High Salt Concentrations Research Articles

Микробиологические риски как причина пороков внешнего вида сыра

Aerobic Bacillus bacteria, yeasts, and micrococci are pigment-forming microorganisms responsible for color defects in cheese production. The article describes their environment, industry-related characteristics, types of defects they cause, and various color violations in commercial cheeses. The research featured domestic cheeses with yellow and red surface spots that appeared during industrial ripening and storage. Pigment-forming microorganisms developed on cheese surface at a low ripening temperature, high concentration of table salt, and critically low oxygen. Pigment-forming microflora proved to enter cheese from milk, brine, or production environment, e.g., water, air, and processing equipment, dry and succulent feeds being the main source of milk contamination with spore-forming aerobic bacteria, yeast, mold fungi, etc. Contamination of raw milk, milking equipment, and air environment with micrococci was primarily associated with cows’ udder and skin. Cheese production presupposes low-temperature heat treatment of raw milk, which means possible residual microflora in pasteurized milk. As a result, the total count of mesophilic aerobic and optionally anaerobic microorganisms, i.e., the potential pigment formers, was to stay below 104 CFU/cm3. Yeast and spore-forming Bacillus microorganisms demonstrated the acceptable level of ≤102 CFU/cm3 in milk intended for cheesemaking. If their total count exceeded 103 CFU/cm3, it indicated high microbiological risks of cheese appearance defects. The microflora responsible for discoloration of cheese surface was represented by yeast, micrococci, aerobic spores, or their combinations.

Separation and identification of oligonucleotides impurities and degradation products by reversed phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography using phenyl-bonded stationary phases without ion pairs - A step towards sustainability

This manuscript discusses the development of a reversed-phase ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (RP UHPLC) method based on phenyl-bonded stationary phases without ion-pairs for the separation and identification of oligonucleotides. The elimination of ion-pair reagents makes the proposed protocol as more compliant to the principles of green chemistry, compared to the traditional ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography methods (IP RP LC). In detail, three phenyl-based stationary phases were tested, namely a C18/AR (a C18 stationary phase with the addition of aromatic groups), a Phenyl-hexyl, and a Diphenyl. Generally, the retention of oligonucleotides increases with the increase of salt concentration and the decrease of the pH, thus confirming the significant impact of van der Waals interactions, salting-out effect, and π-electrons interactions in the retention mechanism. The highest retention and best peak symmetry were observed for the C18/AR stationary phase, while the lowest retention for the Phenyl-hexyl, with retention influenced by the type of salt in the mobile phase. The obtained methods using C18/AR stationary phases allow for the effective separations of positional isomers and for identifying impurities and degradation products using RP UHPLC Q-TOF-MS in a comparatively short time. The application of RP UHPLC Q-TOF-MS provides reasonable selectivity for the resolution of 33 impurities and two degradation products. Both groups of compounds are mainly 3′N and 5′N-shortmers, but in the case of impurities, modifications of cyclic phosphate and phosphate groups were also identified. Nevertheless, Diphenyl and Phenyl-Hexyl may be applied to separate modified oligonucleotides with higher salt concentrations. The proposed separation methods without ion-pair reagents contribute to a more sustainable approach in oligonucleotide analysis.

