Influência do estresse nutricional programado na composição da microalga isochrysis galbana

Global warming due to Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions, especially CO2, has been identified as one of the major problems of the twenty-first century, considering the consequences that could represent to planet. Currently, biological processes have been mentioned as a possible solution, especially CO2 biofixation due to association microalgae growth. This strategy has been emphasized as in addition to CO2 mitigation, occurs the production of biomass rich in compounds of high added value. The Microalgae show high photosynthetic capacity and growth rate higher than the superior plants, doubling its biomass in one day. Its culture does not show seasons, they grow in salt water and do not require irrigation, herbicides or pesticides. The lipid content of these microorganisms, depending on the species, may range from 10 to 70% of its dry weight, reaching 90% under certain culture conditions. Studies indicate that the most effective method to promote increased production of lipids in microalgae is to induce stress by limiting nitrogen content in the culture medium. These evidences justify research continuing the production of biofuels from microalgae. In this paper, it was studied the strategy of increasing the production of lipids in microalgae I. galbana with programmed nutritional stress, due to nitrogen limitation. The physiological responses of microalgae, grown in f / 2 with different concentrations of nitrogen (N: P 15,0-control, N: 5,0 P and N: P 2,5) were monitored. During exponential phase, results showed invariability in the studied conditions. However the cultures subjected to stress in stationary phase, showed lower biomass yields. There was an increase of 32,5% in carbohydrate content and 87.68% in lipids content at N: P ratio of 5,0 and an average decrease of 65% in protein content at N: P ratios of 5, 0 and 2.5. There were no significant variations in ash content, independently of cultivation and growth phase. Despite the limitation of biomass production in cultures with N: P smaller ratios, the increase of lipid accumulation highest lipids yields were observed as compared to the control culture. Given the increased concentration of lipids associated to stress, this study suggests the use of microalgae Isochrysis galbana as an alternative raw material for biofuel production

Estratégias de obtenção do corante do jambo vermelho (Syzygium malaccense) e avaliação de sua funcionalidade

The food industry is interested in natural products. Anthocyanins are phenolic antioxidants of great importance with health-relevant applications. Several studies have linked the intake of fruits and vegetables with reduced risk of chronic degenerative diseases because of its antioxidant properties. This study aimed to compare different strategies for obtaining natural pigments from red jambo (Syzygium malaccence) and analyze its functional potential. Two different strategies were studied: (1) solid-liquid extraction (SLE) in reactor with controlled parameters, (2) powder obtention. The investigation of the functional potential was conducted taking into account the total phenolic content (TPC), the antioxidant activity (AA), the total anthocyanins concentration (TA) and α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition. The best extracts obtained by SLE showed TPC of 174.15 mg GAE/100g, AA of 3.56 μmol Trolox eq/g and TA of 133.59 mg cyd-3-glu/100 g. The best results for the second strategy were TPC of 1024.22 mg GAE/100 g, AA of 29.03 μmol Trolox eq/g and TA of 1193.41 mg cyd-3- glu/100 g. It was observed moderate amylase inhibition (26.30%) and high glucosidase inhibitory activity (97.47%). Skin extracts showed, in general, superior results when compared to whole red jambo, with superior values for dehydrated products. Based on our result, red jambo can be considered as a rich source of phenolic antioxidants, as well on amylase and glucosidase inhibitors

Avaliação físico-química e funcional da algaroba prosopis juliflora proveniente da mesorregião agreste do Rio Grande do Norte

