Salt Extraction Research Articles

Holothuria scabra Jaegar 1833 (Sandfish) extracts and collagens modulate protein‐bound Nε‐carboxymethyllysine, Nε‐carboxyethyllysine and methylglyoxal‐derived hydroimidazolone‐1 levels

SummaryIn this study, sea cucumber (Holothuria scabra; Jaegar 1833) extracts and collagens were evaluated for inhibitory properties of protein‐bound advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Processed dried sea cucumber with salt extract showed a significant lower IC50 value for fluorescent AGEs (9.19 ± 7.68 μg mL−1, P < 0.05) and fructosamine (503.47 ± 46.37 μg mL−1, P < 0.05), respectively. Processed dried with and without salt extracts significantly reduced the Nε‐carboxymethyllysine (CML) and methylglyoxal‐derived hydroimidazolone‐1 (MG‐H1) levels tested at 250 μg mL−1. Smoked dried and fresh‐dried extracts significantly reduced the Nε‐carboxyethyllysine (CEL) levels tested at 250 μg mL−1. Pepsin‐solubilised collagen and the crude collagen fibrils significantly reduced CML and MG‐H1 levels whereas CEL levels were unchanged. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that protein‐bound AGE and CML inhibition significantly correlated with the total phenolic and antioxidant activities, respectively. This study provides a strong rationale for further investigation aimed at identifying the active compounds responsible for the observed effects on biomarkers relevant to diabetes.

ESG Investing in “White Gold”: The Case of Lebanese Salinas

Lebanese sea salt is historically known as “white gold”. Traditional coastal sea salt production now survives mainly in the coastal city of Anfeh, and is facing various constraints due to regulations, as well as environmental threats which affect the quality of the sea salt. This research points out the case of Lebanese Salinas that invested in ESG to improve the salt quality through social implications and diverse environmental techniques. Based on ESG investments and innovation theory, the main objectives of this research action project were to: create a plastic-free area and implement plastic-free sea salt production at 10 Salinas, using a local innovative tool to filter sea water that consists of a windmill, pump, metallic tube, and filter, which is placed on the main basin of a Salina to prevent the leakage of microplastics into the water used in sea salt extraction, to obtain a plastic-free sea salt. This would create a sustainable, ecofriendly process via the sorting of plastics at the source, clean-up activities, awareness activities, and incentive activities, resulting in the production of better sea salt and the promotion of local products and coastal tourism. The goal of the study was to implement methods that were recommended in the “S.O.S. (Save our Salt)” initiative, which was put into place by the Green Community NGO to protect Lebanese sea salt production and guarantee a reduction in the amount of these microparticles in sea salt. Data gathered from the project, as well as from in-person interviews and follow-ups with the project team, were used to conduct the empirical analysis. The amount of plastic that was present was reduced, resulting in one of the best sea salts in the area. Findings aligned with ESG investment for an increasing and sustainable firm performance and have several practical implications for many stakeholders, both internally and externally, including managers, investors, lenders, policymakers, government, and the public. Our results highlight the significance of formulating regulations for Lebanese Salinas to collectively handle production risks and enhance technical efficacy, and for regulators to lessen marine pollution.

Fractionation, Structural Characteristics, Functionality, Aromatic Profile, and In Vitro Digestibility of Lentil (Lens culinaris) Proteins

Consumers’ attitudes toward more plant-based components in their diet has greatly driven the exploration of functional plant proteins. The aim of this study was to systematically investigate the structural and functional properties, nutritional and aromatic profiles, and in vitro digestion of protein fractions from the underexploited lentil grain. Albumin (LA), globulin (LG), and its subunits legumin (LL) and vicilin (LV) were fractionated from red lentil flour through alkaline extraction–isoelectric precipitation and/or different salt extractions. LA and LV exhibited unique structural properties (more β-sheet and α-helix structures), higher solubility (almost 100% at pH 7.0), and foaming capacity (>200% at pH 7.0), while LG exhibited better emulsifying properties. LA showed a distinct aromatic profile including high numbers of volatile compounds, especially alcohols, esters, and acids. After in vitro gastric-intestinal digestion, the hydrolysis degree of LA (24.25%) was the lowest, owing to the presence of major antinutritional factors.

