UVA I-protection effectiveness of bioactive compound and organic UV filters: an in vitro assessment

This research work aimed at determining the UVA effectiveness (UVA I/UV ratio), by diffuse transmittance analysis, of sunscreens developed with a bioactive substance, the rutin, associating or not with organic UVB-UVA filters incorporated at a phosphate-base O/W emulsion. Sunscreens provided conflicting and unpredictable results concerning the anti-UVA protection, specially, at the UVA I region. Possible interactions among the organic UV filters and the polyphenolic bioactive substance may have accounted with improvement or reduction of UV protection by a complex and not yet elucidated mechanism, probably regarding wavelength delocalization to superior or inferior values, by resonant molecule stabilization or destabilization.

Aromaticidade: evolução histórica do conceito e critérios quantitativos

In this paper the evolution of the concept of aromaticity is discussed. It considers not only historical aspects of the aromaticity concept but also the different criteria (theoretical and experimental) that have appeared to explain the properties of the aromatic compounds. The topics range from the isolation of benzene by Faraday (1825) until the modern criteria based on geometries, magnetic properties, resonance energy (RE), aromatic stabilization energy (ASE), topological analyses, and others. A chronological separation of issues concerning aromaticity was made, splitting the definitions before and after the appearance of the quantum chemistry. This work reviews the concept of aromaticity.

Estabilização do ácido lipoico via encapsulação em nanocápsulas poliméricas planejadas para aplicação cutânea

This work reports the development of polymeric nanocapsules containing lipoic acid prepared by interfacial deposition of poli(ε-caprolactona). The suspensions showed acid pH and encapsulation efficiencies from 77 to 90%. Zeta potential values were from -7.42 to -5.43 mV and particle sizes were lower than 340 nm with polidispersion lower than 0.3. The stability of nanocapsules within 28 days was evaluated in terms of pH, lipoic acid content, diameter, size distribution, zeta potential and measurements of relative light backscattering. The stability of formulations containing free lipoic acid was also evaluated. Nanoencapsulation drastically improved the physico-chemical stability of lipoic acid.

Avaliação do uso de poli(tereftalato de etileno) (PET) como matriz de imobilização de cinzas de incineradores

Industrial hazardous wastes must receive appropriate treatment to ensure a safe disposal to humans and environment. One of the techniques adopted for this purpose is the stabilization/solidification in polymer matrices. This paper evaluated the use of recycled polyethylene terephthalate as an incorporation matrix of incinerator ash. The polymer and the ash were submitted to an extrusion process in different percentages. The final product was evaluated through thermal and leaching tests and the leachate extracts constituents were determinated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed a reduction in the release of substances up to 99% by mass for the conditions used.

Otimização de metodologia analítica para o doseamento de flavonoides de Bauhinia cheilantha (Bongard) Steudel

The present study examined the optimization of stabilization and extraction processes of the flavonoids of Bauhinia cheilantha (Bongard) Steudel. Four drying temperatures (room temperature, 40, 60 and 80 ºC) and seven extraction systems (distilled water, 100% methanol, 80% methanol, 100% ethanol, 80% ethanol, 80% acetone and 60% acetone) were examined. The results demonstrated a reduction in flavonoid levels with increasing drying temperatures; and 80% acetone, 80% ethanol, and methanol p.a extraction systems were found to be most efficient and its weren't differents statisticaly (p<0.05).

Avaliação (em escala laboratorial) da aplicação do processo eletrolítico em efluente de lagoa de estabilização de esgoto urbano

Physico-chemical and microbiological parameters were evaluated before and after applying an electrolytic process to effluents of a stabilization lagoon, in the presence or absence of "salt". Chlorine generation and bactericidal properties of the treatments were studied following two experiments. Effluent pH increased with electrolysis time. In the absence of "salt", 20 min electrolysis resulted in a COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) reduction of 44%, along with ca. 99.9% (3 log10 cfu/mL) reduction in total coliforms, heterotrophic bacteria and Escherichia coli. These results indicated that the electrolytic process is a promising complementary technology to improve effluent quality for stabilization lagoons.

Effect of the structure of commercial poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide) demulsifier bases on the demulsification of water-in-crude oil emulsions: elucidation of the demulsification mechanism

Water-in-crude oil emulsions are formed during petroleum production and asphaltenes play an important role in their stabilization. Demulsifiers are added to destabilize such emulsions,however the demulsification mechanism is not completely known. In this paper, the performances of commercial poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide) demulsifiers were studied using synthetic water-in-oil emulsions and model-systems (asphaltenes in organic solvent). No change in the asphaltene aggregate size induced by the demulsifier was observed. The demulsification performance decreased as the asphaltene aggregate size increased, so it can be suggested that the demulsification mechanism is correlated to the voids between the aggregates adsorbed on the water droplets surface.

