Electromigration of chitosan D-glucosamine and oligomers in dilute aqueous solutions

The electromigration behavior of chitosan D-glucosamine and oligomers with a degree of polymerization from 1 to 6 in dilute aqueous systems containing either NaCl or KCl salt at 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 M at pH values from 2 to 9 was evaluated. The results showed that the electromigration of the chitosan D-glucosamine and oligomers did not change by changing the type of salt in the running medium and that the pH had a significant effect on the direction of migration under an external electric field. In addition, the increase in the ionic strength of the medium caused a significant decrease on the absolute value of the electrophoretic mobility, and the highest values of the electromobility were observed in water. However, the ionic strength had no significant effect on the electrophoretic mobilities at pH 2 in comparison with the other pH values. The dimer showed the highest electrophoretic mobility in the alkaline zone of the pH. At pH values lower than the pKa of the D-glucosamine, the chitosan D-glucosamine, and oligomers migrated toward the anode, where the amine groups are protonated and carry positive charge. At higher pH values, chitosan D-glucosamine and oligomers migrated toward the anode, even though they did not carry any electric charge. The contribution of the difference in the dielectric constants between the solvent and the solute to this phenomenon was highlighted. It was shown that the glucose moiety contributes to the direction of migration of the chitosan D-glucosamine and oligomers under alkaline conditions and that the difference in the dielectric constant of glucose and the solvent accounts for the direction and the extent of electromobility.     

支持电解质浓度对磷酸根在可变电荷土壤表面吸附和解吸的影响

研究了离子强度对2种可变电荷土壤中磷酸根吸附和解吸的影响。结果表明,当pH分别大于3.7和4.0时,红壤和砖红壤对磷酸根的吸附量随离子强度的增加而增加;当pH分别小于3.7和4.0时,红壤和砖红壤对磷酸根的吸附量随离子强度呈相反的变化趋势。电解质主要通过改变离子专性吸附面上的电位来影响磷酸根的吸附。Zeta电位的测定结果表明,当pH大于土壤胶体的等电点(IEP)时,吸附面上电位为负值,且随离子强度增加数值减小,对磷酸根的排斥力减小,土壤表面对磷酸根的吸附量增加;当pH小于IEP时,吸附面上的电位为正值,它随离子强度增加而减小,不利于磷酸根的吸附。解吸实验的结果表明,吸附于可变电荷土壤表面的磷酸根在去离子水中的解吸量高于0.1 mol L-1NaNO3体系中的解吸量。这同样由于电解质浓度对土壤表面吸附面上的电位的影响所致。     

Limited enzymatic hydrolysis can improve the interfacial and foaming characteristics of beta-conglycinin

In this contribution, we have determined the effect of limited enzymatic hydrolysis on the interfacial (dynamics of adsorption and surface dilatational properties) and foaming (foam formation and stabilization) characteristics of a soy globulin (beta-conglycinin, fraction 7S). The degree of hydrolysis (DH = 0, 2, and 5%), the pH of the aqueous solution (pH = 5 and 7), and the protein concentration in solution (at 0.1, 0.5, and 1 wt %) were the variables studied. The temperature and the ionic strength were maintained constant at 20 degrees C and 0.05 M, respectively. The rate of adsorption and surface dilatational properties (surface dilatational modulus, E, and loss angle) of beta-conglycinin at the air-water interface depend on the pH and DH. The adsorption decreased drastically at pH 5.0, close to the isoelectric point of beta-conglycinin, because of the existence of a lag period and a low rate of diffusion. The interfacial characteristics of beta-conglycinin are much improved by enzymatic treatment, especially in the case of acidic aqueous solutions. Hydrolysates with a low DH have improved functional properties (mainly foaming capacity and foam stability), especially at pH values close to the isoelectric point (pI), because the protein is more difficult to convert into a film at fluid interfaces at pH approximately equal to pI.     