Impact of lipidation site on the activity of α-helical antimicrobial peptides

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) display advantages over traditional antibiotics due to their broad spectrum of activity against various pathogens, and may even overcome bacterial drug resistance. However, despite their potential therapeutic benefits, widespread application of AMPs is limited by their instability, sensitivity to high salt concentrations, toxicity, and immunogenicity. Lipidation is a promising strategy in overcoming these drawbacks and potential problems for drug candidates. While N-terminal lipidation is a well-studied form of acylation of biologically active peptides, fatty acylation of the lysine side chain has still been poorly explored. In this study, we examined systematic introduction of octanoic (C8) or decanoic (C10) acid into the sequences of three antimicrobial α-helical peptides, namely LL-I, LK6, and ATRA-1, by acylation of subsequent lysine residues, resulting in 17 lipopeptides. Fatty acid lengths optimal for antimicrobial activity were selected based on a previous study on the N-terminal lipidated counterparts of these peptides. Shuffling the position of the fatty acid tails in the sequences of the peptides preserved high activity against Gram-positive bacteria, increased activity against Gram-negative strains and reduced cytotoxicity, compared to the N-terminal acylated counterparts. In the case of the LL-I and LK6 conjugates, the interactions with artificial negatively charged membranes induced formation of an α-helical structure but without a direct correlation between helicity and amphipathicity. Unexpectedly, the ATRA-1 derivatives showed only a small tendency, if any, to adopt a helical structure upon binding to POPG vesicles, which may indicate a non-helical active conformation. A more detailed study of the selected analogues, namely LL-I-4C8, LK6-7C8, and ATRA-1-11C10, provided evidence of a tendency to self-assemble into clumped and/or isolated fibrils, micelles or clusters of micelles, and proved that the lipid bilayer is the main target of action of the tested lipopeptides. In summary, the results of the present study highlight that alternative conjugation sites for lipid modification of AMPs, rather than the commonly applied N-terminal conjugation site, may improve the selectivity of action and be feasible in testing for the development of new lipid-peptide conjugates.

Catalysis of oxygen reduction reaction by iron porphyrin and its sensing application

Hemin, or iron porphyrin, serves as a non-noble metal catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The stability of hemin is maintained in high salt concentrations, functioning as an ORR redox catalyst in the aqueous phase. Hemin facilitates the development of an oxygen sensor that transitions the ORR mechanism from a 2-electron to a more efficient 4-electron process. This sensor demonstrates excellent reproducibility (RSD<5%), with a wide linear range of 38.9–613 μM, a sensitivity of 0.136 ± 0.003 μA μM−1, and a limit of detection (3SB/m) of 11.8 μM.

Microbial Biocontrol Agents and Natural Products Act as Salt Stress Mitigators in Lactuca sativa L.

One of the major problems related to climate change is the increase in land area affected by higher salt concentrations and desertification. Finding economically and environmentally friendly sustainable solutions that effectively mitigate salt stress damage to plants is of great importance. In our work, some natural products and microbial biocontrol agents were evaluated for their long-term effectiveness in reducing salt stress in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. romana) plants. Fourteen different treatments applied to soil pots, with and without salt stress, were analyzed using biometric (leaf and root length and width), physiological (chlorophyll and proline content), and morphological (microscopic preparations) techniques and NGS to study the microbial communities in the soil of plants subjected to different treatments. Under our long-term experimental conditions (90 days), the results showed that salt stress negatively affected plant growth. The statistical analysis showed a high variability in the responses of the different biostimulant treatments. Notably, the biocontrol agents Papiliotrema terrestris (strain PT22AV), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (strain B07), and Rahnella aquatilis (strain 36) can act as salt stress mitigators in L. sativa. These findings suggest that both microbial biocontrol agents and certain natural products hold promise for reducing the adverse effects of salt stress on plants.

Simulating the Competitive Ion Pairing of Hydrated Electrons with Chaotropic Cations.

Experiments show that the absorption spectrum of the hydrated electron (ehyd-) blue-shifts in electrolyte solutions compared with what is seen in pure water. This shift has been assigned to the ehyd-'s competitive ion-pairing interactions with the salt cation relative to the salt anion based on the ions' positions on the Hofmeister series. Remarkably, little work has been done investigating the ehyd-'s behavior when the salts have chaotropic cations, which should greatly change the ion-pairing interactions given that the ehyd- is a champion chaotrope. In this work, we remedy this by using mixed quantum/classical simulations to analyze the behavior of two different models of the ehyd- in aqueous RbF and RbI electrolyte solutions as a function of salt concentration. We find that the magnitude of the salt-induced spectral blue-shift is determined by a combination of the number of chaotropic Rb+ cations near the ehyd- and the number of salt anions near those cations so that the spectrum of the ehyd- directly reflects its local environment. We also find that the use of a soft-cavity ehyd- model predicts stronger competitive interactions with Rb+ relative to I- than a more traditional hard cavity model, leading to different predicted spectral shifts that should provide a way to distinguish between the two models experimentally. Our simulations predict that at the same concentration, salts with chaotropic cations should produce larger spectral blue-shifts than salts with kosmotropic cations. We also found that at high salt concentrations with chaotropic cations, the predicted blue-shift is greater when the salt anion is kosmotropic instead of chaotropic. Our goal is for this work to inspire experimentalists to make such measurements, which will help provide a spectroscopic means to distinguish between simulations models that predict different hydration structures for the ehyd-.

