Estudo do processo de recobrimento contínuo de extratos fitoterápicos secos em leito de jorro.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o recobrimento contínuo de grânulos de quebra pedra em leito de jorro. Os grânulos foram obtidos a partir do processo de granulação por via úmida do extrato seco de quebra pedra, utilizando como ligante o PVPK30. Utilizou-se um recobridor em leito de jorro de configuração tronco-cilíndrica, construído em acrílico com base cônica de 60o, diâmetro da coluna de 15 cm, altura de 45 cm e diâmetro de entrada do ar de 3,0 cm. A suspensão polimérica a base de Eudragit foi atomizada sobre o leito de partículas, através do bico atomizador de duplo-fluido, localizado na parte superior da coluna. Trabalhou-se com uma carga de grânulos de 0,4 kg formada por partículas cuja distribuição granulométrica variou de 1,7 a 3,35 mm. Inicialmente, foi realizado o levantamento das curvas características e a partir dos resultados destas, juntamente com os resultados dos testes preliminares de recobrimento elaborou-se um planejamento experimental 23 com 6 pontos axiais e três repetições no ponto central, totalizando 17 experimentos de recobrimento. As variáveis operacionais foram: pressão de atomização, vazão de suspensão de recobrimento e temperatura do ar de secagem. Os resultados experimentais permitiram investigar as variáveis respostas: eficiência de recobrimento, crescimento relativo das partículas, índice de aglomerados e taxa de evaporação. A eficiência do processo variou de 40,78 a 93,19 %, o crescimento relativo de 7,31 a 15,86 %, o índice de aglomerado de 0 a 38,82% e a taxa de evaporação de 3,16 g/min a 10,9 g/min. O planejamento experimental forneceu modelos estatisticamente significativos para o índice de aglomerados e crescimento de partículas. Quanto à taxa de evaporação o modelo obtido além de estatisticamente significativo, foi também preditivo. Foram realizados ensaios de dissolução para avaliar o filme de recobrimento nos experimentos com maior eficiência, com menor eficiência e no ponto central. O principio ativo avaliado nesses testes foi o teor de flavonóides totais. Os resultados reforçam a importância do estudo da dissolução in vitro e que o processo de revestimento em leito de jorro é uma alternativa viável para modificação do perfil de liberação de formas farmacêuticas granulares.The present work aimed to study the continuous coating process of stone breaker (Phylanthus niruri L.) granules in spouted bed. The granules were obtained from the granulation process, through humid via of stone breaker’s dry extract, in which the PVP-K30 was utilized as a binder. It was used a cone-cylindrical spouted bed coater, built of Plexiglass, whose dimensions were: angular base of 60o, column diameter of 5cm, column height of 45cm and inlet orifice diameter of 3.0 cm. The aqueous polymeric suspension of Eudragit was sprayed on the particles bed through the double-fluid atomizer nozzle located at the top the bed. The experiment carried out granules of 0.4kg formed by particles whose granulometric distribution varied from 1.7 to 3.35 mm. Initially, the characteristic curves had been analyzed and then, after these results were taken into consideration along with the coating preliminary tests, a 23 factorial design - with 3 central points and 6 axial points, 17-run full factorial design - was employed to evaluate the effects of the operational variables on the coating process. The independent variables studied were the air pressure of atomization, flow rate of suspension and the air inlet temperature. The responses analyzed were the process efficiency, the particles growth, the agglomeration index and the evaporation rate. The process efficiency varied from 40.78 to 93.19%, the relative growth from 7.31 to 15.86%, the agglomeration index from 0 to 38.82% and the evaporation rate from 3.16 to 10.9 g/min. The factorial design provided statistically significant models to the agglomeration index and the particles growth. As for the evaporation rate, besides being statistically significant, the model obtained was also predictive. Dissolution tests were carried out to analyze the coating film in the runs with lower and higher efficiency and with central point. The active ingredient evaluated in these tests was the total flavonoids content. The results point out the importance of the in vitro dissolution study and also that the coating process in spouted bed is a viable alternative to the profile modification in the granular pharmaceutic form’s release.CNP

Development and characterization of blends formulated with banana peel and banana pulp for the production of blends powders rich in antioxidant properties

