As primeiras vinte reuniões anuais da SBQ: uma visão da evolução da química no Brasil

An analysis of the different activities carried out during the first twenty annual meetings (1978-1997) of the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ) is presented. The number of papers in the abstract book increased from around 300 in the biennium 78/79 to around 1230 in 96/97. The papers contained in the different sections of the abstract book in the 1st (1978), 10th (1987) and 19th (1996) annual meetings were grouped according to the regions of Brazil the authors' institutions were from, or abroad, and also considering whether the paper came from one institution or was a collaboration between two or more institutions. The relative contribution of the southeastern and northern regions decreased from 77% and 3.0% of the total in 1978 to 63% and 1.2% in 1996, respectively, while those of the northeastern, southern and midwestern regions increased from 12%, 4.8% and 0.6% to 15%, 13%, and 2.6%, respectively; the relative contribution of institutions from abroad also increased from 2.4% to 4.0%. Chemistry of Natural Products and Organic Chemistry decreased their relative contribution from around 55% in 1978 to around 28% in 1996, an evolution towards a more balanced development of the different areas of chemistry in Brazil.

Redução seletiva aplicada à especiação de mercúrio em peixes: uma adaptação do método de Magos

In the selective reduction procedure proposed by Magos SnCl2 was used as reductant for inorganic mercury while total mercury was determined after reduction with a mixture of SnCl2 and CdCl2. The difference between total mercury and inorganic mercury determines the content of organic mercury. The procedure of the present work differs of Magos in that the mercury vapour is carried to the absorption cell after magnetic stirring of the solution in the reaction flask; in the Magos procedure, mercury vapour is carried by bubbling the gas in to the solution. In contrast to the Magos procedure this slight modification overcame the necessity of at calibration by analyte addition, saving time and gainning accuracy.

Detectores potenciométricos para sistemas de análise por injecção em fluxo, evolução e aplicação

The field of flow injection potentiometry (FIP) is reviewed and its current status assessed. The research development and application of electrodes in flow injection systems are presented and discussed.

A história, evolução e crescimento da Eletroquímica: Eletroanalítica nestes últimos 25 anos

This text describes the development of Electrochemistry and Electroanalytical Chemistry in Brazil from the pioneers at the IQ/USP in the 70's to the present day status. It explains how the members of the scientific community organized themselves before the establishment in 1993 of a specific division within the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ) through bi-ennial meetings (Brazilian Symposium of Electrochemistry and Electroanalytical Chemistry - SIBEE). Those SIBEE meetings, in a present number of 12, are described individually giving some emphasis on their organizers, the invited speakers and the statistics and overall structure of the event. The activities of the Electrochemistry and Electroanalytical Chemistry Division of the SBQ from 1993 are also briefly discussed as well as some considerations are made on the present and future of these fields.

A evolução dos reagentes químicos comerciais através dos rótulos e frascos

This work presents an evolution profile of labels and containers of commercial chemicals employed in laboratories since 1870. Most chemicals were made in Germany before the Second World War, after which many other manufacturers arrived on the Brazilian market. North-american products were dominant in the 1940s, but Brazilian chemicals have increased their participation along time. Labels presented increasingly more information, from originally simple names of the compounds at the beginning of the XXth century to the data presented today such as chemical formulae, safety regards and detailed chemical analysis. The raw material for container manufacturing also changed: glass was dominant until the 1950s, but nowadays plastic flasks are preferred whenever possible. Cork covers were replaced by screw caps. The diversity of commercial products also sharply increased with time, especially after the 1950s, following the many new and specific applications of chemicals for research and commercial purposes.

A evolução da balança analítica

This work intends to describe the historical evolution of the balance based on its technical improvement. This instrument has always been used for commercial and industrial purposes, but its value in research and chemistry was only recognized much later. The classical balance was the two-pan model for about 40 centuries, but when its importance in chemistry was established, particularly beginning at the end of the XVIIIth century, many improvements were made in order to increase sensitivity and shorten the weighing procedure. The balance design greatly changed along the XXth century: the classical two-pan models were replaced by one-pan balances that were replaced by electronic instruments.

Indústria química: evolução recente, problemas e oportunidades

Chemical industry underwent a significant upturn in the past few years. In Brazil, the position of this industry has been continuously strengthened as the second largest industrial sector. Current circumstances are discussed, especially the need for increased innovation, the impacts of nanotechnology, biotechnology and information technologies. Some misconceptions on the Brazilian chemical industry are criticized and recent improvements are described, including those related to environmental protection, to conclude that its prospects are very good, considering both the availability of basic raw materials (oil, natural gas, agribusiness products and minerals), the growing demand and increased competitiveness.

70º aniversário do biodiesel em 2007: evolução histórica e situação atual no brasil

Periodically, during petroleum shortages, vegetable oils and their derivatives have been proposed as alternatives to petroleum diesel fuel. Different approaches have been proposed, including the use of pure vegetable oils (or blends) or their derivatives. Indeed, the use of fatty-acid methyl or ethyl esters (usually known as "biodiesel") produced by alcoholysis of triacylglycerides or esterification of fatty acids was initially proposed in Belgium 70 years ago, when the first world patent was deposited. Recently, foreign dependence on diesel fuel and the petroleum crisis have increased the discussion in Brazil on starting to use alternatives to diesel fuel, being biodiesel the alternative of choice for a large petroleum diesel substitution program.

Determinação de fósforo biodisponível em rações de peixes utilizando extração assistida por ultra-som e espectrofotometria no visível

The aim of the present work was to develop and optimize a method for determination of bioavailable phosphorus in samples of feces and fish feed using ultrasound extraction and subsequent quantification by visible spectrophotometry. Using as extractor solution HNO3 0.50 mol L-1, the great conditions of extraction established were: sample mass - 100 mg, samples granulometry - < 60 µm, sonification time - five cycles of 40 s and ultrasound potency - 136 W. The proposed method was applied in studies of digestibility of this nutrient in different feeds used in diets of juvenile of Nile tilapia.

Aromaticidade: evolução histórica do conceito e critérios quantitativos

In this paper the evolution of the concept of aromaticity is discussed. It considers not only historical aspects of the aromaticity concept but also the different criteria (theoretical and experimental) that have appeared to explain the properties of the aromatic compounds. The topics range from the isolation of benzene by Faraday (1825) until the modern criteria based on geometries, magnetic properties, resonance energy (RE), aromatic stabilization energy (ASE), topological analyses, and others. A chronological separation of issues concerning aromaticity was made, splitting the definitions before and after the appearance of the quantum chemistry. This work reviews the concept of aromaticity.

Produção de micropartículas de alginato contendo Flavobacterium columnare inativada pelo método de emulsão para vacinação de peixes por via oral

Alginate microparticles were prepared by an emulsion method aiming oral controlled release of antigens to fish. The effects of emulsification temperature and impeller type on particle morphology, average diameter, and size distribution were evaluated. Microparticles contaning formalin-killed Flavobacterium columnare cells (a model antigen) were prepared and characterized regarding bacterial release and particle stability when exposed to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) typical gastrointestinal conditions. This methodology allowed the production of microparticles containing up to 14.3 g/L of bacterin, stable at a pH range from 2.0 to 9.0 for 12 h and smaller than 35 μm.

Evolução biomolecular homoquiral: a origem e a amplificação da quiralidade nas moléculas da vida

The fact that biologically relevant molecules exist only as one of the two enantiomers is a fascinating example of complete symmetry breaking of chirality and has long intrigued our curiosity. The origin of this selective chirality has remained a fundamental enigma with regard to the origin of life since the time of Pasteur, 160 years ago. The symmetry breaking processes, which include autocatalytic crystallization, asymmetric autocatalysis, spontaneous crystallization, adsorption and polymerization of amino acids on mineral surfaces, provide new insights into the origin of biomolecular homochirality.

Solubilização alcalina de peixes e otimização multivariada para determinação de chumbo e manganês usando espectrometria de absorção atômica com forno de grafite

This paper describes the development of methods for the determination of Pb and Mn in fishes by GF AAS after solubilization with tetramethylamonium hidroxide. The optimization of the operational conditions and the choice of modifier were made using multivariated optimization. Analytical Figures of Merit were adequately to propose. The Limit of Quantification obtained were 150 and 18.5 µg kg-1 to Mn and Pb, respectively. No significant difference was found between the slope values obtained for the aqueous and standard addition calibration curves. The D.P.R. was always lower than 12% and the analysis of the SRM NRCC TORT2 showed 80-120% of recovery.