Algaroba (Prosopis juliflora) is a typical legume from arid and semi arid regions, which is composed by sugar-rich pods and high protein seeds. Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites recognized as potent bioactive compounds, found in several vegetables.Therefore, the objective of this work is to characterize the algaroba flour in terms of its physicalchemical composition, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS methods, a-amylase and a-glycosidase inhibition, as well as to analyze its organic compounds by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three experimental groups were investigated (seeds, seeds and pod together and only pod), which were prepared by oven drying and posterior grinding. Water and ethanol extracts (70, 80, 100% v/v) were prepared and used for functional studies. Organic compounds were detected by using HPLC equipment coupled to mass spectrometer. Results show important physical-chemical differences among the experimental groups, seeds, seeds and pod together and only pod. The algarroba seed flour is high in protein (49.49%) and fat (3.10%), while the pod flour is especially rich in sugar (60.3% to 67.9%). Algaroba phenolics are concentrated in pod flour, mainly in water extracts (1.30 mg GAEQ/100g sample). All seed extracts showed high DPPH activity and maximum antioxidant activity was registered for ethanol 80% extracts (19.81 μM Trolox/g sample). The ABTS activity ranged from 9.73 to 12.74 μM Trolox/g sample. Nearly all the extracts were able to inhibit α-amylase activity mildly (30.50% to 48.80%), while the maximum α-glycosidase inhibition was observed for pod water extracts (81.03%). Algaroba water extracts proven to be especially rich in organic compounds, observed by the high number of chromatographic peaks. Results demonstrate that algaroba is a potential candidate for further investigations concerning its possible functional applications

Murcha por Ceratocystis em eucalipto: avaliação de resistência e análise epidemiológica

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

Cultura de embrião e indução de brotos in vitro para micropropagação do pinhão-manso

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

Crescimento do milho em função da saturação por bases e da adubação potássica

Os teores de Ca, Mg e K no solo interferem no crescimento e na produção das culturas. No entanto, a relação entre esses nutrientes que proporciona o desenvolvimento adequado das plantas varia entre as espécies vegetais. O presente teve por objetivo estudar o desenvolvimento do milho em função da saturação do solo por bases e adubação potássica. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial 3x2x4, constituindo-se de três solos (Neossolo Quartzarênico, Latossolo Vermelho e Latossolo Bruno), dois valores de saturação por bases (40 e 70 %) e quatro doses de potássio no solo (0, 60, 120 e 240 mg kg-1). O experimento foi conduzido em casa-de-vegetação, utilizando-se o milho cv. Zêneca 8392 com uma planta por vaso de 30 L. Aos 29, 57 e 127 dias após a emergência das plântulas, efetuaram-se medidas do número de folhas por planta, altura média das plantas, diâmetro basal do colmo e comprimento médio de entrenós. Após a colheita final determinou-se a produção de grãos por planta. O desenvolvimento e a produção de grãos do milho aumentou até a adição de 60 mg kg-1 de K ao solo. O crescimento do milho foi mais rápido no solo mais arenoso, até o florescimento masculino. Solos com maior capacidade de troca catiônica proporcionaram maior comprimento de entrenós. O comprimento médio de entrenós foi inversamente relacionado ao número médio de entrenós por planta, em função do tipo de solo.

Extração supercrítica do óleo de linhaça: construção do extrator, estudo de parâmetros de processo, avaliação química e antioxidante do produto

