O desafio das indústrias de alimentos na substituição da gordura trans em diversos produtos reside no desenvolvimento de formulações e processos que apresentem funcionalidade equivalente e viabilidade econômica. A interesterificação química representa uma opção tecnológica importante para a produção de gorduras visando diversas aplicações comerciais, sem a formação de ácidos graxos trans. O óleo de palma contém quantidades aproximadamente iguais de ácidos graxos saturados e insaturados e pelo seu fracionamento obtêm-se duas frações: a estearina (fração sólida) e a oleína (fração líquida). A estearina e oleína de palma são opções interessantes para a produção de grande variedade de produtos como margarinas e shortenings. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi modificar as propriedades físico-químicas de misturas de estearina e oleína de palma pelo uso da interesterificação química. As amostras foram analisadas quanto à composição em ácidos graxos e triacilgliceróis, distribuição regioespecífica dos ácidos graxos nos triacilgliceróis, índice de iodo, pontos de amolecimento e de fusão, conteúdo de gordura sólida, consistência e estrutura cristalina. Os ácidos graxos saturados são predominantes na estearina (71,9%), sendo que 65,5% correspondem ao ácido palmítico. A oleína tem como principal constituinte o ácido oléico, que representa 45,4%. À medida que aumenta a proporção de oleína de palma nas misturas, aumentam a quantidade de ácidos graxos insaturados e o índice de iodo e diminui a quantidade de ácidos graxos saturados. Após a interesterificação química, os pontos de fusão e amolecimento, a consistência e o conteúdo de gordura sólida aumentaram nas misturas que apresentavam maior proporção de oleína em função do aumento no teor de triacilgliceróis trissaturados. Por outro lado, estas propriedades não se modificaram nas misturas com maior proporção de estearina. Este comportamento se deve à distribuição aleatória dos ácidos graxos nos triacilgliceróis após a interesterificação, que forma triacilgliceróis em proporções diferentes das existentes originalmente. Os principais triacilgliceróis nas misturas foram PPP, PPO e POO. Antes da interesterificação os ácidos graxos saturados foram encontrados principalmente nas posições sn-1,3. Mudanças significativas na composição dos ácidos graxos na posição sn-2 após a interesterificação química foram encontradas em misturas com mais de 60% de oleína de palma. A mistura e a interesterificação permitiram obter gorduras com diferentes graus de plasticidade, aumentando as possibilidades de uso das frações estearina e oleína de palma. / The challenge of the food industries for the replacement of trans fat in various products lies in the development of formulations and processes which have equivalent functionality and economic viability. The chemical interesterification of palm stearin and palm olein is an important technological option for the production of fats targeting commercial applications, without formation of trans fatty acids Palm oil contains similar amounts of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. After fractionation two fractions are obtained: stearin (solid fraction) and olein (liquid fraction). Palm stearin and palm olein are alternatives for the production of many products, such as margarines and shortenings. The objective of this work was to modify the physical and chemical properties of mixtures of palm stearin and palm olein by using chemical interesterification. The following properties were analyzed: fatty acid and triacylglycerol compositions, regiospecific distribution of fatty acids in triacylglycerols, iodine value, softening and melting points, solid fat content, consistency and crystal microstructure. Saturated fatty acids are predominant in palm stearin (71.9%), which corresponds to 65.5% of palmitic acid. Palm olein has as its main constituent the oleic acid, which represents 45.4% of the unsaturated fatty acids. The increase of the proportion of palm olein in the mixture causes increase on the amount of unsaturated fatty acids and iodine value and decrease on the content of saturated fatty acids. After chemical interesterification, melting and softening points, consistency and solid fat content increased in the blends that had higher proportion of palm olein, as a consequence of the increase in the trisaturated triacylglycerols. On the other hand, these properties did not alter in the blends with higher proportion of palm stearin. This behavior is due to the random distribution of fatty acids in triacylglycerols after interesterification, which forms triacylglycerols in proportions that are different from those originally present. The major triacylglycerols in the blends were PPP, PPO and POO. Before interesterification the saturated fatty acids were found mainly in the sn-1,3 positions. Significant changes in the fatty acid composition in the sn-2 position after chemical interesterification were found in blends with more than 60 % of palm olein. Blending and interesterification of fats resulted in structured lipids with different degrees of plasticity, increasing the possibilities of use of stearin and olein fractions.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo obter e caracterizar complexos binários e ternários de benznidazol (BNZ) com ciclodextrinas e polímeros hidrossolúveis com a finalidade de melhorar a solubilidade do fármaco. Efetuou-se a caracterização físico-química do fármaco avaliando-se solubilidade, calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TGA), investigação de novas formas cristalinas e a definição de parâmetros para o ensaio de dissolução intrínseca. Posteriormente, esses dados foram utilizados como referência nos estudos de caracterização dos complexos de inclusão. Os complexos binários utilizaram as ciclodextrinas naturais αCD, βCD e γCD, e os ternários a βCD e HPβCD e adição de 1,0% de polímeros hidrossolúveis (povidona e copovidona). Os complexos foram secos em estufa e adicionalmente dois métodos de preparo co-evaporação e liofilização foram empregados para comparação e escolha do mais adequado. O estudo de caracterização dos complexos foi realizado através do método de solubilidade de fases, DSC e TGA. A constante de estabilidade, a eficiência de complexação e solubilidade sugeriram maior interação do fármaco com a βCD. Nos complexos ternários, a utilização de copovidona foi mais efetiva que a povidona. Houve aumento da solubilidade quando os complexos foram preparados pelo método de liofilização. A melhor solubilidade foi alcançada pelos complexos BNZ:βCD (0,84 mg/mL) e BNZ:βCD:copovidona (0,86 mg/mL) preparados pelo método de liofilização. / The present study was aimed to obtain and characterize binary and ternary complexes of benznidazole (BNZ) with cyclodextrins and water-soluble polymers with the purpose to improve the solubility of drug. It was performed the physicochemical characterization of BNZ by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA), investigation of new crystalline forms and the definition of parameters for the intrinsic drug dissolution test of intrinsic dissolution. Subsequently, these informations were used as reference in the studies of characterization of the inclusion complexes. The binary complexes were prepared with the cyclodextrins αCD, βCD and γCD and the ternary with βDC and HPβCD and addition of 1.0% of water-soluble polymers (povidone and copovidone). The complexes were dried in tray drayer and additionally two methods of preparation coevaporation and lyophilization were employeed for comparison and the best was selected. The characterization of the complexes was carried out by phase-solubility method, DSC and TGA. The constant of stability, the efficiency of complexation and solubity suggested higher interaction of the drug with the βCD. In the ternary complexes, the use of copovidone was more effective in the solubility than to povidone. There was an increased of solubility when the complexes were prepared by lyophilization. To best solubility was achieved by the complexes BNZ:βCD (0.84 mg/ml) and BNZ:βCD:copovidone (0.86 mg/ml) prepared by lyophilization method.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar, por meio de análise polínica de amostras de mel e cargas de pólen, a fonte dos recursos alimentares utilizados por cinco espécies de meliponíneos, numa área rural do município de Piracicaba, Estado de São Paulo, bem como acompanhar o desenvolvimento anual das colônias, além de determinar as características físico-químicas e microbiológicas de 31 amostras de mel produzido no local. Para tanto foram realizadas as análises de açúcares, umidade, HMF, proteínas, cinzas, pH, acidez, índice de formol, condutividade elétrica, cor, atividade diastásica, atividade de água e pesquisa de coliformes totais, fecais, fungos e leveduras. Os resultados demonstram que as espécies Tetragonisca angustula, Scaptotrigona bipunctata, Nanotrigona testaceicornis, Tetragona clavipes, com exceção de F. varia, são generalistas quanto ao uso dos recursos