Adição de policloreto de alumínio e remoção de peixes bentívoros como técnicas de restauração de lagos rasos do semiárido brasileiro

Eutrophication is the most common cause of water quality degradation in the world. This process occurs by excessive nutrients inputs, nitrogen and phosphorus, to the aquatic systems resulting in algal and cyanobacterial blooms. In shallow lakes these effects are pronounced due to the higher interaction of the lake with watershed, air and sediment. There are innumerous restoration techniques of eutrophied lakes with a range of successful results but there is only one case of successful lake restoration in Brazil: Paranoá Lake in Brasília city. The Brazilian semiarid region has many artificial lakes, named açudes, which are mostly eutrophic and shallow lakes. The eutrophication in these lakes is reported and the phytoplankton community is dominated by potentially toxic cyanobacteria species, mainly Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. The aim of this thesis is to test techniques for water quality management which can be easily applied in Brazilian semiarid lakes. Results from a laboratory experiment suggest that the addition of a phosphorus sorbent clay associated with an aluminium based coagulant is an effective technique in removing soluble reactive phosphorus and reducing C. raciborskii growth rate – cyanobacteria potentially toxic dominant in reservoirs of Brazilian semiarid – but this effect is dependent on the biomass in the application moment. Results from a field experiment in mesocosm in a eutrophied lake showed that the addition of aluminium based coagulant and removal of benthivorous fish is more efficient in removing total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a from water column than the isolated application of one of the techniques. Lastly, laboratory tests showed that aluminium based coagulant exhibited good performance in removing turbidity and total phosphorus from water of six reservoirs but the efficiency was reduced by algal biomass and pH. The results of this study showed that the improvement in water quality of eutrophied reservoirs in semiarid region is possible through internal loading control by phosphorus precipitation and inactivation in sediments or inhibition of phosphorus release by benthivorous fishes, and also that these results show are additives in water quality improvement.

Adição de policloreto de alumínio e remoção de peixes bentívoros como técnicas de restauração de lagos rasos do semiárido brasileiro

Eutrophication is the most common cause of water quality degradation in the world. This process occurs by excessive nutrients inputs, nitrogen and phosphorus, to the aquatic systems resulting in algal and cyanobacterial blooms. In shallow lakes these effects are pronounced due to the higher interaction of the lake with watershed, air and sediment. There are innumerous restoration techniques of eutrophied lakes with a range of successful results but there is only one case of successful lake restoration in Brazil: Paranoá Lake in Brasília city. The Brazilian semiarid region has many artificial lakes, named açudes, which are mostly eutrophic and shallow lakes. The eutrophication in these lakes is reported and the phytoplankton community is dominated by potentially toxic cyanobacteria species, mainly Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. The aim of this thesis is to test techniques for water quality management which can be easily applied in Brazilian semiarid lakes. Results from a laboratory experiment suggest that the addition of a phosphorus sorbent clay associated with an aluminium based coagulant is an effective technique in removing soluble reactive phosphorus and reducing C. raciborskii growth rate – cyanobacteria potentially toxic dominant in reservoirs of Brazilian semiarid – but this effect is dependent on the biomass in the application moment. Results from a field experiment in mesocosm in a eutrophied lake showed that the addition of aluminium based coagulant and removal of benthivorous fish is more efficient in removing total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a from water column than the isolated application of one of the techniques. Lastly, laboratory tests showed that aluminium based coagulant exhibited good performance in removing turbidity and total phosphorus from water of six reservoirs but the efficiency was reduced by algal biomass and pH. The results of this study showed that the improvement in water quality of eutrophied reservoirs in semiarid region is possible through internal loading control by phosphorus precipitation and inactivation in sediments or inhibition of phosphorus release by benthivorous fishes, and also that these results show are additives in water quality improvement.

