PbLAC4-like, activated by PbMYB26, related to the degradation of anthocyanin during color fading in pear

Background Decrease in anthocyanin content results in the loss of red color in leaves, petals and receptacles during development. The content of anthocyanin was affected by the biosynthesis and degradation of anthocyanin. Compared with the known detailed mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthesis, the degradation mechanism is not fully investigated. It is vital to study the degradation mechanism of anthocyanin in pear for promoting the accumulation of anthocyanin and inhibiting the red fading in pear. Results Here, we reported that laccase encoded by PbLAC4-like was associated with anthocyanin degradation in pear. The expression pattern of PbLAC4-like was negatively correlated with the content of anthocyanin during the color fading process of pear leaves, petals and receptacles. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence alignment revealed that PbLAC4-like played a vital role in anthocyanin degradation. Thus, the degradation of anthocyanin induced by PbLAC4-like was further verified by transient assays and prokaryotic expression. More than 80% of anthocyanin compounds were degraded by transiently over-expressed PbLAC4-like in pear fruitlet peel. The activity of crude enzyme to degrade anthocyanin in leaves at different stages was basically consistent with the expression of PbLAC4-like. The anthocyanin degradation ability of prokaryotic induced PbLAC4-like protein was also verified by enzyme activity assay. Besides, we also identified PbMYB26 as a positive regulator of PbLAC4-like. Yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase assay results showed that PbMYB26 activated PbLAC4-like expression by directly binding to the PbLAC4-like promoter. Conclusions Taken together, the PbLAC4-like activated by PbMYB26, was involved in the degradation of anthocyanin, resulting in the redness fading in different pear tissues.

Eco-Friendly and Community Sustainable Textile Fabric Dyeing Methods From Thai Buffalo Manure: From Pasture to Fashion Designer

The research objective was to study local traditional wisdom of the art of producing fabric dye from fresh buffalo manure (FBM). Data were collected from rural weaving community cooperative (co-op) members and experts in Thailand’s northeastern Mekong River province of Nakhon Phanom. The study’s Method 1 added buffalo dung water, salt, and a mordant together, which was brought to a boil for 30 minutes. Method 2 added buffalo dung water and salt, which was brought to a boil for 10 minutes, after which a mordant agent was added, then boiled for an additional 30 minutes. There were five different formulas for each method using a different mordant. Results revealed that Method 1 had the best dyeing solution and produced a consistent, commercially usable, washable fabric with three-tone coloring and long-lasting yarn. Method 1 also used a hot dyeing technique in which cotton yarn and FBM were disinfected in a boiling vat while natural odor-reducing additives were added. Moreover, Method 1 consisted of either (1) FBM, salt, and lye, (2) FBM, salt, and muddy water, or (3) only salt added to FBM. These three solutions yielded a material in which testing by the Thailand Textile Institute (THTI) using ISO standards was determined to have a moderate degree of lightfastness, as well as an excellent resistance to color fading after washing. The study is important as it adds a wealth of knowledge to the literature concerning eco-friendly eco-fashion, sustainable products, and economically viable traditional handicraft textile production techniques.

An Environmentally Friendly Flow Injection-Gas Diffusion System Using Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Extract as Natural Reagent for the Photometric Determination of Sulfite in Wines

In this work, a green and simpler method for photometric determination of sulfite based on a flow injection-gas diffusion (FI-GD) system using a natural reagent extracted from roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) was proposed. Despite the fact that the employed reaction is not selective to sulfite, its sensitivity is high, and the selectivity can be improved by coupling a GD unit to the FI system. The method involves monitoring a decrease in absorbance of the reagent solution that is used as an acceptor solution. When a standard solution or sample solution was injected into an acidic donor stream, the liberated sulfur dioxide diffuses through a gas-permeable membrane of the GD unit into the acceptor solution, causing color fading of the reagent. A linear analytical curve in the range of 5–100 mg L−1 was obtained with a detection limit of 2 mg·L−1. Relative standard deviations of 0.9%, 0.6%, and 0.6% were obtained for the determination of 30, 70, and 100 mg·L−1 SO32- (n = 11). The developed method was applied to wine samples, giving results that agreed with those obtained with the Ripper titrimetric method. The proposed method offers advantages of simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and being environmentally friendly such as reduced chemical consumption and less waste generation.

PbLAC4-like, activated by PbMYB26, related to the degradation of anthocyanin during color fading in pear

Background Anthocyanin degradation results in the loss of red color in leaves, petals and receptacles during development. But the degradation mechanism is not fully investigated. It is vital to study the degradation mechanism of anthocyanin in pear for promoting the accumulation of anthocyanin and inhibiting the red fading in pear. Results Here, we reported that laccase encoded by PbLAC4-like was associated with anthocyanin degradation in pear. The expression pattern of PbLAC4-like was negatively correlated with the content of anthocyanin during the color fading process of pear leaves, petals and receptacles. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence alignment revealed that PbLAC4-like played a vital role in anthocyanin degradation. Thus, the degradation of anthocyanin induced by PbLAC4-like was further verified by transient assays and prokaryotic expression. More than 80% of anthocyanin compounds were degraded by transiently over-expressed PbLAC4-like in pear fruitlet peel. The activity of crude enzyme to degrade anthocyanin in leaves at different stages was basically consistent with the expression of PbLAC4-like. The anthocyanin degradation ability of prokaryotic induced PbLAC4-like protein was also verified by enzyme activity assay. Besides, we also identified PbMYB26 as a positive regulator of PbLAC4-like. Yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase assay results showed that PbMYB26 activated PbLAC4-like expression by directly binding to the PbLAC4-like promoter. Conclusions Taken together, the PbLAC4-like activated by PbMYB26, was involved in the degradation of anthocyanin, resulting in the redness fading in different pear tissues.

Correlated Functional Models with Derivative Information for Modeling Microfading Spectrometry Data on Rock Art Paintings

Rock art paintings present high sensitivity to light, and an exhaustive evaluation of the potential color degradation effects is essential for further conservation and preservation actions on these rock art systems. Microfading spectrometry (MFS) is a technique that provides time series of stochastic observations that represent color fading over time at the measured points on the surface under study. In this work, a reliable and robust modeling framework for a short and greatly fluctuating observation dataset collected over the surfaces of rock art paintings located on the walls of Cova Remigia in Ares del Maestrat, Castellón, Spain, is presented. The model is based on a spatially correlated spline-based time series model that takes into account prior information in the form of model derivatives to guarantee monotonicity and long-term saturation for predictions of new color fading estimates at unobserved locations on the surface. The correlation among the (spatially located) time series is modeled by defining Gaussian process (GP) priors over the spline coefficients across time series. The goal is to obtain a complete spatio-temporal mapping of color fading estimates for the study area, which results in very important and useful information that will potentially serve to create better policies and guidelines for heritage preservation and sustainable rock art cultural tourism.

Dynamic plasmonic color generation enabled by functional materials

Displays are an indispensable medium to visually convey information in our daily life. Although conventional dye-based color displays have been rigorously advanced by world leading companies, critical issues still remain. For instance, color fading and wavelength-limited resolution restrict further developments. Plasmonic colors emerging from resonant interactions between light and metallic nanostructures can overcome these restrictions. With dynamic characteristics enabled by functional materials, dynamic plasmonic coloration may find a variety of applications in display technologies. In this review, we elucidate basic concepts for dynamic plasmonic color generation and highlight recent advances. In particular, we devote our review to a selection of dynamic controls endowed by functional materials, including magnesium, liquid crystals, electrochromic polymers, and phase change materials. We also discuss their performance in view of potential applications in current display technologies.