Physico-chemical properties of starches isolated from potato cultivars grown in soils with different phosphorus availability

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Physico-chemical properties of Brazilian cocoa butter and industrial blends. Part II - Microstructure, polymorphic behavior and crystallization characteristics

The microstructural behavior of industrial standardized cocoa butter samples and cocoa butter samples from three different Brazilian states is compared. The cocoa butters were characterized by their microstructural patterns, crystallization kinetics and polymorphic habits. The evaluation of these parameters aided in establishing relationships between the chemical compositions and crystallization behavior of the samples, as well as differentiating them in terms of technological and industrial potential for use in tropical regions.

Physico-chemical properties of Brazilian cocoa butter and industrial blends. Part I - Chemical composition, solid fat content and consistency

A comparative study of the primary properties of six cocoa butter samples, representative of industrial blends and cocoa butter extracted from fruits cultivated in different geographical areas in Brazil is presented. The samples were evaluated according to fatty acid composition, triacylglycerol composition, regiospecific distribution, melting point, solid fat content and consistency. The results allowed for differentiating the samples according to their chemical compositions, thermal resistance properties, hardness characteristics, as well as technological adequacies and potential use in regions with tropical climates.

New synthetic bile acid analogue agonists of FXR and TGR5 receptors: Analytical methodologies for the study of their physico-chemical properties, pharmacokinetic activity and metabolism.

This thesis reports an integrated analytical approach for the study of physicochemical and biological properties of new synthetic bile acid (BA) analogues agonists of FXR and TGR5 receptors. Structure-activity data were compared with those previous obtained using the same experimental protocols on synthetic and natural occurring BA. The new synthetic BA analogues are classified in different groups according also to their potency as a FXR and TGR5 agonists: unconjugated and steroid modified BA and side chain modified BA including taurine or glycine conjugates and pseudo-conjugates (sulphonate and sulphate analogues). In order to investigate the relationship between structure and activity the synthetic analogues where admitted to a physicochemical characterization and to a preliminary screening for their pharmacokinetic and metabolism using a bile fistula rat model. Sensitive and accurate analytical methods have been developed for the quali-quantitative analysis of BA in biological fluids and sample used for physicochemical studies. Combined High Performance Liquid Chromatography Electrospray tandem mass spectrometry with efficient chromatographic separation of all studied BA and their metabolites have been optimized and validated. Analytical strategies for the identification of the BA and their minor metabolites have been developed. Taurine and glycine conjugates were identified in MS/MS by monitoring the specific ion transitions in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode while all other metabolites (sulphate, glucuronic acid, dehydroxylated, decarboxylated or oxo) were monitored in a selected-ion reaction (SIR) mode with a negative ESI interface by the following ions. Accurate and precise data where achieved regarding the main physicochemical properties including solubility, detergency, lipophilicity and albumin binding . These studies have shown that minor structural modification greatly affect the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the new analogues in respect to the natural BA and on turn their site of action, particularly where their receptor are located in the enterohepatic circulation.

Selected bibliography of physico-chemical properties in liquid ammonia and related solvents /

Mode of access: Internet.

Coke formation process and physico-chemical properties of coals /

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

The physico-chemical properties of plant saps in relation to phytogeography; data on native vegetation in its natural environment

Foreword signed: George O. Burr, Ross Aiken Gortner, C. O. Rosendahl, chairman.

Heterogeneity of physico-chemical properties in structured soils and its consequences

Structured soils are characterized by the presence of inter- and intra-aggregate pore systems and aggregates, which show varying chemical, physical, and biological properties depending on the aggregate type and land use system. How far these aspects also affect the ion exchange processes and to what extent the interaction between the carbon distribution and kind of organic substances affect the internal soil strength as well as hydraulic properties like wettability are still under discussion. Thus, the objective of this research was to clarify the effect of soil aggregation on physical and chemical properties of structured soils at two scales: homogenized material and single aggregates. Data obtained by sequentially peeling off soil aggregates layers revealed gradients in the chemical composition from the aggregate surface to the aggregate core. In aggregates from long term untreated forest soils we found lower amounts of carbon in the external layer, while in arable soils the differentiation was not pronounced. However, soil aggregates originating from these sites exhibited a higher concentration of microbial activity in the outer aggregate layer and declined towards the interior. Furthermore, soil depth and the vegetation type affected the wettability. Aggregate strength depended. on water suction and differences in tillage treatments.

