Determinação dos teores de cobre e grau alcoólico em aguardentes de cana produzidas no estado de Minas Gerais

The objective of this work was to investigate if producers of sugar cane spirits in Minas Gerais, Brazil, have improved the copper content of their products and also if they have adjusted to the new standards of identity for 'cachaça' and 'aguardente'. Seventy-one samples, obtained from May 2003 until March 2004, were analyzed. Mean copper content was 2.30 mg/L, which indicates a significant reduction in levels. The mean alcohol content was 45.6 % v/v. All of the 'aguardente' but only 79% of the 'cachaça' attended to the standard of identity for alcohol content for these products.

Teores de carbamato de etila e outros componentes secundários em diferentes cachaças produzidas em três regiões do estado de Minas Gerais: Zona da mata, sul de minas e vale do jequitinhonha

Minas Gerais is the highest producer of handmade spirits. Research has been carried out aiming to contribute to progress. Thus, the goal of this work is to evaluate the quality of spirits in three different regions of Minas Gerais state. We analyzed ethyl carbamate, alcoholic grade, volatile acidity, higher alcohols, aldehyde, esters, methanol, furfural and copper. The values obtained for ethyl carbamate varied from undetectable to 643.5 µg L-1, with only one region not following the legislation (150 µg L-1). Most of the compounds in the spirits were present within the limits estabilished by the legislation.

Composição elementar do material particulado presente no aerossol atmosférico do município de Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais

The main objective of this study was the identification of sources generating particulate matter in the atmospheric aerosols of Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais. The measurement of the mineral composition was accomplished by X-ray diffractometry and the elemental concentration by neutron activation analysis. The results showed that Al, Cl, Cu, Fe, K, Mg and Na are the predominant chemical elements in the total suspended particles (TPS). The presence of Na, Ba, Cl, Cu, Eu, Fe and Sm in those particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 µm (PM10), indicates that soil dust and ceramic and pig iron industries are the main sources of air quality degradation in the region.

Arsenic mobilization from sulfidic materials from gold mines in Minas Gerais State

Acid drainage results from exposition of sulfides to the atmosphere. Arsenopyrite is a sulfide that releases arsenic (As) to the environment when oxidized. This work evaluated the As mobility in six sulfidic geomaterials from gold mining areas in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Grained samples (<2 mm) were periodically leached with distilled water, during 70 days. Results suggested As sorption onto (hydr)oxides formed by oxidation of arsenopyrite. Low pH accelerated the acid generation, dissolving Fe oxihydroxides and releasing As. Presence of carbonates decreased oxidation rates and As release. On the other hand, lime added to a partially oxidized sample increased As mobilization.

Óleos essenciais no Brasil: aspectos gerais, desenvolvimento e perspectivas

Essential oils are extracted by steam distillation of plants or cold pressing of citrus fruit pericarp. They are used in food, cosmetic, personal care and pharmaceutical industries. In Brazil, oils from orange and related products contribute to near 97% to the positive commercial performance of the sector. Predatory exploitation and the availability of new sources of raw materials, with more attracting prices, changed the paradigm. Prospective studies, sustainable use of Brazilian biodiversity, domestication of exotic species with commercial relevance, the use of breeding techniques and the development of new applications for essential oils are thematic lines, usually multidisciplinary, which have been prompting the expansion of the research on essential oils. This paper presents an analysis on essential oils balance trade from 2005 to 2008 and some historical data on research and production of essential oils in Brazil.

Nanotecnologia: aspectos gerais e potencial de aplicação em catálise

In recent years nanomaterials, such as metallic nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotapes, nanotubes and nanocomposites, have attracted increasing interest for several technological applications. In catalysis, the great potential of nanomaterials is related to the high catalytic activity exhibited by these materials as a function of the high surface/volume ratio when the particles acquire diameter below 5 nm. In this work, a review about concepts and background of nanoscience and nanotechnology is presented with emphasis in catalysis. Special attention is given to gold nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes, focusing the properties and characteristics of these materials in several catalytic reactions.

