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15 pages, 4075 KiB  
Article
Biological Characteristics and Domestication of a Wild Hericium coralloides
by Ji-Ling Song, Ya Xin, Zu-Fa Zhou, Xue-Ping Kang, Yang Zhang, Wei-Dong Yuan and Bin Yu
Horticulturae 2025, 11(8), 917; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11080917 (registering DOI) - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Hericium coralloides is a highly valued gourmet and medicinal species with growing market demand across East Asia, though industrial production remains limited by cultivation challenges. This study investigated the molecular characteristics, biological traits, domestication potential, and cultivation protocols of Hericium coralloides strains collected [...] Read more.
Hericium coralloides is a highly valued gourmet and medicinal species with growing market demand across East Asia, though industrial production remains limited by cultivation challenges. This study investigated the molecular characteristics, biological traits, domestication potential, and cultivation protocols of Hericium coralloides strains collected from the Changbaishan Nature Reserve (Jiling, China). Optimal conditions for mycelial growth included mannose as the preferred carbon source, peptone as the nitrogen source, 30 °C incubation temperature, pH 5.5, and magnesium sulfate as the essential inorganic salt. The fruiting bodies had a protein content of 2.43% g/100 g (fresh sample meter). Total amino acids comprised 53.3% of the total amino acid profile, while essential amino acids accounted for 114.11% relative to non-essential amino acids, indicating high nutritional value. Under optimized domestication conditions—70% hardwood chips, 20% cottonseed hulls, 8% bran, 1% malic acid, and 1% gypsum—bags reached full colonization in 28 days, with a 15-day maturation phase and initial fruiting occurring after 12–14 days. The interval between flushes was 10–12 days. The average yield reached 318.65 ± 31.74 g per bag, with a biological conversion rate of 63.73%. These findings demonstrate that Hericium coralloides possesses significant potential for edible and commercial applications. This study provides a robust theoretical foundation and resource reference for its artificial cultivation, supporting its broader industrial and economic utilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Propagation and Cultivation of Mushroom)
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22 pages, 5293 KiB  
Article
Membrane Distillation for Water Desalination: Assessing the Influence of Operating Conditions on the Performance of Serial and Parallel Connection Configurations
by Lebea N. Nthunya and Bhekie B. Mamba
Membranes 2025, 15(8), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15080235 - 4 Aug 2025
Viewed by 164
Abstract
Though the pursuit of sustainable desalination processes with high water recovery has intensified the research interest in membrane distillation (MD), the influence of module connection configuration on performance stability remains poorly explored. The current study provided a comprehensive multiparameter assessment of hollow fibre [...] Read more.
Though the pursuit of sustainable desalination processes with high water recovery has intensified the research interest in membrane distillation (MD), the influence of module connection configuration on performance stability remains poorly explored. The current study provided a comprehensive multiparameter assessment of hollow fibre membrane modules connected in parallel and series in direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) for the first time. The configurations were evaluated under varying process parameters such as temperature (50–70 °C), flow rates (22.1–32.3 mL·s−1), magnesium concentration as scalant (1.0–4.0 g·L−1), and flow direction (co-current and counter-current), assessing their influence on temperature gradients (∆T), flux and pH stability, salt rejection, and crystallisation. Interestingly, the parallel module configuration maintained high operational stability with uniform flux and temperature differences (∆T) even at high recovery factors (>75%). On one hand, the serial configuration experienced fluctuating ∆T caused by thermal and concentration polarisation, causing an early crystallisation (abrupt drop in feed conductivity). Intensified polarisation effects with accelerated crystallisation increased the membrane risk of wetting, particularly at high recovery factors. Despite these changes, the salt rejection remained relatively high (99.9%) for both configurations across all tested conditions. The findings revealed that acidification trends caused by MgSO4 were configuration-dependent, where the parallel setup-controlled rate of pH collapse. This study presented a novel framework connecting membrane module architecture to mass and heat transfer phenomena, providing a transformative DCMD module configuration design in water desalination. These findings not only provide the critical knowledge gaps in DCMD module configurations but also inform optimisation of MD water desalination to achieve high recovery and stable operation conditions under realistic brine composition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Distillation: Module Design and Application Performance)
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30 pages, 10270 KiB  
Article
Fuelling the Fight from the Gut: Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Dexamethasone Synergise to Suppress Gastric Cancer Cells
by Radwa A. Eladwy, Mohamed Fares, Dennis Chang, Muhammad A. Alsherbiny, Chun-Guang Li and Deep Jyoti Bhuyan
Cancers 2025, 17(15), 2486; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17152486 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 457
Abstract
Background: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), microbial metabolites also known as postbiotics, are essential for maintaining gut health. However, their antiproliferative effects on gastric cancer cells and potential interactions with conventional therapies remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of three SCFA [...] Read more.