Abstract The food product industry is increasingly looking for foods with nutritional properties that can provide health benefits. Additionally, a challenge for the food industry is the use of all raw materials. For these reasons, banana peel that is a raw material from Banana (Musa spp.) fruit emerges as potential for new food product development. Here, we developed powder blends using a lyophilization process for the preparation of flour to potential use in cookies, bread, and pasta products. Three formulations were designed; the main difference in the formulations was the use of banana peel concentration. Our results showed that blends produced with banana peel presented physical–chemical properties considered suitable for use in food industry. Moreover, the evaluated morphological parameters reveal the properties of the powders. The blends formulated with banana peel have more antioxidant properties, showing that the banana peel may be an attractive option to generate powders with high antioxidant properties

Sustainable Production Programme in Setubal Region (PROSSET) : final results

ABSTRACT: Between 1997 and 1999, a Sustainable Production Programme was developed in the Portuguese Setubal region. In this paper its final results are presented. The programme included cleaner production (CP) demonstration projects developed in 10 companies located in the region and the involvement of local stakeholders, aiming at stimulating the diffusion and application of sustainable development principles in the region. The CP projects allowed the team to generate environmental, economic and social benefits for the companies, and also to achieve improvements in the quality of the regional environment. The role of stakeholders is discussed, in terms of subsequent actions taken by them.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Temperatura de secagem da casca da cebola para obtenção de chá

Objetivou-se realizar através do processo de secagem convectiva, o reaproveitamento do resíduo da cebola, especificamente a casca, para obtenção do pó, analisando os parâmetros físicos para posterior aplicação como chá. Os pós e chás foram submetidos às caracterizações físicas, químicas e físico-químicas. No tratamento estatístico, empregou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos inteiramente casualizados com 4 tratamentos e 3 repetições, os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e a comparação de médias foi feita pelo teste de Tukey à 5% de probabilidade. A casca da cebola apresenta um maior teor de acidez em ácido pirúvico que as amostras secas (pó). As cascas da cebola apresentam uma luminosidade clara, assim como o chá em ambas as temperaturas, observando assim que a mesma não alterou esse parâmetro nas duas formas (casca e chá). A temperatura interferiu de forma satisfatória na casca para os valores de flavonoides, em contrapartida os valores de antocianinas, clorofilas e carotenoides foram insatisfatórios, para os chás, observou-se que os valores de flavonoides, carotenoides, clorofila e antocianinas tiveram um decréscimo e apresentaram uma variação nos valores com a mudança de temperatura. Por conseguinte, pode-se concluir que o uso de diferentes temperaturas de secagem torna-se inviável, sendo que a elaboração do chá com as cascas in natura proporciona a obtenção de teores mais elevados dos componentes

Comparison of the effects of pea protein and whey protein on the metabolic profile of soccer athletes: a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial

IntroductionPea protein (PP) concentrate is a plant-based alternative to animal protein sources, such as whey protein (WP). In addition to its valuable amino acid composition, PP has a low environmental impact, making it a sustainable, nutritious, and viable alternative for enhanced sports performance, such as in soccer. PP Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of PP and WP supplementation on biochemical and metabolic parameters in soccer players.MethodsTwelve male under-20 soccer players were included in this double-blind, randomized crossover intervention study. For 10 consecutive days, each participant received either 0.5 g/kg of the PP or WP supplementation after training, starting 7 days before the test game, and continuing until 2 days after. After a 4-day washout period, the athletes switched groups and the intervention was restarted. Blood samples were collected before and after the game, as well as 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h intervals thereafter. Creatine kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate (LA), urea, creatinine, and uric acid were analyzed using commercial kits. Exploratory metabolic profiling of the serum samples was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.ResultsA comparison of biochemical markers showed that the PP group had lower CK in the post-game moment, 24 h, and 48 h. Lower LA in the post-game moment, and lower ALT in the post-game moment and at 24 h. Of the 48 metabolites analyzed, 22 showed significant differences between the time points, such as amino acids, ketone bodies, and glucose metabolism. Glutamate and lactate levels significantly increased between the pre- and post-game moments in the WP group. After the game, the WP group exhibited reduced levels of metabolites such as arginine and taurine, whereas no such change was observed in the PP group. There was no difference in metabolites 72 h after the game.ConclusionsDespite the slight advantage of the PP group in specific biochemical markers, these differences are not sufficient to justify the choice of a particular type of protein. However, the results highlight the viability of plant protein as a potential alternative to animal protein without compromising athletic performance or recovery

