Enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulosic materials after treatment with supercritical carbon dioxide

Lignocellulosic materials, such as agricultural residues, are abundant renewable resources for bioconversion to sugars. The sugar cane bagasse was studied here to obtain simple sugars for the production of alcohols and other chemicals. The crystalline structure of cellulose and the lignin that physically seals the surrounding cellulose fibers makes enzymatic hydrolysis difficult by preventing the contact between the cellulose and the enzyme. Two different samples of sugar cane (bagasse pulp and skin) were used and compared with microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel). The investigated samples were pretreated with SC-CO₂ explosion before hydrolysis. The experiments were conducted at 12, 14 and 16 MPa at a temperature of 60 °C. In this process, particles of celluloses within the size range from 0.25 to 0.42 mm were placed in defined amounts inside the experimental vessel, CO₂ was injected and let stand for 5 and 60 min. The explosion pretreatment of cellulosic materials by SC-CO₂ was performed in an apparatus of a static type with 300 ml of volume. The hydrolysis reaction using cellulose enzyme was carried at 55 °C for 8 h. After the pretreatment, the glucose yield increased in 72% to the bagasse sample. The SC-CO₂ pretreatment together with alkali increased the glucose yield in 20% as compared with alkali only. X-ray, microscopy and thermal analysis were used to investigate the effect of the pretreatment.     

Casting of Iron Aluminides

Iron aluminides form an interesting class of materials which combine excellent corrosion and oxidation resistance with good mechanical properties at moderate to high temperature (up to 500 °C). These materials, however, suffer from low room-temperature ductility (under 5% elongation in tension), which is mostly due to environmental effects. Casting is a processing route traditionally applied to brittle alloys (e.g., gray cast irons), but to cast a part without defects, several thermochemical properties are needed, as well as information on the tendency of the alloy to form foundry defects (e.g., shrinkage voids, pores). The present work aims to provide this information using parts produced on laboratory scale. In particular, the solidification contraction and the efficiency of TiB₂ as inoculant are investigated. Three alloys with nominal composition (in at.%) Fe28Al, Fe28Al6Cr, and Fe28Al6Cr1Ti (about 1.5 kg for each melt) were melted in an induction furnace under argon flux protection using conventional raw materials (carbon steel, commercial aluminum, metallic chromium, and commercial ferrotitanium). The resulting melts were treated by adding Al-TiB₂ master alloy used in the aluminum industry and poured into “staircase” molds, designed to investigate feeding distance effects in complex parts. Characterization of the microstructure of the alloys revealed that alloys Fe28Al and Fe28Al6Cr showed κ-carbide precipitation, while alloy Fe28Al6Cr additionally showed chromium carbides at dendritic boundaries. Addition of 1 wt.% Ti in alloy Fe28Al6Cr1Ti changed the solidification microstructure, refining the dendrite morphology and forming TiC-containing eutectic in interdendritic spaces.     

Using a Strong Anion-Exchange Resin to Deacidify Red Palm Oil

This work aims to evaluate the use of an alternative process to deacidify palm oil using a strong anion-exchange resin (Amberlyst A26 OH). The effects of the feed flow rate and the free fatty acids content in the feed stream were investigated by measuring breakthrough curves for bleached palm oil dissolved in n-propanol. The resin had sufficient capacity and affinity to remove palmitic and oleic acids (98–99 %). The bed utilization efficiency can be optimized by choosing lower flow rates for oils with low levels of acidity, while higher flow rates can be used for oils with higher free fatty acids content. The ion-exchange process can be used to obtain deacidified red palm oil, while preserving carotenoid and tocopherol/tocotrienol content. This alternative process has the advantage of occurring under mild conditions (44.0 ± 0.8 °C and atmospheric pressure) when compared with the conditions used in molecular distillation (150.0–170.0 °C and 2.7–3.3 Pa).     

Wine industry residue as antioxidant in cooked chicken meat

The effectiveness of grape extracts as food ingredient has been tested in various systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of four concentrations of residues of the wine industry in delaying lipid oxidation in processed chicken meat stored under refrigeration. The development of oxidation during the 14‐day storage was evaluated through the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances method (TBAS). The analyses of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were performed in grape residue extracts through DPPH (1,1‐difenil‐2‐picrilidrazil) method, lipid peroxidation inhibition and Rancimat. The profile of polyphenols was determined using reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. Isabel grape extract (IGE) and Niagara grape extract (NGE) showed significant content of phenolic compounds. NGE and IGE had high antioxidant activity. The addition of grape extracts significantly increased the oxidative stability of processed and cooked chicken meat during the storage time. The extracts from both grape varieties when applied in concentrations of 40 and 60 mg of GAE, presented results similar to that of Butyl hydroxy toluene (BHT).     

Acid gelation of native and heat‐denatured soy proteins and locust bean gum

The effects of protein concentration and locust bean gum (LBG) addition on the mechanical properties, microstructure and water holding capacity of acidified soy protein (SPI) gels were studied. The protein was employed in two different states: (i) native and (ii) heat denatured. A slow acidification rate was induced in both systems by applying glucono‐δ‐lactone (GDL). The results indicated that the gels of native SPI were weaker, less deformable and showed lower water holding capacity than the gels of heat‐denatured SPI. The LBG addition led to an increase in the strength and water holding capacity of SPI gels, independent of the protein state (native or denatured). These results indicated that the properties of texture and water holding capacity of the SPI acid gels can be modulated by the process conditions or by the addition of other ingredients, such as polysaccharides.     

