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    Hofmeister Effects in Enzymatic Activity: Weak and Strong Electrolyte Influences on the Activity of Candida rugosa Lipase

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    The effects of weak and strong electrolytes on the enzymatic activity of Candida rugosa lipase are explored. Weak electrolytes, used as buffers, set the pH, while strong electrolytes regulate the ionic strength. The interplay between pH and ionic strength has been assumed to be the determinant of enzymatic activity. In experiments that probe activities by varying these parameters, there has been little attention focused on the role of specific electrolyte effects. Here we show that both buffers and the choice of background electrolyte ion strongly affect the enzymatic activity of Candida rugosa lipase. The effects here shown are dramatic at high salt concentration; indeed, a 2 M concentration of NaSCN is able to fully inactivate the lipase. By contrast, Na2SO4 acts generally as an activator, whereas NaCl shows a quasi-neutral behavior. Such specific ion effects are well-known and are classified among the “Hofmeister effects”. However, there has been little awareness of them, or of their potential for optimization of activities in the enzyme community. Rather than the effects per se, the focus here is on their origin. New insights into mechanism are proposed

    Ionochromism, solvatochromism and effect of dissolved gases on the spectral properties of bromothymol blue

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    The color of the pH indicator Bromothymol blue (BTB) changes from yellow to blue with increasing pH. The effect of some electrolytes (LiCl, NaCl, KCl, CsCl, KSCN and KClO3) and of D2O on the spectral properties of dilute solutions of BTB is explored. The results are interpreted in terms of dimerization of the dye molecules and of the different hydration that D2O induces. The effects of dissolved gases on the spectral properties of BTB is studied. Complete removal of dissolved gas is achieved. Surprising effects on the UV–vis spectra emerged. After degassing solutions, gases were re-admitted via bubbling. The gases He, Ar, N2, CO2 and CH4.were studied. The effects can be explained by presence or absence of nano- and microbubbles of gas in the solution. These allow formation of dimers and multiple association via adsorption and so affect the spectral properties of the dye molecules

    Physicochemical characterization of green sodium oleate-based formulations. Part 2. Effect of anions

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    Hypothesis: In Part 1 of this work we reported the behavior of a moderately concentrated dispersion of sodium oleate (NaOL) in water that produces elongated wormlike micelles (WLMs). Prompted by the striking effect induced by adding potassium chloride to the original NaOL dispersion, here we investigate the effect of different anions (with fixed cation) on NaOL or KOL-based hydrogels upon addition of different strong electrolytes. The interest in these investigations relies on the fact that they are among the best candidates for the production of eco-friendly stimulus-responsive materials. Experimental: The thermal and rheological properties of a 0.43 M dispersion of NaOL or KOL in water were investigated by steady-state and oscillatory rheology, and DSC experiments in the presence of different potassium or sodium salts at the same concentration (0.54 m), respectively. Findings: This paper highlights the occurrence of a Hofmeister phenomenon in the case of oleate-based WLMs and illustrates the remarkable effect induced by kosmotropic and chaotropic anions in terms of rheology and hydration of the rod-like nanoassemblies, that reflect the different ion adsorption at the WLM interface. We also discuss the different ion condensation of sodium and potassium ions at the interface that can lead to a significant change in the curvature of the elongated rods

    Specific ion effects in polysaccharide dispersions

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    The specific effects induced by some strong electrolytes or neutral co-solutes on aqueous mixtures of guar gum (GG), sodium alginate (SA) and sodium hyaluronate (SH) were studied through rheology and DSC experiments. The results are discussed in terms of changes in the polymer conformation, structure of the network and hydration properties. This study is also aimed at controlling the viscosity of the aqueous mixtures for application in green formulations to be used as fracturing fluids for shale gas extraction plants
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