Caracterização do MP10 e MP2,5 e distribuição por tamanho de cloreto, nitrato e sulfato em atmosfera urbana e rural de Londrina

Samplings of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) were carried out between the months of March and April of 2007, simultaneously in two areas of Londrina, an urban (Historical Museum) and other rural (Farm School-UEL). PM was collected using the cascade impactor consisting of four impaction stages (0.25 to 10 μm). The results indicated that the fine fraction (PM2.5) represented a significant portion of the mass of PM10 (70 and 67% in the urban and rural places, respectively). Cl-, NO3- and SO4(2-) were determined by ion chromatography and the size distribution is presented. Natural and anthropogenic sources were suggested to the ionic components in the fine and coarse mode of PM.

Contaminação de produtos de higiene e cosméticos por n-nitrosaminas

N-nitrosamines are carcinogenic compounds that have been found during the last three decades in a variety of consumer products, including cosmetic and personal care products, and their raw materials. These compounds are formed from amine precursors and nitrosating agents present in the formulations. This paper reviews the formation and occurrence of N-nitrosamines in cosmetic products, as well as presents considerations about analytical, toxicological and regulatory aspects.

Estudo da eficiência de degradação de tetracloreto de carbono por plasma térmico e caracterização dos produtos formados

Decomposition of carbon tetrachloride in a DC thermal plasma reactor was investigated in argon atmosphere. The operational parameters such as plasma torch power and argon flow rate versus CCl4 conversion were examined. The CCl4 net degradation was determined by GC-FID, the chlorine produced was quantified by iodometric titration, the solid carbon was characterised by Raman spectroscopy and by BET analysis. The solid carbon collected inside de plasma reactor was submitted to solid/liquid extraction and the desorbed species were identified by GC-MS.

Distribuição espacial de compostos orgânicos de estanho em sedimentos costeiros e em Phallusia nigra da Baía de Todos os Santos e litoral norte da Bahia - Brasil

Organic tin compounds were investigated in the sediment of twenty-four stations located in the Todos os Santos Bay and the north coast of Bahia - Brazil. The concentration of these organic tin was also determined in a ascidium species of Phallusia nigra. The speciation and quantification was performed by GC-MS/MS. The highest concentrations were: tributyltin (TBT) 438 ng g-1, dibutyltin (DBT) 207 ng g-1, monobutyltin (MBT) 423 ng g-1, diphenyltin (DPT) 25.8 ng g-1 and monophenyltin (MPT) 55.0 ng g-1. DBT and MBT were found in Phallusia nigra, with highest concentrations of 294.1 and 148.5 ng g-1, respectively.

Distribuição de Hg total e suas associações com diferentes suportes geoquímicos em sedimentos marinhos da margem continental brasileira: Bacia de Campos - Rio de Janeiro

Mercury distribution and geochemical support on the Continental Margin was evaluated at the Campos Basin, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The average concentrations for all analyzed elements were, respectively, 20 ± 5 ng g-1 (Hg); 30 ± 14 mg g-1 (Al); 16 ± 6 mg g-1 (Fe), and 254 ± 83 µg g-1 (Mn). Silt and clay content, total carbonate and Hg, and organic carbon increased with depth. Finally, the relationship between Hg and silt clay showed significant positive correlation. Total Hg concentrations are the background level described primarily (~40 ng g-1).

Uso de CLAE no controle de qualidade em produtos comerciais de Nim: reprodutibilidade da ação inseticida

The Neem tree, Azadirachta indica, provides many useful compounds that are used as pesticides. However, the efficiency in field of products like neem oil can be committed because they have not been observed reproductive content of secondary metabolic like azadirachtin. Based on reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) a new method was developed to permit the rapid quantitative analysis of azadirachtin from seeds, extracts and oil of Neem. In the present study it was evaluated the azadirachtin quantitative variation among various Neem's extracts and seeds showing the importance of quality control for reproduction of the insecticide efficiency, using S. frugiperda as target insect.

Projeto e construção de um picnômetro a ar para caracterização de insumos e produtos farmacêuticos

This paper describes a project, construction and test of a low cost air pycnometer, developed to be used preferentially in pharmaceutical research. A complete discussion of the construction, test and calibration of this equipment is presented and some measurements are made using pharmaceutical powders and dry granulations. The equipment performance has been estimated through its calibration curve, and the obtained value to its volume resolution is about 1%. This equipment is accomplished at the Applied Nuclear Physics Laboratory of University of Sorocaba (LAFINAU) in Sorocaba, SP, Brazil and it was denominated "Picnômetro a Ar Uniso - PICNAU".

HIV: mecanismo de replicação, alvos farmacológicos e inibição por produtos derivados de plantas

The AIDS epidemy has spread out and led to the diversification on the research for new antiviral drugs. Natural products, especially those derived from plants, are well-recognized as excellent sources of new drugs. Several of them have inhibitory activity against HIV replication, and some have been already clinically tested, with favorable results. This review presents the biochemical basis of the viral cycle and the research up to date on the identification, determination of the mechanism of biological action together with the therapeutical potential of plants-derived natural products, in the inhibition of HIV.

