Quality Blues: Indigenous Knowledge of Natural Indigo Identification in Southern China

Abstract Background: As one of the oldest traditional dyes, natural indigo is commonly used for centuries by the people worldwide. In the process of indigo production, indigenous people have formed unique knowledge of indigo identification because the indigo identification is crucial for indigo quality control and the dyeing effects. However, such indigenous knowledge is rarely documented and explained. Therefore, the aims of this study were to i) document and assess the indigenous knowledge of local people identifying the natural indigo paste and ii) to explore the characteristics and material basis of such indigenous knowledge.Method: Three ethnobotanical studies were conducted in 2019 and 2020. A total of 283 traditional indigo-paste artisans were interviewed in Guizhou, Yunnan, and Fujian Provinces. Frequency of citation, Mention index, and Fidelity level of each indigo-paste quality criterion were calculated to determine the most commonly used, most recognized, and most important quality criterion. To explore the characteristics and material basis of such traditional knowledge, we analyzed 21 samples we collected by using HPLC, pH and particle size analysis methods.Results: Local people possess unique knowledge to identify natural indigo. After thousands of years, they finally chose four criteria (color, taste, touch, and dyeing ability) and based on this, the nature indigo was divided into five quality grades. The best folk criterion was as following: dark blue with purple-red luster, smooth and difficult to wipe off; it should have a "sweet" or "spicy" taste, and dye cloth easily. It found that the higher the indigo and indirubin contents, especially indirubin content, the better the quality of the indigo paste. Within the 9-12 range, pH of high quality indigo-paste was lower. However, there was no significance difference between particle size and quality.Conclusion: The ancient methods used by the local people for identifying natural indigo are comprehensive and unique. This study revealed the importance of indirubin and pH for assessing the quality of indigo paste by documenting the various folk quality criteria and quantitative experiments. These findings differ from existing synthetic indigo-quality standards. Amid rapid modernization, traditional knowledge remains invaluable in world heritage of humanity that warrants preservation.

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Quality blues: traditional knowledge used for natural indigo identification in southern China

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine ◽

10.1186/s13002-021-00454-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yuru Shi ◽

Libin Zhang ◽

Lu Wang ◽

Shan Li ◽

Zuchuan Qiu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Traditional Knowledge ◽

High Performance ◽

Southern China ◽

Quality Criterion ◽

Quality Criteria ◽

Local People ◽

Material Basis ◽

Ph Range

Abstract Background As one of the oldest traditional dyes, people worldwide have used natural indigo for centuries. Local people have unique knowledge about indigo identification, which is crucial for indigo quality control and determining the dyeing effects. However, such traditional knowledge is rarely documented and explained. Therefore, the aims of this study were to document and assess the traditional knowledge used by local people when identifying natural indigo paste as well as quantitatively explore the characteristics and material basis of such traditional knowledge. Method Three field surveys were conducted between 2019 and 2020. A total of 283 traditional indigo-paste artisans were interviewed in Guizhou, Yunnan, and Fujian Provinces. The frequency of citation, mention index, and fidelity level of each indigo-paste quality criterion were calculated to determine the most commonly used, recognized, and important quality criteria. To explore the characteristics and material basis of the traditional knowledge, we analyzed 21 indigo-paste samples using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD), pH, and particle size analyses. Results Local people possess unique knowledge to identify natural indigo. Based on this knowledge accumulated over thousands of years, four criteria (color, taste, touch, and dyeing ability) were chosen by local people, and using these criteria, nature indigo was divided into five quality grades. The best quality indigo paste was judged according to the following folk criteria: dark blue in color with a purple-red luster; smooth and difficult to wipe off; having a sweet, bitter or spicy taste; and easy cloth dyeing. Additionally, the higher the contents of indigo and indirubin—especially indirubin—the better is the quality of the indigo paste. Within the pH range of 9–12, high-quality indigo-paste was more acidic. There was no significant relationship between particle size and quality. Conclusion The ancient methods used by local people for identifying natural indigo are comprehensive and unique. By documenting the various folk quality criteria and conducting quantitative analyses, this study revealed the importance of indirubin and pH for assessing the quality of indigo paste. These findings differ from existing quality standards for synthetic indigo. Amid rapid modernization, traditional knowledge remains invaluable as a world heritage of humanity that warrants preservation.

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PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTI-ACNE ETHOSOMES USING COLD AND THIN-LAYER HYDRATION METHODS

International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics ◽

10.22159/ijap.2018.v10s1.75 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 338

Author(s):

Rachmawati Ramadhana Mustofa ◽

Iskandarsyah .

