SALT OUT Meaning and
Definition
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Salt out is a term used to describe the process of removing or separating a substance from a solution by adding salt to induce precipitation. It refers to the phenomenon where the addition of a high concentration of salt causes the solubility of a substance to decrease, resulting in the formation of solid particles that can be easily separated.
The salt out process is commonly employed in various fields, including chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology, as it provides a convenient and efficient way to isolate or purify a desired substance from a complex mixture. By selectively altering the solubility of different components, salt out allows for the separation of substances based on their differing solubilities.
This technique typically involves the gradual addition of salt to a solution while agitating or stirring the mixture. As the salt concentration increases, it surpasses the solubility threshold of the substance, leading to the formation of solid precipitates. These solid particles can then be separated from the remaining solution through filtration, centrifugation, or other separation techniques.
Salt out is commonly used for the purification of proteins and nucleic acids, where the addition of salt helps to remove impurities, such as contaminants or other unwanted molecules. The concept is also applied in the extraction of natural products, where high concentrations of salt are used to precipitate the desired compound from a mixture.
In summary, salt out is a process where the addition of salt to a solution induces the precipitation and subsequent separation of a substance, enabling its isolation or purification from a complex mixture.
Etymology of SALT OUT
The term "salt out" has its origins in the early 19th century and comes from the combination of the words "salt" and "out". "Salt" refers to the crystalline compound that is produced by the reaction of an acid and a base. "Out" is used here in the sense of "separating" or "removing". Therefore, "salt out" originally meant to separate or remove the salt from a mixture by a specific process. This term is commonly used in chemistry to describe the precipitation or extraction of a salt from a solution.
Idioms with the word SALT OUT
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salt out
The idiom "salt out" typically refers to the act of separating or isolating something from a mixture by adding salt. This can be used in a literal sense, such as in chemistry or cooking, or in a more figurative sense to describe the process of removing something unwanted or unnecessary from a situation.
