A simple and fast analytical pocedure is proposed for the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of lanthanum, holmium and manganese in synthetic ceramics, (La(0.8-x) Hox Sr0.2 MnO3), by using the partial least-squares (PLS) method. As chromogenic agent 5-Br-PADAP [2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol] was used, which form colored complexes with the three elements studied. To avoid metal hydrolysis, a mixture of ethanol and Triton X-100 at pH 9.5 was used for all experiments. A set of 17 calibration solutions measured throughout the 400-700 nm wavelength range was used in the calibration step. The concentration range for Mn(II) was 1-12 x 10(-6) mol L-1, while the range for the rare earth elements La(III) and Ho(III) was 2-8 x 10(-6) mol L-1. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method, a set of artificial samples containing the three analytes in variable proportions was prepared and analyzed. The analytical results obtained were quite acceptable with relative errors not greater than 7% in most cases.

The influence of aeration and automatic pH control on the production of <FONT FACE="Symbol">a</FONT>-amylase by a strain of Bacillus subtilis NRRL 3411 from acid cheese whey was studied. Tests were carried out in a rotary shaker and in mechanically stirred fermenters. <FONT FACE="Symbol">a</FONT>-amylase was analysed according to DUN’s method. Oxygen absorption rate was determined by Cooper’s method. Cell oxygen demand was determined as oxygen consumption in a Warburg respirometer. The level of dissolved oxygen was measured by means of a galvanic silver-lead electrode. Results suggest the possibility of industrial use of acid cheese whey as a carbon source for <FONT FACE="Symbol">a</FONT>-amylase production, since the yield was similar to that produced with lactose. The highest <FONT FACE="Symbol">a</FONT>-amylase levels 10,000 DUN/ml units were not attained at higher aeration rates -431 mLO2/L.h-. The indicated value correspond to a 96 h process with automatic pH control at 7.5. These conditions resulted in double concentration of <FONT FACE="Symbol">a</FONT>-amylase. The enzyme production was directly related to growth in the form of cell aggregates.

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