Whiteness Index Values Research Articles

Simulation of oral environmental conditions through artificial aging of teeth for the assessment of enamel discoloration in orthodontics

BackgroundThe clinical performance of dental materials can be predicted via artificial aging approaches. The bracket bonding procedure may cause irreversible alterations to the enamel surface. The aim of this study was to introduce a novel artificial aging protocol and evaluate its effect on the discoloration of both bracket-bonded and unbonded teeth while also comparing the effects of four orthodontic adhesives on enamel color and whiteness.MethodsOne hundred permanent lower incisors from humans were randomly divided into five groups, each including 20 specimens. The lower incisor metal brackets were bonded to the teeth via four different orthodontic adhesives (Transbond XT, Kurasper F, Bisco ORTHO, and Light Bond), and a control group was established. To simulate the cumulative effects of aging on the oral cavity, all the samples were subjected to mechanical cyclic loading (50,000 cycles), hydrothermal cycling (10,000 cycles), or exposure to stained beverages (25 days). A colorimeter device was used to measure the color of the teeth before and after testing. Statistical differences were calculated via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test.ResultsThe combined aging protocol resulted in statistically significant and clinically unacceptable differences in tooth color alterations and whiteness index values across all groups (p < 0.05). The control group presented the least significant discoloration, whereas the bracket-bonded groups presented greater discoloration. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences among the bracket-bonded groups (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe combined artificial aging protocol can be employed to simulate the macroenvironmental conditions of the oral cavity in laboratory investigations. The composition of the orthodontic adhesive also influences the severity of tooth discoloration.

Comparative efficacy of In-office and walking bleach techniques in whitening of non-vital teeth.

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of two non vital whitening techniques, In-office and Walking Bleach, using 35% hydrogen peroxide. The primary research question was to determine which technique achieves greater tooth color improvement. Fifty non-vital anterior teeth with discoloration were randomly assigned to either the In-office (n = 25) or Walking Bleach (n = 25) groups. Tooth color was measured using a Vita EasyShade V® spectrophotometer and visual scales (Vita Classical and Bleachguide) before treatment, after each bleaching session, and at a one-month follow-up. ΔE00, Whiteness Index (WID), and Shade Guide Unit (ΔSGU) values were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Both techniques improved tooth color, with final ΔE00 values of 10.08 for In-office and 8.12 for Walking Bleach. WID values were significantly higher in the In-office group, indicating greater whitening efficacy. Significant differences favoring the In-office method were seen after the first bleaching (p = 0.0337), and one-month follow-up (p = 0.0327). Both the In-office and Walking Bleach techniques effectively improve the color of non-vital teeth, with the In-office method showing slight advantages at certain times. Clinicians can choose either technique based on safety, patient needs, and clinical context to achieve optimal results. This study provides evidence that both bleaching techniques are viable options for non-vital teeth whitening. The findings help clinicians choose the most appropriate technique based on biological safety and patient needs and desired outcomes, with the In-office technique being preferable for faster results.

Use of Vegetable Waste for New Ecological Methods in Wool Fibre Treatments

In this current research, various amino acids (lysine, betaine, and cysteine) and peptides (oxidised or reduced glutathione) were considered as potential environmentally friendly alternatives to wool bleaching. A greener methodology was also applied to dyeing. Different agro-wastes (red cabbage, peppercorns, and red and yellow onion peels) served as raw pigment materials. The process’s efficiency was characterised by the whiteness degree, colour strength, and fastness to accelerated washing and perspiration. A higher whiteness index value was observed in the cysteine-based formulations. The onion peel exhibited significant tinctorial properties due to the presence of some natural mordants. All the proposed treatments were designed with a primary focus on environmental sustainability. These treatments offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bleaching and dyeing methods for wool. They reduce costs and energy consumption while creating added value by valorising waste.

