Um eletrodo de carbono vítreo modificado com hexacianoferrato(II) de CrIII foi utilizado para a determinação de piridoxina (vitamina B6) em três diferentes fármacos, por voltametria cíclica. A influência de vários parâmetros na resposta voltamétrica do eletrodo foi analisada. A faixa linear encontrada foi de 1,33 × 10-6 mol L-1 a 1,32 × 10-5 mol L-1 da vitamina, com r = 0,9990 e desvio padrão relativo de 4,2%. Os limites de detecção e quantificação foram de 3,46 × 10-7 mol L-1 e 1,05 × 10-6 mol L-1, respectivamente. O método proposto para a determinação voltamétrica da vitamina B6 apresentou uma boa exatidão e os resultados experimentais demonstraram que o eletrodo de carbono vítreo modificado com hexacianoferrato(II) de CrIII apresenta um grande potencial para análise de piridoxina em amostras reais. Além disso, apresenta vantagens como uma resposta rápida, um baixo limite de detecção, baixo custo e simplicidade no desenvolvimento e aplicação.

A CrIII hexacyanoferrate(II) (CrHCF)-modified glassy carbon electrode was used to determine pyridoxine (vitamin B6) in three drugs by cyclic voltammetry. The influence of several parameters on the voltammetric electrode response was analyzed. The linear range found was of 1.33 × 10-6 mol L-1 to 1.32 × 10-5 mol L-1 of vitamin, with r = 0.9990 and relative standard deviation of 4.2%. The limits of detection and quantification were 3.46 × 10-7 mol L-1 and 1.05 × 10-6 mol L-1, respectively. The voltammetric proposed method for determination of vitamin B6 presented good accuracy and the experimental results demonstrated that the CrHCF-modified glassy carbon electrode has a large potential for the analysis of pyridoxine in real samples. Furthermore, it has the advantages of a fast response, a low detection limit, low cost, and simple development and application.

The humic substances were extracted from sediments, water and soil close to the Lagoa dos Patos-MS. The characterization was performed through fluorescence emission. In the HSs it is possible to see strong indications of incorporation of compounds originating from lignin degradation, confirmed by fluorescence emission (EEM and synchronous spectra). These differences observed in HSs may be due to tropical regions displaying a great variety of vascular plants and aquatic macrophytes that contribute natural organic matter. The seasonality effect also causes the entrance of pedogenic material and the suspension of sediments by the action of winds.

The abatement of recalcitrant lignin macromolecules from effluents of pulp and paper industry was investigated by combined process. Flocculation and coagulation with aluminum sulfate and natural polyelectrolytes extracted from cactus Cereus peruvianus were used in the first step. After separation of solid residues by filtration, the photochemical methods using TiO2 as catalyst were employed for photocatalytic degradation of lignin compounds from solution. The abatement of lignin compounds after flocculation and coagulation was 46%, and after the overall process, the pollutants reduction observed were 66%. The remaining organic compounds may be removed by any biological treatment.

Copper, aluminum and iron concentrations were determined in four geochemical fractions of three different basaltic soils from the northwest region of the Parana State, Brazil. The fractions examined were the reducible manganese dioxide and amorphous iron oxide, crystaline iron oxide, organic and residual. Metal concentrations were determined in the extracts by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. High Fe concentrations were extracted from the crystalline iron oxide (>20%), as well as the amorphous iron oxide (>12%). Copper was extracted from the amorphous and crystalline iron oxides in the range 5 to 12%, but low concentrations were bound to organic matter. Low concentrations of aluminum were extracted (<8%) from the amorphous and crystaline iron oxides, and organic matter. High concentrations of aluminum were found in the residual fraction.

A simple method of home made preparation and physical-chemical characterization of orange wine was investigated. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as inoculum for wine-making by fermentation. Chemical compositions related to the aroma components seems to be very similar between grape and orange wines.

Agricultural wastes from cactus Cereus peruvianus and Opuntia ficus indica were investigated for protein production by solid substrate fermentation. Firstly, the polyelectrolytes were extracted and used in water cleaning as auxiliary of flocculation and coagulation. The remaining fibrous material and peels were used as substrate for fermentation with Aspergillus niger. Glucoamylase and cellulase were the main enzymes produced. Amino acids were determined by HPLC and protein by Lowry's method. After 120 hours of fermentation the protein increased by 12.8%. Aspartic acid (1.27%), threonine (0.97%), glutamic acid (0.88%), valine (0.70%), serine (0.68%), arginine (0.82%), and phenylalanine (0.51%) were the principal amino acids produced.

The flocculation and sedimentation of recalcitrant organic compounds of high molecular weight using natural polyelectrolytes, extracted from the cactus Cereus peruvianus and Opuntia ficus indica, have been studied. Organic compounds of high molecular weight from effluents of paper and pulp industries are difficult for biological degradation. However, using a mixture of aluminum salts and natural polyelectrolytes, the aggregation and settling properties of recalcitrant organics were increased if compared with conventional methods of wastewater treatment using only aluminum or iron sulfate. After flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration, the effluent was submitted to biological degradation by activated sludge process. The main advantages of using a mixture of aluminum salts and natural polyelectrolytes were shorter time of flocculation, floccus of larger size and easier for filtration.The removal efficiency observed were:85-90% of aromatic compounds, 70-85% of chemical oxygen demand,and 91-97% of colour.

A cromatografia de permeação em gel e a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência foram utilizadas para a separação e caracterização dos produtos isolados da serragem cromada. Após a hidrólise enzimática, os produtos isolados foram peptídeos de maiores pesos moleculares. Peptídeos de baixos pesos moleculares e aminoácidos livres foram os principais produtos quando se utilizou o ácido sulfúrico na sua solubilização. Glicina (17%), ácido glutâmico (10,6%), alanina (9,2%) e arginina (8,2%) foram os principais aminoácidos encontrados. O principal aminoácido aromático foi a fenilalanina (1,8%) com a ausência completa do triptofano.

Gel permeation chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography were employed for separation and chemical characterization of products isolated from chrome shavings. After enzymatic hydrolysis, the products isolated were peptides of higher molecular weight. Peptides of lower molecular weight and free aminoacids were the main products using sulfuric acid in chrome shavings solubilization. Glycine (17%) , glutamic acid (10.6%) , alanine (9.2%) , and arginine (8.2%) were the principal amino acids found. Phenylalanine(1.8%) was the main aromatic amino acid , while tryptophane was completely absent.

p-Dimethylaminebenzylidenerhodanine in methyl isobutyl ketone was employed as selective and sensitive reagent for the extraction and determination of palladium(II) in metal alloys and rocks. Beer’s Law is followed in the concentration range 0.2-2.4 m g.mL-1 of organic phase with a molar absorptivity of 3.0x10(4)L.mol-1.cm-1. The detection limit observed for aqueous solution was 0.1 mg.L-1. The extractions were performed at pH 2.4 and no interference of foreign ions such as Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe3+, Pb2+, Hg2+ ,etc., were observed in jewellery alloy and rock sample analyzed. The complex of reagent and palladium(II) was pH dependent and it should be carefully controlled during extraction. Continuous variation and mole ratio methods showed that the complex composition was 1:1.