Thermal and structural study of guava (Psidium guajava L) powders obtained by two dehydration methods

Two food products (powders) were obtained by hot-air drying or lyophilisation methods on the whole guava fruits. The powders were characterised by sensory and thermal analyses (TGA-DSC), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal, morphological and structural characterisations showed a similar behaviour for the two solids. TGA-DSC and IR showed the presence of pectin as the main constituent of solids. A semi-crystalline profile was evidenced by XRD, and lamellar/spherical morphologies were observed by SEM. Sensory analyses revealed an aroma highly related to guava. These value-added food products are an alternative to process guava and avoid loss during postharvest handling.

Characterization of the antibiotic doripenem using physicochemical methods: chromatography, spectrophotometry, spectroscopy and thermal analysis

Doripenem was characterized through physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques, as well as thermal analysis. TLC (Rf = 0.62) and HPLC (rt = 7.4 min) were found to be adequate to identify the drug. UV and infrared spectra showed similar profile between doripenem bulk and standard. The ¹H and 13C NMR analysis revealed chemical shifts that allowed identifying the drug. Thermal analysis demonstrated three steps with mass loss, at 128, 178 and 276 ºC. The work was successfully applied to qualitative analysis of doripenem, showing the reported methods can be used for physicochemical characterization of doripenem

Rheological and thermal characteristics of wheat gluten biopolymers plasticized with glycerol

The objective this work was to obtain bioplastics from mixtures of wheat gluten and glycerol by two different processes and evaluate their respective rheological properties. The mixtures and their respective bioplastics were obtained through direct batch mixing under approximately adiabatic and isothermal conditions. The bioplastics showed high values for the storage (G') and loss (G") moduli, suggesting a stronger protein network formed in both processes. The temperature onset and the percentage of weight loss to be estimated were found to be near in both bioplastics. The bioplastics have demonstrated to be materials of interesting potential of use as biodegradable barrier materials.

ESTUDO DA IMOBILIZAÇÃO DE LIPASE EM SÍLICA OBTIDA PELA TÉCNICA SOL-GEL

The objective of this work was the immobilization of the enzyme Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL B) using the sol-gel method of immobilization and three different initiators of the polymerization reaction: one acid (HCl), one basic (NH4OH) and the other nucleophilic (HBr). Tetraethylorthosilicate was used as the silica precursor. The influence of the additive PEG 1500 on immobilization was assessed. The efficiency of the process was evaluated considering the esterification activity of the xerogels. The immobilization process provided enhanced thermal stability, storage and operational aspects relative to the free enzyme. Storage temperature proved one of the main variables to be considered in the process, with the xerogels stored under refrigeration showing better results in terms of residual activity (nearly 200 days with ≥ 90% residual activity of basic and nucleophilic xerogels) when compared with storage at ambient temperature (nearly 40 days). The results demonstrated the possibility of reuse of derivatives and a greater number of cycles (nine), considering a residual activity of 50%.

THE ROLE OF NANOMATERIALS IN COSMETICS: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATIVE ASPECTS

Nanotechnology is currently one of the fastest growing scientific fields. The products of this science have become part of our everyday lives. However, to date, regulatory agencies have not yet established a single definition for nanomaterials and nanotechnology. Therefore, each country has its own definitions and legislation to control products containing nanomaterials. Being relatively new materials, there are no long-term studies showing their impact on human health and the environment. Consequently, countries control the amount of nanomaterials present in cosmetics, allowing the end consumer to choose which cosmetic to use, by choosing products with or without nanomaterials. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to identify the most used nanomaterials in cosmetics and verify whether these formulations are in accordance with the laws in force in the United States, the European Union and Brazil, thereby determining if the cosmetics on the market are in line with the existing laws in these three economic powers. This study is unique and will contribute to furthering the discussion on existing laws pertinent to the use of nanotechnology in cosmetics.

MÉTODOS DE EXTRAÇÃO DE POLI-HIDROXIALCANOATOS A PARTIR DE BIOMASSA BACTERIANA

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable and biocompatible polyesters intracellularly accumulated by many bacteria as an energy reserve material and carbon source. These biopolymers may be extracted from cells after their production phase, and the extraction process involves various individual operations to ensure adequate removal of the biopolymer from the cells. During this process, the following aspects should be considered: reduction of product losses during different stages of the process to obtain a highly pure product, preservation of physical and thermal characteristics, and use of low toxicity chemicals to achieve sustainable production and avoid harming the environment. The impact of the costs of PHA extraction on the total cost of the production process may account for over 50% of the end-value of the product. Within this context, several methods of PHA extraction have been reported in the literature. These methods include the use of solvents, chemical digestion, enzymatic digestion, mechanical extraction with high-pressure homogenization and ultrasound, extraction using supercritical fluids, or a combination of these methods. The present review of the literature shows strategies for extraction processes of PHAs produced by bacteria involving cell destabilization and/or breakage, recovery, and purification of the biopolymer.

Thermal behaviour study of solid state compounds of manganese (II), zinc (II) and lead (II) with cinnamic acid

Compounds of cinnamic acid with manganese, zinc and lead have been prepared in aqueous solution. Thermogravimetry, derivative thermogravimetry (TG, DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction and complexometry have been used in the characterization as well as in the study of the thermal stability and interpretation concerning the thermal decomposition.

Preparation and thermal decomposition of solid state cinnamates of alkali earth metals, except beryllium and radium

Solid state compounds of general formula ML2.nH2O [where M is Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba; L is cinnamate (C6H5 -CH=CH-COO-) and n = 2, 4, 0.8, 3 respectively], have been synthetized. Thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction powder patterns have been used to characterize and to study the thermal stability and thermal decomposition of these compounds.

Preparation and thermal behavior of mixture of basic carbonate and 4-dimethylaminocinnamylidenepyruvate with lanthanides (III) and yttrium (III) in the solid state

Solid Ln-OHCO3-DMCP compounds, where Ln represents lanthanides (III) and yttrium (III) ions and DMCP is the anion 4-dimethylaminocinnamylidenepyruvate, have been prepared. Thermogravimetry, derivative thermogravimetry (TG, DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-Ray diffraction powder patterns and elemental analysis have been used to characterize the compounds. The thermal stability as well as the thermal decomposition of these compounds were studied using an alumina crucible in an air atmosphere.

A thermal analysis study of dithizone and dithizonates of mercury, silver and bismuth

Solid dithizonates of Hg(I), Ag(I) and Bi(III) have been prepared. Thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X ray diffraction powder patterns and elemental analysis have been used to characterize and to study the thermal stability and thermal decomposition of the dithizone and of these dithizonates.

Thermal behavior studies of solid state compounds of 4-dimethylaminocinnamylidenepyruvate with alkali earth metals, except beryllium and radium

Solid state compounds of general formula M(DMCP)2.nH2O, where M represents Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and DMCP is 4-dimethylaminocinnamylidenepyruvate, and n = 1, except for Ca, where n = 2.5, have been prepared. Thermogravimetry, derivative thermogravimetry (TG, DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction powder patterns and complexometry were used to characterize and to study the thermal decomposition of these compounds.

Thermal decomposition and stability in a series of heterobimetallic carbonyl compounds of the type [Fe(CO)4(HgX)2] (X=Cl, Br, I)

Heterobimetallic carbonyl compounds of the type [Fe(CO)4(HgX)2] (X= Cl, Br, I), which have metal-metal bonds, have been prepared in order to study their thermal stabilities as a function of the halogen coordinated to mercury atoms. The characterization of the above complexes was carried out by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopies. Their thermal behaviour has been investigated and the final product was identified by IR spectroscopy and by X-ray powder diffractogram.