Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade inseticida de formulação botânica com óleo de nim (Azadirachta indica) e D-limoneno no controle de Hypothenemus hampei, bem como determinar a composição de ácidos graxos do óleo de nim. O óleo de nim 95% foi extraído de sementes de A. indica prensadas a frio, e o D-limoneno, da casca de frutas cítricas. Extrato húmico (carbono orgânico), potássio, cálcio, magnésio e enxofre foram adicionados como aditivos. A análise do óleo de nim por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massa mostrou que o ácido linoleico (49,28%) é o principal ácido graxo na sua composição. Os testes em campo foram realizados em cafeeiro (Coffea arabica) 'Topázio MG 1190', com quatro aplicações do composto formulado, a cada 20 dias, por um período de 64 dias. Para análise da atividade inseticida, a formulação botânica foi aplicada em papel filtro ou topicamente no dorso do inseto, tendo mostrado mortalidade de 63,34 e 100% após 48 horas, respectivamente. Em campo, a atividade inseticida causou redução de 62,4% na incidência da população de H. hampei, em comparação ao controle. A formulação botânica avaliada é eficiente no controle de H. hampei em cafeeiro.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the insecticidal activity of a botanical formulation with neem (Azadirachta indica) oil and D-limonene for the control of Hypothenemus hampei, as well as to determine the fatty acid composition of neem oil. Ninety-five percent neem oil was extracted from cold-pressed A. indica seeds, and D-limonene, from citrus peel. Humic extract (organic carbon), potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur were included as additives. The analysis of neem oil by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry showed that linoleic acid (49.28%) is the main fatty acid in its composition. Field tests were carried out on 'Topázio MG 1190' coffee (Coffea arabica) trees, with four applications of the formulated compound every 20 days for a period of 64 days. For the evaluation of insecticidal activity, the botanical formulation was applied to filter paper or topically on the insect’s dorsal side, showing a mortality of 63.34 and 100% after 48 hours, respectively. In the field, insecticidal activity caused a 62.4% reduction in the incidence of the H. hampei population, when compared with the control. The evaluated botanical formulation is efficient in controlling H. hampei in coffee plants.

The synthesis of cationic derivatives of hemicelluloses from corn husk was carried out by the reaction of hemicelluloses with 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (ETA) in aqueous sodium hydroxide. The characterization of the cationic derivatives was carried out by elemental analysis, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG/DTA). An important characteristic was the solubility in water of the produced derivatives. This characteristic was used to apply derivatives as auxiliary coagulation with tannin in wastewater treatment for industrial laundries. The results showed that the association of tannin and cationic hemicelluloses (3,200 mg L-1) is important because the turbidity removal was greater than 95% in all range of pH, including alkaline regions. Then it is unnecessary to adjust the pH before the coagulation step.

Cellulose acetates (CA) with different degrees of acetylation were synthesized from cellulose extracted from corn stover. Membranes were prepared for the ultrafiltration process with pure polymers and blend form of CA utilizing a dioxane/acetone system. The membranes were characterized according to their transport properties. The blend form materials presented the best results for application in ultrafiltration experiments. M-TAC/DAC (corn stover triacetate and diacetate) and M-TAC/DAC-Rho (corn stover triacetate and Rhodia diacetate) presented rejection to egg albumin protein of 87.39% and 80.50%, respectively. Thus, MWCO of 45 kDa was determined for these materials.