The aim of the present work is to evaluate the preparation of sunscreen emulsions based on chitosan (CS) nanoparticles with annatto, ultrafiltrated (UF) annatto, saffron, and ultrafiltrated saffron. Ionic gelation was used for the preparation of chitosan nanoparticles, while their morphological characteristics and physicochemical properties were evaluated via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Results showed that the prepared nanoparticles ranged from ~150 to ~500 nm and had a spherical or irregular shape. In the case of annatto and UF annatto, due to the formation of H-bonds, the sunscreen agents were amorphously dispersed within CS nanoparticles, while in the case of saffron and UF saffron, crystalline dispersion was observed. All encapsulated materials had good thermal stability as well as color stability. In a further step, sunscreen emulsions were prepared based on the formed CS-sunscreen nanoparticles and evaluated for their stability in terms of pH and viscosity, along with their ultraviolet (UV) radiation protection ability in terms of sun protection factor (SPF). All prepared emulsions showed low cytotoxicity and good storage stability for up to 90 days, while minimum sunscreen protection was observed with SPF values varying from 2.15 to 4.85.

In the present study, a chitosan (CS) derivative with the 2-(Methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide (SDAEM) zwitterionic monomer was prepared through chemical modification. The successful synthesis of CS-SDAEM was confirmed by Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopies. Its crystallinity was studied by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), while in vitro cytotoxicity and cell viability assays established its biocompatibility. Filtered fresh pomegranate juice (PJ) was loaded in nanoparticles of neat CS and its derivative via ionic gelation method. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) revealed nanoparticles sizes varying between 426 nm and 4.5 μm, indicating a size-dependence on the polymer concentration used during encapsulation. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry detection (LC-PDA-ESI/MS) revealed that PJ active compounds were successfully and in sufficient amounts encapsulated in the nanoparticles interior, whereas XRD indicated a crystalline structure alteration after nanoencapsulation. The resulted PJ-loaded nanoparticles were further utilized for the preparation of innovative O/W cosmetic emulsions. All produced emulsions exhibited good pH and viscosity stability for up to 90 days, while the sun protection factor (SPF) was enhanced due to the presence of the PJ. Enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial properties due to the phenolic compounds of PJ were also observed.

Three reactive dyes have been synthesized by coupling 1-amino-phenyl-4-beta hydroxyethyl sulfone sulfate ester with 1-amino-8-hydroxynaphalene-3,6-disoulphonic acid (H-acid). The dyes synthesized were then purified using ultrafiltration and water-based reactive ink jet inks were prepared for digital printing applications. The dyes were characterized by their spectrophotometrical data ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, optical emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis. The purity of dyes was checked by thin layer chromatography and their dyeing performance was assessed on cotton fibers by exhaustion (dyeing) and ink-jet printing. Ink-jet inks with the dyes synthesized were prepared and their physical properties were measured in order to evaluate their suitability for ink-jet printing. Color measurements and fastness properties were performed for the dyed and digitally printed samples. Coloristic values of the dyed/ printed samples were as expected, that is, K/S values of the dyed samples were much higher than those of the printed ones, K/S values of the samples dyed with the ultrafiltrated dyes were higher than those with the initial dyes and the rest of the coloristic co-ordinates L, a, b, C, H, were in line with strength changes of the dyes before and after ultrafiltration. The dyed samples had excellent wash fastness and medium light fastness. Ultrafiltration slightly improves the fastness properties of the dyed samples.Keywords azo reactive dye, Reactive Black 5, ultrafiltration, cotton fiber, scanning electron microscope analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis A dye, which is capable of reacting chemically with a substrate to form a covalent dye substrate linkage, is known as reactive dye. The dye contains a reactive group forming a covalent bond with the fiber polymer and acts as an integral part of the fiber. This covalent bond is formed between the dye molecules and the terminal -OH (hydroxyl) group of cellulosic fibers or between the dye molecules and the terminal -NH 2 (amino) group of polyamide or wool fibers. 1,2 Reactive dyes have good fastness properties owing to the bonding that occurs during dyeing. Reactive dyes are most commonly used in dyeing of cellulosic fibers like cotton. Reactive dyes can also be applied on wool and nylon, under weakly acidic conditions. 1-3 Ultrafiltration (UF) technology is one of the newest technologies applied mainly for the treatment of textile effluents aiming at the desalination and the elimination of toxic pollutants in the discharged effluents. 4-8 UF is the most modern ecological separation method acting as a molecular separation method avoiding the use of chemicals. Typical UF membranes are synthetic organic polymers, such as poly(vinylidene fluoride),

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Cotton, wool, polyester, and polyamide fabrics have been dyed with the aqueous extract of curcumin, attempting to replace synthetic colorants with natural ones. All dyeing processes were carried out without mordants in aqueous baths in the presence of dispersing agent. It was found that curcumin has high coloristic power on both natural and synthetic substrates offering dark yellow shades. The wash fastness tolerance on all substrates was excellent classifying curcumin as a universal natural dye being able to effectively dye both natural and synthetic fibers, and thus possibly replacing the synthetic and sometimes toxic and allergenic synthetic dyes. It was also found that its antioxidant and antibacterial behavior is considerable, providing useful characteristics to the substrates applied.