EFFECT OF COMPOSITE MINERAL ADMIXTURES ON RESTRAINING ALKALI-SILICA REACTION

The expansion and micro-cracks of the mortar with composite mineral admixtures （fly ash, zeolite and slag） due to the alkali-silica reaction （ASR） are studied. Results show that composite mineral admixtures cannot absolutely diminish the ASR of mortar bars with the low-alkali cement and a highly reactive aggregate. But the expansion rate and the deleterious expansion of the mortar bar are mostly reduced with increasing composite mineral admixture. The influence of mineral admixtures on the fluidity of the paste and the strength of the mortar is also studied.

Determination of the Mineral Composition of the Pulp and Evaluation of the Acute Toxicity of the Seeds of Carica papaya L. Consumed in Lubumbashi and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This work aimed, on the one hand, to determine the mineral and phytochemical composition of Carica papaya in order to guarantee the food safety of consumers and on the other hand, to evaluate the acute toxicity of papaya seeds. The papayas were bought at the Mzée market in Lubumbashi and Selembao in Kinshasa. Fruit sampling was done according to the ISO 7002 standard on agricultural and food products;the papayas were firm, mature, and without stains or physical damage. The analysis results of the papaya pulp showed both for the samples from the city of Lubumbashi and for the city province of Kinshasa that it contains respectively 85.87% and 84.46% water, 0.59% and 0.53% ash content. The mineral evaluation of our two samples presented a potassium content of 200 ± 8 mg, magnesium 13.12 ± 3 mg, calcium 22.15 ± 2 mg, sodium 3 mg ± 0.5 for the sample from Lubumbashi and 192.32 ± 8 mg of potassium, 14.458 ± 3 mg of magnesium, 20.58 ± 2 mg of calcium and 3.58 ± 0.5 mg of sodium for the sample from Kinshasa in macroelements. Concerning the trace elements, after analysis, we found zinc content (0.29 ± 0.1 mg and 0.12 ± 0.1 mg), copper (0.02 ± 0.01 mg and 0.14 ± 0.01 mg), and iron (2.22 ± 0.5 mg and 2.04 ± 0.5 mg) respectively for Lubumbashi and Kinshasa. The chemical screening indicates the presence of alkaloids, saponosides, tannins catechics, flavonoids and anthocyanins in the palm wine and ethanolic extract of the seeds of Carica papaya and an absence of cyanogenic glycosides and gallic tannins. With mild toxicity, the seeds of the fruit of Carica papaya L. can be used with moderate risk by the population.

DEVELOPMENT OF POLYMER MINERAL COMPOSITE AND ITS DAMPING PROPERTY

The principle of production of polymer mineral composite was analyzed. Property parameters and the procedure for producing PMC components were also given. Damping property and principle of vibration absorption of polymer mineral composite were also investigated. Reduced experiment was conducted for two jigs which are similar in structure only different in material that one made of PMC the other made of casting iron to test their dynamic characteristic.

The Effect of Mineral Composition and Quantity of Fines on the Atterberg Limits and Compaction Characteristics of Soils

Because of the various elements that come into play in natural soil formation, the impact of varied proportions of mineral composition and fines amount on Atterberg limits and compaction characteristics of soils is not well known. Three distinct soil samples were used in this investigation. The findings indicated the effect of varied mineral composition proportions and fines amount on the liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index as assessed by the Casagrande test and hand-rolling method. The fluctuation of maximum dry density and optimal moisture content with these three soils has also been studied. Furthermore, correlations were established to indicate the compaction parameters and the amount of minerals and particles in the soil. The data show that the mineral content of the soil has a direct impact on the Atterberg limits and compaction characteristics. Soils containing larger percentages of expansive minerals, such as montmorillonite, have more flexibility and volume change capability. Mineral composition influences compaction parameters such as maximum dry density, ideal water content, axial strain, and axial stress. Soils with a larger proportion of fines, such as Soil 2 and Soil 3, have stronger flexibility and lower compaction qualities, with higher ideal water content and lower maximum dry density. Soil 1 has moderate flexibility and intermediate compaction qualities due to its low fines percentage. The effect of different mineral compositions and fines on the Atterberg limits and compaction characteristics of soils can be used to predict the behavior of compacted soils encountered in engineering practices, reducing the time and effort required to assess soil suitability for engineering use.

