Using native plants to evaluate urban metal pollution and appoint emission sources in the Brazilian Steel Valley region.

In southeastern Brazil, the city of Ipatinga is inserted in the Steel Valley Metropolitan Region, which hosts the largest industrial complex for flat-steel production in Latin America, while also having one of the largest vehicle fleets in the entire country. Since potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are not emitted solely by industries, yet also by vehicular activity, the predominant emission source can be determined by evaluating the ratio between different elements, which are called technogenic tracers. We performed a biomonitoring assay using two tropical legumes, Paubrasilia echinata and Libidibia ferrea var.

Beyond brewing: β-acid rich hop extract in the development of a multifunctional polylactic acid-based food packaging.

Hops' (Humulus lupulus L.) phytochemicals are well known for their bioactivity. In the present study, the functional properties of hop extract rich in β-acids, as potassium-salts structures (KBA), were investigated to develop a sustainable active food packaging.

Vanadium-doped sodium phosphomolybdate salts as catalysts in the terpene alcohols oxidation with hydrogen peroxide.

In this work, we have explored the catalytic activity of Keggin-type heteropolyanions PMo V O ( = 0, 1, 2, or 3) in the form of sodium salts in green oxidation routes of terpene alcohols with hydrogen peroxide. Nerol was the model molecule selected to assess the impacts of the main reaction parameters, such as temperature, catalyst load, and stoichiometry of reactants. The impacts of the presence of vanadium at different proportions (, V, V, and V loads/per anion) in the structure of phosphomolybdate catalysts were assessed.

Leaf surface traits related to differential particle adsorption - A case study of two tropical legumes.

We aimed to test a set of epidermal traits in two legume species with contrasting chemical, physical, and micromorphological leaf-surface features to assess which ones would determine higher PM retention. For that, we performed a biomonitoring study in southeastern Brazil at the Steel Valley Metropolitan Region, where there is predominance of steel industry and one of the largest vehicle fleets in the country. A reference station was installed at a neighboring park.

Characterization of the biofilm structure and microbial diversity of sulfate-reducing bacteria from petroleum produced water supplemented by different carbon sources.

Colonization by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in environments associated with oil is mainly dependent on the availability of sulfate and carbon sources. The formation of biofilms by SRB increases the corrosion of pipelines and oil storage tanks, representing great occupational and operational risks and respective economic losses for the oil industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the addition of acetate, butyrate, lactate, propionate and oil on the structure of biofilm formed in carbon steel coupons, as well as on the diversity of total bacteria and SRB in the planktonic and sessile communities from petroleum produced water.

Comparison of stress conditions to induce viable but non-cultivable state in Salmonella.

Salmonella can enter on the viable but non-culturable state (VBNC), characterized by the loss of ability to grow in routine culture media hindering detection by conventional methods and underestimation of the pathogen. Despite advances in research done so far, studies comparing conditions that lead Salmonella into the VBNC state are scarce. The main objective of this study was to evaluate different stresses to induce Salmonella to the VNBC state.

Preparation and evaluation of hydrocalumite-iron oxide magnetic intercalated with dodecyl sulfate for removal of agrichemicals.

The magnetic adsorbent prepared with hydrocalumite-iron oxide (HC/Fe) modified with dodecyl sulfate (DS) was examined for the removal of the agrichemicals atrazine (ATZ) and chlorpyrifos (CPF) from aqueous solution. The adsorbent HC-DS/Fe was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and atomic absorption spectrometry. The effects of adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH and initial concentration of ATZ and CPF were evaluated.

Prenylated flavonoid-enriched fraction from Maclura tinctoria shows biological activity against Staphylococcus aureus and protects Galleria mellonella larvae from bacterial infection.

Background: The Atlantic Forest biome extends along the entire Brazilian coast and is home to approximately 20,000 plant species, many of which are endemic; it is considered one of the hotspot regions of the planet. Several of these species are sources of natural products with biological activities that are still unknown. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of 90 extracts derived from native Atlantic Forest tree species against Staphylococcus aureus, an important human and veterinary pathogen.

Study of the structural properties of goat's milk chocolates with different concentrations of cocoa mass.

The objective of this study was to assess the microstructural characteristics of goat's milk chocolates formulated with different concentrations of cocoa mass by rheological measurements and microscopy. For rheological characterization, rotational and oscillatory tests were performed, while crystal morphology was observed by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and 3D optical profilometer. It was verified that the chocolates presented pseudoplastic and thixotropic behavior.

Physical-mechanical and antimicrobial properties of nanocomposite films with pediocin and ZnO nanoparticles.

This work aimed to develop nanocomposite films of methyl cellulose (MC) incorporated with pediocin and zinc oxide nanoparticles (nanoZnO) using the central composite design and response surface methodology. This study evaluated film physical-mechanical properties, including crystallography by X-ray diffraction, mechanical resistance, swelling and color properties, microscopy characterization, thermal stability, as well as antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. NanoZnO and pediocin affected the crystallinity of MC.

Bactericidal activity of ethanolic extracts of propolis against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitic cows.

Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen for both humans and animals, and it has been an ubiquitous etiological agent of bovine mastitis in dairy farms worldwide. Elimination of S. aureus with classic antibiotics is difficult, and the current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) against S.

Assessment of hydrophobicity and roughness of stainless steel adhered by an isolate of Bacillus cereus from a dairy plant.

The interaction between the surface of stainless steel and Bacillus cereus was studied in terms of the characteristics of interfacial interaction determined from the measurement of the contact angle of the surface of B. cereus and stainless steel in the presence or absence of B. cereus adherence.