Oil Production Towards Biofuel from Autotrophic Microalgae Semicontinuous Cultivations Monitorized by Flow Cytometry

Two microalgae species (Scenedesmus obliquus and Neochloris oleoabundans) were cultivated in closed sleeve photobioreactors in order to select the best oil producer for further large-scale open raceway pond cultivations, aiming at biofuel production. Scenedesmus obliquus reached a higher maximum biomass concentration (1.41 g l⁻¹) with a lower lipid content (12.8% w/w), as compared to N. oleoabundans [maximum biomass concentration of 0.92 g l⁻¹ with 16.5% (w/w) lipid content]. Both microalgae showed adequate fatty acid composition and iodine values as substitutes for diesel fuel. Based on these results, N. oleoabundans was selected for further open raceway pond cultivations. Under these conditions, N. oleoabundans reached a maximum biomass concentration of 2.8 g l⁻¹ with 11% (w/w) of lipid content. 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 both microalgae, making this method a suitable and quick technique for the screening of microalgae strains for lipid production and optimization of biofuel production bioprocesses. Medium growth optimization for enhancement of microalgal oil production is now in progress.     

The Cubic-Two-State Equation of State: Cross-associating mixtures and Monte Carlo study of self-associating prototypes

A new equation of state for associating fluids has recently been presented by Medeiros and Tellez-Arredondo, the Cubic-Two-State Equation of State (CTS EoS) [Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 47 (2008) 5723]. This equation arises from the coupling of the Soave–Redlich–Kwong EoS (SRK) with an association term from a two-state association model. The CTS EoS is polynomial in volume and it is able to describe vapor pressures and molar volume of associating fluids such as water, alcohol and phenol, among others. The equation is also able to describe the liquid–vapor equilibria of their mixtures with alkanes. In this paper, the physical and thermodynamic foundations of the CTS EoS are further investigated. In order to verify its applicability for cross-associating systems, the equation was employed in the prediction of phase equilibria behavior of binary alcohol–alcohol and water–alcohol mixtures. Very good agreement between predictions and experimental phase equilibria data was obtained with very simple combining rules and only one adjustable binary parameter. No additional parameters were necessary to describe ternary systems. With the purpose of checking the model's hypothesis and limitations, the two-state association term was coupled with the hard sphere Carnahan–Starling EoS, forming the CS-TS equation and the association characteristic parameters were determined theoretically for prototype association fluids. Monte Carlo NPT simulations of such fluids were performed and the results were compared with the equation's predictions. The CS-TS was able to describe qualitatively the pvT$pvT$ behavior of the prototype; nevertheless, it is not as accurate as those predictions obtained from the combination CS with Wertheim's association term. It seems that, when adjusting parameters of the CTS EoS to real substances, the discrepancies between the predicted and the real association contribution are dissipated among other adjustable parameters, specially on the dispersive term of the SRK equation. Finally, it is shown that CTS EoS isotherms can only have one or three real bigger roots than the co-volume for positive pressures, similar to cubic equations of state, and then it has the desirable form to describe vapor–liquid phase equilibria of associating compounds mixtures.     

Morphology and composition tailoring of Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript>3 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles

Nano-octahedra of cobalt ferrite Co _x Fe_3???xO₄ (1?≤?x?<?2), with a broad size distribution around 15–20 nm, were synthesized by a hydrothermal method using nitrates as precursors. For the first time, single-phased nano-octahedra of cobalt-rich ferrite Co _x Fe_3???xO₄ (x?=?1.5) were synthesized. The nano-octahedra are crystallized in a normal spinel structure, with tetrahedral sites occupied by Co²⁺. This specific octahedral shape was obtained with anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants. The nature of the surfactant influenced the chemical composition of the powder and the size of the nano-octahedra. The {100} truncation of the octahedra is more pronounced for the small particles. For the first time, single-phased nanoparticles with as much as x?=?1.8 cobalt were synthesized with ethylene glycol as solvent. These nanoparticles, around 8 nm in size, have no specific shape and possess a lacunar spinel structure similar to maghemite. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy.

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Phase amplitude decoupling in modulated structures

We examine under what conditions phase and amplitude modulations are decoupled in a modulated structure, within a Landau Ginzburg approach. For the general case of a pth order commensurability, the condition for phase amplitude decoupling depends on the leading anharmonic terms in the Landau Ginzburg free energy. For a 2Mth order leading anharmonic term, the case p = 2M is a border line case. For p > 2M, phase and amplitude are decoupled near the disordered-incommensurate transition temperature, while they are not for p < 2M. In the latter case decoupling occurs at lower temperatures. We discuss the case of deuterated thiourea, which exhibits a commensurate pinning for p = 9 at T = 191 K.     

