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In the actual industrial production process, the efficient biosynthesis and secretion of Monascus pigments (MPs) tend to take place under abiotic stresses, which often result in an imbalance of cell homeostasis. The present study aimed to thoroughly describe the changes in lipid profiles in Monascus purpureus by absolute quantitative lipidomics and tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics. The results showed that ammonium chloride stress (15 g/L) increased MP production while inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis, leading to an imbalance in membrane lipid homeostasis in Monascus. In response to the imbalance of lipid homeostasis, the regulation mechanism of phospholipids in Monascus was implemented, including the inhibition of lysophospholipids production, maintenance of the ratio of PC/PE, and improvement of the biosynthesis of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, and cardiolipin with high saturated and long carbon chain fatty acids through the CDP-DG pathway rather than the Kennedy pathway. The inhibition of lysophospholipid biosynthesis was attributed to the upregulated expression of protein and its gene related to lysophospholipase NTE1, while maintenance of the PC/PE ratio was achieved by the upregulated expression of protein and its gene related to CTP: phosphoethanolamine cytidylyltransferase and phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase in the Kennedy pathway. These findings provide insights into the regulation mechanism of MP biosynthesis from new perspectives.IMPORTANCEMonascus is important in food microbiology as it produces natural colorants known as Monascus pigments (MPs). The industrial production of MPs has been achieved by liquid fermentation, in which the nitrogen source (especially ammonium chloride) is a key nutritional parameter. Previous studies have investigated the regulatory mechanisms of substance and energy metabolism, as well as the cross-protective mechanisms in Monascus in response to ammonium chloride stress. Our research in this work demonstrated that ammonium chloride stress also caused an imbalance of membrane lipid homeostasis in Monascus due to the inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis. We found that the regulation mechanism of phospholipids in Monascus was implemented, including inhibition of lysophospholipids production, maintenance of the ratio of PC/PE, and improvement of biosynthesis of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, and cardiolipin with high saturated and long carbon chain fatty acids through the CDP-DG pathway. These findings further refine the regulatory mechanisms of MP production and secretion.

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Tattooing is an ancient art form widely practiced among Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel. The ink injected into skin tissue during tattooing often contains various compounds, including impurities and contaminants, which can pose health risks. This article provides an overview of recent research to inform SOF medical personnel about the potential health implications of both new and older tattoos.

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The data examines the evaluation of the quality of Gracilaria seaweed as the main raw material of various industrial products. Gracilaria, a red seaweed, serves as the primary ingredient in the agar industry and is subsequently utilized in food, biotechnological fields, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical applications due to its rich nutritional and bioactive compounds beneficial for human health. In fact, this seaweed has been cultivated in many regions and countries, especially in Indonesia. Several areas, particularly Java and Lombok Island, are known as the primary producers of Gracilaria seaweed and its derivatives in Indonesia. However, the current state of research lacks comprehensive exploration regarding the relationship or correlation between cultivation areas and the resultant quality of derived seaweed products. It is especially valuable to investigate the dataset concerning its nutrition and bioactive profile. Thus, this study aims to investigate and provide the chemical composition and bioactive compound of Estuarine Seaweed Gracilaria from four different cultivation areas in Java and Lombok Island in Indonesia. There are three areas in Java, specifically Karawang, Situbondo, and Pasuruan, and one area in Lombok, as the main location of sampling. These seaweed samples were then evaluated for their proximate composition, dietary fiber, selenium, iodine, carotene, antioxidant, and bioactive compound profiles. Gracilaria seaweed from Lombok Island, Situbondo, Pasuruan, and Karawang displayed moisture content in the range of 9-11%, ash content of 5-6%, fat content ranging from 0.26-0.62%, protein content between 9-17%, and carbohydrate content varying from 64-73%. The content of seaweed from Karawang, Pasuruan, Situbondo, and Lombok were recorded as 66.35%, 59.94%, 57.41%, and 72.56%, respectively. The analysis revealed that Gracilaria from the Lombok area had a selenium content of 18.82 mcg/100 g, whereas Karawang Seaweed showed 31.04 mcg/100 g of selenium. The Situbondo area exhibited iodine content (19676.96 mcg/100 g), while the Lombok area had iodine content (10588.19 mcg/100 g). Additionally, the carotene pigment content in Gracilaria ranged from 11.64 to 16.95 mg/kg. Gracilaria seaweed from the Lombok area displayed an IC50 value of 17.96 ppm for antioxidant activity and 26.82 ppm for alpha-glucosidase inhibitor activity. In contrast, Gracilaria samples from the Karawang area exhibited IC50 values of 25.44 ppm for antioxidant activity and 33.37 ppm for alpha-glucosidase inhibitor activity. A bioactive compound was also detected in Gracilaria, recognized as phlorotannin. The significance of these data extends to the selection of seaweed sources and conditions for potential applications, benefiting both the seaweed farming and research communities. Eventually, these findings data can be utilized for further testing and evaluation of seaweed as a raw material for nutraceutical supplements, functional foods, and sustainable biomaterials.

