Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to investigate the dynamics of humic acid (HA) in an aqueous solution and the influence of pH, temperature, and HA concentration. The HA model employed in MD simulations was chosen and validated using experimental chemical composition data and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The simulations showed that the HA molecule has a strong propensity to adopt a compact conformation in water independent of pH, while the aggregation of HA was found to be pH-dependent. At high pH, the ionized HAs assembled into a thread-like structure, maximizing contact with water. At low pH, the neutral HAs formed a droplet-like aggregate, minimizing contact with the solvent. The simulation results are consistent with experimental data from dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging. This work provides new insight into the folding and aggregation of HA as a function of pH and a molecular-level understanding of the relationship between the acidity and the structure, solubility, and aggregation of HA, with direct implications for HA-based remediation strategies of contaminated sites.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c05938DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

solubility aggregation
8
humic acid
8
understanding solubility
4
aggregation
4
aggregation extent
4
extent humic
4
acid solution
4
solution combining
4
combining simulation
4
simulation experiment
4

Similar Publications

Subcritical water hydrolysis of eggshell membrane and its physicochemical characteristics.

Food Chem

January 2025

College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, PR China. Electronic address:

The insolubility of eggshell membrane (ESM) limits it application. This study utilized a green process subcritical water (SW), to prepare soluble ESM and compared it with acid hydrolysis. The effect of SW temperature on the yields of total protein, free amino acids, and glycosaminoglycan in the hydrolysate was investigated.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Continuously flowing wastewater-treatment processes can be configured for biological and physical selection to form and retain large biological aggregates (LBAs), along with suspended biomass that contains ordinary biological flocs and biomass that has detached from the LBAs. Suspended biomass and LBAs have different solids residence times (SRTs) and mass-transport resistances. Here, mathematical sub-models that describe metabolic processes, a 1-D biofilm, and spherical carriers that can migrate throughout a wastewater-treatment process were combined to simulate a full-scale demonstration train having anaerobic, anoxic, and oxic zones, as well as side-stream enhanced biological phosphorus removal.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A Lambda-evo (λ) phage platform for Zika virus E protein display.

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol

January 2025

Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional No, 2508, C.P. 07360, Mexico City, Mexico.

One of the most significant bacteriophage technologies is phage display, in which heterologous peptides are exhibited on the virion surface. This work describes the display of λ decorative protein D linked to the E protein domain III of Zika virus (D-ZE), to the GFP protein (D-GFP), or to different domain III epitopes of the E protein (D-TD), exhibited on the surface of an in vitro evolved lambda phage (λ). This phage harbors a gene D deletion and was subjected to directed evolution using Escherichia coli W3110/pD-ZE as background.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

APOE4 impact on soluble and insoluble tau pathology is mostly influenced by amyloid-beta.

Brain

January 2025

Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden.

The APOE4 allele is the strongest genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). While APOE4 is strongly associated with amyloid-beta (Aβ), its relationship with tau accumulation is less understood. Studies evaluating the role of APOE4 on tau accumulation showed conflicting results, particularly regarding the independence of these associations from Aβ load.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability limit the translation of new drug candidates into clinical applications. Nanocrystal formulations offer a promising approach for improving the dissolution rate and saturation solubility. These formulations are applicable for various routes of administration, with each presenting unique opportunities and challenges posed by the physiological barriers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!