O objetivo do presente estudo foi medir experimentalmente a solubilidade do óleo de café verde em dióxido de carbono supercrítico em condições preestabelecidas de pressão (P) e temperatura (T), e a partir dos dados experimentais estabelecer ajustes em modelos termodinâmicos que empregam a equação de estado (EDE) de Peng-Robinson com a regra de mistura clássica de van der Waals para predição do equilíbrio de fases. Foi obtido óleo a partir de grãos de café verde (Coffea arabica), cultivar (cv.) Catuaí Amarelo moído (dm de 0,8409 mm) usando CO2 supercrítico, nas condições de 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 °C e nas pressões de 300 e 350 bar. A solubilidade foi medida pelos métodos dinâmico e estático nas mesmas condições. Foi determinado o perfil de ácidos graxos por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG/EM) e, a partir destes resultados, a composição em triacilgliceróis (TAGs) foi estimada. Foram determinadas as propriedades físico-químicas dos TAGs pelo método de contribuição de grupos. Nas condições de P e T estudadas, os maiores rendimentos do óleo de grãos de café verde, 7,58% e 7,60%, foram obtidos nas condições de 70 °C e 300 bar e 80 °C e 350 bar, respectivamente. Normalmente o rendimento do óleo aumentou com o aumento da temperatura, com exceção das condições de 80 °C e 300 bar e 70 °C e 350 bar. O aumento do rendimento com a temperatura reflete nos dados experimentais da solubilidade (0,0099 a 0,026 g/gCO2) que aumentou com a temperatura a 300 e 350 bar para o método estático e para o método dinâmico a 350 bar (0,0058 a 0,0065 g/gCO2). Um comportamento distinto ocorreu com a medida de solubilidade pelo método dinâmico a 300 bar. Neste caso a solubilidade diminuiu com o aumento da temperatura. Para a maioria das condições de P e T estudadas, o comportamento da solubilidade foi semelhante em função destas variáveis, o mesmo para os métodos estático e dinâmico, no entanto com ordens de grandezas distintas. As condições de extração não influenciaram na composição dos ácidos graxos no óleo nem na predição dos TAGs presentes. Os TAGs apresentaram variações entre número de carbonos (C50 a C58). As propriedades físico-químicas dos seis principais TAGs presentes no óleo de grãos de café verde (PSL, PLL, PLP, PLO, PLA e POP), temperatura do ponto de ebulição normal (Tb), temperatura crítica (Tc), pressão crítica (Pc) e fator acêntrico (ω) foram estimadas por métodos de contribuição de grupos. Estas variáveis são dados de entrada para a predição do equilíbrio de fases entre o óleo de grãos de café verde, representado pela mistura dos seis TAGs em maior concentração neste óleo, e o CO2 supercrítico. Os valores de Tb dos TAGs variaram de 821,52 a 844,50 K, os valores de Tc de 909,12 a 930,02 K, os valores de Pc de 5,0115 a 4,7221 bar e o ω de 1,5704 a 1,7452. Os dados de propriedades físicas e da solubilidade convertida em fração molar foram usados para predizer os parâmetros de interação binária da regra de mistura clássica de van der Waals entre cada TAG e o CO2 supercrítico, já que estes parâmetros também são dados de entrada para a modelagem termodinâmica que emprega a EDE de Peng-Robinson. No entanto, o programa não rodou, não sendo possível este cálculo, nem tão pouco a predição do equilíbrio de fases. Os dados experimentais da solubilidade do óleo de grãos de café verde em CO2 supercrítico determinados pelos métodos estático e dinâmico indicou que àqueles determinados pelo método estático são mais precisos e confiáveis. / The objective of this study was to experimentally measure the solubility of green coffee oil in supercritical carbon dioxide under predetermined pressure (P) and temperature (T) conditions and, from the experimental data, establish thermodynamic models that use the Peng-Robinson equation of state (EOS) and the classic mixing rule of van der Waals to predict phase equilibrium. The oil was obtained from ground green coffee beans (Coffea arabica L.) cultivar (cv.) Yellow Catuaí (dm of 0.8409 mm) using supercritical CO2 under temperatures of 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 °C and pressures of 300 and 350 bar. The solubility was measured by dynamic and static methods under the same conditions. The fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and, from these results, the composition of triacylglycerols (TAGs) was estimated. Physicochemical properties of TAGs were determined by the group contribution method. In the studied conditions of P and T, higher yields of green coffee beans oil, 7.58% and 7.60%, were obtained at 70 °C and 300 bar and 80 °C and 350 bar, respectively. Normally, the oil yield increased with increasing temperatures, except for the conditions of 80 °C and 300 bar and 70 °C and 350 bar. The increase of yield with temperature reflects in the experimental solubility data (from 0.0099 to 0.026 g/g CO2), which, also increased with T at 300 and 350 bar for the static method and, for the dynamic method, at 350 bar (from 0.0058 to 0.0065 g/g CO2). A different behavior occurred with the solubility measured by dynamic method at 300 bar. In this case, the solubility decreased with increasing temperature. For most of the P and T conditions studied, the solubility behavior was similar in function of these variables, the same for static and dynamic methods, but with different magnitude orders. The extraction conditions did not affect the composition of fatty acids in the oil and nor the TAGs prediction. The TAGs showed variations between carbon numbers (from C50 to C58). The physicochemical properties of the six major TAGs present in green coffee bean oil (PSL, PLL, PLP, PLO, PLA and POP), boiling temperature (Tb), critical temperature (Tc), critical pressure (Pc) and acentric factor (ω) were estimated by group contribution methods. These are input variables for the prediction for the phase equilibrium between the green coffee oil, represented by the mixture of the six TAGs in higher concentration in this oil, and supercritical CO2. The Tb values of TAG ranged from 821.52 to 844.50 K, Tc values from 909.12 to 930.02 K, Pc values from 5.0115 to 4.7221 bar and ω from 1, 5704 to 1.7452. The data of physical properties and solubility converted to mole fraction were used to predict the binary interaction parameters of the classic mixing rule of van der Waals between each TAG and supercritical CO2, since these are also input parameters for the thermodynamic modeling that use Peng-Robinson EOS. However, the program did not run and this calculation was not possible, nor the prediction for the phase equilibrium. The experimental data on the solubility of the green coffee beans oil in supercritical CO2 determined by static and dynamic methods indicated that those determined by the static method are more accurate and reliable.

