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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Sjögren's syndrome (SJS) and dry eye syndrome (DES) are characterized by ocular dryness from inadequate tear production or excessive evaporation. To evaluate the effectiveness of TBDESJS (Chun‐Yu‐Ching‐Hua‐Yin, CYCHY), a TCM tea bag, in treating SJS and DES patients compared with healthy controls (NHC). Materials and Methods: This phase II pilot study included 100 participants (60 SJS, 30 DES, 10 NHC) across 8 weeks, assessing changes in Schirmer's test, OSDI, ESSPRI, PSQI, FIRST, and artificial tear usage, using repeated measurement ANOVA and Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) for analysis. Results: Total 97 subjects completed the trial, for the left eye (OS) of Schirmer's test, significant improvements at 4, and 8 weeks were observed in SJS (0.13 ± 0.43–5.77 ± 2.87, and 7.60 ± 4.84 mm) and DES (0.21 ± 0.41–6.21 ± 2.97, and 7.86 ± 3.47 mm) (all p <.001). For the right eye (OD), significant improvements were observed in SJS (0.13 ± 0.39–6.77 ± 4.53, and 8.79 ± 5.92 mm) and DES (0.34 ± 0.55–6.59 ± 2.50, and 8.24 ± 3.42 mm) (all p <.001). Secondary outcomes showed reduced the dryness of ESSPRI scores in SJS (6.37 ± 1.97–5.57 ± 1.79, p <.001) and DES (6.10 ± 1.97–5.28 ± 2.23, p <.05). PSQI global scores improved significantly in all groups at 8 weeks (p <.05). Artificial tear usage decreased in SJS (4.93 ± 2.45–1.00 ± 0.82 times/day), DES (4.47 ± 1.99–0.66 ± 0.67 times/day) (all p <.001). No serious adverse events in this study. Conclusion: TBDESJS significantly improved tear production, ocular dryness, and sleep quality, indicating potential neural regulation, anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory benefits. These findings advocate for TBDESJS (Chun‐Yu‐Ching‐Hua‐Yin, CYCHY)'s comprehensive therapeutic value in SJS and DES treatment, emphasizing the need for further research to understand long‐term effects and mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study addresses concerns related to potential health risks associated with chlorine residues in traditional tea bags, which exhibit resistance to decomposition in soil. Consequently, the study utilized carrageenan, derived from Eucheuma cottonii seaweed, as a coating material for edible film. This research explores the impact of carrageenan concentration and drying temperature on the performance of tea bags. This study applied the randomized complete block design to analyze the impact of three carrageenan concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5%) at three different drying temperatures (80°C, 85°C, and 90°C) on carrageenan-based film. The investigation comprehensively evaluates the compliance of the carrageenan-based film with commercial-grade quality standards through critical factors such as thickness, solubility, mechanical strength and hedonic analysis. The findings indicate that the most effective carrageenan-based edible film can be produced at a concentration of 3% and a drying temperature of 90°C, highlighting its potential as an eco-friendly alternative in tea bag production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated the effect of mixing formulas and storage conditions on the quality of the acerola tea bags. The tea bag formula, which includes 94 g of acerola fragments, 6 g of oolong tea, and 3 g of sweet leaves, had the best sensory quality. Under this condition, the acerola tea powder had vitamin C of 759.63 mg/100 g, phenolic content of 1747.26 mg GAE/100 g, and antioxidant activity of 3025.70 mg AAE/100 g. Furthermore, the