Determinação de zinco em solo utilizando colorimetria

In terms of soil fertility, zinc is a micronutrient that is very important in the culture of soy, maize, rice and coffee, because it is a structural and functional component of a great number of enzymes. Therefore, diverse methods have been used to determine zinc in soil. In this work we use colorimetry as a methods of zinc determination in soil using two methodologies of sample digesting, H2SO4/H2O2 and HNO3/H2O2. In order to compare the results, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used. Results show that colorimetric methods can be used due to good sensitivity and reproducibility, since the zinc calibration curve showed good linearity. Comparing colorimetric methods with AAS we observed that the results were equivalent, as proven by the statistical values of the F and t of Student tests. Furthermore, both methods of soil digesting can be used, leading to a flexible methodology of low-cost for routine zinc analyses in soil.

Influência do processamento e da torrefação sobre a atividade antioxidante do café (Coffea arabica)

The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of processing (semi-dry and dry) and roasting (light, medium and dark) on the antioxidant activity of coffee brews, using tests to determine the reducing power and the DPPH scavenging, Fe+2 chelating and lipid peroxidation inhibition activities. All of the coffee brews presented concentration-dependent antioxidant activity. The light coffee samples presented the higher reducing power and DPPH scavenging activity. Its ion chelating capacity was similar to the medium samples, but was less than the green coffee chelating capacity. The semi-dry processing was more efficient than the dry processing only for the reducing power. All of the samples presented high lipid peroxidation inhibition activity. Based on the results the degree of coffee roasting seems to be more important than the processing to determine the antioxidant activity of brews.

Utilização do índice de retenção linear para caracterização de compostos voláteis em café solúvel utilizando GC-MS e coluna HP-Innowax

Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is widely used for the characterization of volatile compounds. However, due to the complexity of the soluble coffee matrix, a complete identification of the components should not be based on mass spectra interpretation only. The linear index of retention (LRI) is frequently used to give support to mass spectra. The aim of this work is to investigate the characterization of the volatile compounds in soluble coffee samples by GC-MS using LRI values found with a HP-INNOWAX column. The method used allows a significant increase of the reliability of identifying compounds.

Síntese do pigmento cerâmico verde vitória (Ca3Cr2Si3O12) a partir de CaCO3, Cr2O3 e SiO2

The synthesis of the ceramic pigment Victoria Green (Ca3Cr2Si3O12 ) is described. As raw materials CaCO3, Cr2O3, and SiO2 obtained from rice husk were used. Borax was used as mineralizer. Raw materials were formulated stoichiometrically and calcined from 1000 to 1200 ºC for 180 min. The main phase detected was uvarovite with particle size below 45 mm. The pigments were applied on ceramic tiles and sintered at 1150 ºC for 40 min. The synthesis process showed to be adequate to produce the green pigment, whose characteristics resemble those of a commercial pigment.

Preparação e caracterização de carvão ativado produzido a partir de resíduos do beneficiamento do café

Coffee fruit processing is one of the most polluting activities in agriculture due to the large amount of waste generated in the process. In this work, coffee parchment was employed as precursor for the production of carbons activated with ZnCl2 (CAP). The material was characterized using N2 adsorption/desorption at 77 K, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The material showed a surface area of 521.6 m²g-1 and microporous structure. CAP was applied as adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue dye in aqueous medium. The adsorption capacity was found to be about 188.7 mg g-1.

Materiais à base de óxido de ferro para oxidação de compostos presentes no efluente da despolpa do café

Materials based on pure iron oxide and impregnated with niobia (Nb2O5) were prepared. Their catalytic activities were tested on the oxidation of compounds present in the wastewater from the processing of coffee berries. Particularly caffeine and catechol were tested. The oxidation reactions were carried out with the following systems (i) UV/H2O2, (ii) photo-Fenton and (iii) heterogeneous Fenton. All materials were characterized with X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer and infrared spectroscopy. Iron was mainly in the forms of goethite and maghemite. The oxidation kinetics were monitored by UV-vis and the oxidation products were monitored by mass spectrometry. The photo-Fenton reaction presented highest oxidation efficiency, removing 98% of all caffeine and catechol contents.

Indicadores químicos de qualidade da matéria orgânica de solo da sub-bacia do Rio das Mortes sob manejos diferenciais de cafeeiro

This work evaluated the chemical quality of organic matter (OM) of a Brazilian Oxisol cultivated with coffee plants, under organic and conventional managements. Total organic C (TOC), light fraction C (LF-C) and C in humic (HA-C) and fulvic (FA-C) acids fractions was measured. Amongst the evaluated indexes, TOC and LF-C discriminated better OM attributes as a function of management. The stratification ratio (TOC5-10cm/TOC10-20cm) did not show differences between the systems studied. The organic system can contribute to the sustainability of coffee plantations in Brazil, because it maintains the chemical attributes of OM closer to the indexes verified under forest conditions.

