Avaliação da estabilidade térmica e oxidativa do biodiesel de algodão e do efeito da adição de antioxidantes (α-tocoferol e BHT)

This work aims to study the effects of adding antioxidants, such as, α- tocopherol and BHT on the thermal and oxidative stability of biodiesel from cottonseed (B100). The Biodiesel was obtained through the methylical and ethylical routes. The main physical and chemical properties of cotton seed oil and the B100 were determined and characterized by FTIR and GC. The study of the efficiency of antioxidants, mentioned above, in concentrations of 200, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000ppm, to thermal and oxidative stability, was achieved by Thermogravimetry (TG), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Differential Scanning Calorimetry - Hi-Pressure (P-DSC) and Rancimat. The Biodiesel obtained are within the specifications laid down by Resolution of ANP No7/2008. The results of TG curves show that the addition of both antioxidants, even in the lowest concentration, increases the thermal stability of Biodieseis. Through the DTA and DSC it was possible to study the physical and chemical transitions occurred in the process of volatilization and decomposition of the material under study. The initial time (OT) and temperature (Tp) of oxidation were determined through the P-DSC curve and they showed that the α-tocopherol has a pro-oxidant behavior for some high concentrations. The BHT showed better results than the α-tocopherol, with regard to the resistance to oxidation

Caracterização de resíduo sólido formado em biodiesel de sebo bovino

Biodiesel production has increased over the last decade because of the benefits associated with this fuel, including renewability, domestic feedstock, lower toxicity, and biodegradability. From 2008, the use of beef tallow as a feedstock for biodiesel production in Brazil has increased in significance, representing the second largest source of biodiesel, after soybeans. However, the performance of biodiesel in cold weather conditions is worse than diesel because of deposition of insoluble at low temperatures, accelerating the plugging of fuel filters and injectors of the vehicle engine. Studies have been conducted on beef tallow biodiesel, mostly related to the properties of thermal and oxidative stability. However, few studies have described the nature of the precipitate formed and its influence on product quality. Research suggests that the cause of deposition is related to the nature of saturated esters and monoacylglycerols as inducing agents. This study monitored the levels of mono-, diand triacylglycerols, the oxidation stability and the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) in beef tallow biodiesel samples from two commercial producers in Brazil for a period of twelve months. Filtered precipitates were analyzed by comparative techniques of GCFID, HPLC-UV/VIS, HPLC-MS-IT-TOF and TG to verify the nature, using monopalmitin and monostearin as reference standards. The formation of precipitate reduced the levels of monoacylglycerols in the beef tallow biodiesel. GC-FID and LCMS- IT-TOF results confirmed the nature of the deposit as saturated monoacylglycerols, predominantly monostearin and monopalmitin as the second major component. Moreover the TG analysis of the residue indicated similar thermal decomposition of the reference standards. The precipitate did not affect the oxidation stability of beef tallow biodiesel and the CFPP characteristic of blends up B60. However, the presence of iron reduced significantly the oxidation stability of biodiesel

Caracterização de resíduo sólido formado em biodiesel de sebo bovino

Biodiesel production has increased over the last decade because of the benefits associated with this fuel, including renewability, domestic feedstock, lower toxicity, and biodegradability. From 2008, the use of beef tallow as a feedstock for biodiesel production in Brazil has increased in significance, representing the second largest source of biodiesel, after soybeans. However, the performance of biodiesel in cold weather conditions is worse than diesel because of deposition of insoluble at low temperatures, accelerating the plugging of fuel filters and injectors of the vehicle engine. Studies have been conducted on beef tallow biodiesel, mostly related to the properties of thermal and oxidative stability. However, few studies have described the nature of the precipitate formed and its influence on product quality. Research suggests that the cause of deposition is related to the nature of saturated esters and monoacylglycerols as inducing agents. This study monitored the levels of mono-, diand triacylglycerols, the oxidation stability and the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) in beef tallow biodiesel samples from two commercial producers in Brazil for a period of twelve months. Filtered precipitates were analyzed by comparative techniques of GCFID, HPLC-UV/VIS, HPLC-MS-IT-TOF and TG to verify the nature, using monopalmitin and monostearin as reference standards. The formation of precipitate reduced the levels of monoacylglycerols in the beef tallow biodiesel. GC-FID and LCMS- IT-TOF results confirmed the nature of the deposit as saturated monoacylglycerols, predominantly monostearin and monopalmitin as the second major component. Moreover the TG analysis of the residue indicated similar thermal decomposition of the reference standards. The precipitate did not affect the oxidation stability of beef tallow biodiesel and the CFPP characteristic of blends up B60. However, the presence of iron reduced significantly the oxidation stability of biodiesel