Ecofriendly bleaching method for cotton fabric: Development of titanium dioxide doped single wall carbon nanocomposites by photocatalytic treatment for sustainable textile pre-finishing applications

This study aimed to find an eco-friendly substitute method and chemical for conventional hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) bleaching of cotton fabric. We developed diverse functional groups containing titanium dioxide-doped single-wall carbon nanotubes (TiO2-SWCNTs) particles, designed a photocatalytic system, and examined the effects of working conditions and functional group variations on the degree of fabric whitening. Throughout the many phases of the chemical development process, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy −Attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were conducted. In addition, the color spectrum values, the whiteness indexes, the results of the tearing test, SEM and FTIR-ATR findings of 100% cotton textiles were presented that were treated with TiO2-SWCNTs particles using the photocatalytic technique. The test results demonstrated the successful synthesis of various types of TiO2-SWCNTs, leading to a significant enhancement in the whiteness of the cotton fabrics. This increase reached 21.79% using a small amount of nano-chemicals, surpassing the whiteness index value created by the conventional H2O2 bleaching process. Optimal results were achieved by using minimum quantities of substance and working at moderate temperatures. According to this information, it can be concluded that this approach may serve as a substitute for the conventional H2O2 whitening procedure in terms of both the substance utilized and the application method, specifically for treating cotton fabric. Moreover, the statistical analysis revealed that the fabric’s self-cleaning capacity is significantly influenced by the square of temperature and pH.

Physicochemical properties of starch of four varieties of native potatoes

The limited industrial use of indigenous varieties of native potatoes has caused a decrease in its cultivation, restricting it to the self-consumption of the Andean population. The present study analyzed the physicochemical, thermal, and structural properties of the starches extracted from four of these varieties Aq'hu Pukucho, Yurakk Kkachun Wakkachi, Yurac Anca, and Huarmi Mallco, as a potential source of be used in industries such as food, pharmaceutical and, bioplastics. The percentage yield in wet extraction ranged between 14.53 and 20.26 %. The luminosity L* and whiteness index (WI) values were observed in ranges of 90.75–92.71 and 90.05–91.50, respectively. The Finding revealed various techno-functional properties, since the level of amylose varied between 36.29 and 43.97 %, an average zeta potential of −22 mV, and a maximum viscosity between 19,450–14,583 cP. The starches showed consistent thermal behavior since the TGA curves showed three stages with gelatinization temperatures that ranged between 54.9 and 59.75 °C, an enthalpy of 3.60–6.62 J/g, and various shapes of particles such as circular, elliptical, and oval. In conclusion, the relationships between variables such as water absorption index, swelling power, viscosity, crystallinity, enthalpy, and gelatinization temperature reveal different characteristics of each type of starch, which can influence its use.

Effect of surface sealant on the color stability and whiteness index of single-shade resin composites after staining and bleaching.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of polishing systems and surface sealant on the color stability and whiteness index of single-shade resin composites after staining and bleaching. Three single-shade (Omnichroma, Charisma Diamond One, Zenchroma) and one multi-shade (Filtek Z250) materials were tested. From each resin composite, 40 specimens were prepared. The specimens were divided into 4 subgroups (n = 10) according to the surface treatments: 1-step polishing, 1-step + Biscover LV, 2-step polishing, and 2-step polishing + Biscover LV. Color differences (ΔE00) were calculated after being immersed in the coffee solution for 12 days. After the staining, the specimens were immersed in a whitening mouthrinse (Crest-3D White) for 12 hours. Whiteness index differences (∆WID = WID after staining - WID after bleaching) values were recorded. The generalized linear model was used for analysis (p < 0.05). The lowest and highest ΔE00 values were found for Zenchroma and Charisma Diamond One respectively. Sealed groups indicated higher ΔE00 values than nonsealed groups with significant differences (p = 0.008). The lowest and highest ΔWID values were found for Zenchroma and Charisma Diamond One respectively. Sealed groups indicated lower ΔWID values than nonsealed groups with significant differences (p = 0.022). The use of surface sealant increased the discoloration and showed less whiteness change in resin materials. When the 1-step was compared with the 2-step polishing, the effects on the color stability and whiteness index values of the resin materials were similar.

