A POLUIÇÃO ATMOSFÉRICA E A QUALIDADE DE VIDA DA POPULAÇÃO

O conhecimento dos seres vivos, especialmente do homem com a poluição do ar, tem levado a uma série de consequências de série para a saúde do homem. Os efeitos dessa exposição têm aumentado constantemente em países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento. As fontes principais são a poluição por veículos automotores e as indústrias, as quais estão presentes nos grandes centros urbanos. O ar tem sido um dos elementos mais agredidos pelo homem, e é indispensável para viver, mas porque é invisível, inodoro e abundante na natureza, não é considerado pelo homem. Ao longo da sua história, as características do ar foram alteradas, assim, como estratégia, tem de ser ressaltada a necessidade de monitorar a qualidade do ar e o controle da poluição atmosférica. Isso deve ser amplamente divulgado e, dessa forma, a sociedade conhecerá os problemas de qualidade do ar, para, assim, aumentar a consciência ecológica. Palavras-chave: Poluição atmosférica. Qualidade do ar. Qualidade de vida. Pessoas.

Moguća primjena biološki aktivnih spojeva iz artičoke

Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus, known as the artichoke, originated in the Mediterranean region and is now cultivated in several countries. The artichoke has leaves, a stem, and a head, also called a floral capitulum, covered with green and pointed bracts. It is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, inulin, coumarins, terpenes, dietary fibre, enzymes, polysaccharides, minerals and vitamins, and therefore has a wide range of uses, including in the food industry, medicine and biofuels. Several studies have shown that artichokes have properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, hypocholesterolaemic, anti-HIV, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and lipid-lowering effects. The aim of this study is to provide a literature review on the phytochemical composition, bioactivity and applications, focusing on the methods of extraction, purification and concentration of enzymes present in artichoke.Artičoka (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus) potječe s Mediterana i uzgaja se u nekoliko zemalja. Građena je od stabljike, listova i glavice, koja se još naziva capitulum, na kojoj se nalaze zeleni, šiljasti pricvjetni listovi. Bogata je polifenolima, flavonoidima, antocijanima, fenolnim spojevima, inulinom, kumarinima, terpenima, prehrambenim vlaknima, enzimima, polisaharidima, mineralnim tvarima i vitaminima, zbog čega ima široku primjenu u prehrambenoj industriji, biomedicini i proizvodnji biogoriva. Nekoliko je istraživanja pokazalo da artičoke imaju različita svojstva, kao što su antioksidacijska, protuupalna, antimikrobna, antikancerogena, anti-HIV, kardioprotektivna, hepatoprotektivna, te da snizuju razinu lipida i kolesterola u krvi. Svrha je ovoga rada bila dati pregled literature o fitokemijskom sastavu, biološkoj aktivnosti i primjenama artičoke, s naglaskom na metodama ekstrakcije, pročišćavanju i koncentraciji enzima u artičokama

IMPROVEMENT IN SOYBEAN SPROUTS PRODUCTION WITH ULTRASOUND POWER

The present work aimed the application of different ultrasound powers (10, 50 and 90W) to evaluate the germination and characteristics of soybean sprouts fromsoybeans of cultivar BRS 216 and 3 lines (A, B and C). In the germination test,the line A showed the highest percentage of germination (96% for 90W).The cultivar BRS 216 and line A present lower values of weight and higher yield of sprouts. The viable sprouts that presented the highest weight (for each 50g of soybean) were: line A followed by BRS 216, line C and B, with statistical differences (p<0.05) between them. For each 50g of soybean of cultivar BRS 216 and Lines A, B and C the production of viable sprouts was 231.47; 237.87; 170.74 and 199.94g, respectively, for 90W. In relation to the length of the sprouts using the power of 10W the line C presented a longer length. The line A using 90W showed better color characteristics. The highest protein value was found in cultivar BRS 216, for all applied potencies. With this work it can be concluded that the line A would be the most suitable for sprout production regardless of the ultrasound power applie

Suzbijanje rasta plijesni Penicillium sp. na površini talijanske salame pomoću eteričnih ulja

