ABSTRACT The present work evaluated the effect of thermal treatment on the acoustic behavior of african mahogany wood (Khaya ivorensis A. Chev.) submitted to two types of thermal treatments called dry treatment, carried out in an oven at temperatures of 130, 160 and 190 °C, and wet treatment, using steam in an autoclave at temperatures and pressures of 123 °C and 1.2 kgf.cm−2 and 160 °C and 6.0 kgf.cm−2, respectively. Conjugated treatments were also carried out, where part of the samples first went through wet treatment and after that, through dry treatment. After treatments, the samples were submitted to acoustic evaluation through mechanical vibration tests, using the transverse impulse excitation technique, as reported for in the ASTM-E1876 standard. The fundamental resonance frequency (fr), the specific transverse dynamic (Espe), the logarithmic decrement of damping (LDD) and the acoustic conversion efficiency (ACE) were determined. According to the results obtained, the wood treated only by steam in an autoclave at 123 °C stood out in relation to the other treatments, including the conjugated was. An increase of 7.3 % was verified for the fr, 10.8 % for Eesp and 26.4 % for ECA, and reduction of 11.9 % for Dl. It was observed the optimization of African mahogany’s acoustic properties.

RESUMO O presente trabalho avaliou o efeito do tratamento térmico no comportamento acústico em madeira de mogno africano (Khaya ivorensis A. Chev.) submetida a dois tipos de tratamentos, denominados tratamento a seco (TS), realizado em mufla elétrica a temperaturas de 130, 160 e 190 °C, e tratamento hidrotérmico (TH), utilizando vapor de água em autoclave nas temperaturas e pressões de 123 °C e 1,2 kgf.cm−2 e 160 °C e 6,0 kgf.cm−2, respectivamente. Os tratamentos foram realizados em conformidade com um planejamento experimental. Após os tratamentos, as amostras foram submetidas à avaliação acústica através de ensaios por vibração mecânica, utilizando a técnica de excitação por impulso transversal, como previsto na norma ASTM-E1876. As grandezas acústicas determinadas foram: frequência de ressonância transversal (fr(Tr)), decaimento logarítmico transversal (Dl(Tr)), módulo de elasticidade dinâmico específico transversal (Eesp(Tr)) e eficiência da conversão acústica transversal (ECA(Tr)). De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a madeira modificada em autoclave a 123 °C se destacou em relação aos outros tratamentos, inclusive dos conjugados. Foram verificados aumentos de 7,3 % para fr(Tr), 10,8 % para o Eesp(Tr) e 26,4 % para o ECA(Tr), e redução de 11,9 % para Dl. Tais resultados indicam otimização das propriedades do mogno africano para aplicações acústicas.

ABSTRACT Acute wound dressings can be based on PVA hydrogels, which present many characteristics of an ideal dressing, e.g., fluid uptake, a moisturized environment, etc. The lack of antimicrobial properties leads to the addition of natural active agents. The present work aims to manufacture and compare PVA gels loaded with Barbatimão bark extract, Leucaena bark extract, Aloe vera, and Lavender essential oil. They were characterized by FTIR, swelling tests, SEM, actives release. There were interactions between PVA and the active agents. The addition of Leucaena and Barbatimão increased the PVA ability to swell, but the opposite was found for Aloe vera and Lavender essential oil. PVA-Lavender essential oil samples presented interconnected pores, while samples with essential oil or extracts presented high crystallinity. Lavender essential oil and Aloe vera presented the highest release. The Barbatimão and Leucaena samples’ release may be related to the samples’ swelling, but the initial release of Aloe vera and Lavender samples was diffusion controlled by swelling. Their long-term release was dose-dependent for Aloe vera, while it was a non-Fickian diffusion for Lavender essential oil related to the hydrogel’s relaxation step. There is a synergistic effect when Aloe vera and Lavender essential oil are loaded in PVA hydrogels. hydrogels dressing eg e g e.g. uptake environment etc agents extract FTIR tests SEM swell PVALavender pores crystallinity longterm long term dosedependent dose dependent nonFickian non Fickian hydrogel s step e.g

Abstract Propolis is a resinous product collected by honeybees with a complex chemical composition. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is a polymer commonly used in wound care. The goal of the present work was to produce and characterize NaCMC membranes loaded with extract of Brazilian brown propolis (CMC-P). Flavonoids and phenolic acids were identified in the propolis extracts, where the main identified substance was kaempferide. The brown propolis extracted was active against S. aureus. The low swelling capacity and high gel fraction of CMC-P would be the consequence of propolis (responsible for a hydrophobic barrier) filling the pores of the membrane. Propolis could be anchoring the NaCMC chains (as observed by FTIR) due to interaction between components, which is corroborated by the CMC-P sample degrading less than the CMC sample (>400ºC). There was non-linear diffusion release kinetics for most phenolic substances of the propolis extract. The CMC-P sample presents potential as a dressing material.

