Polymers are options as antimicrobials for skin protection, antifouling surfaces, and fabrics. Here we analyzed the interaction of polymers based on poly(methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly((dimethylamino ethyl) methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) with model membranes and bacteria. We used the homopolymers PMMA, PDMAEMA, and the diblock copolymer(s) prepared with different PMMAm:PDMAEMAn ratios (m/n). The interactions of PDMAEMA and PMMAm-b-PDMAEMAn with large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) prepared with phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol at different pHs, were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential. These polymers promoted LUVs leakage of a fluorescent probe (5,6-carboxyfluorescein) localized exclusively in the internal aqueous compartment. Interestingly, all copolymers exhibit a bell-shaped pH dependence for the polymer-induced LUVs leakage. The interaction of the positively charged polymers and the pH effect was also demonstrated using giant unilamellar vesicles. These copolymers inhibited bacterial growth in the micromolar range and can be used to prevent bacterial growth on surfaces.

A fluorescent (340/380 nm) photochemical product, identified at m/z 206 by mass spectrometry was obtained by photo-derivatization (15 s ultraviolet exposure) in water/acetonitrile 10/90 v/v. The photoproduct was used for indirect determination of trifloxystrobin in water and soy grape juice by high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. Separation was made under isocratic conditions (acetonitrile/water 70/30% v/v, at 1.0 mL min 1 and 35 ºC) with trifloxystrobin photo-derivative eluting at 3.2 min. The influence of ultraviolet exposure was evaluated in short and long terms with photoproduct showing stability up to 120 min after 15 s of ultraviolet exposure. The limit of detection was 57 µg L-1 in water (87-109% recoveries). For soy grape juice, dispersive liquid-liquid micro-extraction was used to clean up and for pre-concentration (limit of detection of 9.5 µg kg 1 and 93-101% recoveries) attending to the maximum residue limits for citrus juices established by regulatory agencies. Potential interference by triazoles was evaluated.

In this work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) obtained from photographic waste were synthesized and electrodeposited via cyclic voltammetry using epoxy-graphite composite as an electrochemical substrate. Both electrodes, unmodified (Epoxy/C) and modified (Epoxy/C/AgNPs), were characterized electrochemically by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), charge transfer constant (K0), and electroactive area. The modified electrode provided lower charge transfer resistance (275 Ω), more kinetically favored electron transfer (K0 = 1.15 × 10-3 cm s-1), and a 1.7-fold increase in the active area compared to the unmodified electrode. Additional characterizations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of AgNPs structures on the carbonaceous surface. As a proof of concept, Pb2+ was used as a model analyte, and a square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) method was developed to evaluate the analytical performance of both electrodes. A wider linear range (4.0 to 40.0 µg L-1), the appropriate limit of detection (1.2 µg L-1), and a 6-fold increase in sensitivity were found using the modified electrode, suggesting that the AgNPs significantly contributed to the performance of the electrode. The proposed method was applied to three real water samples, where the Pb2+ levels varied from 11.3 to 19.5 µg L-1. The proposed protocol (reuse of silver waste) has proven to be a powerful tool for improving the detection of Pb2+, which can be helpful for other electrochemical sensing applications in locations with minimal infrastructure.

This work describes the development of a platform based on bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI), sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (S-g-C3N4), and bismuth-doped sodium tantalate perovskite (Bi-NaTaO3) for zero-biased photoelectrochemical immunosensing of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) biomarker. The spectroscopic, structural, morphological, and compositional characteristics of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) materials were evaluated by Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Electrochemical impedance (EI) measurements were performed under the incidence and absence of light to investigate the effects of photons on the charge transfer resistance of the photoelectrochemical platform. The influence of the cTnI biomarker on the photoelectrochemical response of the anti-cTnI antibody-modified photoelectrochemical platform (anti-cTnI/BiOI/S-g-C3N/Bi-NaTaO3/FTO) was evaluated by measuring the photocurrent of the system. The immunosensor presented a linear response range from 1 pg mL 1 to 50 ng mL 1, mean recovery percentage between 95.98 and 99.78% in real human serum samples, and selectivity for the cTnI biomarker.