Mechanical Properties of Mo Fiber-reinforced Resin Mineral Composites with Different Mass Ratio of Resin and Hardener

Mo fibers were added to RMC with different mass ratios of resin and hardener to improve its mechanical properties. The influences of fiber surface state and hardener content on interface bonding strength and mechanical properties of RMC were studied, respectively. Furthermore, strain values of typical measuring points on samples of Mo fiber reinforced RMC(MFRRMC) under different loads were obtained by experiments and finite element analysis. The experimental results prove that scrap Mo fibers can improve interface bonding strength and mechanical properties of RMC better than new smooth Mo fibers because of the discharge pits randomly distributed on the surface of scrap fibers. With the decrease of hardener content, not only interface bonding strength between fiber and matrix, but also compression and flexural strength of MFRRMC increase firstly and then decrease. The properties are best while the mass ratio of resin and hardener reaches 4:1. It is indicated that finite element calculation data basically agree with experimental data by comparison of strain values on typical measuring points, which can provide an important intuitive reference for successive study on other mechanical properties of MFRRMC, validating the correctness of simulation method as well.

STUDIES ON THE FROTH CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPOSITE COLLECTORS IN NONMETALLIC MINERAL FLOTATION

The flotation results of a phosphate ore are improved by replacing the conventional collectors of fatty acids with composite collectors. The synergistic effect on the froth characteristics in systems using composite collectors has then been studied, and the concept of 'mixed hemimicellae' has been proposed in the adsorption of composite collectors at the air/solution interfaces.

Preparation of Polymer-Mineral Nanocomposites Based on Vinyl Monomers and Dispersed Inorganic Oxides

The polymer-mineral composites were synthesized using vinyl monomers styrene, methyl acrylate, and butyl acrylate with nano dispersed oxides Fe2O3, Cr2O3, V2O5 and SiO2 in the presence of benzoyl peroxide and other peroxide initiators. Benzoyl peroxide adsorption on Fe2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O5 surfaces was studied. The adsorption parameters were found: adsorption-desorption equilibrium constants, maximum adsorption, and the area occupied by the molecule benzoyl peroxide on the surface of the adsorbent. The molecular weights of the polymers in the composites and the degree of grafting of the macromolecules of the polymer to the surface of oxides were studied. It has been found that the surface of the dispersed oxides influences the rate of thermal decomposition of the peroxide initiators and the polymerization parameters of the vinyl monomers.

Long-Term Effect of Fertilizer and Rice Straw on Mineral Composition and Potassium Adsorption in a Reddish Paddy Soil

Increasing K＋ adsorption can be an effective alternative in building an available K pool in soils to optimize crop recovery and minimize losses into the environment. We hypothesized that long-term fertilization might change K＋ adsorption because of changes in the chemical and mineralogical properties of a rice （Oryza sativa L.）. The aims of this study were （i） to determine clay minerals in paddy soil clay size fractions using X-ray diffraction methods and a numerical diagramdecomposition method; （ii） to measure K＋ adsorption isotherms before and after H202 oxidation of organic matter, and （iii） to investigate whether K＋ adsorption is correlated with changes in soil chemical and mineral properties. The 30-yr longterm fertilization treatments caused little change in soil organic C （SOC） but a large variation in soil mineral composition. The whole-clay fraction （〈5 Jam） corresponded more to the fertilization treatment than the fine-clay fraction （〈1 gin） in terms of percentage of illite peak area. The total percentage of vermiculite-chlorite peak area was significantly negatively correlated with the total percentage ofillite peak area in the 〈5 lam soil particles （R=-0.946, P〈0.0006）. Different fertilization treatments gave significantly different results in K＋ adsorption. The SOC oxidation test showed positive effects of SOC on K＋ adsorption at lower K＋ concentration （≤120 mg L-0 and negative effects at higher K＋ concentration （240 mg L-l）. The K＋ adsorption by soil clay minerals after SOC oxidization accounted for 60-158% of that by unoxidized soils, suggesting a more important role of soil minerals than SOC on K＋ adsorption. The K＋ adsorption potential was significantly correlated to the amount of poorly crystallized illite present （R--0.879, P=0.012）. The availability of adsorbed K＋ for plant growth needs further study.

