Structural and physicochemical characteristics of lintnerized native and sour cassava starches

The comprehension of the structure of starch granules is important for the understanding of its physicochemical properties. Native and sour cassava starches after being analyzed with respect to their pasting properties and baking expansion capacity, were treated with 2.2 N HCl at 38 degreesC for a maximum of nine days. The starch granules remaining after lintnerization were analyzed for amylose content and intrinsic viscosity, by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and chromatographic analysis. The results indicated that the acid hydrolysis on all starches occurred in two steps. The first one, with high hydrolysis rate, was characterized by a quick degradation of the amorphous part of the granules whereas the second step, with lower hydrolysis rate, was characterized by a higher resistance of the organized areas of the granules to acid treatment. Most of the amylose chains were found in the amorphous areas of starch granules only a small percentage was involved in the crystalline regions. The microscopic and chromatographic analysis demonstrated that the acid hydrolysis was not able to disrupt the entire granular crystalline structure. Fermented starch showed amylose and/or amylopectin chain fractions resistant to pullulanase, probably due to structural alterations during fermentation.

Chemical structure, surface properties and biological activities of the biosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI from soapstock

Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil produced rhamnolipids (RLLBI) when cultivated on soapstock as the sole carbon source. HPLC-MS analysis of the purified culture supernatant identified 6 RL homologues (%): R-2 C-10 C-10 28.9; R-2 C-10 C-12:1 23.0; R-1 C-10 C-10 23.4; R-2 C-10 C-12 11.3; R-2 C-10 C-12 7.9; R-2 C-10 C-12 C-12 5.5. To assess the potential antimicrobial activity of the new rhamnolipid product, RLLBI, its physicochemical properties were studied. RLLBI had a surface tension of 24 mN m(-1) and an interfacial tension 1.31 mN m(-1); the cmc was 120 mg l(-1). RLLBI produced stable emulsions with hydrocarbons and vegetable oils. This product showed good antimicrobial behaviour against bacteria: MIC for Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris was 8 mg l(-1), for Streptococcus faecalis 4 mg l(-1), and for Pseudomonas aeruginosa 32 mg l(-1). RLLBI was active against phytopathogenic fungal species, MIC values of 32 mg l(-1) being found against Penicillium, Alternaria, Gliocadium virens and Chaetonium globosum. Due to its physicochemical properties and antimicrobial behaviour, RLLBI could be used in bioremediation treatment and in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Effects of calcium hydroxide addition on the physical and chemical properties of a calcium silicate-based sealer

Recently, various calcium silicate-based sealers have been introduced for use in root canal filling. The MTA Fillapex is one of these sealers, but some of its physicochemical properties are not in accordance with the ISO requirements. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the flowability, pH level and calcium release of pure MTA Fillapex (MTAF) or containing 5% (MTAF5) or 10% (MTAF10) calcium hydroxide (CH), in weight, in comparison with AH Plus sealer. Material and Methods: The flowability test was performed according to the ISO 6876: 2001 requirements. For the pH level and calcium ion release analyses, the sealers were placed individually (n=10) in plastic tubes and immersed in deionized water. After 24 hours, 7 and 14 days, the water in which each specimen had been immersed was evaluated to determine the pH level changes and calcium released. Flowability, pH level and calcium release data were analyzed statistically by the ANOVA test (alpha=5%). Results: In relation to flowability: MTAF>AH Plus>MTAF5>MTAF10. In relation to the pH level, for 24 h: MTAF5=MTAF10=MTAF>AH Plus; for 7 and 14 days: MTAF5=MTAF10>MTAF>AH Plus. For the calcium release, for all periods: MTAF>MTAF5=MTAF10>AH Plus. Conclusions: The addition of 5% CH to the MTA Fillapex (in weight) is an alternative to reduce the high flowability presented by the sealer, without interfering in its alkalization potential.

A Critical Review of Properties of Darunavir and Analytical Methods for Its Determination

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of heat-moisture treatment on the structural, physicochemical, and rheological characteristics of arrowroot starch

The effect of heat-moisture treatment on structural, physicochemical, and rheological characteristics of arrowroot starch was investigated. Heat-moisture treatment was performed with starch samples conditioned to 28% moisture at 100℃ for 2, 4, 8, and 16 h. Structural and physicochemical characterization of native and modified starches, as well as rheological assays with gels of native and 4 h modified starches subjected to acid and sterilization stresses were performed. Arrowroot starch had 23.1% of amylose and a CA-type crystalline pattern that changed over the treatment time to A-type. Modified starches had higher pasting temperature and lower peak viscosity while breakdown viscosity practically disappeared, independently of the treatment time. Gelatinization temperature and crystallinity increased, while enthalpy, swelling power, and solubility decreased with the treatment. Gels from modified starches, independently of the stress conditions, were found to have more stable apparent viscosities and higher G' and G″ than gels from native starch. Heat-moisture treatment caused a reorganization of starch chains that increased molecular interactions. This increase resulted in higher paste stability and strengthened gels that showed higher resistance to shearing and heat, even after acid or sterilization conditions. A treatment time of 4 h was enough to deeply changing the physicochemical properties of starch.

