Salga seca e úmida de filés de pacu (piaractus mesopotamicus)

The goal of this study was to evaluate the process of salting and dry salting of fillets in pacu (P. mesopotamicus), from cultivation in cages. Fillet with skin were salted at a rate of 40% of salt in relation of the initial weight, for a period of 10 days. After processing, were evaluated for microbiological and centesimal composition of fillets subjected to salting and determining the concentration of sodium chloride (NaCl) and calculation of income. The centesimal composition were evaluated the protein, ether extract, moisture and ash of the raw material fresh and processed products by salting. The microbiological analysis included the determination of coliforms at 45 degrees C, Salmonella and Staphylococcus coagulase positive. The pacus subjected to umided and dry salting were within quality control standards established by the legislation. The content of umided, protein, lipids and chlorides showed differences (p< 0.05) between the processes of salt. However both forms can be used for the development of technological processes of low investment by encouraging new options for fish consumption.

Electronic spectra, ESR and crystal structure of tetrahedral halocuprates(II). The existence of cations (2tbpo·H+) with a very short hydrogen bond

Two compounds [2tbpo·H+)2[CuCl4]= (yellow) and (2tbpo·H+)2[CuBr4]= (dark purple) (tbpo = tribenzylphosphine oxide) have been prepared and investigated by means of crystal structure, electronic, vibrational and ESR spectra. The crystal structure of the (2tbpo·H+)2[CuCl4]= complex was determined by three-dimensional X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the space group P42/n with unit-cell dimensions a = 19.585(2), c = 9.883(1)Å, V = 3790 (1)Å3, Z = 2, Dm = 1.303 (flotation) Dx = 1.302 Mg m-3. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by blocked full-matrix least-squares to R = 0.053 for 2583 observed reflections. Cu(II) is coordinated to four chlorides in a tetrahedral arrangement. Tribenzylphosphine oxide molecules, related by a centre of inversion, are connected by a short hydrogen bridge. Chemical analysis, electronic and vibrational spectra showed that the bromide compound is similar to the chloride one and can be formulated as (2tbpo·H+)2[CuBr4]=. The position of the dd transition bands, the charge transfer bands, the ESR and the vibrational spectra of both complexes are discussed. The results are compared with analogous complexes cited in the literature. © 1983.

Sulfur-containing palladacycles as catalyst precursors for the heck reaction

(formula presented) The air, water, and highly thermally stable sulfur-containing palladacycles, mainly derived from the ortho-palladation of benzylic thioethers, are exceptional catalyst precursors for the Heck reaction. The reaction can be performed with aryl iodides, bromides, and chlorides, with acrylic esters and styrene, leading to turnover numbers up to 1 850 000.

Sulfur-containing palladacycles: Efficient phosphine-free catalyst precursors for the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction at room temperature

Cyclopalladated compounds derived from the ortho-metalation of benzylic tert-butyl thioethers are excellent catalyst precursors for the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of aryl bromides and chlorides with phenylboronic acid under mild reaction conditions. A broad range of substrates and functional groups are tolerated in this protocol, and highly catalytic activity is attained.

Thermal analysis of conductive blends of PVDF and poly(o-methoxyaniline)

The thermal behavior of blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride), or PVDF, and poly(o-methoxyaniline) doped with toluene sulfonic acid was studied by thermogravimetic analysis, electrical conductivity measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Blends with thermal and electrical conductivity stabler than the conductive polymer alone were obtained. Nevertheless, degradation occurs after a long period of time (500 h) at high temperatures. The possible association of the conductivity decay with dopant loss, degradation and structural and morphological changes of the blend is discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Sodium and chloride requirements of young broiler chickens fed corn-soybean diets (one to twenty-one days of age)

Sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) nutritional requirements, dietary electrolyte balance (DEB), and their effects on acid-base balance, litter moisture, and tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) incidence for young broiler chickens were evaluated in two trials. One-day-old Cobb broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments, five replicates, and 50 birds per experimental unit. Treatments used in both experiments were a basal diet with 0.10% Na+ (Experiment 1) or Cl- (Experiment 2) supplemented to result in diets with Na+ or Cl- levels of 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 ,0.30, or 0.35%, respectively. In Experiment 1, results indicated an optimum Na+ requirement of 0.26%. Sodium levels caused a linear increase in arterial blood gas parameters, indicating an alkalogenic effect of Na+. The hypertrophic area of growth plate in the proximal tibiotarsi decreased with Na+ levels. The TD incidence decreased with increases in dietary Na+. Litter moisture increased linearly with sodium levels. In Experiment 2, the Cl- requirement was estimated as 0.25%. Chloride levels caused a quadratic effect (P ≤ 0.01) on blood gas parameters, with an estimated equilibrium [blood base excess (BE) = 0] at 0.30% of dietary CT-. No Cl- treatment effects (P ≥ 0.05) were observed on litter moisture or TD incidence. The best DEB for maximum performance was 298 to 315 mEq/kg in Experiment 1 and 246 to 264 mEq/kg in Experiment 2. We concluded that the Na+ and Cl- requirements for optimum performance of young broiler chickens were 0.28 and 0.25%, respectively.