Physicochemical characteristics of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.) milk, a non-dairy milk alternative developed using various pretreatment methods

The endeavor to turn jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.) into jack bean milk faced a challenge regarding its hard skin, which makes pretreatment of the jack bean before processing essential to soften and ease the dehulling of beans, as well as aid the grinding process. However, different pretreatment methods influence the characteristics of treated jack beans and jack bean milk as the final product. This study, thus, aimed to investigate the effect of different jack bean pretreatment methods such as soaking in NaHCO3 solution (P1), soaking in hot water (95℃) (P2), and a combination of boiling and soaking in water (P3), on the physicochemical properties of jack bean milk. Jack bean milk was prepared by subjecting jack beans to pretreatment, dehulling, wet grinding, filtering, and heating before proceeding with analyses based on proximate composition, phase behavior, color and viscosity. The results demonstrated that P2 produced the highest protein (7.01±0.11%), fat (0.10±0.00%), and ash contents (0.11±0.00%) of jack bean milk. P1 yielded higher protein and ash contents of jack bean milk than that of P3, while no significant differences in fat contents were discovered in both P1 and P3. Besides, a slight difference in carbohydrate contents was found among all treatments, ranging from 1.17 to 1.20%. The phase behavior and color analyses showed P1 and P2 to significantly generate higher colloidal stability and whiteness index value of jack bean milk than P3. In addition, jack bean milk from P2 possessed the highest viscosity value of 48.1±1.4 cP, followed by P1 (28.6±0.6 cP) and P3 (12.6±0.5 cP). Accordingly, the recent study proposes the pretreatment of soaking in hot water (95℃) to be applied in jack bean milk processing and provides new insights into how pretreatment methods affect the characteristics of plantbased milk products.

TESTING OF BLEACHING ON COCOBOLO (Dalbergia retusa Hemsl.,) WOOD

In this study, the effects of single and double component wood bleaching chemicals on the color parameters, glossines values and whiteness index values of cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa Hemsl.,) wood were investigated. Single and double component bleaching chemicals were applied to the wood material surfaces with the application technique in line with the company’s recommendations. Test measurements were made on bleached and unbleached wood materials. Obtained results were compared with each other. According to the determined results, lightness (L*) value, chroma (C*) value, red (a*) color tone, yellow (b*) color tone, hue (ho) angle value, glossiness values perpendicular to fibers (⊥) and parallel (║) directions at 60o, glossiness value at 85o in parallel (║) direction to the fibers, and whiteness index (WI*) values in perpendicular (⊥) and parallel (║) directions to the fibers were determined. The ∆E* values were found to be 10.22 in the double component and 2.31 in the single component. While the two-component bleaching chemical caused an increase in L*, b*, a*, C* and ho values, it caused a decrease in the one-component bleach chemical. All WI* values were increased with two component bleaching chemicals. The glossiness values at 60° in the perpendicular and parallel directions to the fibers were decreased with one component bleaching chemical. The bleaching chemicals used in the study caused different results on wood material surfaces.

Sustainable scouring of cotton using extracts from wood ash and soapnut and its optimisation by response surface methodology

AbstractThe non‐cellulosic impurities like oil, wax, and pectins present in the cotton fibre adversely impact wetting. Consequently, these impurities must be removed during the pretreatment process to prevent unevenness of subsequent coloration. Generally, an alkaline treatment with petroleum‐based synthetic surfactants is done, which is called scouring. This study attempts to develop an environmentally safe alternative using alkali from wood ash extract (WAE) and surfactant from soapnut extract (SE). The factors of WAE (10%–30%), SE (5–15 g/L), temperature (75–95°C), and time (20–60 min) were optimised using response surface methodology. A concentration of 20% WAE and 10 g/L SE at 90°C for 30 min was found to be adequate to remove impurities. The statistically optimised method showed good hydrophilicity, indicated by an average wetting time of 15 s, and 2.7% weight loss. The scoured fabric was subsequently dyed with natural dye extracted from marigold flowers and reactive dye. The scoured cotton was evaluated by weight loss, wettability, tensile strength, whiteness index, and colour value (K/S) and showed comparable results to conventional scouring.