Contaminantes orgânicos há tempos são normalmente encontrados em baixíssimas concentrações no meio ambiente. Compostos orgânicos monoaromáticos, derivados dos subprodutos do petróleo, frequentemente são encontrados próximos a postos de combustíveis, onde há constantes vazamentos nos tanques de armazenamento. Poluentes emergentes, como exemplo os fármacos, também são temas constantes de pesquisas, devido à baixa taxa de degradação dos mesmos, mesmo após submetidos a sistemas de tratamento convencionais. Assim, a busca por técnicas de remediação, que visem a completa remoção de poluentes em baixas concentrações e metodologias analíticas que permitam o isolamento e detecção de tais compostos se torna essencial. Esse trabalho tem como uma de suas finalidades otimizar e aplicar um sistema de remoção de compostos orgânicos monoaromáticos presentes em solo, utilizando CO2 no estado supercrítico. A SPME-GC-MS foi otimizada e validada para a etapa de extração, com separação e quantificação por GC-MS dos contaminantes remanescentes após o solo ser submetido ao processo de remediação. Outro etapa do projeto, está relacionada com a determinação de sulfonamidas em lodo de esgoto. Para isso, um método rápido, fácil, barato e robusto de extração foi otimizado e validado, obtendo bons limites de quantificação (10-25 ng g-1) e detecção (4-9 ng g-1), com precisão e exatidão satisfatórios, de acordo com os valores estabelecidos pela ANVISA. Ainda com o propósito de determinar sulfonamidas em lodo de esgoto, um método LC online foi desenvolvido. A finalidade é promover o clean-up da matriz e extração dos analitos em um sistema de extração em fase sólida capilar online. Para isso, fez uso de duas colunas capilares (530 µm x 6,0 cm) dispostas em série, inseridas em um sistema cromatográfico capilar acoplado a detecção por espectrometria de massas. A primeira coluna teve como finalidade a retenção de interferentes presentes na amostra utilizando para isso, uma fase polimérica Strata-X. Já a segunda coluna, extraiu as sulfonamidas de interesse utilizando, para isso, uma fase polimérica aniônica Oasis Max. O extrato inserido no sistema de extração em fase sólida onlineera composto por 100 % solvente orgânico (acetonitrila); utilizando diferentes porcentagens de acetonitrila na etapa de carregamento, foi possível realizar clean-up adequado da amostra. A eluição dos analitos foi feita utilizando-se fase móvel acidificada. Com esse sistema, melhorou-se em até 30 % a extração de alguns compostos. Todos os métodos de preparo de amostra utilizados no trabalhos seguem a tendência atual sugerida pelo conceito do green chemistry. / The determination of organic contaminants in environmental matrices has long been a challenge for the scientific community, due to the very low concentrations they are present. Monoaromatic organiccompounds derived from petroleum sub-products are still a concern, because they are often found in environmental sites near gas stations, where there are constant leaks in storage tanks. Emerging pollutants,which include personal care products and pharmaceuticals, are also constant subject of research due to their low degradation rate, even after conventional treatment systems. Moreover, the research forremediation techniques aimed at complete removal of pollutants at low concentrations, as weel as new analytical methodologies for isolation and detection of such compounds are, both, essential. This workaims to optimize and apply a system to remove monoaromatic organic compounds present in soil, using CO2 in the supercritical state. As an analytical tool, SPME was optimized and validated with separation and quantification by GC-MS of selected contaminants remaining after the remediation process. Another research work developed is related to the determination of sulfonamides in sewage sludge.Firstly a methodology based on QuEChERS extraction method was optimized and validated, obtaining good results as limits of quantification, LOQ (10-25 ng g-1) and detection, LOD (4-9 ng g-1) withsatisfactory accuracy and precision, according to the values established by ANVISA. Still working to determine sulfonamides in sewage sludge, a new online sample preparation method was developed. Thepurpose of this method is to promote the matrix clean-up and concentration analytes in a capillary SPE system. It was used two capillary columns (500 µm x 6.0 cm) arranged in series in a capillarychromatographic system coupled to mass spectrometry. The first column was intended to retain interferences present in the sample, using a Strata-X polymer phase. The second column extracted sulfonamidesof interest, making use of an anionic polymer phase (Oasis MAX). The extract inserted in the online SPE system was composed of 100% organic solvent (acetonitrile); using different percentages of ACNwith appropriately pH at the loading stage, it was possible to achieve a satisfatory sample clean-up. The elution of the analytes was performed using an acidified mobile phase. This system improved by up to30% extraction yield of some compounds. All sample preparation methods used in the works follow the current trend suggested by the green chemistry concept.