NaCMC is a biocompatible polymer that can be crosslinked with citric acid to form a gel matrix. Melaleuca oils have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties with potential for wound healing. The goal of this work was to investigate the characteristics of NaCMC-Melaleuca oils gels. The gels were characterized by FTIR, TGA, mechanical analysis, and in vitro swelling and S. aureus inhibition tests. The oils were characterized using chromatography, presenting high values of (1,8-cineol/terpinen-4-ol), and evaluated for confirmation of their effect against S. aureus. The samples showed physical interactions between NaCMC, citric acid and the Melaleuca oils. Erosion in saline solution was higher in the gels with oils, attributable to interference with crosslinking. The membranes presented high contribution of relaxation mechanism and low contribution of Fickian diffusion regarding the swelling ability. The presence of the oils increased thermal stability and diminished gel fraction and mechanical properties, indicating that the oils interact with the matrix anchoring the chains. Although melaleuca oils themselves were active against S. aureus and CA was responsible for the NaCMC hydrogels activity, the incorporation of melaleuca oils in NaCMC gels was not reported previously. This report indicates that NaCMC hydrogel may be a proper matrix for essential oils incorporation.

Abstract PVA cryogels are well established as candidate biomaterials for wound healing applications but are not themselves biodegradable or antimicrobial. Blending PVA with NaCMC (CMC) or gelatin (G) can increase the gel’s ability to swell and would introduce a degree of biodegradability. The incorporation of appropriate amounts of a natural antimicrobial/healing agents, such as honey (H), would contribute to the gels properties. The present work addresses the development and characterization of layered gels (PVA-H, PVA-CMC-H and PVA-G-H, with empty PVA, PVA-CMC, PVA-G gels presented as controls). The gels were characterized by FTIR, DSC, in vitro analysis of swelling and microbiological (S. aureus) effects. Addition of gelatin, NaCMC and honey to PVA diminished the PVA chains’ ability to pack into crystallites. Samples containing honey swelled less and presented higher weight loss/biodegradability than samples without honey. Only the honey-laden PVA-CMC and PVA-G presented activity against S. aureus.

A pirólise da madeira é usada há séculos para a produção de carvão vegetal. No entanto, o estudo de componentes de madeira alterados pela temperatura da pirólise é fundamental para determinar as propriedades do carvão vegetal. Esta pesquisa objetivou avaliar por FTIR a alteração química de madeiras submetidas a diferentes temperaturas de pirólise. Amostras de espécies de Corymbia citriodora foram submetidas a pirólise sob temperaturas finais de 240°C, 280°C, 320°C e 400°C em um reator de leito fixo preenchido com gás N2. A análise de FTIR foi realizada nos materiais após a pirólise. Os resultados mostraram que a celulose e as hemiceluloses apresentaram maior suscetibilidade à degradação térmica do que os outros componentes da madeira. Pode-se observar alteração química no resíduo de madeira obtido entre 240°C e 280°C. Além disso, o resíduo de madeira obtido para a pirólise acima de 280°C apresentou características semelhantes às do carvão vegetal totalmente pirolisado. Há uma mudança contínua da madeira devido à temperatura da pirólise pela mudança da intensidade e pelos deslocamentos das bandas. A análise de FTIR permitiu a avaliação gradativa do processo de pirólise da madeira e suas variações químicas nas temperaturas de pirólise estudadas.