The aim of the present study was to extract vegetable oil from brown linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), determine fatty acid levels, the antioxidant capacity of the extracted oil and perform a rapid economic assessment of the SFE process in the manufacture of oil. The experiments were conducted in a test bench extractor capable of operating with carbon dioxide and co-solvents, obeying 23 factorial planning with central point in triplicate, and having process yield as response variable and pressure, temperature and percentage of cosolvent as independent variables. The yield (mass of extracted oil/mass of raw material used) ranged from 2.2% to 28.8%, with the best results obtained at 250 bar and 50ºC, using 5% (v/v) ethanol co-solvent. The influence of the variables on extraction kinetics and on the composition of the linseed oil obtained was investigated. The extraction kinetic curves obtained were based on different mathematical models available in the literature. The Martínez et al. (2003) model and the Simple Single Plate (SSP) model discussed by Gaspar et al. (2003) represented the experimental data with the lowest mean square errors (MSE). A manufacturing cost of US$17.85/kgoil was estimated for the production of linseed oil using TECANALYSIS software and the Rosa and Meireles method (2005). To establish comparisons with SFE, conventional extraction tests were conducted with a Soxhlet device using petroleum ether. These tests obtained mean yields of 35.2% for an extraction time of 5h. All the oil samples were sterilized and characterized in terms of their composition in fatty acids (FA) using gas chromatography. The main fatty acids detected were: palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2n-6) and α-linolenic (C18:3n-3). The FA contents obtained with Soxhlet dif ered from those obtained with SFE, with higher percentages of saturated and monounsaturated FA with the Soxhlet technique using petroleum ether. With respect to α-linolenic content (main component of linseed oil) in the samples, SFE performed better than Soxhlet extraction, obtaining percentages between 51.18% and 52.71%, whereas with Soxhlet extraction it was 47.84%. The antioxidant activity of the oil was assessed in the β-carotene/linoleic acid system. The percentages of inhibition of the oxidative process reached 22.11% for the SFE oil, but only 6.09% for commercial oil (cold pressing), suggesting that the SFE technique better preserves the phenolic compounds present in the seed, which are likely responsible for the antioxidant nature of the oil. In vitro tests with the sample displaying the best antioxidant response were conducted in rat liver homogenate to investigate the inhibition of spontaneous lipid peroxidation or autooxidation of biological tissue. Linseed oil proved to be more efficient than fish oil (used as standard) in decreasing lipid peroxidation in the liver tissue of Wistar rats, yielding similar results to those obtained with the use of BHT (synthetic antioxidant). Inhibitory capacity may be explained by the presence of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity in the linseed oil. The results obtained indicate the need for more detailed studies, given the importance of linseed oil as one of the greatest sources of ω3 among vegetable oils

Secagem de misturas de polpa de frutas tropicais em leito de jorro

Drying of fruit pulps in spouted beds of inert particles has been indicated as a viable technique to produce fruit powders. Most of the processes employed to produce dried fruit pulps and juices, such as Foam Mat, encapsulation by co-crystallization and spray drying utilize adjuvant and additives (such as thickeners, coating materials, emulsifiers, acidulants, flavors and dyes), which is not always desirable. The fruit pulp composition exerts an important effect on the fruit powder production using a spouted bed. In the study by Medeiros (2001) it was concluded that lipids, starch and pectin contents play an important role on the process performance, enhancing the powder production; however, the drying of fruit pulps containing high content of reducing sugars (glucose and fructose) is practically unviable. This work has the objective of expanding the studies on drying of fruit pulps in spouted bed with aid of adjuvant (lipids, starch and pectin) aiming to enhance the dryer performance without jeopardizing the sensorial quality of the product. The optimum composition obtained by Medeiros (2001) was the basis for preparing the mixtures of pulps. The mixture formulations included pulps of mango (Mangifera indica), umbu (Spondias tuberosa) and red mombin (Spondia purpurea) with addition of cornstarch, pectin and lipids. Different products were used as lipids source: olive and Brazil nut oils, coconut milk, heavy milk, powder of palm fat and palm olein. First of all, experiments were conducted to define the best formulation of the fruit pulps mixture. This definition was based on the drying performance obtained for each mixture and on the sensorial characteristics of the dry powder. The mixture formulations were submitted to drying at fixed operating conditions of drying and atomizing air flow rate, load of inert particles, temperature and flow rate of the mixture. The best results were obtained with the compositions having powder of palm fat and palm olein in terms of the drying performance and sensorial analysis. Physical and physicochemical characteristics were determined for the dry powders obtained from the mixtures formulations. Solubility and reconstitution time as well as the properties of the product after reconstitution were also evaluated. According to these analyses, the powder from the mixtures formulations presented similar characteristics and compatible quality to those produced in other types of dryers. Considering that the palm olein is produced in Brazil and that it has been used in the food industry substituting the palm fat powder, further studies on drying performance were conducted with the composition that included the palm olein. A complete factorial design of experiments 23, with three repetitions at the central point was conducted to evaluate the effects of the air temperature, feeding flow rate and intermittence time on the responses related to the process performance (powder collection efficiency, material retained in the bed and angle of repose of the inert particles after the process) and to the product quality (mean moisture content, loss of vitamin C and solubility). Powder production was uniform for the majority of the experiments and the higher efficiency with lower retention in the bed (59.2% and 1.8g, respectively) were obtained for the air temperature of 80°C, mixture feed rate of 5ml/min in intervals of 10 min. The statistical analysis of the results showed that the process variables had individual or combined significant influences on the powder collection efficiency, material retention in the bed, powder moisture content and loss of vitamin C. At the experimental ranges of this work, the angle of repose and solubility were not influenced by the operating variables. From the results of the experimental design, statistical models were obtained for the powder moisture content and loss of vitamin C

