Designer drugs: aspectos analíticos e biológicos

In the recent years, analytical toxicologists have been facing difficulties in detecting designer drugs due to the chemical modifications on the existing structures and the speed in which they are released into the market, requiring the development and improvement of specific and appropriate analytical methods. This work is a review of the literature which summarizes the characteristics of the drugs and the analytical validated methods using conventional and unconventional matrices currently used for correct identification and quantification of the following classes of emerging drugs of abuse: derivatives of opiates, amphetamines, tryptamines, piperazines and cannabinoids.

Aspectos analíticos da resposta do detector de ionização em chama para ésteres de ácidos graxos em biodiesel e alimentos

The analysis of fatty acid (FA) esters by gas chromatography and flame ionization detector (FID) normally uses the normalization method. However, if one FA is wrongly estimated, the results could be greatly affected. In this study, methodologies using internal standards and correction factors for the FID response are described. The results show that by using theoretical correction factors associated to the internal standardization, the quantitative analyses of the FAs are expressed in mass, increasing the accuracy and facilitating the interpretation and comparison of the results for foods and biodiesels.

Descoloração de corantes industriais e efluentes têxteis simulados por peroxidase de nabo (Brassica campestre)

The removal of important textile dyes by turnip peroxidase (TNP) was evaluated. The textile effluents besides the residual dyes contain also chemical auxiliaries such as salts, dispersing and wetting agents. The effect of these was evaluated in the removal of the dyes reactive blue 21 and reactive blue 19 by TNP in synthetic effluents. A decrease of the efficency decolorization was observed. The action of the enzyme on colour removal of dye mixture was equivalent to the dyes alone. The chemical demand of oxygen in the effluent after enzymatic treatment had a significant increase in relation to the untreated effluent.

Uso da RMN como um sensor online em processos industriais

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is one of the most versatile analytical techniques for chemical, biochemical and medical applications. Despite this great success, NMR is seldom used as a tool in industrial applications. The first application of NMR in flowing samples was published in 1951. However, only in the last ten years Flow NMR has gained momentum and new and potential applications have been proposed. In this review we present the historical evolution of flow or online NMR spectroscopy and imaging, and current developments for use in the automation of industrial processes.

Aspectos estruturais de algumas neolignanas hidrobenzofurânicas

The neolignans are defined as dimers of allylphenol and propenylphenol between itself or crossed, whose bond does not occur by the 8-8' carbons like lignans. This review centered on stereochemical aspects of the hydrobenzofuran type, a widespread skeleton among neolignans. The chemical structures established based on spectrometric data are registered in the literature. The absolute configurations reported previously were determined by chiroptical techniques. Some chemical transformations with neolignans, performed in previous studies, afforded products which are accumulated in other vegetal species and contributed to assign the unknown stereochemistry of these natural compounds. Possible biosynthetic pathways are also proposed.

Ocorrência de biflavonoides em Clusiaceae: aspectos químicos e farmacológicos

This work describes the biflavonoids found in species of Clusiaceae, particularly the genera Garcinia and Calophyllum, emphasizing the importance of these metabolites as chemical markers of this family, their contribution to the pharmacological potential of these species, besides the promising potential of these compounds in the search for new drugs.

Aspectos analíticos e regulatórios na determinação de resíduos de macrolídeos em alimentos de origem animal por cromatografia líquida associada à espectrometria de massas

This is an overview of LC-MS techniques applied for macrolide determination in food, including sample preparation and method validation, as well as the policies adopted by international agencies regarding their presence in food. Techniques for the analysis of macrolides in food normally include solid phase or liquid-liquid extraction followed by HPLC. UHPLC presents advantages in running time, detectability and solvent consumption. Triple-quadrupoles are the most common analyzers in instruments used for the determination of contaminants in food, but time-of-flight and ion-trap spectrometers have been successfully applied for analyses focusing on the investigation of structural formula or the presence of degradation products.

Nanotecnologia em medicina: aspectos fundamentais e principais preocupações

The recent advances in the development of nanomaterials have opened new and exciting opportunities for their applications in medicine. These applications include molecular imaging, drug-delivery, and photothermal therapy. Despite the progress in medicinal applications of nanomaterials, several key problems remain unaddressed. Recent advances in this area include the enhancement of sensitivity in early diagnosis and therapy, in addition to investigations into the possible toxicity of nanomaterials. However, since little is known about the toxicity of nanomaterials, the regulation of these materials is a slow and complex process. This paper reviews the current scenario in the applications of nanomaterials in medicine as well as the main concerns and regulatory questions.

Produção de hidrogênio via fermentação anaeróbia - aspectos gerais e possibilidade de utilização de resíduos agroindustriais brasileiros

Biological production of hydrogen through anaerobic fermentation has received increasing attention and offers a great potential as an alternative process for clean fuel production in the future. Considering biological systems for H2 production, anaerobic fermentation stands out, primarily due to its higher production of H2 compared with other biological processes. In addition the possibility of using different agro-industrial wastes as substrates opens up infinite possibilities. The development and implementation of sustainable processes for converting renewable materials into different value-added products is essential for the full exploitation of Brazilian agro-industrial wastes.

Aspectos taxonômicos de Uredinales infetando leguminosas utilizadas na arborização urbana do Distrito Federal

Seis espécies de fungos causadores de ferrugem, Diorchidium copaiferae, Ravenelia hieronymi, Sphaerophragmium acaciae, Esalque holway, Uredo sp. e Uromyces neurocarpi foram estudadas e descritas com o acréscimo de detalhes adicionais e correções em suas descrições originais. Várias características morfológicas foram revisadas sendo a maioria delas ilustrada pela primeira vez em microscópio ótico e eletrônico de varredura. As exsicatas foram depositadas na Coleção Micológica de Referência da Universidade de Brasília