Abstract in English:

Food quality is a parameter determined by consumer acceptability, which can be influenced by various factors, including the oxidation of food components. To preserve food quality and prevent oxidation, the food industry has adopted several preservation techniques, including the use of natural antioxidants in biodegradable food packaging. Sustainable packaging significantly reduces the environmental impact caused by traditional packaging derived from fossil fuels and is correlated with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to these materials, natural antioxidants (polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins, and essential oils) are incorporated to neutralize free radicals that cause food oxidation, thereby extending the shelf life of food products while also offering health benefits to consumers. Natural antioxidants can exhibit color changes in response to pH variations in food, adding value to the packaging and providing consumers with a visual freshness indicator during storage. This review discusses the classification, extraction methods, and mechanisms of action of natural antioxidants, emphasizing their applicability and compatibility with biodegradable polymers, as well as their effectiveness as active packaging for various food products, providing barrier properties, stability, and enhanced sensory characteristics.

Abstract in English:

Air quality in urban centers has received attention worldwide due to high air pollution levels. Inorganic nitrogen compounds and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) have been prominent in urban areas. They participate intensely in various reactions in the atmosphere, forming secondary pollutants. This review includes advances in the understanding of the atmospheric composition when it approaches to recent information on reactions involving specific compounds, as well as ozone formation potential and gas-particulate interactions, discussed in studies found in the literature about the subject. In addition, it discusses emission sources, behavior in the atmosphere, effects on human health, typical levels of atmospheric concentrations and trends. It is also concluded that additional studies are still needed regarding the mechanisms of interaction between chemical species and the effects on population health and the environment, as well as the influence of these compounds on the formation of non-legislated or poorly investigated toxic contaminants.

Abstract in English:

A survey of the literature reveals that both coumarin and the 1,2,3-triazole nucleus have important and well-recognized biological and pharmaceutical activities. Furthermore, these fused scaffolds have demonstrated biological significance, making the design and development of coumarin-1,2,3-triazole hybrids a topic of great interest in the field of synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry. The wide-ranging applications of coumarin and triazole have stimulated interest among researchers to develop various methodologies for synthesizing new molecules incorporating these moieties. Consequently, numerous research and review articles have been published on the subject. In this review, we present some research conducted over the past five years on bioactive coumarin-1,2,3-triazole hybrids, with an emphasis on the synthesis of these compounds and their biological applications in the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Abstract in English:

Heavy metal pollution, particularly cadmium (CdII) and chromium (CrIII, VI), constitutes a critical environmental and public health crisis due to their acute toxicity and persistence, long-term effects on ecosystems and human health. Addressing these challenges necessitates the development of highly efficient and reliable methods for detecting and removing these harmful ions. This review offers a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge advancements in colorimetric and fluorescent hybrid sensors designed for the detection and removal of CdII and CrIII,VI ions from contaminated water. These sensors, which combine exceptional selectivity, sensitivity, and real-time detection capabilities, hold great promise for accurately monitoring trace concentrations of toxic CdII and CrIII, VI ions. Furthermore, the review explores the composition and design of dual-function sensors, highlighting recent breakthroughs in hybrid sensor technologies that integrate inorganic and organic materials to enhance sensor performance in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, and dynamic monitoring. It also emphasizes significant progress in the development of dual-function sensors optimized for both the removal and detection of CdII and CrIII, VI ions. Despite these advancements, challenges related to scalability, cost, and long-term durability persist. The review concludes with a forward-looking perspective, proposing directions for future research, particularly focusing on the integration of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence to further enhance sensor performance and expand their practical applications. This review aims to provide critical insights and guidance for advancing the development of hybrid sensing materials, contributing to improved environmental monitoring and water purification efforts for cleaner, safer water sources worldwide.