Avaliação do potencial fitorremediador da mamona (Ricinus communis L.) e girassol (Helianthus annuus L.) quanto à remoção de chumbo e tolueno em efluentes sintéticos.

The development of research that aim to reduce or even eliminate the environmental impacts provided by anthropogenic actions. One of these main action is the discard of industrial waste in the biotic compartments such as soil, water and air, gained more space in academic settings and in private. A technique of phytoremediation involving the use of plants (trees, shrubs, creepers and aquatic) and their associated microorganisms in order to remove, degrade or isolate toxic substances to the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for phytoremediation of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), wild crops suitable region of Rio Grande do Norte, to reduce concentrations of lead and toluene present in synthetic wastewater that simulate the characteristics of treated water production originated in the petrochemical Guamaré. The experiment was accomplished in randomized blocks in four replicates. Seeds of BRS Energy for the development of seedlings of castor beans and sunflower for Catissol 01, both provided by EMPARN (Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte) were used. Lead concentrations tested were 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L called T2, T3 and T4, respectively, for toluene the concentrations used were 125, 256 and 501 μg/L, called T5, T6 and T7, respectively. The data for removal of lead in relation to sewage systems applied in castor bean and sunflower were 43.89 and 51.85% (T2), 73.60 and 73.74% (T3) and 85.66 and 87.80 % (T4), respectively, and toluene were approximately 52.12 and 25.54% (T5), 55.10 and 58.05% (T6) and 79.77 and 74.76% (T7) for castor and sunflower seeds, respectively. From the data obtained, it can be deduce that mechanisms involved in reducing the contaminants were of phytoextraction, in relation to lead and phytodegradation for toluene. However, it can be concluded that the castor bean and sunflower crops can be used in exhaust after-treatment of industrial effluents that have this type of contaminant

Formulação de novos combustíveis base diesel: avaliação de desempenho e emissões

The industry, over the years, has been working to improve the efficiency of diesel engines. More recently, it was observed the need to reduce pollutant emissions to conform to the stringent environmental regulations. This has attached a great interest to develop researches in order to replace the petroleum-based fuels by several types of less polluting fuels, such as blends of diesel oil with vegetable oil esters and diesel fuel with vegetable oils and alcohol, emulsions, and also microemulsions. The main objective of this work was the development of microemulsion systems using nonionic surfactants that belong to the Nonylphenols ethoxylated group and Lauric ethoxylated alcohol group, ethanol/diesel blends, and diesel/biodiesel blends for use in diesel engines. First, in order to select the microemulsion systems, ternary phase diagrams of the used blends were obtained. The systems were composed by: nonionic surfactants, water as polar phase, and diesel fuel or diesel/biodiesel blends as apolar phase. The microemulsion systems and blends, which represent the studied fuels, were characterized by density, viscosity, cetane number and flash point. It was also evaluated the effect of temperature in the stability of microemulsion systems, the performance of the engine, and the emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, unburned hydrocarbons, and smoke for all studied blends. Tests of specific fuel consumption as a function of engine power were accomplished in a cycle diesel engine on a dynamometer bench and the emissions were evaluated using a GreenLine 8000 analyzer. The obtained results showed a slight increase in fuel consumption when microemulsion systems and diesel/biodiesel blends were burned, but it was observed a reduction in the emission of nitrogen oxides, unburned hydrocarbons, smoke index and f sulfur oxides

