Abstract Lignocellulosic biomass residues can generate interesting materials for the chemical and food industries. Physical activation processes were developed by cold pressing and slow pyrolysis, as well as physical chemical activation with zinc chloride (ZnCl2), to produce bio-based products, including bio-oil (30%) and biochar (31%), with good yields. Charcoal and biooil provided good results, respectively, with regard to adsorption capacity (357 m2 g-1 of surface area BET) and the possibility of extracting chemical compounds (phenols with 45.81% and aldehydes with 32.76%). Moreover, the key economic performance indicators of the process were analyzed, and the results indicate that the proposed process is economically feasible and attractive with $422,416.10 profits. Finally, after dialoguing with the babassu nut breakers and understanding their needs, the feasibility of economically developing the contacted families through technology transfer for extracting the oil, cake, biochar, and bio-oil from babassu coconuts was studied, demonstrating the possibility of income generation based on the profitability achieved in this study.

Abstract Lignocellulosic waste is a valuable source of energy, fuels, and raw materials for the chemical industry. In this study, the potential of cupuaçu husks, derivative from a typical fruit of the Brazilian Amazon, was evaluated. Therefore, biomass was submitted to acid hydrolysis and pyrolysis, and the contents of sugars, by-products, bio-oil compounds, and bio-oil theoretical energy potential were determined. X-ray diffraction, High performance liquid chromatography, Fourier-transform infrared and Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analyzes were used. The hydrolysate has considerable sugar levels (31.7%) and presence of relevant by-products including furfural, levulinic acid and hydroxymethylfurfural. Bio-oil contained a variety of phenolic compounds, and its theoretical energy potential suggested usability of cupuaçu husks for energy generation. Economic analysis showed that commercialization of bioproducts obtained by biomass hydrolysis and pyrolysis could be highly profitable. These outcomes indicate a range of applications for cupuaçu husks in biorefinery processes and potential to promote sustainability and social development.

Abstract The real-time prediction in biorefinery industries has become essential. Models using partial least square regression (PLS) were developed to predict moisture, ash, volatile matter, fixed carbon and organic matter of coconut and coffee residues. In this study, 49 samples were collected and near infrared spectroscopy were applied to predict moisture, ash, volatile matter, fixed carbon and organic matter. For external validation 25% of the set samples were used. Moisture and volatile matter were predicted with coefficients of determination (R2cal) above 0.90, and standard errors (RSD) of the estimate of 14.4% and 2.26%, respectively. Models of ash and organic matter show R2cal > 0.77 and RSD values < 20.4%. For the external validation, the low deviations show the approximation between reference and predicted values and good prediction with R2pred > 0.70. All calibration models were acceptable for sample screening. This study demonstrates that PLS can be used to predict biomass composition of different species, with very low costs and time.

Abstract In the current search for renewable energy sources, residual biomass has been highlighted as a potential source of chemical compounds that are currently obtained from petroleum. Among the derivatives obtained from this, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural are considered key parts in this process as they are key compounds in the fine chemical industry. This work aims at the use of the rice husks and soybean peel for the synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural using the ionic liquid [BMIM][Br]. The physical pre-treatment of biomasses was carried out followed by acid hydrolysis. For the synthesis of the furanic compounds, different temperatures and reaction times were used. The products obtained in each step were analyzed by infrared spectrophotometry and by high performance liquid chromatography. The best yields for rice husks was obtained with 4 hours of reaction at 120 °C (34%) and for soy peel with 3 hours of reaction at 120 °C (59%), for furfural production. For 5-hydroxymethylfurfural production the yields were 8.7% and 3.4% for rice and soy husks, respectively. It was found that glucose was the main group related to bio-products obtaining.

Abstract In search for renewable energy sources, the Brazilian residual biomasses stand out due to their favorable physical and chemical properties, low cost, and their being less pollutant. Therefore, they are likely to be used in biorefineries in the production of chemical inputs to substitute fossil fuels. This substitution is possible due to the high contents of carbohydrates (>40%), low contents of extractives (<20%), ashes (<8%) and moisture (<8%) found in these residual biomasses. High calorific values of all residues also offer them the chance to be used in combustion. A principal components analysis (PCA) was performed for better understanding of the samples and their hysic-chemical properties. Thus, this study aimed to characterize biomasses from the north (babassu residues, such as mesocarp and endocarp; pequi and Brazil nut) and northeast (agave and coconut) regions of Brazil, in order to contribute to the preservation of the environment and strengthen the economy of the region.

Foi obtido um painel de 13 anticorpos monoclonais que reagem com proteínas de membrana externa de Salmonella Enteritidis. Dois MAbs foram classificados como IgM, 6 foram do isotipo IgG2a, três foram do isotipo IgG3 e um do isotipo IgG2b. A reatividade dos anticorpos monoclonais (MAbs) com diferentes sorovares de Salmonella e outras bactérias foi investigada através de um ELISA indireto. Cinco MAbs reagiram apenas com Salmonella Enteritidis. Dois MAbs apresentaram reação cruzada com antígenos termoextraídos de Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii e Enterobacter aerogenes. O MAb 424H apresentou amplo espectro de reatividade, detectando antígenos de Salmonella pertencentes aos sorogrupos B, C, D, E, e G. O limite de detecção de diferentes sorovares de Salmonella em um ELISA indireto com o MAb 424H variou de 1,0 x 10(4) UFC/mL para Salmonella London a 1,4 x 10(6) UFC/mL para Salmonella Gallinarum e Salmonella Typhimurium. A avaliação do desempenho do ELISA indireto com o MAb 424H na detecção de diferentes sorovares de Salmonella em amostras de carne de frango, mostrou ser possível detectar todos os sorovares após o enriquecimento das amostras, nos três níveis de contaminação utilizados. A análise de alíquotas de amostras de carne de frango não contaminadas artificialmente, feita em paralelo, foi negativa para Salmonella tanto no método convencional quanto no ELISA.

A panel of 13 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that react against outer membrane proteins of Salmonella Enteritidis was obtained. Two MAbs were classified as IgM, six were IgG2a, three were IgG3 and one was of the IgG2b isotype. The reactivity of the MAbs against different serovars of Salmonella enterica and other bacteria was investigated using an indirect ELISA. Five MAbs reacted only against Salmonella Enteritidis. Two MAbs presented crossed reactions with thermo-extracted antigens of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii and Enterobacter aerogenes. MAb 424H presented wide spectrum of reactivity, detecting antigens of Salmonella belonging to serogroups B, C, D, E and G. The detection limit of different serovars of Salmonella in a indirect ELISA with MAb 424H varied from 1.0 x 10(4) CFU/mL for Salmonella London to 1.4 x 10(6) CFU/mL for Salmonella Gallinarum and Salmonella Typhimurium. Evaluation of the performance of the ELISA with MAb 424H in the detection of Salmonella in samples of chicken meat artificially contaminated revealed that the ELISA was able to detect all serovars after sample enrichment using two levels of contamination. Samples of chicken meat not artificially contaminated analysed in parallel were negative for Salmonella in both the conventional and the ELISA methods.

OBJETIVO: Os inseticidas são poluentes largamente utilizados em muitos países, no entanto são poucos os estudos existentes sobre o uso desses produtos em ambiente doméstico. Assim, realizou-se estudo com o objetivo de caracterizar o padrão de uso de inseticidas domésticos e sua relação com a renda per capita. MÉTODOS: Entre outubro de 1999 e janeiro de 2000, foram aplicados questionários sobre o uso de inseticidas domésticos em 2.039 domicílios da área urbana de Pelotas, RS. Coletaram-se informações sobre o uso de inseticidas no último ano, forma de apresentação e grupo químico dos produtos disponíveis no momento da entrevista, proteção mecânica utilizada para o controle de insetos e nível socioeconômico. Utilizou-se o teste Qui-quadrado de tendência linear para verificar as associações, bem como a razão de prevalências e os intervalos de confiança. RESULTADOS: Em 89% dos domicílios visitados foram utilizados inseticidas domésticos, pelo menos uma vez, nos 12 meses que antecederam a entrevista e em 79% dos domicílios havia um ou mais produtos disponíveis no momento da entrevista. As formas de apresentação mais prevalentes foram os aerossóis e as pastilhas para aparelho elétrico do grupo químico piretróide. A proteção mecânica contra os insetos foi pouco utilizada. CONCLUSÕES: As famílias de melhor nível de renda dispunham com maior freqüência de inseticidas em aerossol do grupo químico piretróide, enquanto que as soluções pulverizadoras compostas por organofosforados estiveram mais presentes em domicílios de menor renda.

