Salt Content Research Articles

Optimization of the Encapsulation of Vitamin D3 in Oil in Water Nanoemulsions: Preliminary Application in a Functional Meat Model System.

Meat products containing Vitamin D3 (VD3) are an innovative option that could contribute to reducing deficiencies in this micronutrient. Designing nanoemulsions that carry VD3 is the first step in developing functional meat products. Thereby, this study investigated the impact of food components on the nanoemulsion properties. A central composite design was used to study the effects of pea protein (PP, 0.5-2.5%), safflower oil (SO, 5-15%), and salt (0-0.5%) on the nanoemulsion stability (ζ-potential and particle size) and the VD3 retention. Also, the optimized nanoemulsion carrying VD3 was incorporated into a meat matrix to study its retention after cooking. The combination of food components in the optimized nanoemulsion were SO = 9.12%, PP = 1.54%, and salt content = 0.4%, resulting in the predicted values of ζ-potential, particle size, and VD3 retention of -37.76 mV, 485 nm, and 55.1%, respectively. The VD3 that was nanoencapsulated and included in a meat product remained more stable after cooking than the VD3 that was not encapsulated. If a meat product is formulated with 5 or 10% safflower oil, the stability of the nanoencapsulated VD3 is reduced. This research contributes to developing functional meat products carrying nanoencapsulated vitamin D3 in natural food-grade components.

Foam Properties Evaluation under Harsh Conditions: Implications for Enhanced Eco-Friendly Underbalanced Drilling Practices

Summary Foam drilling offers advantages such as reduced formation damage and faster drilling in underbalanced drilling (UBD) operations. The efficacy of foam drilling is influenced by factors including pressure, temperature, salt content, foam quality, and pH levels. However, a gap exists in the evaluation of foam properties under rigorous conditions, particularly those involving high pH and mixed salt environments common in drilling scenarios, highlighting the need for further research. In this study, a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) foam analyzer and rheometer were employed to examine the stability and rheological behavior of ammonium alchohol ether sulfate (AAES) foam under simulated alkaline drilling conditions. The foaming solution, designed to replicate such conditions, consisted of synthetic seawater (SW) with a salt mixture totaling approximately 67.70 g/L and a 0.5 wt.% foaming agent adjusted to a pH of 9.5. This approach differs from the individual salt studies prevalent in existing literature and provides a unique perspective on foam stability and behavior. Driven by environmental sustainability considerations, the effects of eco-friendly surfactant AAES and various drilling fluid additives: polyanionic cellulose (PAC), carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC), and xanthan gum (XG), were investigated for foam formulation. The apparent viscosity of the AAES foam was evaluated at different pressures and temperatures across varying shear rates. A consistent decrease in foam viscosity with increasing shear rates was observed, irrespective of pressure and temperature. An increase in foam viscosity was also noted with higher pressures (from 14.7 psi to 3,000 psi) at low shear rates, with values rising from 8.04 cp to 14.74 cp, and from 3.71 cp to 5.79 cp at high shear rates of 1,000 s⁻¹. Increasing foam quality from 65% to 85% resulted in significant improvements in viscosity, approximately 37% at low shear rates and about 79% at high shear rates. The introduction of additives to AAES foam at 1,000 psi and 90°C led to a substantial increase in viscosity, with PAC showing the most significant enhancement: 33.28 cp at low shear rates and 18.15 cp at high shear rates. Conversely, the viscosity of both base AAES foam and additive-enhanced foams decreased with rising temperatures, although PAC exhibited the greatest resistance to viscosity variations due to temperature changes. The addition of PAC also resulted in a notable increase in foam yield stress, potentially leading to more efficient cuttings transport and hole cleaning. Furthermore, foam stability was significantly improved by the additives, with XG and CMC doubling stability to 48 minutes, and PAC resulting in a threefold increase in half-life to 65 minutes. This study presents AAES and the tested additives as viable components for eco-friendly foam formulations, promoting enhanced properties suitable for UBD applications.

