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Liming acid soils is fundamental for agricultural activity such as the study and characterization of alternative liming material. The objective of this study was to characterize biological, sedimentary, and metamorphic limestones. The following limestones were studied: biogenic (BL), sedimentary (SL), commercial (CL), and marble (ML). This study evaluated total relative neutralizing power (TRNP), chemical composition, specific surface area, and Ca2+and Mg2+release at concentrations of 0.10, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 mol L-1 HCl, in addition to the effects on the soil 90 days after limestone application. The Si identified contributed to the lower TRNP of BL (73.7%) and CL (74.4%). At the lowest HCl concentrations, BL was the most reactive, but with an increase in concentration, ML became the most reactive. The highest CaO (58.32%) and MgO (13.05%) levels were observed in SL and ML, respectively, which contained the highest Ca2+(3.95 cmolcdm^-3) and Mg2+ (1.09 cmolcdm^-3) concentrations when applied to the soil. All the limestones increased pH and lowered soil H+Al. Soil Ca2+and Mg2+were influenced by the composition of the amendments.

ABSTRACT Liming acid soils is fundamental for agricultural activity such as the study and characterization of alternative liming material. The objective of this study was to characterize biological, sedimentary, and metamorphic limestones. The following limestones were studied: biogenic (BL), sedimentary (SL), commercial (CL), and marble (ML). This study evaluated total relative neutralizing power (TRNP), chemical composition, specific surface area, and Ca2+and Mg2+release at concentrations of 0.10, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 mol L-1 HCl, in addition to the effects on the soil 90 days after limestone application. The Si identified contributed to the lower TRNP of BL (73.7%) and CL (74.4%). At the lowest HCl concentrations, BL was the most reactive, but with an increase in concentration, ML became the most reactive. The highest CaO (58.32%) and MgO (13.05%) levels were observed in SL and ML, respectively, which contained the highest Ca2+(3.95 cmolcdm-3) and Mg2+ (1.09 cmolcdm-3) concentrations when applied to the soil. All the limestones increased pH and lowered soil H+Al. Soil Ca2+and Mg2+were influenced by the composition of the amendments. RESUMO A correção da acidez é fundamental para a atividade agrícola em solos ácidos, assim como a caracterização e estudo do efeito no solo de fontes alternativas de corretivos. Objetivou-se caracterizar os calcários de origem biológica, sedimentar e metamórfica. Os calcários estudados foram: biogênico (CB), sedimentar (CS), comercial (CC) e o mármore (CM). Foram avaliados: poder relativo de neutralização total (PRNT); composição química; área superficial específica e liberação de Ca2+ e Mg2+ nas concentrações de 0,10; 0,50; 1,00 e 2,00 mol L-1 de HCl e os efeitos no solo, após 90 dias da aplicação dos calcários. O Si identificado contribuiu para o menor PRNT do CB (73,7%) e CC (74,4%). Nas menores concentrações de HCl, o CB mostrou-se mais reativo, porém com o aumento da concentração do HCl, o CM passou a ser mais reativo. Os maiores teores de CaO (58,32%) e MgO (13,05%) foram observados no CS e CM, respectivamente, que contribuíram com maiores aportes de Ca2+ (3,95 cmolc dm-3) e Mg2+ (1,09 cmolc dm-3), quando aplicados ao solo. Todos os calcários promoveram elevação do pH e redução do H+Al no solo. Os teores de Ca2+ e Mg2+ no solo foram influenciados pela composição dos corretivos.

Contextualización: La recuperación de variedades tradicionales de manzana es una acción muy importante en el ámbito de la conservación de los recursos fitogenéticos, a nivel local. Vacío de conocimiento: sin embargo, las variedades tradicionales tienen propiedades específicas y poco comunes que las pueden hacer interesantes en comparación con las variedades comerciales, pero han sido pocas las investigaciones que describan sus características de calidad. Propósito: El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar las características fisicoquímicas de siete variedades de manzana establecidas en el municipio de Tibaná, Boyacá. Metodología: Se determinó el peso (g), color de la epidermis, firmeza del fruto (N), solidos solubles totales (°Brix), pH, acidez total titulable (ATT), relación de madurez y potencial agroindustrial. Resultados y conclusiones: Los resultados indican que “Winter Banana” presentó el mayor contenido de sólidos solubles y la menor dureza de fruto. “Dorset Golden” tuvo el más alto valor de pH y la relación de madurez. “Anna” presentó la mayor acidez y “Pensilvania” fue la de mayor tamaño. Por su parte, se determinó que “Dorset Golden” y “Winter Banana” se perfilan como las variedades con las mejores características fisicoquímicas para los procesos de industrialización.