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Anthocyanins (ANCs) are water-soluble pigments that are useful as nutraceuticals due to their health benefits. This study was performed to evaluate the storage stability of purified and crude red grape ANCs in Raha Sweet (RS) during storage and to evaluate its sensory properties. ANCs were extracted from red grape pomace and purified with a macroporous resin. RS was prepared and colored with a synthetic food dye, Carmoisine (control), and ANCs (crude and purified). Pigments were extracted from RS weekly for a period of seven weeks and the absorbance was read spectrophotometrically. RS colored with ANCs was evaluated for its color and other sensory properties against another RS colored with the control. Results showed that the degradation of ANCs in RS followed the first-order reaction model, unlike the control, which showed no degradation during storage. The half-life of crude ANCs was three times higher than that of the purified ones, and RS colored with ANCs received a significantly (p < 0.05) lower score for color than that of RS colored with the control. ANCs could provide the food industry with a natural alternative to synthetic dyes to color foods with high sugar content that are stored for a short period of time.

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Lutein, zeaxanthin, and mesozeaxanthin, collectively termed as macular pigments, are key carotenoids integral to optimized central vision of the eye. Therefore, nutraceuticals and functional foods have been developed commercially using carotenoid rich flowers, such as marigold and calendula or single celled photosynthetic algae, such as the Dunaliella. Industrial formulation of such products enriched in macular pigments have often suffered from serious bottlenecks in stability, delivery, and bioavailability. The two chief factors largely responsible for decreasing the shelf-life have been solubility and oxidation of these pigments owing to their strong lipophilic nature and presence of conjugated double bonds. In this regard, oil-based formulations have often been found to be more suitable than powder-based formulations in terms of shelf life and targeted delivery. In some cases, addition of phenolic acids in the formulations have also augmented the product value by enhancing micellization. In this regard, a novel proprietary formulation of these pigments has been developed in our laboratory utilizing marigold extracts in a colloidal solution of extra virgin olive oil and canola oil fortified with antioxidants like thyme oil, tocopherol, and ascorbyl palmitate. This review article presents an updated insight into the stability and bioavailability of industrially manufactured macular carotenoids together with their safety and solubility issues.