Isolation, characterization, and emulsifying properties of wattle seed (Acacia victoriae Bentham) extracts

Extracts from either ground whole wattle seeds or uncoated cotyledons were obtained using water, alkali, or ethanol. These extracts were then analyzed for their protein molecular weight and electrophoretic profiles using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis, respectively. Water extracts and those from the cotyledons gave higher material yield and contained significantly more proteins than other extracts. Furthermore, the proteins ranged in molecular weight from 6 to 92 kDa, with the highest concentration between 27 and 61 kDa. Water extracts, even at very low protein concentrations (0.17-1.12%), formed stable emulsions, containing up to 50% canola oil, and these emulsions were affected by pH (4-9), ionic strength (0.25-1% NaCl), and retorting (115 degrees C for 30 min). The study showed that water-soluble wattle extracts have great potential as emulsifiers and stabilizers for the food industry, especially at low pH levels.     

Ionic strength effects on surface charge and adsorption of phosphate and sulphate by soils

Two surface soils (Patua and Tokomaru) of contrasting mineralogy were incubated with several levels of either CaCO₃ or HC1. The effects of ionic strength on pH, on surface charge, and on the adsorption of phosphate and sulphate were measured in three concentrations of NaCl. The pH at which the net surface charge was zero (point of net zero charge—PZC) was 1.8 for the Tokomaru soil and 4.6 for the Patua soil: differences that can be related to mineralogical composition. There was an analogous point of zero salt effect (PZSE) that occurred at pH 2.8 for the Tokomaru soil and at 4.6 for the Patua soil. The presence of permanent negative charge in the Tokomaru soil resulted in an increase in PZSE over PZC. The effect of ionic strength on adsorption varied greatly between phosphate and sulphate. For phosphate, there was a characteristic pH above which increasing ionic strength increased adsorption and below which the reverse occurred. This pH (PZSE for adsorption) was higher than the PZC of the soil and was 4.1 for the Tokomaru soil and 5.3 for the Patua soil. In contrast, increasing ionic strength always decreased sulphate adsorption and the adsorption curves obtained in solutions of different ionic strengths converged above pH 7.0. If increasing ionic strength decreases adsorption, the potential in the plane of adsorption must be positive. Also, if increasing ionic strength increases adsorption, the potential must be negative. This suggests that, depending upon pH, phosphate is adsorbed when the potential in the plane of adsorption is either positive or negative, whereas sulphate is absorbed only when the potential is positive.     

水体离子强度、pH值和腐殖酸浓度对石墨相氮化碳沉降的影响

为解决农业环境中石墨相氮化碳（g-C3N4）的风险评估、污染预测等问题,该研究以g-C3N4为研究对象,通过室内沉降试验、沉降模型计算、DLVO（Derjaguine Landaue Verweye Overbeek）理论计算相结合的研究方法,考察离子强度（Ionic Strength,IS）、pH值和腐殖酸（Humic Acid,HA）3种典型水环境因素对g-C3N4沉降与分散稳定性的影响。研究结果表明,g-C3N4的沉降随水环境IS升高而明显增强,IS由0上升至50.0 mmol/L,360 min后g-C3N4悬液的终点标准化浓度（C/C0）由0.86变为0.58。水环境pH值变化对g-C3N4沉降与分散稳定性影响较小,pH值由2上升至4,360 min后g-C3N4悬液的终点C/C0由0.63变为0.57;而pH值由4上升至10,360 min后g-C3N4悬液的终点C/C0由0.57变为0.78。水环境中HA的存在能够增强g-C3N4的分散稳定性,HA浓度由0提升至10.0 mg/L,360 min后g-C3N4悬液的终点C/C0由0.60变为0.91。一阶动力学沉降模型能够有效模拟水体中g-C3N4的沉降动力学曲线,DLVO理论的计算结果能够反映出不同条件下g-C3N4颗粒间的势能分布。研究结果对于准确分析评估农业环境中g-C3N4的环境风险和生态安全具有重要意义。     

Stability of white wine proteins: combined effect of pH, ionic strength, and temperature on their aggregation

Protein haze development in white wines is an unacceptable visual defect attributed to slow protein unfolding and aggregation. It is favored by wine exposure to excessive temperatures but can also develop in properly stored wines. In this study, the combined impact of pH (2.5-4.0), ionic strength (0.02-0.15 M), and temperature (25, 40, and 70 °C) on wine protein stability was investigated. The results showed three classes of proteins with low conformational stability involved in aggregation at room temperature: β-glucanases, chitinases, and some thaumatin-like protein isoforms (22-24 kDa). Unexpectedly, at 25 °C, maximum instability was observed at the lower pH, far from the protein isoelectric point. Increasing temperatures led to a shift of the maximum haze at higher pH. These different behaviors could be explained by the opposite impact of pH on intramolecular (conformational stability) and intermolecular (colloidal stability) electrostatic interactions. The present results highlight that wine pH and ionic strength play a determinant part in aggregation mechanisms, aggregate characteristics, and final haze.     

