Selma Elaine Mazzetto

Synthesis of a novel cardanol-based benzoxazine monomer and environmentally sustainable production of polymers and bio-composites

A novel pre-polymer deriving from cardanol—a well known renewable organic resource and harmful by-product of the cashew industry—in combination with cellulose based materials (i.e. jute fibres) has been used to produce bio-composites having a high percentage of renewable materials. Cardanol and its derivatives are considered nowadays very attractive precursors to developing new materials from renewable bio-sources to use in eco-friendly processes. This paper deals with the synthesis and characterization of a novel cardanol based benzoxazine monomer used for the preparation of new bio-composites. The new cardanol-based benzoxazine was characterised by 1H and 13C NMR, FT-IR spectroscopies and LC mass spectrometry analysis, while a differential scanning calorimeter was used to study and monitor the polymerization process. Different bio-composites have been obtained by thermal cure of jute fibres impregnated with a cardanol based benzoxazine resin.

Study of technical CNSL and its main components as new green larvicides

Larvicidal activities against Aedes aegypti of technical cashew (Anarcadium Occidentale L.) nut shell liquid (CNSL) and its main constituents, cardanol, cardol and their products of hydrogenation were evaluated. In addition, the structure-activity relationship is also discussed.

Polycrystalline TiO2 impregnated with cardanol-based porphyrins for the photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol

Hydrogenated cardanol (3-n-pentadecylphenol), a renewable organic resource obtained by vacuum distillation of roasted “cashew nut shell liquid” (CNSL), a by-product of the cashew industry, has been used to synthesize novel lipophilic porphyrins. Polycrystalline TiO2 impregnated with these novel “cardanol-based” porphyrins as sensitizers has been investigated in the photodegradation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in aqueous suspension. The results indicated that the presence of the sensitizer enhances the photoactivity of polycrystalline bare TiO2 in the process. The activating effect was higher in the case of the Cu-complex.

Cashew nut oil: opportunities and challenges in the context of sustainable industrial development

The new millennium is marked by a growing search for renewable fuels and alternative raw materials from biomass in the petrochemicals industry. However, there are many challenges to overcome regarding technological and human resources aspects. In this scenario, cashew nut oil, which is rich in natural phenols, is considered to be very promising for the development of synthetic and functional products and as a feedstock for production of fine chemicals and a wide variety of new materials.

Synthesis of novel lipophilic porphyrin-cardanol derivatives

The synthesis of new lipophilic meso-tetraarylporphyrins bearing cardanol is described; cardanol is both a dangerous pollutant and renewable, widely available, relatively low-cost natural material obtained as a byproduct of the cashew industry for the edible use of cashew kernel. Such compounds exhibited unusual chemical and physico-chemical properties.

First Example of a Lipophilic Porphyrin-Cardanol Hybrid Embedded in a Cardanol-Based Micellar Nanodispersion

Cardanol is a natural and renewable organic raw material obtained as the major chemical component by vacuum distillation of cashew nut shell liquid. In this work a new sustainable procedure for producing cardanol-based micellar nanodispersions having an embedded lipophilic porphyrin itself peripherally functionalized with cardanol substituents (porphyrin-cardanol hybrid) has been described for the first time. In particular, cardanol acts as the solvent of the cardanol hybrid porphyrin and cholesterol as well as being the main component of the nanodispersions. In this way a “green” micellar nanodispersion, in which a high percentage of the micellar system is derived from renewable “functional” molecules, has been produced.

Use of Novel Cardanol-Porphyrin Hybrids and Their TiO2-Based Composites for the Photodegradation of 4-Nitrophenol in Water

Cardanol, a well known hazardous byproduct of the cashew industry, has been used as starting material for the synthesis of useful differently substituted “cardanol-based” porphyrins and their zinc(II), copper(II), cobalt(II) and Fe(III) complexes. Novel composites prepared by impregnation of polycrystalline TiO2 powder with an opportune amount of “cardanol-based” porphyrins, which act as sensitizers for the improvement of the photo-catalytic activity of the bare TiO2, have been used in the photodegradation in water of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), which is a toxic and bio-refractory pollutant, dangerous for ecosystems and human health.

Molinate quantification in environmental water by a glutathione-S-transferase based biosensor

A glutathione-S-transferase (GST) based biosensor was developed to quantify the thiocarbamate herbicide molinate in environmental water. The biosensor construction was based on GST immobilization onto a glassy carbon electrode via aminosilane-glutaraldehyde covalent attachment. The principle supporting the use of this biosensor consists of the GST inhibition process promoted by molinate. Differential pulse voltammetry was used to obtain a calibration curve for molinate concentration, ranging from 0.19 to 7.9 mg L(-1) and presenting a detection limit of 0.064 mg L(-1). The developed biosensor is stable, and reusable during 15 days. The GST-based biosensor was successfully applied to quantify molinate in rice paddy field floodwater samples. The results achieved with the developed biosensor were in accordance with those obtained by high performance liquid chromatography. The proposed device is suitable for screening environmental water analysis and, since no sample preparation is required, it can be used in situ and in real-time measurements.

Magnetic Nanosystem for Cancer Therapy Using Oncocalyxone A, an Antitomour Secondary Metabolite Isolated from a Brazilian Plant

This paper describes the investigation and development of a novel magnetic drug delivery nanosystem (labeled as MO-20) for cancer therapy. The drug employed was oncocalyxone A (onco A), which was isolated from Auxemma oncocalyx, an endemic Brazilian plant. It has a series of pharmacological properties: antioxidant, cytotoxic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antiplatelet. Onco A was associated with magnetite nanoparticles in order to obtain magnetic properties. The components of MO-20 were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TGA, TEM and Magnetization curves. The MO-20 presented a size of about 30 nm and globular morphology. In addition, drug releasing experiments were performed, where it was observed the presence of the anomalous transport. The results found in this work showed the potential of onco A for future applications of the MO-20 as a new magnetic drug release nanosystem for cancer treatment.

Studies of the structural and electrical properties of lithium ferrite (LiFe5O8)

A lithium ferrite with the general formula LiFe5O8 was prepared by a new variation of the ceramic method, in which high-energy mechanical milling and calcinations of Li2CO3 and Fe2O3 were used. In this paper, we present a study of the structural and electrical properties of this ceramic phase. We also investigate the effects of the use of galactomannan as a new binding option as compared with a traditional binding material like glycerol.