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Due to global rises in temperature, recent studies predict marine species shifting toward higher latitudes. We investigated the impact of interacting abiotic drivers on the distribution potential of the temperate kelp Laminaria hyperborea. The ecosystem engineering species is widespread along European coasts but has not yet been observed in the High Arctic, although it can survive several months of low temperatures and darkness. To investigate its ability to extend northward in future, we conducted a long-term multifactorial experiment with sporophytes from Porsangerfjorden, Norway-close to the species' documented northernmost distribution margin. The samples were exposed to three different photoperiods (PolarDay, LongDay, and PolarNight) at 0°C, 5°C, and 10°C for 3 months. Optimum quantum yield of photosynthesis (Fv/Fm), dry weight, pigments, phlorotannins, and storage carbohydrates were monitored. Both physiological and biochemical parameters revealed that L. hyperborea was strongly influenced by the different photoperiods and their interaction with temperature, while temperature alone exerted only minor effects. The Fv/Fm data were integrated into a species distribution model to project a possible northward expansion of L. hyperborea. The combination of extended day lengths and low temperatures appeared to be the limiting reason for northward spread of L. hyperborea until recently. However, with water temperatures reaching 10°C in summer, this kelp will be able to thrive also in the High Arctic. Moreover, no evidence of stress to Arctic winter warming was observed. Consequently, L. hyperborea has a high potential for spreading northward with further warming which may significantly affect the structure and function of Arctic ecosystems.

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Road marking paints are a potentially important contributor to the global microplastic pool but very little reliable information is available on their erosion or environmental distributions. As potential carriers of or proxies for road paints, we determine the concentrations and sorting of retroreflective glass microbeads in marking materials and in fractionated (< 5 mm) local dusts, soils and sediments. As an aid to our investigation, we also determine the concentrations of metals of geochemical significance or components of road paint pigments in markings and geosolids. Concentrations of beads up to 92,800 kg-1 were observed in street dusts, with a median diameter (350 µm) greater than that in road marking samples (270 µm). Few beads were found in adjacent (< 5 m) or more remote soils (six beads in ten 50-g samples) and none were detected in replicates of a sample of roof dust, suggesting that aeolian transport is limited. Concentrations up to 3700 kg-1 were found in estuarine sediments close to bridges or stormwater runoff effluents, and with increasing sediment depth concentrations and median diameter decreased; beads were not, however, detected in sediments 400 m away from any significant roads or runoff effluents. These observations suggest that bead accumulation is constrained locally but that the precise distance travelled and extent of burial in sediments are inversely related to size. Road marking paints sampled from urban streets readily fragmented into pieces smaller than glass microbeads, suggesting that while beads might carry small quantities of paint, transport and dispersion of the two particle types may not be directly coupled. Environmental ratios of V to Bi and Cr to Pb, as markers for BiVO4- and PbCrO4-pigmented yellow paints, respectively, did not correlate with bead distribution, presumably because these metals have a multitude of anthropogenic sources. However, an inverse relationship between bead concentrations and K:Ca suggests that this ratio might be a useful proxy of road marking paint in regions that are geologically similar.

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The Prodiginins (PGs) natural pigments are secondary metabolites produced by a broad spectrum of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, notably by species within the Serratia and Streptomyces genera. These compounds exhibit diverse and potent biological activities, including anticancer, immunosuppressive, antimicrobial, antimalarial, and antiviral effects. Structurally, PGs share a common tripyrrolic core but possess variable side chains and undergo cyclization, resulting in structural diversity. Studies have investigated their antiproliferative effects on various cancer cell lines, with some PGs advancing to clinical trials for cancer treatment. This review aims to illuminate the molecular mechanisms underlying PG-induced apoptosis in cancer cells and explore the structure-activity relationships pertinent to their anticancer properties. Such insights may serve as a foundation for further research in anticancer drug development, potentially leading to the creation of novel, targeted therapies based on PGs or their derivatives.

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Pearls are deeply cherished for their rich color and gorgeous luster, and their quality directly affects their value. Currently, the evaluation of pearl quality is mainly based on four aspects: color, shape, size and smoothness. The quality of pearls is influenced by a variety of factors, categorized into internal factors, such as the structural composition of the nacreous layer and genetic factors of the mussels, and external factors, including the aquaculture environment. Existing research results indicates that genetic factors are the dominant factor controlling the pearl quality. However, the macromolecules such as metal ions, organic pigments and various physical and chemical factors in the aquaculture water environment will also significantly impact pearl quality. Among these, matrix proteins are organic macromolecules found in the nacreous layer that play an important role in pearl quality. They participate in the deposition of calcium carbonate and the construction of the organic framework, affecting the pearls' size and shape. The color of pearls is influenced by the deposition of metal ions, the transport of organic pigments and the regulation of microstructure.