Nickel adsorption in two Oxisols and an Alfisol as affected by pH,nature of the electrolyte,and ionic strength of soil solution

Background, aim, and scope  The retention of potentially toxic metals in highly weathered soils can follow different pathways that variably affect their mobility and availability in the soil–water–plant system. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pH, nature of electrolyte, and ionic strength of the solution on nickel (Ni) adsorption by two acric Oxisols and a less weathered Alfisol. Materials and methods  The effect of pH on Ni adsorption was evaluated in surface and subsurface samples from a clayey textured Anionic ‘Rhodic’ Acrudox (RA), a sandy-clayey textured Anionic ‘Xantic’ Acrudox (XA), and a heavy clayey textured Rhodic Kandiudalf (RK). All soil samples were equilibrated with the same concentration of Ni solution (5.0 mg L⁻¹) and two electrolyte solutions (CaCl₂ or NaCl) with different ionic strengths (IS) (1.0, 0.1 and 0.01 mol L⁻¹). The pH of each sample set varied from 3 to 10 in order to obtain sorption envelopes. Results and discussion  Ni adsorption increased as the pH increased, reaching its maximum of nearly pH 6. The adsorption was highest in Alfisol, followed by RA and XA. Competition between Ni²⁺ and Ca²⁺ was higher than that between Ni²⁺ and Na⁺ in all soil samples, as shown by the higher percentage of Ni adsorption at pH 5. At pH values below the intersection point of the three ionic strength curves (zero point of salt effect), Ni adsorption was generally higher in the more concentrated solution (highest IS), probably due to the neutralization of positive charges of soil colloids by Cl⁻ ions and consequent adsorption of Ni²⁺. Above this point, Ni adsorption was higher in the more diluted solution (lowest ionic strength), due to the higher negative potential at the colloid surfaces and the lower ionic competition for exchange sites in soil colloids. Conclusions  The effect of ionic strength was lower in the Oxisols than in the Alfisol. The main mechanism that controlled Ni adsorption in the soils was the ionic exchange, since the adsorption of ionic species varied according to the variation of pH values. The ionic competition revealed the importance of electrolyte composition and ionic strength on Ni adsorption in soils from the humid tropics. Recommendations and perspectives  The presence of NaCl or CaCl₂ in different ionic strengths affects the availability of heavy metals in contaminated soils. Therefore, the study of heavy metal dynamics in highly weathered soils must consider this behavior, especially in soils with large amounts of acric components.     

Sorption of cadmium by complexes of kaolinite with humic acid

Abstract

Levels of cadmium (Cd) in New Zealand pastoral soils have increased due to Cd impurities in applied fertilisers. As there is little information on the interaction of Cd with soil mineral‐organic matter complexes, the sorption of Cd by complexes of kaolinite with humic acid has been investigated. Sorption was measured at pH and ionic strength values typically found for solutions of pastoral soils in New Zealand. Sorption increased with the content of humic acid in the complex, and as the pH of the medium was raised from 4.2 to 6.3. Sorption was also influenced by the ionic strength of the ambient solution, notably by the nature of the cation in the added electrolyte. The experimental data were interpreted in terms of the effect of solution pH and ionic composition on the charge characteristics of kaolinite and humic acid. These factors, in turn, influence clay particle association as well as the clay‐humic and metal‐humic interaction.     

