Mixture Of CaCl2 Research Articles

Low Temperature Synthesis of Halide Phosphors Using Novel Water-Assisted Solid-State Reaction Method

In recent years, nano-phosphor materials have attracted much attention due to their significant potential for high-performance micro-LED displays and solid state lighting devices. In addition, nano-phosphors are considered to be promising candidates for spectral-converters to enhance the energy-conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells. Synthesis of nano-phosphors can be categorized in two ways namely, chemical and physical methods. Various methods such as the sol-gel, hydro-thermal, or the polymerized complex methods are usually used to synthesize nano-phosphor materials. However, these methods require expensive and special experimental equipment, raw materials, or solvents.In this study, we synthesized nano-sized halide phosphors using a novel water-assisted solid-state reaction (WASSR) method. This novel soft chemical synthesis method is very simple and can synthesize nano-particle materials just by storing or mixing raw materials added a small amount (typically 10wt%) of water in a reactor at low temperature below 500 K. Typical particle sizes (under 100 nm) of the samples prepared by the WASSR method were smaller than that (2 - 10 micrometer size) of the sample prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method.For example, a stoichiometric mixture of CsCl, CaCl2 and EuCl3 hydrate was mixed for the WASSR synthesis of CsCaCl3:Eu2+ phosphor. Then, a small amount (2 wt%) of water was added to the mixture and mixed using mortar for 1 min to synthesize a single phase of CsCaCl3:Eu3+. For the reduction of Eu3+ ion, 6 wt % of hydrazine monohydrate was added to the CsCaCl3:Eu3+ and heated in the closed reactor for 12 h at 493 K. The XRD pattern of the products are in good agreement with that of single phase CsCaCl3. The SEM image and the photoluminescence spectra of CsCaCl3:Eu2+ is shown in Figure. CsCa0.09Eu0.01Cl3 shows strong blue emission under the excitation of UV light. Our proposed low cost and low-temperature synthesis technique are promising for an industrial application for phosphor materials synthesis processing.AcknowledgmentThis research was financially supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy(MOTIE) and Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology(KIAT) through the International Cooperative R&D program (P0006844_Development of color conversion nanocrystal luminescence materials for next generation display).

Effect of aliphatic solvents on the reverse self-assembly of lecithin and calcium chloride mixtures

Reverse spherical micelles are formed by self-assembly of lecithin molecules in nonpolar solvents. They are transformed into reverse cylindrical micelles when inorganic salts such as CaCl2 are added to lecithin solutions. When the reverse cylindrical micelles are long enough to be entangled, the solution viscosity increases significantly, forming organogels. In this study, we investigate the effects of aliphatic solvents on the reverse self-assembly of lecithin and CaCl2 mixtures. When the hydrocarbon chain length of the aliphatic solvents increases, the viscosities of lecithin and CaCl2 mixtures increase. In addition, for the same hydrocarbon chain length, mixtures in alkanes have higher viscosities than those in alkenes. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) results suggest that the viscosities of the mixtures are correlated with the length of the reverse cylindrical micelles. Herein, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the interactions between lecithin headgroups and CaCl2, which play a significant role in forming the reverse cylindrical micelles.

Influence of Surface Modification of MK-40 Membrane with Polyaniline on Scale Formation under Electrodialysis.

A comprehensive study of the polyaniline influence on mineral scaling on the surface of the heterogeneous MK-40 sulfocationite membrane under electrodialysis has been conducted. Current-voltage curves and chronopotentiograms have been obtained and analyzed for the pristine MK-40 membrane and the MK-40 membrane which is surface-modified by polyaniline. The study of the electrochemical behavior of membranes has been accompanied by the simultaneous control of the pH of the solution outcoming from the desalination compartment. The mixture of Na2CO3, KCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2 is used as a model salt solution. Two limiting states are observed on the current-voltage curve of the surface-modified membrane. There is the first pseudo-limiting state in the range of small values of the potential drop. The second limiting current is comparable with that of the limiting current for the pristine membrane. It is shown that chronopotentiometry cannot be used as a self-sufficient method for membrane scaling identification on the surface-modified membrane at high currents. A mineral scale on the surfaces of the studied membranes has been found by scanning electron microscopy. The amount of precipitate is higher in the case of the surface-modified membrane compared with the pristine one.

Use of thermal treatment with CaCl2 and CaO to remove 137Cs in the soil collected from the area near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

A massive amount of soils and inflammable materials of plants etc. contaminated by radiocesium are generated from decontamination work in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident affected area. In present study, the removal experiments of 137Cs in a soil collected from the FDNPP accident affected area were carried out in a lab-scale electrical heating horizontal furnace through thermal treatment with CaCl2 addition over a temperature of 900 – 1300 °C. The results indicated that the average radioactive concentration of 137Cs in the soil was 52.8 Bq/g. The removal ratio of 137Cs in the soil treated at 1300 °C was 96.3 % when 20 % CaCl2 was added. The addition of CaCl2 and CaO mixture exhibited a synergistic effect on the removal of 137Cs, relative to the addition of CaCl2 alone. Accordingly, the addition of CaCl2 or its mixture with CaO during thermal treatment is suggested to remove 137Cs in the soil collected from the FDNPP accident affected area. Additionally, segregation of the soil sample to fine and coarse fraction and then treated individually are also recommended.

Mechanism for Transition of Reverse Cylindrical Micelles to Spherical Micelles Induced by Diverse Alcohols.

Herein, the effects of various alcohols on lecithin/CaCl2 organogels are investigated. Mixtures of lecithin and CaCl2 form reverse cylindrical micelles, resulting in optically transparent organogels. The addition of various alcohols to a mixture of lecithin and CaCl2 induces a decrease in viscosity through which reverse cylindrical micelles are transformed into spherical micelles (or short cylindrical micelles). Long-hydrocarbon-chain alcohols decrease the viscosity of lecithin/CaCl2 mixtures more efficiently. Hydrogen bonding and hydrocarbon chain interactions between lecithin and alcohol play important roles in the morphological transition. More importantly, isothermal titration calorimetry was conducted to obtain thermodynamic variables such as the enthalpy, equilibrium constant, Gibbs free energy, entropy, and stoichiometry of the associated molecules observed in the transition. It was found that the transition is an entropically driven process, in which the endothermic and exothermic behaviors were observed depending on the hydrocarbon chain length in the alcohol. In addition, the enthalpy for the association of the alcohol with lecithin showed a linear relationship depending on the hydrocarbon chain length, in which the magnitude of hydrogen bonding and hydrocarbon chain interactions was obtained quantitatively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the thermodynamic properties of the morphological transition observed in a reverse self-assembly process.

SUPPRESSION OF THE SMALL INTESTINE SHRINKABLE ACTIVITY AFTER USAGE OF THE ANESTHETIC KETAMINE

The work is devoted to the problem of general anesthetics side effects during surgical interventions. In particular, some of the common complications of anesthetics usage are intestinal motility disorders (eg, ileus), nausea and vomiting. We analyzed a clinical data of 60 patients who underwent analgosedation (AS) during coronary artery stenting. They were divided into 2 groups (1 group - AS with Diazepam and Fentanyl, 2 group - AS with Ketamine, Fentanyl and Propofol). Significantly more frequent manifestations of nausea in the perioperative period were identified in the group where ketamine was used. This formed the basis of the study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the effects of ketamine on the contractile activity of the smooth muscles of the small intestine.Anesthetics are known to interact with receptors, G-proteins and ion channels, including transient receptor potential channels (TRP channels). The member of this superfamily, TRPC4 channel, which is coupled to muscarinic receptors (M2/M3 type) through G-protein activation and causes cholinergic excitation and contraction of small intestinal smooth muscles, may be a potential target for ketamine.Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of ketamine (100 μM) on the muscarinic cation current (mICAT), which underlies cholinergic excitation-contraction coupling of visceral smooth muscles. All experiments were performed on single ileal myocytes freshly isolated from the longitudinal layer of the mouse ileum using patch-clamp techniques in the whole-cell configuration. mICAT was recorded using symmetrical Cs+ solutions (containing Cs+125 mM). [Ca2+]i was ‘clamped’ at 100 nM using 10 mM BAPTA/4.6 mM CaCl2 mixture. Measurements of isometric contractile force of the small intestinal smooth muscles were recorded using tensiometry techniques. It was showed that 100 μM ketamine inhibits mICAT . mICAT initiated by the application of CCh (50 μM) was suppressed on 64% (n=5) and mICAT, induced by intracellular GTP γ s (200 μM) that interacts directly with the G-proteins (when muscarinic receptors are bypassed) was inhibited on 42% (n=5). Ketamine inhibited intestinal smooth muscle contractions evoked by carbachol (50 μM) by about 40 % (n=5). Thus, we can conclude that both muscarinic receptors and G-proteins (or their coupling) are affected by ketamine, but the main sites of ketamine action appear to be the G-proteins. These data will provide basis for the molecular mechanisms of postoperative motility disorders and thus may be important for the development of novel approaches to the correction of such states.

