Pigment

An extremely halophilic archaeon was isolated from a sample of the brine-sediment interface of the Shaban Deep in the northern Red Sea. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed a close proximity to Halorhabdus utahensis (99.3 %), the sole species of the genus Halorhabdus. Strain SARL4B T formed non-pigmented colonies and showed optimum growth at 45 6C, in 27 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.5-7.0. This organism utilized a few complex substrates, such as yeast extract and starch, for growth. Strain SARL4B T grew under anaerobic and microaerophilic conditions but grew extremely poorly under aerobic conditions. The ether lipids were diphytanyl derivatives. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 61.7 mol%. On the basis of the phylogenetic data and physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain SARL4B T represents a novel species of the genus Halorhabdus, for which the name Halorhabdus tiamatea is proposed. The type strain is SARL4B T (5DSM 18392 T 5JCM 14471 T). An emended description of the genus Halorhabdus is also proposed.

Two still-life paintings were scientifically examined in order to gain insights about Dutch painter Jan van Huysum's (1682-1749) purportedly secretive paintings techniques, comparing the actual works to information obtained in the few available historical technical sources. Surface investigations included macroscopic and microscopic examination, infrared reflectography and x-radiography, while material characterization of the ground, organic and inorganic pigments and binding media was carried out with a range of non-destructive and destructive analytical techniques. The belief that the two works were an original pair of pendant paintings was disproved due to substantial technical differences in the wood support, ground layers and use of yellow pigment. It was also found that Van Huysum's use of newly developed pigments (Prussian blue, Naples yellow) had lead to changes in his painting technique, which no longer corresponded to those described in the period's manuals, an...

Based on the prodrug concept as well as the combination of two different classes of antimalarial agents, we designed and synthesized two series of ferrocenic antimalarial dual molecules consisting of a ferroquine analogue conjugated with a glutathione reductase inhibitor (or a glutathione depletor) through a cleavable amide bond in order to target two essential pathways in the malarial parasites. The results showed no enhancement of the antimalarial activity of the dual molecules but evidenced a unique mode of action of ferroquine and ferrocenyl analogues distinct of those of chloroquine and nonferrocenic 4-aminoquinoline analogues.

Functional foods represent an emerging market of growing economic importance. The formulation of carotene fortified food emulsions involves the difficulty to transfer the carotenoids into the lipid phase. Usually, undesirable organic solvents are used to dissolve the carotenoid in the lipid phase, in particular astaxanthin and b-carotene. Here, we present a novel approach in which the carotenoid is first bound to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and then the carotenoid-protein complex is used to prepare an emulsion. Absorbance spectroscopy indicates the formation of the complex in the aqueous phase and provides first results of the carotenoid load, which is supported by the colour of the cream phase. The droplets in the emulsion are visualized by confocal laser scanning spectroscopy, indicating the protein layer. The laser diffraction spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning spectroscopy provide the particle size distribution and insight of the stability of emulsion interface.

Zeekoevlei is the largest freshwater lake in
South Africa and has a century-long history of
anthropogenic impact that caused hyper-eutrophic
conditions. We used biomarkers (alkanes and pigments),
stable isotopes (d13C and d15N), rates of
primary palaeoproduction and total inorganic carbon
(TIC) accumulation rates in the lake sediments to
investigate changes in plankton and macrophyte
communities in response to anthropogenic activities
in this shallow lake. Specific alkanes and pigment
(chlorophyll a, b,b-carotene, echinenone, fucoxanthin
and zeaxanthin) concentrations in lake waters indicated
the present-day hyper-eutrophic condition and
seasonal fluctuations of cyanobacteria, zooplankton
and diatom populations. Eutrophic conditions were
initiated in the lake with the start of recreational
activities and construction of a sewage treatment plant
in the early 1920s. The lake transformed from a
eutrophic to a hyper-eutrophic waterbody following
damming, pondweed eradication and accelerated
catchment-derived nutrient input. The change in lake
trophic state was recorded by a sharp decline in the
terrestrial to aquatic ratio (TAR) of specific n-alkanes,
low carbon preference index (CPI) and increased d13C
values in the sediment core. In addition, the aquatic
macrophyte n-alkane proxy (Paq) values (1) indicated
a slow takeover by floating macrophytes after
the eradication of submerged pondweeds in 1951.
Elevated n-alkane, total alkane and pigment
(chlorophyll a, b,b-carotene, zeaxanthin and
zeaxanthin to b,b-carotene ratio) concentrations, low
d15N values and low TIC accumulation rates in the
upper middle section of the core indicated the
beginning of intense cyanobacterial blooms after the
dredging in 1983. Although the cyanobacterial population
has decreased in recent years, hyper-eutrophic
conditions are reflected by low CPI<0.04 and TAR<1
values at the top of the sediment core.