Abstract in English:

Air pollution can expose the population to severe respiratory problems. Fibrous filters, such as those obtained by electrospinning nanofibers, have the potential to improve the filtration performance of standard filters. The aim of this work was to produce and evaluate the electrospinning of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (P(VP-co-VAc)) on a nonwoven polypropylene (PP) substrate. The insertion of Methylene Blue (MB) is supported for photodynamic effects. P(VP-co-VAc) and PCL were electrospun on the substrate at fixed times. Filtration performance was determined by measuring pressure drop and aerosol particle and collection efficiency. The photosensitive activity was evaluated by the indirect uric acid decay method. P(VP-co-VAc) did not maintain the fiber structure and formed nanoprotrusion filters. PCL should have its electrospinning parameters improved. MB provided the fiber with photosensitive characteristics for up to 60 min. With improvements in electrospinning parameters and together with MB, the filters have great potential for use in mask coatings.

Abstract in English:

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted significant attention due to their high solar-to-electrical energy conversion, low cost, and potential scalability. The main drawbacks of this technology are environmental and health aspects of its production that typically relies on harmful solvents, like dimethylformamide (DMF) and chlorobenzene. In this work, PSCs based on methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) were prepared in laboratory ambient conditions using different ratios of ElectroGreen® (a commercial green solvent blend), DMF, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Devices obtained using this solvent mixture reached up to 15.70% of solar-to-electric energy conversion, matching the efficiency of solar cells prepared without ElectroGreen®, while reducing the use of DMF by up to 50%. These results demonstrate the possibility of achieving an environmentally friendly PSC production using the green solvent without compromising photoconversion efficiencies (PCEs).

Abstract in English:

This study investigated the degradation of phenol through three distinct approaches: electrooxidation, photooxidation, and photo-electrooxidation. The experiments were conducted at a current density of 10 mA cm-2, using a commercial dimensionally stable anode (DSA®) electrode, and a UV lamp emitting at 254 nm for photocatalytic processes. The reaction medium consisted of a Na2SO4 solution (0.1 mol L-1) with an initial phenol concentration of 65 mg L-1, and different concentrations of H2O2 (4.15, 8.3, and 16.6 mmol L-1) were tested. The results demonstrated that photooxidation with UV radiation in the presence of 16.6 mmol L-1 H2O2 was the most efficient condition, with a kinetic constant of 0.0413 min-1, following pseudo-first-order kinetics and achieving 99% phenol degradation after 120 min. The presence of H2O2 promoted a synergistic effect, increasing the production of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), which are crucial for phenol degradation. Two byproducts, catechol, and hydroquinone, indicate the influence of hydroxyl radicals on the formation of these compounds. This study highlights the feasibility of photooxidation as an efficient and economically advantageous method for phenol degradation, with potential applications in industrial wastewater treatment systems. The combination of chemical, electrochemical, and photocatalytic techniques represents an innovative approach to the removal of persistent organic pollutants.

Abstract in English:

In order to use new polymeric materials, which are less harmful to the environment, studies on natural degradation are necessary. Thus, the natural atmospheric degradation was studied in a semi-arid climate of pure poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) films and those with 5% orange essential oil (OEL), using conventional methods (loss mass, thermal degradation, optical microscopy, carbonyl index and visual analysis) and machine learning (principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares regression (PLS-R)). 78 samples were exposed for 180 days. The materials showed signs of fragmentation/mass loss of 21.98% for 105 days and 14.30% for 120 days, respectively for pure PBAT and PBAT/OEL. A reduction in thermal degradation temperatures and carbonyl index was observed. PLS-R allowed evaluating the correlation between spectral bands and exposure time, obtaining coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.941, and a root means square error for cross-validation (RMSECV) of 8.10% for the full range and R2 = 0.950 and a RMSECV of 7.45% for the range of 600-1400 cm-1. Regarding the climate conditions, the maximum-minimum temperature, maximum-minimum humidity and global solar radiation were 38.1-18.1 ºC, 79.1-34.3%, 22.03 MJ m-2 day-1, respectively. Therefore, the samples were affected similarly and machine learning could identify a pattern between the polymer natural atmospheric degradation and the structural chemical changes in films.

