Search

Objectives To determine if alternative alkalinizing agents lead to similar changes in 24-hour urine pH and citrate compared to potassium citrate (KCIT). Many stone formers cannot tolerate KCIT due to side effects or cost. In these patients, we have prescribed potassium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate as alternative alkali (AA), though their efficacy is unclear. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult stone formers seen from 2000 to 2018 with 24-hour urine analyses. Two analyses were performed. The first evaluated the alkalinizing and citraturic effects in patients with baseline low urine pH or hypocitraturia off of any alkalinizing medications, who were subsequently treated with either KCIT or AA. The second analysis compared the pH and citrate in patients changing from KCIT to an AA. Reasons for switching were abstracted by chart review and cost savings percentages were calculated using GoodRx medication prices. Results When starting alkali therapy, the median increase in pH from baseline was 0.64 for KCIT and 0.51 for AA (P = .077), and the median increase in citrate from baseline was 231 mg for KCIT and 171 mg for AA (P = .109). When switching alkali therapy, median pH and citrate did not significantly change. Hyperkalemia (24%), GI upset (19%), and cost (17%) were the most common reasons cited for switching to an AA. AA represented a savings of 86%-92% compared to KCIT. Conclusion Alternative alkali appear to offer comparable improvements in 24-hour urine parameters and significant cost-savings compared to KCIT.

A multi-particulate fixed-dose combination product, consisting of a combination of two alkalising salts formulated as prolonged-release granules, ADV7103, was developed to obtain a sustained and prolonged alkalising effect. The specific release of both types of granules was shown in vitro through their dissolution profiles, which indicated that potassium citrate was released within the first 2–3 h and potassium bicarbonate up to 10–12 h after administration. The long-lasting coverage of ADV7103 was confirmed through a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, two-period study, measuring its effect on urine pH in healthy adults (n = 16) at doses of alkalising agent ranging between 0.98 and 2.88 meq/kg/day. A significant increase of urine pH with a positive dose–response in healthy adult subjects was shown. Urine pH above 7 was maintained during 24 h with a dosing equivalent to 1.44 meq/kg twice a day, while urine pH was below 6 most of the time with placebo. The effect observed was non-saturating within the range of doses evaluated and the formulation presented a good safety profile. ADV7103 provided an effective prolonged release of alkalising salts to cover a 12-h effect with adequate tolerability and could afford a twice a day (morning and evening) dosing in patients requiring long-term treatment.

The efficacy of forty treatments of inorganic salts as possible alternatives to synthetic fungicides for suppressing damping-off of cotton seedlings was evaluated. Seed treatments at rates of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g salt per kg seeds were applied. The results showed that potassium phosphate monobasic (2 g per kg seeds) was the least effective salt in controlling the disease, while ammonium phosphate dibasic (4 g per kg seeds) was the most effective one. The linear growth of Sclerotium rolfsii and Pythium sp. was wholly inhibited at concentrations as high as 40 and 50 mM, respectively. On the other hand, potassium bicarbonate was not able to completely inhibit the linear growth of any of the other fungi even at the highest concentrations. The tested fungi showed differential sensitivities to the applied concentrations of potassium bicarbonate, as their differential regression models demonstrated. The interaction between three randomly selected treatments of inorganic salts and seven fungi involved in the damping-off of cotton seedlings was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. ANOVA showed an insignificant interaction between treatments and fungi. These comparisons showed that all treatments were effective in controlling the disease. In conclusion, bicarbonate as anion and potassium and ammonium as cations were effective in reducing damping-off. Also, acidic treatments were more effective than alkaline ones in controlling the disease. It can be concluded that inorganic salts may have potential as environmentally compatible nontoxic seed-dressing fungicides for controlling damping-off of cotton seedlings.

Purpose Disease progress may be affected by pregnancy-related changes, and underlying conditions may also affekt pregnancy outcomes in women with Gitelman syndrome (GS). Case presentation A 35-year-old woman with GS (gravida 2 para 1) was referred to our hospital to start routine antenatal care follow-up at 6 weeks of gestation. At the age of 31, she had been diagnosed with GS after her first uneventful pregnancy. Upon early admission, her serum Mg+level was 0.51 mmol/L and her serum K+level 2.7 mmol/L with normal kidney function tests. She was already taking oral combined potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate supplementation once a day before pregnancy. At the eighth gestational week, the medication was changed to an oral potassium color sachet of 1.5 gram per day until labor because of the insufficient dosage to maintain optimum potassium levels. She was also taking 365 milligrams of oral magnesium oxide twice a day before and during pregnancy. In the third trimester of the pregnancy, her serum Mg+level was 0.48 mmol/L and serum K+level 2.8 mmol/L. Because of the previous uterine surgery history, she underwent an elective cesarean operation at 39 weeks’ gestation under spinal anesthesia and delivered a healthy 3090-gram female infant. Conclusion Increased need for potassium and magnesium supplementation should be the critical considerations when managing pregnant patients with GS.

Focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) analysis were used to study the precipitation process of CO2-loaded potassium glycinate (KGLY) solutions at different CO2 loadings, during the addition of ethanol as an antisolvent at a rate of 10 mL·min−1. The volume ratio of ethanol added to the KGLY solution (3.0 mol·L−1, 340 mL) ranged from 0 to 3.0. Three solid-liquid-liquid phases were formed during the precipitation process. The FBRM results showed that the number of particles formed increased with CO2 loading and ethanol addition for CO2-unsaturated KGLY solutions, whilst for CO2-saturated KGLY solution it first increased then decreased to a stable value with ethanol addition. 13C NMR spectroscopic analysis showed that the crystals precipitated from the CO2-unsaturated KGLY solutions consisted of glycine only, and the quantity crystallised increased with CO2 loading and ethanol addition. However, a complex mixture containing glycine, carbamate and potassium bicarbonate was precipitated from CO2-saturated KGLY solution with the maximum precipitation percentages of 94.3%, 31.4% and 89.6%, respectively, at the ethanol volume fractions of 1.6, 2.5 and 2.3.