Textures and mineral compositions of the Xinjie layered intrusion,SW China:Implications for the origin of magnetite and fractionation process of Fe-Ti-rich basaltic magmas

The Xinjie layered intrusion in the Panxi region,SW China,hosts both Fe-Ti oxide and platinum-group element（PGE） sulfide mineralization.The intrusion can be divided,from the base upward,into UnitsⅠ,ⅡandⅢ,in terms of mineral assemblages.UnitsⅠandⅡare mainly composed of wehrlite and clino-pyroxenite, whereas UnitⅢis mainly composed of gabbro.PGE sulfide-rich layers mainly occur in Unit I, whereas thick Fe-Ti oxide-rich layers mainly occur in UnitⅢ.An ilmenite-rich layer occurs at the top of UnitⅠ.Fe-Ti oxides include magnetite and ilmenite.Small amounts of cumulus and intercumulus magnetite occur in UnitsⅠandⅡ.Cumulus magnetite grains are commonly euhedral and enclosed within olivine and clinopyroxene.They have high Cr2O3 contents ranging from 6.02 to 22.5 wt.%,indicating that they are likely an early crystallized phase from magmas.Intercumulus magnetite that usually displays ilmenite exsolution occupies the interstices between cumulus olivine crystals and coexists with interstitial clinopyroxene and plagioclase.Intercumulus magnetite has Cr2O3 ranging from 1.65 to 6.18 wt.%, lower than cumulus magnetite.The intercumulus magnetite may have crystallized from the trapped liquid.Large amounts of magnetite in UnitⅢcontains Cr2O3（＆lt;0.28 wt.%） much lower than magnetite in UnitsⅠandⅡ.The magnetite in UnitⅢis proposed to be accumulated from a Fe-Ti-rich melt.The Fe-Ti-rich melt is estimated to contain 35.9 wt.%of SiO2,26.9 wt.%of FeOt,8.2 wt.%of TiO2,13.2 wt.%of CaO, 8.3 wt.%of MgO,5.5 wt.%of Al2O3 and 1.0 wt.%of P2O5.The composition is comparable with the Fe-rich melts in the Skaergaard and Sept Iles intrusions.Paired non-reactive microstructures,granophyre pockets and ilmenite-rich intergrowths,are representative of Si-rich melt and Fe-Ti-rich melt,and are the direct evidence for the existence of an immiscible Fe-Ti-rich melt that formed from an evolved ferro-basaltic magma.

Mineral composition and organic geochemistry of the Lower Cretaceous Xiagou Formation source rock from the Qingxi Sag,Jiuquan Basin, Northwest China

The Lower Cretaceous Xiagou Formation contains the major source rocks for the crude oils discovered in the Qingxi Sag and the South Uplift in the Jiuquan Basin, northwestern China. The Xiagou Formation source rock was formed in a closed,anoxic, reducing, alkaline lacustrine environment with a high salinity. Its high content of brittle minerals is favorable for the fracturing of reservoirs in source rock formations in the Qingxi Sag. The Xiagou Formation contains a great number of fair to excellent source rocks, and their organic matter（OM） came chiefly from plankton/algae and high plants as well as possibly bacterial organisms. The Xiagou Formation source rocks mainly contain Type II OM and some Type III and Type I OM, with good oil-generating potential. The source rock maturity is mainly in the early-mature and mature stages, and its Rovalue corresponding to oil peak is about 0.8%, which is lower than classic oil peak Rovalue of 1.0%; therefore, a great deal of hydrocarbon was generated before the classic oil peak Ro= 1.0%. Mature source rock in the Xiagou Formation tends to be distributed in the older members and at a greater depth. There is a better exploration potential of tight oil in the deep Qingxi Sag.

Petrogenesis and Mineralization of Two-Stage A-Type Granites in Jiuyishan,South China:Constraints from Whole-rock Geochemistry, Mineral Composition and Zircon U-Pb-Hf Isotopes

The Jiuyishan complex massif,located in the northern section of the Nanling region,is a combination of five plutons,namely,the Xuehuading,Jinjiling,Pangxiemu,Shaziling and Xishan plutons.Whole-rock geochemistry,Imineral electron microprobe analysis,zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotope analysis were carried out for the Jinjiling and Pangxiemu plutons.The zircon U-Pb dating yields weighted mean ages of 152.9±0.9 Ma for the Jinjiling pluton and 151.7±1.5 Ma for the Pangxiemu pluton,with a narrow gap between them.The Jinjiling and Pangxiemu plutons both have geochemical characteristics of high SiO2,Al2 O3,Na2 O,K2 O and low TiO2,MgO,CaO,P2 O5 contents,with intense depletions in Sr,Ba,Ti,Eu and enrichments in Ga,FeoOT and HFSE,and these characteristics reflect an A-type affinity.From the Jinjiling to the Pangxiemu plutons,the mineral composition of mica changes from lepidomelane to zinnwaldite,with increases in F,Li2 O and Rb2 O contents.The mineral composition of zircon changes from low Zr/Hf to high Zr/Hf,with increasing HfO2,P2 O5 and UO2+ThO2+Y2 O3 contents.The mineral compositions of feldspar indicate that the Pangxiemu pluton contains more alkali feldspar than the Jinjiling pluton.The whole-rock geochemistry and mineral compositions reveal a higher degree of differentiation for the Pangxiemu pluton.The nearly uniformεHf(t)indicates the same source region for the two plutons:both were derived from partial melting of the lower crust,with small contributions of mantle materials.In addition,higher F,lower Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios in the Pangxiemu Pluton suggest a closer relationship with the rare metal mineralization than for the Jinjiling pluton.