Aplicação da metodologia de superfície de resposta no estudo da produção e extração da poligalacturonase

The aim of this work was to verify the effects of initial medium moisture content (U), addition of ammonium sulphate (N) and of potassium phosphate (P) in the production of the polygalacturonase through the solid-state fermentation, using cashew apple husk as substrate and Aspergillus niger CCT0916 as transformation agent. We also studied the best extraction conditions of the produced enzyme. The best condition of production was with U of 40%, 1% of N and 0% of P being reached an activity of the poligalacturonase of 10.1 U/g. The best extraction condition is an agitation system with a time of 100 min and a solvent-fermented medium volume ratio of 5 mL/g.

Composição volátil dos defeitos intrínsecos do café por CG/EM-headspace

About 20% of Brazilian raw coffee production is considered inappropriate for exportation. Consequently, these beans are incorporated to good quality beans in the Brazilian market. This by-product of coffee industry is called PVA due to the presence of black (P), green (V) and sour (A) defective beans which are known to contribute considerably for cup quality decrease. Data on the volatile composition of Brazilian defective coffee beans are scarce. In this study, we evaluated the volatile composition of immature, black-immature, black defective beans and PVA compared to good quality beans. Potential defective beans markers were identified.

Compostos bioativos e atividade antioxidante do café conilon submetido a diferentes graus de torra

The bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity presented by Conilon coffee (C. Canephora) variety, produced in the Espírito Santo State, Brazil, were quantified. The light roast coffee showed the highest level of total phenols, trigonelline, caffeic and chlorogenic acids. The proanthocyanidin level was the highest for dark roast coffee, while caffeine level didn't show significative changes for the light and middle roast coffees. All the Conilon coffee extracts showed antioxidant activity depending on bioactive compounds concentration and roasting degree. The coffee samples submitted to a light roasting degree showed the highest antioxidant activity.

Caracterização de cinza obtida por combustão de casca de arroz em reator de leito fluidizado

The rice husk combustion in a bubbling and atmospheric fluidized bed reactor was investigated. This paper presents the rice husk ash characterization employing the techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) among others. After combustion, a rice husk ash containing 93% amorphous silica and <3% unburned char was produced. Methods usually applied to fixed bed considering external sources of energy and high reaction times were employed. Thus, the potential of this type of reactors with respect to speed, continuity and self-sufficiency energy of the process was shown.

Produção e caracterização de carvão ativado produzido a partir do defeito preto, verde, ardido (PVA) do café

The black, green and sour coffee defect (PVA) contributes with 20% of the total coffee production. It should be separate from the normal coffee grains in order to improve the final quality of the beverage. In this way, the present work has the objective to use the PVA reject for the production of activated carbon. The activated carbon (CA) was prepared from PVA defect using zinc chloride as activating agent. The prepared material (CA PVA) was characterized and the adsorption tests were carried out using as organic models methylene blue (AM) and reactive red (VR). The CA PVA revealed to be more efficient in the removal of the organic contaminants compared to a commercial activated carbon.

Uso da cinza da casca do arroz (CCA) obtida da geração de energia térmica como adsorvente de Zn(II) em soluções aquosas

The removal study was conducted using 1.00 g of the rice husk ash (RHA) and 20.0 mL solution with concentrations in the range of 10-1000 mg/L of Zn(II). The influence of contact time, initial metal concentration, agitation and pH of the removal process was investigated. Superior removals to 95% were obtained at the end of 24 h of contact. The agitation increased in 20% the removal of Zn(II), being needed only 5 min to reach the equilibrium. The adsorption process was studied by the models of isotherms of Langmuir, Freundlich and BET, obtaining results of R L and 1/n for a process favorable of adsorption. BET isotherm best represents the equilibrium adsorption. The results showed that the RHA has the largest capacity and affinity for the removal of Zn(II).

Benefícios do café na saúde: mito ou realidade?

Coffee is widely consumed and appreciated all over the world, both for their stimulating effect and organoleptic characteristics. Due to its complex chemical composition and the factors involving brews preparation, the consumer is exposed to a wide range of chemical compounds. Several investigations aimed to clarify and understand coffee health effects. There is no evidence that moderate consumption could be harmful. On the contrary, some benefits and possible protective effects against several pathologies have been suggested. This review compiles the main conclusions related with the "coffee and health" topic, reporting, when possible, the chemicals involved.

Variações de curto prazo nas emissões de CO2 do solo em diferentes sistemas de manejo do cafeeiro

Soil CO2 emissions represent an important component of carbon global cycle. However, information about short-term alterations of CO2 fluxes in soils of tropical regions are scarce. So, the objective of this study was to evaluate such variations in coffee plantations in Latosol (Oxisol). The CO2 emissions were not affected by environmental abiotic factors, such as temperature and soil water evaporation, but they were significantly correlated with the carbon content of microbial biomass (R=0.90, P<0.05). It happens a close relationship between root activity and soil CO2 emission in coffee plantations.