<p style="text-align: justify;">Glavni cilj ove disertacije koji obuhvata dobijanje i hemijsku karakterizaciju ekstrakata i etarskih ulja rtanjskog čaja (Satureja montana L.), bosiljka (Ocimum basilicum L.) i korijandera (Coriandrum sativum L.), kao i njihove sme&scaron;e, je određivanje biolo&scaron;ke aktivnosti dobijenih ekstrakata u in vitro uslovima pradenjem sposobnosti neutralizacije slobodnih radikala i antiproliferativne aktivnosti.<br />Prvo je izvr&scaron;ena karakterizacija biljnih sirovina (rtanjski čaj, bosiljak i korijander), kao i njihove sme&scaron;e jednakih masenih udela (CBS) u pogledu sadržaja vlage, srednjeg prečnika čestica i sadržaja etarskog ulja. U cilju dobijanja etarskih ulja i ekstrakata iz ispitivanih sirovina su primenjeni hidrodestilacija (konvencionalni postupak) i superkritična ekstrakcija (savremena tehnika). GC-MS analizom je određen kvalitativni sastav i relativni udeo pojedinačnih monoterpenskih ugljovodonika, oksidovanih monoterpena, seskviterpena i ostalih jedinjenja. Dalje je GC-FID analizom kvantitativno određen sadržaj i prinos pojedinačnih terpena (&alpha;-pinen, &beta;-pinen, d-limonen, &gamma;-terpinen, eukaliptol, linalool, kamfor, &alpha;-terpineol, geraniol, metil-havikol, karvakrol i eugenol) i izvr&scaron;eno je poređenje uzoraka dobijenih tradicionalnim i savremenim postupcima.<br />Etarskim uljima i lipofilnim ekstraktima je određena biolo&scaron;ka aktivnost ispitivanjem antioksidativne i antiproliferativne aktivnosti. In vitro anti-oksidativna aktivnost superkritičnih ekstrakata i etarskih ulja je određena DPPH testom, dok je antiproliferativna aktivnost određena u in vitro uslovima na tri linije tumorskih delija (HeLa, MDA-MB-453, K562) i na normalne humane fibroblaste (MRC-5).<br />U cilju boljeg određivanja sličnosti između etarskih ulja i lipofilnih ekstrakata rtanjskog čaja, bosiljka, korijandera i njihove sme&scaron;e (CBS) su primenjene hemometrijska tehnike: analiza glavnih komponenata (Principal component analysis) i hijerarhijska klaster analiza (Hierarchical cluster analysis).</p> / <p>The main aim of this dissertation was recovery and chemical characterization of extracts and essential oils of winter savory (Satureja montana L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), as well as their mixture, and determination biological activity of extracts in in vitro conditions by capacity towards neutralization of free radicals and antiproliferative activity.<br />Plant materials (winter savory, basil and coriander) and their mixture (CBS) were characterized in terms of moisture content, mean particle size and essential oil content. In order to obtain essential oil and extracts from investigated plants, hydrodistillation (conventional procedure) and supercritical fluid extraction (novel technique) were applied. GC-MS analysis was used for determination of qualitative content and relative abundance of monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and other volatile compounds. Furthermore, GC-FID analysis was used for quantitative determination of content and yield of terpene compounds (&alpha;-pinene, &beta;-pinene, d-limonene, &gamma;-terpinene, eucalyptol, linalool, camphor, &alpha;-terpineol, geraniol, methyl-chavicol, carvacrol i eugenol) and samples obtained by traditional and novel techniques were compared. Biological potential of essential oil and lipophilic extracts was determined by antioxidant and antiproliferative activity. In vitro antioxidant activity of supercritical extracts and essential oils was determined by DPPH assay, while antiproliferative activity was determined in in vitro conditions on three cancer cell lines (HeLa, MDA-MB-453, K562) and on normal human fibroblasts (MRC-5).<br />Chemometric techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) i hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied for better understanding of similarities between essential oils and lipid extracts.</p>

Lextraction par fluide supercritique fait partie des nouvelles techniques de préparation déchantillons solides qui ont émergé au cours de ces dernières années. Elle constitue une alternative intéressante aux techniques classiques dextraction liquide-solide car le pouvoir solvant du fluide supercritique est ajustable, non seulement par la température, mais aussi par la pression. Lextraction par le CO2 supercritique de la tagitinine C, lactone sesquiterpénique photo sensible à lactivité anti-inflammatoire, anti-malarique et anticancéreuse à partir des parties aériennes de Tithonia diversifolia constituait une application intéressante de ce procédé et a été sélectionnée comme molécule cible dans le cadre de ce travail. Son optimisation a impliqué des dosages répétés de lanalyte dont la vibration délongation de la fonction diénone absorbe intensément à des fréquences particulières dans le domaine de linfrarouge. Aussi, avons-nous tout dabord développé et validé, dans la première partie de ce travail, une technique IRTF danalyse en différé sélective, rapide, non destructrice et sensible fondée sur ses propriétés. Les différents paramètres (température, pression, quantité de CO2, granulométrie de léchantillon) influençant le rendement dextraction de lanalyte ont pu être étudiés à cette occasion. Dans les conditions optimales, nous avons montré que lextraction par le CO2 supercritique extrayait rapidement et avec une meilleure sélectivité la tagitinine C tout en conservant un taux de récupération comparable aux techniques classiques dextraction. Parallèlement à ces travaux et compte tenu de la photo-dégradation de la tagitinine C en tagitinine F, la formation de complexes dinclusion avec la β, 2,6-di-O-méthyle-β et la -cyclodextrine a été investiguée. Différentes techniques ont été employées pour caractériser les complexes formés au niveau de la stchiométrie, de la constante de formation et de la structure. Aucun effet photo-protecteur significatif na été démontré avec la β et la -cyclodextrine. En revanche, nous avons mis en évidence une diminution de la vitesse de la photo-dégradation en présence de la 2,6-di-O-méthyle-β-cyclodextrine. Malheureusement, celle-ci reste trop limitée pour envisager lutilisation de cette cyclodextrine pour éviter la dégradation de la tagitinine C lors de son exposition à la lumière directe. Dans la dernière partie de notre travail, nous nous sommes plus particulièrement focalisés sur linterfaçage EFSC/IRTF qui constituait un indéniable défi. Le développement de linterfaçage a été réalisé à laide de fibres optiques en chalcogène darsenic entre un extracteur à fluide supercritique et un spectrophotomètre IR et a ainsi permis deffectuer le dosage en ligne de la