Arsenic, selenium, and mercury speciation in hypersaline lakes of the Andean Altiplano: Link between extreme levels and biodiversity repartition

Arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) are highly toxic contaminants whereas selenium (Se) is both an essential trace element and potentially harmful at higher concentrations. The hyper-saline lakes of southern Bolivian Altiplano, which are ecological niches for endemic species, are also expected to be enriched in these toxic trace elements. The biogeochemistry of As, Hg, and Se in such high-altitude extreme environments (e.g., high UV radiation and salt content) remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the concentrations and chemical forms (speciation) of As, Hg, and Se in sediment, water, and air samples of Lagunas Colorada (LC), Verde (LV), and Blanca (LB) in the South Lipez region (>4200 m a.s.l.). We compared them with the repartition of biodiversity (invertebrates, algae, and bacteria). Extreme As concentrations were found in water (up to 82 mg L−1), and the main As species was inorganic As(V), with neither biogenic methylated As nor volatile As forms being detected in water and air, respectively. Se concentrations in water were of 0.1 to 1.4 μg L−1, and Se existed under different redox states, i.e., Se(IV), Se(VI), and reduced Se (0, -II), including biogenic methylated Se(-II) (trimethyl selenonium). Volatile Se compounds (e.g., dimethyl selenide) were detected in water and air samples. Hg was enriched in the surface water (6 to 30 ng L−1) compared to other regional water bodies, and a significant amount of methyl-Hg and gaseous Hg(0) was detected. The drastic disparity between As, Se and Hg concentrations and speciation between lakes has important implications for their cycling in these extreme aquatic systems. While As mostly accumulated in its oxidized and non-volatile form, Hg and Se concentrations can be controlled by significant conversion to reduced and methylated forms, allowing efficient evasion to the atmosphere. Finally, the salinity, including major ions, and high levels of As were among the main drivers of biodiversity repartition between lakes.

Soil Organic Matter and Bulk Density: Driving Factors in the Vegetation-Mediated Restoration of Coastal Saline Lands in North China

Coastal saline soils are an important soil resource that, when restored, can enhance arable land and preserve the natural ecology. With the aim of improving the use of coastal saline soils, we conducted a spot survey at Bohai coastal saline land to investigate the differences in soil properties between different vegetation types. The soil physical and chemical properties of various vegetation types, including Aeluropus sinensis, Imperata cylindrica, Tamarix chinensis, Lycium chinense, Hibiscus moscheutos, Helianthus annuus, Gossypium hirsutum, and Zea mays, were examined at two depth layers: 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm, and in two seasons, spring and autumn. The soil properties were compared with bare land as a control. The results indicated that the electrical conductivity, total soil salt content, sodium adsorption ratio, and bulk density of soils with vegetation cover were lower than those with bare land. On the other hand, soil pH, organic matter content, mean weight diameter, and saturated hydraulic conductivity were higher. The redundancy analysis results revealed a substantial positive correlation between soil pH, saturated hydraulic conductivity, water content, mean weight diameter, and organic matter content, as well as a significant positive correlation between soil electrical conductivity, total soil salt content, sodium adsorption ratio, and bulk density. Soil pH, saturated hydraulic conductivity, water content, mean weight diameter, organic matter content, and soil electrical conductivity, total soil salt content, sodium adsorption ratio, and bulk density were negatively correlated. The results of the structural equation model and variance decomposition showed that soil organic matter and bulk density were the key factors affecting the degree of soil salinization, and compared with their independent effects, their combined effect on soil salinization was greater. This study’s conclusions can provide a point of reference for further research on the mechanisms of soil improvement and desalinization in coastal saline land.

Distribution and growth potential of wild Pittosporum tobira in the subtropical supratidal zone

The use of local native plant species for ecological restoration and rehabilitation is considered an important strategy for nature-based solutions. To achieve this goal, the key work is to understand the distribution of local native plants and their limiting factors. Pittosporum tobira is a keystone species of the vegetation community in subtropical coastal areas, and it plays an essential role in the function and stability of the coastal vegetation buffer zone. The aim of this study was to identify the factors that restrict the growth of P. tobira in the subtropical supratidal zone. We investigated the growth and development of P. tobira plants at three field sites, Dongtou Island (DT), Yuhuan Island (YH), and Cangnan County (CN), in Zhejiang Province, China. To investigate the key factors restricting the growth of this species, we sampled soils from both the supratidal zone and the P. tobira habitat zone. Soils in the supratidal zone showed typical characteristics of sodium chloride-type saline-alkali soil, and the soluble salts content showed wide fluctuations. Some soils in the supratidal zone showed severe salinization. The soil pH and soluble salts contents were higher, but soil organic matter content was lower, in the supratidal zone than in the P. tobira habitat zone. Among the three wild P. tobira habitat sites, DT had the lowest soil nutrient contents. In soil from the DT site, the soluble salts content was 150 % higher and soil organic matter content was 50 % lower than those in soils from the YH and CN sites. Compared with P. tobira growing at the CN and YH sites, those growing at the DT site showed higher antioxidant enzyme activity, higher organic osmotic regulatory substances content, and lower malondialdehyde content in the leaves and roots. These results suggest that the growth and distribution of P. tobira are affected by the organic matter content, pH, and soluble salts content in soil. Among the three P. tobira populations studied here, the population at DT was the most tolerant to the highly saline conditions in this subtropical coastal area, and has potential applications in landscape restoration of the supratidal zone.