Estudo da redução de arrasto induzido por polímeros em escoamentos internos turbulentos em dutos

The flows turbulent and laminar are present in various applications of engineering and one of the villain of energy loss big is the surface friction. Currently, there are several research aimed for the study of reducing drag (DR) with the objective of developing effective methods to reduce the friction. Regardless of numerous research carried out until today, the phenomenon DR still remains in study not it is fully understood. This paper studied the drag reduction by polymer induction in turbulent internal flows in ducts. We constructed a testing bench to perform the analysis of drag reduction, the bench has basically two manometers with a 8.5 psi full scale, a peripheral pump 0.5 HP, an acrylic tank, valves and tubes pvc and is situated in the Laboratory Fluid Mechanics UFRN. Were used as polymer additives to polyethylene glycol 4000, the Polyox WSR N60K, Polyox WSR 301 and Polyox WSR 205. The rationale for the choice of these polymers is their wide application in situations requiring greater energy efficiency, such as the addition reducing polymers for the jet used by the fire department to achieve greater distances. The induced drag reduction polymers is investigated from the turbulent flow analysis, with Reynolds number in a range between 2×104

Estudo da redução de arrasto induzido por polímeros em escoamentos internos turbulentos em dutos

The flows turbulent and laminar are present in various applications of engineering and one of the villain of energy loss big is the surface friction. Currently, there are several research aimed for the study of reducing drag (DR) with the objective of developing effective methods to reduce the friction. Regardless of numerous research carried out until today, the phenomenon DR still remains in study not it is fully understood. This paper studied the drag reduction by polymer induction in turbulent internal flows in ducts. We constructed a testing bench to perform the analysis of drag reduction, the bench has basically two manometers with a 8.5 psi full scale, a peripheral pump 0.5 HP, an acrylic tank, valves and tubes pvc and is situated in the Laboratory Fluid Mechanics UFRN. Were used as polymer additives to polyethylene glycol 4000, the Polyox WSR N60K, Polyox WSR 301 and Polyox WSR 205. The rationale for the choice of these polymers is their wide application in situations requiring greater energy efficiency, such as the addition reducing polymers for the jet used by the fire department to achieve greater distances. The induced drag reduction polymers is investigated from the turbulent flow analysis, with Reynolds number in a range between 2×104

Estudo da obtenção de cerâmica composta de alumina e beta alumina sódica utilizando-se resíduo cerâmico de velas de ignição e pó químico de extintores de incêndio

Ceramic materials the alumina base are large industrial applications. They are required for these products, specific characteristics obtained by following strict criteria during the manufacturing process. However, after life, not always these products are reused by a suitable waste management process. In ceramist context, advance research aimed at the reuse of waste aimed at obtaining ceramics and composite materials, with marked reduction of conventional raw materials. Aiming to generate scientific, technological and environmental contribution, this work studied to obtain a composite of alumina ceramic (Al2O3) and sodium beta alumina (NaAl11O17 ), and as starting materials the residue of the ceramic insulator of spark plugs, as a source alumina (Al2O3) powder and unusable sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) of fire extinguishers, as a source of sodium oxide (Na2O). The final ceramic product was obtained from a conventional mixture of sodium aluminum oxide in appropriate molar proportions. Sample spark plugs were obtained, discarded by lifetime, specific to a manufacturer, which, after passing through mechanical stress (grinding, magnetic purification, washing, drying and grinding the high energy), which resulted in residue powder with ceramic content of 84.34 % alumina (Al2O3), found by FRX chemical analysis, the phases present and identified by DRX. The dry chemical fire extinguisher, baking soda-based (NaHCO3) with expired, was obtained through direct collection of the waste generated during maintenance. Subjected to heat treatment at 120 °C , the NaHCO3 powder was decomposed in sodium oxide ( Na2O), which, subjected to chemical analysis (FRX) and mineralogical (DRX) revealed a content of 86.62 % sodium oxide (Na2O) . In the following steps the experimental procedure, chemical formulations were made on a molar basis of the starting material (1:9, 1:10 and 1:11 de Na2O/ Al2O3) inclusion of additives, milling parameters, sieve analysis, dilatometry, conformation of specimens, sintering in firing steps at 800 °C , 1000 °C and 1.200 °C with varying stays 30 , 60 and 120 minutes in each of the levels. The characterization of the final product was made by the following physical tests: water absorption, porosity, linear shrinkage, mineralogical analysis by DRX and microstructural analysis by MEV. A higher formation of sodium beta alumina (NaAl11O17), in sintered specimens in levels of 1.200 °C and 120 minutes, despite the prevailing coexistence of alpha phase alumina (Al2O3). From the results obtained opens up prospects for the reuse of waste studied in this work, the potter context and in other technological areas.