a b s t r a c t Nanometric inorganic pigments are widely used as fillers for hybrid composite materials. However, these nanometric powders are hydrophilic in nature and their surface must be functionalized before use. In this work, titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles were coated using silane coupling agents with alkyl functionality. A supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) method was used for surface silanization. Five alkylalkoxysilanes with different alkyl chain length and structure were studied: methyltrimethoxy, isobutyltriethoxy, octyltriethoxy, octyldimethylmethoxy and octadecyltrimethoxysilane. The microstructure and thermal stability of deposited monolayers were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, ATR-IR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, wettability characterization and low-temperature N 2 adsorption/desorption analysis. The use of scCO 2 as a solvent provided an effective approach to functionalize individual inorganic nanoparticles due to the enhanced diffusivity of the solution molecules in the aggregates interparticle voids. The trifunctional silanes employed here yielded surfaces with better thermal stabilities and greater hydrophobicities than the used monofunctional silane.

Leather industries which promote hide stabilization by the conventional chrome-tanning process are a major source of pollution because of the resultant chromium-rich wastes. In this work, an extensive characterization of such a chromium-rich waste sludge is presented, regarding its chemical composition (XRF), crystalline phase contents (XRD), organic carbon content (TOC), thermal behavior by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), as well as its stability under chemical attack (the concentration of important ions in the leachates being determined by capillary electrophoresis) and when submitted to temperatures as high as 1100 8C, in air. The material showed the tendency to produce some undesirable, and previously non-detected hexavalent chromium when exposed to high temperatures, but after washing off the soluble salts and the elimination of the organic matter by firing, the resultant material was succesfully tested as a ceramic pigment in a conventional glaze composition usually employed in the ceramic tile industry.

This paper presents the first evidence of lapis lazuli or lazurite that was detected unexpectedly using micro-Raman spectroscopy during research to identify an enigmatic purple hue on the thirteenth-century BC Greek Bronze Age wall paintings from Gla. The lapis lazuli material was found as part of a mixture including a red iron oxide and an as yet unidentified purple staining material. Existing purple mixtures of that period are also discussed. The identification of lapis lazuli at Gla may prove to be the earliest known use of this pigment in buon fresco, in both Eastern and Western painting traditions. Furthermore, this precedes the next known use of the material as a pigment by 1800 years. The existence of this blue pigment is also discussed within the context of the blue pigment palette of the Bronze Age Aegean and eastern Mediterranean Bronze Age (3300-1100 BC), to show its use in relation to other blue materials and to demonstrate the technology and knowledge mastered by the artists who used this lazurite.

Fresh breast fillets, leg fillets, and whole carcass from broilers fed on a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich microalgae, were analysed for crude composition, energy content, sterols, fatty acids, carotenoids, squalene and tocopherols, and were compared to broilers fed on a conventional diet. DHA supplementation did not cause significant changes of crude composition and sterolsincluding cholesterolcontent. On the contrary, DHA-enriched broiler's whole carcass, breast and legs contained 3.1-5.6 times more DHA, presented lower ω6/ω3 ratios, lower tocopherols content, and contained significantly more carotenoids and squalene compared to conventional samples. The roasting of DHA-enriched breast and leg fillets caused partial loss of DHA, total fat, carotenes, sterols, squalene and tocopherols. The loss of these macro-and microconstituents was more extended in leg fillets compared to breast fillets. The consumption of roasted DHA-rich broiler's breast and legs is expected to cover a significant fraction of daily protein and DHA intake, without overloading the consumer with cholesterol, while providing certain amounts of health promoting microconstituents.

Apples are an important source of flavonoids in the human diet. The effect of processing apples into juice on polyphenolic antioxidant content and activity is described. Raw juice obtained from Jonagold apples by pulping and straight pressing or after pulp enzyming had an antioxidant activity that was only 10 and 3%, respectively, of the activity of the fresh apples. The levels of flavonoids and chlorogenic acid in the juice were reduced to between 50% (chlorogenic acid) and 3% (catechins). Most of the antioxidants were retained in the pomace rather than being transferred into the juice. Apparently, most of the antioxidant compounds are absorbed to the solid matter of the pomace. In apple juice, 45% of the total measured antioxidant activity could be ascribed to the analyzed antioxidants. For three apple cultivars tested (Elstar, Golden Delicious, and Jonagold), the processing methods had similar effects. The results indicate that processing can have a major impact on the bioactivity of products.

