High Calcium Concentrations Research Articles

Management of groundwater resources in the Tolga region (south-east Algeria)

This study attempted to assess and map the quality of Tolga's groundwater in order to determine its suitability for human consumption and agricultural use. The results of analyses of the physicochemical parameters of the water samples were compared with WHO potability standards and standard agricultural water quality indices, namely sodium adsorption ratio SAR ,Soluble sodium percentage Na% , Magnesium risk MH , Kelly ratio KR and permeability index PI. According to the results analysed, most of the physicochemical parameters are above WHO tolerance limits and within the limits of empirical water quality indices for agricultural use. In our study, the graphical maps obtained by kriging are fitted with theoretical variogram models that best approximate the point cloud. The suitability of these models for our sample is verified by cross-validation results. The graphical representation shows high concentrations of conductivity, salinity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, bicarbonate and chloride, which are located in the Eastern part of the region, and increase progressively from northwest to east. These waters are highly charged with salts and have maximum conductivity values.

A flavoromics approach to investigate the effect of Saskatoon berry powder on the sensory attributes, acceptability, volatile components, and electronic nose responses of a low-fat frozen yogurt

IntroductionSaskatoon berries are grown in Canada and some northwestern states in the United States, and are notable for containing abundant antioxidant polyphenols, vitamins, metal elements, and fiber. To increase consumer interest in and accessibility to Saskatoon berries, some producers have begun to develop processes for refining Saskatoon berries into a powder with an extended shelf life that can be incorporated into a variety of value-added food products. To assess the desirability of this approach, this study sought to determine how the sensory attributes, consumer acceptability, and volatile and non-volatile composition of a plain, Greek-style frozen yogurt (PY) changed when fortified with 16% Saskatoon berry powder (SBP). Greek-style frozen yogurt was chosen as the food to be fortified for this study due to its low fat and relatively high calcium and protein content as well as its popularity among consumers.ResultsDescriptive analysis of the two yogurt formulations by 11 participants determined that SBY was higher in berry aroma, berry flavor, and sweetness, and lower in cream aroma, dairy aroma, and sourness compared to PY. SBY was lower in iciness and degree of smoothness and higher in viscosity and mouth coating compared to PY. Untrained participants (n = 112), found no significant differences in color, flavor, and overall acceptability between SBY and PY. However, SBY was significantly less acceptable than PY for texture and aroma. Iciness was the most influential variable related to texture acceptability. For aroma acceptability, berry flavor (negatively related) and berry aroma (positively related) were the most influential attributes. The exposure of Saskatoon berry powder (SBP), PY, and SBY to e-nose sensors showed consistencies in replicate analysis (n = 25 measurements/sample), and cross validation of the PCA showed that the model could sort samples into the correct class with 98.7% accuracy. Key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) responsible for berry and fruity aroma in SBP were also found to be retained in the SBY. Several key phenolic compounds with therapeutic effects such as baicalein, chlorogenate, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, and syringic acid were also identified in both SBP and SBY samples, potentially indicating that the SBY may retain some of the health benefits associated with the consumption of raw Saskatoon berries.

Efeito da autocicatrização no fechamento de fissuras decorrentes do ataque por sulfato em cimento Portland, supersulfatado e álcali ativado

Abstract Self-healing consists of closing cracks and recovering the watertight properties of cement-based materials and can occur by hydration of the materials of the mixture (autogenous) or by materials added to the mixture for this purpose (autonomous). This study consists of the use of stimulated self-healing as a way of mitigating sulfate attack (sodium and magnesium), with the evaluation of the influence of crystalline admixture in this process. For that, cycles of sulfate attack and self-healing (by wetting and drying cycles in water) were performed, aiming to evaluate the behavior of mortars with three types of cement: Portland, supersulfated, and alkali-activated. The results showed that self-healing was not sufficient to close cracks due to sulfate attack. This behavior was associated with the hypothesis that the high calcium content of the crystalline admixture reacted with the sulfates and formed expansive products, increasing the attack rate.