The operational conditions of β-galactosidase encapsulated in pectin-alginate hydrogel were investigated as well as its catalytic activity in the hydrolysis of lactose from whey and whole milk. β-Galactosidase encapsulated in pectin-alginate hydrogel showed the best results to yields and diffusional effect and pH range. Thermostability showed considerable income gain for half-life (1.7-fold), activation energy of denaturation (31.6-fold), activation of denaturation (217.3-fold at 40 ºC; 266.8-fold at 50 ºC; 345.6-fold at 60 ºC), and entropy of activation of denaturation (-42.0 J mol 1 K-1). Reusability of encapsulated β-galactosidase was observed in 8-cycles for the milk whey lactose hydrolysis (51.9%) and 7-cycles for whole milk (55.6%), and the lactose hydrolysis was observed in 13% in milk whey and 10.3% in whole milk after 10 cycles. These results revealed an industrial application potential of β-galactosidase encapsulated in pectin-alginate hydrogel for lactose hydrolysis of milk whey and whole milk processes.

Some of the main concerns when attempting to preserve artwork regard environmental factors, such as luminosity, temperature and, recently, even atmospheric pollution. From this perspective, volatile organic compounds (VOC) stand out due to the wide availability of contaminating sources in internal museum environments. Amongst artistic objects susceptible to VOC interference, paintings are more likely to undergo it because their stability is closely related to each component. Thus, it is crucial to comprehend the interaction between VOC and paintings, specifically those with inorganic and adhesive pigments, and evaluate changes in chromatic parameters and the formation of metallic carboxylates. Mock-ups of paintings were prepared with cadmium yellow, chromium oxide, ultramarine blue, linseed oil, and lead white or gypsum primer. Exposure was arranged within an airtight container containing a VOC-saturated atmosphere: formaldehyde, acetic acid, hexanal and 2-butanone oxime. Color alteration occurred for ultramarine blue (greenish coloration) and cadmium yellow (lost luminosity). Infrared analysis showed the formation of lead carboxylates (acetate, formate and hexanoate) in all pigments. Micrographs of ultramarine models, verified via scanning electron microscopy, showed that an otherwise flat and homogenous appearance replaced the granular aspect of the paint; the flat regions being indicative of carboxylate formation.

This work aims to evaluate, from a static and dynamic perspective, the performance of a polycarboxylic acid-based scale inhibitor in the presence of iron ions (FeIII). The static (jar test) and dynamic (tube blocking test) tests were performed according to NACE TM0197-2010 and NACE TM31105-2005 standards, respectively. The lowest inhibition concentration (LIC) was determined under flow conditions of oil wells. In addition, the influence of the concentration of FeIII ions on the precipitation process was also evaluated. The scale deposits were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrated that the scale inhibitor is chemically compatible and efficient with the selected brines, possessing a LIC of 30 mg L 1 in the absence of FeIII ions. In the presence of FeIII ions, the inhibitor proved to be inefficient and incompatible, and it was not possible to determine the LIC. The combined XRD, FTIR, and SEM analyses allowed us to identify the inhibitor’s mechanism of action as being one of complexation, poly(carboxylic acid)-Ca2+. Furthermore, analyses in the presence of FeIII ions demonstrated a significant change in the morphology of the incrustation of CaCO3 crystals. Additionally, it has been proven that FeIII ions significantly affect the performance of the inhibitor. Finally, the results indicated that in the absence of high concentrations of FeIII ions, the poly(carboxylic acid) scale inhibitors can be an option to mitigate operating costs resulting from the deposition of inorganic scale in oil wells.

Colostrum human milk samples obtained from human milk banks received different treatments and were evaluated for their proximal composition, fatty acids composition and lipid quality. The total lipids content was maintained in the treatments. There was no difference in moisture, ash, total proteins, carbohydrates and energetic value for raw colostrum human milk and pasteurized colostrum human milk, and there was difference in ash, total proteins and energetic value for freeze-dried colostrum human milk and pasteurized + freeze-dried colostrum human milk. The fatty acids composition demonstrated no difference in the processes for 14 of 31 fatty acids identified. Furthermore, lipid quality indices were obtained, which were unpublished for colostrum human milk submitted to pasteurization and freeze drying. Principal component analysis showed similar behaviors for freeze-dried colostrum human milk and pasteurized and freeze-dried colostrum human milk. So, the processes used may be promising for application in colostrum human milk, due to the maintenance of its proximal characteristics and fatty acid composition.

