Caracterização composicional e transesterificação de óleo de microalga: uma abordagem computacional

A procedure for compositional characterization of a microalgae oil is presented and applied to investigate a microalgae based biodiesel production process through process simulation. The methodology consists of: proposing a set of triacylglycerides (TAG) present in the oil; assuming an initial TAG composition and simulating the transesterification reaction (UNISIM Design, Honeywell) to obtain FAME characterization values (methyl ester composition); evaluating deviations of experimental from calculated values; minimizing the sum of squared deviations by a non-linear optimization algorithm, with TAG molar fractions as decision variables. Biodiesel from the characterized oil is compared to a rapeseed based biodiesel.

Epoxidação do óleo de soja com o sistema catalítico [MoO2(acac)2]/TBHP EM [bmim][PF6]

Epoxidation of soybean oil was investigated using 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [bmim][PF6] ionic liquid as biphasic medium with molybdenum(VI) acetylacetonate complex and tert-butyl hydroperoxide TBHP as oxidizing agent. Reaction conditions were molar ratio TBHP:number of double bonds of oil:catalyst of 100:100:1, reaction temperature of 60 ºC and reaction time between 2 and 24 h. The proposed system showed catalytic activity for epoxidation reactions under tested conditions. Reuse of ionic liquid/catalyst system for epoxidation reactions was also investigated. Evaluation of epoxidation observed in this catalytic system was done by quantitative ¹H NMR data.

A utilização de etanol em célula a combustível de óxido sólido

This work reports a review on the status and technical feasibility of the application of ethanol as fuel for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC), presenting both external reform and cell with direct utilization of ethanol. Based on this survey, both experimental results and mathematical modeling indicated the technical feasibility of power generation by ethanol SOFC, with cell units producing 450 mW/cm², sufficient for scale up to large stationary plants. The quantitative assessments in the literature show this field to be promising for researchers and private sector investment as well being a strategic technology for government policy in the short and long term.

Constituintes químicos de Capraria biflora (Scrophulariaceae) e atividade larvicida de seu óleo essencial

Analysis of essential oil from fresh leaves of Capraria biflora allowed identification of fourteen essential oil constituents among which thirteen are sesquiterpene compounds, and α-humulene (43.0%) the major constituent. The essential oil was tested for larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti showing good activity, with LC50 73.39 µg/mL (2.27 g/mL). Chromatographic studies of extracts from roots and stems allowed the isolation of five compounds: naphthoquinone biflorin, sesquiterpene caprariolide B, the steroid β-sitosterol, the carbohydrate D-mannitol and iridoid myopochlorin first reported in the species C. biflora. The structures of compounds were characterized by spectroscopic data, IR, MS, NMR13C, NMR¹H, NOE, HSQC and HMBC.

Glicerólise de óleo de peixe catalisada por lipase comercial de Rhizomucor miehei em meio com surfactante de grau alimentício

Omega-3 enriched partial acylglycerols are beneficial for human health. The aim of this study was to obtain monoacylglycerols (MAG) and diacylglycerols (DAG) by means of glycerolysis of fish oil catalyzed by a lipase from Rhizomucor miehei in the presence of food grade surfactants (Tween 65, 80 or 85). Glycerolysis was successful in the reaction media for all the tested surfactants, showing their potential for use as additives in such a system. The best results, however, were obtained for the reaction medium in the absence of surfactant whose peroxide value was the lowest after glycerolysis.

Avaliação da estabilidade oxidativa do óleo bruto de açaí (Euterpe oleracea) na presença de compostos fenólicos puros ou de extratos vegetais amazônicos

A final 241 µM of ascorbyl palmitate and 555 µM of the following antioxidants separately: BHA, myricetin and quercetin standards, and extracts of Byrsonima crassifolia, Inga edulis or Euterpe oleracea, were added to crude açai oil and submitted to the oxidation process at 60 ºC for 11 days. Among the antioxidants used, only the myricetin standard showed the ability to defer the oxidation process until the third day of treatment. B. crassifolia, I. edulis and E. oleracea extracts showed no preventive capacity against the oxidation process, despite their high concentration phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities.

Síntese de poliuretanos modificados por óleo de mamona empregados em materiais energéticos

The aim of this work was to synthesize a polyurethane polymer matrix using castor oil as a polymer chain modifier, whose characteristics can be adjusted for use as a binder in the manufacture of energetic materials such as propellant and pyrotechnics for aerospace use. We attempted the partial substitution of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), a pre-polymer commonly used as a starting polyol in obtaining energetic matrix composites. Thermoanalytical techniques were employed to characterize the material based on castor oil and the unmodified HTPB. The results showed similar behaviors, confirming the possibility of their use as polymer matrix composites through the proposed adaptations.