ABSTRACT Wood pyrolysis has been use for centuries to obtain charcoal. Nonetheless, the study of wood components altering by the pyrolysis temperature is crucial to determine the charcoal’s properties. The present research aims to evaluate by FTIR the chemical altering of wood submitted to various pyrolysis temperatures. Sam-ples of Corymbia citriodora species were submitted to temperatures of 240 °C, 280 °C, 320 °C and 400 °C in a fixed bed reactor filled with N2. The FTIR analysis was performed in the wood residues after pyrolysis. The results showed that cellulose and hemicelluloses presented more susceptibility to thermal degradation than other wood components. It could be observed chemical altering in the wood residue obtained between 240 °C and 280 °C. In addition, the wood residue obtained for treatments over 280 °C presented characteristics simi-lar to vegetal charcoal. There are a continuous change of the wood due to the temperature of the pyrolysis by the change of bands intensity and by the bands shift. The FTIR analysis allowed the evaluation of the wood’s pyrolysis process and its chemical variations with the temperatures applicate.

Abstract Enrofloxacin can be slowly delivered through polymeric systems and the addition of oil could increase the polymeric gels hydrophobicity and help the continuous release. The present work intended to develop and characterize microstructurally (XRD and FTIR) and in vitro (swelling and antimicrobial tests) the PVA hydrogels loaded with copaiba oil and Duotrill (enrofloxacin) to treat bacterial infections, as pyelonephritis, in the veterinary field. Duotrill® and oil combined diminished the gels degree of crystallinity and it was observed interaction between phases due to a new band found only in PVA hydrogels loaded with copaiba oil and Duotrill (PVA-D-O) FTIR spectrum. The samples with oil swelled less than samples without it, where copaiba oil altered the samples’ hydrophilicity. PVA-D-O presented lower weight loss and higher gel fraction than PVA, indicating the loaded material increased the gels stability. All samples containing oil and Duotrill® inhibited S. aureus.

RESUMO Produtos naturais são classicamente usados em tratamento de feridas, para prevenção de infecção. A Própolis é um agente antimicrobiano natural bem estabelecido, o qual contém compostos fenólicos e flavonoides, cujos teores variam conforme a sua origem. A Própolis de origem britânica e a de origem brasileira, a romã, o sangue de dragão e a sálvia são agentes antimicrobianos utilizados em biomateriais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a análise do teor de fenóis e flavonoides, da atividade antioxidante das mesmas e das ligações químicas presentes nesses compostos, usando FTIR. A análise de FTIR revelou a presença desses compostos ativos em todos os produtos analisados. A própolis brasileira é rica em fenóis comparada aos outros fitoterápicos, seguido de romã e própolis britânica. A própolis britânica é rica em flavonoides devido à sua origem. Romã, própolis britânica e sangue de dragão apresentaram as maiores atividades antioxidantes. Todas as amostras apresentaram atividade antioxidante superior a 82%.

ABSTRACT Natural products are used in wound healing in order to prevent infection. Propolis is a well known antimicrobial with phenolic compounds and flavonoid content which vary according to the propolis origin. Besides propolis (from both Brazilian and UK sources), pomegranate, dragon's blood and sage are possible antimicrobials to be used in biomaterials. The goal of this work was to analyze the amount of phenols and flavonoid compounds in these natural products, their antioxidant activities and the bonds present by FTIR. The FTIR analysis revealed the presence of active compounds in all drug samples. The phenols quantification showed that Brazilian propolis was rich in phenols compared to the other drugs, followed by pomegranate and UK propolis. UK propolis was the most rich in flavonoids, which is expected on account of its origin. Pomegranate, UK propolis and Dragon's blood presented the highest antioxidant activity. All samples presented antioxidant activity > 82%.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels were obtained by freezing (-22 °C) and thawing (+25 °C) process, resulting in a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (s-IPN) with a sulfonated polyester (PES). The cryo-gels samples were analysed in terms of its water uptake capacity (WU) as a function of pH, temperature and ionic strength. WU of all samples were relatively high, and they showed a reasonable sensitivity to both pH and ionic strength. The pH- and ionic strength dependence is attributed to the dissociation of ionizable groups of PES. The degrees of crystallinity of the cryo-gels, determined by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), are lower than pure PVA. Besides, decrease of glass transition temperature (Tg) of the samples when compared with pure PVA was observed. This results are due interactions between PVA and PES, which lead to an increase on the amorphous content of the hydrogels. Our results show that, despite of changes in the microstructure of the hydrogels due the presence of the polyelectrolyte, the cryo-gels reveal a long-term stability.