The objective of the study was to determine the yield and quality of the essential oil of Mentha viridis L., obtained by water-vapor distillation using cohobation. The oil extraction process required an experimental design DCA of 33 with the application of factors such as sample moisture, water volume and extraction time in three levels (high, medium and low). These factors, evaluated by the oil yield response variable, were analyzed using the statistical software statgraphics plus. For the oil components, a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass detector (GC-MS) was used. Extraction results show significance to the oil yield applied to dehydrated leaves, extraction times and amount of water at medium and high levels. The volatile chemical composition of the sample essential oil revealed the presence of 34 components, highlighting DL-carvone with 36.5%, anethole with 15.3%, germacrene D with 8.8% and limonene with 7.2%; Consequently, it is concluded that these components provide aromatic and antioxidant characteristics for functional fragrances to be used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. Due to its biological activity, the essential oil is also recommended for the agricultural sector as a bactericidal and insecticidal inhibitor, with prospects for research and immediate application.

The feasibility of the using of mucilages as viscous hydrocolloids in order to reduce dependence on inorganic products that are unfriendly to the environment, is a necessity that the scientific community must take advantage on behalf of development of new products. The aim was to determine the phytochemical components and thickening capacity of mucilage as a hydrocolloid in a shampoo formula. Phytochemical sieve was done by coloration, precipitation and flotation reactions. Mucilage extraction was performed by hydration-maceration of crushed stems according to experimental design (three factors and two levels) and controlled by the viscosity response variable. For the shampoo, a design of was used (two factors and two levels), evaluated with viscosity response variables and lather formation, results that were tabulated with the statistical software statgraphics plus. The results show in the hydrocolloid the presence of tannins, alkaloids, triterpenes. Its thickening capacity due to the significant viscosity of the hydrocolloid (1186 mPa.s). The viscosity of the shampoo between 1020 and 1460 mPa.s and the amount of foam (213 ml) that reward the quality. It is concluded that, the complex molecular structure and abundant presence of mucilage in its natural state in the stems of Malachra alceifolia Jacq allows the hydrocolloid obtained to have a great viscosifying and moisturizing capacity with an almost neutral pH, qualities that affect the quality of the shampoo and are suitable for commercial products with friendly features to the environment; being promoted as a raw material for formulations of other personal hygiene products with an important projection of immediate application in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

The study analyzed the biological activity of the secondary metabolites in the fresh plant and the chemical composition of the essential oil of Ruta graveolens L. and Ambrosia arborescens with pharmacological and medicinal properties. Phytochemical screening was applied using the qualitative analytical method and techniques that identify the organic substance by color change and precipitation.; and the chemical identification of essential oil components by gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS). In Ruta graveolens L. secondary metabolites stand out: alkaloids, tannins, coumarins as well as saponins and flavonoids; and, in Ambrosia arborescens predominate triterpenes, a, ß-hydroxylated quinones and anthraquinones. These last components are important for biological use, pharmacological, conventional medicine and traditional and ancestral medicine. The analysis of the essential oil of Ruta graveolens showed the presence of 21 components, highlighting undecanone (39.97/%) and nonanone (38.05%) with pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, fungicide and herbicide; while the essential oil of Ambrosia arborescens presented 25 compounds, highlighting zingiberene, <α-> (55%) and shyobunol, (6.04%) of biological and ethnobotanical action and as a bactericide and anthelmintic. Plants and essential oils, due to their composition, biological activity and ancestral bond, are resources that benefit and invigorate the people’s culture.

Problems of uncertainty in the design of equipment, the availability of equipment, the changes in the environment and in future changes which have been extensively investigated in order to determine the chances of success in environmental, technological and economic matters. This research considers the uncertainty of the operational parameters in the quality of the final product, as an element in the process design, this approach is not an usual activity. Some previous studies on the production of sugarcane syrup were related to sensory attributes (viscosity, flavor and presence of crystals) with operational parameters (pH and ° Brix). It was generated the pH and ° Brix using different probability distributions and the results were plotted by control charts. It was determined the influence of the uncertainty of the ° Brix in the sensorial acceptance of the final product. The uncertainty was calculated according to the GUM methodology.

The study refers to the use of Cordia lutea Lam gum as a natural thickener in a liquid soap formulation. The aim was to determine the phytochemical components and the thickening capacity of mucilage gum in a liquid soap formula. The color of the fruit and the mucilage gum were determined by CIELab methodology, the phytochemical screening of the mucilage gum extracted by manual pressure, by rapid chemical reactions. The hydrocarbons were determined by gas chromatography and the viscosity using a rotational viscometer. Liquid soap was made according to a commercial formula using a DCA design along with the factors amount of mucilage and Texapon at two levels (low and high) and viscosity and foam formation that were used as response variables. The thickening effect of the mucilage gum in the soap was evidenced through the viscosity (mPa.s) and foaming capacity by the test tube method; those variables were tabulated using the statistical software statgraphics plus. Phytochemical results showed the presence of saponins, quinones, carotenoids and coumarins; and hydrocarbon compounds: tetratriacontane (34,28%), n-hexadecanoic acid (28,74%) and 9-12-15-Octadecatrienoic acid (18,19%). The viscosity of the mucilage gum was greater than 14000 mPa.s and that of the liquid soap that ranged from 1931 to 2822 mPa.s. The pH was 6,5 to 6,8 and the foaming was comparatively higher than commercial products. The mucilage gum obtained constitutes a natural thickener with an important projection of immediate application in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Evaluating the panela agroindustry as an alternative for profitability, viability and decision-making is a vital exercise from the point of view of sustained socioeconomic growth. For the socioeconomic evaluation of the agroindustry intensification, the Peters- Timmerhaus Excel spreadsheet was used. The evaluation included technical production diagnosis, mass balance and production costs of different panela factories depending on the grinding capacity: 10 to 30 tc/d (tons of cane per day) with four production alternatives and two drying variants. Results show that in an intensified panela agroindustry, the economic viability to recover the capital is reached in 2.5 years, with alternatives 1,2 and 4, the last one includes the production of three products (honey, panela and natural sugar) for 20 tc/d and 1.5 years for 30 tc/d using naturally dried bagasse as fuel. A comprehensive understanding of the production area and the interrelationships with other areas of the panela agroindustry allowed to refine possibleproduction lines and socialize the information for rapid decision-making with immediate application projection and revival of the sector, considering that the application of technologies and the intensification of processes improves quality, increases profitability, generates well-being and ensures food security.