The exchange of malic acid, lactic acid, NaCl, and sugar between cucumber and cover brine was monitored over a course of 16 days for 5 sizes of cucumbers. Experimental results showed that sugar exchange between cucumbers and cover brine was the slowest. In comparison to Ficks diffusion equation, the exponential equation better described the movement of solutes during the brine fermentation of c...

Solutions at high salt concentrations are used to crystallize or segregate charged colloids, including proteins and polyelectrolytes via a complex mechanism referred to as "salting-out". Here, we combine small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and liquid-state theory to show that salting-out is a long-range interaction, which is controlled by electrolyte concen...

In their Perspective 1 based on recent work of the group, 2 Xie and Gao outline a simple theory for rationalizing the specific effects of ions on proteins, i.e., the Hofmeister series. 3 Their approach is thermodynamic, based on activity coefficients, surface tension and solubility data. It is also systematic, detailing individual contributions to the overall protein salting-out/salting-in and ...

Despite the fact that ionic liquid-based aqueous two phase systems (ATPSs) have been widely studied for extraction purposes, the adequacy of biodegradable organic salts as salting out agents has been left unexploited. In this study, we investigated the ability of sodium-based organic salts in the formation of ATPS in the presence of a common ionic liquid, [C4mim]BF4. In the pioneering aspect of...

Arsenate and nitrate can be removed quantitatively from drinking water by anion exchange. However, if the raw water contains substantial concentrations of sulfate or nitrate, the resin becomes exhausted quickly, and the requirements for regenerant (brine) can make the process unattractive. Previously, we described a modified ion exchange operating procedure for arsenic removal from solutions co...

Large-scale deployment of CO2 geological sequestration requires understanding and assessing the risks of such an operation. One of these risks is the potential contamination of groundwater by CO2/brine leakage into shallow aquifers. Although our understanding of this issue has improved significantly over the last decade, several questions still need to be better addressed, including the fate of...

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a method to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions thereby mitigating global warming. In CCS, carbon dioxide (CO2) is captured from fossil fuel-fired power plants or other large point-source emitters, purified, compressed and injected deep underground into subsurface formations at depths of or greater than 800m. At such depths CO2 is in a supercritical...

This paper discusses how the validity of road safety evaluation studies can be assessed by analysing causal chains. A causal chain denotes the path through which a road safety measure influences the number of accidents. Two cases are examined. One involves chemical de-icing of roads (salting). The intended causal chain of this measure is: spread of salt --> removal of snow and ice from the road...

The presence of black spots on dry-cured Iberian ham surface is an alteration related to microbial population. Although it provokes important economic losses for the meat industry, the microorganisms responsible for this spoilage still remain unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the microorganisms involved in dry-cured Iberian ham black spot spoilage and to study the conditions affect...

Coal combustion by-products such as fly ash (FA), brine and CO2 from coal fired power plants have the potential to impact negatively on the environment. Reaction of CO2 with FA/ brine slurry can potentially provide a viable route for CO2 sequestration through formation of mineral carbonates. Fractionated FA has varying amounts of CaO which not only increases the brine pH but can also be convert...