Lifetime of forage cactus submitted to different water and saline levels

Forage cactus is mostly grown in hot climates, where water deficit is quite common, consequently they end up suffering from saline stress, as the waters of these regions have high concentrations of salts. The buildup of salts in the soil promotes an unfavorable environment for the development of plants, as it negatively alters the growth of crops, reducing the productivity of forage plants in agricultural areas. The objective was then to evaluate the lifetime of Nopalea cochenillifera cactus under water and saline stress conditions. This research was conducted from September 2021, to August 2022, in the forage farming sector of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco. The design used was completely randomized, in a factorial scheme, being composed of two clones of cactus (Clones Giant and Little Sweet), two levels of water irrigation (0.5 and 1L weekly), five levels of saline stress (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 dS m-1), with four replications. The lifetime of forage cactus was evaluated using the statistical methodology of survival analysis by Kaplan-Meier method. The plant mortality rate of N. cochenillifera clone Giant Sweet at 257 days after planting was of 20%, while the clone Little Sweet showed a mortality rate of 15%. When irrigated with 0.5 liter of water, the plants of the clone Giant Sweet presented a mortality rate of 5.0%, whereas the clones Little Sweet showed no mortality. When using 1.0 liter of irrigation water, the clones Giant and Little Sweet showed a mortality rate of 35.0 and 30.0%, respectively.

Systematization of a toxicity screening method based on a combination of chemical analysis and the delayed fluorescence algal growth inhibition test for use in emergency environmental surveys.

In recent years, heavy rainfall disasters linked to climate change have become more frequent, raising concerns about the release of chemicals stored in factories. Assessing chemical contamination during such emergencies therefore necessitates the development of a quick and easy method for evaluating hazardous contaminants in combination with toxicity testing. This study proposes a "toxicity screening" method that combines biological response testing and chemical analysis to systematically evaluate hazardous contaminants in emergency situations. The toxicity screening method evaluates the water quality in three steps, including water quality measurements and a delayed fluorescence (DF) assay, metal content measurements and a DF assay, and targeted screening analysis and a DF assay. The efficacy of this method was tested using industrial wastewater from 14 locations. Seven of the samples were non-toxic, while the other seven samples were toxic, displaying no observed effect concentration (NOEC) values ranging from 0.625 to 20%. Two toxic samples in the first phase possessed high total chlorine concentrations (0.4mg L-1) and conductivities (2200 mS m-1), indicating that the main sources of toxicity were residual chlorine and a high salt concentration. In the second phase, metal content analysis identified metals as the toxicity cause in four samples. In the third phase, the organic contaminants were analyzed, and tri-n-octyl phosphate (TNOP) was detected at a concentration of 0.00027mg L-1. The results of solid-phase extraction experiments and exposure tests with TNOP alone indicated that the contribution of TNOP to the toxicity was negligible and that chemicals not adsorbed on the solid-phase extraction cartridges were the cause of toxicity. The proposed method can therefore be considered effective for disaster-related water quality assessment, delivering results within 12days.

