Desenvolvimento de uma unidade pirolítica com reator de cilindro rotativo: obtenção de bio-óleo

The demand for alternative sources of energy drives the technological development so that many fuels and energy conversion processes before judged as inadequate or even non-viable, are now competing fuels and so-called traditional processes. Thus, biomass plays an important role and is considered one of the sources of renewable energy most important of our planet. Biomass accounts for 29.2% of all renewable energy sources. The share of biomass energy from Brazil in the OIE is 13.6%, well above the world average of participation. Various types of pyrolysis processes have been studied in recent years, highlighting the process of fast pyrolysis of biomass to obtain bio-oil. The continuous fast pyrolysis, the most investigated and improved are the fluidized bed and ablative, but is being studied and developed other types in order to obtain Bio-oil a better quality, higher productivity, lower energy consumption, increased stability and process reliability and lower production cost. The stability of the product bio-oil is fundamental to designing consumer devices such as burners, engines and turbines. This study was motivated to produce Bio-oil, through the conversion of plant biomass or the use of its industrial and agricultural waste, presenting an alternative proposal for thermochemical pyrolysis process, taking advantage of particle dynamics in the rotating bed that favors the right gas-solid contact and heat transfer and mass. The pyrolyser designed to operate in a continuous process, a feeder containing two stages, a divisive system of biomass integrated with a tab of coal fines and a system of condensing steam pyrolytic. The prototype has been tested with sawdust, using a complete experimental design on two levels to investigate the sensitivity of factors: the process temperature, gas flow drag and spin speed compared to the mass yield of bio-oil. The best result was obtained in the condition of 570 oC, 25 Hz and 200 cm3/min, temperature being the parameter of greatest significance. The mass balance of the elementary stages presented in the order of 20% and 37% liquid pyrolytic carbon. We determined the properties of liquid and solid products of pyrolysis as density, viscosity, pH, PCI, and the composition characterized by chemical analysis, revealing the composition and properties of a Bio-oil.

Avaliação do efeito de um adoçante comercial com sucralose na marcação de constituintes sanguíneos com tecnécio-99m, na morfologia das hemácias e na biodisponibilidade dos radiofármacos pertecnetato de sódio e ácido dietilenotriaminopentacético-tecnécio-99m em ratos Wistar.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Efeito de um extrato de Artemísia Vulgaris L. marcação in vitro de constituintes sanguíneos com tecnécio-99m em ratos wistar

Artemisia vulgaris L..is used in folk medicine and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This medicinal plant has been utilized as anticonvulsive, analgesic, antispasmodic effect, rheumatic pains, menstrual dyspepsia, asthenia, epilepsy, hepatitis, fevers, anemia and to expel parasites. In nuclear medicine, blood constituents are labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) and used as radiopharmaceuticals (radiobiocomplexes). Authors have been described that synthetic and/or natural drugs could modify the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of an aqueous extract of Artemisia vulgaris L. on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc. Blood samples withdrawn of Wistar rats were incubated with Artemisia vulgaris L, stannous chloride and 99mTc, as pertechnetate ion. Aliquots of plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated. Aliquots of P and BC were also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid and soluble (SF) and insoluble (IF) fractions were separated. The radioactivity in each fraction was counted and the percentages of radioactivity (%ATI) were calculated. Artemisia vulgaris L. extract decreased significantly (p<0.05) the %ATI on BC and on IF-BC. The analysis of the results indicates that the extract could have substances that could interfere on the transport of stannous through the erythrocyte membrane altering the labeling of blood cells with 99mTc. Working in this study was a multidisciplinary group, with Phisical therapists, Biomedicals, Physicals, Pharmacists, Biologists, Statistics and Physicians.

First record of Trypanosoma sp. (Protozoa: Kinetoplastida) in tuvira (Gymnotus aff. inaequilabiatus) in the Pantanal wetland, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

O objetivo do presente estudo foi reportar a infecção por Trypanosoma sp. em tuviras (Gymnotus aff. inaequilabiatus) oriundas do Pantanal Sul-mato-grossense, Brasil. Dez peixes provenientes do rio Paraguai, Pantanal Sul-mato-grossense, foram avaliados quanto à presença de hemoflagelados. Tripomastigotas de Trypanosoma sp. foram observados nas extensões sanguíneas de três peixes (30% de prevalência), e algumas formas encontravam-se em divisão. Por meio do exame a fresco e da centrifugação do sangue em capilar de hematócrito como métodos para diagnóstico, a taxa de prevalência foi de 80%. Esse é o primeiro relato de Trypanosoma sp. em tuviras no Brasil.