Novel electrical conductive hybrid nanostructures based on PA 6/MWCNTCOOH electrospun nanofibers and anchored MWCNTCOOH

Electrical conductive nanostructures made of nanofibers of poly (amide 6) (PA6) with carboxyl functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT_COOH) and anchored MWCNT_COOH were produced. The nanotubes were surface activated with carboxyl groups, dispersed in formic acid and added to a formic acid solution of PA6. The mixture was electrospun by applying a voltage of 30 kV; afterwards, the nanofiber's mats were immersed in an aqueous dispersion of MWCNT_COOH containing a nonionic surfactant. The chemical structure, morphology, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity of the nanostructures were evaluated by UV spectroscopy, scanning (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA) and volumetric conductivity measurements. The efficiency of the functionalization was confirmed by the UV peaks in the range between 220 and 250 nm (corresponding to a carbonyl group conjugated with a carbon‐carbon double bond). SEM and TEM micrographs showed the pullout of the MWCNT_COOH from the nanofibers and the formation of a stable, percolated, and anchored MWCNT_COOH network on the nanofibers due to the anchoring of the MWCNT_COOH from the surfactant solution on the MWCNT_COOH of the nanofibers. The coated nanostructures had higher thermal stability and higher electrical conductivity than the noncoated ones, showing the efficiency of this simple procedure. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1263–1272, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Role of VEGF-A and Its Receptors in Sporadic and MEN2-Associated Pheochromocytoma

Pheochromocytoma (PHEO), a rare catecholamine producing tumor arising from the chromaffin cells, may occurs sporadically (76%–80%) or as part of inherited syndromes (20%–24%). Angiogenesis is a fundamental step in tumor proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) is the most well-characterized angiogenic factor. The role of angiogenic markers in PHEO is not fully understood; investigations were therefore made to evaluate the expression of VEGF-A and its receptors in PHEO and correlate to clinical parameters. Twenty-nine samples of PHEO were evaluated for VEGF-A, VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) VEGFR-2 expression and microvessel density (MVD) by immunohistochemistry. Clinical data were reviewed in medical records. The mean age of patients was 38 ± 14 years, and 69% were woman. VEGF-A, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 staining were detected in nearly all PHEO samples. No significant correlation was observed between VEGF-A, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 expression or MVD and age at diagnosis, tumor size or sporadic and hereditary PHEO. However, the levels of expression of these molecules were significantly higher in malignant PHEO samples (p = 0.027, p = 0.003 and p = 0.026, respectively).VEGF-A and its receptors were shown to be up-regulated in malignant PHEO, suggesting that these molecules might be considered as therapeutic targets for unresectable or metastatic tumors.     

The Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activities of New Arylidene-Hydrazinyl-Thiazole Derivatives

New and known arylidene-hydrazinyl-thiazole derivatives have been synthesized by a convenient Hantzsch condensation. All compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity on two carcinoma cell lines, MDA-MB231 and HeLa. Significant antiproliferative activity for 2-(2-benzyliden-hydrazinyl)-4-methylthiazole on both MDA-MB-231 (IC₅₀: 3.92 µg/mL) and HeLa (IC₅₀: 11.4 µg/mL) cell lines, and for 2-[2-(4-methoxybenzylidene) hydrazinyl]-4-phenylthiazole on HeLa (IC₅₀: 11.1 µg/mL) cell line is reported. Electrophoresis experiments showed no plasmid DNA (pTZ57R) cleavage in the presence of the investigated thiazoles.     

Updates on biogas enrichment and purification methods: A review

The market for biogas production has been increasing every year all over the world. The use of biogas as an energy vector is accomplished through the most diverse applications, such as direct burning (thermal energy), internal combustion engines, and fuel cells. Besides direct applications, biogas can be used as a raw material for producing high added-value products, such as molecular hydrogen and renewable hydrocarbons, through a new enterprise concept, the biorefineries. Purity and quality control are determinant factors that enable the decision-making regarding the end use of biogas. Physical, chemical, and biological methods can be used in biogas upgrading processes as well as a combination of different techniques. This review aims to deepen the knowledge about relevant technologies for biogas purification. It also addresses the most efficient and feasible methods, challenges to be overcome, and main demands for future studies. Therefore, the presentation, in a detailed way, of the synergistic effects caused by components contained in natural biogas and the combinatorial methods for removing these contaminants, differentiates this from other works that approach only the purification techniques but do not point out their problems and causes more comprehensively. Thus, studies related to the combined effects of contaminants would be interesting in future works.     

Ascorbic acid metabolism in fruits: activity of enzymes involved in synthesis and degradation during ripening in mango and guava

BACKGROUND: Ascorbic acid is a very important compound for plants. It has essential functions, mainly as an antioxidant and growth regulator. Ascorbic acid biosynthesis has been extensively studied, but studies in fruits are very limited. In this work we studied the influence of five enzymes involved in synthesis (L ‐galactono‐1,4‐lactone dehydrogenase, GalLDH, EC 1.3.2.3), oxidation (ascorbate oxidase, EC 1.10.3.3, and ascorbate peroxidase, APX, EC 1.11.1.11) and recycling (monodehydroascorbate reductase, EC 1.6.5.4, and dehydroascorbate reductase, DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) on changes in ascorbic acid content during development and ripening of mangoes (Mangifera indica L. cv. Keitt) and during the ripening of white pulp guavas (Psidium guayava L. cv. Paloma). RESULTS: It was found that there was a balance between the activities of GalLDH, APX and DHAR, both in mangoes and guavas. CONCLUSIONS: Equilibrium between the enzymatic activities of synthesis, catabolism and recycling is important for the regulation of ascorbic acid content in mango and guava. These results have contributed to understanding some of the changes that occur in ascorbic acid levels during fruit ripening. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry