Direct Evidence of Ice Crystallization Inhibition by Dielectric Relaxation of Hydrated Ions

In this paper, the inhibition effect of an alternative current (AC) electric field on ice crystallization in 0.9 wt % NaCl aqueous solution was confirmed thermodynamically with characterization. An innovative experimental and analytical method, combining differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurement with an externally applied electric field was created by implanting microelectrodes in a sample crucible. It was found that the ice crystallization, including pure ice and salty ice, was obviously inhibited after field cooling with an external AC electric field in a frequency range of 100 k–10 MHz, and the crystallization ratio was related to frequency. Compared with non-field cooling, the crystallization ratio of ice crystals was reduced to less than 20% when E = 57.8 kV/m and f = 1 MHz. The dielectric spectrum results show that this inhibition effect of an alternating electric field on ice crystal growth is closely related to the dielectric relaxation process of hydrated ions.

Deaggregation and Crystallization Inhibition by Small Amount of Polymer Addition for a Co-Amorphous Curcumin-Magnolol System

Different from previously reported co-amorphous systems, a co-amorphous curcumin-magnolol (CUR-MAG CM) system, as compared with its crystalline counterparts, exhibited decreased dissolution due to its aggregation during dissolution. The main purpose of the present study is to deaggregate CUR-MAG CM to optimize drug dissolution and explore the deaggregation mechanism involved. Herein, a small amount of polymer (HPMC, HPC, and PVP K30) was co-formulated at 5% (w/w) with CUR-MAG CM as ternary co-amorphous systems. The polymer addition changed the surface properties of CUR-MAG CM including improved water wettability enhanced surface free energy, and hence exerted a deaggregating effect. As a result, the ternary co-amorphous systems showed faster and higher dissolution as compared with crystalline CUR/MAG and CUR-MAG CM. In addition, the nucleation and crystal growth of dissolved CUR and MAG molecules were significantly inhibited by the added polymer, maintaining a supersaturated concentration for a long time. Furthermore, polymer addition increased the Tg of CUR-MAG CM, potentially involving molecular interactions and inhibiting molecular mobility, resulting in enhanced physical stability under 25 °C/60% RH and 40 °C/75% RH conditions. Therefore, this study provides a promising strategy to optimize the dissolution and physical stability of co-amorphous systems by deaggregation and crystallization inhibition via adding small amounts of polymers.

Computational Assessment of Modified Antifreeze Glycoproteins on Ice Nucleation

Antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs) found in various fish are used by the organisms to prevent freezing. While these compounds have been studied for their ability to bind to, and prevent the complete crystallization of water, the exact mechanisms by which AFGPs prevent freezing are still undetermined. Therefore, building upon our previous work, this study uses molecular dynamics simulations to assess the effects of hydroxyl group separation distance on AFGP ice nucleation activity. Water droplet crystallization simulations showed that modified AFGP structures containing hydroxyl distances smaller than ~3.0 Å lost their ability to prevent ice crystallization. Furthermore, modified AFGP containing hydroxyl distances of 7.327 Å and 6.160 Å was correlated with a promotion in ice nucleation, as demonstrated by the changes in the energy of the system. This supports the notion that the distance, and therefore, geometry characteristics between the hydroxyl groups located on the saccharide structures play a key role in the ice crystallization inhibition properties of AFGP compounds.

Amorphization of Thiamine Mononitrate: A Study of Crystallization Inhibition and Chemical Stability of Thiamine in Thiamine Mononitrate Amorphous Solid Dispersions