Estudo da obtenção de cerâmica composta de alumina e beta alumina sódica utilizando-se resíduo cerâmico de velas de ignição e pó químico de extintores de incêndio

Ceramic materials the alumina base are large industrial applications. They are required for these products, specific characteristics obtained by following strict criteria during the manufacturing process. However, after life, not always these products are reused by a suitable waste management process. In ceramist context, advance research aimed at the reuse of waste aimed at obtaining ceramics and composite materials, with marked reduction of conventional raw materials. Aiming to generate scientific, technological and environmental contribution, this work studied to obtain a composite of alumina ceramic (Al2O3) and sodium beta alumina (NaAl11O17 ), and as starting materials the residue of the ceramic insulator of spark plugs, as a source alumina (Al2O3) powder and unusable sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) of fire extinguishers, as a source of sodium oxide (Na2O). The final ceramic product was obtained from a conventional mixture of sodium aluminum oxide in appropriate molar proportions. Sample spark plugs were obtained, discarded by lifetime, specific to a manufacturer, which, after passing through mechanical stress (grinding, magnetic purification, washing, drying and grinding the high energy), which resulted in residue powder with ceramic content of 84.34 % alumina (Al2O3), found by FRX chemical analysis, the phases present and identified by DRX. The dry chemical fire extinguisher, baking soda-based (NaHCO3) with expired, was obtained through direct collection of the waste generated during maintenance. Subjected to heat treatment at 120 °C , the NaHCO3 powder was decomposed in sodium oxide ( Na2O), which, subjected to chemical analysis (FRX) and mineralogical (DRX) revealed a content of 86.62 % sodium oxide (Na2O) . In the following steps the experimental procedure, chemical formulations were made on a molar basis of the starting material (1:9, 1:10 and 1:11 de Na2O/ Al2O3) inclusion of additives, milling parameters, sieve analysis, dilatometry, conformation of specimens, sintering in firing steps at 800 °C , 1000 °C and 1.200 °C with varying stays 30 , 60 and 120 minutes in each of the levels. The characterization of the final product was made by the following physical tests: water absorption, porosity, linear shrinkage, mineralogical analysis by DRX and microstructural analysis by MEV. A higher formation of sodium beta alumina (NaAl11O17), in sintered specimens in levels of 1.200 °C and 120 minutes, despite the prevailing coexistence of alpha phase alumina (Al2O3). From the results obtained opens up prospects for the reuse of waste studied in this work, the potter context and in other technological areas.

Prospecção química e avaliação biológica de Banisteriopsis laevifolia (Malpighiaceae)

The Banisteriopsis genus is widespread in traditional medicine. This work aims to contribute with information about the chemical composition and on the evaluation of the biological activity of the essential oil, the ethanol extract of the leaves and partitions of the Banisteriopsis laevifolia. The phytochemical screeningtest of ethanol extract and partitions of leaves indicated the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, phenols and steroids compounds. Nitrogenous compounds, characteristic of some species of this family, were not detected. Flavonoids were the predominant metabolite, with the highest concentrations on the partitions ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The antibacterial activity, antifungal and cytotoxicity of the essetial oil, ethanol extract and partitions were assyed by microdilution broth method (MBM), where the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were calculated. The ethanol extract and partitions did not inhibit growth against to Gram positive bacteria tested, with MIC less than 400 mg L-1. For the Gram negative bacteria tested, the hexane and hydroethanol partitios were more effective against F. nucleatum bacteria (MIC 100 ug mL-1). The ethanol extract showed antifungal activity with MIC of 31.2 mg L-1. Ethyl acetate and n-butanol partitions showed MIC 187.5 mg L-1 and 93.7 mg L-1, respectively, arousing interest for isolation studies. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH free radical method. The ethanolic extract, ethyl acetate and n-butanol partitions were active, since they showed EC50 values (4.53 ug mL-1, 4.07 and 8.39 ug mL-1, respectively), values equivalent to the BHT (7.3 mg L-1). The analysis by HPLC-MS/MS of the most active fractions (ethyl acetate and n-butanol) identified phenolic compounds (flavonols and phenolic acids) which exert recognized biological activity. The GC-MS analysis of the essential oils from leaves collected in two periods studied (dry and wet), showed a small variation in the number of compounds. The major classes identified for the oil collected in the dry period were aliphatic alcohols (23,4%), terpenoids (18.7%), sterols (10.4%) and long-chain alkanes (9.2%) compounds. Terpenoids (26.8%) were the major class for the rain season. The major compounds (3Z) -hexenol, phytol and untriacontano are present in the two seasons but in different amounts (19.4%, 9.8% and 7.5% during the dry season, and 17.0 %, 14.9% and 15.3% in the rainy season, respectively). The essential oil from rainy season was not effective against to the oral bacteria Gram positive and Gram negative tested. However, showed significant antifungal activity with MIC 1000 mg L-1 against Candidas. Thus, the promising results with respect to biological assays of ethanolic extract and partitions from B. laevifolia contributed to the chemical and biological knowledge of the species B. laevifolia.

