The effect of preharvest foliar applications of ethephon and postharvest curing on baked sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batata) were analyzed. Ethylene had negative effects on appearance of baked roots while curing increased the total phenolics in sweet potatoes. Panelists preferred the non-ethylene treated and green or cured over ethylene treated sweet potatoes with respect to texture, color and flavor. No differences in chemical or color properties were found between treatments. The effect of curing time (0, 7, 14 days) on baked sweet potatoes was studied. Curing caused more browning on flesh of sweet potatoes. Moreover, panelists preferred the texture of the green over the cured roots but did not find any differences in flavor sensory quality. The effect of hot water treatment on sprouting and spoilage of cured sweet potatoes was investigated. The most effective treatment was at 53-56 °C for less than 10 min, resulting in less than 60% (control=80%).

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Liposomes as a drug carrier in the pharmaceutical industry has gained currency since its discovery in 1965 by Bangham A. D. Liposomes have been shown to improve bioavailability as they can be delivered to target sites and possess sustained release properties which could be used to mitigate certain weaknesses associated with current diclofenac sodium eye drops. Diclofenac sodium (DNa) eye drop is a sterile Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) with diclofenac sodium as its active ingredient. It is indicated for the lessening of ocular pain, prevention of miosis in eye operations, easing of postoperative inflammation and cystoids macular edema. The residence time of eye drops after application has been found to be 1-2 minutes as a result of continuous production of tears diluting the active ingredient, draining the eye drops into the nasolacrimal path, and eliminating it during blinking. As a result of the active ingredient not residing at the target site for the required duration, more frequent administration and medication is required and the risk of non-compliance is increased. Given the aforementioned potential of liposomes to redress the above weaknesses of current eye drops (dosage form) available for diclofenac sodium ophthalmic application, this study sought to encapsulate diclofenac sodium into liposomes for ophthalmic application. The main components of liposomes (cholesterol and phosphotidylcholine) and incubation time were set as the independent variables while percentage encapsulation, polydispersity index (PDI) and drug release profile constituted the dependent variable. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test statistics, the interaction between the independent variables and their effect on the dependent variables were tested.

O presente trabalho estuda a degradação fotocatalítica da nicotina em solução aquosa, um alcaloide altamente tóxico que tem sido detectado em efluentes, águas subterrâneas e água mineral. Os experimentos foram realizados em um reator batelada sob irradiação ultravioleta, tendo sido avaliadas três principais variáveis: concentração inicial do contaminante, concentração de catalisador e pH inicial da solução. Foram realizados dois planejamentos de experimentos para os catalisadores comerciais ZnO e TiO2, com o objetivo de encontrar a melhor condição para promover a degradação da nicotina em água. Outros catalisadores, preparados a partir de resíduos industriais e laboratoriais, foram testados nas condições otimizadas. O método analítico empregado para quantificar a nicotina nas amostras foi a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, o que permitiu registrar a formação de intermediários e subprodutos de reação. Os resultados experimentais demostraram que a degradação da nicotina por fotocatálise heterogênea é um processo bastante eficiente. Em ambos os planejamentos, o pH foi a variável que exerceu o maior efeito sobre a degradação, sendo este fortemente positivo. Já a concentração inicial de nicotina exerceu efeito negativo sobre a resposta e a concentração de catalisador em suspensão exibiu um ponto ótimo, que correspondeu a 0,91 g.L-1 para o ZnO, e 1,20 g.L-1 para o TiO2. Ensaios foram realizados nas condições otimizadas encontradas, onde cerca de 98% da molécula foi degradada utilizando ZnO em suspensão e 88% empregando TiO2, em uma hora de reação. A degradação fotocatalítica da nicotina demonstrou seguir uma cinética de pseudoprimeira ordem dentro do tempo de reação de 60 minutos, para os dois catalisadores comerciais. Entre os catalisadores não convencionais que foram testados, aquele que demonstrou o maior percentual de degradação foi obtido a partir de resíduo de uma indústria petroquímica, cerca de 43%. / The present work studies the photocatalytic degradation of nicotine in aqueous solution. This alkaloid is highly toxic and it has been detected in wastewater, groundwater and mineral water. The experiments were performed in a batch reactor under ultraviolet radiation. Three main variables of process were evaluated: initial concentration of pollutant, catalyst concentration and initial pH of the solution. Two experimental designs were performed for commercial catalysts ZnO and TiO2. The purpose was to find the best condition to promote the nicotine degradation in water. Other catalysts prepared from industrial and laboratory waste were tested under the optimized conditions. Analytical method used to quantify nicotine and its degradation products in all samples was high performance liquid chromatography. Experimental results showed that nicotine degradation by heterogeneous photocatalysis is a very efficient process. In both designs, initial pH was the most significant variable which has a strong positive effect. Initial nicotine concentration showed a negative effect, and catalyst concentration exhibited an optimal value for both commercial catalysts: 0,91 g.L-1 using ZnO, and 1,20 g.L-1 with TiO2. At the best conditions, about 98% of the molecule was degraded using ZnO and 88% with TiO2. Photocatalytic nicotine degradation followed a pseudo first order kinetic until 60 minutes of reaction for both commercial catalysts. Among the non-conventional catalysts tested, the one prepared from a petrochemical industry residue exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation, about 43%.