present study found that the acerola tea's sorption isotherm curve was fitted with the GAB model (R2 = 0.97). In addition, this study also examined the effects of several storage temperatures, such as 7 ± 2 °C, room temperature, and 40 °C, on the stability of an acerola tea for up to 28 days. The degradation of vitamin C, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity in tea samples during storage was fitted with the Arrhenius plots, first-order reactions, and Ball equation. Furthermore, at whatever storage temperature, the tea's final water activity was not above the safe zone of below 0.6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daun karamunting (Melastoma malabathricum. L) dalam bentuk teh (Tisane) dipreparasi sebagai minuman merupakan salah satu upaya menangani diabetes oleh masyarakat di Kalimantan Barat. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah memetakan profil sensori minuman daun karamunting dan atribut sensori yang berpotensi menurunkan tingkat kesukaan dengan metode sensometrik. Teh yang diminati konsumen adalah yang tidak terlalu bitter dan kurang astringency. Metode penyeduhan dapat memberikan persepsi atribut sensori yang berbeda. Profil sensori dan hedonik tisane karamunting (Tikar) dengan berbagai metode penyeduhan dievaluasi menggunakan quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) dan uji hedonik. Perbedaan metode penyeduhan dengan rasio daun kering:air (7:100 atau 3:100 b/v) digunakan dalam penelitian ini, yaitu seduh panas konvensional (PKV7 dan PKV3), seduh dingin (DKV7), seduh panas dengan drip bag (PDB7), dan seduh panas dengan tea bag (PTB3). Tisane komersial dalam tea bag (PTK3) digunakan sebagai pembanding. Pemetaan profil sensori hasil uji QDA pada berbagai metode penyeduhan dianalisis dengan PCA yang dilanjutkan dengan OPLS-DA dan korelasinya dengan hasil uji hedonik dianalisis dengan OPLS. Hasil dari QDA menunjukkan bahwa Tikar memiliki 14 atribut sensori. Metode sensometrik berhasil memetakan Tikar berdasarkan metode penyeduhan, yaitu PKV7 memiliki aktribut sensori harshness, stew dan astringency, sedangkan metode lainnya (DKV7, PKV7, PKV3, PTB3) greenish color, brightness color, serta fruity, dan PTK3 bitter dan smoky. Tingkat kesukaan tikar dengan metode penyeduhan PKV7 berada diantara metode penyeduhan lainnya dengan PTK3. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa atribut sensori bitter lebih menurunkan tingkat kesukaan dibandingkan astringency. Metode penyeduhan dapat memberikan atribut sensori yang berbeda, sehingga dapat menjadi alternatif sebagai strategi meningkatkan kesukaan.

Desa Jambewangi merupakan salah satu kawasan penghasil buah naga di Kabupaten Banyuwangi. Setiap masa panen, semua hasil olahan buah naga selalu dimanfaatkan daging buahn ketika tidak semua terjual. Sehingga, kulit buah naga hanya dibuang untuk menjadi limbah atau sampah di sungai. Kegiatan sosialisasi pembuatan teh celup buah naga bertujuan memberikan sub-produk olahan baru dan mengoptimalkan Co-creation sebagai persiapan wisata agro dari Desa Jambewangi. Metode yang digunakan untuk mendukung kegiatan yaitu uji coba langsung pembuatan teh celup buah naga organik. Selain itu, masyarakat di Desa Jambewangi juga diajarkan pelatihan dalam membuat kemasan teh celup, agar nantinya teh ini dapat dikomersilkan secara luas dan diterima di pasaran. Hasil kegiatan ini menunjukkan bahwa antusiasme peserta sosialisasi terkait proses pembuatan, potensi sub-produk herbal, hingga model pengemasan dari teh celup buah naga organik. Selain itu, hasil diskusi sepakat adanya rencana kegiatan lanjutan dari sosialisasi.