The goal of this study is to evaluate the in vitro effects of rosemary, salvia, oregano and clove oils at volume fractions of 1000, 750, 500, 250, 100, 50, 26, 10 and 5 μL/mL (100, 75, 50, 25, 10, 5, 3, 1 and 0.5 %) on the growth of contaminating fungi in salami. The in vitro effect of the oils against fungal growth was indicated by zones of inhibition. Rosemary oil showed an inhibition zone of 9.6 mm only at the maximal volume fraction (1000 μL/mL). Salvia oil showed inhibition zones of 12.2, 11.2 and 10.5 mm only at the three highest fractions tested. Based on the inhibition zones, clove oil at 125 and 250 μL/mL, oregano oil at 250 and 500 μL/mL and a mixture (1:1 by volume) of the two oils at 100 μL/mL were selected to be applied to the surface of salamis. A significant reduction of fungal growth in all of the oil-treated samples was confi rmed by visual inspection. A sensory analysis revealed that the samples treated with 125 μL/mL of clove oil or 100 μL/mL of a mixture of oregano and clove oil showed no significant flavour differences compared with the control. Carvacrol and eugenol were the principal compounds in oregano and clove oils, respectively, and were most likely responsible for the antifungal activity.Svrha je ovoga rada bila ispitati in vitro učinak eteričnih ulja ružmarina, kadulje, oregana i klinčića u volumnim udjelima od 1000, 750, 500, 250, 100, 50, 26, 10 i 5 µL/mL (100, 75, 50, 25, 10, 5, 3, 1 i 0,5 %) na suzbijanje rasta kontaminirajućih mikroorganizama u salami, i to određivanjem veličina zona inhibicije. Eterično ulje ružmarina inhibiralo je rast mikroorganizama samo u najvećem volumnom udjelu (1000 µL/mL), pri čemu je zona inhibicije bila 9,6 mm. Ulje kadulje inhibiralo je rast mikroorganizama u volumnom udjelu od 1000 µL/mL (zona inhibicije od 12,2 mm), 750 µL/mL (zona inhibicije od 11,2 mm) i 500 µL/mL (zona inhibicije od 10,5 mm). Prema promjeru inhibicijskih zona za tretiranje salama odabrani su: ulje klinčića u volumnim udjelima od 125 i 250 µL/mL, ulje oregana u udjelima od 250 i 500 µL/mL i mješavina tih dvaju ulja (omjera 1:1) u udjelu od 100 µL/mL. Vizualnim je pregledom utvrđen bitno smanjen rast plijesni na svim uzorcima salame tretiranim uljima. Senzorska je analiza pokazala da dodatak 125 µL/mL ulja klinčića ili 100 µL/mL mješavine ulja oregana i klinčića ne utječe bitno na okus salame, u usporedbi sa kontrolnim uzorkom. Pretpostavlja se da su za inhibicijski učinak ulja zaslužni karvakrol, glavni sastojak ulja oregana, i eugenol, glavni sastojak ulja klinčića

Swine manure digestate treatment using electrocoagulation

Anaerobic biodigestion is an appropriate alternative for the treatment of swine wastewater due to its biogas generation properties and the possibility of its application as a source of energy for heating or electricity. However, digestate can still contain high levels of turbidity, organic carbon and nutrients and must be correctly managed as a biofertilizer, or treated to avoid any impact on the environment. Considering this, electrocoagulation (EC) shows promise as a technology because of its ease of handling and high efficiency in effluent remediation. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of EC in a batch system in the treatment of swine wastewater digestate. The wastewater used in the treatment was sampled from a 10 m3 biodigestor effluent (digestate) located at Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil. A batch-scale experiment was carried out to evaluate the following two variables: electrode distance (ED) and voltage applied (V). The removal efficiency levels (%) for the best operational condition (2 cm, 5 V) after 30 min were: 97 %, 98 %, 77 % and 10 % for color, turbidity, total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN), respectively. The EC batch system produced efficient results, underlining its promise as an alternative to be applied in the treatment of digestate

