Estudo de novos parâmetros para aprimoramento do controle de qualidade da cera de carnaúba

Abstract

Carnauba wax is an important economic product and its industrial production has over the years suffering from the scarcity of scientific studies to aid in the understanding of the chemical differences between different types of wax. The aim of this work was characterize the different types of carnauba waxes (Type 1, Type 3 and Type 4) in relation to the chemical composition. The organic matrix of the samples were investigated by Infrared Spectroscopy (MID and NIR), Thermal Analysis and Gas Chromatography (CGMS). The results showed that the three types of waxes are very similar in its organic composition, presenting in its composition mainly paraffin, alcohols and esters of long chain fatty acids. To evaluate inorganic content, an optimization of the conditions of the sample preparation by microwave assisted wet digestion implemented. The digests showed residual carbon content less than 5%. The analysis was performed by ICP-OES. The elements data set was processed using the software The Unscrambler 7.1 and X10.3. The mean values for the elements in the samples investigated wax Type 1 levels were: K (22.3 mg kg -1), Al (20.5 mg kg-1), Fe (11.5 mg kg-1), Mg (4.0 mg kg-1), Na (3.5 mg kg-1), Pb (2.2 mg kg-1), Ca (1.2 mg kg-1), Cu (0.5 mg kg-1), Mn (0.4 mg kg-1) , Zn (0.2 mg kg-1) and Co (0.2 mg kg-1). The levels observed for Ni (67.2 mg kg-1) were higher in samples from three industries, raising the average value of the element. For samples carnauba wax Type 3, the mean concentrations of elements were: Al(122.0 mg kg-1), K(112.1 mg kg-1), Ca (103.9 mg kg- 1), Fe(93.4 mg kg-1), Mg(67.1 mg kg-1), Na(39.6 mg kg-1), Mn(9.6 mg kg-1), Pb(1 7 mg kg-1), Zn (0.6 mg kg-1), Ni (0.3 mg kg-1), Cu (0.2 mg kg-1) and Co (0.1 mg kg-1). Finally, the samples with wax to Type 4, the mean concentration values were observed : K (185.3 mg kg-1), Ca (116.8 mg kg-1), Al (97.6 mg kg-1), Fe (84.5 mg kg-1) mg (76.9 mg kg-1), Na (37.6 mg kg-1), Mn (8.7 mg kg-1), Pb (2.3 mg kg-1), Zn (0.7 mg kg -1), Cu (0.2 mg kg-1) and Co (0.1 mg kg-1). Principal Component Analysis showed that the three types of waxes could be distinguished based on the levels of inorganic elements. In this view point waxes Type 4 showed the highest inorganic levels than the waxes Type 3 and Type 1. New wax samples were acquired with a view to developing a model of multivariate calibration (NIR / PLS) for prediction of Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn and Na in wax samples. The spectra were preprocessed applying first derivative and then the models PLS-1 were obtained. The spectra data set were divided into two groups: one for the calibration and the other for validation. The models obtained were promising for predicting the content of elements such as Al, Fe and Cu in samples of wax. Finally, the results obtained in this work can be used as parameter for sample classification and as well as used for the development of standards rules for quality assurance of the carnauba waxes produced by refining industrial processes.