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Global climate change is anticipated to shift the soil bacterial community structure and plant nutrient utilization. The use of biochar amendment can positively influence soil bacterial community structure, soil properties, and nutrient use efficiency of crops. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism and response of bacterial community structure to biochar amendment, and its role in nutrient enhancement in soil and plants under elevated CO2. Herein, the effect of biochar amendment (0, 0.5, 1.5%) on soil bacterial community structure, spinach growth, physiology, and soil and plant nutrient status were investigated under two CO2 concentrations (400 and 600 µmol mol-1). Findings showed that biochar application 1.5% (B.2.E) significantly increased the abundance of the bacterial community responsible for growth and nutrient uptake i.e. Firmicutes (42.25%) Bacteroidetes (10.46%), and Gemmatimonadetes (125.75%) as compared to respective control (CK.E) but interestingly abundance of proteobacteria decreased (9.18%) under elevated CO2. Furthermore, the soil available N, P, and K showed a significant increase in higher biochar-amended treatments under elevated CO2. Spinach plants exhibited a notable enhancement in growth and photosynthetic pigments when exposed to elevated CO2 levels and biochar, as compared to ambient CO2 conditions. However, there was variability observed in the leaf gas exchange attributes. Elevated CO2 reduced spinach roots and leaves nutrient concentration. In contrast, the biochar amendment (B2.E) enhanced root and shoot Zinc (494.99%-155.33%), magnesium (261.15%-183.37%), manganese (80.04%-152.86%), potassium (576.24%-355.17%), calcium (261.88%-165.65%), copper (325.42%-282.53%) and iron (717.63%-177.90%) concentration by influencing plant physiology and bacterial community. These findings provide insights into the interaction between plant and bacterial community under future agroecosystems in response to the addition of biochar contributing to a deeper understanding of ecological dynamics.

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Monascus red pigments (MRP) may have benefits against NAFLD with an unclear mechanism. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of MRP supplementation against NAFLD through regulation of gut microbiota and metabolites. The C57BL/6 mice animals were randomly allocated into the normal diet (NC), HFHS diet-induced NAFLD model, and MRP intervention group fed with HFHS diet. Serum lipid profiles and liver function parameters were measured. Liver and colon histopathology analysis was conducted to determine the injury in the liver and colon. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was employed to analyze gut microbial composition from fecal samples. Untargeted metabonomics was performed to analyze changes in metabolites in serum and fecal samples. MRP supplementation significantly improved the HFHS-induced alterations in body weight, lipid profiles, and liver function (p < .01). MRP supplementation decreased the abundance of Akkermansia, Candidatus saccharimonas, Dubosiella, and Oscillibacter, while increasing Lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, and Rikenella in mice fed the HFHS diet. Furthermore, MRP supplementation improved the serum and fecal metabolic profiles induced by the HFHS diet, primarily involving the arachidonic acid metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and adipocyte lipolysis pathways. Liver function and lipid profiles were closely associated with the abundance of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Oscillibacter, Akkemansia, and Desulfovibrio (p < .01). These findings revealed that MRP supplementation may help restore gut microbiota composition and balance its metabolites, thereby improving NAFLD. This study presents a novel outlook on the potential benefits of MRP supplementation in ameliorating NAFLD and supports the application of MRP as a new functional food.

