ABSTRACT Technological advances have demonstrated the need for intellectual property rights, and patent granting is one of its most widespread forms. This includes the protection of inoculant formulations for agriculture, in which Brazil is a leader. This study aimed to analyze the number of patents for formulations of biological inoculants for agriculture in Brazil and the microorganisms used. An advanced search was performed in the National Institute of Industrial Property database, using the title and abstract fields. The indexers included inoculant, bioinoculant, endophyte, endophytic, fungus, bacteria, Rhizobium, Azospirillum and Gluconacetobacter. The inoculant formulation patents were grouped by the number of files per decade, number of patents per holder(s), characterization of granted patents, international patent classification, and main genera of fungi and bacteria used in inoculant formulations per decade. The number of patents filed for inoculant formulations in the last four decades increased from 7 in the first decade (1981–1990) to 37 from 2011–2020. In the first decades of study, the use of Rhizobium in inoculants stood out, followed by other genera of fungi and bacteria. However, most inoculant patent applications are still denied, considering data from 1981 to 2020. This may be partially due to the low reproducibility of inoculant results, as microorganism activity is highly affected by climate, soil, plant cultivars and crop management. The percentage of acceptance equal to or higher than 50 % in the number of applied patents for using endophytic microorganisms may be because this group of microorganisms acts mainly inside plants and is thus more protected from the influence of climate and some soil and management factors. The growing number of patent applications in the last 40 years demonstrates the business and technological development interest in inoculants in Brazil.

Abstract Controlled release systems can modify the release rate of drugs and direct them to specific sites of action, making them more effective and/or reducing the adverse effects. The objective of this study was investigated, poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanospheres to improve the delivery of Simvastatin (SIM). Nanospheres were prepared by the emulsion/evaporation technique of the solvent, varying the amount of SIM added. The SIM quantification was performed using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method. The average diameter and PDI of formulations without SIM were lower 250 nm and 0.3, respectively. Nanospheres containing 30% of SIM showed values of 265 nm and 0.09, respectively. The average zeta potential was -31.8 mV, suggesting the predominance of repulsive forces that prevent aggregation. In vitro release suggest transport occurs by diffusion. Morphological analysis demonstrated spherical particles and rough surfaces. In conclusion, data suggest that PHB/PCL nanospheres are promising delivery systems to SIM.

RESUMO O estudo sobre corantes e seus impactos no meio ambiente são condição para que informação técnicas capazes de proporcionar melhores práticas de gestão sejam adotadas. A falta de informação na Ficha de Informação Sobre Produtos Químicos (FISPQ), regulamentada pela ABNT, do Índigo Carmim motivou a investigação sobre toxidez desse corante em solo. No presente trabalho utilizou-se o método respirométrico para verificar a quantidade de CO2 liberada pela respiração da biota do solo. Foi estudado com a intenção de determinar o comportamento dos microrganismos na presença do Índigo Carmim nas concentrações de 1, 100 e 1000 ppm. Os resultados demonstram que o Índigo Carmim não apresenta efeitos tóxicos para os microrganismos presentes no solo analisado. Além disso, foi verificado um incremento na respiração da biota, indicando biodegradabilidade do corante.

ABSTRACT The study of dyes and their impacts on the environment is a condition for adopting technical information capable of providing better management practices. The lack of Índigo Carmim Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) information’s, which, in Brazil, is regulated by the ABNT motivated the investigation about toxicity of this dye in soil. This work used the respirometric method to verify the amount of CO2 released by the respiration of the soil biota. The microorganisms’ behaviors were studied in the presence of Indigo Carmine at concentrations of 1, 100 and 1000 ppm. The results demonstrate that Indigo Carmine does not present toxic effects for the microorganisms present in the analyzed soil. In addition, an increase in biota respiration has been demonstrated, indicating biodegradability of the dye.

ABSTRACT Natural polymers have attracted much attention in recent years for the study of new drug delivery systems. These materials are used as polymer matrices to protect the active drug from degradation in the biological environment and to improve the release kinetics of the drug. The poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a natural biocompatible polymer, widely used in combination with other polymers to improve their physicochemical properties. Thus, this work aimed to develop and characterize films of PHB and blends containing polypropylene glycol (PPG) with different concentrations of simvastatin (Simv.). The films were prepared by casting, dissolving PHB or a blend of PHB / PPG (90:10) and (5% or 25 %) Simv. in chloroform (2% w/v). The solutions were stirred for 3 h and then transferred to an appropriate glass mold for solvent evaporation for 48 h at room temperature. The obtained films were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy, in vitro degradation study, and in vivo biocompatibility test. The results showed that PHB and blends of PHB / PPG are able to form a homogeneous film with the drug inside. A great amount of drug lead to the instability of polymeric matrixes and resulted in a facilitated film degradation. On the other hand, devices with 5% of Simv. were more stable, which suggests the application of these films for biomedical devices. In vivo studies revealed that the films can interact with the animals' organism, and do not undergo rejection. Hence, these films hold an innovative alternative in tissue engineering to promotes drug release by diffusion and erosion of the polymeric material.

RESUMO A produção de materiais absorvedores de água é um grande desafio para diversas aplicações nos setores agrícola, industrial, de energia, entre outros. No presente trabalho, foram preparados materiais a partir da reação de glicerina, caulim e ácido succínico, tendo ácido sulfúrico como catalisador. Foram utilizadas três razões molares para a mistura caulim:ácido succínico, 1:0, 1:1 e 0:1. Foram preparados materiais também em uma reação com o auxílio do Dean-stark, onde foram preparadas três amostras. Foram produzidos filmes de amido para facilitar a aplicação dos materiais obtidos. O FTIR confirmou a polimerização do ácido succínico com a glicerina, e a ancoragem do mesmo ao caulim. O que também pode ser evidenciado através do DRX. Os testes de absorção mostram que o material produzido pode ser utilizado como material absorvente, absorvendo cerca de 50 g de água por g de amostra.

ABSTRACT The production of water-absorbing materials is a major challenge for several applications in the agricultural, industrial and energy sectors, among others. In the present work, materials were prepared from the reaction of glycerin, kaolin and succinic acid, with sulfuric acid as a catalyst. Three molar ratios were used for the kaolin mixture: succinic acid, 1: 0, 1: 1 and 0: 1. Materials were also prepared in a reaction with the aid of Dean-stark, where three samples were prepared. Starch films were produced to facilitate the application of the materials obtained. The FTIR confirmed the polymerization of succinic acid with glycerin, and its anchoring to kaolin. What can also be evidenced through the DRX. Absorption tests show that the material produced can be used as an absorbent material, absorbing about 50 g of water per g of sample.