A Soxhlet extraction and subsequent spectrophotometry was used to determine hypericin in different varieties of Hypericum perfiratum in Australia. The leaves of the broadleaved varieties contained from 370 to 580 ppm compared with 1040 to 1630 ppm for the narrowleaved varieties. These concentrations correlated well with leaf oil gland counts of 2.2 and 6.2 per mm2 respectively and support the presence of both varieties in Australia. Within an individual broadleaved specimen, main stem contained 40, side stem 120, bottom leaf 290, top leaf 380, capsules 730 and flowers 2150 ppm. Livestock consuming flowering tops could ingest 3 g (sheep) and 7 g (cattle) of hypericin in a day. Despite varietal differences, the high hypericin concentrations in the flowers of both varieties indicate both must be considered dangerous weeds.

Palm carotene was successfully concentrated from crude palm oil (CPO) by an adsorption process using a synthetic adsorbent followed by solvent extraction. Evaluation of feed CPO and CPO which underwent the carotene extraction process was conducted. The quality of CPO after the extraction process was slightly deteriorated in terms of free fatty acid, moisture content, impurities, peroxide value, anisidine value, discriminant function, and deterioration of bleachability index. However, the CPO still can be refined to produce refined, bleached, deodorized palm oil that meets the Palm Oil Refiners Association of Malaysia specifications. No extra cost was incurred by refining this CPO as the dosage of bleaching earth used was very similar to the refining of standard CPO. The triglyceride carbon number and fatty acid composition of CPO after going through the carotene extraction process were almost the same as CPO data. The major components of the carotene fraction were similar to CPO, which contains mainly αand βcarotene. The carotene could be stored for at least 3 mon.

A typical Italian white grape cultivar (Erbaluce) and two red ones (Barbera and Nebbiolo), all grown in the same vineyard, were picked at various ripening stages, from differentiation of the berry to the harvest, and analysed by HPLC to determine carotenoids, chlorophylls and polyphenols, i.e. the major antioxidant components. With regard to carotenoids, mostly represented by β-carotene and lutein, similar initial concentrations were found in the three cultivars. After an initial increase, carotenoids content decreased in the three cultivars, followed in the red grapes by a new peak, mainly due to lutein. Chlorophylls decreased in all cultivars and they almost disappeared in the white grapes, while 14-20% of the initial concentration was found in the red ripe grapes. Total phenolics showed a progressive increase up to veraison, then a decrease occurred, which was counteracted in red grapes by the formation of anthocyanins. The evolution of catechins (as the sum of (+)catechin and (−)epicatechin) and flavonols (as the sum of rutin, quercetin and quercetin-3-glucoside) was similar in all grapes: initial concentration was low (about 1 mg/100 g dw), a peak corresponding to veraison was observed, then a rapid decline occurred to final concentrations between 10 and 20 mg/100 g dw. Climatic conditions and sun exposure seem to play an important role in the evolution of the components under investigation, since very similar profiles were observed in the three cultivars.

Blackcurrant (BC) fruits are a rich source of biologically active anthocyanins but little is known of the anthocyanin content of commonly consumed BC products or how processing affects the absorption. We report that whereas fresh and frozen whole BC were a rich source of anthocyanins, containing 897 and 642mg (100gFW)(-1) of total anthocyanins the levels in all other products were substantially lower (0.05-10.3% of the levels in fresh fruit). Further, when the absorption and excretion of BC was assessed in volunteers consuming a portion (100g) of frozen whole BC (642mg total anthocyanins) and, 300g of a BC drink made by diluting concentrated syrup (33.6mg total anthocyanins), only small quantities of BC anthocyanins were excreted in urine (fruit, 0.053±0.022%; drink, 0.036±0.043%; mean percent urinary yield±SD) and they were not detected in plasma. These data indicate that fresh and frozen BC, but not processed products, are rich sources of anthocyanins but, regardless of the food s...

Powerful categories of evidence for symbolically mediated behaviour, variously described as 'modern' or 'cognitively modern' human behaviour, are geometric or iconographic representations. After 40,000 years ago such evidence is well documented in much of the Old World and is widely considered as typifying 'modern human culture,' but earlier evidence is rare. In Africa, this includes two deliberately engraved ochre pieces from c. 75,000 year old levels at Blombos Cave, Western Cape, South Africa and the greater than 55,000 year old incised ostrich egg shell from the Diepkloof shelter, located in the same province. Here we report on thirteen additional pieces of incised ochre recovered from c. 75,000-100,000 year old levels at Blombos Cave. These finds, taken together with other engraved objects reported from other southern African sites, suggest that symbolic intent and tradition were present in this region at an earlier date than previously thought.

