Conventional Salt Research Articles

Cerebrospinal fluid-induced stable and reproducible SERS sensing for various meningitis discrimination assisted with machine learning

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-based pathogen or biochemical testing is the standard approach for clinical diagnosis of various meningitis. However, misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis always occur due to the shortages of unusual clinical manifestations and time-consuming shortcomings, low sensitivity, and poor specificity. Here, for the first time, we propose a simple and reliable CSF-induced SERS platform assisted with machine learning (ML) for the diagnosis and identification of various meningitis. Stable and reproducible SERS spectra are obtained within 30 s by simply mixing the colloidal silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with CSF sample, and the relative standard deviation of signal intensity is achieved as low as 2.1%. In contrast to conventional salt agglomeration agent-induced irreversible aggregation for achieving Raman enhancement, a homogeneous and dispersed colloidal solution is observed within 1 h for the mixture of Ag NPs/CSF (containing 110–140 mM chloride), contributing to excellent SERS stability and reproducibility. In addition, the interaction processes and potential enhancement mechanisms of different Ag colloids-based SERS detection induced by CSF sample or conventional NaCl agglomeration agents are studied in detail through in-situ UV–vis absorption spectra, SERS analysis, SEM and optical imaging. Finally, an ML-assisted meningitis classification model is established based on the spectral feature fusion of characteristic peaks and baseline. By using an optimized KNN algorithm, the classification accuracy of autoimmune encephalitis, novel cryptococcal meningitis, viral meningitis, or tuberculous meningitis could be reached 99%, while an accuracy value of 68.74% is achieved for baseline-corrected spectral data. The CSF-induced SERS detection has the potential to provide a new type of liquid biopsy approach in the fields of diagnosis and early detection of various cerebral ailments.

Unlocking the role of electrolyte concentration for Na-O2 batteries

Na-O2 batteries have attracted great interest in recent years mainly due to their high energy density, in theory having prospects to outperform the commercialized lithium-ion batteries. In the quest for optimization, a recently explored approach is to use highly concentrated electrolytes (HCEs). The knowledge of molecular level of solvation as function of electrolyte concentration and its impact on Na-O2 battery performance is, however, still very limited. In this work, experimental and computational methods are used to characterize the cation solvation and when the emergence of anions into the cation first solvation shell occurs, which affects the de-solvation process and formation of discharge products. Furthermore, the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed using HCEs demonstrates presence of anion fragments, with poorer protection of the Na metal anode. Moreover, the use of HCEs is also linked to lowered capacity, possibly due to a decrease in the size of the cubic-shaped discharge products as the electrolyte concentration increases, causing clogging of the pores of the air cathode. Thus, increasing the electrolyte salt concentration seems to have a detrimental effect on the cyclability of Na-O2 batteries. Instead, electrolytes with a lower than conventional salt concentration show the best performance, which highlights the importance of carefully tuning the cation solvation alongside overall physico-chemical properties to enhance battery performance.

Preparation of three-dimensionally interconnected sulfur-deficient MoS2/nitrogen-doped carbon composite via salt template method for separator modification in lithium–Sulfur batteries

Separator modification is a promising strategy with regard to lithium–sulfur batteries for trapping polysulfides and suppressing the involved shuttle effect. Herein, a sulfur-deficient molybdenum disulfide/nitrogen-doped carbon composite with an open and interconnected structure (IMoS2-x) was synthesized through facile salt template method using recrystallized salt powder. Unlike the two-dimensional sheet structure obtained through conventional salt template method, an effective three-dimensional IMoS2-x composite design can be achieved using small salt powder as a template. The prepared IMoS2-x-coated polypropylene separator (referred to as IMoS2-x/PP) exhibited remarkable electrochemical performances such as high initial discharge capacity of 1405.1 mAh/g and rate capability of 754.16 mAh/g at 0.1 and 3C, respectively. Furthermore, IMoS2-x/PP exhibited robust cycling performance of 911.18 mAh/g after 80 cycles at 0.2C under high sulfur loading and lean electrolyte conditions, with the electrolyte-to-sulfur ratio (E/S ratio) of 7.5 μL mg−1.

