Improvement of Gel Quality of Squid (Dosidicus gigas) Meat by Using Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Citrate, and Sodium Tartrate

In order to improve the quality of squid surimi products, squid surimi gels were prepared using several types of organic salts under two heating conditions to study the effects of organic salts on squid gel properties. Compared with the NaCl group, organic salts reduced the solubilization capacity of myofibrillar protein, and significant (p < 0.05) decreases in the breaking force, breaking distance, texture, and water-holding capacity of the gel were observed in the sodium gluconate group, while significant (p < 0.05) increases in the breaking force, breaking distance, texture, and water-holding capacity of the gel were observed in the sodium citrate and sodium tartrate groups. Although the mixed addition of NaCl and organic salt improved surimi gel quality, the effective improvement was still lower than that of only organic salt. Rheological properties indicated that sodium citrate and sodium tartrate had high viscoelasticity. The squid surimi gel prepared by direct heating exhibited better properties than gels prepared by two-step heating. The chemical force of squid gel prepared with sodium citrate and sodium tartrate formed a stronger matrix than the gels prepared with other salts. For color, the addition of sodium citrate resulted in an undesirable color of squid surimi gels, while the addition of sodium tartrate improved the whiteness of the surimi gel. The results showed that the quality of surimi gel was dependent upon the choice of heating method and the types of salt used. Sodium citrate and sodium tartrate could significantly improve the gel properties of squid surimi. This study provides reliable guidance for improving the overall quality of squid surimi gels.

Complex Shrinkage-Reducing Additives for Alkali Activated Slag Cement Fine Concrete

Optimization of complex shrinkage-reducing additives (further, SRA’s), consisting of ordinary portland cement clinker (further, OPC clinker), salt-electrolyte and surfactants, is provided for prevention of steel reinforcement corrosion due to shrinkage mitigation in alkali-activated slag cement (further, AASC) fine concrete. Modification of AASC by SRA included 0.3 % sodium lignosulphonate, 0.15 % sodium gluconate, 1.4 – 2.0 % NaNO3 and 6.5 - 7.7 % OPC clinker (by mass of granulated blast furnace slag) provides shrinkage reduction from 0.984 up to 0.560 – 0.605 mm/m (t=202 °С, R.H.=65 %). Unlike, SRA presented by the mentioned system with 1.50 - 1.59 % Na2SO4 and 4.0 - 4.65 % OPC clinker causes shrinkage mitigation from down to 0.625 - 0.640 mm/m. In addition, SRA with 1.80 - 2.05 % Na3PO4 and 4.0 - 4.6 % OPC clinker minimizes shrinkage to 0.713 - 0.700 mm/m. Shrinkage mitigation in modified AASC fine concrete is explained by less water, higher crystallinity of hydrated phases as well as by formation of minamiit (Na,Ca0.5)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6, calcium hydronitroaluminate ЗСаО∙А12О3∙Са (NO3)2∙10Н2О and calcium hydroxylapatite Са10(РО4)6(ОН)2 crystals versus salt-electrolyte, i.e. Na2SO4, NaNO3 and Na3PO4 agreeably. The 28 day compressive strength of modified AASC fine concrete is not less than the reference one (48.0 - 56.0 МPа).

A Matrix Acidizing System for Controlled Carbonate Well Stimulation using a Carboxylic Acid Salt with a Chelating Agent

This work presents a matrix acidizing formulation which comprises a salt of monochloroacetic acid giving a delayed acidification and a chelating agent to prevent precipitation of a calcium salt. Results of dissolution capacity, core flood test and corrosion inhibition are presented and are compared to performance of 15 wt% emulsified HCl. Dissolution capacity tests were performed in a stirred reactor at atmospheric pressure using equimolar amounts of the crushed limestone and dolomites. Four different chelating agents were added to test the calcium ion sequestering power. Corrosion tests were executed using an autoclave reactor under nitrogen atmosphere at 10 barg. Core flood tests were performed to simulate carbonate matrix stimulation using limestone cores. It was found that the half-life time of the hydrolysis reaction is 77 min at a temperature of 100 °C. Sodium gluconate and the sodium salt of D-glucoheptonic acid were identified to successfully prevent the precipitation of the reaction product calcium glycolate at a temperature of 40 °C. Computed Tomography (CT) scans of the treated cores at optimum injection rate showed a single wormhole formed. At 150 °C an optimum injection rate of 1 ml/min was found which corresponds to a minimum PVBT of 6. In addition, no face dissolution was observed after coreflooding. Furthermore, the corrosion rates of different metallurgies (L80 and J55) were measured which are significantly less than data reported in literature for 15wt% emulsified HCl. The novelty of this formulation is that it slowly releases an organic acid in the well allowing deeper penetration in the formation and sodium gluconate prevents precipitation of the reaction product. The corrosivity of this formulation is relatively low saving maintenance costs to installations and pipe work. The active ingredient in the formulation is a solid, allowing onsite preparation of the acidizing fluid.

Evaluation of the Lignite Biotransformation Capacity of Fusarium sp. NF01 Cultured on Different Growth Substrates

Screening and studying the lignite solubilization/degradation capacities of indigenous microorganisms are key to exploring the in-situ biotransformation of lignite. Here, a fungus was isolated from in-situ lignite samples and identified as Fusarium sp. NF01. This isolate was then cultured on four different carbon sources to evaluate its lignite transformation capacity. When cultured on a solid agar medium containing sodium gluconate or sodium glutamate, Fusarium sp. NF01 completely liquefied 0.5 g of lignite within six days, and when cultured in a liquid medium containing sodium gluconate, the weight of lignite decreased by 28.4% within seven days. Elemental analysis showed that the lignite biodegradation rate was inversely proportional to the C/O ratio of the residual lignite samples. Additionally, a 5.9% biodesulfurization rate was achieved when Fusarium sp. NF01 was cultured in the presence of sodium gluconate. Finally, Fourier-transform infrared analysis of the residual lignite samples revealed relatively weak signal intensities of the signature peaks representing the following: aromatic ring side chains; ether, ester, and alcohol bonds; aromatic ring carbon-carbon double bonds; and aliphatic methyl and methylene. The results showed that Fusarium sp. NF01 can degrade lignite in a carbon-dependent manner and could be thus used for the bioconversion of subsurface coalbeds.