Molecularly imprinted sol-gel silica for solid phase extraction of phenobarbital

A molecularly imprinted organically modified silica was prepared through a simple sol-gel procedure, and evaluated as specific sorbent for solid-phase extraction (SPE) of phenobarbital from aqueous and forensic samples. The analytical properties of the molecularly imprinted silica (MIS, non-imprinted sílica) were initially evaluated and the MIS was found to be specific towards the target species: the imprinting factor IF, measured as the ratio between phenobarbital peak areas in the MIS and NIS chromatograms, was estimated as 58. This value is considerably higher than those usually found for conventional methacrylate-based molecularly imprinted sorbents and suggests that non-specific analyte/sorbent interactions are insignificant in the MIS. This material is applied to the isolation of phenobarbital from aqueous samples and plasma; detection limit of 10 and 62 µg mL-1 was achieved for the former samples, respectively.Sílica organicamente modificada e molecularmente impressa foi preparada através de um procedimento sol-gel simples, e avaliada como sorvente específico para extração em fase sólida (Solid Phase Extraction, SPE) de fenobarbital em amostras aquosas e forenses. As propriedades analíticas dessa sílica molecularmente impressa (MIS, molecularly imprinted silica) foram inicialmente avaliadas e o material determinado como específico para as espécies-alvo: o fator de impressão IF, medido como a razão entre o pico do fenobarbital em cromatogramas de MIS e NIS (sílica não-impressa) foi estimado como 58. Este valor é consideravelmente maior que aquele apresentado normalmente para sorventes de impressão convencional baseados em metacrilatos e sugere que interações não-específicas analito/sorvente são insignificantes no MIS. O material foi aplicado no isolamento de fenobarbital de amostras aquosas e plasma; limites de detecção de 10 e 62 µg mL-1, respectivamente, foram encontrados para essas amostras.11361143Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Addressing global ruminant agricultural challenges through understanding the rumen microbiome::Past, present and future

The rumen is a complex ecosystem composed of anaerobic bacteria, protozoa, fungi, methanogenic archaea and phages. These microbes interact closely to breakdown plant material that cannot be digested by humans, whilst providing metabolic energy to the host and, in the case of archaea, producing methane. Consequently, ruminants produce meat and milk, which are rich in high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals, and therefore contribute to food security. As the world population is predicted to reach approximately 9.7 billion by 2050, an increase in ruminant production to satisfy global protein demand is necessary, despite limited land availability, and whilst ensuring environmental impact is minimized. Although challenging, these goals can be met, but depend on our understanding of the rumen microbiome. Attempts to manipulate the rumen microbiome to benefit global agricultural challenges have been ongoing for decades with limited success, mostly due to the lack of a detailed understanding of this microbiome and our limited ability to culture most of these microbes outside the rumen. The potential to manipulate the rumen microbiome and meet global livestock challenges through animal breeding and introduction of dietary interventions during early life have recently emerged as promising new technologies. Our inability to phenotype ruminants in a high-throughput manner has also hampered progress, although the recent increase in “omic” data may allow further development of mathematical models and rumen microbial gene biomarkers as proxies. Advances in computational tools, high-throughput sequencing technologies and cultivation-independent “omics” approaches continue to revolutionize our understanding of the rumen microbiome. This will ultimately provide the knowledge framework needed to solve current and future ruminant livestock challenges

A proposal for the evaluation of the bioeconomic efficiency of beef cattle production systems

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to identify types of production system and their main indicators on bioeconomic efficiency, using qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate beef cattle farms in the western region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A survey was carried out with 43 farmers operating in the western region of that state. All farms operated with complete cycle production systems in areas larger or equal to 900 ha. A qualitative questionnaire with binary answers and a quantitative questionnaire with numerical answers were applied. Technology and Management drivers were used for the calculation of the efficiency index of farmers obtained by both questionnaires. Farmers were divided into three clusters: low-efficiency level (LEL), intermediate-efficiency level (IEM), or high-efficiency level (HEL), as a result of the comparison of the scores obtained for the analyzed parameters. Subfactors resulting from each comparison (LEL × IEL; LEL × HEL, and IEL × HEL) were different as a function of the comparison and of the methods applied. Low-efficiency level farmers need to improve essential production processes, such as technology and management, as well as health management practices together with the financial management of the production system. Intermediate-efficiency level farmers need to improve their routine animal management, pasture management, and calculation of financial indicators to become highly efficient. The quantitative method allowed to identify underestimation (39.3%) or overestimation (24.2%) when farmers were are classified in clusters. Different methods may be used, but those based on quantitative information have stronger discrimination power to identify different types of farmers

Classification and Identification of Petroleum Microorganisms by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

<div><p>Indigenous bacteria isolated from a crude oil sample from a deep water reservoir in the Pampo Sul Oilfield (Campos Basin-RJ, Brazil) were previously classified as strains of B. pumilus. However, their enzymatic activities with fluorogenic probes and rates of petroleum biodegradation were completely different. Some of the bacteria depleted n-alkanes, whereas others did not. Aromatic compounds reported to be recalcitrant were also biodegraded by some of these Bacillus strains, revealing their outstanding ability to deplete petroleum. Further classification using matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) followed by statistical analysis revealed that these strains could be clustered into three different groups, consistent with their enzymatic activity evaluation. A more accurate phylogenetic analysis using gyrB gene sequences confirmed the MALDI-TOF MS classification of three groups of strains and identified them as Bacillus safensis, B. cereus and B. thuringiensis.</p></div

A Prompt, Tough and Eco-Friendly (PTOCO) System for Mini-Scale Extraction of Samples for Antioxidant Capacity Assays

<div><p>The compound extraction is an important step before analyzing composition of samples with antioxidant capacity. Several extraction conditions can be employed (temperature, polarity of solvent and extraction time, for example), and the chosen variables exert great influence upon final results. Thus, in order to execute an efficient extraction, it is needed to manage them with rigor. In this work, a new device was designed and tested. The Prompt, TOugh and eCO-friendly (PTOCO) system is the first equipment in mini-scale that allows a good control of antioxidants extraction conditions. It is a simple and cheap device that only needs small amounts of sample and solvent to obtain sufficient volumes of extract for application in routine analytical methods. Twenty experiments from an experimental design were executed using only 0.5 g of oregano and 60 mL of water. The total antioxidant capacity assays, as well as the mass spectra, confirmed the extraction efficiency.</p></div

Identification of oxidoreductases from the petroleum Bacillus safensis strain

A gram-positive bacterium, denominated CFA-06, was isolated from Brazilian petroleum in the Campos Basin and is responsible for the degradation of aromatic compounds and petroleum aromatic fractions. The CFA-06 strain was identified as Bacillus safensis using the 16S rRNA and gyrase B sequence. Enzymatic assays revealed the presence of two oxidoreductases: a catalase and a new oxidoreductase. The oxidoreductases were enzymatically digested and analyzed via ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. The mass data revealed a novel oxidoreductase (named BsPMO) containing 224 amino acids and 89% homology with a hypothetic protein from B. safensis (CFA-06) and a catalase (named BsCat) with 491 amino acids and 60% similarity with the catalase from Bacillus pumilus (SAFR-032). The new protein BsPMO contains iron atom(s) and shows catalytic activity toward a monooxygenase fluorogenic probe in the presence of cofactors (NADH, NADPH and NAD). This study enhances our knowledge of the biodegradation process of petroleum by B. safensis