Abstract in English:

This study investigates the use of silver nanoplatelets (AgNPs) coupled with oxide materials to enhance photocatalytic processes for the degradation of organic contaminants. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoflowers were synthesized via microwave-assisted hydrothermal reaction, while Ni-Al-Oxide flocculated nanomaterials were prepared from layered double hydroxide precursors and calcined. AgNPs were produced using colloidal anisotropic growth (30 and 40 nm). Photocatalytic degradation of Remazol Black 5 dye (RB5) with ZnO and Methylene Blue dye (MB) with Ni-Al-Oxide showed enhanced photodegradation with AgNPs. The highest degradation for ZnO-AgNP composites was 65% under UV and visible light. Incorporating < 1% AgNPs led to a ca. 15% increase in photocatalytic efficiency for ZnO nanorods. For Ni-Al-Oxide-AgNP composites, degradation rates were approximately 85 and 78% under UV and visible light, respectively. These results show a 10% improvement in photodegradation under UV and a 13% improvement under visible light. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to synergistic effects between the intrinsic optical properties of the ceramic matrices and enhanced charge separation of AgNPs. Overall, AgNP-coated inorganic materials improve photocatalytic degradation and pollutant mineralization.

Abstract in English:

A series of hypocrystalline vanadium-phosphorus-carbon (V-P-C) catalysts, synthesized via a novel organic phosphoric acid-assisted strategy, were developed for the dehydration-oxidation of glycerol to acrylic acid. Among these, the VPO (vanadium-phosphorus oxide)-EDTPMA catalyst, derived from ethylenediamine tetramethylphosphonic acid (EDTPMA) as both phosphorus precursor and structure-directing agent, demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving 90% glycerol conversion with 53.4% selectivity to acrylic acid and 28.7% to acrolein under optimized conditions. Advanced characterization (X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3-TPD)) revealed that the thermal decomposition of amino groups in EDTPMA triggered a crystalline-to-hypocrystalline transition, generating a hybrid structure with preserved vanadium-phosphorus oxide phases embedded in an amorphous carbon matrix. This unique architecture introduced abundant oxygen vacancies and medium acid sites, which synergistically facilitated glycerol dehydration to acrolein and subsequent selective oxidation to acrylic acid. The hypocrystalline nature of VPO-EDTPMA enhanced redox cycling via vanadium species while mitigating over-oxidation pathways. This work provides a rational design strategy for multifunctional hypocrystalline catalysts, emphasizing the critical role of defect engineering in biomass valorization processes.

Abstract in English:

This study investigated the purification and characterization of an extracellular protease (ProT27) and a lipopeptide biosurfactant (BiosT27) from Bacillus subtilis TIM27 for their potential use as laundry detergent additives. The crude ProT27 exhibited both protease and esterase activities, primarily due to the presence of a 39.4 kDa alkaline subtilisin E identified by mass spectrometry. ProT27 demonstrated its highest proteolytic activity at pH 8 and 50 °C, conditions similar to typical laundry processes, and showed stability in the presence of the commercial detergent, underscoring its potential as a laundry additive. BiosT27 was produced at 673 mg L-1, with a 66.6% emulsion index and the ability to reduce water surface tension to 25.3 mN m-1, maintaining its performance at pH 11 and 2 M sodium chloride (NaCl). When used as laundry additives, ProT27 and BiosT27 showed cleaning performance comparable to commercial detergent in removing egg yolk stains from cotton fabric. The addition of crude ProT27 to heated commercial detergent enhanced stain removal, outperforming the endogenous enzymes of the detergent, highlighting the significant potential of these biomolecules in detergent formulations.