Predicción de modelos cinéticos de secado de limoncillo en secadora convectiva

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os ajustes aos modelos matemáticos da cinética de secagem de folhas de erva cidreira em secador convectivo nas temperaturas de 40, 55 e 70°C, com velocidades de ar de secagem de 1,0, 1,5 e 2,0 m/s mediante planejamento fatorial 22 + 3 experimentos no ponto central. As folhas in natura foram submetidas as caracterizações químicas, físicas e físico-químicas. A cinética de secagem foi realizada em secador convectivo, com ajustes para quatro modelos matemáticos, sendo considerado como critério de qualidade de ajuste, os coeficientes de determinação (R2) e os desvios quadráticos médios (DQM). Após realização dos ensaios de secagem, pode-se destacar o ensaio três conduzido com temperatura de 40 °C e velocidade de 1,0 m/s, apresentando maior rendimento e menor teor de água. O pó resultante foi submetido as análises de: granulometria, teor de água, atividade de água, cinzas, molhabilidade, higroscopicidade, solubilidade, massa específica, massa específica de compactação, fator de Hausner, índice de compressibilidade, cor, flavonoides, clorofilas a, b e total, carotenoides e taninos. Os modelos apresentaram ajustes satisfatórios à cinética de secagem, com R² > 99,0% e DQM <0,02, destacando-se o modelo de Cavalcanti-Mata. O processo de secagem utilizado foi eficiente resultando em um pó solúvel, pouco higroscópico e fino, com concentrações de bioativos relevantes para seu uso medicinal.The present work aimed to evaluate the adjustments to the mathematical models of the drying kinetics of lemongrass leaves in a convective dryer at 40, 55 and 70 ° C, with drying air velocities of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 m / s by factorial design 22 + 3 experiments at the central point. The fresh leaves were subjected to chemical, physical and physicochemical characterization. The drying kinetics was performed in a convective dryer, with adjustments for four mathematical models, being considered as fit quality criterion, the determination coefficients (R2) and the mean square deviations (DQM). After the drying tests, one can highlight the three test conducted at a temperature of 40 ° C and a speed of 1.0 m / s, presenting higher yield and lower water content, the resulting powder was subjected to analysis of: granulometry , water content, water activity, ashes, wettability, hygroscopicity, solubility, specific mass, specific compaction mass, Hausner factor, compressibility index, color, flavonoids, total and b chlorophylls, carotenoids and tannins. The models presented satisfactory adjustments to the drying kinetics, with R²> 99.0% and DQM <0.02, especially the Cavalcanti Mata model. The drying process used was efficient resulting in a soluble, little hygroscopic and fine powder with bioactive concentrations relevant for its medicinal use.El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar los ajustes a los modelos matemáticos de la cinética de secado de las hojas de hierba de limón en un secador convectivo a 40, 55 y 70 ° C, con velocidades de aire de secado de 1.0, 1.5 y 2.0 m / s por diseño factorial 22 + 3 experimentos en el punto central. Las hojas frescas se sometieron a caracterización química, física y fisicoquímica. La cinética de secado se realizó en un secador convectivo, con ajustes para cuatro modelos matemáticos, considerándose como criterio de calidad de ajuste, los coeficientes de determinación (R2) y las desviaciones cuadráticas medias (DQM). Después de las pruebas de secado, se pueden resaltar las tres pruebas realizadas a una temperatura de 40 ° C y una velocidad de 1.0 m / s, presentando mayor rendimiento y menor contenido de agua, el polvo resultante se sometió a análisis de: granulometría , contenido de agua, actividad del agua, cenizas, humectabilidad, higroscopicidad, solubilidad, masa específica, masa específica de compactación, factor de Hausner, índice de compresibilidad, color, flavonoides, clorofilas totales y b, carotenoides y taninos. Los modelos presentaron ajustes satisfactorios a la cinética de secado, con R²> 99.0% y DQM <0.02, especialmente el modelo Cavalcanti Mata. El proceso de secado utilizado fue eficiente, dando como resultado un polvo soluble, poco higroscópico y fino, con concentraciones bioactivas relevantes para su uso medicinal

