Universidade Federal de Viçosa

About: Universidade Federal de Viçosa is a education organization based out in Viçosa, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Dry matter. The organization has 16012 authors who have published 26711 publications receiving 353416 citations.

High‐Altitude bee fauna of southeastern Brazil: Implications for biogeographic patterns (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

Abstract: The bee fauna of two high altitude areas in southeastern Brazil is compared to that of surrounding lowlands. Four different geographic distribution patterns are recognized: species may be a) widespread in the region regardless of altitude; b) widespread in the lowland but not reaching altitudes above around 1300 m; c) restricted to the mountains of southeastern Brazil; or d) common to these mountains and to mountains and/or lowlands south of about 24’ latitude south. This last set of species may be a remnant fauna associated with the subtropical and temperate vegetation that advanced northward in cold periods. This relict fauna may be descendant of populations that have been trapped on the top of mountain ranges by the development of a warmer climate. It is also suggested that a relationship may exist between the bee fauna of the southeastern mountains fields and that of the “cerrado”; and related vegetations.

Biorefinery Review: Wide-Reaching Products Through Kraft Lignin

Abstract: This review details the structure of lignin and curates information on the characteristics that this polymer must have for each specific use. Lignin is a by-product of the pulp and paper industry and the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose. Approximately 50 million tons of lignin are produced worldwide annually, of which 98% to 99% is incinerated to produce steam, process energy. Just 1% to 2% of the lignin, derived from the sulfite pulp industry, is used in chemical conversion to produce lignosulfonates. Biorefining is a promising approach to promote the wider use of kraft lignin. However, using kraft lignin to produce high value-added products is a great challenge, due to its complex structure, low reactivity, and low solubility, which are factors that limit the lignin’s large-scale use in biorefineries. Recent studies show that kraft lignin can be used as lignosulfonates and dispersants, technical carbons, transportation fuels, bioplastics, and adhesives, but some technological hurdles must be overcome and several industrial tests must be developed to make these uses viable.