Chemical and rheological properties of exopolysaccharides produced by four isolates of rhizobia

The rheological, physicochemical properties, emulsification and stability of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from four rhizobia isolates (LBMP-C01, LBMP-C02, LBMP-C03 and LBMP-C04) were studied. The EPS yields of isolates under these experimental conditions were in the range of 1.5-6.63gL(-1). The LBMP-C04 isolate, which presented the highest EPS production (6.63gL(-1)), was isolated from Arachis pintoi and was identified as a Rhizobium sp. strain that could be explored as a possible potential source for the production of extracellular heteropolysaccharides. All polymers showed a pseudoplastic non-Newtonian fluid behavior or shear thinning property in aqueous solutions. Among the four EPS tested against hydrocarbons, EPS LBMP-C01 was found to be more effective against hexane, olive and soybean oils (89.94%, 82.75% and 81.15%, respectively). Importantly, we found that changes in pH (2-11) and salinity (0-30%) influenced the emulsification of diesel oil by the EPSs. EPSLBMP-C04 presented optimal emulsification capacity at pH 10 (E24=53%) and 30% salinity (E24=27%). These findings contribute to the understanding of the influence of the chemical composition, physical properties and biotechnology applications of rhizobial EPS solutions their bioemulsifying properties.

Non-inclusion complexes between riboflavin and cyclodextrins

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Boron adsorption in lowland soils from Parana State, Brazil

Boron adsorption by soil is the main phenomenon that affects its availability to plants. This, the present study investigated the effect of liming on B adsorption by lowland soils of Parana State, and to correlate these values with the physical and chemical properties of the soils. Surface samples of three lowland soils [Gleissolo Haplico (GX), Plintossolo Haplico (FX) and Cambissolo Haplico (CX)], with different origin material and physicochemical properties were used. Samples with or without liming application were incubated during 60 days. Boron adsorption was accomplished by shaking 4.0g soil samples, for 24 h, with 20 mL of 0.01 mol L-1 CaCl2 solution containing different concentrations of B (0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg L-1). Sorption was fitted to non-linear form of the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The adsorption isotherms indicated that the B adsorption increased with its increasing concentration in the equilibrium solution. Maximum adsorption capacity of B ranged from 3.0 to 13.9 mg kg(-1) (without liming) and 14.7 to 35.7 mg kg(-1) (with liming). Liming increased the amount of adsorbed B in Gleissolo Haplico and Plintossolo Haplico soils, although the bonding energy has decreased. The amount of adsorbed B by Cambissolo Haplico soil was not affected by liming application. The most important soil properties affecting the B adsorption in lowland soils were pH, clay content, exchangeable aluminum and iron oxide contents.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of botryosphaeran and laminarin by beta-1,3-glucanases produced by Botryosphaeria rhodina and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai

Botryosphaeran, a (1 -> 3; 1 -> 6)-beta-D-glucan produced by Botryosphaeria rhodina, and laminarin were hydrolysed by two fungal beta-glucanases predominantly of the 1,3-type produced by B. rhodina and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai grown on botryosphaeran as sole carbon source. Both beta-glucanase preparations presented different modes of attack on botryosphaeran and laminarin. Laminarin was hydrolysed to the extent of similar to 50% in 1 hand 100% within 24 h, and its hydrolysis products were mainly glucose and gentiobiose, and lesser amounts of laminaribiose and oligosaccharides of DP 3-4 during the early stages of hydrolysis, while botryosphaeran 'yielded mainly glucose and gentiobiose with some trisaccharide, but no laminaribiose or tetrasaccharide when hydrolysed by the T. harzianum enzyme. By contrast, B. rhodina beta-1,3-glucanases produced predominantly glucose during all stages of botryosphaeran hydrolysis. Some physicochemical properties of the 1,3- and 1,6-beta-glucanases, and beta-glucosidases contained in the two fungal P-glucanase preparations are also described for the first time. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topliss method in the optimization of salicylic acid derivatives as potential antimycobacterial agents

