GEL FORMATION IN THE KAOLIN SYSTEM - SODIUM ALGINATE - CALCIUM SULFATE - SODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE

Представлены результаты исследований изменений происходящих при формировании наполненных альгинатных гелей при внутреннем диффузионном гелеобразовании. Исследование проводилось для систем, состоящих из каолина и альгината натрия с системой отверждения из сульфата кальция и пирофосфата натрия. Установлено, что применение реологических методов исследования позволяют получать данные о показателях качества альгинатных гелей и их составе, и механизме гелеобразования. Установлено, что для системы каолин – альгинат натрия – сульфат кальция – пирофосфат натрия при формировании альгинатного геля целесообразно использовать сульфат кальция с массовой долей от 5 до 6,5, а пирофосфат натрия с массовой долей от 1,5 до 3 % при гидромодуле 1 к 3 и температуре воды 20 °С.Эти данные можно использовать при разработке рецептуры альгинатных масок и подготовки нормативной технической документации. The results of studies of changes occurring during the formation of filled alginate gels during internal diffusion gelation are presented. The study was carried out for systems consisting of kaolin and sodium alginate with a curing system of calcium sulfate and sodium pyrophosphate. It has been established that the use of rheological research methods makes it possible to obtain data on the quality indicators of alginate gels and their composition, and the mechanism of gelation. It was found that for the system kaolin-sodium alginate-calcium sulfate-sodium pyrophosphate when forming an alginate gel, it is advisable to use calcium sulfate with a mass fraction of 5 to 6.5, and sodium pyrophosphate with a mass fraction of 1.5 to 3% at a hydromodule 1 to 3 and a water temperature of 20 °C. This data can be used in the development of the formulation of alginate masks and the preparation of regulatory technical documentation.

Improved bactericidal efficacy and thermostability of Staphylococcus aureus-specific bacteriophage SA3821 by repeated sodium pyrophosphate challenges

As antibiotic resistance is being a threat to public health worldwide, bacteriophages are re-highlighted as alternative antimicrobials to fight with pathogens. Various wild-type phages isolated from diverse sources have been tested, but potential mutant phages generated by genome engineering or random mutagenesis are drawing increasing attention. Here, we applied a chelating agent, sodium pyrophosphate, to the staphylococcal temperate Siphoviridae phage SA3821 to introduce random mutations. Through 30 sequential sodium pyrophosphate challenges and random selections, the suspected mutant phage SA3821M was isolated. SA3821M maintained an intact virion morphology, but exhibited better bactericidal activity against its host Staphylococcous aureus CCARM 3821 for up to 17 h and thermostability than its parent, SA3821. Sodium pyrophosphate-mediated mutations in SA3821M were absent in lysogenic development genes but concentrated (83.9%) in genes related to the phage tail, particularly in the tail tape measure protein, indicating that changes in the tail module might have been responsible for the altered traits. This intentional random mutagenesis through controlled treatments with sodium pyrophosphate could be applied to other phages as a simple but potent method to improve their traits as alternative antimicrobials.

Higher Long-Term Soil Moisture Increases Organic Carbon Accrual Through Microbial Conversion of Organic Inputs

High long-term soil moisture may either stimulate or inhibit soil organic carbon (SOC) losses through changes to mineral and chemical composition, and resultant organo-mineral interactions. Yet, the trade-off between mineralization and accrual of SOC under long-term variation in unsaturated soil moisture remains an uncertainty. In this study, we tested the underexplored relationships between long-term soil moisture and organo-mineral chemical composition, and its implications for SOC persistence. The results provide new insights into SOC accrual mechanisms under different long-term moisture levels commonly observed in well-drained soils. Differences in long-term mean volumetric water content ranging from 0.4 - 0.63 (v/v) on fallow plots in an experimental field in New York, USA, were positively correlated with SOC contents (R2 = 0.228; P = 0.019, n = 20), mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) (R2 = 0.442; P = 0.001; n = 20) and occluded particulate organic matter (oPOM) contents (R2 = 0.178; P = 0.033; n = 20). Higher long-term soil moisture decreased the relative content of sodium pyrophosphate extractable Fe (R2 = 0.33; P < 0.005; n = 20), increased that of sodium dithionite extractable Fe (R2 = 0.443; P < 0.001; n = 20), and increased the overall importance of non-crystalline Al pools (extracted with sodium pyrophosphate and hydroxylamine extractable) for SOC retention. Higher long-term soil moisture supported up to a four-fold increase in microbial biomass (per unit SOC), and lower C:N ratios in MAOM fractions of high-moisture soils (from C:N 9.5 to 9, R2 = 0.267, P = 0.011, n =20). This was reflected by a 15% and 10% greater proportion of oxidized carboxylic-C to aromatic-C and O-alkyl C, respectively, as measured with 13C-NMR, and a more pronounced FTIR signature of N-containing proteinaceous compounds in high-moisture MAOM fractions, reflective of microbial metabolites. SOC accrual increased with increasing soil moisture (P = 0.019), exchangeable Ca2+ (P = 0.013), and pyrophosphate-extractable Al content (P = 0.0001) and Al/Fe ratio (P = 0.017). Taken together, our results show that high long-term soil moisture resulted in SOC accrual by enhancing microbial conversion of plant inputs to metabolites that interact with reactive minerals.

