Stilbene-derived optical brighteners are compounds that absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation and emit visible blue wavelengths. When mixed with baculoviruses they can enhance the infectivity, rendering the viruses more efficient as control agents of insect pests. Formulations of baculoviruses with optical brighteners are being tested for control of crop and forest lepidopterous insects in North Am...

Studies were performed in the laboratory, greenhouse and field to assess the potential of Agrotis ipsilon multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgipMNPV) and a viral enhancing agent, M2R, for suppression of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel). In laboratory droplet feeding bioassays, AgipMNPV was shown to be highly active against third-instar A. ipsilon. The optical brightener M2R significantly reduced LD50...

Metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) studies of the optical brightener Tinopal-CBS (4,40distyrylbiphenyl sulfonic sodium salt) have been undertaken using steady-state and time resolved fluorescence measurements on silver island films (SiFs) deposited on glass slides and silver nano-particles adsorbed onto cellulose based filter paper. Nearly a 4.5 fold enhancement in fluorescence intensity is obse...

The photochemical and electrochemical investigations of commercially available, safe, and cheap fluorescent brighteners, namely, triazinylstilbene (commercial name: fluorescent brightener 28) and 2,5-bis(5-tert-butyl-benzoxazol-2-yl)thiophene, as well as their original use as photoinitiators of polymerization upon light emitting diode (LED) irradiation are reported. Remarkably, their excellent ...

Fluorescent brighteners increase insect viral activity and provide protection against UV inactivation. The relative amount of viral UV protection has not previously been determined due to the dual nature of these compounds. In this study, two distinct viral–host systems, a nuclear polyhedrosis virus of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) infecting its homologous host and a nuclear polyhedrosis vi...

Detection of optical brighteners by fluorometry combined with ultraviolet light (UV) exposure has been proposed as an inexpensive method for detection of human fecal contamination, but has received limited testing. This study evaluated the approach in southern California by applying it to a variety of detergents, sewage and septage samples from the region, as well as to natural stream water as ...

There are numerous common skin disorders involving hyperpigmentation, including solar lentigines, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, freckles, and dyschromia from photoaging. While these conditions are of an aesthetic nature, there is great interest in newer, safer, and more effective treatment modalities. Topical hydroquinone (HQ) has been the gold standard of skin lighteners for man...