Three nickel based catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method (Ni/Al2O3 and Ni/SiO2) and co-precipitation method (Ni/ZnO). The catalysts were characterized by XRD, ICP-OES, BET-surface area and pore volume, SEM, TEM, TPR, NH3-TPD and in-situ XRD reduction. The catalytic activity of the catalysts in the liquid phase hydrogenation of octanal was studied at 110 °C and 50 bar. The effect of water as a co-feed on the catalytic activity of the catalysts was also investigated. Generally, all the catalysts were crystalline materials. The Ni/Al2O3 and Ni/ZnO catalysts contained NiO species that were “hard” to reduce, whereas the Ni/SiO2 catalyst was the easiest to reduce, according to the TPR and in-situ XRD reduction studies. The total acidity (μmol NH3/gcatal.) of the catalysts decreased in the following sequence: Ni/Al2O3 > Ni/ZnO > Ni/SiO2. The Ni/SiO2 and Ni/ZnO catalysts had intermediate and strong acidic sites, respectively, while the Ni/Al2O3 catalyst had weak-intermediate and strong acidic sites. The BET-surface area and pore volume of the catalysts decreased in the following order: Ni/Al2O3 > Ni/SiO2 > Ni/ZnO. The conversion of octanal for all the catalysts was ca. 90 %. The Ni/SiO2 and Ni/ZnO catalysts had octanol selectivities of over 99 % and the Ni/Al2O3 catalyst had 95 % octanol selectivity. The alumina support was observed to catalyze the formation of heavy products (C24 acetal, dioctyl ether and 2-hexyl-1-decanol). The water present in the feed poisoned the alumina sites that were responsible for the formation of heavy products thereby, making the catalyst more selective (> 99 %) to octanol. For the Ni/SiO2 catalyst the presence of water in the feed caused the octanal conversion to decrease with time-on-stream. The deactivation of the Ni/SiO2 catalyst, when water was used as a co-feed, was caused by the mechanical failure of the catalyst and also by the leaching of nickel metal during the reaction. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

No description available.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-10-05T13:55:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 joaosuendermoreira.pdf: 2727096 bytes, checksum: 15959d5ff7f375e41f8c2bc20e5308fe (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-10-05T13:58:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 joaosuendermoreira.pdf: 2727096 bytes, checksum: 15959d5ff7f375e41f8c2bc20e5308fe (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-05T13:58:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 joaosuendermoreira.pdf: 2727096 bytes, checksum: 15959d5ff7f375e41f8c2bc20e5308fe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03-12 / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Um dos principais problemas mundiais na agricultura está diretamente relacionado às enormes perdas na produção causada por fungos fitopatogenicos, onde sua infecção nas culturas se dá desde o plantio até a pós- colheita. O fungo Botrytis cinerea, causador do mofo cinzento em mais de 200 espécies de plantas é um grande problema no agronegócio em todo o mundo. O uso de fungicidas é o principal método de controle em plantas, enquanto os resultados obtidos de imediato e a facilidade de aplicação justificam o seu uso. No entanto, o uso contínuo de fungicidas pode promover a seleção de fungos resistentes além de causar a contaminação de ecossistemas. Com o objetivo de encontrar uma solução para esse problema, diversos estudos tem se concentrado na busca de novas alternativas de controle, como por exemplo, as proteínas de plantas com atividades antifúngicas (AFPs). Nesse sentido, uma seleção de peptídeos antimicrobianos de flores, folhas e sementes de espécies do gênero Lippia bem como o isolamento de peptídeos antifúngicos de flores de Lippia sidoides foi o objetivo desse trabalho. Neste trabalho, a purificação e identificação de dois novos peptídeos de aproximadamente 10 kDa e 15 kDa de flores de Alecrim-pimenta (Lippia sidoides) foi descrito. As flores de L. sidoides, depois de secadas em estufa a 25o por cinco dias, foram submetidas à extração de proteínas com solução de HCl 0,1% e NaCl 0,6M, seguido por precipitação com sulfato de amônia (100%). Após a precipitação, o extrato foi dialisado contra água destilada (cut off 1,0 kDa) e liofilizado. A fração rica foi aplicada em cromatografia hidrofóbica Octyl-sepharose, seguida por cromatografia de fase-reversa de HPLC (Vydac C18-TP). Bioensaios com EB, e fração PR in vitro indicaram a inibição do crescimento do fungo Botrytis cinerea. As sequências