Desempenho agronômico do milho com diferentes fontes e doses de nitrogênio

Nitrogen (N) is one of the major nutrients nutrients absorbed in corn crops, for this reason, nitrogen based fertilizers are expensive and suffer large losses to the environment. Therefore, a diversity of fertilizers, known as special or of enhanced efficiency fertilizers, has been commercialized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different sources and levels of nitrogen fertilization in coverage, for agronomic characteristics and corn grain productivity, cultivated in the Cerrado region. The experiment was installed in 2015, in Monte Carmelo-MG. The experimental design utilized was a RCBD with four replications. The treatments consisted of five N sources (common urea, polymerized urea, urea combined with NBPT (thiophosphate N-n-butiltriamida or N-n-butiltriamida of thiophosphoric acid), organomineral combined or not with NBPT), five topdress N levels (40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg ha-1) and a control (no N topdressing). The evaluated parameters were: the first spike insertion height (FSIH), plant height (PH), stem diameter (DC), number of rows per spike (RS), number of grains per row (GR), spike length (SL), spike diameter (SD), prolificacy (EP), 1,000-grain weight (TGW), leaf chlorophyll index (LCI), content of foliar nutrients, dry matter in aerial part of the plant (DM) and productivity (PG). The results showed that, with the exception of stem diameter, there was no significant statistical difference between sources of nitrogen, indicating that the organomineral source is as efficient as a mineral source. Regardless of the source, the addition of N fertilizers in increasing doses promoted enhanced development of corn plants, increased chlorophyll content, stem diameter, leaf N content, crude protein and productivity. For most phytotechnical features, there was no significant statistic difference in treatments compared to control.

Avaliação das Funções Executivas em Dependentes Químicos

The aim of this study was to investigate possible alterations in attentive functions and mental flexibility in individuals diagnosed with Addiction. The sample (n=40) was located for convenience, and included 20 individuals with addiction behaviors (G1), and 20 individuals who do not use harmfully psychoactive substances (G2). Assessment instruments used were: Experimental and Computerized Test of Continuous Performance, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. It was concluded that individuals in the G1 group had a poorer performance in all categories analyzed on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and in reaction time on the Experimental and Computerized Test (p<0,05), showing a deficit in mental flexibility and attentive functions, which may have direct implications on addictive behaviors and treatment.

Desenvolvimento de produtos alimentares com algas edíveis da costa de Peniche (Portugal): Chá de algas com elevado poder antioxidante