Abstract in English:

Graphene derivatives are known for their exceptional properties and are essential for commercial applications, ranging from electronics to energy storage and generation. This study investigates the effect of different acidic electrolytes (sulfuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and nitric acid (HNO3)) on the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) via electrochemical exfoliation. Characterization techniques confirm that all exfoliated samples contain a mixture of GO and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). X-ray diffraction reveals that HNO3 promotes the highest GO formation, as indicated by a sharp peak at 2θ = 11.6°, suggesting increased interlayer spacing. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows a higher oxygen content (greater carbon-to-oxygen (C/O) ratio), confirming a greater presence of oxygenated groups in HNO3-treated samples. Raman spectroscopy differentiates GO and rGO through characteristic bands. Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy further supports these findings, as the HNO3-treated sample exhibits a strong absorption band at 262 nm, indicating partial restoration of electronic conjugation, while the 300 nm band is absent in H2SO4-treated samples, confirming smaller amount oxygenated groups. Scanning electron microscopy reveals morphological changes, with stacked GO layers and incomplete exfoliation. No single-layer graphene was observed. These results highlight how electrolyte choice significantly affects GO structure and composition, guiding its optimization for applications in energy storage, electronics, and materials science.

Abstract in English:

The primary objective of the present study was to assess the transfer of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in soils at polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated site into forest vegetation using phytoscreening technique applied to tree individuals of native species from the Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Tree core and paired soil samples from the tree sites were digested in a microwave system and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for their respective total metal content. Additionally, soil samples were treated by the Mehlich-1 solution to assess the labile content of the analytes. The labile content in soil and concentrations in wood samples of Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn revealed no direct correlation in either area. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between the two sampling areas in terms of total and labile soil concentrations or concentrations in wood samples of these metals. Thus, it is assumed that the presence of PAHs did not influence the bio-uptake of these metals into wood tissue. However, the Fe content in the wood samples of the impacted area was significantly higher than in the reference area, indicating that Fe bio-uptake could possibly be influenced by PAH in soils.

Abstract in English:

A mesoporous porphyrin polymer (mPTAPP) was successfully synthesized through a template-directed synthesis utilizing polystyrene-block-polyacrylic acid (PS-b-PAA) as the core block copolymer. The micelles of PS-b-PAA, along with the appropriate adjustment of precursor concentration and solvent ratio, facilitated precise assembly of the meso-5,10,15,20 tetrakis (4 aminophenyl) porphyrin (TAPP) monomer to achieve a well-defined porosity. The resulting structure exhibits a pore size of approximately 1-2 μm with surface pores ranging from 12 to 20 nm, providing an optimal framework for lithium-ion insertion and extraction while ensuring sufficient contact with the electrolyte. As anode material in lithium-ion batteries, mPTAPP demonstrated exceptional rate performance with an outstanding Coulomb efficiency exceeding 98%. The enhanced storage capacity was attributed to the exposure of additional reactive sites during cycling, underscoring its potential as a high-performance anode material for energy storage applications.

Abstract in English:

This study investigates the potential of Fenton processes for phenol degradation, focusing on using a Raceway Pond Reactor. Initially, the effect of relevant variables (pH, nature of the complexant and Fe:L molar ratio) was evaluated by a 23 factorial design, using a conventional bench-scale reactor and radiation provided by a 5 W light emitting diode (LED) lamp. Higher degradation efficiency was observed in processes involving complexation with oxalate (1:1) and pH 7. Under these conditions, phenol degradation occurred rapidly, allowing almost complete removal in 2 min of treatment. A bench-scale Raceway Pond Reactor with a 10 L capacity was employed to assess processes assisted by solar radiation. In this system, high phenol degradation efficiency was observed in processes mediated by Fe-oxalate complexes at ratios of 1:1 and 1:3, achieving nearly complete removal of the model substrate within approximately 5 min of treatment. Under these conditions, peroxide consumption occurred quickly (approximately 80% in 15 min), which made it necessary to add a second dose within 20 min. These findings highlight the strong potential of the system for treating emerging pollutants in aqueous solutions, such as effluents from sewage treatment plants.