Valorization of an Industrial Organosolv-Sugarcane Bagasse Lignin: Characterization and Use as a Matrix in Biobased Composites Reinforced With Sisal Fibers

In the present study, the main focus was the characterization and application of the by-product lignin isolated through an industrial organosolv acid hydrolysis process from sugarcane bagasse, aiming at the production of bioethanol. The sugarcane lignin was characterized and used to prepare phenolic-type resins. The analysis confirmed that the industrial sugarcane lignin is of HGS type, with a high proportion of the less substituted aromatic ring p-hydroxyphenyl units, which favors further reaction with formaldehyde. The lignin-formaldehyde resins were used to produce biobased composites reinforced with different proportions of randomly distributed sisal fibers. The presence of lignin moieties in both the fiber and matrix increases their mutual affinity, as confirmed by SEM images, which showed good adhesion at the biocomposite fiber/matrix interface. This in turn allowed good load transference from the matrix to the fiber, leading to biobased composites with good impact strength (near 500 J m(-1) for a 40 wt% sisal fiber-reinforced composite). The study demonstrates that sugarcane bagasse lignin obtained from a bioethanol plant can be used without excessive purification in the preparation of lignocellulosic fiber-reinforced biobased composites displaying high mechanical properties. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107: 612-621. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Modelo de otimização para seleção de árvores matrizes de Eucalyptus grandis

Individual data of basic density and volume of wood, pulp kappa number, soluble lignin, cost of pulping process as well as gravimetric gross yield of pulping process were used from 64 trees of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden from a commercial population at Lençóis Paulista, SP. The Eucalyptus grandis's seeds were originally from a Seed Production Area (SPA) of Duratex S/A at Botucatu, SP. Obtained data were quantified considering objective of maximization no-bleaching pulp and volume and mass wood restriction, mass of residual and soluble lignin, planted area and pulping process cost. it has also been aimed a selection method for matrix trees through mathematical programming techniques. Obtained strategy maximized the economical result, selected matrix trees and followed all limits of technological and organizing productivities imposed by the company. It also aimed the production of no-bleaching pulp within the planned time.

The Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Activator Bay 60-2770 Potently Relaxes The Pulmonary Artery On Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Rabbit Model.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with pulmonary hypertension which is often difficult to manage, and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In this study, we have used a rabbit model of CDH to evaluate the effects of BAY 60-2770 on the in vitro reactivity of left pulmonary artery. CDH was performed in New Zealand rabbit fetuses (n = 10 per group) and compared to controls. Measurements of body, total and left lung weights (BW, TLW, LLW) were done. Pulmonary artery rings were pre-contracted with phenylephrine (10 μM), after which cumulative concentration-response curves to glyceryl trinitrate (GTN; NO donor), tadalafil (PDE5 inhibitor) and BAY 60-2770 (sGC activator) were obtained as well as the levels of NO (NO3/NO2). LLW, TLW and LBR were decreased in CDH (p < 0.05). In left pulmonary artery, the potency (pEC50) for GTN was markedly lower in CDH (8.25 ± 0.02 versus 9.27 ± 0.03; p < 0.01). In contrast, the potency for BAY 60-2770 was markedly greater in CDH (11.7 ± 0.03 versus 10.5 ± 0.06; p < 0.01). The NO2/NO3 levels were 62 % higher in CDH (p < 0.05). BAY 60-2770 exhibits a greater potency to relax the pulmonary artery in CDH, indicating a potential use for pulmonary hypertension in this disease.

Bay 41-2272, A Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator, Relaxes Isolated Human Ureter In A Standardized In Vitro Model.

