Systemic and local antiinflammatory effect of magnesium chloride in experimental arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Despite some knowledge gaps in scientific evidence, MgCl2 is largely used for pain relief in musculoskeletal diseases. Mg salts were shown to provide analgesia postoperatively in orthopedic surgery and low Mg levels were linked to arthritis development and severity. We determined the anti-inflammatory activity of MgCl2 in an acute arthritis model. METHODS: Mice received 0.1 mg/25µL Zymosan (Zy) or saline into the knees. Joint pain was evaluated using von Frey test; cell influx, and interleukin (IL)-1 level were assessed in joint lavage at 6 h. Synovia were excised for histopathology and analysis of immunoexpression of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Groups (n = 6/group) received either 90 mg/kg MgCl2/100 µL or saline per os (systemic) or 500 µg/25 µL MgCl2 or saline intra-articularly (i.a.) 30 min prior to Zy. RESULTS: MgCl2 given either systemically or locally significantly reduced cell influx (p = 0.0012 and p = 0.0269, respectively), pain (p = 0.0005 and p = 0.0038, respectively), and intra-articular IL-1 level (p = 0.0391), as compared to saline. Systemic MgCl2 significantly decreased NFκB (p < 0.05) immmunoexpression, as compared to saline. CONCLUSION: MgCl2 given systemically or locally displayed anti-inflammatory activity in a severe acute arthritis model reducing cell influx, pain, and cytokine release. MgCl2 operates at least partially via inhibiting NFκB activation. This is the first in vivo demonstration that MgCl2 decreases cytokine release in arthritis, prompting reduction of inflammation and pain relief.

Salivary elemental signature of dental caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of ionomics studies.

Trace- and macro-chemical elements are crucial for cellular physiological functioning, and their alterations in biological fluids might be associated with an underlying pathological state. Hence, this study aimed to examine and summarize the published literature concerning the application of salivary ionomics for caries diagnosis. An extensive search of studies was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus, without any language and year restriction for answering the following PECO question: "In subjects (i.e., children, adolescents, or adults) with good systematic health, are there any variations in the salivary concentrations of trace- or macro-elements between caries-free (CF) individuals and caries-active (CA) subjects?" A modified version of the QUADOMICS tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. The Review Manager Version 5.4.1. was used for data analyses. The analysis of salivary chemical elements that significantly differed between CF and CA subjects was also performed. Thirty-four studies were included, involving 2299 CA and 1669 CF subjects, having an age range from 3 to 64 years in over 16 countries. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the salivary levels of calcium, phosphorus, chloride, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc between CA and CF subjects, suggesting higher levels of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium in CF subjects while higher levels of chloride, magnesium, and zinc in CA patients. Half of the included studies (17/34) were considered high quality, while the remaining half were considered medium quality. Only zinc and chloride ions were found to be higher significantly and consistent in CF and CA subjects, respectively. Conflicting outcomes were observed for all other salivary chemical elements including aluminum, bromine, calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphorus, lead, selenium, and sulfate ions.

Effect of (in)organic additives on microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation.

AIM: This study aimed to understand the morphological effects of (in)organic additives on microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP). METHODS AND RESULTS: MICP was monitored in real time in the presence of (in)organic additives: bovine serum albumin (BSA), biofilm surface layer protein A (BslA), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and poly-l-lysine. This monitoring was carried out using confocal microscopy to observe the formation of CaCO3 from the point of nucleation, in comparison to conditions without additives. Complementary methodologies, namely scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, were employed to assess the visual morphology, elemental composition, and crystalline structures of CaCO3, respectively, following the crystals' formation. The results demonstrated that in the presence of additives, more CaCO3 crystals were produced at 100 min compared to the reaction without additives. The inclusion of BslA resulted in larger crystals than reactions containing other additives, including MgCl2. BSA induced a significant number of crystals from the early stages of the reaction (20 min) but did not have a substantial impact on crystal size compared to conditions without additives. All additives led to a higher content of calcite compared to vaterite after a 24-h reaction, with the exception of MgCl2, which produced a substantial quantity of magnesium calcite. CONCLUSIONS: The work demonstrates the effect of several (in)organic additives on MICP and sets the stage for further research to understand additive effects on MICP to achieve controlled CaCO3 precipitation.