This study investigated thiamine degradation in thiamine mononitrate (TMN):polymer solid dispersions, accounting for the physical state of the vitamin and the recrystallization tendency of TMN in these dispersions. Results were compared with those from solid dispersions containing a different salt form of thiamine (thiamine chloride hydrochloride (TClHCl)). TMN:polymer dispersions were prepared by lyophilizing solutions containing TMN and amorphous polymers (pectin and PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone)). Samples were stored in controlled temperature and relative humidity (RH) environments for eight weeks and monitored periodically by X-ray diffraction and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Moisture sorption, glass transition temperature (Tg), intermolecular interactions, and pH were also determined. Similar to the TClHCl:polymer dispersions, thiamine was more chemically labile in the amorphous state than the crystalline state, when present in lower proportions in amorphous TMN:polymer dispersions despite increasing Tg values, when environmental storage conditions exceeded the Tg of the dispersion, and when co-formulated with PVP compared to pectin. When thiamine remained as an amorphous solid, chemical stability of thiamine did not differ as a function of counterion present (TMN vs. TClHCl). However, storage at 75% RH led to hydration of thiamine:PVP dispersions, and the resulting pH of the solutions as a function of thiamine salt form led to a higher chemical stability in the acidic TClHCl samples than in the neutral TMN samples.

Simple dietary advice targeting five urinary parameters reduces urinary supersaturation in idiopathic calcium oxalate stone formers

Among 208 kidney stone patients referred within 2 years, 75 patients (66 men, nine women) with truly idiopathic calcium oxalate stones (ICSF) were recruited. Dietary advice (DA) aimed at (1) urine dilution, (2) reduced crystallization promotion (lowering oxalate), and (3) increased crystallization inhibition (increasing citrate). We recommended higher intakes of fluid and calcium with meals/snacks (reducing intestinal oxalate absorption) as well as increased alkali and reduced meat protein (acid) for increasing urinary citrate. The intended effects of DA were elevations in urine volume, calcium (U-Ca) and citrate (U-Cit) as well as reductions in oxalate (U-Ox) and uric acid (U-UA). We retrospectively calculated an adherence score (AS), awarding + 1 point for parameters altered in the intended direction and − 1 point for opposite changes. Calcium oxalate supersaturation (CaOx-SS) was calculated using Tiselius’ AP(CaOx) index EQ. DA induced changes (all p < 0.0001) in urine volume (2057 ± 79 vs. 2573 ± 71 ml/day) and U-Ca (5.49 ± 0.24 vs. 7.98 ± 0.38 mmol/day) as well as in U-Ox (0.34 ± 0.01 vs. 0.26 ± 0.01 mmol/day) and U-UA (3.48 ± 0.12 vs. 3.13 ± 0.10 mmol/day). U-Cit only tendentially increased (3.07 ± 0.17 vs. 3.36 ± 0.23 mmol/day, p = 0.06). DA induced a 21.5% drop in AP(CaOx) index, from 0.93 ± 0.05 to 0.73 ± 0.05 (p = 0.0005). Decreases in CaOx-SS correlated with AS (R = 0.448, p < 0.0005), and highest AS (+ 5) always indicated lowering of CaOx-SS. Thus, simple DA can reduce CaOx-SS which may be monitored by AS.

Molecular Crystallization Inhibitors for Salt Damage Control in Porous Materials: An Overview

The use of inhibition chemicals holds the prospect of an efficient strategy to control crystallization in porous materials, thereby potentially contributing to the prevention or mitigation of the salt decay phenomenon in modern as well as historical building materials in a more sustainable manner. In this review, we first provide an essential background on the mechanism of salt crystallization and on the factors influencing this phenomenon; next, we illustrate the mechanism at the basis of the action of crystal growth inhibitors, and critically discuss the major advances in the development of different families of inhibitors, particularly focusing on their influence on salt transport and crystallization within the structure of porous media. Specifically, correlations between the crystallization inhibition processes in porous materials and variables, such as porous substrate composition and properties, contaminant salt type and concentrations, microclimatic conditions, inhibiting solution concentration and properties, and application methods, will be highlighted. Environmental aspects, limitations, and problems associated with some inhibition chemicals are also taken into account. Finally, a survey and a discussion on the most representative experimental techniques and instrumentation available to assess qualitatively and quantitatively the inhibitor effectiveness, as well as recently developed modelling tools are given out.