Latest Edition Highlights (Issue 41)

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SEVENTY YEARS OF THE BRAZILIAN FEDERAL COUNCIL OF CHEMISTRY (1956–2026): INSTITUTIONAL TRAJECTORY, PRESIDENCIES, AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE CHEMISTRY PROFESSION - EN

Background: In 2026, the CFQ/CRQ System turns 70 (Law No. 2,800/1956), overseeing a sector responsible for ~11% of industrial GDP, but it lacked a chronological reconstruction based on its own official primary records. Aim: To reconstruct the System's legal genesis, establish a documented official chronology of its presidencies, and discuss current regulatory challenges. Methods: Historiographical-descriptive documentary research based on normative sources and unprecedented access to the internal record "Galeria de Presidentes," provided by the CFQ Presidency Office in 2026. Results: Eight substantive presidencies and interim periods (1957–2026) were detailed, substantiating the interim exercise by Oscar Bergstron Lourenço (1963–1964) and Juvenal Dória's inauguration in 1964. The System now comprises 21 regional councils and over 230,000 registrants. The study identified under-documentation of Hebe Martelli's trajectory (the only female president) and an open divergence regarding the number of regional councils created in 1957. Discussion: Normative Resolution No. 36/1974 remains the milestone for professional attributions. Recent regulations revisit historical challenges, such as attributing competencies to hybrid curricula and establishing chemical safety as a public good, requiring anticipation of energy, materials, and digital transitions. Limitations: The chronology relies on institutional records that the authors did not independently audit against primary archives. Conclusions: Access to primary records consolidated the documentary memory of the System's seventy years, whose legacy lies in adapting the regulatory framework to technological transformations.
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PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PHYTOTOXIC QUALITY OF IRRIGATION WATER FOR THE TREES OF GENERAL SAN MARTÍN PARK, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

Background: General San Martín Park, located in Mendoza, Argentina, is the city's most emblematic green infrastructure, designed in 1896 by architect Carlos Thays. The park plays a critical role in microclimate regulation, water conservation, and public health resilience. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of the water used for irrigation in the most important park of the city of Mendoza, the General San Martín Park, through a comprehensive series of analyses. Methods: This study assessed the physicochemical and biological quality of irrigation water in the park, focusing on parameters such as temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, hardness, alkalinity, nitrates, sulfates, and anthropogenic contaminants. Samples were collected at 20 points across the irrigation network during three periods (October 2024, April 2025, October 2025). Results: Indicate that irrigation water is generally of good quality, suitable for sustaining the park's forest mass. pH values remained within the optimal irrigation range (6.5–8.4), while nitrate levels were consistently below the 30 ppm threshold, with no nitrites detected. Hardness and alkalinity varied spatially, particularly near the Alto Godoy Water Treatment Plant, suggesting localized inputs of dissolved solids. Turbidity and conductivity strongly correlated with hardness, reflecting the influence of suspended and dissolved mineral content from runoff and seasonal hydrological dynamics of the Mendoza River. Importantly, we found no evidence of toxic anthropogenic contaminants such as heavy metals, cyanides, or petroleum derivatives. Discussion: Overall, the findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring. From a management perspective. These results establish a baseline of water quality indicators for the park. They provide essential input for long-term strategies in conservation, recreation, and environmental education, ensuring resilience against water scarcity and urban expansion. The study underscores the park's role as both a cultural heritage site and a living laboratory for sustainable urban ecology.
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CARDIOVASCULAR RISK AND DIETARY HABITS IN TRANSGENDER ADULTS RECEIVING HORMONE THERAPY

Background: Transgender and gender-diverse individuals experience health inequities that may increase cardiometabolic risk. Gender-affirming hormone therapy has been associated with changes in body composition, lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular risk markers. However, limited evidence is available regarding dietary habits and cardiovascular risk profiles in transgender populations in Latin America. Objective: To evaluate cardiovascular risk factors and cardioprotective food consumption among transgender adults receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy. Methods: A quantitative, observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted in transgender adults undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy in Mendoza, Argentina. Eighty-seven participants completed surveys regarding sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, nutritional counseling, and consumption of cardioprotective foods. We assessed anthropometric indicators and biochemical parameters related to cardiovascular risk. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 8. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation, the chi-square test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: A high prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors was identified, including overweight, sedentary behavior, smoking, and low intake of cardioprotective foods. More than half of the participants had never received nutritional counseling. No statistically significant differences were observed between transgender women and transgender men in the evaluated anthropometric and biochemical variables. Nevertheless, significant correlations were identified between body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and atherogenic lipid markers. Dietary quality showed limited associations with cardiovascular risk indicators, although higher dietary quality was positively associated with HDL cholesterol levels in transgender men. Conclusion: The study highlights the presence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors in transgender individuals receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy and emphasizes the importance of integrating nutritional assessment and cardiometabolic monitoring into comprehensive transgender healthcare. These findings support the need for inclusive nutritional interventions and longitudinal studies addressing cardiovascular health in transgender populations.
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General information

SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

    General information about this journal
  • Title: SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
  • Short Title: South. J. Sci.
  • ISSN: 2764-5959 (Online); ISSN: 2764-5967 (Print)
  • Universal Decimal Classification (UDC): 001
  • Review Process: Double-Blind Peer-Review
  • Accessibility: Platinum Open Access, NO-APCs.
  • Digital preservation: Portico
  • Frequency of Publication: biannual [2 issues per year]. Journal publication schedule
  • DOI: 10.48141/2764-5959
  • Website: https://www.sjofsciences.com/
  • Country: BRAZIL
  • Publisher: Mendoza University - Argentina | Araucária - Scientific Association (leaving).
  • Language of Publication: ENGLISH / PORTUGUESE* / SPANISH**
  • *Year the Journal started accepting manuscripts in Portuguese: 2020
  • *Year the Journal started accepting manuscripts in Spanish: 2026
  • First issue year: 1993
  • Free full text: Yes
  • Indexed in: Index Copernicus; Latindex, and I2OR.
  • Formerly known as the Southern Brazilian Journal of Chemistry (1993 to 2021).
  • Former ISSN: 2674-6891 (Online); Former ISSN: 0104-5431 (Print).
  • Website last update: 18/09/2026.

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INNOVATION, AND COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION - INTERVIEW WITH PROF. PAULO CÂMARA. ENGLISH VERSION

Background: The interview was conducted with Professor Paulo Wilton da Luz Câmara, who serves as an associate professor at the University of Vassouras, general coordinator of postgraduate lato sensu programs, and deputy coordinator of the Master's in Environmental Sciences. The Professor has extensive academic and corporate experience. Objectives: The main objectives were to understand the importance of corporate experience in the role of a professor and researcher, discuss the evolution of public entrepreneurship policies in Brazil, understand the role of incubators, explore research on renewable energies in the defense sector, and learn about planned innovations for postgraduate programs. Methods: The interview was conducted in a semi-structured format with open-ended questions. The audio was transcribed for subsequent analysis and content structuring. Results: Corporate experience significantly influences academic performance. There has been relative improvement in public entrepreneurship policies, but the involved bodies lack specific knowledge. Incubators are necessary tools to foster entrepreneurship and innovation. The main challenges in renewable energy research for defense are awareness and organizational policy. Planned innovations for postgraduate programs include connecting education levels, shared management, and an open committee. Discussion: The Professor highlights the importance of practical corporate experience in enriching academic performance, noting advances in entrepreneurship policies while emphasizing the need for more specific knowledge. Incubators are seen as essential to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. In the field of renewable energy applied to defense, challenges are related to awareness and organizational policy. Conclusion: The interview underscores the relevance of practical corporate experience in enriching academic performance and the need to improve entrepreneurship policies. Incubators are fundamental to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. Research on renewable energies in defense faces challenges of awareness and organizational policy. Planned innovations for postgraduate programs aim for greater integration and participation.
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ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR METHANOL DETECTION IN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: A COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF CLASSICAL, COLORIMETRIC, AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC APPROACHES

