A utilização de resíduos agrícolas visando à produção de insumos por via biotecnológica tem se mostrado importante uma vez que estes resíduos são fontes renováveis de carbono. A fração hemicelulósica destes resíduos apresenta como componente principal a xilose, que pode ser utilizada como substrato em processos de bioconversão para a obtenção de produtos com valor agregado. Um destes produtos é a enzima glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase (G6PD), primeira enzima da via das pentoses fosfato que pode ser utilizada como reagente analítico em análises quantitativas, sobretudo em estudos bioquímicos e médicos. O presente trabalho visou estudar o processo de purificação dessa enzima empregando a extração em sistemas de duas fases aquosas convencional (sem integração) e integrado ao rompimento celular, em duas escalas, reduzida e ampliada. A enzima foi produzida por Candida guilliermondii FTI 20037 cultivada em meio constituído de hidrolisado hemicelulósico de palha de arroz, sob condições pré-determinadas. Inicialmente, foram realizados ensaios para avaliar o efeito das variáveis volume de suspensão celular, velocidade de agitação do moinho de esferas de vidro e tempo sobre o rompimento das células. Os valores destas variáveis foram, então, estabelecidos em: 100 mL, 400 rpm e 25 minutos, respectivamente. Posteriormente, a influência da massa molar de PEG e comprimento de linha de amarração sobre a extração da G6PD foram investigados no sistema convencional (homogeneizado obtido a partir do rompimento celular, em presença ou ausência de fragmentos) e integrado (rompimento na presença dos componentes da extração), empregando-se a metodologia do planejamento experimental. Nos ensaios realizados em escala reduzida, sob condições otimizadas, alcançou-se um fator de purificação na fase rica em sal (FPf), ou fase fundo, de 2,8 e em maior escala, ou seja, em moinho de rompimento, de 1,3. Com isso, realizou-se o estudo cinético e termodinâmico empregando a enzima presente no homogeneizado antes da purificação e após purificada no processo integrado em escala reduzida, nas seguintes condições: TLL 40% e PEG 1500 mol/L. Os valores determinados para os parâmetros cinéticos foram Km, 0,07 e 0,05 mM, Vm, 34,8 e 19,1 U/L e dos parâmetros termodinâmicos ΔG, -13,71 e -13,64 KJ/mol; ΔH, -2,49 e -2,50 KJ/mol; ΔS, 37,02 e 36,77 J/mol.K; Ea, 24,18 e 15,02 KJ/mol, da enzima presente no homogeneizado celular antes e após purificação, respectivamente. / The employment of agricultural residues aiming the attainment of biotechnological products has been shown its importance since these residues are renewable and low cost sources of carbon. The hemicellulosic fraction of these residues presents xylose as main component, which can be utilized as substrate for different bioconversion processes for the acquisition of high value products. As an example, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the first enzyme of pentose phosphate pathway which can be used as analytical reagent in several quantitative analysis, mainly in biochemical and medical studies. The present work contemplated the study of glucose-6-phosphate (G6PD) purification process by a conventional aqueous two phase systems extraction and integrated with cell disruption, in two scales, reduced and increased. The enzyme was obtained from cells of Candida guilliermondii FTI 20037 grown in hemicellulosic rice straw hydrolysate, using conditions established in previous work. Initially, assays in bead mill were performed to determine the effect of cell suspension volume, agitation speed and time on cell disruption. The determined conditions were: 100 mL, 400 rpm and 25 minutes, respectively. After this, the influence of molar mass of PEG and tie line lenght (TLL) on the G6PD recovery were investigated in the conventional system (with previous disrupted cells, with or without cell fragments) and integrated (disruption in the presence of extraction components), using the experimental design methodology. In the reduced scale assays, in optimized conditions, a purification factor in salt rich phase (FPf), or bottom phase, of 2,8 was reached while in the increased scale, this means in bead mill, a FPf of 1,3 was attained. In addition, kinetic and thermodynamic studies were performed, employing the enzyme present in the homogenate before and after purification in reduced scale, in the following conditions: TLL of 40% and PEG 1500 mol/L. The established values for the kinetics parameters were Km, 0,07 and 0,05 mM, Vm, 34,8 and 19,1 U/L and of thermodynamics ΔG, -13,71 and -13,64 KJ/mol; ΔH, -2,49 and -2,50 KJ/mol; ΔS, 37,02 and 36,77 J/mol.K; Ea, 24,18 and 15,02 KJ/mol, of the enzyme present in the homogenate before and after purification respectively.