Cd isotope fractionation in a soil-rice system: Roles of pH and mineral transformation during Cd immobilization and migration processes.

Cd speciation in soil and its transport to rice roots are influenced by the soil pH, oxidation-reduction potential, and mineral transformation; however, the immobilization and migration of Cd in soil-rice systems with different pH values under distinct water regimes remain unclear. This study used Cd isotope fractionation, soil physical analysis, and root gene quantification to elucidate the immobilization and transport of Cd in different soil-rice systems. In drainage soils, the high soil pH enhanced the transformation and magnitude of negative fractionation of Cd from MgCl2 extract to FeMn oxide-bound pool; however, it favored Cd uptake and root-to-grain transport. Compared with drainage regimes, the flooding regimes shifted fractionation toward heavy isotopes from MgCl2-extracted Cd to FeMn oxide-bound Cd in acidic soils (∆114/110CdMgCl2 extract - FeMn oxide-bound Cd = -0.09 ± 0.03 ‰) and to light isotopes from MgCl2-extracted Cd to carbonate-bound Cd in neutral and alkaline soils (∆114/110CdMgCl2 extract - carbonate-bound Cd = 0.29-0.40 ‰). The submerged soils facilitated the forming of carbonate and poorly crystalline minerals (such as ferrihydrite), which were transformed into highly crystalline forms (such as goethite). These results demonstrated that the dissolution-precipitation process of iron oxides was essential for controlling soil Cd availability under flooding regimes, and the relative contribution of carbonate minerals to Cd immobilization was promoted by a high soil pH. Flooding regimes induced lower expressions of OsNRAMP1 and OsNRAMP5 to limit the uptake of light Cd isotopes from MgCl2-extract pool, whereas a teeter-totter effect on gene expression patterns in roots (including those of OsHMA3 and OsHMA2) limited the transport of heavy Cd isotopes from root to grain. These findings demonstrate that flooding regimes could exert multiple effects on soil Cd immobilization and Cd transport to grain. Moreover, alkaline soil was conducive to forming carbonate minerals to sequester Cd.

Residual tissue magnesium concentration in jellyfish (Aurelia aurita and Cassiopea andromeda) following magnesium chloride euthanasia.

Magnesium chloride in high concentration is used for euthanasia of jellyfish to limit overpopulation and for predatory species consumption, but its use could lead to magnesium bioaccumulation and subsequent negative effects in consumers. Two species of scyphozoan jellyfish (Cassiopea andromeda and Aurelia aurita) were subjected to freezing (control), or magnesium chloride baths (144 g/L), with subsequent 30 min baths (one or two) in fresh artificial saltwater and submitted for inductively coupled plasma analysis to determine tissue concentration. Frozen jellyfish consistently yielded the lowest magnesium concentrations, while magnesium chloride euthanized individuals contained the highest concentrations in both species. C. andromeda displayed a significantly higher (p < .05) magnesium absorption capacity than A. aurita in both trials. Single and double baths significantly decreased magnesium concentrations (p < .05) in both species, however, magnesium remained consistently elevated compared to frozen specimens. This study demonstrated species-specific magnesium accumulation in jellyfish posteuthanasia and that rinsing was an effective method to limit excessive magnesium that could be deleterious to animals in public display aquaria. Magnesium concentrations of tissue and receiving water should be tested if magnesium chloride euthanasia is utilized for dietary supplementation in small bodies of water.

Short-Term Magnesium Therapy Alleviates Moderate Stress in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

