Determinação de fósforo em biodiesel utilizando eletrodo quimicamente modificado com nanopartículas de ferro

Once petroleum is na exhaustible source of energy, alternative fuels are having more prominence. A much discussed option for replacing fossil fuels is the use of biofuels derived from oils or fats, especially biodiesel. The biodiesel preparation is through a reaction named transesterification, a reaction of triglycerides with a short chain alcohol with a catalyst, producing a mixture of fatty acid esters and glycerol. According to ANP (National Petroleum Agency) specifications, biodiesel can have contaminants due to the catalyst or oil used on its synthesis, such as phosphorus, wich can damage the catalytic converter and cause significant increase in the particles emission. This project aims to develop na alternative method using chemically modified electrodes with iron nanoparticles for determination of phosphorus in biodiesel. For the formation of the iron nanoparticles film on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode, was used a iron sulfate solution. The film was formed after 10 successive cycles, with a scanning speed of 50 mV s-1 and a potential range of -0,9 to -1,25 V. To reduce possible oxides on the surface and activate the electrode, it has been subjected to a cathodic polarization with a potential of -1,25 V for 15 minutes in a sodium hydroxide solution. In cyclic voltammograms obtained in the study of the speed of scanning, there is an increase in the intensity of the anodic and cathodic current peaks. The cathodic peak current varied linearly with the square root of scan rate, showing that the electrode is controlled by diffusion. After successive additions of phosphate there is a linear variation in the current peak in the concentration range of 1,0 x 10-7 a 1,0 x 10-6 mol L-1. To determine if the concentration of phosphorus in real sample, the method of adding standard was used by adding aliquots of phosphate ions in the solution containing soy biodiesel extracted with ....

Influência do glyphosate no perfil bioquímico e fisiológico de populações de azevém (Lolium multiflorum) suscetíveis e resistentes ao herbicida

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização do potencial inseticida e capacidade antioxidante de Spathodea campanulata (Bignoniaceae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Bioprospecção em espécies de Inga (Fabaceae Mimosoideae)

Pós-graduação em Química - IQ

Potencial do uso do ácido cafeico em formulações cosméticas: atividade antioxidante, atividade despigmentante e citotoxicidade

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Potencial do uso do ácido cafeico em formulações cosméticas: atividade antioxidante, atividade despigmentante e citotoxicidade

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase and cytotoxic activities of ethanol extracts of peel, pulp and seeds of exotic Brazilian fruits Antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase and cytotoxic activities in fruits

Ethanol extracts of powdered genipap (Genipa americana L), umbu (Spondia tuberosa A.) and siriguela (Spondia purpurea L) prepared from separate pulp, seeds and peel were investigated for their (i) antioxidant capacity, which was evaluated by various known methods; (ii) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity; and (iii) cytotoxic effect on corneal epithelial cells of sheep. The highest values of total phenolic content were obtained with peel and seed extracts. Siriguela and umbu (seeds and peel) extracts displayed the highest antioxidant activities. Lipid peroxidation assays using mimetic biomembranes and mouse liver homogenates indicated that genipap pulp is a promising antioxidant. The investigation of phenols and organic acid contents revealed the presence of quercetin, citric and quinic acids, chlorogenic acid derivatives, among others, in several extracts, with the highest amount found in siriguela seeds. Genipap pulp and siriguela seed ethanol extracts presented an AChE inhibition zone similar to that of the positive control, carbachol. AChE inhibition assay with chlorogenic acid, one of the main constituents of siriguela seeds, revealed that this acid showed activity similar to that of the control physostigmine. These data suggest that these extracts are potentially important antioxidant supplements for the everyday human diet, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Organocatalytic asymmetric mannich-type reactions: an easy approach to optically active amine derivatives