Application of Magnetized Ionized Water and Bacillus subtilis Improved Saline Soil Quality and Cotton Productivity.

Soil salinization, a significant global challenge, threatens sustainable development. This study explores the potential of magnetized ionized water irrigation and Bacillus subtilis application to mitigate this issue. The former method is hypothesized to enhance soil salt leaching, while the latter is expected to improve soil nutrient availability, thereby increasing microbial diversity. To address the unclear impact of these interventions on soil quality and cotton productivity, this study employs four different experimental methods: magnetized ionized water irrigation (M), application of 45 kg ha-1B. subtilis (B), a combination of 45 kg ha-1B. subtilis with magnetized ionized water irrigation (MB), and a control treatment with no intervention (CK). This study aims to clarify the effects of these treatments on soil bulk density (BD), field capacity (FC), salinity and alkalinity, nutrient content, microbial activity, and cotton crop yield and quality. Additionally, it aims to evaluate the efficacy of these methods in improving saline soil conditions by developing a soil quality index. The results showed that using magnetized ionized water for irrigation and applying B. subtilis, either alone or together, can effectively lower soil pH and salt levels, enhance microbial diversity and abundance, and improve the yield and quality of cotton. Notably, B. subtilis application significantly decreased BD and enhanced FC and nutrient content (p < 0.05). A correlation was found where soil nutrient content decreased as pH and salt content increased. Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between the major soil bacteria and fungi with BD, FC, and salt content. Comparatively, M, B, and MB significantly boosted (p < 0.01) the soil quality index by 0.21, 0.52, and 0.69 units, respectively, and increased (p < 0.05) cotton yield by 5.7%, 14.8%, and 20.1% compared to CK. Therefore, this research offers eco-friendly and efficient methods to enhance cotton production capacity in saline soil.

The nitrogen deficiency influence on the growth and development of spring two-nuclear barley varieties grown under photoculture conditions

The purpose of the research is to study, the effect of N deficiency in irrigation solutions on the structural and functional characteristics of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), the Oplot variety under controlled environmental conditions, in comparison with the structural and functional characteristics of Takmak barley, which has been the standard in all variety testing sites of the Krasnoyarsk Territory since 2022. The plants were grown under light culture conditions using hydroponics on expanded clay with constant environmental conditions at a photoperiod day/night of 17h / 7h, respectively. The basis for the preparation of irrigation solutions was Knop solution (control) and a solution in which, in order to reduce the concentration of N-NO3, the salt content was changed 2 times so as not to change the concentration of other macronutrients. A comparison of the rate of absorption of macronutrients by barley plants of the Oplot and Takmak varieties, depending on the composition of the irrigation solution, shows a higher demand of the barley of the Oplot variety for the presence of mineral nutrition elements in the irrigation solution in comparison with the barley of the Takmak variety. The deficiency of N in the irrigation solution led to a decrease in total tillering by about 2.5 times, but productive tillering in the barley of the Oplot variety decreased to a greater extent than in the barley of the Takmak variety. When growing on Knop solution the barley of the Oplot variety showed higher productivity than the barley of the Takmak variety. When grown on solutions with a deficiency of N, the grain yield of the barley of the Oplot variety decreased by 2.8 times, and in the barley of the Takmak variety, the differences between the control and experimental variants were unreliable. The barley of the Takmak variety showed higher resistance to N deficiency in the irrigation solution, thereby showing higher plasticity compared to the barley of the Oplot variety.

