o,o???-Dityrosine (dityrosine), an oxidation product of tyrosine produced by reaction between tyrosyl radicals, is becoming established as a biomarker of free radical oxidative protein damage in vivo. Attempts to measure dityrosine concentrations in various physiological and pathological systems have produced varied and often contradictory results. Dityrosine concentrations in urine, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain tissue varying over three orders of magnitude have been reported, together with inconsistent claims of significant dityrosine elevation in several ageing-related pathologies. Some of these findings have contributed to the implication of free radical activity in the pathology of several neurodegenerative disorders, vascular and ocular abnormalities and in phagocyte response to infection. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that dityrosine levels are elevated in ageing and ageing-related disease. The study also aims to determine the utility of dityrosine measurement as an index of oxidative damage, and elucidate possible explanations for the inconsistent levels reported. An assay for the quantification of dityrosine was developed using capillary HPLC with electrospray tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The assay was highly specific for dityrosine and has the highest absolute sensitivity for dityrosine of any method reported to date, with a detection limit of 3 femtomoles of dityrosine on-column. Urine samples from volunteers of different age and from hospital patients with various pathologies were analysed. Plasma protein hydrolysates from control, Alzheimer???s and stroke subjects were analysed, together with hydrolysates of post mortem brain tissue from Alzheimer???s and control subjects. Urinary dityrosine level is elevated in states of acute infection and inflammation, but does not correlate with age or chronic disease. Protein dityrosine in four sections of Alzheimer???s brain was not significantly different from control sections. Dityrosine was present in human plasma and tissue proteins at approximately 5-35 residues per million tyrosine residues, and in normal urine at 5-25 micromol/mol creatinine or 20-200 nM. Most of the discrepancies in the literature relate to inadequate specificity of the analytical method. Interpretation of published data with critical appraisal of measurement technology specificity is essential in developing an accurate understanding of the role of free radicals in ageing and disease.

No description available.

o,o???-Dityrosine (dityrosine), an oxidation product of tyrosine produced by reaction between tyrosyl radicals, is becoming established as a biomarker of free radical oxidative protein damage in vivo. Attempts to measure dityrosine concentrations in various physiological and pathological systems have produced varied and often contradictory results. Dityrosine concentrations in urine, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain tissue varying over three orders of magnitude have been reported, together with inconsistent claims of significant dityrosine elevation in several ageing-related pathologies. Some of these findings have contributed to the implication of free radical activity in the pathology of several neurodegenerative disorders, vascular and ocular abnormalities and in phagocyte response to infection. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that dityrosine levels are elevated in ageing and ageing-related disease. The study also aims to determine the utility of dityrosine measurement as an index of oxidative damage, and elucidate possible explanations for the inconsistent levels reported. An assay for the quantification of dityrosine was developed using capillary HPLC with electrospray tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The assay was highly specific for dityrosine and has the highest absolute sensitivity for dityrosine of any method reported to date, with a detection limit of 3 femtomoles of dityrosine on-column. Urine samples from volunteers of different age and from hospital patients with various pathologies were analysed. Plasma protein hydrolysates from control, Alzheimer???s and stroke subjects were analysed, together with hydrolysates of post mortem brain tissue from Alzheimer???s and control subjects. Urinary dityrosine level is elevated in states of acute infection and inflammation, but does not correlate with age or chronic disease. Protein dityrosine in four sections of Alzheimer???s brain was not significantly different from control sections. Dityrosine was present in human plasma and tissue proteins at approximately 5-35 residues per million tyrosine residues, and in normal urine at 5-25 micromol/mol creatinine or 20-200 nM. Most of the discrepancies in the literature relate to inadequate specificity of the analytical method. Interpretation of published data with critical appraisal of measurement technology specificity is essential in developing an accurate understanding of the role of free radicals in ageing and disease.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Molecular recognition plays an important role in biological systems. The purpose of this study was to get a better understanding of the process by incorporating computational tools.Molecular Mechanics-Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) method and Molecular Mechanics-Poisson Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) method, the end-point free energy calculations provide the binding free energy the can be used to rank-order protein–ligand structures in virtual screening for compound or target identification. Free energy calculations were performed on a diverse set of 11 proteins bound to 14 small molecules was carried out for. A direct comparison was taken between the calculated free energy and the experimental isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) data. Four and three systems in MM-GBSA and MM-PBSA calculations, respectively, reproduced the ITC free energy within 1 kcal•mol–1. MM-GBSA exhibited better rank-ordering with a Spearman ρ of 0.68 compared to 0.40 for MM-PBSA with dielectric constant (ε = 1). The rank-ordering performance of MM-PBSA improved with increasing ε (ρ = 0.91 for ε = 10), but the contributions of electrostatics became significantly lower at larger ε level, suggesting that the only nonpolar and entropy components contribute to the improved results. Our previously developed scoring function, Support Vector Regression Knowledge-Based (SVRKB), resulted in excellent rank-ordering (ρ = 0.81) when applied into MD simulations. Filtering MD snapshots by prescoring protein–ligand complexes with a machine learning-based approach (SVMSP) resulted in a significant improvement in the MM-PBSA results (ε = 1) from ρ = 0.40 to ρ = 0.81. Finally, the nonpolar components in the free energy calculations showed strong correlation to the ITC free energy while the electrostatic components did not; the computed entropies did not correlate with the ITC entropy. Explicit-solvent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations offer an opportunity to sample multiple conformational states of a protein-ligand system in molecular recognition. SVMSP is a target-specific rescoring method that combines machine learning with statistical potentials. We evaluate the performance of SVMSP in its ability to enrich chemical libraries docked to MD structures. Seven proteins from the Directory of Useful Decoys (DUD) were involved in the study. We followed an innovative approach by training SVMSP scoring models using MD structures (SVMSPMD). The resulting models remarkably improved enrichment in two cases. We also explored approaches for a prior identification of MD snapshots with high enrichment power from an MD simulation in the absence of active compounds. SVMSP rescoring of protein–compound MD structures was applied for the search of small-molecule inhibitors of the mitochondrial enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). Rank-ordering of a commercial library of 50,000 compounds docked to MD optimized structures of ALDH2 led to five small-molecule inhibitors. Four compounds had IC50s below 5 μM. These compounds serve as leads for the design and synthesis of more potent and selective ALDH2 inhibitors.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Os efluentes contêm misturas complexas de compostos químicos orgânicos e inorgânicos além de metais pesados que possam representar uma grave fonte de poluição para os ecossistemas, assim como para a saúde humana. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar a modificação das características físicas e químicas do efluente e do solo que recebe a aspersão diária desde janeiro de 2011; avaliar a toxicidade aguda, crônica e mutagênese do efluente final tratado de indústria metal mecânica além de analisar se os vegetais que recebem irrigação com efluente atuam como receptores ecológicos de metais pesados. Tanto para o efluente quanto para o solo foram realizadas análises físicas e químicas, comparadas com padrões de legislação. A maioria dos parâmetros de emissão do efluente para águas superficiais estava dentro dos padrões legais, com exceção dos níveis de N e P totais. Na análise do solo, valores mais elevados foram observados no solo irrigado (SI) para P, K e a maioria dos metais analisados, sendo que para Ni estiveram acima dos de referência considerando a legislação mais restritiva. A caracterização de metais nos vegetais mostrou concentrações maiores em SI em relação ao solo de referência (SR). As raízes de Lolium multiflorum apresentaram valores mais elevados do que os observados em folhas, principalmente em relação a Al, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr e Pb. A toxicidade do efluente foi analisada em três níveis tróficos (Ceriodaphnia dubia; Pimephales promelas e Pseudokirchneriella subcaptata) com presença de efeito agudo e crônico para C. dubia e crônico para P. subcaptata. Ainda foram aplicados testes de sobrevivência e crescimento em Oryza sativa, Raphanus sativus e Lactuca sativa (plântulas) e Eisenia fetida (minhoca) onde o crescimento de O. sativa e E. fetida foram afetados; já no teste de ciclo de carbono e nitrogênio para microrganismos do solo a toxicidade foi ausente. O teste de fuga em SI com Eisenia andrei mostrou resposta negativa. A mutagênese das amostras de efluente e de solo foi avaliada no ensaio Salmonella/microssoma, método de microssuspensão, na presença e na ausência de metabolização (fração S9-homogenato de células de fígado de rato, S9). As linhagens utilizadas avaliaram erros no quadro de leitura TA98 e TA97a (sensível a metais pesados) e YG1041 e 1042 sem metabolização (sensível a nitrocompostos) e substituição de pares de bases TA100 e TA102 (sensível a danos oxidativos). As curvas dose-resposta foram avaliadas por análise de regressão e ANOVA (programa SALANAL). O efluente mostrou respostas significativas, com valores (revertentes/mL) de 510±151,8 (TA97a-S9) e 780±136,9 (TA100+S9). Para extratos orgânicos, os resultados foram indicativos de mutagênese para (TA97a+S9) . A mutagênese dos extratos ácidos do solo mostrou respostas positivas (92±31,7 revertentes/mg de solo seco equivalente; TA97a+S9) e indicativas de mutagênese (TA100+S9). Os efeitos detectados indicam que compostos inorgânicos, como metais pesados, podem levar à toxicidade e mutagênese observada, além de se acumularem nos vegetais. Os estudos subsidiam medidas preventivas para legislação que contemple restrições ao lançamento de substâncias potencialmente poluidoras no solo, utilizando análises das dosagens químicas aliados a ensaios de toxicidade e genotoxicidade. / The purpose of the present study was to evaluate acute and chronic toxicity and mutagenesis of the treated final effluent from the metallurgical industry; to look for the presence of the alterations detected in the effluent and in the soil that has been aprayed daily since January 2011; to evaluate plants as ecological receptors of heavy metals. Physical and chemical analyses were performed both for the effluent and for the soil, and compared with standards from legislation. Most of the emission parameters from the effluent to surface waters were within the legal standards, except for the levels of total N and P. Analyzing the soil higher values were observed in irrigated soil (SI) for P, K and most of the metals analyzed, and for Ni they were above those of reference considering the more restrictive legislation. The characterization of metals in the plants showed higher concentrations of SI compared to reference soil (SR). The roots of Lolium multiflorum presented higher values than those observed in leaves, especially for Al, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr. and Pb. The effluent toxicity was analyzed at three trophic levels (Ceriodaphnia dubia; Pimephales promelas and Pseudokirchneriella subcaptata) with the presence of an acute and chronic effect for C. dubia and chronic for P. subcaptata. Survival and growth tests were also applied in Oryza sativa, Raphanus sativus and Lactuca sativa (plantules) and Eisenia fetida (worm) where the growth of O. sativa and E. fetida were affected; on the other hand, in the carbon cycle test and nitrogen for soil microorganisms, there was no toxicity. The avoidance test in SI with Eisenia andrei showed a negative response. The mutagenesis of the effluent and soil samples was evaluated in the Salmonella/microsome assay, microsuspension method, in the presence and absence of metabolization (S9 fraction – homogenate of rat liver cells, S9). The strains used evaluated frameshift errors TA98 and TA97a (sensitive to heavy metals), YG1041 and 1042 absence of metabolization (sensitive to nitrocompounds ) and base pair substitution TA100 and TA102 (sensitive to oxidative damage). The dose-response curves were evaluated by regression analysis and ANOVA (SALANAL program). The effluent showed significant responses, with values (revertants/mL) of 510±151.8 (TA97a-S9) and 780±136.9 (TA100+S9). The results indicated mutagenesis for (TA97a+S9) for organic extracts The mutagenesis of the acid soil extracts showed positive responses (92±31.7 revertants/mg of dry soil equivalent; TA97a+ S9) and indicative of mutagenesis TA100+S9. The effects detected indicate that inorganic compounds, as heavy metals, can lead to the toxicity and mutagenesis observed, besides accumulating in the vegetable tissues. The studies subsidized preventative measures for legislation that considers restrictions to the discharge of potentially polluting substances on the soil, using analyses of the chemical doses together with toxicity and genotoxicity assays.

Os efluentes contêm misturas complexas de compostos químicos orgânicos e inorgânicos além de metais pesados que possam representar uma grave fonte de poluição para os ecossistemas, assim como para a saúde humana. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar a modificação das características físicas e químicas do efluente e do solo que recebe a aspersão diária desde janeiro de 2011; avaliar a toxicidade aguda, crônica e mutagênese do efluente final tratado de indústria metal mecânica além de analisar se os vegetais que recebem irrigação com efluente atuam como receptores ecológicos de metais pesados. Tanto para o efluente quanto para o solo foram realizadas análises físicas e químicas, comparadas com padrões de legislação. A maioria dos parâmetros de emissão do efluente para águas superficiais estava dentro dos padrões legais, com exceção dos níveis de N e P totais. Na análise do solo, valores mais elevados foram observados no solo irrigado (SI) para P, K e a maioria dos metais analisados, sendo que para Ni estiveram acima dos de referência considerando a legislação mais restritiva. A caracterização de metais nos vegetais mostrou concentrações maiores em SI em relação ao solo de referência (SR). As raízes de Lolium multiflorum apresentaram valores mais elevados do que os observados em folhas, principalmente em relação a Al, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr e Pb. A toxicidade do efluente foi analisada em três níveis tróficos (Ceriodaphnia dubia; Pimephales promelas e Pseudokirchneriella subcaptata) com presença de efeito agudo e crônico para C. dubia e crônico para P. subcaptata. Ainda foram aplicados testes de sobrevivência e crescimento em Oryza sativa, Raphanus sativus e Lactuca sativa (plântulas) e Eisenia fetida (minhoca) onde o crescimento de O. sativa e E. fetida foram afetados; já no teste de ciclo de carbono e nitrogênio para microrganismos do solo a toxicidade foi ausente. O teste de fuga em SI com Eisenia andrei mostrou resposta negativa. A mutagênese das amostras de efluente e de solo foi avaliada no ensaio Salmonella/microssoma, método de microssuspensão, na presença e na ausência de metabolização (fração S9-homogenato de células de fígado de rato, S9). As linhagens utilizadas avaliaram erros no quadro de leitura TA98 e TA97a (sensível a metais pesados) e YG1041 e 1042 sem metabolização (sensível a nitrocompostos) e substituição de pares de bases TA100 e TA102 (sensível a danos oxidativos). As curvas dose-resposta foram avaliadas por análise de regressão e ANOVA (programa SALANAL). O efluente mostrou respostas significativas, com valores (revertentes/mL) de 510±151,8 (TA97a-S9) e 780±136,9 (TA100+S9). Para extratos orgânicos, os resultados foram indicativos de mutagênese para (TA97a+S9) . A mutagênese dos extratos ácidos do solo mostrou respostas positivas (92±31,7 revertentes/mg de solo seco equivalente; TA97a+S9) e indicativas de mutagênese (TA100+S9). Os efeitos detectados indicam que compostos inorgânicos, como metais pesados, podem levar à toxicidade e mutagênese observada, além de se acumularem nos vegetais. Os estudos subsidiam medidas preventivas para legislação que contemple restrições ao lançamento de substâncias potencialmente poluidoras no solo, utilizando análises das dosagens químicas aliados a ensaios de toxicidade e genotoxicidade. / The purpose of the present study was to evaluate acute and chronic toxicity and mutagenesis of the treated final effluent from the metallurgical industry; to look for the presence of the alterations detected in the effluent and in the soil that has been aprayed daily since January 2011; to evaluate plants as ecological receptors of heavy metals. Physical and chemical analyses were performed both for the effluent and for the soil, and compared with standards from legislation. Most of the emission parameters from the effluent to surface waters were within the legal standards, except for the levels of total N and P. Analyzing the soil higher values were observed in irrigated soil (SI) for P, K and most of the metals analyzed, and for Ni they were above those of reference considering the more restrictive legislation. The characterization of metals in the plants showed higher concentrations of SI compared to reference soil (SR). The roots of Lolium multiflorum presented higher values than those observed in leaves, especially for Al, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr. and Pb. The effluent toxicity was analyzed at three trophic levels (Ceriodaphnia dubia; Pimephales promelas and Pseudokirchneriella subcaptata) with the presence of an acute and chronic effect for C. dubia and chronic for P. subcaptata. Survival and growth tests were also applied in Oryza sativa, Raphanus sativus and Lactuca sativa (plantules) and Eisenia fetida (worm) where the growth of O. sativa and E. fetida were affected; on the other hand, in the carbon cycle test and nitrogen for soil microorganisms, there was no toxicity. The avoidance test in SI with Eisenia andrei showed a negative response. The mutagenesis of the effluent and soil samples was evaluated in the Salmonella/microsome assay, microsuspension method, in the presence and absence of metabolization (S9 fraction – homogenate of rat liver cells, S9). The strains used evaluated frameshift errors TA98 and TA97a (sensitive to heavy metals), YG1041 and 1042 absence of metabolization (sensitive to nitrocompounds ) and base pair substitution TA100 and TA102 (sensitive to oxidative damage). The dose-response curves were evaluated by regression analysis and ANOVA (SALANAL program). The effluent showed significant responses, with values (revertants/mL) of 510±151.8 (TA97a-S9) and 780±136.9 (TA100+S9). The results indicated mutagenesis for (TA97a+S9) for organic extracts The mutagenesis of the acid soil extracts showed positive responses (92±31.7 revertants/mg of dry soil equivalent; TA97a+ S9) and indicative of mutagenesis TA100+S9. The effects detected indicate that inorganic compounds, as heavy metals, can lead to the toxicity and mutagenesis observed, besides accumulating in the vegetable tissues. The studies subsidized preventative measures for legislation that considers restrictions to the discharge of potentially polluting substances on the soil, using analyses of the chemical doses together with toxicity and genotoxicity assays.

Os efluentes contêm misturas complexas de compostos químicos orgânicos e inorgânicos além de metais pesados que possam representar uma grave fonte de poluição para os ecossistemas, assim como para a saúde humana. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar a modificação das características físicas e químicas do efluente e do solo que recebe a aspersão diária desde janeiro de 2011; avaliar a toxicidade aguda, crônica e mutagênese do efluente final tratado de indústria metal mecânica além de analisar se os vegetais que recebem irrigação com efluente atuam como receptores ecológicos de metais pesados. Tanto para o efluente quanto para o solo foram realizadas análises físicas e químicas, comparadas com padrões de legislação. A maioria dos parâmetros de emissão do efluente para águas superficiais estava dentro dos padrões legais, com exceção dos níveis de N e P totais. Na análise do solo, valores mais elevados foram observados no solo irrigado (SI) para P, K e a maioria dos metais analisados, sendo que para Ni estiveram acima dos de referência considerando a legislação mais restritiva. A caracterização de metais nos vegetais mostrou concentrações maiores em SI em relação ao solo de referência (SR). As raízes de Lolium multiflorum apresentaram valores mais elevados do que os observados em folhas, principalmente em relação a Al, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr e Pb. A toxicidade do efluente foi analisada em três níveis tróficos (Ceriodaphnia dubia; Pimephales promelas e Pseudokirchneriella subcaptata) com presença de efeito agudo e crônico para C. dubia e crônico para P. subcaptata. Ainda foram aplicados testes de sobrevivência e crescimento em Oryza sativa, Raphanus sativus e Lactuca sativa (plântulas) e Eisenia fetida (minhoca) onde o crescimento de O. sativa e E. fetida foram afetados; já no teste de ciclo de carbono e nitrogênio para microrganismos do solo a toxicidade foi ausente. O teste de fuga em SI com Eisenia andrei mostrou resposta negativa. A mutagênese das amostras de efluente e de solo foi avaliada no ensaio Salmonella/microssoma, método de microssuspensão, na presença e na ausência de metabolização (fração S9-homogenato de células de fígado de rato, S9). As linhagens utilizadas avaliaram erros no quadro de leitura TA98 e TA97a (sensível a metais pesados) e YG1041 e 1042 sem metabolização (sensível a nitrocompostos) e substituição de pares de bases TA100 e TA102 (sensível a danos oxidativos). As curvas dose-resposta foram avaliadas por análise de regressão e ANOVA (programa SALANAL). O efluente mostrou respostas significativas, com valores (revertentes/mL) de 510±151,8 (TA97a-S9) e 780±136,9 (TA100+S9). Para extratos orgânicos, os resultados foram indicativos de mutagênese para (TA97a+S9) . A mutagênese dos extratos ácidos do solo mostrou respostas positivas (92±31,7 revertentes/mg de solo seco equivalente; TA97a+S9) e indicativas de mutagênese (TA100+S9). Os efeitos detectados indicam que compostos inorgânicos, como metais pesados, podem levar à toxicidade e mutagênese observada, além de se acumularem nos vegetais. Os estudos subsidiam medidas preventivas para legislação que contemple restrições ao lançamento de substâncias potencialmente poluidoras no solo, utilizando análises das dosagens químicas aliados a ensaios de toxicidade e genotoxicidade. / The purpose of the present study was to evaluate acute and chronic toxicity and mutagenesis of the treated final effluent from the metallurgical industry; to look for the presence of the alterations detected in the effluent and in the soil that has been aprayed daily since January 2011; to evaluate plants as ecological receptors of heavy metals. Physical and chemical analyses were performed both for the effluent and for the soil, and compared with standards from legislation. Most of the emission parameters from the effluent to surface waters were within the legal standards, except for the levels of total N and P. Analyzing the soil higher values were observed in irrigated soil (SI) for P, K and most of the metals analyzed, and for Ni they were above those of reference considering the more restrictive legislation. The characterization of metals in the plants showed higher concentrations of SI compared to reference soil (SR). The roots of Lolium multiflorum presented higher values than those observed in leaves, especially for Al, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr. and Pb. The effluent toxicity was analyzed at three trophic levels (Ceriodaphnia dubia; Pimephales promelas and Pseudokirchneriella subcaptata) with the presence of an acute and chronic effect for C. dubia and chronic for P. subcaptata. Survival and growth tests were also applied in Oryza sativa, Raphanus sativus and Lactuca sativa (plantules) and Eisenia fetida (worm) where the growth of O. sativa and E. fetida were affected; on the other hand, in the carbon cycle test and nitrogen for soil microorganisms, there was no toxicity. The avoidance test in SI with Eisenia andrei showed a negative response. The mutagenesis of the effluent and soil samples was evaluated in the Salmonella/microsome assay, microsuspension method, in the presence and absence of metabolization (S9 fraction – homogenate of rat liver cells, S9). The strains used evaluated frameshift errors TA98 and TA97a (sensitive to heavy metals), YG1041 and 1042 absence of metabolization (sensitive to nitrocompounds ) and base pair substitution TA100 and TA102 (sensitive to oxidative damage). The dose-response curves were evaluated by regression analysis and ANOVA (SALANAL program). The effluent showed significant responses, with values (revertants/mL) of 510±151.8 (TA97a-S9) and 780±136.9 (TA100+S9). The results indicated mutagenesis for (TA97a+S9) for organic extracts The mutagenesis of the acid soil extracts showed positive responses (92±31.7 revertants/mg of dry soil equivalent; TA97a+ S9) and indicative of mutagenesis TA100+S9. The effects detected indicate that inorganic compounds, as heavy metals, can lead to the toxicity and mutagenesis observed, besides accumulating in the vegetable tissues. The studies subsidized preventative measures for legislation that considers restrictions to the discharge of potentially polluting substances on the soil, using analyses of the chemical doses together with toxicity and genotoxicity assays.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T12:05:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_pre_text_Gizelda.pdf: 110896 bytes, checksum: 62cbe3b7eacec8f8144ccf9ac3a12bd9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-03-28 / The present paper describes the theoretical reference for the study of the polymeric thermal catalytic cracking. A review on these type of materials it was accomplished, beginning for an introduction on new sources of alternative energy. Recycling plastics used as alternative sources fuels was evaluated under the environmental and point of view physical -chemical..The studies permitted validate the developed methodology in the research.. Ecotoxicology was used as a fundamental tool to evaluate the toxicity levels of alternative fuels sources, and the obtained levels was compared to the thoroughly used fuels, such as diesel and gasoline. And the Histology studies generated in the ecotoxicology analyses, was used as a supporting tool to obtain the conclusions. / Essa pesquisa descreve o referencial teórico para o estudo do craqueamento termocatalítico de polímeros. Uma revisão desse tipo de material foi realizada começando com uma introdução sobre novas fontes de energias alternativas. A reciclagem dos plásticos usados como fonte alternativa de combustíveis, foi avaliada sob o ponto de vista ambiental e físico químico. O estudo permitiu validar a metodologia desenvolvida na pesquisa. A Ecotoxicologia foi usada como importante ferramenta para avaliar e comparar os níveis de toxicidade dos novos combustíveis obtidos na pesquisa, com relação aos combustíveis amplamente utilizados, tais como o diesel e a gasolina. E usou-se a Histologia como suporte de apoio aos resultados gerados nas análises ecotoxicológicas para se obter as conclusões.

O experimento foi dividido em duas partes, sendo que inicialmente estudou-se os queijos Minas Frescal embalados sob ar atmosférico, atmosfera modificada de 70% CO2 e 30%N2 (ATM) e Vácuo e na segunda parte os queijos embalados sob os três tratamentos foram irradiados com doses de 2 KGy, sendo analisadas, nas duas partes do experimento, a evolução microbiana e as características sensoriais e físico-químicas do queijo sob os diferentes tratamentos durante o armazenamento a 4ºC. Na primeira fase do experimento verificou-se que a ATM e o Vácuo diminuíam a intensidade de crescimento da população de microrganismos mesófilos e psicrotróficos totais e reduziram a população de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva, mas não foram eficientes para o controle das populações coliformes totais e Escherichia coli, enquanto que no controle todas as populações cresceram continuamente, segundo os aspectos sensoriais de cor, odor e aparência dos queijos, mantiveram essas características durante os 40 dias de armazenamento e o controle diminuiu os índices de aceitabilidade progressivamente sendo rejeitado no 17º dia. Na segunda parte do experimento observou-se que irradiação no queijo Minas frescal com 2 KGy reduziu as populações de bactérias mesófilas aeróbias, psicrotróficas aeróbias e anaeróbias, Staphylococcus coagulase positiva, coliformes totais e Escherichia coli e os tratamentos ATM e Vácuo foram muitos eficientes pois eles evitaram o crescimento destes microrganismos durante o armazenamento, enquanto que no controle a população de mesófilos e psicrotróficos aeróbios cresceu durante o armazenamento. Segundo as características sensoriais, o tratamento ATM foi o mais eficiente pois este manteve a aparência, textura e sabor por mais de 43 dias, o vácuo por 36 dias e o controle por apenas 8 dias. A utilização da irradiação com atmosfera modificada juntamente com baixas temperaturas de armazenamento aumentaram a vida útil do queijo, impedindo o desenvolvimento microbiano no produto e mantendo suas características sensoriais. / The experiment was divided into two parts. Initially, it was studied the "Minas Frescal" cheeses packed under atmospheric air, modified atmosphere of 70% CO2 and 30% N2 (ATM) and vacuum. Second the cheeses packed under these three treatments had been radiated by doses of 2 KGy. In the two parts of the experiment, it was analyzed the microbial evolution and, the sensory and physical-chemical characteristics of the cheeses under the different treatments during a 4ºC-storage. In the first phase of the experiment it was verified that the ATM and the vacuum decreased the intensity of the total population growth of aerobic mesophilic and psichorotrophs and had reduced the population of Staphylococcus positive coagulase, but they had not been efficient controlling the total coliforms and Escherichia coli, while in control all the populations had continuously grown, according to the sensory characteristics of the cheeses, color, odor and appearance. These characteristics were kept the same during the 40 days of storage, and the control decreased the acceptability levels gradually, being rejected in the 17th day. In the second part of the experiment, it was observed that a 2KGy-irradiation over the "Minas Frescal" cheeses reduced the populations of aerobic mesophilic, aerobic and anaerobic psichorotrophs, Staphylococcus positive coagulase, total coliforms and Escherichia coli. The ATM and vacuum treatments were very efficient therefore they prevented the growth of these microrganisms during the storage, while in control, the aerobic mesophilic and psichrotrophs population grew during the storage. According to sensory aspects, the ATM treatment was the most efficient one, because it kept the appearance, texture and flavor for more than 43 days while the vacuum kept for 36 days and the control for only 8 days. The use of the irradiation with modified atmosphere and low temperatures of storage increased the shelflife of the cheeses, hindering the growth of the microbial populations in the product and keeping product sensory characteristics.