This investigation describes the synthesis of eugenol analogs presenting 1,2,3-triazole fragments and evaluation of their antileishmanial activity. The alkylation of guaiacol (1) with allyl bromide afforded 1-(allyloxy)-2-methoxybenzene (2) (93% yield). The Claisen rearrangement conducted with 1 gave ortho eugenol (3) (82% yield). Alkylation procedures performed with 3 produced 1-allyl-3-methoxy-2-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)benzene (4) (73% yield) and 1-allyl-3-methoxy-2-(pent-4-yn-1-yloxy)benzene (6) (53% yield). The copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reactions involving alkynes 4 and 6 with different benzylic azides afforded twenty-two eugenol analogs with 1,2,3-triazole functionalities (48-93% yield). We screened the compounds at 10 μmol L 1 against Leishmania braziliensis intracellular amastigotes during macrophage infection. The action of these compounds was compared with the known leishmanicidal drug amphotericin B. None of the analogs were toxic to macrophages at 10 μmol L-1. The cytotoxic concentration at 50% (CC50), effective concentration at 50% (EC50), and selectivity index (SI) were determined to the best compounds 4-((2-allyl-6-methoxy)phenoxymethyl)-1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-1 H-1,2,3-triazole (8c) and 4-((2-allyl-6-methoxy)phenoxymethyl)-1-(4-trifluoromethoxybenzyl)-1 H-1,2,3-triazole (8h). They showed a significant leishmanicidal effect, with EC50 of 28.09 µmol L-1 (8c) and 52.03 µmol L-1 (8h). The SIs were 9.7 for 8c and > 5.7 for 8h. These compounds have the potential as new leishmanicidal agents against L. braziliensis and may represent a starting point for the development of alternative treatments for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Crotalaria ochroleuca (Fabaceae) is rich in bioactive compounds used for nematode control. Transformed root culture allows the production of a large amount of hairy root biomass, conditioned by auxin biosynthesis-related genes integrated via the process of Agrobacterium rhizogenes infection, which is known to cause a hairy root phenotype. We transformed A. rhizogenes to increase the biomass of hairy roots and optimized the process of production of bioactive compounds. The transformed nature of hairy roots was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, which confers kanamycin resistance. The transformed roots were cultured in full-strength in liquid media to realize the growth of hairy roots and the production of bioactive compounds. The transformed roots were grown in a culture medium supplemented with elicitors to produce total phenols, and flavonoids. Chromatographic analysis of transformed roots revealed the presence of flavonoids apigenin-6,8-C-diglucoside and luteolin-6-C-glucoside. The results were obtained by conducting physiological and biochemical studies with the Flavonoids and studying the pathways that led to the production of large amounts of bioactive compounds from the hairy roots of C. ochroleuca. It was observed that the extraction of the compounds significantly affected nematodes and insect larvae, resulting in significantly high levels of economic damage to crops.

Polyimides have attracted considerable attention owing to their excellent properties; however, their hydrophilicity makes them susceptible to hydrolytic degradation. In this study, polyaryletherketones (PAEKs) with different fluorine contents were coated onto the surface of the polyimide films to fabricate the hydrophobic surface. The wettability of the films changed, with a transition from hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity, upon coating with PAEKs. Thus, the coated films exhibited low moisture absorption. Due to the excellent thermal stability of fluorinated polyaryletherketones (F-PAEKs), the coated polyimide films retained their hydrophobicity even after extreme treatment. Furthermore, the dielectric properties of the coated polyimide film were superior to those of the unmodified film. The hydrophobic polyimide film can meet the requirements of extreme environments.