Patients suffering from fibromyalgia often report stress and pain, with both often refractory to usual drug treatment. Magnesium supplementation seems to improve fibromyalgia symptoms, but the level of evidence is still poor. This study is a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial in fibromyalgia patients that compared once a day oral magnesium 100 mg (Chronomag®, magnesium chloride technology formula) to placebo, for 1 month. The primary endpoint was the level of stress on the DASS-42 scale, and secondary endpoints were pain, sleep, quality of life, fatigue, catastrophism, social vulnerability, and magnesium blood concentrations. After 1 month of treatment, the DASS-42 score decreased in the magnesium and placebo groups but not significantly (21.8 ± 9.6 vs. 21.6 ± 10.8, respectively, p = 0.930). Magnesium supplementation significantly reduced the mild/moderate stress subgroup (DASS-42 stress score: 22.1 ± 2.8 to 12.3 ± 7.0 in magnesium vs. 21.9 ± 11.9 to 22.9 ± 11.9 in placebo, p = 0.003). Pain severity diminished significantly (p = 0.029) with magnesium while the other parameters were not significantly different between both groups. These findings show, for the first time, that magnesium improves mild/moderate stress and reduces the pain experience in fibromyalgia patients. This suggests that daily magnesium could be a useful treatment to improve the burden of disease of fibromyalgia patients and calls for a larger clinical trial.

Magnesium Supplementation: Effect on the Expression of Inflammation Genes in Erlich's Tumor.

Magnesium supplementation may be beneficial for cancer patients due to its action as a modulator of cell proliferation and metabolism and its anti-inflammatory effect. Tumor metabolism can influence the bioavailability and absorption of nutrients, leading to an increase in the individual's nutritional needs. In this work, the effects of supplementing different dosages of magnesium chloride in mice with solid Ehrlich's tumors were investigated by analyzing their hematological, inflammatory and anthropometric biomarkers. Three dosages of magnesium chloride (MgCl2) were administered for 28 consecutive days. Animal welfare was assessed according to the criteria stipulated by the National Center for the Replacement, Refinement, and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). The inverted grid method was used to analyze muscle strength and fatigue. Difference in expression of the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α) and the Growth Transformation Factor (TGF-ß1) genes was determined by the 2-ΔCt method. The hematological evaluation consisted of the erythrogram, white blood cell and platelet counts were used for the hematological evaluation and treatment cytotoxicity. Difference in the expression of the TNF-α and TGF-ß genes showed that the group that received a high dose of magnesium had a decrease in TNF-α and RNL, an improvement in well-being with a tendency to increase muscle strength and less tumor progression according to the days of treatment. The group that received a low dosage of magnesium had a smaller tumor volume and a more controlled tumor growth according to the days. The group that received an intermediate dosage presented cytotoxicity.

Comparative Study on the Effects of Paullinia cupana, PC-18 and Magnesium Chloride on Solid Ehrlich Tumor.

New perspectives arise in the therapeutic practice for cancer, with the objective to not only treat patients, but also improve their quality of life. Guarana, a plant from Brazilian Amazon presents a wide range of pharmacological actions. This study evaluated the effect of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract, pure and dry Guarana (PC-18) extract and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) in mice of the Balb/c strain inoculated with the Ehrlich tumor regarding gene expression of inflammatory markers transforming growth factor-ß1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha and oxidative stress (OS) and fatigue, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase 4 and analyzed myelotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. After euthanasia, blood was collected to analyze the complete blood count and measured the levels of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase). Hepatoprotective actions of the crude extract of P. cupana and PC-18 extract were noticed. The PC-18 and MgCl2 group showed the best result regarding animal welfare. There were no associations between compounds and gene expression regarding fatigue and OS. PC-18 reduced the tumor and may have an antitumor action. The crude extract of Guarana presented hepatoprotective action.

A multistep enrichment process with custom growth medium improves resuscitation of chlorine-stressed coliforms from secondary sewage effluents.

Resuscitation and detection of stressed total coliforms in chlorinated water samples is needed to assess and prevent health effects from adverse exposure. In this study, we report that the addition of a growth enhancer mix consisting of trehalose, sodium pyruvate, magnesium chloride, and 1× trace mineral supplement improved growth of microorganisms from chlorinated secondary effluent in the base medium with Colilert-18. Improving growth of chlorine stressed microorganisms from secondary effluent is crucial to decreased detection time from 18 to 8 h.

Nile tilapia bones as eco-friendly alternative in water treatment and enhancing performance and immunity in broiler chickens.