Background A new prolonged-release formulation of potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate, ADV7103, has been shown to improve metabolic control, palatability, and gastrointestinal safety in patients with distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) when compared to standard of care (SoC) treatments. The present work evaluates safety and efficacy of ADV7103 during 24 months. Methods Thirty pediatric and adult patients were included in an open-label extension study after a phase II/III trial. Safety and tolerability were assessed. Plasma bicarbonate and potassium levels, as well as urine parameters, were evaluated over time. Acceptability, adherence, and quality of life were also assessed. The evolution of clinical consequences of dRTA in the cohort was explored. Results There were 104 adverse events (AEs) reported, but only 9 gastrointestinal events observed in five patients (17%) were considered to be related to ADV7103 treatment. There were no AEs leading to treatment discontinuation. Plasma bicarbonate and potassium levels were in the normal ranges at the different visits, respectively, in 69–86% and 83–93% of patients. Overall adherence rates were ≥ 75% throughout the whole study in 79% patients. An average improvement of quality of life of 89% was reported at 24 months of study. Conclusions Common AEs concerned metabolism and gastrointestinal disorders; the former being related to the disease. Less than half of the gastrointestinal AEs were related to ADV7103 treatment and they were mostly mild in severity. Metabolic parameters were maintained in the normal ranges in most patients. Patient satisfaction was high and adherence to treatment was good and remained stable. Trial registration number Registered as EudraCT 2013-003828-36 on the 3rd of September 2013. Graphical Abstract

This study investigated the effects of non-phosphate and low-sodium (NPLS) marination on properties of white striping chicken breasts (WSCB). Chicken breasts were collected from slaughterhouse and classified as normal (NCB, n = 24) and severe WS (WSCB, n = 120). Sixty WSCB samples were vacuum-tumbled (30min, 2 °C)withNPLS solution, containing 2.8% (w/v) potassium bicarbonate, 2.9% (w/v) potassium chloride, and 1.5% (w/v) sorbitol at the ratio of meat-to-marinade of 4 to 1 (w/w). The other 60 WSCB received no marination were assigned as nonmarinated WSCB. Properties of marinated (n = 12) and nonmarinated (n = 12) WSCB samples were determined at 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days of the storage at 4 °C.Propertiesof the NCB were also determined on day 0. Concerning day 0, the marinated WSCB exhibited higher (p&nbsp

The activation of carbon from Manihot Esculenta (cassava) peels as a sustainable biomass precursor was explored for application in supercapacitors (SCs); demonstrating a cheap and sustainable environmental friendly source of carbon materials for potential application as electrode materials for SC. The activation was carried out with three different activating agents namely potassium hydroxide (KOH), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) and potassium chloride in sodium thiosulphate (KCl–Na2S2O3). The obtained activated carbon (AC) material exhibited SSA up to 828 ​m2 ​g−1 for the KOH activation and the electrodes fabricated revealed a specific capacitance (CSP) (300 ​F ​g−1 at 0.5 ​A ​g−1), excellent rate capability and cycling stability (98% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles) in 6 ​M KOH aqueous solution. The study demonstrated an efficient and sustainable approach for high performance SCs by using biomass as a viable source of the carbon material for SC applications.

BackgroundGrowing interest of strawberry cultivation in Egypt necessitates more efforts towards its severe phomopsis leaf blight disease caused byPhomopsis obscurans. Synthetic fungicides could control this fungus but due to their critical impact on human beings and the environment, we are in dire need of safe alternatives for its control. Therefore, the leverage of the potassium bicarbonate and dipotassium phosphate onP. obscuranssuppression on strawberry plants was examined.ResultsFull inhibition of the fungal linear growth was achieved at the highest concentration (2%) of the two salts. Under field conditions, 87.5, 81.3, and 81.3% were the best decreases in disease severity gained by the two salts at 2% of both salts and the fungicide Amstar, respectively. Potassium bicarbonate at 1.5% reduced severity by 68.8%. Concentrations 1, 1.5, and 2% of each salt considerably enhanced strawberry yield. The increases were 66.7 and 61.7%, at 2% concentration by the two salts, respectively. Increments by 126.7 and 150% of peroxidase activity in plant leaves and by 140 and 148% of chitinase activity were noted by the two salts, respectively, at 2%.ConclusionsThe examined bicarbonate and phosphate salts could suppressP. obscuransgrowth and spread. The more the used salt concentration, the better it suppresses the fungal growth with consequent effect on the plants which apparently promoted their field yield. Potential implications of the two salts on enhancing activities of the two enzymes reflected their role in suppressing the disease. Further research is needed to integrate these salts in management strategies ofP. obscuransin Egypt to foster strawberry yield utilizing ecofriendly approaches.

The traditional Solvay process and other modifications that are based on different types of alkaline material and waste promise to be effective in the reduction of reject brine salinity and the capture of CO2. These processes, however, require low temperatures (10–20 °C) to increase the solubility of CO2 and enhance the precipitation of metallic salts, while reject brine is usually discharged from desalination plants at relatively high temperatures (40–55 °C). A modified Solvay process based on potassium hydroxide (KOH) has emerged as a promising technique for simultaneously capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) and reducing ions from reject brine in a combined reaction. In this study, the ability of the KOH-based Solvay process to reduce brine salinity at relatively high temperatures was investigated. The impact of different operating conditions, including pressure, KOH concentration, temperature, and CO2 gas flowrate, on CO2 uptake and ion removal was investigated and optimized. The optimization was performed using the response surface methodology based on a central composite design. A CO2 uptake of 0.50 g CO2/g KOH and maximum removal rates of sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl−), calcium (Ca2+), and magnesium (Mg2+) of 45.6%, 29.8%, 100%, and 91.2%, respectively, were obtained at a gauge pressure, gas flowrate, and KOH concentration of 2 bar, 776 mL/min, and 30 g/L, respectively, and at high temperature of 50 °C. These results confirm the effectiveness of the process in salinity reduction at a relatively high temperature that is near the actual reject brine temperature without prior cooling. The structural and chemical characteristics of the produced solids were investigated, confirming the presence of valuable products such as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) and potassium chloride (KCl).

A kinetic model of inhibition by the potassium-containing compound potassium bicarbonate is suggested. The model is based on the previous work concerning kinetic studies of suppression of secondary flashes, inhibition by alkali metals, and the emission of sulfates and chlorides during biomass combustion. The kinetic model includes reactions with the following gas-phase potassium-containing species: K, KO, KO2, KO3, KH, KOH, K2O, K2O2, (KOH)2, K2CO3, KHCO3, and KCO3. Flame equilibrium calculations demonstrate that the main potassium-containing species in the combustion products are K and KOH. The main inhibition reactions, which comprise the radical termination inhibition cycle are KOH + H=K + H2O and K + OH + M=KOH + M with the overall termination effect: H + OH=H2O. Numerically predicted burning velocities for stoichiometric methane/air flames with added KHCO3 demonstrate reasonable agreement with available experimental data. A strong saturation effect is observed for potassium compounds: approxi...