Reclaiming of Amine CO2 Solvent Using Extraction of Heat Stable Salts in Liquid-Liquid Membrane Contactor

Amine CO2 solvents undergo oxidative degradation with the formation of heat stable salts (HSS). These HSS reduce the sorption capacity of amines and lead to intense corrosion of the equipment. In our work, we propose a membrane-supported liquid-liquid extraction of the HSS from alkanolamines. For this purpose, a hollow fiber membrane contactor was used for the first time. A lab-scale extraction system on the basis of a hollow-fiber liquid-liquid membrane contactor with hollow fiber ultrafiltration polyvinylidenefluoride and polysulfone membranes has been studied. The extraction of the HSS-ions from a 30 wt.% solution of monoethanolamine was carried out using a 0.25-1 M solution of OH-modified methyltrioctylammonium chloride in 1-octanol as an extractant. It has been shown that >90% of HSS ions can be extracted from the alkanolamine solvent within 8 h after extraction. The results obtained confirm the possibility of using membrane extraction with a liquid-liquid membrane contactor for the reclaiming of amine CO2 solvents to increase the general efficiency of carbon dioxide capture.

Plant growth, salt removal capacity, and forage nutritive value of the annual euhalophyte Suaeda salsa irrigated with saline water.

Sustainable agricultural development in semiarid and arid regions is severely restricted by soil and water salinization. Cultivation of the representative halophyte Suaeda salsa, which can be irrigated with saline water and cultivated on saline soils, is considered to be a potential solution to the issues of freshwater scarcity, soil salinization, and fodder shortage. However, the salt removal capacity and differences in the forage nutritive value of S. salsa under different saline water treatments remain unknown. Using the methods of field trials and randomized blocks design, we quantified salt accumulation in the aboveground biomass, and the biochemical and nutritive value of field-cultivated S. salsa in arid northwestern China under irrigation with water of different salinities [i.e., freshwater or water containing10, 20, 30, or 40g/L NaCl). The fresh and dry weights of S. salsa increased, then decreased, with increase in salinity. The salt content of the plant's aboveground biomass increased to a constant range and, thus, the salt extraction of S. salsa was relatively stable under different salinities of irrigation water. Under the experimental conditions, the crude protein content significantly increased to 9.45% dry weight (DW) and then decreased to 6.85% DW, with an increase in salinity (p<0.05). The neutral detergent fiber (42.93%-50.00% DW) and acid detergent fiber (34.76%-39.70% DW) contents were suitable for forage. The contents of trace elements, such as copper and zinc, were significantly increased after irrigation with saline water (p<0.05). The forage of S. salsa is of high nutritive value for livestock, and contains low concentrations of anti-nutrients. Therefore, S. salsa can be considered for cultivation in saline soils irrigated with saline water. In addition, it provides a viable additional source of fodder in arid regions, where the availability of freshwater and non-saline arable land is limited.

Surrounding rock stability of horizontal cavern reconstructed for gas storage

Rock salt is recognized in the world to be an ideal medium for storing oil and natural gas. There are a lot of dissolved caverns formed by salt extraction in China which are mainly divided into horizontal caverns and pear-shaped caverns, among which the number of old horizontal caverns is the largest. However, the existing old horizontal caverns cannot be directly used to store oil and natural gas and need to be reconstructed. The method of drilling new wells outside the caverns to reconstruct the horizontal old caverns was introduced first; Then the possible influence factors of surrounding rock stability in horizontal caverns reconstruction were discussed by using mechanics theories; Finally, the influence of drilling new wells outside the caverns on the stability of surrounding rock of horizontal old caverns and the salt roof was obtained by numerical simulation, including the volume shrinkage rate of the reconstructed horizontal caverns, the plastic zone and displacement distribution of surrounding rock and salt layer roof. The results of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation show that the volume of the new drilling caverns, the distance between the new drilling cavern and the old cavern, the internal pressure during gas storage, and the operation time of storage are the main factors affecting the stability of the surrounding rock of the horizontal cavern and its salt layer roof, which indirectly determines whether the horizontal old cavern can be successfully reconstructed into gas storage.