Self compacting concrete (SCC) is first developed in Japan in the late 1980s in order to overcome the consolidation problems associated with the presence of congested reinforcement. It is also termed as a high performance concrete, as it can flow under its own weight and completely fill the formworks. As the fresh properties of SCC are quite important, mix design of a SCC is performed by considering various workability related fresh properties. Therefore, a well designed SCC should satisfy all requirements of a hardened concrete, besides its superior workability properties. The aim of this research is to assess the effects of some basic ingredients of SCC on the fresh properties of SCC. This will be performed by applying design of experiment techniques and obtaining significant statistical models, which will give valuable information about the effects of the model parameters on the rheology and fresh state characteristics of SCC. In this research program, four different variables / use of fly ash replacement, use of high range water reducing admixture (HRWRA), use of viscosity modifying admixtures (VMA) and water-cementitious material ratio, are considered as the variables of the experimental design. Central Composite Design (CCD), a design of experiment technique, is employed throughout the experimental program and a total of 21 mixtures of concrete are cast. Slump flow, V-funnel, L-box, sieve segregation, initial and final setting time tests are performed, furthermore / to investigate the effects of these variables to the rheology of SCC, relative plastic viscosity and relative yield stress, which are the parameters of Bingham Model are measured with the help of a concrete rheometer. As a result of the experimental program, the fresh state properties of SCC are expressed by mathematical equations. Those equations are then used in order to explain the effects of fly ash replacement, HRWRA and VMA concentration, and the w/cm ratio on the fresh state properties of SCC. According to the derived models, it is stated that the water-cementitious material ratio of the concrete mixture is the most effective parameter on the flowability and passing ability of SCC beside the other parameters utilized in this research as its coefficient was the highest in the related models.

O presente trabalho estuda a degradação fotocatalítica da nicotina em solução aquosa, um alcaloide altamente tóxico que tem sido detectado em efluentes, águas subterrâneas e água mineral. Os experimentos foram realizados em um reator batelada sob irradiação ultravioleta, tendo sido avaliadas três principais variáveis: concentração inicial do contaminante, concentração de catalisador e pH inicial da solução. Foram realizados dois planejamentos de experimentos para os catalisadores comerciais ZnO e TiO2, com o objetivo de encontrar a melhor condição para promover a degradação da nicotina em água. Outros catalisadores, preparados a partir de resíduos industriais e laboratoriais, foram testados nas condições otimizadas. O método analítico empregado para quantificar a nicotina nas amostras foi a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, o que permitiu registrar a formação de intermediários e subprodutos de reação. Os resultados experimentais demostraram que a degradação da nicotina por fotocatálise heterogênea é um processo bastante eficiente. Em ambos os planejamentos, o pH foi a variável que exerceu o maior efeito sobre a degradação, sendo este fortemente positivo. Já a concentração inicial de nicotina exerceu efeito negativo sobre a resposta e a concentração de catalisador em suspensão exibiu um ponto ótimo, que correspondeu a 0,91 g.L-1 para o ZnO, e 1,20 g.L-1 para o TiO2. Ensaios foram realizados nas condições otimizadas encontradas, onde cerca de 98% da molécula foi degradada utilizando ZnO em suspensão e 88% empregando TiO2, em uma hora de reação. A degradação fotocatalítica da nicotina demonstrou seguir uma cinética de pseudoprimeira ordem dentro do tempo de reação de 60 minutos, para os dois catalisadores comerciais. Entre os catalisadores não convencionais que foram testados, aquele que demonstrou o maior percentual de degradação foi obtido a partir de resíduo de uma indústria petroquímica, cerca de 43%. / The present work studies the photocatalytic degradation of nicotine in aqueous solution. This alkaloid is highly toxic and it has been detected in wastewater, groundwater and mineral water. The experiments were performed in a batch reactor under ultraviolet radiation. Three main variables of process were evaluated: initial concentration of pollutant, catalyst concentration and initial pH of the solution. Two experimental designs were performed for commercial catalysts ZnO and TiO2. The purpose was to find the best condition to promote the nicotine degradation in water. Other catalysts prepared from industrial and laboratory waste were tested under the optimized conditions. Analytical method used to quantify nicotine and its degradation products in all samples was high performance liquid chromatography. Experimental results showed that nicotine degradation by heterogeneous photocatalysis is a very efficient process. In both designs, initial pH was the most significant variable which has a strong positive effect. Initial nicotine concentration showed a negative effect, and catalyst concentration exhibited an optimal value for both commercial catalysts: 0,91 g.L-1 using ZnO, and 1,20 g.L-1 with TiO2. At the best conditions, about 98% of the molecule was degraded using ZnO and 88% with TiO2. Photocatalytic nicotine degradation followed a pseudo first order kinetic until 60 minutes of reaction for both commercial catalysts. Among the non-conventional catalysts tested, the one prepared from a petrochemical industry residue exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation, about 43%.

