Physicochemical parameters of Amazon Melipona honey

Stingless bees produce a honey that is different from the Apis honey in terms of composition. There aren't enough data to establish quality control parameters for this product, mainly due to lack of research results. The aim of this work is to evaluate some physicochemical parameters that can be used for the characterization and for the quality control of the Meliponinae honey. Four different samples were collected in the Amazon region of Brazil in 2004 (Melipona compressipes manaoense bee and Melipona seminigra merribae bee). Honey analyses were performed as described by the official methods. The mean results were: moisture (30.13%), pH (3.65), acidity (24.57 mEq/kg), water activity (0.75), fructose (31.91%), glucose (29.30%) and sucrose (0.19%). These results reinforce the need for a specific regulation for stingless bee honey. This will only be feasible when enough data is available to establish upper and lower limits for the physicochemical parameters used for quality control.

Plant sources of amazon rosewood oil

The aim of this study is to reevaluate the plant sources of the Amazon rosewood oil which have been named Aniba rosaeodora Ducke and Aniba duckei Kosterm. There is some disagreement on the exact botanical status of these species. Some Lauraceae specialists analyzing available material from both species concluded that there is no basis for regarding them as different. Based on our results we are confirming that the chemical composition of both species is quite different from that previously reported. So we are suggesting to bring back the previous botanical rosewood status as proposed by Adolph Ducke.

Database of the Amazon aromatic plants and their essential oils

The aromatic flora of the Amazon has been inventoried for 30 years. In this sense, were made over 500 field trips to collect over 2500 plants and to obtain more than 2000 essential oils and aroma concentrates, all of them submitted to GC and GC-MS. This work led to the creation of a database for the aromatic plants of the Amazon, which catalogs general information about 1250 specimens. The database has allowed the publication of the chemical composition of the oils and aromas of more than 350 species, associated with a larger number of chemical types. The essential oils of many species offer optimum conditions for economic exploitation and use in national and international market of fragrances, cosmetics, agricultural and household pesticides.

Plasmid DNA damage induced by singlet molecular oxygen released from the naphthalene endoperoxide DHPNO2 and photoactivated methylene blue

To investigate oxidative lesions and strand breaks induction by singlet molecular oxygen (¹O2), supercoiled-DNA plasmid was treated with thermo-dissociated DHPNO2 and photoactivated-methylene blue. DNA lesions were detected by Fpg that cleaves DNA at certain oxidized bases, and T4-endoV, which cleaves DNA at cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites. These cleavages form open relaxed-DNA structures, which are discriminated from supercoiled-DNA. DHPNO2 or photoactivated-MB treatments result in similar plasmid damage profile: low number of single-strand breaks or AP-sites and high frequency of Fpg-sensitive sites; confirming that base oxidation is the main product for both reactions and that ¹O2 might be the most likely intermediate that reacts with DNA.

Utilization of Sn/Nb2O5 composite for the removal of methylene blue

In this work, the oxidation of methylene blue textile dye in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, using niobium oxide impregnated with different proportions of tin (1, 5 and 10% in mass) as catalyst was studied. The materials were characterized by TPR, XPS, XRD and FTIR. The oxidation tests monitored by ESI-MS showed that the composite containing the higher amount of tin was the most efficient in the removal of the dye. The XRD, XPS, and TPR data presented evidence of the formation of the tin-niobium oxide composite containing Sn0 and supported SnO2.

Groundwater quality comparison between rural farms and riparian wells in the western Amazon, Brazil

Groundwater quality of a riparian forest is compared to wells in surrounding rural areas at Urupá River basin. Groundwater types were calcium bicarbonated at left margin and sodium chloride at right, whereas riparian wells exhibited a combination of both (sodium bicarbonate). Groundwater was mostly solute-depleted with concentrations within permissible limits for human consumption, except for nitrate. Isotopic composition suggests that inorganic carbon in Urupá River is mostly supplied by runoff instead of riparian groundwater. Hence, large pasture areas in addition to narrow riparian forest width in this watershed may have an important contribution in the chemical composition of this river.

Estimation of surface area and pore volume of activated carbons by methylene blue and iodine numbers

Data of methylene blue number and iodine number of activated carbons samples were calibrated against the respective surface area, micropore volume and total pore volume using multiple regression. The models obtained from the calibrations were used in predicting these physical properties of a test group of activated carbon samples produced from several raw materials. In all cases, the predicted values were in good agreement with the expected values. The method allows extracting more information from the methylene blue and iodine adsorption studies than normally obtained with this type of material.

Spectrophotometric determination of Sudan Blue II in environmental samples after dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction

A dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure coupled to spectrophotometry is described for the determination of the trace levels of Sudan Blue II. Analytical parameters, such as pH, volume of extraction solvent (carbon tetrachloride), volume of dispersant (ethanol), volume of sample, and extraction time, were optimized. Matrix effects were also investigated. Preconcentration factor was found to be 200. Detection limit and relative standard deviation (RSD) were 0.55 µg L-1 and 3.9%, respectively. The procedure was successfully used for the determination of trace levels of Sudan Blue II in food, ink, antifreeze, and industrial waste-water samples.

AMAZON RAINFOREST COSMETICS: CHEMICAL APPROACH FOR QUALITY CONTROL

The market for natural cosmetics featuring ingredients derived from Amazon natural resources is growing worldwide. However, there is neither enough scientific basis nor quality control of these ingredients. This paper is an account of the chemical constituents and their biological activities of fourteen Amazonian species used in cosmetic industry, including açaí (Euterpe oleracea), andiroba (Carapa guianensis), bacuri (Platonia insignis), Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa), buriti (Mauritia vinifera or M. flexuosa), cumaru (Dipteryx odorata), cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), guarana (Paullinia cupana), mulateiro (Calycophyllum spruceanum), murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru), patawa (Oenocarpus bataua or Jessenia bataua), pracaxi (Pentaclethra macroloba), rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), and ucuuba (Virola sebifera). Based on the reviewed articles, we selected chemical markers for the quality control purpose and evaluated analytical methods. Even though chromatographic and spectroscopic methods are major analytical techniques in the studies of these species, molecular approaches will also be important as used in food and medicine traceability. Only a little phytochemical study is available about most of the Amazonian species and some species such as açaí and andiroba have many reports on chemical constituents, but studies on biological activities of isolated compounds and sampling with geographical variation are limited.

Methylene blue adsorption onto modified lignin from sugar cane bagasse

The adsorption kinetics and equilibrium of methylene blue (MB) onto reticulated formic lignin (RFL) from sugar cane bagasse was studied. The adsorption process is pH, temperature and ionic strength (µ) dependent and obeys the Langmuir model. Conditions for higher adsorption rate and capacity were determined. The faster adsorption (12 hours) and higher adsorption capacity (34.20 mg.g-1) were observed at pH = 5.8 (acetic acid-sodium acetate aqueous buffer), 50 ºC and 0.1 ionic strength. Under temperature (50 ºC) control and occasional mechanical stirring it took from 1 to 10 days to reach the equilibrium.

A simple method for the spectrophotometric determination of cephalosporins in pharmaceuticals using variamine blue

A simple spectrophotometric method for the determination of cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cefadroxil and cephalexin with variamine blue is presented. The determination is based on the hydrolysis of β-lactam ring of cephalosporins with sodium hydroxide which subsequently reacts with iodate to liberate iodine in acidic medium. The liberated iodine oxidizes variamine blue to violet colored species of maximum absorption at 556 nm. The absorbance is measured within the pH range of 4.0-4.2. Beer's law is obeyed in the range of 0.5-5.8 µg mL-1, 0.2-7.0 µg mL-1, 0.2-5.0 µg mL-1 and 0.5-8.5 µg mL-1 for cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cefadroxil and cephalexin respectively. The analytical parameters were optimized and the method is successfully applied for the determination of cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cefadroxil and cephalexin in pharmaceuticals.

Photoelectrocatalytical degradation of basic blue 41 dye using nanoporous semiconductor of Ti/TiO2

O presente trabalho investiga a degradação fotoeletrocatalítica do corante Azul Básico 41 (AB 41) amplamente utilizado na tintura de fibras sintéticas, utilizando um semicondutor Ti/TiO2 como fotoanodo. 100% de degradação foi obtida após 60 min de tratamento de 8,33x10-5 mol L-1 do corante em 0,1 mol L−1 Na2SO4, pH 2 sob densidade de corrente de 0,40 mA cm−2 e irradiação UV. Ainda foi obtido 80% de remoção de carbono orgânico total, cuja oxidação segue uma reação de pseudo-primeira ordem com constante de velocidade inicial de -0,040 mim-1 e uma eficiência de corrente de 51%. Os resultados são superiores á fotocatálise convencional nas mesmas condições sem a polarização do fotoanodo que leva a 65% de mineralização sob constante de velocidade de -0,024 mim-1.