In-situ Crosslinked Gel Polymer Electrolytes Based on Ionic Monomers as Charge Carriers for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract In-situ polymerization is a method for fabricating lithium-ion batteries to contain solid or gel electrolytes without major manufacturing changes. Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) wherein some polymer in incorporated, decreasing the volume of liquid electrolyte, have been pursued as they may be safer. One challenge with GPEs is reduced ion transport properties. In this work, macromonomers with different chain chemistry and ionic monomers are crosslinked on electrospun polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) in the presence of solvents, without conventional salt, to in-situ fabricate GPEs with elevated transference number within coin cells. These GPEs would be single-ion conductors in the case of complete ionic monomer polymerization to the crosslinked network. The effect of chain chemistry and the percentage of macromonomers and ionic monomers in the GPEs on conductivity are investigated. It is found that poly(siloxane) diacrylate (PDMSDA)- and perfluoropolyether tetra-acrylate (PFPETA)-based GPEs outperform the poly(propylene glycol) diacrylate (PPGDA)- and poly(tetrahydrofuran) diacrylate (PTHFDA)-based GPEs in terms of ionic conductivity. The highest ionic conductivity was achieved for a PDMSDA-based GPE at 4.2 × 10-4 S/cm at 23°C. Graphite/NMC-811 full cells prepared with the in-situ polymerized PDMSDA-based GPEs show capacity retention of 82.6% after 100 cycles, albeit with limited electrode utilization due to ion transport limitations.

Interfacial salt effect induced by competitive adsorption of coexisting ions: A new understanding of the mass transfer selectivity in the near-interface boundary layer

Specific ion effects are known to influence the interfacial behavior of ions in the aqueous phase and thus affect their extraction and separation. There are many studies on enhanced extraction and separation of the target ions based on the specific ion effects. A microscopic level understanding of the competitive mass transfer and selectivity of ions at the interface between heterogeneous phases is crucial importance for the precise control of numerous chemical reaction and separation processes. The conventional salt effect (i.e., background coexisting ions promoting the mass transfer of the target ions) are only observed at higher coexisting ion concentrations. However, the present work reveals an interesting phenomenon: the adsorption enrichment and competitive hydration of coexisting salt cations at the liquid–liquid interface can significantly influence the mass transfer rate of the target rare earth ions in the near-interface boundary layer. Notably, such a distinct interfacial salt effect can promote the separation between coexisting and target ions at lower coexisting ion concentrations, and it cannot be explained by the traditional theory for the salt effect. A thin-layer organic oil film extraction system was employed here as a simplified model experiment to investigate this new interfacial salt effect on the non-equilibrium extraction and separation of target rare earth ions. The results demonstrated that the diffusion rate of the target ions (Er3+) is subject to the local concentration gradient of coexisting salt cations (Mg2+) in the near-interface boundary layer. At the lower bulk concentrations, the Mg2+ ions enriched at the interface would compete for water molecules around the hydration shell of target Er3+ ions, resulting in the dehydration of Er3+ ions. Therefore, an enhanced diffusion rate of Er3+ ions and their adsorption affinity towards the interface were observed. However, at a higher bulk concentration of Mg2+ ions, the diffusion resistance of Er3+ ions increased due to the competitive adsorption and hydration of Mg2+ ions at the interface. The thickness of the organic oil film layer also plays an important role in the diffusion of Er3+ ions. In particular, a thinner oil layer makes it easier to perceive the interfacial salt effect, which enhances the separation between Er3+ and Mg2+ compared to the case of a thicker oil layer. A quantitative correlation between the diffusion rate of Er3+ ions and the concentration of coexisting Mg2+ ions was established to describe the interfacial salt effect. This work highlights the microscopic nature of the salt effect induced by the competitive adsorption kinetics of coexisting ions in the near-interface boundary layer on promoting the extraction and separation of target metal ions. The results will help the development of new approaches to control the separation selectivity and enhance the mass transfer of target metal ions in practical applications.

Novel technique for measuring salt concentrations in food using silver dichromate

Curing with salt reduces water content in food and extends its shelf life; therefore, understanding salt permeability in food is critical to food quality and safety. Although there are many new techniques to measure salt concentrations in food, they cannot be applied in practice owing to drawbacks such as the need for expensive equipment or the inability to image quickly; therefore, development of a fast and simple measurement method is crucial. Silver dichromate is converted to silver chloride when it encounters chloride ions. Based on this principle, we soaked radishes in NaCl solutions of different concentrations and added a layer of silver dichromate to it. Salt concentrations was observed in 5 min, as areas with NaCl concentration of ≥1 % appeared white, whereas the other regions appeared red. A strong correlation (r = 0.94/0.96) was observed between the area of salt concentrations measured using this method and that measured using the conventional salt measurement method, demonstrating the reliability of the method. This method will help advance research related to salt concentrations in food and its application in industrial scenarios.

Unveiling the Dynamics of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Evolution in Li-Ion Batteries Via Operando X-Ray Reflectivity: Experimental Insights for Advanced Energy Storage

The Solid-Electrolyte-Interphase (SEI) is a crucial component of Li-ion batteries (LIBs), as it passivates the highly reactive electrode from the electrolyte and helps to stabilize the electrode/electrolyte interface. However, the SEI formation and evolution can also limit the cycling performance and the capacity retention of the battery. Accurate electrochemical models must therefore account for the SEI and properly simulate it. In order to investigate experimentally the SEI, various techniques have been deployed, including electron microscopy1, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)2,3 and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)4.Providing reliable information on the SEI evolution during cycling, and thus benchmarking models, is challenging with these ex-situ or destructive techniques, as they hardly allow in situ observation. On the other hand, synchrotron X-ray reflectivity (XRR) can be used for the operando investigation of interfacial phenomena. It provides information on the thickness, density, and roughness of the SEI, as well as their changes upon (de)lithiation or in out-of-equilibrium conditions. Moreover, operando XRR can be performed under controlled battery operating conditions, providing relevant information on the SEI. Recently, several works reported that operando XRR experiment can provide in situ structural information of the formation and the growth of SEI with sub-nanometer resolution during the cycling5–7.Herein, we report the results of operando XRR experiments performed at the beamline BM32 of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) to investigate the SEI on Si anode using novel, sustainable fluorine-free electrolytes. Indeed, in the quest for environmentally friendly and safe LIBs, removing the fluorinated electrolytes that are toxic and release corrosive compounds is a necessary step. One way to enhance the safety and sustainability of LIBs is to replace the conventional fluorinated electrolytes by fluorine-free alternatives. A F-free composition based on the lithium bis(oxalato) borate (LiBOB) salt recently showed promising performance in commercially relevant cell configurations8. As with conventional electrolytes, the F-free electrolyte reacts at the surface of the electrodes during the first charge, thus forming the SEI. Characterizing the F-free SEI growth and stability is thus key to understand its behavior and to improve the cell performance for this promising green electrolyte.In this work, operando XRR experiments were performed in electrochemical cells with different electrolyte compositions: 1 M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC):ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) = 3:7 vol % (LP57), 0.7 M LiBOB in EC:EMC = 3:7 vol % (LiBOB), and 0.7 M LiBOB in EC:EMC = 3:7 vol % with 2 wt% vinylene carbonate (LiBOB-VC) during at least three cycles. XRR data show that the formations of SEI layers and their evolutions during the cycling for these two types of electrolytes are different. Furthermore, a layer with low electron density (ED) is still present after total delithiation in the LiBOB-cells, while the ED evolutions are generally reversible for LP57 cell. This suggests that the F-free SEI has different properties during cycling than the SEI formed with conventional salt LiPF6.In summary, operando XRR is a powerful technique for investigating the impact of new electrolyte chemistry and formulation on the SEI properties, which significally influence batteries performances. Moreover, the in situ and in real-time experimental insights with sub-nanometer resolution from this technique provides valuable information for the development of more accurate and predictive models for the SEI evolution. Its unique capabilities make it an essential tool for advancing the understanding of SEI behavior and designing more efficient and stable energy storage systems.Figure 1: (a) Principle of operando X-ray reflectometry. (b) XRR data and fit-derived EDP of LiBOB cell upon lithiation. Figure 1

Continuous plug flow extraction of L-tryptophan using ionic liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems in small channels

A double process intensification of the conventional solvent extraction was accomplished by employing two strategies. Firstly, by utilizing continuous small channels and secondly by replacing organic solvents with novel ionic liquid based aqueous biphasic systems (IL-ABS). The flow extraction of the amino acid L-tryptophan was investigated in small channels with internal diameters of 0.5 and 0.8 mm and three different IL-ABS. The partition coefficients for two different L-tryptophan concentrations (0.325 and 0.5 wt%) were measured for IL-ABS compositions 18, 20 and 22 wt% K3PO4 and C4mimCl. Increasing the weight composition of the conventional salt and the ionic liquid increased the partition of the amino acid for the top ionic liquid rich phase. The continuous extractions were carried out in the plug flow regime. Correlations were proposed for the plug length and the film thickness as functions of the capillary number. It was found that the extraction efficiency with the 20 wt% ABS reached 95 % in under 15 s in the 0.5 mm channel and in about 40 s in the 0.8 mm channel. When comparing the IL-ABS, the 22 wt% reached 96 % extraction efficiency in 14 s compared to the 70 s of the 20 wt% in the 0.8 mm channel. The overall mass transfer coefficients varied between 0.05 and 0.2 s−1 for all cases studied, which were significantly higher than those in conventional solvent extraction systems.

Rheological and Electrochemical Properties of Biodegradable Chia Mucilage Gel Electrolyte Applied to Supercapacitor

The flexible energy storage device of high demand in wearable and portable electronics. Flexible supercapacitors have benefits over flexible batteries, and their development relies on the use of flexible components. Gel polymer electrolytes have the merits of liquid and solid electrolytes and are used in flexible devices. In this study, a gel derived from chia seed was used as a flexible electrolyte material, and its rheological, thermal, and electrochemical properties were investigated. High thermal stability and shear thinning behavior were observed via the electrolyte state of the chia mucilage gel. Compared to the conventional salt electrolyte, the chia mucilage gel electrolyte-based supercapacitor exhibited a more rectangular cyclic voltammetry (CV) curve, longer discharging time in galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) analysis, and low charge transfer resistance in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The maximum specific capacitance of 7.77 F g−1 and power density of 287.7 W kg−1 were measured, and stable capacitance retention of 94% was achieved after 10,000 cycles of charge/discharge with harsh input conditions. The biodegradability was also confirmed by the degraded mucilage film in soil after 30 days. The plant-driven chia mucilage gel electrolyte can facilitate the realization of flexible supercapacitors for the energy storage devices of the future.

Co-Intercalation-Free Fluorinated Ether Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used to power portable electronics because of their high energy densities and have shown great promise in enabling the electrification of transport. However, the commercially used carbonate-based electrolytes are limited by a narrow operating temperature window and suffer against next generation lithium-ion battery chemistries such as silicon-containing anodes. The lack of non-carbonate electrolyte alternatives such as ether-based electrolytes is due to undesired solvent co-intercalation that occurs with graphitic anodes. Recently, fluorinated ether solvents have become promising electrolyte solvent candidates for lithium metal batteries but their applications in other battery chemistries have not been studied. In this work, we synthesize a group of novel fluorinated ether solvents and study them as electrolyte solvents for lithium-ion batteries. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR), we show that fluorinated ether electrolytes support reversible lithium-ion intercalation into graphite without solvent co-intercalation at conventional salt concentrations. To the best of our knowledge, they are the first class of ether solvents that intrinsically suppress solvent co-intercalation without the need for high or locally high salt concentration. In full cells using graphite anode, fluorinated ether electrolytes enable much higher energy densities compared to conventional glyme ethers, and better thermal stability over carbonate electrolytes (operation up to 60°C). As single-solvent-single-salt electrolytes, they remarkably outperform carbonate electrolytes with fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and vinylene carbonate (VC) additives when cycled with graphite-silicon composite anodes. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), NMR and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we show that fluorinated ethers produce a solvent-derived solid electrolyte interphase, which is likely the key to suppressing solvent co-intercalation. Rational molecular design of fluorinated ether solvents will produce novel electrolytes that enable next generation lithium-ion batteries with higher energy density and wider working temperature window.

Hexacyclic Chelated Lithium Stable Solvates for Highly Reversible Cycling of High-Voltage Lithium Metal Battery.

Ether-based electrolytes that are endowed with decent compatibility towards lithium anode have been regarded as promising candidates for constructing energy-dense lithium metal batteries (LMBs), but their applications are hindered by low oxidation stability in conventional salt concentration. Here, we reported that regulating the chelating power and coordination structure can remarkably increase the high-voltage stability of ether-based electrolytes and lifespan of LMBs. Two ether molecules of 1,3-dimethoxypropane (DMP) and 1,3-diethoxypropane (DEP) are designed and synthesized as solvents of electrolytes to replace the traditional ether solvent (1,2-dimethoxyethane, DME). Both computational and spectra reveal that the transition from five- to six-membered chelate solvation structure by adding one methylene on DME results in the formation of weak Li solvates, which increase the reversibility and high-voltage stability in LMBs. Even under lean electrolyte (5 mL Ah-1 ) and low anode to cathode ratio (2.6), the fabricated high-voltage Li||LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2 LMBs using electrolyte of 2.30 M Lithiumbisfluorosulfonimide (LiFSI)/DMP still show capacity retention over 90 % after 184 cycles. This work highlights the importance of designing the coordination structures in non-fluorine ether electrolytes for rechargeable batteries.

Salt Substitutes – Utility and Safety in Chronic Kidney Disease

In the shadow of the global sodium burden, chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients face a particularly precarious balancing act. While reducing sodium intake is essential for mitigating cardiovascular risks and slowing CKD progression, conventional salt substitutes containing potassium pose a looming threat of hyperkalemia due to impaired renal potassium excretion. Despite promising benefits like lowered blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular events observed in the general population, robust data on the efficacy and safety of these substitutes in CKD is scarce. Hence, the urgent need arises for targeted research to establish precise risks and benefits of various salt-substitution strategies tailored specifically for the CKD population. Ideally, the holy grail of this endeavor would be the discovery of a sodium-minimizing, potassium-free substitute that flawlessly mimics the sensory experience of salt, thus empowering CKD patients to navigate experience nutritional prudence and culinary delight. The path forward demands meticulous investigation and the development of personalized sodium-reduction strategies that hold the key to unlocking a healthier future for CKD patients.

A prediction model for the impact of environmental and genetic factors on cardiovascular events: development in a salt substitutes population

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) has evolved into a serious public health issue that demands the use of suitable methods to estimate the risk of the disease. As a result, in a sample of individuals who completed a 3-year low-sodium salt or conventional salt intervention in a hypertensive environment, we constructed a 13-year cardiovascular (CV) event risk prediction model with a 10-year follow-up.MethodsA Cox proportional hazards model was used to build a prediction model based on data from 306 participants who matched the inclusion criteria. Both the discriminating power and the calibration of the prediction models were assessed. The discriminative power of the prediction model was measured using the area under the curve (AUC). Brier scores and calibration plots were used to assess the prediction model's calibration. The model was internally validated using the tenfold cross-validation method. The nomogram served as a tool for visualising the model.ResultsAmong the 306 total individuals, there were 100 cases and 206 control. In the model, there were six predictors including age, smoking, LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), baseline SBP (systolic blood pressure), CVD (cardiovascular history), and CNV (genomic copy number variation) nsv483076. The fitted model has an AUC of 0.788, showing strong model discrimination, and a Brier score of 0.166, indicating that it was well-calibrated. According to the results of internal validation, the prediction model utilised in this study had a good level of repeatability. According to the model integrating the interaction of CNVs and baseline blood pressure, the effect of baseline SBP on CV events may be greater when nsv483076 was normal double copies than when nsv483076 was copy number variation.ConclusionsThe efficacy of risk prediction models for CV events that include environmental and genetic components is excellent, and they may be utilised as risk assessment tools for CV events in specific groups to offer a foundation for tailored intervention strategies.

Efficient Phosphate Removal from Wastewater by Ca-Laden Biochar Composites Prepared from Eggshell and Peanut Shells: A Comparison of Methods

Biochar is currently widely used as the adsorbent for phosphorus (P) removal from wastewater. Cheap and green modified materials and efficient preparation methods are the key to obtain efficient and economical engineering biochar. Conventional salt solution and chemical impregnation are common methods for preparing engineered biochar. However, this preparation method is not environmentally friendly or cheap due to the price of salt solutions and the solvent treatment process for chemical impregnation. In this article, Ca-laden biochar was prepared using peanut shells as carbon base materials and discarded eggshells as calcium source. Two methods (ball milling and chemical impregnation) of building the Ca-laden biochar were compared from the perspective of the characterization of biochar, the adsorption performance and the economic cost. The composition and structure of biochar were analyzed by the element content, functional group, X-ray diffraction, energy spectrum and electron microscope scanning etc. The adsorption behavior of biochar was tested in different environments (pH and temperature). The results revealed that the capacity of P adsorption by the Ca-modified biochar was higher than the adsorption by raw biochar, and that the prepared Ca-laden biochar has a wide working environment. Moreover, the Ca-laden biochar prepared by ball milling has a higher specific surface area and more porosity. The Ca-modified biochar through ball milling has a higher amount of adsorbed P than that of through chemical impregnation. This work not only creates a novel method for making excellent P adsorbents, but also offers an environmentally friendly use for agricultural eggshells and peanut shells.

