Homogeneity of powder blends is an important metric for industrial applications in fortified dairy foods including commercial pediatric nutrition products. Product development practices evaluating physical properties and nutrient stability performance are reliant on blending parameters that deliver a uniform powder at both the pilot and commercial scale. Quantities of individual micronutrients in finished products are particularly critical for formulated infant foods. The two preliminary phases of this study focused on developing a simple, efficient method, specifically for a pilot scale ribbon blender, in which maximum homogeneity in fortified dairy-based powder blends could be reached. In phase one, a red iron oxide pigment powder was mixed throughout a white dairy powder and color homogeneity was measured by comparing L*a*b* color values from powder samples extracted from different areas of the ribbon blender. For phase two, sixteen similar fortified dairy blends were produced with varying ribbon blade shaft rpm, fill level, and blending durations according to a response surface method (RSM). The level of homogeneity of ferrous sulfate in the dairy blend was measured in these fortified mixtures to determine optimal blender parameters. After operating parameters were determined for uniform blending, phase three was enacted using these parameters. A comparison study of nutrient stability in fortified model non-agglomerated powder infant formula (PIF) and agglomerated whey protein concentrate (WPC) powder blends was executed to evaluate the degradative effect of microencapsulated ferrous sulfate (MFS) vs. unencapsulated ferrous sulfate (UFS) in these fortified dairy blends. The nutrient degradation rates of vitamins A, E and C in both PIF and WPC base powder, fortified with either MFS or UFS, were determined and compared during an accelerated eight-week stability study. Using p = 0.05, no statistically significant differences in vitamin degradation rates were observed when comparing independent spray-dried dairy-based blends containing unencapsulated or microencapsulated ferrous sulfate (using an encapsulating composition of 60% stearic acid) during eight weeks of accelerated shelf-life storage conditions (37 °C with a 75% relative humidity, RH). Of note, the degradation rates of vitamins A and E in blends containing PIF and UFS were more rapid than the control and suggestively significantly different (p = 0.07).

No description available.

The use of lignocellulosic materials to replace fossil resources for the industrial production of fuels, chemicals, and materials is increasing. The carbohydrate composition of lignocellulose (i.e. cellulose and hemicellulose) is an abundant source of sugars. However, due to the feedstock recalcitrance, rigid and compact structure of plant cell walls, access to polysaccharides is hindered and release of fermentable sugars has become a bottle-neck. Thus, to overcome the recalcitrant barriers, thermochemical pretreatment with an acid catalyst is usually employed for the physical or chemical disruption of plant cell wall. After pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis is the preferred option to produce sugars that can be further converted into liquid fuels (e.g. ethanol) via fermentation by microbial biocatalysts. However, during acid pretreatment, several inhibitory compounds namely furfural, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, phenols, and aliphatic acids are released from the lignocellulose components. The presence of these compounds can greatly effect both enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation. For instance, when Avicel cellulose and acid treated spruce wood hydrolysate were mixed, 63% decrease in the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency was observed compared to when Avicel was hydrolyzed in aqueous citrate buffer. In addition, the acid hydrolysates were essentially non-fermentable. Therefore, the associated problems of lignocellulose conversion can be addressed either by using feedstocks that are less recalcitrant or by developing efficient pretreatment techniques that do not cause formation of inhibitory byproducts and simultaneously give high sugar yields. A variety of lignocellulose materials including woody substrates (spruce, pine, and birch), agricultural residues (sugarcane bagasse and reed canary grass), bark (pine bark), and transgenic aspens were evaluated for their saccharification potential. Apparently, woody