Borax Treatment Research Articles

Borax affects cellular viability by inducing ER stress in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting SLC12A5.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a persistent challenge to conventional therapeutic approaches. SLC12A5 is implicated in an oncogenic capacity and facilitates the progression of cancer. The objective of this investigation is to scrutinize the inhibitory effects of borax on endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress and apoptosis mediated by SLC12A5 in HepG2 cells. Initially, we evaluated the cytotoxic impact of borax on both HL-7702 and HepG2 cell lines. Subsequently, the effects of borax on cellular morphology and the cell cycle of these lines were examined. Following this, we explored the impact of borax treatment on the mRNA and protein expression levels of SLC12A5, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), glucose-regulated protein-78 (GRP78), activating transcription factor-6 (ATF6), caspase-3 (CASP3), and cytochrome c (CYC) in these cellular populations. The determined IC50 value of borax for HL-7702 cells was 40.8 mM, whereas for HepG2 cells, this value was 22.6 mM. The concentrations of IC50 (22.6 mM) and IC75 (45.7 mM) of borax in HepG2 cells did not manifest morphological aberrations in HL-7702 cells. Conversely, these concentrations in HepG2 cells induced observable morphological and nuclear abnormalities, resulting in cell cycle arrest in the G1/G0 phase. Additionally, the levels of SLC12A5, ATF6, CHOP, GRP78, CASP3, and CYC were elevated in HepG2 cells in comparison to HL-7702 cells. Moreover, SLC12A5 levels decreased following borax treatment in HepG2 cells, whereas ATF6, CHOP, GRP78, CASP3, and CYC levels exhibited a significant increase. In conclusion, our data highlight the potential therapeutic effects of borax through the regulation of ER stress in HCC by targeting SLC12A5.

Borax induces ferroptosis of glioblastoma by targeting HSPA5/NRF2/GPx4/GSH pathways.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive and lethal form of primary brain tumour. Borax has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-cancer activity through cell death pathways. However, the specific impact of borax on ferroptosis in GBM is not well-established, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Initially, the effective concentration of borax on cell viability and proliferation in U251 and A172 cells was determined. Subsequently, the effects of borax on the wound healing were analysed. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4), glutathione (GSH), HSP70 protein 5 (HSPA5), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and caspase-3/7 activity were determined in borax-treated and untreated cells. Finally, the protein expression levels of HSPA5, NRF2 and GPx4 were analysed. Borax suppressed cell viability and proliferation in U251 and A172 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In addition, borax treatment decreased GPx4, GSH, HSPA5 and NRF2 levels in U251 and A172 cells while increasing MDA levels and caspase-3/7 activity. Moreover, borax reduced mRNA and protein levels of HSPA5, NRF2 and GPx4 in U251 and A172 cells. Consequently, borax may induce ferroptosis in GBM cells and regulate the associated regulatory mechanisms targeting NRF2 and HSPA5 pathways. This knowledge may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches targeting ferroptosis in GBM and potentially improve patient outcomes.

Multi‐crosslinked, ecofriendly flame‐retardant starch‐based composite aerogels with high compression‐resistance

AbstractTo achieve ecofriendly aerogels with high mechanics and fire resistance, naturally‐occurring pea starch was employed as the major substrate, and starch‐based composite aerogels were fabricated by freeze–drying method. The corresponding hydrogels were obtained through successive gelatinization/dissolution of pea starch and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), formation of precursor hydrogels via cyclic freeze–thawing, followed by treatment with borax aqueous solution. Borax treatment not only results in aerogels with high mechanics, but also endows the aerogels flame‐retardant property. The final aerogels show high compression‐resistance, with a maximum specific compressive modulus achieved at ~44 MPa and the yield strength 665 kPa, owing to the formation of a multi‐crosslinked hybrid network. The maximum limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the aerogels exceeds 34. The peak heat release rate, the heat release capacity, and the total heat release decrease 74.5%, 76.2%, and 73.8% after borax treatment. Moreover, the obtained aerogels demonstrate good thermal stability and thermal insulation. The good performance is conducive for practical application.