florais, e que o desenvolvimento de suas colônias é influenciado pelos fatores climáticos, necessitando de alimentação complementar em períodos de queda da temperatura, chuvas ou estigens intensas. Com relação às características físico-químicas do mel, pode-se verificar que a legislação atual, referente ao mel de Apis mellifera não é adequada para todos os caracteres analisados, reforçando a necessidade do desenvolvimento de um padrão próprio para os méis de meliponíneos, incluindo critérios microbiológicos, uma vez que 64,52% do total das amostras de mel analisadas apresentaram contagem superior a 100 UFC.g-1 para fungos e leveduras, além de 2 amostras de T. angustula positivas para coliformes totais. / This research deals with the pollinic analyses of honey samples and pollen loads in order to identify the source of food resources used by five species of meliponine bees, in Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. One also evaluated the annual development of the colonies and the determination of the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of 31 honey samples. The following parameters were evaluated: sugars, moisture content, HMF, protein, ashes, pH, acidity, formol index, electrical conductivity, color, diastase activity, water activity and the presence of fecal coliforms, fungi and yeast. The results have indicated that excepting for Friseomelita varia, the species Tetragonisca angustula, Scaptotrigona bipunctata, Nanotrigona testaceicornis and Tetragona clavipes are generalist regarding the use of floral resources. Also the development of their colonies is influenced by climatic factors, once they need complementary food during rainfall, low temperatures and long drought periods. As to the physicochemical characteristics of honey samples, one observes that the Brazilian standard rules for Apis mellifera honey are not suitable for all the analyzed parameters, thus indicating the necessity of a standard rule for the meliponine honeys including microbiological criteria once 64.52% of the analyzed honey samples presented values higher than 100 CFU.g-1 for fungi and yeast and 2 positive samples of T.angustula for total number of coliforms.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / FundaÃÃo de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Piauà / Objetivo: Investigar o potencial biotecnolÃgico do bagaÃo de uva, variedade Benitaka, cultivada no municÃpio de SÃo JoÃo do PiauÃ, PiauÃ, por meio de metodologias analÃticas cientificamente reconhecidas, buscando reconhecer os principais grupos de metabÃlitos responsÃveis por atividade antioxidante. Metodologia: As uvas (Vitis vinifera L.), variedade Benitaka, foram resultantes da safra 2011/2012 e coletadas no Polo de Viticultura do Assentamento Marrecas, no MunicÃpio de SÃo JoÃo do PiauÃ/PI e posteriormente higienizadas, prensadas em despolpadeira para separaÃÃo do bagaÃo, o qual foi submetido à desidrataÃÃo, trituraÃÃo, peneiramento e formaÃÃo do bagaÃo de uva em pÃ. A partir do bagaÃo de uva em pà foram realizadas anÃlises da composiÃÃo centesimal, conteÃdo de minerais, fibra dietÃtica total, solÃvel e insolÃvel, determinaÃÃo de Vitamina C, conteÃdo de antocianinas, perfil de Ãcidos graxos e investigaÃÃo de sua qualidade microbiolÃgica. Foram tambÃm elaborados extratos a partir de diferentes solventes, os quais foram analisados quanto à toxicidade frente à Artemia salina sp., conteÃdo de fenÃlicos totais, flavonÃides totais e taninos totais; atividade antioxidante in vitro pelos mÃtodos de DPPHâ e autooxidaÃÃo do sistema &#946;-caroteno/Ãcido linoleico; estabilidade oxidativa em Ãleo de soja e identificaÃÃo e quantificaÃÃo de polifenÃis por HPLC-UV. Os resultados foram expressos como mÃdia e desvio padrÃo (n=3) e utilizou-se o programa estatÃstico SAS para AnÃlise de VariÃncia e Teste de Tukey. Adotou-se o nÃvel de significÃncia de 5% (p<0,05). Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que no bagaÃo de uva em pà a quantidade de fibra dietÃtica total (46,17g/100g) se destacou quantitativamente em relaÃÃo aos carboidratos (29,2g/100g), proteÃnas (8,49g/100g) e lipÃdeos (8,16g/100g). O valor energÃtico total encontrado foi de 224Kcal/100g. A fraÃÃo fibra insolÃvel (79%) foi superior à fraÃÃo solÃvel (21%). O conteÃdo de Vitamina C foi de 26,25mg de Ãcido ascÃrbico/100g e de antocianinas, 131mg/100g. Os minerais ferro (18,08mg/100g), potÃssio (1,40mg/100g), zinco (0,98mg/100g), manganÃs (0,82mg/100g) e cÃlcio (0,44mg/100g) estavam presentes em maiores concentraÃÃes. A fraÃÃo lipÃdica foi composta principalmente por Ãcido linoleico (89,61%) e o teor de PUFA (89,61%) >MUFA (21,37%) >SFA (18,46%). O rendimento dos extratos variou de 6,85% a 45,5%, dependendo do solvente de extraÃÃo, sendo que o menor rendimento foi observado no extrato acetÃnico e o maior no extrato metanÃlico. O conteÃdo de fenÃlicos totais, flavonoides totais e taninos totais variaram em funÃÃo do solvente de extraÃÃo. Os extratos etanÃlico e acetÃnico conseguiram estabilizar o radical DPPHâ de forma eficiente, com valores de EC50 de 0,31 Âg/mL e 0,39 Âg/mL, os quais nÃo diferiram estatisticamente dos padrÃes quercetina (0,22 Âg/mL) e BHT (0,11 Âg/mL). Em relaÃÃo à avaliaÃÃo da atividade antioxidante pelo mÃtodo de autooxidaÃÃo do sistema &#946;-caroteno/Ãcido linolÃico, os extratos agiram de forma similar ao antioxidante sintÃtico BHT, com mÃdias de EC50 de 0.34 Âg/mL a 0.36 Âg/mL. O extrato etanÃlico aumentou a vida de prateleira do Ãleo de soja de forma similar ao BHT. O composto fenÃlico presente em maior concentraÃÃo foi isoquercitrina (12,94 mg/100g), seguido de rutina (7,54 mg/100g), quercetina (5,4 mg/100g) e resveratrol (2,5 mg/100g). ConclusÃo: Os resultados mostraram que o bagaÃo de uva representa uma fonte potencialmente importante de nutrientes e compostos fenÃlicos; alÃm de elevado potencial antioxidante, o que contribui para o seu elevado valor como um subproduto de frutos, com possibilidades de comercializaÃÃo como antioxidante natural.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo obter e caracterizar complexos binários e ternários de benznidazol (BNZ) com ciclodextrinas e polímeros hidrossolúveis com a finalidade de melhorar a solubilidade do fármaco. Efetuou-se a caracterização físico-química do fármaco avaliando-se solubilidade, calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TGA), investigação de novas formas cristalinas e a definição de parâmetros para o ensaio de dissolução intrínseca. Posteriormente, esses dados foram utilizados como referência nos estudos de caracterização dos complexos de inclusão. Os complexos binários utilizaram as ciclodextrinas naturais &#945;CD, &#946;CD e &#947;CD, e os ternários a &#946;CD e HP&#946;CD e adição de 1,0% de polímeros hidrossolúveis (povidona e copovidona). Os complexos foram secos em estufa e adicionalmente dois métodos de preparo co-evaporação e liofilização foram empregados para comparação e escolha do mais adequado. O estudo de caracterização dos complexos foi realizado através do método de solubilidade de fases, DSC e TGA. A constante de estabilidade, a eficiência de complexação e solubilidade sugeriram maior interação do fármaco com a &#946;CD. Nos complexos ternários, a utilização de copovidona foi mais efetiva que a povidona. Houve aumento da solubilidade quando os complexos foram preparados pelo método de liofilização. A melhor solubilidade foi alcançada pelos complexos BNZ:&#946;CD (0,84 mg/mL) e BNZ:&#946;CD:copovidona (0,86 mg/mL) preparados pelo método de liofilização. / The present study was aimed to obtain and characterize binary and ternary complexes of benznidazole (BNZ) with cyclodextrins and water-soluble polymers with the purpose to improve the solubility of drug. It was performed the physicochemical characterization of BNZ by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA), investigation of new crystalline forms and the definition of parameters for the intrinsic drug dissolution test of intrinsic dissolution. Subsequently, these informations were used as reference in the studies of characterization of the inclusion complexes. The binary complexes were prepared with the cyclodextrins &#945;CD, &#946;CD and &#947;CD and the ternary with &#946;DC and HP&#946;CD and addition of 1.0% of water-soluble polymers (povidone and copovidone). The complexes were dried in tray drayer and additionally two methods of preparation coevaporation and lyophilization were employeed for comparison and the best was selected. The characterization of the complexes was carried out by phase-solubility method, DSC and TGA. The constant of stability, the efficiency of complexation and solubity suggested higher interaction of the drug with the &#946;CD. In the ternary complexes, the use of copovidone was more effective in the solubility than to povidone. There was an increased of solubility when the complexes were prepared by lyophilization. To best solubility was achieved by the complexes BNZ:&#946;CD (0.84 mg/ml) and BNZ:&#946;CD:copovidone (0.86 mg/ml) prepared by lyophilization method.