N-terminal, obtidas por degradação de Edman, seguidas por alinhamento indicam que esses dois peptídeos podem ser classificados com proteínas R NBS-LRR. Esta descoberta pode contribuir, futuramente, para o desenvolvimento de produtos biotecnológicos como drogas antifúngicas e plantas transgênicas com resistência elevada a fungos patogênicos. / One of the major global issues in agriculture could be directly related to the severe production crop losses caused by phytopathogenic fungi, especially when infection affects post-harvest cultures. In this view, the fungus Botrytis cinerea is able to cause gray mold in more than 200 species of plants, being considered a major problem for the agribusiness. The use of fungicides is a primary fungi control method in plants, due to velocity and facility of application. However, the continuous use of fungicides may promote the selection of resistant fungi and also the ecosystems contamination. Aiming to find different solutions to this problem, several studies have focused on the search for new alternatives to fungi control, such as plant proteins with antifungal activities (AFPs). In this view, a selection of antimicrobial peptides from flowers, leaves and seeds from Lippia genus and further isolation of antifungal peptides from Lippia sidoides flowers was focused in this work. In this work, the purification and identification of two novel peptides of approximately 10 kDa and 15 kDa from flowers of rosemary-pepper (L. sidoides) was described. L. sidoides flowers were oven dried at 25 oC for 5 days, following protein extraction with a solution containing 0.1% HCl 0.6 M NaCl, and further ammonium sulfate precipitation (100%). After precipitation the extract was dialyzed against distilled water (cut off 1.0 kDa) and lyophilized. The rich fraction was applied onto an Octyl-Sepharose hydrophobic chromatography, followed by HPLC reversed-phase chromatography (Vydac C18-TP). Bioassays using crude extract and in vitro PR fraction indicated the inhibition of Botrytis cinerea growth. N-termini sequences, obtained by the Edman degradation, followed by alignment indicate that these two peptides can be classified as NBS-LRR R proteins. This discovery may help in a near future to the development of biotechnology products such as antifungal drugs and transgenic plants with enhanced resistance to fungal pathogens.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Alkanes can be used as an inexpensive feedstock to produce more valuable alcohols. The biotransformation of alkanes to alcohols provides an alternative to conventional chemical procedures. The scope of this research was to develop a process utilising a biocatalyst to catalyse the oxidation of an alkane to its corresponding alcohol on a larger scale than had been reported on in previous research. The research utilised a recombinant E. coli BL21(DE3) cell, containing the CYP153A6 operon in pET 28 vector, as the biocatalyst. The CYP153A6 enzyme catalyses the oxidation of octane to 1-octanol. The principle objective of the research was to determine the amount of 1-octanol that can be produced by a system utilising this strain of recombinant E. coli as a biocatalyst on a three orders of magnitude larger scale than what had previously been reported on for this reaction system. An additional objective was to model the 1-octanol production performance in the bioreactor. Bioconversion batch reactions, with excess octane used as a substrate, were conducted in 30ml McCartney bottles and in a 7.5L BioFlo 110 Modular Benchtop Fermentor (New Brunswick). The McCartney bottles were not equipped to actively control process conditions.The bioreactor was equipped to control process conditions such as temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen concentration. Experiments in the bioreactor were therefore described as being performed under controlled conditions. The procedures used to grow, maintain and harvest the biocatalyst cells were based on those developed by the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology at the University of the Free State. The product and substrate concentrations were determined through gas chromatography (GC) analysis. The McCartney bottle bioconversion reactions, with a 1.33ml reaction volume, produced 1.88 mg 1-octanol per gram of dry cell weight per hour. The bioreactor under controlled conditions, with a 2L reaction volume, produced 14.89 mg 1-octanol per gram of dry cell weight per hour. The formation of a secondary product, octanoic acid, was observed for the bioreactor under