Boron rejection from aqueous solution and wastewater by direct contact membrane distillation

Boron is widely used in various areas of modern technology. Due to the environmental problems arising during the production and use, the studies on the removal and recovery of boron from wastewater have been increased recently. Membrane distillation (MD) system is smaller in size with respect to other common distillation systems and needs lower operating temperatures. In addition, the equipment costs are reduced and the safety of the process increases since it operates at lower pressures. Moreover, the membrane distillation process can remove pollutants from water without using chemicals. In this study, boron rejection from aqueous solutions and wastewater was investigated by using direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) system where both surfaces of a porous hydrophobic membrane were in contact with liquid streams. The effects of various parameters (pH, feed concentration, feed temperature, etc.) on boron rejection were investigated and the highest boron rejection was found to be 50 % when pH=10 at 50 °C and with feeding by a pump of 54 rpm. According to the test results of wastewater from Kırka Borax treatment plants, the mean distillate fluxes were found as 13, 16 and 14 L m-2 h-1 at the feed temperatures of 30, 40 and 50 °C, respectively. The boron removal percentages were found to be 47, 64 and 48 % at 30, 40 and 50 °C, respectively. It was observed in the XRD spectra that the crystals in wastewater mainly consist of Na2B(OH)4Cl and Mg2B2O5 structures.

Thermal and physicochemical properties of sugar palm fibre treated with borax

Natural fibres are biodegradable, low-cost, and low-density materials found in many parts of the world in large quantities. The comparative properties and competitive advantages make it be a preferred material in many engineering applications. The major challenges associated with natural fibres are its low thermal stability, lack of interfacial adhesion, poor resistance to moisture and inferior mechanical properties when compared with synthetic fibres. The solution is to treat it with either alkali, silane, or other treatment methods. Specifically, alkaline treatment comes with an additional problem such as fibre degradation. Therefore, this work employed the use of borax as a treatment chemical rather than its usage as a fire retardant. This could give a treated natural fibre with mild degradation and acceptable properties. Therefore, in this research sugar palm fibre was treated with 5 w/w% borax, washed several times and dried in an oven. The treated and untreated fibres were characterized based on X-Ray Diffraction, thermal stability, and morphological analysis. The experimental results showed that the crystallinity index increased from 44.02 % to 49.56 %, while the thermal stability increased from 246.76 °C to 255.5 °C with borax treatment. The morphological investigation revealed that the surface of the treated fibre is rough with no silica deposit when compared with the untreated fibre. In conclusion, the investigation proved that treatment with the borax has a significant effect on the physicochemical properties of sugar palm fibre.

Effects of Boric Acid and/or Borax Treatments on the Fire Resistance of Bamboo Filament

Bamboo filament, a material often used for indoor decoration, should be treated with flame retardants for safe use. This study evaluated the effects of different boron fire retardants on the heat release and smoke release of bamboo filaments and untreated samples via a cone analysis. A thermogravimetric analyzer (TA) instrument was used to investigate the fire retardant mechanisms of the different boron compounds. The results showed that compared to the untreated samples, fire retardants that contained boric acid or borax effectively reduced the heat and smoke release from the bamboo filament. The effects of the different ingredients in the fire retardant on the combustion process were quite different. During the combustion process, borax displayed better performance for restraining the heat release rate than boric acid, while for the total amount of heat release and the smoke suspension performance, the result was the converse. The excellent synergistic effect could be obtained by a mixture that contained a reasonable proportion of boric acid and borax (Boric Acid:Borax = 1:1). In the pyrolysis process, boric acid had stronger catalytic dehydration, while the mass loss in the treated samples with boric acid or higher proportions of boric acid was less than the loss in the borax-treated samples.

Effect of Maleic Anhydride-Modified Poly(lactic acid) on the Properties of Its Hybrid Fiber Biocomposites.