<p style="text-align: justify; ">Hladno presovano ulje semena uljane tikve je&nbsp;proizvod specifičan za Srbiju, za razliku od zemalja u regionu koje imaju dugu tradiciju proizvodnje&nbsp;devičanskog tikvinog ulja.&nbsp;Tokom postupka hladnog presovanja sirovogosu&scaron;enog&nbsp;semena uljane tikve na pužnoj presi&nbsp;temperatura izdvojenog ulja ne prelazi 50 ^oC, &scaron;to se&nbsp;odražava na fizičko-hemijske, nutritivne i senzorne&nbsp;karakteristike kao i na oksidativnu stabilnost i&nbsp;antioksidativni potencijal ovog ulja.&nbsp;U cilju &scaron;to bolje karakterizacije ovog proizvoda na&nbsp;na&scaron;em trži&scaron;tu, ispitan je kvalitet hladno presovanog&nbsp;tikvinog ulja poreklom iz semena vi&scaron;e različitih&nbsp;slobodnooplodnih sorti i F1 hibrida, golosemenih i&nbsp;uljanih tikvi sa ljuskom, koje uspevaju u na&scaron;oj&nbsp;zemlji.&nbsp;Hladno presovano ulje semena tikve odlikuju&nbsp;specifične senzorne karakteristike: pored izuzetno&nbsp;blage arome, mirisa na sirovo seme tikve i ukusa&nbsp;koji podseća na meso tikve, ovo ulje se posebno&nbsp;izdvaja po boji koja je kod ispitivanog ulja bila&nbsp;svetlo-smedja do crvenkasta. Prema senzornim&nbsp;karakteristikama (naročito boji) izdvojili su se uzorci ulja poreklom iz semena austrijskih hibrida. Na&nbsp;osnovu sastava masnih kiselina ovo ulje pripada olinsko-linolnom tipu, &scaron;to ga svrstava u nutritivno&nbsp;veoma vredna biljna ulja, čemu doprinosi i visok&nbsp;sadržaj gama-tokoferola, koji je dominantan u&nbsp;tikvinom ulju. Određivanje sastava i sadržaja sterola je posebno bilo značajno kada je u pitanju hladno&nbsp;presovano tikvino ulje s obzirom da nema&nbsp;literaturnih podataka na tu temu. U ispitivanim&nbsp;uzorcima su bili dominantni delta-7 steroli, a određen je i izuzetno visok sadržaj skvalena, koji&nbsp;ima veoma važnu biolo&scaron;ku funkciju. Ispitivano ulje je posedovalo dobar antiradikalski potencijal, koji je&nbsp;bio u snažnoj linearnoj zavisnosti sa sadržajem fenolnih materija. Ulje dobijeno ekstrakcijom iz&nbsp;pogače, koja je zaostala nakon hladnog presovanja&nbsp;semena, posedovalo je veći antiradikalski potencijal&nbsp;u odnosu na hladno presovano &scaron;to je rezultat&nbsp;sadržaja fenolnih materija u većem procentu i ne&scaron;to&nbsp;nižeg sadržaja tokoferola u odnosu na hladno<br />presovano ulje.</p> / <p> Cold-pressed pumpkin oil is a product specific<br /> to Serbia, given that other countries in the<br /> region traditionally produce virgin pumpkin oil.<br /> In the process of cold pressing raw-dried<br /> pumpkin seeds by screw press, the<br /> temperature of extracted oil does not exceed<br /> 50oC, which affects physical, chemical,<br /> nutritional and sensory characteristics of this<br /> oil, as well as its oxidative stability and<br /> antiradical capacity.<br /> For the purpose of more precise<br /> characterization of this product in the domestic<br /> market, the quality of cold pressed oil from<br /> seeds of many free breeding varieties and F1<br /> hybrids &ndash; of both naked and husk seed<br /> pumpkins being grown in our country &ndash; was<br /> examined.<br /> Specific sensorial properties: light brown to<br /> reddish color, mild aroma, a smell similar to<br /> that of raw pumpkin seeds and a taste<br /> resembling that of pumpkin pulp are<br /> characteristic for this oil. As for sensory<br /> characteristics, the samples of oil from<br /> Austrian hybrid seeds, stood out. On the basis<br /> of fatty acid content, this oil belongs to the<br /> oleic-linoleic type, meaning it is a highly<br /> nutritional vegetable oil, which is also due to<br /> high levels of dominant gamma-tocopherol. Determination of the types and content of</p> <p> sterols was particularly important, given that<br /> there are no data specific to cold-pressed<br /> pumpkin oil in the literature. Delta-7 sterols are<br /> the most dominant sterols in examined oil<br /> samples and also very high content of<br /> squalene was found, which a compound with<br /> an important biological function is. The oil has<br /> an excellent antiradical capacity, showing a<br /> strong linear correlation with the amounts of<br /> phenolic compounds. Oil extracted from the<br /> cake, left over after the cold pressing of<br /> pumpkin seeds, had greater antiradical<br /> capacity than the samples of cold pressed oil,<br /> due to higher percentage of phenolic<br /> compounds and a slightly lower content of<br /> tocopherols compared to cold pressed oil.</p>