Background: Water pollution has become a major threat to the environment and the living so an eco-friendly bio-filter was chosen for its merits over conventional techniques. Aim: Investigating the purifying activities of the Tilapia bone powder against inorganics, heavy metals, and microbial water pollutants and its impacts on performance, biochemical and antioxidant levels, cortisol and immunoglobulin concentrations, and intestinal microbiota in challenged broiler chickens. Methods: The in-vitro activity of Tilapia bone powder was evaluated against magnesium chloride and lead nitrate using tube minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), as well as against Escherichia coli O1527:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Aspergillus niger, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Candida albicans using a 96-micro-well MIC. A total of 250 1-day-old Hubbard chicks were divided into five groups on a deep litter system. Chicks were supplemented daily with Tilapia bone powder (1 g/l) for 4-6 hours from the 3rd day. Challenges were served on the 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, and 35th days for four broiler groups using magnesium chloride (100 mg/l), lead nitrate (350 mg/l), E. coli (2.4 × 1012 CFU/ml), S. Typhimurium (1.8 × 108 CFU/ml), respectively, and the 5th group was assigned as a control. A total of 2,250 samples (90 Tilapia-pollutants mixes, 480 Tilapia-microbial mixes, 240 sera, 240 intestinal swabs, and 1,200 tissue samples) were collected. Results: Tilapia bone powder 1% reveals a 100% reduction in the lead after 1 hour, total and calcium hardness after 0.5 hours, as well as 100% killing efficacy against E. coli O1527:H7, S. Typhimurium, M. gallisepticum, A. niger, T. mentagrophytes, and C. albicans after 0.5, 1, 1, 1, 1, and 1 hour, respectively. Tilapia bone powder 1% treated water reveals highly significant (p < 0.01) increases in dissolved oxygen and declines in physicochemical and microbial parameters compared with tap water. Challenged treated broilers revealed highly significant (p < 0.01) increases in weight gains, performance index, body weights, carcasses, and organs weights, immunoglobulin concentrations, and antioxidant levels, as well as highly significant (p < 0.01) improvements in feed conversions, feed and water intakes, biochemical profile, cortisol hormone, and intestinal microbiota. Conclusion: Tilapia bone powder provided significant in-vitro adsorptive and antimicrobial actions, as well as supported the broiler chickens to mitigate the polluted water stress accompanied by enhanced performance, carcass quality, immunity, and intestinal microbiota.

Enhanced Antiviral Function of Magnesium Chloride-Modified Heparin on a Broad Spectrum of Viruses.

Previous studies reported on the broad-spectrum antiviral function of heparin. Here we investigated the antiviral function of magnesium-modified heparin and found that modified heparin displayed a significantly enhanced antiviral function against human adenovirus (HAdV) in immortalized and primary cells. Nuclear magnetic resonance analyses revealed a conformational change of heparin when complexed with magnesium. To broadly explore this discovery, we tested the antiviral function of modified heparin against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and found that the replication of HSV-1 was even further decreased compared to aciclovir. Moreover, we investigated the antiviral effect against the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and measured a 55-fold decreased viral load in the supernatant of infected cells associated with a 38-fold decrease in virus growth. The advantage of our modified heparin is an increased antiviral effect compared to regular heparin.

Anxiolytic effect of chronic intake of supplemental magnesium chloride in rat.

Evidence suggest that magnesium dietary supplementation has several health benefits including lowering blood pressure, reducing insulin resistance, and improving symptoms of depression, anxiety, and migraine. Here, we aimed to study the effect of chronic magnesium supplementation on anxiety-like behavior in rats by supplementing with magnesium their drinking water for 30 days. Anxiety-like behavior was induced by subcutaneous injection of veratrin 30 min before performing elevated plus maze and open field tests to measure anxiety levels and locomotion, respectively. We quantify the concentration of magnesium in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. We used diazepam to compare the efficacy of magnesium supplementation as an anxiolytic agent. Our results show that rats supplemented with magnesium had a statistically significant decrease in anxiety levels with not effects on locomotion and a statistically significant increase in concentration of magnesium in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. However, the anxiolytic effect of magnesium supplementation washes-out in 12 days. We discuss the advantages of using supplemental magnesium as anxiolytic.

Effect of continued metabolic acidification into the first 3 days of lactation on blood calcium status in postpartum dairy cattle: A randomized controlled trial.