substrates were more recalcitrant than the rest of the species and bark was essentially amorphous. However, the saccharification efficiency of these substrates varied based on the pretreatment method used. For instance, untreated reed canary grass was more recalcitrant than woody materials whereas the acid treated reed canary grass gave a higher sugar yield (64%) than the woody substrates (max 34%). Genetic modification of plants was beneficial, since under similar pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis conditions, up to 28% higher sugar production was achieved from the transgenic plants compare to the wild type. As an alternative to the commonly used acid catalysed pretreatments (prior to enzymatic hydrolysis) lignocellulose materials were treated with four ionic liquid solvents (ILs): two switchable ILs (SILs) -SO2DBUMEASIL and CO2DBUMEASIL, and two other ILs [Amim][HCO2] and [AMMorp][OAc]. viii After enzymatic hydrolysis of IL treated substrates, a maximum amount of glucan to glucose conversion of between 75% and 97% and a maximum total sugar yields of between 71% and 94% were obtained. When using acid pretreatment these values varied between 13-77% for glucan to glucose conversion and 26-83% for total sugar yield. For woody substrates, the hemicellulose recovery (max 92%) was higher for the IL treated substrates than compared to acid treated samples. However, in case of reed canary grass and pine bark the hemicellulose recovery (90% and 88%, respectively) was significantly higher for the acid treated substrates than the IL treated samples. To overcome the inhibitory problems associated with the lignocellulose hydrolysates, three chemical conditioning methods were used 1. detoxification with ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) 2. application of reducing agents (sulfite, dithionite, or dithiothreitol) and 3. treatment with alkali: Ca(OH)2, NaOH, and NH4OH. The concentrations of inhibitory compounds were significantly lower after treatments with FeSO4 and H2O2 or alkali. Using reducing agents did not cause any decrease in the concentration of inhibitors, but detoxification of spruce acid hydrolysates resulted in up to 54% improvement of the hydrolysis efficiency (in terms of sugar release) compared to untreated samples. On the other hand, application of detoxification procedures to the aqueous buffer resulted in up to 39% decrease in hydrolysis efficiency, thus confirming that the positive effect of detoxification was due to the chemical alteration of inhibitory compounds. In addition, the fermentability of detoxified hydrolysates were investigated using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The detoxified hydrolysates were readily fermented to ethanol yielding a maximum ethanol concentration of 8.3 g/l while the undetoxified hydrolysates were basically non-fermentable.

Darbo tikslas: ištirti padidintų geležies sulfato ir geležies glicinato kiekių įtaką viščiukų broilerių produktyvumui ir paukštienos kokybei. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Ištirti padidintų geležies sulfato ir glicinato kiekių įtaką viščiukų broilerių augimo intensyvumui; 2. Ištirti padidintų geležies sulfato ir glicinato kiekių įtaką viščiukų broilerių lesalų sąnaudoms bei išsaugojimui; 3. Ištirti padidintų geležies sulfato ir glicinato kiekių įtaką viščiukų broilerių skerdenos morfologinei sudėčiai; 4. Ištirti padidintų geležies sulfato ir glicinato kiekių įtaką viščiukų broilerių krūtinėlės ir šlaunelių raumenų pH dinamikai, geležies ir malondialdehido (MDA) kiekių susikaupimui, bei mėsos juslinėms savybėms. Tyrimo metodika: Lesinimo bandymas buvo atliekamas 35 dienas su Ross 308 linijų derinio viščiukais broileriais. Viščiukai broileriai buvo suskirstyti į 3 grupes po 200 viščiukų kiekvienoje grupėje. Pirmoji grupė kontrolinė, likusios – tiriamosios. Kontrolinės grupės viščiukai broileriai buvo lesinami standartiniais kombinuotaisiais lesalais, į kuriuos buvo įterpta 70 mg geležies sulfato. Į I tiriamosios grupės standartinius kombinuotuosius lesalus – 144 mg geležies glicinato, o II tiriamosios grupės lesalus buvo įterpta 150 mg geležies sulfato. Tyrimo rezultatai ir išvados: Analizuojant 35 dienų amžiaus duomenis, abiejuose tiriamosiose grupėse viščiukų broilerių kūno masė padidėjo 1 proc., lyginant su kontroline grupe (p>0,05), o lesalų sąnaudos 1 kg priesvorio gauti... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of work (research): investigate the increased quantities of ferrous sulfate and glycinate influence on broiler chickens productivity and poultry meat quality. The tasks of the work: 1. to investigate the increased quantities of ferrous sulfate and glycinate influence to the intensity of broiler chickens’ growth; 2. to investigate the increased quantities of ferrous sulfate and glycinate influence to the input and preservation of broiler chickens’ feed; 3. to investigate the increased quantities of ferrous sulfate and glycinate influence to the morphological composition of broiler chickens’ carcase; 4. to investigate the increased quantities of ferrous sulfate and glycinate influence to the breast and thigh muscle pH dynamics, iron and malondialdehyde (MDA) quantities accumulation and sensory properties of the broiler chickens’ meat. Research methodology: The feeding experiment took 35 days and was performed with the Ross 308 broiler chickens line combination. Broilers were divided into 3 groups of 200 broilers in each. The fowl of all 3 groups were fed with a standard composite feed. The first control group, the rest - the test. The control group of chickens were fed the standard composite feed, containing 70 mg of ferrous sulfate. In the I treatment group compound feeds was added- 144 mg ferrous glycinate, and group II feeds has been added to 150 mg of ferrous sulfate. Broiler chickens were fed ad libitum. Research results and conclusion: Analysis of 3... [to full text]

A falta de consenso na literatura acerca dos efeitos tóxicos do chumbo no sistema auditivo é notória, tanto em estudos clínicos quanto experimentais. Em adição, tem sido relatado que o ferro apresenta um efeito protetor na toxicidade cerebral causada pelo chumbo. Assim, estudos clínicos e bioquímicos têm sido realizados no intuito de compreender a relação entre o chumbo e o sistema auditivo, bem como identificar possíveis substâncias protetoras para a toxicidade deste metal. Neste sentido, no presente estudo verificou-se o processo maturacional do nervo auditivo e tronco encefálico, associado à análise proteômica da porção auditiva do tronco encefálico de ratos expostos a acetato de chumbo e suplementados com sulfato ferroso. O experimento foi realizado por seis semanas com 30 ratos (Rattus norvergicus, variedade Wistar) machos, recém-desmamados, divididos em seis grupos de cinco animais cada, sendo um controle, que recebeu água deionizada; dois grupos experimentais que receberam 100 mg/L de Pb(CH3COO)2 na água de beber, sendo administrado simultaneamente para um deles 20 mg/kg de FeSO4 a cada dois dias; dois grupos que receberam a dose de 400 mg/L de Pb (CH3COO)2 na água de beber, onde para um deles foi administrado simultaneamente 20 mg/kg de FeSO4 a cada dois dias e um grupo experimental que recebeu água deionizada e uma solução de 20 mg/kg de FeSO4 a cada dois dias. O processo maturacional do sistema auditivo foi verificado por meio da análise do Potencial Evocado Auditivo de Tronco Encefálico (PEATE) em dois momentos distintos, antes e depois da exposição ao chumbo. Os animais foram então sacrificados, coletado sangue e removido o tronco encefálico. A concentração de chumbo no sangue e tronco encefálico, apresentou um efeito dose-resposta, confirmado pela alta correlação entre a concentração nos dois compartimentos (r2=0,905, p<0,0001), tendo o sulfato ferroso reduzido a concentração de chumbo no sangue e no tecido, embora a diferença só tenha sido significativa para o sangue grupo que recebeu 100 mg/L de Pb(CH3COO)2). Com relação ao PEATE observou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa para o interpico I-II (p=0,049) nos grupos experimentais 100 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 e 400 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 e interpico I-IV, quando comparados os grupos 100 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 e 100 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 + FeSO4 (p=0,033). A análise proteômica apontou uma diminuição considerável no número de spots proteicos detectados em todos os grupos experimentais em relação ao controle, bem como uma redução na expressão do padrão proteico. Assim, o presente estudo reforça a hipótese do papel deletério do chumbo nas dosagens de 100 e 400 mg/L de Pb (CH3COO)2 na maturação do nervo auditivo e região do núcleo coclear, com possível efeito protetor do ferro. A análise proteômica do tronco encefálico de ratos demonstrou que o acetato de chumbo altera a expressão proteica desta estrutura, contudo o efeito protetor do sulfato