Stability evaluation of room-and-pillar rock salt mines by using a flat jack technique - A case study

Room-and-pillar mining is commonly employed for the extraction of rock salt in underground mines. Pillar stress is a major concern in these mines as it is directly related to stability and mineral recovery. In this study a flat jack method was used to measure pillar stresses in three underground rock salt mines in Pakistan. The field work included determination of in-situ stress, in-situ elastic modulus, recording of field variables (pillar length and width, height and width of opening, opening width to height ratio, extraction ratio, and overburden height) and collection of salt block samples. The geomechanical properties of rock salt (uniaxial compressive strength, Young's modulus, Brazilian tensile strength, and density) were also determined to estimate overburden stress, pillar strength, and factor of safety (both estimated and actual). It was found that the measured pillar stresses are proportional to the overburden stress values, with their magnitude ranging from 6.05 MPa to 11.97 Mpa, and the pillars were found to be stable. Regression analysis was performed to develop statistical models for in-situ stress and in-situ elastic modulus. Finally a quick guideline chart was developed to determine the suitable length of pillar for a given span and required level of safety. Keywords: flat jack, room-and-pillar mining, in-situ stress, factor of safety, regression analysis.

Формы лечебных аллергенов и их характеристика

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is known to be a course-modifying treatment of allergic diseases. This includes reduction in disease progression, declined risks of complications, minimization of further sensitization to allergens, and decreased risk of bronchial asthma development in patients with allergic rhinitis. The article presents characteristics and composition of various medication allergens used for allergen-specific immunotherapy. The authors describe salt extracts of allergens used for subcutaneous ASIT; allergoids received by allergen polymerization with formaldehyde or by carbamoylation; allergens adsorbed on calcium phosphate suspension or aluminum hydroxide used for subcutaneous ASIT; and allergens for sublingual use. Besides, perspectives in allergen synthesis are described, including creation of recombinant allergens. It is also showed how improvement in therapeautical allergens’ preparation influences their effectiveness and safety of use and creates more possibilities in allergens application.

Criar la sal

This article describes and analyses the daily work of salt workers from the aboriginal community of San Miguel de Colorados in northwest Argentina. It intends to explore how their extraction practices involve a continuous flow of relationships with a living space, manifested through the daily exchange of energy, attachments and substances. These exchanges have a dual effect on salt work: They prevent the diseases that some beings in the environment can cause when they feel threatened and promote mineral production by transferring strength and luck. In the area under study, salt extraction and other activities conducted in (and with) the landscape are organized according to local ontology, which affirms that all things on earth are living and interrelated. In resonance with other research on the Argentine Puna and the Andes, this article aims to present an ethnographic concept of production defined by the inseparability of issues of the cosmos from ethical and political controversies and economic and material needs from the world’s vital and affective processes.

Роль горнообогатительного комбината в образовании техногеохимических аномалий мышьяка в почвах Соймоновской долины (Южный Урал)