Although incidence of clinical hypocalcemia in postpartum dairy cows is low in US dairies, subclinical hypocalcemia after calving is common and has been associated with metabolic and infectious disease. It is widespread farm practice to feed a diet rich in anions to prepartum dairy cattle to support calcium homeostasis. However, this diet is typically discontinued at parturition, when calcium needs are still high. The objective of this trial was to determine the effects of extending metabolic acidification into the first 3 d of lactation in multiparous Holstein cows with the use of magnesium chloride (MgCl2) hexahydrate drenches on blood ionized calcium concentrations. Adult Holstein cows at a commercial dairy in their second or higher lactation, with a urine pH of 6.8 or less on the day of calving, were randomly assigned to either treatment or control groups, resulting in 13 cows in the treatment group and 14 cows in the control group. Treatment cows received 480 g of oral MgCl2 hexahydrate once daily for 3 d for continued acidification starting on the day of calving, whereas cows in the control group received no treatment. Urine pH was measured daily for 5 d, starting on the day of calving (0 DIM), to assess acidification status; blood was collected on day of calving (0 DIM), 2 DIM, and 4 DIM and analyzed for ionized calcium concentrations. Differences in blood ionized calcium and urine pH over time were compared using longitudinal data analysis. Urine pH was lower in treatment cows compared with control cows at 1, 2, and 3 DIM. Blood ionized calcium concentrations were different from baseline, taken at enrollment (0 DIM) and at 2 and 4 DIM in both treatment and control cows. However, no difference was detectable between treatment and control cows at 2 or 4 DIM with respect to blood ionized calcium concentrations. Oral supplementation with MgCl2 hexahydrate resulted in the desired acidification of urine pH in the treatment group, similar to feeding of an anionic close-up diet. Continued acidification of dairy cows until 2 DIM did not result in clinically meaningful higher blood calcium concentrations compared with controls, and further research is needed, to identify physiological reasons for this finding.

Addition of calcium and magnesium chlorides as simple means of varying bound and precipitated minerals in casein micelle: Effect on enzymatic coagulation.

In casein micelle (CM), Ca is either precipitated in the colloidal calcium phosphate (CCP) stabilized by clusters of phosphoserine (SEP) residues, or is directly bound to SEP (or glutamic and aspartic acids) of caseins without inorganic phosphate. However, it is currently not possible to titrate separately the different micellar Ca forms, making it difficult to assess their respective importance for CM properties and behavior. Both Ca2+ and Mg2+ have the same binding constants with SEP. Moreover, MgHPO4 is more soluble than CaHPO4, and its natural concentration in milk is lower. Thus, upon addition of MgCl2, Mg is mainly exchanged with CM in the bound form, whereas upon addition of CaCl2, Ca is mainly exchanged in the precipitated form. Our objective was to assess the role of the 2 forms of micellar cations (bound and precipitated) during the enzymatic coagulation of cow milk. Magnesium chloride, CaCl2, or KCl (10 mM) were added to milk and pH was adjusted to 6.6 after overnight equilibration. The KCl-supplemented milk was a positive control to assess the effect of the increased ionic strength after MgCl2 and CaCl2 addition. Mineral partition between soluble and colloidal phases after salt addition was assessed both experimentally and by using computer simulation. Enzymatic coagulation was proceeded at 30°C. Hydrolysis of κ-casein was followed by the quantitative determination of caseinomacropeptide released by RP-HPLC, aggregation of para-κ-casein micelles was measured through the evolution of backscattering properties of milk and the gel time and gel firming kinetics were determined using a Chymograph (Chr. Hansen, Horsholm, Denmark). The KCl addition did not affect mineral partition. As expected, CaCl2 addition mainly increased the CCP content, whereas the addition of MgCl2 mainly increased the bound divalent cations content. The kinetics of κ-casein hydrolysis was slowed down after CaCl2 and MgCl2 addition, and was negatively correlated with the concentration of divalent cations in the soluble phase of milk. Aggregation and gel firming curves plotted versus the progress of κ-casein hydrolysis were similar for both CaCl2- and MgCl2-supplemented milk. In view of the dual-binding model for CM assembly, this means that both Ca forms reduce electronegative repulsions between para-micelles by specific charge shielding. Inclusion of 2 Ca forms in structural models for CM allows a more detailed comprehension of how mineral equilibria affect CM properties.

