Carlos Tadeu dos Santos Dias

Increased Antioxidant Content in Juice Enriched with Dried Extract of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Peel

Antioxidants are compounds responsible for free radical scavenging in the body. They protect the organism from oxidative modification of cells and tissues. These modifications have been associated with degenerative diseases, atherosclerosis and carcinogenesis. Punica granatum displays high antioxidant potential due to the presence of phenolic compounds, which are capable of disease prevention. The present study showed the highest antioxidant activity in pomegranate peel than in seeds and pulp. Based on these results, pomegranate peel was used to produce dried extract that was added to commercial tomato juice and orange juice with strawberries. Analysis to determine the content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity was performed on pomegranate pulp, seeds and peel and in juices enriched with dried extract of pomegranate peel. The dried extract was responsible for a significant increase in antioxidant activity of the juices, proportional to the concentrations added. However, although both flavors of enriched juices displayed high antioxidant levels, the samples with higher dried extract concentrations received the lowest scores from sensory analysis participants due to the characteristic astringent flavor of pomegranate peels. Therefore, to obtain greater acceptance in the consumer market, we concluded that the maximum addition of dried pomegranate peel extract is 0.5% in tomato juice and orange juice with strawberries.

EFEITO DA COMPOSIÇÃO DO SUBSTRATO NA FORMAÇÃO DE MUDAS DE LARANJEIRA `PERA'

To verify the effect of five substrate mixtures on the development of young sweet orange trees (Citrus sinensis cv. `Pera), this study used the rootstocks Ranpur lime (Citrus limonia L. Osbeck), Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reticulata, Blanco), and Swingle citrumelo (Citrus paradisi x Poncirus trifoliata). The experimental design was in randomized blocks, 5 x 3 factorial (substrates x rootstocks). The different materials and their proportion studied were, respectively: 1) Soil (100%); 2) Soil (33%) + fine sand (33%) + manure (33%); 3) Soil (33%) + vermiculite (33%) + manure (33%); 4) Soil (33%) + wood chips (33%) + manure (33%); 5) Soil (25%) + wood chips (25%) + fine sand (25%) + manure (25%). Plants of Rangpur lime and Swingle citrumelo presented better growth rate as expresed in plant height and trunk diameter than those of Cleopatra mandarin on most substrates. `Pera sweet orange budded on those rootstocks also presented better fresh weight when compared to Cleopatra mandarin. All substrate mixtures were better than the control (100%) in inducing plant development. Different substrate mixtures affected each rootstock differently, but in general, the compositions with 1/3 soil and 1/3 manure in volume were the best to produce young sweet orange trees in containers.

Lysine Requirements of Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides: A Comparison of Methods of Analysis of Dose-Response Trials Data

ABSTRACT Lysine is a strictly essential amino acid, the reference for dose-response trials to determine dietary amino acids requirements of fish. This study compares estimation of amino acids requirements of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, from data of lysine dose-response trials, analyzed through different statistical methods: Polynomial regression analysis, broken-line regression analysis, and specific mathematical modeling. Amino acids requirements were estimated through the A/E relationship [A/E = (essential amino acid ÷ total essential amino acids + cystine + tyrosine) × 1.000]. Groups of 25 feed-conditioned largemouth bass fingerlings (1.29 ± 0.03 g; 4.35 ± 0.17 cm) were stocked in 60-L cages (5 mm mesh) housed in 1,000-L plastic, indoor tanks, closed circulation system, and fed diets containing 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, or 3.5% lysine, in a totally randomized experimental design trial (n = 4). The broken-line analysis method yielded more reliable and precise estimations of lysine requirements–2.1% of diet or 4.9% dietary protein–for final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate. Best-feed conversion ratio was attained with 1.69% lysine in the diet or 3.9% lysine in dietary protein. Body amino acids profile was an adequate reference for estimation of largemouth bass amino acids requirements.