Potassium carbonate is considered a promising solvent for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture as it is cost-effective and environmentally benign when compared to traditional amine-based solvents. In order to increase absorption capacity, the use of concentrated potassium carbonate solvent has been proposed in which CO2 absorption results in precipitation of bicarbonate. Understanding the formation of the solids in that system is important if this is to be used for CO2 capture. In this work, the precipitation behavior in the ternary system of potassium carbonate–potassium bicarbonate–water was studied in a batch cooling crystallizer equipped with Focused Beam Reflectance Measurement (FBRM) and an Optimax workstation. The solubility data were validated using a regressed Electrolyte Non-Random Two Liquid (ENRTL) activity model developed in Aspen Plus. The precipitate was determined as kalicinite with hexagonal prism shape by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The nucleation kinetics wer...

Murray Cod, Maccullochella peelii peelii, and Green Oak lettuce, Lactuca sativa, were used to test for differences between four buffering regimes in a research-scale, recirculating aquaponic system consisting of twelve, separate 140L aquaponic units. In the aquaponic system, where plant nutrients were supplied from fish wastes and plants stripped nutrients from the water before it was returned to the fish, the buffers tested were potassium bicarbonate, calcium hydroxide, mixed (an equal mixture of potassium bicarbonate and calcium hydroxide) and a control where the buffer used was sodium bicarbonate. Murray Cod had FCRs and biomass gains that were statistically identical in all treatments (SGR =1.19%/replicate/day; FCR =0.86). Lettuce yields were determined over a 21-day trial, with the potassium treatment (yield of 4.75 kg/m2) and mixed treatment (yield of 5.00 kg/ m2) providing the highest production. Potassium and mixed treatments also had lower levels of nitrate accumulation (potassium treatment =7.80 mg/L; mixed treatment =8.77 mg/L) and the lowest levels of water use (potassium treatment =1.59 L/day; mixed treatment =1.60 L/day) compared with the other test treatment and the control. Mixed and calcium treatments yielded the lowest phosphate accumulations (mixed treatment =2.81 mg/L; calcium treatment =2.60 mg/L), but the calcium treatment may have been affected by calcium–phosphate complexing which may have led to false identifiable phosphate concentrations. For dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity, no statistical differences were observed. Overall, results suggest that potassium- based buffer salts were superior to the other buffers tested in the research-scale aquaponic system testeed. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Different surface disinfectants were used to control the fruit blemishes caused by sooty blotch (SB) and flyspeck (FS). Treatments included sodium hypochlorite (200, 500 and 800 ppm), copper sulphate (100, 200 and 300 ppm), hydrogen peroxide (100, 360 and 480 ppm) and potassium bicarbonate (200, 500 and 800 ppm) were used to maximize the storage life of apple fruits. Apple fruits after application of treatments were stored at 2°C and 80-85% RH for 90 days. The highest control of fruit blemishes was observed with 800 ppm sodium hypochlorite which was non-significantly (P > 0.05) different with 500 ppm sodium hypochlorite after 90 days of storage. Weight loss was less in fruits treated with 500 ppm sodium hypochlorite (30%) as compared to control fruits (85%). Further, apple fruits treated with 500 ppm sodium hypochlorite showed the best results in terms of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, sugars and sensory evaluation as well. Fruits treated with other surface disinfectants also showed good results but not as effective as 500 ppm sodium hypochlorite treatment did. Thus, it could be concluded from present study that 500 ppm sodium hypochlorite treatment have the potential to be used in controlling apple fruit blemishes and maintain fruit quality up to 90 days. Keywords: Apple; Fruit blemishes; Physical quality; Sensory evaluation http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2019.80054

Seven organic and inorganic salts were tested for suppression of silver scurf, a postharvest disease of potato tubers caused by Helminthosporium solani. Potassium sorbate, calcium propionate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and ammonium bicarbonate were added to V8 agar at concentrations of 0.06–0.2 M. Radial growth of H. solani was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by all salts at all concentrations. All salts except sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate were fungicidal at 0.2 M. Effects of postharvest salt treatments on disease severity and sporulation of H. solani on inoculated and naturally infected potato tubers were evaluated in separate experiments. Greenhouse-grown tubers were inoculated with H. solani spore suspensions (2 × 105 spores/ml), incubated for 5 days, dipped into 0.2 M solutions of each of the salts, and incubated in a moist chamber at 22–24°C for 6 weeks. All salt treatments prevented lesion development and sporulation of H. solani and differed significantly (P < 0.05) from the control. Postharvest applications of test compounds (0.2M) also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced disease severity and H. solani sporulation on naturally infected, field-grown tubers after 15 weeks of storage at 10°C. Salt treatments did not differ in disease or pathogen suppression. These relatively nontoxic organic and inorganic salts have potential as postharvest applications for control of silver scurf.

This study demonstrated the previously unrecognised capability of potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) aqueous solutions to assist in the selective generation of methane (CH4) over a wide range of reaction parameters during electrochemical CO2 reduction over a bulk polycrystalline Cu catalyst. Compared with the results obtained with potassium chloride (KCl) electrolytes, a 0.5 M KHCO3 solution maintained a higher faradaic efficiency (FE) for CH4 production at higher current densities. This trend was further emphasised upon increasing the CO2 pressure from near-ambient to 3 atm and incorporating stirring. The result was a FE above 50% over a range of current densities from 90 to more than 330 mA cm−2. The maximum FE reached 80% at 0 °C, while maintaining a broad peak structure when plotted against current density, even over 300 mA cm−2. The buffering ability of KHCO3 appears to play an important role in increasing both the reaction rate and the selectivity for CH4, especially when combined with an optimised CO2 supply to the electrode and an ideal reaction temperature.

Anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity significantly influence performance in many sport disciplines. These include prolonged sprints in athletics, swimming, or cycling, and other high intensity intermittent sports, such as soccer or basketball. Considering the association of exercise-induced acidosis and fatigue, the ingestion of potential buffering agents such as sodium bicarbonate, has been suggested to attenuate metabolic acidosis and improve anaerobic performance. Since elite soccer players cover from 200 to 350 m while sprinting, performing 40&ndash, 60 all out sprints during a game, it seems that repeated sprint ability in soccer players is among the key components of success. In our experiment, we evaluated the effectiveness of chronic supplementation with sodium and potassium bicarbonate, fortified with minerals, on speed and speed endurance in elite soccer players. Twenty-six soccer players participated in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was supplemented with sodium bi-carbonate and potassium di-carbonate fortified with minerals, while the control group received a placebo. The athletes were tested at baseline and after nine days of supplementation. Anaerobic performance was evaluated by the Repeated Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) protocol which involved 6 &times, 30 m max sprints, separated by 10 s of active recovery. Resting, post ingestion and post exercise concentrations of HCO3&minus, and blood pH were measured as well as lactate concentration. The current investigation demonstrated a significant increase in RAST performance of elite soccer players supplemented with sodium and potassium bicarbonate along with calcium phosphate, potassium citrate, and magnesium citrate ingested twice a day over a nine-day training period. The improvements in anaerobic performance were caused by increased resting blood pH and bicarbonate levels.

To investigate the effects of precursors and preparation methods on the potassium (K) deactivation, fresh and potassium-deactivated MnO x /TiO 2 catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH 3 (NH 3 -SCR) in the temperature range between 353 K and 453 K were investigated. Potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ), potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 ), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO 3 ), potassium sulfate (K 2 SO 4 ) and potassium chloride (KCl) were used as K precursors. Meanwhile, K salts deposited MnO x /TiO 2 catalysts were prepared with different methods, and the influence of different K doping amounts on NH 3 -SCR was investigated. According to the NH 3 -SCR experimental results, K salts had negative effects on the catalytic activities, and the preparation methods of the catalysts and the precursors of K salts also affected the catalytic activity. The precursor KNO 3 had the greatest impact on the catalytic activity, while K 2 SO 4 had the least effect. Meanwhile, physical and chemical properties of catalysts were characterized by XRD, H 2 -TPR, NH 3 -TPD, BET, FESEM and TG analyses. Characterization results indicated that significant changes in surface properties of K-deactivated MnO x /TiO 2 catalysts were observed after K salts were doped on the catalysts. The K-deactivated MnO x /TiO 2 showed smaller specific surface areas, larger particle sizes, lower manganese oxide reducibility and less acidic sites on the surface, which could be considered as the main reasons for the deactivation of K deposited MnO x /TiO 2 catalysts. Furthermore, the large particles and fibrous materials were attributed to the new phases (K 1.33 Mn 8 O 16 and K 2 Ti 8 O 17 ) found in some catalysts, indicating the strong interactions between K and MnO x /TiO 2 catalysts.

Application of aqueous potassium solutions to grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) canopies and clusters was reported to increase soluble solids concentration (SSC) in grape berries, although detailed study of the effect was lacking. The objective of this study was to evaluate its repeatability across genotype and year, further optimize its means of application, and provide information on its likely mode of action. Grape clusters were treated in the field with glycine-complexed potassium or water at veraison and then 3 weeks later in 2 separate years to ‘Autumn Royal’, ‘Scarlet Royal’, and ‘Sweet Scarlet’ or in a single year to ‘Summer Royal’. At harvest the mean SSC of the untreated berries was 17.3%, while those treated with potassium was 19.8%. Dates of commercial maturity were advanced in these varieties from 4 to 11 d by potassium treatment. Berry weight tended to be slightly reduced by potassium treatment and the grapes often became darker in color, while the effect on firmness was inconsistent. Field treatment of ‘Flame Seedless’ grape clusters with potassium sorbate at veraison or both at veraison and prior to harvest indicated that a dual potassium application enhanced soluble solids more than a single application. Dipping ‘Flame Seedless’ grape clusters in potassium sorbate while attached to the vine increased the subsequent concentration of SSC to the same degree as spraying both clusters and the leaf canopy, while application to the canopy alone had no significant effect. Analysis of the elemental composition of the grape juice indicated that potassium was significantly enhanced in concentration by cluster application of potassium as was phosphorus, magnesium, boron and copper. Potassium sorbate, potassium bicarbonate and glycine-complexed potassium were effective at increasing SSC, while potassium phosphate and potassium phosphite had no significant effect. The increase in SSC among detached berries treated with potassium salt solutions was positively correlated with the rate of weight loss. Those salts that caused the most rapid loss in berry weight were those that caused the largest increase in SSC. Those that did not increase weight loss did not increase SSC. Potassium salts with basic pH were most effective in inducing weight loss. Potassium application consistently enhanced soluble solids concentration in grapes and most likely acts by increasing water loss from the grape berries.

Whole chicken breast was injected with potassium bicarbonate (PB), sodium bicarbonate (SB), and potassium lactate (K-lactate) and salt, alone or in combination at different concentration levels. The objectives were to 1) investigate the effects of different concentration of PB, SB, and PL on instrumental color, water-holding capacity (WHC), objective tenderness, expressible moisture, and moisture content and 2) evaluate whether sodium-containing ingredients can be replaced with potassium as a potential strategy to reduce total sodium content in the finished product. Results showed that chicken breast tissue marinated with SB and PB had greater moisture retention, display characteristics, and cooked product qualities than chicken breast tissue injected with water and the nonmarinated control. The L* values (lightness) did not change over the period of retail display and were not different compared to the control (P>0.05). The chicken breast enhanced with SB, PB, and K-lactate retained better retail display color than the controls (marinated with water and nonmarinated). Increasing the potassium bicarbonate concentration from 0.5 to 1.5% significantly improved the water-holding capacity (82.17 to 92.61%; P

WOS: 000425282000005 Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) which is intensively grown in the Black Sea region is the most important agricultural product of Turkey. Hazelnut production and quality are negatively affected by several diseases and pests. Powdery mildew is nowadays one of the most common diseases in almost whole hazelnut producing areas. The disease is caused by two different species, Phyllactinia guttata (Wallr. et Lev.) Fr. and Erysiphe corylacearum U. Braun & S. Takam. For the last 4 years, E. corylacearum, a newly invasive fungus in Turkey, has been caused significant economic losses. In the present study, the efficacy of ammonium, potassium and sodium bicarbonates, and two fungicides were evaluated in field trials against powdery mildew on hazelnuts in Samsun in 2016. The application rates of compounds used in the experiment were as follows: ammonium, potassium and sodium bicarbonates (Sigma-Aldrich, Seelze, Germany) at 1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6% (w/v); CollisA (R) SC (100 g/l Kresoxim methyl +200 g/l Boscalid, BASF, Spain) at 30 ml/100 l and SulflowA (R) 80 WG (Sulphur 800 g/l, Agrofarm, Turkey) at 400 g/100 l. Of the compounds tested, except for fungicides, sodium was found to be the most effective in controlling the powdery mildew on hazelnuts, followed by potassium and ammonium, respectively. Among those three, ammonium bicarbonate was ineffective against fruit infections of the disease. There was also no significant difference between inhibitory effects of 6% sodium bicarbonate, Collis and Sulflow against the disease (P < 0.05). In addition, bicarbonate salts was phytotoxic to hazelnut leaves at concentrations greater than 1.5%. The results indicate that sodium or potassium bicarbonate solutions seems to be a useful biocompatible fungicide for controlling the powdery mildew on hazelnuts.