O chá é a bebida mais consumida no mundo depois da água, no entanto, é no continente Asiático que é mais consumido. Existem vários tipos diferentes de chá “descendentes” da planta Camellia sinensis. É uma bebida multifacetada e benéfica para o próprio consumidor, devido às suas propriedades organoléticas e propriedades benéficas para a saúde (presença de antioxidantes). Hoje em dia existe uma crescente procura por produtos inovadores, de elevada qualidade nutricional, nomeadamente produtos alimentares com propriedades diuréticas ou dietéticas. Por outro lado, os organismos marinhos têm-se revelado como fonte de compostos bioativos com elevado potencial. Nomeadamente as algas que têm demonstrado produzir moléculas, pelo seu metabolismo secundário, com aplicação alimentar, farmacológica, entre outras. Desta forma, o principal objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade da alga Fucus Spiralis, uma alga edível com elevado poder antioxidante, na transferência de antioxidantes durante a preparação de uma tisana, para o desenvolvimento de uma bebida inovadora “chá de alga”. Por outro lado, este trabalho teve também como objetivo fazer uma nova tisana “variante” do chá verde alga Fucus Spiralis. De modo a estudar o melhor processo para a secagem da alga, esta foi seca através de três métodos: liofilização, em estufa e no secador Tray-drier. Para os três métodos foram avaliados vários parâmetros químicos, como a quantificação de polifenóis totais, cor, aW e teor de humidade. As análises foram realizadas logo após a secagem. Ao longo do tempo (60 dias), foi também medido a quantificação de polifenóis com a alga embalada a vácuo e sem estar embalada a vácuo. Finalmente, adicionando a alga, o chá verde e aditivos alimentares, procederam-se a três diferentes processos de conservação: esterilização, pasteurização e filtração (filtro 0,22μm). Após estes tratamentos foi realizado um estudo microbiológico, a variação de cor e a quantificação de polifenóis totais ao longo de 30 dias. O menor valor obtido de aW foi observado para a alga liofilizada. Por outro lado os menores valores de humidade foram obtidos pela secagem por liofilização e pela utilização da estufa ventilada. A realização da tisana de Fucus spiralis revelou a libertação de antioxidantes em todos os processos de secagem e para todas as concentrações testadas (0,1g; 0,5g e 1g/300mL). No entanto, a libertação de polifenóis revelou-se apenas dependente do processo de secagem para a concentração de 0,5 g/300 mL, onde a quantificação total de polifenóis foi superior para o processo de liofilização (0,246 ± 0,049 mg equivalentes de ácido gálico/mL). Este valor não apresentou diferenças estatisticamente significativas com os polifenóis quantificados para a concentração de 1g/300mL. O armazenamento da alga Fucus spiralis ao longo de 60 dias em vácuo ou na ausência de vácuo não provocaram alterações na quantificação total de polifenóis e foi independente do processo de secagem. Durante os 60 dias ocorreu uma diminuição dependente do tempo dos polifenóis libertados para a tisana de alga. Esta diminuição foi particularmente acentuada até aos 15 dias. A formulação de uma tisana com 0,5g da alga Fucus spiralis e 0,5g de chá verde revelou-se, tendencialmente, com maior concentração de polifenóis de que uma tisana com 1 g de chá verde ou 1 g. Para a tisana com 0,5g da alga Fucus spiralis e 0,5g de chá verde o processo de esterilização e pasteurização não impediram o crescimento de microrganismo ao final de 30 dias de armazenamento da tisana. Contrariamente, o processo de filtração garantiu ausência de carga bacteriana durante os 30 dias de armazenamento. Por outro lado os níveis de polifenóis diminuíram ligeiramente ao longo do tempo de armazenamento, mas de um modo independente do processo de conservação. Desta forma, as tisanas de alga (Fucus spiralis) e chá verde desenvolvidas no presente trabalho, quando liofilizadas e filtradas, apresentaram um elevado potencial antioxidante, apresentando-se como um produto inovador para a indústria alimentar.

Avaliação da estabilidade físico-química de óleo alimentar suplementado com extrato de carqueja