Summary: Two analytical methods for the quantification of pyrrolizidine (PAs) and tropane alkaloids (TAs) in honey bee‐collected pollen, teas and herbal infusions have been in‐house validated using the UHPLC‐MS/MS technique. These methods showed good linearity, good accuracy and robustness. The methods have been applied to a preliminary investigation of forty‐seven pollen samples and thirty‐three packs of tea‐bags in light of Commission Regulations (EU) 2020/2040 and 2021/1408 regarding maximum limits of PAs and TAs in foodstuffs, respectively. About half of the pollen samples contained searched PAs but in concentrations significantly lower than the maximum limit established; two samples were contaminated with TAs. One third of teas or herbal infusions contained PAs or TAs, one sample exceeded the EU limits for PAs and one for TAs. Despite the final consumer's health does not seem threatened, these results recommend accurate analytical methods and broader investigations for PAs and TAs in foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melamine-modified MIL-88 was synthesized through the solvothermal method and utilized as the extracting device for the µ-solid phase extraction (µ-SPE) of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and isomers of xylene (BTEXs) from different environmental water samples. The prepared melamine-MIL-88 (Fe) was enclosed inside the porous hydrophilic tea bag filter membrane. The sealed membrane containing the sorbent (15 mg) was used as the µ-SPE device. The quantification of the extracted BTEXs was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) instrument. The prepared sorbent was confirmed by different characterizations including powdered X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The method provided linearity range of 0.5–500.0 µg L−1 (depending on target analytes) and coefficients of determination (R2) with the range of 0.9891–0.9981 under the optimum condition. The enrichment factors (EFs) were found to be between 39.0 and 48.0. The limits of detection (LODs) were also calculated to be between 0.08 and 0.42 µg L−1, while the range of corresponding absolute recoveries was in the range of 78–96%. The method relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranged from 5.5 to 11.8% (at 5.0 µg L−1). Moreover, the prepared melamine-MIL-88 (Fe) showed high adsorption capacity (130 mg g−1). The method is cost-effective, user-friendly, and with minimal consumption of organic solvent. In addition, melamine-MIL-88 has not yet been synthesized and investigated in the microextraction of the pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background A series of metal solutions such as chromium sulphate, lead sulphate and nickel sulphate were prepared, and varying concentrations were used to model the optimum conditions that would favour the removal of these metals in polluted situations. Taguchi design was used to set the experiment in motion by using three factors such as pH, concentration and time, although the experiment was done at a fixed temperature of 30 °C as detailed in the study. Result The percentage of heavy metals removal from the solutions at varying conditions was used to model the effectiveness of the adsorbent. All models and their statistical parameters were reported in the study. The model identified as the best was the one involving the removal of chromium concentration using the tea bag adsorbent. The ability of the model to predict other concentrations which were not used in developing the model was high and was reported as preR2 of 0.94. Conclusion The model predicts that the experiment which was conducted at varying pH values ranging from 1.00–8.00 can lead to the effective removal of chromium by decreasing the pH of the system to pH value = 1, and increasing the contact time of the adsorbent tea bag residue. The model confirms the transformation of chromium from hexavalent to trivalent at acidic pH which decreases its ionic solubility in an aqueous system leads to its ultimate removal by the adsorbent

Background: Koja bay leaves (Murraya koenigii) which mostly cultivated in Indonesia and the leaves usually used by Aceh people as a flavoring agent for food, has been known to have an antidiabetic effect. In this study, we analyzed the antidiabetic effect of koja bay leaves tea bags which commercially available. Methods: The two variant doses of koja bay leaves tea bag (411.11 mg/g body weight and 822.22 mg/g body weight) were administered to 25 male rats which divided into five groups. The antidiabetic activity was determined by measuring blood glucose of rats administered by koja bay leaves tea bag compared to blood glucose of rats in positive control which was given glibenclamide negative control, and normal control. Results: The results showed that dose 1 and 2 decreased blood glucose level by 51.27% and 45.17%, respectively, fairly similar to the glibenclamide (63.38%). Conclusion: Koja bay leaves tea bag have comparable activity with glibenclamide in reducing the blood glucose level.

Litter decomposition is a key process that drives carbon and nutrient cycles in forest soils. The decomposition of five different substrate types was analyzed in hemiboreal coniferous forests, focusing on the mass loss and nutrient (N, P, and K) release of fine roots (FR) and needle litter in relation to the initial substrate and soil chemistry. A litterbag incubation experiment with site-specific FR and needle litter and three standard substrates (green and rooibos tea, α-cellulose) was carried out in four Norway spruce and four Scots pine-dominated stands in Estonia. Substrate type was the primary driver of mass loss and the decay rate of different substrates did not depend on the dominant tree species of the studied stands. Alpha-cellulose lost 98 ± 1% of the mass in 2-years, while the FR mass loss was on average 23 ± 2% after 3-years of decomposition. The FR decomposition rate could be predicted using a corresponding model of green tea, although the rate of FR decomposition is approximately five times lower than the rate of green tea in the first 3-years. The annual decomposition rate of the needle litter is rather constant in hemiboreal coniferous forests in the first 3 years. The initial substrate of fine roots or needle litter and soil chemistry jointly had a significant effect on mass loss in the later stage of decomposition. The critical N concentration for N release was lower for pine FR and needle litter (0.9–1.3% and 0.7–1.1%) compared to spruce (1.2–1.6% and 1.5–1.9%, respectively). The release rate of K depended on the initial K of substrate, while the release of N and P was significantly related to the initial C:N and N:P ratios, respectively. The results show the central role of soil and substrate initial chemistry in the decomposition of fine roots and needle litter across hemiboreal forests, especially at later stage (after 2 years) of decomposition. The slower decomposition and higher retention of N in the fine roots relative to needle litter suggests that fine roots have a substantial role in the carbon and nitrogen accumulation in boreal and hemiboreal forest ecosystems.

