Adilson Machado Enes

Biospeckle Studies Carried on Handroanthus Heptaphyllus Seeds Submitted to Accelerated Aging

Handroanthus heptaphyllus is a very important species for economical and ornamental purposes (botany synonymy tabebuia heptaphylla), as well as for its medicinal value. Belonging to the bignoniaceae botanical family, its multiplication is carried solely by seeds. Forest dispersion elements, i.e., the seeds, deserve a deep understanding of their physiological performance. The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of the biospeckle method in testing seed viability. The quantification of the optical interference phenomenon called biospeckle was expressed through the moment of inertia (mi). The equipment employed in the experimental setup included a 632nm red diode laser of 10mw, a digital movie camera as well as a personal computer. Seeds were submitted to accelerated aging (42 °c and 100% of relative humidity for 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours) and forwarded for biospeckle evaluation and germination tests. It was concluded that a viability reduction of h. Heptaphyllus seeds as generated by accelerated aging needs more study to be detected by the biospeckle test. Thus, the biospeckle phenomenon gives support to a technique that has been developed and presented as a possible tool to assess the germination potential of h. Heptaphyllus seeds.

Determination of the Optimum Moisture Content of Purple Ipê (Handroanthus heptaphyllus) Seeds for Biospeckle Tests

Handroanthus heptaphyllus (botany synonymy Tabebuia heptaphylla) is considered to have very important economical, ornamental and medicinal value. It is included in the Bignoniaceae botanical family, whose multiplication is quite solely carried by seeds. Forest dispersion elements, i.e., the seeds, deserve a deep understanding on their physiological performance. The objective of this research work was to determine the optimum seed moisture content for laser interaction in biospeckle tests, which is based on laser interferometry. Seeds were hydrated to the level of 69% and then divided into four subsamples, i.e., (1) seeds without teguments, (2) seeds with tegument, (3) seeds without teguments frozen at 0 °C and (4) seeds with teguments frozen at 0 °C. The four subsamples were then separated into five moisture level groups (28%, 35%, 54%, 63% and 69%) and exposed to the laser. The biospeckle phenomenon quantification was carried out by means of the moment of inertia (MI) approach. A positive correlation between MI and seed moisture content was obtained. It was also verified that seed moisture content between 28% and 54% showed better interaction with the laser. The results are important for the application of the biospeckle technique as a possible tool to assess the quality of purple ipê seeds.

Frequency Analysis of the Laser Biospeckle

This research work presents a study of beans seed tissue (Phaseolous vulgaris, L.) optical interactions with laser aiming to contribute to the development of biospeckle techniques applied to the recognition of bean seed tissue vitality when contaminated with fungi, by differentiating the generated frequency spectra. Biospeckle is an interference optic phenomenon occurring when a laser beam reaches a surface exhibiting some dynamic process, due to biological activities or purely physical changes. The technique involves image processing to distinguish each different active material contribution present in the seed, by means of the procedure known as “Moment of Inertia” and frequency analysis. Frequency analysis was carried by Fourier Transform preceded by module of convolution. A great challenge in this area is to identify the elements contribution to increase biospeckle activity, such as water, microorganisms, among others. This research work is recognized to provide an important step aiming to characteriz...

Aplication of Phase Shift Projection Moire Technique in Solid Surfaces Topographic Survey

The application of projection moire with phase shift techniques in vegetable organs surface topography survey had to step up basic procedures before reaching significant conclusions. As recommended by [1], the proposed method should be tested on virtual surfaces [1] before being carried on solid symmetric surfaces [2], followed by tests on asymmetric surfaces as fruits [3] and finally a generation of a 3D digital models of solid figures as well as of fruits [4]. In this research, identified as the step [2], tested objects included cylinders, cubes and spheres. In this sense a Ronchi grid named G1 was generated in a PC, from which other grids referred as G2, G3, and G4 were set out of phase by 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 of period from G1. Grid G1 was then projected onto the samples surface instead of being virtually distorted, receiving the name of Gd. The difference between Gd and G1, G2, G3, and G4 followed by filtration generated the moire fringes M1, M2, M3 and M4 respectively. Fringes are out of phase one from ...

Application of Dynamic Speckle Techniques in Monitoring Biofilms Drying Process

Horticultural crops exhibit losses far greater than grains in Brazil which are associated to inappropriate maturation, mechanical bruising, infestation by microorganisms, wilting, etc. Appropriate packing prevents excessive mass loss associated to transpiration as well as to respiration, by controlling gas exchanging with outside environment. Common packing materials are identified as plastic films, waxes and biofilms. Although research developed with edible films and biopolymers has increased during last years to attend the food industry demands, avoiding environmental problems, little efforts have been reported on biofilm physical properties investigations. These properties, as drying time and biofilm interactions with environment are considered of basic importance. This research work aimed to contribute to development of a methodology to evaluate yucca (Maniot vulgaris) based biofilms drying time supported by a biospeckle technique. Biospeckle is a phenomenon generated by a laser beam scattered on a dy...