Higher Long-Term Soil Moisture Increases Organic Carbon Accrual Through Microbial Conversion of Organic Inputs

High long-term soil moisture may either stimulate or inhibit soil organic carbon (SOC) losses through changes to mineral and chemical composition, and resultant organo-mineral interactions. Yet, the trade-off between mineralization and accrual of SOC under long-term variation in unsaturated soil moisture remains an uncertainty. In this study, we tested the underexplored relationships between long-term soil moisture and organo-mineral chemical composition, and its implications for SOC persistence. The results provide new insights into SOC accrual mechanisms under different long-term moisture levels commonly observed in well-drained soils. Differences in long-term mean volumetric water content ranging from 0.4 - 0.63 (v/v) on fallow plots in an experimental field in New York, USA, were positively correlated with SOC contents (R2 = 0.228; P = 0.019, n = 20), mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) (R2 = 0.442; P = 0.001; n = 20) and occluded particulate organic matter (oPOM) contents (R2 = 0.178; P = 0.033; n = 20). Higher long-term soil moisture decreased the relative content of sodium pyrophosphate extractable Fe (R2 = 0.33; P < 0.005; n = 20), increased that of sodium dithionite extractable Fe (R2 = 0.443; P < 0.001; n = 20), and increased the overall importance of non-crystalline Al pools (extracted with sodium pyrophosphate and hydroxylamine extractable) for SOC retention. Higher long-term soil moisture supported up to a four-fold increase in microbial biomass (per unit SOC), and lower C:N ratios in MAOM fractions of high-moisture soils (from C:N 9.5 to 9, R2 = 0.267, P = 0.011, n =20). This was reflected by a 15% and 10% greater proportion of oxidized carboxylic-C to aromatic-C and O-alkyl C, respectively, as measured with 13C-NMR, and a more pronounced FTIR signature of N-containing proteinaceous compounds in high-moisture MAOM fractions, reflective of microbial metabolites. SOC accrual increased with increasing soil moisture (P = 0.019), exchangeable Ca2+ (P = 0.013), and pyrophosphate-extractable Al content (P = 0.0001) and Al/Fe ratio (P = 0.017). Taken together, our results show that high long-term soil moisture resulted in SOC accrual by enhancing microbial conversion of plant inputs to metabolites that interact with reactive minerals.

PEAT HUMIC ACIDS – PROSPECTIVE BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES WITH ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROTECTIVE AGENTS

A present study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant activity (AOA) of humic acids (HA) isolated by sodium hydroxide and sodium pyrophosphate from nine peat species of the Tomsk region different by botanical composition, degree of decomposition and ash content. All HA samples had shown the AOA in the study. As the results of four research methods, it was found that HAs are highly effective in inhibiting the free ABTS•+ radical cation, superoxide anion radical O2-•, hydroxyl radical HO•, and are able to bind Fe2+ in a wide range of concentrations. The activity of HAs in different tests was not equal between samples; HAs isolated by sodium hydroxide have had a higher AOA in inhibition of the superoxide anion–radical O2-• in the model reaction compared to HAs isolated by sodium pyrophosphate within the same peat species. In the study of iron binding activity, an inverse relationship was observed. In the model reactions of the free ABTS•+ radical cation and the hydroxyl radical HO• inhibition, a comparable level of activity was registered between the HA samples isolated by different solutions. Such an uneven distribution of the activity between various HA samples can be explained by the unequal chemical parameters of their structure, which depend on their origin and method of isolation. Using of such classical antioxidants with an established mechanism of action as comparison drugs, as a water-soluble analogue of tocopherol - "Trolox", a water-soluble antioxidant – ascorbic acid, a classic chelator – ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), a classic trap of a hydroxyl radical – mannitol, it is possible to conclude that the investigated HAs are effective antioxidants belonging to the groups of proton donors and complexing agents.

Reduction of extrinsic tooth stain by a toothpaste containing 10% high cleaning silica, 0.5% sodium phytate and 0.5% sodium pyrophosphate: an 8-week randomised clinical trial

Objective To assess the effects for controlling extrinsic tooth stain of a whitening toothpaste containing 10% high cleaning silica, 0.5% sodium phytate and 0.5% sodium pyrophosphate, in comparison with a negative control toothpaste. Methods A total of 86 adults who met with the inclusion and exclusion criteria were invited to take part in the study. They were distributed into test and control groups randomly. At baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, the same examiner provided the clinical examinations, including evaluations of oral soft and hard tissues and measurements of tooth stain of the anterior teeth using the Lobene Stain Index. Adverse events and any changes in general health conditions of the patients were monitored. Results When the study was completed, comparisons between patients in test and control groups yielded statistically significant differences in Lobene stain adjusted mean area score [0.83 (0.05) vs. 1.13 (0.05)], Lobene stain adjusted mean intensity score [0.99 (0.06) vs. 1.32 (0.06)] and Lobene stain adjusted mean composite score [1.45 (0.13) vs. 2.50 (0.13)] (All, P < 0.001). Patients in the test group exhibited reductions of 26.55%, 25% and 42%, respectively in Lobene stain area, intensity and composite scores, relative to patients in the control group. Comparisons within groups showed that all three Lobene scores at 8 weeks in both groups were lower than those at baseline (All, P < 0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrates that 8-week use of a toothpaste containing 10% high cleaning silica, 0.5% sodium phytate and 0.5% sodium pyrophosphate can effectively reduce extrinsic tooth stain. Trial registration NCT04238429 (before enrollment of the first participant). Data register: March 4, 2018.