Chemical nature of soil humified fractions and their bioactivity

The aim of this work was to evaluate the humus composition from an Ultisol from Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil. Soil samples of four depths (0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m) and its chemical nature were analysed by elemental composition, E4/E6 ratios and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. The bioactivity of these humified substances was evaluated through their action on maize root growth and H+-ATPase activity of roots microsomes. In topsoil, the content of high condensed alkaline soluble humic substances is greater than that found in the subsuperficial layers. The chemical nature of humic and fulvic acids also varied with the soil depth. The humic acids isolated from the soil samples exhibited higher bioactivity compared with the fulvic acids. Moreover, the results suggest that more condensed humic substances can promote highest stimulation of the microsomal H+-ATPases from maize roots. These data reinforce the concept that the activity of the H+ pumps can be used as a biochemical marker for evaluation of humic substances bioactivity.

Construção de equipamentos de refrigeração que permitem trabalhar com temperaturas de -40ºC ou -60ºC

In this article we describe the construction of two cooling systems with an immersion probe which will allow one to work at temperatures of either -40ºC or -60ºC. The two systems were constructed with readily available components and have been used daily for the last year in our laboratory to carry out reactions at low temperature or to cool down traps of vacuum pumps, reducing our need of dry-ice or liquid nitrogen.

Propulsor pneumático versátil e isento de pulsação para sistemas de análise em fluxo

Aquarium air pumps are proposed and evaluated as pneumatic liquid propulsion devices for flow injection and continuos flow analysis (FIA and CFA) systems. This kind of pump is widely available at a very low cost and it can sustain a pressure around of 4 psi (0.28 bar) indefinitely. By applying this air pressure onto a solution contained in a reservoir flask, it is possible to reach flow rates of up to 12.5 mL min-1 for circuits comprising reactors, made from 0.8 i.d. tubing with a length of 100 cm. The precise adjustment of flow rate below the maximum one can be made with a simplified needle valve or inserting in series a short length of capillary tube. The absence of flow pulsation is a definite advantage in comparison with peristaltic pumps, especially when amperometric detection is elected, as confirmed experimentally in FIA and CF applications.

Sistema de alimentação gás-líquido para medidas de atividade catalítica

This note has as objective to present the advantages of the use of syringe-type pumps for the feeding of liquid reactants, together with mass flow controllers for gases, instead of the saturators, as it is generally accomplished. Among the advantages, the system with syringe pumps presents a greater flexibility in flow control as well as in composition compared with the system that uses saturator. In addition, the flow of the liquid reactants is known with precision in the syringe pump system.

Acoplamento de cela de difusão gasosa a sistema de análise por injeção seqüencial visando a determinação espectrofotométrica de sulfeto

A new configuration for coupling a gas diffusion cell to a sequential injection system is presented. The matrix exchange is made without the need for additional rotary injection valves or peristaltic pumps, keeping the original mechanical components of the sequential injection apparatus: one syringe pump (or peristaltic pump) and one selection valve. The system was tested constructing analytical curves for sulfide exploring the formation of the methylene blue dye. The proposed method has a detection limit of 60 µg L-1 S2-, with a linear dynamic range between 0.10 and 4.0 mg L-1 S2- concentrations, with a sampling frequency of 20 h-1.

Flow analysis by using solenoid valves for As(III) determination in natural waters by an on-line separation and pre-concentration system coupled to a tungsten coil atomizer

A flow system coupled to a tungsten coil atomizer in an atomic absorption spectrometer (TCA-AAS) was developed for As(III) determination in waters, by extraction with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (NaDDTC) as complexing agent, and by sorption of the As(III)-DDTC complex in a micro-column filled with 5 mg C18 reversed phase (10 µL dry sorbent), followed by elution with ethanol. A complete pre-concentration/elution cycle took 208 s, with 30 s sample load time (1.7 mL) and 4 s elution time (71 µL). The interface and software for the synchronous control of two peristaltic pumps (RUN/ STOP), an autosampler arm, seven solenoid valves, one injection valve, the electrothermal atomizer and the spectrometer Read function were constructed. The system was characterized and validated by analytical recovery studies performed both in synthetic solutions and in natural waters. Using a 30 s pre-concentration period, the working curve was linear between 0.25 and 6.0 µg L-1 (r = 0.9976), the retention efficiency was 94±1% (6.0 µg L-1), and the pre-concentration coefficient was 28.9. The characteristic mass was 58 pg, the mean repeatability (expressed as the variation coefficient) was 3.4% (n=5), the detection limit was 0.058 µg L-1 (4.1 pg in 71 µL of eluate injected into the coil), and the mean analytical recovery in natural waters was 92.6 ± 9.5 % (n=15). The procedure is simple, economic, less prone to sample loss and contamination and the useful lifetime of the micro-column was between 200-300 pre-concentration cycles.

Determinação do perfil de compostos voláteis e avaliação do sabor e aroma de bebidas produzidas a partir da erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis)

Volatile compounds from green and roasted yerba mate were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and the flavor profile from yerba mate beverages was determined by descriptive quantitative analyses. The main compounds tentatively identified in green mate were linalool, alpha-terpineol and trans-linalool oxide and in roasted mate were (E,Z)-2,4-heptadienal isomers and 5-methylfurfural. Green mate infusion was qualified as having bitter taste and aroma as well as green grass aroma while roasted mate was defined as having a smooth, slightly burnt aroma. The relationship between the tentatively identified compounds and flavor must be determined by olfatometric analysis.

Teor de fluoretos em infusões de chá verde (Camellia sinensis)

The aim of this work was to study the influence of green tea consumption on fluoride ingestion. The extraction conditions of fluorides from green tea infusions were defined and nine brands of green tea available in Portugal were analyzed. The quantification of fluorides in the green tea was preceded by the implementation and validation of the potentiometric method (commercial fluoride selective electrode). The concentration of fluorides in the samples ranged from 0. 8 to 2. 0 mg L-1.

Construção de um sistema simples e compacto de recirculação d'água sob pressão para trompa d'água

Vacuum pumps are very useful in physical, chemical and biological experiments. In this communication it is described the design of a compact and low cost water recirculating system employing a water-jet aspirator pump as the vacuum source. The system requires only a water pump, water-jet aspirator pump, commercial PVC water tubes and a drain connection.

Desenvolvimento de conjunto membrana-eletrodos para célula a combustível de metanol direto passiva

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) without external pumps or other ancillary devices for fuel and oxidant supply are known as passive DMFCs and are potential candidates to replace lithium-ion batteries in powering portable electronic devices. This paper presents the results obtained from a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) specifically designed for passive DMFCs. Appropriated electrocatalysts were prepared and the effect of their loadings was investigated. Two types of gas diffusion layers (GDL) were also tested. The influence of the methanol concentration was analyzed in each case. The best MEA performance presented a maximum power density of 11.94 mW cm-2.

Avaliação da composição mineral do chá da folha senescente de Montrichardia linifera (arruda) schott (araceae) por espectrometria de absorção atômica com chama (FAAS)

Levels of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn were determinated by FAAS in the tea and dry matter from senescent leaf from Montrichardia linifera, plant used in folk medicine Amazon. The content of these metals that are transferred of the leaf to the infusions have presented significant reductions, however, the Mn values in the infusion may exceed the tolerable daily intake (11 mg) if consumption of this tea is greater than 1.0 L per day. So the tea of senescent leaves of M. linifera may be considered as a toxic beverage and thus its use is not advised.

Avaliação da eficiência das técnicas ESI-MS e ATR/FTIR na determinação de adulteração de BX com querosene e óleo residual

Direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the negative ion mode, ESI(-)-MS and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used together with partial least squares (PLS) as a tool to determine B3 adulteration (B3 - mixture of 3% v/v of biodiesel in diesel) with kerosene and residual oil.

Desreplicação de alcaloides aporfínicos e oxoaporfínicos de Unonopsis guatterioides por ESI-IT-MS

The dereplication of aporphine and oxoaporphine alkaloids by direct infusion in ESI-IT-MSn system was applied for alkaloidal fractions of the Unonopsis guatterioides (Annonaceae). Its main advantage over other dereplication methods is the ability to quickly identify substances in complex mixtures without the use of coupled techniques and expensive databases. By only the fragmentation keys and comparison with literature data the aporphine alkaloids anonaine, asimilobine and nornuciferine were identified. The nornuciferine is being reported for the first time in Unonopsis. The oxoaporphine alkaloids liriodenine and lisycamine were identified in the alkaloidal fractions by comparison with the fragmentations of authentic samples.