Rheological properties of tin oxide suspensions

The rheological properties of tin oxide slurries were studied experimentally and theoretically. The deflocculants used were ammonium polyacrilate (PAA) and the copolymer poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) (PVB-PVA-PVAc), in water and ethanol, respectively. The amount of deflocculant was optimized for different solid contents by means of viscosity measurements. In spite of the high stability of PVB-dispersed slurries, a high solid concentration was not obtained. On the other hand, a slurry with a 56.4 vol.% of solids was attained when PAA was used. A theoretical study of the adsorption of PAA in its dissociated (basic solution) and non-dissociated (acidic solution) forms on SnO 2 (110) is presented. This analysis was made by means of the PM3 method using a large cluster Sn 15O 28 for the surface model. The calculated adsorption energy is larger for the ionized PAA than for the non-ionized form, indicating that alkaline slurries favor PAA adsorption on the SnO 2 surface. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stable and metastable ferroelectric polarization analyzed by the ramp voltage technique

The study of the stable and the metastable ferroelectric polarization of poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, was performed using two successive equal sign ramp voltages, mediated by a short-circuit period. Rates from 10 V/s up to 0.7 MV/s were used. Results showed that they follow different formation kinetics; that the stable part decreases for higher ramp voltage rates and its apparent coercive field increases.

Dietary electrolyte balance for broiler chickens under moderately high ambient temperatures and relative humidities

Cobb male broiler chicks (1,000) on new litter were used to evaluate effects of dietary electrolyte balance [DEB; Na+K-Cl, milliequivalents (mEq) per kilogram] under tropical summer conditions. Corn-soybean meal-based mash diets had salt (NaCl) alone or in combination with one or more supplements: sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), or potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3). A completely randomized design, with five starter and grower feed treatments (control: 145, then 130 mEq/kg; or 0, 120, 240, or 360 mEq/kg throughout) and four replicate pens (1.5 x 3.2 m) per treatment (50 chicks per pen), was used. Diets were analyzed for Na, K, and Cl for confirmation. There were no significant (P < 0.05) effects of treatments on mortality or processing parameters. Water intake increased linearly with increasing DEB, giving higher litter moistures and lower rectal temperatures. Blood HCO3 and pH increased with the highest DEB (360 mEq/kg) causing respiratory alkalosis. The DEB of 240 mEg/kg gave best weight gain and feed conversion ratio, and ideal DEB predicted by regression analyses were 186 and 197 mEq/kg from 0 to 21 d of age and 236 and 207 mEq/kg of feed from 0 to 42 d, respectively. These DEB corresponded to estimated (interpolated) values in predicted optimal 186 to 197 mEq/kg starter of Na 0.38 to 0.40% and Cl 0.405 to 0.39% (K = 0.52%), in 207 to 236 mEq/kg starter, Na 0.409 to 0.445% and Cl 0.326 to 0.372% Cl (K = 0.52%), and in grower Na 0.41 to 0.445%, Cl 0.315 to 0.267% (K = 0.47%).

Dietary electrolyte balance for broiler chickens exposed to thermoneutral or heat-stress environments

Ross male broiler chicks (n = 480) on new litter were used in a randomized block design with two blocks (environmental rooms) and four treatments having four replicate pens (1.0 × 2.5 m; 15 chicks) each to evaluate dietary electrolyte balance (DEB; P < 0.05). Two rooms were 1) thermoneutral (Weeks 1 through 6, with decreasing maximum from 32 to 25°C and minimum from 28 to 19°C; relative humidity 49 to 58%) and 2) cyclic daily heat stress (Weeks 1 and 2, thermoneutral; Weeks 2 through 6, maximum temperatures 35, 35, 33, and 33°C, respectively; and minimum temperatures 23, 20, 19, and 19°C, respectively; relative humidity 51 to 54%). The DEB treatments (0, 140, 240, or 340 mEq Na + K - Cl/kg) had NaHCO3 plus NH4Cl, or KHCO3, or both added to corn-soybean meal mash basal diets with 0.30% salt (NaCl). In the thermoneutral room, DEB 240 increased 42-d weight gain and 44-d lymphocyte percentage and decreased heterophil percentage and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio compared to the DEB 40 treatment. The DEB 240 diets had 0.35 and 0.35% Na and 0.37% and 0.29% Cl in starter (0.75% K) and grower (0.67% K) diets, respectively. No DEB treatment differences were found in the heat stress room. For combined rooms, 42-d feed intake was higher for DEB 240 than for DEB 40. The 21-d weight gain was higher for DEB 240 than for DEB 40 or 140; and 21-d feed/gain was lower for DEB 40 than for DEB 340. The predicted maximum point of inflection for 21- and 42-d weight gains were DEB 250 and 201, with highest 42-d feed intake at 220.

