Revista de Iniciación Científica

Evaluation of the efficacy of the eggshell as an acid water treatment system for rural areas

Alejandra Torres, Eurys Trejo, Viccelda Dominguez — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In Panama, 84.6% of households have a basic level water sanitation service, but only 65.3% of rural areas meet that level. One of the parameters considered in the country to determine that the water can be consumed by the population is, its pH is within a range from 6.5 to 8.5. The methodology used was the measurement of pH of various acid water samples that were contaminated with concentrated sulfuric acid for 7 days. The first results were positive, reaching the acceptable pH range from day 1 with a minimum of 6.50. The changes that occurred during the remaining 6 days were evaluated, all remaining within the range of 6.5 to 8.5.

Manufacture of children's chair from recycled plastic bottles (HDPE) - strategy for conservation

Surhay Monterrey, Grethel Morán, María Colmenares, Viccelda Domínguez — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

To make the prototype, several factors were considered: the casting methods, the molds to be used and the properties of HDPE; the indirect and direct fire casting methods were the optimal ones, and the casting temperature factor was a special point. For the elaboration of the chair, the HDPE was collected, properly cleaned, then crushed, melted, and finally molded. It was possible to construct a chair based on functional discarded plastic through innovative recycling and likely to be accepted by consumers; it withstood a deformation load of 187.29N and passed waterproofing and flotation tests.

Feasibility study for the integration of a microgrid in a residential building

Felipe García, Irving Guevara, Andy Toctaguano, Marcelo García — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This project proposes a hybrid energy system between conventional generation from the public electrical network and renewable generation for a residence building located in Quito on Amazonas and United Nations Avenue. The study demonstrates its technical and economic feasibility. The system was modelled through the hybrid optimization software Homer Pro, specifying in the optimization of hybrid systems where the model demonstrated that the system has the capacity to satisfy the energy demand of the building in an efficient and reliable way, having benefits such as an economic savings by reducing energy costs in the long term, in addition to sustainable development, being able to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and being friendly to the environment, without emitting greenhouse gases, being a viable and sustainable solution for electrifications in residential buildings in Quito. For the system, the available resources were used to the maximum, taking advantage of the space on the building's terrace for the installation of photovoltaic panels. In addition, a gas-fired electric generator with cogeneration of heat and power (CHP) was installed, which makes it possible to take advantage of the residual heat of the process to provide hot water for sanitary use to the building, which results in greater cost and energy savings.

Bioengineering of slopes with trees to reduce landslides: Betéitiva case, Boyacá, Colombia

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of the research was to observe the effects generated by planting eucalyptus trees on a natural slope, to reduce or eliminate partial terrain. The problem studied is the severe and reduced erosion processes, both due to the continuous exploitation of monoculures, without technology, and due to coal exploitation. An investigation was carried out, with follow-up for nearly ten years, in the municipality of Betéitiva, Boyacá, Colombia. Seven thousand trees were planted in the first year and monitoring was done to see results. The mixed method was used to measure quantities, and in-depth interviews were taken to obtain the opinion of those who observed the process about the advantages of using these trees to avoid gradual erosion and improve the stability of the land. It was found that eucalyptus trees grow in some cases up to thirty-five and forty meters, with diameters of up to two meters. Its main root can reach twenty meters, and its water consumption is very high. So, to recover eroded land, lower the water table and gradually stop eucalyptus trees are appropriate. However, it is advisable to reforest with native, fruit and exotic trees such as eucalyptus to take pressure off the former according to the terrain and environment.

Evaluation of Pectin extracted from the albedo and exocarp of Tahiti lemon and sour orange for pharmaceutical emulsions

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The research focused on evaluating pectin extracted from the albedo and exocarp of Tahiti lime and bitter orange as an emulsifying agent, highlighting its potential to mitigate agro-industrial by-product waste in Nicaragua. Using the Taguchi method to optimize extraction via acidic hydrolysis with citric acid, optimal extraction conditions were determined: for Tahiti lime at 60°C, pH 1.75, and 70 minutes, and for bitter orange at 80°C, pH 1.75, and 85 minutes, achieving pectin yields of 44.12% and 26.92%, respectively. Qualitative identification confirmed the presence of pectin through gel formation tests. Characterization revealed a degree of methoxylation of approximately 5,87% for Tahiti lime and 5.33% for bitter orange, and degrees of esterification of 79.33% and 71.27%, respectively, with galacturonic acid contents of 46.32% and 46.84%. Emulsification tests demonstrated that the pectins could stabilize generic emulsions, with effective concentrations of 1% for Tahiti lime and 1.25% for bitter orange, maintaining stability at room temperature. This study not only proposes a sustainable solution for utilizing agro-industrial by-products but also opens new industrial applications for pectin, contributing to the region's economic and environmentally responsible development.