Large variation exists in the potassium content of dairy cow feeds and also within a feed type due to soil type and fertilization. Increased ration K concentration causes a subsequent increase in urinary volume and could be expected to also lower milk urea concentration. Six multiparous mid-lactation Swedish Red dairy cows, all fitted with rumen cannulas, were subjected to 3 different levels of K intake in a Latin square experiment with three 2-wk periods to evaluate the effects on concentrations of milk urea and rumen ammonia, urinary output, and drinking water intake. The treatments were achieved by K supplementation on top of a low-K basal ration fed at individual allowances fixed throughout the experiment. The basal ration, consumed at 20.2 kg of dry matter (DM)/d, provided 165 g of crude protein/kg of DM and consisted of grass silage, concentrates, and urea in the proportions 39.3:60.0:0.7 on a DM basis. Potassium bicarbonate supplementation was 0, 616, and 1,142 g/d, respectively, to give total ration K concentrations that were low (LO; 12 g/kg of DM), medium (MED; 23 g/kg of DM), or high (HI; 32 g/kg of DM). Production and composition of milk was not affected by treatment. A linear effect on milk urea concentration was detected, being 4.48, 4.18, and 3.77 mM for LO, MED, and HI, respectively, and a linear tendency for rumen ammonia concentration with 6.65, 6.51, and 5.84 mg of NH₃-N/dL for LO, MED, and HI, respectively. Milk urea concentration peaked about 3h after the rumen ammonia peak from the morning feeding, at a level 1.3mM over the baseline. Urinary urea excretion declined linearly (105, 103, and 98 g of urea-N/d for LO, MED, and HI, respectively). Linear increases occurred in urinary output (0.058 ± 0.001 kg of urine/g of K intake; no intercept; coefficient of determination=0.997) and drinking water intake (65.9 ± 2.02 + 0.069 ± 0.004 kg of water/g of K intake; coefficient of determination=0.95). Urinary K concentration leveled off at 12.4 g/L. Urinary creatinine excretion was not affected by K addition, but allantoin excretion increased linearly by 27% from LO to HI, suggesting increased rumen microbial growth. Rumen pH, acetate proportion of total volatile fatty acids, and digestibility of DM, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber increased linearly with increasing potassium intake. We concluded that increased ration K concentration lowers milk urea concentration with a magnitude significant for the interpretation of milk urea values, but other sources of variation, such as sampling time relative to feeding, may be even more important.

The efficacy of some potassium and calcium based salts, namely potassium sulphate (PS), potassium sorbate (PSo), potassium carbonate (PC), potassium bicarbonate (PB), calcium sulphate (CS), calcium chelate (CCh), calcium chloride (CC) and calcium silicate (CSi) against gray mold of ‘Italia’ table grapes, was evaluated. In in vitro experiments, PSo, PC, PB, and CCh completely inhibited mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea at 0.25%. Under artificial inoculation, salts at 1% (immersed or sprayed) showed a variable effect against the pathogen. For natural infection, salt solutions (1%, w/v) were applied according to three strategies: (a) spray (one week) before harvest, (b) immersion after harvest, and (c) combined treatments spray and immersion. The decay incidence of gray mold was evaluated after 30 days at 2 ± 1 °C and 90–95% RH, followed by 7 days of shelf-life at 22 ± 2 °C. All tested salts significantly reduced the decay incidence of gray mold as compared to a water control for the three strategies. The percentages of reduction ranged between 77–100, 91–98, and 61–100% for the preharvest treatment, in combined application, and in the postharvest treatment, respectively. PB and PSo were the most effective salts, completely inhibiting development of gray mold when applied before harvest and as a postharvest treatment. The influence of salts on physical and chemical properties of berry quality including total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, color index, weight losses and microbiological profiles was also investigated. New strategies are needed with the critical goal of controlling gray mold of grapes with no fungicide residues. Salts applied just before harvest may be an effective way to minimize gray mold during storage.

The CO2 absorber is one of the largest pressure vessels in ammonia plants, which are suffering from severe corrosion problems worldwide. The aim of the present study is to examine the corrosion behaviour of A106 carbon steel absorber for CO2 removal in amine promoted hot potassium carbonate solution (Benfield solution). This study simulates CO2 removal unit in ammonia production process at Abu Qir Fertilizers and Chemical Industries Company (Alexandria, Egypt) and many other plants all over the world. A typical Benfield solution contains hot potassium carbonate K2CO3, potassium bicarbonate KHCO3, diethanol amine (DEA) as a promoter and potassium metavanadate KVO3 as corrosion inhibitor. The rate of galvanic corrosion of carbon steel absorber/stainless steel pall packings couple in Benfield solution was measured without adding the corrosion inhibitor KVO3 in order to measure the influence of corrosive solution. The corrosion rate was measured by weight loss technique in relation to different operat...

Low dietary K levels have been associated with increasing renal Ca excretion in humans, indicating a higher risk of calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolith formation. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate whether dietary K also affects the urine composition of cats. A total of eight adult cats were fed diets containing 0·31 % native K and 0·50, 0·75 and 1·00 % K from KCl or KHCO3 and were evaluated for the effects of dietary K. High dietary K levels were found to elevate urinary K concentrations (P3 diets (P= 0·026), while urinary oxalate concentrations were generally lower in cats fed the KCl diets and only dependent on dietary K levels in cats fed the KHCO3 diets (PP= 0·022), reaching values of 6·38 (1·00 % KCl) and 7·65 (1·00 % KHCO3). K retention was markedly negative after feeding the cats with the basal diet ( − 197 mg/d) and the 0·50 % KCl diet ( − 131 mg/d), while the cats tended to maintain their balance on being fed the highest-KCl diet ( − 23·3 mg/d). In contrast, K from KHCO3 was more efficiently retained (P= 0·018), with K retention being between − 82·5 and 52·5 mg/d. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of KHCO3 instead of KCl as K source could be beneficial for the prevention of CaOx urolith formation in cats, since there is an association between a lower renal Ca excretion and a generally higher urine pH. The utilisation of K is distinctly influenced by the K salt, which may be especially practically relevant when using diets with low K levels.

The present study was carried out during two winter seasons of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 at Kaha Vegetable Research Station (Qalubia Governorate), Horticulture Research Institute, AgricultureResearchCenter (A R C), Egypt. Foliar and soil applications of several natural safety materials as sodium meta silicate (Na2SiO35H2O) at 1g/L., salicylic acid (Dihydroxybenzoic acid) at 1 g/ L., Potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) at 5g/ L., Thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris) at 1.0 ml + 1.0 ml/ L. acetone. Synthetic fungicides as Sumi Eight 5 % (Diniconazole 5 %)-[(E)-(RS)-1-(2,4- Dichlorophenyl)-4,4-Dimethyl-2 (1H- 1,2,4-triazol-1-YL) Pent-1-en-3-ol.] at 0.325 ml/ L. and Topas 100 Ec 10 % (Penconazole 10 %)-[(1-(2,4-dichloro-B-Propylphenethyl)-1H- 1,2,4-Triazole] at 0.25 ml/ L., on vegetative growth and yield and its components as well as study the impact of these materials on resistance of root diseases as Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani. Fungi isolated from the site of the experiment were Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani. The aforementioned treatments significantly decreased disease severity being more effective after Sumi Eight 5 %, Topas 100 Ec 10 % and Sodium meta silicate, the lowest effect, however, was recognized for Thyme oil. The results showed that spray foliar and soil treatments with Sodium meta silicate, Salicylic acid and Potassium bicarbonate produced the most promising effect on vegetative growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weights/ plant). Total green pod yield (ton/ fed.) and its components i.e. number of pods/ plant, average pod weight, number of seeds/ pod, fresh weight of 100 seeds, pod length and diameter, shell out % of fresh green pod and total soluble solids (%) as well as chemical composition of foliage content of the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (%) and leaf content of total chlorophyll followed by treating pea plants with Sumi Eight 5 % and Topas 100 Ec10 %. Thyme oil produced poor effect over all parameters in two winter seasons in most of characters when compared to the control (Distilled water). Furthermore, the average increment of the total yield in two winter seasons could be attributed to foliar and soil applications in descending order by the treatments of (Sodium meta silicate, Salicylic acid, Potassium bicarbonate, Sumi Eight 5 %, Topas 100 Ec10 % and Thyme oil,), total yield % was (36.37, 33.32, 29.09, 23.06, 8.36 and 6.03 %), respectively compared to the control treatment. Resistance to root rot disease as shown in this study by various biotic and abiotic treatment was correlated to the pathogen related protein bands, or the so called PR protein, being visible at 52 KD. Molecular and biochemical detections show that Si can activate the expression of defense-related genes and may play important role in the transduction of plant stress signal such as salicylic acid, Potassium bicarbonate, Thyme oil, Sumi Eight 5 % and Topas 100 Ec10 %.

Different strategies to manage substrate pH during the cultivation of pot plants were evaluated in several experiments. Besides field-proven methods like water quality and nitrogen form or lime suspension more unknown possibilities like sulphur suspension, caustic potash and potassium bicarbonate were tested. Nitrogen form and water quality only show a mid to long-term effect and the effect is limited by the water and nitrogen demand of the plants. Lime suspension (Ca(OH)2), caustic potash and potassium bicarbonate boost substrate pH rapidly and sulphur causes a strong drop in pH. In these cases the effect is unpredictable and makes a current control of substrate pH necessary. Moreover, the use of lime and sulphur bear the risk of substrate pH layer arrangement and lime deposits on leafs. Caustic potash and potassium bicarbonate feed high amounts of potassium which induce high salt contents. To minimize these risks lime, caustic potash, potassium bicarbonate and sulphur shall be given in specified, small amounts by hand, what makes their use time- and cost-intensive. Overall the best way to avoid pH problems is an exact crop planning and continuous pH control combined with sophisticated cultural measures, especially the proper choice of water quality and nitrogen form.

Powdery mildew attacks several important crops in greenhouses (e.g. tomatoes, cucumbers). Compared to other airborne pathogens, such as downy mildews (e.g. Pseudoperonospora cubensis or Phytophthora infestans) or Botrytis, the damage is often not very severe. However, an effective control of powdery mildew with organic fungicides gives the possibility to optimize climate conditions to also prevent downy mildews and gray mold. Sulphur, a well established fungicide, is rated as slightly to very harmful to beneficial organisms (Koppert Biological Systems, 2010) and may have a phytotoxic effect on some crops (e.g. melon). Effects of potassium and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) against diseases are well known (Horst et al., 1992). In 2008, the European Commission authorized the use of potassium bicarbonate in organic agriculture (EC, 2008). In this study, the effects of a formulated potassium bicarbonate product, Armicarb® were tested against powdery mildew on tomato, cucumber, melon, rosemary, sage and corn salad. The disease-reducing effect of potassium bicarbonate was comparable to sulfur for most of the tested crops. With protective applications, the efficacy was higher than 90%. However, in melon, where powdery mildew was present before the first spray was applied, efficacy was only 74%. Compared with plant oils or extracts (such as fennel oil, tea tree oil and lecithin), potassium bicarbonate has shown the same or better efficacy. In our experiments, we found no phytotoxicity caused by the potassium bicarbonate product Armicarb®.

