Intelligent polarization-sensitive holographic flow-cytometer: Towards specificity in classifying natural and microplastic fibers.

Micron size fiber fragments (MFFs), both natural and synthetic, are ubiquitous in our life, especially in textile clothes, being necessary in modern society. In the Earth's aquatic ecosystem, microplastic fibers account for ~91% of microplastic pollution, thus deserving notable attention as one of the most alarming ecological problems. Accurate automatic identification of MFFs discharges in specific upstream locations is highly demanded.

Contribution of microplastic particles to the spread of resistances and pathogenic bacteria in treated wastewaters.

Microplastic Particles (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants widely found in aquatic ecosystems. Although MPs are mostly retained in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), a high number of MPs reaches the open waters potentially contributing to the spread of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in the environment. Nowadays, a limited number of studies have focused on the role of MPs as carriers of potentially pathogenic and antibiotic resistant bacteria in WWTPs.

Preparation and analysis of standards containing microfilaments/microplastic with fibre shape.

Synthetic clothing represents a primary source of environmental pollution because of shedding of microfilaments during laundry washing or in textile processes. Although many approaches can be used for the evaluation of microplastic, there are no precise guideline to follow for the analysis labs. Here, an accurate method for the preparation of microfilaments standard suspensions to facilitate lab tests and the monitoring of microplastic in different matrices was developed.

Assessment of microplastics release from polyester fabrics: The impact of different washing conditions.

Synthetic fibers account for approximately 60% of the total global fiber production, and polyester (PET) and polyamide (PA) dominate. Synthetic fabrics are now widely used in clothing, upholstery, carpets and other such materials. Textiles based on these materials have the potential to release microplastics (<5 mm in size) into the environment during production and cleaning actions.

Influence of process parameters on microcapsule formation from chitosan-Type B gelatin complex coacervates.

A series of chitosan/gelatin based microcapsules containing n-hexadecane was synthesized through complex phase coacervation from chitosan (CH) and type-B gelatin (GB), and crosslinked by glutaraldehyde (GTA). This research was conducted to clarify the influence of different parameters on the encapsulation process, i.e.

Evaluation of microplastic release caused by textile washing processes of synthetic fabrics.

A new and more alarming source of marine contamination has been recently identified in micro and nanosized plastic fragments. Microplastics are difficult to see with the naked eye and to biodegrade in marine environment, representing a problem since they can be ingested by plankton or other marine organisms, potentially entering the food web. An important source of microplastics appears to be through sewage contaminated by synthetic fibres from washing clothes.

Cotton fabric functionalisation with menthol/PCL micro- and nano-capsules for comfort improvement.

Objective: Cotton functionalisation with poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) micro- and nano-capsules containing menthol was carried out with the aim of introducing a long-lasting refreshing sensation.

Materials And Methods: The preparation of the polymer micro- and nano-capsules was carried out by solvent displacement technique. A confined impinging jets mixer was used in order to ensure fast mixing and generate a homogeneous environment where PCL and menthol can self-assemble.

PTCA determination in human hair: reliability and analytical aspects.

Background: In this study we analysed the reliability of HPLC determination of 2.3.5-pyrroletricarboxylic acid (PTCA).

Near infrared spectroscopy as a tool for the determination of eumelanin in human hair.

Eumelanins are brown-black pigments present in the hair and in the epidermis which are acknowledged as protection factors against cell damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. The quantity of eumelanin present in hair has recently been put forward as a means of identifying subjects with a higher risk of skin tumours. For epidemiological studies, chromatographic methods of determining pyrrole-2,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (PTCA; the principal marker of eumelanin) are long, laborious and unsuitable for screening large populations.

Degumming of silk fabric with several proteases.

A crêpe silk fabric was treated with different alkaline (3374-L, GC 897-H), neutral (3273-C), and acid (EC 3.4 23.18) proteases with the aim to study their effectiveness as degumming agents.