Compósitos de nanocelulose / PHBV: manta microfibrilica por eletrofiação

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEG

Sistema eletrohidráulico para acionamento da esteira vibratória do arrancador-invertedor de amendoim

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

Espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica da biodissolução da calcopirita na presença de íons ferrosos

Pós-graduação em Química - IQ

Approach toward an efficient inoculum preparation stage for suspension BHK-21 cell culture

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

Improvement of water transport and carotenoid retention during drying of papaya by applying ultrasonic osmotic pretreatment

The effect of ultrasound and osmotic dehydration pretreatments on papaya drying kinetics was investigated. The ultrasound pretreatment was carried out in an ultrasonic bath at 30 A degrees C. The osmotic pretreatment in sucrose solution was carried out in an incubator at 34 A degrees C and agitation of 80 rpm for 210 min. The drying process was conducted in a fixed bed dryer at 70 A degrees C. Experimental data were fitted successfully using the Page model for dried fresh and pretreated fruits, with coefficient of determination greater than 0.9992 and average relative error lower that 14.4 %. The diffusional model was used to describe the moisture transfer, and the effective water diffusivity was identified in the order of 10(-9) m(2) s(-1). It was found that drying rates of osmosed fruits were the lowest due to the presence of infused solutes, while the ultrasound pretreatment contributed to faster drying rates. Evaluation of the dried fruit was performed by means of total carotenoids retention. Ultrasound treatments in distilled water prior to air-drying gave rise to dried papayas with retention of carotenoids in the range 30.4-39.8 % and the ultrasonic-assisted osmotic dehydration of papayas showed carotenoids retention values up to 64.9 %, whereas the dried fruit without pretreatment showed carotenoids retention lower than 24 %.

Effect of random/aligned nylon-6/MWCNT fibers on dental resin composite reinforcement

The aims of this study were (1) to synthesize and characterize random and aligned nanocomposite fibers of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/nylon-6 and (2) to determine their reinforcing effects on the flexural strength of a dental resin composite.Nylon-6 was dissolved in hexafluoropropanol (10 wt%), followed by the addition of MWCNT (hereafter referred to as nanotubes) at two distinct concentrations (i.e., 0.5 or 1.5 wt%). Neat nylon-6 fibers (without nanotubes) were also prepared. The solutions were electrospun using parameters under low- (120 rpm) or high-speed (6000 rpm) mandrel rotation to collect random and aligned fibers, respectively. The processed fiber mats were characterized by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopies, as well as by uni-axial tensile testing. To determine the reinforcing effects on the flexural strength of a dental resin composite, bar-shaped (20 x 2 x 2 mm(3)) resin composite specimens were prepared by first placing one increment of the composite, followed by one strip of the mat, and one last increment of composite. Non-reinforced composite specimens were used as the control. The specimens were then evaluated using flexural strength testing. SEM was done on the fractured surfaces. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and the Tukey's test (alpha=5%).Nanotubes were successfully incorporated into the nylon-6 fibers. Aligned and random fibers were obtained using high- and low-speed electrospinning, respectively, where the former were significantly (p<0.001) stronger than the latter, regardless of the nanotubes'presence. Indeed, the dental resin composite tested was significantly reinforced when combined with nylon-6 fibrous mats composed of aligned fibers (with or without nanotubes) or random fibers incorporated with nanotubes at 0.5 wt%. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of estrogenic mycotoxins in environmental water samples by low-toxicity dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A novel, simple, rapid and eco-friendly method based on dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction using a bromosolvent was developed to determine six estrogenic mycotoxins (zearalenone, zearalanone, alpha-zearalanol, beta-zearalanol, alpha-zearalenol and beta-zearalenol) in water samples by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in the negative mode (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The optimal conditions for this method include the use of 100 mu L bromocyclohexane as an extraction solvent (using a non-dispersion solvent), 10 mL of aqueous sample (adjusted to pH 4), a vortex extraction time of 2 min, centrifugation for 10 min at 3500 rpm and no ionic strength adjustment. The calibration function was linear and was verified by applying the Mandel fitting test with a 95% confidence level. No matrix effect was observed. According to the relative standard deviations (RSDs), the precision was better than 13% for the repeatability and intermediate precision. The average recoveries of the spiked compounds ranged from 81 to 118%. The method limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) considering a 125-fold pre-concentration step were 4-20 and 8-40 ng L-1, respectively. Next, the method was applied to the analysis of the environmental aqueous samples, demonstrating the presence of beta-zearalanol and zearalanone in the river water samples. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Preparação de novos nanobiocompósitos comestíveis ativos contendo nanoemulsão de canela e pectina

