Formulation of fermentation media from flour-rich waste streams for microbial lipid production by Lipomyces starkeyi

Flour-rich waste (FRW) and by-product streams generated by bakery, confectionery and wheat milling plants could be employed as the sole raw materials for generic fermentation media production, suitable for microbial oil synthesis. Wheat milling by-products were used in solid state fermentations (SSF) of Aspergillus awamori for the production of crude enzymes, mainly glucoamylase and protease. Enzyme-rich SSF solids were subsequently employed for hydrolysis of FRW streams into nutrient-rich fermentation media. Batch hydrolytic experiments using FRW concentrations up to 205 g/L resulted in higher than 90%(w/w) starch to glucose conversion yields and 40% (w/w) total Kjeldahl nitrogen to free amino nitro-gen conversion yields. Starch to glucose conversion yields of 98.2, 86.1 and 73.4% (w/w) were achieved when initial FRW concentrations of 235, 300 and 350 g/L were employed in fed-batch hydrolytic experiments, respectively. Crude hydrolysates were used as fermentation media in shake flask cultures with the oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi DSM 70296 reaching a total dry weight of 30.5 g/L with a microbial oil content of 40.4% (w/w), higher than that achieved in synthetic media. Fed-batch bioreactor cultures led to a total dry weight of 109.8 g/L with a microbial oil content of 57.8% (w/w) and productivity of 0.4 g/L/h.

Formulation of a tropical town energy budget (t-TEB) scheme

This work describes the tropical town energy budget (t-TEB) scheme addressed to simulate the diurnal occurrence of the urban heat island (UHI) as observed in the Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro (MARJ; -22A degrees S; -44A degrees W) in Brazil. Reasoning about the tropical urban climate have guided the scheme implementation, starting from the original equations from Masson (Bound-Lay Meteorol 94:357-397, 2000). The modifications include (a) local scaling approaches for obtaining flux-gradient relationships in the roughness sub-layer, (b) the Monin-Obukhov similarity framework in the inertial sub-layer, (c) increasing aerodynamic conductance toward more unstable conditions, and (d) a modified urban subsurface drainage system to transfer the intercepted rainwater by roofs to the roads. Simulations along 2007 for the MARJ are obtained and compared with the climatology. The t-TEB simulation is consistent with the observations, suggesting that the timing and dynamics of the UHI in tropical cities could vary significantly from the familiar patterns observed in mid-latitude cities-with the peak heat island intensity occurring in the morning than at night. The simulations are suggesting that the thermal phase shift of this tropical diurnal UHI is a response of the surface energy budget to the large amount of solar radiation, intense evapotranspiration, and thermal response of the vegetated surfaces over a very humid soil layer.

Formulation of the standard model in terms of spinor fields

We propose an alternative formulation of the Standard Model which reduces the number of free parameters. In our framework, fermionic fields are assigned to fundamental representations of the Lorentz and the internal symmetry groups, whereas bosonic field variables transform as direct products of fundamental representations of all symmetry groups. This allows us to reduce the number of fundamental symmetries. We formulate the Standard Model by considering the SU(3) and SU(2) symmetry groups as the underlying symmetries of the fundamental interactions. This allows us to suggest a model, for the description of the interactions of the intermediate bosons among themselves and interactions of fermions, that makes use of just two parameters. One parameter characterizes the symmetric phase, whereas the other parameter (the asymmetry parameter) gives the breakdown strength of the symmetries. All coupling strengths of the Standard Model are then derived in terms of these two parameters. In particular, we show that all fermionic electric charges result from symmetry breakdown.

A Precise Formulation of the Third Law of Thermodynamics

The third law of thermodynamics is formulated precisely: all points of the state space of zero temperature I""(0) are physically adiabatically inaccessible from the state space of a simple system. In addition to implying the unattainability of absolute zero in finite time (or ""by a finite number of operations""), it admits as corollary, under a continuity assumption, that all points of I""(0) are adiabatically equivalent. We argue that the third law is universally valid for all macroscopic systems which obey the laws of quantum mechanics and/or quantum field theory. We also briefly discuss why a precise formulation of the third law for black holes remains an open problem.

