Análise de viabilidade técnica de utilização da Fibra de bananeira com resina sintética em Compósitos

This paper aims to present the feasibility of using a composite using discarded material from the cultivation of banana tree (pseudostem), which is fibrillated together with synthetic resin replacing glass fiber to be used in structural elements that do not demand large mechanical stress such as reservoirs, troughs, domes, sewage pipes etc.. For this, there were studies about the mechanical properties of a composite made with polyester resin and fiber of banana tree (Musa sp, musac), in which the splints were removed from the pseudostem, being made fibrillation by hand, with the aid of a brush steel, followed by natural drying. After treatment for cleaning and removal of wax, the fiber was cut into pieces of approximately 60 mm to 100 mm, for, together with synthetic resin, make cards of a features fiber composite with random orientation relative to the weight of the resin. We used three different percentages of fiber (3%, 6% and 9%), in order to make a comparative study between them and what would be the one with the best performance. Were manufactured specimens of each material and then subjected to uniaxial tensile tests, three point bending, moisture absorption and thermal characteristics. The results show that, in general, the use of banana tree fiber is feasible simply by an improvement in the production process (machining of the procedure) and greater care in the manufacture of parts

Comparative study between the effects of hyaluronic acid and acid galactan purified from eggs of the mollusk Pomacea sp in wound healing

To compare the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) and of AG on the healing of intestine wounds. Methods: The semi-purified extract of the eggs of the mollusc was obtained by fractionation with ammonium sulfate and purification for ion-exchange chromatography. The obtained galactans were eluted in water (neutral galactan) and in 0.1 and 0.2M NaCl (acidic galactans). The in vivo study was performed with 45 “Wistar” rats, separated in three groups (n=15). Solutions containing HA 1%, GA 1% or saline solution 0,9%, was placed topically on the sutures of wounds in the small intestine of the rats. After 05, 10 and 21 days the animals were sacrificed and biopsy of the healing tissue was done. Results: The hystologic grading was more significant for HA and AG groups when compared to the group C. AG stimulated the appearance of macrophages, giant cells and increase in the concentration of collagen in the area of the wound when compared to HA. Conclusion: The topical use of GA in intestinal wounds promoted the anticipation of events that are important in the wound healing

Purificação e caracterização de uma β-glucuronidase extraída do molusco mesogastropoda ampularidade Pomacea sp

This work studies the involved enzymatic way in the metabolism of glycosaminoglycans sulfateds in the mollusc Pomacea sp. Had been identified endoglycosidases and exoglycosidases in the enzymatic extract of the mollusc Pomacea sp by means of hydrolysis activity in condroitim sulphate of whale cartilage and of the p-Nitrofenil-β-glucuronide, respectively. The enzymatic extracts qere obtained of Pomacea sp. being used of 0.1 sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0 and later centrifugated the 8,000 x g and the presents proteins in the sobrenadante were submitted to the fractionament with two crescents ammonium sulphate concentrations, the visualized activity biggest in the F2 fraction (50-80%). The β-glucuronidase (F3) was isolated in gel chromatography filtration Biogel 1.5m, the purification degree was ratified in Chromatography Liquid of high efficiency (HPLC). The enzyme was purificated 6.362,5 times with 35,6% yield. The β -glucuronidase isolated in this work showed a molecular mass of 100 kDa, determined for eletroforese in poliacrilamida gel . The determination of the ideal kinetic parameters for the catalysis of the p-nitrofenil- β -glucuronide for β-glucuronidase, showed excellent activity in pH 5,0 and temperature 65ºC for 6 hours and apparent Km of 72 x 10-2 mM. It is necessary for the total degradation of 3mM of p-N-β-glucoronide, the amount of 1,2μg of ss-glucuronidase. The BaCl2 increased the activity of ss-glucuronidase, and the activity was inhibited completely by the composites SDS and NaH2PO4

Caracterização e comparação de genes expressos em ápices meristemáticos de cana-de-açúcar cultivados em SP e RN

In this work, we used sugarcane as a model due to its importance for sugar and ethanol production. Unlike the current plant models, sugarcane presents a complex genetics and an enormous allelic variation. Here, we report the analysis of SAGE libraries produced using the shoot apical meristem from contrasted genotypes by flowering induction (non-flowering vs. early-flowering varieties) grown under São Paulo state conditions. The expression pattern was analyzed using samples from São Paulo (SP) and Rio Grande do Norte (RN) states. These results showed that cDNAs identified by SAGE libraries had differential expression only in São Paulo state samples. Furthermore, the cDNA identified CYP (Citocrome P450) was chosen for in silico and genome characterization because it was found in SAGE libraries and subtractive libraries from samples from RN. Phylogenetic trees showed the relationship for these sequences. Furthermore, the qRT-PCR for CYP showed a potential role as flowering indutor for RN samples considering different isophorms. Considering the results present here, it can be consider that CYP gene may be used as molecular marker

Avaliação da composição química, atividade antioxidante, antibacteriana, antinoceptiva, antiinflamatória e toxicidade do extrato metanólico e frações de folhas de Spondias sp. (Anacardiaceae)

Spondias sp. (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as cajá-umbu, is an endemic plant from Northeastern Brazil, where their leaves are widely used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory processes, while their fruits have a great agro industrial potential. This study was designed to evaluate hepatoprotective, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the acute toxicity and repeated dose 28, using a methanolic extract (MES), a fraction rich in flavonoids (FRF) and a precipitate from Spondias sp.leaves. The antioxidant activity of them was valued to evaluate their free radical scavenger capacity by DPPH test, whereas MES and FRF were used to evaluate while the preventive action on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity. Seven groups (n=5) of female Wistar rats were used as follows: control group, CCl4-intoxicated group treated with EMS (500 mg/kg) for 7 days, three CCl4-intoxicated groups treated with FRF (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg) for 7 days and the CCl4-intoxicated group treated with Legalon ® (silimarina; (phytotherapeutic reference) (50 mg/kg; 7 days). MES and FRF showed a protective action against liver injury induced by CCl4, being observed a significant reduction of serum enzyme activity marker of liver damage (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase). On the other hand, the lipid peroxidation (SRAT) decrease, as well as the increase of glutathione content and enzyme activity of antioxidant defense system (SOD, CAT, GPx) toward near normal values indicated the ability of EMS to restore the oxidative imbalance induced by CCl4. The histological analysis confirmed the hepatoprotection, compared to degenerative changes in CCl4-treated group. This hepatoprotetor effect was similar to that shown by Legalon®. The in vitro high antioxidant capacity of extract (93.16 ± 1.00%) showed analogous results to those obtained by Carduus marianus BHT (reference standard). This fact explains the obtained results in vivo. Although no antimicrobial activity was detected, EMS and FRF promoted the antinociceptive effect induced in the second phase by the intraplantar formalin test, evidencing the anti-inflammatory action; confirmed by the carrageenan-induced peritonitis model. The evaluation of the mechanical allodynia (CFA a 80%) demonstrated the involvement of the Spondias sp. chemical composition in the anti-inflammatory activity toward the acute processes. The acute exposure and repeated dose during 28 days did not produce significant changes in the parameters that evaluate toxicity. Together the experimental results reveal, that Spondias sp. leaf extracts have a promising potential in pharmaceutical area, and due to its non-toxic condition present efficiency and security