Parmi les différentes méthodes de lutte contre les microorganismes pathogènes et/ou altérants en agroalimentaire, l’utilisation de bactéries lactiques (LAB) bioprotectrices s'avère être un outil prometteur pour la préservation des aliments. Ce travail de thèse collaboratif, entre l'équipe PAPC (AgroSup Dijon, Université de Bourgogne) et le laboratoire BioDyMIA (Université Lyon1-Isara Lyon), concerne l'étude de systèmes bioprotecteurs immobilisant des cellules entières de LAB dans une matrice polymérique d'alginate de sodium et de caséinate de sodium pour une activité ciblée contre Listeria spp. Dans un premier temps, la méthodologie mise en œuvre a consisté à sélectionner des souches de LAB bioprotectrices sur la base de leur activité antimicrobienne évaluée par la méthode de diffusion en milieu gélosé contre trois souches de Listeria spp. Quatre souches sur 19 ont ainsi été sélectionnées. Une caractérisation partielle des métabolites antimicrobiens produits par ces 4 souches a ensuite été réalisée en appliquant des traitements thermiques et enzymatiques aux surnageants de culture correspondants pour évaluer si ces traitements altéraient l’activité des métabolites antimicrobiens présents. Une purification et une identification partielle des actifs antimicrobiens de nature peptidique ont été réalisées uniquement pour la souche d'intérêt principale : Lactococcus lactis LAB3. Dans un second temps, une formulation de la matrice polymérique d’immobilisation des LAB sélectionnées a été choisie en réalisant le diagramme de phases du système aqueux alginate de sodium/caséinate de sodium : 1,5 % (m/m) d'alginate de sodium / 4 % (m/m) de caséinate de sodium / 20 % (m/m) bouillon MRS. Cette formulation a permis d'obtenir une matrice composée d’une phase continue riche en alginate et d’une phase dispersée riche en caséinate dans laquelle les cellules de LAB se localisent préférentiellement d’après les observations en microscopie de fluorescence confocale à balayage laser. Suite à l'inclusion des cellules de LAB dans ces matrices liquides et gélifiées d'alginate seul et d'alginate/caséinate, leur cultivabilité et leur activité anti-Listeria ont été suivies à 30°C pendant 12 jours. Ceci a révélé que la cultivabilité et l’activité antimicrobienne des cellules de LAB se maintiennent à des niveaux plus élevés dans les matrices d'alginate/caséinate que dans celles uniquement à base d’alginate. Ces matrices à base d’alginate et de caséinate apparaissent donc comme un système prometteur pour l'immobilisation de LAB bioprotectrices. Leur intérêt pour l’inclusion de LAB a pu être corrélé à leur viabilité et à la structure composite de cette matrice à base de protéines qui favoriserait la production et la libération des métabolites antimicrobiens / Among the various methods to control foodborne pathogenic and/or food spoilage microorganisms in food chain, bioprotective lactic acid bacteria (LAB) appear to be promising tools for food biopreservation. This collaborative study, between PAPC (Agrosup Dijon, University of Burgundy) and BioDyMIA (University Lyon1-Lyon Isara) laboratories, concerned the development of sodium alginate/sodium caseinate polymeric matrices intended to entrap LAB cells selected for their anti-Listeria spp. activity. First, 4 LAB strains from 19 LAB strains were selected for their anti-Listeria spp. activity: this screening was performed by the method of agar diffusion against three Listeria spp strains. Then, antimicrobial metabolites produced by the selected LAB strains were partially characterized by assessing the effect of various thermal and enzymatic treatments on the anti-Listeria spp. activity of their culture supernatants. A partial purification and identification of antimicrobial active peptides produced by the main strain of interest (Lactococcus lactis LAB3) was also performed. A composition of the polymer matrix has been selected by performing the phase diagram of sodium alginate/sodium caseinate system: 1.5% (w/w) sodium alginate / 4% (w/w) of caseinate sodium / 20% (w/w) MRS broth. This formulation provides a rich alginate continuous phase and a rich caseinate dispersed phase in which LAB cells localize according to the study by confocal microscopy. LAB cells were immobilized in liquid and gelled matrices of alginate and alginate/caseinate. Culturability and anti-Listeria activities were measured during a storage at 30°C for 12 days. The alginate/caseinate matrices were more effective in better maintaining LAB cells cultivability and their antimicrobial activity than alginate matrix. This effectiveness seemed correlated with cell viability and the dispersion-like structure of the protein-based system which enhance production and release of antimicrobial metabolites. Thus, this type of polymeric matrix appeared as a promising immobilization system of bioprotective LAB