ferroso não foi confirmado nas proteínas identificadas. / There is a lack of consensus in the literature about the toxic effects of lead in the auditory system, both in clinical and experimental studies. In addition to that, it has been reported that iron has a protective effect on brain toxicity caused by lead. Therefore, clinical and biochemical studies have been carried out to understand the relationship between Pb and the auditory function, as well as if the ferreous sulfate as an otoprotectant. In this study the maturational process of the auditory nerve and brainstem and the proteomic profile of the auditory portion of the brainstem of rats exposed to lead and supplemented with iron were evaluated. The experiment was carried out for six weeks with 30 wealing rats (Rattus norvegicus, Wistar), divided into six groups of five animals each: a control group that received deionized water; two experimental groups receiving 100 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 in drinking water, being given 20 mg/kg FeSO4 simultaneously to one of them every two days; two groups received 400 mg/LPb(CH3COO)2 in drinking water, where to one of them was given 20 mg/kg FeSO4 simultaneously every two days; and an experimental group that received deionized water and a solution of 20 mg/kg FeSO4 every two days. The maturational process of the auditory system was verified by analyzing the Brainstem Auditory-Evoked Potential (BAEP) at two different times, before and after lead exposure. The animals were sacrificed, their blood collected and brainstem removed. The concentration of lead in blood and brain stem showed a dose-response, confirmed by correlation between the concentration in the two compartments (rr2 = 0.905, p <0.0001). Ferreous sulfate reduced the levels of lead in blood and tissue, although the difference was only significant for blood (group receiving 100 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2). Concerning to BEAP we observed a statistically significant difference for the interpeak I-II (p = 0.049) in the experimental groups 100 and 400 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 and for the interpeak I-IV, when groups 100 and 100 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 + FeSO4 were compared (p = 0.033). The proteomic analysis showed a considerable decrease in the number of protein spots detected in all experimental groups compared to control, as well as a reduction in the expression pattern of the proteins. Thus, the present study reinforces the hypothesis of deleterious role of Pb in dosages of 100 and 400 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 in the maturation of the auditory nerve and cochlear nucleus region, with a possible protective effect of ferreous sulfate. The proteomic analysis of the brainstem of rats showed that lead acetate alters protein expression of this structure. However, the protective effect of ferreous sulfate was not confirmed for the identified proteins.

A falta de consenso na literatura acerca dos efeitos tóxicos do chumbo no sistema auditivo é notória, tanto em estudos clínicos quanto experimentais. Em adição, tem sido relatado que o ferro apresenta um efeito protetor na toxicidade cerebral causada pelo chumbo. Assim, estudos clínicos e bioquímicos têm sido realizados no intuito de compreender a relação entre o chumbo e o sistema auditivo, bem como identificar possíveis substâncias protetoras para a toxicidade deste metal. Neste sentido, no presente estudo verificou-se o processo maturacional do nervo auditivo e tronco encefálico, associado à análise proteômica da porção auditiva do tronco encefálico de ratos expostos a acetato de chumbo e suplementados com sulfato ferroso. O experimento foi realizado por seis semanas com 30 ratos (Rattus norvergicus, variedade Wistar) machos, recém-desmamados, divididos em seis grupos de cinco animais cada, sendo um controle, que recebeu água deionizada; dois grupos experimentais que receberam 100 mg/L de Pb(CH3COO)2 na água de beber, sendo administrado simultaneamente para um deles 20 mg/kg de FeSO4 a cada dois dias; dois grupos que receberam a dose de 400 mg/L de Pb (CH3COO)2 na água de beber, onde para um deles foi administrado simultaneamente 20 mg/kg de FeSO4 a cada dois dias e um grupo experimental que recebeu água deionizada e uma solução de 20 mg/kg de FeSO4 a cada dois dias. O processo maturacional do sistema auditivo foi verificado por meio da análise do Potencial Evocado Auditivo de Tronco Encefálico (PEATE) em