The biomedical significance of the phytochemical, proximate and mineral compositions of the leaf, stem bark and root of Jatropha curcas

Objective: To analyse the phytochemical contents of leaf, stem bark and root of Jatropha curcas(J. curcas) in four solvent extracts and their proximate and mineral compositions. Methods: Standard analytical procedures were used for the determination of phytochemicals, proximate and mineral compositions of the leaf, stem bark and root extracts of J. curcas. Results: Results of the analysis showed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, triterpenoid saponins, carotenoids, phlobatannins and tannins in the leaf, stem bark and root of all the solvent extracts. Flavonoids were present in the highest amount in the ethyl acetate extracts of the leaf(7.35% ± 0.02%), stem bark(4.12% ± 0.01%) and root(3.35% ± 0.02%) followed by polyphenols in the methanol extracts of leaf(4.62% ± 0.02%), stem bark(2.77% ± 0.05%) and root(2.49% ± 0.02%). Poly-acetylated compounds were absent in all the solvent extracts of the leaf, stem bark and root. However, some anti-nutritional agents such as oxalates, phytates and cyanates were present in all the solvent extracts of the leaf, stem bark and root except the ethyl acetate. Phytates were high in the aqueous solvent of the leaf(6.12% ± 0.00%) but low in the stem bark(1.00% ± 0.05%) and root(0.89% ± 0.03%). Proximate composition showed appreciable amounts of total carbohydrate(36.33% ± 0.72%), crude protein(26.00% ± 0.47%) and reducing sugars(5.87% ± 0.14%) in the leaf, while crude fat was more in the stem bark(16.70% ± 0.30%). There was corresponding substantial energy in the leaf [(1 514.77 ± 20.87) kJ /100 g] and stem bark [(907.00 ± 8.52) kJ /100 g]. Moisture and ash contents of the leaf, stem bark and root were within acceptable limits for the use in drugs formulation. The mineral composition showed substantial amounts of important elements such as Fe, Ca, Na, Mg and Zn. Others were P, K and Se. Conclusions: The outcome of this study suggests that the leaf, stem bark and root of J. curcas have very good medicinal potentials, meet the standard requirements for drug formulation and serve as good sources of energy and nutrients except for the presence of some anti-nutritional elements predominant in the leaf.

Research progress of CO_(2) capture and mineralization based on natural minerals

Natural minerals,such as kaolinite,halloysite,montmorillonite,attapulgite,bentonite,sepiolite,forsterite,and wollastonite,have considerable potential for use in CO_(2) capture and mineralization due to their abundant reserves,low cost,excellent mechanical prop-erties,and chemical stability.Over the past decades,various methods,such as those involving heat,acid,alkali,organic amine,amino sil-ane,and ionic liquid,have been employed to enhance the CO_(2) capture performance of natural minerals to attain high specific surface area,a large number of pore structures,and rich active sites.Future research on CO_(2) capture by natural minerals will focus on the full utiliza-tion of the properties of natural minerals,adoption of suitable modification methods,and preparation of composite materials with high specific surface area and rich active sites.In addition,we provide a summary of the principle and technical route of direct and indirect mineralization of CO_(2) by natural minerals.This process uses minerals with high calcium and magnesium contents,such as forsterite(Mg_(2)SiO_(4)),serpentine[Mg_(3)Si_(2)O(OH)_(4)],and wollastonite(CaSiO_(3)).The research status of indirect mineralization of CO_(2) using hydro-chloric acid,acetic acid,molten salt,and ammonium salt as media is also introduced in detail.The recovery of additives and high-value-added products during the mineralization process to increase economic benefits is another focus of future research on CO_(2) mineralization by natural minerals.

