Resumo: Os polímeros vêm substituindo materiais como madeira, vidro e metal em variadas aplicações. Nos dias atuais, seu uso tem sido extensivamente alto em todo o mundo, tornando o volume de material descartado um grande problema. Acredita-se, portanto, que investigações sobre a capacidade microbiológica em degradar resíduos gerados pela atividade humana sejam de extrema importância. Um dos polímeros avaliados nesse trabalho, o poli (cloreto de vinila) (PVC) é o segundo termoplástico mais consumido no mundo. A poli (caprolactona) (PCL) é um poliéster sintético facilmente degradado por enzimas como lipases, esterases e despolimerases extracelulares de bactérias e fungos. Neste contexto, o presente estudo avaliou a eficiência de degradação de filmes poliméricos de PVC e PCL utilizando a linhagem Phanerochaete chrysosporium CCB 478 e um consórcio padrão de espécies fúngicas recomendado pela metodologia ISO 846-1978 - Testing of Plastics - Influence of fungi and bacteria. Os filmes foram individualmente mergulhados em suspensões de esporos, incubados em placas de Petri contendo meio completo (suplementado com glicose) e meio incompleto (sem glicose). As placas foram acondicionadas em câmaras úmidas por trinta dias a 28°C. A biodegradação dos filmes foi avaliada mediante análises de perda de massa, coloração, microscopia óptica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Não foi observado o crescimento de P. chrysosporium nos filmes havendo, porém, a presença de estirpes contaminantes, que foram isoladas e caracterizadas. Em amostras de PVC biotratadas a perda de massa foi insignificante. A degradação dos filmes de PCL pelo consórcio foi mais eficiente do que pelos micro-organismos isolados, nos dois meios testados. Com relação a estes meios, também foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas para tratamentos com o PCL. Dentre os fungos do consórcio... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Polymers have been replacing materials such as wood, glass and metal in different applications. Nowadays their use have extensively increased worldwide, making the volume of discharged material a great problem. Therefore, scientific investigations on the microbial ability to degrade plastic waste are considered extremely important. One of the recalcitrant polymers evaluated in this work, poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) is considered the second most consumed thermoplastic in the world. Poly (caprolactone) (PCL), is a synthetic polyester easily degraded by enzymes such as lipases, esterases and extracellular depolimerases of bacteria and fungi. In this context, this study evaluated the capability of Phanerochaete chrysosporium, strain CCB 478, and a set of fungal species recommended by ISO 846-1978 (Testing of Plastics - Influence of fungi and bacteria), to degrade PVC and PCL films. The films were individually immersed in a spore suspension, and incubated in Petri dishes containing complete medium (supplemented with glucose) and incomplete medium (without glucose). The plates were kept in humidity chamber for thirty days at 28°C. The biodegradation of the films was investigated through the analyses of weight loss, color changes, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In our results, there was no growth of P. chrysosporium on the films, however interesting contaminates were isolated and characterized. Samples of the biotreated PVC presented no weight losses. The degradation of PCL films by the recommended fungal set was more efficient than the isolated microorganisms in both culture media. With respect to these media, statistical differences were also found for treatments with the PCL. Among all fungi tested, the ascomycete Chaetomium globosum was the only one able to colonize the surface of PVC films and degrade the PCL films significantly. Morphological changes resulting... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Derlene Attili de Angelis / Coorientador: Sandra Mara Martins-Franchetti / Banca: José Carlos Marconato / Banca: Regina Teresa Rosim Monteiro / Mestre

Biofuels have been proposed to be a suitable replacement to the already depleting fossil fuels. The complex structures of plant biomasses present a challenge the production of biofuels due to recalcitrance. The complex cellulose structure and hydrogen bonding between repeat units of cellulose is believed to be a major contributor to the recalcitrance of cellulose. Fungal organisms come equipped with various oxidative enzymes involved in degradation of plant biomass. The exact mechanism of cellulose degradation remains elusive. The GH61 is a group of proteins which are PMOs. GH61 sequences where previously described as endoglucanases due to weak endoglucanase activity. These enzymes were later found not possess any enzyme activity of their own however they could enhance the activity of other cellulose degrading enzymes. As a result reclassification of these enzymes as AA9 has been implemented. AA9 proteins have been reported to share structural homology with the bacterial AA10 group of enzymes. Based on cleavage products that are produced when AA9 proteins interact with cellulose, AA9 proteins have been grouped into three types. To date the exact mechanism and the sequence and structural basis for differentiating between the various AA9 types remains unknown. Using various bionformatic techniques sequence and structural elements were identified for distinguishing between the AA9 types. A large dataset of sequences was obtained from the Pfam database from UNIPROT entries. Due to high divergence of AA9 sequences, a smaller dataset with the more divergent sequences removed was created. The inclusion of the reference sequences to the data set was done to observe which sequences belong to a certain type. Phylogenetic analysis was able to group AA9 proteins into three distinct groups. MSA and motif analysis revealed that the N-Terminus of these proteins is mostly responsible for type specificity. Structural analysis of AA9 PDB structures and homology models allowed the effect of physicochemical properties to be gauged structurally. The presence of 310 helices and aromatic residues the surface of AA9 sequences is an observation which still warrants further investigation.