EFFECT OF FORMULATION ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES, WATER STATUS AND STABILITY OF PASTA, TOMATO SAUCE AND READY TO EAT PASTA MEALS

Ready to eat pasta meals are an important segment of convenience food, but these products are subjected to significant changes in physico-chemical properties during storage, which reduce their acceptability at the time of consumption. A deep understanding of the properties of the single phases, their dependence upon formulation, and the changes they undergo during storage is very important to intelligently intervene on products properties to improve their quality at the time of consumer’s consumption. This work has focused on the effect of formulation on physico-chemical properties of pasta and tomato sauce with a special focus on mechanical/rheological attributes and water status. Variable considered in pasta formulation were gluten, glycerol and moisture content and their effect was studied in both freshly cooked or shelf-stable cooked pasta. The effect of multiple hydrocolloids (at different levels) was considered in the case of tomato sauce. In the case of pasta, it was found that water content was indeed a very important variable in defying pasta mechanical properties and water status. Higher moisture contents in pasta resulted in softer samples and reduced the changes in physico-chemical parameters during storage. Glycerol was found to favor water uptake and to soften the pasta matrix, acting as plasticizer and increasing molecular mobility. The addition of gluten hardened pasta but did not affect the water status. The combination of higher amount of gluten (15%, g gluten / 100 g product) with higher moisture content (59-65%, g water / 100 g product) were found to minimize the physico-chemical changes occurring in RTE pasta meals during storage, improving quality at longer storage times. Hydrocolloids added into tomato sauce modulated its mechanical attributes and water status in very different manner, depending on hydrocolloid type and concentration. This may allow to produce tomato sauce for different applications and that are expected to have different performance if placed in contact with pasta in a RTE meal. Future work should include an investigation of how the interaction between the two phases (pasta and sauce) can be modulated and controlled by controlling the properties of the single phases with the goal of obtaining highly acceptable products also at longer storage times.

Degradable poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels:synthesis, physico-chemical properties and in vitro characterization

Designing degradable hydrogels is complicated by the structural and temporal complexities of the gel and evolving tissue. A major challenge is to create scaffolds with sufficient mechanical properties to restore initial function while simultaneously controlling temporal changes in the gel structure to facilitate tissue formation. Poly(ethylene glycol) was used in this work, to form biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels with hydrolyzable poly-l-lactide segments in the backbone. Non-degradable poly(ethylene glycol) was also introduced in the formulation to obtain control of the degradation profile that encompasses cell growth and new tissue formation. The dependence on polymer composition was observed by higher degradation profiles and decreased mechanical properties as the content of degradable segments was increased in the formulation. Based on in vitro tests, no toxicity of extracts or biomaterial in direct contact with human adipose tissue stem cells was observed, and the ultraviolet light treatment did not affect the proliferation capacity of the cells.

Quantitative characterization of physico-chemical properties of the active layers of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes, and their relation to membrane performance