Fire suppression effectiveness of a new kind of dry powder based on potassium bicarbonate was studied in this paper. The powder consisted of superfine potassium bicarbonate and some organic and inorganic additives, which was denoted as ‘K-powder’. The physical and chemical characteristics of the K-powder were characterized by a series of techniques of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) and thermal gravity analysis, etc. Performance of the new potassium-based powder in fire suppression was studied by laboratory-scale experiments, which exhibited much superior fire suppression efficacy than that of the commercial bicarbonate powder. Such improvements could be reasonably ascribed to the special chemical composition, microstructure and radiation effect on the mechanisms. The preparation, fire suppression and possible fire-extinguishing mechanisms were studied in detail. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

To determine the effects of potassium supplementation on endothelial function, cardiovascular risk factors, and bone turnover and to compare potassium chloride with potassium bicarbonate, we carried out a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 42 individuals with untreated mildly raised blood pressure. Urinary potassium was 77±16, 122±25, and 125±27 mmol/24 hours after 4 weeks on placebo, potassium chloride, and potassium bicarbonate, respectively. There were no significant differences in office blood pressure among the 3 treatment periods, and only 24-hour and daytime systolic blood pressures were slightly lower with potassium chloride. Compared with placebo, both potassium chloride and potassium bicarbonate significantly improved endothelial function as measured by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation, increased arterial compliance as assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, decreased left ventricular mass, and improved left ventricular diastolic function. There was no significant difference between the 2 potassium salts in these measurements. The study also showed that potassium chloride reduced 24-hour urinary albumin and albumin:creatinine ratio, and potassium bicarbonate decreased 24-hour urinary calcium, calcium:creatinine ratio, and plasma C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen significantly. These results demonstrated that an increase in potassium intake had beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, and potassium bicarbonate may improve bone health. Importantly, these effects were found in individuals who already had a relatively low-salt and high-potassium intake.

This is the accepted version of the following article: M. Sevilla, A. B. Fuertes, ChemSusChem 2016, 9, 1880., which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201600426. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with the Wiley Self-Archiving Policy, Sustainable synthesis schemes for the production of porous carbons with appropriate textural properties for use as supercapacitor electrodes are in high demand. In this work a greener option to the widely used but corrosive KOH is proposed for the production of highly porous carbons. Hydrochar products are used as carbon precursors. It is demonstrated that a mild alkaline potassium salt such as potassium bicarbonate is very effective to generate porosity in hydrochar to lead to materials with large surface areas (> 2000 m2 g−1) and a tunable pore size distribution. Furthermore, the use of KHCO3 instead of KOH gives rise to a significant 10 % increase in the yield of activated carbon, and the spherical morphology of hydrochar is retained, which translates into better packing properties and reduced ion diffusion distances. These features lead to a supercapacitor performance that can compete with, and even surpass, that of KOH-activated hydrochar in a variety of electrolytes., This research work was supported by the FICYT Regional Project (GRUPIN14-102) and Spanish MINECO (CTQ2015-63552-R) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). The authors express their gratitude to Dr. M. D. Casal for the SEM pictures.

A novel method for using residues from the cashew culture is presented. This work aimed to produce and characterize the incineration ashes of the primary residue derived from the cashew’s juice extraction, the peduncle bagasse. Measurements showed that these ashes represent only 3% of the incinerated material. EDX analysis indicated the presence of the following elements: C, O, P, K, Mg, S, Na, Al and Si. X-ray diffraction and thermal analyses pointed KHCO 3 (54.17%), K 2 SO 4 (34.08%) and MgKPO 4 · 6H 2 O (10.06%) as the most significant crystalline phases. These results indicate a possible use of this material as an imperishable source of potassium, sulfur, phosphor and magnesium in fertilizers and animal ration. Moreover, it may have many applications since its most abundant component is potassium bicarbonate, compound with several uses.

There is evidence that fruit and vegetables may be beneficial for bone health. Protein-containing foods such as meats, fish and cereals are acid-generating because of the sulphur and phosphorous they contain. It has been suggested that fruit and vegetables may be important for bone health because of the alkaline salts they provide (for example potassium citrate or potassium malate), which can balance the acidity produced by eating a Westernized diet. There have been a number of intervention studies investigating the effect of potassium bicarbonate or potassium citrate on markers of bone turnover. This chapter reviews the evidence from these studies and concludes that although short-term studies show that alkaline salts of potassium reduce calcium excretion and affect bone turnover, the body may adapt so that the benefit on bone metabolism is not continued long-term. Fruit and vegetable consumption may be advantageous to bone health, not because of balancing dietary acidity but because of the nutrients they contain (e.g. certain minerals, vitamins, or bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phytoestrogens).

The efficacy of low-toxicity chemicals as possible alternatives to synthetic fungicides for the control of Uromyces appendiculatus and Puccinia triticina was evaluated. A preliminary selection of food additives was performed through in vitro and in vivo preliminary screenings. The ED 50 and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values showed that most of the food additives used in this study were more toxic to U. appendiculatus than to P. triticina. Acetic acid, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate and sodium molybdate were the food additives that were more toxic to the urediniospores of P. triticina. Selected compounds and concentrations were tested on bean and wheat plants grown in pots under controlled conditions. Acetic acid, ammonium bicarbonate, potassium acetate, potassium benzoate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium acetate and sodium citrate at 0.03, 0.09, 0.03, 0.006, 0.012, 0.012, 0.03 and 0.03 M, respectively, significantly reduced the disease severity of U. appendiculatus without causing any injury to bean leaves. Ammonium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate at 0.12, 0.03, 0.12 and 0.03 M, respectively, were the most effective in reducing the disease severity caused by P. triticina without causing any injury to wheat leaves.

Experiment using 297 broiler chicks, kept from 1 to 42 days under cyclic heat stress (minimum 29.3 °C and maximum 38 °C), was conducted to investigate the relative efficacies of three sodium (NaHCO3, Na2CO3, Na2SO4), and potassium (KHCO3, K2CO3, K2SO4) supplements at an identical dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) 250 mEq/kg and two chloride supplements (CaCl2 and NH4Cl) at DEB 50 mEq/kg. The desired levels of DEB were achieved by substitution of individual mineral supplement at the expense to builder's sand in the basal starter (DEB 185.6 mEq/kg) and finisher (DEB 174 mEq/kg) diet containing only salt as a source of Na and Cl. Each diet (one basal and eight experimental) was fed to three experimental units having 11 chicks each. The growth performances in K supplements, except KHCO3, were poorer than those of Na supplements. The NaHCO3, Na2CO3, Na2SO4 and NH4Cl increased body weight gain, feed intake and improved feed to gain ratio than those of K2CO3 and K2SO4 after 42 days of age. These supplements also increased the water intake and resulted in lowered body temperature as well as reduced mortality. Very poor performance in CaCl2 supplement was associated with disturbed calcium:phosphorus and very low blood pH (7.19). Better performance was noted with bicarbonate than that with carbonate and sulfate sources. The KHCO3 accentuate the respiratory alkalosis by increasing blood HCO3 contents (26.09 mmol/l) and gave poorer performance than NaHCO3. Blood lymphocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit and electrolyte balance in heat stressed broilers were better improved by NH4Cl, NaHCO3, Na2CO3, Na2SO4 and KHCO3 than those of CaCl2, K2CO3 and K2SO4 supplements. Present findings emphasized the importance of considering metabolisable anions supplemented in association with cations while balancing the dietary electrolyte equations. That is why DEB equation cannot be used to predict the relative benefits of different mineral supplements.

In a recent paper, Keen and Lovesey (KL) (2003 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 15 4937) presented a theoretical model to account for lines of intensity, in addition to Bragg peaks, observed by Fillaux, Cousson and Keen (FCK) (2003 Phys. Rev. B 67 054301 and 2003 Phys. Rev. B 67 189901 (erratum)) in single-crystal neutron diffraction measurements on potassium hydrogen carbonate (KHCO3). In this comment it is demonstrated that KL's model is irrelevant and cannot account for the data under consideration.

Uric acid calculi can also be treated without surgery, with simple medical lytic therapy. After appropriate dietary adjustments and add of mineral water, the needed amount of alkali supplementation can increase pH values of the urine in order to dissolve the stones. Treatment should be prolonged to prevent stone recurrence. A case of bilateral renal uric acid stones that were successfully treated by alakalizing treatment was presented.

The solubility of potassium bicarbonate and potassium meta-vanadate in water in the temperature range 293–323 K is reported. The concentration of vanadium(V) was determined using a spectrophotometric method applying hydrogen peroxide. The potassium ion concentration was measured by weight in the form of potassium tetraphenyloborate (K[B(C6H5)4]). The results were used to construct a part of the polythermal solubility surface for the KHCO3+KVO3+H2O system. In addition, the solution density dependence versus the potassium meta-vanadate concentration expressed in water free mole fractions is presented. These data are essential for the evaluation of a new, non-waste production method of potassium carbonate.

Cobb male broiler chicks (1,000) on new litter were used to evaluate effects of dietary electrolyte balance [DEB; Na+K-Cl, milliequivalents (mEq) per kilogram] under tropical summer conditions. Corn-soybean meal-based mash diets had salt (NaCl) alone or in combination with one or more supplements: sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), or potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3). A completely randomized design, with five starter and grower feed treatments (control: 145, then 130 mEq/kg; or 0, 120, 240, or 360 mEq/kg throughout) and four replicate pens (1.5 x 3.2 m) per treatment (50 chicks per pen), was used. Diets were analyzed for Na, K, and Cl for confirmation. There were no significant (P < 0.05) effects of treatments on mortality or processing parameters. Water intake increased linearly with increasing DEB, giving higher litter moistures and lower rectal temperatures. Blood HCO3 and pH increased with the highest DEB (360 mEq/kg) causing respiratory alkalosis. The DEB of 240 mEg/kg gave best weight gain and feed conversion ratio, and ideal DEB predicted by regression analyses were 186 and 197 mEq/kg from 0 to 21 d of age and 236 and 207 mEq/kg of feed from 0 to 42 d, respectively. These DEB corresponded to estimated (interpolated) values in predicted optimal 186 to 197 mEq/kg starter of Na 0.38 to 0.40% and Cl 0.405 to 0.39% (K = 0.52%), in 207 to 236 mEq/kg starter, Na 0.409 to 0.445% and Cl 0.326 to 0.372% Cl (K = 0.52%), and in grower Na 0.41 to 0.445%, Cl 0.315 to 0.267% (K = 0.47%).

Patterned water films were formed on the surface of mica by contact with clean, patterned poly(dimethylsiloxane) stamps in ambient humidity. Capillary condensation of ambient atmospheric water in the stamp channels allowed transport of potassium from the mica surface to the stamp, which locally modified the wetability of the mica surface. The resulting mica surface was imaged with contact-mode atomic force microscopy, revealing 3 A-tall patterns. The pattern disappeared as the relative humidity was decreased (

The role of acid-base metabolism in bone health is controversial. In this meta-analysis, potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate lowered urinary calcium and acid excretion and reduced the excretion of the bone resorption marker NTX. These salts may thus be beneficial to bone health by conserving bone mineral.The role of acid-base homeostasis as a determinant of bone health and the contribution of supplemental alkali in promoting skeletal integrity remain a subject of debate. The objective of this study was, therefore, to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the effects of supplemental potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) and potassium citrate (KCitr) on urinary calcium and acid excretion, markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) and to compare their effects with that of potassium chloride (KCl).A total of 14 studies of the effect of alkaline potassium salts on calcium metabolism and bone health, identified by a systematic literature search, were analysed with Review Manager (Version 5; The Cochrane Collaboration) using a random-effects model. Authors were contacted to provide missing data as required. Results are presented as the standardised (SMD) or unstandardized mean difference (MD) (95 % confidence intervals).Urinary calcium excretion was lowered by intervention with both KHCO3 (P = 0.04) and KCitr (P = 0.01), as was net acid excretion (NAE) (P = 0.002 for KHCO3 and P = 0.0008 for KCitr). Both salts significantly lowered the bone resorption marker NTX (P 0.00001). There was no effect on bone formation markers or BMD. KHCO3 and KCitr lowered calcium excretion to a greater extent than did KCl.This meta-analysis confirms that supplementation with alkaline potassium salts leads to significant reduction in renal calcium excretion and acid excretion, compatible with the concept of increased buffering of hydrogen ions by raised circulating bicarbonate. The observed reduction in bone resorption indicates a potential benefit to bone health.

The biocompatible products AQ10 (hyperparasitic fungus Ampelomyces quisqualis ), JMS Stylet-Oil (medium viscosity mineral oil), M-Pede (potassium salts of fatty acids) and Kaligreen (82% potassium bicarbonate) suppressed powdery mildew ( Sphaerotheca fusca ) on winter squash, muskmelon, and pumpkin and increased yield compared with nontreated plants under field conditions. Applications were started after disease detection. JMS Stylet-Oil most effectively controlled powdery mildew. However, these products did not provide the degree of full-season control or yield increase obtained with the conventional fungicide program of Bravo (chlorothalonil) plus Nova (myclobutanil). For example, in muskmelon on 17 August 1995, 7 days after the third application, powdery mildew severity on upper and lower (under) leaf surfaces was 66 and 80% for untreated, 3 and 13% for Bravo plus Nova, 43 and 44% for JMS Stylet-Oil, 38 and 65% for AQ10, and 53 and 65% for Kaligreen, respectively. Yield (ton/ha) was 22.8, 44.2, 36.4, 40.6, and 38.5, respectively. Sucrose content was 3.5%, 6.6%, 4.6%, 3.2%, and 4.0%, respectively.