Determination of adulteration of bee honey with cane honey using a gold film and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Andrea Somoza, Chak Wu, Angie Martinez, Alfredo Campos — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Adulteration of bee honey is a significant problem in the food industry, affecting producers and consumers. Accurate detection of this adulteration is crucial to ensure product quality and authenticity. In this study, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) combined with a gold thin film was employed to analyze and detect the presence of cane honey in bee honey. The main objective was to identify adulterations in bee honey by obtaining absorption spectra of different adulterated samples with cane honey at known concentrations and, at the same time, to identify characteristic peaks whose intensity would be related to the concentration of cane honey, thus allowing the detection of alterations. Absorption spectral measurements were carried out in triplicate on all samples and characteristic peaks were observed at certain wavenumbers. The peak found between 1140 to 1100 cm^-1 showed a decrease in intensity as the concentration of cane honey increased with a linear regression (R²) of 0.97186. This result shows the feasibility of the technique for detecting potential adulterations in this product.

Avocado seed extract as an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for steel in sulfuric acid

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The corrosion of steel in acidic environments is a serious industrial problem. This study explores the potential of the criollo avocado seed, an agro-industrial waste, as a sustainable and effective alternative to inhibit this process in carbon steel. The extract of criollo avocado seed was evaluated as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acidic media, assessing its efficiency and the mechanisms of action involved. The extract was obtained through maceration and alcoholic extraction. Solutions at different concentrations were prepared for corrosion tests on AISI 1010 carbon steel specimens in a 0.5 M sulfuric acid solution at room temperature, following the ASTM G1-03 standard for superficial steel preparation. The inhibitory efficiency was evaluated using gravimetric and volumetric methods, and adsorption isotherms were analyzed to understand the interaction of the inhibitor with the metal surface. The results showed that the corrosion rate decreased with increasing inhibitor concentration. The inhibition process follows the Langmuir and Frumkin adsorption models, suggesting attractive interactions between the adsorbed molecules and the steel. Thermodynamic analyses suggested a spontaneous physical adsorption process. The inhibition efficiency reached up to 98% at the highest inhibitor concentrations (10 g/L), surpassing traditional contaminating inhibitors that achieved 95% under the same conditions. These findings position the avocado seed extract as a sustainable and promising alternative for controlling corrosion, promoting the valorization of agro-industrial waste, and encouraging more environmentally friendly practices.

Use of the senses by Alouatta coibensis in the evaluation of Spondias mombin fruits on Coiba Island, Panama

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The howler monkey (Alouatta sp.) has been reported to consume fruits of jobo (Spondias mombin), and to use its senses to evaluate the palatability of them. Our objective was to evaluate the use of the senses (sight, smell, taste and touch) by the Coiba howler monkey (A. coibensis) in the evaluation/acceptance process of S. mombin fruits on Coiba Island, Coiba National Park, Panama. We collected 83 minutes of Focal Animal´ observations between adult males and females that were feeding on S. mombin fruits. We evaluated the frequency of the use of their senses (sight, taste, smell and touch) and the acceptance of immature and mature fruits. The focal animals evaluated a total of 124 S. mombin fruits, 83 were ripe (43 accepted and 40 rejected) and 41 were immature fruits (9 accepted and 32 rejected). A. coibensis used all the senses to evaluate the S. mombin fruits, however, the sense they used most frequently was the taste and the one they used least frequently was the touch. At the level of acceptance, A. coibensis used taste and smell to define the acceptance of S. mombin fruits. We consider that the use of chemical senses favors the learning process in feeding behavior, during the evaluation and acceptance of S. mombin fruits, that is why they define their acceptance through these senses.

Towards sustainable construction in Panama: analysis of existing certifications

Kathleen Castillo, Yazmin Lisbeth Mack-Vergara — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The construction sector is one of the main contributors to environmental impact, 34% of energy consumption and 37% of CO₂ emissions worldwide come from this activity. The use of certifications such as LEED, EDGE, WELL and FITWEL in buildings or spaces, whether to be built or existing, promotes sustainability in construction and encourages developers of other projects to be part of this initiative. These methodologies range from construction with materials that are sustainable and that during their production there is a reduction in the energy with which they are elaborated, transported, as well as that their operation guarantees a lower consumption of both water and energy resources and healthier spaces for their occupants. This article is based on a literature review of the sustainable construction certifications that operate in the Republic of Panama, as well as a comparison between them and the system of points with which each of the certifications are awarded. It also includes a compiled list of projects that to date have an international sustainable construction certificate such as LEED, EDGE, FITWEL and WELL in Panama.

History of petrographic studies in the Central Region of Panama: a literary review

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Petrography is the discipline that describes and classifies rocks. In Panama, its use began with the construction of the interoceanic canal and currently the development of geotourism has allowed the growth of petrographic research. Therefore, the aim was to summarize and analyze the available literature on petrographic studies in the Central Region of Panama, identifying trends and gaps in knowledge. The methodology was qualitative and was carried out through a literary review by means of searches on the Internet and in scientific libraries. Sources were identified and selected using a petrographic methodology to synthesize the content. The documents analyzed were categorized as scientific articles, technical reports, degree theses, newspaper articles, websites, and others. One of the limitations identified is the lack of a systematic approach, which limits the application of information in the development of strategies for geological conservation, education, scientific tourism, and research. It is concluded that petrography has been decisive in understanding the processes that occurred in the geological past and is emerging as a key tool to address priority issues.