Flavonoides e outras subst��ncias de Lippia sidoides e suas atividades antioxidantes

The chemical investigation of the ethanol extracts of stems, roots and leaves of Lippia sidoides led to the isolation of: steroid β-sitosterol, naphthoquinone tecomaquinone, monoterpene carvacrol, flavonoid 4',5,7-trihydroxyflavanone (naringenin), 3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavanone and 4',5,7-trihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone flavonoids mixture, and 3,4,4',6'-tetrahydroxydihydrochalcone-2'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and 4,4',6'-trihydroxydihydrochalcone-2'-O- β-D-glucopyranoside dihydrochalcones mixture. Their structures were characterized on the basis of spectral data, mainly ��H and 13C NMR (1D and 2D) and mass spectra. The ethanol extract and isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidative properties using the method of inhibition of free radical DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl).

A problematiza����o das atividades experimentais na educa����o superior em qu��mica: uma pesquisa com produ����es textuais docentes

Through the analysis of articles with proposals for experimental activities and with current pedagogical, epistemological and environmental discussion on experimentation by Chemistry professors, this paper investigates ways of highlighting relevant methodological characteristics that can be incorporated in experiments. Based on analysis of the suggestions for experiments it appears that of particular importance are: a concern for students' physical welfare and for the effects of residues; the need to confront an impoverished infrastructure that hinders experimentation; and the valorisation of clarifying student knowledge. It argues in favour of the need to set out the problems of experimentation in educators' professional development.

Tratamento do efluente do biodiesel utilizando a eletrocoagula����o/flota����o: investigação dos par��metros operacionais

Electrocoagulation/flotation process was applied to treat biodiesel wastewater using aluminium electrodes. Firstly, a literature survey was conducted to choose the process variables and then, operational parameters including initial pH, electrode distance and reaction time were tested. Experimental results showed the best parameter that can be used in a factorial design for further studies. The results indicate that electrocoagulation/flotation is very efficient to reduce oil and grease, the effluent was very clear after treatment and small amount of sludge was produced.

A problematiza����o das atividades experimentais na educa����o superior em Qu��mica: uma pesquisa com produ����es textuais docentes - parte II

Through the analysis of articles with proposals for experimental activities and with current pedagogical, epistemological and environmental discussion on experimentation by Chemistry professors, this paper investigates ways of highlighting relevant methodological characteristics that can be incorporated in experiments. 102 articles from national periodicals were analysed, all of which suggested experiments for use in Chemistry higher education. Based on analysis of the suggestions for experiments it appears that of particular importance are: visions, such as those that explain a belief that experimentation incentivizes motivation and conceptual learning; awareness of observation influenced by empiricism; and "errors" of students, which enrich their knowledge.

Investigação eletroqu��mica e calorim��trica da intera����o de novos agentes antitumorais biscati��nicos com DNA

Biscationic amidines bind in the DNA minor groove and present biological activity against a range of infectious diseases. Two new biscationic compounds (bis-α,ω-S-thioureido, amino and sulfide analogues) were synthesized in good yields and fully characterized, and their interaction with DNA was also investigated. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to measure the thermodynamic properties of binding interactions between DNA and these ligands. A double stranded calf thymus DNA immobilized on an electrode surface was used to study the possible DNA-interacting abilities of these compounds towards dsDNA in situ. A remarkable interaction of these compounds with DNA was demonstrated and their potential application as anticancer agents was furthered.

Nanotubos de TiO2 dopados com nitrog��nio: compara����o das atividades fotocatal��ticas de materiais obtidos atrav��s de diferentes t��cnicas

TiO2 nanotubes were synthesized by hydrothermal method and doped with three nitrogen compounds to enhance photocatalytic activity under visible light. Catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and specific surface area and pore volume determined by BET and BJH methods, respectively. Photocatalytic activity was evaluated by photodegradation of rhodamine B under visible and UV radiations. Results showed doped-nanotubes were more efficient under visible light. The best photocatalytic activity was for sample NTT-7-600/NH3I, being 30% higher than the non-doped sample.

Emiss��es naturais e antr��picas de nitrog��nio, f��sforo e metais para a bacia do Rio Maca�� (Maca��, RJ, Brasil) sob influ��ncia das atividades de explora����o de petroleo e g��s na Bacia de Campos

Emission factors of natural processes and anthropogenic activities were used to estimate nutrients and metal loads for the lower Maca�� river basin, which hosts the operational base for the offshore oil and gas exploration in the Campos Basin. The estimates indicated that emissions from anthropogenic activities are higher than natural emissions. Major contributing drivers include husbandry and urbanization, whose effluents receive no treatment. The increasing offshore oil exploration along the Brazilian littoral has resulted in rapid urbanization and, therefore might increase the inshore emission of anthropogenic chemicals in cases where effective residue control measures are not implemented in fluvial basins of the region.

Atividades biol��gicas dos ��leos essenciais de Endlicheria citriodora, uma lauraceae rica em geranato de metila

The essential oils of branches and leaves of Endlicheria citiodora were obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed using GC-FID, GC-MS and both NMR 13C and ��H, resulting in the identification of methyl geranate as major constituent (93%) in both oils. Cytotoxicity, tyrosinase-inhibition and antioxidant activities were studied and characterized. High antioxidant potential (15.52 and 13.53 ��g/mL), low cytotoxicity and tyrosinase inhibition (53.85%) were observed. This is the first paper reporting the biological activities and composition of the essential oils of this species.