To characterize the relaxation induced by BAY 41-2272 in human ureteral segments. Ureter specimens (n = 17) from multiple organ human deceased donors (mean age 40 ± 3.2 years, male/female ratio 2:1) were used to characterize the relaxing response of BAY 41-2272. Immunohistochemical analysis for endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthase, guanylate cyclase stimulator (sGC) and type 5 phosphodiesterase was also performed. The potency values were determined as the negative log of the molar to produce 50% of the maximal relaxation in potassium chloride-precontracted specimens. The unpaired Student t test was used for the comparisons. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in vessel endothelia and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in urothelium and nerve structures. sGC was expressed in the smooth muscle and urothelium layer, and type 5 phosphodiesterase was present in the smooth muscle only. BAY 41-2272 (0.001-100 μM) relaxed the isolated ureter in a concentration dependent manner, with a potency and maximal relaxation value of 5.82 ± 0.14 and 84% ± 5%, respectively. The addition of nitric oxide synthase and sGC inhibitors reduced the maximal relaxation values by 21% and 45%, respectively. However, the presence of sildenafil (100 nM) significantly potentiated (6.47 ± 0.10, P <.05) this response. Neither glibenclamide or tetraethylammonium nor ureteral urothelium removal influenced the relaxation response by BAY 41-2272. BAY 41-2272 relaxes the human isolated ureter in a concentration-dependent manner, mainly by activating the sGC enzyme in smooth muscle cells rather than in the urothelium, although a cyclic guanosine monophosphate-independent mechanism might have a role. The potassium channels do not seem to be involved.

Immobilization Of Papain On Chitin And Chitosan And Recycling Of Soluble Enzyme For Deflocculation Of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae From Bioethanol Distilleries.

Yeast flocculation (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is one of the most important problems in fuel ethanol production. Yeast flocculation causes operational difficulties and increase in the ethanol cost. Proteolytic enzymes can solve this problem since it does not depend on these changes. The recycling of soluble papain and the immobilization of this enzyme on chitin or chitosan were studied. Some cross-linking agents were evaluated in the action of proteolytic activity of papain. The glutaraldehyde (0.1-10% w·v(-1)), polyethyleneimine (0.5% v·v(-1)), and tripolyphosphate (1-10% w·v(-1)) inactivated the enzyme in this range, respectively. Glutaraldehyde inhibited all treatments of papain immobilization. The chitosan cross-linked with TPP in 5 h of reaction showed the yield of active immobilized enzyme of 15.7% and 6.07% in chitosan treated with 0.1% PEI. Although these immobilizations have been possible, these levels have not been enough to cause deflocculation of yeast cells. Free enzyme was efficient for yeast deflocculation in dosages of 3 to 4 g·L(-1). Recycling of soluble papain by centrifugation was effective for 14 cycles with yeast suspension in time perfectly compatible to industrial conditions. The reuse of proteases applied after yeast suspension by additional yeast centrifugation could be an alternative to cost reduction of these enzymes.

Pharmacological Characterization Of The Relaxation Induced By The Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Activator, Bay 60-2770 In Rabbit Corpus Cavernosum.

To characterize the relaxation induced by the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator, BAY 60-2770 in rabbit corpus cavernosum. Penis from male New Zealand rabbits were removed and fours strips of corpus cavernosum (CC) were obtained. Concentration-response curves to BAY 60-2770 were carried out in the absence and presence of inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, L-NAME (100 μM), sGC, ODQ (10 μM) and phosphodiestarase type 5, tadalafil (0.1 μM). The potency (pEC50) and maximal response (Emax) values were determined. Second, electrical-field stimulation (EFS)-induced contraction or relaxation was realized in the absence and presence of BAY 60-2770 (0.1 or 1 μM) alone or in combination of ODQ (10 μM). In the case of EFS-induced relaxation two protocols were realized: 1) ODQ (10 μM) was first incubated for 20 min and then BAY 60-2770 (1 μM) was added for another 20 min (ODQ + BAY 60-2770). In different CC strips, BAY 60-2770 was incubated for 20 min followed by another 20 min with ODQ (BAY 60-2770 + ODQ). The intracellular levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were also determined. BAY 60-2770 potently relaxed rabbit CC with pEC50 and Emax values of 7.58 ± 0.19 and 81 ± 4%, respectively. The inhibitors ODQ (n=7) or tadalafil (n=7) produced 4.2- and 6.3-leftward shifts, respectively in BAY 60-2770-induced relaxation without interfering on the Emax values. The intracellular levels of cGMP were augmented after stimulation with BAY 60-2770 (1 μM) alone, whereas its co-incubation with ODQ produced even higher levels of cGMP. The EFS-induced contraction was reduced in the presence of BAY 60-2770 (1 μM) and this inhibition was even greater when BAY 60-2770 was co-incubated with ODQ. The nitrergic stimulation induced CC relaxation, which was abolished in the presence of ODQ. BAY 60-2770 alone increased the amplitude of relaxation. Co-incubation of ODQ and BAY 60-2770 did not alter the relaxation in comparison with ODQ alone. Interestingly, when BAY 60-2770 was incubated prior to ODQ, EFS-induced relaxation was partly restored in comparison with ODQ alone or ODQ + BAY 60-2770. Considering that the relaxation induced by the sGC activator, BAY 60-2770 was increased after sGC oxidation and unaltered in the absence of nitric oxide, these class of substances are advantageous over sGC stimulators or PDE5 inhibitors for the treatment in those patients with erectile dysfunction and high endothelial damage. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Seasonal variation of soluble carbohydrates and starch in Echinolaena inflexa, a native grass species from the Brazilian savanna, and in the invasive grass Melinis minutiflora

Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase is an abundant C3 grass species with high biomass production in the Brazilian savanna (cerrado); Melinis minutiflora Beauv. is an African C4 forage grass widespread in cerrado and probably displacing some native herbaceous species. In the present work, we analysed seasonally the content and composition of soluble carbohydrates, the starch amounts and the above-ground biomass (phytomass) of E. inflexa and M. minutiflora plants harvested in two transects at 5 and 130 m from the border in a restrict area of cerrado at the Biological Reserve and Experimental Station of Mogi-Guaçu (SP, Brazil). Results showed that water soluble carbohydrates and starch amounts from the shoots of both species varied according to the time of the year, whilst in the underground organs, variations were observed mainly in relation to the transects. Marked differences in the pattern of the above-ground biomass production between these two grasses relative to their location in the Reserve were also observed, with two peaks of the invasive species (July and January) at the Reserve border. The differences in carbohydrate accumulation, partitioning and composition of individual sugars concerning time of the year and location in the Reserve were more related to the annual growth cycle of both grasses and possibly to specific physiological responses of M. minutiflora to disturbed environments in the Reserve border.

Biochemical characterization of pulp of banana fruit: measurement of soluble sugars, organic acids, free ACC and in vitro ACC oxidase

Introduction. We present some protocols aiming at partially characterizing banana fruit quality through measurement of some key biochemical parameters. The principle, key advantages, starting plant material, time required and expected results are presented. Materials and methods. This part describes the required laboratory materials and the steps necessary for achieving four protocols making it possible to measure sugar, organic acids and free ACC contents, and in vitro ACC oxidase activity. Results. Standard results obtained by using the protocols described are presented in the figures.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of human IL-22 bound to its soluble decoy receptor IL-22BP

Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a pleiotropic cytokine that is involved in inflammatory responses. Human IL-22 was incubated with its soluble decoy receptor IL-22BP (IL-22 binding protein) and the IL-22 -IL-22BP complex was crystallized in hanging drops using the vapour-diffusion method. Suitable crystals were obtained from polyethylene glycol solutions and diffraction data were collected to 2.75 angstrom resolution. The crystal belonged to the tetragonal space group P41, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 67.9, c = 172.5 angstrom, and contained two IL-22-IL- 22BP complexes per asymmetric unit.

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF LIGNINS OBTAINED FROM ETHANOL-WATER FRACTIONATION OF BAGASSE

Organosolv lignins can replace petroleum chemicals such as phenol either partially or totally in various applications. Eight lignins, seven of which corresponded to the ethanol-water fractionation of bagasse and the other to a reference lignin (Alcell (R)) were analyzed with the aim to evaluate their chemical and physicochemical characteristics. The purity of the lignin fractions was determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and by ash content. Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques and differential UV spectroscopy were applied to identify the chemical groups in the lignin samples. The molecular weight distribution was determined by size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques were used to determine the mass loss due to the high temperature treatment. The lignins studied showed the presence of p-hydroxyphenyl (H unit) and a greater proportion of guaiacyl (G unit) moieties, lower purity, similar or greater amount of phenolic hydroxyl groups, and higher degradation temperatures, than the Alcell (R) lignin.

Total Soluble Solids from Banana: Evaluation and Optimization of Extraction Parameters

Banana, an important component in the diet of the global population, is one of the most consumed fruits in the world. This fruit is also very favorable to industry processes (e. g., fermented beverages) due to its rich content on soluble solids and minerals, with low acidity. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of factors such as banana weight and extraction time during a hot aqueous extraction process on the total soluble solids content of banana. The extract is to be used by the food and beverage industries. The experiments were performed with 105 mL of water, considering the moisture of the ripe banana (65%). Total sugar concentrations were obtained in a beer analyzer and the result expressed in degrees Plato (degrees P, which is the weight of the extract or the sugar equivalent in 100 g solution at 20 degrees C), aiming at facilitating the use of these results by the beverage industries. After previous studies of characterization of the fruit and of ripening performance, a 2(2) full-factorial star design was carried out, and a model was developed to describe the behavior of the dependent variable (total soluble solids) as a function of the factors (banana weight and extraction time), indicating as optimum conditions for extraction 38.5 g of banana at 39.7 min.

Photo-Fenton removal of water-soluble polymers

This paper presents the results of experiments carried out in a laboratory-scale photochemical reactor on the photodegradation of different polymers in aqueous solutions by the photo-Fenton process. Solutions of three polymers, polyethyleneglicol (PEG), polyacrylamide (PAM), and polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP), were tested under different. conditions. The reaction progress was evaluated by sampling and analyzing the total organic carbon concentration in solution (TOC) along the reaction time. The behavior of the different polymers is discussed, based oil the evolution of the TOC-time curves. Under specific reaction conditions, the formation and coalescence of solid particles was Visually observed. Solids formation occurred simultaneously to a sharp decrease in the TOC of the liquid phase. This may be favorable for the treatment of industrial wastewater containing polymers, since the photodegradation process can be Coupled with solid separation systems. which may reduce the treatment cost. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rapid Determination of Water-Soluble and Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Commercial Formulations by MEEKC

Microemulsion electrokinetic capillary chromatography has been successfully applied to the separation and determination of water-soluble vitamins (thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, cobalamin, ascorbic acid) and a fat-soluble vitamin (alpha-tocopherol acetate). The optimal microemulsion buffer contained sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) as surfactant, butan-1-ol as the co-surfactant, ethyl acetate as the oil and pH 9.2 tetraborate buffer, modified with 15% (v/v) 2-propanol. UV detection at 214 nm gave adequate sensitivity without interference from sample excipients. Under the optimized conditions, the vitamins were baseline separated in less than 7 min. Analytical curves of peak area versus concentration presented coefficients of determination (R (2) ) > 0.99, acceptable limits of quantification between 8.40 and 16.23 mu g mL(-1) were obtained. Vitamin levels in liquid formulation were quantified with intra-day precision better than 0.99% RSD for migration time and 1.19% RSD for peak area ratio. Recoveries ranged between 98.7 and 101.7%. The method was considered appropriate for rapid and routine analysis.

Microbiological Assay for Apramycin Soluble Powder

The aim of this study was to validate an agar diffusion method through the parameters linearity, precision and accuracy, to quantify apramycin in soluble powder. The calibration curve of apramycin was constructed by plotting log of concentrations (mu g ml(-1)) versus zone diameter (mm) and shows good linearity in the range of 1.0-4.0 mu g.ml(-1). The precision of the assay was determined by assaying samples at the same day (repeatability - R.S.D. = 2.00%) and on different days (intermediate precision - R.S.D. = 5.06%) and indicate good precision. The accuracy expresses the agreement between the accepted value and the value found. The mean recovery was found to be 100.49 % for apramycin soluble powder. The results indicated that the microbiological assay proposed in this work hold linearity, precision and accuracy being an acceptable alternative method for routine quality control of apramycin in the pharmaceutical dosage form studied.

Comparison of the chemical composition of the essential oil and the water soluble oil of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. (Asteraceae)

This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of Baccharis dracunculifolia essential oil and the water soluble oil obtained by steam distillation that were analyzed by GC and GUMS. in the first hour of distillation, B. dracunculifolia aerial parts yielded 0.08% oil and in the second hour, 0.27%. The oil recovered from the distillate water yielded 0.18 g/L in the first hour and 0.44 g/L in the second hour of distillation. The main volatile compounds identified in the distillate water were aromatic compounds and sesquiterpene alcohols.