The topics I came across during the period I spent as a Ph.D. student are mainly two. The first concerns new organocatalytic protocols for Mannich-type reactions mediated by Cinchona alkaloids derivatives (Scheme I, left); the second topic, instead, regards the study of a new approach towards the enantioselective total synthesis of Aspirochlorine, a potent gliotoxin that recent studies indicate as a highly selective and active agent against fungi (Scheme I, right). At the beginning of 2005 I had the chance to join the group of Prof. Alfredo Ricci at the Department of Organic Chemistry of the University of Bologna, starting my PhD studies. During the first period I started to study a new homogeneous organocatalytic aza-Henry reaction by means of Cinchona alkaloid derivatives as chiral base catalysts with good results. Soon after we introduced a new protocol which allowed the in situ synthesis of N-carbamoyl imines, scarcely stable, moisture sensitive compounds. For this purpose we used α-amido sulfones, bench stable white crystalline solids, as imine precursors (Scheme II). In particular we were able to obtain the aza-Henry adducts, by using chiral phase transfer catalysis, with a broad range of substituents as R-group and excellent results, unprecedented for Mannich-type transformations (Scheme II). With the optimised protocol in hand we have extended the methodology to the other Mannich-type reactions. We applied the new method to the Mannich, Strecker and Pudovik (hydrophosphonylation of imines) reactions with very good results in terms of enantioselections and yields, broadening the usefulness of this novel protocol. The Mannich reaction was certainly the most extensively studied work in this thesis (Scheme III). Initially we developed the reaction with α-amido sulfones as imine precursors and non-commercially available malonates with excellent results in terms of yields and enantioselections.3 In this particular case we recorded 1 mol% of catalyst loading, very low for organocatalytic processes. Then we thought to develop a new Mannich reaction by using simpler malonates, such as dimethyl malonate.4 With new optimised condition the reaction provided slightly lower enantioselections than the previous protocol, but the Mannich adducts were very versatile for the obtainment of β3-amino acids. Furthermore we performed the first addition of cyclic β-ketoester to α-amido sulfones obtaining the corresponding products in good yield with high level of diastereomeric and enantiomeric excess (Scheme III). Further studies were done about the Strecker reaction mediated by Cinchona alkaloid phase-transfer quaternary ammonium salt derivatives, using acetone cyanohydrin, a relatively harmless cyanide source (Scheme IV). The reaction proceeded very well providing the corresponding α-amino nitriles in good yields and enantiomeric excesses. Finally, we developed two new complementary methodologies for the hydrophosphonylation of imines (Scheme V). As a result of the low stability of the products derived from aromatic imines, we performed the reactions in mild homogeneous basic condition by using quinine as a chiral base catalyst giving the α-aryl-α-amido phosphonic acid esters as products (Scheme V, top).6 On the other hand, we performed the addition of dialkyl phosphite to aliphatic imines by using chiral Cinchona alkaloid phase transfer quaternary ammonium salt derivatives using our methodology based on α-amido sulfones (Scheme V, bottom). The results were good for both procedures covering a broad range of α-amino phosphonic acid ester. During the second year Ph.D. studies, I spent six months in the group of Prof. Steven V. Ley, at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Cambridge, in United Kingdom. During this fruitful period I have been involved in a project concerning the enantioselective synthesis of Aspirochlorine. We provided a new route for the synthesis of a key intermediate, reducing the number of steps and increasing the overall yield. Then we introduced a new enantioselective spirocyclisation for the synthesis of a chiral building block for the completion of the synthesis (Scheme VI).

