Alternative Intelligent Material for Packaging Using Chitosan Films as Colorimetric Temperature Indicators

Chlorophyll was incorporated into chitosan films, forming intelligent systems able to detect variations in temperature. Chitosan is a biodegradable polymer that forms flexible, resistant films with an efficient oxygen barrier. Chlorophyll was added (0.25 g/100 g) into chitosan suspension (2.00 g/100 g) and intelligent films (FIQ) were cast. the effects of temperature (10 degrees C to 50 degrees C) and luminosity (0 to 1000 lx) on the films were studied using an experimental design with two variables, analyzing the color parameters L*, a*, b* and mechanical properties. the films were characterized according to their homogeneity, flexibility, color and handling. Chitosan suspensions containing chlorophyll were also applied as coating on the surface of pieces of card-paper, forming a card paper film system (S-FP). By visual inspection we observed the color of the S-FP changing irreversibly from green to yellow when the temperature was above 50 degrees C. Therefore, the S-FP system can potentially be used as a colorimetric indicator for the 50 degrees C to 70 degrees C range, being advantageous owing to the ease of fabrication, biodegradability, safe use for food and low cost.Clorofila, um pigmento natural termossensível, foi incorporado à matriz de filmes de quitosana visando a obter sistemas inteligentes de indicação de variação de temperatura. A quitosana é um polímero biodegradável que forma filmes flexíveis com eficiente barreira ao oxigênio, podendo ser alternativa ao uso de polímeros sintéticos. Clorofila foi adicionada (0,25 g/100 g) à suspensão de quitosana (2,00 g/100 g) formando filmes inteligentes de quitosana (FIQ). Os efeitos da temperatura (10 °C a 50 °C) e luminosidade (0 a 1000 lx) foram estudados utilizando um planejamento experimental, avaliando os parâmetros de cor (L*, a*, b*) e propriedades mecânicas. As suspensões de quitosana contendo clorofila foram aplicadas como revestimento em superfície de papel cartão formando o sistema de material flexível filme-papel cartão (S-FP), reduzindo significativamente o tempo de secagem. Os filmes caracterizaram-se pela homogeneidade, flexibilidade, coloração esverdeada e fácil manuseio. A variação de cor foi visualmente observada no sistema S-FP, alterando irreversivelmente de verde para amarelo quando submetido a temperaturas acima de 50 °C, independentemente da luminosidade. Desta forma, o sistema proposto tem potencial de aplicação como indicador colorimétrico de temperatura na faixa de 50 °C a 75 °C, com a vantagem de simples fabricação, biodegradabilidade e uso de materiais seguros para aplicação em contato direto com alimentos e fármacos, além do baixo custo.Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Fac Engn Quim, BR-13083852 Campinas, SP, BrazilUNIFESP, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, Campinas, SP, BrazilUNIFESP, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, Campinas, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Multicentric myxoid liposarcoma: report of two cases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Multicentric myxoid liposarcoma is a rather infrequent tumour that tends to behave aggressively.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We herein report two further cases of this tumour that have been managed in our Hospital. Both were young men with multiple sites of involvement at the moment of diagnosis and both have shown a bad prognosis with frequent recurrences after treatment and rapid death in one case.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We comment on the diagnosis of this entity and on the therapeutic options available for these patients.</p

Perspectives for sustainable aviation biofuels in Brazil

The aviation industry has set ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions in coming decades. The strategy involves the use of sustainable biofuels, aiming to achieve benefits from environmental, social, and economic perspectives. In this context, Brazilian conditions are favorable, with a mature agroindustry that regularly produces automotive biofuel largely adopted by Brazilian road vehicles, while air transportation has been growing at an accelerating pace and a modern aircraft industry is in place. This paper presents the main conclusions and recommendations from a broad assessment of the technological, economic, and sustainability challenges and opportunities associated with the development of drop-in aviation biofuels in Brazil. It was written by a research team that prepared the initial reports and conducted eight workshops with the active participation of more than 30 stakeholders encompassing the private sector, government institutions, NGOs, and academia. The main outcome was a set of guidelines for establishing a new biofuels industry, including recommendations for (a) filling the identified research and development knowledge gaps in the production of sustainable feedstock; (b) overcoming the barriers in conversion technology, including scaling-up issues; (c) promoting greater involvement and interaction between private and government stakeholders; and (d) creating a national strategy to promote the development of aviation biofuels2015FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP2012/50009-

Batch and continuous culture of hemicellulosic hydrolysate from sugarcane bagasse for lipids production

Lignocellulosics, including the sugarcane bagasse, have considerable potential to the future production of biofuels and mitigation of carbon dioxides emissions. Microbial lipid produced by yeast fermentation using inexpensive and renewable carbon sources such as hemicellulosic hydrolysate from sugarcane bagasse is an alternative feedstock for biodiesel production and a potential solution for a bio-based economy. Hemicellulosic hydrolysate (H-H) from in natura sugarcane bagasse produced by acid hydrolysis was the carbon source (H-H medium) for batch and continuous fermentations of a previously selected strain of Lipomyces starkeyi. This yeast is able to use H-H as substrate to grow and to accumulate lipids; and cell growth is not inhibited by furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and acetic acid. Contrary, these compounds were consumed during the fermentation. During continuous culture at low dilution rate, 0.03 h- 1, higher lipid production, 3.7 g/L, is achieved when compared to batch culture, 2.3 g/L. In both cultures, arabinose was not consumed even after depletion of xylose and glucose. These results indicate the large potential of using the hemicellulose sugars of sugarcane bagasse for microbial oils production for additional biofuels manufacturing. Furthermore, L. starkeyi becomes a promising strain for lipid production from H-H and holds a great promise for biodiesel & biokerosene in a sugarcane biorefinery38385390CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPsem informação4th International Conference on Industrial Biotechnology (IBIC2014

Miniaturized culture for heterotrophic microalgae using low cost carbon sources as a tool to isolate fast and economical strains

Microalgae are well known for their ability to grow photoautotrophically, however higher biomass yields have been reported when microalgae was grown heterotrophically. The feasibility of large scale cultures of microalgae in heterotrophic conditions is still limited by, among other things, the high cost of nutrients and organic substrates used in this type of cultivation. This work aims to explore the utilization of different low cost carbon sources for the cultivation of two different strains of microalgae. Cassava wastewater, sugarcane molasses, glycerol, xylose, sucrose and sodium acetate were tested as carbon sources for Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus bijugus cultures. Glucose and fructose were also tested as reference carbon sources. The methodology of miniaturized growth allowed the screening of different substrates and conditions of the medium much faster than other methodologies (shaking flasks, bioreactor). The results demonstrate the feasibility of the miniaturized culture methodology in the development and evaluation of heterotrophic cultivation of microalgae. The main observed problems were settling of cells, evaporation of the medium during the experiment and interference in spectrophotometric reading (caused by water condensation on the lid), which had to be solved to adapt the methodology of miniature culture to heterotrophic microalgae cultivation. The evaluated microalgae strains presented different growth behaviours in the different carbon sources tested. Cassava wastewater and sugarcane molasses hydrolyzed allowed higher biomass production and proved to be a suitable low cost substrate for increasing algae-based processes feasibility38325330CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPsem informação4th International Conference on Industrial Biotechnology (IBIC2014)The authors gratefully acknowledge the support from FAPESP (Fundação de amparo à pesquisa do estado de São Paulo), CNPQ (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) and Petrobra

Effect Of Feeding Strategies On Lipid Production By Lipomyces Starkeyi.

The aim of this study was to produce microbial oil from Lipomyces starkeyi DSM 70296 grown in hemicellulose hydrolysate (H-H). Glucose and xylose were used for batch, fed-batch, repeated fed-batch, and continuous cultures, and H-H was tested at continuous culture. The highest cell and lipid concentrations of 85.4 and 41.8g/L, respectively, were obtained using repeated fed-batch strategy. Continuous culture with dilution rate of 0.03h(-1) presented the highest overall cell (0.443g/g) and lipid yields (0.236g/g). At 0.06h(-1) were obtained the highest cell and lipid productivities. Continuous cultivation using H-H at 0.03h(-1) resulted in higher cell productivity than that obtained using glucose:xylose. Gas chromatography analysis of the esterified lipids indicated that the major constituents of this complex are palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid with an estimated cetane number (approximately 61) similar to that of palm biodiesel, which is important for biofuel production.157214-2