Effect of water activity and protective solutes on growth and subsequent survival to air-drying of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium cultures.

Probiotic cultures of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus were grown in media having water activities (a (w)) adjusted between 0.99 and 0.94 with NaCl or with a mixture of glycerol and sucrose in order to find conditions of osmotic stress which would still allow for good growth.

Small angle x-ray scattering of a supercritical electrolyte solution: the effect of density fluctuations on the hydration of ions.

Synchrotron small angle x-ray scattering measurements on water and zinc bromide ZnBr2 aqueous solutions were carried out from ambient to supercritical conditions. For both systems several isobars (between 285 and 600 bars) were followed beyond the critical isochore. The data were analyzed through an Ornstein-Zernike formalism in terms of correlation length and null angle structure factor.

Electrochemical deposition of platinum nanoparticles on carbon: a study by standard and anomalous X-ray diffraction.

This paper is devoted to an alternative method to characterize platinum nanoparticles: X-ray powder diffraction with synchrotron radiation in classical and anomalous dispersion modes. We could straightforwardly determine the mean diameter and the surface concentration of carbon-supported platinum nanoparticles, even down to diameters of 2-3 nm and catalyst amounts of 0.03 mgcm(-2).

Carnocin KZ213 produced by Carnobacterium piscicola 213 is adsorbed onto cells during growth. Its biosynthesis is regulated by temperature, pH and medium composition.

Carnocin KZ213 is an antilisterial bacteriocin produced by Carnobacterium piscicola 213. The effects of pH and temperature were studied during batch fermentation in MRS* medium (modified MRS without ammonium citrate or sodium acetate). The optimal pH for growth is between 6 and 7.