Litter decomposition is a key process for carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems and is mainly controlled by environmental conditions, substrate quantity and quality as well as microbial community abundance and composition. In particular, the effects of climate and atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition on litter decomposition and its temporal dynamics are of significant importance, since their effects might change over the course of the decomposition process. Within the TeaComposition initiative, we incubated Green and Rooibos teas at 524 sites across nine biomes. We assessed how macroclimate and atmospheric inorganic N deposition under current and predicted scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 8.5) might affect litter mass loss measured after 3 and 12 months. Our study shows that the early to mid-term mass loss at the global scale was affected predominantly by litter quality (explaining 73% and 62% of the total variance after 3 and 12 months, respectively) followed by climate and N deposition. The effects of climate were not litter-specific and became increasingly significant as decomposition progressed, with MAP explaining 2% and MAT 4% of the variation after 12 months of incubation. The effect of N deposition was litter-specific, and significant only for 12-month decomposition of Rooibos tea at the global scale. However, in the temperate biome where atmospheric N deposition rates are relatively high, the 12-month mass loss of Green and Rooibos teas decreased significantly with increasing N deposition, explaining 9.5% and 1.1% of the variance, respectively. The expected changes in macroclimate and N deposition at the global scale by the end of this century are estimated to increase the 12-month mass loss of easily decomposable litter by 1.1–3.5% and of the more stable substrates by 3.8–10.6%, relative to current mass loss. In contrast, expected changes in atmospheric N deposition will decrease the mid-term mass loss of high-quality litter by 1.4–2.2% and that of low-quality litter by 0.9–1.5% in the temperate biome. Our results suggest that projected increases in N deposition may have the capacity to dampen the climate-driven increases in litter decomposition depending on the biome and decomposition stage of substrate.

Collected harmonized data on global litter decomposition are of great relevance for scientists, policymakers, and for education of the next generation of researchers and environmental managers. Here we describe the TeaComposition initiative, a global and open research collaborative network to study organic matter decomposition in a standardized way allowing comparison of decomposition rate and carbon turnover across global and regional gradients of ecosystems, climate, soils etc. The TeaComposition initiative today involves 570 terrestrial and 300 aquatic ecosystems from nine biomes worldwide. Further, we describe how to get involved in the TeaComposition initiative by (a) implementing the standard protocol within your study site, (b) joining task forces in data analyses, syntheses and modelling efforts, (c) using collected data and samples for further analyses through joint projects, (d) using collected data for graduate seminars, and (e) strengthening synergies between biogeochemical research and a wide range of stakeholders. These collaborative efforts within/emerging from the TeaComposition initiative, thereby, will leverage our understanding on litter decomposition at the global scale and strengthen global collaborations essential for addressing grand scientific challenges in a rapidly changing world.

El presente artículo sintetiza los principales factores para la producción de manzanilla común en bolsas filtrantes, tales como mercado, materia prima, industria, regulaciones y proceso de producción. Dentro de este último, también se detallan otros factores de acuerdo con la realidad peruana, referidos a equipamiento, evaluación energética, normas sanitarias, especificaciones técnicas del producto, sistema de mantenimiento, costo de mano de obra y materiales, áreas requeridas y seguridad y salud en el trabajo.