Elastomeric Composites Based on Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer Rubber and Conducting Polymer-Modified Carbon Black

Thermally stable elastomeric composites based on ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) and conducting polymer-modified carbon black (CPMCB) additives were produced by casting and crosslinked by compression molding. CPMCB represent a novel thermally stable conductive compound made via ""in situ"" deposition of intrinsically conducting polymers (ICP) such as polyaniline or polypyrrole on carbon black particles. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the composites are thermally stable with no appreciable degradation at ca. 300 degrees C. Incorporating CPMCB has been found to be advantageous to the processing of composites, as the presence of ICP lead to a better distribution of the filler within the rubber matrix, as confirmed by morphological analysis. These materials have a percolation threshold range of 5-10 phr depending on the formulation and electrical dc conductivity values in the range of 1 x 10(-3) to 1 x 10(-2) S cm(-1) above the percolation threshold. A less pronounced reinforcing effect was observed in composites produced with ICP-modified additives in relation to those produced only with carbon black. The results obtained in this study show the feasibility of this method for producing stable, electrically conducting composites with elastomeric characteristics. POLYM. COMPOS., 30:897-906, 2009. (C) 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers

Design of a Modern Liposome and Bee Venom Formulation for the Traditional VIT-Venom Immunotherapy

Traditional venom immunotherapy uses injections of whole bee venom in buffer or adsorbed in Al (OH)(3) in an expensive, time-consuming way. New strategies to improve the safety and efficacy of this treatment with a reduction of injections would, therefore, be of general interest. It would improve patient compliance and provide socio-economic benefits. Liposomes have a long tradition in drug delivery because they increase the therapeutic index and avoid drug degradation and secondary effects. However, bee venom melittin (Mel) and phospholipase (PLA(2)) destroy the phospholipid membranes. Our central idea was to inhibit the PLA(2) and Mel activities through histidine alkylation and or tryptophan oxidation (with pbb, para-bromo-phenacyl bromide, and/or NBSN-bromosuccinimide, respectively) to make their encapsulations possible within stabilized liposomes. We strongly believe that this formulation will be nontoxic but immunogenic. In this paper, we present the whole bee venom conformation characterization during and after chemical modification and after interaction with liposome by ultraviolet, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopies. The PLA(2) and Mel activities were, measured indirectly by changes in turbidity at 400(nm), rhodamine leak-out, and hemolysis. The native whole bee venom (BV) presented 78.06% of alpha-helical content. The alkylation (A-BV) and succynilation (S-BV) of BV increased 0.44 and 0.20% of its alpha-helical content. The double-modified venom (S-A-BV) had a 0.74% increase of alpha-helical content. The BV chemical modification induced another change on protein conformations observed by Trp that became buried with respect to the native whole BV. It was demonstrated that the liposomal membranes must contain pbb (SPC:Cho:pbb, 26:7:1) as a component to protect them from aggregation and/or fusion. The membranes containing pbb maintained the same turbidity (100%) after incubation with modified venom, in contrast with pbb-free membranes that showed a 15% size decrease. This size decrease was interpreted as membrane degradation and was corroborated by a 50% rhodamine leak-out. Another fact that confirmed our interpretation was the observed 100% inhibition of the hemolytic activity after venom modification with pbb and NBS (S-A-BV). When S-A-BV interacted with liposomes, other protein conformational changes were observed and characterized by the increase of 1.93% on S-A-BV alpha-helical content and the presence of tryptophan residues in a more hydrophobic environment. In other words, the S-A-BV interacted with liposomal membranes, but this interaction was not effective to cause aggregation, leak-out, or fusion. A stable formulation composed by S-A-BV encapsulated within liposomes composed by SPC:Cho:pbb, at a ratio of 26:7:1, was devised. Large unilamellar vesicles of 202.5 nm with a negative surface charge (-24.29 mV) encapsulated 95% of S-A-BV. This formulation can, now, be assayed on VIT.

