INFLUENCE OF CULTIVAR AND FERTILIZATION WITH VERMICOMPOST ON FRUIT QUALITY AND YIELD IN LONICERA SPP.

This paper aims to study the influence of cultivar and vermicompost (organic fertilizer) treatments on fruit quality traits (fruit weight, flesh firmness, juice pH, chromatic coordinates in CIELab system, chlorophyll fluorescence) and plant productivity on Lonicera caerulea L. The experiment was carried out between 2019 and 2020, at the Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti, Romania. To achieve these, three honeysuckle cultivars ('Cera', 'Loni', and 'Kami') were treated with four fertilizer doses: 0.2, 0.3, 0.75, and 1.0 L per plant. We found that 'Cera' cultivar was characterized by fruits with the highest weight (0.67 g) and firmness (13.71 units Bareiss HPE-II-FFF), 'Kami' cultivar, had the highest total soluble solids content (17.09 °Brix), and 'Loni' was the most productive (33.33 g per plant). Compared to untreated plants, fertilization with vermicompost in a dose of 0.2 L per plant increased fruit weight by 14.81%, pH by 9.79%, and fruit production per plant by 36.65%, indicating that fertilization with vermicompost could be used in ecological honeysuckle culture technology.

The effect of N-tetradecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate addition on washing properties of liquid laundry detergents

The use of colorimetric analysis based on a CIELab system to determine detergency of commercial liquid laundrydetergents before and after modification with SB3C14 sulfobetaine (N-tetradecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate) is presented. The EMPA 101 standard cotton fabric soiled with carbon black and olive oil was usedin washing tests under the following conditions: temperature 40°C, rotational speed 200 rpm, 30 minute washing cycle,water hardness 5.35 mval/l, the concentration of liquid laundry detergents 1.25–50 g/l. The physicochemical analysis ofcolour, form, odour, pH, density, viscosity and content of anionic surfactants showed compliance with the manufacturers’declarations. The studies demonstrated that with increasing laundry detergent concentration a gradual increase indetergency occurred. At the highest tested concentrations of 50 g/L, detergency of 18.1% and 22.2% for cheaper L1 andmore expensive L2 products was achieved, respectively. Modification with the 5% addition of the zwitterionicsulfobetaine SB3C14 led to an improvement of the washing properties by 4.7% on average. At a concentration of 50 g/l,the modified L1 and L2 solutions demonstrated the highest detergency equal to 22.8% and 35.3%, respectively. Thisproves the existence of synergistic effect by the interaction of all ingredients in the solutions with higher concentrations.Microscopic analysis of EMPA 101 fabrics before and after washing processes showed no serious damage to the fibres,only the presence of slight fraying of individual ones. The results suggest that the SB3C14 sulfobetaine can besuccessfully used in liquid laundry detergents due to its very favourable surface properties

The effect of N-tetradecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate addition on washing properties of liquid laundry detergents

The use of colorimetric analysis based on a CIELab system to determine detergency of commercial liquid laundrydetergents before and after modification with SB3C14 sulfobetaine (N-tetradecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate) is presented. The EMPA 101 standard cotton fabric soiled with carbon black and olive oil was usedin washing tests under the following conditions: temperature 40°C, rotational speed 200 rpm, 30 minute washing cycle,water hardness 5.35 mval/l, the concentration of liquid laundry detergents 1.25–50 g/l. The physicochemical analysis ofcolour, form, odour, pH, density, viscosity and content of anionic surfactants showed compliance with the manufacturers’declarations. The studies demonstrated that with increasing laundry detergent concentration a gradual increase indetergency occurred. At the highest tested concentrations of 50 g/L, detergency of 18.1% and 22.2% for cheaper L1 andmore expensive L2 products was achieved, respectively. Modification with the 5% addition of the zwitterionicsulfobetaine SB3C14 led to an improvement of the washing properties by 4.7% on average. At a concentration of 50 g/l,the modified L1 and L2 solutions demonstrated the highest detergency equal to 22.8% and 35.3%, respectively. Thisproves the existence of synergistic effect by the interaction of all ingredients in the solutions with higher concentrations.Microscopic analysis of EMPA 101 fabrics before and after washing processes showed no serious damage to the fibres,only the presence of slight fraying of individual ones. The results suggest that the SB3C14 sulfobetaine can besuccessfully used in liquid laundry detergents due to its very favourable surface properties

Commercial special bread: Evaluation of texture, color, moisture content, water activity and nutritional labeling

Three types of special bread (WB: bread with whole-wheat flour, LWB: ‘light’ bread with whole-wheat flour, and MB: bread with multi-cereals) were purchased in the local market, and moisture content was analyzed as well as the following parameters water activity (aw), instrumental texture, and instrumental color of the bread (crust and crumb) using spectrophotometer with CIELab system (n=10). The chroma or C * value and the hue angle were also calculated. The labels of the bread were analyzed according to Resolution-RDC nº 360, which provides information about nutritional labeling of packaged foods. The three breads presented in their composition whole wheat flour and wheat fiber, which are indispensable ingredients for the loaves to be considered "special bread". The compression force applied to cause disruption in the bread was higher in WB (3.88 N) without significant difference with MB (3.79 N) and lower in LWB (2.85 N). The color parameters of the breads showed that WB was darker (lower value of L * = 34.44 in the crust) than the others.