The conversion of biomass waste into an alternative energy source requires effective and efficient hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) catalysts. This research aimed to synthesize a bifunctional zeolite-based catalyst for anisole conversion into BTX. The noble metal Cu was impregnated on HZSM-5, mordenite, and Indonesian activated natural zeolite (ANZ) to form HDO catalysts. X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface area and pore profile analysis, Fourier transform infrared analysis, ammonia-temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), pyridine gravimetry, morphology, and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersion elemental mapping (SEM-EDX) were used to determine the catalyst's properties. The HDO reaction test used anisole as a model compound in a semi-flow reactor with hydrogen gas at 350 and 500 °C for 1 h. Copper nanocrystals were found on the surface of the zeolites in several metal phase types, including Cu, Cu2O, CuO, and Cu(OH)2. Due to the copper bonds inside the zeolite pores, the internal pore surface area decreased. The acidity also decreased since it is strongly related to the surface area. At 350 °C, Cu was found to be less active. However, at 500 °C, copper activity increased, leading to an increase in anisole conversion and BTX selectivity. The catalyst with the highest anisole conversion and BTX selectivity was Cu/HZSM-5 (i.e., 53.28 and 13.06% v, respectively).

ABSTRACT Cassava processing wastewater has a low Volatile Acidity/Total Alkalinity ratio, low buffering capacity and became quickly acidified. In this trial, dolomitic limestone was used as an alkalizing agent in an anaerobic reactor to treat cassava starch wastewater. The dolomitic limestone contained 27% CaO and 23% MgO and granulometry between 24.5 and 38.1 mm. The average Chemical Oxygen Demand of the wastewater was 13331.30 mgO2 L-1, the organic loading rates (OLR) ranged from 1.23 to 16.43 gCOD L-1 d-1 and the hydraulic retention times ranged from 10.00 to 0.80 days. The results showed that the calcium concentrations increased in the reactor effluent and the magnesium concentrations decreased as the organic loading rates increased. Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations were approximately 5,000 and 5.05 times greater in the sludge than in the inoculum, respectively. The average pH, Total alcalinity, Volatile Acidity and Volatile Acidity/ Total alcalinity values were 6.69, 882.54 mgCaCO3 L-1, 221.55 mgCH3COOH L-1 and 0.22, respectively. The loss of limestone mass corresponded to only 2.51% of the initial mass, after 134 days of anaerobic reactor operation. Finally, it was concluded that the limestone effectively controlled acidification through the alkalinity increased in the system. RESUMO A água residuária do processamento da mandioca tem baixa relação Acidez Volátil/Alcalinidade Total, baixa capacidade de tamponamento e torna-se rapidamente acidificada. Neste ensaio, calcário dolomítico foi usado como um agente alcalinizante em um reator anaeróbio para tratar a água residuária de fecularia. O calcário dolomítico continha 27% de CaO e 23% MgO e granulometria entre 24,5 e 38,1 mm. A Demanda Química de Oxigênio média do efluente era 13.331,30 mgO2 L-1, as taxas de cargas orgânicas variaram de 1,23 a 16,43 gDQO L-1 d-1 e o tempo de retenção hidráulica variou de 10,00 a 0,80 dias. Os resultados mostraram que concentração de cálcio aumentou no efluente do reator e as concentrações de magnésio diminuíram com o aumento da carga orgânica. As concentrações de Ca2+ e Mg2+ eram de aproximadamente 5,000 e 5,05 vezes maiores no lodo do que no inóculo, respectivamente. O pH, alcalinidade total, acidez volátil e acidez volátil / alcalinidade total foram 6,69, 882,54 mgCaCO3 L-1, 221,55 mgCH3COOH L-1 e 0,22, respectivamente. A perda de massa do calcário correspondeu a apenas 2,51% da massa inicial, após 134 dias de operação do reator anaeróbio. Finalmente, concluiu-se que o calcário controlada eficazmente acidificação através do incremento de alcalinidade no sistema.