L’oxydase de l’acide 1-AminoCyclopropane Carboxylique (ACC Oxydase, ACCO) catalyse la formation de l’éthylène, hormone essentielle à la vie des plantes. L’ACCO catalyse l’oxydation de l’ACC en éthylène en présence de dioxygène et de deux électrons (fournis in vitro par l’ascorbate). L'activité de l'enzyme requière également, pour des raisons encore incomprises, la présence de CO2 sous la forme d'ions bicarbonates. Il s’agit d’une enzyme qui contient un ion fer(II) dans un environnement non-hémique au site actif. Etant donné l’importance de l’éthylène chez les plantes, l’ACCO, ainsi que les autres enzymes impliquées dans sa biosynthèse, ont été très étudiées durant les vingt dernières années. Cependant, peu d’études ont porté sur le rôle de l’ion métallique et le mécanisme d’action ou sur les surprenants processus d’inactivation subis par l’enzyme. L’ACCO est en effet une enzyme connue pour son instabilité. Nous avons tout d’abord entrepris une caractérisation physicochimique et biochimique de l’enzyme. Le matériel protéique utilisé a tout d’abord été analysé une coupure entre les résidus Ala 290 et Gly 291 a été observée au cours de la purification de l'enzyme. Puis, grâce à l'utilisation de techniques spectroscopiques, nous avons cherché à obtenir plus d'informations sur la fixation des substrats/cofacteurs au site actif. Enfin l’étude des mutants et des complexes modèles de l’ACCO a été réalisée afin de mieux comprendre le mécanisme catalytique et de rechercher de nouvelles activités. Nous nous sommes aussi intéressés aux mécanismes d’inactivation de l’ACCO. En présence des effecteurs en excès, cette inactivation se traduit par une fragmentation et une modification de charge. Lorsque la concentration en fer est limitée, aucune modification physique de l’enzyme inactive n’est observée et l'enzyme garde un contenu global en aminoacide et une conformation tridimensionnelle intègres. Des processus oxydatifs se déroulant directement au site actif de l’enzyme sont susceptibles d’engendrer une telle perte d’activité par l'oxydation d'un nombre limité d'acides aminés. Des études en spectrométrie de masse ont été entreprises et sont toujours en cours afin d'identifier les modifications responsables de la perte d'activité de l'enzyme.Enfin nous avons recherché d’éventuelles partenaires protéiques qui pourraient conférer à l’ACCO une meilleure stabilité. Des études préliminaires ont été entreprises et des données de microscopie suggèrent que l'ACCO est localisée près des membranes de la vacuole. / The 1-AminoCyclopropane Carboxylic acid oxidase (ACC Oxidase, ACCO) catalyzes the last step of the biosynthesis of the plant hormone, ethylene. ACCO catalyzes the oxidation of ACC into ethylene in the presence of dioxygen and two electrons (provided in vitro by ascorbate). Carbon dioxide (or bicarbonate ions) are also required for optimum activity. ACCO is an non-heme iron(II) containing enzyme. Given the importance of ethylene in plants, studies on ACCO, as well as on the other enzymes involved in its biosynthesis, have attracted much attention in the past two decades. However, few studies focus on the role of the metal ion and on the catalytic mechanism or the intriguing inactivation processes. ACCO is indeed known for its instability. We first purified and characterised the enzyme. During the purification, a cleavage between residues Ala 290 and Gly 291 was observed. Then, using spectroscopic techniques, we intended to get more information on cofactor's binding in the active site. Finally studies of mutants and model complexes of ACCO were performed in order to get a better understanding of the catalytic mechanism and to look for new activities.We were also interested in the inactivation processes of ACCO. In the presence of an excess of effectors, this inactivation resulted in fragmentation and in pI modification. When the concentration of iron is limited, no modifications of the inactive enzyme were observed. The inactive enzyme maintained its amino acid content and three-dimensional conformation. The loss of activity is therefore likely to derive from oxidative processes directly at the active site. Mass spectrometry experiments were initiated and are still under progress. Finally we were interested in identifying possible protein partners of ACCO that could provide a better stability. Preliminary studies were thus initiated and from microscopy results, ACCO was found located close to the vacuole membrane.

La pollution atmosphérique constitue de nos jours un enjeu sociétal majeur, tant pour ses conséquences néfastes sur la santé humaine que sur l'environnement. L'objectif général de ce présent travail était de déterminer le niveau de la pollution atmosphérique dakaroise, extérieure et intérieure, et d'évaluer son impact sanitaire au sein de la population urbaine. Les particules fines (PM₂.₅) et une fraction plus grossière (PM>₂.₅) échantillonnées sur un site urbain de Dakar (HLM), caractérisées par de fortes émissions du trafic routier, ont été comparées aux particules échantillonnées dans une zone rurale, Toubab Dialaw, située à environ 40 kms de Dakar. Les caractéristiques physicochimiques des échantillons ont révélé que les particules différaient par leurs propriétés physiques (surface) et chimiques (en termes de CHN, métaux, ions, paraffines, COV et HAP) de 65 à 75 % plus élevées dans les échantillons urbains. Selon les différentes sources et les différentes propriétés physiques et chimiques, la réponse inflammatoire (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) et les dommages oxydatifs (protéines carbonylées totales et 8-OHdG) se sont révélés plus importants dans les cellules bronchiques BEAS-2B exposées aux particules urbaines. La campagne de mesure de la qualité de l'air a montré que l'intérieur du bus était plus pollué en PM₁₀, CO, CO₂ et NO que le marché et les sites intérieurs urbains et ruraux. La comparaison de la qualité de l'air entre les sites intérieurs et extérieurs a révélé que, particulièrement dans les zones urbaines, la qualité de l'air intérieur pouvait être moins bonne que celle des sites extérieurs correspondants. Le suivi de l'exposition individuelle aux polluants a montré que les ménagères de la zone urbaine et rurale étaient plus exposées que les professionnels à la pollution de l'air, confirmant les observations précédentes d'un niveau d'exposition potentiellement plus élevé des polluants dans l'environnement intérieur. Cependant, il convient de tenir compte du niveau d'exposition des commerçants et des conducteurs d'autobus résultant de l'échappement du trafic avec des véhicules souvent anciens, mal entretenus et non contrôlés, en raison des niveaux élevés de polluants gazeux rapportés ici. / Air pollution is nowadays a major societal challenge, as much for its harmful consequences on human health as on the environment. The general objective of this work was to determine the level of Dakar air pollution, outdoor and indoor, and to assess its health impact in the urban population. Fine particles (PM₂.₅) and a coarser fraction (PM>₂.₅) sampled at an urban site in Dakar (HLM), characterized by high road traffic emissions, were compared with particles sampled at a rural area, Toubab Dialaw located about 40 km from Dakar. The physicochemical characteristics of samples revealed that PMs differ for their physical (surface area) and chemical properties (in terms of CHN, metals, ions, paraffins, VOCs and PAHs) that were 65 to 75 % higher in urban samples. In accordance with the different sources and different physical and chemical properties, the inflammatory response (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and the oxidative damage (total carbonylated proteins and 8-OHdG) were found higher in bronchial BEAS-2B cells exposed to urban PMs. The air quality measurement campaign showed that the bus interior was more polluted with PM₁₀, CO, CO₂ and NO than the market and the urban and rural indoor sites. The comparison of air quality between indoor and outdoor sites revealed that, particularly in urban areas, indoor air quality may be worse than the corresponding outdoor one. Monitoring individual exposure to pollutants showed that housewives in urban and rural sites were more exposed than professionals to air pollution, confirming previous observations of potential higher individual exposure level to pollutants in indoor environment. However, exposure level of traders and bus drivers that would result from the exhaust of traffic with often old, poorly maintained and uncontrolled vehicles has to be taken into consideration due the higher levels of gaseous pollutants here reported.