Microwave- and Oven-Heat Moisture Treatment of Broken Rice Flour and the Improvement in Flat Rice Noodle Quality

The characteristics of starch used in the production of rice noodles greatly influenced the product quality. Some rice noodle varieties are made from rice flour, which is typically derived from broken rice grains. Broken rice flour has been associated with a higher level of starch damage that could adversely affect the cooking, textural, and eating qualities of noodles. Hydrothermal treatments have been proposed as a technique for improving starch functionality. This study aims to investigate the effect of different techniques employed in heat moisture treatment (HMT) applied to broken rice (MR263) and their impact on flat rice noodle quality. Rice flour adjusted to 20% moisture content was subjected to two HMT techniques; oven-heat moisture treatment (O-HMT) at 110°C for 3 h and microwave-heat moisture treatment (M-HMT) at 119 W for 5 min. HMT reduced the swelling capacity and solubility of the flour. M-HMT flour had the lowest swelling capacity, whereas O-HMT flour exhibited the lowest solubility. The oven-HMT reduced the L* and whiteness index values of both rice flour and noodles, whereas the microwave-HMT recorded comparable color parameters as the non-treated samples. HMT improved the cooking quality of flat rice noodles, resulting in lower water absorption and cooking loss. Noodles made with oven-treated flour had the lowest cooking loss, whereas the microwave-treated flour resulted in noodles with the lowest water absorption. O-HMT produces noodles with greater improvement in gel texture. Despite the reduced whiteness of the O-HMT noodle, it received higher consumer acceptance in terms of appearance, color, flavor, and hardness. Heat moisture treatment can be used as an economical viable technique for enhancing the quality of flat rice noodles. The varying noodle quality resulting from both oven- and microwave-HMT is attributed to a distinct degree of molecular changes in the starch components, which eventually impact the overall product quality.

Genetic diversity of selected basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) genotypes based on morphological, yield, and leaf color parameters

ABSTRACT Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an aromatic plant used in foods, pharmaceuticals, and in cosmetics. In this study, the morphology and yield of 17 different basil genotypes and three cultivars (Moonlight, Midnight, and Dino) from Türkiye were analyzed in 2019 and 2020. A wide range of variations in plant height, number of branches, and weights of fresh and dry herbs weights were observed. The genotypes PI 531,396 from Hungary, PI 174,284 from Türkiye, PI 253,157 from Iran, and the Dino cultivar had the highest plant yield compared with the other genotypes and cultivars. The leaf color parameters (L*, a*, b* C*, H° and WI) were also determined for the plants. The highest lightness (L*) values were recorded in the PI 190,100 genotype, and the highest yellowness/blueness (b*) and hue angle (H°) values were recorded in the PI 207,498 genotype. The highest redness/greenness (a*), chroma (C*), and whiteness index (WI) values were recorded in the PI 197,442, PI 190,100, and PI 531,396 genotypes, respectively. Except for the L* values, the leaf color parameters clustered on the same side of the principal component analysis (PCA) axis. Dendrogram analysis divided the genotypes and cultivars into two main groups, and the main A group contained the cultivar Dino only. Therefore, the study identified important genotypic characteristics of the examined basil genotypes and cultivars that could be utilized to develop new cultivars.

Can discolored dental composites be bleached in depth?

Previous in vitro studies determined the whitening effects of bleaching products on stained resin composite surfaces. This in vitro study aimed to verify the effectiveness of a whitening system on composite resin previously subjected to pigmentation, specifically examining the depth of whitening effectiveness within the material structure. A commercially available nano-filled composite resin was used. Specimens were stained using a coffee-based solution and a 10% carbamide peroxide-based gel was employed as the whitening agent. The pigment's penetration and the effect of the bleaching gel were evaluated by measuring color (CieLab values) from the outer edge to the inner part of the specimens. Color measurements were taken at 14 points, starting from 0.1 mm from the external perimeter up to 3.0 mm. Analysis of variance tests showed a statistically significant difference between the Control Group (CG), Pigmentation Group, and Whitening Group. The whitening agent was effective up to 1.5 mm in depth, with Whiteness index (W) values not statistically different from those of CG up to 0.5 mm in depth. Whitening agents on nano-filled resin composite previously pigmented appear effective in restoring the W to values similar to the original, particularly in the superficial layers of the sample.

