Synthesis of Nb2O5·nH2O nanoparticles by water-in-oil microemulsion

Hydrous niobium oxide (Nb₂O₅·nH₂O) nanoparticles had been successfully prepared by water-in-oil microemulsion. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG/DTG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), BET surface area measurement, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the nanoparticle was exactly Nb₂O₅·nH₂O with spherical shape. Their BET surface area was 60 m² g⁻¹. XRD results showed that Nb₂O₅·nH₂O nanoparticles with crystallite size in nanometer scale were formed. The crystallinity and crystallity size increased with increasing annealing temperature. TT-phase of Nb₂O₅ was obtained when the sample is annealed at 550 °C.     

Nitrogen Source Optimization for Cellulase Production by Penicillium funiculosum, using a Sequential Experimental Design Methodology and the Desirability Function

The present study aimed at maximizing cellulase production by Penicillium funiculosum using sequential experimental design methodology for optimizing the concentrations of nitrogen sources. Three sequential experimental designs were performed. The first and the second series of experiments consisted of a 2⁴ and a 2³ factorial designs, respectively, and in the third one, a central composite rotational design was used for better visualizing the optimum conditions. The following nitrogen sources were evaluated: urea, ammonium sulfate, peptone, and yeast extract. Peptone and ammonium sulfate were removed from the medium optimization since they did not present significant statistical effect on cellulase production. The optimal concentrations of urea and yeast extract predicted by the model were 0.97 and 0.36 g/L, respectively, which were validated experimentally. By the use of the desirability function, it was possible to maximize the three main enzyme activities simultaneously, which resulted in values for FPase of 227 U/L, for CMCase of 6,917 U/L, and for β-glucosidase of 1,375 U/L. These values corresponded to increases of 3.3-, 3.2-, and 6.7-folds, respectively, when compared to those obtained in the first experimental design. The results showed that the use of sequential experimental designs associated to the use of the desirability function can be used satisfactorily to maximize cellulase production by P. funiculosum.     

Biodiesel Production from Integration Between Reaction and Separation System: Reactive Distillation Process

Biodiesel is a clean burning fuel derived from a renewable feedstock such as vegetable oil or animal fat. It is biodegradable, non-inflammable, non-toxic, and produces lesser carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and unburned hydrocarbons than petroleum-based fuel. The purpose of the present work is to present an efficient process using reactive distillation columns applied to biodiesel production. Reactive distillation is the simultaneous implementation of reaction and separation within a single unit of column. Nowadays, it is appropriately called “Intensified Process”. This combined operation is especially suited for the chemical reaction limited by equilibrium constraints, since one or more of the products of the reaction are continuously separated from the reactants. This work presents the biodiesel production from soybean oil and bioethanol by reactive distillation. Different variables affect the conventional biodiesel production process such as: catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, level of agitation, ethanol/soybean oil molar ratio, reaction time, and raw material type. In this study, the experimental design was used to optimize the following process variables: the catalyst concentration (from 0.5 wt.% to 1.5 wt.%), the ethanol/soybean oil molar ratio (from 3:1 to 9:1). The reactive column reflux rate was 83 ml/min, and the reaction time was 6 min.     

Using Multi-parameter Flow Cytometry to Monitor the Yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodotorula glutinis</Emphasis> CCMI 145 Batch Growth and Oil Production Towards Biodiesel

Multi-parameter flow cytometry was used to monitor cell intrinsic light scatter, viability, and lipid content of Rhodotorula glutinis CCMI 145 cells grown in shake flasks. Changes in the side light scatter and forward light scatter were detected during the yeast batch growth, which were attributed to the different yeast growth phases. A progressive increase in the proportion of cells stained with PI (cells with permeabilized cytoplasmic membrane) was observed during the yeast growth, attaining 79% at the end of the fermentation. A high correlation between the Nile Red fluorescence intensity measured by flow cytometry and total lipid content assayed by the traditional gravimetric lipid analysis was found for this yeast, making this method a suitable and quick technique for the screening of yeast strains for lipid production and optimization of biofuel production bioprocesses. Medium growth optimization for enhancement of the yeast oil production is now in progress.     