This work investigated the effect of maleic anhydride (MA)-modified poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which is melt-blended with different untreated and aqueous borax (BR)-treated hybrid oil palm empty fruit bunch fibers (EFBF)/Kenaf core fibers (KCF), and compression-molded into corresponding hybrid biocomposites. These hybrid systems includes BR-treated EFBF/BR-treated KCF reinforced MA-modified PLA i.e., BR(EFBF-KCF)-MAPLA, BR-treated EFBF/BR-treated KCF reinforced unmodified PLA i.e., BR(EFBF-KCF)-PLA, untreated EFBF/untreated KCF reinforced MA-modified PLA i.e., EFBF-KCF-MAPLA, and untreated EFBF/untreated KCF reinforced unmodified PLA i.e., EFBF-KCF-PLA respectively. Characterizations of the hybrid systems revealed that optimal mechanical, physical, morphological, thermal and dynamic mechanical properties were provided by the BR(EFBF-KCF)-MAPLA, resulting from improved interface adhesion, consequent of the synergistic influence of BR treatment of natural fibers, and the compatibilization effect provided by the MA-modified PLA. The grafting degree and efficiency of MA onto the PLA backbone was appreciable, as indicated by direct titration, and through monitoring using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR); thus the MA-modified PLA facilitated the formation of strong interface adhesion with the BR-treated hybrid fibers. The BR(EFBF-KCF)-MAPLA showed promising properties for usage as a bio-inspired, and sustainable alternative fiberboard article.

Influence of Spraying Two Borate Compounds on Controlling Cercospora Leaf Spot Disease and Productivity of Sugar Beet

Fifteen isolates of Cercospora beticola Sacc. were isolated from naturally diseased sugar beet plants collected from different localities at El-Behera Governorate, Egypt. All isolates were able to infect Pleno sugar beet cultivar and they significantly differed in their virulence. In vitro study, inhibitory effect of borates was tested on mycelial growth of C. beticola at different concentrations, i.e. 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 ppm. Borates were able to inhibit the mycelial growth of the pathogen, when they were added to the medium at all the tested concentrations. The results showed that borax strongly inhibited C. beticola mycelial growth and had more fungistatic and fungicidal activities than those of boric acid and the fungicide Cabrio Top 60%. Under field conditions, spraying of diseased plants with borates at concentrations of 0.50 and 1.00 g/l water was effective in decreasing disease severity. The highest reduction in disease severity was observed in case of borax treatment at concentration of 1.00 g/l water. Treatments with borates improved agronomic characters of roots, i.e. root yield, total soluble solids (T.S.S), and sugar percent. Moreover, they decreased potassium, sodium and alpha amino acids and increased the quality of sugar beet yield.

Liječenje glicerin-boraksom eksfolijativnog heilitisa uzrokovanog natrijevim lauril-sulfatom: prikaz slučaja

Liječenje glicerin-boraksom eksfolijativnog heilitisa uzrokovanog natrijevim lauril-sulfatom: prikaz slučaja

Glycerin Borax Treatment of Exfoliative Cheilitis Induced by Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: a Case Report.

This paper reports on the results of a case study of a 19-year-old female who presented to the Oral Medicine clinic with a chief complaint of scaly and peeling lips. The lesions had persisted on her lips for more than 7 years and were refractory to previous treatment. Her physician's diagnosis was contact dermatitis. We diagnosed this patient as having exfoliative cheilitis (EC). A patch test using the toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) was positive and the patient discontinued using it. Instead, she started using a toothpaste not containing SLS. One year after treating her lesions with hydrogen peroxide mouthwash 1% and glycerin borax, a gradual improvement was observed until returning to normal. Glycerin borax was safe, low cost and simple to use in treatment of refractory exfoliative cheilitis. SLS may have been a precipitating factor in EC in this case.

Physicochemical properties of glutinous rice in the presence of alkali and borax

The influences of alkali, represented by sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and sodium tetraborate (borax) on the physicochemical properties of glutinous rice (RD6 cultivar) were investigated. The results showed that NaOH and borax treatment differently influenced the properties of glutinous rice. NaOH‐treated flour (NTF) had the highest pH value, followed by borax‐treated flour (BTF), and the control sample, respectively. NaOH caused a significant decrease in the protein content while borax had no effect. These results related to scanning electron micrographs of NTF which showed a smoother surface than that of the others. The BTF had the highest peak and final viscosity, possibly due to cross‐linkages between borate ions and hydroxyl pairs on the polysaccharide chains. The results of pasting properties were in line with the hardness of the flour paste. Gelatinization temperature of both NTF and BTF was significantly higher than in the control, but enthalpy was not significantly different. This information provides a greater understanding of the behavior of NaOH and borax on glutinous rice and is useful for applications of NaOH and borax in food and non‐food products. It is also important to understand borax's effect on starch and to find a suitable substitute.

