A Importância da determinação analítica de intermediários reativos e de seus produtos de reações com biomacromoléculas: uma mini revisão

Metabolic reactive intermediates can react with biomolecules such as DNA and proteins to produce adducts. Recently, research has shown that such adducts can act as precursors of some chronic diseases (cancer, Parkinson's, immunologic system diseases, etc.), and their determination is important because they are biomarkers of undesirable health effects. These compounds are produced at very low concentrations, but the development and dissemination of sensitive new analytical tools, especially those based on chromatography coupled to other analytical instruments, make such determinations possible. This mini review is focused on the formation of reactive intermediates, their reaction with biomolecules, and the importance of their determination.

Validação de um método para determinação simultânea de quatro ácidos orgânicos por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência em polpas de frutas congeladas

Validation of a rapid method for the determination of ascorbic, citric, fumaric and tartaric acids in stored pulp fruit and its application as a quality parameter was performed. The validation parameters showed that for the four evaluated acids, the method presented low limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), indicating good precision and accuracy, thus representing an important tool for quality assessment of stored fruit pulp. The results showed that the concentration of organic acids generally decreased with longer storage time in the fruit pulp under study. Amongst all the organic acids under investigation, ascorbic proved the least stable.

Experimento didático de quimiometria para planejamento de experimentos: avaliação das condições experimentais na determinação espectrofotométrica de ferro II com o-fenantrolina. Um tutorial, parte III

The objective of this manuscript is to describe a practical experiment that can be employed for teaching concepts related to design of experiments using Matlab or Octave computing environment to beginners, undergraduate and graduate students. The classical experiment for determination of Fe (II) using o-phenanthroline was selected because it is easy to understand, and all the required materials are readily available in most analytical laboratories. The approach used in this tutorial is divided in two steps: first, the students are introduced to the concept of multivariate effects, how to calculate and interpret them, and the construction and evaluation of a linear model to describe the experimental domain by using a 2³ factorial design. Second, an extension of the factorial design by adding axial points is described, thereby, providing a central composite design. The quadratic model is then introduced and used to build the response surface.

Determinação espectrofotométrica indireta de capsaicinoides em pimentas Capsicum a partir da reação com o complexo de Co(II) com 4-(2-piridilazo) resorcinol

Capsaicinoids (CAPS) are substances responsible for pungency in Capsicum. It is important to quantify these types of compounds owing to their broad application in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and chemical weapons. In this work, we developed an indirect spectrophotometric method based on the colorimetric reaction between CAPS, Co(II) 3.10×10-5 mol L-1 and 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) 6.23×10-5 and, in cachaça:water 92:8v/v solutions, for quantification of total CAPS in Capsicum peppers. The product of the reaction is CoPAR2CAPS2 and its absorption in aquo-ethanolic solution at 510 nm is proportional to the total CAPS concentration from 0.60 to 17.94 mg L-1. The values of limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.0004 and 0.001 mg of CAPS/g of pepper, respectively, with 4% relative standard deviation. The developed method yielded similar results to those obtained from high performance liquid chromatography, with 95% of confidence.

Remoção do alcatrão de correntes de gaseificação de biomassa: processos e catalisadores

Biomass gasification is a technology that has attracted great interest in synthesis of biofuels and oxo alcohols. However, this gas contains several contaminants, including tar, which need to be removed. Removal of tar is particularly critical because it can lead to operational problems. This review discusses the major pathways to remove tar, with a particular focus on the catalytic steam reforming of tar. Few catalysts have shown promising results; however, long-term studies in the context of real biomass gasification streams are required to realize their potential.