Determinação espectrofotométrica de sulfato em álcool etílico combustível empregando dibromosulfonazo III

A sensitive spectrophotometric method was developed for sulphate determination in automotive ethanol fuel. The method based on the reaction of the analyte with barium-dibromosulphonazo(III) complex lead to a decrease in the magnitude of the absorbance signals monitored at 649 nm. No sample pretreatment is required and the proposed method allows sulphate determination in the 0.45 - 6.50 mg L-1 range with R.S.D. < 2% and limit of detection of 0.14 mg L-1. The method has been successfully applied for sulphate determination in automotive ethanol fuel and the results agreed with the reference chromatographic method.

Produção de biossurfactantes por microrganismos isolados de solo contaminado com óleo diesel

The aim of this work was to produce biosurfactants through submerged fermentation using microorganisms isolated from soil contaminated with diesel. Microorganisms were isolated, characterized by the production of biosurfactants, and used to study the influence of type, induction and concentration of ammonium sulfate as a nitrogen source in the culture medium. The microorganisms that showed best results, in terms of production of biosurfactants, were identified as being of the genus Pseudomonas and Bacillus. The biosurfactants produced proved capable of reducing the surface tension of the media to 39 mN/m and 34 mN/m, respectively. Higher biosurfactant production was obtained in the medium containing 1% soybean oil without ammonium sulfate.

Preparação e caracterização do complexo de inclusão do óleo essencial de Croton zehntneri com β-ciclodextrina

Croton zehntneri, a plant native to northeastern Brazil, is widely used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal problems and has rich essential oil content. The essential oil of C. Zehntneri was analyzed by GC-MS, and its inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was characterized by both vibrational spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Estragol was the major component identified in the essential oil by the study. IR spectra indicated an interaction of β-CD with essential oil from C. zehntneri, a finding corroborated by the stability constant and scanning calorimetry. Microencapsulation within β-CD has the potential to mask sensory attributes and increase aqueous solubility of oils, thereby improving their applicability as drugs.

Estudo da cinética de oxidação de biodiesel b100 obtido de óleo de soja e gordura de porco: determinação da energia de ativação

The quality of biodiesel is extremely important for its commercialization and use; oxidation of biodiesel is a critical factor because it decreases the fuel storage time. A commercial biodiesel was mixed with synthetic antioxidants, according to a simplex-centroid experimental mixture design, and its stability was evaluated through induction period and activation energy. In all trials, addition of antioxidants increased activation energy in the mixtures containing tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ). When a mixture containing 50% TBHQ and 50% butylated hydroxyanisole was used, synergistic effect was observed, and the major activation energy obtained was 104.43 kJ mol-1.

Avaliação de diferentes métodos para a determinação de cobre em óleo mineral isolante por espectrometria de absorção atômica com forno de grafite

This aim of this work was to compare two methods for copper determination in insulating oils from power transformers by GFAAS. The first method was extraction induced by emulsion breaking, which determined the preconcentration of copper in an aqueous solution and exhibited a limit of quantification of 0.27 µg L-1. Also, a second method based on the direct introduction of samples into GFAAS in the form of detergent emulsions, prepared with Triton X-114 and HNO3, was investigated. In this case, the limit of quantification was 1.7 µg L-1. Seven samples of used oils were successfully analyzed by both methods.

Caracterização físico-química do óleo essencial da Siparuna guianensis Aublet

Thermal and spectroscopic analyses of essential oil extracted from Siparuna guianensis Aublet, an aromatic plant belonging to medicinal ethnobotany family Siparunaceae, were carried out. The plant is known throughout the North and Northeast of Brazil by the name negramina and has wide application as a natural insect repellent. Thermogravimetric analyses were correlated with the Arrhenius Equation to provide kinetic parameters of evaporation, including activation energy and frequency factor. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis showed the presence of an exothermic oxidation peak, probably as a result of transformations and decomposition of the solid structure before melting.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO E ATIVIDADE CATALÍTICA DE K2CO3/AL2O3 NA TRANSESTERIFICAÇÃO DO ÓLEO DE GIRASSOL COM AQUECIMENTO CONVENCIONAL E MICRO-ONDAS

Commercial and synthetic mesoporous aluminas impregnated with potassium carbonate were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen physisorption, infrared spectroscopy and 27Al MAS NMR. The activities in the transesterification reaction of sunflower oil with methanol for biodiesel production were evaluated. 27Al MAS NMR spectra evidenced the presence of AlIV and AlVI in the samples, and also of AlV sites in the mesoporous synthesized alumina, which disappeared after impregnation with potassium salt followed by calcination. All aluminas containing potassium were active for biodiesel production from sunflower seed oil, with high conversions by both conventional heating and microwave irradiation.

KIT COLORIMÉTRICO PARA DETECÇÃO DE METANOL EM ETANOL COMBUSTÍVEL PARA O MONITORAMENTO DA QUALIDADE DE COMBUSTÍVEIS

A colorimetric kit for methanol detection in ethanol-containing fuels and ease of use in the field was developed and tested. The analysis can detect the presence of methanol in fuels when exceeding specification (0.5% v/v) in about 20 min and its simple instrumentation does not require a specialist. The kit method was successfully validated at gas stations located in São Paulo State and the Federal District.