This study uses a chemically modified electrode (CME) based on carbon nanomaterials to demonstrate the electrochemical redox behaviour of crude fresh purple cabbage extract. Here, the redox properties of purple cabbage juice were examined using a three electrode cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique as a model system. PGE/GMC@e-cab, a purple cabbage-graphitized mesoporous carbon modified, pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was put through CV in a 10 mL pH 2 HCl/KCl solution using Ag/AgCl electrode and bare PGE as the reference and counter electrodes, respectively. A significant redox peak was observed at a potential of approximately -0.45 V vs Ag/AgCl in a potential window of -0.2 to 0.9 V on the CV of the modified PGE plausibly due to anthocyanin phytochemical dye pigment. This implies a direct passage of electrons between PGE/GMC and the anthocyanin components. FT-IR, Raman, and UV-Vis were utilized to characterize the patterned PGE. Additionally, the impacts of potential scan rate, pH, and concentration were thoroughly investigated. The obtained redox peak was further adjusted for the detection of cysteine (Cys) in order to examine the electrocatalytic activity. This first attempt paves the path for the electrochemical assessment of food crop quality and acts as a prototype study for the electro-active component in natural products.

In this study, production of black pigments for glass glazing was undertaken by using Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Co elements. After calcination at different temperatures (1200-1350 °C), the synthesized pigment was milled and sieved. The resulting pigment were characterized by using XRD, PSA, and STA. Different amounts of pigment (5-10 wt.%) was added to a transparent glaze and applied on a cleaned glass and then fired at 650 °C. The glazed samples were analyzed by UV-vis. spectrophotometer. The results showed that black pigment particles containing Cr, Fe, Co, Cu and Ni synthesized at 1350 °C give an appropriate black color to the final glaze.

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer of cells situated between photoreceptors and the underlying choroid. It is essential for normal retinal function. Damaged RPE is associated with diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt’s macular dystrophy, and retinitis pigmentosa. RPE cells can easily be visualized in vivo, sustainable in vitro, and differentiated from stem cells with a relatively straightforward protocol. Due to these properties and the clinical significance of this epithelium in various retinal diseases, RPE transplantation as a treatment modality has gained considerable interest in the last decade. This paper presents the main techniques for RPE transplantation and discusses recent clinically relevant publications.

Monascus is a microscopic fungus belonging to Eurotials order and due to its importance and extensive applications, such as pigment, flavouring and preservative agents production for foods and in drugs as cholesterol-lowering agent and also according to its worldwide distribution, we isolated and identified natives strains of this fungus for the first time in Iran. In this study, out of 122 samples collected from different sources such as flours, rice, soil, starch, fruits and slime, 4 conformed fungi strains were isolated using MEPAG culture medium in which two strains of the isolated colonies had capability for pigment production. After microscopic and macroscopic observation, the proper cases were isolated and identified by identification keys. To further confirm the identify of the two isolates, the PCR was applied for a rDNA specific region called ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) and was sequenced, that this method confirmed the genus recognition. The result of this research was isolation and identification of two Monascus species. Using standard taxonomic key, we recognized them as M. fumeus and M. purpureus.