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Population trends of the red palm mite, raoiella indica hirst (acari: tenuipalpidae) and associated entomopathogenic fungi in trinidad, antigua, st kitts and nevis and dominica

A survey to determine population trends and entomopathogenic fungi associated with the red palm mite (RPM), Raoiella indica, was conducted in Trinidad, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica. RPM population density was evaluated by sampling a total of ten coconut palms per site in Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and Trinidad (Manzanilla and Icacos). Mites from the four islands were either surface sterilized or left unsterilized before being cultured on Tap Water Agar (TWA). A total of 318 fungal colonies were retrieved. A further 96 mites from Dominica were kept on sterile moist filter paper in a humidity chamber and a further 85 colonies were isolated. Based on morphological observations of all 403 isolates, a sample consisting of 32 colonies (8 %) was sent for identification at CABI-UK. Of the 27 fungi positively identified, 15 isolates belonged to the genera Cladosporium, three to Simplicillium spp., and one to Penicillium. Other fungi genera with limited or no entomopathogenic potential included: Aspergillus, Cochliobolus, Fusarium, Pestalotiopsis and Pithomyces. The results show a potential use of entomopathogenic fungi for population management of the red palm mite in the Caribbean region.

Cellulose acetate membranes for osmosedimentation: Performance and morphological dependence on preparation conditions

Osmosedimentation is a new membrane-assisted separation technique, based on the rapid approach to sedimentation equilibrium when macromolecular solutions are contained within dialysis cells, in contact with solvent via a permselective membrane. Cellulose acetate membranes, cast from ternary solvent (acetone, acetic acid, water) solutions are suitable for osmosedimentation of proteins at low (2000 rpm) centrifugation speeds. Solute retention is improved when acetone-rich casting solutions are used. These membranes were examined by electron and optical microscopy, showing considerable morphological changes in the membrane support layer as the casting solution composition is changed. © 1986.

Produção de celulases por fungos filamentosos da Antártica: busca por novo recurso genético para obtenção de bioetanol

Na busca de novos recursos genéticos capazes de produzir enzimas celulolíticas a baixas/médias temperaturas, o continente Antártico vem demonstrando ser um ambiente bastante promissor. Neste contexto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a influência de diferentes fatores na produção de celulases por fungos filamentosos isolados de amostras da Antártica visando otimização do processo possível aplicação das mesmas na produção de etanol de segunda geração. Foram utilizados os fungos L1-1 e E5B da Central de Recursos Microbianos da UNESP (CRM-UNESP) os quais foram previamente selecionados devido ao potencial celulolítico. O delineamento experimental foi utilizado para analisar a influência de variáveis independentes na produção enzimática. A quantificação da celulase foi realizada pelo método do ácido dinitrosalicílico (ADNS). Antes de iniciar à aplicação dos planejamentos experimentais, foram adotadas estratégias para tentar minimizar e otimizar ao máximo o potencial dos isolados, as quais resultaram no estabelecimento da melhor agitação e a temperatura para a produção de celulase em 150 rpm e 20°C, para os dois isolados estudados. Inicialmente os fungos E5B e L1-1 apresentavam suas produções enzimáticas em 0,233U/mL e 0,342U/mL, respectivamente (antes da aplicação dos desenhos experimentais). Durante a condução do planejamento experimental do tipo Plackett&Burman(PB), foi verificada a preferência dos isolados pela fonte de carbono glicose, com efeito significativo na produção de celulases para os dois isolados. Tendo em vista o seu elevado custo comercial, foram realizados estudos com a sacarose, uma fonte de carbono alternativa e mais barata, bem como indutores enzimáticos. Após três planejamentos experimentais do tipo PB, foi selecionado o isolado L1-1 como o melhor produtor da enzima celulase. Após a condução de um quarto planejamento experimental do tipo Fatorial Fracionado 24-1, as...