Effect of Chemical Pre-treatment on Screen Printed Fabric Performance Properties

Printing is the process of transferring a specific pattern or design onto the surface of textile fabric. In the printing process, screen printing is one of the fundamental printing methods on textiles and is widely used worldwide. However, screen-printed fabrics have specific properties like fastness, water absorbency, and whiteness index that increase the end-use properties of the printed fabrics. There are several factors that affect the technical characteristics of printed fabrics. This research focuses on an experimental approach to ascertain and confirm the pre-treatment process as one of the most important factors in pigment dye screen-printed fabrics. The main raw material used in this research was 100% cotton fabric with a plain weave structure. The experimental method used in this research involved the pre-treatment (singeing, scouring, and bleaching) process with different recipes and four samples. Screen-printed fabric after printing was tested for its technical properties using standard test methods. The results of a one-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) were analysed using MINITAB and Microsoft (MS) Excel software. The results indicate superior fabric technical properties like color fastness to rubbing and washing, coupled with improved water absorbency and excellent whiteness index values of samples printed after bleaching with Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2). In this research, we conclude that printed fabric after bleaching with H2O2 has the best color fastness, and bleaching with NaOCl is the next one. However, printed fabric has a low fastness property after scouring and singeing.

Effects of Debranching Conditions and Annealing Treatment on the Formation of Starch Nanoparticles and Their Physicochemical Characteristics.

Starch nanoparticles (SNPs) have unique attributes that make them suitable for specific applications. In this study, we assessed the optimum conditions for the fabrication of SNPs from the rice starches of low- (TCSG2) and medium-amylose rice lines (TK11) using pullulanase debranching combined with annealing treatment and evaluated their physicochemical and digestion properties. The highest crystalline SNP percent recoveries of 15.1 and 11.7% were obtained from TK11 and TCSG2, respectively, under the following debranching conditions: 540-630 NPUN/g, pH 5.0, 60 °C, and 12 h. The percent recovery of the crystalline SNPs by the combined modification of the debranching and the annealing treatment with an extended annealing incubation prepared from TK11 and TCSG2 was significantly increased to 25.7 and 23.8%, respectively. The modified starches from TK11 had better percent recovery of the crystalline SNPs than those from TCSG2. They exhibited a higher weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and a broader/bimodal molecular weight distribution with a higher polydispersity (PDI) (Mw = 92.76-92.69 kDa; PDI = 4.4) than those from TCSG2 (Mw = 7.13-7.15 kDa; PDI = 1.7). Compared to the native counterparts, the color analyses showed that the modified starches from TK11 and TCSG2 exhibited decreased brightness (L*)/whiteness index (WI) values with marked color difference values (∆E) ranging between 6.32 and 9.39 and 10.67 and 11.32, respectively, presumably due to the protein corona formed on the surface of SNPs which induced the browning reaction during the treatments. The pasting properties revealed that the modified starches displayed restricted swelling power with extremely low pasting viscosities, reflecting that they were highly thermally stable. The modified starches, especially those treated with an extended annealing incubation, exhibited marked decreases in the rate and extent of digestion and estimated glycemic index due to the honeycomb-like agglomerates comprising an assembly of densely packed SNPs. The results could provide helpful information for the preparation and characterization of the crystalline SNPs for potential applications such as emulsion stabilizers for Pickering emulsion and health-promoting ingredients.

Enrichment of a local sourdough bread with zinc and selenium through the use of biofortified whole wheat flour

