This study aimed to fabricate and characterize a novel colorimetric indicator designed to detect ammonia (NH3) and monitor meat freshness. The sensing platform was constructed using electrospun nanofibers made from polylactic acid (PLA), which were then impregnated with anthocyanins as a natural pH-sensitive dye, extracted from red cabbage. This research involved investigating the relationship between the various concentrations of anthocyanins and the colorimetric platform\'s efficiency when exposed to ammonia vapor. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results were used to examine the morphology and structure of the nanofiber mats before and after the dip-coating process. The study also delved into the selectivity of the indicator when exposed to various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their stability under extreme humidity levels. Furthermore, the platform\'s sensitivity was evaluated as it encountered ammonia (NH3) in concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 ppm, with varying dye concentrations. The developed indicator demonstrated an exceptional detection limit of 1 ppm of MH3 within just 30 min, making it highly sensitive to subtle changes in gas concentration. The indicator proved effective in assessing meat freshness by detecting spoilage levels in beef over time. It reliably identified spoilage after 10 h and 7 days, corresponding to bacterial growth thresholds (107 CFU/mL), both at room temperature and in refrigerated environments, respectively. With its simple visual detection mechanism, the platform offered a straightforward and user-friendly solution for consumers and industry professionals alike to monitor packaged beef freshness, enhancing food safety and quality assurance.

Biocolourants could be a sustainable option for dyes that require fossil-based chemicals in their synthesis. We studied the in vitro toxicity of anthraquinone aglycone extract obtained from Cortinarius sanguineus fungus and compared it to the toxicity of its two main components, emodin and previously studied dermocybin. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress responses in HepG2 liver and THP-1 immune cell lines were studied along with skin sensitisation. In addition, genotoxicity was studied with comet assay in HepG2 cells. Cellular viability was determined by MTT, propidium iodide, and lactate dehydrogenase assays, which showed that the highest doses of both the aglycone extract and emodin affected the viability. However, the effect did not occur in all of the used assays. Notably, after both exposures, a dose-dependent increase in oxidative stress factors was observed in both cell lines as measured by MitoSOX and dihydroethidium assays. C. sanguineus extract was not genotoxic in the comet assay. Importantly, both emodin and the extract activated the skin sensitisation pathway in the KeratinoSens assay, suggesting that they can induce allergy in humans. As emodin has shown cytotoxic and skin-sensitising effects, it is possible that the adverse effects caused by the extract are also mediated by it since it is the main component present in the fungus.

Nowadays, secondary raw materials (SRM) obtained from plant matrices are of great interest for circular economy, suitable for sustainable measures to reduce environmental impact. This work focused on the extraction, characterization and quantification of compounds obtained from leaves and fruits of the Sicilian sumac, Rhus coriaria L. and their application as natural dyes on textile fibres. Extractions were performed with Extractor Naviglio®, maceration and ultrasound assisted methods and food-grade solvents (aqueous and hydroalcoholic) to evaluate the yields for dye compounds. The presence of colouring molecules was evaluated by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and the extracts selected for colouring were quantified and characterized by LC-MS. The results showed that Extractor Naviglio® achieved the best extraction yield, and the ethanol-water mixture extracts had a higher amount of total phenolic compounds (TPC) and a higher content of total colouring compounds (TCC). These extracts were selected for subsequent applications as dyes for linen, cotton and wool. The chemical profile of selected extracts was rich in compounds such as gallotannin and anthocyanin class. Fibre dyeing was verified by recording CIELAB colouring coordinates. The results suggest that the dyes obtained from R. coriaria can be of great interest for artisanal and industrial processes, in accordance with environmental sustainability.

The present study investigates the usage of a novel natural dye derived from red algae of Morocco in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) for the first time. The main pigments responsible for sensitizing the semiconductor TiO2 coatings in the red algae were identified as phycoerythrin, carotenoid, and chlorophyll. The efficiency of a DSSC made from red algae was compared to that of a solar cell made from chlorophyll alone. The photovoltaic performance of the DSSC was evaluated through photocurrent density to photovoltage (J-V) characteristic analysis, and the efficiency was found to be 0.93%. To gain insights into its behavior, the absorbance and photoluminescence in a broad range were studied. Both absorbance and photoluminescence exhibited a broad-spectrum range. Additionally, electronic properties, such as HOMO, LUMO, energy gap, and chemical reactivity parameters, were studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

The production of antibacterial colored textiles using nanomaterials (NMs) has become an ideal goal from both a research and industrial perspective. In this study, the clean synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on polyamide fabrics were performed using mullein extract for the first time. Natural dyes were extracted from mullein leaves using an ultrasonic method, with an optimal amount of 15 g/L. The synthesized AgNPs in different ratios of mullein extract and Ag ions were analyzed (using UV-visible spectroscopy) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was found that AgNPs synthesized with a ratio of 1:4 of mullein extract: to Ag ions had a diameter of 85 nm. The active site groups of the synthesized AgNPs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Nylon fabrics dyed with different ratios of mullein extract and Ag ions exhibited acceptable color strength values (K/S) of 3.36. Furthermore, the reduction in bacterial growth for dyed fabrics improved with an increase in the ratio of Ag ions, with a 100% reduction observed for a sample dyed with mullein extract: Ag ions at a ratio of 1:4. Overall, this method offers a simple, low-cost, and compatible process with environment without the consumption of any chemicals to producing nylon with acceptable antibacterial and dyeing properties.

This research aims to optimize the silk and wool dyeing process using natural dyes from Bixa orellana (annatto) through response surface methodology. Central composite design experiments highlight the significant enhancement of color outcomes achieved through microwave treatment. For silk, the optimal conditions (80 °C for 40 min) with annatto extract yield a color strength (K/S) of 17.8588, while wool achieves a K/S of 7.5329. Introducing eco-friendly bio-mordants, such as pomegranate peel and red sumac tannins, enhances color strength. Pre-dyeing treatments with 2% red sumac, 1.5% pomegranate peel, and weld flower extracts for silk produce high color strength, with K/S values of 16.4063, 16.3784, and 12.1658, respectively. Post-dyeing, the K/S values increase to 40.1178, 17.4779, and 21.6494. Wool yarn exhibits similar improvements, with pre-dyeing K/S values of 13.1353, 13.5060, and 16.3232, escalating to 10.5892, 15.3141, and 23.4850 post-dyeing. Furthermore, this research underscores improved colorfastness properties, including notable enhancements in light, wash, and rubbing fastness for both silk fabric and wool yarn. These findings underscore the efficacy of the proposed sustainable dyeing methods, offering valuable insights for eco-friendly textile production.

Indigo quality is determined by its indigotin content. Another quality indicator is colour. For an evaluation of species, indigo samples from Indigofera tinctoria, Indigofera suffruticosa, Indigofera arrecta, Persicaria tinctoria, Strobilanthes cusia and Wrightia laevis cultivated in Austria and China were visually classified and analysed spectrophotometrically and using a L*a*b* measuring device. In addition to a standardised hot-extraction method without lime, some samples were extracted simulating traditional methods at ambient temperatures using lime. The highest indigotin contents were achieved with Indigofera arrecta (55%, Austria) and Strobilanthes cusia (56%, China). There were no statistically significant differences between the indigo extraction yields of the species cultivated in Austria, but Indigofera arrecta and Persicaria tinctoria had statistically significantly higher indigotin extraction yields than Indigofera tinctoria and Indigofera suffruticosa. From the species extracted in China, Strobilanthes cusia showed higher values in all parameters than Indigofera tinctoria, Indigofera suffruticosa and Wrightia laevis. Compared with the standardised method, the method simulating local practice yielded more indigo but had a lower indigotin content; the indigotin extraction yields did not differ greatly. L*a*b* values enabled precise estimations of the indigotin content, making it an interesting option for quality control, as inexpensive, easy-to-handle L*a*b* measuring instruments have become available.

Employing naturally extracted dyes and their derivatives as photosensitizers towards the construction of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has been recently emerging for establishing sustainable energy conversion devices. In this present work, Rhodobacter Sphaeroides Photobacteria (Rh. Sphaeroides) was used as a natural source from which Bacteriopheophytine-a (Bhcl) dye was extracted. Further, two cationic derivatives of Bhcl, viz., Guanidino-bacteriopheophorbide-a (Gua-Bhcl) and (2-aminoethyl)triphenylphosphono-bacteriopheophorbide-a (2AETPPh-Bhcl) were synthesized. The thus obtained Bhcl, Gua-Bhcl and 2AETPPh-Bhcl were characterized using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and their photophysical properties were investigated using excitation and emission studies. All three near-infrared (NIR) responsive dyes were employed as natural sensitizers towards the construction of DSSC devices, using platinum as a photocathode, dye-sensitized P25-TiO2 as a photoanode and I-/I3- as an electrolyte. DSSCs fabricated using all three dyes have shown reasonably good photovoltaic performance, among which 2AETPPh-Bhcl dye has shown a relatively higher power conversion efficiency (η) of 0.38% with a short circuit photocurrent density (JSC) of 1.03 mA cm-2. This could be attributed to the dye\'s natural optimal light absorption in the visible and NIR region and uniform dispersion through the electrostatic interaction of the cationic derivatives on the TiO2 photoanode. Furthermore, the atomic force microscopy studies and electrochemical investigations using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Bode\'s plot also supported the enhancement in performance attained with 2AETPPh-Bhcl dye.

Environmental sustainability, resource availability, and cost-effectiveness are the driving forces behind the search for natural sensitised dyes to replace synthetic ones. Using a combination of pigments as the sensitised dye in dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) offers several advantages over using a single pigment. In this present study, natural dyes with different pigments were extracted from three local plants: Coccinia grandis (Ivy gourd leaves, IGL), Oryza sativa Linn (Black glutinous rice, BGR), and Curcuma longa L. (Turmeric, TM). Each colour extract absorbed various wavelengths of light. It was found that the single IGL-dye (green) had a greater light absorption and energy band gap over visible light than other extracts (dyes). Then combinations of these dyes were examined. A sensitised dye combination with a primary to secondary dye in a volumetric ratio of 80/20 exhibited multiple energy band gaps, implying multiple electron excitations at different photon energy levels. Compared to other mixed dyes, IGL/TM-dye had the highest absorbance and electron excitation at three wavelengths with the smallest energy band gap values of 1.74, 2.51, and 2.59 eV. The IGL-dye had the highest DSSC efficiency of 0.15 % for single dyes, followed by the TM-dye and BGR-dye, which had 0.12 % and 0.04 %, respectively. Interestingly, for combined dyes, the IGL/TM dye increased DSSC efficiency to 0.3 %. Since natural dyes tend to be less effective in DSSCs than synthetic dyes because they have a narrower absorption range, higher redox potentials, shorter operational lifetimes, higher rates of electron recombination, and different molecular structures, the dye co-sensitization strategy is one of the best ways to make more effective cells in the future.

This research investigates the viability of using Syzygium aromaticum (clove) as a natural dye for wool yarn through the application of microwave treatment and optimization using central composite design (CCD). As concerns grow over the environmental impact of synthetic dyes and their detrimental disposal in water bodies, the search for eco-friendly alternatives becomes imperative to revolutionize the textile industry. Microwave-assisted extraction of the colorant from clove powder is explored as an efficient and sustainable method, minimizing solvent usage and energy consumption compared to conventional techniques. To enhance colorfastness properties while eliminating the need for toxic mordants, green alternatives such as Al, Fe, and tannic acid, combined with plant phenolics from red sumac, pomegranate rind, and weld, are employed. According to the analysis of CCD, the higher color strength value 18.1653 was achieved using pH = 3, time = 50 min, temperature = 70 °C, and salt concentration = 1.5 g/100 mL. The optimized dyeing conditions also showed a maximum level of colorfastness properties of 5 for light, 5 for wash, 5 for dry rubbing, and 4 for wet rubbing. The findings from Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses provide valuable insights into the chemical and morphological changes induced by microwave treatment and dyeing with clove extract. The results affirm the presence of eugenol as a potential active molecule responsible for the captivating color of clove flower buds, validating its suitability as a natural dye source for wool. This study highlights the promising potential of microwave-assisted extraction and plant-based biomolecules as innovative and environmentally friendly approaches in natural dyeing, paving the way for a more sustainable future in the textile industry. Embracing these eco-friendly practices allows the textile sector to reduce its ecological footprint and contribute to a cleaner and greener environment. Further research and implementation of these techniques can foster a more harmonious coexistence with nature, ensuring a healthier ecosystem for all.