Investigating the principle and application of high-frequency and high-voltage pulse AC equipment for oil–water separation of heavy crude oil

To address the challenges of oil–water separation encountered during the processing of heavy crude oil, this study meticulously examines the kinetics of demulsification under an electric field. Consequently, a cutting-edge high-frequency/high-voltage AC pulsed power supply has been innovatively developed. This device boasts a flexible voltage-adjustment mechanism, strategically enhancing the inverter output voltage incrementally throughout the pulse’s duration. This method effectively reduces the negative impact of current surges on the operational stability of crude oil desalination plants, especially during the commutation periods of the switching devices. Furthermore, it resolves the issue of premature power supply shutdowns to the desalination plant, caused by peak currents misinterpreted as critical short-circuit currents leading to pole plate breakdowns. An industrial application study conducted at Shandong Chambroad Petrochemicals Co., Ltd. Under identical operational conditions, the power supply designed in this research outperforms traditional electrical desalting transformers in several key aspects. These include a notably enhanced oil–water separation capability and significantly more stable performance. Remarkably, the desalting efficiency shows substantial improvement even at increased feed rates, under constant other conditions. The experimental findings indicate that the average rates of desalination and dehydration achieved by this power supply exceed 90%. Moreover, even when the feed rate is augmented by approximately 75% under constant operating conditions, the desalination efficiency remains 78.49% higher than that achieved by standard industrial frequency electric desalination transformers. Additionally, the desalting outcomes are predominantly unaffected by fluctuations in the initial salt content of the feedstock, demonstrating the robustness of the developed solution.

The antibacterial activity test of salt gel face mask with chitosan extract against propionibacterium acnes and staphylococcus aureus bacteria as antiacne preparations

Abstract Salt is a collection of chemical compounds with the main content in the form of NaCl. The mineral content in salt provides health functions for the body, one of which is acne. Salt gel face mask with chitosan extract has the potential to be used as an antibacterial (antiacne) preparation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effective antibacterial activity and concentration of salt used as an antiacne preparation against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in salt gel face masks. The research method used was a laboratory scale experimental method with a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 5 treatments and 4 repetitions. The treatment consists of a gel face mask with the addition of a salt concentration of 0%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. The main parameters of this study were antibacterial activity, while the supporting parameters included pH, homogeneity, viscosity, organoleptic and SEM-EDX analysis. The results showed that the addition of different salt concentrations to the salt gel face mask had an effect on the antibacterial activity of the salt gel face mask. The best formulation is in the F4 treatment with a salt concentration of 25%.

Proximate and Organoleptic Analysis on Campor Lorjuk (Solen sp) seasoning, a typical Madura Ingredient

Abstract Rich mineral sea salt is salt with a low NaCl content. The low NaCl content in salt indicates that the salt has a high mineral content. The minerals contained such as magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, and other minerals. This research combined rich minerals sea salt with typical Madurese food named campor lorjuk seasoning and dried lorjuk as additional nutrition. Lorjuk in Madurese or better known as knife clams is a type of shellfish that has high nutritional value. The treatment applied to the Campor Lorjuk seasoning formulations was the difference in NaCl content for each formula. This research was conducted to determine the proximate content and to find out the seasoning results those consumers like most. The results showed that the highest protein content was in F1 with results of 7.62%, not significantly different from F3 but significantly different from control and F2. The highest water and ash contents were control which was not significantly different from F1, F2, and F3. The highest fat content was F2 and the lowest is control. The highest carbohydrate content is in control formula 68.35%, the lowest is F1 63.66%. The organoleptic test show that the formula that consumers like most is F3.

Deciphering the influence of NaCl on social behaviour of Bacillus subtilis

Various environmental signals, such as temperature, pH, nutrient levels, salt content and the presence of other microorganisms, can influence biofilm’s development and dynamics. However, the innate mechanisms that govern at the molecular and cellular levels remain elusive. Here, we report the impact of physiologically relevant concentrations of NaCl on biofilm formation and the associated differences in an undomesticated natural isolate of Bacillus subtilis . NaCl exposure and its uptake by bacterial cells induced substantial changes in the architecture of pellicle biofilm and an upsurge in the expansion of biofilm colonies on agar surfaces. We have observed the upregulation of genes involved in motility and the downregulation of genes involved in the biosynthesis of extracellular matrix components through the transcription factor sigD, suggesting the possible underlying mechanisms. To further support these observations, we have used Δ sigD and Δ srfAC null mutants, which showed compromised NaCl-induced effects. Our results indicate that NaCl induces a lifestyle shift in B. subtilis from a sessile biofilm state to an independent unicellular motile state. Overall, we present evidence that NaCl can reprogramme gene expression and alter cellular morphology and the state of cells to adapt to motility, which facilitates the expansion of bacterial colonies.