Neuroprotective strategies against neurodegeneration in cellular model systems

In the present study we analyzed new neuroprotective therapeutical strategies in PD (Parkinson’s disease) and AD (Alzheimer’s disease). Current therapeutic strategies for treating PD and AD offer mainly transient symptomatic relief but it is still impossible to block the loss of neuron and then the progression of PD and AD. There is considerable consensus that the increased production and/or aggregation of α- synuclein (α-syn) and β-amyloid peptide (Aβ), plays a central role in the pathogenesis of PD, related synucleinopathies and AD. Therefore, we identified antiamyloidogenic compounds and we tested their effect as neuroprotective drug-like molecules against α-syn and β-amyloid cytotoxicity in PC12. Herein, we show that two nitro-catechol compounds (entacapone and tolcapone) and 5 cathecol-containing compounds (dopamine, pyrogallol, gallic acid, caffeic acid and quercetin) with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, are potent inhibitors of α-syn and β-amyloid oligomerization and fibrillization. Subsequently, we show that the inhibition of α-syn and β-amyloid oligomerization and fibrillization is correlated with the neuroprotection of these compounds against the α-syn and β-amyloid-induced cytotoxicity in PC12. Finally, we focused on the study of the neuroprotective role of microglia and on the possibility that the neuroprotection properties of these cells could be use as therapeutical strategy in PD and AD. Here, we have used an in vitro model to demonstrate neuroprotection of a 48 h-microglial conditioned medium (MCM) towards cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) challenged with the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), which induces a Parkinson-like neurodegeneration, with Aβ42, which induces a Alzheimer-like neurodegeneration, and glutamate, involved in the major neurodegenerative diseases. We show that MCM nearly completely protects CGNs from 6-OHDA neurotoxicity, partially from glutamate excitotoxicity but not from Aβ42 toxin.

Biochemische, strukturelle und funktionelle Untersuchungen der Tyrosinase aus Streptomyces castaneoglobisporus HUT6202

Die Tyrosinase aus Streptomyces castaneoglobisporus HUT6202 ist für biochemische und strukturelle Untersuchungen besonders gut geeignet, da sie als globuläres binäres Protein vorliegt. Als bakterielles Protein lässt sich die Tyrosinase aus Streptomyces in einen E.coli Expressionsstamm klonieren und exprimieren.rnIn dieser Arbeit wurde die Tyrosinase zusammen mit seinem Hilfsprotein (ORF378) polycistronisch in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3)-Zellen heterolog exprimiert. Das Produkt der Expression ergab einen funktionellen binären Proteinkomplex, welcher mit einer Ausbeute von bis zu 0,8 mg/L über einen C-terminalen His-Tag sowie eine anschließende Größenausschlusschromatographie auf bis 95 % gereinigt werden konnte.rnDer gereinigte binäre Komplex aus Tyrosinase und Hilfsprotein wurde mit Hilfe isoelektrischer Fokussierung untersucht um die jeweiligen isoelektrischen Punkte der beiden Proteine zu bestimmen (pI 4,8 für die Tyrosinase sowie 4,9 für das Hilfsprotein), welche stark von den anhand der Aminosäuresequenz errechneten pIs abweichen (6,2 und 6,4). Des Weiteren wurde die Tyrosinase auf ihre Substratspezifität getestet, wobei sich ein bevorzugter Umsatz von Kaffeesäure (Km 1,4 mM; Vmax 21.5 µM min-1) und p-Cumarsäure zeigte. Es erfolgte keine Katalyse von Tyrosin und Tyramin sowie nur in geringem Maß von L-Dopa. Darüber hinaus konnte gezeigt werden, dass ein enzymatischer Umsatz nur stattfindet, nachdem die Tyrosinase mit CuSO4 aktiviert wurde. Eine Aktivierung mit SDS konnte nicht beobachtet werden.rnZur Untersuchung der Aktivierung des binären Komplexes lässt sich mit Hilfe dynamischer Lichtstreuung und analytischer Ultrazentrifugation eine Dissoziation des Komplexes in seine monomeren Komponenten nach Aktivierung mit CuSO4 vermuten. Dies würde den bislang hypothetisch angenommenen Mechanismus der Aktivierung der Tyrosinase aus S.castaneoglobisporus bestätigen.rnIn silico-Arbeiten wurden durchgeführt um ein tieferes Verständnis der Substratspezifität zu bekommen. Substrat-Docking-Experimente bestätigten die im Labor erhaltenen Ergebnisse. Eine Strukturanalyse deutet auf eine sterische Hinderung der Substrataufnahme für Substrate mit sekundären Aminogruppen hin. rnAnalysen des Protein-Interface von Tyrosinase und Hilfsprotein konnten kupferfixierende Faltungsmotive an der Oberfläche des Hilfsproteins aufzeigen. Bei diesen handelt es meist um 3-4 polare Aminosäuren, welche in der Lage sind, ein Kupferatom zu fixieren. Durch die Bindung der Kupferatome an die fixierenden Motive werden wahrscheinlich zahlreiche Wasserstoff-brückenbindungen getrennt, welche den Komplex in seiner inaktiven Form stabilisieren.rn

