Enzymatic transesterification of soybean oil with ethanol using lipases immobilized on highly crystalline PVA microspheres

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) microspheres with different degree of crystallinity were used as solid supports for Rhizomucor miehei lipase immobilization, and the enzyme-PVA complexes were used as biocatalysts for the transesterification of soybean oil to fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE). The amounts of immobilized enzyme on the polymeric supports were similar for both the amorphous microspheres (PVA4) and the high crystalline microspheres (PVA25). However, the enzymatic activity of the immobilized enzymes was depended on the crystallinity degree of the PVA microspheres: enzymes immobilized on the PVA4 microspheres have shown low enzymatic activity (6.13 U mg-1), in comparison with enzymes immobilized on the high crystalline PVA25 microspheres (149.15 U mg-1). A synergistic effect was observed for the enzyme-PVA25 complex during the transesterification reaction of soybean oil to FAEE: transesterification reactions with free enzyme with the equivalent amount of enzyme that were immobilized onto the PVA25 microspheres (5.4 U) have yielded only 20% of FAEE, reactions with the pure highly crystalline microsphere PVA25 have not yielded FAEE, however reactions with the enzyme-PVA25 complexes have yielded 66.3% of FAEE. This synergistic effect of an immobilized enzyme on a polymeric support has not been observed before for transesterification reaction of triacylglycerides into FAEE. Based on ATR-FTIR, 23Na- and 13C-NMR-MAS spectroscopic data and the interaction of the polymeric network intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the lipases residual amino acids a possible explanation for this synergistic effect is provided. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Can overharvesting of a non-timber-forest-product change the regeneration dynamics of a tropical rainforest? The case study of Euterpe edulis

The exploitation of non-timber forest products is often considered a low-impact activity in tropical forests. However, assessments of the impacts of such activity are mostly focused on the harvested species and not on the plant community, thus limiting our understanding for establishing forest management recommendations. We investigated the consequences of Euterpe edulis palm heart harvesting on the seed rain in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. We compared the density of E. edulis individuals, as well as the density of E. edulis seeds, and the density, richness and functional composition of seed rain of the whole plant community, before and after palm heart harvesting in a 10 ha permanent plot. This assessment was carried out in preserved (typical old-growth Atlantic rainforest) and in disturbed (more open habitat dominated by the native bamboo Guadua tagoara) forest patches. Palm harvesting reduced the E. edulis population from 202.16 to 25.67 ind/ha and its seed rain density from 0.362 to 0.3 seeds/m2 and from 2.395 to 0.15 seeds/m2 in preserved and disturbed forest patches, respectively. Seed density of light-dependent climbers, pioneer trees, bamboo and animal-dispersed seeds increased after palm harvesting, especially in the disturbed forest patches, where palm harvesting was more intense and may have changed the light regime of the understory. On the other hand, species richness of the plant community declined by half. We observed a remarkable decline in the number of animal-dispersed species, especially for those with large seeds, suggesting that the activity of seed dispersers, including many species attracted by E. edulis fruits, was reduced. Therefore, harvesting of E. edulis palm heart may change the regeneration dynamics of the Atlantic rainforest, both due to shifts in forest structure, mediated by the removal of individuals from the forest canopy, and in community functioning, mediated by the interference on the activity of seed dispersers. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Salga e dassalga de peixes: aspectos químicos, físicos e efeito antioxidante do extrato aquoso de manjericão (Ocimum basilicum)

Pós-graduação em Aquicultura - FCAV

Impacto genético e ambiental na aptidão cardiorrespiratória, atividade física e metabolismo de glicose

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Atividade física e aspectos neuropsiquiátricos em pacientes com demência e em seus cuidadores

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estrutura funcional do hepatopâncreas no processo digestivo em Macrobrachium amazonicum

Pós-graduação em Aquicultura - FCAV

Avaliação da atividade tripanocida do ácido gálico e seus ésteres contra formas epimastigotas de Trypanosoma cruzi: Rogério Andréo. -

Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia - IQ

Estudos de adsorção do ácido clavulânico

Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia - IQ

Perfil microbiano, físico-químico e análise das boas práticas de fabricação (BPF) de queijos minas frescal e ricota

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Métodos de castração associados à adição de ractopamina em dieta suína e seus efeitos no processamento e qualidade de salame tipo italiano

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Qualidade físcio-química e microbiológica de refrigerantes sabor guaraná em embalagens PET-2000mL e ocorrência de leveduras

Pós-graduação em Engenharia e Ciência de Alimentos - IBILCE

Influência do processamento sobre o perfil sensorial e a atividade antioxidante do suco de laranja

Pós-graduação em Alimentos e Nutrição - FCFAR

Formadores de filmes híbridos orgânicos inorgânicos do tipo ureasil-poliéter para liberação controlada de fármacos

Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas - FCFAR

Avaliação da desidratação de mamão utilizando métodos combinados

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Aplicações de secagem para o aproveitamento de resíduos da banana, visando sua aplicação na indústria

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)