controlled conditions experiment at a production of 1.12 mg per gram of dry cell weight per hour. The McCartney bottle experiments did not produce any by-products. The 1-octanol production performance in the bioreactor experiments was empirically modelled. The empirical rate law was based on the form of the Monod equation, with the addition of a product inhibition term. The model achieved an average Root Mean Square Error of less than 5% when compared to experimental data, and was therefore concluded to be accurate within the range of experimental data and conditions tested for. The principal finding of the research is that the cells produced an order of magnitude more product in the bioreactor than in the McCartney bottles. The literature on this reaction system, however, reports only on smaller scale research than that performed in the bioreactor. The improved production results in the bioreactor therefore give the first insight into the potential that this technology has for being scaled up. Of equal significance is the finding that a secondary product developed during the biotransformations performed in the bioreactor. This refutes the assumption that the biocatalyst cells are unable to catalyse any secondary reactions. This aspect of the cells’ performance must be addressed before the biocatalyst cell strain can be considered to be a viable option for utilisation in large-scale processes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alkane kan gebruik word as ‘n bekostigbare bron om meer waardevolle alkohol te produseer. Die biotransformasie van alkane na alkohol bied dus ‘n alternatief vir konvensionele chemiese prosedure. Die oogmerk en omvang van hierdie navorsing was om ‘n proses te ontwikkel waarin ‘n biokatalisator gebruik word om die oksidasie van ‘n alkaan tot sy ooreenstemmende alkohol te kataliseer, en om vas te stel hoeveel 1-oktanol vervaardig kan word deur ‘n herverenigde E. coli as katalisator gebruik. ‘n Rekombinante E. coli BL21(DE3) sel, wat die CYP153A6 operon in pET 28 vector bevat, is as biokatalisator gebruik. Die CYP153A6 ensiem kataliseer die oksidasie van oktaan na 1-oktanol. Biokonversie lot-reaksies, met oormatige oktaan wat as substraat gebruik word, is in 30ml McCartney bottels en in 7.5L BioFlo 110 Modular Benchtop Fermentor (New Brunswick) uitgevoer. Die bioreaktor was toegerus om kondisies van die proses soos temperatuur, pH and opgeloste suurstof-konsentrasie te kontroleer. Die prosedures wat gebruik is om die groei, onderhoud en oes van die biokatalisator selle te bewerkstellig, is gebaseer op prosedures wat ontwikkel is deur the Department van Microbiese, Biochemiese and Voedsel Biotegnologie van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat. Die produk- en substraat-konsentrasies is vasgestel deur gaschromatografie (GC) ontleding. Die McCartney bottel biokonversie-reaksie met ‘n 1.33ml reaksie-volume het 1.88 mg 1-oktanol per gram droeë-sel gewig opgelewer. Die bioreaktor, wat onder beheerde toestande ‘n 2L reaksie-volume het, het 14.89 mg 1-octanol per gram droeë-sel gewig gelewer. Onder beheerde eksperimentele kondisies is die vorming van ‘n sekondere produk, oktanol-suur, by die bioreaktor waargeneem teen 1.23 mg per gram droeë-sel gewig per uur. Die McCartney bottel eksperimente egter het geen newe-produkte opgelewer nie. Die ontwikkeling van die 1-oktanol in die bioreaktor-ekperimente is empiries gemodelleer. Die empiriese ‘rate law’ is gebaseer op ‘n vorm van die Monod- vergelyking, met byvoeging van ‘n produk-inhiberingsterm. Die model het ‘n gemiddelde vierkantswortel foutvariansie van minder as 5% opgelewer, vergeleke met die eksperimentele data, en word dus binne die rykwydte van die eksperimentele data, en die kondisies waarvoor getoets is, as akkuraat beskou. Die belangrikste bevinding is dat die selle in die bioreaktor ‘n orde van grootte meer produk gelewer het as die selle in die McCartney bottels. Die literatuur oor hierdie reaksie-sisteem berig egter slegs oor kleiner skaalse navorsing as wat in die bioreaktor gedoen is. Die verbeterde opbrengsresultate van die bioreaktor dui daarop dat laasgenoemde tegnologie die potensiaal inhou om opgegradeer te word. Die bevinding dat ‘n sekondere produk in die biotransformasie in die bioreaktor gevorm het, is beduidend. Dit weerspreek die aanname dat die biokatalisator-selle nie sekondere reaksies kataliseer nie. Hierdie aspek moet aangespreek word alvorens die biokataliseer-selle oorweeg kan word as ‘n lewensvatbare alternatief vir gebruik in grootskaalse prosesse.

No description available.

Le but du travail est d'étudier la structure supramoléculaire de mélanges de tensioactif hydrophile, n-octyl-beta-glucoside (C8G1), et d'un extractant d'ions métalliques hydrophobe, le tributyl-n-phosphate (TBP), en présence d'eau, d'huile et de sels. Les systèmes classiques d'extraction ionique (composés d'une phase aqueuse, d'huile et d'extractant dont le but est d'extraire un soluté de la phase polaire sont passés en revue. L'aspect colloïdal et les transitions de phases que l'on retrouve dans ces systèmes sont souvent décrits singulièrement. Nous avons transposé l'approche « diagramme de phases » issue de la physico-chimie des systèmes moléculaires organisés à ces systèmes d'extractant afin d'orienter globalement l'analyse de ces systèmes complexes. La discussion est basée sur des considérations géométriques. Un modèle thermodynamique a été développé en considérant les contraintes d'empilement des ces extractants dans le film moléculaire formant les micelles inverses d'extractant dans l'huile. Ce modèle a permis de prédire la solubilité de l'eau au sein de ces micelles inverses ainsi que leurs tailles obtenues expérimentalement. Dans une deuxième partie, le comportement physico-chimique des phases aqueuses et organiques composées respectivement d'eau/C8G1 et de TBP/huile/eau ont été étudiées, en s'intéressant particulièrement aux effets de sels, par des techniques de diffusion de rayons X aux petits angles, diffusion dynamique de la lumière et de spectroscopie UV-visible. Dans la dernière partie la description complète de la microémulsion en faisant varier la balance hydrophile-hydrophobe du mélange C8G1 et TBP a été obtenue en combinant des mesures de diffusion de neutrons aux petits angles et d'analyse chimique (Karl-Fischer, Carbone Organique Total, ICP-OES…). Le comportement co-surfactant du TBP a été déterminé par comparaison aux co-surfactants classiques que sont les n-alcools (4<n<8). Les compositions de films moléculaires mixtes de C8G1/TBP et de C8G1/n-hexanol, obtenues expérimentalement, ont été confirmées par un modèle basé sur des paramètres géométriques moléculaires. Nous avons tenté d'exploiter les propriétés interfaciales de ces molécules pour le contrôle des cinétiques d'extraction liquide-liquide d'ion et la séparation d'ion « sans solvant » par flottation. / The presented work describes the supramolecular structure of mixtures of a hydrophilic surfactant n-octyl-beta-glucoside (C8G1), and the hydrophobic metal ion extractant tributylphosphate (TBP) in n-dodecane/water as well as in the presence of salts.In the first part, basic solvent extraction system, composed of water, oil and extractant, will be introduced. The focus, however, lies on the extraction of multivalent metal ions from the aqueous phase. During this extraction process and in the following thermodynamic equilibrium, aggregation and phase transition in supramolecular assemblies occur, which are already described in literature. Notably, these reports rest on individual studies and specific conclusions, while a general concept is still missing. We therefore suggest the use of generalized phase diagrams to present the physico-chemical behaviour of (amphiphilic) extractant systems. These phase diagrams facilitated the development of a thermodynamic model based on molecular geometry and packing of the extractant molecules in the oil phase. As a result, we are now in the position to predict size and water content of extractant aggregates and, thus, verify the experimental results by calculation.Consequently, the second part presents a systematic study of the aqueous and organic phase of water/C8G1 and water/oil/TBP mixtures. The focus lies on understanding the interaction between metal ions and both amphiphilic molecules by means of small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. We confirmed the assumption that extraction of metal ions is driven by TBP, while C8G1 remains passive. In the third and last part, microemulsions of C8G1, TBP, water (and salt) and n-dodecane are characterized by small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and chemical analytics (Karl Fischer, total organic carbon, ICP-OES,...). The co-surfactant behaviour of TBP was highlighted by comparison to the classical n-alcohol (4<n<8) co-surfactants. The compositions of the C8G1/TBP and C8G1/n-hexanol interfacial mixed films obtained experimentally were confirmed by the prediction of a model based on the molecular geometrical parameters. We furthermore exploit the interfacial properties of these molecules to control the kinetics of liquid-liquid extraction and attempt a “solvent free” ion separation using flotation.

Com o intuito de promover proteção de amplo espectro, na maioria dos protetores solares estão associados pelo menos dois filtros orgânicos (UVA e UVB). A combinação da avobenzona (BMBM), filtro UVA, e do p--metoxicinamato de octila (EHMC), filtro UVB, é conhecida e muito utilizada em formulações manipulas e industrializadas, porém apresenta alteração na absorção espectral após exposição à radiação UV. A estratégia empregada com maior frequência para reduzir a instabilidade da combinação é baseada na adição de agentes fotoestabilizadores. A adição de substâncias naturais em formulações fotoprotetoras vem sendo explorada, especialmente o grupo dos flavonoides, como a rutina, que apresenta resultados positivos em relação à eficácia fotoprotetora. O objetivo principal desta pesquisa foi avaliar o potencial da rutina como substância fotoestabilizadora dos filtros EHMC e BMBM. Foram desenvolvidas formulações contendo os dois filtros associados ou não com rutina de acordo planejamento