Tuning and modeling cheese flavor.

Flavor is a major sensory attribute affecting consumers' preference for cheese products. Differences in cheesemaking change the cheese microenvironment, thereby affecting cheese flavor profiles. A framework for tuning cheese flavor is proposed in this study, which depicts the full picture of flavor development and modulation, from manufacturing and ripening factors through the main biochemical pathways to flavor compounds and flavor notes. Taking semi-hard and hard cheeses as examples, this review describes how cheese flavor profiles are affected by milk type and applied treatment, fat and salt content, microbiota composition and microbial interactions, ripening time, temperature, and environmental humidity, together with packaging method and material. Moreover, these factors are linked to flavor profiles through their effects on proteolysis, the further catabolism of amino acids, and lipolysis. Acids, alcohols, ketones, esters, aldehydes, lactones, and sulfur compounds are key volatiles, which elicit fruity, sweet, rancid, green, creamy, pungent, alcoholic, nutty, fatty, and sweaty flavor notes, contributing to the overall flavor profiles. Additionally, this review demonstrates how data-driven modeling techniques can link these influencing factors to resulting flavor profiles. This is done by providing a comprehensive review on the (i) identification of key factors and flavor compounds, (ii) discrimination of cheeses, and (iii) prediction of flavor notes. Overall, this review provides knowledge tools for cheese flavor modulation and sheds light on using data-driven modeling techniques to aid cheese flavor analysis and flavor prediction.

Evaluation of the quality of products from multiple industrial-scale composting treatment facilities for kitchen waste and exploration of influencing factors

The aerobic composting process is extensively utilized to manage kitchen waste. Nonetheless, the variability in the quality of compost derived from engineering practices which significantly hinders its broader industrial application. This work investigated the final products of kitchen waste compost at multiple industrial-scale treatment facilities utilizing three distinct aerobic composting processes in a bid to explore key factors affecting compost quality. The quality evaluation was based on technical parameters like seed germination index (GI), and limiting factors such as heavy metal content. The results showed that most of the compost products failed to meet the established standards, with GI being the primary limiting indicator. Furthermore, maturity assessments suggested that compost with low GI exhibited reduced humification could not be recommended for agricultural use. The investigation delved into the primary determinants of GI, focusing on risk factors such as the oil and salt of kitchen waste, and the microbial community of the humification driving forces. The results indicated that products with low GI had higher oil and salt content and a relatively simple microbial community. A thorough analysis suggested that excessive levels oil and salt were potential influencing factors on GI, as they stimulated the activity of acid-producing bacteria like Lactobacillus, suppressed the activity of humification-promoting bacteria such as Actinomarinales, and influenced the decomposition and humification processes of organic matter and total nitrogen, thereby affecting product quality. The findings provide valuable insights for improving kitchen waste compost products for agricultural applications.

Influence of spatial and temporal diversity and succession of microbial communities on physicochemical properties and flavor substances of soy sauce

In this study, the influence and relationship between the microbial structure composition at different spatial locations during soy sauce fermentation and the quality of soy sauce were investigated. Within 3–7 days of fermentation, the abundance of Chromohalobacter in the surface and upper layers of moromi was initially high but subsequently decreased. In contrast, Tetragenococcus exhibited low abundance on the surface of moromi at the beginning of fermentation but emerged as the absolute dominant bacteria by the end of the fermentation process. Throughout the fermentation period of 3–42 days, Staphylococcus and Bacillus were the predominant bacterial genera observed at the bottom of the moromi. In addition, Halanaerobium was the dominant bacterial genus in the crude soy sauce layer throughout the fermentation process. Tetragenococcus and Zygosaccharomyces were strongly positively correlated with total acid and ammonia nitrogen. Bacillus and Staphylococcus were significantly negatively correlated with the salt content.

