Lightweight concrete masonry units based on processed granulate of corn cob as aggregate

A research work was performed in order to assess the potential application of processed granulate of corn cob (PCC) as an alternative lightweight aggregate for the manufacturing process of lightweight concrete masonry units (CMU). Therefore, CMU-PCC were prepared in a factory using a typical lightweight concrete mixture for non-structural purposes. Additionally, lightweight concrete masonry units based on a currently applied lightweight aggregate such as expanded clay (CMU-EC) were also manufactured. An experimental work allowed achieving a set of results that suggest that the proposed building product presents interesting material properties within the masonry wall context. Therefore, this unit is promising for both interior and exterior applications. This conclusion is even more relevant considering that corn cob is an agricultural waste product.

Indicadores de durabilidade de concreto auto-adensável em ambiente quente e agressivo. Comparativo com concreto convencional

O concreto auto-adensável (CAA) necessita de ser mais estudado no que concerne à durabilidade em ambientes mais agressivos e de maior temperatura, comparativamente ao concreto convencional vibrado (CC). O presente trabalho objetiva apresentar os resultados de indicadores de durabilidade de CAA e CC de igual relação água/ligante e mesmos constituintes. A metodologia aplicou ensaios de resistência mecânica, resistividade elétrica, difusão de íons cloreto e carbonatação acelerada, dentre outros, bem como estudo de micro estrutura com ensaios de microscopia eletrônica de varredura e micro tomografia. Os ensaios se desenvolveram em laboratório de pesquisa e na obra da Arena Pernambuco. O CAA apresentou resistência à compressão 7,4% maior que o CC aos 28 dias; resistividade elétrica média 11,4% superior; difusão de íons cloreto com média de 63,3% do CC; frente de carbonatação com média de 45,8% do CC; porosidade com média de 55,6% do CC. Pelos resultados, ficou demonstrado que o CAA pode ser mais durável que o CC, contribuindo para elucidar os aspectos relacionados à sua durabilidade e consequente vida útil.

The powerful in vitro bioactivity of Euterpe oleracea Mart. seeds and related phenolic compounds

The Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí) is a plant from the Amazon region, classified as "super fruit" because of its various functional properties. However, limited investigation has been performed on açaí by-products, such as seeds. Therefore, the aim of this work was to characterized the phenolic compounds of the aqueous extract of açaí seeds and further evaluate its bioactivity (antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. Only proanthocyanidins were detected, being a B-type (epi)catechin tetramer the most abundant; however, procyanidin trimmers were the most predominant form. Açaí seeds extract revealed a high antioxidant (EC50 ranging from 3.6 to 19.4 μg/mL) and cytotoxic activity, being more effective in the cervical carcinoma cell line (HeLa; GI50 = 18 μg/mL); it did not show toxicity for non-tumor cells. Açaí seeds are considered a waste and could have an added economic benefit, through the extraction of natural antioxidants, particularly proanthocyanidins, that could find applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.