Preferential inclusion of food colours via formation of their inclusion complexes withβ-cyclodextrin (β-CD)

The encapsulation of commercially utilized food colours with-cyclodextrin is reported. Thus, inclusion complexes of Sunset Yellow, Amaranth, Ponceau 4R, Carmoisine, Fast Red E, Tartrazine and Erythrosine with-CD were prepared. The formation of inclusion complexes was established by, among other methods, UV, reflectance and X-ray diffraction techniques. The host-to-guest ratio was determined by a UV spectral method. The effect of inclusion with-CD on binary mixtures such as Raspberry Red, Tomato Red and Orange Red was also studied.     

Sequence-independent activation of photocycloadditions using two colours of light

We exploit two reactive chromophores to establish sequence-independent photochemical activation, employing ortho-methyl benzaldehyde (oMBA) and N,N-(dimethylamino)pyrene aryl tetrazole (APAT) with N-(2-hydroxy)ethyl maleimide (NHEM), without any additives. Critically, the order of the irradiation sequence is irrelevant, as the shorter wavelength does not activate the higher wavelength activated species. Therefore, full sequence-independent λ-orthogonality is achieved through differences in both the reaction quantum yields (Φ_r,oMBA and Φ_r,APAT) and wavelength-dependent reactivity profiles of the employed chromophores.

We exploit two reactive chromophores to establish sequence-independent photochemical activation without any additives.     

The colours of simple salts of the violurate anion

Salts of the violurate anion with the alkali and alkaline earth metals, the d¹⁰ ions Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺ and the lanthanides show a variety of spectacular colours in the solid state. The metal ions have no intrinsic absorption in the visible region (apart from the weak spin-forbidden bands of Mn²⁺) and do not normally show charge-transfer absorption. The colours are ascribed to the n→π* transition of the violurate anion. As confirmation of this assignment the visible absorption of the K⁺ salt is shown to be polarized perpendicular to the plane of the violurate anion. Low temperature (∼20 K) absorption spectra of the Na⁺, K⁺ and Rb⁺ salts are reported.     

Chemistry and applications of flavylium compounds: a handful of colours

Flavylium compounds are versatile molecules that comprise anthocyanins, the ubiquitous colorants used by Nature to confer colour to most flowers and fruits. They have found a wide range of applications in human technology, from the millenary colour paints described by the Roman architect Vitruvius, to their use as food additives, combining colour and antioxidant effects, and even as light absorbers in solar cells aiming at a greener solar energy conversion. Their rich complexity derives in part from their ability to switch between a variety of species (flavylium cations, neutral quinoidal bases, hemiketals and chalcones, and negatively charged phenolates) by means of external stimuli, such as pH, temperature and light. This critical review describes (i) the historical advancements in the understanding of the equilibria of their chemical reaction networks; (ii) their thermodynamics and kinetics; (iii) the mechanisms underlying their colour development, such as co-pigmentation and host-guest interactions; (iv) the photophysics and photochemistry that lead to photochromism; and (v) applications in solar cells, models for optical memories, photochromic soft materials such as ionic liquids and gels, and their properties in solid state materials (274 references).     

The origins of the colours of yellow,green and blue sapphires

The absorption spectra of natural yellow sapphires are shown to be due to single Fe³⁺ and Fe³⁺  O²⁻  Fe³⁺ pairs, with the latter dominant. Blue and green sapphires have spectra dominated by Fe³⁺  O²⁻  Ti⁴⁺ and Fe²⁺  O²⁻  Fe³⁺ pairs.     

Single electro-optic curve for RGB colours in blue-phase liquid crystal display

The double-layer penetration electrode structure is proposed to obtain the low-operating voltage blue-phase liquid crystal display (BPLCD) with single electro-optic curve for red-green-blue (RGB) colours in every pixel, which is more suitable for the field-sequential-colour display. The different influences of electrode’s parameters and driving methods on the electro-optical properties of the proposed BPLCD are investigated. The results demonstrate that the operating voltage can be reduced from 53.80 V to 23.00 V for red colour. Besides, the coincident voltage-dependent transmittance curves for RGB colours are obtained by adjusting the applied voltage of sub-electrode. Thus, RGB lights can pass through every pixel with single electro-optic curve, which is good for resolution enhancement and single gamma driving. Besides, the maximum gamma shift of the proposed BPLCD is less than 0.1099 at 60° polar angle for the red colour, and the gamma shift difference between red and blue colours is only 0.0542. If the high dielectric constant material is used as the protrusion, the operating voltage can be further decreased, which is close to that of the BPLCD with wall-shaped electrode structure.     

Sample preparation for chromatographic analysis of food.

Sampling, homogenisation and sample preparation prior to chromatographic injection of food analytes are designed to enhance accuracy and precision. The reduction of inherent errors introduced by these steps requires the analyst's attention as a matter of course. Methods and examples of minimising errors in each step are reviewed.