Determinação de metais traço no material particulado em suspensão em Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais

The determination of the airborne particulate matter (PTS) mass and trace metals concentrations were performed in three sites in Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil. It was evaluated 288 samples. The legal limit of annual geometric average (60 µg m-3) to PTS concentrations didn't exceed, but the legal limit for 24 h (240 µg m-3) did in three measurements. Seven metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb) analysed by ICP-AES were quantified in 18 samples. Aluminum and iron showed the highest concentrations, indicating the contribution of the soil and of one aluminum plant. The high nickel concentration is probably due to vehicular emissions and industrial combustion processes.

Estudo químico de uma amostra de própolis verde de Passa Quatro, Minas Gerais, Brasil

The phytochemical investigation of a sample of propolis from Passa Quatro-Minas Gerais State, Brazil, where nine constituents were isolated: a mixture of α- and β-amyrin, lupeol, a mixture of flavonols ramnocitrin and eupalitin, acacetin, 3-prenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid the new compound, the (E)-3-[4-(3-phenylpropanoiloxy)]-3,5-diprenil-cinnamic acid. The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized by 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments, MS and IR spectrometry, and comparison with data described in the literature.

Percepção dos pós-graduandos em química da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais sobre a própria formação docente

The pedagogic training of university professors has been overlooked in institutions of higher education. In the second semester of 2009, students of the Graduate Chemistry Program at the Federal University of Minas Gerais participated in an investigation that aimed to evaluate the students' perceptions of their own training to become professors. It was found that a large number of students felt prepared to teach at institutions of higher education, despite their lack of experience at this education level. A significant point in this work was the finding that most students do not acknowledge the need of associating the teaching practice with teaching-learning theories, but instead consider the knowledge of scientific content important.

Análise de pinturas rupestres do Abrigo do Janelão (Minas Gerais) por microscopia raman

Rock art paintings from Abrigo do Janelão (Minas Gerais, Brazil) were non-destructively investigated by Raman Microscopy, aiming at the identification of materials used, their interaction and degradation. This technique is particularly tailored for heterogeneous samples and allows unequivocal identification of the substances present in the investigated sample. Pigments, were identified together with products of microbiological degradation; no binders were detected. White pigment was identified as calcite (CaCO3), whereas charcoal was used as black, goethite (α-FeOOH) as yellow and hematite (α-Fe2O3) as red. Whewellite (CaC2O4.H2O) and weddelite (CaC2O4.2H2O) were detected and their origin was assigned to degradation products from microbiological activity.

Implantação e implementação das normas das Boas Práticas Laboratoriais (BPL) no laboratório de análises de resíduos da Universidade Estadual de Campinas

In the context of quality and good laboratory practices, the article recovers some historical data. From a specific Institutional situation (CPQBA/UNICAMP), is presented an experience of establishing and implementing a standard (NIT-DICLA-035) for good laboratory practice according to definitions of the Brazilian authority (INMETRO) responsible for regulating, monitoring, supervising and recognition in this area. The issue aims to focus on studies of pesticide residues in GLP parameters.

Produção de hidrogênio via fermentação anaeróbia - aspectos gerais e possibilidade de utilização de resíduos agroindustriais brasileiros

Biological production of hydrogen through anaerobic fermentation has received increasing attention and offers a great potential as an alternative process for clean fuel production in the future. Considering biological systems for H2 production, anaerobic fermentation stands out, primarily due to its higher production of H2 compared with other biological processes. In addition the possibility of using different agro-industrial wastes as substrates opens up infinite possibilities. The development and implementation of sustainable processes for converting renewable materials into different value-added products is essential for the full exploitation of Brazilian agro-industrial wastes.

AVALIAÇÃO DAS NORMAS DE ENSAIO APLICADAS NA QUANTIFICAÇÃO DE PCBs EM ÓLEO ISOLANTE

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were widely used between 1940 and 1970 as an insulating fluid for transformers and capacitors. However, they are bioaccumulative and potentially carcinogenic and, according to the 2001 Stockholm Convention, must be eliminated by 2025. In Brazil, they have been gradually eliminated but contaminated equipment remains. The Brazilian official standard for PCBs content in oil analysis is the ABNT NBR 13882 and there is also the IEC 61619 International Standard, both based on GC-ECD quantification. This work identified the inefficiency of these analytical methods and highlights potential failures which generated discrepancies on quantification of these contaminants. It was observed that the IEC 61619 is superior to ABNT NBR 13882 in analytical criteria, but has problems with the inefficiency of the adsorbent material used in pretreatments for removal of oxidation products from oil where these adsorbents adsorbed some PCBs molecules, causing errors in quantification.

