Adaptação no método do peso da gota para determinação da tensão superficial: um método simplificado para a quantificação da CMC de surfactantes no ensino da química

The discussion based on surfactant cleaning action is commonly used in chemistry classrooms for the comprehension of theoretical concepts related to surface tension and micelle formation. The experimental quantification of surface tension of aqueous solutions of surfactants provides the practical instruments for this discussion. The present paper describes a simplification on the common apparatus employed for the drop-weight method, making the determination of surface tension accessible to any chemistry lab. The surface tension of various liquids and the critical micelle concentration, CMC, of three commercial surfactants were measured with this modified method, and proved to be consistent with literature values.

Montagem de câmara com lâmpada de ultravioleta de baixo custo

Thin layer chromatography is a quick, inexpensive and effective way of screening mixtures of non-volatile organic compounds and it is highly recommended for analytical studies. Inspection of plates under ultraviolet light for the detection of colourless compounds should be performed before any further chemical methods are applied. Construction of a low-cost UV-viewing cabinet with lamp employing parts easily found on the local market is described.

Um fotômetro multi-led microcontrolado, portátil e de baixo custo

A microcontrolled, portable and inexpensive photometer is described. It uses six light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as radiation sources and a phototransistor as detector, as well as a microcontroller (PIC - Programmable Controller of Interruption). This device provided total autonomy to the proposed photometer, which was successfully applied to determination of Fe2+ in ferrous syrups and of seven clinical biochemical parameters. As the components are cheap (~U$30.00) and easy to find, the proposed photometer is an economical alternative for routine chemical analyses in small laboratories, for research and teaching. Being portable and microcontrolled, it allows doing field chemical analyses.

Construção de amostrador passivo de baixo custo para determinação de dióxido de nitrogênio

A new passive sampling system for monitoring NO2 in air has been developed to measure gas concentrations in indoor and outdoor air. The sampler is inexpensive, and easy to construct and operate. Nitrogen dioxide forms a derivative after reaction with a filter coated with triethanolamine and ethyleneglycol. The nitrogen dioxide derivative is extracted from the filter, and the concentration is determined by colorimetry. To test the sampler for measuring ambient level nitrogen dioxide, measurements were carried out inside homes and in a range of workplace environments.

Um aparato para monitorar reações rápidas: um "stopped-flow" artesanal de baixo custo

The modern stopped-flow reaction analyzer has shown high efficiency and flexibility, which provides outstanding sample economy with a dead-time of less than 1 ms. However the cost of the equipment imposes a serious restriction to many Brazilian scientists and teachers. In this work we describe the construction of a low-cost stopped-flow system coupled to a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The performance of the system was checked by monitoring the kinetics of two reactions: the fading of phenolphthalein in aqueous alkaline solution and the chlorophyll a demetallation in acid medium. The apparatus showed reasonable efficiency with a dead-time of 0.3 to 0.5 s. The very good results obtained in these two illustrative processes show that the system is satisfactory for determining rate constants with mean reaction times ranging from seconds to minutes.

Um espalhador de baixo custo de fase estacionária em placas para cromatografia em camada delgada

Chromatography is a means of separating mixtures into their several components. TLC, mainly a liquid/solid process, is one of the separation techniques most often used. It is indispensable in laboratories dealing with natural products, organic and analytical chemistry. Commercial chromatography plates are offered at relatively high cost. In this work the construction of a hand-operated plate coater of stationary phases of low cost and good reproducibility is described to be used in teaching laboratories and research.

Efecto de la suplementación con ácidos grasos de cadena media sobre la evolución de peso en lechones con poco peso al nacimiento

La evolución de peso en los períodos de lactación y transición de 583 lechones fue estudiada mediante un análisis estadístico, evaluando el efecto de la suplementación con ácidos grasos de cadena media (AGCM) en lechones con poco peso al nacimiento. 188 de los 375 lechones que nacieron con un peso al nacimiento (PN) <1250 g recibieron 3mL de AGCM cada 24 h durante los primeros 3 días de vida; su peso medio al destete (día 28) fue inferior respecto al grupo control (lechones no suplementados) (-114,17 g). No obstante, 106 de los 180 lechones nacidos con un PN <1000 g fueron suplementados, y su peso medio al destete y a finales de transición (día 63) fue superior respecto al grupo control (destete: +315,16 g; día 63: +775,47 g). Finalmente, los lechones suplementados con PN<800 g tuvieron los peores resultados: su diferencia de peso medio al destete fue de -177,58 g respecto al grupo control. Por lo tanto, en esta prueba fueron estudiados los lechones con un PN entre 800 y 999 g porque el grupo suplementado al destete tuvo una diferencia de peso medio considerable respecto al grupo control:+511,58 g. Asimismo, considerando una probabilidad de error inferior a 0,05, no hubieron diferencias significativas en las diferentes categorías de PN analizadas. De todas maneras, es importante destacar el alto grado de significación en la suplementación con AGCM en lechones con PN entre 800 y 999g (P=0,059). Por otra parte, el PN del grupo suplementado con PN<1000 g fue inferior que el del grupo no suplementado con PN<1000 g; esta diferencia de PN fue significativa (P=0,004) y como consecuencia el grado de significación en la suplementación con AGCM en lechones con PN entre 800 y 999 g fue inferior al esperado. Además, en esta prueba se incluyeron algunos resultados generales y también un análisis simple de supervivencia, aunque no era el objetivo principal