<p>Although, pulmonary drug delivery is a well established means for targeting of drugs to the lungs for the treatment of respiratory diseases as well as for the systemic delivery of volatile anesthetic agents, drug absorption kinetics in the lung have not been subjected to extensive research. The main objective of this thesis was to investigate drug absorption characteristics of the lung barrier, using the isolated and perfused rat lung model and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats. Physicochemically diverse drugs (i.e. atenolol, budesonide, cromolyn, cyanocobalamin, enalapril, enalaprilate, formoterol, imipramine, losartan, metoprolol, propranolol, talinolol, terbutaline, and the tetrapeptide TArPP) were used as model compounds. In connection to these investigations, a nebulization catheter device was successfully adapted and evaluated as a new technique for delivery of defined aerosol doses to the rat lung. In addition, a physicochemical profile of the inhaled drugs on the market worldwide during 2001 was made.</p><p>The pulmonary first-order absorption rate constant and bioavailability were found to correlate to the drug lipophilicity, the molecular polar surface area, and the apparent permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers. In contrast to the intestinal mucosa and the blood-brain barrier, the pulmonary epithelium was highly permeable to drugs with a high molecular polar surface area. Accordingly, a small hydrophilic tetrapeptide (oral bioavailability ~0.5%) showed a complete bioavailability after pulmonary delivery to rats in vivo. Regional differences in bioavailability, absorption rate, and first-pass metabolism of the peptide was demonstrated after targeted delivery to different regions of the respiratory tract in rats in vivo. The high pulmonary bioavailability of the efflux transporter substrates losartan and talinolol provides functional evidence for an insignificant role of efflux transporters such as P-glycoprotein in limiting the absorption of these drugs from the rat lung. </p><p>The results of this thesis demonstrate that the lung efficiently absorbs drugs with a wide range of lipophilicity. The pulmonary route should thus be regarded as a potential alternative for administration of drugs with low oral bioavailability. In addition, drug inhalation present an opportunity to attain a more rapid onset of drug action than can be attained by the oral route.</p>

Although, pulmonary drug delivery is a well established means for targeting of drugs to the lungs for the treatment of respiratory diseases as well as for the systemic delivery of volatile anesthetic agents, drug absorption kinetics in the lung have not been subjected to extensive research. The main objective of this thesis was to investigate drug absorption characteristics of the lung barrier, using the isolated and perfused rat lung model and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats. Physicochemically diverse drugs (i.e. atenolol, budesonide, cromolyn, cyanocobalamin, enalapril, enalaprilate, formoterol, imipramine, losartan, metoprolol, propranolol, talinolol, terbutaline, and the tetrapeptide TArPP) were used as model compounds. In connection to these investigations, a nebulization catheter device was successfully adapted and evaluated as a new technique for delivery of defined aerosol doses to the rat lung. In addition, a physicochemical profile of the inhaled drugs on the market worldwide during 2001 was made. The pulmonary first-order absorption rate constant and bioavailability were found to correlate to the drug lipophilicity, the molecular polar surface area, and the apparent permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers. In contrast to the intestinal mucosa and the blood-brain barrier, the pulmonary epithelium was highly permeable to drugs with a high molecular polar surface area. Accordingly, a small hydrophilic tetrapeptide (oral bioavailability ~0.5%) showed a complete bioavailability after pulmonary delivery to rats in vivo. Regional differences in bioavailability, absorption rate, and first-pass metabolism of the peptide was demonstrated after targeted delivery to different regions of the respiratory tract in rats in vivo. The high pulmonary bioavailability of the efflux transporter substrates losartan and talinolol provides functional evidence for an insignificant role of efflux transporters such as P-glycoprotein in limiting the absorption of these drugs from the rat lung. The results of this thesis demonstrate that the lung efficiently absorbs drugs with a wide range of lipophilicity. The pulmonary route should thus be regarded as a potential alternative for administration of drugs with low oral bioavailability. In addition, drug inhalation present an opportunity to attain a more rapid onset of drug action than can be attained by the oral route.