fatorial em três níveis. As formulações foram avaliadas quanto a eficácia fotoprotetora in vitro aplicadas em placas de PMMA e analisadas por espectrofotometria de refletância com esfera de integração antes e após a exposição à radiação UV. As interações moleculares dos filtros com a rutina foram avaliadas por 1H RMN, DSC, TG e análise qualitativa da supressão do estado energético singleto. A adição de rutina nas formulações contendo 5,0% (p/p) de BMBM e 10,0% (p/p) de EHMC promoveu elevação na conservação do FPS in vitro de 53,9% para 65,8 (0,1% de rutina) e 70,8% (1,0% de rutina). As curvas DSC e TG da rutina apresentaram alterações promovidas pela presença dos filtros BMBM e EHMC, indicando interação entre o flavonoide e os filtros. Após dose de 5760 J cm-2 de radiação UV o valor da razão trans/cis para o filtro EHMC em solução adicionado do filtro BMBM foi elevado de 5,5±0,1, sem adição de rutina, para 12,6±0,4, com adição da rutina. A análise qualitativa da supressão do estado singleto indicou que um dos mecanismos envolvidos na fotoestabilização dos filtros BMBM e EHMC é a supressão do estado energético singleto. Os resultados reportados neste estudo indicaram que a adição da rutina em formulações fotoprotetoras representa um caminho simples e efetivo para elevar a fotoestabilidade da combinação dos filtros BMBM e EHMC. A adição da rutina em formulações fotoprotetoras representa uma estratégia promissora, pois aliada a ação fotoestabilizadora, verificada nesse estudo, esse flavonoide possui propriedades antioxidante e quelante de metais que podem colaborar para o desenvolvimento de formulações fotoprotetoras de amplo espectro com aumento da segurança e eficácia. / In order to promote broad-spectrum protection, most sunscreens are associated with at least two organic filters (UVA and UVB). The combination of avobenzone (BMBM), UVA filter, and octyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), UVB filter, is well known and widely used in industrial formulations and pharmaceutical compounding, but shows alteration in spectral absorption after UV radiation exposure. The most commonly used strategy to reduce the instability of the combination is based on the addition of photostabilizer agents. The addition of natural substances in sunscreen formulations has been explored, especially the group of flavonoids such as rutin, which shows positive results regarding photoprotective efficacy. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of rutin as a photostabilizer substance of EHMC and BMBM. Formulations were developed containing the two filters associated or not with rutin, according to factorial design at three levels. The formulations were evaluated for in vitro photoprotective efficacy applied on PMMA plates and analyzed by spectrophotometer with integrating sphere reflectance before and after exposure to UV radiation. Molecular interactions of filters with rutin were evaluated by 1H NMR, DSC, TG and qualitative analysis of the suppression of singlet energy state. The addition of rutin in the formulations containing 5.0 % (w/w) BMBM and 10.0 % (w/w) EHMC promoted an increase in the preservation of in vitro SPF of 53.9% to 65.8 (0.1 % rutin) and 70.8 % (1.0% rutin). The DSC and TG curves of rutin showed changes promoted by the presence of BMBM and EHMC filters, indicating interaction between the flavonoid and filters. After 5760 J cm-2 of UV radiation the value of the trans/cis ratio for the EHMC filter added from the BMBM filter was increased from 5.5 ± 0.1 without addition of rutin, to 12.6 ± 0 4,with the addition of rutin. Qualitative analysis of the suppression of the singlet state indicated that one of the mechanisms involved in the photostabilization BMBM and EHMC filters is suppression of singlet excited state.The results reported in this study indicate that the addition of rutin in sunscreen formulations is a simple and effective way to increase the photostability of the combination of BMBM and EHMC. The addition of rutin in sunscreen formulations represents a promising strategy, for allied with the photostabilization action, observed in this study, this flavonoid has antioxidant and chelating properties of metals that can contribute to the development of broad-spectrum sunscreens formulations with increased safety and efficacy.

Esta tese de doutorado fundamentou-se na preparação e caracterização de suspensões de nanocápsulas contendo quercetina (QUE) e metoxicinamato de octila (MCO), como componente do núcleo central destes sistemas. As suspensões foram preparadas pelo método de deposição interfacial do polímero pré-formado e foram posteriormente caracterizadas através da determinação dos teores totais de QUE e MCO, das taxas de associação da QUE e do MCO às nanocápsulas, dos diâmetros médios de partículas e polidispersões, dos potenciais zeta e análises morfológicas. Avaliou-se neste estudo, a influência do tipo de tesioativo utilizado (Span 60® ou Epikuron 170®) sobre as características físico-químicas das suspensões de nanocápsulas. As formulações foram estudadas quanto a sua estabilidade frente à radiação UVA, durante um período de exposição de 15 dias. As suspensões apresentaram tamanhos de partícula inferiores a 500 nm e taxas de encapsulação próximas a 90 % para a QUE e MCO. Este teste permitiu verificar que as nanocápsulas são sistemas capazes de proteger parcialmente as substâncias nela associadas contra a fotodegradação. As formulações preparadas com Span 60® foram mais efetivas na proteção contra a fotodegradação tanto da QUE, quanto do MCO, no entanto, evidenciou-se que a presença destas duas substâncias contribuiu para a proteção de