Metabolismo, oxidação e implicações biológicas do ácido docosahexaenoico em doenças neurodegenerativas

Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, n-3, DHA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) present in large concentrations in the brain and, due to the presence of six double bonds in its structure, is highly susceptible to oxidation by enzymes and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. The peroxidation of PUFAs has been implicated in an increasing number of human disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, a better understanding of the metabolism pathways of DHA should provide new insights about its role in neurodegenerative diseases. Here we review the main aspects related to DHA metabolism, as well as, the recent findings showing its association with neurodegenerative diseases.

Produção de gás de síntese por plasma térmico via pirólise de metano e dióxido de carbono

In this work the production of synthesis gas from a mixture of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) by thermal plasma was studied. The best relation found for the gas mixture [CO2]/[CH4] was 1.3. Under the excess of CH4 in the gas mixture soot was formed and also benzene, indene and naphthalene were identified. The disulfides compounds in the gas mixture were degraded causing no interference in the synthesis gas production, suggesting no needs of pretreatment step for sulfurorganic compounds removal in the process

Mobilidade de bário em solo tratado com sulfato de bário sob condição de oxidação e redução

In order to evaluate possible solubility of BaSO4 in soils under reducing conditions, column leaching assay was settled down, where the soil received three doses of BaSO4 (100, 300 and 3000 mg kg-1) at two humidities. After reaching an Eh of -200 mV rainfall of 200 mm per day-1 was simulated. The condition of reduction led to the increased levels of barium in the fractions of higher lability and the highest levels of barium in the leachate extract, which were above the potability standards. Only 0.05% of barium in the column that received the highest dose was removed by leaching.

Isolamento e análise química parcial de exopolissacarídeos da diatomácea marinha cultivada Coscinodiscus wailesii (Coscinodiscales, Bacillariophyta)

The marine diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii has attracted ecological interest because their blooms affect fishing areas. The aim of this work was the isolation, extraction and partial chemical characterization of soluble exopolysaccharide and bound exopolysaccharide from C. wailesii. Cultures were grown in Guillards f/2 medium under controlled conditions of temperature, aeration, photoperiod and light intensity. Percentage of carbohydrate, uronic acids, sulfates groups and cellular lipids was determined. Ion exchange chromatography of exopolysaccharides produced three fractions whose partial chemical structures were disclosed using 13C NMR and methylation techniques.

Oxidação eletroquímica do herbicida tebutiuron utilizando eletrodo do tipo DSA

Tebuthiuron (TBH) is a herbicide widely used in different cultures and known for its toxic effects. Electrochemical methods are promising for removing pollutants such as pesticides. This study showed the degradation of TBH using a DSA® anode operated at current densities of 50 to 200 mA cm-2. Removal presented pseudo-first order kinetics while high-pressure liquid chromatography (UV detection) showed two peaks, ascribed to degradation intermediates. The maximum percentage of total organic carbon removed was 12.9%. Ion chromatography revealed that higher concentrations of nitrate and nitrite ions formed with increasing current density.

Oxidação de glicerol sobre nanopartículas de ouro suportadas em carvão ativado: monitoramento quimiométrico da reação por ESI-MS e MIR

A study on the monitoring of glycerol oxidation catalyzed by gold nanoparticles supported on activated carbon under mild conditions by chemometric methods is presented. The reaction was monitored by mass spectrometry-electrospray ionization (ESI-MS) and comparatively by mid infrared spectroscopy (MIR). Concentration profiles of reagent and products were determined by chemometric tools such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Evolving Factor Analysis (EFA) and Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR). The gold nanoparticle catalyst was relatively active in glycerol oxidation, favoring formation of high added value products. It was found that the reaction stabilization was reached at four hours, with approximately 70% glycerol conversion and high selectivity for glycerate.

Influência do método de preparação de eletrocatalisadores PtRu/C sobre a atividade catalítica frente à reação de oxidação de etanol em meio ácido

In this work the influence of variations in the borohydrate reduction method on the properties of PtRu/C electrocatalysts was investigated. The electrocatalysts were prepared using 1:1 ; 2:1; 5:1; 50:1 and 250:1 molar ratios of NaBH4 to metals. The reduction was also performed by dripping or by fast addition of the solution. The results showed that PtRu nanoparticles obtained by fast addition had the smallest crystallite sizes. It was also noted that the catalytic activity increased as the borohydrate:metal molar ratio increased. The PtRu/C electrocatalyst (50:1) obtained by fast addition presented the best catalytic activity for ethanol electro-oxidation.

Estudo da cinética de oxidação de biodiesel b100 obtido de óleo de soja e gordura de porco: determinação da energia de ativação

The quality of biodiesel is extremely important for its commercialization and use; oxidation of biodiesel is a critical factor because it decreases the fuel storage time. A commercial biodiesel was mixed with synthetic antioxidants, according to a simplex-centroid experimental mixture design, and its stability was evaluated through induction period and activation energy. In all trials, addition of antioxidants increased activation energy in the mixtures containing tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ). When a mixture containing 50% TBHQ and 50% butylated hydroxyanisole was used, synergistic effect was observed, and the major activation energy obtained was 104.43 kJ mol-1.