Correlations between mineral composition and mechanical properties of granite using digital image processing and discrete element method

This study investigated the correlations between mechanical properties and mineralogy of granite using the digital image processing(DIP) and discrete element method(DEM). The results showed that the X-ray diffraction(XRD)-based DIP method effectively analyzed the mineral composition contents and spatial distributions of granite. During the particle flow code(PFC2D) model calibration phase, the numerical simulation exhibited that the uniaxial compressive strength(UCS) value, elastic modulus(E), and failure pattern of the granite specimen in the UCS test were comparable to the experiment. By establishing 351 sets of numerical models and exploring the impacts of mineral composition on the mechanical properties of granite, it indicated that there was no negative correlation between quartz and feldspar for UCS, tensile strength(σ_(t)), and E. In contrast, mica had a significant negative correlation for UCS, σ_(t), and E. The presence of quartz increased the brittleness of granite, whereas the presence of mica and feldspar increased its ductility in UCS and direct tensile strength(DTS) tests. Varying contents of major mineral compositions in granite showed minor influence on the number of cracks in both UCS and DTS tests.

Proximate Composition, Mineral and Vitamin Content of Some Wild Plants Used as Spices in Cameroon

The aim of this work was to contribute to our knowledge of the proximate composition, mineral and vitamin content of 20 edible wild plants used as spices in Cameroon. The plant species were collected from 3 different markets in the West Region of Cameroon and analysed for their content of crude proteins, and lipid, ash, moisture, available sugars, total phenols, carotenoids, minerals (Ca, Zn, K, Na, Mg, Al, Mn, Cu and Se), and vitamins (A, E and C) as well as for their pH and colour. Results revealed that all the plants were low in moisture (7.7 to 10.5 g/100 g) but high in ash content (7.7 to 10.5 g/100 g). Hua gabonii (bark) (1594.5 mg/100 g) was relative source of calcium, Echinops giganteus (206.4 mg/100 g) exhibited the highest level of iron and Scorodophleus zenkeri (310.0 μg/100 g) the highest level of selenium. Generally all the plants were found to contain low levels of Zn, Cu and Mg. Wide variations were observed for the pro- teins and available sugars among the samples. The lipid content of some of the plants were surprisingly relatively high as was the case with Monodora myristica (53.4 g/100 g), Xylopia aethiopica (33.7 g/100 g), Fagara leprieuri (32.1 g/100 g), and Aframomum daniellii (23.1 g/100 g). All the plants were rich in phenols, carotenoids, vitamin E and C. They are dark in colour and in solution they tended to provoke a fair acidification.

Assessment of Gross Chemical Composition, Mineral Composition, Vitamin Composition and Amino Acids Composition of Wheat Biscuits and Wheat Germ Fortified Biscuits

Wheat germ is reckoned valuable healthful functional food. The present investigation was performed to assess nutritional status of wheat biscuits and wheat germ fortified biscuits. Study included determination of gross chemical composition, caloric value, minerals (Mn, Ca, Fe, Cu, P, Na and K), vitamins (C, Folic acid, A, and E), and amino acid composition of wheat biscuits and 15%, 20% wheat germ fortified biscuits. Likewise physical and sensory characteristics of studied biscuits were assessed. The data revealed that 20% wheat germ fortified biscuits proved to be nutritious functional healthful food. It improved both physical, sensory characteristics and recorded the highest crude protein (12.20%), crude fiber (2%), and the least fat (9.63%), moisture (3.01%), and caloric value (436.31 Kcal/100g). While it recorded the highest Mn and Cu contents as well as increased vitamins C, Folic acid, A, and E. Besides, 20% wheat germ fortified biscuits increased all the eight essential amino acids contents resulting in an improvement of the nutritive value of wheat biscuits. Therefore it could be recommended for caloric reduced diets for obese and overweight persons. Likewise, it should be increasing interest as an ingredient in the industry as functional and healthy foods formulations as biscuits, bread and cakes.

Inversion of the Main Mineral Compositions and Subdivision of Tectonic Units on Lunar LQ-4 based on Chang'e Data