Tratamento de água de produção de petróleo visando o aproveitamento na obtenção de barrilha

The petroleum production is associated to the produced water, which has dispersed and dissolved materials that damage not only the environment, but also the petroleum processing units. This study aims at the treatment of produced water focusing mainly on the removal of metals and oil and using this treated water as raw material for the production of sodium carbonate. Initially, it was addressed the removal of the following divalent metals: calcium, magnesium, barium, zinc, copper, iron, and cadmium. For this purpose, surfactants derived from vegetable oils, such as coconut oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil, were used. The investigation showed that there is a stoichiometric relationship between the metals removed from the produced water and the surfactants used in the process of metals removal. It was also developed a model that correlates the hydrolysis constant of saponified coconut oil with the metal distribution between the resulting stages of the proposed process, flocs and aqueous phases, and relating the results with the pH of the medium. The correlation coefficient obtained was 0.963. Next, the process of producing washing soda (prefiro soda ahs ou sodium carbonate) started. The resulting water from the various treatment approaches from petroleum production water was used. During this stage of the research, it was observed that the surfactant assisted in the produced water treatment, by removing some metals and the dispersed oil entirety. The yield of sodium carbonate production was approximately 80%, and its purity was around 95%. It was also assessed, in the production of sodium carbonate, the influence of the type of reactor, using a continuous reactor and a batch reactor. These tests showed that the process with continuous reactor was not as efficient as the batch process. In general, it can be concluded that the production of sodium carbonate from water of oil production is a feasible process, rendering an effluent that causes a great environmental impact a raw material with large scale industrial use

Estudo da funcionalidade de espécies comestíveis do semiárido nordestino e estratégias para sua utilização como ingredientes para fins alimentícios

The Brazilian caatinga is characterized by low annual rainfall and arid soils. Several cactaceae, either native or adapted species, grow in this semi-arid region, including the prickly pear (Opuntia fícus indica) and facheiro ((Philosocereus pachycladus Ritter) which produce underexploited edible fruits. In addition to these species, the algaroba is a leguminous with little studied technological applications and bioactive potential so far. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the physicochemical, bioactive and functional attributes of the prickly pear and facheiro fruit pulps and the algaroba flour. Specifically, this study approaches the physicochemical characterization, total phenolic compounds (TPC) and the betalain identification and quantification by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. It is also investigated the DPPH antioxidant capacity and the antienzymatic activities against alpha-amylase and alphaglucosidase of water and ethanolic extracts of these food material. In order to address their potential to be used as food ingredients, juice blends prepared with mixtures of cajá and prickly pear, biofilms with facheiro and cereal bars with algaroba flour were elaborated and analyzed. The prickly pear fruits presented low acidity and high sugar content when compared to facheiro. The Philosocereus pachycladus Ritter fruits had higher protein and ash content, but the algaroba flour was the species with higher protein and sugar content among all. The algaroba flour also presented outstanding food fiber content, which reveals its potentiality to be used as a natural intestinal regulator. The TPC of water and ethanol extracts ranged from 3.87 to 16.21 mg GAE/100g for algaroba flour, 79.24 to 110.20 GAE/ 100g for prickly pear and 412.23 to 539.14 mg GAE/100g for facheiro. The 70% (w/v) ethanol extract reached the highest DPPH antioxidant activity, which was linearly correlated to its high TPC content. In regard to the enzymatic inhibitory activities, the best performance was observed for the prickly pear extracts which presented a moderate inhibition for both investigated enzymes, but interestingly, no alpha-glucosidase inhibition was observed for facheiro extracts. This work shows, for the first time in the literature, the functional attributes of facheiro fruits, as well as the presence of betacianins and isobetanin in the pulp of this exotic fruit. When it comes to the food products developed here, the sensory attributes that better described the juice blend cajá-prickly pear were sweetness, acidity, color yellow-orange, body, turbidity and cajá flavor. The discriminative test applied for cereal bars produced with and without algaroba revealed that the texture was the only sensory attribute that differed (p<0.05) between these two samples. It was also observed that the addition of facheiro extracts did not influence the visual characteristics of the biofilms. Overall, this work unveils the physicochemical and bioactive attributes of these commercial and technologically underexploited species widely found in the Brazilian caatinga and presents alternatives for their rational use

