Abstract Nanotechnology is a field that, over the years, has been growing in several research areas, such as medicine, agriculture and cosmetics, among others. As a result, there is a continuous increase in the production, use and disposal of these materials in the environment. The behaviour and (bio) activity of these materials in the atmosphere, water and soil are not fully studied. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out an analysis of the risks of contamination, as well as the possible effects and impacts of nanoparticles (NPs) on the ecosystem. In an attempt to investigate these effects on plants, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) on the seed germination process of Sesbania virgata. For this, the Sesbania virgata seeds were subjected to different concentration of CuO NPs (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mgL-1) and their germination and development were monitored by optical analysis (thermography and chlorophyll a fluorescence). The results show that the CuO NPs induced a reduction on the maximum emission of chlorophyll a, which was concentration-dependent. The data also showed that CuO NPs promoted an increase in the energy dissipated by non-photochemical pathways and the surface temperature of the seeds. Additionally, our findings revealed that CuO NPs caused a root growth inhibition. In summary, the present study demonstrates, for the first time, that CuO NPs can negatively affect the physiological status and development of the S. virgata plant, by altering the efficiency of the functioning of photosystem II in its initial developmental stage, depending on the concentration of CuO NPs.

ABSTRACT Cardanol is a constituent of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid that presents larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti. The isolation of cardanol is somewhat troublesome, however, in this work we describe an efficient and inexpensive method to obtain it as a pure material. The compound was used as starting material to make chemical transformation leading to saturated cardanol, epoxides and, halohydrins. These derivatives were tested for toxicity against Aedes aegypti larvae. The results showed that iodohydrins are very promising compounds for making commercial products to combat the vector mosquito larvae presenting a LC50 of 0.0023 ppm after 72 h of exposure.

ABSTRACT Control strategies using insecticides are sometimes ineffective due to the resistance of the insect vectors.In this scenario new products must be proposed for the control of insect vectors.The complexes L-aspartate Cu (II) and L-glutamate-Cu (II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, visible ultraviolet, infrared spectroscopy and potentiometric titration. The toxicity of these complexes was analyzed in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae and Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The interaction between the ligands and the amino acid balance and the distribution of the species as a function of pH were discussed. The lethal concentration median (LC50) for Ae. aegypti larvae were: L-glutamic acid-Cu (II) - 53.401 mg L-1 and L-aspartate-Cu (II) - 108.647 mg L-1. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) required for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was: L-glutamate-Cu (II) 500-2000 mg L-1 and L-aspartate-Cu (II) 1000-2000 mg L-1. The concentrations demonstrated toxicity that evidence the potential of the complexes as bactericide and insecticide. Metal complexes formed by amino acids and transition metals are advantageous because of low environmental toxicity, biodegradability and low production cost.

O presente trabalho trata da preparação e caracterização de membranas de quitosana porosas e densas, que possuem diversas aplicações tecnológicas. Para tanto, foram utilizadas as técnicas de microscopia (microscopia eletrônica de varredura - MEV - e microscopia de força atômica -MFA), titulação potenciométrica e espectroscopia no infravermelho (FTIR-ATR). A síntese das estruturas foi realizada através da secagem total ou parcial de uma solução acética de quitosana a 2,5% (w/w) seguida de coagulação em meio alcalino. Glutaraldeído foi utilizado para modificar quimicamente as membranas, tornando-as mais hidrofóbicas. A extensão deste processo pôde ser observada por FTIR-ATR, utilizando-se um plano fatorial onde foram variados o tempo de fixação e a concentração de glutaraldeído na solução de tratamento.

In this work, we studied the preparation and characterization of porous and non-porous chitosan membranes, which may have several technological uses. For characterization, we have used microscopy (scanning electron microscopy -SEM- and atomic force microscopy -AFM), potentiometric titration and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). The synthesis of structures were done by total or partial casting of a 2.5% (w/w) chitosan acetic solution and further coagulation. Glutaraldehyde was also used to chemically modify chitosan, making it more hydrophobic. The extension of this process could be observed by FTIR-ATR, and by using a factorial plan which varied time of fixation and concentration of glutaraldehyde solution.