Performance characteristics of high performance liquid chromatography, first order derivative UV spectrophotometry and bioassay for fluconazole determination in capsules

The bioassay, first order derivative UV spectrophotometry and chromatographic methods for assaying fluconazole capsules were compared. They have shown great advantages over the earlier published methods. Using the first order derivative, the UV spectrophotometry method does not suffer interference of excipients. Validation parameters such as linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection and limit of quantitation were determined. All methods were linear and reliable within acceptable limits for antibiotic pharmaceutical preparations being accurate, precise and reproducible. The application of each method as a routine analysis should be investigated considering cost, simplicity, equipment, solvents, speed, and application to large or small workloads.

Rheological behavior and color stability of anthocyanins from Merlot (Vitis vinifera L.) and Bordô (Vitis labrusca L.) grapes in a jam model system

Anthocyanins are the pigments responsible for the color of most red grapes and are easily degraded following various reaction mechanisms affected by oxygen, enzymes, pH, and temperature among other variables. In this study, a jam model system was developed using Merlot and Bordô grape extracts and polysaccharides (xanthan and locust bean gums) and different temperatures (45, 55 and 65 °C). The stability of the anthocyanin pigments and the rheological behavior of the jam model system were studied. For the determination of the stability, the half-life time and first-order reaction rate constants for the anthocyanin pigments were calculated. The rheological behavior was determined through the Power law model. The jam model system produced using a temperature of 45 °C showed the best results for the anthocyanin half-life time. The first-order reaction rate constants for the 45, 55, and 65 °C treatments were not significantly different among each other (p > 0.05). It was observed that with an increase in the jam model system temperature there was an increase in the index of consistency.

Tratamento de água subterrânea contaminada com compostos organoclorados usando ferro elementar e o reagente de Fenton

The remediation of groundwater containing organochlorine compounds was evaluated using a reductive system with zero-valent iron, and the reductive process coupled with Fenton's reagent. The concentration of the individual target compounds reached up to 400 mg L-1 in the sample. Marked reductions in the chlorinated compounds were observed in the reductive process. The degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics in terms of the contaminant and was dependent on the sample contact time with the solid reducing agent. An oxidative test with Fenton's reagent, followed by the reductive assay, showed that tetrachloroethylene was further reduced up to three times the initial concentration. The destruction of chloroform, however, demands an additional treatment.

DYNAMICS OF LEAF FALL FROM RIPARIAN VEGETATION AND THE ACCUMULATION IN BENTHIC STOCK IN NEOTROPICAL STREAMS1

ABSTRACT Considering the importance of the riparian vegetation leaves as an energetic source to first order streams, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the leaf biomass contribution to the system and its temporal dynamics. With this purpose, monthly samples from July 2008 to June 2009 were collected using four sampling devices installed in three streams, in order to collect the vertical, lateral and terrestrial loads, and the benthic stock. We tested the following hypothesis: (1) leaf biomass input is higher after hydric stress periods; and (2) benthic stock biomass increase with higher loads from vertical and lateral entrances. Leaves represented 71.9% (on average) of all sampled allochthonous matter, with seasonal significant variation along the studied year. Peaks of leaf input were registered in September-October, after an increase in rainfall, and also in January, after a decrease in rainfall. Leaf input was higher in the lateral load.

Performance of an anaerobic-aerobic reactor and kinetic study of organic matter removal of cattle slaughterhouse effluent

This paper sought to evaluate the behavior of an upflow Anaerobic-Aerobic Fixed Bed Reactor (AAFBR) in the treatment of cattle slaughterhouse effluent and determine apparent kinetic constants of the organic matter removal. The AAFBR was operated with no recirculation (Phase I) and with 50% of effluent recirculation (Phase II), with θ of 11h and 8h. In terms of pH, bicarbonate alkalinity and volatile acids, the results indicated the reactor ability to maintain favorable conditions for the biological processes involved in the organic matter removal in both operational phases. The average removal efficiencies of organic matter along the reactor height, expressed in terms of raw COD, were 49% and 68% in Phase I and 54% and 86% in Phase II for θ of 11h and 8h, respectively. The results of the filtered COD indicated removal efficiency of 52% and k = 0.0857h-1 to θ of 11h and 42% and k = 0.0880h-1 to θ of 8h in the Phase I. In Phase II, the removal efficiencies were 59% and 51% to θ of 11h and 8h, with k = 0.1238h-1 and k = 0.1075 h-1, respectively. The first order kinetic model showed good adjustment and described adequately the kinetics of organic matter removal for θ of 11h, with r² equal to 0.9734 and 0.9591 to the Phases I and II, respectively.

Mathematical modeling of microbial growth in milk

A mathematical model to predict microbial growth in milk was developed and analyzed. The model consists of a system of two differential equations of first order. The equations are based on physical hypotheses of population growth. The model was applied to five different sets of data of microbial growth in dairy products selected from Combase, which is the most important database in the area with thousands of datasets from around the world, and the results showed a good fit. In addition, the model provides equations for the evaluation of the maximum specific growth rate and the duration of the lag phase which may provide useful information about microbial growth.

Resource partitioning and ecomorphological variation in two syntopic species of Lebiasinidae (Characiformes) in an Amazonian stream

ABSTRACTResource partitioning is important for species coexistence. Species with similar ecomorphology are potential competitors, especially when phylogenetically close, due to niche conservatism. The aim of this study was to investigate the resource partitioning among populations of two species of lebiasinids (Copella nigrofasciata and Pyrrhulina aff. brevis) that co-occur in a first-order Amazonian stream, analyzing the trophic ecology, feeding strategies and ecomorphological attributes related to the use of food and space by these species. Fish were captured in May and September 2010. The stomach contents of 60 individuals were analyzed and quantified volumetrically to characterize the feeding ecology of both species. Eleven morphological attributes were measured in 20 specimens and combined in nine ecomorphological indices. Both species had an omnivorous-invertivorous diet and consumed predominantly allochthonous items. Both showed a tendency to a generalist diet, but intrapopulational variation in resource use was also detected. Overall feeding niche overlap was high, but differed between seasons: low during the rainy season and high in the dry season. In the latter, the food niche overlap was asymmetric because C. nigrofasciata consumed several prey of P. aff. brevis, which reduced its food spectrum. The ecomorphological analysis suggests that C. nigrofasciatahas greater swimming capacity (greater relative length of caudal peduncle) than P. aff. brevis, which has greater maneuverability and tendency to inhabit lentic environments (greater relative depth of the body). Our results demonstrate that these species have similar trophic ecology and suggest a spatial segregation, given by morphological differences related to locomotion and occupation of habitat, favoring their coexistence.

Macroinvertebrates under stochastic hydrological disturbance in Cerrado streams of Central Brazil

In the Cerrado vegetation, where the seasonal is well defined, rainfall has an important role in controlling the flow of streams and consequently on the structure of macroinvertebrates community. Despite the effects of rainfall associated with seasonality are well studied, little is known about the effects of stochastic rains on the community. In the present study we evaluated the structure and faunal composition of four first-order streams in Central Brazil during the dry season in two years, with and without stochastic rains. Community sampling was done by colonization of boards of high density polyethylene (HDPE), removed after one month submerged in streams. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) performed indicated no difference in rarefied richness between the two periods, different from numeric density of organisms that was higher in the period without disturbance; moreover, the Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) revealed differences in faunal composition between the two periods. Our results indicate that stochastic rainfall is an important factor in structuring the macroinvertebrates community in studied region.

Assemblage of immature Odonata (Insecta, Anisoptera) in streams of the Mato Grosso do Sul State: spatial implications

ABSTRACT This study investigated the assemblages attributes (composition, abundance, richness, diversity and evenness) and the most representative genera of Odonata, Anisoptera at Água Boa and Perobão Streams, Iguatemi River basin, Brazil. Both are first order streams with similar length that are impacted by riparian forest removal and silting. Quarterly samplings were conducted from March to December 2008 in the upper, intermediate and lower stretch of each stream. The Mantel test was used to check the influence of spatial autocorrelation on the Odonata composition. Spatial variations in the composition were summarized by the Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) using Mantel test residuals. The effects of spatial correlation on richness and abundance were investigated by the spatial correlogram of Moranʼs I coefficients. The most representative genera in each stream were identified by the Indicator Value Method. The spatial variations in the attributes of the assemblages were assessed using analysis of variance of null models. We collected 500 immature individuals of 23 genera and three families. Among the attributes analyzed only the composition and abundance showed significant spatial differences, with the highest mean abundance found in the Perobão Stream. Miathyria and Zenithoptera were the indicator genera of the Água Boa Stream and Erythrodiplax, Libellula, Macrothemis, Progomphus and Tramea were the indicator genera of the Perobão Stream.