Introduction. The heterogeneity of soil cover of mountainous areas carries in itself the specific formation of technogeochemical anomalies in the areas of metallurgical combines, and the remoteness and inaccessibility of these areas requires detailed studies of the processes of pollutants in the soil and mechanisms of their behavior. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of aero-industrial emissions from the copper smelter on the formation of techno-geochemical anomalies of arsenic in soils and its spatial distribution. Methods and materials of the research. Studies were conducted in the area of the Karabash copper smelter (KMC), located in the southern Urals (Russia), Chelyabinsk region, one of the main pollutants of soils is arsenic, which is formed in the Soymanovskaya Valley and adjacent landscapes techno-geochemical soil anomalies. In the course of works 25 soil sections were laid at different distances and directions from KMC, taking into account the specific geo-morphological features of the territory. In the selected soil samples we determined the acidity of the salt extract, the content of organic matter, granulometric composition, gross content of arsenic and its exchangeable form. Determination of arsenic was carried out by atomic adsorption spectrometry (AA-6800 Shimadzu). To identify the dependence of arsenic concentration in the upper 0-15 cm of the soil thickness with the distance from the CMC was carried out to calculate the Pearson coefficient and the concentration coefficient (Kc). Research results and discussion. The study area was divided into 5 zones depending on the distance from CMC. Excess concentrations of gross arsenic relative to the background content varies from 64 times in the 2 km zone to 3 times at a distance of more than 10 km. Maximum concentrations were recorded in the upper 0-15 cm of the soil thickness in the 2 km zone. The exchangeable form of arsenic has a specific accumulation near the combine, with a distance of more than 10 km from the combine, there is a tendency to reduce the content of this form, to a complete absence. In the intraprofile distribution there is a pattern of accumulation in the upper 0-15 cm of the soil layer, with depth significantly decreasing. Conclusions. Patterns in the spatial distribution of arsenic in soils based on the distance from the emission of aeroindustrial emissions were revealed. Maps of the spatial distribution of gross arsenic and exchange forms in the soils of the study area. It was determined that an important role in the formation of techno-geochemical anomalies plays pH of the environment. During the calculation of Ks revealed local areas that form anomalous halos dispersion, which are confined mainly to places near the CMC and the direction of the prevailing winds. Two local areas were identified for which the Kc values are more than 50. Pearson criterion calculations confirm the dependence of the spatial distribution of arsenic in soils on the wind rose. The results may be useful in the preparation of geochemical maps of arsenic distribution. In the prediction of local and radial differentiation of arsenic in other regions with similar activity of the combine, as well as in the correction of the regional geochemical background of arsenic in soils.

The influence of trees and shrubs vegetation of sheltered forest strips on the characteristics of the steppe soil cover

The soil in forest plantations is in constant close interaction with woody and shrubby plants. It acts as a determining factor in creating optimal conditions for the existence of natural and artificially created forest communities. Modern steppe afforestation has a number of unresolved questions regarding the nature and degree of influence of tree-shrub vegetation on the soil typical for the steppe zone – ordinary chernozem, and the feasibility of creating tree-shrub ecosystems of various practical importance in the steppe conditions of Ukraine. The paper presents the results of the study of the impact of tree and shrub vegetation of forest strips on their soil cover. The content of humus, exchangeable and hydrolytic acidity of soils, acidity of salt extract from the soil in the soils of forest belts were determined іn the edaphotops of five forest strips created on the territory of the Prysamarsky International Biosphere Reserve, located in the village of Andriivka, Novomoskovsk district, Dnipropetrovsk region. The obtained data were compared with the similar results of measurements of the soil indicators of a typical for the study region of the site of the variegated-grassy-grassy-cobaceous steppe. A comparison of the humus content in the soil under tree plantations of forest strips and steppe virgin lands confirms the theory of a positive relevant effect of the forest on steppe soils and the formation of forest-improved chernozems under tree plantations in steppe conditions. The exchangeable acidity of the soils of the forest strips ranged from 0.2 to 0.8 mg-eq. per 100 g of soil, and the value of hydrolytic acidity was from 0.52 to 2.11 mg-eq. per 100 g of soil, and the maximum values ​​of both types of acidity were noted in the 20–50 cm horizon of the PP 224 oak plantation. The obtained characteristics of the soil cover of forest strips will be useful for clarifying the directions and features of the influence of tree-shrub vegetation on ordinary chernozem in the conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine and can serve as valid arguments in making decisions regarding the creation of field-protective tree-shrub plantations within the steppe zone of Ukraine.

Structure-Function Guided Extraction and Scale-Up of Pea Protein Isolate Production.