Introduction: The detection of methanol in alcoholic beverages represents a critical public health issue, particularly in light of the recent outbreak of poisonings in Brazil, which registered 58 confirmed cases and 15 deaths through October 2025. Methanol's toxicity, with an estimated lethal dose ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 g/kg, requires reliable analytical methods for health surveillance. Brazilian legislation establishes a maximum limit of 20 mg/100 mL of anhydrous alcohol; however, the need for accessible screening methods in field settings remains an important challenge. Objective: To critically compare three analytical methods for methanol determination: classical qualitative methods (Lucas Test and dichromate/Schiff), Brazilian colorimetric method, and gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID), evaluating their performance and applicability in resource-limited contexts. Methods: Theoretical-comparative approach through critical analysis of specialized literature and normative technical documentation. Methods were evaluated according to: operational principle, sensitivity (LOD/LOQ), selectivity, operational complexity, analysis time, and practical applicability. Results: The Lucas Test is not applicable for methanol detection. Colorimetric methods showed moderate sensitivity (LOD ~20-160 mg/100 mL), a 10-30-minute execution time, low operational complexity, and excellent portability. The Brazilian method presented chemical equivalence with international standards, differing only in the type of reading performed. GC-FID has shown superior sensitivity (LOD ≤ 1 mg/100 mL) and high specificity, but it requires extended time (~45-60 minutes), complex laboratory infrastructure, and specialized operators. Sugars interfere with colorimetric methods. Conclusions: The methods are complementary within a hierarchical system. Colorimetric methods enable rapid field screening, while GC-FID serves as the confirmatory method for forensic analyses. We recommend implementing integrated protocols that combine in situ colorimetric screening with GC-FID confirmation in accredited laboratories for effective health surveillance.
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PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SUGARCANE JUICES SOLD AT THREE DIFFERENT POINTS IN CUIABÁ - MT

Background: Sugarcane juice is an excellent substrate for the growth of a large and diverse microbiota, and poor quality of it can affect the health of consumers. This study aimed to evaluate the acidity parameters of the juice extracted from minimally processed sugarcane at three different points in Cuiabá - MT. Methods: In the juice samples, the following parameters were analyzed: Brix (soluble solids), pH, acetic (volatile) acidity, and sulfuric (total) acidity. Results: All the Brix values were above 18. The pH values were between 5 and 6. The total and volatile acidity was below 0.8. Discussion: The Brix values found in this study are similar to other studies (standard deviation of 1.7). The variety of sugarcane significantly influences the Brix and its sampling period. Inappropriate handling of sugarcane promotes the microbiological decrease of the final product. The pH values were satisfactory, but the changes in temperature in one of the juices (sudden change from 24 to 22.7ºC) caused its pH to differ from the value found for the others. The total and volatile acidity content is related to the storage time of the juice, which can be contaminated by bacteria and microorganisms, affecting the characteristics of the product. When the acidity value is more significant than 0.8, there was a change in these characteristics, which did not happen in this work. Conclusions: The Brix values indicate an adequate maturation of the analyzed juices. The pH values are in the ideal range for sugarcane juice. The volatile and total acidity is in the ideal range, indicating quality standards for sugarcane juice.
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SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

The SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES publishes articles in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Pharmacy, Medicine, Engineering, Industrial Science, Agriculture, and related interdisciplinary areas and is intended to fill a gap in terms of scientific information worldwide. All manuscripts can be published either in English or Portuguese, with tile, abstracts, and keywords in English. At present, there are NO PUBLICATION FEES. Editors will cover web hosting, open access, DOI number, and other service costs.

We have set high standards for the articles to be published by ensuring strong but fair refereeing by at least two reviewers. We hope that this Journal will provide a forum for disseminating high-quality research in chemistry and related areas and are open to any questions and suggestions. Starting in 2020, the SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES will have two issues per year (June and December).

Thank you very much for choosing the SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES to publish your paper!
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