Estudo da influência do biodiesel de mamona como aditivo antioxidante para o biodiesel de girassol e soja

Biodiesel is a fuel made up by mono-alkyl-esters of long chain fatty acids, derived from vegetable oils or animal fat. This fuel can be used in compression ignition engines for automotive propulsion or energy generation, as a partial or total substitute of fossil diesel fuel. Biodiesel can be processed from different mechanisms. Transesterification is the most common process for obtaining biodiesel, in which an ester compound reacts with an alcohol to form a new ester and a new alcohol. These reactions are normally catalyzed by the addition of an acid or a base. Initially sunflower, castor and soybean oil physicochemical properties are determined according to standard test methods, to evaluate if they had favorable conditions for use as raw material in the transesterification reaction. Sunflower, castor and soybean biodiesel were obtained by the methylic transesterification route in the presence of KOH and presented a yield above 93% m/m. The sunflower/castor and soybean/castor blends were studied with the aim of evaluating the thermal and oxidative stability of the biofuels. The biodiesel and blends were characterized by acid value, iodine value, density, flash point, sulfur content, and content of methanol and esters by gas chromatography (GC). Also studies of thermal and oxidative stability by Thermogravimetry (TG), Differential Scanning Calorimetry High Pressure (P-DSC) and dynamic method exothermic and Rancimat were carried out. Biodiesel sunflower and soybean are presented according to the specifications established by the Resolution ANP no 7/2008. Biodiesel from castor oil, as expected, showed a high density and kinematic viscosity. For the blends studied, the concentration of castor biodiesel to increased the density, kinematic viscosity and flash point. The addition of castor biodiesel as antioxidant in sunflower and soybean biodiesels is promising, for a significant improvement in resistance to autoxidation and therefore on its oxidative stability. The blends showed that compliance with the requirements of the ANP have been included in the range of 20-40%. This form may be used as a partial substitute of fossil diesel

Degradação térmica e catalítica do resíduo atmosférico de petróleo (RAT), utilizando materiais nanoestruturados do tipo SBA-15

In this work were synthesized and characterized the materials mesoporous SBA-15 and Al- SBA-15, Si / Al = 25, 50 and 75, discovered by researchers at the University of California- Santa Barbara, USA, with pore diameters ranging from 2 to 30 nm and wall thickness from 3.1 to 6.4 nm, making these promising materials in the field of catalysis, particularly for petroleum refining (catalytic cracking), as their mesopores facilitate access of the molecules constituting the oil to active sites, thereby increasing the production of hydrocarbons in the range of light and medium. To verify that the materials used as catalysts were successfully synthesized, they were characterized using techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), absorption spectroscopy in the infrared Fourier transform (FT-IR) and adsorption nitrogen (BET). Aiming to check the catalytic activity thereof, a sample of atmospheric residue oil (ATR) from the pole Guamaré-RN was performed the process by means of thermogravimetry and thermal degradation of catalytic residue. Upon the curves, it was observed a reduction in the onset temperature of the decomposition process of catalytic ATR. For the kinetic model proposed by Flynn-Wall yielded some parameters to determine the apparent activation energy of decomposition, being shown the efficiency of mesoporous materials, since there was a decrease in the activation energy for the reactions using catalysts. The ATR was also subjected to pyrolysis process using a pyrolyzer with gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer. Through the chromatograms obtained, there was an increase in the yield of the compounds in the range of gasoline and diesel from the catalytic pyrolysis, with emphasis on Al-SBA-15 (Si / Al = 25), which showed a percentage higher than the other catalysts. These results are due to the fact that the synthesized materials exhibit specific properties for application in the process of pyrolysis of complex molecules and high molecular weight as constituents of the ATR