Complexation of whey proteins with carrageenan

The formation of electrostatic complexes of whey protein (WP) and a nongelling carrageenan (CG) was investigated as a function of pH, ionic strength, temperature, and protein-to-polysaccharide (Pr:Ps) ratio. On lowering the pH, the formation of soluble WP/CG complexes was initiated at pH(c) and insoluble complexes at pH(phi), below which precipitation occurred. The values of the transition pH varied as a function of the ionic strength. It was shown that at [NaCl] = 45 mM, the value of pH(phi) was the highest, showing that the presence of monovalent ions was favorable to the formation of complexes by screening the residual negative charges of the CG. When CaCl(2) was added to the mixtures, complexes of WP/CG were formed up to pH 8 via calcium bridging. The electrostatic nature of the primary interaction was confirmed from the slight effect of temperature on the pH(phi). Increasing the Pr:Ps ratio led to an increase of the pH(phi) until a ratio of 30:1 (w/w), at which saturation of the CG chain seemed to be reached. The behavior of WP/CG complexes was investigated at a low Pr:Ps ratio, when the biopolymers were mixed directly at low pH. It resulted in an increase of the pH of the mixture, as compared to the initial pH of the separate WP and CG solutions. The pH increase was accompanied by a decrease in conductivity. The trapping of protons inside the complex probably resulted from a residual negative charge on the CG. If NaCl was present in the mixture, the complex took up the Na(+) ions instead of the H(+) ions.     

磷酸盐在水铁矿及水铁矿-胡敏酸复合体表面的吸附

The adsorption of phosphate onto ferrihydrite (FH) and two FH-humic acid (HA) complexes, obtained by co-precipitating FH with low (FH-HA1) and relatively high amounts of humic acid (FH-HA2), was studied through kinetics and isotherm experiments to determine the differences in phosphate adsorption between FH-HA complexes and FH and to reveal the mechanism of phosphate adsorption onto two soil compositions. The isoelectric point (IEP) and the specific surface area (SSA) of the mineral decreased as the particle porosity of the mineral increased, which corresponded to an increase in the amount of organic carbon. The adsorption capacity of phosphate was higher on FH than on FH-HA1 and FH-HA2 at the scale of micromoles per kilogram. The initial adsorption rate and adsorption affinity of phosphate decreased with an increase in the amount of HA in the mineral. The sensitivity of phosphate adsorption to the change in the pH was greater for FH than for FH-HA complexes. Ionic strength did not affect the adsorption of phosphate onto FH and FH-HA1 at a lower pH, and the increase in the ionic strength promoted phosphate adsorption at a higher pH. However, for the FH-HA2 complex, the increase in the ionic strength inhibited the adsorption of phosphate onto FH-HA2 at a lower pH and increased the adsorption at a higher pH.     

Cation type and ionic strength effects on the solution composition of an acidic subsoil

Sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium chloride solutions of four concentrations (0.4, 1.0, 4.0, l0.0meq dm⁻³) and distilled water were equilibrated with the highly weathered, acidic subsoil of a Plinthic Paleudult from Natal at a soil:solution ratio of 2.2:1, then separated by centrifugation with an immiscible liquid and analysed for inorganic solutes. With each salt, increasing ionic strength resulted in lower solution-pH (the maximum pH was 4.95 in the distilled water equilibration) and higher aluminium concentration and activity. These effects were much less marked for sodium (maximum ΔpH of 0.47) than for the other cations (maximum ΔpH of 0.83) and both the concentration and activity of aluminium were correspondingly lower (by tenfold at the highest chloride concentration) in the sodium solutions.
Irrespective of the nature or concentration of the electrolyte added, pH and the activities of A1³⁺ and silica in solution were consistently interrelated in a way which suggests that equilibrium with the gibbsite and poorly crystalline kaolinite in this soil had been closely approached. The results provide a basis for anticipating the effect of infiltrating solutions of fertilizer salts on subsoil acidity and suggest that a beneficial effect may accrue from the presence of sodium in the cation suite of acid soils.     

Phosphate sorption curves as a soil testing technique: A simplified approach

Abstract

Single point phosphate sorption curves effectively estimated phosphate fertilizer requirements while requiring less work than multiple point curves. Correlation coefficients of 0.961 and 0.981 were obtained when phosphate rates, estimated using single point curves, were compared with those from multiple point curves. Reducing the ionic strength of the supporting electrolyte solution by using 0.001 M CaCl₂ or water rather than 0.01 M CaCl₂ during equilibration increased dissolved inorganic phosphate 73% and 141% on the average thus improving analytical precision. The relative effects of salt concentration were sufficiently independent of pH and phosphorus concentration to suggest that a simple conversion factor can be used to convert external P requirements from one set of equilibrium conditions (salt concentration) to another.     