SummaryIn this study, obtaining sourdough bread enriched in zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) with biofortified whole wheat flour (BWWF) was investigated. Sourdough bread flour was blended with BWWF in the ratios of 25:75, 50:50 and 75:25. The Zn and Se contents varied from 12.06 to 43.06 mg/kg and from 80.73 to 267.58 μg/kg in the substituted flours (SFs), respectively. Gluten‐quality‐related technological and rheological properties of SFs were also determined. The BWWF negatively affected those parameters, and GlutoPeak torque before maximum and peak maximum time, alveograph energy and extensibility, sedimentation volume, gluten index and lactic acid solvent retention capacity values decreased substantially to 21.0 GPU, 27.5 s, 85.67 10−4 × J, 18.0 mm, 33.33 mL, 81.98% and 78.72%, respectively. The Zn contents of the SFs bread varied between 10.48 and 43.88 mg/kg, and the Se contents were found between 55.7 and 224.3 μg/kg. At 75% replacement, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) was obtained at 33.3% and 36.0% for selenium in adults, respectively, while it was 27.1% for zinc and 25.6% for selenium at the 50% substitution level. With the increase in substitution rates, the volumes of the SFs breads decreased from 337.5 to 516.3 mL, their organoleptic properties deteriorated, and the hardness of the breads increased from 507.5 to 3633.1 g. In the study, the whiteness index (WI) value was higher in the A yeast combination breads. The sensory properties of pore structure, taste and chewiness of the 25% substitution SFs bread were close to those of the control. Compared with control bread, all SFs bread had statistically higher (P &lt; 0.01) ash, protein, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity (ranging from 1.893% to 2.495%, 8.22% to 11.60%, 75.85 to 117.74 mg GAE/100 g and 8.84 to 13.34 inhibition%, respectively).

New method of whiteness calibration of spectrophotometers

AbstractA method is described for determining and calibrating the CIE Whiteness Index (WI) of an OBA‐treated specimen without incorporating into the measurement system a mechanically adjustable UV filter. The method requires spectrophotometric measurement of the specimen under two lights: UV‐excluded to infer the reflectance r(λ) and UV to infer the fluorescence profile f(λ). Also required is a stored illuminant spectrum Iin(λ) that covers at least the whole visible wavelengths. Only one scalar value k is then needed to mathematically characterize the total spectral radiance factor (TSRF) of the same specimen under Iin(λ). Calibration uses a reference specimen with known WI, and adjusts k until the computed WI matches the reference WI value. If Iin(λ) is the illuminant chosen from ASTM E313 to define the WI, the k adjustment reduces to solving a single quadratic equation for k that involves the reference WI. In general, relative to directly measuring a specimen's TSRF, it is more instrument‐independent to use the current method to characterize TSRF. Therefore, if a fluorescent specimen is measured using UV and UV‐excluded illuminants, a complete, instrument‐stable characterization of the specimen's TSRF can be derived by adjusting k, which can be done through a closed‐form relation of k to the WI.

Effect of atmospheric cold plasma (pin type) on hydration and structure properties of kodo-millet starch

Kodo millet is an underutilized crop that could be used as a new starch source. Raw starch has many flaws that must be modified through treatment. Cold plasma is a well-adopted nonthermal technology for starch modification. In the current study, millet starch was treated in a plasma reactor at different voltages of 10 kV, 20 kV, and 30 kV for a duration of 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min. The effects of treatments on their hydration, structural, and physicochemical properties were explored. Water absorption and oil absorption capacities increased from 1.43 to 1.55 g/g and 1.01–1.34 g/g respectively. On the other hand, amylose content and pH of starch declined from 31.06 to 25.94 g/hg and 7.5 to 6.9 respectively. Whiteness index value increased from 82.71 to 84.45. IR spectra exhibited functional groups present in the starch. X-ray diffractogram showed changes in crystallinity along with treatment. Relative crystallinity decreased from 23.06 to 21.63%. The significance of the results was assessed at a 95% confidence level (α) at p ≤ 0.05. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Bright field microscopy (BFM) showed microstructural changes in the starch. Plasma improved the hydration and structural properties of kodo millet starch, and it can be useful for preparing various food products with good quality characteristics.