Lophira lanceolata (Ll) et Carapa procera (Cp) sont des plantes oléagineuses, peu étudiées. Au Bénin, elles sont pourtant utilisées à des fins alimentaires, cosmétiques et thérapeutiques. Cette étude vise la caractérisation de leurs graines, coques et bois. Les huiles végétales de Ll ont été obtenues par différentes méthodes dont une aqueuse traditionnelle tandis que celle de Cp l’a été par utilisation d’hexane. De façon générale, les huiles de Ll montrent un profil nutritionnel riche en acides gras polyinsaturés (>50% m/m: masse pour masse). Outre ses propriétés chimiques meilleures, celle obtenue par le procédé traditionnel est plus riche en acides gras essentiels, en composés phytostéroliques comme le lupéol et en tocols. La torréfaction et l’utilisation d’enzymes ont également permis d’évaluer l’impact de ces méthodes sur la composition chimique des graines de Ll. Quant aux graines de Carapa p., elles présentent un profil plutôt abondant en acides gras monoinsaturés, en tocotriénols (85,56% m/m) et en lanostérols (28,03%, m/m). Les tourteaux, coques et bois des deux espèces montrent une variabilité chimique en composés pariétaux (extractibles, hémicelluloses, celluloses et lignines). Une caractérisation in fine des hémicelluloses de ces parties des deux plantes a permis de montrer qu’elles sont essentiellement de type glucuronoxylanes. Les extractibles de ces plantes ont également offert une large gamme de composés à connotations industrielles et pharmaceutiques positives. Enfin, les conditions optimales de la biosorbption du bleu de méthylène sur les coques de Lophira ont également été évaluées. Cette évaluation a permis de mettre en exergue la potentielle utilisation de ces résidus agroforestiers pour rendre potables les eaux usées industrielles / The chemical composition of wild oilseeds, such as Lophira lanceolata (Ll) and Carapa procera (Cp) of Benin is mostly unknown. Yet they undergo crafted transformations for food, cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. This study aims to characterize their seeds, hulls and woods. From these crops, different oils have been extracted. One of them has been produced in rural area according to aqueous ancestral method. On the whole, oils of Ll have presented an interesting nutritional profile. They are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (> 50% m/m: mass for mass), especially that extracted by artisanal process. Beyond its good chemical properties, it provides essential fatty acids, phytosterols such as lupeol and more tocols compounds. Roasting and the use of enzymes have also assessed the impact of these methods on the chemical composition of LI seeds. Differently, Cp oil’s has an abundant presence of MUFA, tocotrienols (85.56% w/w) and the richest composition in lanosterol (28.03%, m/m). The seeds cakes, hulls and wood of both species showed various distributions on chemical components (extractives, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin). The characterization of hemicelluloses from different parts of plants has shown that they are essentially glucuronoxylans type. Extractives also offered a wide range of compounds mostly appreciated for industrial and pharmaceutical purposes. The chemical composition of the shells of Lophira was rich in organic compounds such as lignin (32.13%, dry weight) so their biosorbent capacity was evaluated. They showed methylene blue good adsorption capacity in aqueous solution, which highlighted their potential use in the purification of wastewater

Ce travail de thèse concerne la préparation et caractérisation des électrodes de carbone vitreuses (GC) modifiées par les films de groupements aryl (substitués) ou par phtalocyanines des métaux (MPc) et l'évaluation de leurs activités catalytiques envers la réduction électrochimique des nitrates dans les milieux aqueux acides. Les techniques adoptées pour la modification de surface du substrat (le GC) consistent à la réduction électrochimique des sels de diazonium ou à l'abrasion physique de la surface contre la poudre des MPc. En faisant intervenir un mécanisme complexe, y compris les phénomènes d'adsorption du réactif et du produit sur la surface, l’électroréduction de sels de diazonium entraîne au greffage des groupements aryls sur la surface. Les analyses voltamétriques détaillées ont rendu possible de conclure, décisivement pour la première fois, que la réduction commence à se faire sur la surface entière et, selon la concentration du diazonium et/ou l'efficacité du greffage, peut continuer à se faire à traverse les ouvertures microscopiques générés parmi les groupements aryl greffés sur la surface durant l'étape précédente de réduction (...) / This thesis work concerns about the preparation, characterization and catalytic activities evaluation of (substituted) aryl and metallophthalocyanines films-modified glassy carbon (GC) electrodes towards nitrate electrochemical reduction in acidic aqueous media. The surface modification techniques adopted consisted of the electroreduction of 4-substituted aryl diazonium salts and the metallophthalocyanine (MPc) powder abrasive adsorption. Through a complex mechanism involving the reactants and products adsorptions on the substrate surface, the electroreduction of aryl diazonium salts leads to the covalent attachment of mono as well as multilayers of aryl groups on the substrate