Development of recipescooked sausage products enriched with chlorella

The meat industry is constantly undergoing transformations and moves in accordance with global trends and basic consumer requests.Accordingly, there is a problem of increasing the nutritional and biological value of common food products, in particular cooked sausages. Development of health facilitiesof meat products enriched with plant components is the main goal that arose during the performance of this work. Improvement of the recipe of cooked sausage products due to the use of available chlorella seaweedvaluablea source of antioxidants, dietary fiber, essential amino acids, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and minerals is a promising solution. The difference between the developed minced meat recipe and the control is the use of chlorella, the replacement of lard, which is traditionally used in similar recipes, with linseed and olive oils, and the complete replacement of sodium nitrite with ascorbic acid. Comparative studies were performed using three different formulations containing 1% chlorella hydrated with water and milk whey in a ratio of 1:5 for 20 minutes at a temperature of 40º C. During the work, organoleptic (appearance, color, texture, taste and smell) and physical and chemical research methods (moisture, fat, protein, salt content). It was shown that the experimental samples of minced meat contained protein in amounts of 13.51% for sample 3; 12.77% for sample 2 and 12.36% for sample 1. The moisture content of the experimental samples exceeds the control by 2.86% for sample 3, by 1.86% for sample 2, and by 0.69% for sample 1. According to the mass fraction of fat, all samples are within the normal range and amount to less than 30%, which correspondsthe national standard for this type of product. Modification of the recipe using chlorella, linseed and olive oil differs from the control sample, which is reflected in the results of the organoleptic evaluation. According to the results of comprehensive studies, experimental formulation sample 3 can be recommended for implementation.

A novel foaming formulation with excellent salt-resistant for foam assisted deliquification of gas wells

In this paper, an excellent foaming formula for natural gas well deliquification was developed, which was based on the synthesized dodecyl ethylethanolamine (DEEA), commercially obtained cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) and sodium lauryl glutamate (SLG). The foaming properties and liquid unloading properties were studied, which showed that the optimal molar ratio of DEEA/CAPB/SLG ternary complex turned out to be 14:21:15. At a total concentration of 15 mM in the liquid phase, the optimal DEEA/CAPB/SLG mixture exhibited excellent foaming and liquid unloading capability at various conditions of methanol, condensate oil and salts contents and temperatures. At the methanol content of 45%, the foaming efficiency and liquid unloading efficiency of the DEEA/CAPB/SLG mixture were measured to be 100% and 25.5 ± 2.2%, respectively. When the condensate oil content was 10–30%, the liquid unloading efficiency ranged from 18.0 ± 2.1% to 25.0 ± 2.5%, which was much higher than that (8.3 ± 0.9%) obtained without condensate. The presence of salts retarded the performance of the DEEA/CAPB/SLG mixture, however, the addition of a chelating agent, trisodium nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), to DEEA/CAPB/SLG could enhance the foaming efficiency and unloading performance at a salinity level of up to 41 × 104 mg/L, which might be the highest salt-resistant level of the gas well foaming mixture. The introduction of 10% methanol exhibited a positive effect on the DEEA/CAPB/SLG mixture’s foaming and liquid unloading performance against temperature (up to 90 °C). At 90 °C, the DEEA/CAPB/SLG foam could remove almost all the liquid from the column.

Chemical composition, anti-hypertensive properties, and sensory attributes of salt extracted from ash of Hygrophilia schulli.

The traditional usage of salt taken from vegetables for the treatment of blood pressure and diabetes is seen in several regions of Ethiopia, particularly in Gambella. The aim of the study was to investigate the mineral content, anti-hypertensive properties, and sensory attributes of salt obtained from the Hygrophilia schulli. The salt was extracted from the ashing of stems of Hygrophilia schulli. Optical Emission Spectroscopy with Inductively Coupled Plasma was used to identify macro-minerals, micro-minerals, and some toxic metals. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used to assess the levels of arsenic and mercury. The anti-hypertensive property of the salt was determined invivo using the Wistar rats. The extracted salt was rich in potassium and was deficient in sodium from the analyzed macro-minerals. It was free from mercury, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic. Lead and nickel were below the Tolerable Weekly Intake Provisional specified by the European Union. Among carbonate and sulfate, chloride was the main anion in this salt. The salt was discovered to have a low taste characteristic compared to common salt. However, the taste attribute of the combination of vegetable and common salt in different proportions was better than common salt. Rats fed with salt from Hygrophilia schulli showed a statistically significant lower systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure compared to normal-fed and common salt-fed rat groups. Generally, this study suggests that Hygrophilia schulli salt has the potential to be a viable alternative to common salt, particularly for those suffering from hypertension and other related chronic conditions.