Nanoarchitectonics of SiO2 composite hydrogel in inorganic solution: Simulation and experimental analysis

Polyacrylamide hydrogels are widely used in medicine, petrochemical, water treatment and other fields, among which polyacrylamide hydrogels play an important role in oilfield Profile control and water shutoff and enhanced oil recovery, however, there are few reports on the effect of different inorganic salt solutions on the properties of SiO2 composite hydrogel. In this paper, a cross-linked SiO2 composite hydrogel was constructed using Materials Studio software for the first time, and its structure and properties in inorganic salt aqueous solutions were studied. The results show that the addition of inorganic salts can weaken the interaction between water molecules and hydrogels, and this effect is minimal in calcium chloride solution. The radial distribution function shows that there are strong hydrogen bonds between nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the amide group and water molecules, but there are van der Waals forces between oxygen and water atoms, and the addition of inorganic salts will enhance the hydration of nitrogen atoms in the amide group and the interaction between monovalent ions and amide groups was greater than that between bivalent ions. At the same time, the addition of inorganic salts can also enhance the diffusion ability of water molecules and the fluidity of polymer chains. Among the four inorganic salt solutions, Calcium chloride solution has the least effect on the polymer chain and the cross-linked SiO2 composite hydrogel has the best expansion performance in calcium chloride solution, which is basically consistent with the experimental results, this has a potential application prospect in the reservoir with high calcium content for profile control and water plugging and enhanced oil recovery.

Calcium phosphate nanoclusters modify periodontium remodeling and minimize orthodontic relapse

Orthodontic relapse is one of the most prevalent concerns of orthodontic therapy. Relapse results in patients' teeth reverting towards their pretreatment positions, which increases the susceptibility to functional problems, dental disease, and substantially increases the financial burden for retreatment. This phenomenon is thought to be induced by rapid remodeling of the periodontal ligament (PDL) in the early stages and poor bone quality in the later stages. Current therapies including fixed or removable retainers and fiberotomies have limitations with patient compliance and invasiveness. Approaches using biocompatible biomaterials, such as calcium phosphate polymer-induced liquid precursors (PILP), are an ideal translational approach for minimizing orthodontic relapse. Here, post-orthodontic relapse is reduced after a single injection of high concentration PILP (HC-PILP) nanoclusters by altering PDL remodeling in the early stage of relapse and improving trabecular bone quality in the later stage. HC-PILP nanoclusters are achieved by using high molecular weight poly aspartic acid (PASP, 14 kDa) and poly acrylic acid (PAA, 450 kDa), which resulted in a stable solution of high calcium and phosphate concentrations without premature precipitation. In vitro results show that HC-PILP nanoclusters prevented collagen type-I mineralization, which is essential for the tooth-PDL-bone interphase. In vivo experiments show that the HC-PILP nanoclusters minimize relapse and improve the trabecular bone quality in the late stages of relapse. Interestingly, HC-PILP nanoclusters also altered the remodeling of the PDL collagen during the early stages of relapse. Further in vitro experiments showed that HC-PILP nanoclusters alter the fibrillogenesis of collagen type-I by impacting the protein secondary structure and forming aggregates. These findings propose a new approach for treating orthodontic relapse and provide additional insight into the PILP nanocluster's structure and properties on collagenous structure repair.

Ragi Revolution: Enhancing Dietary Practices through Nutritional Education and Local Food Systems Implementation

Ragi (Eleusine coracana), commonly known as finger millet, is a nutrient-rich cereal that remains underutilized in modern diets despite its high calcium, iron, and dietary fiber content. This examines how ready-to-eat ragi-based supplementary foods, combined with effective nutrition education, can drive behavioral changes to incorporate ragi into daily diets and local food systems. The increasing availability of ready-to-eat ragi products offers an accessible solution for improving nutrition, but challenges remain in terms of consumer acceptance due to unfamiliarity and taste preferences. This paper focuses on the role of nutrition education in reshaping dietary behaviour, emphasizing case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted interventions in promoting ragi consumption. Additionally, it explores strategies for integrating ragi into public nutrition programs and sustainable food systems, highlighting the importance of community-driven efforts and public-private partnerships. The review also discusses the role of policy support and multi-stakeholder collaboration in fostering ragi’s cultivation and incorporation into local food systems. By examining behavioural change strategies such as social marketing and culturally sensitive approaches, this paper presents a roadmap for promoting ragi as a key component of sustainable diets and public health interventions.