The lack of adequate guidance and control of the extraction conditions as well as the gap between bench- and industrial-scale production, contributes to the poor functionality of commercial pea protein isolate (cPPI). Therefore, pea protein extraction conditions were evaluated and scaled up to maximize protein purity and yield, while maintaining structural integrity, following mild alkaline solubilization with isoelectric precipitation and salt solubilization coupled with membrane filtration. Both extraction methods resulted in high protein yield (>64%) and purity (>87%). Structure-function characterization illustrated the preserved structural integrity of PPI samples and their superior solubility, gelation, and emulsification properties compared to cPPI. Results confirmed, for the first time, that double solubilization at mild pH (7.5) can replace single solubilization at high alkalinity and achieve a similar yield while preserving structural integrity. Additionally, this study demonstrated, the scalability of the benchtop salt extraction coupled with ultrafiltration/diafiltration. Scaling up the production eliminated some structural and functional differences between the salt-extracted PPI and pH-extracted PPI. Scaling-up under mild and controlled conditions resulted in partial denaturation and a low degree of polymerization, coupled with the superior functionality of the produced isolates compared to cPPI. Results of this work can be used as a benchmark to guide the industrial production of functional pea protein ingredients.

Structural, functional properties, and volatile profile of hemp protein isolate as affected by extraction method: Alkaline extraction–isoelectric precipitation vs salt extraction

The utilization of industrial hemp in food is gaining popularity. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the impact of alkaline extraction–isoelectric precipitation (AE-IEP) and salt extraction (SE) dialysis on structural, functional properties and the volatile profile of hemp protein isolate (HPI). A higher protein content (97.21%) in SE extracted HPI (SE-HPI) was obtained than the AE-IEP extracted HPI (93.37%). In particular, protein subunit composition, structural properties were strongly influenced by the extraction methods. For example, SE-HPI exhibited a larger percentage of albumin (46.53%) and a lower amount of β-sheet (52.65%) than its counterpart (albumin 20.92%, β-sheet 54.46%). Consequently, SE-HPI showed the higher solubility, emulsion activity, and thermal stability. Interestingly, the volatile profile of the proteins showed that SE-HPI exhibited a lower number (21) of volatile compounds when compared to its counterpart (25). This study highlights the importance of establishing the relationships between extraction methods and functional attributes of HPI.

Protein nanofibrils from mung bean: The effect of pH on morphology and the ability to form and stabilise foams

Protein nanofibrils (PNFs) have potential food uses due to their favorable mechanical and rheological properties. In order to use plant-based protein nanofibrils (PNFs) in new sustainable food applications, a better understanding is needed of the impact of pH on PNFs and their functional properties. In this study, we developed an improved method for generating PNFs from mung bean protein isolate and its globular 8S fraction. We then investigated how these PNFs are affected by increased pH and how pH affects their ability to form stable foams. PNFs were generated in acidic conditions (pH 2) by heating at 85 °C for 2–48 h. Formation of PNFs and the effect of increased pH on their stability were evaluated using thioflavin T fluorescence, electrophoretic gel separation, circular dichroism spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and viscosity profiling. Foams were made by intense mixing with a homogeniser and evaluated for foam capacity, foam stability and bubble size distribution, using confocal imaging. The results showed that it is possible to optimise the fibrillation conditions for mung bean by generating a more pure initial protein isolate by salt extraction. The results also showed that pH alters the structure of PNFs by degradation and aggregation around the isoelectric point of the protein isolate. At neutral pH, the PNFs were slightly shorter than at the starting pH, but no longer formed aggregates. Fibrillated mung bean protein at pH 4–8 was found to have good foaming properties compared with non-fibrillated protein at the same conditions. The new knowledge generated in this study about how pH alters the structure and foaming properties of PNFs can pave the way for use of PNFs in new innovative food applications.

Electrochemical detection and evaluation of the anomalous chloride extraction from water to 1,2-dichloroethane under the non-equilibrium conditions

Anomalous chloride extraction from water to 1,2-dichloroethane is detected by cyclic voltammetry and evaluated by the potential step amperometry of the background electrolyte combined with the open circuit potential measurements. The extraction process is affected by the composition of the organic phase. In the present study, the latter effect is elucidated and the mechanism of the solvent extraction of chloride is proposed. The mechanism couples the energetically unfavourable extraction of a hydrophobic salt (e.g., tetrapentylammonium tetraphenylborate, bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene) ammonium tetraphenylborate) from the organic to the aqueous phase with the favourable extraction of the chloride salt of the present hydrophobic cation in the opposite direction resulting in the chloride accumulation in the organic solvent phase. An evaluation and analysis of the ion flux suggests that the chloride anions are extracted to the organic phase in the form of the free anions and the anions bound to the ion-pairs, and for the most part as the hydrated salt clusters, the formation of which is likely to be the driving force of the extraction process. The transfer of the accumulated chloride anion back to the aqueous phase is responsible for the positive current shift of the cyclic voltammogram and the steady-state positive current recorded in the potential step amperometric measurements. First application of the novel potentiostatic assembly introducing the polarizable reference electrode for the organic solvent phase is demonstrated.

Siwa Oasis groundwater quality: factors controlling spatial and temporal changes

Siwa Oasis is of great historical, environmental, and scientific importance, as it contains unique archeological and geological features. Groundwater is the main source of freshwater in that oasis. The carbonate aquifer groundwater, used for irrigation, was sampled to evaluate factors controlling quality changes spatially and temporally by applying hydrochemical and statistical analyses. The salinity of the aquifer varied spatially from 1367 to 8645 mg/l based on one hydrogeological condition, with the highest TDS (> 5432.5 mg/l, 25% of samples) at the central part of the study area. Temporally, the salinity changed slightly from 3754.3 mg/l (in 2014) to 4222.4 mg/l (in 2020). The cession of illegal wells, pumping control, and excavation of formed salts have a noticeable impact on salinity (mediate the increase in salinity) and ions. However, about 61% of the studied samples can be considered unsuitable for irrigation owing to salinity and can harm plant yield. The heavy metals studied (Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb), except Cd, were within the permissible limit for irrigation water. Finally, it is proposed to construct desalination stations to enhance water quality for irrigation in the study area and set up many companies for salt extraction.

STUDI KARAKTERISTIK KIMIAWI GARAM DARI DAUN TUA TANAMAN MANGROVE (Sonneratia alba)

The use of high sodium table salt (NaCl) in every daily food processing can lead to uncontrolled sodium consumption so that it can cause hypertension. One effort to maintain or control the amount of sodium consumed is to consume functional salt. Sonneratia alba is a type of mangrove leaf that will store excess salt in the leaf area, especially the older leaves. So that the old leaf age of the S. alba mangrove plant has the potential to be used as functional salt. The method used in this study is an experiment with 3 replications and through 4 stages, namely 1) raw material extraction and preparation, 2) manufacture of mangrove leaf flour, 3) extraction and manufacture of mangrove leaf salt, and 4) characterization of the resulting salt. The characterization includes analysis of yield, concentration and concentration of NaCl. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential of the old leaves of the S.alba mangrove plant as a functional salt preparation and to determine the chemical characteristics of the leaf salts produced. The results obtained from this study are the old leaves of the S. alba mangrove plant have the potential to be used as functional salt preparations with a yield value of 6.96%, and an average NaCl value of 24.43%.&#x0D;

