The microwave-assisted interesterification of babassu oil with methyl, ethyl and butyl acetates was carried out via acid catalysis, using sulfuric, phosphoric, methanesulfonic and acetic acids for the production of biodiesel with triacetin as an additive. Dielectric measurements in the range of 0.3 to 13 GHz of pure reactants and reactions media lead to a clear understanding of the interaction between the medium and microwave irradiation, allowing achieving optimal conditions in terms of microwave power, kind and catalyst concentration, reactant molar ratios, and temperatures. Using ethyl acetate, reactions were carried out at various oil to acetate molar ratio (1:12 to 1:72) using sulfuric acid (0.5% m/mT) as a catalyst. For 1:60 molar ratio, the experiments were carried out with 0.5 to 2% m/mT sulfuric acid. The kind of catalyst and the applied microwave power to mass ratio were investigated using H3PO4, CH3COOH and CH3SO3H. The best catalytic activities were achieved with H2SO4 and CH3SO3H. It was found that under microwave or conventional heating the reactivity follows the ethyl→methyl→butyl trend. The best results were achieved using ethyl acetate with H2SO4 which yields 91.1% biodiesel and 18.3% triacetin in 120 min under microwave heating while using CH3SO3H yields 80.1% biodiesel and 11.2% triacetin. microwaveassisted assisted methyl catalysis phosphoric additive 03 0 3 0. 1 irradiation concentration ratios temperatures 112 12 (1:1 172 72 1:72 0.5% 05 5 (0.5 mmT m mT 160 60 1:6 2 H3PO4 HPO H PO CHCOOH CH COOH CHSOH SO HSO H2SO ethylmethylbutyl trend 911 91 91.1 183 18 18.3 801 80 80.1 11 11.2 (1: 17 7 1:7 (0. 16 6 1: H3PO 9 91. 18. 8 80. 11. (1 (0 (

The effect of different heterogeneous catalysts on the microwave-assisted transesterification of sunflower oil for the production of methylic biodiesel in a monomode microwave reactor is described. The experiments were carried out at 70 ºC with a 16:1 methanolsunflower oil molar ratio and different heterogeneous basic and acidic catalysts. The results showed that the microwave-heated reactions occur up to four times faster than those carried out with conventional heating. The reactions were performed with 24 catalysts; pure calcium oxide (CaO) and potassium carbonate, either pure or supported by alumina (K2CO3/Al2O3), were the most efficient catalysts.

Cariniana rubra Miers (Lecythidaceae), popularmente conhecido como "jequitibá-vermelho'', é uma árvore brasileira de grande porte, cuja casca é utilizada nas formas de infusão e decocção para o tratamento de condições inflamatórias. Os efeitos antiinflamatório, antinociceptivo e antipirético do extrato metanólico da casca do caule de Cariniana rubra (EM Cr) foram avaliados em animais experimentais. A atividade antiinflamatória do EM Cr foi testada nos modelos de edema depata induzido por carragenina e dextrana em ratos, pleurisia induzida por carragenina em ratos e permeabilidade vascular aumentada por ácido acético em ratos. As atividades antinociceptiva e antipirética foram avaliadas utilizando os modelos de nocicepções induzidos por ácido acético e formalina, placa quente em camundongos e de pirexia, pela injeção de levedura de cerveja em ratos. O extrato inibiu o edema induzido porcarragenina e dextrana, reduziu o volume de exsudato e a migração de leucócitos na pleurisia induzida por carragenina eo aumento da permeabilidade vascular induzida por ácidoacético. O EM Cr inibiu a nocicepção nas contorções induzidas por ácido acético e na segunda fase do teste de formalina e diminuiu a temperatura retal. No entanto, foi inefetivo no teste da placa quente. A análise química por via úmida deu resultados positivos para saponinas, triterpenos, esteroides e compostos fenólicos. Fitosteróis e triterpenóides pentacíclicos (β-sitosterol, estigmasterol, α and β-amirinas em mistura e ácido arjunólico) e as saponinas triterpenoidais: 3-O-β-D-glucopiranosideo de sitosterol; ácido arjunólico 28-β-glucopiranosila-23-O-acetila; ácido arjunólico 3-O-β-glucopiranosila e ácido arjunólico 28-O-[α-L-rhamnopiranosil-(1→2)-β-D-glucopiranosila]-23-O-acetila. Pode-se presumir que os efeitos do EM Cr foram causados pela inibição da liberação e/ou ação de diversos mediadores inflamatórios. Estes resultados validam o uso tradicional das preparações caseiras de Cariniana rubra para tratar a inflamação.

Cariniana rubra Miers (Lecythidaceae), popularly known as "jequitibá-vermelho'', is a large Brazilian tree whose bark is used in infusion and decoction for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. This study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic effects of Cariniana rubra methanolic stem bark extract (EM Cr) using experimental animals. Anti-inflammatory activity of EM Cr was tested on carrageenan and dextran-induced rat paw edema, carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats and acetic acid-increase vascular permeability in mice. Antinociceptive and antipyretic activities were evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin and hot-plate tests in mice, as well as brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The extract inhibitied carrageenan and dextran-induced edema, reduced exudate volume and leukocyte migration on the carrageenan-induced pleurisy and on the vascular permeability increase induced by acetic acid. The EM Cr inhibited nociception on the acetic acid-induced writhing and in the second phase of formalin test, and decreased rectal temperature. It was, however, inactive against thermal nociception.Phytochemical analysis with EM Cr showed the occurrence of saponins, triterpenes, sterols and phenolic compounds. Phytosterols (β-sitosterol, stigmasterol), pentacyclic triterpenes (α- and β-amyrin as a mixture), arjunolic acid, a phytosterol glycoside (sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside), and triterpenoid saponins (28-β-glucopyranosyl-23-O-acetyl arjunolic acid; 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl arjunolic acid and 28-O-[α-L-Rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-glucopyranosyl]-23- O-acetyl arjunolic acid) were the main identified compounds. It can be presumed that EM Cr caused their effects by inhibiting the liberation and/or action of different inflammatory mediators. These findings support the traditional use of Cariniana rubra preparations to treat inflammation.

Um novo alcalóide benzofenantridínico, 6-acetonil-N-metil-diidrodecarina foi isolado das raízes de Zanthoxylum riedelianum juntamente com lupeol, 6-acetonildiidroqueleritrina e 6-acetonildiidroavicina. As estruturas dessas substâncias foram estabelecidas com base na análise dos dados espectrométricos de IV, EM e RMN incluindo experimentos 2D.

A new benzophenanthridine alkaloid, 6-acetonyl-N-methyl-dihydrodecarine was isolated from Zanthoxylum riedelianum roots together with lupeol, 6-acetonyldihydrochelerythrine and 6-acetonyldihydroavicine. The structures were established from the IR, MS and NMR spectral data, including 2D-NMR experiments.