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BACKGROUND: Chromium (Cr) toxicity significantly threatens agricultural ecosystems worldwide, adversely affecting plant growth and development and reducing crop productivity. Trehalose, a non-reducing sugar has been identified as a mitigator of toxic effects induced by abiotic stressors such as drought, salinity, and heavy metals. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of exogenously applied trehalose on maize plants exposed to Cr stress. RESULTS: Two maize varieties, FH-1046 and FH-1453, were subjected to two different Cr concentrations (0.3 mM, and 0.5 mM). The results revealed significant variations in growth and biochemical parameters for both maize varieties under Cr-induced stress conditions as compared to the control group. Foliar application of trehalose at a concentration of 30 mM was administered to both maize varieties, leading to a noteworthy reduction in the detrimental effects of Cr stress. Notably, the Cr (0.5 mM) stress more adversely affected the shoot length more than 0.3mM of Cr stress. Cr stress (0.5 mM) significantly reduced the shoot length by 12.4% in FH-1046 and 24.5% in FH-1453 while Trehalose increased shoot length by 30.19% and 4.75% in FH-1046 and FH-1453 respectively. Cr stress significantly constrained growth and biochemical processes, whereas trehalose notably improved plant growth by reducing Cr uptake and minimizing oxidative stress caused by Cr. This reduction in oxidative stress was evidenced by decreased production of proline, SOD, POD, MDA, H2O2, catalase, and APX. Trehalose also enhanced photosynthetic activities under Cr stress, as indicated by increased values of chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids. Furthermore, the ameliorative potential of trehalose was demonstrated by increased contents of proteins and carbohydrates and a decrease in Cr uptake. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that trehalose application substantially improved growth and enhanced photosynthetic activities in both maize varieties. Trehalose (30 mM) significantly increased the plant biomass, reduced ROS production and enhanced resilience to Cr stress even at 0.5 mM.

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In pursuit of enhancing the photostability of chlorophyll, a novel organic-inorganic hybrid pigment has been synthesized via a supramolecular intercalation assembly method, incorporating cerium-ion-doped hydrotalcite as the host matrix and chlorophyll as the intercalated guest molecule. This innovative pigment amalgamates the vivid coloration properties of organic dyes with the robust stability characteristic of inorganic substances. Determined from the detailed investigation of the structural evolution of chlorophyll during photodegradation, the dual physicochemical protection mechanism is critical to the advancement of chlorophyll photostability. It leverages the oxygen barrier attributes of the hydrotalcite's laminate structure and the ultraviolet light absorption and scattering capabilities of CeO2 nanoparticles formed in situ. Furthermore, Ce-doping introduces a redox cycle between Ce4+ and Ce3+ ions, which serves as a chemical defense by neutralizing reactive oxygen species that emerge during chlorophyll degradation. This multifaceted approach results in a substantial enhancement of photostability, with the hybrid pigment containing 0.3 Ce doped content, demonstrating a mere 5.90% alteration in reflectance at the 635 nm peak after 250 h of UV-accelerated aging. This breakthrough provides a dual physicochemical protective strategy that not only significantly prolongs the lifespan of chlorophyll pigments but also holds potential for broadening their application scope in various industries, including plastics and coatings, where color fastness and durability are paramount.

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Here we present our preliminary studies into the inorganic pigments Han blue (BaCuSi4O10) and Han purple (BaCuSi2O6) as near-infrared luminescent fingerprint dusting powders. These pigments were developed in ancient China around 800 BCE and both show luminescence in the NIR region. There remains, however, ambiguity in the literature concerning their photophysical properties. Samples of Han blue and Han purple artist's pigments were characterized by optical microscopy, infrared, ultraviolet-visible absorbance and luminescence spectroscopy. Their performance as fingerprint dusting powders, without any further treatment, on non-porous surfaces were compared to exfoliated lipophilic coated Egyptian blue and commercial fluorescent powders in a pilot study. These results demonstrate for the first time that both ancient pigments show promise as alternative dusting powders for latent fingermarks.

