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Nineteen fungal strains were isolated from a chicken slaughterhouse effluent and within those, only one showed high values of lipolytic activity in submerged cultures. This fungus was identified as Trametes hirsuta. The crude extract was immobilized in chitosan/clay beads, with an immobilization yield of 80.9%. The analyses of the crude extract and the immobilized derivative at different temperatures, pH (s), solvents, metallic ions and storage showed that the immobilization process increased the enzyme life span. Ethyl esters were obtained in solvent free systems using chicken viscera oil and the enzyme crude extract. For effective comparison, a reaction using viscera oil and commercial lipase Novozym 435 was carried out. The result revealed 35% and 28% esters conversion in the reactions containing chicken viscera oil, using Novozym 435 and the crude extract respectively. The extract was also used in a reaction with soybean oil, traditionally used as starting substrate for biodiesel production.

Araucaria (Araucaria angustifolia) is a tree species found in the Southeast and South of Brazil. It is also known as Brazilian pine, presenting fruits of high acceptance. However, its processing generates by-products that are little used. Thus, this work aimed to extract and characterize the cellulose obtained from the pinion husk, as well as to evaluate the contents of ash, lignin, cellulose and α-cellulose in its composition. The raw material and the extracted cellulose were characterized by X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). As for the contents of chemical composition detected, the husks showed 1.6% ash, 7% extractives, 34% lignin and 55% cellulose, being 46% α-cellulose and 9% hemicellulose. It was observed by XRD that the removal of amorphous materials resulted in a gain of crystallinity (from 19 to 33%). Proving the efficiency of the extraction, the characterization of the cellulose obtained was shown to be of high purity, since the main band of the lignin (FTIR) and the amorphous materials of the cellulosic sample (TGA) disappeared. Finally, this work shows that the pinion bark is a rich source of cellulose, making it possible to obtain nanocrystals.

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This study aimed to the methyl biodiesel production by transesterification reaction via alkaline catalysis, using as a raw material alternative to soybean oil commonly used, coco-da-baía oil (Cocos nucifera L). The biodiesel was characterized as to its acidity, density, humidity, ester content, flash point, glycerol (free, total, mono-, di- and triglycerides) and maximum percentage of methanol. The oil used was characterized by acid value, saponification number, fatty acids, density and humidity. Through these results, we verified the quality of the obtained biofuel.