The main objectives of this dissertation were: (i) to develop experimental and analytical procedures to quantify different physico-chemical properties of the ultra-thin (~ 100 nm) active layers of reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes and their interactions with contaminants; (ii) to use such procedures to evaluate the similarities and differences between the active layers of different RO/NF membranes; and (iii) to relate characterization results to membrane performance. Such objectives were motivated by the current limited understanding of the physico-chemical properties of active layers as a result of traditional characterization techniques having limitations associated with the nanometer-scale spatial resolution required to study these ultra-thin films. Functional groups were chosen as the main active layer property of interest. Specific accomplishments of this study include the development of procedures to quantify in active layers as a function of pH: (1) the concentration of both negatively and positively ionized functional groups; (2) the stoichiometry of association between ions (i.e., barium) and ionized functional groups (i.e., carboxylate and sulfonate); and (3) the steric effects experienced by ions (i.e., barium). Conceptual and mathematical models were developed to describe experimental results. The depth heterogeneity of the active layer physico-chemical properties and interactions with contaminants studied in this dissertation was also characterized. Additionally, measured concentrations of ionized functional groups in the polyamide active layers of several commercial RO/NF membranes were used as input in a simplified RO/NF transport model to predict the rejection of a strong electrolyte (i.e., potassium iodide) and a weak acid (i.e., arsenious acid) at different pH values based on rejection results at one pH condition. The good agreement between predicted and experimental results showed that the characterization procedures developed in this study serve as useful tools in the advancement of the understanding of the properties and structure of the active layers of RO/NF membranes, and the mechanisms of contaminant transport through them.

Physico-chemical properties of sol-gel synthesized titanosilicates for the uptake of radionuclides from aqueous solutions

Harnessing the power of nuclear reactions has brought huge benefits in terms of nuclear energy, medicine and defence as well as risks including the management of nuclear wastes. One of the main issues for radioactive waste management is liquid radioactive waste (LRW). Different methods have been applied to remediate LRW, thereunder ion exchange and adsorption. Comparative studies have demonstrated that Na2Ti2O3SiO4·2H2O titanosilicate sorption materials are the most promising in terms of Cs+ and Sr2+ retention from LRW. Therefore these TiSi materials became the object of this study. The recently developed in Ukraine sol-gel method of synthesizing these materials was chosen among the other reported approaches since it allows obtaining the TiSi materials in the form of particles with size ≥ 4mm. utilizing inexpensive and bulk stable inorganic precursors and yielded the materials with desirable properties by alteration of the comparatively mild synthesis conditions. The main aim of this study was to investigate the physico-chemical properties of sol-gel synthesized titanosilicates for radionuclide uptake from aqueous solutions. The effect of synthesis conditions on the structural and sorption parameters of TiSi xerogels was planned to determine in order to obtain a highly efficient sorption material. The ability of the obtained TiSis to retain Cs+, Sr2+ and other potentially toxic metal cations from the synthetic and real aqueous solutions was intended to assess. To our expectations, abovementioned studies will illustrate the efficiency and profitability of the chosen synthesis approach, synthesis conditions and the obtained materials. X-ray diffraction, low temperature adsorption/desorption surface area analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used for xerogels characterization. The sorption capability of the synthesized TiSi gels was studied as a function of pH, adsorbent mass, initial concentration of target ion, contact time, temperature, composition and concentration of the background solution. It was found that the applied sol-gel approach yielded materials with a poorly crystalline sodium titanosilicate structure under relatively mild synthesis conditions. The temperature of HTT has the strongest influence on the structure of the materials and consequently was concluded to be the control factor for the preparation of gels with the desired properties. The obtained materials proved to be effective and selective for both Sr2+ and Cs+ decontamination from synthetic and real aqueous solutions like drinking, ground, sea and mine waters, blood plasma and liquid radioactive wastes.

Poly(Lactide-co-Glycolide) Nanocapsules Containing Benzocaine: Influence of the Composition of the Oily Nucleus on Physico-Chemical Properties and Anesthetic Activity

The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of the oily nucleus composition on physico-chemical properties and anesthetic activity of poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nanocapsules with benzocaine.Nanocapsules containing benzocaine were prepared with three different oily nucleus composition and characterized by mean diameter, polydispersivity, zeta potential, pH and stability were investigated as a function of time. In vitro release kinetics were performed in a system with two compartments separated by a cellulose membrane. Intensity and duration of analgesia were evaluated in rats by sciatic nerve blockade.The greatest stability, slower release profile and improvement in the local anesthetic activity of BZC were obtained with the formulation using USP mineral oil as component.Results from our study provide useful perspectives on selection of the primary materials needed to produce suspensions of polymeric nanocapsules able to act as carriers of BZC, with potential future application in the treatment of pain.