Estudo do efeito dos metabólitos do benzeno e tolueno sobre as mitocôndris cerebrais e hepáticas de ratos

Aim: The aim of this work was to investigate the hypothesis that catechol and 3MC inhibit FADH2-linked basal respiration in mitochondria isolated from rat liver and brain homogenates. Moreover, catechol ability to induce DNA damage in rat brain cells through the comet assay (alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay) was also observed. Methods: Two different catechols were evaluated: pirocatechol (derived from benzene) and 3-methylcatechol (derived from toluene); rat liver and brain homogenates were incubated with 1mM catechol at pH 7.4 for up to 30 minutes. After that, mitochondrial fractions were isolated by differential centrifugation. Basal oxygen uptake was measured using a Clark-type electrode after the addition of 10 mM sodium succinate for a period of 12 minutes. In additional experiments, rat brain cells were treated with 1, 5 and 10mM pirocatechol for up to 20 minutes at 37º C, and submitted to electrophoresis. Results: Catechols (pirocatechol and 3methylcatechol) induced a time-dependent partial inhibition of FADH2-linked basal mitochondrial respiration. Indeed, pirocatechol was able to produce a dosedependent DNA oxidative damage in rat brain cells by 2 and 4 injury levels. These results suggest that reactive oxygen species generated by the oxidation of catechols, induced an impairment on mitochondrial respiration and a DNA damage, which might be related to their citotoxicity. Conclusion: Catechols produced an inhibition of basal respiration associated to FADH2 in isolated liver and brain mitochondria; 3-methylcatechol, at the same concentration, produced similar toxicity in the mitochondrial model. Indeed, pirocatechol induced a DNA damage in rat brain cells, mainly observed in comets formation and consequent DNA degradation

Influência de fármacos lipofílicos na estabilidade de emulsões de uso terapêutico

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Desenvolvimento de microemulsões contendo fotoprotetores inorgânicos nanoparticulador

The inorganic actives, represented mainly by microfine zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, have shown great potential to protect against large UV spectrum. The aim of this study is the development, characterization and analysis of stability in the short term of microemulsions containing inorganic fotoprotection agents. The microemulsions identified by the phases diagram containing the metallic oxides were produced by two different methods and subjected to the centrifugation test and thermal stress cycles, and subsequently characterized by macroscopic evaluation, test dilution, electrical conductivity, pH, particle size, and zeta potential. This study highlights the influence of the metal oxides addition in the structure and distribution of micelles in the microemulsions

Acute phase proteins: a potential approach for diagnosing chronic infection by Trypanosoma vivax

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar possíveis alterações nas proteínas de fase aguda em ovinos infectados experimentalmente com Trypanosoma vivax. Para tanto, foram utilizados oito ovinos machos, sendo quatro usados como controle e quatro infectados com 10(5) tripomastigotas de T. vivax. Colheram-se amostras de sangue em dois tempos antes da infecção e, posteriormente, aos 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 e 120 dias após a infecção (dpi); após centrifugação e aliquotização das amostras. As proteínas de fase aguda foram separadas por eletroforese em gel de acrilamida, contendo dodecil sulfato de sódio, e suas concentrações foram determinadas através de densitometria computadorizada. A dosagem de proteína total foi realizada pelo método colorimétrico do biureto. A contagem dos tripanossomas foi realizada diariamente, utilizando-se uma alíquota de 5 µL de sangue disperso em lâmina de microscopia, sob lamínula de 22 × 22 mm, contando-se os parasitos em 100 campos microscópicos, com objetiva de 40×, multiplicados pelo fator de correção do microscópio, e o resultado expresso em parasitos por mL de sangue. Para a análise estatística, empregou-se o teste de Wilcoxon a 5% de probabilidade. Foi observada a diminuição de diversas proteínas de fase aguda e aumento de antitripsina e transferrina que podem ser utilizadas para auxiliar no diagnóstico da infecção por T. vivax, principalmente na fase crônica da infecção.