Lipídios como indicadores de fontes e distribuição de matéria orgânica particulada em um complexo estuarino-lagunar tropical (Mundaú-Manguaba, AL)

Fatty acids, alcohols and sterols were considered as markers of the source and distribution of particulate organic matter during the dry season in the Mundaú-Manguaba estuarine-lagoon system, NE Brazil. Lipid composition showed an overwhelming influence of autochthonous sources of organic matter in all system´s compartments, including the probable occurrence of algal blooms in specific areas. On the other hand, contamination by sewage was restricted to Mundaú lagoon. This scenario differed from known conditions observed in the wet season, illustrating the usefulness of the lipid biomarker approach for the characterization of other complex and dynamic systems in the Brazilian coastal zone.

Fontes e distribuição de matéria orgânica sedimentar no complexo estuarino-lagunar de Mundaú-Manguaba/AL, utilizando esterois e alcoóis como indicadores

The origin of the sedimentary organic matter in the Mundaú-Manguaba estuarine system was evaluated through the distribution and composition of sterols, alcohols and ancillary data. The muddy sediments of the lagoons are enriched in organic matter, derived from a mixture of autochthonous and allochthonous inputs. Mundaú exhibited moderate contamination by sewage, with coprostanol concentration as high as 4.4 µg g-1. The channels are characterized by sand and organic matter-poor sediments. The sediments from some rivers in the drainage basin accumulated organic matter derived only from terrestrial vegetation. Stanol/sterol ratios evidenced the preferential diagenesis of the autochthonous fraction of organic matter.

Desenvolvimento e validação de método analítico para determinação de benzoato, sorbato, metil e propilparabenos em produtos alimentícios utilizando a eletroforese capilar

In this work, a rapid and simple method using capillary electrophoresis (CE) was developed for the determination of the benzoate, sorbate, methyl and propylparaben in foodstuffs. A running buffer consisting of 20 mmol L-1 (pH = 9.3) tetraborate enabled separation of the analytes in less than 5 min. The detector wavelength was set at 220 nm. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of sodas, sweeteners, sauces and juices. The range of preservatives found were from 478.5-466.6 mg kg-1 for methylparaben , 83.7-231.3 mg kg-1 for sorbate and 336.7-428.3 mg kg-1 for benzoate.

Do engenho à biorrefinaria: a usina de açúcar como empreendimento industrial para a geração de produtos bioquímicos e biocombustíveis

A sugar cane mill is at the present moment a modest biorefinery producing few products such as sugar, ethanol and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). In the near future, this mill can expand its production using several renewable feedstock's to produce biofuels and high value biobased chemicals. However, the choice of appropriate products for addition to the portfolio is challenged by a lack of broad-based conversion technology coupled with a plethora of potential targets. The intent of this revision was to catalyze research efforts to expand the list of products and to present an updated evaluation of potential target structures for chemical production.

Definição de shelf life para produtos químicos: a importância de um guia de estabilidade específico para o segmento

The chemical industries worldwide are passing through a very particular moment of re-adaptation due to the implementation of an European regulation called, Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). In Brazil, the Brazilian Chemical Industry needs urgently a specific guide of chemical products stability. The main purpose of this work is to present a proposal of a guide of stability for chemical products based on the reference guides of the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH). Thus, this work proposes an innovation in terms of methodology which will be useful for shelf life definition purpose for chemical industry products.

Distribuição e assinatura isotópica de Pb em sedimentos de fundo da Foz do Rio Guamá e da Baía do Guajará (Belém - Pará)

Lead analyses in bottom sediments from the hydrographic system of Belem (Para) indicated low contents of this metal for the sediments from the Guama river, with no significant anthropogenic contribution. A concentration of 18.1 ± 1.5 mg kg-1 and 206Pb/207Pb isotopic signature of 1.196 ± 0.002 are assigned for Pb from natural sources. On the other hand, the significant increase of Pb contents in the sediments from the Guajará bay, together with the decrease of 206Pb/207Pb ratios (1.172 < 206Pb/207Pb < 1.188) point to an anthropogenic lead contribution, originated by the industrial and urban activities of the city of Belem.

Utilização de detecção por espalhamento de luz evaporativo para a análise de produtos naturais

The interest in the use of evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) for the analysis of different classes of natural products has grown over the years. This is because this detector has become an excellent alternative compared to other types of detectors, such as the refractive index detector and the ultraviolet (UV) detector. This review describes the basic principles of ELSD functioning and discusses the advantages and disadvantages in using an ELSD for the analysis of organic compounds. Additionaly, an overview, covering the last 23 years, of ELSD applications in natural products analysis (saponins, terpenes, carbohydrates, glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, peptides, polyketides, coumarins and iridoids) is presented and discussed.