Background: A series of metal solutions such as chromium sulphate, lead sulphate and nickel sulphate were prepared, and varying concentrations were used to model the optimum conditions that would favour the removal of these metals in polluted situations. Taguchi design was used to set the experiment in motion by using three factors such as pH, concentration and time, although the experiment was done at a fixed temperature of 30 °C as detailed in the study. Result: The percentage of heavy metals removal from the solutions at varying conditions was used to model the effectiveness of the adsorbent. All models and their statistical parameters were reported in the study. The model identified as the best was the one involving the removal of chromium concentration using the tea bag adsorbent. The ability of the model to predict other concentrations which were not used in developing the model was high and was reported as preR2 of 0.94. Conclusion: The model predicts that the experiment which was conducted at varying pH values ranging from 1.00–8.00 can lead to the effective removal of chromium by decreasing the pH of the system to pH value = 1, and increasing the contact time of the adsorbent tea bag residue. The model confirms the transformation of chromium from hexavalent to trivalent at acidic pH which decreases its ionic solubility in an aqueous system leads to its ultimate removal by the adsorbent [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The need of rapid, biocompatible and reusable nanotechnology for water purification is a leading global priority. In this article, we have synthesized polyaniline-impregnated nanocellulose (PANI-NC) composites. It is used not only for the removal of hexavalent chromium in aqueous media but also for cleaning of industrial waste water. The synthesized PANI-NC composites were characterized by blend of characterization tools such as DLS, SEM and FTIR, while adsorption studies were recorded by flame AAS. The PANI-NC nanocomposite was used in different forms like powder and pebbles either in free form or packed in a tea bag or a continues column to make ready to use, user-friendly system. Our PANI-NC-based system provides the 92.59 mg/g (96.5%) removal of hexavalent chromium from chromium-spiked waste water along with 99.6% removal efficiency of toxic dyes from textile industrial waste water within only 60 min of incubation time at pH 6. The PANI-NC nanocomposite showed high chromium removal capacity along with complete cleaning of industrial waste water and provides a potential to fabricate in a reusable, cost-effective system for waste water cleaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intertidal wetlands capture and store carbon (C) for long periods of time, helping to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. Yet the processes, which govern the decomposition and subsequent long‐term storage of organic matter (OM) and C in these habitats, remain poorly understood. The Tea Bag Index (TBI) uses a standardized OM (green and Rooibos tea) and has the potential to shed light on OM decomposition across habitats, including saltmarshes. Here, we apply the TBI method at two saltmarshes within the same estuary with the aim of (i) reducing the influence of climatic variables and (ii) determining the role of the environment, including the soil characteristics, in the decomposition of OM. We extended the standard (3 months) incubation period over a full year in order to investigate the longer‐term decomposition processes at each site. The initial results partially support previous studies that the early stages of decomposition (leaching of the water‐soluble fraction) is governed by climatic conditions, but may be further enhanced by tidal flushing in saltmarshes. By extending the incubation period, we observed the initiation of midstage OM decomposition (cellulose degradation) upon which the soil characteristics appear to be the dominant control. These results highlight the importance of long‐term TBI incubations to understand early‐stage OM decomposition. The relationship between tea mass (OM) loss and C loss in these intertidal environments is not straightforward, and we would caution the use of the TBI as a direct universal proxy for soil C degradation in such intertidal wetlands. Plain Language Summary: Saltmarshes capture and lock organic matter (OM) and carbon (C) away in their underlying soils, preventing some of that C being released back to the atmosphere. Yet how this OM and C breaks down within these environments is poorly understood. The Tea Bag Index (TBI) uses standardized OM in the form of green and Rooibos tea to investigate decomposition. Burying the tea for different time periods allowed us to measure the mass and C loss to understand the breakdown of the material over time. Burying the tea bags in two different marshes within the same estuary allowed us to focus on the soil characteristics rather than climatic conditions. The yearlong incubations showed that the early breakdown of the OM is likely controlled by the climate and tidal flushing of the marshes, but that the second phase of decomposition is governed by the soil characteristics. The TBI is being used as a surrogate for the breakdown of soil C we tested, if mass loss of the tea relates to C degradation. The results suggest that the TBI is currently a poor proxy for C degradation in saltmarshes and that the TBI in these environments should be treated with caution. Key Points: Tea Bag Index (TBI) field incubation experiments should span a period of >1 year to ensure that all stages of early organic matter (OM) decomposition are observedSoil characteristics are a major control on long‐term OM decomposition in intertidal environmentsThe TBI should be used with caution in intertidal environments and is not a universal proxy for organic carbon (OC) degradation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics impose a major threat to the environment and biota. Reported release of secondary microplastics from tea bags while brewing tea results in their direct ingestion into the human body. The results reported here indicate the presence of variety of plastic materials and point to further need for investigations on the presence of micro- and nanoplastics from plastic packaging materials. In this work, the presence of microplastics from tea bags diffused into boiled water is explored using a multimodal approach comprising of digital holographic microscopy (DHM) and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The leachates derived from the tea bag into water while brewing was analyzed using DHM and micro-Raman spectroscopy, which helped in the detection, characterization, and identification of the detected microplastics. A systematic analysis of 11 teabag samples indicates the presence of plastic materials such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, etc. in a variety of shapes within micrometer sizes. The morphology, size, concentration, and chemical structure of the microparticles are characterized using nondestructive techniques with minimum sample preparation. The imaging results are complemented and validated using scanning electron microscopy. DHM and micro-Raman spectroscopy are sufficient for the detection and identification of secondary microplastics demanding only a very small volume of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cocoa bean shell (CBS), a cocoa by-product, contains a significant number of bioactive compounds with functional properties, such as polyphenols and methylxanthines, and is used as an ingredient in beverages and foods. In this work, the bioaccessibility of polyphenols and methylxanthines after In Vitro digestion was evaluated in new flavoured beverages for at-home consumption (capsules and tea bags). In addition, the polyphenolic composition, functional properties (antiradical and α-glucosidase inhibition capacities) and consumer acceptability of these beverages were evaluated. In both capsule and tea bag beverages, the bioaccessibility of methylxanthines was 100% while that of total polyphenols exceeded 50%. The main polyphenols determined using reverse-phase liquid chromatography were type B procyanidins and epicatechin. The antiradical activity in capsule and tea bag beverages was 1.75 and 1.88 mM of Trolox equivalents, respectively, of which 59.50% and 57.09% were recovered after simulated digestion. The percentage of α-glucosidase inhibition before In Vitro digestion (51.64% and 53.82% for capsules and tea bags, respectively) was comparable to that of acarbose at 0.5 mM. All the beverages obtained a high consumer acceptability. Therefore, these results highlight that CBSs can be used as a valid source of bioactive compounds in the preparation of beverages with homemade techniques.

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Through litter decomposition enormous amounts of carbon is emitted to the atmosphere. Numerous large-scale decomposition experiments have been conducted focusing on this fundamental soil process in order to understand the controls on the terrestrial carbon transfer to the atmosphere. However, previous studies were mostly based on site-specific litter and methodologies, adding major uncertainty to syntheses, comparisons and meta-analyses across different experiments and sites. In the TeaComposition initiative, the potential litter decomposition is investigated by using standardized substrates (Rooibos and Green tea) for comparison of litter mass loss at 336 sites (ranging from −9 to +26 °C MAT and from 60 to 3113 mm MAP) across different ecosystems. In this study we tested the effect of climate (temperature and moisture), litter type and land-use on early stage decomposition (3 months) across nine biomes. We show that litter quality was the predominant controlling factor in early stage litter decomposition, which explained about 65% of the variability in litter decomposition at a global scale. The effect of climate, on the other hand, was not litter specific and explained <0.5% of the variation for Green tea and 5% for Rooibos tea, and was of significance only under unfavorable decomposition conditions (i.e. xeric versus mesic environments). When the data were aggregated at the biome scale, climate played a significant role on decomposition of both litter types (explaining 64% of the variation for Green tea and 72% for Rooibos tea). No significant effect of land-use on early stage litter decomposition was noted within the temperate biome. Our results indicate that multiple drivers are affecting early stage litter mass loss with litter quality being dominant. In order to be able to quantify the relative importance of the different drivers over time, long-term studies combined with experimental trials are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with swelling and infusion kinetics of tea granules in tea bags. The swelling and infusion kinetics of tea bags differing in tea loading and tea bag shapes were compared with loose tea. Increment in temperature and dipping frequency of tea bag in hot water increased the infusion kinetics of tea bags. Reduction in particle size enhanced the swelling and infusion kinetics of tea in a tea bag. The effects of tea particle size, tea bag dipping rate, loading of tea granules in tea bag and tea bag shapes on infusion kinetics were investigated. Increase in tea loading in tea bags resulted in reduced infusion kinetics. Double chambered tea bag showed the highest swelling (30%) and infusion kinetics (8.30% Gallic acid equivalence) while single chambered tea bags showed the lowest kinetics, amongst the various bags studied. The swelling and infusion kinetics of loose tea was always faster and higher than that of tea bags. It was found that overall effect of percentage filling of tea granules and height of tea bed in a tea bag affects tea infusion kinetics the most. Weibull model was found to be in good agreement with the swelling data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cr(VI) and dye contents on batik wastewater has been reduced by biosorption using cheap, abundant, and easily obtained biosorbent such as Sargassum cinereum and Pleurotus ostreotus baglog waste. Biosorbent in the tea bags can increase adsorption capacity because it has a large surface.This research aims to obtain the optimum of biosorbent ratio and particle size in the tea bag package to Cr(VI) adsorption and decolorization. This experimental research was conducted using Spilt Plot Design. The obtained data were analyzed using anova test on 5% significane level. Based on result study, the highest of Cr(VI) adsorption found at the biosorbent in the tea bag with ratio of 3:1 and particle size of 250-425 urn i.e. 0,0042 mgg-1 with reduction efficiency was 68,31%. Percentage of decolorization was 39,92% found at biosorbent in the tea bag with ratio 0:1 and particle size of 425-675 urn. Biosorbent in the tea bag was effective to reducing Cr(VI) and dye in batik wastewater.