Preparation of TiCl4 from Ilmenite Concentrates via Carbothermal Reduction and Boiling Chlorination for Different Carbon Proportions.

Low-temperature boiling chlorination is the most common approach used to achieve a clean preparation of TiCl4 from ilmenite concentrates with high contents of calcium and magnesium impurities. However, this process did not systematically investigate the impact of the Ti/C ratio of the raw materials on the chlorination efficiency of Ti, Ca, and Mg elements. Thus, the influence of the carbon allocation proportion on the carbothermal reduction and boiling chlorination process of ilmenite concentrates with high contents of calcium and magnesium impurities was investigated in this study. The results show that the reduction products of ilmenite concentrates are mainly Mg-rich Ti2O3 impurities at a low carbon proportion. However, with increasing carbon proportion, Ti2O3 is gradually reduced to TiC x O1-x , and Mg2TiO4 appears. The Ti2O3 content in the acid-insoluble matter of the reduced products decreases after acid washing, while the TiC x O1-x content increases with increasing carbon allocation proportion. With increasing carbon proportion, the chlorination rate of the acid-insoluble matter increases, and the corresponding chlorination rates of titanium, magnesium, and calcium also increase. The residual carbon produced by acid-insoluble chlorination at high carbon proportions exacerbates the chlorination of Mg and Ca impurities.

Sludge from Arapaima Gigas Culture as an Alternative Culture Medium for Lipid Production in Nannochloropsis Sp

Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of sludge generated during the culture of Arapaima gigas as an alternative medium for Nannochloropsis sp. Theoretical Framework: Microalgae are photosynthetic micro-organisms with the ability to transform organic waste or effluents into valuable biomass. They are currently of great interest for their use in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Nannochloropsis sp. is a valuable microalga due to its excellent lipid profile. Method: The sludge used was collected from A. gigas culture ponds at the CITE Acuícola Pesquero Ahuashiyacu (Tarapoto-Peru). An aqueous extract of sludge (EAL) was obtained from the sample by a thermal procedure, which was dosed into the cultures at concentrations of 100, 150 and 200 mL/L. The experimental units followed the traditional batch culture arrangement under laboratory conditions. Guillard F/2 medium was used as control treatment. The characterisation of metals in the medium was performed by coupled plasma induction (ICP) and the determination of ammonium and nitrite by colorimetric tests. In addition, population density, productivity and total lipid content were estimated. Results and Discussion: Chemical analyses revealed high concentrations of calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, ammonium and nitrite (655, 648, 283, 67, 32, 17, 1.5, and 10 ppm, respectively). Likewise, the best growth (3590.00 ± 91.24 x 104 cells/mL) and productivity (0.69 ± 0.01 g/L) was obtained with 200 mL/L of EAL, presenting significant statistical differences (p < 0.05) with respect to the other treatments. In contrast, the highest lipid production (29.67 ± 1.53 %) was observed in the control treatment, far exceeding the EAL cultures; however, no significant statistical difference was observed between EAL treatments. Research Implications: These results demonstrate the feasibility of using EAL as an alternative medium for the production of Nannochloropsis sp. with a positive environmental and economic impact on the production of A. gigas. Originality/Value: The use of sludge generated in fish culture, in particular A. Gigas, has not been reported previously. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of using this sludge in the culture of the microalga Nannochloropsis sp. which also has a high potential for use in fish larviculture.

Complex Coacervates: From Polyelectrolyte Solutions to Multifunctional Hydrogels for Bioinspired Crystallization

Hydrogels represent multifarious functional materials due to their diverse ranges of applicability and physicochemical properties. The complex coacervation of polyacrylate and calcium ions or polyamines with phosphates has been uncovered to be a fascinating approach to synthesizing of multifunctional physically crosslinked hydrogels. To obtain this wide range of properties, the synthesis pathway is of great importance. For this purpose, we investigated the entire mechanism of calcium/polyacrylate, as well as phosphate/polyamine coacervation, starting from early dynamic ion complexation by the polymers, through the determination of the phase boundary and droplet formation, up to the growth and formation of thermodynamically stable macroscopic coacervate hydrogels. By varying the synthesis procedure, injectable hydrogels, as well as plastic coacervates, are presented, which cover a viscosity range of three orders of magnitude. Furthermore, the high calcium content of the calcium/polyacrylate coacervate (~19 wt.%) enables the usage of those coacervates as an ions reservoir for the formation of amorphous and crystalline calcium-containing salts like calcium carbonates and calcium phosphates. The exceptional properties of the coacervates obtained here, such as thermodynamic stability, viscosity/plasticity, resistance to acids, and adhesive strength, combined with the straightforward synthesis and the character of an ions reservoir, open a promising field of bioinspired composite materials for osteology and dentistry.

