Abstract This article seeks to characterize the seed husk fiber of Moringa oleifera and understand its influence when added to a cementitious composite, in terms of mechanical performance. Moringa fibers were chemically and physically tested and were added to a cementitious composite. Specimens were molded for Ultrasonic Speed Pulse test and Uniaxial Compression Strength test, and subsequent observation in SEM. The results show a fiber with high lignin content and high absorption of water. Adding fiber to the composite, the water in the mixture is absorbed, which reduces the formation of hydrated cement compounds over time. Consequently, it results in a composite with low mechanical strength. The fiber/matrix interface analyzed in the micrographs is porous, has microcracks and a high concentration of calcium hydroxide. Despite this, the same lignin content that impairs mechanical strength in this composite is what makes the fiber resistant to weathering. More studies regarding the effectiveness of this quality should be carried out.

Abstract There are few studies about Moringa oleifera derivates in polymer developments where vegetable oil was used as a plasticizer and a biodegrading agent. The polymerization of moringa oil (MO) was carried out assisted by microwaves without catalysts presence. There aren’t studies about the polymerization of MO using microwaves technology. Moringa’s oil and its polymer (PMO) were used as a biodegrading agent for mixtures of low density polyethylene (LDPE) with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/poly(lactic acid) (PBAT/PLA). The mixtures producted films that were characterized and submitted to biodegradation analysis in order to discuss the influence of moringa components. Results showed that both moringa components improved thermal properties and reduced the crystalline phase of the mixture. The addition of PMO had improved the biodegradation capacity up to five times while MO had improved it up to three times. The results showed the greatest influence of moringa components on biodegradation of mixtures with cited polymers.

Resumo O rápido desenvolvimento da química de polímeros nos últimos anos tem acompanhado a introdução dos materiais poliméricos no campo da medicina. Polímeros com aplicações médicas podem ser subdivididos em dois grandes grupos: materiais usados em próteses e a produção de polímeros biologicamente ativos. Neste trabalho foram sintetizados copolímeros possuindo cadeia principal de poli (metacrilato de metila) e cadeias enxertadas de polietilenoglicol (COP GRAFT). A partir da síntese do copolímero enxertado inicial foram realizadas modificações em suas cadeias de modo a aumentar a possibilidade de incorporação de um fármaco que será utilizado em sistema de liberação controlada de medicamentos. Os novos compostos foram obtidos através de duas rotas sintéticas e os produtos formados ao final de cada etapa foram purificados e caracterizados. Através da técnica de infravermelho (FITIR) foi possível observar as bandas de absorções características das ligações P-H, P=O e P-O, que foram inseridas na cadeia do COP GRAFT durante a fosforilação, além das bandas de absorções características do copolímero, antes da fosforilação, como C=O e C-O. A caracterização térmica das amostras utilizando termogravimetria (TGA) e calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC) mostrou que apenas o copolímero de diisobutila apresentou temperatura de transição endotérmica e comportamentos de degradação compatíveis a de um polímero. Através da técnica de difração de raios X (XRD) foi possível observar uma modificação da cristalinidade das amostras, provavelmente devido a uma variação da conformação das cadeias após a inserção de novos grupos químicos. Nos cromatogramas obtidos pela técnica de cromatografia de permeação em gel (GPC) percebeu-se aumento de massa após a fosforilação com o grupo diisobutila no COPGRAFT. A reação de fosforilação foi eficiente na obtenção do copolímero de diisobutila e as técnicas aplicadas demonstraram que houve a modificação no copolímero enxertado.

Abstract The rapid development in polymer chemistry has, in recent years, led to the introduction of polymeric materials in the field of medicine. Two major groups of polymers are used for medical applications: prosthetic and biologically active materials. We synthesized copolymers with the main chain consisting of poly (methyl methacrylate) and graft chains of poly(ethylene glycol) (COP GRAFT). Changes were made in the graft copolymer chains for a possible incorporation of a drug, such that it may be used for the controlled release of drugs. The synthesis of these new compounds is based on two synthetic routes and FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterized the products formed at the end of each stage. Through FTIR we observed absorption bands characteristic of P-H, P=O and P-O bonds that were inserted into the polymer chain during phosphorylation of the COP GRAFT, beyond the absorption bands characteristic of the copolymer before phosphorylation, such as C=O and C-O. By TGA and DSC we observed that only the diisobutyl copolymer has endothermic transition temperature and degradation behavior consistent with a polymer. XRD results showed a structural and conformational change in crystallinity of modified chains. Molecular weight and polydispersity of COPGRAFT obtained by GPC increased after phosphorylation with diisobutyl group. The phosphorylation reaction was efficient in obtaining diisobutyl copolymer and the applied techniques confirmed the modification of the COPGRAFT chains.

Nowadays the interest in polymeric composites reinforced with vegetal natural fibers in substitution for manufactured fibers is increasing. This is due to the fact that vegetal fibers are less abrasive, biodegradable, present low density and excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Several vegetal fibers have been used for various types of composites among which the bamboo differs from these fibers in being widely used for cellulose and paper industrial production. This paper presents the results of recent researches about fiber and pulps of bamboo, which were submitted to several types of tests, aiming at a better understanding of their properties. The main objective of this study was to physical-chemical characterize fiber and bamboo pulps, disseminating their properties and maximizing their use in polymeric applications. Most of the samples were analyzed and characterized using the methods recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, TAPPI. The results show that the refined pulp was more suitable to be used as a reinforcing agent in polimeric composites instead of the unrefined pulp and natural fiber.

Atualmente é crescente o interesse pelos compósitos poliméricos reforçados com fibras naturais vegetais em substituição às fibras manufaturadas. Isto se deve ao fato das fibras vegetais serem menos abrasivas, biodegradáveis, apresentar baixa densidade e excelentes propriedades mecânicas e térmicas. Várias fibras vegetais vêm sendo utilizadas nos mais variados tipos de compósitos, dentre as quais as de bambu se diferenciam por serem largamente utilizadas na produção industrial de celulose e papel. Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de recentes pesquisas envolvendo fibra e polpas de bambu, as quais foram submetidas a vários tipos de ensaios, visando um maior conhecimento de suas propriedades. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar físico-quimicamente fibra e polpas, difundindo suas propriedades e maximizando sua utilização em aplicações poliméricas. Grande parte das amostras foram analisadas e caracterizadas utilizando as metodologias preconizadas pela American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM e pela Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, TAPPI. Os resultados mostram que a polpa refinada se apresentou mais adequada para ser utilizada como agente de reforço em compósitos poliméricos em detrimento da polpa sem refino e fibra natural.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the oil extracted from Moringa oleifera (fam. Moringaceae) seeds from the nutritional standpoint. Nutritional evaluation of crude or degummed moringa oil or soybean oil (as a control) involved the determination of the Food Efficiency (FE) in male Fisher rats and the fatty acid composition of the moringa oil. Hepatic and renal functions were assessed by measuring serum transaminases activity and urea and creatinine concentrations, respectively. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins and albumine were also measured. Results showed that FE was slightly increased by the crude moringa oil while no differences were found between the soybean and degummed moringa oil regarding this parameter. Renal or hepatic injures as well as major alterations in serum proteins were not induced by the tested oils. These results suggested that degummed M. oleifera oil possessed adequate biological quality as compared to the crude oil.