Síntese e caracterização de beads acrílicos preparados por polimerização em suspensão visando aplicação como excipiente farmacêutico para compressão direta

One of the difficulties reported for the suspension polymerization is control the size and granulometry of beads. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the use of cellulose nanowhiskers and mesoporous silica as stabilizers to reduce the size and the particle distribution. To monitor polymerization process was used FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. The morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The particle size distribution was characterised using a CILAS granulometer. Thermal stability was studied by thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicated that cellulose nanowhiskers may provide stabilization and increase the thermal stability of the beads in contrast to mesoporous silica.

Desenvolvimento de metodologia para avaliar remoção de estrogênios em estações de tratamento de esgotos

The present research aimed to study the parameters that affect the determination of estrogens in sewage upon the use of SPE and determination by using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The study evaluated the stabilization pond technology with regard to estrogens removal. The results showed that the methodology was able to identify and quantify the estrogens E1, E2, E2-17A and EE2 in sewage. Moreover, the estrogens sometimes were not removed in the stabilization pond, showing that even the high hydraulic retention time (HRT) and high sunlight intensity were not enough to degrade these compounds completely during load peaks.

Investigating the spontaneous formation of SDS micelle in aqueous solution using a coarse-grained force field

A 1µs Molecular Dynamic simulation was performed with a realistic model system of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) micelles in aqueous solution, comprising of 360 DS-, 360 Na+ and 90000 water particles. After 300 ns three different micellar shapes and sizes 41, 68 and 95 monomers, were observed. The process led to stabilization in the total number of SDS clusters and an increase in the micellar radius to 2.23 nm, in agreement with experimental results. An important conclusion, is be aware that simulations employed in one aggregate, should be considered as a constraint. Size and shape distribution must be analyzed.

Os semimetais na origem e evolução da vida

Metalloids have characteristics between metals and non-metals which give them, in some cases, specific properties. At least two of this chemical elements, boron and silicon, are essential to a significant number of living organisms and since some years ago it has been observed that the same metalloids may be involved in the synthesis and stabilization of some molecules relevant to the origin of life.

SAPT: ligação de hidrogênio ou interação de van der Waals?

It is through the application of an electronic partition approach called Symmetry-Adapted Perturbation Theory (SAPT) that the nature of hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions can be unveiled according to the contribution of electrostatic, charge transfer, exchange repulsion, polarization, and dispersion terms. Among these, electrostatic partition governs the formation of the hydrogen bonds, whose energies are arguably high. However, the weakness of the interaction strength is caused by dispersion forces, whose contribution decisively lead to the stabilization of complexes formed via van der Waals interactions.

Oxidação de glicerol sobre nanopartículas de ouro suportadas em carvão ativado: monitoramento quimiométrico da reação por ESI-MS e MIR

A study on the monitoring of glycerol oxidation catalyzed by gold nanoparticles supported on activated carbon under mild conditions by chemometric methods is presented. The reaction was monitored by mass spectrometry-electrospray ionization (ESI-MS) and comparatively by mid infrared spectroscopy (MIR). Concentration profiles of reagent and products were determined by chemometric tools such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Evolving Factor Analysis (EFA) and Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR). The gold nanoparticle catalyst was relatively active in glycerol oxidation, favoring formation of high added value products. It was found that the reaction stabilization was reached at four hours, with approximately 70% glycerol conversion and high selectivity for glycerate.

Processo de estabilização de resíduos orgânicos: vermicompostagem versus compostagem

Two processes are used to stabilize organic wastes: composting and vermicomposting.There are no studies in the literature showing which process is most effective over the short term. In this study, 3 organic wastes were composted and vermicomposted for 90 days, and the parameters pH, effective cation exchange capacity, total organic carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, Ptotal, E4/E6 ratio, hydrophobicity and aromaticity indexes were determined. In all experiments, vermicomposted materials showed higher stability, proving a superior tool for stabilization of these organic wastes.

Desenvolvimento de reator tipo "dip catalyst" para filmes poliméricos contendo nanopartículas de metais de transição

This article describes the development of a new catalytic reactor designed to operate with nanoparticle-embedded polymer thin films. Stabilization of metal nanoparticles in films that serve as catalysts in organic reactions is relatively new; therefore, the development of reactors to facilitate their use is necessary. We describe in detail the preparation of the GDCR reactor-type "dip catalyst" and its evaluation in the Suzuki - Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of phenylboronic acid and 4-bromoanisole catalyzed by palladium nanoparticle-embedded cellulose acetate thin film (CA/PD(0)). Compared with earlier prototypes, GDCR reactor showed excellent results when operating with CA/PD(0) thin films.