ambas. Os testes para avaliação do potencial antioxidante das nanocápsulas contendo QUE e MCO foram conduzidos em células de levedura de Saccharomyces cerevisiae durante um período de 35 h, com coletas em tempos específicos. Os resultados demonstraram que a presença das suspensões de nanocápsulas, contendo ambas as substâncias associadas, foi capaz de minimizar a mortalidade das células de levedura em presença do agente estressor. Além disso, foi possível perceber que este efeito de proteção se manteve ao final das 35 h comprovando a eficiência destes sistemas na liberação lenta de substâncias. As suspensões de nanocápsulas foram associadas a um gel hidrofílico e, após, foram aplicadas sobre a superfície cutânea para avaliação dos perfis de liberação do MCO após 3 e 6 h de incubação. Testes in vitro utilizando células de Franz, foram realizados para avaliar a liberação do MCO a partir das nanocápsulas. Para este experimento utilizou-se acetonitrila como solvente, devido sua capacidade de solubilizar o polímero permitindo estimar a quantidade total de MCO em cada camada da pele. Com a finalidade de avaliar a quantidade de MCO liberado por difusão das nanocápsulas nas diferentes camadas da pele com o passar do tempo (MCO livre) utilizou-se o miristato de isopropila como solvente, pois o mesmo não é capaz de solubilizar o polímero, mas solubiliza o MCO. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo demonstraram que o MCO permanece acumulado nas camadas mais superficiais da pele, sendo a epiderme a principal barreira para a passagem deste filtro pela pele. Após aplicação e transcorrido os tempos de estudo não foi possível recuperar MCO na derme e também no líquido receptor. A utilização do miristato de isopropila permitiu demonstrar que a liberação do MCO foi diferente dependendo das camadas da pele. Setenta e oito por cento de MCO foi liberado após 6 h na superfície cutânea e cerca de 40 % no estrato córneo, sendo que este percentual diminuiu em torno de 20 % nas camadas mais profundas da pele. Os resultados permitiram inferir que a liberação do MCO difere entre a superfície da pele e as demais camadas. / This work has been based on the development and characterization of nanocapsules containing quercetin (QUE) and octyl metoxycinnamate (OMC), used as oil core of these systems. The nanocapsule suspensions were prepared by interfacial deposition of preformed polymer. The suspensions were characterized in terms of QUE and OMC contents and associated drug (QUE) within the nanoparticles, morphology, pH, mean size and polydispersity, as well as the zeta potentials. The influence of the type of surfactant (Span 60® e Epikuron 170®) on the physicochemical characteristics of suspensions was evaluated. The stability of the different formulations was evaluated under UVA radiation for 15 days. The aim of this test was to evaluate the nanocapsules ability in protecting the loaded substances against the photodegradation. The nanocapsules presented particle sizes lower than 500 nm, negative zeta potential values and QUE and OMC total contents about 90 %. The encapsulation efficiencies for QUE were 100 %. After 15 days, the formulations prepared with Span 60® and QUE/OMC showed more than 80 % of QUE content. The formulation prepared exclusively with QUE showed a content of QUE around 50 %. The totality of OMC degraded in solution, while OMC remained around 15 % stable in the nanocapsules prepared with Span 60® and QUE. After UVA exposure, QUE and OMC concentrations remained higher for the nanocapsules than for the solutions. Furthermore, the nanoencapsulation of QUE and OMC, using Span 60® improved their photostability. The antioxidant properties of the QUE-loaded nanocapsule suspensions were also evaluated and for this test Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells were used during 35 h of incubation. QUE and OMC nanocapsule suspensions showed an important in vivo antioxidant activity against the damages caused by a stressor agent that lasted for 35 h. The longer bioactivity of those nanocapsules was probably related to the slowly release of the QUE. The nanocapsule suspensions were incorporated in gel or emulsion (O/W) formulations. OMC release profiles from nanocapsules were evaluated for 3 and 6 h. In vitro measurements using static Franz diffusion cells were performed to examine the release behavior of OMC from the nanocapsules. It was used acetonitrile as solvent because it is capable to dissolve the polymer shell of nanocapsules and the sunscreen. This method gave an estimation of the total amount of OMC (encapsulated and released) in each skin layer. A new skin treatment was used, which preserved the polymer shell of the particles. Isopropyl myristate was chosen as solvent because it is not able to solubilize the polymer but it is capable to solubilize OMC released from nanocapsules. These results demonstrated that the OMC accumulated in the upper skin layers. The viable epidermis seemed to be the limiting barrier for the progression of nanocapsules penetration in the skin. Independently of the skin treatment, the same amount of OMC was recovered in the dermis and no OMC was detected in the receptor compartment indicating the absence of nanocapsules in both compartments. Moreover, the use of isopropyl miristate showed that the OMC release was different depending on the skin level. Whereas 78 % of OMC was released after 6 h at the surface of the skin and around 40 % in the stratum corneum, this percentage decreased to 20 % in the deeper skin layers. It can be thus concluded that the OMC release profile is different between the surface and the viable skin.