Constituintes qu��micos das cascas do caule de Vochysia thyrsoidea Pohl. (Vochysiaceae) e avalia����o das atividades citot��xica e inibit��ria frente as catepsinas B e K

A new flavonoid, catechin-3-O-(3"-O-trans-cinnamoyl)-α-rhamnopyranoside, along with known compounds, catechin-3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside, 3-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzoic acid, 2-butyl-D-fructofuranoside and 1-butyl-D-fructofuranoside, has been isolated from the stem bark of V. thyrsoidea. These compounds were assayed for inhibition of protease activity (cathepsins B and K) and against cancer cell lines. Catechin-3-O-(3"-O-trans-cinnamoyl)-α-rhamnopyranoside showed moderate inhibitory activity (IC50 = 62.02 ��M) against cathepsin B while 2-butyl-D-fructofuranoside was the most potent against a strain of CNS (SF-295) and human leukemia (HL-60) with IC50 = 36.80 ��M and IC50 = 25.37 ��M, respectively.

Constituintes qu��micos e avalia����o das atividades antioxidante e anti-inflamat��ria das ra��zes de Sabicea brasiliensis wernh (Rubiaceae)

The phytochemical investigation of Sabicea brasiliensis roots led to the isolation of 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5- and 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinics acids, scopoletin, ursolic acid, a mixture of β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol, daucosterol and saccharose. The structures of the isolated compounds were assigned on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic methods and by comparison with literature data. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the crude methanolic extract and its fractions were analyzed.

Monitorando atividades enzim��ticas com sondas fluorog��nicas

Latent fluorogenic probes are essential tools for molecular and chemical biology, providing valuable information about enzymatic activity and occurrence. In this review, a brief outline of fluorophores and latent fluorogenic probes is given. Furthermore, advances and challenges in the development of fluorogenic chemical probes to visualize enzymatic activities (hydrolases and oxidoreductases) of biotechnological and biomedical interest are highlighted, including some methodologies for intracellular imaging.

Estudo qu��mico e atividades antiproliferativa, tripanocida e leishmanicida de Maxillaria picta

The chemical study of the orchid Maxillaria picta resulted in the isolation of the bioactive stilbenes phoyunbene B and phoyunbene C, in addition to four phenolic acids, one xanthone, steroidal compounds and two triterpenes. Crude extract, fractions, subfractions and the isolated xanthone were evaluated for anticancer activity against human tumor cell lines and against evolutionary forms of T. cruzi and L. amazonensis. The structures of the compounds were determined by GC-MS, and ��H NMR, 13C NMR spectral methods as well as bidimensional techniques.

Sedimenta����o de nutrientes e material particulado em reservat��rio sob influ��ncia de atividades de piscicultura no semi��rido do Rio Grande do Norte

Nutrient levels in water reservoirs have been increasing over the years worldwide and fish farming is one of the activities with the potential to cause negative impacts on these environments. Thus, the sedimentation of the main nutrients was evaluated in a reservoir as well as the contribution of aquaculture in raising these rates. The results indicated a significant difference for all nutrients, with higher concentrations in areas near the fish farming, and lower levels in more distant regions. Therefore, assessments that focus only on the water column do not reflect the true impact of this activity.

INVESTIGA����O DO USO DE ELETRODO DE CARBONO V��TREO MODIFICADO COM HEXACIANOFERRATO DE RUT��NIO PARA DETEC����O DE PROCA��NA

A glassy carbon electrode modified with ruthenium hexacyanoferrate (RuOHCF) was investigated as an electrocatalyst for the detection of procaine with the aim of quantification in pharmaceutical and forensic samples. The RuOHCF films were prepared by electrochemical deposition, and the parameters used in this process (concentration of RuCl3, K3Fe(CN)6, temperature, and number of cyclic voltammograms recorded in the modification step) were carefully optimized. Based on the optimal conditions achieved, the RuOHCF modified electrode allows the determination of procaine at 0.0 V with a detection limit of 11 nmol L-1using square wave voltammetry.

INVESTIGA����O DA SUPRESS��O DE FLUORESC��NCIA DE SORO ALBUMINA BOVINA E HUMANA POR COMPLEXO DE RUT��NIO

The binding of [RuCl2(L)] (L = N,N-bis(7-methyl-2-pyridylmethylene)-1,3-diiminopropane) to bovine and human serum albumin was investigated by the fluorescence quenching technique. The comparison of the quenching effect of serum albumin fluorescence by ruthenium complex allowed the estimation of subdomain IB in BSA and subdomain IIA in HSA as the binding sites for this complex. The results of fluorescence titration revealed that ruthenium complex quenches the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA through a dynamic quenching mechanism, while HSA has a static quenching mechanism. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that hydrophobic forces played a major role in the binding of ruthenium complex to proteins. The process of binding was a spontaneous process in which Gibbs free energy change was negative.