Nanocompósitos entre nanotubos de carbono e nanopartículas de platina: preparação, caracterização e aplicação em eletro-oxidação de álcoois

The synthesis and characterization of different platinum nanoparticle/carbon nanotube nanocomposite samples are described along with the application of these nanocomposites as electrocatalysts for alcohol oxidation. Samples were prepared by a biphasic system in which platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) are synthesized in situ in contact with a carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersion. Variables including platinum precursor/CNT ratio, previous chemical treatment of carbon nanotubes, and presence or absence of a capping agent were evaluated and correlated with the characteristic of the synthesized materials. Samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Glassy carbon electrodes were modified by the nanocomposite samples and evaluated as electrocatalysts for alcohol oxidation. Current densities of 56.1 and 79.8/104.7 mA cm-2 were determined for the oxidation of methanol and ethanol, respectively.

Remoção do ácido mefenâmico em água utilizando carvão ativado em pó, lama vermelha e oxidação com cloro

The use of activated carbon powder (ACP), red mud and oxidation with chlorine to remove mefenamic acid in water are described, aimed at their application as a complement to sewage treatment processes in Brazil. A study on the behavior of mefenamic acid in water was performed by evaluating its dissolution for different concentrations and times. Subsequently, the optimal conditions for removal of mefenamic acid were investigated using ACP adsorption at different pH and concentrations, and red mud adsorption using different pH. The utilization of different pH and times was also investigated to establish the ideal conditions for chemical oxidation of the drug. Among the different conditions studied, the best condition for drug removal by ACP and red mud were 100% and 96%, respectively, while the best condition for chemical oxidation occurred using solutions with pH 6 and 7 and reaction times of 30 and 60 minutes.

Efeito da variação de parâmetros reacionais na preparação de grafeno via oxidação e redução do grafite

This work shows the influence of several reactional parameters for obtaining graphene through successive steps of oxidation and exfoliation of bulk graphite (resulting in graphene oxide), followed by chemical reduction. The results showed that changes in temperature, reaction time, reducing agent and source of primary graphite lead to different surface compositions and stability in dispersion of graphene oxide. Also, the use of different reducing agents promoted different degrees of restoration of C=C bonds in the bidimensional structure of graphene.

Estudo de catalisadores de níquel suportados em cinza de casca de arroz na reforma de metano com dióxido de carbono visando a produção de hidrogênio e gás de síntese

Rice husk ash (RHA) is used as a silica source for several purposes, among them to obtain metal catalysts, as was done in this work. The catalysts were characterized by chemisorption, physisorption, thermal analyses (TG, DSC), X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, temperature-programmed reduction and scanning electron microscopy. The catalysts synthesized with different Ni loadings supported on RHA were applied to the reaction of dry reforming of methane. The reaction was tested at three temperatures of catalytic reduction (500, 600 and 700 ºC). All synthesized catalysts were active for the studied reaction, with different H2/CO ratios achieved according to degree of metallic dispersion.

EMISSÕES DE ÓXIDO NITROSO E METANO DO SOLO EM ÁREAS DE RECUPERAÇÃO DE PASTAGENS NA AMAZÔNIA MATOGROSSENSE

AbstractThis study evaluates the chemical processes responsible for the nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) fluxes in the managed pasture (PM) and unmanaged pasture (PNM). In addition, the impact of nitrogen fertilization on the N2O and CH4 fluxes was assessed. The experiments were conducted on three farms in Alta Floresta city in the state of Mato Grosso. Both regular and intensive samples were collected from PM, PNM, and forest areas for each of the properties. The gases were sampled using static chambers in the morning. Higher N2O fluxes were recorded in the PMs, whereas the CH4 fluxes showed no influence of nitrogen fertilization in both regular and intensive samples. Low fertilizer levels resulted in low N2O emissions.

Observação de resistência parcial a Septoria glycines em soja

Seleção de genótipos de soja (Glycine max) resistentes à mancha parda foi avaliada em condições de casa de vegetação, inoculando-se plantas de soja com um mês de idade com suspensão de esporos calibrada para 10(6) esporos/ml. A avaliação foi iniciada duas semanas após a inoculação e consistiu em determinar a área abaixo da curva de progresso de lesão, índice de amarelecimento e período necessário para atingir 5% de área foliar necrosada. Nenhum genótipo testado foi imune à mancha parda da soja. No entanto, as cultivares CTS-40, IAS-2, IAS-5, PI PI 230 975 e PI 204 332 exibiram menor porcentagem de área foliar necrosada e apresentaram maior período em dias para atingir 5 % de severidade. Os resultados mostram que o nível de severidade estabelecido baseado no número de dias para atingi-lo é um bom indicador para seleção de genótipos com resistência parcial a Septoria glycines. Os genótipos identificados como tolerantes, neste trabalho, poderão ser utilizados nos programas de melhoramento de soja no Brasil.