Search Results (3,425)

This study systematically evaluated the effects of high-pressure processing (HPP, 500 MPa, 10 min) on the comprehensive quality of selenium-sand melon juice (SSJ) over a 35-day refrigerated storage period (4 °C). To simulate extreme contamination scenarios, samples were inoculated with Escherichia coli (6.886 log₁₀ CFU/mL) and Aspergillus sclerotioniger (5.011 log₁₀ spores/mL). Five treatment groups were established, including HPP-treated (inoculated and uninoculated) and low-temperature long-time (LTLT, 65 °C for 30 min) pasteurized (inoculated and uninoculated) groups. HPP treatment completely inactivated the inoculated microorganisms, with no regrowth detected during storage, whereas regrowth was observed in the LTLT groups after day 7. HPP-treated samples exhibited superior color stability (ΔE ≤ 1.58) and compounds, and maintained a higher final pH (5.76 vs. 5.39 in LTLT) at the end of storage, with significantly better retention of lycopene and total phenolic compounds compared to LTLT-treated samples. OPLS-DA analysis of volatile compounds showed that the HPP-M group had only four discriminating compounds (VIP ≥ 1), all characteristic C9 aldehydes and alcohols, while the LTLT-M group showed significant acetic acid accumulation, likely due to residual microbial metabolism. This study demonstrates that HPP is superior to LTLT pasteurization for ensuring microbial safety, preserving nutritional quality, and maintaining the characteristic flavor of SSJ during cold storage. Full article

Colored reflective paints are attractive for building cooling and aesthetics. However, coloration of the paints could paradoxically increase the solar absorption, decreasing the cooling capabilities. In this work, we introduced a novel coloration strategy by using metal ion-doped ZnO nanoparticles as fillers to achieve chromatic paints with high cooling capabilities. With inorganic binder of aqueous K₂SiO₃ solution, it observed that the Mg-doping enabled the paint to deliver a high cooling power of 103.8 W/m², while Fe-, Cu- and Co-doping strategies created pale buff (L* = 84.6, a* = 2.9, b* = 16.3), olive green (L* = 66.8, a* = −7.9, b* = 18.7), and pale gray (L* = 81.5, a* = −0.6, b* = 2.1) colors with highly remained cooling power of 83.9, 75.4 and 61.1 W/m², respectively. Physical characterizations indicated that the maintained crystal structures and similar band gaps could be the main reasons for high cooling capabilities of the colored paints. In addition, the high temperature differences and strong adhesion capabilities of paints on concrete substrates enabled them to present promising cooling energy savings for buildings. Full article

Museums face a conflict between energy-efficient gallery lighting and protecting light-sensitive collections from photochemical damage: increasing the luminous efficacy of white LEDs requires shifting spectral power toward the high-energy blue band, accelerating degradation of organic materials. Prior work treated these separately; this study links them via a shared spectral property, the blue-to-yellow emission balance. For four artifact classes (water colors on paper rag, oil colors on canvas, textile materials, and rag paper), luminous efficacy is calculated from spectral radiant power distributions, alongside a material-specific damage factor per unit of useful light derived from first-order kinetics. For each class and color temperature (CCT), this factor is benchmarked against a reference halogen source, yielding a relative photochemical damage index—a relative comparison rather than a computed permissible dose or exposure time—that flags spectra with lower hazard than current practice. Across the database, the blue-to-yellow spectral balance shifts faster than efficacy gains above 4000–5000 K, so higher CCTs carry a growing conservation cost; class-specific limits cut radiant power input in robust material galleries without compromising sensitive ones. Evaluated on nearly 2850 commercial LED spectra, the index gives lighting engineers and conservators a quantitative tool for selecting energy-efficient, conservation-safe LED products. Full article

Blueberry juice is valued for its distinctive flavor and health-promoting bioactive compounds, but thermal processing and subsequent storage can alter its quality and aroma. While previous studies have focused on total volatile profiles, the behavior of chiral aroma compounds—particularly linalool enantiomers—during processing and storage remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pasteurization (PT, 90 °C for 30 s) and ultra-high temperature processing (UHT, 135 °C for 6 s) on the physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, volatile profiles, and sensory characteristics of blueberry juice during storage at 4, 25, and 35 °C for 4 weeks, with a special emphasis on the enantiomeric changes in linalool. A chiral column-based GC-MS method was established to quantify (R)- and (S)-linalool enantiomers, given their distinct odor thresholds and sensory contributions. The results showed that both thermal treatments ensured microbial safety, but UHT caused greater color deterioration, loss of phenolics and anthocyanins, and formation of off-flavor compounds. PT better preserved color, bioactive components, and natural fruity aroma. Storage temperature was the dominant factor driving quality decline, with 4 °C significantly retarding deterioration. Notably, the two thermal processes exhibited distinct mechanisms affecting chiral linalool stability: PT primarily induced isomerization of (R)-linalool to the (S)-form, leading to a gradual decrease in the R/S ratio, whereas UHT led to direct degradation of (R)-linalool, resulting in a more rapid shift in the R/S ratio under the same conditions. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring enantiomeric composition rather than total linalool content for flavor quality assessment. The combination of PT and refrigerated storage (4 °C) is recommended to maximize overall quality retention, as PT better preserves the natural chiral balance of linalool. This study demonstrates that appropriate thermal processing and low-temperature storage are effective strategies to maintain the quality and chiral flavor stability of blueberry juice, providing new insights into the role of enantiomer-specific changes in processed fruit products. Full article

Mulberry mosaic dwarf-associated virus (MMDaV), a member of the genus Mulcrilevirus in the family Geminiviridae, poses a serious threat to mulberry cultivation and growth in China. Early and accurate diagnosis is a prerequisite for the effective prevention and control of MMDaV-related disease. In this study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based detection method was established for the specific identification of MMDaV. Three pairs of specific primers were designed targeting the nucleotide sequences of the MMDaV V2 gene. The optimized LAMP reaction was performed at a constant temperature of 65 °C for 60 min, and the established method exhibited high specificity with no cross-reactivity observed against other tested geminiviruses. The LAMP method achieved a detection limit of 200 pg of target MMDaV DNA, which was tenfold more sensitive than conventional PCR. Furthermore, the amplification results could be directly visualized via distinct color change. Collectively, the developed LAMP method enables efficient, sensitive, and specific isothermal detection of MMDaV and holds great promise for rapid diagnosis of mulberry viral disease. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) coatings are widely used to impart water repellency to textiles, but their drawbacks, including the lack of biodegradability and potential effects on human health, underscore the need for fluorine-free alternatives. Current replacement products, such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) layers and wax applications, experience durability issues and require reapplication. In this study, a dual-surfactant coating comprising pentanoic acid (C5) and octadecylamine (C18) was developed to impart hydrophobicity to woven nylon 6,6 fabrics. The proposed mechanism involves thermal treatment after exposure to pentanoic acid to create carboxylate-rich surface sites, followed by electrostatic association of octadecylamine to form a non-polar monolayer. Process conditions were optimized by varying heating time, temperature, and pentanoic acid soaking time. Pristine nylon showed a water contact angle of 60.6°, whereas the fully coated fabric had a water contact angle of 118.8°. ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared), FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope), and XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) demonstrated successful coating on the nylon surface. Weight and color analysis indicated near-surface alkyl enrichment with minimal visible change to the fabric. The short-term durability has been confirmed by measuring water contact angle after aging and laundry cycles. These results present a simple fluorine-free strategy for producing hydrophobic nylon 6,6 textiles. Full article

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban extracts are widely used in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products. Conventional solvent extraction requires organic solvents and often produces dark green extracts due to chlorophyll co-extraction, limiting their industrial applications. This study developed an environmentally friendly aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) for the simultaneous extraction of triterpenoids of Centella asiatica. Response surface methodology with a central composite design was employed to optimize ethanol concentration, ammonium sulfate concentration, and temperature. A rapid and validated HPLC method for quantification of four triterpenoids—madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, and asiatic acid—was developed and validated on a Poroshell 120 SB-C18 column (3.0 × 150 mm, 2.7 microns) at 40 °C. The developed method for all four triterpenoids was rapid (14 min run time) with acceptable system suitability, specificity, linearity (R > 0.9995), accuracy (98.42–101.52%), precision (0.16–1.36%), LOD (0.04–0.64 µg/mL), and LOQ (0.13–1.93 µg/mL). The ANOVA data from the central composite design of response surface methodology for total triterpenoid content were fitted with quadratic models, yielding acceptable R² (>0.97), adjusted R² (>0.95), and predicted R² (>0.80). The optimum extraction conditions were 18.29% w/w ethanol, 33.93% w/w ammonium sulfate, and 60.04 °C, yielding a total triterpenoid content of 30.53 mg g⁻¹ dry weight. The optimized ATPS produced higher yields of madecassoside (13.15 mg g⁻¹), asiaticoside (9.02 mg g⁻¹), madecassic acid (5.26 mg g⁻¹), and asiatic acid (3.10 mg g⁻¹) than conventional ethanol extraction while simultaneously reducing chlorophyll-derived coloration. This ATPS extraction strategy provides a sustainable approach for producing suitable Centella asiatica extracts for cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

Despite the success of using Al₂O₃ as a secondary phase in Ce:LuAG phosphor ceramics (PCs), there is still room for improvement in the compositional design of biphasic PCs, as well as in their luminescent and thermal performance. In this study, nanopowders with 40 wt.% Al₂O₃-0.4at.% Ce:LuAG stoichiometry were synthesized via a co-precipitation approach. Subsequently, a series of compositionally uniform PCs was successfully fabricated by adjusting the vacuum sintering temperature and dwelling time. The grain size distributions of the Al₂O₃ and LuAG phases, as well as the evolution of porosity and pore size, were systematically analyzed and correlated with the sintering conditions. The addition of Al₂O₃ has been demonstrated to enhance the thermal properties of ceramics. The thermal conductivity of the “1750 °C × 10 h” sample was 15.6 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ at room temperature. Concurrently, it exhibited excellent thermal quenching behavior, retaining 96% of its luminescence intensity upon heating to 450 K. Its fluorescence lifetime was determined to be 21.06 ns. Under 450 nm laser excitation, the optimized PC attained a luminous efficacy of 286 lm·W⁻¹ at 1 W·mm⁻². In addition, the luminous flux increased continuously with laser power from 1 to 20 W·mm⁻² without any sign of saturation, reaching a maximum of 2500 lm. The findings indicate that biphasic 40 wt.% Al₂O₃-0.4at.% Ce:LuAG PCs have potential as high-flux, green-color converters for next-generation high-power laser lighting. Furthermore, a laser illumination prototype device incorporating 40 wt.% Al₂O₃-0.4at.% Ce:LuAG ceramic samples and a 10 W blue laser was constructed. This device emits white light with an illumination range exceeding 500 m, thereby demonstrating its potential applications in laser-driven lighting. Full article

Near-ultraviolet-excitable red phosphors with high thermal stability are desirable for phosphor-converted LED applications, including potential plant-lighting applications. Herein, Sm³⁺- and Eu³⁺-activated Na₃YB₈O₁₅ phosphors were synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state reaction. Among the investigated compositions, the optimal activator contents were identified as x = 0.02 for Na₃YB₈O₁₅:xSm³⁺ and y = 0.70 for Na₃YB₈O₁₅:yEu³⁺, with concentration quenching in both series mainly governed by dipole–dipole interactions. In the Sm³⁺/Eu³⁺ co-doped phosphors, the emission color shifted from orange-red toward red as the Eu³⁺ content increased. At 433 K, the Sm³⁺-doped, Eu³⁺-doped, and Sm³⁺/Eu³⁺ co-doped samples retained 119.7%, 93.4%, and 102.3% of their room-temperature integrated emission intensities, respectively. The high thermal stability may be attributed to the structural characteristics of the host, its wide optical band gap, and the temperature-dependent redistribution of Stark and phonon-assisted emission components. A phosphor-converted LED fabricated using Na₃YB₈O₁₅:0.02Sm³⁺,0.01Eu³⁺ and a commercial 400–405 nm, 5 W near-UV LED chip produced multiband emission that partially overlapped with the absorption bands of both chlorophylls and the P_R and P_FR forms of phytochrome. These results suggest that Sm³⁺/Eu³⁺-activated Na₃YB₈O₁₅ is a promising thermally robust, spectrum-adjustable red phosphor for LED applications. Full article