Spectra are sensitive in detecting main minerals on the lunar surface from visible light to infrared light. Since spectral characteristics of minerals are closely related to their compositions and the maturity level of soil on the Moon, studying the compositions and distribution of elements and minerals on the lunar surface can help to understand the evolution of the Moon through remote sensing technology. The correlation between the spectral characteristics of Chang＇e-1 interference imaging spectrometry（IIM） reflectance images and the mineral contents of LSCC（Lunar Soil Characterization Consortium） lunar surface mineral samples was discussed and the spatial distributions of Fe O and Al_2O_3 contained in both pyroxene and plagioclase on LQ-4 were studied using the improved angle parameter method, MNF, and band ratio statistics. A comparison of the mapping results of the optical models by Lucey, Shkuractov and other researchers on Clementine and the gamma ray spectrometry data shows that the content error is within 0.6% for lunar mare areas and close to 1% for the highland areas. The tectonic framework on the lunar surface was also investigated. And based on integrated analysis of previous findings on topography of the lunar surface, Chang＇e LAM, CCD and LOLA images and the gravity anomalies data（Clementine GLGM-2）, the tectonic unit subdivision was established for LQ-4, the idea of subdividing the lunar tectonic units was proposed, and this will provide a good foundation for studying the lunar tectonic evolution.

Nutrient composition,mineral content and the solubility of the proteins of palm weevil,Rhynchophorus phoenicis f.(Coleoptera:Curculionidae)

Adult (ADS) and larva stages of palm weevil Rhynchophorus phoenicis were analyzed for their nutritional potentials using proximate and mineral contents as indices. The early larva stage (ELS) contains the highest moisture content of 11.94% while ADS has the least value of 4.79%. The late larva stage (LLS) has the highest protein content of 10.51% while ADS contains 8.43%. Ash content is highest in ELS with a value of 2.37% and lowest in ADS with a value of 1.43%. ELS and LLS have the highest (22.14%) and lowest (17.22%) fibre contents respectively. The values of potassium, magnesium and iron in ELS were (455.00±21.21), (60.69±2.57) and (6.50±3.40) mg/kg while LLS recorded (457.50±10.61), (43.52±1.37) and (6.00±1.10) mg/kg and ADS recorded (372.50±24.75), (53.31±1.88) and (22.90±3.70) mg/kg. Chromium, phosphorus, nickel, calcium, lead, man- ganese and zinc were also detected. Copper was not detected in any of the samples. In all the developmental stages the protein solubilities were pH dependent with the minimum protein solubilities occurring at acidic pH while the maximum protein solu- bilities occurred at alkaline pH.

Soybean seed protein, oil, fatty acids, and mineral composition as influenced by soybean-corn rotation

Effects of crop rotation on soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr.) seed composition have not been well investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of soybean-corn (Zea mays L.) rotations on seed protein, oil, and fatty acids composition on soybean. Soybeans were grown at Stoneville, MS, from 2005 to 2008 in five different scheduled cropping sequences. In 2007, following three years of rotation with corn, seed oleic acid percentage was significantly higher in any crop rotation than continuous soybean. The increase of oleic fatty acid ranged from 61 to 68% in 2007, and from 27 to 51% in 2008, depending on the rotation. The increase of oleic acid was accompanied by significant increases in seed concentrations of phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), and boron (B). In 2007, the increase of P ranged from 60 to 75%, Fe from 70 to 72%, and B from 34 to 69%. In 2008, the increase of P ranged from 82 to 106%, Fe from 32 to 84%, and B from 62 to 77%. Continuous soybean had higher linoleic:oleic ratio and linoleic: palmitic + stearic + oleic ratio, indicating that relative quantity of linoleic acid decreased in rotated crops. The total production of protein, oil, stearic and oleic fatty acids was the lowest in continuous soybean. The total production of palmitic acid was inconsistent across years. The results show that soybean- corn rotation affects seed composition by consistently increasing seed oleic fatty acid, P, Fe, and B concentrations. Higher oleic acid, unsaturated fatty acid, is desirable for oil stability and long-shelf storage. The mechanisms of how these nutrients are involved are not yet understood.

Principles of Technology for Bottling Medicinal Mineral Waters of Sairme Using the Example of Source №3a

Sairme mineral water, one of the famous mineral waters in Georgia, is renowned for its exceptional healing properties. The distinctiveness and therapeutic benefits of the naturally sourced mineral water, known as “Sairme”, stem from its rich array of microelements, notably including iron and manganese. Since 1948, the bottling of Sairme mineral water has been a prominent activity. Named after the Sairme deposit, this mineral water is packaged in various formats to cater to diverse consumer preferences. The bottling process involves transporting the mineral water from wells to the bottling plant through pipelines. Prior to bottling, the mineral water undergoes meticulous processing stages in adherence to current Georgian and international regulations. This process ensures that the concentration of trace elements in the bottled water is minimized, maintaining its purity and quality. Given the importance of preserving the microelements present in bottled mineral water, our research is dedicated to optimizing the technological process. Our objective is to safeguard the valuable microelements while ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety in the final product.