Changes in colour and stability of anthocyanins have been evaluated over pH range 2.0-8.7. The study was made on crude extract (XAD-7 Amberlite-retained fraction) as well as on the following pure pigments isolated from tamarillo fruit (Solanum betaceum Cav.):

Treatments to inhibit browning, decay and to extend shelf life of ‘Keitt’, ‘Kent’ and ‘Ataulfo’ mango cultivars as a fresh-cut produce were investigated. Combinations of calcium chloride (CaCl2), antioxidants [ascorbic acid (AA), citric acid (CA)] and two commercial film coatings resulted in a reduction of browning and deterioration of fresh-cut mangoes stored at 5 °C, especially for the Ataulfo cultivar. The use of CaCl2 + AA + CA significantly reduced colour deterioration, loss of firmness and did not affect sensory characteristics of fresh-cut mango, with a larger effect in the Ataulfo cultivar. In general, these treatments prevented loss of sugar and vitamin C of cubes during storage at 5 °C. Shelf life of this cultivar was 21 days, while that of Keitt and Kent was only 9 and 12 days, respectively. There is a correlation between carotene and vitamin C content of Ataulfo mango and its longer shelf life compared with the other cultivars.

Tea is a complex mixture containing a range of compounds from simple phenolics to complex thearubigins, many of which have well-recognized antioxidant properties. This paper describes the application of high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS n ) methods for the rapid and routine analysis of more than 30 phenolics in tea. Green and black tea infusions were injected directly onto a reversed phase HPLC column, and the phenolics eluted using two different mobile phase gradients, one optimized to resolve catechin derivatives and the other, flavonols and theaflavins. Compounds, identified on the basis of their retention time, absorbance spectrum, and MS fragmentation pattern, included (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, theaflavin and their various gallate derivatives, quercetin and kaempferol mono-, di-, and triglycosides, quinic acid esters of gallic acid and hydroxycinnamates, and the purine alkaloids, caffeine and theobromine.

The stability of phenolic compounds of three strawberry cultivars was evaluated for changes during prefreezing treatments, storage and various freezing and thawing conditions. Polyphenol content was determined by HPLC-DAD-FL. The sum of assayed polyphenolic (proanthocyanidin and monomeric flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, ellagic acid, p-coumaric acid) represented 2858.4 mg/kg in Kent, 2893.1 mg/ kg in Elkat, and 2438.0 mg/kg in Senga Sengana. After freezing, 4.5-33.6% of polyphenols were lost; protective effects of prefreezing treatments were seen on anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins: ascorbic acid was the most effective pretreatment, allowing retention of 3.9-27.5% of anthocyanins, and almost total recovery (3.9-23.9%) when associated with liquid nitrogen freezing. Pectin and sugar only allowed retention of 3.0-25.1% and 5.5-25.4% of the antocyanins, respectively. Thawing of the strawberries in a microwave oven (instead of 20 h at 20 C) had a further positive effect on retention of anthocyanins, proanthocyanins, (þ)-catechin and ellagic acid.

BACKROUND:Spirulina platensis (Toliara, Madagascar) provides a food supplement which can fight against malnutrition and food insufficiency in Madagascar. In this country, the current production from three open basins is not sufficient to cover needs, and presents drawbacks such as low productivity and possible contamination. Thus cultivation of S. platensis in a closed photobioreactor opens the possibility of extending this microalga production. In this study, the influence of colour and intensity of the light on S. platensis growth and protein content was investigated in a bubble column.RESULTS: Growth kinetics were obtained for four colours (green, white, red and blue) and four intensities (400, 800, 1000 and 1200 lux) of light. The influence of light colour on Spirulina growth was discussed. The highest productivity (183.6 mg L−1 d−1) and concentration (2643 mg L−1) were obtained for green light at 1200 lux. The protein content was 58%.CONCLUSION: Using green light allows improvement of S. platensis growth. Performance obtained with the closed system was higher than that reported in the literature. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry

On-site Raman analyses were performed at the Musée National de Céramique, Sèvres, France, on Kütahya pottery. A comparison was made with Iznik and Safavid productions. Two Raman signatures of silicate glazes (with an index of polymerization ∼0.6-1 indicating a lead silicate composition, with characteristic Si-O stretching doublet at ∼985 and 1050 cm −1 ) were recognized and associated with the colour. Considering the peak position and the ratios of Q n (n = 1, 2 and 3) components allows the classification of the different productions. Differentiation between Kütahya and Iznik Ottoman pottery is straightforward from the centres of gravity. The procedure is also efficient for discriminating between early and late Iznik production. The white colour arises from a a-quartz slip. Although Iznik production does not fluctuate, as a consequence of the nakkashame regulation, the composition/nanostructure dispersion of Kûtahya wares is large and different families can be recognized. The non-stoichiometric character of the spinel-type materials used to draw the black lines appears to be at the origin of the sharpness of the depicted figures.