surface. Detailed voltammetric investigations enabled to conclude, decisively for the first time, that the diazonium cation reduction begins to take place on the bulk (whole) surface and, depending upon the concentration and/or the products grafting efficiency, may continue to take place across the microscopic pinholes formed among the aryl groups grafted on the surface during the previous reduction step, thereby explaining the origin of the two reduction peaks in the voltammograms on GC surface. Electrochemical characterization of 4-nitrophenyl(NP)-modified surfaces in various types of aqueous media shed light over a number of mechanistic aspects of the process. Some new electrochemical evidences of the complications of surface coverage determination of redox centers from their electrochemical responses and of the role of aqueous electrolyte species transport on the responses have been presented. Some new phenomena or observations such as identification of the regions of votammograms corresponding to aminophenyl and hydroxyaminophenyl formation of the surface bound NP groups reduction, identification of the method of surface bound NP groups surface coverage estimation from the total width at half wave maximum (or electron transfer coefficient) of the responses, identification of the mechanistic aspects governing the differences of voltammetric behaviors of surface bound NP layers and the solution phase nitrobenzene, electrochemical (and XPS) evidences of the presence of azo type functionalities in the aryl films prepared from aryldiazonium electroreduction were also noticed. Barrier characters of the aryldiazonium electroreduction-derived N,N-dimethylaminophenyl-, nitrophenyl- and aminophenyl-modified surfaces towards ferricyanide, hexaammineruthenium and proton electroreductions in aqueous media indicate to the existence of electrostatic interactions among the surface bound and the solution phase ionic species. However, upon negative potential applications (such as those of water or nitrate reductions) surface attached films are partly or completely lost from the surface, as evidenced by the analytical scale measurements as well as from potentiostatic electrolysis of nitrate reduction in acidic aqueous media. Concerning the MPc-modified GC surfaces, the analytical scale measurements showed that among the phthalocyanines of copper, Iron and Nickel, the one of Cu is an optimizing material for the nitrate electrochemical reduction in, not previously reported, acidic aqueous media. The catalytic activity of MPc powders towards nitrate reduction in these media, which varies in the order CuPc > FePc > NiPc > GC appears to be related to the mental center and not with the phthalocyanine ring

Résumé confidentiel / Résumé confidentiel

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / In this study PbSe quantum dots (QDs) were successfully synthesized via the organometallic and aqueous routes. Optical characterization was carried out using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, structural and morphological characterization were carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to determine the composition of the QDs. All the synthesized QDs were found to have emissions within the near-infrared region of the spectrum (≥1000 nm) with most of them being less than 5 nm in size. The aqueous synthesized QDs had a perfect Gaussian emission spectrum with a FWHM of ~23 nm indicating pure band gap emission and narrow size distribution respectively. The QDs were determined to have a cubic rock-salt crystal structure consistent with bulk PbSe. The aqueous synthesized QDs were however not stable in solution with the QDs precipitating after approximately 48 h. The organometallic synthesized QDs were transferred into the aqueous phase by exchanging the surface oleic acid ligands with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid ligands. The ligand exchanged QDs were however stable in solution for over two weeks. The effects of reaction parameters on the optical and structural properties of the organometallic synthesized QDs were investigated by varying the reaction time, temperature, ligand purity, lead and selenium sources. It was observed that larger QDs were formed with longer reaction times, with reactions proceeding faster at higher reaction temperatures than at lower temperatures. Varying the ligand purity was found to have minimal effects on the properties of the synthesized QDs. The lead and selenium sources contributed largely to the properties of the QDs with lead oxide producing spherical QDs which were smaller compared to the cubic QDs produced from lead acetate. TBPSe was seen to produce smaller QDs as compared to TOPSe. The cytotoxity of the synthesized QDs was determined following the WST-1 cell viability assay with the QDs being found to be non-toxic at all the tested concentrations

