Catalyst performance is a relevant factor in biodiesel production because it can affect the efficiency of the process. This work provides a study of the performance of heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production derived from thermal-treated hydrocalumite-type compounds. This work aimed to synthesize and characterize hydrocalumite-type compounds intercalated with chloride and nitrate, evaluate the effect of thermal treatments at different temperatures (500, 600, and 750 °C) on these materials, and assess the performance of these materials as catalysts in the transesterification reactions using soybean oil and methanol. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrational spectroscopy (Fourier transform infrared with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR)), thermogravimetric analysis coupled to mass spectrometry (TGA DSC-MS), specific surface area, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of the transesterification reactions showed that the thermal-treated materials from the hydrocalumite intercalated with chloride presented high catalytic activity, among them, the thermal-treated material at 750 °C presented the highest conversion to methyl esters.

ABSTRACT A comprehensive knowledge about micronutrient dynamics in leaves and bunches of black pepper is needed in order to proper diagnose nutrient needs, and thus facilitate fertilization management. This study aimed to evaluate micronutrient concentration and accumulation in leaves and bunches of black pepper bunches to understand the crop nutritional demand. The experiment was carried out on in a commercial field of Piper nigrum ‘Bragantina’ located in São Mateus, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Composite samples of leaves and bunches were taken periodically during two crop cycles and the concentration of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and B were assessed. The micronutrient accumulation curves behaved linearly and quadratically, reaching the maximum accumulation point during the time of harvesting. Fe, Mn and B were the micronutrients with highest concentration in both bunches and leaves of black pepper. The nutrient concentration in leaf tissues varied seasonally. These results may contribute to a more sustainable agriculture, in which fertilization rates should consider different needs through the crop stage.

Mango (Mangifera indica) has many nutritional attributes that stimulate its consumption, such as sweetness, balanced acidity and intense fruity aroma. In this study, it was demonstrated that both the variety and ripening stage have a significant impact on the aroma of mango. The volatile compound profile of “Tommy Atkins”, “palmer”, “espada” and “Carlota” varieties in green and ripe stages were characterized by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Thirty-three volatile compounds were identified, 30 from “Tommy Atkins”, 29 from “espada”, 25 from “palmer” and 10 from the “Carlota” variety. The major compounds were monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, regardless of the degree of maturity. However, the oxygenated monoterpenes, esters and lactones were also identified as minor compounds. δ-3-Carene terpene is the most abundant in the varieties “Tommy Atkins” and “palmer”, α-terpinolene is the most abundant in the cv. “espada”, and myrcene in cv. “Carlota”. The profile’s aroma obtained by HS-SPME/GC-MS associated with multivariate data analysis lead to discrimination of four mango varieties in green and ripeness stages. Therefore, the volatile compounds markers of fruit maturation identified in this study can be used to increase the efficiency of mango sorting to improve quality control and meet the consumer market requirements.

Abstract Abstract: Specimens of Leptogium collected in ten localities from the State of Rio Grande do Sul were studied. Sixteen species were found of 28 records mentioned to the state, which represents around 57% of the Leptogium diversity known for Rio Grande do Sul. Leptogium exaratum is proposed as a new species. Leptogium atlanticum, L. milligranum and L. vesiculosum are reported for the first time to the state. The lectotype of L. javanicum is reported here and detailed descriptions are provided to the examined specimens. An identification key is showed with all the 28 mentioned species of Leptogium. It is the first published taxonomic key for Leptogium from Rio Grande do Sul, the State with the highest diversity of this genus in Brazil.

Abstract In aquatic habitats, metal contamination from natural and anthropogenic sources continues to pose a concern for human and environmental health. Thus, it is important to complete monitoring studies to assess patterns and the extent of metal contamination in these ecosystems. The purpose of this work was to determine the concentrations of 31 chemical elements and water quality parameters of the Todos os Santos River located in the Mucuri Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A multivariate statistical analysis was used to determine any seasonal and spatial patterns from the data. Results demonstrated that metals including Al, Fe, and Ni exceeded Brazilian and international guidelines nutrients as P also exceed water quality standards. Principal components analysis indicated distinct geographical and seasonal patterns for multiple elements with hierarchical cluster analysis confirming the observed spatial patterns of contamination in the Todos os Santos River.

Las personas pasan por un proceso de envejecimiento, que está manifestado en los cambios biológicos y en la declinación fisiológica, lo cual, tiene un impacto significativo en el desarrollo de las actividades básicas de la vida diaria. En ese sentido, se hace necesario determinar cuáles son los instrumentos de medición más empleados para la evaluación de la condición física, capacidad funcional y niveles de actividad física de esta población. A través de una revisión sistemática de publicaciones científicas, se logró establecer que, para la medición de la condición física, la batería más utilizada es la SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery); respecto al nivel de actividad física, la acelerometría es uno de los métodos directos más empleados, junto a los cuestionarios de autoreporte y para identificar la capacidad funcional, el índice de katz es el reportado con mayor frecuencia.

People go through a process of aging that is manifested in biological changes and physiological decline, which has a significant impact on the development of basic activities of daily living. In this sense, it is necessary to determine which are the most used measurement instruments for the evaluation of the physical condition, functional capacity and levels of physical activity of this population. Through a systematic review of scientific publications, it was possible to establish that for the measurement of the physical condition the battery most used is the SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery); Regarding the level of physical activity, accelerometry is one of the direct methods most used together with self-report questionnaires and to identify functional capacity, the katz index is the most frequently reported.