Background: much recent attention has been devoted to the genuine value of Bacillus species as multifunctional probiotic products, which produce various extracellular enzymes that enhance feed digestibility as well as many antimicrobial compounds for the purpose of improving animal performance. Objective: to describe novel, in vitro potential probiotic properties such as acid tolerance, bile tolerance, safety, and antimicrobial activity of mesophilic and psychrophilic Bacillus strains in conjunction with their extracellular enzymatic activities. Methods: four Bacillus strains (B. sp. T3, B. sp. T4, B. sp. SM2, and B. sp. JSP1) isolated from different sources were used. Strains were identified according to 16S rDNA sequences. Escherichia coli K88, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella enteritidis KCCM 12021, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus were used as indicator bacteria for the antimicrobial activity trial. Strains were activated and cultured in tryptic soy broth (pH 7.0) or broth solidified with 1.5% agar. Results: B. sp. JSP1 was fully resistant to both pH 2 and 3, whereas B. sp. SM2 showed relatively good viability at pH 3. All strains tolerated oxgall (0.3%) bile salt and were not cytotoxic to the HEK 293 human embryonic kidney cells. Three strains, except B. sp. T3, displayed differential production of extracellular enzymes including amylase, xylanase, cellulase, protease, phytase, and α-galactosidase. In particular, B. sp. SM2 inhibited six indicator pathogens: Escherichia coli K88, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella enteritidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: the single use of B. sp. SM2 or the mixed use of the strain combined with acid or bile tolerant Bacillus strains secreting extracellular enzymes may be an alternative to antibiotics as a feed additive in farm animal production. Antecedentes: o valor das espécies de Bacillus como produtos probióticos multifuncionais tem recebido bastante atenção recentemente, devido a que produzem várias enzimas extracelulares que potenciam a digestibilidade dos alimentos, como também compostos antimicrobianos que melhoram o desempenho do animal. Objetivo: descrever e avaliar as propriedades potenciais ''in vitro'' - como acidez, tolerância à bile, segurança e atividade antimicrobial- de quatro cepas de Bacilos (B. sp. T3, B. sp. T4, B. sp. SM2, and B. sp. JSP1) isoladas de diferentes fontes, em conjunto com as suas atividades enzimáticas extracelulares. Métodos: foram usadas quatro cepas de Bacillus (B. sp. T3, B. sp. T4, B. sp. SM2, and B. sp. JSP1) isoladas de diferentes fontes. As cepas foram identificadas de acordo às sequências 16S rDNA. As seguintes bactérias foram empregadas como indicadoras no teste de atividade antimicrobiana: Escherichia coli K88, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella enteritidis KCCM 12021, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, y Staphylococcus aureus. As cepas foram ativadas e cultivadas em caldo soja tripticase (pH 7.0) ou caldo solidificado com 1.5 de Agar. Resultados: o B. sp. JSP1 foi totalmente resistente tanto no pH 2.0 como no pH 3.0, enquanto que o B. sp. SM2 mostrou viabilidade relativamente alta no pH 3.0. Todas as cepas toleraram oxgall (0.3%) de sais biliares e não foram citotóxicas para as células humanas HEK 293 de rim embrionário. Tres cepas, com exceção de B. sp. T3, apresentaram produção diferenciada de enzimas extracelulares -incluindo amilase, xilanase, celulase, protease, fitase e α-galactosidase. Particularmente, o B. sp, SM2 inibiu seis indicadores patógenos (Escherichia coli K88, E. coli O157: H7, Salmonella enteritidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes y Staphylococcus aureus). Conclusões: O uso específico de B. sp. SM2 ou o uso combinado desta cepa junto com as cepas secretoras de enzimas extracelulares e tolerantes a ácidos ou bile, pode ser uma alternativa para substituir os antibióticos frequentemente usados como aditivos na alimentação animal. Antecedentes: recientemente el valor de las especies de Bacillus como productos probióticos multifuncionales ha recibido bastante atención, debido a que estos producen varias enzimas extracelulares que potencian la digestibilidad de los alimentos, así como también compuestos antimicrobianos que mejoran el desempeño del animal. Objetivo: describir y evaluar potenciales propiedades probióticas ''in vitro'' -tales como acidez, tolerancia a la bilis, seguridad y actividad antimicrobiana- de cuatro cepas de Bacilos (B. sp. T3, B. sp. T4, B. sp. SM2 y B. sp. JSP1) aisladas de diferentes fuentes, en conjunción con sus actividades enzimáticas extracelulares. Métodos: se usaron cuatro cepas de Bacillus (B. sp. T3, B. sp. T4, B. sp. SM2, and B. sp. JSP1) aisladas de diferentes fuentes. Las cepas se identificaron de acuerdo a secuencias 16S rDNA. Escherichia coli K88, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella enteritidis KCCM 12021, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, y Staphylococcus aureus fueron empleadas como bacterias indicadoras para el ensayo de actividad antimicrobiana. Las cepas fueron activadas y cultivadas en caldo soya tripticasa (PH 7.0) o caldo solidificado con 1.5% de agar. Resultados: el B. sp. JSP1 resultó totalmente resistente tanto a pH 2 como a pH 3, mientras que el B. sp. SM2 mostró viabilidad relativamente alta a pH 3. Todas las cepas toleraron oxgall (0.3%) de sales biliares y no resultaron citotóxicas para las células humanas HEK 293 de riñón embrionario. Tres cepas, con excepción de B. sp. T3, presentaron producción diferencial de enzimas extracelulares -incluyendo amilasa, xilanasa, celulasa, proteasa, fitasa y α-galactosidasa. En particular, el B. sp. SM2 inhibió seis indicadores patógenos (Escherichia coli K88, E. coli O157: H7, Salmonella enteritidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes y Staphylococcus aureus). Conclusiones: el uso específico de B. sp. SM2, o el uso combinado de esta cepa junto con cepas secretoras de enzimas extracelulares y tolerantes a ácidos o bilis puede ser una alternativa para reemplazar los antibióticos frecuentemente usados como aditivos en alimentación animal.