A facile fabrication procedure for platinum nanoprobes with high-aspect-ratio and low tip radii via electrochemical etching.

Herein, we propose a facile fabrication procedure for platinum (Pt) nanoprobes. Our approach consists in performing a one-step electrochemical etching using a mixture of DI water, acetone, and CaCl2. Our technique is self-terminated and thus does not necessitate a cut-off circuit nor other sophisticated equipment or set-up commonly used in the fabrication process of Pt nanoprobes. The Pt nanoprobes thereby manufactured demonstrate small tip radii, a high aspect-ratio, no detectable surface contamination, and good reproducibility.

Modification of the Cationic Composition of LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 Nanopowders in Calcium-Containing Chloride Melts

The ionic compositions of lithium metaniobate and metatantalate nanopowders are modified in calcium-containing chloride melts. The reaction products are studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and elemental chemical analysis. The results of the studies show that the surface layer of the modified small-size particles of the lithium niobate or lithium tantalate powders is enriched in calcium metaniobate or metatantalate (CaNb2O6 or CaTa2O6) formed due to the isomorphic heterovalent substitution of calcium ions for lithium ions in molten LiCl–CaCl2 and KCl–CaCl2 mixtures at 700 and 750°C.

Charge Inversion and Calcium Gating in Mixtures of Ions in Nanopores.

Calcium ions play important roles in many physiological processes, yet their concentration is much lower than the concentrations of potassium and sodium ions. The selectivity of calcium channels is often probed in mixtures of calcium and a monovalent salt, e.g., KCl or NaCl, prepared such that the concentration of cations is kept constant with the mole fraction of calcium varying from 0 and 1. In biological channels, even sub-mM concentration of calcium can modulate the channels' transport characteristics; this effect is often explained via the existence of high affinity Ca2+ binding sites on the channel walls. Inspired by properties of biological calcium-selective channels, we prepared a set of nanopores with tunable opening diameters that exhibited a similar response to the presence of calcium ions as biochannels. Nanopores in 15 nm thick silicon nitride films were drilled using focused ion beam and e-beam in a transmission electron microscope and subsequently rendered negatively charged through silanization. We found that nanopores with diameters smaller than 20 nm were blocked by calcium ions such that the ion currents in mixtures of KCl and CaCl2 and in CaCl2 were even ten times smaller than the ion currents in KCl solution. The ion current blockage was explained by the effect of local charge inversion where accumulated calcium ions switch the effective surface charge from negative to positive. The modulation of surface charge with calcium leads to concentration and voltage dependent local charge density and ion current. The combined experimental and modeling results provide a link between calcium ion-induced changes in surface charge properties and resulting ionic transport.

Evaluation of thermo-kinetic and absorption characteristics of pure desiccants and desiccant mixtures

Air conditioning systems are used to control the air dry-bulb temperature and humidity level for human thermal comfort. In order to control the humidity level, air dry-bulb temperature needs to be brought down below its dew point temperature to condense out the moisture from the air. This eventually consumes a significant amount of total building energy in terms of electricity. Therefore, to minimize the energy consumption, researchers are stimulating their study towards an alternative latent heat load control system. In this regard, desiccant based sorption technologies are more effective compared to the conventional vapor compression system. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the different desiccants' individual properties and their physical behavior in material perspective. In this study, an effort is devoted to explore the thermo-kinetic properties of pure LiBr, CaCl2, as well as their mixtures (LiBr:CaCl2 of 90:10; 85:15; 80:20 and 75:25) by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric (TG) and absorption rate, analyzes through numerous control experiments. The XRD study confirmed that peaks of CaCl2 and LiBr were shifted slightly for LiBr and CaCl2 mixtures due to interaction effects. The results of present investigation elucidated that mixtures of LiBr and CaCl2 showed less moisture regeneration cost than pure CaCl2 and all the mixtures revealed more rate of moisture absorption than pure LiBr and CaCl2. Further, 85:15 mixture of LiBr:CaCl2 showed higher rate of moisture absorption when compared to other prepared samples.