Um método simples e rápido para a determinação de Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se e Zn em sêmen bovino por espectrometria de massas com plasma indutivamente acoplado (q-ICP-MS) é descrito. Previamente as análises, 200 µL de amostras foram diluídas 1:50 em solução contendo Triton® X-100 (0,01% v/v) e ácido nítrico (0,5% v/v). Os limites de detecção foram de 0,3, 0,03, 0,2, 0,04, 0,04, 0,03 e 0,03 µg L-1 para 44Ca, 63Cu, 57Fe, 24Mg, 64Zn, 82Se e 55Mn, respectivamente. Para efeitos de comparação e validação do método, quatro amostras de sêmen bovino foram analisadas por ICP-MS pelo método proposto e por espectrometria de absorção atômica com chama (FAAS) ou espectrometria de absorção atômica em forno de grafite (GF AAS), e não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas entre as técnicas com aplicação do teste-t (95% de confiança). Então, o método proposto foi aplicado na determinação de Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se e Zn em amostras de sêmen bovino coletadas de diferentes raças, as quais são usadas em programas de reprodução animal e inseminação artificial.

A simple and fast method for the determination of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se and Zn in bovine semen by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (q-ICP-MS) is described. Prior to analysis, samples (200 µL) were diluted 1:50 in a solution containing 0.01% v/v Triton® X-100 and 0.5% v/v nitric acid and directly analyzed by ICP-MS. The limits of detection of the method are 0.3, 0.03, 0.2, 0.04, 0.04, 0.03 and 0.03 µg L-1 for 44Ca, 63Cu, 57Fe, 24Mg, 64Zn, 82Se and 55Mn, respectively. For purposes of comparison and method validation, four ordinary bovine semen samples were directly analyzed by ICP-MS and by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS), with no statistical difference between the techniques at the 95% level when applying the t-test. Then, the proposed method was applied in the determinations of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se and Zn in collected samples of bovine semen from different breeds, which are used in reproduction programs and artificial insemination.

O biomonitoramento de elementos químicos é de extrema importância na avaliação da saúde humana. Entretanto, as concentrações dos elementos químicos nos fluidos biológicos são afetadas por parâmetros ambientais e fisiológicos e, consequentemente, consideráveis variações podem ocorrer entre subgrupos de populações específicas. O Brasil é um país com ampla diversidade ambiental e existe limitado conhecimento de valores de referência para elementos químicos em fluidos biológicos. A espectrometria de absorção atômica (AAS) e a espectrometria de emissão ótica com plasma acoplado indutivamente (ICP-OES) ainda são as técnicas analíticas mais comumente empregadas no biomonitoramento de elementos químicos em amostras clínicas. Entretanto, o uso da espectrometria de massas com plasma acoplado indutivamente (ICP-MS) está se tornando a cada dia mais comum nos laboratórios clínicos. Neste estudo, foi avaliado um método rápido envolvendo simples diluição da amostra para determinação de Al, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Cs, Mn, Ni, Pb, Pt, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl e U em urina por ICP-MS. Amostras de urina (500 μL) foram pipetadas em frascos cônicos de 15 mL e diluídas para 10 mL com uma solução contendo 0,5 % (v/v) HNO3 + 0,005% (v/v) Triton X-100. Ródio, irídio e ítrio foram adicionados como padrões internos. Em seguida, as amostras foram diretamente analisadas por ICP-MS com calibração por ajuste de matriz. Os limites de detecção do método (3s, n = 20) foram da ordem de ng L-1 para todos os analitos em estudo. O método foi aplicado para a análise de 412 amostras de urina de brasileiros saudáveis e não expostos ambientalmente ou ocupacionalmente a metais para o estabelecimento de valores de referência na população brasileira. A validação dos resultados foi acompanhada pela análise de material de referência certificada de urina (SRM) 2670a proveniente do National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) e de materiais de referência provenientes do Institut National de Sante' Publique Du Quebec, no Canadá.

Biomonitoring of trace elements is of critical importance in human health assessment. However, trace element concentrations in biological fluids are affected by environmental and physiological parameters, and therefore considerable variations can occur between specific population subgroups. Brazil is a large country with large environmental diversity and with a limited knowledge of the reference values (baseline data) for trace elements in biological fluids. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) are still the dominant analytical techniques used for biomonitoring trace element analysis in clinical specimens. However, the use of ICP-MS is becoming more usual in clinical laboratory analysis. Then, we evaluated here a simple dilute-and-shoot method for sequential determination of Al, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Cs, Mn, Ni, Pb, Pt, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl and U in urine by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (q-ICP-MS). Urine samples (500 µL) were accurately pipetted into conical tubes (15 mL) and diluted to 10 mL with a solution containing 0.5 % (v/v) HNO3 + 0.005% (v/v) Triton X-100. Diluted urine samples also contain rhodium, iridium and yttrium added as internal standards. After that, samples were directly analyzed by ICP-MS against matrix-matching calibration. Method detection limit (3s, n = 20) were in the ng L-1 range for all analytes. The method was applied to the analysis of 412 ordinary urine samples from Brazilian healthy and non-exposed subjects to establish reference values. Data validation was provided by the analysis of the standard reference material (SRM) 2670a toxic elements in urine (freeze-dried) (high and low levels) from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and reference urine samples from the trace elements intercomparison program operated by the Institut National de Sante' Publique du Quebec, Canada.