A feasibility study of a small-scale photovoltaic-powered reverse osmosis desalination plant for potable water and salt production in Madura Island: A techno-economic evaluation

• Techno-economic analysis of a small-scale PV-RO desalination plant in Madura Island. • Potable water production of 11.6 m 3 /day with an annual solar contribution of 84 % • The levelized cost of water production using PV-RO desalination plant is 9.0 USD/m 3. • Payback period of PV-RO plant is 4 years for plant lifetime of 25 years. • PV-RO plant usage can increase salt production effectiveness of the salt farmers. The use of reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plant powered by a photovoltaic (PV) system is an attractive solution for small-scale applications in Madura Island (Indonesia). In this paper, the techno-economic feasibility of a small-scale grid-connected PV-RO desalination plant has been carried out in Madura Island for a plant capacity of 11.6 m 3 /day. The RO brine concentrate is utilized for valuable salt production-via-evaporation ponds that allowed the reduction of the required size in the conventional salt evaporation ponds. The steady-state numerical model of the RO desalination plant was used to predict the plant's performance using the characteristics of commercial RO elements. The PV array simulation was carried out using a dynamic modelling and simulation program based on weather data of Madura Island. The result illustrates that the production of potable water and salt using a community-scale grid-connected PV-RO plant is economically viable to be implemented in the region. The payback period of this PV-RO plant is around 4 years for a considered plant lifetime of 25 years with an annual solar contribution of 84 %. The Levelized cost of water production using the PV-RO plant is about 9.0 USD/m 3 which is more cost-effective than the current cost of potable water in the region. Besides, the use of solar-assisted RO desalination plants in water-stressed regions such as Madura Island allows for mitigating the greenhouse gas emissions associated with seawater desalination.

Bio-preservation of raw hides/skins: A review on greener substitute to conventional salt curing.

Raw hides/skins are considered to be the prime component for leather industry, which once flayed from animals, plummets to microbial attack. Their preservation combats putrefaction wherein curing using sodium chloride (NaCl) is by and large the most widely accepted method. However, there are few stumble blocks in using NaCl in terms of pollution load generated such as high total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and chlorides (Cl-). Additionally, this effluent when discharged affects the quality of the water, soil and plants causing huge ecological damage. To evade these problems, researches are being carried out to explore alternative preservation techniques which are either salt free or with reduced amount of salt. Different methods were proposed time and again which remained unfeasible due to associated drawbacks like high cost, health hazards and environmental concerns. Therefore, finding cheaper, eco-friendly and sustainable method for preservation has become the need of the hour for this industry. This review meticulously summarizes the changing trends in preservation techniques for past few decades with special emphasis on bio-based preservation. The diversity of the natural preservatives explored for the said purpose has been systematically reviewed. The enormous environmental benefits that can be obtained by adopting bio-based preservation and future avenues of research have been discussed.

Effect of physicochemical properties on popping characteristics of selected pearl millet varieties.

Pearl millet, commonly known as 'Bajra', is a nutrigrain, mostly used in pulverized form to make unleavened pancakes, dumplings, porridge, etc., in India. Popping, a traditional method of millet processing, is used in making ready-to-eat snacks. Pearl millet is underutilized in India. The present work aims to study the effect of the parameters of pearl millet such as variety, chemical composition, pericarp thickness, amylose content, and processing temperature on the volume expansion ratio and sensory properties of popped pearl millet. A conventional salt-popping technique was used at three different temperatures (220 °C, 240 °C, and 260 °C) for five pearl millet varieties (ABPC 4-3, AHB 1269, AHB 1666, AIMP 92901, and PPC-6). Parameters such as color, diameter, density, amylose content, pericarp thickness, and proximate composition were analyzed. Popping characteristics such as volume expansion ratio, popping yield, and sensory properties of popped grains were studied. It was observed that pericarp thickness and amylose content were positively correlated with the popping qualities of grains. AIMP 92901 offered more desirable properties such as suitable moisture content (87.5g kg-1 ), lowest equivalent diameter (2.07 mm), highest bulk density (0.84 g cm-3 ), true density (1.41 g cm-3 ), pericarp thickness (30.82 μm), and amylose content (19.75 g kg-1 ) than the other varieties that were studied. Hence, the highest popping yield (72.83%) and expansion ratio (6.15) was observed in the AIMP 92901 pearl millet variety at 260 °C. Conventional salt popping at 260 °C yielded the best popping characteristics. Pearl millet variety AIMP-92 901 developed by VNMKV (Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani), Parbhani was found to have more desirable popping characteristics (in terms of all the parameters explained in results). © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Postharvest sour rot control in lemon fruit by natamycin and an Allium extract

Citrus sour rot caused by Geotrichum citri-aurantii is one of the most important postharvest diseases in citrus fruit, causing huge economic losses. Traditionally, it has been controlled by the postharvest application of guazatine and propiconazole fungicides, but restrictions in their use make it urgent to find an alternative for sour rot management. Natamycin, a common food preservative, and the organosulfuric compounds extracted from Allium species are safe food additives that control different foodborne pathogens. In the present study, the curative activities of commercial formulations of natamycin (Fruitgard Nat 20) and an Allium extract (PTSO: propyl thiosulfinate oxide; Proallium FRD®), were evaluated for the control of G. citri-aurantii in artificially inoculated lemon fruit. Trials in laboratory and in commercial conditions were carried out to explore the feasibility of including both compounds as part of a safe postharvest sour rot disease control strategy. Under controlled laboratory conditions, sour rot was significatively reduced by 500 mg L−1 of natamycin, 580 mL L−1 of PTSO and 290 mL L−1 of PTSO + 4% of a food coat, applied by immersion. Nevertheless, the maximum dose of PTSO (580 mL L−1) caused phytotoxicity on the fruit rind. In commercial drenching conditions, 290 mL L−1 of PTSO + 4% of a food coat reduced sour rot incidence similar to conventional treatment. In a packing line treatment, spray application of 500 mg L−1 of natamycin with a previous dip in sodium bicarbonate, resulted in nearly 70% reduction of disease incidence compared to conventional salt application. A second commercial experiment revealed that fruit drenching with 290 mL L−1 of PTSO + 4% food coat followed by an in-line cascade application of 500 mg L−1 of natamycin is completely effective for sour rot control after 20 days at 5 °C. Further exposure at room temperature for 7 d showed a 61% reduction in sour rot incidence compared to the control. Results revealed that natamycin and PTSO are promising tools for sour rot control used alone or combined as part of an integrated postharvest strategy.

Salt Free Preservation of Raw Goat Skin Using Swietenia Mahogany (Seed) Extract

Curing of hides and skins using sodium salt is a well-established and economical preservation technique worldwide. But it contributes to generating a large amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) and increasing the salinity of water during leather processing which is a threat to the environment. The current research is an attempt to preserve goat skin using mahogany (Swietenia mahogany) seed’s extract. In real practice different percentages of mahogany seed extract were applied on raw goat skin and 3% (by weight of skin) of it showed best result. To evaluate the preservation efficiency, related parameters of preservation viz. odor, hair slip, shrinkage temperature, moisture content, bacterial count etc. were monitored regularly for 30 days. The obtained results were compared with conventional salt curing process. The experimental trial showed efficiency in lessening TDS value and chloride content. The preserved goat skins of both trials were treated following conventional leather processing techniques and physical properties were studied. The discussed preservation method exhibited comparable result in every index.

Combination of in situ iodization and Haloferax spp. bacteria enrichment in salt crystallization process.

Salts that meet the standard quality are enriched with micronutrients, such as potassium iodate, at least 30ppm. The iodization can be carried out directly in crystallization ponds (in-situ iodization) in salt fields. This paper reports the effectiveness of in-situ iodization technology combined with the enrichment of Halophilic bacteria consortium and Haloferax spp. to produce bio-based NaCl salt. The brine was first crystallized under sunlight exposure for approximately five days with water temperatures of 32-39°C and an average wind speed of 2.8-6.0m/s in each pond with a dimension of 20 × 20m. Following this, the performance of these bacteria was analyzed in terms of the resulting final concentration of KIO3 (ppm), NaCl concentration (v/v), and water content (v/v). Results showed that the treatment with in situ iodization and Haloferax spp. successfully produce better bio-based salt quality in terms of KIO3 level, NaCl purity, and water contents. Moreover, the method did not produce aqueous and solid wastes, unlike in the conventional salt industry. The optimum condition was found at 50ppm of KIO3 with the addition of Haloferax spp. SEM analysis shows that the treatment using Haloferax spp. resulted in a larger rectangular and harder crystal salt than the controls.