Borax Partially Prevents Neurologic Disability and Oxidative Stress in Experimental Spinal Cord Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential effects of borax on ischemia/reperfusion injury of the rat spinal cord. Twenty-one Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups: sham (no ischemia/reperfusion), ischemia/reperfusion, and borax (ischemia/reperfusion + borax); each group was consist of 7 animals. Infrarenal aortic cross clamp was applied for 30 minutes to generate spinal cord ischemia. Animals were evaluated functionally with the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scoring system and inclined-plane test. The spinal cord tissue samples were harvested to analyze tissue concentrations of nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase activity, xanthine oxidase activity, total antioxidant capacity, and total oxidant status and to perform histopathological examination. At the 72nd hour after ischemia, the borax group had significantly higher Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan and inclined-plane scores than those of ischemia/reperfusion group. Histopathological examination of spinal cord tissues in borax group showed that treatment with borax significantly reduced the degree of spinal cord edema, inflammation, and tissue injury disclosed by light microscopy. Xanthine oxidase activity and total oxidant status levels of the ischemia/reperfusion group were significantly higher than those of the sham and borax groups (P < .05), and total antioxidant capacity levels of borax group were significantly higher than those of the ischemia/reperfusion group (P < .05). There was not a significantly difference between the sham and borax groups in terms of total antioxidant capacity levels (P > .05). The nitric oxide levels and nitric oxide synthase activity of all groups were similar (P > .05). Borax treatment seems to protect the spinal cord against injury in a rat ischemia/reperfusion model and improve neurological outcome.

English

The influence of foliar application of calcium chloride and borax calcium on fruit skin strength and cracking incidence in litchi (Litchi chinensis&nbsp;Sonn.) fruit was investigated at 25 days interval and&nbsp;also the&nbsp;evaluation of fruit skin calcium and boron contents, skin strength, ion leakage from skin discs and fruit cracking in four litchi cultivars. Significant variations were observed in different litchi cultivars and CaCl2&nbsp;and borax treatments. The means revealed that cultivar Gola had the highest fruit skin calcium content (7.67 mg/100 g DW), ion leakage from skin discs (31.11%) and fruit cracking (21.91%) but the least skin strength&nbsp;(2.44&nbsp;kg cm-2). Skin boron content was the highest in cultivars&nbsp;Gola&nbsp;(0.203&nbsp;mg/100 g DW). Cultivar Bedana had the highest fruit skin strength (3.39 kg cm-2) and the least mean ion leakage (18.86%) and fruit cracking (13.26%). Foliar application of CaCl2&nbsp;and borax significantly increased the mean fruit skin calcium content (4.79 mg/100 g DW),&nbsp;boron content (0.109 mg/100 g DW), and skin strength (2.43 kg cm-2) from the least in&nbsp;the&nbsp;control to the highest&nbsp; 8.88 mg/100 g DW ,&nbsp; 0.247 mg/100 g DW and 3.01 kg cm-2&nbsp;with CaCl2&nbsp;3 + boron 1.5% treatment&nbsp;respectively, while ion leakage (35.17%) and fruit cracking (25.40%) in&nbsp;thecontrol decreased to 16.17 and 11.14% respectively with CaCl2&nbsp;3%&nbsp;+ boron 1.5% treatment. The Ca content of the litchi fruit skin in&nbsp;the&nbsp;control vs. Rest, control vs. CaCl2&nbsp;and control vs. CaCl2&nbsp;+ borax increased from 4.79 to 7.36 mg/100 g DW, 4.85 and 8.20 mg/100 g DW respectively. The boron content of the fruit skin also increased in&nbsp;the&nbsp;control vs. Rest (0.11 vs. 0.21 mg/100 g DW), control vs. CaCl2&nbsp;(0.11 vs. 0.14 mg/100 g DW), control vs. CaCl2&nbsp;+ Borax (0.11 vs. 0.23 mg/100 g DW) and CaCl2vs. CaCl2&nbsp;+ Borax (0.14 vs. 0.23 mg/100 g DW) treatments. The mean ion leakage decreased from 35.17 in&nbsp;the&nbsp;control to 24.10% in control vs. Rest, 30.26% in control vs. CaCl2&nbsp;and 22.05% in control vs. CaCl2+Borax. Similarly, the ion leakage decline from 30.06 to 22.05 in CaCl2&nbsp;vs. CaCl2&nbsp;+ Borax means. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Boron, calcium, fruit cracking, litchi, skin strength, ion leakage. &nbsp; &nbsp

