Tylocinum is no longer monotypic: Tylocinum brevisporum sp. nov. (Boletales, Boletaceae) from northern Thailand

Tylocinum Y.C. Li & Zhu L. Yang 2016 is a Boletaceae genus belonging in subfamily Leccinoideae. It was described in 2016 from China and, prior to this study, it contained only one species, T. griseolum Y.C. Li & Zhu L. Yang 2016. During our survey of Boletaceae from Thailand, we collected some specimens that could be identified as a Tylocinum species, different from T. griseolum. The bolete specimens, collected in forests dominated by Dipterocarpaceae and Fagaceae in northern Thailand, are described as Tylocinum brevisporum Raghoonundon & Raspé sp. nov. Macroscopic and microscopic descriptions with illustrations are provided, as well as a 3-gene phylogeny, which confirms the new taxon’s position in Tylocinum. Tylocinum brevisporum differs from the only other known Tylocinum species (T. griseolum) by its brownish-grey colour, greyish-orange to brownish-orange colour change in the hymenophore when bruised, smaller pores (≤ 0.5 mm), longer tubes (up to 6 mm long), shorter and narrower basidiospores, longer and broader basidia and longer pleurocystidia relative to cheilocystidia. T. brevisporum is the second species from the genus Tylocinum and the only one to be found outside China thus far.

Mineralogical and hydrogeological study of "pouhons" in the lower Palaeozoic formations of the Stavelot-Venn Massif, Belgium

Numerous naturally CO2-rich mineral water springs, locally called pouhons, occur in the Stavelot-Venn Massif. These water springs show a particular composition with a high content of iron, manganese and lithium, and are characterised by a red-orange colour resulting from iron hydroxide precipitation near the land surface. Radon measurements have shown that these ferruginous deposits are weakly radioactive. The Upper Cambrian black shales of the La Gleize Formation are also known to display radioactive anomalies. These rocks show enrichment in HFSE (Pb, U, Y, Ce, Zr, Ti, Nb) and are depleted in transition metals (Co, Ni, Cu, Zn). Specific minerals such as florencite-(Ce), monazite-(Ce), xenotime-(Y) and zircon have been identified and are probably at the origin of the radioactive anomalies. Uranium was gradually leached from these minerals, transported in solution, and finally concentrated in ferruginous muds. These muds are mainly composed of goethite (most often amorphous), residual quartz and calcite in some samples. The most probable hypothesis is that uranium is adsorbed in small concentrations on the goethite surface. On the other hand, the Ottré Formation (Ordovician) appears to be the main source of lithium, iron and manganese. Pouhon waters have therefore probably leached rocks of various mineralogy and chemical composition during their sub-surface circulation.

Orange Pickeringite from the Algares 30-Level Adit, Aljustrel Mine, Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal

The sheltered environment of the Algares +30 level adit (underground mine gallery) contributes to the preservation of secondary water-soluble minerals formed on the tunnel walls. The massive sulphide and related stockwork zone are hosted by the Mine Tuff volcanic unit and are exposed in the walls of the gallery, showing intense oxidation and hydrothermal alteration. Minerals from the halotrichite group were identified on the efflorescent salts, typically white fine-acicular crystals but also on aggregates with dark orange/brownish colour. Mineral characterization was performed using several methods and analytical techniques (XRD, XRF-WDS, SEM-EDS, DTA-TG), and the chemical formulas were calculated maintaining the ratio A:B ≅ 1:2 in accordance with the general formula of the halotrichite group, AB2(SO4)4·22H2O. This methodology allowed the assignment of the orange colour to the presence of trivalent iron on iron-rich pickeringite in partial substitution of aluminium.

External Quality of Mandarins: Influence of Fruit Appearance Characteristics on Consumer Choice

In a pre-purchase situation, consumer perception of mandarin quality is almost exclusively based on fruit appearance. Determination of consumer requirements in this regard is needed to preserve the current success of this crop in markets worldwide. In this study, the effect on consumer choice of different appearance characteristics that can occur mainly in early-season mandarins was quantified. Two independent Choice-Based Conjoint Analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of different external mandarin factors: (1) two factors linked mainly with harvesting practices: ‘Leaf’ (no leaves but sound calyx/fresh leaf/dehydrated leaf) and ‘Rind Colour’ (orange colour/rind with slightly greenish areas); (2) three factors related to postharvest handling: ‘Calyx Condition’ (sound/blackening/detached),’Waxing’ (absence/presence of wax), and ‘Rind Condition’ (dehydrated/turgid). A total of 280 consumers participated in each study. The evaluation of the factors linked with harvesting revealed four different choice patterns. Leaf presence was appreciated only by a small group of consumers (20%), and the presence of greenish areas on the rind was perceived mostly as a negative characteristic. Among the evaluated postharvest-related factors, ‘Waxing’ and ‘Calyx condition’ had the strongest effect on consumer choice. Consumers showed marked preferences for mandarins that had been waxed and presented shine and gloss. Calyx blackening and detachment had a negative effect mainly on waxed fruit, while rind dehydration more negatively affected the fruit that had not been waxed. Consumer perception of mandarin quality is importantly affected by external mandarin characteristics. The information herein reported can be very useful for the citrus industry for adapting quality control criteria that respond to consumer demands.

How does the pH of a solvent influence the solubility of turmeric in it?

Turmeric is a culinary spice used in many meals particularly in traditional Indian cuisine. Turmeric has a bright orange colour that is due to the presence of curcumin within it. Because of it’s bright colour, it is important to be able to easily remove turmeric stains from clothing. In my research I attempted to find the ideal conditions for removing turmeric stains and found that no investigation had been made into the impact the pH of the cleaning agent on its effectiveness. In this investigation the solubility of turmeric in 5 different solutions was found using colorimetry. Colorimetry is a scientific technique that is used to determine the concentration of coloured solutions by the application of the Beer-Lambert law. This method allowed the solubility of turmeric to be determined, in a range of different solvents with good accuracy and precision. The experimental results showed that turmeric was more soluble in solutions with higher pH levels as the solubility in 0.2M sodium hydroxide was 17.6mg/mL and in pure ethanol was 10.1mg/mL, while the solubility in hydrochloric acid was only 0.034mg/mL. Ultimately, this investigation shows that turmeric is more soluble in basic solutions and hence basic solvents are more effective removers of turmeric stains. A claim which was shown to be true by washing turmeric stained clothes with the solvents and comparing the cleaned clothes. This investigation also shows that turmeric could be used as a pH indicator as it has a different colour in different pH solutions.

Potential sources of anti-obesity compound – hydroxycitric acid among some of the underutilized fruits in the Philippines

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a derivative of citric acid, is one of the promising food components with reported anti-obesity properties. HCA is currently extracted only from its principal source, Garcinia cambogia, which is not readily available in the country. Herewith, the study aims to identify potential sources of HCA among local underutilized fruits to increase their current commercial use. A total of twenty underutilized fruits generally rich in citric acid were screened via histochemical staining to detect the presence of HCA. Those samples that produced the characteristic reddish orange colour complexes indicative of HCA have undergone further experiments including extraction (via water extraction method), quantification (via spectrophotometry), and identity validation (via thin layer chromatography) to determine the actual HCA sources. Out of the 20 local fruits tested, HCA was found only from Tamarindus indica L. (tamarind) flesh at 3.731±0.046 g HCA/100 g fresh weight and from Garcinia binucao (batuan) flesh and seeds at 3.447±0.059 g HCA/100 g fresh weight and 1.241±0.009 g HCA/100 g fresh weight, respectively. Meanwhile, most of the other fruits tested were found to contain merely citric acid. This study could bring new ways in utilizing batuan and tamarind fruits as functional ingredients in nutraceuticals and value-added products, thereby increasing its current health and economic significance.

FeIII, CuII and ZnII Complexes of the Rigid 9-Oxido-phenalenone Ligand—Spectroscopy, Electrochemistry, and Cytotoxic Properties

The three complexes [Fe(opo)3], [Cu(opo)2], and [Zn(opo)2] containing the non-innocent anionic ligand opo− (opo− = 9-oxido-phenalenone, Hopo = 9-hydroxyphenalonone) were synthesised from the corresponding acetylacetonates. [Zn(opo)2] was characterised using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, the paramagnetic [Fe(opo)3] and [Cu(opo)2] by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. While the EPR spectra of [Cu(opo)2] and [Cu(acac)2] in dimethylformamide (DMF) solution are very similar, a rather narrow spectrum was observed for [Fe(opo)3] in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution in contrast to the very broad spectrum of [Fe(acac)3] in THF (Hacac = acetylacetone, 2,4-pentanedione; acac− = acetylacetonate). The narrow, completely isotropic signal of [Fe(opo)3] disagrees with a metal-centred S = 5/2 spin system that is observed in the solid state. We assume spin-delocalisation to the opo ligand in the sense of an opo− to FeIII electron transfer. All compounds show several electrochemical opo-centred reduction waves in the range of −1 to −3 V vs. the ferrocene/ferrocenium couple. However, for CuII and FeIII the very first one-electron reductions are metal-centred. Electronic absorption in the UV to vis range are due to π–π* transitions in the opo core, giving Hopo and [Zn(opo)2] a yellow to orange colour. The structured bands ranging from 400 to 500 for all compounds are assigned to the lowest energy π−π* transitions. They show markedly higher intensities and slight shifts for the CuII (brown) and FeIII (red) complexes and we assume admixing metal contributions (MLCT for CuII, LMCT for FeIII). For both complexes long-wavelength absorptions assignable to d–d transitions were detected. Detailed spectroelectrochemical experiments confirm both the electrochemical and the optical assignments. Hopo and the complexes [Cu(opo)2], [Zn(opo)2], and [Fe(opo)3] show antiproliferative activities against HT-29 (colon cancer) and MCF-7 (breast cancer) cell lines in the range of a few µM, comparable to cisplatin under the same conditions.

Physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics of ciku fruit (Manilkara zapota) pastilles

Ciku fruit (Manilkara zapota), also known as sapodilla is an exotic tropical fruit commonly eaten by Malaysians but not as popular as durians, rambutans, and bananas. Due to the short period of storage of ripened ciku fruits, making or converting it to a new end product such as pastille may promote the utilization and promote this tropical climate fruit and provide a wide range of products. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop ciku pastille and determine the physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics of ciku pastilles. A total of six formulations of ciku pastille were developed based on the different amounts of ciku purée (10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18% and 20% of ciku purée) added. The pastilles were analysed for their texture profile analysis (TPA), water activity (Aw), total soluble solids (TSS), colour analysis, pH, moisture content, ash, fibre and antioxidative activity. Results showed that formulation F (20% ciku purée) illustrated the highest value for moisture (18.59%), ash (2.43%), fibre (2.65%) and scavenging activity (36.58%). The production of this product is highly likely to be commercialised as no synthetic preservatives and artificial colouring were used. The ciku pastille was successfully developed with brownish-orange colour, round-shaped with a diameter of 1.0-1.2 cm, weighing approximately 1.2-1.5 g. Formulation B (12% ciku purée) has 62.7⁰ Brix with pH 4.3, which had an acidic aftertaste and a water activity of 0.54. For colour analysis, L* value (59.76), a* value (23.71) and b* value (34.33) brought the brownish-orange colour for ciku pastille. Formulation B (12% ciku purée) was highly accepted by the panellists and retained its good texture and colour after being kept in the chiller for 2 months at below 18°C. The analysis, therefore, revealed that the physicochemical properties of the ciku pastille produced were enhanced and found to be rich in antioxidants and accepted by the panellists. Ciku fruit may consequently be a possible natural ingredient for pastille production, thus promoting its use in the food sector.

Self-Assembly and Photophysical Studies of an Unusual Red Colored Dye Which Show Green Fluorescence in Cell Imaging

<p>We report for the very first time self-assembly of a red color dye 7-Amino-6h-anthra[9,1-cd][1,2]thiazol-6-one (<b>AAT</b>),its photophysical properties and its applications in cell imaging<b>.</b>Interestingly, <b>AAT </b>show intense red colour in visible light while it shows the orange colour fluorescence under UV light @312nm.Surprisingly, when this dye was used as cell imaging agent it revealed only green fluorescence inside cells and not red. Hence, the photophysical properties of this dye was very intriguing. Further, when self-assembling properties of this dye was examined it revealed formation of tree like branched structures which appeared red both under green and red filter which was again an unexpected result..Interestingly <b>AAT</b> self-assembly also show morphological transition and the branched tree like structures changes to straight fibres as the solvent is changed from DMSO to THF. Hence, the results of self-assembly and cell imaging were contrary to each other and the photophysical properties of this dye is very unusual as compared to conventional dyes. Our future endeavours willaim to understand this anomalous behaviour in greater details in future through various biophysical assays.</p>

Self-Assembly and Photophysical Studies of an Unusual Red Colored Dye Which Show Green Fluorescence in Cell Imaging

<p>We report for the very first time self-assembly of a red color dye 7-Amino-6h-anthra[9,1-cd][1,2]thiazol-6-one (<b>AAT</b>),its photophysical properties and its applications in cell imaging<b>.</b>Interestingly, <b>AAT </b>show intense red colour in visible light while it shows the orange colour fluorescence under UV light @312nm.Surprisingly, when this dye was used as cell imaging agent it revealed only green fluorescence inside cells and not red. Hence, the photophysical properties of this dye was very intriguing. Further, when self-assembling properties of this dye was examined it revealed formation of tree like branched structures which appeared red both under green and red filter which was again an unexpected result..Interestingly <b>AAT</b> self-assembly also show morphological transition and the branched tree like structures changes to straight fibres as the solvent is changed from DMSO to THF. Hence, the results of self-assembly and cell imaging were contrary to each other and the photophysical properties of this dye is very unusual as compared to conventional dyes. Our future endeavours willaim to understand this anomalous behaviour in greater details in future through various biophysical assays.</p>