Description of a new species of Cylloepus Erichson from southeastern Brazil (Coleoptera, Elmidae)

Cylloepus dorvillei sp. nov. is described and illustrated from a first order stream at the Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Taxonomic and habitat notes on the new species are presented.

Kinetics of K release from soils of Brazilian coffee regions: effect of organic acids

Kinetic studies on soil potassium release can contribute to a better understanding of K availability to plants. This study was conducted to evaluate K release rates from the whole soil, clay, silt, and sand fractions of B-horizon samples of a basalt-derived Oxisol and a sienite-derived Ultisol, both representative soils from coffee regions of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Potassium was extracted from each fraction after eight different shaking time periods (0-665 h) with either 0.001 mol L-1 citrate or oxalate at a 1:10 solid:solution ratio. First-order, Elovich, zero-order, and parabolic diffusion equations were used to parameterize the time dependence of K release. For the Oxisol, the first-order equation fitted best to the experimental data of K release, with similar rates for all fractions and independent of the presence of citrate or oxalate in the extractant solution. For all studied Ultisol fractions, in which K release rates increased when extractions were performed with citrate solution, the Elovich model described K release kinetics most adequately. The highest potassium release rate of the Ultisol silt fraction was probably due to the transference of "non-exchangeable" K to the extractant solution, whereas in the Oxisol exchangeable potassium represented the main K source in all studied fractions.

Método Melhorado para Calcular a Leitura Infinita de Cinéticas de Primeira Ordem

Infinity readings for first order kinetics can be calculated from any three measurements (triads) of a physical property l at three equallyspaced times. Accurate results can be obtained from time intervals aslow as 0.4 half-life. Calculation of infinity readings l¥ from severaltriads at increasing values of time gives an insight into the deviation of the first order kinetics when parallel, consecutive or other spurious reactions occur along with the main first order reaction, not allowing direct measurements or calculation of l¥. The proposed method is more sensitive in distinguishing between first and second order kinetics than the Guggenheim and Kezdy-Swinbourne methods.

Influência do meio reacional no comportamento fotoquímico do inseticida paration etílico

The photodegradation of parathion in natural and dezionised waters was studied under irradiation at two different wavelengths: 280 nm and 313 nm. The influence of humic acids was evaluated. The results demonstrated that the degradation occurred only due to photochemical processes. The chemical hydrolysis and biological processes can be neglected in this case. The addition of humic acids did not increase the photodegradation rate in either water samples (natural or dezionised). In alkaline solutions the photodegradation rate was higher in dezionised water when compared to natural waters. The kinetic degradation in all experiments obeyed a first order reaction pattern.

Descomposicion termica del diperoxido de pinacolona (3,6-diterbutil-3,6-dimetil-1,2,4,5-tetraoxaciclohexano) en solución de 2-metoxietanol

The thermal decomposition reaction of pinacolone diperoxide (DPP; 0.02 mol kg-1) in 2-methoxyethanol solution studied in the temperature range of 110.0-150.0 °C, follows a first-order kinetic law up to at least 50% DPP conversion. The organic products observed were pinacolone, methane and tert-butane. A stepwise mechanism of decomposition was proposed where the first step is the homolytic unimolecular rupture of the O-O bond. The activation enthalpy and activation entropy for DPP in 2-methoxyethanol were calculated (deltaH# = 43.8 ± 1.0 kcal mol-1 and deltaS# = 31.9 ± 2.6 cal mol-1K-1) and compared with those obtained in other solvents to evaluate the solvent effect.

Fotocatálise eletroquímica de atrazina sobre dióxido de titânio: efeito de diferentes parâmetros experimentais

The atrazine photoelectrochemical degradation has been examined in solutions containing TiO2 on immobilized films under a variety of experimental conditions. It was possible to observe that the supporting electrolyte nature affects the intensity of the photocurrent, being an indicative of the adsorption process. The disappearance of the organic molecule follows approximately a pseudo-first order kinetic. As mineralization product, NH4+ and NO3- ion have been identified. These results indicated that the formation of NH4+ ion can be associated to the effect of atrazine adsorption, due to need of potential adaptation together with a variation in the supporting electrolyte concentration.