Submitted by Weslei Diego Pavini null (wesleydiego@gmail.com) on 2017-05-23T14:13:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação mestrado - Weslei D. Pavini.pdf: 7330663 bytes, checksum: a86ba8ec10a0627ea18d3883c094b461 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-05-23T18:18:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 pavini_wd_me_araiq_par.pdf: 737035 bytes, checksum: 22742b425e546a6ef2e994294d7d9349 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-23T18:18:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 pavini_wd_me_araiq_par.pdf: 737035 bytes, checksum: 22742b425e546a6ef2e994294d7d9349 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Biorreatores têm sido estudados para obtenção de H2, um produto de alto valor agregado usado na indústria química e afim e na produção de energia. Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um método para análise de compostos orgânicos voláteis (VOCs) produzidos em biorreatores para auxiliar na pesquisa e no controle operacional da produção de H2. Com base nos compostos de interesse foi otimizado um procedimento de microextração líquido-líquido (LLME) para recuperação destes do meio aquoso. Para isto foi usado 400 µL de 1-octanol, um solvente lipofílico e biodegradável, sulfato de sódio e 1,2 mL de amostra. Em seguida foi desenvolvido um método de separação e detecção por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada a um detector de ionização em chama (GC-FID). A separação foi feita usando coluna de polietilenoglicol de 30 m de comprimento e hélio como gás de arraste. O tempo de análise total foi de 16 min. Através deste método foi possível extrair, separar e quantificar 12 compostos: acetona, metanol, etanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, ácido acético, ácido propiônico, ácido butírico, ácido isovalérico, ácido valérico, ácido capróico e ácido láctico. Todas as curvas analíticas foram validadas usando a análise de variância (ANOVA). Além disso, foram calculadas algumas figuras de mérito, como o limite de detecção, o intervalo de quantificação, a exatidão e a precisão. Foram realizados testes de efeito matriz e estabilidade da amostra. Algumas amostras provenientes dos biorreatores de produção de H2 foram analisadas através do método proposto. O método desenvolvido mostrou-se preciso, exato e tem vasta gama de aplicação. / Bioreactors have been studied to obtain H2, a high value-added product used in the chemical and allied industry and in energy production. In this work a method was developed for the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced in bioreactors to assist in the research and operational control of H2 production. Based on the compounds of interest, a liquid-liquid micro extraction procedure (LLME) was optimized for recovery of these from the aqueous medium. 400 μl of 1-octanol, a lipophilic and biodegradable solvent, sodium sulfate and 1.2 mL of sample were used for this. Next, a separation and detection method was developed by gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The separation was done using 30 m polyethylene glycol column and helium as carrier gas. The total analysis time was 16 min. This method was used to extract, separate and quantify 12 compounds: acetone, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid and lactic acid. All analytical curves were validated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). In addition, some figures of merit were calculated, such as limit of detection, interval of quantification, accuracy and precision. The matrix effect and stability of the samples were also performed. Some samples from the H2 production bioreactors were analyzed using the proposed method. The method developed proved accurate, precise and has a wide range of application.

Esta tese de doutorado fundamentou-se na preparação e caracterização de suspensões de nanocápsulas contendo quercetina (QUE) e metoxicinamato de octila (MCO), como componente do núcleo central destes sistemas. As suspensões foram preparadas pelo método de deposição interfacial do polímero pré-formado e foram posteriormente caracterizadas através da determinação dos teores totais de QUE e MCO, das taxas de associação da QUE e do MCO às nanocápsulas, dos diâmetros médios de partículas e polidispersões, dos potenciais zeta e análises morfológicas. Avaliou-se neste estudo, a influência do tipo de tesioativo utilizado (Span 60® ou Epikuron 170®) sobre as características físico-químicas das suspensões de nanocápsulas. As formulações foram estudadas quanto a sua estabilidade frente à radiação UVA, durante um período de exposição de 15 dias. As suspensões apresentaram tamanhos de partícula inferiores a 500 nm e taxas de encapsulação próximas a 90 % para a QUE e MCO. Este teste permitiu verificar que as nanocápsulas são sistemas capazes de proteger parcialmente as substâncias nela associadas contra a fotodegradação. As formulações preparadas com Span 60® foram mais efetivas na proteção contra a fotodegradação tanto da QUE, quanto do MCO, no entanto, evidenciou-se que a presença destas duas substâncias contribuiu para a proteção de ambas. Os testes para avaliação do potencial antioxidante das nanocápsulas contendo QUE e MCO foram conduzidos em células de levedura de Saccharomyces cerevisiae durante um período de 35 h, com coletas em tempos específicos. Os resultados demonstraram que