Superparamagnetic composites of lignin regenerated from ionic liquid solutions for the efficient and selective removal of cationic dyes

Magnetic lignin nanoparticles (MLNs) were prepared by inducing their self-assembly through lignin regeneration in the [N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone][C1–C4 carboxylic acid] ionic liquids ([NMP]ILs), which are low-cost protic ionic liquid. [NMP]ILs are self-assembling solvent that can enhance the adsorption capacity of MLNs to a greater degree than tetrahydrofuran or H2O. Additionally, the anion types of [NMP]IL greatly influence the physiochemical properties of MLNs. The MLNs prepared through self-assembly with [NMP][formate] (MLN/[NMP][For]) exhibited a higher maximum adsorption capacity (134.53 mg/g) than the [NMP]ILs of C2–C4 carboxylate anions. MLN/[NMP][For] demonstrated stable adsorption within a pH range of 6–10 or at high salt concentrations (0.01–0.5 mol/L), retaining over 80 % of its regeneration efficiency after 5 cycles. In addition, MLN/[NMP][For] selectively removed cationic dyes in mixed binary anionic–cationic dye solutions. This work demonstrated the feasibility of preparing magnetic biosorbents with good selectivity and stability though regeneration and by adjusting the anions of ionic liquids.

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.

Molecular analysis of changes in DNA binding affinity and bending extent induced by the mutations on the aromatic amino residues in Cren7.

Proteins from Crenarchaeal organisms exhibit remarkable thermal stability. The aromatic amino acids in Cren7, a Crenarchaeal protein, regulate protein stability and further modulate DNA binding and its compaction. Specific aromatic amino acids were mutated, and using spectroscopic and theoretical approaches, we have examined the structure, DNA binding affinity, and DNA bending ability of mutants. and compared with wild-type (WT) Cren7. The reverse titration profiles were analysed by a noncooperativeMcGhee-von Hippel model to estimate affinity constant (Ka) and site size (n) associated with binding to the DNA. Biolayer interferometry (BLI) measurements showed that the binding affinity decreased at higher salt concentrations. For theoretical analysis of extent of DNA bending, radius of gyration and bending angle were compared for WT and mutants. Time evolution of order parameters based on translational and rotational motion of tryptophan residue (W26) was used for qualitative detection of stacking interactions between W26 of Cren7 and DNA nucleobases. It was observed that orientation of W26 in F41A favoredformation of a new lone pair-lone pair interaction between DNA and Cren7. Consequently, in thermostable proteins, the aromatic residues at the terminus maintain structural stability, whereas the residues at the core optimize the degree of DNA bending and compaction.

Transcriptome-wide identification of the Hsp70 gene family in Pugionium cornutum and functional analysis of PcHsp70-5 under drought stress.

The PcHsp70-5 enhances drought stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana by upregulating stress tolerance genes and antioxidant enzyme activities. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) constitute a class of evolutionarily conserved proteins synthesized by organisms in response to various adverse environmental stimuli such as elevated temperatures, drought, hormonal fluctuations, high salt concentrations, and mechanical stress. However, research on HSPs has predominantly focused on model plants and crops, whereas their functions in desert plants have not been well investigated. This study analyzed the transcriptome of Pugionium cornutum and identified the complete ORFs of 25 genes of the PcHsp70 family genes. Their expression levels under drought stress were investigated using existing RNA-seq data. PcHsp70-5 genes exhibited high expression levels in both roots and leaves under drought stress. Consequently, the PcHsp70-5 genes were cloned and transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana for further analysis of their roles in drought stress response. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated that both, drought stress and ABA, induced PcHsp70-5 expression. Under drought conditions, transgenic Arabidopsis plants exhibited markedly enhanced growth compared to wild-type plants, as evidenced by improved survival rates, root length, fresh weight, chlorophyll content, and reduced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in leaves, indicating that PcHsp70-5 overexpression mitigated growth inhibition and oxidative damage induced by drought stress. Subsequent research revealed that PcHsp70-5 overexpression significantly augmented the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and increased the proline content in transgenic Arabidopsis under drought conditions, alongside a significant increase in the expression levels of genes related to stress tolerance. This suggests that PcHsp70-5 enhances drought stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis by upregulating stress tolerance genes and antioxidant enzyme activities.

