Relata a utilizaÃÃo da espectroscopia FT-Raman combinada com CorrelaÃÃo 2D Generalizada como mÃtodo alternativo para a realizaÃÃo do controle de qualidade de Gasolinas automotivas diretamente nos postos de combustÃvel. Apresenta os procedimentos para identificar a adulteraÃÃo da Gasolina automotiva pela adiÃÃo irregular de Etanol, Metanol e compostos aromÃticos e parafÃnicos, atravÃs da anÃlise dos espectros Raman obtidos para os diferentes adulterantes separadamente, misturados à Gasolina A e misturados à Gasolina A e ao Etanol. Descreve os procedimentos de prÃ-tratamento sobre os espectros Raman, a aplicaÃÃo do mÃtodo de CorrelaÃÃo 2D Generalizada aos sistemas estudados e a determinaÃÃo das curvas de calibraÃÃo que relacionam as intensidades integradas das bandas Raman com o teor de adulterante na Gasolina. Apresenta a praticidade de aplicaÃÃo do mÃtodo, que possibilita verificar a adulteraÃÃo da Gasolina automotiva atravÃs da comparaÃÃo entre o espectro Raman da amostra cuja conformidade se deseja verificar com o espectro da amostra padrÃo. Enfatiza a flexibilidade e a viabilidade de se ter um padrÃo especÃfico para cada distribuidora, ou atà mesmo para cada nova produÃÃo de Gasolina da refinaria. / It is reported the use of Generalized Two-Dimensional FT-Raman Correlation Spectroscopy (2DCOS-FT-Raman) method to monitor the quality of automotive gasoline in the gas stations. It is presented a procedure to identify the adulteration of automotive gasoline by the illicit addition of ethanol, methanol, aromatic and paraphinic compounds through the analysis of the Raman spectra obtained for different compositions of adulterants added to gasoline âAâ type and to gasoline âAâ type plus ethanol samples. It is discussed the data preconditioning step, the application of 2DCOS method, and the calibration curves that correlates the integrated intensities of the Raman bands of a given adulterant with its percentage in a given gasoline sample. It shown the protocol for using the 2DCOS-FT-Raman method to verify the adulteration in a given gasoline sample compared with a specific standard. This work emphasizes the flexibility and viability of using this method to have a specific standard for each gasoline distribution firm and also for each new gasoline derived from the refinery.

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is produced commercially in a two-stage process consisting of a mercerization stage, where the pulp is treated with alkali in a water alcohol solution, followed by an etherification stage in which monochloroacetic acid is added to the pulp slurry. In this thesis an extended mercerization stage of a spruce ether pulp was investigated where the parameters studied were the ratio of cellulose I and II, concentration of alkali, temperature and retention time. The influence of the mercerization stage conditions on the etherification stage, were evaluated as the degree of substitution (DS) of the resulting CMC and the filterability of CMC dissolved in water at a concentration of 1%. The DS results suggested that the NaOH concentration in the mercerization stage was the most important of the parameters studied. When the NaOH concentration in the mercerization step was low (9%), a high cellulose II content in the pulp used was found to have no negative impact on the DS of the resulting CMC compared with pulps with only cellulose I. However, when the NaOH concentration was high (27.5%), pulps with high content of cellulose II showed a lower reactivity than those with only cellulose I with respect to the DS of the CMC obtained after a given charge of NaMCA. The results obtained from the filtration ability study of CMC water solutions suggested that both the amount of cellulose II in the original pulp and the temperature had a negative influence on the filtration ability whereas the NaOH concentration in the mercerization stage had a positive influence. The filtration ability was assumed to be influenced highly by the presence of poorly reacted cellulose segments. A retention time between 1-48 h in the mercerization stage had no effect on either the DS or the filtration ability of the CMC. Using NIR FT Raman spectroscopy molecular structures of CMC and its gel fraction were analyzed with respect to the conditions used in the extended mercerization stage. Here it was found that the alkaline concentration had a very strong influence on the following etherification reaction. FT Raman spectra of CMC samples and their gel fractions prepared with low NaOH concentrations (9%) in the mercerization stage indicated an incomplete transformation of cellulose to Na-cellulose before carboxymethylation to CMC. Low average DS values of the CMC, i.e. between 0.42 and 0.50, were yielded. Such CMC dissolved in water caused very thick and semi solid gum-like gels, probably due to an uneven distribution of substituting groups along the cellulose backbone. FT Raman spectra of CMC mercerized with alkaline concentrations at 18.25 and 27.5% in the mercerization stage indicated, however, that all of the cellulose molecules were totally transferred to CMC of high DS, i.e. between 0.88 and 1.05. When dissolved in water such CMC caused gels when they were prepared from ether pulp with a high fraction of cellulose II.

Universiẗat, Diss., 1999--Duisburg.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Danilo da Cruz Centeno / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnociência, 2018. / A recalcitrância da parede celular, associada à presença da lignina nos tecidos vegetais, dificulta e torna mais oneroso o uso da biomassa para a produção de etanol de segunda geração. Para driblar este obstáculo, muitos estudos têm sido realizados para compreender o metabolismo da lignina e encontrar formas alternativas de tratamento da biomassa. Recentemente, o ozônio vem sendo aplicado como uma alternativa de pré-tratamento do material lignocelulósico, devido à ação específica sobre a lignina. O presente trabalho possui dois capítulos independentes, e teve como objetivo principal estudar as alterações no conteúdo de lignina em cana-de-açúcar dado as características inerentes aos colmos das variedades estudadas e ao efeito causado pela fumigação aguda com ozônio. No capítulo I, além da quantificação de lignina, determinamos a concentração de açúcares solúveis totais para quatro variedades ¿ RB72454, RB855156, RB867515 e RB9257. Estes dados foram submetidos a análises de correlação e conectância com dados de metabolismo primário previamente obtidos por nosso grupo de pesquisa. A influência da variação da concentração do ácido chiquímico sobre o conteúdo de lignina não pôde ser confirmada através da correlação encontrada entre os dois compostos. Porém, a análise de rede de conectância mostrou que a lignina e o ácido chiquímico estão mais fortemente conectados nas variedades de colheita tardia RB72454 e RB92579. Estas conexões revelam a influência das fases do desenvolvimento vegetal no metabolismo da lignina. No capítulo II, avaliamos as alterações no conteúdo de lignina de folhas de cana-de-açúcar após exposições sucessivas à fumigação com ozônio. Os resultados mostraram uma reação das plantas (despolimerização) aos danos causados pelo estresse oxidativo quando submetidas a um ciclo de fumigação, e um aumento no conteúdo de lignina como uma resposta de memória ao estresse, amplificando suas defesas contra este estresse. O metabolismo da lignina e sua relação com o metabolismo primário é complexo e, no presente estudo, os resultados mostraram que alterações nesta relação podem ser observadas tanto constitutivamente (i.e., inerentes ao desenvolvimento da planta), quanto induzidas por estresse. Ademais, reportamos que, entre as técnicas utilizadas neste trabalho, a rede de conectância e o FT-Raman mostraram-se importantes ferramentas no estudo da lignina. / The recalcitrance of the cell wall is associated with the presence of lignin in the vegetal tissues, making it difficult and more expensive to use biomass for the production of second-generation ethanol. To overcome this obstacle many studies have been carried out to understand the lignin metabolism and to find alternative forms of biomass treatment. Recently, ozone has been applied as an alternative pretreatment of the lignocellulosic material, due to its specific action on lignin. The present work has two independent chapters, in which the main objective was to study the changes in lignin content in sugarcane due to the inherent characteristics of the stems of the studied varieties and the effect caused by the acute fumigation with ozone. In chapter I, in addition to the quantification of lignin we determined the total soluble sugars of four varieties RB72454, RB855156, RB867515 and RB9257. These data were submitted to correlation analysis and the network connectance analysis with data of primary metabolism, previously obtained in our group. The influence of the variation of the shikimate concentration on the lignin content was not confirmed by the correlation found between the two compounds. However, the network connectance analysis showed that lignin and shikimate are more strongly connected in late harvest varieties RB72454 and RB92579. These connections revealed the influence of plant development phases over lignin metabolism. In chapter II, changes in the lignin content of leaf blades of sugarcane were evaluated after multiple exposures to ozone fumigation. The results showed a reaction of the plants (depolymerization) to the damage caused by oxidative stress when submitted to one fumigation exposure, and an increase in lignin content as a memory response to stress, amplifying their defenses against ozone. The metabolism of lignin and its relation to the primary metabolism is complex and our results showed that alterations in this relationship may be constitutive (i.e., inherent to the plant development), and induced by abiotic stress. In addition, we reported that among the techniques applied in this work, the network connectance and the FT-Raman showed to be useful tools in the study of lignin.

No / The use of Fourier-transform Raman spectroscopy for characterising lignocellulosics has increased significantly over the last twenty years. Here, an FT-Raman spectroscopic study of changes in the chemistry of waterlogged archaeological wood of Pinus sp. and Quercus sp. from a prehistoric assemblage recovered from northern Greece is presented. FT-Raman spectral features of biodeteriorated wood were associated with the depletion of lignin and/or carbohydrate polymers at various stages of deterioration. Spectra from the archaeological wood are presented alongside spectra of sound wood of the same taxa. A comparison of the relative changes in intensities of spectral bands associated with lignin and carbohydrates resulting from decay clearly indicated extensive deterioration of both the softwood and hardwood samples and the carbohydrates appear to be more deteriorated than the lignin. The biodeterioration of the archaeological timbers followed a pattern of initial preferential loss of carbohydrates causing significant loss of cellulose and hemicellulose, followed by the degradation of lignin.

No / Bulk crystallisation of protein therapeutic molecules towards their controlled drug delivery is of interest to the biopharmaceutical industry. The complexity of biotherapeutic molecules is likely to lead to complex material properties of crystals in the solid state and to complex transitions. This complexity is explored using batch crystallised lysozyme as a model. The effects of drying and milling on the solid-state transformations of lysozyme crystals were monitored using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), FT-Raman, and enzymatic assay. XRPD was used to characterise crystallinity and these data supported those of crystalline lysozyme which gave a distinctive DSC thermogram. The apparent denaturation temperature (Tm) of the amorphous lysozyme was ∼201 °C, while the Tm of the crystalline form was ∼187 °C. Raman spectra supported a more α-helix rich structure of crystalline lysozyme. This structure is consistent with reduced cooperative unit sizes compared to the amorphous lysozyme and is consistent with a reduction in the Tm of the crystalline form. Evidence was obtained that milling also induced denaturation in the solid-state, with the denatured lysozyme showing no thermal transition. The denaturation of the crystalline lysozyme occurred mainly through its amorphous form. Interestingly, the mechanical denaturation of lysozyme did not affect its biological activity on dissolution. Lysozyme crystals on drying did not become amorphous, while milling-time played a crucial role in the crystalline-amorphous-denatured transformations of lysozyme crystals. DSC is shown to be a key tool to monitor quantitatively these transformations.

No / Nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) is characterized by loss of inherited skin color. The cause of the disease is still unknown despite accumulating in vivo and in vitro evidence of massive epidermal oxidative stress via H2O2 and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) in affected individuals. The most favored hypothesis is based on autoimmune mechanisms. Strictly segmental vitiligo (SSV) with dermatomal distribution is a rare entity, often associated with stable outcome. Recently, it was documented that this form can be associated with NSV (mixed vitiligo). We here asked the question whether ROS and possibly ONOO− could be players in the pathogenesis of SSV. Our in situ results demonstrate for the first time epidermal biopterin accumulation together with significantly decreased epidermal catalase, thioredoxin/thioreoxin reductase, and MSRA/MSRB expression. Moreover, we show epidermal ONOO− accumulation. In vivo FT-Raman spectroscopy reveals the presence of H2O2, methionine sulfoxide, and tryptophan metabolites; i.e., N-formylkynurenine and kynurenine, implying Fenton chemistry in the cascade (n=10). Validation of the basic data stems from successful repigmentation of skin and eyelashes in affected individuals, regardless of SSV or segmental vitiligo in association with NSV after reduction of epidermal H2O2 (n=5). Taken together, our contribution strongly supports H2O2/ONOO-mediated stress in the pathogenesis of SSV. Our findings offer new treatment intervention for lost skin and hair color.—Schallreuter, K. U., Salem, M. A. E. L., Holtz, S., Panske, A. Basic evidence for epidermal H2O2/ONOO−-mediated oxidation/nitration in segmental vitiligo is supported by repigmentation of skin and eyelashes after reduction of epidermal H2O2 with topical NB-UVB-activated pseudocatalase PC-KUS.

Neste trabalho, foram estudadas blendas de poliésteres sintéticos e de fonte renovável - poli(tereftalato de butileno-co-adipato de butileno) - PBAT e poli(ácido láctico) - PLA, respectivamente, utilizados em sacolas de supermercado. Amostras destes materiais foram pesadas e enterradas em solo simulado por quatro meses para simular uma compostagem tradicional. As amostras foram então analisadas por Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC), Termogravimetria e Termogravimetria Derivada (TG e DTG, incluindo uma Análise Cinética não isotérmica comparativa com sacolas de PE aditivadas com agente pró-degradante, Espectroscopia Vibracional Raman com Transformada de Fourier (FT-Raman), Difração de Raios X e Cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho. Embora não tenha havido perda de massa significativa no período do envelhecimento por compostagem tradicional, foram constatadas importantes alterações estruturais nas amostras, tais como a redução nas energias de ativação (Ea) para os processos de decomposição térmica, a redução na intensidade da banda relativa ao estiramento da carbonila presente nos poliésteres e também uma drástica redução da massa molecular dos polímeros. Em paralelo, a aceleração do processo de biodegradação com Vermicompostagem foi investigado, com resultados bastante promissores, incluindo a degradação total da amostra após um tratamento prévio de exposição à luz solar. / In this study, blends of the synthetic polyester poly(butylene adipate-cotherephtalate) - PBAT - and the natural one poly(lactic acid) - PLA - used as biodegradable plastic shopping bags were studied. Samples of these materials were weighed and buried in simulated soil for four months to simulate domestic composting. These samples were then studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetry (TG, including a comparative non-isothermal Kinetic Analysis with PE shopping bags containing prodegradation agents), Transformed Fourier Raman Vibrational Spectroscopy (FT-Raman), Wide Angle X-Ray Diffraction (WAXD) and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). It was observed that even though there was no significant mass loss in the period of the ageing when using conventional home composting, important structural changes were detected in the samples, such as the reduction of activation energies (Ea) for the thermal decomposition processes, the reduction of intensity of the peak associated with the stretching of the carbonyl present in both polyesters and also a dramatic decrease in molecular weights. In parallel, the acceleration of the biodegradation process with vermicomposting was investigated, with very promising results, including the total disintegration of the samples when submitted to a previous treatment of sun light exposure.

This thesis deals with the preparation of chemically and/or enzymatically modified cellulose. This modification can be either irreversible or reversible. Irreversible modification is used to prepare cellulose derivatives as end products, whereas reversible modification is used to enhance solubility in the preparation of regenerated cellulose. The irreversible modification studied here was the preparation of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) using extended mercerization of a spruce dissolving pulp. More specifically the parameters studied were the effect of mercerization at different proportions of cellulose I and II in the dissolving pulp, the concentration of alkali, the temperature and the reaction time. The parameters evaluated were the degree of substitution, the filterability and the amount of gel obtained when the resulting CMC was dissolved in water. Molecular structures of CMC and its gel fractions were analysed by using NIR FT Raman spectroscopy. It was found that the alkali concentration in the mercerization stage had an extensive influence on the subsequent etherification reaction. FT Raman spectra of CMC samples and their gel fractions prepared with low NaOH concentrations (9%) in the mercerization stage indicated an incomplete transformation of cellulose to Na-cellulose before carboxymethylation to CMC. Low average DS values of the CMC, i.e. between 0.42 and 0.50 were obtained. Such CMC dissolved in water resulted in very thick and semi solid gum-like gels, probably due to an uneven distribution of substituents along the cellulose backbone. FT Raman spectra of CMC samples and their gel fractions mercerized at higher alkaline concentration, i.e. 18.25 and 27.5% in the mercerization stage, indicated on the other hand a complete transformation of cellulose to Na-cellulose before carboxymethylation to CMC. Higher average DS values of the CMC, i.e. between 0.88 and 1.05 were therefore obtained. When dissolved in water such CMC caused gel formation especially when prepared from dissolving pulp with a high fraction of cellulose II. The reversible modification studied was the dissolution of cellulose in NaOH/ZnO. Here the effect of enzyme pretreatment was investigated by using two mono-component enzymes; namely xylanase and endoglucanase, used in consecutive stages. It was found that although the crystallinity and the specific surface area of the dissolving pulp sustained minimal change during the enzymatic treatment; the solubility of pulp increased in a NaOH/ZnO solution from 29% for untreated pulp up to 81% for enzymatic pretreated pulp. / Baksidetext Cellulose can be chemically and/or enzymatically modified. Irreversible modification is used to prepare cellulose derivatives as end products, reversible modification to enhance solubility in the preparation of regenerated cellulose. The irreversible modification studied here was the preparation of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) using extended mercerization of a spruce dissolving pulp. More specifically the parameters studied were the effect of mercerization at different proportions of cellulose I and II in the dissolving pulp, the concentration of alkali, the temperature and the reaction time. It was found that the alkali concentration in the mercerization stage had an extensive influence on the subsequent etherification reaction. The content of cellulose II had little effect on degree of substitution (DS) at low NaOH concentration, but tended to decrease DS at higher NaOH concentration in both cases compared with cellulose I. It was also found that the content of cellulose II correlates with the gel formation obtained when the CMC is dissolved in water. The reversible modification studied was the dissolution of cellulose in NaOH/ZnO. Here the effect of enzyme pretreatment was investigated by using two mono-component enzymes; namely xylanase and endoglucanase, used in consecutive stages. It was found that the solubility of pulp increased in a NaOH/ZnO solution from 29% for untreated pulp up to 81% for enzymatic pretreated pulp.

Neste trabalho, foram estudadas blendas de poliésteres sintéticos e de fonte renovável - poli(tereftalato de butileno-co-adipato de butileno) - PBAT e poli(ácido láctico) - PLA, respectivamente, utilizados em sacolas de supermercado. Amostras destes materiais foram pesadas e enterradas em solo simulado por quatro meses para simular uma compostagem tradicional. As amostras foram então analisadas por Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC), Termogravimetria e Termogravimetria Derivada (TG e DTG, incluindo uma Análise Cinética não isotérmica comparativa com sacolas de PE aditivadas com agente pró-degradante, Espectroscopia Vibracional Raman com Transformada de Fourier (FT-Raman), Difração de Raios X e Cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho. Embora não tenha havido perda de massa significativa no período do envelhecimento por compostagem tradicional, foram constatadas importantes alterações estruturais nas amostras, tais como a redução nas energias de ativação (Ea) para os processos de decomposição térmica, a redução na intensidade da banda relativa ao estiramento da carbonila presente nos poliésteres e também uma drástica redução da massa molecular dos polímeros. Em paralelo, a aceleração do processo de biodegradação com Vermicompostagem foi investigado, com resultados bastante promissores, incluindo a degradação total da amostra após um tratamento prévio de exposição à luz solar. / In this study, blends of the synthetic polyester poly(butylene adipate-cotherephtalate) - PBAT - and the natural one poly(lactic acid) - PLA - used as biodegradable plastic shopping bags were studied. Samples of these materials were weighed and buried in simulated soil for four months to simulate domestic composting. These samples were then studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetry (TG, including a comparative non-isothermal Kinetic Analysis with PE shopping bags containing prodegradation agents), Transformed Fourier Raman Vibrational Spectroscopy (FT-Raman), Wide Angle X-Ray Diffraction (WAXD) and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). It was observed that even though there was no significant mass loss in the period of the ageing when using conventional home composting, important structural changes were detected in the samples, such as the reduction of activation energies (Ea) for the thermal decomposition processes, the reduction of intensity of the peak associated with the stretching of the carbonyl present in both polyesters and also a dramatic decrease in molecular weights. In parallel, the acceleration of the biodegradation process with vermicomposting was investigated, with very promising results, including the total disintegration of the samples when submitted to a previous treatment of sun light exposure.