Optimization of conventional and ultrasoundassisted extraction of Paeonia officinalis anthocyanins, as natural alternative for a green technology of cotton dyeing

Plant pigments gained popularity over synthetic dyes because of safety issues regarding the impact on health and environment. The present paper deals with optimization of anthocyanins extraction from Paeonia officinalis L. flowers and their application in cotton eco-dyeing processes. The results on extraction and mathematical models indicate improved extraction by ultrasonication at high solvent/solid ratio (50/1) compared to that by maceration. Among the investigated extraction solvents, the most efficient was 70% ethanol. Cotton dyeing was performed via conventional procedure and ultrasonication, in the presence and absence of classic mordant (copper sulphate) and biomordants (tannic and citric acids). A successful dyeing was obtained according to ATR-FTIR analysis of mordanted dyed samples. The colour properties of dyed cellulosic substrates as determined by CIELAB system showed higher redness values and large positive differences in chroma in samples dyed with peony extract by exhaustion in presence of high concentration of citric acid.

Oxygen Inhibition of Surface Composites and Its Correlation with Degree of Conversion and Color Stability

This study investigated the effects of oxygen inhibition and finishing/polishing procedures on the composite resin properties. One bulk-fill and two conventional composite resins (nanoparticle and microhybrid) were evaluated. Specimens were prepared using 4 surface treatments: control, no treatment; Gly, oxygen inhibition with glycerin; FP, finishing and polishing; Gly + FP, glycerin followed by finishing and polishing. The degree of conversion (DC) was measured using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) immediately and after 15 days (n=5). Color stability (ΔEab, and ΔE00) and opacity were evaluated using a spectrophotometer after 15 days of immersion in coffee, using the CIELAB system (n=5). Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05) and opacity by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Glycerin usage increased significantly the DC however had no influence on the ΔEab, ΔE00 and, opacity values. Finishing and polishing reduced ΔEab and ΔE00 values, regardless of composite resins. Microhybrid showed higher opacity, followed by the nanoparticle and bulk fill, regardless of surface treatment. Post-polymerization polishing procedures resulted in lower conversion than using an oxygen inhibitor agent (Gly condition), but similar staining caused by coffee.

Effect of the addition of starter cultures to ground meat for hamburger preparation

The aim of this work was to study the effect of a selected lactic acid bacteria formulation on the microbiological characteristics and colour of beef hamburgers stored at different temperatures. All hamburgers were evaluated on day-0, day-1, day-3, and day-5 for the following microbiological parameters (Staphylococcusspp., enterococci, Lactococcusspp., Lactobacillusspp., total mesophilic aerobes, Pseudomonasspp., total coliforms) according to standard methods and for colorimetric measurements performed with Colorimeter - Digital Color Picker for iOS 10, under a 6500K light, with the CIELab system. All data (geometric mean for microbiological data) were elaborated with GraphPad InStat, 3.0b and GraphPad Prism 6.0d for Mac OS X. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey's multiple comparisons test was performed. The analysis of the colour proved that the addition of LAB does not affect the natural colour of ground meat, avoiding the risk of hiding the spoilage or fastening it. The addition of the starter has preserved the colour stability throughout the preservation period, with the same behaviour both in the hamburgers stored at 4 °C and in those at 10 °C after thermal abuse or not. In conclusion, the application of the proposed LAB formulation maintains hamburgers quality standards and can be a potential tool to increase their shelf-life.

Improvement of washing properties of liquid laundry detergents by modification with N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate sulfobetaine

Detergency of commercial liquid detergents before and after modification with SB3C16 (5%, m/m) sulfobetaine (N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate) was examined using colorimetric analysis based on a CIELab system. The EMPA 101 standard cotton fabric soiled with carbon black and olive oil was used in washing tests under the following experimental conditions: the concentration of liquid laundry detergents 1.25–50 g/L, 30 min washing cycle, water hardness 5.35 mval/L, 40℃, 200 rpm. Results of physicochemical analysis of color, form, odor, pH, viscosity, density and content of anionic surfactants in detergents, as well as construction parameters of tested cotton fabrics, showed compliance with the requirements of standards and manufacturers’ declarations. The studies revealed that increasing the concentration of laundry detergent solutions caused a gradual increase in foaming power and detergency. Modification with SB3C16 positively improved washing ability and the maximum values were achieved at 23.7% (m-L1, 50 g/L) and 37% (m-L2, 40–45 g/L), respectively. Detergency efficiency was improved by 6.86% (m-L1) and 10.72% (m-L2) on average. EMPA 101 fabrics before and after washing were subjected to microscopic observations, which showed no serious damage to the fibers, but only slight loosening of individual fibers. In summary, the results clearly indicate that SB3C16 sulfobetaine favorably improves washing performance and can be successfully used in liquid laundry detergents due to its good surface properties.

Research into Methods for Determining Colour Differences in the CIELAB Uniform Colour Space

A problem of qualitative determination of the results of colour image capturing by digital devices based on uniform colour systems arises during analysis of colour images. The article describes methods of determining colour difference as recommended by CIE for the CIELAB system, presents mathematical formulation of the system and its modifications, describes the programme developed for calculating colour difference for each described method, and describes testing of this programme using 14 sample colours from the Munsell Book of Colour. Three groups of red, green and blue filters with 7 filters in each were selected as the study object. The filters were selected based on possibility of their further application for determining colour shift by digital devices. Filter colour difference was studied in the groups with different standard sources of light and using three methods of calculation of this difference. Analysis of the obtained results is presented and conclusions are made on possibility to apply each method in different industrial spheres. The article may be useful for colour analysis specialists, quality inspectors and specialists in digital devices and computer vision.