Tensoatividade de ácidos húmicos de procedências distintas

The surface activity of humic acids (HA) is a parameter which might be considered in the evaluation of all types of aggregation of these substances. In this work the surface tension of aquatic and terrestrial-HA aqueous solutions was observed under varied conditions of pH, concentration and ionic strength. Results showed that HA present surface activity for a extent range of concentration. The surface tension decreases with HA concentration increasing and, for all samples exist a concentration value above which a reduction in the rate of the solute migration to the solution surface is observed. This value is sensibly reduced and sharpened with the increasing of the ionic strength. Surface tension is also reduced with the acidity increasing, being a minimum reached between pH 3 and 5. Observed effects are explained in view of conformational arrangements of HA which tend to agglomerate in micelle-like domains in aqueous solutions.

Efeito da aplicação foliar de ácidos graxos na "Via das Lipoxigenases" de plantas de soja

The involvement of lipoxygenase isozymes in several physiological processes of plants has been described but their role is not well understood and more biochemical studies are needed to elucidate the role of the "Lipoxygenase Pathway" in plant physiology. Thus, the biochemical and kinetic characterization of a lipoxygenases "pool" from soybean leaves was carried out. Two genotypes were used: IAC-100 (a normal variety having lipoxygenases in the seeds) and IAC-100 TN (genetically modified genotype, which is devoid of lipoxygenases in the seeds). The plants were submitted to the application of fatty acids (lipoxygenase substrates) on leaves. The results of the biochemical and kinetic studies of lipoxygenase isozymes from leaves of the two genotypes analysed showed that genetic removal of lipoxygenase from seeds did not affect the response of the plant to the treatment, since both genotypes showed similar results.

Aplicação de lipases microbianas na obtenção de concentrados de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados

Several polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) belonging to the ômega 6 series, such as cis-6,9,12 gamma-linolenic acid, as well as those of the ômega 3 series, such as cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid and cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid are of considerable interest due to their nutritional and therapeutic properties. Methods used for the concentration of PUFA from natural sources include urea adduct formation, solvent winterization, supercritical fluid extraction and lipase-catalyzed reaction. Lipases are known to have little reactivity on PUFA and these acids can be enriched by selective hydrolysis, direct esterification of glycerol with PUFA and interesterification. Since lipase reactions are advantageous with respect to fatty acid, positional specificities and mild incubation condition, these enzymes are considered to be suitable for the production of PUFA concentrates for medical purposes.

Dimensão fractal de ácidos húmicos em diferentes condições experimentais

The determination of fractal dimension (D) of humic particles was achieved by the turbidimetric technique where diluted suspensions of humic acids, in different experimental conditions, were analyzed by spectrophotometry UV-Vis. The slope of the lines (beta) was taken from the graphics (logtauvs loglambda) to obtain D. The results show that the values of D changed according to pH (3.0, 5.0 and 7.0), temperature (25 and 5 ºC) and shaking (magnetic and horizontal). In general, the value of D decreased with the increment of pH, increase of shaking and decrease of temperature.

Análise de ácidos graxos por eletroforese capilar utilizando detecção condutométrica sem contato

This article describes a novel approach to the separation of fatty acids ranging from 8 to 20 carbons using capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection. Complete separation of nine linear chain fatty acids (from C8:0 to C20:0) was achieved in 15 min under normal polarity operation. Limits of detection ranged from 35 to 319 µmol L-1 for C20:0 to C8:0, respectively. The optimized running electrolyte composition was 5.0 mmol L-1 phosphate buffer at pH 7, 4.0 mmol L-1 dimethyl-b-cyclodextrin, 2.0 mmol L-1 trimethyl-b-cyclodextrin, acetonitrile 50% (v/v), and methanol 20% (v/v). The applicability of the separation system was demonstrated by the analysis of coconut vegetable oil.

Análise de ácidos graxos não-esterificados de plasma humano por cromatografia gasosa capilar com injeção sem divisão de fluxo

The aim of the present work was to test the combination of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) isolation using fumed silicon dioxide with capillary gas-chromatography (C-GC) with splitless injection for the analysis of NEFAs in human plasma. Injection volume, solvent re-condensation and split purge flow-rate were the parameters evaluated for the analysis of fatty acid methyl esters by C-GC. The use of a solvent re-condensation technique, associated with 1.0 µL injection and a split purge flow rate of 80 mL/min resulted in satisfactory analysis of NEFAs. Fourteen fatty acids were identified in plasma samples, ranging from 2.03 to 184.0 µmol/L. The combination of both techniques proved useful for routine analyses of plasma NEFAs.

Determinação da concentração micelar crítica de ácidos húmicos por medidas de condutividade e espectroscopia

The aim of this study was the determination of the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant using spectroscopic and conductimetric determinations and to compare these methodologies in the determination of the CMC of different humic acids (HA). The CMC obtained by conductimetric determination was satisfactory. By spectroscopic determination two values of the CMC were obtained for HA. These values can be to due the intra and intermolecular interactions in the HA structure.

Eletrodos de pasta de carbono modificados com ácidos húmicos: estudo e determinação de metais em meio aquoso

Since 1992, the carbon paste electrodes modified with humic acids have been used for studying the behavior of metals in aqueous solutions. Many parameters influence the performance of the electrodes, such as the humic acid ratio, the nature of the humic acid, the accumulation time, the pH, the scan rate, and the preparation of the electrodes itself. There are various methos of preparing the electrodes. The goal of this paper is to review some of them. The advantages of using electrodes modified with humic acids as electrochemical sensors for evaluating metals in aqueous solution are stressed.

Intercalação e funcionalização da brucita com ácidos carboxílicos

Brucite (Mg(OH)2) is a structural model of several natural layered minerals as well as of synthetic layered double hydroxides (LDH). Exchange reaction studies of these compounds are well documented in the literature but surface chemical modifications, especially for brucite, are quite rare. We report the behaviour of brucite in reaction with succinic and benzoic acid in different solvents and temperatures. The compounds were analysed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The surfaces of brucite crystals were grafted producing expansions, attributed to the arrangement of the grafted species between the layers.

Ácidos siálicos: da compreensão do seu envolvimento em processos biológicos ao desenvolvimento de fármacos contra o agente etiológico da gripe

Sialic acids are nine-carbon carbohydrates that occur widely in nature and occupy the terminal portions of some glycoproteins and glycolipids of cell membranes. These carbohydrates are closely involved in cell-cell interactions and in processes such as microbial infection, inflammation, etc. Studies on the participation of sialic acids in biological processes have provided comprehension about their role in the infection by the influenza virus, the causal agent of flu. In this article, we present an overview of the importance of sialic acids in the influenza virus infection and how the knowledge of their involvement in this process has allowed the development of selective and efficient drugs against the virus.

Estudo espectroscópico de complexos de Eu3+, Tb3+ E Gd3+ com ligantes derivados de ácidos dicarboxílicos

Complexes of Eu3+, Tb3+ and Gd3+ with dipicolinic acid, chelidamic acid and chelidonic acid have been synthesized in order to study the effect of the substituent groups on the luminescence of the lanthanide complexes. The luminescence of the Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes was quantified by quantum yield measurements. The complexes of Gd3+ have been used to determine the energies of the triplet states of the ligands. The Tb3+ complex synthesized with dipicolinic acid presented the highest quantum yield due to the energy difference between the triplet state of the dipicolinic acid and the emitting level of the Tb3+ ion.

Titulação potenciométrica aplicada na determinação de ácidos graxos livres de óleos e gorduras comestíveis

Free fatty acids are a measure of evaluating fats and oils, submitted to abusive conditions, besides being a quality characteristic of edible vegetable oils. The official method of determination (AOCS Ca 5a-40, 2004) is based on titration, using phenolphthalein as an indicator. For crude and degummed oils, the titration end point is difficult to be observed due to the high level of pigments, resulting in dark solutions. In this case and others, such as self-life studies, in which sample quantities are limited, potentiometric titration may be a very good alternative.

Efeito dos ácidos hexenurônicos e da lignina no desempenho da ozonólize, em diferentes pHs da reação

The effect of pH on the performance of the ozonolysis stage in pulp production was evaluated for conventional and acid treated brown and oxygen delignified eucalyptus kraft pulps. The objective was to determine separately the effects of lignin and hexenuronic acid on the performance of the ozonolysis stage. The reaction of ozone with hexenuronic acid is less sensitive to pH than the reaction of ozone with lignin. The efficiency and the selectivity of the reaction of ozone with pulp decreases after removal of hexenuronic acids. Increasing up to 7.0 the pH during the ozonolysis is viable in the sequence Z/D(EOP)D, resulting in savings of H2SO4 (8,5 kg/tsa) and NaOH (5 kg/tsa), but is not recommended in the sequence Z/ED(PO).

Otimização das condições de produção de ésteres etílicos a partir de óleo de peixe com elevado teor de ácidos graxos ômega-3

The production of ethyl esters by alcoholysis is an alternative for splitting triacylglycerols due to the possibility of using low temperatures, which results in oxidative protection of the polyunsaturated fatty acids. Ethyl esters produced under mild conditions of temperature could be used as substrate for obtaining structured lipids. The reaction parameters of production of ethyl esters from fish oil with high content of omega-3 fatty acids by alcoholysis were optimized using response surface methodology. An experimental design (2³) (with levels +1 and -1, six axial points with levels -alpha and +alpha and three central points) was applied. The variables investigated were concentration of catalyst, amount of ethyl alcohol and temperature. Ethyl ester conversion was monitored by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and the best result obtained was 95% conversion rate. The optimal conditions were 40 °C, 1% of NaOH and 36% of ethanol.

Anéis aromáticos condensados e relação E4/E6: estudo de ácidos húmicos de gleissolos por RMN de 13C no estado sólido utilizando a técnica CP/MAS desacoplamento defasado

In this work, seven samples of humic acids extracted from gleysoils were investigated. These studies, using NMR CP/MAS 13C techniques, did not show significant correlation between the E4/E6 ratio and the degree of aromaticity. However, dipolar dephasing (DD) measurements of condensed aromatic or substituted carbons showed a negative correlation of 0.94. Also, there was a good correlation between the amount of semiquinone free radicals measured by the EPR technique and condensed aromatic rings measured by NMR CP/MAS 13C with the DD technique. The content of semiquinone free radicals was quantified by EPR spectroscopy and was correlated with the humification (degree of aromaticity) of the humic substances. The results indicated that the E4/E6 ratio identifies the degree of aromatic rings condensation. It was also found that the degree of aromaticity, measured by NMR, as frequently presented in the literature (by conventional CP/MAS), underestimates aromatic rings in condensed structures.