Abstract Recently, interest in smart packaging, which can show the color change of the packaging film according to the state of the food and evaluate the quality or freshness of the packaged food in real-time, is increasing. As a color indicator, a natural colorant, anthocyanin, drew a lot of attention due to their various colors as well as useful functions properties such as antioxidant activity and anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects, prevention of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. In particular, the pH-responsive color-changing function of anthocyanins is useful for making color indicator smart packaging films. This review addressed the latest information on the use of natural pigment anthocyanins for intelligent and active food packaging applications. Recent studies on eco-friendly biodegradable polymer-based color indicator films incorporated with anthocyanins have been addressed. Also, studies on the use of smart packaging films to monitor the freshness of foods such as milk, meat, and fish were reviewed. This review highlights the potential and challenges for the use of anthocyanins as pH-responsive color-changing films for intelligent food packaging applications, which may be beneficial for further development of smart color indicator films for practical use.

Light scattering plays a prominent role in a wide range of energy-efficient materials and solar applications. Some examples are materials for daylighting, diffusely reflecting sunscreens, foils for radiative cooling and nanocrystalline solar cells. Measurements of the angular profile of light scattering are very useful for obtaining a detailed characterization of the light scattering mechanisms. We review recent theoretical results on the forward and backward light scattering profiles. Forward scattering is of major importance for novel pigmented polymeric daylighting materials. Measurements of scattering profiles are in good agreement with Mie theory. Backscattering profiles from highly diffusely reflecting paints containing titanium oxide-based pigments have also been measured. It seems that scattering from the paint surface dominates at low pigment volume fractions. Results for paints with high pigment volume fractions are interpreted in terms of coherent backscattering effects from the pigment particles.

Central broccoli heads (cv. de Cicco) were harvested and treated with UV-C light (4, 7, 10, or 14 kJ m −2). All treatments delayed yellowing and chlorophyll degradation at 20 • C but the irradiation dose of 10 kJ m −2 allowed retaining the highest chlorophyll content yet had lower amounts of pheophytins than every treatment other than 7 kJ m −2. This dose was selected to analyze the effect of UV-C on postharvest broccoli senescence at 20 • C. The UV-C treatment delayed yellowing, chlorophyll a and b degradation, and also the increase in pheophytins during storage. The activity of chlorophyll peroxidase and chlorophyllase was lower in UV-C treated broccoli. Instead, Mg-dechelatase activity increased immediately after the treatment, but after 4 and 6 d this activity was lower in UV-C treated florets than in controls. Treated broccoli also displayed lower respiration rate, total phenols and flavonoids, along with higher antioxidant capacity. The results suggest that UV-C treatments could be a useful non-chemical method to delay chlorophyll degradation, reduce tissue damage and disruption, and maintain antioxidant capacity in broccoli.

The antioxidant activities of crude methanolic extract (CME) and its fractions using ethyl acetate (EAF), hexane (HF) and water (WF) of black cumin seedcake were investigated. DPPH radical scavenging activity, b-carotene-linoleate bleaching, and inhibition of corn oil oxidation were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. The total phenolics were found to be 78.8, 27.8, 32.1 and 12.1 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g in EAF, CME, WF and HF, respectively. The CME and EAF exhibited the highest DPPH followed by WF and HF. The extract/fractions showed high effect on reducing the oxidation of b-carotene. The effect of extract/fractions on the oxidative stability of corn oil at 70°C was tested in the dark and compared with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The oil peroxide and anisidine values were generally lower with addition of PRFs in comparison to a control. The predominant phenolic compounds identified by HPLC-DAD in CME and WF of black cumin seedcake were hydroxybenzoic, syringic and p-cumaric acids.