Synthese von optisch aktiven Chinolizidinen als Vorstufen einer Clavepictin-Totalsynthese : erste Untersuchungen zu einer neuen kationischen Umlagerung

Die aus Clavelina picta isolierten Clavepictine A und B, sowie das verwandte Pictamin, sind Alkaloide, die sich lediglich in der Länge der Seitenkette an C-6 und der Veresterung der Alkoholfunktion an C-3 des gemeinsamen Chinolizidingerüsts unterscheiden. Alle drei Verbindungen zeichnen sich durch antimikrobielle Wirkung und hohe Zytotoxizität aus, und sind daher Naturstoffe, die für die Entwicklung neuer Arznei- oder Pflanzenschutzmittel von Interesse sind. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde eine kurze, substratkontrollierte Chinolizidinsynthese entwickelt, mit der das den Naturstoffen gemeinsame Grundgerüst selektiv aufgebaut werden kann. Ausgehend von käuflichen Milchsäureestern wurden zunächst optisch aktive 1-Aryl-1-amino-2-propanole dargestellt, aus denen nach Katritzky in zwei Stufen mit guten Ausbeuten 2,6-disubstituierte Piperidine mit N-(1-Aryl-2-propanol)-Substituent erhalten wurden, die zu Acetaten verestert wurden. Als Schlüsselschritt der Synthese wurde eine neue kationische Umlagerung dieser Acetate unter Einwirkung einer geeigneten Lewis-Säure untersucht, die es ermöglicht, das Chinolizidingerüst aufzubauen. Die Umlagerung erwies sich als hochselektiv, da aus einem optisch aktiven Edukt nur ein (optisch aktives) Chinolizidingerüst erhalten wurde. Aus den Umlagerungsprodukten konnte in einer Stufe der C-1-Substituent Chlorid reduktiv entfernt und gleichzeitig der Aromat an C-3 in ein 1,4-Dien überführt werden, wodurch der Umbau des Aromaten in die gewünschte Alkoholfunktion eingeleitet wurde.

Novel porphyrin amino acids as building blocks for artificial photosynthetic reaction centers : photoinduced energy and electron transfer