tagitinine C dans le CO2 supercritique après passage de celui-ci au travers dune cartouche dextraction contenant la matrice végétale. Par ailleurs, le développement de cet outil répond parfaitement aux nouvelles approches (Process and Analytical Technology) préconisées par la FDA. Le processus dextraction de lanalyte a pu dès lors être étudié de manière approfondie et en temps réel en fonction des caractéristiques physico-chimiques du fluide supercritique et de la durée de lextraction. Lutilisation de la vibration délongation CH comme marqueur a permis de mettre en évidence lobtention dextraits de composition variable qui pourront être utilisés directement dans des études defficacité thérapeutique. Enfin, la méthode dextraction et de dosage en ligne de la tagitinine C a fait lobjet dune validation poussée selon la nouvelle approche faisant appel aux profils dexactitude dans un intervalle de dosage allant 500 à 2500 µg. Sur la base des différents profils dexactitude obtenus, le modèle de régression linéaire a été choisi pour décrire la relation concentration-réponse. En effet, ce modèle présentait des valeurs de biais relatif inférieures à 2%, des valeurs de coefficient de variation ne dépassant pas 4% et des limites de tolérance comprises dans les limites dacceptation de ±15% sur toute la gamme de concentration. De plus, le modèle de régression linéaire était en parfaite adéquation avec la méthode des ajouts dosés. In the last two decades, supercritical fluid extraction processing with carbon dioxide has emerged as an alternative to the conventional solvent extractions of solid matrices and especially for the extraction of natural products for foods and medicines. Indeed, carbon dioxide is an inert, inexpensive, widely available, odourless, environment-friendly solvent and its solvent strength can be tuned by changing the pressure and temperature conditions. In the first part of our work, supercritical fluid extraction of tagitinin C, a known sesquiterpene lactone which shows significant antiplasmodial and antiproliferative activity, was investigated using an off-line FTIR method for the determination of this compound in the aerial parts of Tithonia diversifolia. Different parameters as temperature, pressure, solvent mass and sample granulometry governing the supercritical fluid extraction process were optimised. Finally, we demonstrated that the optimised supercritical fluid extraction gave extraction yields comparable to those of the classical methods of extraction but with an improvement of the selectivity and a reduction of the extraction time. At the same time, the formation of inclusion complexes of tagitinin C with β-, 2,6-di-O-methyl-β and -cyclodextrin was investigated according to its photochemical conversion into tagitinin F. Several techniques were used to characterize the tagitininC/CyD complexes in order to understand and to interpret the data obtained from the photochemical study. This letter mainly showed that the photodegradation rate of tagitinin C was slowed in presence of 2,6-di-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin while no significant effect was observed in presence of β- and -cyclodextrin. The second part of our work was devoted to the SFE/FTIR interfacing which was a great challenge. This interface was constructed from a stainless steel cross cell equipped with chalcogenide-glass infrared fibers. This hyphenated system allowed to determine on-line tagitinin C in supercritical CO2 after this one flowed through the extraction vessel containing the plant material. Consequently, the extraction process of the analyte was studied thoroughly and in real time according to the physicochemical characteristics of the supercritical fluid and to the extraction time. The use of the CH stretching vibration as tracer allowed to highlight the composition change of extracts which could be used directly in studies of therapeutic efficiency. In addition, the development of this tool answers perfectly the new approaches (Process and Analytical Technology) recommended by the FDA. Finally, the extraction and on-line determination method of tagitinin C was successfully validated using a new approach based on accuracy profiles as decision tool. On this basis, a linear regression model was chosen for the calibration curve. Regarding trueness, precision and accuracy, mean measured values were close to the theoretical concentrations (lower than 1.6%) and the RSD values were relatively low (less than 4% for the middle of the range). Moreover, the method was found to be accurate as the two-sided 95 % beta-expectation tolerance interval did not exceed the acceptance limits of 85 and 115 % on the concentration range from 500 to 2500 µg.

Providing an energy efficient recycle for the Teflon® synthesis process is of great interest due to environmental and economic reasons. This recycle step involves separating CO2 from a stream containing scCO2 and valuable monomer (C2F4). Membranes provide economical and environmental friendly separations compared to conventional methods (e.g. distillation, amine absorption). Therefore, I am investigating membrane materials that are well-suited for this important separation. Developing a robust membrane that can withstand the aggressive scCO2 environment (~1070 psi of CO2) is a key challenge. Supercritical CO2 swells traditional polymeric membrane materials, thereby increasing segmental mobility of the polymer chains which leads to a decrease in separation capacity. There have been no polymeric membrane materials identified in the literature which are suitable for this separation. In this work, I have identified an advanced polymer, Torlon® (a polyamide-imide), that solves this problem. After determining the appropriate material, it is important to choose a membrane morphology that is industrially desirable. The asymmetric hollow fiber membrane morphology provides the highest productivity. I have successfully produced defect-free asymmetric hollow fiber membranes using Torlon® that withstand high pressure feeds. These membranes have been shown to provide selective separations under scCO2 conditions without being plasticized. To further improve the separation performance of Torlon® membranes, mixed matrix concept was explored. Zeolite 4A, which is relatively more permeable and selective compared to Torlon®, was chosen as the sieve material. Mixed matrix membranes from Torlon® and zeolite 4A were made and their separation performance was measured. Based on these experimental measurements and Maxwell modeling, challenges in making successful mixed matrix membranes were identified and feasible solutions for these challenges are suggested.