A prevenção da oxidação lipídica, uma das principais causas de degradação de óleos alimentares, pode ser efetuada pela adição de antioxidantes. A preocupação pelo consumo de alimentos mais saudáveis e isentos de aditivos sintéticos tem contribuído para a crescente procura de antioxidantes naturais provenientes de plantas, que possam substituir os antioxidantes sintéticos em óleos e gorduras alimentares. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da adição de extrato de carqueja (Pterospartum tridentatum), em concentrações diferentes (500 mg/kg e 1000 mg/kg), na estabilidade físico-química de óleo alimentar submetido a três ciclos de aquecimento (9 horas cada) a 180ºC e de óleo armazenado à temperatura ambiente durante 30 dias. O extrato de carqueja foi obtido por extração em etanol, tendo-se alcançado um rendimento de 60,2%±0,225. Determinou-se a capacidade antioxidante do extrato de carqueja por avaliação da capacidade de redução do radical 1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) e pelo método de Folin-Ciocalteu. Os resultados demonstraram que o extrato tem uma atividade antioxidante de 61,7%±0,38 e um teor de compostos fenólicos de 22,4 mg de equivalentes de ácido gálico /g de extrato. A estabilidade físico-química do óleo alimentar foi estudada através da análise de diversos parâmetros, nomeadamente acidez, índice de peróxidos, índice de p-anisidina, absorvância no UV, índice de refração, cor e densidade. Os resultados evidenciaram um aumento de todos os parâmetros, com exceção da cor, ao longo do aquecimento do óleo bem como no seu armazenamento à temperatura ambiente. Este aumento foi mais relevante no óleo em processo de aquecimento uma vez que a 180ºC as reações de oxidação ocorrem mais rapidamente do que à temperatura ambiente. Observaram-se alterações mais acentuadas dos parâmetros físico-químicos no óleo sem extrato de carqueja comparativamente ao óleo suplementado com 500mg/kg e 1000mg/kg de extrato, comprovando-se o efeito do extrato de carqueja na redução da oxidação e, consequentemente, no aumento da estabilidade físico-química do óleo alimentar. O óleo suplementado com 1000mg/kg de extrato de carqueja revelou-se o mais estável à oxidação.

Nanotechnology in the food industry I: applications

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary science that is having a boom today, providing new products with attractive physicochemical properties for many applications. In agri/feed/food sector, nanotechnology offers great opportunities for obtaining products and innovative applications for agriculture and livestock, water treatment and the production, processing, storage and packaging of food. To this end, a wide variety of nanomaterials, ranging from metals and inorganic metal oxides to organic nanomaterials carrying bioactive ingredients are applied. This review shows an overview of current and future applications of nanotechnology in the food industry. Food additives and materials in contact with food are now the main applications, while it is expected that in the future are in the field of nano-encapsulated and nanocomposites in applications as novel foods, additives, biocides, pesticides and materials food contact.

Nanotechnology in food industry II: risk assessment and legislation

Currently, there is increasing use of nanomaterials in the food industry thanks to the many advantages offered and make the products that contain them more competitive in the market. Their physicochemical properties often differ from those of bulk materials, which require specialized risk assessment. This should cover the risks to the health of workers and consumers as well as possible environmental risks. The risk assessment methods must go updating due to more widespread use of nanomaterials, especially now that are making their way down to consumer products. Today there is no specific legislation for nanomaterials, but there are several european dispositions and regulations that include them. This review gives an overview of the risk assessment and the existing current legislation regarding the use of nanotechnology in the food industry.

Programa de prevenção indicada em jovens consumidores de cannabis

A cannabis é a substância ilícita mais consumida pela população jovem (EMCDDA, 2015). Devido ao aumento das prevalências de consumo desta substância, tem-se verificado um aumento do número de indivíduos que recorrem ou são encaminhados para os serviços de saúde tendo a cannabis como droga principal. Por este motivo, temos assistido a uma necessidade cada vez maior de se realizarem intervenções preventivas que proporcionem conhecimentos e competências que ajudem a lidar com o risco associado ao consumo de substâncias psicoativas (SICAD, 2013a). O principal objetivo da presente dissertação é avaliar a eficácia de um programa de prevenção indicada aplicado num grupo de jovens consumidores de cannabis através de uma avaliação pré e pós-intervenção. A amostra foi constituída por 10 jovens consumidores de cannabis, pertencentes à consulta de prevenção indicada do Centro de Respostas Integradas de Aveiro. A intervenção em grupo implementada foi avaliada através da aplicação dos seguintes instrumentos: ASSIST, AUDIT e SCL-90-R e a análise de dados foi realizada através do SPSS – Versão 19.0. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas ao nível da sintomatologia psicopatológica e de consumo entre as duas fases de avaliação do grupo de prevenção indicada. Contudo, observaram-se melhorias significativas no grupo de controlo ao nível de algumas subescalas psicopatológicas. Conclui-se que a intervenção individual foi mais eficaz do que a intervenção em grupo. Os resultados obtidos colocam em causa a pertinência de se realizarem intervenções em grupo neste tipo de populações.

Efectos de los procesos de ultrafiltración y de hidrólisis enzimática sobre las propiedades funcionales del plasma bovino deshidratado

En la Argentina la sangre obtenida del faenado del ganado bovino es considerada un subproducto de menor valor, a pesar de su alto contenido de proteínas de gran calidad. A diferencia de lo que ocurre en algunos países, en los cuales la sangre (o alguno de sus componentes) se utiliza como complemento alimenticio humano, en nuestro país sólo una pequeña fracción de la sangre recolectada es aprovechada, destinándola principalmente a consumo animal. En este trabajo de Tesis se evaluó el potencial como aditivo alimentario humano del plasma bovino deshidratado, un derivado de la sangre bovina que se utiliza únicamente como complemento nutricional animal. En la Primera Parte de este trabajo se obtuvo Plasma Desmineralizado mediante un proceso de diafiltración y se evaluaron algunas de sus propiedades funcionales (Solubilidad, Capacidad de Retención de Agua, capacidad de Retención de Aceite, Capacidad Emulsionante, Capacidad Espumante y Capacidad Antioxidante), comparándolas con las del plasma sin diafiltrar. Como resultado de las tareas llevadas a cabo en esta Primera Parte, se lograron establecer las condiciones operativas para efectuar el proceso de diafiltración de manera eficaz y se pudo evaluar el efecto de dicho proceso sobre las Propiedades Funcionales del plasma consideradas. La Solubilidad del plasma resultó alta en un amplio rango de pH, e incluso mejoró luego del proceso de diafiltración en algunos valores de pH. Los procesos realizados al plasma aumentaron su Capacidad de Retención de Agua; en cambio, su Capacidad de Retención de Aceite disminuyó. El plasma mostró una Capacidad Emulsionante acorde a lo descripto en la bibliografía; la diafiltración y la posterior deshidratación no la afectaron, pero sí aumentaron la estabilidad de las emulsiones formadas. El plasma mostró una gran capacidad para formar espumas estables, las cuales no resultaron afectadas por los procesos efectuados sobre el mismo. El plasma deshidratado original mostró una Capacidad Antioxidante similar a la descripta en la bibliografía. El efecto del proceso de diafiltración sobre la misma no pudo ser establecido. En la Segunda Parte de este trabajo se obtuvieron dos hidrolizados enzimáticos a partir del plasma, utilizando la enzima Alcalase, con diferentes grados de hidrólisis. Se evaluaron las propiedades funcionales de los hidrolizados, comparándolas entre sí y con las del plasma original. Como resultado de estas tareas se definieron las condiciones del proceso de hidrólisis, comprobándose la obtención de fragmentos proteicos y péptidos de distinto tamaño molecular. Con respecto a las Propiedades Funcionales, los hidrolizados obtenidos resultaron ligeramente más solubles que el plasma deshidratado original, y la hidrólisis con Alcalase afectó notoriamente a las propiedades surfactantes de las proteínas plasmáticas, tanto a la Capacidad Emulsionante como a la Capacidad Espumante. En cambio, la hidrólisis enzimática aumentó marcadamente la Capacidad Antioxidante del plasma deshidratado. Los hidrolizados obtenidos presentaron una actividad de secuestro de radicales libres significativamente mayor que la del plasma original, y esa mayor actividad antioxidante resultó asociada al menor tamaño de los péptidos obtenidos. En virtud de los resultados obtenidos, se concluye que el plasma bovino deshidratado, tanto en su forma original como desmineralizado, tiene potenciales aplicaciones como aditivo alimentario para mejorar algunas propiedades funcionales de los alimentos, y que los hidrolizados que se obtuvieron de él con la enzima Alcalase poseen una alta capacidad antioxidante, que los haría viables para ser utilizados como aditivos conservantes para prolongar la vida útil de los alimentos. De ser viable su uso en alimentos humanos, esto aumentaría el valor agregado de este subproducto de la industria cárnica. Por último, se discuten algunas líneas de trabajo que deberían realizarse para completar su posible implementación en la industria alimenticia humana.