Effect of Wetting and Drying Cycles on Resilient Modulus and Microstructure Characteristics of Heterogeneous Quicklime-Stabilized Subgrade

The resilient modulus changes due to post-compaction seasonal variations in weather such as wetting and drying, thus affecting pavement performance. Existing research highlights significant differences in back-calculated resilient modulus test outcomes for compacted quicklime-stabilized subgrades after construction. Nonetheless, limited studies exist on the effect of the wetting and drying cycles considering the variability in the compacted quicklime stabilized composites. Using a Taguchi L9 orthogonal array, four groups of nine samples varying in dry density, water, and quicklime contents were created and subjected to multiple wetting and drying cycles (0th, 4th, 8th, and 12th). Resilient modulus testing revealed an initial increase up to the 8th cycle, followed by a decrease, with a more pronounced negative effect on samples with lower quicklime and water contents. SEM-EDX, XRD, and FTIR analyses indicated distinct microstructural responses after each cycle, with SEM micrographs showing complex pore structures of low circularity and the formation of average form factors ranging from 0.301 to 0.3564. Canonical correlation analysis between the pore geometrical properties and resilient modulus is approximately 0.689, the associated Wilks' Lambda value is 0.526, and the eigenvalue of 0.901, thus offering direct relationships between macroscopic and microscopic properties of the materials. The highest calcium content was found in the 0th cycle samples. This study contributes to a better understanding of the resilient modulus characteristics and microstructural evolution of stabilized quick-lime subgrades, offering valuable insights for engineers and researchers in pavement design and maintenance.

Partial or complete replacement of soybean meal with black soldier fly larvae meal improves feed efficiency in laying hens between 22 to 30 weeks of age

Abstract The European Commission recently authorised the inclusion of insect meal in poultry feed. Black soldier fly larvae meal (BSF) has comparable nutritional value to soybean meal (SBM) and higher calcium content, making it an attractive alternative protein source for laying hens While a few studies have explored this objective, inconsistent results have been reported, likely due to variations in hen age, breed, husbandry systems, and sunflower meal composition across studies, making it difficult to draw clear conclusions. We hypothesised that partial or complete replacement of SBM with BSF has no adverse effects on egg production and quality in laying hens at the initiation of laying (22-30 weeks of age). This study consisted of three dietary treatments and nine replicates per treatment. Diets were a control diet, and two diets containing 5% (BSF5%) and 10% (BSF10%). The experimental unit was a pen (100 × 200 × 200 cm) of 14 Brown Nick laying hens resembling an aviary setting. We found that complete replacement of SBM with BSF10% in the diet of laying hens improved feed efficiency attributed to a lower feed intake in comparison to laying hens fed the BSF5% or the control diets, while production performance, body weight, and egg quality were maintained and the colour of the egg yolk increased. Therefore, replacing SBM with up to 10% BSF in brown laying hens in aviary pens at the initiation of laying had no adverse effects on production performance, chemical and physical characteristics, and sensory attributes of eggs. Maintaining production and egg quality with a lower intake of nutrients requires further investigation.

Incorporating geranium plant waste into ultra-high performance concrete prepared with crumb rubber as fine aggregate in the presence of polypropylene fibers

