Resumo Shewanella xiamenensis G5-03 isolada de solo contaminado de aterro sanitário foi eficiente em descolorir cinco corantes têxteis azos em condições estáticas. Um deles, Reactive Red 239 (RR239), foi completamente descolorido na faixa de pH de 7 a 11 (a 35°C) dentro de 3-6 h. A bactéria também foi eficiente em descolorir RR239 em uma ampla faixa de temperatura de 25-40°C (em pH 8). A cinética de descoloração do RR239 pela G5-03 se ajustou ao modelo de Michaelis-Menten (K m = 443,3 mg L-1, V max = 166,7 mg L-1 h-1). A descoloração do RR239 foi monitorada por espectroscopia UV-Vis e FTIR, que mostrou mudanças significativas nas posições dos picos quando comparadas ao espectro do corante. No geral, a capacidade de S. xiamenensis G5-03 para descolorir os corantes têxteis azo em uma ampla faixa de temperatura e pH (neutro-alcalino) indica que esta cepa é uma candidata em potencial para o tratamento de efluente contendo corante.

Abstract Shewanella xiamenensis G5-03 isolated from contaminated landfill soil efficiently decolorized five textile azo dyes under static conditions. One of them, Reactive Red 239 (RR239), was completely decolorized at a pH range of 7 to 11 (at 35°C) within 3-6 h. The bacterium was also efficiently decolorized RR239 in a wide temperature range of 25-40°C (at pH 8). The kinetics of RR239 decolorization by G5-03 fitted to the Michaelis-Menten Model (K m = 443.3 mg L-1, V max = 166.7 mg L-1 h-1). The decolorization of RR239 was monitored by UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, which showed significant changes in peak positions when compared to the dye spectrum. Overall, the ability of S. xiamenensis G5-03 to decolorize textile azo dyes in a wide range of temperatures and pH (neutral-alkaline) indicate that this strain is a potential candidate for treating dye-containing effluent.

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.