Simultaneous determination of polyether ionophores, macrolides and lincosamides in hen eggs by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry using a simple solvent extraction

A liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of residues of 6 polyether ionophores (lasalocid, maduramicin, monensin, narasin, salinomycin, semduramicin), 3 macrolides (erythromycin, tylosin, clarithromycin) and 1 lincosamide (lincomycin) in eggs. Nigericin was used as qualitative internal standard. Samples were deproteinizated/extracted with acetonitrile without pH adjustments. Aliquots of the extracts were evaporated and reconstituted for injection in the instrument operated in positive multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The stability of the antibiotics and the intensity of the formed ions were considered in order to select a suitable solvent for the reconstitution of the obtained dry extracts. No clean-up steps were required and matrix effects were controlled by sample dilution, selection of appropriate chromatographic conditions and reduced injection volume. Good within-laboratory reproducibility was obtained, with relative standard deviations (RSD(R)) from 4.0 (semduramicin at 5 μgkg(-1)) to 18.6 (erythromycin at 25 μgkg(-1)) for the ionophores and macrolides. Lincomycin showed the least precise results, with a maximum RSD(R) of 20.2% at 75 μgkg(-1)). Satisfactory decision limits (CCα) and detection capabilities (CCβ) were also attained. Method limits of detection (LODs) from 0.04 (salinomycin) to 1.6 μgkg(-1) (lincomycin) were achieved. Method limits of quantification (LOQs) were from 0.14 to 5.3 μgkg(-1) for the same drugs, respectively. All the LOQs, except that obtained for maduramicin were remarkably below the lowest validation level. The proposed method is suitable for routine application in commercial egg samples.     

Molecular energetics of 4-methyldibenzothiophene: An experimental study

The standard ($p^{°}=0.1\text{MPa}$) molar enthalpy of formation of 4-methyldibenzothiophene, in the gaseous phase, at T = 298.15 K, was derived from the combination of the values of the standard molar enthalpy of formation, in the crystalline phase, at T = 298.15 K, and the standard molar enthalpy of sublimation, at the same temperature. The standard molar enthalpy of formation in the crystalline phase, determined from the standard massic energy of combustion, in oxygen, is (70.9 ± 4.8) kJ · mol^?1 and was measured by rotating-bomb combustion calorimetry. From Calvet microcalorimetry measurements, the standard molar enthalpy of sublimation obtained is (90.3 ± 0.7) kJ · mol^?1.     

Energetic studies of urea derivatives: Standard molar enthalpy of formation of 3,4,4′-trichlorocarbanilide

Thermochemical and thermophysical studies have been carried out for crystalline 3,4,4′-trichlorocarbanilide. The standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpy of formation, at T = 298.15 K, for the crystalline 3,4,4′-trichlorocarbanilide (TCC) was experimentally determined using rotating-bomb combustion calorimetry, as ?(234.6 ± 8.3) kJ · mol^?1. The standard enthalpy of sublimation, at the reference temperature of 298.15 K, was measured by the vacuum drop microcalorimetric technique, using a High Temperature Calvet Microcalorimeter as (182.1 ± 1.7) kJ · mol^?1. These two thermochemical parameters yielded the standard molar enthalpy of formation of the studied compound, in the gaseous phase, at T = 298.15 K, as ?(52.5 ± 8.5) kJ · mol^?1. This parameter was also calculated by computational thermochemistry at M05-2X/6-311++G7 and B3LYP/6-311++G(3df, 2p) levels, with a deviation less than 4.5 kJ · mol^?1 from experimental value. Moreover, the thermophysical study was made by differential scanning calorimetry, DSC, over the temperature interval between T = 263 K and its onset fusion temperature, T = (527.5 ± 0.4) K. A solid–solid phase transition was found at T = (428 ± 1) K, with the enthalpy of transition of (6.1 ± 0.1) kJ · mol^?1. The X-ray crystal structure of TCC was determined and the three-centred N–H?OC hydrogen bonds present analyzed.     

Efficient kinetic resolution of (±)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3,6-di-O-benzyl-myo-inositol with the lipase B of Candida antarctica

(±)-1,2-O-Isopropylidene-3,6-di-O-benzyl-myo-inositol is a relevant starting material in the synthesis of inositol phosphates and their analogs. In this study, we disclose our efforts toward an efficient methodology for the kinetic resolution of this compound by lipase B of Candida antarctica (Novozym 435). This reaction selectively affords L-(?)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-acetyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-myo-inositol. From a conversion of 34% with EtOAc as an acylating agent, the use of vinyl acetate increased the yield to over 49%, while maintaining a very high ee (>99%). The combination of the latter reagent with TBME as a solvent accelerates the reaction.