O Brasil no contexto de controle de qualidade de plantas medicinais

Atualmente, as plantas medicinais movem altos valores financeiros em todo o mundo e representam o tipo de tratamento mais acessível para cerca de 80% da população, principalmente entre os países em desenvolvimento. Entretanto, existe ainda uma falta de conhecimento sobre propriedades químicas, farmacológicas e toxicológicas a fim de assegurar a eficácia e segurança das plantas medicinais. Os critérios de eficácia e segurança de plantas medicinais estão relacionados a qualidade, isto é, as plantas necessitam ser corretamente identificadas, cultivadas e coletadas, devem estar livres de material estranho, partes de outras plantas e contaminações inorgânicas e/ou microbianas. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de elucidar os diferentes processos e padronizações sobre o controle de drogas vegetais, principalmente no Brasil.

Controles físico, físico-químico, químico e microbiológico dos frutos de Dimorphandra mollis Benth., Fabaceae

Considerando-se a qualidade dos fitoterápicos, é importante salientar que a preocupação com esta questão inclui rigoroso acompanhamento das diferentes etapas de desenvolvimento e produção, desde a coleta do vegetal até o produto final. O controle de qualidade de drogas vegetais e seus extratos é essencial quando utilizados como matéria-prima para o desenvolvimento de fitoterápicos. Neste trabalho foram utilizadas diversas técnicas (farmacopeicas e não farmacopeicas) visando estabelecer parâmetros de qualidade dos frutos de Dimorphandra mollis Benth. (Leguminosae), popularmente conhecida como faveiro. Os resultados obtidos determinaram as características físico-químicas da droga vegetal e mostraram que o pó dos frutos e o extrato etanólico 70% de D. mollis apresentam um teor de flavonóides de 10,25% e 17,21%, respectivamente. A análise fitoquímica preliminar dos frutos caracterizou a presença de taninos, saponinas e flavonóides. Na análise microbiológica do extrato não houve crescimento de patógenos entre os testes realizados.

Teor lipídico da dieta, lipídios séricos e peso corporal em ratos exercitados

OBJETIVO: Analisar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de triglicerídeos fornecidos pela dieta sobre os parâmetros séricos triglicerídeos e lipoproteínas de alta densidade e o peso corporal de ratos sedentários e exercitados. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados ratos Wistar, alimentados com dietas controle (7%peso/peso) e hiperlipídica (14% peso/peso) e subdivididos em sedentários e exercitados, por um período de 8 semanas. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que o peso não diferiu entre os grupos, embora o consumo tenha sido reduzido nos grupos com dieta hiperlipídica. Os níveis de triglicerídeos não foram aumentados com a dieta rica em gordura e o HDL-colesterol se elevou apenas entre os animais exercitados que tiveram dieta normolipídica. CONCLUSÃO: A intensidade e o tempo de exercício físico influenciam de maneira mais aguda os níveis de HDL-colesterol em comparação aos níveis de triglicérides. Sugere-se que a dieta hiperlipídica deveria sobrepor (14%peso/peso) de gordura para que houvesse alterações relevantes nos parâmetros lipídicos e supostamente um aumento da performance física.