Background: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), microbial metabolites also known as postbiotics, are essential for maintaining gut health. However, their antiproliferative effects on gastric cancer cells and potential interactions with conventional therapies remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of three SCFA salts—magnesium acetate (A), sodium propionate (P), and sodium butyrate (B)—individually and in combination (APB), as well as in combination with dexamethasone (Dex), on AGS gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Methods: AGS cells were treated with PB, AP, AB, APB, Dex, and APB+Dex. Cell viability was assessed to determine antiproliferative effects, and the IC50 of APB was calculated. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate apoptosis and necrosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured to assess oxidative stress. Proteomic analysis via LC-MS was performed to identify differential protein expression and related pathways impacted by the treatments. Results: SCFA salts showed significant antiproliferative effects on AGS cells, with APB exhibiting a combined IC50 of 568.33 μg/mL. The APB+Dex combination demonstrated strong synergy (combination index = 0.76) and significantly enhanced growth inhibition. Both APB and APB+Dex induced substantial apoptosis (p < 0.0001) with minimal necrosis. APB alone significantly increased ROS levels (p < 0.0001), while Dex moderated this effect in the combination group APB+Dex (p < 0.0001). Notably, the APB+Dex treatment synergistically targeted multiple tumour-promoting mechanisms, including the impairment of redox homeostasis through SLC7A11 suppression, and inhibition of the haemostasis, platelet activation network and NF-κB signalling pathway via downregulation of NFKB1 (−1.34), exemplified by increased expression of SERPINE1 (1.99) within the “Response to elevated platelet cytosolic Ca2+” pathway. Conclusions: These findings showed a multifaceted anticancer mechanism by APB+Dex that may collectively impair cell proliferation, survival signalling, immune modulation, and tumour microenvironment support in gastric cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiome, Diet and Cancer Risk)
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24 pages, 1886 KiB  
Review
Potential Health Benefits of Dietary Tree Nut and Peanut Enrichment in Kidney Transplant Recipients—An In-Depth Narrative Review and Considerations for Future Research
by Daan Kremer, Fabian A. Vogelpohl, Yvonne van der Veen, Caecilia S. E. Doorenbos, Manuela Yepes-Calderón, Tim J. Knobbe, Adrian Post, Eva Corpeleijn, Gerjan Navis, Stefan P. Berger and Stephan J. L. Bakker
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2419; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152419 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 423
Abstract
Kidney transplant recipients face a substantial burden of premature mortality and morbidity, primarily due to persistent inflammation, cardiovascular risk, and nutritional deficiencies. Traditional nutritional interventions in this population have either focused on supplementing individual nutrients—often with limited efficacy—or required comprehensive dietary overhauls that [...] Read more.
Kidney transplant recipients face a substantial burden of premature mortality and morbidity, primarily due to persistent inflammation, cardiovascular risk, and nutritional deficiencies. Traditional nutritional interventions in this population have either focused on supplementing individual nutrients—often with limited efficacy—or required comprehensive dietary overhauls that compromise patient adherence. In this narrative review, we explore the rationale for dietary nut enrichment as a feasible, multi-nutrient strategy tailored to the needs of kidney transplant recipients. Nuts, including peanuts and tree nuts with no added salt, sugar, or oil, are rich in beneficial fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds. We summarize the multiple post-transplant challenges—including obesity, sarcopenia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, immunological dysfunction, and chronic inflammation—and discuss how nut consumption may mitigate these issues through mechanisms involving improved micro-nutrient intake (e.g., magnesium, potassium, selenium), lipid profile modulation, endothelial function, immune support, and gut microbiota health. Additionally, we highlight the scarcity of randomized controlled trials in high-risk populations such as kidney transplant recipients and make the case for studying this group as a model for investigating the clinical efficacy of nuts as a nutritional intervention. We also consider practical aspects for future clinical trials, including the choice of study population, intervention design, duration, nut type, dosage, and primary outcome measures such as systemic inflammation. Finally, potential risks such as nut allergies and oxalate or mycotoxin exposure are addressed. Altogether, this review proposes dietary nut enrichment as a promising, simple, and sustainable multi-nutrient approach to support cardiometabolic and immune health in kidney transplant recipients, warranting formal investigation in clinical trials. Full article
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35 pages, 1745 KiB  
Article
Balanced Fertilization of Winter Wheat with Potassium and Magnesium—An Effective Way to Manage Fertilizer Nitrogen Sustainably
by Agnieszka Andrzejewska, Katarzyna Przygocka-Cyna and Witold Grzebisz
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6705; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156705 - 23 Jul 2025
Viewed by 419
Abstract
In agricultural practice, in addition to determining the nitrogen (Nf) dose, it is necessary to effectively control its effect on currently grown crops. Meeting these conditions requires not only the use of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), but also nutrients such [...] Read more.