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No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Danielle Pires Nogueira - 2016.pdf: 2016091 bytes, checksum: eb50931397d77906f88aaeec4a5fa5d0 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-18 / Due to the recent research for new fuels from renewable sources ethanol has been gaining momentum, because it can be produced from diverse raw materials, such as agro-industrial residues. The objective with this work was to study the production of reducing sugar by dilute acid, and enzymatic hydrolysis of the orange bagasse from juice industry. The orange bagasse was collected, cut into pieces, and crushed. Granulometry, and the contents of moisture, ashes, holocellulose, cellulose, hemicelulose, soluble and insoluble lignin were determined. The pre-treatment was done with calcium hydroxide following what was previously tested by Silva et al. (2013). A pre-test of the enzymes combination was done using 2 g of pre-treated biomass, in dry base, using 3 FPU/mL of cellulase, and 0 U/g and 3 U/g of xylanase. For the hydrolysis two central composite factorial 2³ designs were done, with the answer in total reducing sugars (ART). For the dilute acid hydrolysis the factors were HCl concentration, temperature, and time, and for the enzymatic the concentrations of cellulase and xylanase and time. The granulometry showed that 47.75% of the biomass with diameter over 0.833 mm, 32.84% of the biomass with an average diameter of 0.564 mm, and 19.41% of the biomass with diameter under 0.295 mm. The moisture content prior to drying was 84.69% and 7.38%, the ashes content was 3.79%. The cellulose content was 22.90% and the hemicellulose was 3.39%. The lignin content was 9.90%. The reducing sugar results for the acid hydrolysis varied from 9.32±0.68 mg ART per g of biomass to 30.15±0.31 mg ART per g biomass, the most significant factor was temperature, and the least was time. It was not possible to find the optimum region with the studied factors. The reducing sugar results for the enzymatic hydrolysis varied from 75.33±3.82 mg ART per g biomass to 99.66±0.62 mg ART per g biomass, the most significant factor was the cellulase concentration, and the least significant the xylanase concentration. The studied factors did not show the optimum region to maximize the reducing sugars content. The enzymatic hydrolysis produced larger concentrations of reducing sugars than the acid hydrolysis. / Frente as recentes buscas por novos combustíveis de fontes renováveis o etanol de segunda geração tem ganhado força, por poder ser produzido a partir de diversas matérias primas lignocelulósicas, como os resíduos agroindustriais. Objetivou-se com este trabalho estudar a geração de açúcares redutores por hidrólises ácida diluída e enzimática do bagaço de laranja proveniente da indústria de suco. O bagaço de laranja foi coletado, cortado, seco e moído. Granulometria, umidade, cinzas, concentrações de holocelulose, celulose, hemicelulose e lignina solúvel e insolúvel foram determinadas. O pré-tratamento foi realizado com hidróxido de cálcio de acordo com o previamente testado por Silva et al. (2013). Foi realizado um pré-teste da combinação das enzimas. Para as hidrólises foram feitos dois planejamentos fatoriais do tipo composto central 2³, com resposta em açúcares redutores totais (ART). Para a hidrólise ácida diluída os fatores estudados foram concentração de HCl, temperatura e tempo de hidrólise, na enzimática as concentrações de celulase e hemicelulase e o tempo. Na análise granulométrica encontrou-se 47,75% da biomassa com diâmetro superior a 0,833 mm, 32,84% de biomassa com diâmetro médio de 0,564 mm e 19,41% com diâmetro inferior a 0,295 mm. A umidade da biomassa antes da secagem foi de 84,69%, depois da secagem de 7,38% e as cinzas 3,79%. O conteúdo de celulose foi de 22,90% e o de hemicelulose 3,39%. O conteúdo de lignina foi de 9,90%. Houve uma perda de massa média de 30,03% no pré-tratamento. O pré-teste indicou um efeito positivo na combinação das enzimas para geração de açúcares redutores. Os resultados de açúcares redutores da hidrólise ácida variaram de 9,32±0,68 mg ART por g de biomassa a 30,15±0,31 mg ART por g biomassa, o fator mais significativo foi a temperatura e o menos o tempo, não foi possível encontrar a região ótima com os fatores estudados. Os resultados de açúcares redutores da hidrólise enzimática variaram de 75,33±3,82 mg ART por g biomassa a 99,66±0,62 mg ART por g biomassa, o fator mais significativo foi a concentração de celulase e o menos a concentração de xilanase. Com os fatores estudados não foi possível encontrar a região ótima de geração de açúcares redutores. A hidrólise enzimática gerou maiores concentrações de açúcares redutores que a hidrólise ácida.