A new micro/nanoencapsulated porphyrin formulation for PDT treatment

The highly hydrophobic 5,10,15-triphenyl-20-(3-N-methylpyridinium-yl)porphyrin(3MMe)cationic species was synthesized, characterized and encapsulated in marine atelocollagen/xanthane gum microcapsules by the coacervation method. Further reduction in the capsule size, from several microns down to about 300-400 nm, was carried out successfully by ultrasonic processing in the presence of up to 1.6% Tween 20 surfactant, without affecting the distribution of 3MMe in the oily core. The resulting creamlike product exhibited enhanced photodynamic activity but negligible cytotoxicity towards HeLa cells. The polymeric micro/nanocapsule formulation was found to be about 4 times more phototoxic than the respective phosphatidylcholine lipidic emulsion, demonstrating high potentiality for photodynamic therapy applications. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mechanical, thermal and morphological characterization of polypropylene/biodegradable polyester blends with additives

The (bio)degradation of polyolefins can be accelerated by modifying the level of crystallinity or by incorporation of carbonyl groups by adding pro-oxidants to masterbatches or through exposure to ultraviolet irradiation. In this work we sought to improve the degradation of PP by adding cobalt, calcium or magnesium stearate to Ecoflex(R), PP or Ecoflex(R)/PP blends. The effect of the pro-oxidants on biodegradability was assessed by examining the mechanical properties and fluidity of the polymers. PP had higher values for tensile strength at break and Young`s modulus than Ecoflex(R), and the latter had little influence on the properties of PP in Ecoflex(R)/PP blends. However, the presence of pro-oxidants (except for calcium) reduced these properties. All of the pro-oxidants enhanced the fluidity of PP, a phenomenon that facilitated polymer degradation at high temperatures. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Formulação de grautes leves para a cimentação de poços de petróleo onshore

Grautes are dry mixes with hydraulic characteristics widely used in construction. This material comprises cement, mineral additives and dosed in accordance with the desired properties. The use of grautes in cementing oil wells potentially increases the precision in the composition of the mixture, since it is requires only the addition of the mixing water before its pumping. Such benefit may be availed in cementing wells since the formulations grautes meet the temperature and pressure characteristics typical of wells. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of adding different percentages of industrial minerals properties of light grautes for onshore oil wells. For the formulation of the employees were grautes light industrial minerals and waste minerals abundant in the Northeast, in addiction to Portland cement and chemical additives Special class. Grautes were formulated with densities between 1.55 g/cm3 (13.0 lb/gal) and 1.68 g/cm3 (14 lb/gal). Tests results showed that grautes with higher density in the range studied meet the specifications for cementation of shallow wells onshore. The compositions lighter can also be adjusted for applying the material in the cementation of oil wells

Stability and Local Toxicity Evaluation of a Liposomal Prilocaine Formulation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Pharmacological and local toxicity studies of a liposomal formulation for the novel local anaesthetic ropivacaine

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

Morphometry and ultra-structure of the intestinal mucosa of broilers fed different additives

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of the use of different growth promoters on the morphometry and ultra-structure of the intestinal mucosa of 42-day-old broilers. A total number of 36 male Cobb broilers was distributed in a randomized experimental design with a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, with 3 prebiotic and 3 probiotic sources in the feed, summing up 9 treatments, with 4 replicates each. There was a significant interaction (P<0.01) among the studied factor for villi height (VH) in all intestinal segments, and for crypt depth (CD) in the duodenum and the ileum. In the duodenum, higher villi were obtained in the control group, with the combination of B. subtilis and prebiotics, and with the single use of MOS+OA. No VH differences were observed between the control group and those fed prebiotics. In the jejunum, the highest villi were obtained with the use of the bacterial pool, followed by the control group, and by the use of B. subtilis. Higher villi were also obtained in the control group and in the groups fed MOS, when B. subtilis was used in combination with prebiotics, and when the bacterial pool was used individually or in combination with MOS. In the ileum, the highest villi were obtained with the individual use of B. subtilis, and when MOS+OA or MOS were individually used or in combination with the bacterial pool. As to duodenal CID, deeper crypts were observed in the control group and in those fed B. subtilis or MOS+OA. In the ileum, deeper crypts were also found in the control group and those fed B. subtilis. Deeper crypts were also found when the bacterial pool was individually used or in combination with MOS+OA, and with the individual use of MOS. It was concluded that the use of growth promoters was beneficial to Increase intestinal villi height when Bacillus subtilis was used in combination with prebiotics. The other growth promoters (MOS+OA, MOS, and bacterial pool), can be individually used in most situations. The tested growth promoters did not influence intestinal villi density.

Preservation of minimally processed aurora-1 peaches using additives

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