In agricultural practice, in addition to determining the nitrogen (Nf) dose, it is necessary to effectively control its effect on currently grown crops. Meeting these conditions requires not only the use of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), but also nutrients such as magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S). This hypothesis was verified in a single-factor field experiment with winter wheat (WW) carried out in the 2015/2016, 2016/2017, and 2017/2018 growing seasons. The experiment consisted of seven variants: absolute control (AC), NP, NPK-MOP (K as Muriate of Potash), NPK-MOP+Ki (Kieserite), NPK-KK (K as Korn–Kali), NPK-KK+Ki, and NPK-KK+Ki+ES (Epsom Salt). The use of K as MOP increased grain yield (GY) by 6.3% compared to NP. In the NPK-KK variant, GY was 13% (+0.84 t ha−1) higher compared to NP. Moreover, GYs in this fertilization variant (FV) were stable over the years (coefficient of variation, CV = 9.4%). In NPK-KK+Ki+ES, the yield increase was the highest and mounted to 17.2% compared to NP, but the variability over the years was also the highest (CV ≈ 20%). The amount of N in grain N (GN) increased progressively from 4% for NPK-MOP to 15% for NPK-KK and 25% for NPK-KK+Ki+ES in comparison to NP. The nitrogen harvest index was highly stable, achieving 72.6 ± 3.1%. All analyzed NUE indices showed a significant response to FVs. The PFP-Nf (partial factor productivity of Nf) indices increased on NPK-MOP by 5.8%, NPK-KK by 12.9%, and NPK-KK+Ki+ES by 17.9% compared to NP. The corresponding Nf recovery of Nf in wheat grain was 47.2%, 55.9%, and 64.4%, but its total recovery by wheat (grain + straw) was 67%, 74.5%, and 87.2%, respectively. In terms of the theoretical and practical value of the tested indexes, two indices, namely, NUP (nitrogen unit productivity) and NUA (nitrogen unit accumulation), proved to be the most useful. From the farmer’s production strategy, FV with K applied in the form of Korn–Kali proved to be the most stable option due to high and stable yield, regardless of weather conditions. The increase in the number of nutritional factors optimizing the action of nitrogen in winter wheat caused the phenomenon known as the “scissors effect”. This phenomenon manifested itself in a progressive increase in nitrogen unit productivity (NUP) combined with a regressive trend in unit nitrogen accumulation (NUA) in the grain versus the balance of soil available Mg (Mgb). The studies clearly showed that obtaining grain that met the milling requirements was recorded only for NUA above 22 kg N t−1 grain. This was possible only with the most intensive Mg treatment (NPK-KK+Ki and NPK-KK+Ki+ES). The study clearly showed that three of the six FVs fully met the three basic conditions for sustainable crop production: (i) stabilization and even an increase in grain yield; (ii) a decrease in the mass of inorganic N in the soil at harvest, potentially susceptible to leaching; and (iii) stabilization of the soil fertility of P, K, and Mg. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition for Sustainable Cropping Systems)
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8 pages, 961 KiB  
Proceeding Paper
Analyzing Small-Particle Contamination in Disposable Food Service Ware, Drinking Water, and Commercial Table Salt in Doha, Qatar
by Marwa Al-Ani, Ala Al-Ardah, Mennatalla Kuna, Zainab Smati, Asma Mohamed, Mostafa Sliem and Noora Al-Qahtani
Mater. Proc. 2025, 22(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/materproc2025022005 - 18 Jul 2025
Viewed by 125
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as pervasive environmental contaminants due to their widespread presence across various ecosystems, including their use in single-use plastic food ware and table salt dispensers. This issue coincides with the presence of heavy metals in water sources in Doha, Qatar. [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as pervasive environmental contaminants due to their widespread presence across various ecosystems, including their use in single-use plastic food ware and table salt dispensers. This issue coincides with the presence of heavy metals in water sources in Doha, Qatar. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed that the plastic plate and spoon were composed of polyolefin, with the spoon exhibiting additional peaks that indicated oxidation or the presence of additives. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) revealed that the spoon exhibited higher thermal stability, retaining approximately 10% of its mass at 700 °C, than the plate, which retained 2%, indicating the presence of complex additives or contamination. MPs in food-grade salt samples were verified through filtration and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, identifying polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These MPs likely stem from exposure to packaging or environmental contaminants. FTIR spectra confirmed the integrity of the polymers after treatment. Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analysis revealed varying levels of heavy metals in bottled and tap water, with notable findings including detectable arsenic and lead in both, higher calcium and magnesium in bottled water, and the presence of copper present in tap water only, highlighting potential health and infrastructure-related concerns. These results highlight the possible risks associated with exposure to MPs and heavy metals from everyday products and water sources, underscoring the need for enhanced regulatory oversight and safer material choices to ensure protection. Full article
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19 pages, 865 KiB  
Article
Salinity Stress and Calcium in Pomegranate: Impacts on Growth, Ion Homeostasis, and Photosynthesis
by Christos Chatzissavvidis, Nina Devetzi, Chrysovalantou Antonopoulou, Ioannis E. Papadakis, Ioannis Therios and Stefanos Koundouras
Horticulturae 2025, 11(7), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11070786 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 403
Abstract
Salinity has significant impacts on crops, a problem that is exacerbated under climate change conditions. For this reason, research is focused on possible ways to mitigate the impacts by adapting cultivation methods such as administering appropriate materials or formulations to plants. Therefore, this [...] Read more.
Salinity has significant impacts on crops, a problem that is exacerbated under climate change conditions. For this reason, research is focused on possible ways to mitigate the impacts by adapting cultivation methods such as administering appropriate materials or formulations to plants. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of calcium (Ca2+) supplementation on the growth, physiology, and chemical composition of pomegranate plants (Punica granatum L. cv. ‘Wonderful’) grown under salinity stress. Young self-rooted plants were cultivated in pots containing a sand/perlite (1:1) mixture and irrigated with Hoagland’s nutrient solution amended with NaCl (0, 60, or 120 mM) and CaCl2·2H2O (0 or 10 mM). Salinity significantly reduced the fresh and dry weight of aboveground tissues; photosynthetic performance; chlorophyll content; and potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations, particularly under high NaCl levels. Sodium (Na) accumulation increased in all plant parts, while nitrogen (N), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) concentrations were elevated in basal leaves. Calcium supplementation mitigated several of these adverse effects, especially under moderate salinity. It helped maintain leaf biomass, supported K+ retention in roots, partially improved chlorophyll concentration, and limited Na+ accumulation in certain tissues. However, Ca2+ application did not consistently reverse the negative impacts of severe salinity (120 mM NaCl), and in some cases, interactions between Ca2+ and other nutrients such as Mg2+ were antagonistic. These findings confirm the inherent salt tolerance of pomegranate and demonstrate that calcium plays a partially protective role under salinity, particularly at moderate stress levels. Further research is needed to optimize Ca2+ use in saline agriculture and enhance sustainable cultivation of pomegranate in salt-affected soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Orchard Management: Strategies for Yield and Quality)
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28 pages, 3292 KiB  
Article
Optimization of the Quality of Reclaimed Water from Urban Wastewater Treatment in Arid Region: A Zero Liquid Discharge Pilot Study Using Membrane and Thermal Technologies
by Maria Avramidi, Constantinos Loizou, Maria Kyriazi, Dimitris Malamis, Katerina Kalli, Angelos Hadjicharalambous and Constantina Kollia
Membranes 2025, 15(7), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15070199 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 772
Abstract
With water availability being one of the world’s major challenges, this study aims to propose a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system for treating saline effluents from an urban wastewater treatment plant (UWWTP), thereby supplementing into the existing water cycle. The system, which employs [...] Read more.