DANO NO DNA E OUTRAS ANOMALIAS NUCLEARES ENTRE PRATICANTES DE ACADEMIA: UM ESTUDO COMPARATIVO ENTRE BRASIL E ESPANHA

Populations from different countries may present different cellular modifications among themselves, and the Buccal Micronucleus Cytome (BMCyt) assay in human buccal mucosal tissue may be a marker to evaluate these modifications. This study evaluated and compared DNA damage and other nuclear anomalies between Brazilian and Spanish gym users. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with gym users of Santa Cruz do Sul/Brazil and Madrid/Spain. The BMCyt assay was performed for biomarkers of DNA damage (micronuclei and/or nuclear buds), cytokinetic defects (binucleated cells), proliferative potential (basal cell frequency) and/or cell death (condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, pyknotic and karyolytic cells) in human buccal mucosal. Of the 228 individuals evaluated, 163 were Brazilian, and 65 were Spanish. Gym users of both countries differed between weight, body mass index, body fat, and muscle mass. The Brazilians presented a significantly higher frequency of micronuclei, nuclear buds, cells with condensed chromatin and karyorrhexis. Spaniards, however presented a significantly higher frequency of karyolytic cells. In conclusion, Brazilian gym users presented significantly higher rates of DNA damage and cell death, while the Spanish presented a higher frequency of advanced stage cell death.Populações de diferentes países podem apresentar diferentes modificações celulares entre si e o ensaio de micronúcleos de células bucais esfoliadas (BMCyt) pode ser um marcador para avaliar essas modificações. Este estudo avaliou e comparou o dano no DNA e outras anomalias nucleares entre brasileiros e espanhóis praticantes de academia. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado com praticantes de academia de Santa Cruz do Sul/Brasil e Madrid/Espanha. O ensaio BMCyt foi realizado para avaliar os biomarcadores de danos no DNA (micronúcleos e/ou brotos nucleares), defeitos citocinéticos (células binucleadas), potencial proliferativo (frequência de células basais) e/ou morte celular (cromatina condensada, cariorréxica, células picnóticas e cariolíticas), na mucosa bucal humana. Dos 228 indivíduos avaliados, 163 eram brasileiros e 65 espanhóis. Os praticantes de academia brasileiros e espanhóis diferiram entre peso, índice de massa corporal, gordura corporal e massa muscular. Ademais, os brasileiros apresentaram significativamente maior frequência de micronúcleos, brotos nucleares, células com cromatina condensada e cariorréxicas. Além disso, os espanhóis apresentaram significativamente maior frequência de células cariolíticas. Em conclusão, os praticantes de academia brasileiros apresentaram significativamente maiores índices de danos no DNA e morte celular, enquanto os espanhóis apresentaram maior frequência de morte celular em estágio avançado

Genome of Herbaspirillum seropedicae Strain SmR1, a Specialized Diazotrophic Endophyte of Tropical Grasses

The molecular mechanisms of plant recognition, colonization, and nutrient exchange between diazotrophic endophytes and plants are scarcely known. Herbaspirillum seropedicae is an endophytic bacterium capable of colonizing intercellular spaces of grasses such as rice and sugar cane. The genome of H. seropedicae strain SmR1 was sequenced and annotated by The Paraná State Genome Programme—GENOPAR. The genome is composed of a circular chromosome of 5,513,887 bp and contains a total of 4,804 genes. The genome sequence revealed that H. seropedicae is a highly versatile microorganism with capacity to metabolize a wide range of carbon and nitrogen sources and with possession of four distinct terminal oxidases. The genome contains a multitude of protein secretion systems, including type I, type II, type III, type V, and type VI secretion systems, and type IV pili, suggesting a high potential to interact with host plants. H. seropedicae is able to synthesize indole acetic acid as reflected by the four IAA biosynthetic pathways present. A gene coding for ACC deaminase, which may be involved in modulating the associated plant ethylene-signaling pathway, is also present. Genes for hemagglutinins/hemolysins/adhesins were found and may play a role in plant cell surface adhesion. These features may endow H. seropedicae with the ability to establish an endophytic life-style in a large number of plant species