Understanding the effect of reaction parameters on the production of levulinic acid from glucose

AbstractA significant and sustainable feedstock for many value added products is levulinic acid, which is basically a short‐chain fatty acid. The current study aims to comprehend how multiple factors affect the hydrothermal reactions that convert glucose to levulinic acid. Glucose can be readily obtained from lignocellulosic biomass and hence it is selected in the work as representative sustainable source. The effect of various operating parameters, including time (0–180 min), temperature (140–180°C), nitrogen pressure (0–25 bar), glucose concentration (3%–10%), agitation speed (100–300 RPM), and acid concentration (2%–6%); use of different salts (NaCl, AlCl3 6H2O, FeCl3); and different acids (HCl, H3PO4, H2SO4) on the reaction progress has been studied in a batch autoclave reactor. It was elucidated that pressure (only nitrogen purge was essential for reaction progress) or salt content changes did not affect sugar conversion significantly. The process was seriously influenced by the presence of acids, mostly in the form of homogeneous catalysts, and the most significant results were obtained for H2SO4. The highest levulinic acid yield (39.7 g/g) at 90 min, with nearly complete sugar conversion, was obtained under the ideal conditions of 160°C, 5% sugar loading, and 5% H2SO4 concentration. The current study indicates that the two primary operating parameters in this conversion process are temperature and time, with higher temperature and lower sugar concentration showing a rising tendency in sugar conversion. Overall, the study establishes a sustainable process for levulinic acid synthesis.

Anti‐freezing electrolyte modification strategies toward low‐temperature aqueous zinc‐ion batteries

AbstractDue to the availability of zinc resources, and reduced security risks, aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) are potential contenders for next‐generation energy storage systems. With the multi‐scene application of AZIBs, the temperature adaptation of electrolytes poses a great challenge. However, the aqueous electrolyte is prone to freezing in sub‐zero environments, which leads to undesirable problems such as undesirable ion transfer and poor electrode/electrolyte interface, resulting in a sharp deterioration of the electrochemical properties of AZIBs in cold conditions and limited practical use of AZIBs. Antifreeze electrolyte modification strategies have gained popularity as effective ways to optimise the low‐temperature behaviour of AZIB. The results of recent studies of electrolyte modification strategies are systematically summarised for low‐temperature AZIBs, focusing on the modification methods, principles, and effects achieved. Firstly, the authors describe the mechanism of failure of AZIBs at low temperatures. Subsequently, the modification strategies of antifreeze electrolytes are summarised, including the utilisation of high salt content, the design of organic electrolytes, the adoption of antifreeze electrolyte additives, and the building of hydrogel electrolytes. Finally, the issues faced by electrolytes at low temperatures are further indicated and suggestions are provided for their future development.

Analysis of Tamarix chinensis Forest Characteristics, Salt Ion Distribution, and Non-Structural Carbohydrate Levels in the Yellow River Delta: A Spatial Study Based on Proximity to the Shoreline.

The distribution of vegetation in coastal wetlands is significantly influenced by soil properties. However, the mechanisms of how soil characteristics impact the physiological processes of Tamarix chinensis forests remain underexplored. This study examined changes in the soil physicochemical properties and structural attributes of natural T. chinensis forests in the Yellow River Delta with increasing distance from the shoreline. T. chinensis trees were classified into healthy, intermediate, and dying categories based on growth potential, and dynamic changes in salt ions and non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) were investigated. Results indicated that increasing distance from the shoreline corresponded to decreased soil salinity and pH, and increased soil moisture. T. chinensis mortality rate decreased, while tree height and ground diameter increased with distance. Soil salt content was positively correlated with T. chinensis mortality, but negatively correlated with tree height and ground diameter. Trees with lower growth potential had higher Na+ but lower K+ and K+/Na+ ratio. Soil salt content was positively correlated with root and stem Na+, while soil moisture was positively correlated with leaf NSCs. These findings suggest that soil salt content and moisture significantly influence T. chinensis ion absorption and NSC accumulation, with sodium toxicity being a key factor in the spatial distribution of T. chinensis forests.