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In plants, microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of important small RNAs involved in their growth and development, and play a very significant role in regulating their tissue coloring. In this paper, the mechanisms on miRNA regulation of plant coloring are mainly reviewed from three aspects: macroscopic physiological and molecular foundations related to tissue coloring, miRNA biosynthesis and function, and specific analysis of miRNA regulation studies on leaf color, flower color, fruit color, and other tissue color formation in plants. Furthermore, we also systematically summarize the miRNA regulatory mechanisms identified on pigments biosynthesis and color formation in plants, and the regulatory mechanisms of these miRNAs mentioned on the existing researches can be divided into four main categories: directly targeting the related transcription factors, directly targeting the related structural genes, directly targeting the related long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) and miRNA-mediated production of trans-acting small interfering RNAs (ta-siRNAs). Together, these research results aim to provide a theoretical reference for the in-depth study of plant coloring mechanism and molecular breeding study of related plants in the future.

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Exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing beneficial bacteria play a multifaceted role in improving plant growth and adaptive responses against different stressors. In this study, we isolated 25 bacterial strains from pea nodules and were further studied for their sodium chloride (NaCl) and cadmium (Cd) stress tolerance. Based on our results, Rhizobium fabae SR-22 (NCBI Accession number: MG063739.1) showed better tolerance toward salinity and Cd stress and produced a wide range of plant growth-promoting compounds. However, the amount of EPS varies during NaCl and Cd stress. It was important to note that NaCl and Cd beyond the tolerant level, affected the morphology and cellular viability of R. fabae. Interestingly, plant growth-promoting (PGP) substances (indole-3-acetic acid, ammonia, siderophore, and ACC deaminase) released by R. fabae were increased with increasing NaCl concentrations. In contrast, PGP substances were greatly decreased by increasing Cd dosages. Further, the beneficial effect of EPS-producing R. fabae in Triticum aestivum grown in soil treated with different levels of NaCl and Cd was assessed. Inoculation of R. fabae in wheat seedlings grown under higher NaCl and Cd concentrations showed improved growth compared to non-inoculated plants. R. fabae exhibited maximum effect in wheat plants grown under 2% NaCl and increased seed germination (8%), root length (13%), vigor indices (19%), root biomass (20%), chlorophyll-a (31%), total chlorophyll (27%) and carotenoid content. Additionally, R. fabae increased Cd and NaCl tolerance in wheat seedlings and improved their antioxidative responses. Conclusively, this work demonstrated that EPS-producing R. fabae showed a promising role in mitigating salinity and Cd-stress in wheat possibly by reducing salt and HM stress-induced abrasions and growth promotion via inorganic phosphate solubilization, and increased nutrient absorption. In the future, R. fabae equipped with these distinguishing characteristics may be used as effective bio-inoculants/bio-formulations in agriculture to address salinity and HM stress issues.

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Selecting the optimal microalgal strain for carbon capture and biomass production is crucial for ensuring the commercial viability of microalgae-based biorefinery processes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of varying bicarbonate concentrations on the growth rates, inorganic carbon (IC) utilization, and biochemical composition of three freshwater and two marine microalgal species. Parachlorella kessleri, Vischeria cf. stellata, and Porphyridium purpureum achieved the highest carbon removal efficiency (>85%) and biomass production at 6 g L-1 sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), while Phaeodactylum tricornutum showed optimal performance at 1 g L-1 NaHCO3. The growth and carbon removal rate of Scenedesmus quadricauda increased with increasing NaHCO3 concentrations, although its highest carbon removal efficiency (∼70%) was lower than the other species. Varying NaHCO3 levels significantly impacted the biochemical composition of P. kessleri, S. quadricauda, and P. purpureum but did not affect the composition of the remaining species. The fatty acid profiles of the microalgae were dominated by C16 and C18 fatty acids, with P. purpureum and P. tricornutum yielding relatively high polyunsaturated fatty acid content ranging between 14% and 30%. Furthermore, bicarbonate concentration had a species-specific effect on the fatty acid and chlorophyll-a content. This study demonstrates the potential of bicarbonate as an effective IC source for microalgal cultivation, highlighting its ability to select microalgal species for various applications based on their carbon capture efficiency and biochemical composition.