Reciclagem química de Polietileno utilizando Sílica Mesoporosa tipo SBA-15 avalizada por Termogravimetriae Espectrometria de Massas

The chemical recycling of polyolefins has been the focus of increasing attention owing potential application as a fuel and as source chemicals. The use of plastic waste contributes to the solution of pollution problems.The use of catalysts can enhance the thermal degradation of synthetic polymers, which may be avaliated by Themogravimetry (TG) and mass spectrometry (MS) combined techniques. This work aims to propose alternatives to the chemistry recycling of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) on mesoporous silica type SBA-15 and AlSBA-15.The mesoporous materials type SBA-15 and AlSBA-15 were synthesized through the hydrothermal method starting from TEOS, pseudobohemite, cloridric acid HCl and water. As structure template was used Pluronic P123. The syntheses were accomplished during the period of three days. The best calcination conditions for removal of the organic template (P123) were optimized by thermal analysis (TG/DTG) and through analyses of Xray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nitrogen adsorption and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was verified that as much the hydrothermal synthesis method as the calcination by TG were promising for the production of mesoporous materials with high degree of hexagonal ordination. The general analysis of the method of Analog Scan was performed at 10oC/min to 500 oC to avoid deterioration of capillary with very high temperatures. Thus, with the results, we observed signs mass/charge more evident and, using the MID method, was obtained curve of evolution of these signals. The addition of catalysis produced a decrease in temperature of polymer degradation proportional to the acidity of the catalyst. The results showed that the mesoporous materials contributed to the formation of compounds of lower molecular weight and higher value in the process of catalytic degradation of LDPE, representing an alternative to chemical recycling of solid waste

Biomarkers for oxidative stress in acute lung injury induced in rabbits submitted to different strategies of mechanical ventilation

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

Analyse titanium surface irradiated with laser, with and without deposited of durapatite

OBJETIVO: Estudar a superfície de implantes osseointegráveis utilizando discos de titânio irradiados com feixe de laser. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi irradiada com feixes de laser de alta intensidade (Nd-YAG), posteriormente depositado hidróxiapatita e submetido a tratamento térmico. Foi analisada sob MEV (Microscópio Eletrônico de Varredura) e realizada análise morfológica qualitativa com microfotografias em vários aumentos. RESULTADOS: A superfície irradiada com laser apresentou deformidade superficial e característica isomórfica; a aplicação de hidroxiapatita pelo método de biomimético aumentou quantitativamente a área da superfície de titânio. CONCLUSÃO: A deposição de hidroxiapatita apresentou melhor característica isomórfica e aumento quantitativo da área superficial estudada, a amostra demonstrou características não encontradas nos implantes disposto no mercado.

Platelet-rich plasma stimulates cytokine expression and alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-derived osteosarcoma cells

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

Higher respiratory activity decreases mitochondrial reactive oxygen release and increases life span in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Increased replicative longevity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae because of calorie restriction has been linked to enhanced mitochondrial respiratory activity. Here we have further investigated how mitochondrial respiration affects yeast life span. We found that calorie restriction by growth in low glucose increased respiration but decreased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production relative to oxygen consumption. Calorie restriction also enhanced chronological life span. The beneficial effects of calorie restriction on mitochondrial respiration, reactive oxygen species release, and replicative and chronological life span could be mimicked by uncoupling agents such as dinitrophenol. Conversely, chronological life span decreased in cells treated with antimycin (which strongly increases mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation) or in yeast mutants null for mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (which removes superoxide radicals) and for RTG2 (which participates in retrograde feedback signaling between mitochondria and the nucleus). These results suggest that yeast aging is linked to changes in mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative stress and that mild mitochondrial uncoupling can increase both chronological and replicative life span.

Identification and characterization of excretory/secretory products of Giardia duodenalis trophozoites

One of the major questions concerning Giardia is the understanding of pathophysiological processes associated with small intestine abnormalities. There are evidences that Giardia trophozoites contain and/or release proteolytic enzymes that may be implicated in the host intestinal epithelium. The present investigation was undertaken to examine the protease activity in excretory/secretory (E/S) products of Giardia duodenalis trophozoites of an axenic Brazilian strain (BTU-11) and the reference strain Portland 1 (P1). E/S products from trophozoites of each strain in conditioned medium were tested with sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) for the protein profiles, and the protease activity was analyzed using substrate-impregnated SDS-PAGE (gelatin and collagen) and hemoglobin assay. The proteases characterization was based on inhibition assays including synthetic inhibitors. Electrophoresis analysis of E/S products revealed a banding pattern composed by few bands (4 to 6 bands) in the migration region of 123 to 28 kDa. Proteolytic products were detected in the conditioned medium by trophozoites of both assayed strains. In the gels containing copolymerized gelatin and collagen, E/S products promoted substrate degradation and the most evident proteolysis zones were distributed in the migration regions of 77 to 18 kDa and 145 to 18 kDa, respectively, in the patterns of gelatinolytic and collagenolytic activities. Degradation of hemoglobin was also observed, and the pattern of hydrolysis was similar in both E/S products assayed. Inhibitor assays showed that the main proteolytic activity in both E/S products is due to cysteine proteases, although the presence of serine proteases was also indicated. Degradation of substrates including collagen and hemoglobin could lead us to speculate different functions of Giardia excreted/secreted proteases in vivo, but to confirm this possibility and to elucidate its implication on host-parasite interactions, further experiments applying protocols for the purification of proteases are necessary. Even so, our observations are relevant and hold the perspective for the understanding about protease activity in Giardia trophozoites of axenic strain isolated in an endemic area.

Effects of season, temperature, and body mass on the standard metabolic rate of tegu lizards (Tupinambis merianae)

This study examined how the standard metabolic rate of tegu lizards, a species that undergoes large ontogenetic changes in body weight with associated changes in life-history traits, is affected by changes in body mass, body temperature, season, and life-history traits. We measured rates of oxygen consumption ((V) over dot o(2)) in 90 individuals ranging in body mass from 10.4. g to 3.75 kg at three experimental temperatures ( 17 degrees, 25 degrees, and 30 degrees C) over the four seasons. We found that standard metabolic rate scaled to the power of 0.84 of body mass at all experimental temperatures in all seasons and that thermal sensitivity of metabolism was relatively low (Q(10) approximate to 2.0-2.5) over the range from 17 degrees to 30 degrees C regardless of body size or season. Metabolic rates did vary seasonally, being higher in spring and summer than in autumn and winter at the same temperatures, and this was true regardless of animal size. Finally, in this study, the changes in life-history traits that occurred ontogenetically were not accompanied by significant changes in metabolic rate.

Production and characterization of glucoamylase from fungus Aspergillus awamori expressed in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae using different carbon sources

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

RNA interference inhibits yellow fever virus replication in vitro and in vivo

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

Purification and characterization of an exo-polygalacturonase produced by Penicillium viridicatum RFC3 in solid-state fermentation

The pectinolytic enzyme obtained from Penicillium viridicatum RFC by solid-state fermentation was purified to homogeneity by pretreatment with kaolin (40 mg mL(-1) ) and ultrafiltration. followed by chromatography on a Sephadex G50 column. The apparent molecular weight of the enzyme was 24 kDa. Maximal activity occurred at pH 6.0 and at 60 degrees C. The enzyme proved to be an exo-polygalacturonase, releasing galacturonic acid by hydrolysis of highly esterified pectin. The presence of 10 mM Ba2+ increased the enzyme activity by 96% and its thermal stability by 30%. besides increasing its stability at acid pH. The apparent K-m with apple pectin as substrate was 1.82 mg mL(-1) and the V-max was 81 mu mol min(-1). (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.