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Particle Size ◽

Thin Layer ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Multilamellar Vesicles ◽

Zeta Potentials ◽

Small Unilamellar Vesicles

Objective: This study aimed to prepare and characterize anti-acne ethosomes using the cold- and thin-layer hydration methods.Methods: A sonication step was included during ethosome preparation to improve the quality of the cold method. Azelaic acid, Phospholipon 90G,ethanol, propylene glycol, and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) were used in the procedures. Prepared ethosomal suspensions were characterized usingtransmission electron microscopy, particle-size analysis, and spectrophotometry.Results: Ethosomes prepared using the thin-layer hydration method (F1) had small unilamellar vesicles, while those prepared using the cold methodwith 15-min sonication (F4) showed spherical, elliptical, unilamellar, and multilamellar vesicles. F1 ethosomes had a Dmean volume of 648.57±231.26,whereas those prepared using the cold method with 5- (F2), 10- (F3), and 15-min (F4) sonication had Dmean volumes of 2734.04±231.49 nm,948.90±394.52 nm, and 931.69±471.84 nm, respectively. Polydispersity indices of F2, F3, and F4 ethosomes were 0.74±0.21, 0.86±0.05, and 0.91±0.03,respectively, with a poor particle-size distribution, compared to that of F1 (0.39±0.01). Zeta potentials of F1–F4 ethosomes were −38.27±1.72 mV,−23.53±1.04 mV, −31.4±1.04 mV, and −34.3±1.61 mV, respectively. Entrapment efficiencies of F1–F4 ethosomes were 90.71±0.11%, 53.84±3.16%,72.56±0.28%, and 75.11±1.42%, respectively.Conclusion: Anti-acne ethosomes produced using the thin-layer hydration method had superior properties than those produced using the coldmethod with 15-min sonication.

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Characterization and Granulometric Correction Soil for the Production of Soil-Cement Blocks for Two Method, Particle Size and X-Ray Florescence to be Inserted in Phase Change Materials (PCMS)

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.798-799.355 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 798-799 ◽

pp. 355-359 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Valter Bezerra Dantas ◽

U.U. Gomes ◽

A.B. Vital ◽

G.S. Marinho ◽

Ariadne de Souza Silva

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Phase Change Materials ◽

Clay Content ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Liquid Limit ◽

Size Analysis ◽

X Ray ◽

Soil Cement

This paper presents the results of tests for characterization of soil samples collected in Mossoró-RN, UFERSA-RN Campus (5 ° 12'34 .68 "South latitude, 37 ° 19 '5.74 "west longitude), for the purpose of producing soil-cement for the manufacture of pressed blocks. Objective of improving the quality of soil-cement, and provide conditions for the use of the soil making it ideal for the production of soil-cement block. Tests of compaction, particle size analysis, plastic limit, liquid limit and correct particle size, X-ray fluorescence and morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was concluded that the soil needs correction particle size, due to the high clay content. The method combined grading, sieving, sedimentation and blooming X-ray as the fastest and most accurate in correcting soil particle size.

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The Effect of Silica Fused Addition as Filler on Zircon Based Refractory Coating

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.988.23 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 988 ◽

pp. 23-29

Author(s):

Davino Aditya Dwinanda ◽

Donanta Dhaneswara ◽

Bionolla Shandiana

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Simultaneous Thermal Analysis ◽

Casting Process ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Partial Substitution ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Refractory Coating ◽

Alternative Material ◽

Thermal Stability Of

Refractory coating is widely used in metal casting process to protect the mold from direct contact with molten metal. This coating also could improve the surface quality of casting product. Zircon is common materials that used as filler, but the materials cost is quite high. Therefore, alternative material is needed to make partial substitution of the filler. Silica Fused can be considered as filler because it has good refractoriness. This study aims to determine silica fused is reliable as an alternative to substitute zircon filler. The samples were made with 16%, 18%, and 20% silica fused addition and different treatment which were heated and non-heated drying. Particle size and distributions of the filler were analyzed using Particle Size Analysis. Viscosity measurement has been done to coating slurry to analyze the rheological characteristics of the slurry. The surface morphology of dried coating was taken using Scanning Electron Microscope. XRD test also has been done to analyse the compound. The quality of coating was determined from the thermal stability of the coating that was analyzed using Simultaneous Thermal Analysis. The result shows that silica fused is reliable as an alternative material for filler partial substitution.

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Carbon Quality of Four-Year-Old Woodchips in a Denitrification Bed Treating Agricultural Drainage Water

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.12642 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 61 (3) ◽

pp. 995-1000 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ehsan Ghane ◽

Gary W. Feyereisen ◽

Carl J. Rosen ◽

Ulrike W. Tschirner

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Drainage Water ◽

Particle Size Analysis ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Agricultural Drainage ◽

Carbon Quality ◽

The Mean ◽

Lignocellulose Index ◽

Effect Of Age

Abstract. A denitrification bed is a system that can reduce the nitrate concentration in subsurface drainage water. There is a need to investigate the carbon quality of old woodchips to gain a better understanding of the effect of age on woodchip properties. The objectives of this study were to characterize the carbon quality and carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio of aged woodchips and to examine the suitability of a denitrification bed for a replicated experiment. To achieve these goals, we excavated four-year-old woodchips along the length of a 106.4 m long denitrification bed near Willmar, Minnesota, and analyzed them for particle size, C/N ratio, and carbon quality. Particle size analysis showed similarities from 12.5 to 106.4 m along the bed. We found a mean C/N ratio ranging from 58.4 ±3.17 to 153.4 ±9.57 (smallest at the inlet). The mean lignocellulose index (LCI, a measure of carbon quality) of the four-year-old woodchips ranged from 0.47 to 0.57 (highest at the inlet). The woodchip particle sizes, C/N ratios, and LCI from 25.9 to 106.4 m along the bed length were similar. In conclusion, the C/N ratio and LCI of the four-year-old woodchips showed effects of decomposition and increased woodchip carbon recalcitrance over time, respectively. Keywords: Denitrifying bioreactor, Tile drainage, Water quality, Woodchip bioreactor.

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