Extraction and evaluation of tannin from green coconut mesocarp

The development of alternatives for reuse of coconut shell allows inadequate solid residues disposal reductionand provides a novelty option close to the production sites. This paper aims to evaluate the tannin extractionpotential of the green coconut mesocarp, as well as its adhesive capacity. Tannin extraction was performedwith sodium sulfite diluted in water at 0%, 1%, 5% and 8% concentrations. It was observed whichextraction resulted in better yield and characteristics to be used as an adhesive agent. The concentration ofsodium sulfite at 5% allowed higher yields of tannin extraction. When compared to phenol formaldehyde, thetannin had similar adhesive characteristics such as 153.84 cp viscosity and 54.57% solid content. For the FTIRspectroscopy analysis, dry samples of the coconut mesocarp were used. The peaks observed in the infraredspectrum of the green coconut mesocarp are characteristic of tannins found in biomass, presenting desirablechemical characteristics to be used as an adhesive agent. The coconut mesocarp is a material with potentialfor tannin extraction, making it suitable to be used in the gluing of panels.Keywords: Cocos nucifera, adhesives, residues

ALTERNATIVAS DE FORMULAÇÕES INÉDITAS DE PROTETORES SOLARES NATURAIS: EXTRATO DAS SEMENTES DE MORINGA OLEÍFERA COM EXTRATOS ETANÓLICOS DE PRÓPOLIS.

Repeated or intense exposure to UV (ultraviolet) radiation causes skin changes by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are harmful to tissues, causing burns, spots, erythema, photoaging and DNA mutations. The use of sunscreens is a means of preventing or reducing the effects of these exposures, as they have the ability to reflect and/or absorb them. Protectors can be of synthetic or natural origin. The development of actives capable of increasing the efficiency of sunscreens, especially those of plant origin, represents a growing demand in cosmetology. Moringa oleifera is a plant with varied pharmacological applications, it has a fast growth in tropical countries, and it is present in the Brazilian northeast and north of the state of Minas Gerais. Based on this, this study aims to evaluate the use of raw materials of natural origin as photoprotective agents, looking for trends in the consumer market. For this, novel formulations of dichloromethane extract of Moringa oleífera seeds, in association with different ethanolic extracts of propolis, were studied in relation to the photoprotective capacity. Regarding the propolis extracts (green, red and brown) 70% ethanolic were used. The photoprotective activity was studied in vitro. The results showed significant increases in FPS for the formulations. The high increase in sun protection was verified in green propolis, justified by the greater amount of flavonoids it presents. We concluded that the propolis extracts incorporated in the formulations with dichloromethane extract in the Moringa oleifera seeds showed a synergism in the intensification of the sun protection factor.La exposición repetida o intensa a la radiación UV (ultravioleta) provoca cambios en la piel debido a la generación de especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS), las cuales son dañinas para los tejidos, provocando quemaduras, manchas, eritema, fotoenvejecimiento y mutaciones en el ADN. El uso de protectores solares es un medio para prevenir o reducir los efectos de estas exposiciones, ya que tienen la capacidad de reflejarlos y/o absorberlos. Los protectores pueden ser de origen sintético o natural. El desarrollo de activos capaces de aumentar la eficacia de los fotoprotectores, especialmente los de origen vegetal, representa una demanda creciente en cosmetología. Moringa oleifera es una planta con variadas aplicaciones farmacológicas, presenta un rápido crecimiento en los países tropicales y está presente en el noreste brasileño y norte del estado de Minas Gerais. En base a esto, este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar el uso de materias primas de origen natural como agentes fotoprotectores, buscando tendencias en el mercado de consumo. Para ello, se estudiaron formulaciones inéditas de extracto de diclorometano de semillas de Moringa oleifera, en asociación con diferentes extractos etanólicos de propóleo, en relación a su capacidad fotoprotectora. En cuanto a los extractos de propóleos (verde, rojo y pardo) se utilizaron etanólicos al 70%. La actividad fotoprotectora se estudió in vitro. Los resultados mostraron aumentos significativos de SPF para las formulaciones. En el propóleo verde se verificó el alto incremento de la protección solar, justificado por la mayor cantidad de flavonoides que presenta. Concluimos que los extractos de propóleo incorporados en las formulaciones con extracto de diclorometano en semillas de Moringa oleifera mostraron un sinergismo en la intensificación del factor de protección solar.Exposições repetidas ou intensas a radiações UV (ultravioleta) causam alterações cutâneas pela geração das espécies reativas do oxigênio (EROs), danosas aos tecidos, causando queimaduras, manchas, eritemas, fotoenvelhecimento e mutações no DNA. O uso de protetores solares é um meio de prevenir ou reduzir os efeitos destas exposições, por terem a capacidade de refletir e/ou absorvé-las. Os protetores podem ser de origem sintética ou natural. O desenvolvimento de ativos, capazes de aumentar à eficiência de protetores solares, principalmente os de origem vegetal, representa uma demanda crescente da cosmetologia. Moringa oleifera é uma planta com variadas aplicações farmacológicas, apresenta um rápido crescimento nos países tropicais, e está presente no nordeste brasileiro e norte do estado de Minas Gerais. Com base nisso, esse estudo visa avaliar a utilização de matérias primas de origem natural como agentes fotoprotetores, buscando as tendências do mercado consumidor. Para isso, formulações inéditas de extrato diclorometano de sementes de Moringa oleífera, em associação com diferentes extratos etanólicos de própolis, foram estudadas em relação à capacidade fotoprotetora. Em relação aos extratos de própolis (verde, vermelha e marrom) foram usados os etanólicos 70%. A atividade fotoprotetora foi estudada in vitro. Os resultados mostraram aumentos significativos de FPS para as formulações. O incremento elevado na proteção solar foi verificado na própolis verde, justificado pela maior quantidade de flavonóides que ela apresenta. Concluímos que os extratos de própolis incorporados nas formulações com extrato de diclorometano nas sementes Moringa oleifera apresentaram um sinergismo na intensificação do fator de proteção solar