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Phaeocystis globosa is an important bloom-forming marine phytoplankton species that often accumulates to large levels in temperate and tropical waters and has significant impacts on food webs and biogeochemical cycles. It can form "giant" colonies that reach 3 cm in diameter. Microscopic observations, colony elemental composition, and pigment composition were analyzed to assess the characteristics of colonies as a function of colony size. Particulate organic carbon (POC) per unit surface area, colonial cell density, and chlorophyll a per unit surface area all increased with colony size, in contrast to results from temperate waters. Cellular chl a averaged 0.85 pg chl · cell-1. Colonies had both photosynthetic and protective pigments, with fucoxanthin being the dominant accessory pigment. Based on chl a and pigment levels, it appears colonies were acclimated to relatively low irradiances, likely due to their life cycle and the extremely turbulent environment in which they grew. Mucous carbon ranged from 16.2% to 79.2% of the total POC, and mucous carbon per unit surface area increased with colony size, suggesting that the mucous envelope did not thin as the colony grew. Based on elemental composition, nitrogen did not appear to limit growth, but phosphorus:carbon ratios were similar to those of P-limited cultures. Giant colonies represent an extreme response to the environment, but they do not appear to have greatly different characteristics than other tropical strains.

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The prevalence of inorganic pollutants in the environment, including heavy metals (HMs), necessitates a sustainable and cost-effective solution to mitigate their impacts on the environment and living organisms. The present research aimed to assess the phytoextraction capability of spinach (Spinach oleracea L.), under the combined effects of ascorbic acid (AA) and microwave (MW) irradiation amendments, cultivated using surgical processing wastewater. In a preliminary study, spinach seeds were exposed to MW radiations at 2.45 GHz for different durations (15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 seconds). Maximum germination was observed after the 30 seconds of radiation exposure. Healthy spinach seeds treated with MW radiations for 30 s were cultivated in the sand for two weeks, after which juvenile plants were transferred to a hydroponic system. Surgical industry wastewater in different concentrations (25 %, 50 %, 75 %, 100 %) and AA (10 mM) were provided to both MW-treated and untreated plants. The results revealed that MW-treatment significantly enhanced the plant growth, biomass, antioxidant enzyme activities and photosynthetic pigments, while untreated plants exhibited increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and electrolyte leakage (EL) compared with their controls. The addition of AA to both MW-treated and untreated plants improved their antioxidative defense capacity under HMs-induced stress. MW-treated spinach plants, under AA application, demonstrated relatively higher concentrations and accumulation of HMs including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni). Specifically, MW-treated plants with AA amendment showed a significant increase in Pb concentration by 188 % in leaves, Cd by 98 %, and Ni by 102 % in roots. Additionally, the accumulation of Ni increased by 174 % in leaves, Cd by 168 % in roots, and Pb by 185 % in the stem of spinach plant tissues compared to MW-untreated plants. These findings suggested that combining AA with MW irradiation of seeds could be a beneficial strategy for increasing the phytoextraction of HMs from wastewater and improving overall plant health undergoing HMs stress.

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As food packaging evolves, consumer interests are shifting from traditional to intelligent food packaging systems. Intelligent packaging includes active components that display changes in a visual or interactive form perceivable by consumers. This offers real-time monitoring of the quality and shelf life of the packaged food and enhances transparency. For example, pH-sensitive natural pigment-based films change color in response to variations in pH levels, enabling the film/labels to reflect alterations in the acidity or basicity of the food inside the package. Natural pigments like anthocyanins, curcumin, betalains, chlorophyll, and carotenoids have been comprehensively reported for developing biodegradable pH-sensitive films of starch, protein, chitosan, and cellulose. Natural pigments offer great compatibility with these biopolymers and improve the other performance parameters of the films. However, these films still lack the strength and versatility of petroleum-based synthetic plastic films. But these films can be used as an indicator and combined with primary packaging to monitor freshness, time-temperature, and leak for muscle foods, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, and bakery products. Therefore, this review provides a detailed overview of pH-sensitive pigments, their compatibility with natural polymers, their role in film performance in monitoring, and their food packaging applications.

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