With water availability being one of the world’s major challenges, this study aims to propose a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system for treating saline effluents from an urban wastewater treatment plant (UWWTP), thereby supplementing into the existing water cycle. The system, which employs membrane (nanofiltration and reverse osmosis) and thermal technologies (multi-effect distillation evaporator and vacuum crystallizer), has been installed and operated in Cyprus at Larnaca’s WWTP, for the desalination of the tertiary treated water, producing high-quality reclaimed water. The nanofiltration (NF) unit at the plant operated with an inflow concentration ranging from 2500 to 3000 ppm. The performance of the installed NF90-4040 membranes was evaluated based on permeability and flux. Among two NF operation series, the second—operating at 75–85% recovery and 2500 mg/L TDS—showed improved membrane performance, with stable permeability (7.32 × 10−10 to 7.77 × 10−10 m·s−1·Pa−1) and flux (6.34 × 10−4 to 6.67 × 10−4 m/s). The optimal NF operating rate was 75% recovery, which achieved high divalent ion rejection (more than 99.5%). The reverse osmosis (RO) unit operated in a two-pass configuration, achieving water recoveries of 90–94% in the first pass and 76–84% in the second. This setup resulted in high rejection rates of approximately 99.99% for all major ions (Cl, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+), reducing the permeate total dissolved solids (TDS) to below 35 mg/L. The installed multi-effect distillation (MED) unit operated under vacuum and under various inflow and steady-state conditions, achieving over 60% water recovery and producing high-quality distillate water (TDS < 12 mg/L). The vacuum crystallizer (VC) further concentrated the MED concentrate stream (MEDC) and the NF concentrate stream (NFC) flows, resulting in distilled water and recovered salts. The MEDC process produced salts with a purity of up to 81% NaCl., while the NFC stream produced mixed salts containing approximately 46% calcium salts (mainly as sulfates and chlorides), 13% magnesium salts (mainly as sulfates and chlorides), and 38% sodium salts. Overall, the ZLD system consumed 12 kWh/m3, with thermal units accounting for around 86% of this usage. The RO unit proved to be the most energy-efficient component, contributing 71% of the total water recovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Membrane Distillation in Water Treatment and Reuse)
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15 pages, 2035 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Application of FeMg-Modified Hydrochar for Efficient Removal of Lead Ions from Aqueous Solution
by Jelena Petrović, Marija Koprivica, Marija Ercegović, Marija Simić, Jelena Dimitrijević, Mladen Bugarčić and Snežana Trifunović
Processes 2025, 13(7), 2060; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13072060 - 29 Jun 2025
Viewed by 407
Abstract
This study explores the utilization of waste grape pomace-derived hydrochar as an efficient adsorbent for lead (Pb2+) removal from aqueous solutions. Hydrochar was produced via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) at 220 °C, followed by doping with magnesium and iron salts, and subsequent [...] Read more.
This study explores the utilization of waste grape pomace-derived hydrochar as an efficient adsorbent for lead (Pb2+) removal from aqueous solutions. Hydrochar was produced via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) at 220 °C, followed by doping with magnesium and iron salts, and subsequent pyrolysis at 300 °C to obtain Fe/Mg-pyro-hydrochar (FeMg-PHC). The material’s structural and morphological changes after Pb2+ adsorption were examined using FTIR. FTIR revealed chemisorption and ion exchange as key mechanisms, shown by decreased hydroxyl, carbonyl, and metal–oxygen peaks after Pb2+ adsorption. Adsorption tests under varying pH, contact time, and initial Pb2+ concentrations revealed optimal removal at pH 5. Kinetic modeling indicated that the process follows a pseudo-second-order model, suggesting chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. Isotherm analysis showed that the Sips model best describes the equilibrium, with a maximum theoretical adsorption capacity of 157.24 mg/g. Overall, the simple two-step synthesis—HTC followed by pyrolysis—combined with metal doping yields a highly effective and sustainable adsorbent for Pb2+ ion removal from wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Chemical Processes and Systems)
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31 pages, 7283 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances on the Positively-Charged Nanofiltration Membranes for Mg2+/Li+ Separation Through Interfacial Polymerization
by Xinyu Zeng, Chunchun Meng, Zihan Xu, Xinwu Li, Haochen Zhu and Guangming Li
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(13), 967; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15130967 - 22 Jun 2025
Viewed by 945
Abstract
The rapid development of the global energy industry has driven an escalating worldwide demand for lithium resources. As a major lithium source, salt lake brines contain abundant divalent ions that hinder efficient lithium extraction. Compared with conventional lithium recovery technologies, nanofiltration membranes emerge [...] Read more.