ALUMINUM TOXICITY IN CORN PLANTS CULTIVATED WITH LOW AND HIGH IONIC STRENGTH NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the phytotoxic effect of aluminum (Al) in corn plants in nutrient solution under high ionic strength (0.0094 uM) and low ionic strength (0.00001 uM). Regarding the low ionic strengths, nutrient solution was added daily until the end of the experimental period. The findings showed that the pH of the nutrient solution reduced with the increase in Al concentration, under both high and low ionic strengths solutions. Electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution increased with Al concentrations only in the solution with low ionic strength, demonstrating that the plant was more sensible to the element toxicity, thus reducing its growth and absorption of nutrients. The production of the total dry mass of corn was affected by the increase of Al concentration in the solution only under low ionic strengths, which reinforces the greater activity and absorption of the element under such condition.     

Ionic-strength and pH effects on the sorption of cadmium and the surface charge of soils

Two Oxisols (Mena and Malanda), a Xeralf and a Xerert from Australia and an Andept (Patua) and a Fragiaqualf (Tokomaru) from New Zealand were used to examine the effect of pH and ionic strength on the surface charge of soil and sorption of cadmium. Adsorption of Cd was measured using water, 0.01 mol dmp^?3 Ca(NO₃)₂, and various concentrations of NaNO₃ (0.01–1.5 mol dm^?3) as background solutions at a range of pH values (3–8). In all soils, the net surface charge decreased with an increase in pH. The pH at which the net surface charge was zero (point of net zero charge, PZC) differed between the soils. The PZC was higher for soils dominated by variable-charge components (Oxisols and Andept) than soils dominated by permanent charge (Xeralf, Xerert and Fragiaqualf). For all soils, the adsorption of Cd increased with an increase in pH and most of the variation in adsorption with pH was explained by the variation in negative surface charge. The effect of ionic strength on Cd adsorption varied between the soils and with the pH. In Oxisols, which are dominated by variable-charge components, there was a characteristic pH below which increasing ionic strength of NaNO₃ increased Cd adsorption and above which the reverse occurred. In all the soils in the normal pH range (i.e. pH>PZC), the adsorption of Cd always decreased with an increase in ionic strength irrespective of pH. If increasing ionic strength decreases cation adsorption, then the potential in the plane of adsorption is negative. Also, if increasing ionic strength increases adsorption below the PZC, then the potential in the plane of adsorption must be positive. These observations suggest that, depending upon the pH and PZC, Cd is adsorbed when potential in the plane of adsorption is either positive or negative providing evidence for both specific and non-specific adsorption of Cd. Adsorption of Cd was approximately doubled when Na rather than Ca was used as the index cation.     

Factors affecting the retention of rennet in cheese curd

The coagulant retained in cheese curd is a major contributor to proteolysis during ripening. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of several milk-related factors and parameters during cheese manufacture on the retention of coagulant in cheese curd. The amount of coagulant retained in curd was determined by its activity on a synthetic heptapeptide (Pro-Thr-Glu-Phe-[NO2-Phe]-Arg-Leu) using reversed-phase HPLC. The retention of chymosin in cheese curd increased significantly when the pH of milk was reduced at rennet addition below pH 6.1, the pH at whey drainage below pH 5.7, or the average casein micelle size in milk and when the ionic strength of milk was increased. The casein content of milk and the quantity of chymosin added to milk had no significant effect on the retention of chymosin in curd; the quantity of coagulant bound per gram of casein remained unchanged.     

Effect of chitosan and chitin on the separation of membranes from proteins solubilized by pH shifts using cod (Gadus morhua)

Studies with isolated membranes and isolated membranes suspended in muscle proteins solubilized at pH 3 showed that mixing chitosan and membranes at this low pH followed by a pH adjustment to 10.5 could sediment membranes effectively at 4000 g. In the solubilized muscle homogenate, the effectiveness of membrane removal by chitosan at 4000 g for 15 min was molecular weight dependent. About 80% of the phospholipids and 28% of proteins were sedimented from solubilized muscle homogenate by mixing muscle homogenate (10 g of muscle tissue homogenized with 90 mL of distilled water) with 10 mL of MW 310-375 k chitosan (10 mg/mL in 0.1 N HCl) before solubilizing it at pH 10.5, whereas 55% of the phospholipids and 12% of proteins were sedimented by mixing muscle homogenate with the MW 310-375 k chitosan before solubilizing the homogenate at pH 3. Low molecular weight chitosans (at MW 1k or 33k) showed little effect on membrane sedimentation under the same conditions. Chitin was not useful for removing membranes at either pH 3 or 10.5, whether added before or after pH adjustment.     