Resistência de linhagens de feijoeiro a quatro raças de Uromyces appendiculatus isoladas em Minas Gerais, Brasil

A identificação de fontes de resistência é uma etapa básica em programas de melhoramento que visam o desenvolvimento de cultivares resistentes a doenças. Neste trabalho, foram inoculadas, sob condições controladas, oito linhagens de feijoeiro-comum (Phaseolus vulgaris) desenvolvidas pelo Departamento de Agricultura dos Estados Unidos, com quatro raças conhecidas de Uromyces appendiculatus coletadas no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. A cultivar Ouro Negro foi utilizada como padrão de resistência e US Pinto 111 (suscetível universal) como padrão de suscetibilidade. Foi avaliada a freqüência de infecção (FI) e estimado o tamanho médio das pústulas (TMP). As linhagens BelMiDak-RMR-12 e BelMiDak-RR-3 destacaram-se como as mais resistentes, apresentando, para todas as raças, apenas pústulas (com diâmetro < 300mim) na face abaxial da folha. As linhagens BelDakMi-RMR-10 e BelNeb RR-2 apresentaram baixa FI média e foram resistentes a quatro e três raças, respectivamente. A linhagem BelDak-RR-2, apesar de sua resistência a todas as raças, apresentou uma FI média relativamente alta. As linhagens BelMiNeb-RMR-3 e BelDakMi RR-7 também foram resistentes às quatro raças testadas, porém apresentaram alta FI média e algumas pústulas com diâmetro maior que 300 mim. A linhagem BelDakMi-RMR-11 foi resistente às raças 45, 46 e 49 e moderadamente resistente à raça 52. A cultivar Ouro Negro foi resistente às quatro raças, com um nível de resistência igual às melhores linhagens norte americanas.

Avaliação da qualidade fisiológica e sanitária de sementes de genótipos de soja do ciclo precoce/médio em Uberlândia, Minas Gerais

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar porcentagem de germinação, vigor, sanidade de sementes e produtividade de 18 linhagens de soja (Glycine max). O ensaio de campo foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental do Capim Branco da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e 18 tratamentos, constituídos pelos genótipos de soja. Os genótipos UFV94-426803 e BR92-06665 apresentaram a maior e a menor porcentagem de germinação (96 e 69%, respectivamente). Essa variável correlacionou-se positivamente com o vigor das sementes (r= +0,79), e negativamente com a incidência de Fusarium semitectum, Phomopsis sojae e Colletotrichum dematium (r= -0,33, -0,39, e --0,26, respectivamente). As linhagens CSP-5 e BR93-6957 apresentaram, respectivamente, o maior (90) e o menor (54,5) vigor das sementes. Houve correlação positiva do vigor das sementes com a produtividade de grãos (r= +0,59), e negativa com a incidência de F. semitectum e P. sojae (r= -0,36 e --0,60, respectivamente). Verificou-se uma incidência de 47 e 9% de F. semitectum, respectivamente, para os genótipos FT-2002 e CSP-5. Os genótipos BR93-6957 e UFV94-426803 apresentaram, respectivamente, 49,7 e 2,1% de incidência de P. sojae e 'CSP-2' foi o genótipo que apresentou a maior incidência de C. dematium, (3,8%). 'FT-2001' e 'UFV94-1896' apresentaram, respectivamente, a maior (3,9 t/ha) e a menor (2,48 t/ha) produtividade de grãos. Houve correlação negativa dessa variável com a incidência de P. sojae (r= -0,44). As cultivares BR-16 e OCEPAR-3 apresentaram valores intermediários para todas variáveis avaliadas, embora não tenham diferido significativamente dos demais genótipos avaliados nesse ensaio.