCA) coversheets was evaluated, and the findings revealed a considerable increment in power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.21% (sunlight exposure) and 18.34% (neodymium light) for COCA3 coversheets. As seen, the COCA3 sample exhibit lower electrical resistance of 3.88 ×10-3 Ω cm, carrier concentration (36.91×1020 cm-3) and higher hall mobility (13.67 cm2/Vs). The findings from the investigations demonstrated that the utilization of COC with Al2O3 powder (COCA) can be a suitable antireflective coversheet material for boosting the performance of polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells.

Thermodynamic and Kinetic Insights into Azo Dyes Photocatalytic Degradation on Biogenically Synthesized ZnO Nanoparticles and their Antibacterial Potential

The extensive use of azo dyes in textile and pharmaceutical industries pose significant environmental and health risks. This problem requires to be tackled forthwith through a cheap, environmentally friendly and viable approach to mitigate water pollution. In this context, the green synthesis method was used for synthesis of ZnO NPs. These biogenic ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-Vis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Zeta potential (ZP) analysis. The characteristic bandgap energy (3.02 eV), crystallite size (18.6 nm), particle size (84 nm), hydrodynamic diameter (101 nm) and ZP (+33.9 mV) all indicated the successful synthesis of the stabilized NPs, which have an absorption edge at 373 nm. Based on the responsive energy band gap to visible light, these NPs demonstrated promising photocatalytic activity for the degradation of toxic dyes with efficiencies of 82.2 and 87.5 % for of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO), respectively, in only 2 h of sunlight exposure. To evaluate the reaction kinetics and thermodynamic parameters including the activation energy and rate constant, the degradation process was conducted at various temperatures. The effect of temperature showed the highest rate constant values of 0.022 and 0.025 min-1 at 90 oC, and activation energies of 4.1 and 3.8 KJ mol-1 for MO and MB, respectively. A possible degradation mechanism was proposed based on results of the radical scavenging experiments. The photocatalyst showed recyclability for five consecutive cycles with a simple regeneration. CMFE@ZnO NPs have also exhibited great antibacterial potential by inhibiting the growth of Gram-positive (S. aureus (13 mm) and B. subtilis (14 mm)) and Gram-negative (E. coli (17 mm) and P. multosida (15 mm)) bacterial strains. As a result, these CMFE@NPs may have great commercial importance in reducing the concentration of azo dyes and drug-resistant bacteria in textile and pharmaceutical industry effluents.