In this study, lipase from Candida antarctica B (Lipozyme CaLB-L) was successfully immobilized on SiO2 through adsorption and used to obtain (R)-(+)-esters derived from (R,S)-1-phenylethanol. The new immobilized enzyme was compared with commercially immobilized lipases (Novozyme 435, Lipozyme 435 and Pseudomonas cepacia (PSC-II and PSD-I)). Lipozyme CaLB-L adsorbed onto SiO2 was found to be a good catalyst and, under optimal conditions, esters could be obtained with conversion 44%, enantiomeric excess of product (eep) > 99%, enantiomeric excess of substract (ees) 77% and enantiomeric ratio (E) > 200. The lipase maintained enantioselectivity under adverse conditions, such as in organic solvents, with an excess of substrate and at different temperatures. The immobilized lipase could be reused five times with no significant loss of the activity.

Lipases have been immobilized in microemulsion-based organogels (MBG's) and successfully utilized for the enantioselective esterification, diesterification and transesterification reactions, in organic solvents at 25ºC. This methodology is described as a new alternative for the use of enzymes in organic solvents. High enzymic stability has been observed. We have also used this methodology for the successful resolution of chiral secondary alcohols. This is a convenient way of using this catalyst in organic solvents which employs small amounts of the enzyme (250mg/mL).

O estudo histológico do plexo nervoso autonômico do coração de ratos albinos, na fase aguda da infecção pelo Trypanosoma cruzi, mostrou ganglionite, periganglionite e neurite de intensidades variáveis. Entretanto, a contagem dos neurônios dos gânglios não revelou redução (denervação) significativa dos mesmos.

Microscopic investigation of parasympathetic heart nervous plexus of the albino rat in the acute phase of Trypanosona cruzi infection showed ganglionitis, periganglionitis and neuritis of variable degree; despite the degenerative changes, no significant reduction of ganglion neurons was observed, when compared with controls.