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Key research themes
1. How does acidification of agricultural slurry using different mineral acids impact emission reduction and pH stability?
This research theme investigates the effectiveness of various mineral acids, such as sulfuric and hydrochloric acid, in acidifying slurry to reduce harmful gaseous emissions like ammonia (NH3) and methane (CH4). It examines how acid type, combined treatments, and storage conditions influence slurry pH dynamics and emission mitigation, considering environmental impacts from acid application.
Key finding: This study found that mineral acids (sulfuric and hydrochloric) were more effective than organic acids in maintaining lower slurry pH values over storage, leading to greater reductions in NH3 and CH4 emissions. Sulfuric acid... Read more
2. What is the role and impact of phytic acid in mineral bioavailability and plant-based nutritional strategies?
This theme covers the dual nature of phytic acid as both an antinutrient that chelates essential minerals (e.g., iron, zinc, calcium) reducing their bioavailability and as a potential nutraceutical with antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. It includes plant science and biotechnological approaches aiming to reduce phytic acid levels in seeds to enhance mineral biofortification and overall nutrient uptake.
Key finding: The paper synthesizes evidence that phytic acid forms insoluble complexes with mineral cations hindering intestinal absorption, making it traditionally viewed as an antinutrient. However, it also highlights emerging research... Read more
Key finding: This paper discusses multidisciplinary strategies for biofortification to increase mineral content and bioavailability in edible plant parts by targeting phytic acid reduction. It emphasizes identifying genes involved in... Read more
3. How do mineral acids interact with natural and synthetic materials affecting preservation, catalysis, and chemical processing?
This theme explores mineral acid interactions with geological materials (such as phosphates and clays), their use in industrial catalytic processes including esterification, and their effects on material preservation like calcium oxalate patinas on historical stone structures. The studies aim to understand chemical transformations, optimize acid-assisted reactions, and evaluate mineral acid safety and application methods.
Key finding: This research identified calcium oxalate films naturally forming on basaltic stone surfaces due to microbial activity and vegetation over centuries, providing a protective patina that prevents deterioration. The study... Read more
Key finding: The work demonstrated that tri-n-octylamine effectively extracts various mineral acids (H2SO4, HCl, HClO4, HNO3) from aqueous solutions, with extraction efficiency increasing with amine concentration and varying with acid... Read more
Key finding: This study showed that acid activation of Brazilian smectite clays by mineral acids leached octahedral cations increasing specific surface area and Lewis/Brønsted acidity ratio. These acid-activated clays catalyzed methyl... Read more
Key finding: Kinetic analysis revealed that hydrochloric acid exhibited the highest catalytic activity among tested mineral acids in the esterification of acetic acid with methanol. The study provided activation energies and rate... Read more