Background: The oral glucose tolerance test is a common method of diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus. This test causes several unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and headache., Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of liquid temperature and additives on pregnant women's taste perception, side effects, and glycemic levels in an oral glucose tolerance test., Study Design: This study was a single-center, randomized, and multi- and open-arm clinical trial. A total of 399 participants receiving the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis were included. Solutions for use in the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test were prepared in 8 formulas, with the participants randomly assigned to 1 of the 8 groups: room-temperature water, hot water, cold water, hot water with tea bag, room-temperature water with tea bag, cold water with tea bag, room-temperature soda water, and cold soda water. The main study outcomes were glycemic levels, satisfaction, perceived taste, side effects, and gestational diabetes mellitus. Glycemic levels were measured when fasted and at 1 hour and 2 hours after glucose administration. Satisfaction, taste perception, and side effects were evaluated immediately after the oral glucose tolerance test, and gestational diabetes mellitus was determined on the basis of glycemic levels., Results: The cold soda water solution led to a significantly higher glycemic level at 1 hour after glucose intake compared with room-temperature soda water solution (P=.009). Glucose formula was found to not significantly affect gestational diabetes mellitus incidence (P>.05) or the participants' satisfaction, vomiting, headache, or abdominal bloating (P>.05). However, the formula did significantly affect perceived taste (P=.027) and the degree of nausea (P=.014)., Conclusion: Several glucose solutions, such as cold glucose solution and any-temperature glucose solution containing a tea bag, led to slightly higher taste scores and a lower degree of nausea compared with the room-temperature water-based glucose solution. However, soda water was found to affect the glycemic level at 1 hour after glucose intake, and is not suggested for use for gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this study, the environmental concerns of current tea bags as well as in-cup decaffeination are addressed with the synthesis of efficient and biodegradable bi-layered, alginate-chitosan hydrogel tea bag (D-HTB). A simple, environmentally friendly synthesis method was employed to prepare the novel hydrogel tea bag. D-HTB was prepared by tea encapsulation in an alginate matrix, and activated carbon was decorated in another chitosan layer for decaffeination using a facile directional freezing and crosslinking technique. The microstructural and thermal properties of the prepared tea bags were studied using a digital microscope (DM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Directional ice freezing created lamellar increasing the surface area, which resulted in excellent tea release efficiency and decaffeination. The release kinetic profile was investigated, and the data fit well to the Korsmeyer-Peppas model indicating Fickian diffusion-controlled tea release. The as-prepared D-HTB shows a maximum release efficiency of 92.5% polyphenols and decaffeination of ~40% compared to that of the commercial tea bag. Thus, D-HTB has an excellent potential of being an environmentally-safe and in-cup decaffeination alternative to the current tea bags. [Display omitted] • Bi-layered, porous, ecofriendly tea bag D-HTB was prepared successfully. • Lower AC concentration resulted in better selectivity of decaffeination. • 91% polyphenol release efficiency was obtained compared to commercial tea bag. • Excellent in-cup decaffeination ability of 40% was attained with 1 mg/mL AC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litter and soil organic matter decomposition represents one of the major drivers of carbon and nutrient cycling in a given ecosystem; however, it also contributes to a significant production of relevant greenhouse gasses. The Japanese archipelago spans several biomes (boreal‐temperate‐subtropical) and covers a large range of elevations and ecosystem types. Hence, the comprehension of this fundamental biogeochemical process in diverse ecosystems is crucial to maintain their ecosystem services. In this article, we have provided data on plant leaf decomposition from 33 research sites across Japan. At each site, standard litter material with different decomposition