Mapeamento dos riscos ambientais do laboratório de análises clínicas de um hospital de ensino:: relato de experiência

O trabalho objetivou realizar o mapeamento dos riscos ambientais do Laboratório de Análises Clínicas de um Hospital de ensino na cidade de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais ”“Brasil. Estudo descritivo, do tipo relato de experiência. Para o mapeamento, utilizou-se a técnica da observação, no segundo semestre de 2011. O Laboratório possui diversas áreas com realização de afazeres distintas, assim, analisaram-se todos os ambientes e as atividades realizadas, identificando os riscos inerentes. Os riscos foram transcritos na planta baixa do setor e simbolizados com círculos e cores: amarelo (risco ergonômico), verde (risco físico), vermelho (risco químico), azul (risco de acidentes), marrom (risco biológico). Abaixo de cada círculo foi identificado a intensidade do risco (leve, médio ou moderado e elevado) e, em alguns casos, especificado o tipo de risco (explosão, ruído, frio). Notou-se que as áreas de Lavagem e de Realização de exames e testes foram as que apresentaram todos os riscos com intensidade elevada. Conclui-se que o ambiente de trabalho em laboratório ocasiona inúmeros riscos e que o mapeamento deste é uma importante ferramenta para identificar e sanar precocemente acidentes de trabalhos, tornando-se o meio pelo qual possa ser desenvolvido o cuidado com os trabalhadores que cuidam da vida de outros

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Six sigma as strategy for reducing rework in the food industry: case study of frozen pre-fried potatoes

A variabilidade de processos é algo, de certa forma, comum em agroindústrias fruto da alta variabilidade e complexidade das matérias primas utilizadas. Esta situação em alguns casos apresenta, de forma não computada, alto retrabalho no processamento. Na agroindústria deste estudo, o retrabalho eleva os custos e para tentar reduzi-lo foi aplicada a metodologia Seis Sigma, a qual visou identificar as variáveis mais impactantes com objetivo de estabelecer valores alvo de processos e controlar a variabilidade. Foram avaliadas 31 variáveis provenientes de 120 dias de produção (2880 lotes totalizando 51860 observações). Por meio do gráfico de Pareto, identificou-se a temperatura do produto final como a principal variável responsável pelo retrabalho e suas possíveis causas foram determinadas pelo gráfico de Ishikawa (variedade de batata, teor de sólidos, tipo de corte, valores de processos dos branqueadores, do secador, do fritador e do túnel de congelamento). Análises de regressão para todos os lotes, e categorizando por tipo de corte e variedade, foram realizadas a fim de encontrar alguma relação das variáveis de processo com a temperatura do produto, com interessante poder explicativo. Como resultado, a influência das variáveis estudadas sobre a temperatura do produto final, quando houve, foi muito baixa. Assim, as causas responsáveis pela variação da temperatura no produto final que acarreta em retrabalho são no momento desconhecidas e provavelmente podem estar vinculadas a matéria prima. Isso, vai exigir uma investigação mais aprofundada sobre variáveis da matéria prima que podem estar gerando este comportamento, o qual necessita de mais estudos e investimento por parte da empresa. Como resultado vinculado, e contribuição deste estudo, analisou- se os tempos nas seções do secador e observou-se que além desses tempos não influenciarem na temperatura do produto final, estes apresentaram alta correlação entre si. Tal resultado permitiu recomendar menores tempos de operação do secador, o que pôde gerar um aumento de 20% na produção total da empresa. Esse aumento irá amenizar o custo do retrabalho, ainda sem solução.Processes variability is somewhat common in agribusinesses due to the high variability and complexity of the raw materials used. This situation, in some cases, represents high processing additional work. In the agroindustry of this study, the additional work raises the costs and to try to reduce it was applied the methodology Six Sigma, which aimed to identify the most impacting variables with the objective of establishing target values of processes and controlling the variability. We evaluated 31 variables from 120 days of production (2880 lots totaling 51860 observations). By means of the Pareto graph, the temperature of the final product was identified as the main variable responsible for additional work and its possible causes were determined by Ishikawa's graph (potato variety, solids content, cut type, bleach process values, dryer, fryer and freezing tunnel). Regression analyzes for all batches, and categorizing by type of cut and variety, were performed in order to find some relation of the process variables with the temperature of the product, with interesting explanatory power. As a result, the influence of the studied variables on the temperature of the final product, when there was, was very low. Thus, the causes responsible for the temperature variation in the final product that leads to additional work are, at this moment, unknown and probably can be linked to the raw material. This will require a more in-depth investigation of raw material variables that may be generating this behavior, which requires more studies and investment by the company. As a linked result, and contribution of this study, it was analyzed the time in the sections of the dryer and it was observed that besides the time did not influence the temperature of the final product, it had a high correlation with each other. This result allowed to recommend shorter operating times of the dryer, which could generate a 20% increase in the total production of the company. This increase will soften the additional work cost, still unresolved.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superio

Modification of the original color of the Eucalyptus grandis wood by heat treatments

The objective of this study was to determine the modification of original color of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex. Maiden wood after heat-treatment. Wood samples were heat-treated under different temperatures (180, 200, 215 and 230ºC) and time conditions (15 minutes, 2 and 4 hours). Color analysis were performed on the CIE L*a*b* system by using a Color Eye XTH-X-Rite 200d spectrophotometer. All heat treatments promoted an alteration of the original color of wood. Heat-treated woods presented lower L* (lightness) values than untreated wood (control), characterizing the wood darkness, mainly for more severe conditions of temperature and time. Chromatic coordinates (a* and b*) showed different behaviors depending on the temperature-time combination. The modification of the original color of the wood allowed the creation of new color patterns, which can add greater value to the studied wood

Effect of the heat treatment on physical and chemical properties of Pinus caribaea wood

This study evaluated the effect of the heat treatment on physical properties (density, equilibrium moisture content, mass loss, volumetric and linear swelling and shrinkage) and chemical composition of normal (opposite side) and compression wood of Pinus caribaea Morelet. Samples of 25 x 25 x 50 mm were heat-treated under two different temperatures: 200 and 220 ºC. The results indicated a reduction in equilibrium moisture content and swelling and shrinkage following heat treatment, independent of wood type. The compression wood showed higher longitudinal swelling than normal one, however, after heat treatment, the improvements were similar between both wood types. Samples heat-treated at 200 and 220 ºC had mass losses of 9.94 and 21.03 %, respectively. The heat treatment promoted a relative increase in lignin content and a decrease in holocellulose and α-cellulose contents, indicating the occurrence of thermal degradation of these components