Fig fruit has been a typical component in the health-promoting Mediterranean diet for millennia. To study the potential health-promoting constituents of fig fruits, six commercial fig varieties differing in color (black, red, yellow, and green) were analyzed for total polyphenols, total flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, and amount and profile of anthocyanins. Using reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC), various concentrations of anthocyanins but a similar profile was found in all varieties studied. Hydrolysis revealed cyanidin as the major aglycon. Proton and carbon NMR confirmed cyanidin-3-O-rhamnoglucoside (cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside; C3R) as the main anthocyanin in all fruits. Color appearance of fig extract correlated well with total polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity. Extracts of darker varieties showed higher contents of phytochemicals compared to lighter colored varieties. Fruit skins contributed most of the above phytochemicals and antioxidant activity compared to the fruit pulp. Antioxidant capacity correlated well with the amounts of polyphenols and anthocyanins (R 2 ) 0.985 and 0.992, respectively). In the dark-colored Mission and the red Brown-Turkey varieties, the anthocyanin fraction contributed 36 and 28% of the total antioxidant capacity, respectively. C3R contributed 92% of the total antioxidant capacity of the anthocyanin fraction. Fruits of the Mission variety contained the highest levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins and exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity.

Four anthocyanins with the same novel 4-substituted aglycone, carboxypyranocyanidin, have been isolated from acidified, methanolic extracts of the edible scales as well as from the dry outer scales of red onion, Allium cepa L. The structures of 1 and 2 were identified as the 3-O-b-glucopyranoside and 3-O-(6 00 -O-malonyl-b-glucopyranoside) of 5-carboxypyranocyanidin, respectively. This aglycone, 5-carboxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,8-dihydroxy-pyrano[4,3,2-de]-1-benzopyrylium, is with exception of the substitution pattern on the phenyl ring similar to carboxypyranomalvidin (vitisidin A) recently isolated from red wines. In addition to 1 and 2, two analogues of 2 methylated at the terminal carboxyl group of the acyl moiety (3) or at the aglycone carboxyl (4), respectively, were also identified. These latter compounds are most probably formed by esterification of 2 with the solvent (acidified methanol) during the isolation process. The structures were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS. #

Detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium is a prominent feature of many chorioretinal disease processes, the most prevalent of which is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium may or may not be associated with choroidal neovascularization and may be caused by different types of pathogenesis, each associated with distinct angiographic features, natural course, visual prognosis, and response to treatment. The phrase ''detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium'' is used quite often, not always in the correct association and with no clear differentiation between its various types. It is important to identify the specific nature of detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium, and to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Therefore, we present a review of the existing types of detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium with what we propose as being appropriate nomenclature and classification, and potential treatment recommendations. (Surv Ophthalmol 52:227--243, 2007. Ó 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) is an edible, underutilised herb, grown mainly for its seeds in India. Physicochemical properties, minor components (unsaponifiable matter, tocopherols, carotenoids), fatty acid composition and storage stability of garden cress seed oil (GCO) were studied. Cold press, solvent and supercritical CO 2 extraction methods were employed to extract the oil. The total oil content of garden cress (GC) seeds was 21.54, 18.15 and 12.60% respectively by solvent, supercritical CO 2 and cold press methods. The physical properties of GCO extracted by the above methods were similar in terms of refractive index, specific gravity and viscosity. However, cold pressed oil showed low PV and FFA compared to the oil extracted by other methods. a-Linolenic acid (34%) was the major fatty acid in GCO followed by oleic (22%), linoleic (11.8%), eicosanoic (12%), palmitic (10.1%) erucic (4.4%), arachidic (3.4%) and stearic acids (2.9%). Oleic acid (39.9%) and a-linolenic acid (42.1%) were the predominant fatty acids at the sn-2 position. The total tocopherol and carotenoid content of GCO was 327.42 and 1.0 lmol/100 g oil, respectively. The oil was stable up to 4 months at 4°C. Tocopherol and BHT offered the least protection, while ascorbyl palmitate (200 ppm) offered the maximum protection to the oil, when subjected to the accelerated oxidative stability test. Thus GCO can be considered as a fairly stable oil with a high content of a-linolenic acid.