Connaraceae is a plant family usually used in traditional medicine. Recently, we have reported the chemical composition and biological activity of 39 species around the world. This work highlights the application of these species to diabetes control, which has been reported at least to half of this family. In this line, there are several species of the Connaraceae without scientific evidence of traditional use, among these the four species study here. Thus, this work aims the chemical composition prospection of Connarus blanchetii, Connarus regnellii, Connarus suberosus and Rourea glazioui, as well as the identification of possible bioactivity. The leaves of these four species were collected, prepared and submitted to different extractive methods (aqueous decoction and infusion and ethanolic maceration), these being tested in a preliminary phytochemical investigation and subjected to antioxidant assay with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Then, we selected the maceration extract to continue for fractions, with the ethyl acetate and n-butanol presenting the best results with antioxidant and anti-advanced glycation end products (AGEs) activity potential. Finally, the chemical composition was determinate by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) in combination with Global Natural Products Service (GNPS) data bank. As a result, this study indicated the presence of 29 phenolics compounds with reported activity as antioxidant and with potential of protein glycation, supported the diabetes activity of this plants. The n-butanolic fraction of R. glazioui showed compounds such as apigenin, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin and chlorogenic acid, which have generated a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 36.5 µg mL 1 for oxidative glycation inhibition, being highlighted as the most active.

The Amazon suffers from the occurrence of mining along its hydrographic routes, which releases toxic substances into the aquatic environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of contamination by As and Hg that indigenous peoples are exposed to through the consumption of fish in an area impacted by mining activity in the basin of the Curuá and Baú Rivers, Altamira-PA. In total, 55 fish specimens and 30 surface water samples were collected. The decomposition of the fish samples was done by wet method with the use of nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and microwaves. The quantification of total mercury (THg) and total arsenic (TAs) was carried out by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry with vapor generation (VG-ICP OES). The methodology proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was used. The results showed that TAs presents safe levels; however, THg presents a sample with levels up to (4.6 µg g 1), exceeding the permitted levels (1 µg g 1). The risk assessment shows that only the consumption of fish, linked to Hg, represents the existence of deleterious risks to indigenous peoples (hazard quotient (HQ)) > 1). Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) in fish represents a risk to indigenous people, because of the Hg’s presence. The study identified that illegal mining activities are responsible for Hg pollution in the Baú and Curuá Rivers. The fish species analyzed can be used as bioindicators of Hg in the rivers, which is relevant for making environmental and public health policy decisions.

In this work, an iron/biochar composite was evaluated as a catalyst for 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) herbicide degradation by heterogeneous Fenton-like process. The biochar was produced from pyrolysis of coffee husks. After FeII adsorption by biochar, the material was submitted to chemical reduction, via borohydride, producing zero-valent iron nanoparticles (BIO-Fe0). The material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis, among other techniques. The BIO-Fe0 is a heterogeneous material, and the main constituent elements are carbon (C), oxygen (O), silicon (Si), sulfur (S) and iron (Fe). The dicamba degradation was monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography and biological assays using beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) as indicator species. The commercial dicamba (500 mL; 250 mg L 1) was submitted to Fenton-like process (initial pH 3.20; BIO-Fe0: 3 or 5 g; 1.00 mL H2O2 at 3.00 mmol L 1; 1.00 mL Al2(SO4)3 at 1.00 mol L 1; 25 ºC and 5 h of reaction), presenting ca. 100% of degradation. These treated solutions were used in a biological assay. The intoxication levels were less 30%. These results show that BIO-Fe0 has the potential to be used in the dicamba degradation by Fenton-like processes.

Electrospinning was used to produce poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based nanofibers containing nerolidol (NER) as the antimicrobial agent. The scanning electron microscopy results indicated the formation of homogeneous fibers in the absence of NER. However, its incorporation into the fiber prevented the complete solvent evaporation, ultimately leading to the coalescence of the fibers. It became more evident as the amount of NER increased from 0 to 50% m/v. The incorporation of NER also decreased the crystallinity of the fibers from 10 to ca. 6.5%. However, this decrease was not proportional to the concentration of NER. The contact angle results confirmed the presence of NER molecules on the surface of the fibers especially due to the increase of the contact angle from 0 (PVA/NER0) to 27.8º (PVA/NER50). The fibrous mats exhibited good antimicrobial activity, being even more efficient than the control in some cases, suggesting their potential for wound-dressing purposes.