Assessment of sea urchin spawning induction and oocyte conservation applied to ecotoxicological assays

Abstract Marine toxicity tests using sea urchin embryos and larvae are characterized by physicochemical induction for the release of gametes by adult organisms and by the production of excess gamic material after induction. Evaluating the effects of mortality that inducers cause on organisms, and the improvement in oocyte maintenance techniques for subsequent use, are actions of interest in the conservation of species and the sustainable use of this type of biological model. For this study, adults of the sea urchin species Lytechinus variegatus and Echinometra lucunter were obtained from the field for inductions and tests with their gametes in the laboratory. The species L. variegatus was used in maintenance experiments to assess health after induction (longline outdoor and indoor tanks) and mortality rates after induction by potassium chloride (KCl) and a mixture of potassium chloride with calcium chloride (CaCl2), and to evaluate bacterial growth as well as antibiograms of seawater resulting from induced spawning and in vitro fertilization. For the species E. lucunter, experiments with the same chemical inducers on mortality rates were carried out, as well as the conservation of oocytes in artificial seawater with antibiotics selected for their efficiency and toxicity for later use. Maintenance in the laboratory tanks, filled with seawater in a closed system, showed the lowest mortality rates in the group of non-induced organisms (control). The mixture of KCl and CaCl2 resulted in the lowest mortality rates of the adult organisms after spawning induction. The antibiotics Chloramphenicol and Gentamicin showed moderate efficiency in inhibiting bacterial growth, but with low toxicity, demonstrating the ability to maintain the integrity of sea urchin oocytes for up to 14 days under refrigeration.

Benignly-fabricated crosslinked polyethylenimine/calcium-alginate fibers as high-performance adsorbents for effective recovery of gold

Abstract High-capacity crosslinked polyethylenimine (PEI)/Ca2+-Alginate fibers were fabricated as fast-kinetics adsorbents for application in gold recovery from urban mines. The benign protocols include strategic blending of PEI and alginate and extrusion into a mixture of CaCl2 and glutaraldehyde (GA) for simultaneous ionotropic gelation between the alginate and calcium ions, followed by chemical fixation of PEI into the Ca2+-Alginate matrix. Adsorption evaluation of the fabricated fibers showed remarkable gold uptakes surpassing 2300 and 1400 mg/g. The gold binding mechanisms were studied and elucidated with the aids of XRD and XPS as involving sequential electrostatic interaction and reduction by the amine, hydroxyl and aldehyde groups. The adsorption process was controlled by intra-particle diffusion mid-way towards equilibrium. The fibers were regenerated through adsorption-desorption cycles using 0.5 M thiourea/1 M HCl. The fibers demonstrated strong competiveness to existing adsorbents and have shown potentials for application as efficient adsorbents for recovery of gold from acidic solutions.

Antifreezing Heat-Resistant Hollow Hydrogel Tubes.

Hollow hydrogel tubes that are capable of maintaining their flexibility and structural stability in extreme temperature conditions have potential for use in biomedical scaffolds, carriers, and soft robotics over a wide temperature range. However, the preparation of hollow hydrogel tubes still remains challenging because it normally requires templates or complex devices and it is hard to endow the hollow tubes with antifreezing heat-resistant capabilities. We report a protocol that does not require a template or complex devices, in which sodium alginate film strips are immersed in an aqueous mixture of CaCO3, CaCl2, NaHCO3, and HCl, which results in the manufacture of hollow tubes in 30 min. These hollow tubes are functionalized by glycerol and poly(ethylene glycol), which provides the tubes with antifreezing heat-resistant performances and enables them to keep their flexibility and hollow structures from -70 to 120 °C. This is the first report on antifreezing heat-resistant hollow hydrogel tubes, to the best of our knowledge. Such hollow tubes as carriers can control the sublimation of a mothball at a rate of 1.1 mg/h, which is one-tenth of the sublimating rate of an unloaded mothball. This sublimating rate reduces the hazard to environments along with maintaining the repellent effects. As the tube is a honey carrier, it enables the sustainable release of the honey over 800 min with a high efficacy for tricking and capturing ants. The simple applications demonstrate that the antifreezing heat-resistant hollow tubes might be feasible as carriers for the controlled release in extremely cold/hot environments.

Effect of brine composition on the onset of convection during CO2 dissolution in brine

We study the effect of brine composition on CO2 dissolution in brine. In particular, we address the effect of brine composition on the onset of convection through experiments, numerical simulations, and theoretical analyses. We use two brine solutions—one containing sodium chloride (NaCl) and one containing mixtures of NaCl and calcium chloride (CaCl2)—to study their differences in terms of the onset of convection. We perform experiments in isothermal conditions (∼50 C) with pressure range of 500–535 psi for different salinities and permeabilities (Rayleigh number of 2900 to 4900). Our experimental conditions and set-up design allow us to avoid problems associated with analogue fluids as well as with blind cells. We also conduct linear stability analysis (LSA) and high-resolution direct numerical simulations (DNS). We analyze pressure data and calculate other parameters such as diffusion coefficient, viscosity, and solubility. Specifically, we obtain the onset of convection from pressure decay curves and critical wave number from image analyses. We show that the onset of convection occurs earlier with higher wave number in brine solutions containing NaCl. Pressure results show that using mixture of NaCl and CaCl2 results in a higher CO2 diffusion coefficient, which in turn damps convective instabilities. Thus, the onset time of instabilities is later and finger growth rate is smaller for brines with NaCl and CaCl2. Our DNS results show that deviation between the cumulative dissolved CO2 as well as the dissolved CO2 due to only diffusion process occurs earlier for NaCl solution. We found a dimensionless Rayleigh-dependent onset of instability with parameters that are close for two mixtures. However, differences in the CO2 diffusivity result in smaller Rayleigh numbers for NaCl and CaCl2 containing mixtures. Our results have practical implications for CO2 geological sequestration in saline aquifers.

Compaction Behaviour of Lateritic Soil–Calcium Chloride Mixtures

Laboratory studies on lateritic soil treated with up to 8% calcium chloride (CaCl2) by dry weight of soil was carried out to establish the soil improving potential. Tests carried out include Atterberg limits and linear shrinkage, compaction characteristics (maximum dry density, MDD and optimum moisture content, OMC), strength characteristics (unconfined compressive strength, UCS and California bearing ratio, CBR) and microanalysis. Compaction and strength characteristics test were investigated using three compactive efforts [i.e. British Standard light, BSL (standard Proctor), West African Standard, WAS or ‘intermediate’ and British Standard heavy, BSH (modified Proctor)]. Results obtained show that Atterberg limits decreased with increased calcium chloride content. MDD increased with a corresponding decreased OMC of the soil–CaCl2 mixtures for the three compactive efforts. Peak UCS and CBR values were obtained at 4% CaCl2 content with increasing compactive effort. Microanalysis using Scan Electron Microscope, SEM shows the transformation of surface morphology at the edges of clay particles. Statistical analysis of result shows that CaCl2 content had significant influence on the Atterberg limit parameters and both the variations of CaCl2 content and compactive effort had significant effect on the strength parameters, maximum dry density as well as the optimum moisture content. The R2 values of regression models show that CaCl2, LL, MDD, OMC and CE have considerable influence on the UCS at 7 days curing and CBR values. Peak strength values are below those recommended for sub base and base stabilization, hence CaCl2 is not convenient as a stand-alone stabilizer but can be adequate as a modifier or as admixture in Cement or lime stabilization of lateritic soil.

Soil bio-cementation using a new one-phase low-pH injection method

Soil bio-cementation via microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) has been extensively studied as a promising alternative technique to traditional chemical cementing agents for ground improvement. The multiple-phase injection methods are currently well adopted for MICP treatment, but it is rather complex and requires excessive number of injections. This paper presents a novel one-phase injection method using low-pH all-in-one biocement solution (i.e. a mixture of bacterial culture, urea, and CaCl2). The key feature of this method is that the lag period of the bio-cementation process can be controlled by adjusting the biomass concentration, urease activity, and pH. This process prevents the clogging of bio-flocs formation and thus allows the biocement solution to be well distributed inside the soil matrix before bio-cementation takes effect, allowing a relatively uniform MICP treatment to be achieved. Furthermore, the ammonia gas release would be reduced by more than 90%, which represents a significant improvement in the environmental friendliness of the technology. The new one-phase method is also effective in terms of the mechanical property of MICP-treated soil; an unconfined compressive strength of 2.5 MPa was achieved for sand after six treatments.