The COVID-19 pandemic and professional nursing practice in the context of hospitals

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed challenges to health systems and institutions, which had to quickly create conditions to meet the growing health needs of the population. Thus, this study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on professional nursing practice environments and to identify the variables that affected their quality. Quantitative, observational study, conducted in 16 Portuguese hospitals, with 1575 nurses. Data were collected using a questionnaire and participants responded to two different moments in time: the pre-pandemic period and after the fourth critical period of COVID-19. The pandemic had a positive impact on the Structure and Outcome components, and a negative trend in the Process component. The variables associated with the qualification of the components and their dimensions were predominantly: work context, the exercise of functions in areas of assistance to COVID-19 patients, length of professional experience and length of experience in the service. The investment in professional practice environments impacted the improvement of organizational factors, supporting the development of nurses’ work towards the quality of care. However, it is necessary to invest in nurses’ participation, involvement and professional qualifications, which are aspects strongly dependent on the institutions’ management strategies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estabilidade físico-químicas de polpas de araçá boi (eugenia stipitata) submetidas a irradiação gama / Physico-chemical stability of araçá boi (eugenia stipitata) pulps submitted to gamma irradiation

Objetivou-se com essa pesquisa avaliar se a aplicação de raios gamas é eficaz na conservação do araçá boi (Eugenia stipitata), determinar em quais concentrações foram os melhores resultados, além de avaliar a influência da temperatura sobre essas características. Os frutos foram adquiridos na Fazenda Amizade, Vila Brasil - Una-BA e os demais procedimentos como: extração da polpa, aplicação da irradiação gama e as análises físico-químicas foram realizadas nos Laboratórios da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, foram avaliadas 2 condições de temperaturas: ambiente (25ºC) e refrigerado ( 7ºC), nos seguintes tempos: 0, 7, 15 e 0, 20, 40, 60 respectivamente. As amostras foram divididas e receberam diferentes doses de irradiação gama (2, 3, 4 kGy) para posterior comparação com a amostra não irradiada (controle). Com relação ao valor L* houve diferença significativa (P&lt;0,05) entre as doses analisadas durante o período de armazenamento, porém em relação ao período de tempo observado houve um decréscimo nos valores devido ao estágio de maturação encontrado. No final do período de armazenamento, a polpa do fruto de araçá boi irradiada com 6kGy obteve o maior valor da coloração vermelha. Pode ser observado também que quanto maior o período de armazenamento maior são os valores de a*, ficando mais intenso o tom de vermelho, explicado pela degradação da clorofila e do caroteno. Foi observado que, durante todo o período de armazenamento, a acidez, pH, teor de sólidos solúveis e teor de sólidos totais permaneceram sem grandes modificações, mostrando dessa maneira que não houve interferência da irradiação gama nos parâmetros físico-químicos durante o tempo analisad

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Professional Nursing Practice in the Context of Hospitals

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed challenges to health systems and institutions, which had to quickly create conditions to meet the growing health needs of the population. Thus, this study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on professional nursing practice environments and to identify the variables that affected their quality. Quantitative, observational study, conducted in 16 Portuguese hospitals, with 1575 nurses. Data were collected using a questionnaire and participants responded to two different moments in time: the pre-pandemic period and after the fourth critical period of COVID-19. The pandemic had a positive impact on the Structure and Outcome components, and a negative trend in the Process component. The variables associated with the qualification of the components and their dimensions were predominantly: work context, the exercise of functions in areas of assistance to COVID-19 patients, length of professional experience and length of experience in the service. The investment in professional practice environments impacted the improvement of organizational factors, supporting the development of nurses’ work towards the quality of care. However, it is necessary to invest in nurses’ participation, involvement and professional qualifications, which are aspects strongly dependent on the institutions’ management strategiesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio