Determinação simultânea de cátions empregando eletroforese capilar com detecção condutométrica sem contato em equipamento construído em laboratório

This work describes the development of a home-made capillary electrophoresis (CE) system based on the capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) for the separation of the metallic species Zn2+, Cr3+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Ni2+ e Tl+. A background electrolyte composed of MES/Histidine 0,02 mol L-1 (pH 5.0) was optimized for the separation of the metallic species by using organic solvents and complexing agents as additives. The system allowed the determination of the metallic species using MES/Histidine 0,02 mol L-1 and methanol 5% (pH 5.0) as a background electrolyte, 15 kV separation voltage and hydrodynamic injection by gravity.

Teores de compostos orgânicos em cachaças produzidas na região norte fluminense - Rio de Janeiro

This work aimed to quantify some organic compounds in "cachaças" (sugar cane spirit). The ethyl alcohol was quantified by densimetry, after distillation. The acetic acid, methyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, isoamyl alcohol (mixture of 2-methyl-butyl and 3-methyl-butyl), ethyl acetate and acetaldehyde were determined by gas chromatography; and the furfural, 5-hydroxy-methylfurfural and acrolein by high efficiency liquid chromatography. From the 30 samples analyzed, 63.3% showed non-conformity with national legislation regarding at least one of the analyzed components.

Designer drugs: aspectos analíticos e biológicos

In the recent years, analytical toxicologists have been facing difficulties in detecting designer drugs due to the chemical modifications on the existing structures and the speed in which they are released into the market, requiring the development and improvement of specific and appropriate analytical methods. This work is a review of the literature which summarizes the characteristics of the drugs and the analytical validated methods using conventional and unconventional matrices currently used for correct identification and quantification of the following classes of emerging drugs of abuse: derivatives of opiates, amphetamines, tryptamines, piperazines and cannabinoids.

Desenvolvimento e validação de método analítico por CLAE para a quantificação simultânea de dipropionato de betametasona e fosfato sódico de betametasona em suspensão injetável

A reversed-phase HPLC method was developed and validated to separate and simultaneously quantify the association of betamethasone sodium phosphate (BP) and betamethasone dipropionate (BD) in injectable suspensions. Chromatographic conditions were ternary gradient elution at 1.6 mL/min on a C18 column with 254 nm. The linearity of the method was established in the range 120 to 280 mg/mL BD, and 48 to 112 mg/mL BP. The RSD of intermediate precision of the method was <1% and recoveries were 99-101% for both drugs. The method proved selective, linear, precise, accurate and robust for quantifying BP and BD in commercial injectable suspensions.

Otimização da esterificação de ácido hexanóico com n-butanol empregando lipase (Termomyces lanuginosus) imobilizada em gelatina

The application of Lipozyme (Termomyces lanuginosus) immobilized in gelatin gel in aliphatic ester synthesis was investigated taking the esterification of hexanoic acid with n-butanol as a model reaction. Conditions were optimized by factorial design and the highest conversion was obtained under the following conditions: molar ratio alcohol: acid of 2:1, reaction time of 48 h and biocatalyst weight of 7.0 g. Under these conditions the esterification yield was around 98 %. The operational stability of the immobilized lipase was assessed and results showed that after 12 batch runs, the enzyme showed no significant loss of activity.

Panorama de propriedade intelectual, transferência de tecnologia e inovação da química brasileira e a comparação com os países do BRIC

Based on Science, Technology & Innovation (ST&I) indicators, Brazil is a competitive and interesting country from the point of view of technological foreign investment. However, it is still incipient with regard to national investments, production of technological knowledge, inbound mobility of scientists and technology transfer to the productive sector. Among many other factors, global patent production is considered as an important indicator of innovation. Likewise, the balance between revenue and expenses obtained through royalties and licensing fees of technologies is also critical in mapping the diffusion and absorption of knowledge. The understanding of intellectual property and its strategic management brings a significant advantage to the economic and technological development of nations, especially in the field of chemistry, which greatly contributes to biotechnology, new materials and microelectronics - three fundamental areas for innovation in developed countries. Therefore, this article aims to map out competencies in chemistry in Brazil and evaluate science, technology and innovation indicators in the country, comparing this dynamic to the one of other BRIC members (Russia, India and China). Chemistry is the fourth biggest field of interest in Brazil based on the number of researchers registered at the governmental platform for researchers, Plataforma Lattes/CNPq, and is preceded by education, medicine and agronomy. The majority of research groups are registered in the area of materials, followed by macromolecules and polymers, pharmaceutical products and basic materials chemistry. These groups represent approximately 77% of research groups analyzed, therefore, indicating a tendency in the country. The analyses of patents in different sub-areas of chemistry reveal that non-residents file most deposits in the country, a probable reflection of the low internal intellectual property culture. Pharmaceutics and Fine Chemistry are prominent areas in the country, in line with the global trend. Among BRIC countries, China has the highest number of patents and of requests for protection in international offices. On the other hand, Brazil has the lowest number of chemical patents published at USPTO, EPO and JPO. An analysis of the transfer of technology data indicates an increase in this activity in various sub-areas of chemistry in the country. Despite the great efforts made by the country to consolidate its national innovation system, more needs to be done to put Brazil in a competitive position. In a globalized world dominated by large players, Brazil needs a lot of progress on ownership and generation of chemistry technologies to strengthen its national sovereignty. It is essential to strengthen chemical research at all levels, from elementary school to university, as an inexhaustible source of knowledge and technology that, when properly protected, may generate real public achievement and social return.

Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the coat protein and 3'-untranslated region of two Brazilian Potato virus Y isolates

Two Brazilian Potato virus Y (PVY) isolates were biologically characterized as necrotic (PVY-NBR) and common (PVY-OBR) based upon symptoms on test plants. Additional characterization was performed by sequencing a cDNA corresponding to the 3' terminal region of the viral genome. The sequence consisted of 195 nucleotides (nt) coding part of the nuclear inclusion body b (NIb) gene, 804 nt of the coat protein (CP) gene, and 328 nt (PVY-OBR) or 326 nt (PVY-NBR) of the 3'-untranslated region (UTR). Translation of the sequence resulted in one single open reading frame with part of the NIb and a CP of 267 amino acids. The two isolates shared 95.1% similarity in the CP amino acid sequence. The CP and the 3'-UTR sequence of the Brazilian isolates were compared to those of other PVY isolates previously reported and unrooted phylogenetic trees were constructed. The trees revealed a separation of two distinct clusters, one comprising most of the common strains and the other comprising the necrotic strains. PVY-OBR was clustered in the common group and PVY-NBR in the necrotic one.

Print-capture PCR for detection of tomato begomoviruses from plants and whiteflies

Print-capture (PC) Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was evaluated as a novel detection method of plant viruses. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants infected with begomovirus (fam. Geminiviridae, gen. Begomovirus) and viruliferous whiteflies were used to study the efficiency of the method. Print-capturing steps were carried out using non-charged nylon membrane or filter paper as the solid support for DNA printings. Amplified DNA fragments of expected size were consistently obtained by PCR from infected plants grown in a greenhouse, after direct application of printed materials to the PCR mix. However, virus detection from a single whitefly and from field-grown tomato samples required a high temperature treatment of printed material prior to PCR amplification. Comparison of nylon membrane and filter paper as the solid support revealed the higher efficiency of the nylon membrane. The application of print-capture PCR reduces the chances of false-positive amplification by reducing manipulation steps during preparation of the target DNA. This method maintains all the advantages of PCR diagnosis, such as the high sensitivity and no requirement of radioactive reagents.

Surto epidemiológico do vírus do mosaico amarelo do pimentão em tomateiro na região serrana do Espírito Santo

Este trabalho relata a ocorrência de um surto epidemiológico causado pelo vírus do mosaico amarelo do pimentão (Pepper yellow mosaic virus - PepYMV) em tomateiro (Lycopersicon esculentum) 'Alambra' na região serrana do Estado do Espírito Santo. Os sintomas consistiam de mosaico, definhamento e redução de produção. Visando a caracterização do agente causal foram realizados estudos sorológicos por ELISA, observações ao microscópio eletrônico e determinação da gama parcial de hospedeiros. Ao microscópio eletrônico de transmissão foram observadas, em amostras de tomateiro, partículas alongadas e flexuosas e inclusões cilíndricas típicas de vírus do gênero Potivirus. O PepYMV foi confirmado como agente causal por ELISA indireto. Levantamentos realizados em campos de cultivo demonstraram que a disseminação do vírus é muito rápida. Este é o primeiro relato da ocorrência do PepYMV na cultura do tomate no Brasil, causando sérios danos.

Espécies vegetais hospedeiras de begomovírus isolados de tomateiro em Goiás e no Distrito Federal

A determinação da gama de hospedeiros de begomovírus isolados de tomateiro (Lycopersicon esculentum) é de elevada importância nos estudos conduzidos com esses patógenos, uma vez que contribui para o entendimento da larga disseminação dos vírus em condições de campo e oferece subsídios para o estudo da variabilidade genética de espécies e estirpes identificadas em diversas regiões do país. Visando a determinação e a comparação da gama de hospedeiros de dois isolados de begomovírus de tomateiro obtidos de lavouras da região de Anápolis-GO (GO-ANPL) e do Distrito Federal (DF-BR2) inocularam-se 31 espécies vegetais pertencentes a oito famílias botânicas, sob duas modalidades de inoculação: mecânica e com a mosca branca, Bemisia tabaci biótipo B. Constatou-se que o GO-ANPL e o DF-BR2 infetaram exclusivamente plantas da família Solanaceae como Datura stramonium, Nicandra physalodes e Nicotiana benthamiana. Para o GO-ANPL, o número de espécies vegetais infetadas com o emprego do inseto vetor foi superior ao obtido pela inoculação mecânica, diferindo dos resultados obtidos para o DF-BR2 em que as plantas hospedeiras foram igualmente infetadas em ambos os métodos de inoculação. A comparação entre as hospedeiras dos dois isolados e destes com as de outros begomovírus de tomateiro da região Nordeste revelaram que há variação tanto nas espécies hospedeiras como na sintomatologia exibida pelas plantas infetadas. Os testes foram todos confirmados com hibridização com sondas moleculares, em "dot blot".

Distinct features of Pepper yellow mosaic virus isolates from tomato and sweetpepper

Determination of virus diversity in the field is vital to support a sustainable breeding program for virus resistance of horticultural crops. The present study aimed to characterize four field potyvirus isolates found naturally infecting sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) (Sa66 and Sa115) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) (IAC3 and Sa21) plants. Their biological characteristics revealed differences among the isolates in their ability to infect distinct Capsicum spp. and tomato genotypes, and in the severity of symptoms caused by these isolates compared to the infection caused by an isolate of Pepper yellow mosaic virus (PepYMV). Absence of cross-reaction was found among the studied isolates with antiserum against Potato virus Y (PVY). However, all isolates reacted, at different intensities, with antiserum against PepYMV. All isolates showed high identity percentage (97 to 99%) of the amino acid sequence of the coat protein with PepYMV (accession AF348610) and low (69 to 80%) with other potyvirus species. The comparison of the 3' untranslated region also confirmed this finding with 97 to 98% identity with PepYMV, and of 47 to 71% with other potyviruses. The results showed that PepYMV isolates were easily differentiated from PVY by serology and that the host response of each isolate could be variable. In addition, the nucleotide sequence of the coat protein and 3' untranslated region was highly conserved among the isolates.

Indução de resistência a Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Tracheiphilum em Caupi: eficiência de indutores abióticos e atividade enzimática elicitada

Foram avaliados os efeitos de indutores abióticos em cultivares de caupi inoculadas com Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum quanto à severidade, controle da doença e atividade enzimática. Para isso, plantas das cultivares IPA-206 e BR-17 Gurguéia com cinco dias de idade foram pulverizadas com soluções aquosas de ASM (5,0 g do i.a./100 L de água), BABA (1,5 mM) e quitosana (2,0 mg/mL), no primeiro par de folhas e inoculadas, após sete dias da germinação, com 20 mL de uma suspensão de 1 x 10(6) conídios/mL do isolado ISO-PE. A avaliação da severidade da doença foi realizada aos 25 dias após a germinação, através de escala de notas e índice de doença. As atividades das enzimas beta-1,3-glucanase, peroxidase e fenilalanina amônia liase (PAL) foram determinadas em plantas submetidas aos tratamentos anteriores, coletadas aos cinco e 10 dias após a inoculação. Foi observada diferença significativa entre os indutores e a testemunha, nas duas cultivares testadas, aos cinco e 10 dias, destacando-se o indutor ASM, proporcionando um controle da doença de 68,90% e 71,59% nas cultivares BR-17 Gurguéia e IPA-206, respectivamente. O indutor ASM apresentou melhores resultados nas atividades de beta-1,3-glucanase, peroxidase e PAL, destacando-se na cultivar IPA-206 nos dois períodos analisados. Os indutores BABA e quitosana diferiram da testemunha, na atividade de PAL e beta-1,3-glucanase, nessa mesma cultivar, aos cinco dias após a inoculação.

Natural variability in Arabidopsis thaliana germplasm response to Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris

This work aimed to study the interaction between the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), the pathogen responsible for black rot of crucifers. The response of 32 accessions of A. thaliana to the Brazilian isolate of Xcc CNPH 17 was evaluated. No immunity-like response was observed. "CS1308", "CS1566" and "CS1643" grown in continuous light were among the accessions that showed strongest resistance when inoculated with 5 x 10(6) CFU/mL. In contrast, "CS1194" and "CS1492" were among the most susceptible accessions. Similar results were obtained when plants were grown under short-day conditions. To quantify the differences in disease symptoms, total chlorophyll was extracted from contrasting accessions at different time points after inoculation. Chlorophyll levels from controls and Xcc inoculated plants showed a similar reduction in resistant accessions, whereas Xcc-inoculated susceptible accessions showed a greater reduction compared to controls. To test the specificity of resistance, accessions CS1308, CS1566, CS1643 and CS1438 (which showed partial resistance to CNPH 17), were inoculated with a more aggressive isolate of Xcc (CNPH 77) and Ralstonia solanacearum. Among the accessions tested, "CS1566" was the most resistant to Xcc CNPH 77 and also displayed resistance to R. solanacearum. Accessions CS1308, CS1566 and CS1643 were also inoculated with a high titer of Xcc CNPH 17 (5 x 10(8) CFU/mL). No collapse of tissue was observed up to 48 h after inoculation, indicating that a hypersensitive response is not involved in the resistance displayed by these accessions.