Abstract This research examines the efficiency of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) when utilizing geranium plant (GP) ash, which is subjected to different curing temperatures ranging from 300 to 900°C for 3 h of burning time. The GP ash is used as a replacement for cement in varying amounts (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt%). Crumb rubber powder is utilized as a substitute for fine aggregate. Polypropylene fibers have been used to improve concrete performance. The performance of UHPC is evaluated by assessing its mechanical qualities, such as flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, and compressive strength. The sorptivity test is also evaluated as a component of it. Scanning electron microscopy is used to analyze UHPC after exposure to temperatures as high as 900°C. The findings demonstrated a notable enhancement in the mechanical characteristics of all mixtures. The most favorable mixtures were achieved with proportions of 50, 40, 40, and 20% for mixtures including GP waste incinerated at temperatures ranging from 300 to 900°C. Furthermore, the optimal outcome is achieved when 40% substitution is performed at a temperature of 700°C, resulting in notable enhancements of 14% in compressive strength, 30% in flexural strength, and 17% splitting tensile strength, respectively. At a high temperature of 700°C, the decrease in strength increased to approximately 37–40% as a result of the initial removal of carbon dioxide from calcite at temperatures ranging from 600 to 900°C and reached 56% at 900°C. Great resistance to sorptivity, as well as a dense and compact microstructure with a high content of calcium and silicon, was obtained.

Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Coal Fly Ash with High Calcium and Iron Contents Using Alkaline and Acid Leaching

Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Coal Fly Ash with High Calcium and Iron Contents Using Alkaline and Acid Leaching

Effect of GBFS ratio and recycled steel tire wire on the mechanical and microstructural properties of geopolymer concrete under ambient and oven curing conditions

In this study, the effects of waste steel wire ratios, granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) ratios, and different curing methods on geopolymer concrete (GPC) were investigated. For this purpose, 12 mixtures were produced and eight of them were cured under ambient conditions and the remaining four were cured in an oven. Steel wire ratios and GBFS ratios were added to GPC as 0–1–2–3 % and 0–10–20 % by volume and weight, respectively. As a result of the mixtures, cubes, cylinders, and beams were obtained and these elements were subjected to compression, tensile, and flexural tests. As a result of the tests, the compressive strengths of the specimens were obtained as 8.5 %, 19.7 %, and 24.9 % for ambient curing and 10.4 %, 23.2 %, and 32.2 % for oven curing, respectively, as the steel wire fiber increased from 0 % to 3 %. The maximum compressive strength of the oven-cured specimen with 3 % steel wire fiber was measured as 42.56 MPa. The tensile strength of GPC also increased as the steel wire increased. The highest tensile strength was obtained with 3 % steel wire. In addition, oven curing conditions increased the tensile strength more than ambient curing. The flexural strength (FS) increased by 21.3 %, 29.4 %, and 33.8 % with increasing steel wire ratios of 1 %, 2 %, and 3 %, respectively. The FS was further increased by oven curing conditions and the maximum FS was achieved with 3 % steel wire. In ambient curing conditions, a successful geopolymerization was achieved due to the high calcium content in the samples containing 20 % GBFS. This allowed to obtain similar strengths between ambient curing and oven curing. Although the oven curing values were higher, similar results were obtained for the samples cured in an ambient containing 20 % GBFS. As a result of the study, mixtures containing 3 % steel wire and 20 % GBFS provided sufficient strength without oven curing and increased the usability of GPC under ambient conditions.

Synthesis of Sustainable Binary Calcium Monosilicate Ceramics from Bio-waste: Effect of Sintering Temperature on Microstructure and Electrical Properties

This study was conducted to synthesise calcium monosilicate ceramics using rice husks and raw eggshells and investigated the effect of sintering temperature on the physical,microstructure and electrical properties of the final product. The high content of calcium and silicon in eggshells and rice husks, respectively promote the use of waste materials in the production of calcium monosilicates by mixing in a molar ratio 1CaO:1SiO2 and fired at different sintering temperatures for 2 hours with a heating rate of 10°C/min. A good correlation between sintering temperature, structural, microstructure, and electrical properties of calcium silicate was observed. The structural and morphological evolutions were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with electron dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). XRD analysis showed that the main crystalline phases of synthesised calcium monosilicate are pseudowollastonite (ICSD 98-005-2598) at 1250°C, and the phases of SiO2 also exist in different types of minerals. Besides, a small amount of larnite, Ca2SiO4 was traced at 1100°C and 1200°C. Fourier Transforms Infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the presence of characteristic functional groups in the precursor powder. In Nyquist plots, the summit frequency of the dominant arc decreases with increasing sintering temperatures. It may be attributed to the co-effect of the grain size and pore. A larger value of impedance at a lower frequency suggests an essential role of boundaries in governing the electrical properties of the sintered ceramics. As the sintering temperature increases, the microstructure of the sintered samples becomes denser while conductivity performance decreases. This is due to the reduction of particle interfaces and charge transfer.