Perfil eletroforético do proteinograma sérico de eqüinos com obstrução experimental do cólon menor

Avaliaram-se as alterações do proteinograma sérico de eqüinos submetidos à isquemia e reperfusão do cólon menor por distensão intraluminal. Foram utilizados 10 animais submetidos à laparotomia pelo flanco, em posição quadrupedal, para a indução de obstrução no cólon menor durante um período de quatro horas. Cinco animais foram instrumentados, mas sem distensão (grupo controle - G1). em cinco outros animais, foi realizada isquemia mural por distensão do cólon menor via manguito inflado com 40mmHg (grupo distendido - G2). Foram colhidas amostras de sangue antes da intervenção cirúrgica (M1), com 4 horas da colocação do manguito (M2) e com 3 horas (M3) e 12 horas (M4) de reperfusão. Após centrifugação e fracionamento das amostras, as proteínas de fase aguda foram separadas por eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida contendo SDS-PAGE, e suas concentrações determinadas por densitometria computadorizada. Foram encontradas 19 proteínas no fracionamento eletroforético, com peso molecular variando de 185.000 a 14.000 Daltons (Da). Os pesos moleculares encontrados, correspondentes às proteínas mais conhecidas, foram ceruloplasmina, 130.000 Da; proteína C-reativa, 122.000 Da; transferrina, 85.000 Da; α1-antitripsina, 61.000 Da; haptoglobina, 47.000 Da; e glicoproteína ácida, 40.000 Da. Os resultados mostram que proteínas de fase aguda se alteram após o trauma cirúrgico.

Comparison of DNA-extraction methods and Selective Enrichment broths on the detection of Salmonella Typhimurium in swine feces by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

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

Comparative validation using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and conventional PCR of bovine semen centrifuged in continuous density gradient

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

Polimorfismo da transferrina e albumina e as associações com precocidade sexual em bovinos da raça Nelore doadores de sêmen

O presente estudo utilizou 16 animais Bos taurus indicus da raça Nelore doadores de sêmen. Estes animais foram divididos em grupos de acordo com a idade em que o sêmen congelou pela primeira vez. O grupo I, considerado precoce, apresentou animais com sêmen passível de congelação com idade inferior a 20 meses. O grupo II, composto por animais que tiveram o sêmen congelado com idade entre 21 e 26 meses. E o grupo III, tido como tardio, composto por animais com sêmen congelável com idade superior a 27 meses. Para análise dos padrões eletroforéticos da transferrina e albumina, amostras de sangue foram colhidas em tubos heparinizados e submetidos a centrifugação de 2.500 G por 15 minutos para separação do plasma sangüíneo. As amostras de plasma sangüíneo foram processadas para que a corrida eletroforética em gel de poliacrilamida pudesse ser realizada. Para a coloração do gel, usou-se Coomasie Brilliant Blue. Após análise dos padrões eletroforéticos da transferrina e albumina, observou-se que não houve relação detectável entre os fenótipos da albumina e precocidade sexual de touros doadores. Entretanto, em relação à transferrina, foi possível sugerir uma associação entre o alelo TfD com touros portadores de sêmen congelável precocemente ou medianamente em termos de idade à congelação.

Remoção de óleo da água de produção por flotação em coluna utilizando tensoativos de origem vegetal

In the petroleum industry, water is always present in the reservoir formation together with petroleum and natural gas and this fact provokes the production of water with petroleum, resulting in a great environmental impact. Several methods can be applied for treatment of oily waters, such as: gravitational vases, granulated media filtration systems, flotation process, centrifugation process and the use of hydrocyclones, which can also be used in a combined way. However, the flotation process has showed a great efficiency as compared with other methods, because these methods do not remove great part of the emulsified oil. In this work was investigated the use of surfactants derived from vegetable oils, OSS and OGS, as collectors, using the flotation process in a glass column with a porous plate filter in its base for the input of the gaseous steam. For this purpose, oil/water emulsions were prepared using mechanical stirring, with concentrations around 300 ppm. The air flow rate was set at 700 cm3/min and the porous plate filter used for the generation of the air bubbles has pore size varying from 16 to 40 Pm. The column operated at constant volume (1500mL). A new methodology has been developed to collect the samples, where, instead of collecting the water phase, it was collected the oil phase removed by the process in the top of the flotation column. It has been observed that it is necessary to find an optimum surfactant concentration to achieve enhanced removal efficiency. Being for OSS 1.275 mmol/L and for OGS 0.840 mmol/L, with removal efficiencies of 93% and 99%, respectively, using synthetic solutions. For the produced water, the removal in these concentrations was 75% for OSS and 65% for OGS. It is possible to remove oil from water in a flotation process using surfactants of high HLB, fact that is against the own definition of HLB (Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance). The interfacial tension is an important factor in the oil removal process using a flotation process, because it has direct interference in the coalescence of the oil drops. The spreading of the oil of the air bubble should be considered in the process, and for the optimum surfactant concentrations it reached a maximum value. The removal kinetics for the flotation process using surfactants in the optimum concentration has been adjusted according to a first order model, for synthetic water as for the produced water.

Estudo da influência da temperatura na degradação termoquímica da biomassa de avelós

The bio-oil obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass has appeared as inter-esting alternative to replace fossil fuels. The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of temperature on the yield of products originating from the pyrolysis process of the powder obtained from the dried twigs of avelós (Euphorbia tirucalli), using a rotating cylinder reactor in laboratory scale. The biomass was treated and characterized by: CHNS, moisture, volatiles, fixed carbon and ashes, as well as evaluation of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, besides other instrumental techniques such as: FTIR, TG/DTG, DRX, FRX and MEV. The activation energy was evaluated in non-isothemichal mode with heating rates of 5 and 10 oC/min. The obtained results showed biomass as feedstock with potential for biofuel production, because presents a high organic matter content (78,3%) and fixed-carbon (7,11%). The activation energy required for the degradation of biomass ranged between 232,92 392,84 kJ/mol, in the temperature range studied and heating rate of 5 and 10°C/min. In the pyrolysis process, the influence of the reaction temperature was studied (350-520 ° C), keeping constant the other variables, such as, the flow rate of carrier gas, the centrifugal speed for the bio-oil condensationa, the biomass flow and the rotation of the reactor. The maximum yield of bio-oil was obtained in the temperature of 450°C. In this temperature, the results achieved where: content of bio-oil 8,12%; char 32,7%; non-condensed gas 35,4%; losts 23,8%; gross calorific value 3,43MJ/kg; pH 4,93 and viscosity 1,5cP. The chromatographic analysis of the bio-oil produced under these conditions shows mainly the presence of phenol (17,71%), methylciclopentenone (10,56%) and dimethylciclopentenone (7,76%)

Estudo da influência da temperatura na degradação termoquímica da biomassa de avelós (euphorbia tirucalli Linn)

The bio-oil obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass has appeared as inter-esting alternative to replace fossil fuels. The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of temperature on the yield of products originating from the pyrolysis process of the powder obtained from the dried twigs of avelós (Euphorbia tirucalli), using a rotating cylinder reactor in laboratory scale. The biomass was treated and characterized by: CHNS, moisture, volatiles, fixed carbon and ashes, as well as evaluation of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, besides other instrumental techniques such as: FTIR, TG/DTG, DRX, FRX and MEV. The activation energy was evaluated in non-isothemichal mode with heating rates of 5 and 10 oC/min. The obtained results showed biomass as feedstock with potential for biofuel production, because presents a high organic matter content (78,3%) and fixed-carbon (7,11%). The activation energy required for the degradation of biomass ranged between 232,92 392,84 kJ/mol, in the temperature range studied and heating rate of 5 and 10°C/min. In the pyrolysis process, the influence of the reaction temperature was studied (350-520 ° C), keeping constant the other variables, such as, the flow rate of carrier gas, the centrifugal speed for the bio-oil condensationa, the biomass flow and the rotation of the reactor. The maximum yield of bio-oil was obtained in the temperature of 450°C. In this temperature, the results achieved where: content of bio-oil 8,12%; char 32,7%; non-condensed gas 35,4%; losts 23,8%; gross calorific value 3,43MJ/kg; pH 4,93 and viscosity 1,5cP. The chromatographic analysis of the bio-oil produced under these conditions shows mainly the presence of phenol (17,71%), methylciclopentenone (10,56%) and dimethylciclopentenone (7,76%)