The rapid development of the global energy industry has driven an escalating worldwide demand for lithium resources. As a major lithium source, salt lake brines contain abundant divalent ions that hinder efficient lithium extraction. Compared with conventional lithium recovery technologies, nanofiltration membranes emerge as an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative. Over the past decade, interfacial polymerization has been widely adopted to fabricate nanofiltration membranes for lithium–magnesium separation, with studies confirming the superior performance of positively charged membranes in distinguishing monovalent and divalent cations. This review systematically summarizes recent advancements in positively charged nanofiltration membranes synthesized via interfacial polymerization for lithium–magnesium separation, categorizing the design strategies into five distinct approaches. The correlations between intrinsic membrane structural characteristics and separation performance are critically analyzed. Furthermore, current challenges and future research directions are discussed to provide new perspectives for developing high-performance positively charged composite nanofiltration membranes. This work aims to inspire innovative designs and accelerate the practical implementation of nanofiltration technology in lithium extraction from salt lake brines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanostructured Membranes)
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16 pages, 5674 KiB  
Article
Stage-Dependent Mineral Element Dynamics in ‘Junzao’ Jujube: Ionic Homeostasis and Selective Transport Under Graduated Saline-Alkali Stress
by Ze Yuan, Xiaofeng Zhou, Yuyang Zhang, Yan Wang, Haoyu Yan, Wu Sun, Min Yan and Cuiyun Wu
Horticulturae 2025, 11(7), 726; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11070726 - 22 Jun 2025
Viewed by 383
Abstract
Plants dynamically regulate ions in the tree to defend against abiotic stresses such as drought and saline-alkali, However, it is not clear how ‘Junzao’ jujube regulates ions to maintain a normal life cycle under saline-alkali stress. Therefore, in this study, the roots of [...] Read more.
Plants dynamically regulate ions in the tree to defend against abiotic stresses such as drought and saline-alkali, However, it is not clear how ‘Junzao’ jujube regulates ions to maintain a normal life cycle under saline-alkali stress. Therefore, in this study, the roots of 10-year old steer jujube trees were watered using a saline and alkaline gradient solution simulating the main salt (NaCl) and alkali (NaHCO3) of Aral with NaCl:NaHCO3 = 3:1 gradient of 0, 60, 180, and 300 mM, and three jujube trees with uniform growth were taken as samples in each treatment plot, and the ion contents of potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and carbon (C) in each organ of the fruit at the dot red period (S1) and full-red period (S2) were determined, in order to elucidate the relationship between physiological adaptation mechanisms of saline-alkali tolerance and the characteristics of mineral nutrient uptake and utilisation in jujube fruit. The results showed that under saline-alkali stress, Na was stored in large quantities in the roots, Ca and Mg in the perennial branches at S1, Na and Fe in the leaves at S2, and K, Mg and Mn in the perennial branches. There was no significant difference in the distribution of C content in various organs of ‘Junzao’. Compared with CK (0 mM), under salinity stress, the K content in the leaves was significantly reduced at S1 and S2, and the K/Na ratios remained > 1.0. At S2, under medium and high concentrations of saline-alkali stress (180–300 mM), the K/Na is less than 1, and the ionic homeostasis was disrupted, and the leaves die and fall off, and the Na is excreted from the body. The selective transport coefficients SK/Na, SCa/Na and SMg/Na from root to leaf showed a downward trend at S1, but still maintained positive transport capacity. At S2, this stage is close to leaf fall, the nutrient transport coefficient is less than 1, and a large amount of nutrients are returned to the perennial branches and roots occurred. These results indicated that the mechanism of nutrient regulation and salt tolerance in jujube trees was different at different growth stages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biotic and Abiotic Stress)
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12 pages, 2393 KiB  
Article
Influence of PVP and PEG on the Electrochemical Synthesis of Magnesium Hydroxide
by Shengqing Wang, Fangyang Liu, Zongliang Zhang, Jun Wang and Liangxing Jiang
Materials 2025, 18(12), 2917; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18122917 - 19 Jun 2025
Viewed by 285
Abstract
The functional performance of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) is intrinsically governed by its crystallographic morphology. Herein, we demonstrate an electrochemical deposition strategy to synthesize Mg(OH)2 from abandoned MgCl2 resources in salt lakes, achieving simultaneous waste valorization and morphology control. Systematic [...] Read more.
The functional performance of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) is intrinsically governed by its crystallographic morphology. Herein, we demonstrate an electrochemical deposition strategy to synthesize Mg(OH)2 from abandoned MgCl2 resources in salt lakes, achieving simultaneous waste valorization and morphology control. Systematic investigations were conducted on the effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as surfactants on electrochemical parameters (cell voltage, pH, current efficiency, and energy consumption) and morphological evolution (XRD, SEM, and laser particle size analysis). Results show that the cell voltage and pH increased proportionally with surfactant concentration, with a current efficiency of 93.86% and an optimal energy consumption of 4.15 kW h·t−1 at an optimal PVP concentration of 6 g·L−1. PEG addition exhibited a similar trend in process parameter modulation. Morphological evolution analysis revealed that appropriate PEG dosage promoted the transformation of irregular Mg(OH)2 flakes into near-spherical platelets, accompanied by a measurable increase in particle size. This work establishes structure–property relationships between surfactant molecular design and Mg(OH)2 crystallization, providing theoretical support for the controllable electrochemical preparation of magnesium hydroxide with different morphologies. Furthermore, it opens up a novel and innovative technical pathway to promote the high-value utilization of abandoned magnesium resources in salt lakes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Materials Characterization)
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27 pages, 4959 KiB  
Article
Factors of Bottom Sediment Variability in an Abandoned Alkaline Waste Settling Pond: Mineralogical and Geochemical Evidence
by Pavel Belkin, Sergey Blinov, Elena Drobinina, Elena Menshikova, Sergey Vaganov, Roman Perevoshchikov and Elena Tomilina
Minerals 2025, 15(6), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15060662 - 19 Jun 2025
Viewed by 249
Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of the chemical and mineral composition of sediment layers in a technogenic settling pond. This pond is located on urban land in Berezniki (Perm Krai, Russia), outside the territory of operating industrial facilities, [...] Read more.
The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of the chemical and mineral composition of sediment layers in a technogenic settling pond. This pond is located on urban land in Berezniki (Perm Krai, Russia), outside the territory of operating industrial facilities, and contains alkaline saline industrial wastes. The origin of this waste was related to sludge from the Solvay soda production process, which had been deposited in this pond over a long period of time. However, along with the soda waste, the pond also received wastewater from other industries. As a result, the accumulated sediment is characterized by variation in morphological properties both in depth and laterally. Five undisturbed columns were taken to study the composition of the accumulated sediment. The obtained samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), synchronous thermal analysis (STA), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The results showed that the mineral composition of bottom sediments in each layer of all studied columns is characterized by the predominance of calcite precipitated from wastewater. Along with calcite, due to the presence of magnesium and sodium in the solution, other carbonates precipitated—dolomite and soda (natron), as well as complex transitional carbonate phases (northupite and trona). Together with carbonate minerals, the chloride salts halite and sylvin, sulfate minerals gypsum and bassanite, and pyrite and nugget sulfur were established. The group of terrigenous mineral components is represented by quartz, feldspars, and aluminosilicates. The chemical composition of sediments in the upper part of the section generally corresponds to the mineral composition. In the lower sediment layers, the role of amorphous phase and non-mineral compounds increased, which was determined by the results of thermal analysis. The content of heavy metals and metalloids also increases in the middle and lower sediment layers. When categorized according to the Igeo value, an excessive degree of contamination (class 6) was observed in all investigated columns for copper content (Igeo 5.2–6.1). Chromium content corresponds to class 5 (Igeo 4.1–4.6), antimony to class 4 (Igeo 3.0–4.0), and lead, arsenic, and vanadium to classes 2 and 3 (moderately polluted and highly polluted). The data obtained on variations in the mineral and chemical composition of sediments represent the initial information for the selection of methods of accumulated waste management. Full article
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20 pages, 9522 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Low-Salt-Rejection Membrane by Sodium Hypochlorite Chlorination for Concentration of Low-Concentration Magnesium Chloride Solution
by Zhengyang Wu, Zongyu Feng, Longsheng Zhao, Zheng Li, Meng Wang and Chao Xia
Materials 2025, 18(12), 2824; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18122824 - 16 Jun 2025
Viewed by 370
Abstract
The precipitation process of rare earth from a rare earth chloride solution using magnesium bicarbonate yields a dilute magnesium chloride (MgCl2) solution. The dilute MgCl2 solution can only be concentrated to a maximum concentration of about 70 g/L by conventional [...] Read more.
The precipitation process of rare earth from a rare earth chloride solution using magnesium bicarbonate yields a dilute magnesium chloride (MgCl2) solution. The dilute MgCl2 solution can only be concentrated to a maximum concentration of about 70 g/L by conventional reverse osmosis (RO), which is insufficient for recycling. Low-salt-rejection reverse osmosis (LSRRO) allows for a higher concentration of brine while operating at moderate pressures. However, research on LSRRO for the concentration of MgCl2 solution is still at an initial stage. In this study, polyamide RO membranes were treated with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) to prepare low-salt-rejection membranes. The effects of NaClO concentration, pH, and chlorination time on the membrane properties were investigated. Under alkaline chlorination conditions, the membrane’s salt rejection decreased, and water flux increased with increasing NaClO concentration and chlorination time. This can be explained by the hydrolysis of polyamide in the alkaline solution to form carboxylic acids and amines, resulting in a decrease in the crosslinking degree of polyamide. The low-salt-rejection membrane was prepared by exposing it to a NaClO solution at a concentration of 15 g/L and a pH of 11 for 3 h, and the salt rejection of MgCl2 was 50.7%. The MgCl2 solution with a concentration of 20 g/L was concentrated using multi-stage LSRRO at the pressure of 5 MPa. The concentration of the concentrated brine reached 120 g/L, which is 87% higher than the theoretical maximum concentration of 64 g/L for conventional RO at the pressure of 5 MPa. The specific energy consumption (SEC) was 4.17 kWh/m3, which decreased by about 80% compared to that of mechanical vapor recompression (MVR). This provides an alternative route for the efficient concentration of a diluted MgCl2 solution with lower energy consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials Chemistry)
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17 pages, 3264 KiB  
Article
Potential of Textile Wastewater Decolorization Using Cation Exchange Membrane Electrolysis Coupled with Magnesium Salt Precipitation (CEM-MSP)
by Yujing Zhao, Nuo Cheng, Ruihan Jiang, Jian Jiao, Chen Chen, Jiahao Liang, Longfeng Hu, Hesong Wang and Jinlong Wang
Water 2025, 17(12), 1785; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17121785 - 14 Jun 2025
Viewed by 364
Abstract
To overcome the low efficiency, high cost and less environmentally friendly limitations in existing textile wastewater disposal technology, an innovative approach of cation exchange membrane electrolysis coupled with magnesium salt precipitation (CEM-MSP) was implemented. This method simultaneously achieved the high-efficiency adsorption decolorization of [...] Read more.
To overcome the low efficiency, high cost and less environmentally friendly limitations in existing textile wastewater disposal technology, an innovative approach of cation exchange membrane electrolysis coupled with magnesium salt precipitation (CEM-MSP) was implemented. This method simultaneously achieved the high-efficiency adsorption decolorization of dyes and the recovery of lye. The results indicated that cation exchange membrane electrolysis with MgSO4 added to the anode chamber (CEM-EA) exhibited excellent decolorization performance on DB86 dye and achieved low residual Mg2+ concentration. Furthermore, the adsorption mechanism of Mg(OH)2 on DB86 was systematically investigated. The adsorption process fitted with the first-order kinetic, where the adsorption of DB86 by Mg(OH)2 was dominated by electrostatic attraction. Detailed comparison of the four systems demonstrated that CEM-EA was superior to the single magnesium addition method (85.24%) or the stand-alone membrane electrolysis method (10.36%), with 99% decolorization efficiency. In comparison to the cation exchange membrane electrolysis with MgSO4 added to the cathode chamber (CEM-EC), the CEM-EA could diminish the Mg2+ concentration in the effluent to facilitate the lye recovery while guaranteeing the decolorization efficiency. In addition, the DB86 adsorption behavior during the formation of Mg(OH)2 in the cathode chamber was investigated. The Mg(OH)2 particles were relatively dense copper-blue agglomerates with a thin lamellar layer on the surface. Notably, only slight mass contamination was observed on the cation exchange membrane (CEM) surface after multiple cycles. Minor CEM contamination illustrated the stable treatment efficiency of the CEM-EA after several cycles. This study constructed a novel approach integrating membrane electrolysis with magnesium salt precipitation, delivering valuable technical solutions for textile wastewater disposal. Full article
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