EVALUATION OF THE SURFACE TENSIO, LARVICIDAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF PLANT EXTRACTS FROM THE LEAF OF THE ARACA TO COMBAT THE PROLIFERATION OF THE Aedes aegypti MOSQUITO IN STILL WATER CONTAINERS
The Aedes aegypti mosquito is one of the main transmitters of viral diseases in countries close to the equator. This vector promotes a series of generalized endemics that are difficult to control and prevent in these regions. Furthermore, the presence of bacteria in the environment favors the proliferation of mosquito larvae, which increases the probability of Aedes aegypti reproductive success. The Araçzeiro (Psidium guineense Sw.) is a plant present throughout the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and has in its composition, especially in the leaves, several substances that can be used to solve problems. Thus, we sought to verify the activity of flavonoids and polyphenols in terms of their antibacterial potential and the performance of saponins in their larvicidal potential, as well as surfactant, in order to prevent the accommodation of the mosquito in the water at the time of egg deposition and larvae respiration. The saponins were extracted from the araçazeiro leaf using a hydroalcoholic solvent and the flavonoids/polyphenols using methanol, the latter being subsequently rotaevaporated to maintain the non-toxic nature of the extract. Through the aqueous extracts, the content of total saponins by UV-VIS spectrophotometry, surfactant activity, larvicidal activity and toxicity were determined. In relation to the ethanolic extracts, the content of polyphenols and total flavonoids by UV-VIS spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), antibacterial activity and toxicity were determined. The results showed that the aqueous extract has a satisfactory amount of saponins, as well as a surfactant potential due to the formation of foam and larvicidal activity in the two highest concentrations of the extracts. Ethanol extracts showed phenolic acids, especially gallic and ellagic acid, and flavonoids, especially catechin and quercetin, and antibacterial activity in most of the worked concentrations. Both extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) showed a dominant nontoxic character, which favors their use without risk to the environment, having an alternative and sustainable potential for controlling the proliferation of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Development of UV-Protection Roofing Tile from Nitrogen-doped Graphene Quantum Dots (N-GQDs) for Rubber Drying Chambers
Improved methods of processing latex into rubber sheets will improve the incomes of small rubber producers. There are two ways in which latex can be processed into rubber sheets: fumigation and solar incubation. The fumigation method is expensive and produces pollution, but solar incubation can cause dark, sticky rubber sheets due to UV radiation, which reduces their value. A low-cost and environmentally-friendly solution to this problem was investigated here. A UV-protective roofing panel made using Nitrogen-doped Graphene Quantum Dots (NGQDs) was developed and tested. N-GQDs were made using the hydrothermal process for 2 and 4 hours (T2 and T4) and the solvothermal process for 4, 6, and 8 hours (TS4, TS6, and TS8). It was found that all types of N-GQDs absorbed light in the UV range, withT4 showing the greatest absorption. T4 had the greatest Fluorescent Intensity (FL) value, emitting blue light, while for the solvothermal method TS6 had the highest FL value, emitting red light. T4 and TS6 were chosen for further testing, and were applied to a clear roofing tile. After installing the roof on the chamber, the temperature inside was higher than outside. Then we measure the UV protection efficiency of the roof which was 93.27%. The average temperature was 45℃, which is the temperature for drying rubber sheets. Due to the roof’s capability to absorb UV radiation and heat the chamber, our N-GQDs roof has a great ability to produce higher-quality rubber sheets.