Molecular insight into the dual effect of salts: Promoting or inhibiting the nucleation and growth of carbon dioxide clathrate hydrates

Facing the huge gap between the growing CO2 emissions and net-zero emissions target to mitigate global warming, the long-term storage of excess CO2 becomes an intractable issue. Sequestering CO2 in the oceans as clathrate hydrates is a promising solution. Many unanswered questions still exist at the molecular level regarding how ions in seawater kinetically affect the formation of CO2 hydrates, particularly the dual effect: as the concentration rises, salt ions shift from being a promoter of hydrate formation to becoming an inhibitor. Herein, we report the homogeneous nucleation process of CO2 hydrates in saline solutions via molecular dynamics simulations. Consistent with experimental findings, our results show that nucleation is promoted within certain salt concentration ranges; however, the evidence suggests that ions do not act as nucleation sites. Multiple ion-induced variations in the aqueous phase are analyzed, including changes in the mobility, structure, and CO2 solubility. We find that the presence of ions strengthens the hydrophobic interactions among the dissolved CO2 molecules, which are associated with the salting-out phenomenon, accounting for the promoting effect of salts at low concentrations. However, as the salt concentration increases, this advantage is offset, leading to the inhibiting effect at high salt concentrations. We demonstrate that anions are inevitably involved in the construction of the solid hydrate phase. Their presence disrupts the native tetrahedral connectivity of water molecules and imparts negative charges to the solid phase, thereby attracting cations. In addition to advancing our understanding of the intricate interactions among water, guest, and additive molecules to germinate ordered solid structures, these findings can accelerate the development and utilization of sustainable hydrate-based applications.

Effect of priming guava seeds with H2O2 on seedling production under salt stress

Guava is one of the most economically important fruit crops grown in the Northeast region of Brazil. This region is characterized by a high concentration of salts in the water sources used for irrigation, necessitating the development of strategies to minimize the harmful effects of salt stress on production systems. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of priming guava seeds with H2O2 on seedling production under salt stress. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Center for Agri-food Science and Technology at the Federal University of Campina Grande, located in Pombal, PB, Brazil. A randomized complete block experimental design was employed, involving a 5 × 3 factorial arrangement represented by five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (ECw: 0.3, 1.1, 1.9, 2.7, and 3.5 dS m-1) and three concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2: 0, 25, and 50 µM). Four replications were used, with five plants per plot. Salinity in the water starting from 0.3 dS m-1 reduced growth, relative water content, photosynthetic pigments, dry biomass, and Dickson’s quality index, and increased the water saturation deficit in ‘Paluma’ guava seedlings 110 days after sowing. Hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 25 µM increased the emergence speed index of seedlings, although its application at a concentration of up to 50 µM did not alleviate the adverse impacts of salt stress on ‘Paluma’ guava seedlings under an electrical conductivity of irrigation water of 3.5 dS m-1.

Systematic analysis of bZIP gene family in Suaeda australis reveal their roles under salt stress

BackgroundSuaeda australis is one of typical halophyte owing to high levels of salt tolerance. In addition, the bZIP gene family assumes pivotal functions in response to salt stress. However, there are little reports available regarding the bZIP gene family in S. australis.ResultsIn this study, we successfully screened 44 bZIP genes within S. australis genome. Subsequently, we conducted an extensive analysis, encompassing investigations into chromosome location, gene structure, phylogenetic relationship, promoter region, conserved motif, and gene expression profile. The 44 bZIP genes were categorized into 12 distinct groups, exhibiting an uneven distribution among the 9 chromosomes of S. australis chromosomes, but one member (Sau23745) was mapped on unanchored scaffolds. Examination of cis-regulatory elements revealed that bZIP promoters were closely related to anaerobic induction, transcription start, and light responsiveness. Comparative transcriptome analysis between ST1 and ST2 samples identified 2,434 DEGs, which were significantly enriched in some primary biological pathways related to salt response-regulating signaling based on GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Expression patterns analyses clearly discovered the role of several differently expressed SabZIPs, including Sau08107, Sau08911, Sau11415, Sau16575, and Sau19276, which showed higher expression levels in higher salt concentration than low concentration and a response to salt stress. These expression patterns were corroborated through RT-qPCR analysis. The six differentially expressed SabZIP genes, all localized in the nucleus, exhibited positive regulation involved in the salt stress response. SabZIP14, SabZIP26, and SabZIP36 proteins could bind to the promoter region of downstream salt stress-related genes and activate their expressions.ConclusionsOur findings offer valuable insights into the evolutionary trajectory of the bZIP gene family in S. australis and shed light on their roles in responding to salt stress. In addition to fundamental genomic information, these results would serve as a foundational framework for future investigations into the regulation of salt stress responses in S. australis.