Orientador: Ederio Dino Bidoia / Banca: Carlos Renato Corso / Banca: Maria Aparecida Marin Morales / Banca: Vanildo Luiz Del Bianchi / Banca: Suzan Pantaroto de Vasconcelos / Resumo: A biodegradação de compostos persistentes no ambiente é de extrema importância para a qualidade ambiental. Os micro-organismos do solo participam deste processo por um longo período, no qual a substância recalcitrante sofre diversas transformações químicas, até a completa mineralização do composto. O óleo diesel e grande parte dos derivados do petróleo são conhecidos pela difícil biodegradação e contaminação ambiental. Desde o ano de 2005 o biodiesel vem sendo misturado ao óleo diesel comercial em concentrações que aumentam gradativamente, com proposta de chegar ao ano de 2019 com 10 % de biodiesel adicionado ao óleo diesel comercializado em todo território nacional. O aumento da produção de biodiesel tem como co-produto a geração de glicerol. Considerando o aumento deste co-produto, este trabalho propôs a utilização do glicerol, para produção de biossurfactante por Bacillus subtilis. Além disso, o estudo visou a aplicação deste biossurfactante bruto produzido para facilitar a biodegradação de misturas diesel/biodiesel pelos micro-organismos presentes naturalmente no solo. A comunidade microbiana do solo contaminado foi avaliada por método dependente (contagem de UFC) e independente de cultivo (DGGE). Para a produção de biossurfactante foi utilizado diferentes concentrações de glicerol como única fonte de carbono em meio mineral Bushnell Haas. O biossurfactante foi utilizado em solução para medir as propriedades tensoativas. Para responder às perguntas levantadas nesse estudo... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The biodegradation process of recalcitrant compounds in the environment is important for environmental quality. The soil microorganisms are responsible for this process, which the recalcitrant substance undergoes several chemical transformations until the complete mineralization of the substance. Diesel oil and many others petroleum derivatives are known for the recalcitrance and environmental contamination. Since 2005, biodiesel has been mixed with commercial diesel fuel in concentrations that will gradually increase until 2019. The concentration at 10 % of biodiesel mixed in diesel oil will be marketed. The increase of biodiesel production has the generation of glycerol as by-products. Considering the increase of this by-product, this work proposed the use of glycerol, without any purification, for the biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis. In addition, the study aimed to apply this crude biosurfactant produced to improve the biodegradation of diesel/biodiesel blends. The microbial community from contaminated soil was evaluated by cultivation-dependent and independent methods. We used different concentrations of glycerol as the only carbon source in Bushnell Haas mineral medium for biosurfactant production. The biosurfactant was used in solution to measure the surface tension and the emulsifying properties. The biodegradation of diesel/biodiesel blends was analyzed using respirometric method to quantify the CO2 produced by micro-organisms. The microbial community was analyzed by counting of colony forming units (CFU). Also, the profile of the bacterial community was evaluated by PCR and separation of DNA bands by DGGE gel. Diesel/biodiesel blends accelerated CO2 production in the early period of biodegradation. The microbial community increased at the end of 122 days of biodegradation. However, the phytotoxicity of contaminated soil ... (Complete abstract electronic access below) / Doutor

Syntheses, spectral, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies of new thiol-derivatised MPc complexes were satisfactorily carried out. For the first time, spectroelectrochemistry gave evidence for the formation of Ni²⁺/Ni⁺ process in a NiPc complex. Significant insights as to the nature of Fe⁺Pc and Ni⁺Pc spectra were obtained. Transformations of chlorophenols using chemical and photochemical methods are presented. For cobalt tetrasulphophthalocyanine catalysed oxidation of chlorophenols using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant, types of oxidation products formed depended on the solvent conditions. Photolysis of aqueous solutions of chlorophenols in the presence of immobilised non-transition metal phthalocyanine photosensitisers onto Amerlite® was carried out. For the first time, MPcS[subscript mix] complexes were immobilised on Amberlite® for use in heterogeneous photocatalysis. Photolysis of the chlorophenols resulted mainly in the formation of chlorobenzoquinone derivatives. The generation of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) by these immobilised MPc photosensitisers was found to play a major role in their photoactivities. Modifications of gold electrodes with the newly synthesised thiol-derivatised MPc complexes via electropolymerisation and SAM techniques are presented. Cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy (NiPcs only) and spectroelectrochemical techniques (NiPcs only) confirmed that the complexes formed films on gold electrodes. Stable and well packed SAM films as evidenced by the voltammetric characterisation were obtained. For the first time, optimisation of the time for SAM formation based on CV technique was studied. First example of a formation of MnPc-SAM was achieved. Catalytic activities of the NiPc towards chlorophenol depended on the nature of the NiPc in the polymer films and also anti-fouling ability of the films depended on polymer film thickness. The FeTBMPc polymer modified gold electrode showed the best catalytic activity in terms of peak potential, E[subscript p] when compared to reported work in literature for nitrate electrooxidation. Cyclic voltammetry and spectroscopy studies showed that the CoPcs, FePcs and NiPcs catalysed nitrite oxidation involve 2 electrons in total while that of McPcs involve 1 electron. Better catalytic performance towards sulphite electrooxidation were obtained for the CoPcs, FePcs and MnPcs which have metal based redox processes within the range of the sulphite electrooxidation peak while the NiPcs which did not show metal based oxidation reaction performed less.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:55:51Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 henn_c_me_sjrp.pdf: 849585 bytes, checksum: d5adb0af2720ff51aa6a25169134ce33 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A introdução de moléculas xenobióticas no ambiente muitas vezes ocorre sem que sejam conhecidos muitos de seus aspectos bioquímicos e toxicológicos fundamentais. A presença anéis aromáticos na estrutura molecular muitas vezes é o fator determinante da toxicidade, recalcitrância e propriedades mutagênicas associadas e muitos destes compostos. O papel dos insumos agrícolas neste processo é de particular relevância, devido ao seu caráter de liberação intencional no ambiente e dos crescentes volumes aplicados em todo o mundo. Neste trabalho, foram selecionadas linhagens de basidiomicetos com base na sua tolerância aos herbicidas atrazina e diurom, para estudo detalhado do potencial de degradação e do papel desempenhado pelas enzimas ligninolíticas no processo. A tolerância não se mostrou relacionada à degradação dos xenobióticos; esta foi muito eficiente para algumas linhagens estudadas, chegando a 38% da atrazina e 96% do diurom, por MCA 17 agaricales e SXS 320 P. cubensis, respectivamente, após 20 dias de cultivo. As linhagens mais tolerantes à atrazina, Pluteus cubensis SXS 320 e Polyporus tenuiculus MCA 11, e ao diurom, Pycnoporus sanguineus MCA 16 e Dacryopinax elegans SXS 323, foram empregadas em ensaios mais detalhados para a degradação e produção de enzimas. Os efeitos de diferentes concentrações do diurom e da atrazina como única fonte de carbono ou em presença de fontes alternativas como glicose ou bagaço de cana (1%), foram determinados para os microrganismos tolerantes. Apenas Pycnoporus sanguineus MCA 16 e Polyporus tenuiculus MCA 11 produziram lacases, única enzima do sistema ligninolítico detectada nas culturas. No caso de Pycnoporus sanguineus, as lacases foram constitutivamente produzidas em meio contendo glicose, atingindo 283 U.l-1. A lacase de P. tenuiculus, por sua vez, foi produzida apenas em presença de constituintes... / The introduction of xenobiotic molecules in the environment often occurs without the knowledge about many basic aspects related to biochemistry and toxicology. The aromatic ring presence in their molecular structure many times is the determinant feature for toxicity, recalcitrance and mutagenic properties associated with those compounds. The role of agricultural chemicals in this process has particular relevance, due to their intentional release on environment and the crescent volumes employed worldwide. In this work, basidiomycete strains were chosen based on their tolerance to herbicides atrazine and diuron, for detailed study of the fungi’s degradative potential and the role developed by ligninolytic enzymes in this process. The tolerance was not related to xenobiotic’s degradation, which was very efficient for many strains, reaching 38% for atrazine and 96% for diuron, by MCA 17 Agaricales and SXS 320 Pluteus cubensis, respectively, after 20 days in culture. Those ones more tolerant to atrazine, Pluteus cubensis SXS 320 and Polyporus tenuiculus MCA 11, and for diuron, Pycnoporus sanguineus MCA 16 and Dacryopinax elegans SXS 323, were employed in assays focusing on degradation and enzyme production. The effect of different concentrations of diuron and atrazine as sole carbon source or in presence of alternative sources, like glucose and sugarcane bagasse (1%), were determined for tolerant microorganisms. Only Pycnoporus sanguineus MCA 16 and Polyporus tenuiculus MCA 11 have produced laccases, the unique enzyme of ligninolytic system detected in cultures. For Pycnoporus sanguineus, the laccases were constitutively produced in medium containing glucose, reaching 238 U.l-1. The laccase from P. tenuiculus was released only with the presence of lignocellulosic constituents in culture medium, resulting in 1,219 U.l-1 in medium containing wheat bran. The biochemical properties... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:14:46Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 pirollo_mps_me_rcla.pdf: 1848706 bytes, checksum: 98d8ca1a8ad1551fbb2bb0fdf4a32eb8 (MD5) / Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP) / A cepa bacteriana Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI, isolada de solo contaminado com hidrocarbonetos, foi inoculada visando promover a degradação dos hidrocarbonetos através da capacidade de produção de biossurfactantes. Como matéria prima alternativa de baixo custo para produção biossurfactantes utilizou-se a borra oleosa proveniente do fundo de tanques de estocagem da REPLAN-PETROBRAS. Os ensaios foram realizados em triplicatas a 30C, 200 rpm, durante 168 horas e o acompanhamento foi realizado por amostra a cada 24 horas para quantificar o biossurfactantes e o crescimento celular. A tensão superficial, PH e os estudos de estabilidade e emulsificação foram realizados com o sobrenadante do cultivo de 168 horas. A cepa bacteriana mostrou-se capaz de se desenvolver e produzir biossurfactantes em querosene, óleo diesel, petróleo e borra oleosa. Apenas benzeno e tolueno não apresentam resultados positivos. / Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI isolated from hydrocarbon contaminated soil and potential producer of biosurfactant was used for hydrocarbon biodegradation. The petroleum waste from REPLAN-PETROBRAS, alternative source of low cost to biosurfactante synthesis was utilized on medium culture. These studies were done at 30C with shaking at 200 rpm, during 168 hours, in triplicate. The samples were withdrawn daily for growth studies and biosurfactante production. The surface tension, PH and stability studies were done with the cell-free broth after 168 hours of incubation. The strain was able to produce biosurfactantes and to grow on the analyzed carbon sources, except benzene and toluene. When cultivated on diesel oil 30%, the strain produced higher quantities of biosurfactante. The biosurfactante was able to emulsifier all analyzed hidrocarbons. Stability studies of the product on the culture broth indicate that the biosurfactante is stable in extreme conditions. Therefore the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosas LBI and the biosurfactante produced have potential applications in bioremediation of site hydrocarbon contaminated, and possible application in enhanced oil recuperation.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:38:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:05:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 05661.pdf: 7886710 bytes, checksum: 01bc6c86dc7ee9a79099061dadc6f84a (MD5) / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Orientador: Carlos Renato Corso / Banca: Sandra Mara Martins Franchetti / Banca: José Carlos Marconato / Banca: Aurora Mariana Garcia de França Souza. / Banca: Antonio Sérgio Spanó Seixas / Resumo: Este trabalho utilizou Neurospora crassa 74A em sua forma paramorfogênica, para avaliar o processo inicial da remoção da cor de efluentes aquáticos, que se desenvolveu em duas etapas; a biosorção e a biodegradação. Nos espectros de UV-Vis foi possível estabelecer o grau de remoção do corante por biosorção, seguido, após um tempo mais longo de contato, do início de processo biodegradativo; em que ficou caracterizado, principalmente, o aparecimento de bandas, indicando a presença de aminas primárias, após 120 horas de contato. Deste modo, pode-se deduzir que o fungo após esgotar sua fonte de carbono decorrente do inóculo, recorreu à fonte de carbono alternativo, vindo do substrato mais próximo, ou seja, das moléculas de corantes. No estudo da tolerância ficou evidenciado que todos os corantes estudados apresentaram fatores que provocaram uma diminuição da produção de biomassa, contudo, foi possível com a determinação da Concentração Efetiva (EC50), que caracteriza a inibição ou mortalidade de 50% dos organismos testados, para saber o grau de toxicidade destes corantes. Os mais tóxicos foram "Procion Red MX-5B" em pH 2,50; seguido do "Acid Red 151" em pH 2,50. Menos tóxicos foram "Direct Red 23" no pH 6,50 e "Erythrosine B" no pH 4,50 / Abstract: In this research Neurospora crassa 74A in its paramorphogenic form was used to evaluate the initial process of the dye removal from water effluents, which was carried out in two steps; biosorption and biodegradation. It was possible to establish in the UV-Vis spectra a dye removal degree through biosorption, soon after a longer contact time between the microorganism and the dye, beginning the biodegradative process. In which it was mainly characterized the band appearance, pointing out the presence of primary amines after 120-hours contact. Thus, it can be deduced that the fungus after exhausting its carbon source due to the innoculum, it came after the alternative carbon source, coming from nearer substrate, that its, the dye molecules. The tolerance study showed that all dyes presented factors, which induced a decrease in the biomass production; however, it was possible to know the toxicity of the dyes because of the determination of the EC50. The most toxics were (Procion Red MX-5B at pH 2.50); followed by (Acid Red 151 at pH 2.50). The less toxics were (Direct Red 23 at pH 6.50) and (Erythrosine B at pH 4.50) / Doutor