Photoelectrocatalytic production of active chlorine on nanocrystalline titanium dioxide thin-film electrodes

The production of chlorine and hypochlorite is of great economical and technological interest due to their large-scale use in many kinds of commercial applications. Yet, the current processes are not without problems such as inevitable side reactions and the high cost of production. This work reports the photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of chloride ions to free chlorine as it has been investigated by using titanium dioxide (TiO2) and several metal-doped titanium dioxide (M-TiO2) material electrodes. An average concentration of 800 mg L-1 of free chlorine was obtained in an open-air reactor using a TiO2 thin-film electrode biased at +1.0 V (SCE) and illuminated by UV light. The M-doped electrodes have performed poorly compared with the pure TiO2 counterpart. Test solutions containing 0.05 mol L-1 NaCl pH 2.0-4.0 were found to be the best conditions for fast production of free chlorine. A complete investigation of all parameters that influence the global process of chlorine production by the photoelectrocatalytic method such as applied potential, concentration of NaCl, pH solution, and time is presented in detail. In addition, photocurrent vs potential curves and the reaction order are also discussed.

Photo-oxidation of polyphenylenevinylene chains in Langmuir-Blodgett and cast films

Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives are well known for their applications in polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs). These derivatives are highly susceptible to photooxidation though, which is mainly caused by the scission of the vinyl double bond on the polymer backbone. In this work, we show that Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films are less degraded than cast films of a PPV derivative (OC1OC6-PPV). Both films had similar thickness (∼50 nm) to allow for a more realistic comparison. Photodegradation experiments were carried out by illuminating the films with white light from a halogen lamp (50W, 12 V), placed at a fixed dstance from the sample. The decay was monitored by UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopies. The results showed that cast films are completely degraded in ca. 300 min, while LB took longer times, ca. 1000 min, i.e. 3 times the values for the cast films. The degradation process occurs in at least two stages, the rates of which were calculated assuming that the reaction follows a first order kinetics. The characteristic times for the first stage were 3.6×10-2 and 1.3×10-3 min-1 for cast and LB films, respectively. For the second stage the characteristic times were 5.6×10-2 and 5.0×10 -3 min-1. The differences can be attributed to the more compact morphology in the LB than in the cast films. With a compact morphology the diffusion of oxygen in the LB film is hampered and this causes a delay in the degradation process.

The investigation of α→β phase transition in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)

The phase transition from the non-polar α-phase to the polar β-phase of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) has been investigated using micro-Raman spectroscopy, which is advantageous for being a non-destructive technique. Films of α-PVDF were subjected to stretching under controlled rates and at 80°C, the transition to β-PVDF being monitored by the decrease in the Raman band at 794 cm-1 characteristic of the α-phase, with the concomitant increase in the 839 cm-1 band characteristic of the β-phase. Poling with negative corona discharge was found to affect the a-PVDF morphology improving the Raman bands related to this crystalline phase. This effect is minimized for films stretched to higher ratios. Significantly, corona-induced effects could not be observed with the other experimental techniques, viz. X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy.

Evaluation of blood compatibility of plasma deposited heparin-like films and SF6 plasma treated surfaces

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Formation of silver chloride nanocrystals as a corrosion product of silver in H2SO4 solution

The purpose of this study is to characterize the corrosion product on the surface of silver, employing H2SO4 (0.5M) as electrolyte. The electrochemical parameters, Ecor, Icor, V cor and Rp were obtained after analyzing the potentiodynamic polarization curve in which two peaks were observed. The smallest (passive region) is attributed to the Cl- traces from the reference electrode, with micro-cracks. The second peak (in the transpassivation region) corresponds to the polarization curve of silver in H2SO 4 without contaminants. SEM images and EDS analysis reveal images of a surface layer on silver, consisting of structures containing sulfur, oxygen, silver and chloride, as the corrosion product. On this layer silver sulfate crystals were observed, which occurs during the formation of silver chloride nanocrystals with different morphologies, when chloride ions were added to the electrolyte medium. ©The Electrochemical Society.