Isolation and Identification of Halophilic Bacteria Isolated from Mangrove Soil in Blue Lagoon, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

Halophiles bacteria are capable of tolerating and surviving in extreme salinity due to the special biological structure that it possesses. Classification of halophilic bacteria includes slight, moderate, and extreme halophiles which range from low to high concentrations of salt. Biotechnological products yielded from bacteria residing in saline environment are proven to be valuable in a few industries. The isolated halophilic bacteria may yield powerful biomolecules such as enzymes which can enhance plant development, hence boosting agricultural industries. However, the insufficient data related to halophiles available in Malaysia may reduce the potential use of these bacteria in related industries. The goal of this study is to isolate and identify the potential halophilic bacteria and to determine the tolerance of halophiles in different concentrations of salt. Collection of soil samples was done at the mangrove soil in Blue Lagoon, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. Isolation and purification of halophiles was done on nutrient agar media supplemented with 3% salt. Next, Gram-staining was performed on 4 colonies of bacteria with different types of single colony appearances. Then, the selected bacteria with different colony and morphological characteristics were tested in nutrient broth supplemented with 0%, 3%, 10% and 20% of salt. Molecular identification was conducted which involved DNA extraction and Polymerase Chain Reaction. All 4 isolates selected were tested to be Gram-stain positive and possessed rod-shaped. The bacteria have various salinity tolerance levels which may be due to the presence of different enzymes produced in their cells. Gene sequences and phylogenetic tree were analyzed based on 16s rRNA sequences to identify the species of the isolates. At the end of the experiment, isolate 2A1 and 2A4 were identified as Bacillus sp., while isolate 2A2 and 2A3 were identified as Cytobacillus oceanisediminis.

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.

A novel Microbacterium strain SRS2 promotes the growth of Arabidopsis and MicroTom (S. lycopersicum) under normal and salt stress conditions.

Microbacterium strain SRS2 promotes growth and induces salt stress resistance in Arabidopsis and MicroTom in various growth substrates via the induction of the ABA pathway. Soil salinity reduces plant growth and development and thereby decreases the value and productivity of soils. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been shown to support plant growth such as in salt stress conditions. Here, Microbacterium strain SRS2, isolated from the root endosphere of tomato, was tested for its capability to help plants cope with salt stress. In a salt tolerance assay, SRS2 grew well up to medium levels of NaCl, but the growth was inhibited at high salt concentrations. SRS2 inoculation led to increased biomass of Arabidopsis and MicroTom tomato in various growth substrates, in the presence and in the absence of high NaCl concentrations. Whole-genome analysis revealed that the strain contains several genes involved in osmoregulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, which could potentially explain the observed growth promotion. Additionally, we also investigated via qRT-PCR, promoter::GUS and mutant analyses whether the abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent or -independent pathways for tolerance against salt stress were involved in the model plant, Arabidopsis. Especially in salt stress conditions, the plant growth-promotion effect of SRS2 was lost in aba1, abi4-102, abi3, and abi5-1 mutant lines. Furthermore, ABA genes related to salt stress in SRS2-inoculated plants were transiently upregulated compared to mock under salt stress conditions. Additionally, SRS2-inoculated ABI4::GUS and ABI5::GUS plants were slightly more activated compared to the uninoculated control under salt stress conditions. Together, these assays show that SRS2 promotes growth in normal and in salt stress conditions, the latter possibly via the induction of ABA-dependent and -independent pathways.