Garnacha Tintorera (also known as Alicante Bouschet) is one of the few V. vinifera grape cultivars with red-colored berry flesh. The study of the phenolic composition of both berry flesh and skin of Garnacha Tintorera grapes shows interesting findings. Anthocyanins were asymmetrically distributed within grape flesh and skins. Malvidin derivatives dominated in skin, followed by peonidin-type anthocyanins; in contrast, the flesh almost exclusively contained peonidin 3-glucoside. In addition, LC-UV-vis and LC-MS evidence suggest the presence of small amounts of peonidin 3,5-diglucoside and a second peonidin dihexoside derivative, and, very likely, the first report of the occurrence of pelargonidin 3-glucoside and its acetyl and p-coumaroyl derivatives in V. vinifera grapes. Flavonols also occurred in the flesh of Garnacha Tintorera grapes, but its flavonol profile showed lower contribution of trisubstituted flavonoid structures (myricetin, laricitrin, and syringetin) when compared to that of skin. The skin of Garnacha Tintorera grapes contained hydroxycinnamic acids in higher amounts than in flesh, caftaric acid being the main derivative found, and coutaric acid accounting for its highest proportion in the skin. The phenolic composition of the whole grape berries reflected the average of the differences described for the two aforementioned berry parts, and subsequently, the red wines made from these grapes had a phenolic composition closer to that shown by the whole berries. The formation of anthocyanin-derived pigments in Garnacha Tintorera red wines makes necessary the use of LC-MS for detecting the minor pelargonidin-based anthocyanins and peonidin dihexoside, which could be suggested as chemical markers for cultivar authentication of this grape cultivar and its wines.

Tomato waste is an important source of natural carotenoids. This study was carried out to assess the extractability of tomato waste carotenoids in different organic solvents and to optimise the extraction parameters (type of solvent, extraction time, temperature and extraction steps) for maximum yield. Among other solvents, we tested a new environmentally friendly one, ethyl lactate, which gave the highest carotenoid yield (243.00 mg kg)1 dry tomato waste) at 70°C, compared to acetone (51.90 mg kg)1), ethyl acetate (46.21 mg kg)1), hexane (34.45 mg kg)1) and ethanol (17.57 mg kg)1). The carotenoid recovery was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the number of extraction steps and temperature in all solvents. Mathematic equations predicted rather satisfactorily (R 2 = 0.89-0.93) the rate of carotenoid extraction in the above-mentioned solvents. Carotenoid concentration increased with time, approaching a quasi-saturated condition at approximately 30 min of extraction.

A procedure for the production, extraction, and puri®cation of violacein was developed using Chromobacterium violaceum (CCT 3496) cultivated on cotton, in modi®ed 1 litre Roux bottles. A surface tray bioreactor was built to perform these experiments. Violacein was extracted with commercial ethanol, and puri®ed by ®ltration, Soxhlet extraction, crystallization and high performance liquid chromatography. The violacein was analysed and identi®ed by proton and carbon-13 NMR spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, mass spectrometry, UV-VIS spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy. It was concluded that the product was highly puri®ed violacein.

Cloudman S91 mouse melanoma cells vary in constitutive and inducible melanin levels. Survival, mutation induction and DNA damage were quantitated after exposure to UVB, UVA and FS20 lamps. Assuming that the observed differences are related to melanin, induced pigment is photo-protective for survival and mutation after UVB and FS20 exposure, and is photosensitizing for survival after UVA exposure. No changes in pyrimidine dimers could be measured. DNA damage in pigmented mouse melanocytes (melan-a and melan-b) was greater than that in albino melanocytes (melan-c) after UVB and FS20, and the pigmented cells were more sensitive to killing. Pigment appears to be protective for killing by UVA in these melanocytes. Human melanocytes from different skin types vary in both melanin amount and composition (eu- and pheomelanin). Effects of pigmentation on UVB responses are unclear. In UVA, heavily pigmented cells have more DNA damage than lightly pigmented cells, but are resistant to killing. Increased pheomelanin photosensitizes DNA damage in lightly pigmented cells. Since eumelanin predominates in the mouse melanoma cells and melanocytes, they are less likely than human cells to provide a satisfactory model for human solar melanomagenesis. In order to understand the mechanism of photocarcinogenesis of melanoma, melanins in human melanocytes from different pigment types should be carefully quantitated and characterized. Mutations induced in them by solar wavelength-emitting lamps with well-characterized spectra should be measured, and mutant DNA should be sequenced to determine the nature of the solar-induced lesions. Research should focus on UVA and pheomelanin.

Three red onion (Allium cepa) cultivars, top onion (A. cepa var. viviparum), A. altaicum and chive (A. schoenoprasum) contained several or all of the following anthocyanins: 3-(6"-malonyl-3"-glucosylglucoside), 3-(3",6"-dimalonylglucoside), 3-(6"-malonylglucoside), 3-(3"-malonylglucoside), 3-(3"-glucosylglucoside) and 3-glucoside of cyanidin. Trace amounts of two pelargonidin derivatives and the 3,5-diglucosides of cyanidin and peonidin were for the first time reported in red onion. Carbon NMR data showed that the sugars of the 3-(6"-malonyl-3"-glucosylglucoside), 3-(6"-malonylglucoside) and 3-glucoside of cyanidin were pyranoses. Substitution either by sugar or acid in the sugar 3position of an anthocyanin has never been reported outside the genus Allium.