Circulating Ionized Magnesium as a Measure of Supplement Bioavailability: Results from a Pilot Study for Randomized Clinical Trial.

Oral supplementation may improve the dietary intake of magnesium, which has been identified as a shortfall nutrient. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate appropriate methods for assessing responses to the ingestion of oral magnesium supplements, including ionized magnesium in whole blood (iMg2+) concentration, serum total magnesium concentration, and total urinary magnesium content. In a single-blinded crossover study, 17 healthy adults were randomly assigned to consume 300 mg of magnesium from MgCl2 (ReMag®, a picosized magnesium formulation) or placebo, while having a low-magnesium breakfast. Blood and urine samples were obtained for the measurement of iMg2+, serum total magnesium, and total urine magnesium, during 24 h following the magnesium supplement or placebo dosing. Bioavailability was assessed using area-under-the-curve (AUC) as well as maximum (Cmax) and time-to-maximum (Tmax) concentration. Depending on normality, data were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation or median (range), and differences between responses to MgCl2 or placebo were measured using the paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Following MgCl2 administration versus placebo administration, we observed significantly greater increases in iMg2+ concentrations (AUC = 1.51 ± 0.96 vs. 0.84 ± 0.82 mg/dL·24h; Cmax = 1.38 ± 0.13 vs. 1.32 ± 0.07 mg/dL, respectively; both p < 0.05) but not in serum total magnesium (AUC = 27.00 [0, 172.93] vs. 14.55 [0, 91.18] mg/dL·24h; Cmax = 2.38 [1.97, 4.01] vs. 2.24 [1.98, 4.31] mg/dL) or in urinary magnesium (AUC = 201.74 ± 161.63 vs. 139.30 ± 92.84 mg·24h; Cmax = 26.12 [12.91, 88.63] vs. 24.38 [13.51, 81.51] mg/dL; p > 0.05). Whole blood iMg2+ may be a more sensitive measure of acute oral intake of magnesium compared to serum and urinary magnesium and may be preferred for assessing supplement bioavailability.

Crystallization kinetics and growth of struvite crystals by seawater versus magnesium chloride as magnesium source: towards enhancing sustainability and economics of struvite crystallization.

The recycling of nutrients from wastewater and their recovery in the form of valuable products is an effective strategy to accelerate the circular economy concept. Phosphorus recovery from wastewater by struvite crystallization (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) is one of the most applied techniques to compensate for the increasing demand and to slow down the depletion rate of phosphate rocks. Using low-cost magnesium sources, such as seawater, improves the financial sustainability of struvite production. In this study, the potential of seawater for struvite crystallization versus the commonly used magnesium source, MgCl2, was tested by crystal growth and kinetic experiments. The impact of ammonium concentration, magnesium concentration and pH on the growth kinetics of struvite in synthetic and real reject water were studied. The results showed that simultaneous precipitation of calcium phosphate was insignificant when using seawater, while presence of struvite seeds diminished it further. Among the supersaturation regulators, pH had the most significant effect on the struvite growth with both MgCl2 and seawater, while high N:P molar ratios further improved the struvite crystal growth by seawater. The N:P molar ratios higher than 6 and Mg:P molar ratios higher than 0.2 are recommended to improve the crystal growth kinetics. It was concluded that seawater is a promising alternative magnesium source and the control of supersaturation regulators (i.e., Mg:P, N:P and pH) is an effective strategy to control the reaction kinetics and product properties.

Antifungal Activity of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolates and Their Associations: The Effects of Ca and Mg Divalent Cations.

The study of effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on antifungal activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates and their associations revealed inducing and inhibiting effects on antifungal activity. The addition of Ca2+ essentially inhibited the antifungal effect of L. rhamnosus MDC9661 but stimulated the activity of RIN-2003-Ls, MDC9632 and MDC9633 strains, as well as their associations. Mg2+ partly increased the inhibitory activity of LAB isolates, while the addition of ions combination did not cause changes of their antifungal activity. The supplementation of Ca2+ stimulated the antifungal effect of most associations against Penicillium sp., Trichoderma viride, Geotrichum candidum, and Aspergillus flavus compared with the native conditions. The addition of Mg2+ induced the antifungal activity of RIN-2003-Ls, MDC9632, MDC9633, and INR-2010-Tsov-G-St combinations. The antifungal effects of most associations were increased in the presence of ions mixture. The natural LAB associations including VKPM B-3386, MDC9632, and MDC9633 could not suppress the growth of any tested mold; however, the supplementation of ions combination revealed their antifungal effect against all kinds of molds. The finding of substantial stimulation of the most LAB associations antifungal effect by metal ions can be basis for creation of new effective antifungal preparations by the supplementation of ions combined mixture.

The Emulsifying Properties of Hydrogenated Rosin Xylitol Ester as a Biomass Surfactant for Food: Effect of pH and Salts.

The xylitol ester of hydrogenated rosin (XEHR) was obtained for the first time from biomass-based hydrogenated rosin and xylitol using an environmentally friendly, high-pressure CO2 catalytic synthesis. This compound is intended for use as an emulsifier for food. Analyses by ICP-AES showed the absence of heavy metal residues in the product, such that it met food standards. Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies together with gel permeation chromatography confirmed the successful esterification and the formation of a monoester and diester with molar masses of 427 and 772 g/mol. The emulsification of water/soybean oil mixtures by adding the XEHR was assessed at pH values of 4, 6.86, and 10 and in the presence of NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2. The XEHR was found to act as an emulsifier by reducing the interfacial tension of such mixtures to less than 2 mN/m under all conditions. The highest emulsifying activity index (9.52 m2/g) and emulsifying stability index (94.53%) were obtained after adding MgCl2 (100 mM). Particle size and confocal microscopy showed that the presence of salts gave a more uniform droplet size and a finer emulsion structure. The high viscosities of the emulsions containing salts also suggested a more cohesive oil droplet network.

EVALUATION OF EUTHANASIA OF MOON JELLYFISH (AURELIA AURITA) USING SIMPLE SALT SOLUTIONS.

Immersion euthanasia methods reported over the most recent decades for aquatic invertebrates use organic alcohols or halogenated hydrocarbons that can interfere with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. A rolling study design evaluated potassium chloride (KCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) as potential ion-based euthanasia methods for moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) destined for metabolomic analysis by NMR spectroscopy. Death was defined as the cessation of autonomous bell pulsing and response to external stimulus. MgCl2 applied at a dose of 142 g/L provided euthanasia within 32 sec of applications without the untoward effects observed with the other two salts. Euthanasia with KCl at the doses tested was associated with abnormal behavior and tissue degradation during dissection. MgSO4 at the doses tested resulted in abnormal behavior and failed to provide rapid euthanasia.

P-recovery in a pilot-scale struvite crystallisation reactor for source separated urine systems using seawater and magnesium chloride as magnesium sources.

Practical recovery of a non-renewable nutrient, such as phosphorus (P), is essential to support modern agriculture in the near future. The high P content of urine, makes it an attractive source for practicing the recovery of this crucial nutrient. This paper presents the experimental results at pilot-plant scale of struvite crystallisation from a source-separated urine stream using two different magnesium sources, namely magnesium chloride and seawater. The latter was chosen as sustainable option to perform P-recovery in coastal areas. Real seawater was used to assess in a more realistic way its efficiency to precipitate P as struvite, since its composition (with noticeable concentration of ions such as Ca2+, SO42-, Na+, …) could lead to the formation of impurities and other precipitates. 0.99 g of struvite was obtained per litre of urine irrespective of the operational conditions tested. In all tested conditions, precipitation efficiencies exceeded 90% and recovery efficiencies were higher than 87%, with an average struvite crystal size higher than 110 µm (and up to 320 µm, depending on the experimental conditions) in the harvested struvite samples. Almost pure struvite was obtained when MgCl2 was used as precipitant, while amorphous calcium phosphate and other impurities appeared in the precipitates using seawater as magnesium source. However, the lower settling velocity of the amorphous precipitates in comparison with the struvite precipitates suggests that their separation at industrial scale could be relatively straightforward.