离子强度对三种可变电荷土壤表面电荷和Zeta电位的影响

本文用离子活度和反号离子在土壤胶体双电层扩散层滑动面的分布解释了可变电荷土壤表面电荷与胶体Zeta电位随着离子强度增加呈相反变化趋势的原因。当p H大于土壤的盐效应零点(PZSE)时,离子强度增加导致土壤胶体双电层紧密层阴离子含量增加,土壤表面负电荷量增加,双电层滑动面上的反号离子(阳离子)数量增加,使得土壤胶体Zeta电位向正值位移。相反,当p H小于土壤PZSE,随着离子强度增加,土壤表面正电荷量增加,此时的反号离子为阴离子,双电层滑动面上的反号离子(阴离子)数量增加,导致土壤胶体Zeta电位向负值方向位移。另外,由于土壤表面对K+的吸附亲和力强于Na+,因此在相同浓度下,土壤胶体双电层滑动面上K+浓度高于Na+,导致土壤胶体在KNO3溶液中的Zeta电位高于在Na NO3溶液中的,从另一方面印证了这一解释。     

几种吸附剂对阿特拉津的吸附及其 Zeta 电位特性研究

通过振荡吸附平衡试验,研究了蒙脱石、凹凸棒石、竹炭、木炭对阿特拉津的吸附行为,讨论了pH值、离子强度对吸附的影响,并考察了吸附剂表面的Zeta电位变化。结果表明,几种吸附剂对阿特拉津的吸附均符合Freundlich方程;竹炭、木炭的吸附能力明显高于蒙脱石和凹凸棒石。吸附剂对阿特拉津的吸附量随着悬液离子强度的增加而增加,在悬液pH一定(pH=6),离子强度为10-3mol/L NaNO3时,蒙脱石、凹凸棒石对阿特拉津的吸附量分别为538.30、609.68 mg/kg,当离子强度增加为10-2mol/L时,吸附量分别增至611.26、731.63 mg/kg;当离子强度由10-3增至10-1mol/L NaNO3时,竹炭、木炭对阿特拉津的吸附量有较多增加。当悬液pH在3~8范围时,几种吸附剂表面均带负电荷,其Zeta电位值随着pH的增加而增加,随离子强度的增加而减小。悬液离子强度一定时,随着pH的增加,吸附阿特拉津后吸附剂表面Zeta电位变化不显著。研究结果有助于从机理上解析吸附剂对有机污染物的吸附行为。     

电解质阴离子和pH对可变电荷土壤硫酸盐吸附的影响

The effects of three electrolyte anions, ionic strength and pH on the adsorption of sulfate by two variable charge soils, with different surface charge properties were studied. Under the conditions of the same pH and ionic strength the effect of electrolyte anions on the adsorption of sulfate was in the order of Cl^- > NO₃^- > ClO₄^-, indicating the difference of the nature among these three anions. For Ferralsol in the same concentration of chloride and perchloride solutions, the two sulfate adsorption-pH curves could intersect at certain pH value. When pH was higher than the intersecting point, more sulfate was adsorbed in the perchloride solution, while when it was lower than the intersecting point, more sulfate was adsorbed in the chloride solution. In different concentrations of electrolyte solution, the curves of the amount of oxy-acid anion adsorbed, which changed with pH, could intersect at a certain pH, which is termed point of zero salt effect (PZSE) on adsorption. The nature of electrolyte anions influenced obviously the appearance of PZSE for sulfate adsorption. For ferralsol the curves of adsorption converged to about pH 7 in NaCl solution seemed to intersect in NaNO₃ solution and to have a typical PZSE for sulfate adsorption in NaClO₄ solution. For Acrisol the three curves of adsorption were nearly parallel in NaCl and NaNO₃ solutions and converged to pH 6.5 in NaClO₄ solution.