Oleoresin is obtained via tapping of living pine trees and as a byproduct of Kraft process in the pulp industry. Its low cost of production becomes it in an attractive source for biofuels. Oleoresin is composed mainly by rosin (around 80%, a solid mixture of isomeric abietic acids), and cannot be used directly as fuel in engines. Conversely, the methyl ester of rosin has lower boiling and melting points than rosin and posseses high solubulity in hydrocarbons. Esterification of rosin with methyl alcohol was evaluated over acid and basic heterogeneous catalysts in the presence of several solvents. In contrast to acid catalysts, basic materials were active in the reaction. In particular, a low-cost calcium-based material showed the best performance. Conversion of rosin of 55% with a complete selectivity to methyl esters was obtained with 40% wt. loading of the calcium-based material (respect to rosin) and mild conditions (atmospheric pressure, 64 °C and 3.5 h) and without solvent. Other catalysts, such as magnesium oxide, titanium dioxide and alumina, achieved up to 30% conversion. The calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide were the main phases in the calcium-based material, suggesting that the strength of basic sites can be an important property of the catalyst activity. Calcium-based material was reused in five reaction cycles, obtaining a significant reduction in the activity that was attributed to catalyst poison and insufficient after treatments.

Cleft grafting methods were applied in order to evaluate the effect of grafting on tomato fruit yield and quality. The tomato cultivars used as scions were Yeni Talya, Swanson and Beri. The cultivars Beaufort and Arnold were used as rootstocks. The following characteristics of grafted and nongrafted plants were recorded: fruit index, number of fruits/truss, fruit weight, fruit yield, dry matter, pH, concentration of soluble solids, titratable acidity, concentrations of total sugar, lycopene and vitamin C. The results showed that fruit yield and fruit index, number of fruits/truss and fruit weights were improved by grafting. Fruit quality, measured in terms of concentrations of dry matter, soluble solids, total sugar, and vitamin C, was lower in grafted plants than in nongrafted ones. No significant difference in lycopene level and pH was found. Titratable acidity was improved by grafting. A positive effect of grafting was recorded when Beaufort was used as rootstock. These results showed that grafting could be an advantageous alternative in tomato production.

