| dc.description | The caterpillars Lonomia obliqua Walker (L. obliqua) species is very poisonous and has the ability
to cause serious and fatal hemorrhagic effects in humans after contact [1]. The Butantan Institute
(Research Center, S??o Paulo city) produces antilonomic serum (antidote), to reverse such effects,
using caterpillars mainly from Paran?? (PR) where the prevalence of incidents is high. However, in
the last year, this species has present in various regions (Santa Catarina, S??o Paulo and Rio Grande
do Sul) from Brazil and there is no data of its elemental composition to ensure that the antivenom
produced (considering the different origins) may be used to manufacture serum unchanged in the
final product. Recent measurements identified mainly Cl was majority [2]. In this investigation, we
intend to check the Cl range of the antigen obtained from Parana (standardize the antigen) using
EDXRF. The XRF measurements were performed using MINI X-ray spectrometer (PXRFS) from
Amptek (Bedford, MA, USA) model X-123 SDD with Ag X-ray tube. The characteristics X-ray
fluorescent intensity of Cl was measured with a Si detector (Si Drift 25 mm2 x 500 ??m/ 0.5 mil.
The excitation was performed using 30 kV and 5 ??A excitation for a counting time of 100s. The
quantitative analysis was performed using WinQxas software program (IAEA, version 1.3). A
comparison using data from Neutron Activation Analysis emphasizes a good agreement,
suggesting the viability of using the compact spectrometer to monitor the antigens from different
origins in fast and efficient way. These data can be used to standardize a specific antilonomic serum
for caterpillars (L. obliqua) coming from different regions of Brazil, based in Cl range, which
reduce cost in the serum production process, meeting the standards of good manufacturing practices
and good laboratory practice. | |