The Topliss method was used to guide a synthetic path in support of drug discovery efforts toward the identification of potent antimycobacterial agents. Salicylic acid and its derivatives, p-chloro, p-methoxy, and m-chlorosalicylic acid, exemplify a series of synthetic compounds whose minimum inhibitory concentrations for a strain of Mycobacterium were determined and compared to those of the reference drug, p-aminosalicylic acid. Several physicochemical descriptors (including Hammett's sigma constant, ionization constant, dipole moment, Hansch constant, calculated partition coefficient, Sterimol-L and -B-4 and molecular volume) were considered to elucidate structure-activity relationships. Molecular electrostatic potential and molecular dipole moment maps were also calculated using the AM1 semi-empirical method. Among the new derivatives, m-chlorosalicylic acid showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration. The overall results suggest that both physicochemical properties and electronic features may influence the biological activity of this series of antimycobacterial agents and thus should be considered in designing new p-aminosalicylic acid analogs.

Thermal analysis of biodegradable microparticles containing ciprofloxacin hydrochloride obtained by spray drying technique

Thermal analysis has been extensively used to obtain information about drug-polymer interactions and to perform pre-formulation studies of pharmaceutical dosage forms. In this work, biodegradable microparticles of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) containing ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CP) in various drug:polymer ratios were obtained by spray drying. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the spray drying process on the drug-polymer interactions and on the stability of microparticles using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The results showed that the high levels of encapsulation efficiency were dependant on drug:polymer ratio. DSC and TG/DTG analyses showed that for physical mixtures of the microparticles components the thermal profiles were different from those signals obtained with the pure substances. Thermal analysis data disclosed that physical interaction between CP and PLGA in high temperatures had occurred. The DSC and TG profiles for drug-loaded microparticles were very similar to the physical mixtures of components and it was possible to characterize the thermal properties of microparticles according to drug content. These data indicated that the spray dryer technique does not affect the physicochemical properties of the microparticles. In addition, the results are in agreement with IR data analysis demonstrating that no significant chemical interaction occurs between CP and PLGA in both physical mixtures and microparticles. In conclusion, we have found that the spray drying procedure used in this work can be a secure methodology to produce CP-loaded microparticles. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Preparation and characterization of ordered intermetallic platinum phases for electrocatalytic applications

Ordered intermetallic phases of Pt with several transition metals have been prepared and their electrocatalytic properties studied. In light of these tests it is proposed that these catalysts could be used as electrodes in fuel cells, as they combine an excellent capacity to adsorb organic fuels at the Pt sites with low susceptibility to being poisoned by intermediates and reaction products at the transition-metal sites. An experimental procedure used to obtain the four intermetallic phases Pt-M (M = Mn, Pb, Sb and Sn) is described. The phases thus produced were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with surface analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, scanning tunneling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The data thus obtained support the conclusion that the method described here is highly effective for the preparation of Pt-M phases featuring a range of structural and electronic modifications that will allow a useful relation to be established between their physicochemical properties and predicted electrocatalytic activity. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization and in vitro evaluation of bacterial cellulose membranes functionalized with osteogenic growth peptide for bone tissue engineering

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

pH, Calcium Ion Release, and Setting Time of an Experimental Mineral Trioxide Aggregate-based Root Canal Sealer

Introduction: An experimental mineral trioxide aggregate sealer (MTAS) has been developed for use as a root canal sealer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the setting time, pH, and calcium ion release of MTAS compared with white Portland cement (CPB-40; Votorantin Cimentos, Camargo Correa SA, Pedro Leopoldo, MG, Brazil), white MTA Angelus (MTA; Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil), and AH Plus (Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany). Methods: For the evaluation of setting time, each material was analyzed using Gilmore-type needles. Polyethylene tubes with the materials were immersed in distilled water for the measurement of pH (digital pH meter) and calcium release (atomic absorption spectrophotometry). The evaluations were performed at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours and 7, 14, and 28 days. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and the Tukey test at 5% significance level. Results: MTAS showed higher calcium release at all experimental periods, a greater increase in pH up to 48 hours and the longest setting time. Conclusions: MTAS presented favorable properties for its indication as a root canal sealer. (J Endod 2011;37:844-846)

The antibiotics roseoflavin and 8-demethyl-8-amino-riboflavin from Streptomyces davawensis are metabolized by human flavokinase and human FAD synthetase

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)