Atmospheric leach process of high-chromitite PGM-bearing oxidized mineralized ore through a single-stage and two-stage techniques

The fast depletion of sulfide PGM-bearing minerals and the deteriorating socio-political environments in most primary PGM producing countries have triggered interest in exploring the recovery of these metals from high-chromium PGM-bearing oxidized ores – sometimes contain relatively high marketable PGM values – which have proven to be more difficult to process by conventional metallurgical practice which involves grinding, milling, froth flotation into a sulfide concentrate, smelting and matte production and chemical refining.This paper reports the results of an extensive evaluation campaign performed in both acidic sulfuric and chloride media. Leach tests were conducted in either a single-stage or a two-stage process and the results are compared and contrasted. Using a high-chromium PGM oxidized mineralized ore, the hybrid pyro-hydrometallurgical and low-temperature single-stage salt chlorination process proved successful for simultaneously and efficiently leaching Cu, Ni, Pt and Pd without the need and/or addition of further oxidizing agents. The technique is expected to be a direct treatment route from flotation concentrate to PGM refinery feed.Various chlorinating agents, including CaCl2, MgCl2, SnCl2 and AlCl3, were tested. A CaCl2 and MgCl2 mixture acted synergistically for simultaneous dissolution of both Pt and Pd, achieving 99.7% Pt and 100% Pd recovery when thermally calcined at 650 °C, at a heating rate of 5.42 °C/minute for 6 h, and then leached at 90 °C for a minimum of 3 h in 6 M HCl. Copper and nickel extraction were lower but had not plateaued even after 24 h reaching 75.4 and 90.9% extraction respectively.It was also observed that when MgCl2 was used on its own, it dissolves more platinum than palladium, while the opposite was true using CaCl2. The leaching process was controlled by surface chemical reactions with a determined activation energy of 46 kJ/mol. The dissolution rate was limited by the ratio of HCl volume-to-solid content. The recovery mechanism of Pt from PtAs2 and some recommendations for future prospects have been suggested.

Effect of mono and divalent salts on the conformation and composition of a humic acid and on atrazine adsorption.

We investigated the effects of sodium and calcium chlorides on the conformation and composition of a purified Aldrich humic acid (PAHA), as well as on the adsorption of atrazine. The PAHA was treated with 1, 10, and 100mM NaCl, CaCl2, or a mixture of NaCl and CaCl2 (molar ratio 5:1) at pH 7.5 and 8.5. The conformation of treated PAHA was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and spectral changes of functional groups of PAHA by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). AFM and TEM images showed an increase in the aggregation of the PAHA as salinity increased. FTIR spectra revealed that changes in the aggregation of the PAHA were principally due to the formation of bridged interactions between calcium and carboxylate groups in the PAHA. The adsorption of atrazine on > 0.45μm PAHA decreased as salt concentrations and pH increased. This reduction of atrazine adsorption was explained by the decrease in available adsorption sites due to agglomeration of PAHA.

The impact of the partial replacement of sodium chloride in the development of starter cultures during Italian salami production

Abstract Italian salami is a cured meat with high sodium contents which is easy, fast and convenient to consume. Starter cultures are used to improve its sensory characteristics and refine its technological manufacturing process. The goal of this study was to reduce the sodium content in Italian salami through the partial replacement of sodium chloride by potassium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, and evaluate the viability of the Lactobacillus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. cells found in the starter culture. Four formulations were elaborated: one with, and one without the starter culture, but both with the addition of sodium chloride; and two with the partial replacement of 60% of the sodium chloride: the first with KCl, and the other with a mixture of KCl, MgCl2 and CaCl2. Physicochemical and microbiological evaluations were carried out to monitor the ripening and the quality of the final product. The partial replacement of NaCl by other salts (MgCl2, CaCl2, KCl) did not interfere in the growth of the starter culture in the Italian salami, neither did it affect the majority of the physicochemical parameters of the Italian salami nor the microbiological quality of the final product.

Water potential in soil and Atriplex nummularia (phytoremediator halophyte) under drought and salt stresses

ABSTRACTAtriplex nummularia is a halophyte widely employed to recover saline soils and was used as a model to evaluate the water potentials in the soil-plant system under drought and salt stresses. Potted plants grown under 70 and 37% of field capacity irrigated with solutions of NaCl and of a mixture of NaCl, KCl, MgCl2 and CaCl2 reproducing six electrical conductivity (EC): 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 dS m−1. After 100 days, total water (Ψw, plant) and osmotic (Ψo, plant) potentials at predawn and midday and Ψo, soil, matric potential (Ψm, soil) and Ψw, soil were determined. The type of ion in the irrigation water did not influence the soil potential, but was altered by EC. The soil Ψo component was the largest contributor to Ψw, soil. Atriplex is surviving ECs close to 40 dS m−1 due to the decrease in the Ψw. The plants reached a Ψw of approximately −8 MPa. The water potentials determined for different moisture levels, EC levels and salt types showed huge importance for the management of this species in semiarid regions and can be used to recover salt affected soils.