Poluentes orgânicos persistentes em ar interior: desenvolvimento de método de extração em adsorvente para amostragem ativa

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances extraordinarily toxic and persistent in the environment. Due to these properties, POPs are targets of the Stockholm Convention which aims to provide means to eliminate production and use by encouraging the reduction and, where possible, eliminating the release of these contaminants to the environment. One of the articles of this _Convention aims to assess the basal levels of such substances in the environment to monitor both the reduction of release to the environment, and to assess human exposure, using analyzes of milk and air for example. Although efforts to control POPs production and release to the environment have been made, data about their levels in Brazil are still scarce, mainly in the atmosphere or indoor environment. Considering the permanence of people inside its house, this study presents a method for POP extraction from XAD-2 sorbent employed in indoor air sampling, with identification and quantification by GC-ECD. GC-ECD linear range of the studied analytes, congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180), DDTs and their metabolites (DDDs, DDEs) and endosullan (isomers c - and 13 - and metabolite endosulfan sulfate) ranged between 0.5 and 16.0 ng mL-I with r2 > 0.967. The method developing consist of selecting the extraction solvent system by agitation (90 rpm, 1 hour) with n-hexan,e (2 mL) or n-hexane:acetone (1:1, v/v) (2 mL), concentration the extract with a gentle N2 stream, and evaluation of breakthrough with passage or air through the fortified XAD-2 cartridge before extraction, employing a low volume air suction pump (Pump Model 224 universal-PCXR8; 5-5000 mL min-1, SKC Inc., Eighty Four, PA, USA), Calibrator Dry-Cal DC-Lite (BIOS, Butler, NJ, USA)). Two fortification levels were employed, 15 and 30 ng. After selecting n-hexane as extraction solvent, with accuracy and precision ranging...

O efeito do consumo abusivo de alvool no torque de remoção de implantes de titânio

Studies have reported that alcohol may lead to imbalance in bone formation and resorption, however, its effects on osseointegration of titanium implants continues to be an inconclusive subject. In this context, the aim of this study was to make a biomechanical evaluation of the effect of abusive alcohol consumption on the removal torque of osseointegrated titanium implants. Male Wistar rats (n=30) were divided into two experimental groups (15 each) receiving only water (Control) or 36% alcohol solution oral administration. Thirty days later, all animals were submitted to titanium implant (2.2 mm x 4 mm) placement in the right and left tibiae. The surgical alveoli were prepared with a 2 mm drill mounted in a counter-angle hand-piece (20:1 ratio, 35 Ncm torque at 1200 rpm) under abundant cooling. Five animals from each group were euthanized at 15, 30, and 60 days. Tibiae were submitted to reverse torque analysis. Data obtained were submitted to statistical analysis by the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn Tests (p < 0.05). Animals in the alcohol group presented lower removal torque values when compared with control group animals for all periods tested (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that abusive alcohol consumption can reduce the removal torque of titanium implants placed in rat tibiae, suggesting that alcohol may interfere in the osseointegration process of titanium implants.

O efeito do consumo abusivo de álcool no torque de remoção de implante de titânio

Studies have reported that alcohol may lead to imbalance in bone formation and resorption, however, its effects on osseointegration of titanium implants continues to be an inconclusive subject. In this context, the aim of this study was to make a biomechanical evaluation of the effect of abusive alcohol consumption on the removal torque of osseointegrated titanium implants. Male Wistar rats (n=30) were divided into two experimental groups (15 each) receiving only water (Control) or 36% alcohol solution oral administration. Thirty days later, all animals were submitted to titanium implant (2.2 mm x 4 mm) placement in the right and left tibiae. The surgical alveoli were prepared with a 2 mm drill mounted in a counter-angle hand-piece (20:1 ratio, 35 Ncm torque at 1200 rpm) under abundant cooling. Five animals from each group were euthanized at 15, 30, and 60 days. Tibiae were submitted to reverse torque analysis. Data obtained were submitted to statistical analysis by the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn Tests (p < 0.05). Animals in the alcohol group presented lower removal torque values when compared with control group animals for all periods tested (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that abusive alcohol consumption can reduce the removal torque of titanium implants placed in rat tibiae, suggesting that alcohol may interfere in the osseointegration process of titanium implants.

Development and validation of dissolution test for fluconazole capsules by HPLC and derivative UV spectrophotometry

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a dissolution test for fluconazole, an antifungal used for the treatment of superficial, cutaneous, and cutaneomucous infections caused by Candida species, in capsules dosage form. Techniques by HPLC and UV first derivative spectrophotometry (UV-FDS) were selected for quantitative evaluation. In the development of release profile, several conditions were evaluated. Dissolution test parameters were considered appropriate when a most discriminative release profile for fluconazole capsules was yielded. Dissolution test conditions for fluconazole capsules were 900 mL of HCl 0.1 M, 37 ± 0.5 °C using baskets with 50 rpm for 30 min of test. The developed HPLC and UV-FDS methods for the antifungal evaluation were selective and met requirements for an appropriate and validated method, according to ICH and USP requirements. Both methods can be useful in the registration process of new drugs or their renewal. For routine analysis application cost, simplicity, equipment, solvents, speed, and application to large or small workloads should be observed.