O presente trabalho estuda a degradação fotocatalítica da nicotina em solução aquosa, um alcaloide altamente tóxico que tem sido detectado em efluentes, águas subterrâneas e água mineral. Os experimentos foram realizados em um reator batelada sob irradiação ultravioleta, tendo sido avaliadas três principais variáveis: concentração inicial do contaminante, concentração de catalisador e pH inicial da solução. Foram realizados dois planejamentos de experimentos para os catalisadores comerciais ZnO e TiO2, com o objetivo de encontrar a melhor condição para promover a degradação da nicotina em água. Outros catalisadores, preparados a partir de resíduos industriais e laboratoriais, foram testados nas condições otimizadas. O método analítico empregado para quantificar a nicotina nas amostras foi a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, o que permitiu registrar a formação de intermediários e subprodutos de reação. Os resultados experimentais demostraram que a degradação da nicotina por fotocatálise heterogênea é um processo bastante eficiente. Em ambos os planejamentos, o pH foi a variável que exerceu o maior efeito sobre a degradação, sendo este fortemente positivo. Já a concentração inicial de nicotina exerceu efeito negativo sobre a resposta e a concentração de catalisador em suspensão exibiu um ponto ótimo, que correspondeu a 0,91 g.L-1 para o ZnO, e 1,20 g.L-1 para o TiO2. Ensaios foram realizados nas condições otimizadas encontradas, onde cerca de 98% da molécula foi degradada utilizando ZnO em suspensão e 88% empregando TiO2, em uma hora de reação. A degradação fotocatalítica da nicotina demonstrou seguir uma cinética de pseudoprimeira ordem dentro do tempo de reação de 60 minutos, para os dois catalisadores comerciais. Entre os catalisadores não convencionais que foram testados, aquele que demonstrou o maior percentual de degradação foi obtido a partir de resíduo de uma indústria petroquímica, cerca de 43%. / The present work studies the photocatalytic degradation of nicotine in aqueous solution. This alkaloid is highly toxic and it has been detected in wastewater, groundwater and mineral water. The experiments were performed in a batch reactor under ultraviolet radiation. Three main variables of process were evaluated: initial concentration of pollutant, catalyst concentration and initial pH of the solution. Two experimental designs were performed for commercial catalysts ZnO and TiO2. The purpose was to find the best condition to promote the nicotine degradation in water. Other catalysts prepared from industrial and laboratory waste were tested under the optimized conditions. Analytical method used to quantify nicotine and its degradation products in all samples was high performance liquid chromatography. Experimental results showed that nicotine degradation by heterogeneous photocatalysis is a very efficient process. In both designs, initial pH was the most significant variable which has a strong positive effect. Initial nicotine concentration showed a negative effect, and catalyst concentration exhibited an optimal value for both commercial catalysts: 0,91 g.L-1 using ZnO, and 1,20 g.L-1 with TiO2. At the best conditions, about 98% of the molecule was degraded using ZnO and 88% with TiO2. Photocatalytic nicotine degradation followed a pseudo first order kinetic until 60 minutes of reaction for both commercial catalysts. Among the non-conventional catalysts tested, the one prepared from a petrochemical industry residue exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation, about 43%.

Hydrocolloid stabilizers are commonly used in ice cream formulations to provide body and reduce ice crystal growth during storage. We conducted a retail survey of 65 different vanilla ice cream brands and found the majority of manufacturers primarily use 1 or more of 4 different hydrocolloid sources: guar gum, carrageenan, locust and carob bean gum, or cellulose gum or gel. However, many consumers view hydrocolloids as unnatural, and the presence of hydrocolloids on an ingredient declaration may negatively affect purchase intent. Our survey of 705 consumers showed significant differences in purchase intent for vanilla ice cream, based on ingredient declarations containing different hydrocolloid stabilizers. A response surface central composite design was used to optimize ice cream stability using combinations of tapioca flour, carob bean gum, and citrus fiber, 3 consumer-preferred hydrocolloid stabilizers. Instrumental evaluations considered the dependent variables mix viscosity, ice cream hardness and toughness, melt-rate, and ice crystal size. A trained sensory panel also rated iciness, melt-rate, ease of breakdown in the mouth, and vanilla intensity. Each of the dependent variables from the trained panel and instrumental analysis were measured before and after a 3-week accelerated temperature cycling test. A regression analysis of the central composite design data combined instrumental and trained-panel results to compute a response surface based on the regression equation of each attribute. Using the response surface, 3 different optimized mix formulations were determined. The 3 different mixes were optimized using: 1) all dependent variables evaluated, 2) only sensory iciness scores, and 3) ice crystal size only. An untrained consumer panel evaluated samples before and after temperature cycling test, and rated vanilla ice creams prepared from all 3 optimized mixes against a control ice cream, prepared with a natural commercial stabilizer blend. The uncycled products prepared using optimized stabilizer blend were at statistical parity with the control product for overall acceptance, purchase likelihood, preference, sweetness and vanilla intensity, rate of melting in the mouth, texture and hardness. One or more of the optimized products were rated significantly better than the control for creaminess and texture. For products subjected to temperature cycling, 1 or more of the optimized products were rated significantly better than control for all attributes except sweetness and vanilla flavor intensity. This research indicates that more consumer-preferred options for ice cream stabilization are available to the ice cream industry, with performance and sensory results equal to other commercial hydrocolloid stabilizer blends.

In this project, the scan strategy of selective laser melting (SLM) for thin walled structures was investigated by changing laser parameters and tool path. Producing thin walled structures is difficult due to defects such as warpage and porosity. A layer on the SLM 125 consists of hatch volume, fill contours, and borders, however, for thin walls, hatch volume can become unavailable, resulting in a solely border/fill contour laser tool path. Three central composite designs (CCD) were created to optimize the laser parameters of borders to minimize leakage rate and porosity. The two factors changed were border laser power and scanning speed. The center points of the CCDs were 0.24 J/mm, 0.20 J/mm, and 0.16 J/mm, respectively. This border linear energy density value was calculated by (border laser power / border scanning speed). A machined aluminum fixture was designed and assembled with pneumatics to perform a pressure drop leakage test. Additionally, micrographs of 500μm and 200μm wall thicknesses were analyzed to study between and within layers as well as melt pool dimensions. In the 200μm thick samples, there was delamination and insufficient overlap in border only prints. For border only prints, a lower border linear energy density is recommended, similar to Cal Poly’s hatch volume optimized parameters of 0.15 J/mm.

Yes / This paper investigates the coupled effect of functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-COOH), nanomontmorillonite (NM), and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) anionic surfactant on compressive and flexural strengths of cement paste. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the content of the two nanomaterials and surfactant, and to analyze the effect of their interactions on mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics of the paste. Test results indicate that the simultaneous use of NM and MWCNT can lead to 30% gain in compressive strength and 40% increase in flexural strength. Using analysis of variance, it was possible to predict the optimal weight percentage of nanomaterials. Atomic Force Microscope observations showed that the use of NM and MWCNT can reduce the surface roughness of cement paste and refine porosity, thus reducing the risk of cracking at the cement matrix and improving the homogeneity of the microstructure.