Currently, different waxes are being developed by hydrogenation of palm oil. However, the products obtained do not reach the melting point and hardness conditions required cosmetic industry. Therefore, this article evaluated a solvent-free crystallization process to increase the melting temperature and the mass yields of the bio-wax required to meet the market specifications. The operating temperature range was determined by DSC and X-ray diffraction. Once the crystallization points were known, the sample was heated to 50 °C and then cooled to 40 °C for bio-wax 1 and 30 °C for bio-wax 2; at this temperature two fractions (liquid and solid) were obtained. Following this procedure, a solid fraction was obtained with an increase in the melting point from 47 °C to 49° C for bio-wax 1 and from 45 °C to 47 °C for bio-wax 2. The crystallization process does not separate the different families of compounds in the bio-wax fractions, so there are not significant changes in the acidity, saponification and iodine index parameters. Future research on other complementary refining techniques such as neutralization and bleaching, will allow bio-wax reach international quality criteria for cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. actualmente, se están produciendo ceras por hidrotratamiento de aceite de palma, sin embargo, los productos obtenidos no siempre alcanzan las condiciones de punto de fusión y dureza requeridas por la industria cosmética. Debido a esta problemática, el interés de este trabajo fue evaluar un proceso de cristalización sin solvente con el objetivo de incrementar la temperatura de fusión y los rendimientos másicos de la biocera, acercándolos a los intervalos de los valores de las propiedades fisicoquímicas que requiere el mercado. Para cumplir con este propósito, se determinó el rango operativo de la temperatura de cristalización por calorimetría diferencial de barrido (dsc) y difracción de rayos X (drx). Una vez conocidos los puntos de cristalización, se procedió a calentar la muestra hasta los 50 °C y seguidamente se realizó un enfriamiento controlado hasta que la biocera 1 alcanzara los 40 °C para y de 30 °C para la biocera 2, y a estas temperaturas se consiguieron dos fracciones (líquida y sólida). Las fracciones sólidas presentaron un incremento en la temperatura de fusión de 47 °C a 49 °C para la biocera 1, y de 45 ºC a 47 ºC para la biocera 2. El proceso de cristalización no separó las diferentes familias de compuestos presentes en las bioceras, por lo que no se evidenciaron cambios significativos en los parámetros índice de acidez, saponificación y yodo. Además, futuras investigaciones en otras técnicas de refinación complementarias a la cristalización, como neutralización y decoloración, permitirán a la biocera de palma cumplir con los criterios de calidad internacionales para ser utilizada como ingrediente en las industrias cosmética y farmacéutica.

Madeira wine is an internationally recognized fortified wine, characterized by a complex flavour and high longevity. Little is known about the impact of volatile acidity in its features along ageing. Thus, this work studied the evolution of acetic acid and ethyl acetate (volatile acidity main contributors) during the ageing processes used in Madeira wine production, canteiro and estufagem. Wines aged in canteiro for 6 up to 45 years were also evaluated. The odour rejection thresholds (ORT) were assessed in sweet (Malvasia) and dry (Sercial) wines with 5 and 10 years old, by a regular consumer panel and a non-regular consumer panel. The results showed that the formation trend of acetic acid and ethyl acetate is similar in both ageing processes and is favoured by the ageing, mostly in sweet wines. The ORT of ethyl acetate was in average 328 mg/L for both panels, while for acetic acid ranged between 1.96 and 5.72 g/L, depending on the evaluation panel and also on the age and sweetness degree of the Madeira wine. The ORT values expressed in volatile acidity ranged between 1.4 and 3.5 g/L, which are higher than the legal limits. The study pointed out that the olfactory perception of acetic acid and ethyl acetate in Madeira wines depends on their age and sweetness degree.