Avocado fruits unsuitable for consumption are often used to produce oil, prized by food and cosmetic industries. This research assessed how press-extraction temperatures (20 °C and 80 °C) and cultivars affected avocado oil color, antioxidants, fatty acids composition, physico-chemical parameters, saponification value, nutritional and health-related indices and stability. Fruits and oils from cultivars Fuerte, Gween, Hass, Topa Topa, and Zutano were evaluated, and significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) among varieties as well as between extraction temperatures were detected for most traits. Fresh avocado pulp contained 13.6–15.7 g/100 g lipids; the extraction yield was 36.5% at 20 °C and 49.8% at 80 °C. In general, 20 °C better preserved chlorophyll (61.5 mg/kg) than 80 °C (43.8 mg/kg). The carotenoid β-cryptoxanthin was lower in the samples extracted at 80 °C. Gween oil had the highest tocopherol content (on average, 229.8 mg/kg); β-tocopherol (susceptible to extraction temperature) was the most abundant (49.10%), followed by α-tocopherol (38.15%) and γ-tocopherol (12.75%). The oils extracted at 80 °C showed higher density, viscosity and acidity but inferior refractive index, peroxide and iodine than those extracted at 20 °C. The oxidative stability index at 110 °C, measured by Rancimat, decreased in oils extracted at 80 °C compared to those extracted at 20 °C (9.1 vs. 10.4 h). Pressure-extracted avocado oil maintained excellent qualitative and technological properties at both extraction temperatures, thus suggesting its suitability for several food uses, including salad dressing and, thanks to its thermal stability, cooking. Full article

High temperature (HT) is a crucial environmental factor influencing floral pigmentation and ornamental quality in chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) by modulating anthocyanin biosynthesis. In this study, comparative transcriptome profiling was performed in two F₁ chrysanthemum lines (RO72 and RO99) under high-temperature stress to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind heat-induced floral color fading. Analysis revealed extensive transcriptional reprogramming of genes associated with anthocyanin metabolism, hormonal signaling, and oxidative stress responses. While structural genes in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway (CHS, DFR, ANS, 3MAT and LDOX) were significantly downregulated, key glycosylation-related genes such as UFGT were upregulated, suggesting a compensatory mechanism that enhances pigment stabilization rather than de novo synthesis. This study identified a shift in the MYB–bHLH–WD40 regulatory complex, specifically the upregulation of transcriptional repressors (MYB62, MYB15) and downregulation of activators (MYB106, bHLH49), suggesting a suppressed anthocyanin accumulation. Simultaneously, genes associated with several signaling cascades such as ROS, ABA, and auxin–jasmonate signaling pathways were differentially expressed, suggesting that these alterations may contribute to the repression of pigment biosynthesis and color fading. Collectively, these results hypothesize that high temperature suppresses anthocyanin accumulation through a dual mechanism of transcriptional inhibition and hormonal modulation, while simultaneously promoting pigment stabilization via glycosylation. This study therefore provides fundamental insights into thermal regulation of floral pigmentation and identifies candidate genes and pathways potentially involved in heat-induced floral color fading in chrysanthemum. Full article

Different heat treatment temperatures (85–115 °C) were evaluated for their effects on the quality and flavor of luncheon meat. As the heating temperature increased, the weight loss rate increased, and its color became darker. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) revealed that immobilized water decreased progressively while bound and free water both increased. During heat treatment, alterations in the spatial structure of proteins reduced the hardness and chewiness of luncheon meat, accompanied by significant variations in amino acid contents. The MDA content increased from 0.34 to 0.69 mg/kg with increasing temperature, confirming enhanced lipid oxidation. Through gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) analysis, a total of 38 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified, primarily aldehydes, ketones, and esters; the total aldehydes content increased by 57.5% from 85 °C to 115 °C. Combining odor activity values (OAV > 1) with orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA, VIP > 1), 9 core flavor compounds were identified. Heating at 95 °C balanced aldehyde–ester flavor development with minimal quality loss. This study provides key theoretical foundations for optimizing heat treatment parameters in the industrial production of luncheon meat. Full article