This thesis reports on the synthesis and characterisation of trans-(M)AB2C meso-substituted porphyrin amino acid esters (PAr) (M = 2H or Zn) with tunable electron donating and electron withdrawing Ar substituents at B positions (Ar = 4-C6H4OnBu, 4-C6H4OMe, 2,4,6-C6H2Me3, 4-C6H4Me, C6H5, 4-C6H4F, 4-C6H4CF3, C6F5). These porphyrins were used as key building blocks for photosynthetic LHC (LHC = light-harvesting antenna complex) and RC (RC = reaction center) model compounds.rnBased on free-base or zinc(II) porphyrin amino acid esters and porphyrin acids several amide linked free-base bis(porphyrins) PAr1-PAr2 (Ar1 = 2,4,6-C6H2Me3, C6F5 and Ar2 = 2,4,6-C6H2Me3, 4-C6H4F, 4-C6H4CF3, C6F5), mono metallated bis(porphyrin) PAr1-(Zn)PAr2 (Ar1 = 2,4,6-C6H2Me3 and Ar2 =4-C6H4F) and its doubly zincated complexes (Zn)PAr1-(Zn)PAr2 were prepared. In the fluorescence spectra of free-base bis(porphyrins) the porphyrin with the strongest electron donating power of Ar substituents at B positions is the light emitting unity. The emission of mono metallated bis(porphyrin) occurs only from the free-base porphyrin building block. This phenomenon is caused by an efficient energy transfer likely via the Dexter through-bond mechanism.rnLinking of anthraquinone (Q) as electron acceptor (A) to the N-terminus of porphyrin amino acid esters ((M)PAr) and aminoferrocene (Fc) as electron donor (D) to the C-terminus of the porphyrin resulting in Q-(M)PAr-Fc triads (M = 2H or Zn, Ar = 4-C6H4OnBu, 4-C6H4OMe, 2,4,6-C6H2Me3, 4-C6H4Me, C6H5, 4-C6H4F, 4-C6H4CF3, C6F5) with tunable electron density at the porphyrin chromophore. In these triads initial oxidative PET (Q←(M)PAr) and reductive PET ((M)PAr→Fc) (PET = photoinduced electron transfer) are possible. Both processes leads to an emission quenching of (M)PAr. The efficiency of the PET pathways occurring in the Marcus normal region is controlled by the specific porphyrin electron density.rnAmide-linked conjugates PAr-Fc (Ar = 2,4,6-C6H2Me3, C6F5) and Fmoc-Fc-PAr1 (N-Fmoc-Fc = N-Fmoc protected 1,1’-ferrocene amino acid; Ar1 = C6H5, 4-C6H4F, 4-C6H4CF3, C6F5) as well as hinges PAr2-Fc-PAr1 (Ar1 = C6H5, 4-C6H4F and Ar2 = 2,4,6-C6H2Me3) were studied with respect to the reductive PET. The PET driving force (−GET) in dyads increases with the increasing electron withdrawing character of Ar substituents. Additionally, intramolecular energy transfer between porphyrins PAr1 and PAr2 is feasible in the hinges via the Förster mechanism.rn

Imiquimod based transcutaneous immunization – insights and novel concepts

This work aims at developing a transcutaneous immunization (TCI) approach in order to activate cytotoxic T-cells. A tumor specific immune response was therefore generated by the TLR7-Agonist imiquimod. Five commercially available creams including the innovators product Aldara® 5% creme were assessed to ascertain their capability to induce an immune response in C57BL/6 mice after dermal administration. Moreover, creams were investigated regarding their imiquimod permeation in a Franz-diffusion cell model. Results obtained from this study were used to develop novel formulation approaches based on dissolved state imiquimod in a submicron scale range. High pressure homogenization ensured emulsification as well as particle size reduction. A freeze dried spreadable solid nanoemulsion based on sucrose fatty acid esters and oil components represented a major formulation approach. Within the scope of this approach the influence of pharmaceutical oils i.e. middle chain triglycerides, avocado oil, jojoba wax, and squalen was assessed towards their TCI performance. Furthermore, an aqueous jojoba wax based emulsion gel was developed. Unlike the innovators product, all formulations demonstrated a distinctly reduced imiquimod permeation across murine skin, a fact particularly evident in case of jojoba wax. Squalen significantly augmented in vivo immune response (p≤0.05 Mann-Whitney-Test). The emulsion gel demonstrated a 10fold decrease of imiquimod permeation. In comparison with the innovators product, the emulsion gel induced an equal immune response with a simultaneously enhanced tumor rejection in a mouse model.

Elektrochemische Desoxygenierung von Carbonsäureamiden und verwandten Verbindungen an der dekorierten Bleikathode

Zusammenfassung der Dissertation, Carolin Edinger, April 2015. Im Rahmen der Dissertation ist eine effiziente und zuverlässige Methode zur elektrochemischen Desoxygenierung von aromatischen Carbonsäureamiden entwickelt worden (Schema 1).[1] Unter galvanostatischen Bedingungen eignet sich das optimierte Elektrolytsystem bestehend aus 2%iger methanolischer H2SO4 und geringen Mengen an Additiv 1 in Kombination mit einer Bleikathode hervorragend in dem gewählten geteilten Zellaufbau. Schema 1: Elektrochemische Desoxygenierung aromatischer Carbonsäureamide. Untersuchungen an verschiedensten Amidsubstraten haben gezeigt, dass ein breites Spektrum an Aminen mit dieser Methode zugänglich ist und durch umfangreiche Studien konnten optimale Elektrolyseparameter gefunden werden. Außerdem wurde die Hochskalierung der Ansatzgröße an einem Testsubstrat mit hohen Aminausbeuten von bis zu 73% gewährleistet. Ein besonderes Merkmal der entwickelten Synthese ist neben milden Bedingungen und hoher Selektivität die Verwendung von Ammoniumsalzadditiven. Der positive Effekt dieser Additive auf die Desoxygenierungsreaktion ist vielfältig: Die Wasserstoffentwicklung als unerwünschte Nebenreaktion wird zu negativeren Potentialen verschoben und die Bleikathode wird durch Zurückdrängung der PbSO4-Bildung effektiv vor Korrosion geschützt. Dies konnte durch experimentelle Werte wie die Erhöhung der Produkt- und Stromausbeute durch Additivzusatz während der Elektrolyse hinreichend bestätigt werden. Aber auch zyklovoltammetrische Untersuchungen und Lichtmikroskopaufnahmen der Elektrodenoberfläche bekräftigen eindeutig diese Aussagen.[2,3] Die entwickelte elektrochemische Methode konnte zusätzlich erfolgreich auf Verbindungen übertragen werden, die mit Carbonsäureamiden verwandt sind. So gelang es, aromatische und aliphatische Sulfoxide in sehr guten Ausbeuten selektiv zu den entsprechenden Sulfiden umzusetzen. Zusätzlich konnten bereits bei weiteren, durch klassische Methoden schwer reduzierbare Stoffklassen erste Erfolge erzielt werden. So gelang es, den Grundstein zur Reduktion von Estern und Triphenylphosphinoxid zu legen und erste, vielversprechende Ergebnisse zu erlangen. Da Elektronen als Reduktionsmittel eingesetzt werden und lediglich Wasser als Nebenprodukt gebildet wird, zeichnet sich die entwickelte Desoxygenierungsmethode vor allem durch milde Bedingungen und hohe Selektivität aus. Da weder Reagenzien noch Katalysatoren verwendet werden müssen, werden Abfälle vermieden. Dadurch ist die gefundene Reduktionsmethode nicht nur kostengünstig, sondern erweist sich auch in der Reaktionsführung als vorteilhaft. Literatur: [1] C. Edinger, S. R. Waldvogel, Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2014, 2014, 5144–5148. [2] C. Edinger, V. Grimaudo, P. Broekmann, S. R. Waldvogel, ChemElectroChem 2014, 1, 1018–1022. [3] C. Edinger, S. R. Waldvogel, PCT Int. Appl. 2013, WO 2013030316A2.

In vivo and in vitro effects of antioxidant compounds and PPAR γ modulators on rainbow trout oxidative stress and lipid metabolism.

The aquafeed use of raw plant materials, as protein and lipid sources, has been considered and approved as a sustainable alternative to fish products (fish meal and oils) because the current trend to use high-lipid diets has been shown to induce undesirable increase in fat depots or further physiological alterations, such as induction of oxidative stress. In the aquaculture perspective, the addition of natural substances with antioxidant properties is an emerging strategy for protecting biological systems and foodstuffs from oxidative damage. Among natural substances, hydroxytyrosol (HT) and caffeic acid (CA) have attracted considerable attention as food antioxidant additives and modulators of physiological and molecular pathways involved in energy metabolism and adiposity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CA and HT on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In vitro results showed the potential anti-obesogenic effects of the compounds CA and HT on the adipose tissue of the rainbow trout. To support these data, in vitro assays performed (MTT, ORO, immunofluorescence) resulted in accordance among them; only results from proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) assay were not significant. In vivo results showed a possible anti-obesogenic effect of CA in liver and HT in adipose tissue. Regarding oxidative stress, we could hypothesize a possible anti-oxidant role of CA in liver.