The efficacy of selected biological and chemical control agents against Heterobasidion abietinum on Abies cilicica

Summary The efficacy of 30% aqueous urea solution, borax powder and spore suspensions of Phlebiopsis gigantea and Trichoderma harzianum against establishment of artificially inoculated Heterobasidion abietinum on Abies cilicica was tested both in the field and in a simulated stump treatment experiment carried out in a growth chamber. In the field, in each of the four selected stands 20 fresh stumps per control agent were treated and 20 stumps were left as untreated controls. In two of the stands, the treatments were applied in June and in the two others in November. Stumps were sampled twice, at 6- and 12-months after treatment. In the growth chamber, 10 log pieces per treatment and control were used, and sampling performed after 6-week incubation. Results of the urea and borax treatments were consistent between the experiments; the mean efficacies were 98.8 and 99.4% in the growth chamber, and 80.2–91.3 and 89.4–90.1% in the two samplings of the field experiment, respectively. Despite the high efficacies of the P. gigantea (85.9%) and T. harzianum (97.5%) treatments in the growth chamber, efficacies of these biological control agents in the field were 47.1–49.2 and 61.3–65.5%, respectively.

Thermal and frictional properties of modified sisal fibre/phenolic resin composites

In order to enhance the bonding force of sisal fibres (SF) and polymer matrix, different surface modifiers (alkali, coupling agent and borax) were used to treat the fibres. The SF/phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin composites were prepared through compression moulding. Thermal properties of the treated SFs and fibre composites were studied by thermogravimetric analysis and thermal expansion analysis. The effect of SF modification on the friction and wear properties of composites was investigated using wear tester under dry condition. The treated fibre surface and the worn surfaces of SF/PF composites were observed by SEM. The results showed that the surface of SF became rough after borax treatment, and the initial decomposition temperature increased by 13·6°C, compared to untreated SF. Thermal stability and wear properties of the PF composites with treated fibre were obviously increased due to the fibre modification. For example, wear volume of the composites with sisal treated by borax decreased by 73·3%. Scanning electron microscopy photos showed that the wear mechanism changed from fatigue wear to slight plough wear.

The Rise and Fall of Borax as an Antiepileptic Drug

Five hundred eighty-six patients with epilepsy were treated with borax (hydrated sodium tetraborate) between 1912 and 1948 at the Kolonien Filadelfia Epilepsy Hospital, Dianalund, Denmark. A rough estimation shows that less than 5% experienced a more than 50% reduction in the total number of seizures. Charts were reviewed to find a connection between the concept of Bacillus epilepticus (1916) and the so-called renaissance of borax treatment described in 1923, and to find an explanation for the popularity of this seemingly ineffective antiepileptic drug.

Preventing Heterobasidion annosum from colonizing chemically thinned Sitka spruce stems

Summary Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) stems thinned by wounding and applying glyphosate herbicide were found to be prone to ‘infection’ by Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. ‘Infection’ as indicated by emerging basidiocarps 3‐5 years after treatment was low but highly variable and increasing. Two trials compared three herbicides, two wounding methods and three wound protectants. After treatment, wounds were sprayed four times with H. annosum conidiospores. In trial 1, herbicides were glyphosate or imazapyr. Protectants were urea or the fungicide (Calirus™). Stem-sections were cut 12 months after treatment, incubated and percentage area colonized by H. annosum was recorded. Control cuts had a low mean area of colonization (< 5 per cent), contrasting with herbicide treatments where glyphosate gave 63 per cent, and imazapyr 32 per cent. A protectant spray with urea after herbicide reduced this to 28 and 21 per cent, respectively. Calirus reduced it to 16 and 11 per cent. In trial 2, stem sections were cut after 16 months and had greater mean percentage areas of colonization than in trial 1. Chain-saw cuts with glyphosate treatment had 66 per cent colonization, protection with urea reduced this to 48 per cent, or the fungicide Plant Vax™ to 43 per cent. However applying Plant Vax before herbicide reduced it to only 20 per cent. A plugged drill-hole led to a smaller area of colonization than a cut, with glyphosate alone this was 43 per cent and when plugs were pretreated with Plant Vax it was 26 per cent. Borax dusted into cuts was unsuccessful as a potential arboricide. Glyphosate at 18 per cent v/v (diluted Roundup™) was a more efficient arboricide than 3 per cent imazapyr (diluted Arsenal™); on the other hand, glyphosate was associated with more H. annosum. Few stems totally escaped infection except in the borax treatment. In trial 1 comparing disc infection with sporophore production 4.5 years later showed basidiocarps to be poor indicators. Mean percentage area colonized showed many significant treatment differences.

Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) Control in a Kentucky Bluegrass Turfgrass with Borax

Abstract Field experiments were conducted to evaluate ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) control and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) tolerance to Twenty Mule Team Borax, Super Trimec, and Sharpshooter applications. Ground ivy control improved with time in 1991 whereas the inverse was true in 1992. Liquid borax at 610 g/100m2 and Super Trimec at 560 ml/100m2 controlled ground ivy consistently (≥85%) during 1991 and 1992. Ground ivy control with dry borax was not as good as liquid borax when each application was applied at 305 g/100m2. Unacceptable ground ivy control occurred with Sharpshooter. All treatments caused turfgrass injury in 1991. At 4 weeks after treatment (WAT), injury increased to 30 and 40% for the 305 and 610 g/100 m2 (10 and 20 oz/1000 ft2) liquid borax treatments, respectively. No turfgrass injury however was observed the following spring. In 1992, only Sharpshooter caused injury 2 WAT. Weather differences after the applications contributed to the variability in ground ivy control and turfgrass injury between years. These results indicate that boron can be used to selectively control ground ivy in a Kentucky bluegrass turf with a 610 g/100 m2 (20 oz/1000 ft2) liquid borax application with only temporary turfgrass injury.

Improving the technology for preparing a wire rod for drawing

The quality of wire is determined to a considerable extent by how efficient the technological operation of preparing the metal for drawing is. Traditionally, the preparation of the surface of wire rods includes acid pickling, washing, and application of a lubricant carrier coating. The customarily used three-cascade counterflow washing after hydrochloric acid pickling does not ensure complete removal of the acid and iron salts from the surface of the metal [1]. Entry of the acid into the tanks for borax treatment and liming results in accumulation of chloride ions in the solution and on the surface of the metal, which activate pit corrosion. In the steel wire shop of the West Siberian ISW, a technology was implemented for preparing the surface of wire rods by neutralization and passivation in solutions of hydrolyzing salts with surfactant properties before applying a lubricant carrier coating. Before borax treatment, the rods were treated in a solution of a passivating salt that hydrolyzes in an aqueous solution. The alkaline medium of the solution neutralizes traces of the hydrochloric acid. The salt film remaining on the surface temporarily protects the metal from atmospheric corrosion between operations. Owing to its porosity, the salt sublayer retains the borax (lubricant carrier) very well. To obtain a structure of the borax pentahydrate that is optimum for drawing, the rods were heated to 100 180~ before borax treatment. A laminar precipitate appeared on the metal surface in the form of an amorphous (iron hydroxide) and crystalline salt phase having good adhesion to borax and to a soap-based lubricant. Before liming, the rods were treated in an alkaline solution containing anion-active surfactants.

Total Gossypol Content and Properties of Cottonseed Oil as Affected by Borax Treatment Before and After Oil Storage

AbstractCrude cotton seed oil obtained by hydraulic press in two Egyptian factories was used. The oil was treated with different concentrations of borax before and after oil storage. Treatment with borax decreased the total gossypol content of the oil by 94.6–99.3% whether the borax treatment was carried out before or after crude oil storage. Crude oil storage prior to borax treatment resulted in oil of dark colour, hard to bleach, even after borax treatment as the borax treated bleached oil had a colour of 9.5–24 red units. While borax treatment prior to oil storage resulted in oil of light colour of 3.7–4.8 and 3.0–4.0 red units before and after storage of the borax treated oil, respectively. Borax treatments had no undesirable effect on the viscosity, refractive index, surface tension, free fatty acids, saponification value, and iodine value of the oil.