Impact of curing conditions on the mechanical properties and micro characteristics of alkali-activated material synthesized from industrial waste soda residue

Alkali-activated materials (AAM) are considered a type of green cementitious material because they are produced without the grinding and calcining required for cement production, significantly reducing carbon emissions. However, their production typically involves the use of commercial alkalis, which are often corrosive, irritating, and expensive. As an industrial waste from sodium carbonate production, soda residue (SR) has a large reserve and is challenging to dewater and utilize, making its disposal a widespread technical challenge. In this paper, considering the alkaline nature and high salt content of SR, a soda residue activated granulated blast-furnace slag cementitious material (SAG) was synthesized directly using undried and unground SR slurry as the alkali activator, with a mass ratio of SR to granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS) of 30:70. The effects of ambient temperature (AT) curing, water curing, various heat curing temperatures (45°C, 60°C, 75°C, and 90°C), and different heat curing durations (6 h, 12 h, 18 h, and 24 h) on the properties of SAG were investigated. Specifically, the effect of curing conditions on the mechanical properties of SAG was analyzed through unconfined compressive strength (UCS) testing of mortar specimens. The impact of curing conditions on the phase composition and changes in SAG was characterized using XRD, TG, and FTIR, while the effect on the microstructure of SAG was characterized using SEM. The results showed that SAG achieved the highest UCS (3 d/56 d: 28.1 MPa/36.7 MPa) when subjected to heat curing at 75°C for 12 h. The UCS increased significantly by 3022 % and 321 %, respectively, compared to those under AT sealed curing. This was attributed to the fact that SAG under heat curing produced more C-(A)-S-H gels and hydrocalumite crystals, optimizing pore structure and resulting in a denser microstructure. However, exceeding the threshold temperature of 75°C led to an excessively rapid hydration reaction that adversely affected the further dissolution of GBFS and the uniform distribution of hydration products, thereby diminishing the positive effects of heat curing on UCS. In addition, excessively prolonging the heat curing time exacerbated the development of microcracks within the SAG, leading to a deterioration of UCS over age. In this paper, a novel AAM was synthesized using undried and unground industrial waste without the addition of commercial alkali, and the impact of curing conditions on their properties was studied. This broadens the range of applications for SAG, fills a gap in research on the impact of curing conditions on AAM without commercial alkali, and provides a theoretical basis for the low-carbon utilization of industrial waste.

Salt-Reduced Fish Sauce Produced under Pressurized Carbon Dioxide Treatment Using Sardinops melanostictus, Trachurus japonicus, Konosirus punctatus, Odontamblyopus lacepedii, Their Collective Mixture, and Unused Fish Mixture.

Fish sauce is produced at high salt concentrations (>20%) to inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms. The salt-reduced fish sauce (10% salt) was prepared under pressurized CO2 (pCO2) conditions at 30 °C and 5 MPa for 3 months (FSCO2), from Sardinops melanostictus, Odontamblyopus lacepedii, Trachurus japonicus, Konosirus punctatus, and their collective mixture, as well as unused fish mixture obtained from the Ariake Sea in Japan. FSCO2 exhibited significantly better microbial quality and free amino acid content, lighter color, standardized odor (dashi-like odor), and umami richness qualities compared to fish sauces prepared using the conventional method (FScon) (20% salt), as previously demonstrated, after a fermentation period of 2 months. Bacterial flora analysis implied that the standardization of odor and umami richness may not be the result of specific microbial metabolism. Even when using previously unused fish, it was possible to produce FSCO2 equivalent to that produced by conventional sardines and other fish. These results indicate that the quality of fish sauce can be improved. The flavor of FSCO2 became similar regardless of the type of fish and fermentation period using pCO2 during fermentation, leading to the effective utilization of unutilized fish as a resource for high-quality salt-reduced fish sauce.