Otimização dos parâmetros de produção de hidrolisados protéicos enzimáticos utilizando pescado de baixo valor comercial

The enzymatic modification of proteins has been widely studied with the aim of add value to low commercial value fish. The objective of this work was to evaluate and optimize the parameters involved in the production process of an enzymatic protein hydrolyzed with high protein content. The results showed that for Alcalase the most significant parameters were temperature, pH and substrate concentration and for Flavourzyme were pH, substrate concentration and enzyme concentration. It was obtained for Alcalase a predictive model for the recovered nitrogen and for Flavourzyme a predictive model for the hydrolysis degree.

Autoamostrador de baixo custo para análise por injeção em fluxo

This paper describes a homemade autosampler for flow injection analysis (FIA), constructed with two step motors from old floppy disk drives (5¼-inch). The autosampler was connected to a computer through the parallel port and the sampling process was controlled by software in Quick Basic. The performance of the system was assessed by the determination of ammonium, based on the gaseous diffusion into a bromocresol purple solution, following the spectrophotometric determination of change in absorbance. The easy and simple construction is the main characteristics of this equipment and analytical results with RSD lower than 1% were obtained.

Construção de um calorímetro isotérmico diferencial de alta sensibilidade e baixo custo

The high cost of sensitivity commercial calorimeters may represent an obstacle for many calorimetric research groups. This work describes the construction and calibration of a batch differential heat conduction calorimeter with sample cells volumes of about 400 μL. The calorimeter was built using two small high sensibility square Peltier thermoelectric sensors and the total cost was estimated to be about US$ 500. The calorimeter was used to study the excess enthalpy of solution of binary mixtures of liquids, as a function of composition, for the following binary systems of solvents: water + 1,4-dioxane or + dimethylsulfoxide at 298,2 ± 0,5 K.

Oxidação do borneol à cânfora com água sanitária - um experimento simples, de baixo custo e limpo

Regulatory pressure is increasingly focusing on the use and disposal of substances hazardous to human health and environment. In the last years efforts have also been made to introduce green chemistry concepts in undergraduate courses. In this paper we present an experiment on the oxidation reaction of borneol to camphor with bleach in acetone. This experiment is important to show undergraduate students that a cheap and non hazardous commercial product can be a useful oxidation agent of alcohols.

Desenvolvimento e avaliação de um porta-amostra de baixo custo para caracterização elétrica de materiais cerâmicos

Conventional sample holder cells used to the electric characterization of ceramics at high temperature consists of an alumina tube and platinum wires and plates using a complex design. The high cost materials used in the conventional sampler holder cell were replaced by stainless steel and conventional ceramics. The sample holder was validated by characterizing yttria-stabilized-zirconia in a temperature range of 25 to 700 ºC. The results do not present variations, discontinuity or unusual noise in the electric signals. Several samples were characterized without maintenance, which demonstrates that the sample holder is electric and mechanic adequate to be used to electrical characterization of ceramics up to 700 ºC.

Hidróxido de níquel suportado em carbono: um catalisador de baixo custo para a eletro-oxidação de alcoóis em meio alcalino

The present manuscript shows the synthesis of nickel hydroxide supported in carbon (Ni(OH)2/C) as a alternative material for catalytic alcohol oxidation in alkaline medium. The Ni(OH)2/C was synthesized in different percentage using a sonic bath. No current densities variation during successive cyclic voltammetry experiments was observed. The Ni(OH)2/C electrodes exhibit a potent and persistent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of different alcohols. In addition, alcohols electooxidation occurs in less positive potential compared with noble metal catalyst.

Construção de uma célula de gás de baixo custo para análise no infravermelho

Infrared spectroscopy is a versatile technique used for qualitative and quantitative determination of all types of molecular species. As far as analysis of confined or flowing gases is concerned, different types of cell can be found in the market, but they are often very expensive. This study describes the construction of a very efficient gas cell with good reproducibility for qualitative infrared analysis of confined or flowing gases, using easily available and low-cost materials.

Craqueamento termo-catalítico da mistura óleo de fritura usado-lodo de estamparia têxtil para a produção de óleo com baixo índice de acidez

In this work, cracking experiments were performed to carry out the thermal conversion of the mixture of used frying oil and textile stamping sludge in continuous reactor. The textile stamping sludge was used to catalyze the reaction of thermal cracking. The physical and chemical properties of the oil produced were analyzed. Among the results of this analysis the level of acidity in the range of 12 mg KOH/g stands out. Low levels of acidity as this particular mean better quality oil. In this regard it is important that further researches on processes of conversion of residual oil occur.