dois momentos distintos, antes e depois da exposição ao chumbo. Os animais foram então sacrificados, coletado sangue e removido o tronco encefálico. A concentração de chumbo no sangue e tronco encefálico, apresentou um efeito dose-resposta, confirmado pela alta correlação entre a concentração nos dois compartimentos (r2=0,905, p<0,0001), tendo o sulfato ferroso reduzido a concentração de chumbo no sangue e no tecido, embora a diferença só tenha sido significativa para o sangue grupo que recebeu 100 mg/L de Pb(CH3COO)2). Com relação ao PEATE observou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa para o interpico I-II (p=0,049) nos grupos experimentais 100 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 e 400 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 e interpico I-IV, quando comparados os grupos 100 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 e 100 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 + FeSO4 (p=0,033). A análise proteômica apontou uma diminuição considerável no número de spots proteicos detectados em todos os grupos experimentais em relação ao controle, bem como uma redução na expressão do padrão proteico. Assim, o presente estudo reforça a hipótese do papel deletério do chumbo nas dosagens de 100 e 400 mg/L de Pb (CH3COO)2 na maturação do nervo auditivo e região do núcleo coclear, com possível efeito protetor do ferro. A análise proteômica do tronco encefálico de ratos demonstrou que o acetato de chumbo altera a expressão proteica desta estrutura, contudo o efeito protetor do sulfato ferroso não foi confirmado nas proteínas identificadas. / There is a lack of consensus in the literature about the toxic effects of lead in the auditory system, both in clinical and experimental studies. In addition to that, it has been reported that iron has a protective effect on brain toxicity caused by lead. Therefore, clinical and biochemical studies have been carried out to understand the relationship between Pb and the auditory function, as well as if the ferreous sulfate as an otoprotectant. In this study the maturational process of the auditory nerve and brainstem and the proteomic profile of the auditory portion of the brainstem of rats exposed to lead and supplemented with iron were evaluated. The experiment was carried out for six weeks with 30 wealing rats (Rattus norvegicus, Wistar), divided into six groups of five animals each: a control group that received deionized water; two experimental groups receiving 100 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 in drinking water, being given 20 mg/kg FeSO4 simultaneously to one of them every two days; two groups received 400 mg/LPb(CH3COO)2 in drinking water, where to one of them was given 20 mg/kg FeSO4 simultaneously every two days; and an experimental group that received deionized water and a solution of 20 mg/kg FeSO4 every two days. The maturational process of the auditory system was verified by analyzing the Brainstem Auditory-Evoked Potential (BAEP) at two different times, before and after lead exposure. The animals were sacrificed, their blood collected and brainstem removed. The concentration of lead in blood and brain stem showed a dose-response, confirmed by correlation between the concentration in the two compartments (rr2 = 0.905, p <0.0001). Ferreous sulfate reduced the levels of lead in blood and tissue, although the difference was only significant for blood (group receiving 100 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2). Concerning to BEAP we observed a statistically significant difference for the interpeak I-II (p = 0.049) in the experimental groups 100 and 400 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 and for the interpeak I-IV, when groups 100 and 100 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 + FeSO4 were compared (p = 0.033). The proteomic analysis showed a considerable decrease in the number of protein spots detected in all experimental groups compared to control, as well as a reduction in the expression pattern of the proteins. Thus, the present study reinforces the hypothesis of deleterious role of Pb in dosages of 100 and 400 mg/L Pb(CH3COO)2 in the maturation of the auditory nerve and cochlear nucleus region, with a possible protective effect of ferreous sulfate. The proteomic analysis of the brainstem of rats showed that lead acetate alters protein expression of this structure. However, the protective effect of ferreous sulfate was not confirmed for the identified proteins.