Адаптивность лядвенца рогатого в Нечерноземье России

Abstract. The purpose of the research is to conduct a comparative study of lotus corniculatus samples with the Smolenskiy 1 standard, as well as with the average yield of green mass according to experience. It is necessary to identify the most productive and adapted to the conditions of the Smolensk region variety numbers for further transfer to the next stage of breeding study. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that the results of adaptability in terms of green mass yield were studied for the first time in the breeding nursery of the Federal Research Center for Bast Fiber Crops on lotus corniculatus crops. Methods. The indices of plasticity (bi), stability (Sd2), genetic flexibility ((Ymin + Ymax)/2), stress resistance (Ymin – Ymax), coefficient of variation (V), coefficient of adaptability (CA), coefficient of equalization (E), yield range (d). The soil of the site is sod-medium podzolic with an average humus content of 2.3, P2O5 222–240 mg/kg, K2O 102–170 mg/kg of soil, salt extract pH 4.9–5,4. Weather and climatic conditions for 2017–2020 were different, so HTC 1,2–2,4; SAT 2200–2400 °C. Results. Of the 16 cultivars, the most productive were E-25 (59.3 t/ha) and E-49 (48.1 t/ha). The numbers E-8, E-11, Smolenskiy 1, E-6, E-9, E-50 and E-25 have increased stress resistance (–18.8 ...–28.8 t/ha). The best indicator of genetic flexibility is in E-25, E-10, E-16 (52.4 t/ha, 48.8 t/ha and 45.5 t/ha). The most plastic samples are E-19 (1.09), E-50 (1.05), E-16 and E-26 (1.02), E-6 (0.99). In the experiment, E-26 (6.27), E-47 (7.67), E-16 (8.43) and E-6 (8.47) are more stable. High adaptability was shown by E-25, E-11, E-10, E-49 with a coefficient of KA = 1.31...1.06. E-9, E-10, E-12, Smolenskiy 1, E-47, E-25, E-16, E-6 have good agronomic stability, E-26 with a coefficient E = 80.4...70.1%. A comprehensive analysis of the indicators made it possible to identify the most valuable lotus corniculatus cultivar for further reproduction and transfer to the next stage of breeding study: E-6, E-9, E-10, E-11, E-12, E-16, E-19, E-25, E-26, E-47, E-49.

Rapeseed Cake Valorization into Bioplastics Based on Protein Amyloid Fibrils

AbstractBiodegradable polymers obtained from renewable resources are urgently needed to help mitigating the environmental burden of plastic pollution. Herein, a green process is developed to obtain protein‐based bioplastics through valorization of rapeseed cake. First, the effects of different protein extraction protocols are investigated, including water extraction at pH values from 1 to 12 and salt extraction with isoelectric point precipitation (IP), on proteins profile and sample composition. It is demonstrated that alkaline extraction at pH 12 results in the highest extraction yields of proteins (≈70%) and total solutes (≈50%). The IP results in lower yields but in highest protein purity of ≈80%. Alkaline extraction at pH 10.5 results in the extraction of 36% total solutes and ≈50% of proteins, with a protein profile similar to that obtained by IP, rich in α and β polypeptides chains of cruciferin. AFM analysis shows that samples containing cruciferin allow self‐assembly into mature amyloid fibrils upon incubation. Rapeseed amyloids are blended with polyvinyl alcohol and glycerol to develop bioplastics films that are characterized by decreased water absorption, higher water contact angle, and elongation at break &gt;600%, more than double compared to films obtained from native monomers.

Preferential extraction of rubidium from high concentration impurity solution by solvent extraction and preparation of high-purity rubidium salts

Rubidium has a wide range of application prospects in high-tech fields, which makes the extraction of rubidium resources of great significance. However, the similar properties among alkali metals render their separation from each other a considerable challenge. This study aims to recover rubidium from high concentration impurity solution via solvent extraction, and further purify and refine rubidium salt products. The organic phase consisted of the acidic extractant [4-tert-butyl-2-(α-methylbenzyl) phenol (t-BAMBP)] and xylene. The affecting parameters, such as contact time, extractant concentration, alkalinity, and phase ratio (O/A) were thoroughly investigated during the separation process. Rubidium could be completely extracted after the four-stage countercurrent extraction, accompanied by 18.84 % of K+ also entered the organic phase. Furthermore, deionized water was employed to remove impurity elements, such as contaminant potassium in the loaded organic phase. The scrubbing findings revealed that the scrubbing rate of K+ reached 99.03 % after five-stage countercurrent scrubbing at a phase ratio of 5:1. Most importantly, rubidium chloride solution was obtained after HCl stripping, which was further used to prepare high-purity rubidium chloride and rubidium carbonate products with a purity of 99.5 %. Eventually, this work provides a complete process for rubidium extraction and product preparation.