Contribution of direct-drinking water to calcium and magnesium and the influence on the height in school-age children.

To estimate the contribution of direct-drinking water provided in school to dietary intake (DI) and recommended nutrient intake (RNI) of calcium and magnesium, and to explore its influence on the height in school-age children. Tap water and direct-drinking water samples were collected from schools in Taicang City to test the contents of calcium and magnesium, and compared by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc test. Contribution rates of direct-drinking water to DI and RNI were calculated by using the contents of calcium and magnesium and data from the Nutrition and Health Status Survey 2021. A retrospective cohort was conducted among 4,850 first-grade children consuming direct-drinking water in Taicang City from 24 primary schools in 2019. Group 1 (1,070 boys and 946 girls) consumed UF-process water with normal calcium and magnesium contents and Group 2 (1,548 boys and 1,286 girls) consumed NF/RO-process water with very low calcium and magnesium contents. During 2019-2023, the height and height growth were analyzed with the Student's t-test. The highest calcium content was examined in tap water samples, followed by direct-drinking water samples supplied through a UF, NF, and RO system (F = 1,227.725, p < 0.001). The highest magnesium content was examined in water supplied through a UF system, followed by that through a tap, NF and RO system (F = 146.504, p < 0.001). Calcium and magnesium contents in direct-drinking water supplied through a UF system changed little compared with those in tap water, which were significantly reduced in direct-drinking water supplied through a NF and RO system. The contribution rates of direct-drinking water to DI of calcium and magnesium were 8.95 and 2.78%, respectively, and those to RNI of calcium and magnesium were 2.63 and 1.96%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the height and height growth of first-grade children drinking water supplied through the UF system vs. NF/RO system (p > 0.05). Direct-drinking water processed through a NF or RO system should be cautiously adopted in primary and secondary schools. A UF system is preferred in schools where no health concerns are associated with water quality.

Performance of orange peels crosslinked β-cyclodextrin (OP-β-CD) to uptake lanthanum from water: Conventional adsorption studies and ultrasound-assisted desorption

Even though adsorption has been widely employed to recover rare earth elements such as lanthanum, desorption remains challenging since selectivity is often linked to strong adsorption forces. Herein we propose the grafting between orange peel (OP) wastes with beta-cyclodextrins (β-CD) for producing a highly reusable and stable adsorbent that allows the easy recovery of lanthanum in repeated cyclic runs. The morphological analysis confirmed that the OP-β-CD adsorbent was successfully functionalized with –OH groups, with β-CD grafting via citric acid expanding and stabilizing its structure. The pseudo-first-order model better represented the kinetics of lanthanum adsorption, while the isothermal behavior was better represented by the Langmuir model (qmax=95.79mgg−1), as shown by the thermodynamic analysis, which confirmed that the process was endothermic and spontaneous. The mechanism behind the efficiency of adsorption-desorption of lanthanum by OP-β-CD adsorbent was concluded to rely on: i) electrostatic and reversible interactions and ii) a driving force that increased as the amount of lanthanum increased in solution, leading to the formation of a monolayer. Around 95 % of lanthanum was desorbed using an ultrasound-assisted technique with citric acid, maintaining stable adsorption capacity for 5 cycles. In real matrices containing other rare earth elements and high calcium concentrations the removal exceeded 80 %. Thus, OP-β-CD's remarkable stability during desorption underscores its potential as a highly effective and sustainable solution for rare earth element recovery and removal.

Comparative Study on Calcium-enriched Finger Millet Tisane: Optimizing Soaking and Roasting Methods