a presença das suspensões de nanocápsulas, contendo ambas as substâncias associadas, foi capaz de minimizar a mortalidade das células de levedura em presença do agente estressor. Além disso, foi possível perceber que este efeito de proteção se manteve ao final das 35 h comprovando a eficiência destes sistemas na liberação lenta de substâncias. As suspensões de nanocápsulas foram associadas a um gel hidrofílico e, após, foram aplicadas sobre a superfície cutânea para avaliação dos perfis de liberação do MCO após 3 e 6 h de incubação. Testes in vitro utilizando células de Franz, foram realizados para avaliar a liberação do MCO a partir das nanocápsulas. Para este experimento utilizou-se acetonitrila como solvente, devido sua capacidade de solubilizar o polímero permitindo estimar a quantidade total de MCO em cada camada da pele. Com a finalidade de avaliar a quantidade de MCO liberado por difusão das nanocápsulas nas diferentes camadas da pele com o passar do tempo (MCO livre) utilizou-se o miristato de isopropila como solvente, pois o mesmo não é capaz de solubilizar o polímero, mas solubiliza o MCO. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo demonstraram que o MCO permanece acumulado nas camadas mais superficiais da pele, sendo a epiderme a principal barreira para a passagem deste filtro pela pele. Após aplicação e transcorrido os tempos de estudo não foi possível recuperar MCO na derme e também no líquido receptor. A utilização do miristato de isopropila permitiu demonstrar que a liberação do MCO foi diferente dependendo das camadas da pele. Setenta e oito por cento de MCO foi liberado após 6 h na superfície cutânea e cerca de 40 % no estrato córneo, sendo que este percentual diminuiu em torno de 20 % nas camadas mais profundas da pele. Os resultados permitiram inferir que a liberação do MCO difere entre a superfície da pele e as demais camadas. / This work has been based on the development and characterization of nanocapsules containing quercetin (QUE) and octyl metoxycinnamate (OMC), used as oil core of these systems. The nanocapsule suspensions were prepared by interfacial deposition of preformed polymer. The suspensions were characterized in terms of QUE and OMC contents and associated drug (QUE) within the nanoparticles, morphology, pH, mean size and polydispersity, as well as the zeta potentials. The influence of the type of surfactant (Span 60® e Epikuron 170®) on the physicochemical characteristics of suspensions was evaluated. The stability of the different formulations was evaluated under UVA radiation for 15 days. The aim of this test was to evaluate the nanocapsules ability in protecting the loaded substances against the photodegradation. The nanocapsules presented particle sizes lower than 500 nm, negative zeta potential values and QUE and OMC total contents about 90 %. The encapsulation efficiencies for QUE were 100 %. After 15 days, the formulations prepared with Span 60® and QUE/OMC showed more than 80 % of QUE content. The formulation prepared exclusively with QUE showed a content of QUE around 50 %. The totality of OMC degraded in solution, while OMC remained around 15 % stable in the nanocapsules prepared with Span 60® and QUE. After UVA exposure, QUE and OMC concentrations remained higher for the nanocapsules than for the solutions. Furthermore, the nanoencapsulation of QUE and OMC, using Span 60® improved their photostability. The antioxidant properties of the QUE-loaded nanocapsule suspensions were also evaluated and for this test Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells were used during 35 h of incubation. QUE and OMC nanocapsule suspensions showed an important in vivo antioxidant activity against the damages caused by a stressor agent that lasted for 35 h. The longer bioactivity of those nanocapsules was probably related to the slowly release of the QUE. The nanocapsule suspensions were incorporated in gel or emulsion (O/W) formulations. OMC release profiles from nanocapsules were evaluated for 3 and 6 h. In vitro measurements using static Franz diffusion cells were performed to examine the release behavior of OMC from the nanocapsules. It was used acetonitrile as solvent because it is capable to dissolve the polymer shell of nanocapsules and the sunscreen. This method gave an estimation of the total amount of OMC (encapsulated and released) in each skin layer. A new skin treatment was used, which preserved the polymer shell of the particles. Isopropyl myristate was chosen as solvent because it is not able to solubilize the polymer but it is capable to solubilize OMC released from nanocapsules. These results demonstrated that the OMC accumulated in the upper skin layers. The viable epidermis seemed to be the limiting barrier for the progression of nanocapsules penetration in the skin. Independently of the skin treatment, the same amount of OMC was recovered in the dermis and no OMC was detected in the receptor compartment indicating the absence of nanocapsules in both compartments. Moreover, the use of isopropyl miristate showed that the OMC release was different depending on the skin level. Whereas 78 % of OMC was released after 6 h at the surface of the skin and around 40 % in the stratum corneum, this percentage decreased to 20 % in the deeper skin layers. It can be thus concluded that the OMC release profile is different between the surface and the viable skin.