The behaviour and impact of pharmaceuticals in the environment are still poorly understood. Pharmaceuticals are widely used and continually released into the environment causing increasing concerns about their impact on the environment beyond the intended human or veterinary use. Prescribed pharmaceuticals, typically, enter the environment either through excretion after human use or disposal of surplus medication. Sewage treatment plants do not completely remove pharmaceuticals and their metabolites and these have been detected in sewage treatment plant effluent and receiving waters. Land application of treated sewage effluent is widely practiced in New Zealand as an alternative to surface water discharge. Methods were developed to determine selected pharmaceuticals in environmental matrices such as sewage effluent, sewage solids, soil, and soil water. From these, pharmaceutical removal efficiencies were determined for three common sewage treatment processes; activated sludge, composting and land application of sewage effluent. The impacts of some common pharmaceuticals on soil microbial communities, together with the effect of prolonged exposure to sewage effluent on these communities were examined. Additionally, toxicity of sewage effluent, and toxicity mechanisms of specific pharmaceuticals were investigated using luminescent micro-organisms and lettuce seedlings. Pharmaceuticals were successfully detected in sewage effluent, sewage solids, compost, soil and soil water. The sewage treatment processes investigated, including land application, were able to remove or reduce pharmaceutical concentrations in sewage. In case of land application, volcanic soils were more efficient than sandy soils in pharmaceutical removal while irrigation rate and level of sewage pre-treatment also showed some effect on removal efficiency. Pharmaceuticals were not acutely toxic at environmental levels currently detected. Exposure of microbial communities to unnaturally high levels of pharmaceuticals did demonstrate that most pharmaceuticals were potentially able to induce stress in the microbial community although microbes were able to metabolise some of these pharmaceuticals. Twelve years of effluent irrigation resulted in microbial adaptation to aspirin, acetaminophen and tetracycline, indicating that these pharmaceuticals had an effect on microbial community. Presently, land application of treated sewage waste may be a suitable treatment for additional pharmaceutical removal provided that land application schemes are designed appropriately, and pharmaceutical accumulation in the soil is occasionally monitored. It would be prudent to recognise the potential risk that could be caused by chronic exposure to pharmaceuticals such that continued vigilance may lead to future indications of chronic effects at an early stage.

Plantas do gênero Hypericum são bem conhecidas por sua utilização na medicina tradicional, sendo Hypericum perforatum a espécie mais estudada. No Sul do Brasil, esse gênero é representado por cerca de 20 espécies, entre elas, destaca-se H. polyanthemum, o qual apresenta em extrato lipofílico a presença de uliginosina B, um derivado de floroglucinol, e três benzopiranos: HP1, HP2 e HP3. Partes aéreas de H. polyanthemum foram submetidas à extração com fluido supercrítico (SFE), sendo realizadas extrações sucessivas com dióxido de carbono nas pressões de 90, 120, 150 e 200 bar, em diferentes temperaturas (40, 50 e 60 °C). Posteriormente, as frações obtidas foram comparadas com extrato n-hexano obtido por técnica convencional (ultra-som). SFE apresentou maior seletividade que a extração com nhexano, sendo a 50 °C a melhor condição para extrair os metabólitos bioativos. Para extração do composto com maior peso molecular, uliginosina B, pressões mais elevadas foram necessárias. Além disso, avaliou-se a atividade anti- Trichomonas vaginalis do extrato obtido por SFE a 50 °C/150 bar e dos compostos isolados. Os resultados indicam que todas as amostras testadas possuem atividade anti-T. vaginalis, porém, HP1 demonstrou melhor seletividade frente ao protozoário (isolado metronidazol-resistente e -suscetível), sem apresentar citotoxicidade contra células de mamíferos. Ainda, o HP1 apresentou satisfatória atividade contra isolado metronidazol-resistente (52% de trofozoítos viáveis), apresentando efeito sinérgico quando testado com baixa concentração de metronidazol (23% de trofozoítos viáveis). Todos os compostos isolados provocaram danos na membrana do parasito (liberação de LDH > 90%) e nenhuma das amostras apresentou efeito hemolítico importante, sendo que HP2 e uliginosina B apresentaram citotoxicidade frente a células de mamíferos. Portanto, benzopiranos e derivados de floroglucinol são moléculas promissoras como protótipos para novos fármacos tricomonicida, principalmente HP1, visto que corrobora com a ação do metronidazol em isolados de T. vaginalis resistentes. No entanto, mais estudos são necessários a fim de melhorar a atividade antiprotozoária das moléculas testadas, sem que as mesmas apresentem toxicidade para células de mamíferos. / Plants of the genus Hypericum are well known for their use in traditional medicine, being H. perforatum the most important species. In South Brazil, this genus is represented by approximately 20 species and among them, H. polyanthemum showed in the lipophilic extract the presence of uliginosin B, a phloroglucinol derivative, and three benzopyrans: HP1, HP2 and HP3. Aerial parts of H. polyanthemum were submitted a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), being successively extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide under pressures of 90, 120, 150 and 200 bar at different temperatures (40, 50 and 60 ºC), and compared with the n-hexane extract obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction. SFE presented higher selectivity than the n-hexane extration. The best condition to extract the target metabolites has been determined to be at 50 °C, being that for the high molecularweight compound, uliginosin B, higher pressures was required. Moreover, the anti- Trichomonas vaginalis activity of the extract obtained by SFE at 50 °C/150 bar and the isolated compounds was evaluated. The results showed that all samples have anti-T. vaginalis activity; however, HP1 demonstrated the best selectivity against this protozoa (metronidazole-resistant and -susceptible isolates), with no cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. In addition, HP1 has good activity against metronidazoleresistant isolate (52% of viable trophozoites), presenting synergic effect when tested with low concentration of metronidazole (23% of viable trophozoites). All isolated compounds caused damage in the parasites membrane, revealed by more than 90% of LDH release. None of the samples presented important hemolytic effect, and HP2 and uliginosin B presented cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Therefore, benzopyrans and phloroglucinol derivative are promising molecules as prototypes for new antiprotozoal drugs, especially HP1, which improve metronidazole action against a resistant T. vaginalis isolate. Nevertheless, more studies are necessary in order to enhance their in vitro antiprotozoal activity without toxicity for mammalian cells.

Plantas do gênero Hypericum são bem conhecidas por sua utilização na medicina tradicional, sendo Hypericum perforatum a espécie mais estudada. No Sul do Brasil, esse gênero é representado por cerca de 20 espécies, entre elas, destaca-se H. polyanthemum, o qual apresenta em extrato lipofílico a presença de uliginosina B, um derivado de floroglucinol, e três benzopiranos: HP1, HP2 e HP3. Partes aéreas de H. polyanthemum foram submetidas à extração com fluido supercrítico (SFE), sendo realizadas extrações sucessivas com dióxido de carbono nas pressões de 90, 120, 150 e 200 bar, em diferentes temperaturas (40, 50 e 60 °C). Posteriormente, as frações obtidas foram comparadas com extrato n-hexano obtido por técnica convencional (ultra-som). SFE apresentou maior seletividade que a extração com nhexano, sendo a 50 °C a melhor condição para extrair os metabólitos bioativos. Para extração do composto com maior peso molecular, uliginosina B, pressões mais elevadas foram necessárias. Além disso, avaliou-se a atividade anti- Trichomonas vaginalis do extrato obtido por SFE a 50 °C/150 bar e dos compostos isolados. Os resultados indicam que todas as amostras testadas possuem atividade anti-T. vaginalis, porém, HP1 demonstrou melhor seletividade frente ao protozoário (isolado metronidazol-resistente e -suscetível), sem apresentar citotoxicidade contra células de mamíferos. Ainda, o HP1 apresentou satisfatória atividade contra isolado metronidazol-resistente (52% de trofozoítos viáveis), apresentando efeito sinérgico quando testado com baixa concentração de metronidazol (23% de trofozoítos viáveis). Todos os compostos isolados provocaram danos na membrana do parasito (liberação de LDH > 90%) e nenhuma das amostras apresentou efeito hemolítico importante, sendo que HP2 e uliginosina B apresentaram citotoxicidade frente a células de mamíferos. Portanto, benzopiranos e derivados de floroglucinol são moléculas promissoras como protótipos para novos fármacos tricomonicida, principalmente HP1, visto que corrobora com a ação do metronidazol em isolados de T. vaginalis resistentes. No entanto, mais estudos são necessários a fim de melhorar a atividade antiprotozoária das moléculas testadas, sem que as mesmas apresentem toxicidade para células de mamíferos. / Plants of the genus Hypericum are well known for their use in traditional medicine, being H. perforatum the most important species. In South Brazil, this genus is represented by approximately 20 species and among them, H. polyanthemum showed in the lipophilic extract the presence of uliginosin B, a phloroglucinol derivative, and three benzopyrans: HP1, HP2 and HP3. Aerial parts of H. polyanthemum were submitted a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), being successively extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide under pressures of 90, 120, 150 and 200 bar at different temperatures (40, 50 and 60 ºC), and compared with the n-hexane extract obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction. SFE presented higher selectivity than the n-hexane extration. The best condition to extract the target metabolites has been determined to be at 50 °C, being that for the high molecularweight compound, uliginosin B, higher pressures was required. Moreover, the anti- Trichomonas vaginalis activity of the extract obtained by SFE at 50 °C/150 bar and the isolated compounds was evaluated. The results showed that all samples have anti-T. vaginalis activity; however, HP1 demonstrated the best selectivity against this protozoa (metronidazole-resistant and -susceptible isolates), with no cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. In addition, HP1 has good activity against metronidazoleresistant isolate (52% of viable trophozoites), presenting synergic effect when tested with low concentration of metronidazole (23% of viable trophozoites). All isolated compounds caused damage in the parasites membrane, revealed by more than 90% of LDH release. None of the samples presented important hemolytic effect, and HP2 and uliginosin B presented cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Therefore, benzopyrans and phloroglucinol derivative are promising molecules as prototypes for new antiprotozoal drugs, especially HP1, which improve metronidazole action against a resistant T. vaginalis isolate. Nevertheless, more studies are necessary in order to enhance their in vitro antiprotozoal activity without toxicity for mammalian cells.

Enquanto as amêndoas de babaçu são conhecidas por fornecer óleo rico em zinco, fósforo e potássio, seu mesocarpo possui propriedades anti-inflamatórias ainda pouco exploradas. Este estudo visou determinar a composição físico-química e o potencial de toxicidade in vivo do óleo de amêndoas de babaçu e da farinha de seu mesocarpo (ambos extraídos com CO2 supercrítico) bem como avaliar a atividade anti-inflamatória do mesocarpo (extraído com etanol pressurizado). Os extratos foram obtidos via técnicas inovadoras de extração que evitam a degradação de compostos termossensíveis e os resultados aqui alcançados apontam para a composição de extratos obtidos via tecnologia verde e sua caracterização. A extração com fluido supercrítico (SFE) é uma tecnologia limpa (pois não emprega solventes orgânicos) e promissora para obter extratos enriquecidos em compostos com atividade biológica como, por exemplo, fitosterois. Por sua vez, a extração com líquido pressurizado (PLE) é considerada rápida, eficiente e seletiva, sendo este trabalho o primeiro a isolar os flavonoides do extrato etanólico do mesocarpo de babaçu extraído via PLE. Os resultados indicaram que os maiores rendimentos de extração do óleo foram de 55,34 g/100g usando álcool isopropílico como solvente pressurizado e de 53,12 g/100g usando etanol. Tais rendimentos representam 92,4 e 88,7% do total de óleo nas sementes, respectivamente. Rico em ácidos láurico, mirístico, oleico e palmítico, o perfil de ácidos graxos foi o mesmo para os dois solventes nas condições operacionais utilizadas. Com uso de álcool isopropílico, o extrato apresentou a maior concentração de &beta;-sitosterol mediante 3 min de contato com o solvente (St) e 66% de volume de solvente (&cong; 7,48 mL, SV). Com uso de álcool etílico, a maior concentração de &beta;-sitosterol ocorreu para 3 min de tempo de contato (St) e 94% (&cong; 10,25 mL) de volume de solvente (SV). Em função da composição de ácidos graxos, os principais TAGs presentes no óleo foram COL, LOL, LOM, LOP e MOP. Na SFE, os maiores rendimentos do óleo de babaçu variaram de 51,94 a 57,71 g/100g (para 25 MPa) e de 53,65 a 59,93 g/100g (para 35 MPa), para temperaturas de 40, 50, 60, 70 e 80 °C. A maior concentração de &beta;-sitosterol (27,43 mg/100g de óleo) foi obtida na extração a 70 °C e 25 MPa. Os extratos do mesocarpo de babaçu também foram obtidos via PLE com etanol pressurizado. O maior rendimento (2,95%) e a maior concentração de fenólicos totais (1.257,25 mgGAE/100g) de pó dos extratos do mesocarpo de babaçu foram obtidos a 86 °C e 3 min (St). A maior atividade antimicrobiana na inibição de Staphylococcus aureus ocorreu extrações com menores tempos de contato (St) e elevadas temperaturas (na faixa supra), condições que também propiciaram os melhores rendimentos de extração e atividade antioxidante. O estudo de toxicidade foi feito para o óleo de amêndoas de babaçu obtido via SFE. Na dose aguda de 2.000 mg/kg e no estudo subagudo nas doses de 1, 3 e 5 mg/kg de óleo (doses repetidas), os resultados indicaram que este óleo não apresenta letalidade aos animais. Para avaliar a atividade anti-inflamatória foi utilizado o extrato do mesocarpo de babaçu obtido com etanol pressurizado a 86 °C e 3 min (St). Tal atividade foi confirmada para a dose de 30 mg/kg, administrada em ratos com processo inflamatório induzido com carragenina a 3%. Embora tenham sido constatadas a baixa toxicidade do óleo e a atividade anti-inflamatória do extrato do mesocarpo, mais estudos de avaliação toxicológica são necessários para aplicações do óleo de amêndoas e do extrato de mesocarpo de babaçu em produtos farmacêuticos, alimentícios e/ou cosméticos. / While babassu almonds are known for providing oil rich in zinc, phosphorus and potassium, its mesocarp has anti-inflammatory properties yet underexplored. The present study aimed at determining physical-chemical composition and in vivo toxicity potential of babassu almonds oil and its mesocarp flour (both extracted with supercritical CO2) as well as anti-inflammatory activity of babassu mesocarp (extracted with pressurized ethanol). Extracts were obtained using innovative extraction techniques that avoid the degradation of thermosensitive compounds and results here obtained point to the composition of extracts obtained via green technology and their characterization. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a promising clean technology (as organic solvents are not employed) to obtain extracts enriched in compounds with biological activity (e.g. phytosterols). In its turn, pressurized fluid extraction (PFE) is considered fast, efficient and selective, this work being the first to isolate flavonoids from ethanolic extract of babassu mesocarp extracted via PLE. Results indicated that highest extract yields of babassu oil were 55.34 g/100 g with isopropyl alcohol as pressurized solvent and 53.12 g/100 g with ethanol as solvent. Aforesaid extracts respectively represent 92.4% and 88.7% of total oil in seeds. Rich in lauric, myristic, oleic and palmitic acids, the fatty acid profile was the same for the two solvents and applied operating conditions. Using isopropyl alcohol, extract had the highest &beta;-sitosterol concentration for 3 min contact time with solvent (St) and 66% of volume of solvent, &cong; 22.44 mL (SV). Using ethyl alcohol as solvent, highest &beta;-sitosterol concentration occurred for St = 3 min and SV = 94% &cong; 31.96 mL. According fatty acids composition, main TAGs present in oil were COL, LOL, LOM, LOP and MOP. In SFE, highest yields of babassu oil ranged from 51.94 to 57.71 g/100 g (at 25 MPa) and from 53.65 to 59.93 g/100 g (at 35 MPa) at temperatures of 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 °C. The highest concentration of &beta;-sitosterol (namely, 27.43 mg/100g-oil) was obtained for extraction at 70 °C and 25 MPa. Babassu mesocarp extracts were also obtained via PLE with pressurized ethanol. The highest yield (2.95%) and the highest total phenolic concentration (1,257.25 mgGAE/100g) of babassu mesocarp extract were obtained at 86 °C and 3 min (St). The highest antimicrobial activity in Staphylococcus aureus inhibition occurred for lower contact time (St) values and higher temperatures (in aforesaid values), which were conditions also providing the best extraction yields and antioxidant activity. Toxicity study was carried out for babassu almond oil obtained via SFE. At the acute dose of 2,000 mg/kg and in subacute dose study at 1, 3 and 5 mg/kg of oil (repeated doses), results indicated that this oil did not present lethality in animals. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using babassu mesocarp extracted with pressurized ethanol at 86 °C and 3 min (St). Such activity was confirmed at 30 mg/kg dose administered in rats with induced inflammatory process with carrageenan at 3%. While low toxicity of oil and anti-inflammatory activity of mesocarp extract were both observed, further evaluation studies are required for applications of almond oil and babassu mesocarp extracts in pharmaceutical, food and/or cosmetic products.

Plantas do gênero Hypericum são bem conhecidas por sua utilização na medicina tradicional, sendo Hypericum perforatum a espécie mais estudada. No Sul do Brasil, esse gênero é representado por cerca de 20 espécies, entre elas, destaca-se H. polyanthemum, o qual apresenta em extrato lipofílico a presença de uliginosina B, um derivado de floroglucinol, e três benzopiranos: HP1, HP2 e HP3. Partes aéreas de H. polyanthemum foram submetidas à extração com fluido supercrítico (SFE), sendo realizadas extrações sucessivas com dióxido de carbono nas pressões de 90, 120, 150 e 200 bar, em diferentes temperaturas (40, 50 e 60 °C). Posteriormente, as frações obtidas foram comparadas com extrato n-hexano obtido por técnica convencional (ultra-som). SFE apresentou maior seletividade que a extração com nhexano, sendo a 50 °C a melhor condição para extrair os metabólitos bioativos. Para extração do composto com maior peso molecular, uliginosina B, pressões mais elevadas foram necessárias. Além disso, avaliou-se a atividade anti- Trichomonas vaginalis do extrato obtido por SFE a 50 °C/150 bar e dos compostos isolados. Os resultados indicam que todas as amostras testadas possuem atividade anti-T. vaginalis, porém, HP1 demonstrou melhor seletividade frente ao protozoário (isolado metronidazol-resistente e -suscetível), sem apresentar citotoxicidade contra células de mamíferos. Ainda, o HP1 apresentou satisfatória atividade contra isolado metronidazol-resistente (52% de trofozoítos viáveis), apresentando efeito sinérgico quando testado com baixa concentração de metronidazol (23% de trofozoítos viáveis). Todos os compostos isolados provocaram danos na membrana do parasito (liberação de LDH > 90%) e nenhuma das amostras apresentou efeito hemolítico importante, sendo que HP2 e uliginosina B apresentaram citotoxicidade frente a células de mamíferos. Portanto, benzopiranos e derivados de floroglucinol são moléculas promissoras como protótipos para novos fármacos tricomonicida, principalmente HP1, visto que corrobora com a ação do metronidazol em isolados de T. vaginalis resistentes. No entanto, mais estudos são necessários a fim de melhorar a atividade antiprotozoária das moléculas testadas, sem que as mesmas apresentem toxicidade para células de mamíferos. / Plants of the genus Hypericum are well known for their use in traditional medicine, being H. perforatum the most important species. In South Brazil, this genus is represented by approximately 20 species and among them, H. polyanthemum showed in the lipophilic extract the presence of uliginosin B, a phloroglucinol derivative, and three benzopyrans: HP1, HP2 and HP3. Aerial parts of H. polyanthemum were submitted a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), being successively extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide under pressures of 90, 120, 150 and 200 bar at different temperatures (40, 50 and 60 ºC), and compared with the n-hexane extract obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction. SFE presented higher selectivity than the n-hexane extration. The best condition to extract the target metabolites has been determined to be at 50 °C, being that for the high molecularweight compound, uliginosin B, higher pressures was required. Moreover, the anti- Trichomonas vaginalis activity of the extract obtained by SFE at 50 °C/150 bar and the isolated compounds was evaluated. The results showed that all samples have anti-T. vaginalis activity; however, HP1 demonstrated the best selectivity against this protozoa (metronidazole-resistant and -susceptible isolates), with no cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. In addition, HP1 has good activity against metronidazoleresistant isolate (52% of viable trophozoites), presenting synergic effect when tested with low concentration of metronidazole (23% of viable trophozoites). All isolated compounds caused damage in the parasites membrane, revealed by more than 90% of LDH release. None of the samples presented important hemolytic effect, and HP2 and uliginosin B presented cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Therefore, benzopyrans and phloroglucinol derivative are promising molecules as prototypes for new antiprotozoal drugs, especially HP1, which improve metronidazole action against a resistant T. vaginalis isolate. Nevertheless, more studies are necessary in order to enhance their in vitro antiprotozoal activity without toxicity for mammalian cells.