Ces travaux de thèse portent sur la conversion par catalyse hétérogène du furfural (produit biosourcé produit, par déshydratation du xylose issu de l'hydrolyse acide de l'hémicellulose) en acide 2,5-furane dicarboxylique (FDCA, substituant potentiel de l'acide téréphtalique, monomère de polyesters et polyamides, issu du pétrole). Cette transformation a été envisagée en deux étapes catalytiques: 1) l'hydroxyméthylation du furfural en 5-hydroxyméthylfurfural (HMF) par le formaldéhyde aqueux ou le trioxane en présence d'un catalyseur acide. Les rendements maxima de 40% ont été obtenus en utilisant le formaldéhyde aqueux en présence de nanoparticules de ZSM-5. L'instabilité du furfural et du HMF dans ces conditions réactionnelles est la principale difficulté. 2) l'oxydation aérobie du HMF en FDCA. En milieu alcalin faible (Na2CO3), en présence d'un catalyseur Pt/C promu par le Bi (rapport molaire Bi/Pt = 0,2) à 100 °C et sous 40 bar d'air, le FDCA est obtenu avec un rendement quantitatif. La modification du Pt par le bismuth permet de limiter la lixiviation du Pt dans le milieu réactionnel et de recycler le catalyseur sans prétraitement préalable et sans perte significative de l'activité, comme démontré ensuite en réacteur continu / This thesis reports a study of heterogeneously catalyzed conversion of furfural (biobased product formed from the acid-catalyzed dehydration of xylose) into 2,5-furane dicarboxylique acid (FDCA, possible replacement monomer for terephtalic acid for the production of polyethylene terephtalate). This transformation has been considered in two catalytic steps: 1) hydroxymethylation of furfural with aqueous formaldehyde or trioxane into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in the presence of solid acids. The maximum yields of 40% have been obtained using aqueous formaldehyde in the presence of nanoparticles of ZSM-5. The main problem was the lack of stability of furfural and HMF in reaction conditions. 2) aerobic oxidation of HMF into FDCA. HMF was oxidized in alkaline aqueous solutions over Pt-based catalysts using dioxygen from air. Promotion of the catalyst with bismuth and the presence of a weak base (Na2CO3) yielded a catalytic system with a remarkable activity and selectivity. HMF was completely and exclusively converted to FDCA within 2,5 h. The catalyst could be recovered by simple filtration and reused several times without significant loss of activity and with no platinum or bismuth leaching

Cette étude se focalise sur les impacts de la réactivité en phase aqueuse de la méthacroléïne et de la méthyl vinyl cétone sur la formation des nouveaux aérosols organiques secondaires (AOS), et les impacts de la réactivité en phase aqueuse sur le vieillissement des AOS formés par l’isoprène, α-pinène et 1,3,5-triméthylbenzène en phase gazeuse. Les études de la réactivité en phase aqueuse ont été étudiées vis-à-vis des radicaux OH. Dans le but d’identifier et quantifier les produits d’oxydation des différents précurseurs d’intérêt, les échantillons en phase aqueuse ont été analysés par différents systèmes analytiques. Les résultats montrent clairement la formation de petits composés primaires et secondaires qui ont été expliqués par les mécanismes réactionnels. On a observé également la formation de composés à haute masse moléculaire par rapport à leurs précurseurs. Ces produits ont été supposés être très peu volatils et pourraient induire la formation des AOS lors de l’évaporation de l’eau. Leur capacité à former des AOS a été montrée expérimentalement par les expériences de nébulisation des solutions aqueuses à différents temps de réaction. Les résultats montrent qu’au moins une part de ces produits à haute masse moléculaire reste en phase particulaire lors de l’évaporation de l’eau, et contribue à la formation des AOS. L’ensemble de ces résultats met en évidence le fait que la réactivité en phase aqueuse atmosphérique peut induire des effets importants sur la formation et le vieillissement des AOS atmosphériques, qui peut induire une modification des propriétés physico-chimiques des aérosols. / This work focused on the impacts of aqueous phase OH-oxidation of methacrolein, methyl vinyl ketone on the SOA formation, and impacts of aqueous phase OH-oxidation on aging of SOA that are formed by isoprene, -pinene and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene in gas phase. The chemical characterization of aqueous phase was performed by different analytical techniques. The results show the formation of small primary and secondary reaction products that were explained by suitable chemical reaction mechanisms. The formation of oligomers with high molecular mass (compared with their precursors) has also been observed during the OH-oxidation. These oligomers might be low volatile compounds that induce the formation of SOA during water evaporation. Their capacity to form SOA was experimentally demonstrated by nebulizing the aqueous phase solution at different reaction times. The results show that at least a part of oligomers remains in the particle phase during water evaporation, and contributes to the SOA formation. All of these results highlight that aqueous phase reactivity could induce important effects on the formation and aging of atmospheric SOA, which can induce modification of physico-chemical properties of SOA.