A pH optode based on thymol blue: application to determination of CO2 using flow injection analysis system

An optode based on thymol blue (TB), an acid-based indicator, has been constructed and evaluated as a detector in FIA system for CO2 determination. The dye was chemically immobilised on the surface of a bifurcated glass optical fibre bundle, using silanisation in organic media. In FIA system, hydrogen carbonate or carbonate samples are injected in a buffer carrier solution, and then are mixed with phosphoric acid solution to generate CO2, which diffuses through a PTFE membrane, in order to be collected in an acceptor carrier fluid, pumped towards to detection cell, in which the optode was adapted. The proposed system presents two linear response ranges, from 1.0 x 10-3 to 1.0 x 10-2 mol l-1, and from 2.0 x 10-2 to 0.10 mol l-1. The sampling frequency was 11 sample h-1, with good repeatability (R.S.D < 4 %, n = 10). In flow conditions the optode lifetime was 170 h. The system was applied in the analysis of commercial mineral water and the results obtained in the hydrogen carbonate determination did not differ significantly from those obtained by potentiometry, at a confidence level of 95 %.

Reforestation feasibility in area formerly used for cattle rasing in the state of Rondônia, Northwest Brazilian Amazon

Little knowledge on initial behavior of native tree species in recovering landscapes in the Amazon is a current concern for expanding reforestation in the region. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the establishment of native tree species that could be used for reforestation in area previously covered by a pasture of brachiaria grass (Brachiaria brizantha) destined for intensive cattle rasing in the State of Rondônia. For this, there were performed previous diagnostic of landscape changes and the election of tree species based on the ecological group information. Some of the critical macronutrients for plant growth were supplied in the holes to alleviate nutrient deficiencies. In addition, growth and survival parameters were taken to evaluate the initial behavior of species. Six native tree species planted with different combinations (10mx10m, 5mx5m and 3mx3m) had survival rate and growth (total height, girth stem and crown projection area) measured in different intervals: 6-month, 12-month and 24-month after planting. All the species presented survival rate over 90% at 24 months and comparable growth indices to other native species under similar situation and in the region. Overall, Schizolobium amazonicum (bandarra), the non-identified legume tree 1 (acácia grande) and Colubrina glandulosa (sóbrasil) averaged over 90% the highest girth stem growth all over the area. S. amazonicum and the non-identified legume tree 1 (acácia grande) presented the best results for height and canopy area growth parameters, respectively. The combination among native tree species from initial successional ecological groups and fertilizer was favorable to promote reforestation in the conditions of the study area in Rondônia.

Vascular trauma in the Amazon - the challenge of great distances

ABSTRACTObjective:to evaluate the incidence of unfavorable outcomes in vascular trauma patients and their possible correlation to the distance between the city where the injury was sustained and the hospital where the patient received definitive treatment.Methods:descriptive and retrospective study. Data were collected from medical records of patients submitted to surgical procedures for arterial or venous injuries from February 2011 to February 2013 at the only trauma center providing vascular surgery in a vast area of the Amazon region. Trauma date, patient gender and age, mechanism and anatomic topography of injury, surgical management, need for surgical re-intervention, hospitalization period, postoperative complications, mortality and limb amputation rates were analyzed. The incidence of unfavorable outcomes was assessed according to the distance between the city where the vascular injury was sustained and the trauma center.Results: One hundred seventy-three patients with 255 vascular injuries were analyzed; 95.95% were male (p<0.05), mean age of 28.92 years; 47.4% were caused by firearm projectiles (p<0.05); topographic distribution: 45.66% lower limbs (p<0.05), 37.57% upper limbs, 6.94% abdominal, 5.2% thoracic and 4.62% were cervical vascular injuries; 51.42% of patients required hospitalization for seven days or less (p<0.05); limb amputation was necessary in 15.6% and the overall mortality was 6.36%.Conclusion:distances greater than 200Km were associated to longer hospitalization period; distances greater than 300Km were associated to increased limb amputation probability; severe vascular trauma have an increased death probability when patients need to travel more than 200Km for surgical treatment.