Integrating traditional textile heritage into contemporary furniture design offers an innovative way to preserve cultural identity through modern materials and decorative techniques. This study investigates the color stability of hybrid decorative plywood panels fabricated using mechanical perforation and sewing techniques inspired by traditional textile motifs. The samples were evaluated using UV-induced artificial aging, alongside color measurements before and after exposure, microscopic analysis, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The approach enables traditional decorative patterns to be transferred onto wood-based materials, creating contemporary furniture decorations, while preserving and reinterpreting the textile heritage. Results revealed distinct aging behaviors depending on the finishing system. Changes in total color difference (ΔE*)—4.36 for red thread, 4.21 for unvarnished reference, 3.34 for oiled, 0.72 for water-based, 2.55 for nitrocellulose-based, and 0.52 for epoxy-coated samples—demonstrated that both the coated plywood substrate and the textile thread were affected by aging after 72 h of UV exposure. Epoxy resin and water-based coatings provided the greatest color surface stability, while oil- and solvent-based finishes exhibited varying degrees of chromatic alteration due to their different responses to ultraviolet radiation and moderate temperature. The stitch technique showed good structural compatibility with plywood and preserved the integrity of heritage-inspired motifs after artificial aging for 72 h of UV exposure relative to long-term furniture use, which is a limitation of the present study. However, the red cotton sewing thread was more sensitive to light exposure, showing a slight UV-induced discoloration, with effects varying according to coating type. FTIR investigations demonstrated that UV aging of the cotton thread resulted in some photo-oxidative degradation of cellulose, which may explain the minor incipient microstructural degradation phenomena observed by SEM. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable protein sources has stimulated interest in edible insects such as Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworm) larvae. While probiotics supplementation has been explored to improve insect growth performance, its impact on protein quality and downstream processing remains poorly understood. This study investigated the combined effects of probiotic-enriched diet supplementation during larval rearing and post-harvest ultrasound-assisted extraction (UST) on the protein and lipid fractions of yellow mealworm larvae. Three probiotic strains, namely, Pediococcus pentosaceus (PP), Bacillus velezensis (BV), and Bacillus coagulans (BC), were incorporated into larval diets and compared with a standard diet (without probiotics). Protein extraction was performed by both alkaline solubilization–isoelectric precipitation, which served as a control, and ultrasound application for 5, 15, and 25 min. The results from the trial found effects of both probiotics and UST, as well as their interaction, on the protein yield, although an improvement in yield was not obtained with increased sonication, and the BV group produced the highest yield among the probiotic treatment groups. In addition to this, the study did not find any effects associated with ultrasound pretreatment or probiotics on proximate composition and color, except fat % and increased lipid co-extraction, especially at longer durations. Probiotics, on the other hand, showed an influence on the fatty and amino acid profile, while they interacted with UST to affect the extracts’ content. This study did not find any effects on particle size, but the zeta potential was affected by probiotic diet enrichment. Similarly, the free SH content was influenced by sonication, while both probiotics and UST played a role in hydrophobicity. Regarding the solubility, it was found to be pH-dependent and ranged from 0 to ≈90%. Importantly, this study found that probiotics did not have any effect on protein solubility; however, UST had an effect at pH 2 and 7 but not at pH 11. In terms of hydrophobicity, both factors and their interactions were found to have an effect. Moreover, this study could not determine any effects on the inherent fluorescence absorbance of protein molecules. Apart from this, FTIR analysis revealed β-sheet-dominated secondary structures (≈41–47%), with treatment-dependent shifts in α-helix and β-turn contributions. The heat enthalpies associated with denaturation and melting temperature were influenced by sonication, where probiotics could not confer an effect. Overall, this study might demonstrate the strain-specific improvement in protein yield and modulation of the physicochemical functionality, as well as the nutritive value of the protein. Both biological factors and ultrasound-assisted extraction processes can act together to tailor the physicochemical and functional properties of biofractions, but more studies are needed for process optimization. Full article

Bamboo contains abundant hydrophilic components such as hemicellulose which result in poor interfacial compatibility with epoxy resin and, consequently, limit its application in bamboo–epoxy composite packaging materials. In this study, we subjected bamboo (aged 3–4 years) to vacuum heat treatment to investigate the effects of treatment temperature (140, 160, and 180 °C) and holding time (4 and 6 h) and systematically evaluated the resulting changes in density, surface color, microstructure, mechanical behavior, and thermal stability. It was found that temperature serves as the dominant factor regulating bamboo color. With the increase in the heat treatment intensity, the lightness and yellowness of bamboo decrease, and the redness rises first and then falls, while the total color difference increases continuously. The optimal flexural strength and modulus of the treated bamboo are obtained at 140 °C, while its maximum tensile strength appears at 160 °C for 4 h. However, prolonged exposure at 180 °C causes marked mechanical degradation of the treated bamboo, which is attributed to the damaged fibrous structure. As for thermal stability, heat treatment removes heat-sensitive components, thereby increasing the 5% mass loss temperature and thermal degradation activation energy. Among all conditions, the sample treated at 160 °C for 6 h exhibits the best overall thermal stability, whereas excessive treatment at 180 °C destroys cellulose microcrystals and reduces the activation energy at high conversion rates. Considering the surface appearance, mechanical performance and thermal resistance comprehensively, the heat treatment at 140–160 °C with a 4 h holding time is the optimal modification process, which can provide theoretical and data support for the pretreatment of bamboo-based eco-friendly packaging composite materials. Full article