OBJECTIVE: Although insecticides are widely used in many countries, few studies of their use in households have been conducted. This study was carried out to describe the household use of insecticides according to per capita income. METHODS: From October 1999 to January 2000, questionnaires on the use of household insecticides were applied to 2,039 households in the urban area of Pelotas, Brazil. Data was collected on income, use of insecticides in the 12 months prior to the interview, product type and chemical group of the insecticides found in the households and, mechanical protection used for insect control. Chi-square test for trends was used to assess relationships, prevalence rates and confidence intervals. RESULTS: Household insecticides were used in 89% of the households visited at least in one occasion in the 12 months prior to the interview. In 79% one or more units of insecticides were found in the household at the time of the interview. The most common types were aerosols and tablet refills for electric devices of the pyrethroid chemical group. Mechanical protection against insects was not widely used. CONCLUSIONS: Higher income households most frequently had insecticides in the form of pyrethroid aerosols while organophosphate sprays were more frequently found in lower income households.

OBJETIVO: Os inseticidas são poluentes largamente utilizados em muitos países, no entanto são poucos os estudos existentes sobre o uso desses produtos em ambiente doméstico. Assim, realizou-se estudo com o objetivo de caracterizar o padrão de uso de inseticidas domésticos e sua relação com a renda per capita. MÉTODOS: Entre outubro de 1999 e janeiro de 2000, foram aplicados questionários sobre o uso de inseticidas domésticos em 2.039 domicílios da área urbana de Pelotas, RS. Coletaram-se informações sobre o uso de inseticidas no último ano, forma de apresentação e grupo químico dos produtos disponíveis no momento da entrevista, proteção mecânica utilizada para o controle de insetos e nível socioeconômico. Utilizou-se o teste Qui-quadrado de tendência linear para verificar as associações, bem como a razão de prevalências e os intervalos de confiança. RESULTADOS: Em 89% dos domicílios visitados foram utilizados inseticidas domésticos, pelo menos uma vez, nos 12 meses que antecederam a entrevista e em 79% dos domicílios havia um ou mais produtos disponíveis no momento da entrevista. As formas de apresentação mais prevalentes foram os aerossóis e as pastilhas para aparelho elétrico do grupo químico piretróide. A proteção mecânica contra os insetos foi pouco utilizada. CONCLUSÕES: As famílias de melhor nível de renda dispunham com maior freqüência de inseticidas em aerossol do grupo químico piretróide, enquanto que as soluções pulverizadoras compostas por organofosforados estiveram mais presentes em domicílios de menor renda.

OBJECTIVE: Although insecticides are widely used in many countries, few studies of their use in households have been conducted. This study was carried out to describe the household use of insecticides according to per capita income. METHODS: From October 1999 to January 2000, questionnaires on the use of household insecticides were applied to 2,039 households in the urban area of Pelotas, Brazil. Data was collected on income, use of insecticides in the 12 months prior to the interview, product type and chemical group of the insecticides found in the households and, mechanical protection used for insect control. Chi-square test for trends was used to assess relationships, prevalence rates and confidence intervals. RESULTS: Household insecticides were used in 89% of the households visited at least in one occasion in the 12 months prior to the interview. In 79% one or more units of insecticides were found in the household at the time of the interview. The most common types were aerosols and tablet refills for electric devices of the pyrethroid chemical group. Mechanical protection against insects was not widely used. CONCLUSIONS: Higher income households most frequently had insecticides in the form of pyrethroid aerosols while organophosphate sprays were more frequently found in lower income households.