rates, rooibos tea and green tea were incubated for 90 days between 2012 and 2016 and the remaining mass was recorded. In total, 1904 bags were used. In addition, supplementary measurements of environmental variables essential for the interpretation of the collected data, such as soil and vegetation, were recorded. Plot‐level averages of the remaining mass rates of bag contents after incubation ranged 0.17–0.51 for green tea and 0.54–0.82 for rooibos tea. Continued monitoring will also provide important insights into the temporal dynamics of litter decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current work explains the development of a mathematical model for the prediction of tea bag infusion kinetics of solid-liquid extraction of polyphenols from tea. The developed model has been used to obtain tea bag infusion profile using equilibrium parameters i.e. partition constant (K) , the initial content of tea solute ( C s i ) and tea bed permeability (κ). The Predicted infusion profiles and experimental data are in good agreement having mean relative error <10%. For all the conditions (loading in the tea bag, particle size, temperature, and dipping frequency), the Gallic acid equivalence (GAE) per unit equilibrium concentration ( C v e q ) eluted inside tea bag ( C b ˆ) was found to be higher as compared to that in the vessel ( C v ˆ). The increased loading and increase in particle size for given loading exhibit slower infusion kinetics. However, an increase in dipping frequency (Reynolds number) and temperature leads to an increase in mass transfer coefficient leading to faster infusion kinetics. • Mathematical model development for the prediction of tea bag infusion kinetics. • Combined effect of internal diffusive and Nerst layer mass transfer resistance. • Higher tea solute concentration inside a tea bag at all times except at equilibrium. • The predicted infusion profiles and experimental data are in good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cocoa bean shell (CBS), a cocoa by-product, contains a significant number of bioactive compounds with functional properties, such as polyphenols and methylxanthines, and is used as an ingredient in beverages and foods. In this work, the bioaccessibility of polyphenols and methylxanthines after In Vitro digestion was evaluated in new flavoured beverages for at-home consumption (capsules and tea bags). In addition, the polyphenolic composition, functional properties (antiradical and α-glucosidase inhibition capacities) and consumer acceptability of these beverages were evaluated. In both capsule and tea bag beverages, the bioaccessibility of methylxanthines was 100% while that of total polyphenols exceeded 50%. The main polyphenols determined using reverse-phase liquid chromatography were type B procyanidins and epicatechin. The antiradical activity in capsule and tea bag beverages was 1.75 and 1.88 mM of Trolox equivalents, respectively, of which 59.50% and 57.09% were recovered after simulated digestion. The percentage of α-glucosidase inhibition before In Vitro digestion (51.64% and 53.82% for capsules and tea bags, respectively) was comparable to that of acarbose at 0.5 mM. All the beverages obtained a high consumer acceptability. Therefore, these results highlight that CBSs can be used as a valid source of bioactive compounds in the preparation of beverages with homemade techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to remove basic dye (astrazon red 6B (AR)) from liquid environment by adsorption. For this purpose, batch experiments were performed using spent tea leaves (TL) and tea bags (TB) as adsorbents due to their low costs. Adsorption experiments were carried out for different initial concentrations (25-200 mg/L), different pH values (pH 2-10), and different adsorbent amounts (0.25-2 g/L) of solution. Equilibrium sorption isotherms and kinetics were investigated. The experimental data were analyzed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models of adsorption. The adsorption data fitted well to the Freundlich isotherm for TL and Langmuir isotherm for TB. Two kinetic models, pseudo-first order and pseudosecond order, were employed to describe the adsorption mechanism. According to the results of the analysis, the pseudo-second-order equation was determined to be the best model to describe the adsorption behavior for both adsorbents with the determination factor R² ≥ 0.92. The results proved that the spent TL and used TB could be potentially used as low-cost adsorbents for the removal of AR from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]