[pt] Sabe-se que o coagulante sulfato férrico pode ser obtido através da reação de oxidação entre sulfato ferroso e peróxido de hidrogênio em meio ácido. Porém, o método conhecido de obtenção deste coagulante em escala industrial utilizando o peróxido de hidrogênio como agente oxidante não proporciona condições economicamente atrativas, frente aos demais processos. Este potente agente oxidante sofre forte influência da temperatura e da presença de íons ferro no seu processo de auto decomposição em água e oxigênio. Pode-se considerar que as condições do meio reacional, na etapa de adição do agente oxidante, são os fatores determinantes para a produção do coagulante férrico com o maior aproveitamento do peróxido de hidrogênio adicionado. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar as condições necessárias para a produção do coagulante férrico utilizando o peróxido de hidrogênio, em um processo economicamente competitivo. A pesquisa foi fundamentada nas técnicas de planejamento de experimentos e otimização de processos. A modelagem matemática do processo possibilitou a definição da magnitude dos parâmetros a serem utilizados otimizando o processo e a especificação das características desejadas do produto final. As variáveis independentes estudadas na modelagem matemática foram: temperatura (7,5 – 27,5 graus celsius), quantidade de peróxido de hidrogênio (100 – 300 porcento) referente à sua quantidade estequiométrica e a diluição do meio utilizando água (100 – 300 porcento) referente à sua quantidade estequiométrica. As quantidades estequiométricas dos reagentes foram determinadas visando ao atingimento das especificações de um coagulante férrico comercial. O modelo desenvolvido foi sobre a Conversão de Fe2(+) em Fe3(+) (porcento) e avaliado através da Análise da Variância (ANOVA). As condições ótimas escolhidas para o ponto ótimo foram: temperatura igual a 17,5 graus celsius, 150 porcento da quantidade estequiométrica de peróxido de hidrogênio e 200 porcento da quantidade estequiométrica de água. A resposta da etapa de otimização indicou uma conversão de 96,17 porcento de Fe2(+) em Fe3(+), resultando em um coagulante dentro dos padrões especificados por norma técnica. O modelo matemático obtido previu uma conversão de 96,13 porcento de Fe2(+) em Fe3(+), resultando em um erro percentual de 0,043 porcento entre o resultado predito pelo modelo matemático e o resultado experimental. As análises das superfícies de resposta e da quantidade de peróxido de hidrogênio residual em solução indicaram que o controle do processo em baixas temperaturas contribui para o melhor aproveitamento do peróxido de hidrogênio na conversão de Fe2(+) em Fe3(+), devido à desaceleração da auto decomposição incitada pelo fator temperatura. A análise do potencial de redução ao longo da reação em função do perfil de conversão mostrou que conversões acima de 90 porcento de Fe2(+) em Fe3(+) apresentaram potencial redox (Eh) correspondente acima de 0,70 Volts, indicando a possibilidade da utilização deste parâmetro no controle da conversão em processos industriais. / [en] It is known that the coagulant ferric sulfate can be obtained by the oxidation reaction of ferrous sulfate with hydrogen peroxide in acidic medium. However, the known method of obtaining this coagulant on an industrial scale using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent do not provide economically attractive conditions compared to other processes. This potent oxidizing agent undergoes strong influence of the temperature and the presence of iron ions in its process of self-decomposition in water and oxygen. It can be considered that the conditions of the reaction medium in the step of adding the oxidizing agent are the determining factors for the production of the ferric coagulant with the greatest use of the added hydrogen peroxide. The present work had the objective of investigating the necessary conditions for the production of the ferric coagulant using the hydrogen peroxide as an economically competitive process. The research was based on the techniques of factorial design and process optimization. The mathematical modeling of the process allowed the definition of the magnitude of the parameters to be used, optimizing the process and specifying the desired characteristics of the final product. The independent variables