CAPES / O estudo para o emprego de biofilmes na substituição do plástico convencional destinado a algumas aplicações específicas vem ganhando força e recebendo considerável atenção no cenário dos recursos renováveis. Dentre as inúmeras aplicações dos biofilmes pode-se citar o seu uso no revestimento de fertilizantes de liberação lenta. Normalmente, grande parte do nitrogênio aplicado sob a forma de fertilizante no solo, é perdido devido aos processos aos quais este está sujeito, a lixiviação pela água da chuva e volatilização pelo calor. Essas perdas, além de causar prejuízos aos agricultores, causam também a contaminação do solo e das águas devido ao excesso de nutrientes lixiviados. Com isso, observa-se que os fertilizantes de liberação lenta de nitrogênio são uma alternativa mais econômica para a agricultura e menos agressiva ao meio ambiente, pois podem reduzir tais perdas. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo produzir um material de liberação lenta de nitrogênio através do revestimento da caulinita intercalada com ureia com biofilmes produzidos a partir de fécula de mandioca. Os biofilmes foram produzidos por casting utilizando diferentes concentrações de amido e adição de sorbitol. A intercalação da ureia na caulinita foi através de reação mecanoquímica, por 7 horas. O revestimento da mesma foi feito a partir da homogeneização da solução filmogênica de amido com a caulinita intercalada com ureia e posterior desidratação do material. Os ensaios de lixiviação e aquecimento foram realizados para determinar o teor de nitrogênio presente no material. Os resultados obtidos através da caracterização por Espectroscopia de Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier, Difratometria de Raios X, Análise Térmica e determinação do teor de nitrogênio por Kjeldahl foram promissores e mostraram que o teor de nitrogênio inicial é reduzido conforme o aumento do tempo de lixiviação e da temperatura de aquecimento e que mesmo após a submissão do material a temperatura de 200ºC e lixiviação por 48 horas, uma parte do nitrogênio ainda permanece imobilizada na matriz polimérica, correspondendo a 35% para o filme aquecido a 200ºC e 9% para o filme lixiviado por 48 horas. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que o biofilme contendo caulinita intercalada com ureia pode apresentar potencial para aplicação na liberação lenta de nitrogênio. / The study for the use of biofilms in replacing conventional plastic destined to some specific applications has been gaining strength and getting considerable attention in the scenario of renewable resources. Among the numerous applications of biofilms it can be cited its use in the coating of slow release fertilizers. Normally, most of the nitrogen applied as fertilizer in the soil is lost due to processes in which it is subjected to leaching by rain water and volatilization by heat. These losses, in addition to causing injuries to farmers, also cause contamination of soil and water due to excess nutrients leached. With this, it is observed that the slow release fertilizers of nitrogen are a more economical alternative to agriculture and less aggressive to the environment because they can reduce such losses. In this sense, the present work aims to produce a slow release nitrogen material through the lining of kaolinite intercalated with urea using biofilms produced from cassava starch. Biofilms were produced by casting using different concentrations of starch and adding sorbitol. The intercalation of urea in kaolinite was by mechanochemical reaction for 7 hours. Its coating was made from the homogenization of the filmogenic solution of starch with kaolinite intercalated with urea and subsequent dehydration of the material. The heating and leaching tests were performed to determine the nitrogen content in the material. The results obtained from the characterization by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffractometry, thermal analysis and determination of the nitrogen content by Kjeldahl were promising and showed that the initial nitrogen content is reduced with the increase of leaching time and heating temperature, and that even after submitting the material to a temperature of 200 ° C and leaching for 48 hours, a part of nitrogen remains immobilized in the polymer matrix, corresponding to 35% for the film heated to 200 ° C and 9% for film leached for 48 hours. The results demonstrate that the biofilm containing kaolinite intercalated with urea can present potential for application in the slow release of nitrogen.

CAPES / O estudo para o emprego de biofilmes na substituição do plástico convencional destinado a algumas aplicações específicas vem ganhando força e recebendo considerável atenção no cenário dos recursos renováveis. Dentre as inúmeras aplicações dos biofilmes pode-se citar o seu uso no revestimento de fertilizantes de liberação lenta. Normalmente, grande parte do nitrogênio aplicado sob a forma de fertilizante no solo, é perdido devido aos processos aos quais este está sujeito, a lixiviação pela água da chuva e volatilização pelo calor. Essas perdas, além de causar prejuízos aos agricultores, causam também a contaminação do solo e das águas devido ao excesso de nutrientes lixiviados. Com isso, observa-se que os fertilizantes de liberação lenta de nitrogênio são uma alternativa mais econômica para a agricultura e menos agressiva ao meio ambiente, pois podem reduzir tais perdas. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo produzir um material de liberação lenta de nitrogênio através do revestimento da caulinita intercalada com ureia com biofilmes produzidos a partir de fécula de mandioca. Os biofilmes foram produzidos por casting utilizando diferentes concentrações de amido e adição de sorbitol. A intercalação da ureia na caulinita foi através de reação mecanoquímica, por 7 horas. O revestimento da mesma foi feito a partir da homogeneização da solução filmogênica de amido com a caulinita intercalada com ureia e posterior desidratação do material. Os ensaios de lixiviação e aquecimento foram realizados para determinar o teor de nitrogênio presente no material. Os resultados obtidos através da caracterização por Espectroscopia de Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier, Difratometria de Raios X, Análise Térmica e determinação do teor de nitrogênio por Kjeldahl foram promissores e mostraram que o teor de nitrogênio inicial é reduzido conforme o aumento do tempo de lixiviação e da temperatura de aquecimento e que mesmo após a submissão do material a temperatura de 200ºC e lixiviação por 48 horas, uma parte do nitrogênio ainda permanece imobilizada na matriz polimérica, correspondendo a 35% para o filme aquecido a 200ºC e 9% para o filme lixiviado por 48 horas. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que o biofilme contendo caulinita intercalada com ureia pode apresentar potencial para aplicação na liberação lenta de nitrogênio. / The study for the use of biofilms in replacing conventional plastic destined to some specific applications has been gaining strength and getting considerable attention in the scenario of renewable resources. Among the numerous applications of biofilms it can be cited its use in the coating of slow release fertilizers. Normally, most of the nitrogen applied as fertilizer in the soil is lost due to processes in which it is subjected to leaching by rain water and volatilization by heat. These losses, in addition to causing injuries to farmers, also cause contamination of soil and water due to excess nutrients leached. With this, it is observed that the slow release fertilizers of nitrogen are a more economical alternative to agriculture and less aggressive to the environment because they can reduce such losses. In this sense, the present work aims to produce a slow release nitrogen material through the lining of kaolinite intercalated with urea using biofilms produced from cassava starch. Biofilms were produced by casting using different concentrations of starch and adding sorbitol. The intercalation of urea in kaolinite was by mechanochemical reaction for 7 hours. Its coating was made from the homogenization of the filmogenic solution of starch with kaolinite intercalated with urea and subsequent dehydration of the material. The heating and leaching tests were performed to determine the nitrogen content in the material. The results obtained from the characterization by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffractometry, thermal analysis and determination of the nitrogen content by Kjeldahl were promising and showed that the initial nitrogen content is reduced with the increase of leaching time and heating temperature, and that even after submitting the material to a temperature of 200 ° C and leaching for 48 hours, a part of nitrogen remains immobilized in the polymer matrix, corresponding to 35% for the film heated to 200 ° C and 9% for film leached for 48 hours. The results demonstrate that the biofilm containing kaolinite intercalated with urea can present potential for application in the slow release of nitrogen.