[pt] O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a concentração de metais, compostos orgânicos e inorgânicos por suspensão aquosa e análise dos metais por abertura ácida presentes nas amostras de PM10 coletadas em áreas urbanas, industrial e rural da Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro. A concentração de PM10 foi determinada por análise gravimétrica. Espécies inorgânicas e orgânicas presentes nos extratos aquosos foram determinadas por cromatografia de íons e carbono orgânico total (TOC). Os extratos ácidos, e também os aquosos, foram analisados por ICP-MS (espectrometria de massa com plasma indutivamente acoplado) e por ICP OES (espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado) para determinar a concentração de metais. As correlações entre as concentrações de PM10 e de metais foram avaliadas, considerando os dados meteorológicos para cada ponto de coleta e origem das massas de ar. Os resultados mostraram que as concentrações médias de PM10 foram de 36 micrograma m-3 na área rural, 50 micrograma m-3 na área urbana e 74 micrograma m-3 na área industrial. A concentração de PM10 medida na área industrial ultrapassou, em geral, o limite estabelecido pela resolução CONAMA, de 50 micrograma m-3. O teor de metais apresentou maior concentração na área industrial, sendo predominantes ferro, zinco, alumínio, titânio, manganês, cromo, níquel, cádmio e chumbo. Na área de maior tráfego, foi detectada a maior concentração de cobre e vanádio. As espécies iônicas foram maiores na área urbana, devido à proximidade do oceano. Na área rural, menores concentrações de espécies antropogênicas, como sulfato, nitrato e alguns metais (Pb, Cr, V e Ni) foram medidas. Assim, as concentrações das espécies estudadas são influenciadas pelas características locais. Porém, também foi observado a influencia do transporte de poluentes de longa distância, como queimadas e poeiras dos desertos do continente africano. Os percentuais dos extratos ácido/aquoso demonstraram que os metais extraídos de forma mais eficiente foram V e Ni (maior que 45 porcento), enquanto que os menos extraídos foram Al e Fe (menor que 3 porcento), conforme o esperado. A fração aquosa é importante para avaliar a biodisponibilidade de metais associados a danos à saúde. / [en] The scope of this study was to measure the concentration of metals and organic and inorganic anions in aqueous and acid extracts of PM10 samples collected in urban, industrial and rural zones of Rio de Janeiro. PM10 concentration was determined by gravimetric analysis and the organic and inorganic species in the aqueous extracts were determined by ion chromatography and total organic carbon (TOC). The aqueous and acid extracts were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and by ICP OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry), in order to determine metal content. Correlations between PM10 and metal concentrations were evaluated, considering meteorological data for each site. Results showed that the average PM10 concentrations were 36 microgram m-3; 50 microgram m-3 and 74 microgram m-3 at the rural, downtown and industrial sites, respectively. The measured PM10 concentration in the industrial site exceeded the limit allowed by the Brazilian law, which is 50 microgram m-3. While industrial area had the highest concentrations of metals, such as Fe, Zn, Al, Ti, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb, the highest concentrations of Cu and V were found in areas with higher traffic densities. Ionic species had higher concentrations in the urban site due to the proximity to the ocean. The lowest concentrations of species from anthropogenic sources, such as sulfate, nitrate and some metals (Pb, Cr, V and Ni) were measured in the rural area. Hence, studied species concentrations are influenced by site locations, but the influence by the transportation of long distance pollutants, such as biomass burning and dust from African deserts was also observed. The acid/aqueous percentiles showed that the most efficiently extracted metals in the aqueous phase were V and Ni (greater than 45 percent) while the less efficiently extracted were Al and Fe (less than 3 percent), as expected. The aqueous fraction is important to evaluate the bioavailability of metals that are associated to damage to the human health.