This study focuses on the development of a calcium-rich herbal tisane using finger millet, a grain known for its high calcium content, aimed at enhancing dietary calcium intake. Two distinct processing methods were employed to optimize the calcium content of the tisane. In Treatment 1, Finger millet was roasted and combined with spice powder, while in Treatment 2, Finger millet underwent soaking, cabinet drying, roasting, and then blending with spice powder. The calcium content and overall quality of both treatments were evaluated, revealing a marginal increase in calcium concentration in Treatment 2, attributed to the additional processing steps. Specifically, Treatment 2 yielded a maximum calcium content of 396 mg compared to 380 mg in Treatment 1, demonstrating the effectiveness of the additional soaking and drying steps in enhancing calcium bioavailability. The final product was further enriched with a blend of spices, including dry ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, Arjuna bark, fennel seeds, and Tulsi leaves, contributing to its healthful properties. Organoleptic evaluations, conducted to assess sensory attributes such as flavor, aroma, and overall acceptability, indicated that both treatments were well-received by consumers. This suggests the product's potential for consumer acceptance and market viability. The findings suggest that calcium-enriched Finger millet tisane could serve as a valuable functional beverage, particularly for populations at risk of calcium deficiency. Its nutrient profile, combined with favorable sensory attributes, positions it as a promising option for improving dietary calcium intake and promoting overall health. Further research on larger sample sizes and bioavailability studies could reinforce its potential as a functional health beverage.

Co-application of fly ash and zeolite increases N uptake but decreases P uptake and biomass of rice fertilized with fermented liquid manure

ABSTRACT Fermented liquid pig manure (LPM) can be used as a nutrient source to replace synthetic fertilizers (SF). However, concerns remain regarding nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses from rice (Oryza sativa L.) paddies fertilized with LPM. Fly ash (FA) has a high calcium content (Ca) and zeolite (Z) has a high negative-charge; thus, they can immobilize P and N through the fixation of P with Ca and NH4 + onto negatively charged sites, respectively. This study investigated the effects of the co-application of FA and Z (FAZ) on the nutrient availability and growth of rice fertilized with LPM. Four treatments were evaluated: no input (control), synthetic fertilizer (SF), and LPM at two levels, with or without FAZ application, for 104 days. The pH (pHwater), electrical conductivity (ECwater), N (Nwater), and P (Pwater) concentrations in the ponding water of rice fields were analyzed 18 times during rice growth. The rice biomass and uptake of N and P were measured, and the concentrations of mineral N and available P in soil were determined after harvest. LPM application increased (p < 0.001) N and P availability in the absence of FAZ, leading to rice biomass comparable to that of SF. However, FAZ diminished the fertilization effects of LPM on rice growth. The Nwater decreased by 50% and the rice uptake of N increased by 6% after FAZ application, probably because of the retention of N by Z and its subsequent release. By contrast, FAZ increased (p < 0.001) soluble Pwater (85% for LPMS) and decreased (p = 0.004) P uptake (8%–40%), reducing the rice biomass by 20%–25%. The decreased P uptake is probably due to the strong immobilization of P by FA. Therefore, it is cautioned that P-limitation through immobilization of P by FA under alkaline conditions may hinder rice growth in FAZ-amended paddy fertilized with LPM. An appropriate application rate of FA for improved P nutrition needs to be explored.

Analysis of the effectiveness of organic compounds from the amine group in precipitating ions from soda production wastewater

Treating wastewater from the soda industry is a complicated and lengthy process, requiring a great deal of labor and financial resources. No method has yet been developed to eliminate the environmental damage caused by the soda industry entirely. The leakage of highly contaminated soda production wastewater into soils, groundwater, and surface water can cause corrosion of water infrastructure and deterioration of water quality for both drinking and agricultural use. Soil contamination from post-production wastewater leads to erosion and adversely affects vegetation. The work focused on the removal of chloride, sulfate, calcium, and sodium from soda production wastewater by precipitation using organic solvents such as isopropylamine (IPA), diisopropylamine (DIPA), propylamine (PA) and ethylamine (EA) in various proportions. Statistical modelling through Bayesian beta regression was used to select the amine most effectively removing the tested ions in precipitate form. The effect of precipitating agent dosage on the pH and conductivity of the solution was also investigated. Samples of wastewater obtained from the soda industry were characterized by high values of pH (up to 11.9), specific electrolytic conductivity (up to 128 mS cm−1), and high concentrations of sodium (up to 13 g L−1), chloride (up to 60 g L−1) and calcium (up to 24 g L−1) ions. Solvent-based precipitation showed that organic solvents are effective in precipitating salts from wastewater from the soda industry. Sulfate and chloride removal efficiencies of 85.1 and 34 %, respectively, were observed. Statistical analysis showed that isopropylamine was the most effective amine for ion removal.