Singlet molecular oxygen generated from lipid hydroperoxides by the russell mechanism: studies using 18(O)-labeled linoleic acid hydroperoxide and monomol light emission measurements

The decomposition of lipid hydroperoxides into peroxyl radicals is a potential source of singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) in biological systems. We report herein on evidence of the generation of (1)O(2) from lipid hydroperoxides involving a cyclic mechanism from a linear tetraoxide intermediate proposed by Russell. Using (18)O-labeled linoleic acid hydroperoxide (LA(18)O(18)OH) in the presence of Ce(4+) or Fe(2+), we observed the formation of (18)O-labeled (1)O(2) ((18)[(1)O(2)]) by chemical trapping of (1)O(2) with 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) and detected the corresponding (18)O-labeled DPA endoperoxide (DPA(18)O(18)O) by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Spectroscopic evidence for the generation of (1)O(2) was obtained by measuring (i) the dimol light emission in the red spectral region (lambda > 570 nm); (ii) the monomol light emission in the near-infrared (IR) region (lambda = 1270 nm); and (iii) the quenching effect of sodium azide. Moreover, the presence of (1)O(2) was unequivocally demonstrated by the direct spectral characterization of the near-IR light emission. For the sake of comparison, (1)O(2) deriving from the H(2)O(2)/OCl(-) and H(2)O(2)/MoO(4)(2)(-) systems or from the thermolysis of the endoperoxide of 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene was also monitored. These chemical trapping and photoemission properties clearly demonstrate that the decomposition of LA(18)O(18)OH generates (18)[(1)O(2)], consistent with the Russell mechanism and pointing to the involvement of (1)O(2) in lipid hydroperoxide mediated cytotoxicity.     

A new approach to variable selection in least squares problems

The title Lasso has been suggested by Tibshirani (1996) as acolourful name for a technique of variable selection which requiresthe minimization of a sum of squares subject to an l₁ bound on the solution. This forces zero components in the minimizingsolution for small values of . Thus this bound can functionas a selection parameter. This paper makes two contributionsto computational problems associated with implementing the Lasso:(1) a compact descent method for solving the constrained problemfor a particular value of is formulated, and (2) a homotopymethod, in which the constraint bound becomes the homotopyparameter, is developed to completely describe the possibleselection regimes. Both algorithms have a finite terminationproperty. It is suggested that modified Gram-Schmidt orthogonalizationapplied to an augmented design matrix provides an effectivebasis for implementing the algorithms.     

Physicochemical characterization of a new raw material obtained from leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Syzygium cumini</Emphasis> (L.) Skeel (Myrtaceae)

The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of leaves of Syzygium cumini L. Skeels plant and characterize the extract of this plant by analytical techniques. Pharmacopeial methods of physicochemical analysis were used, including morphological characterization of the particle, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The plant drug was presented as a coarse powder, within the appropriate Brazilian Pharmacopoeia parameters. The X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy suggested that the extract particles are amorphous and have irregular shapes, so that clusters of different sizes and morphologies are displayed. Thermal decomposition of the organic components in the sample started in a step that occurred between 151.64 and 209.27 °C with mass loss of 9.08 %, followed by another step with more significant mass loss (28.16 %). The infrared spectrum, in turn, showed many functional groups of compounds present in the lyophilized extract in different absorption bands. The results showed that the analytical techniques allowed us to characterize the physicochemical properties of the plant leaves, which may be useful in the production of new herbal medicines.     

Visible Light Photoelectrochemical Sensor for Acetaminophen Determination using a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with BiVO4 Nanoparticles

A new and simple photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor using a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) nanoparticles and dihexadecyl phosphate (DHP) film was useful for acetaminophen (AC) determination. In 0.2 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer (pH=9), the GCE without modification exhibited the smaller photocurrent (0.86 μA) when compared with GCE modified with 1.0 mg mL⁻¹ or 2.0 mg mL⁻¹ BiVO₄ nanoparticles suspension (5.9 and 34 μA, respectively). Based on the photocurrent signal generated through the interaction between GCE, BiVO₄ and the energy of visible light a chronoamperometric method for AC determination was developed. The AC linear range concentration from 0.099 to 0.99 μmol L⁻¹ and limits of detection and quantification of 0.027 and 0.091 μmol L⁻¹, respectively, was obtained. The proposed method was applied to the AC determination in commercial drugs and tap water with satisfactory accuracy and precision. Moreover, the PEC construction was easy and had a short response time, which might confer higher sample throughput for the method.     

Obtaining Bioactive Compounds from the Coffee Husk (Coffea arabica L.) Using Different Extraction Methods

Coffee husks (Coffea arabica L.) are characterized by exhibiting secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, which can be used as raw material for obtaining bioactive compounds of interest in food. The objective of this study is to evaluate different methods for obtaining the raw material and extracting solutions of bioactive compounds from coffee husks. Water bath and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods were used, using water (100%) or ethanol (100%) or a mixture of both (1:1) as extracting solutions and the form of the raw material was in natura and dehydrated. The extracts were evaluated by their antioxidant potential using DPPH radicals, ABTS, and iron reduction (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)), and later total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, and condensed tannins were quantified the phenolic majority compounds were identified. It was verified that the mixture of water and ethanol (1:1) showed better extraction capacity of the compounds with antioxidant activity and that both conventional (water bath) or unconventional (ultrasound) methods showed satisfactory results. Finally, a satisfactory amount of bioactive compounds was observed in evaluating the chemical composition (total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, condensed tannins, as well as the analysis of the phenolic profile) of these extracts. Corroborating with the results of the antioxidant activities, the best extracting solution was generally the water and ethanol mixture (1:1) using a dehydrated husk and water bath as the best method, presenting higher levels of the bioactive compounds in question, with an emphasis on chlorogenic acid. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of coffee husk as raw material to obtain extracts of bioactive compounds is promising. Last, the conventional method (water bath) and the water and ethanol mixture (1:1) stood out among the methods and extracting solutions used for the dehydrated coffee husk.