studied in the mathematical modeling were: temperature (7,5 – 27,5 celsius degrees), amount of hydrogen peroxide (100-300 percent) relative to its stoichiometric amount, and dilution of the medium using water (100-300 percent) relative to its stoichiometric amount. The stoichiometric quantities of the reactants were determined in order to reach the specifications of a commercial ferric coagulant. The model developed was on Conversion of Fe2(+) to Fe3(+) (percent) and evaluated through Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The optimum conditions chosen for the optimum were: temperature equal to 17,5 Celsius degrees, 150 percent of the stoichiometric amount of hydrogen peroxide and 200 percent of the stoichiometric amount of water. The optimization of the response surfaces indicated a conversion of 96.17 percent Fe2(+) to Fe3(+), resulting in a coagulant within the characteristics specified by the technical standard. The obtained mathematical model predicted a conversion of 96.13 percent Fe2(+) to Fe3(+), resulting in a percentage error of 0,043 percent between the predicted results by the mathematical model and the experimental results. The analysis of the response surfaces and the amount of residual hydrogen peroxide in solution indicated that the control of the process at low temperatures contributes to the better utilization of the hydrogen peroxide in the conversion of Fe2(+) into Fe3(+), due to the deceleration of the self-induced decomposition by the factor temperature. The analysis of the reduction potential along the conversion profile function showed that conversions above 90 percent of Fe2(+)into Fe3(+) presented a corresponding redox potential (Eh) above 0,70 Volts, indicating the possibility of using this parameter for the control of conversion into industrial processes.

Monte-Carlo calculations are used to simulate the stochastic effects of fast neutron-induced chemical changes in the radiolysis of the ferrous sulfate (Fricke) dosimeter. To study the dependence of the yield of ferric ions, G(Fe[superscript 3+]), on fast neutron energy, we have simulated, at 25 [degree centigrade], the oxidation of ferrous ions in aerated aqueous 0.4 M H[subscript 2]SO[subscript 4] (pH 0.46) solutions when subjected to ~0.5-10 MeV incident neutrons, as a function of time up to ~50 s. The radiation effects due to fast neutrons are estimated on the basis of track segment (or"escape") yields calculated for the first four recoil protons with appropriate weighting according to the energy deposited by each of these protons. For example, a 0.8-MeV neutron generates recoil protons of 0.505, 0.186, 0.069, and 0.025 MeV, with linear energy transfer (LET) values of ~41, 69, 82, and 62 keV/[micro]m, respectively. In doing so, we consider that further recoils make only a negligible contribution to radiation processes. Our results show that the radiolysis of dilute aqueous solutions by fast neutrons produces smaller radical yields and larger molecular yields (relative to the corresponding yields for the radiolysis of water by [superscript 60]Co [gamma]-rays or fast electrons) due to the high LET associated to fast neutrons. The effect of recoil ions of oxygen, which is also taken into account in the calculations, is shown to decrease G(Fe[superscript 3+]) by about 10%. Our calculated values of G(Fe[superscript 3+]) are found to increase slightly with increasing neutron energy over the energy range covered in this study, in good agreement with available experimental data. We have also simulated the effect of temperature on the G(Fe[superscript 3+]) values in the fast neutron radiolysis of the Fricke dosimeter from 25 to 300 [degree centigrade]. Our results show an increase of G(Fe[superscript 3+]) with increasing temperature, which is readily explained by an increase in the yields of free radicals and a decrease in those of molecular products. For 0.8-MeV incident neutrons (the only case for which experimental data are available in the literature), there is a ~23% increase in G(Fe[superscript 3+]) on going from 25 to 300 [degree centigrade]. Although these results are in reasonable agreement with experiment, more experimental data, in particular for different incident neutron energies, would be needed to test more rigorously our Fe[superscript 3+] ion yield results at elevated temperatures.