Effect of variable temperature levels on drying characteristics and quality indices of rice in continuous drying and multi‐stage intermittent drying

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of variable temperature levels on the drying characteristics and quality indices of rice in continuous drying and multi‐stage intermittent drying (MID). The quality indices of rice were assessed in terms of stress crack index, head rice yield (HRY), color, sensory characteristics, and taste value. Moreover, the microstructure of the cross‐section of rice was analyzed at different variable temperature levels. In addition, the quality indices evaluation of rice was carried out by principal component analysis. The results showed that drying temperature at the same temperature level was positively correlated with stress cracking index and total color difference, negatively correlated with drying time, HRY, whiteness index, and taste value. The MID with Δ5 (45–50°C) temperature level had the highest comprehensive score of 1.431. The results provide a reference for optimizing the drying process for rice.Practical applicationsDrying is a key control step in relation to the yield and quality of rice. A reasonable and effective variable temperature drying process can improve drying efficiency and solve the problem of the limitations of a single temperature heating method. The quality indices evaluation of rice can provide a reference for the optimization of drying parameters for different variable temperature drying processes. Moreover, the variable temperature drying method in this study can improve the adaptability of the process and provide research ideas and technical references for the industrial production and automatic control of variable temperature in rice.

Eco-friendly scouring of cotton knit fabrics with enzyme and soapnut: An alternative to conventional NaOH and synthetic surfactant based scouring

Eye-catching, aesthetic fashions often suppress its untold dark story of unsustainable processing including hazardous wet treatment. Considering the risks imposed by conventional cotton scouring and following the trend of scouring with enzymes, this study was undertaken to evaluate the bioscouring of cotton knit fabric involving saponin-enriched soapnut as a natural surfactant, applied from a bath requiring a few chemicals and gentle processing conditions, contributing to the eco-friendliness. The proposed application was compared to synthetic detergent engaged enzymatic scouring as well as the classic scouring with Sodium hydroxide. A cellulolytic pectate lyase enzyme (0.5%–0.8% o.w.f) was applied at 55 °C for 60 min at pH 5–5.5 with varying surfactant concentrations. A low concentration of soapnut extract (1 g/L to 2 g/L) was found sufficient to assist in the removal of non-cellulosic impurities from the cotton fabric after bioscouring with 0.5% o.w.f. enzyme, leading to good hydrophilicity indicated by an average wetting time of 4.86 s at the expense of 3.1%–3.8% weight loss. The scoured fabrics were further dyed with 1% o.w.f. reactive dye to observe the dyeing performance. The treated samples were characterized in terms of weight loss, wettability, bursting strength, whiteness index, and color value. The proposed application confronted level dyeing and the ratings for color fastness to washing and rubbing were 4–5 for all of the samples scoured enzymatically with soapnut. The study was also statistically analyzed and concluded.

Dental and composite resin discoloration induced by different hydraulic calcium silicate-based cements: two-year in vitro assessment.

Few long-term studies assess the discoloration induced by hydraulic calcium silicate-based cement on dental structures. In addition, as far as we know, no long-term study has assessed the discoloration induced by these cement on composite resin. This in vitro study aimed to assess, during a period of two years, the discoloration potential of different hydraulic calcium silicate-based cements (hCSCs) on the enamel/dentin structure and composite resin restoration. A total of 40 enamel/dentin discs were obtained from bovine incisors, and 40 composite resin discs (10 mm in diameter × 2 mm thick) were fabricated. A 0.8 mm-deep cavity was made in the center of each disc and filled with the following hCSCs (n=10): Original MTA (Angelus); MTA Repair HP (Angelus); NeoMTA Plus (Avalon); and Biodentine (Septodont). An initial color measurement was performed (T0 - baseline). After 7, 15, 30, 45, 90, 300 days, and two years, new color measurements were performed to determine the color (ΔE00), lightness (ΔL'), chroma (ΔC'), hue differences (ΔH'), and whiteness index (WID). For enamel/dentin, the ΔE00 was significant among groups and periods (p<0.05). NeoMTA Plus had the greatest ΔE00. The NeoMTA Plus group had the greatest ΔE00 after two years for composite resin. Significant reduction in lightness was observed for all groups after two years (p<0.05). The most significant WID values were observed after 30 days for Biodentine (enamel/dentin) and MTA Repair HP groups (composite resin) (p<0.05). The hCSCs changed the colorimetric behavior of both substrates, leading to greater darkening over time. The Bi2O3 in the Original MTA seems relevant in the short periods of color change assessment.