The biological activity of lycopene can be enhanced by the presence of these other active antioxidants such as β-carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Since many of these natural antioxidants are consumed together in foods, the potential for synergistic interactions is high in the human diet. The aim of this study was to determine what concentrations and combinations of antioxidants among lycopene, vitamin E, vitamin C, and β-carotene are capable of producing synergistic antioxidant effects, based on tomato-based food products. Solutions of the scavenging capacities of lycopene, vitamin E, vitamin C, and β-carotene, alone and in different combinations were measured using the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Three different levels of each antioxidant were used. A comparison of the scavenging capacity (antioxidant activity) of the combinations of antioxidants to the arithmetic sum of the scavenging capacities of the individual antioxidants was used to calculate the synergistic effects (SEs) between the antioxidants. The results showed that the mixture that had the highest SEs (P<0.01) was the solution combining lycopene (15 μmol/L), vitamin E (5.0 μmol/L), vitamin C (0.16 μmol/L), and β-carotene (10.83 μmol/L). The results suggest that the antioxidant property of this combination was substantially superior to the sum of the individual antioxidant effects, and these interactions can enhance the antioxidant effectiveness of natural antioxidants. The results could guide in the formulation and development of functional food products that have high antioxidant potential.

Anthocyanins are the most abundant flavonoid constituents of fruits and vegetables. The conjugated bonds in their structures, which absorb light at about 500 nm, are the basis for the red, blue and purple colours of fruits, vegetables and their products. Anthocyanin pigments readily degrade during thermal processing which can have a dramatic impact on colour quality and may also affect nutritional properties. This review attempts to summarize some important aspects of anthocyanin degradation during thermal processing. Conclusions regarding the mechanisms and kinetics of anthocyanin degradation during heat treatment are postulated based on current findings.

Human beings have had an inherent urge to leave their mark in the form of works of art since prehistoric times. This has driven the quest for new and better pigments with which to make paints. This paper describes the origins and composition of earliest earth pigments used by primitive man to decorate the walls of caves through to the synthetic pigments developed in more recent times. Despite modern technology, the artist's palette remains a mixture of the pigments used by cave artists, natural pigments used in the middle ages, and modern organic compounds.

A high level of antioxidant activity of lipophilic fractions obtained from commercially grown native Australian fruits, as evaluated in the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay for lipophilic antioxidants (ORAC-L), was identified for the first time. The level of contribution of lipophilic fractions varied from 5.8% (quandong) to 30.7% (riberry) of the total oxygen radical scavenging capacity (ORAC-T). Vitamin E components -αtocopherol, γ-tocopherol and δ-tocopherol and luteinwere identified as the main sources of this activity. Among the evaluated sources, Kakadu plum emerges as a fruit with unique nutritional qualities: it exhibited a superior ORAC-T value (430.0 μM trolox eq/g fresh weight, TEq/g FW) with 26.7% contribution of the lipophilic fraction. The major compounds of Kakadu plum's lipophilic fraction were α-tocopherol (1.022 ± 0.1 mg/100 g, FW), lutein (0.26 ± 0.01 mg/100 g FW) and chlorophyll a and b (2.72 ± 0.1 and 0.54 ± 0.1 mg/100 g FW, respectively). With regards to mineral content, the levels of major minerals, such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and trace elements such as iron, zinc, manganese, selenium and copper as well as cobalt, nickel, aluminium and led in native Australian fruits are similar to the levels of these elements in a range of vegetables and frutis produced and consumed elsewhere.

Clay minerals and iron oxides are intimately related in the process of their natural formation. Their mineralogical composition and physical properties correspond to the physical -chemical conditions of weathering, sedimentation and alteration processes by means of which these minerals are associated giving different types of laterites, ferrolites, ochres, and coloured clays and soils. Very early in human history, these and other clay materials were adopted as mineral pigments. Their structural and mineralogical features are directly related with their natural genesis and provenance and help us in the study of historical painting techniques and materials. This paper gives general information about geological sources and their characteristics, the literary evidence of use of different forms of earthy pigments on historical paintings, about analytical methods suitable in their identification within the ground and colour layers of the painting, and handling with the samples of works of art. The examples focused preferentially on the period of European mediaeval and baroque painting. D

Студията „Цинобърът – цвят на царе и богове“ на Росица Манова е ценно помагало за изследоваели и преподаватели в област на културното наследство. Тя е първият опит за поставяне на въпроси и формулиране на отговори, оставали дълго време на заден план, при материали, техники и технологии в култовата живопис.