Relação de estratificação como indicador do sequestro de carbono em macroagregados de Latossolo sob plantio direto

The decrease in soil organic carbon (SOC) content in deeper layers indicates the occurrence of stratification between the surface layer and subsurface layer of soil due to continuous C addition by crop residues. The objective was to evaluate the change (delta) of stratification (RE) of carbon (C) as an indicator of C sequestration and soil total and particulate soil in macroaggregates of two soils (Typic Hapludox) with different textures, managed in no-tillage system. The tests were developed in completely randomized design twelve repetitions.Analyzed factors were: (a) two soils: Oxisol with medium texture and Oxisol with clay texture, (b) sampling depth: 0-5 and 5-20cm, (c) two sampling times (October 2007-T1, September 2008-T2). The results were submitted to variance analysis by program SISVAR 5.3, using the Tukey test at 5% significance. There was a significant linear relationship between the ∆ RE and carbon sequestration rate total macroaggregates Oxisol with medium texture (R²=0.78**) and Oxisol with clay texture (R²=0.81**) indicating that there was C sequestration confirming to be a sensitive indicator of the rate of C sequestration in soil macroaggregates.

Substratos alternativos ao xaxim na produção de bromélia ornamental

The objective of this study was to evaluate alternative substrates for the cultivation of the bromeliad Aechmea fasciata (Lindley) Baker, to substitute the formulated mixtures with fern tree fi ber from Dicksonia sellowiana (Presl.) Hook. Tested substrates were: Pinus bark, Eucalyptus bark, coxim (made of coconut fi ber), coir or fern tree fi ber, mixed with peat and perlite, in the proportions 2:7:1, 5:4:1 and 8:1:1. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse covered with polyethylene and shaded with shade cloth 70%. The bromeliads were cultivated during 435 days, until the beginning of the fl owering, when they were suitable for commercialization. The evaluated parameters were dry masses of leaf, root, infl orescence, fl oral scape, and stem, besides total dry mass and the commercial quality. The substrates formulated with fern tree fi ber or Pinus bark, in the proportions 2:7:1, 5:4:1 and 8:1:1, and with Eucalyptus bark, coir or coxim, in the proportion 2:7:1, showed the best results. The substrates formulated with Eucalyptus bark, coir or coxim in the proportion 8:1:1 presented the poorest results.

Interferências no consórcio de milho com Urochloa spp.

This research was carried out to study the interaction between the corn and Urochloa spp. cultivars in association, as well as the interference of weeds in this cropping system. A randomized experiment in three blocks with split-plots design was conducted. The plots consisted of seven cropping systems (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu and cv. Piata and U. decumbens cv. Basilisk a sole culture and in association with corn as well as the sole culture of corn) and the split-plots by weed control (with and without weeding). It was found that the establishment of corn-Urochloa spp. cultivars association does not affect yield components such as height and grain yield, nor reduces the weed community, but interferes in the density, mass of dry matter per plant and per area of Urochloa spp. cultivars. There were similar levels of interference of weeds between cropping systems without weeding due to the similarity between the weed communities, showing the predominance of species considered as highly competitive such as Panicum maximum and also due to the low infestation with predominance of species such as Richardia brasiliensis and Ageratum conyzoides, associated with weed control.

Estimadores de componentes de variância em delineamento de blocos aumentados com tratamentos novos de uma ou mais populações

This work compares by simulation estimates of variance components produced by the ANOVA (analysis of variance), ML (maximum likelihood), REML (restricted maximum likelihood), and MIVQUE(0) (minimum variance quadratic unbiased estimator) methods for augmented block design with additional treatments (progenies) stemming from one or more origins (crosses). Results showed the superiority of the MIVQUE(0) estimation. The ANOVA method, although unbiased, showed estimates with lower precision. The ML and REML methods produced downwards biased estimates for error variance (), and upwards biased estimates for genotypic variances (), particularly the ML method. Biases for the REML estimation became negligible when progenies were derived from a single cross, and experiments were of larger size with ratios />0.5. This method, however, provided the worst estimates for genotypic variances when progenies were derived from several crosses and the experiments were of small size (n<120 observations).

Nitrogen requirements of white‐lipped peccary (Mammalia, Tayassuidae)

A study was conducted to determine the protein requirement of the white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) performing a nitrogen (N) balance digestion trial. In a 4u2009×u20094 Latin square design, four adult captive male peccaries were fed four isoenergetic diets containing four different levels of N (13.3, 19.2, 28.7, and 37.1u2009gu2009N/kg dry matter). After 15 days of adaptation, the total collection of feces and urine was carried out for five consecutive days. By regression analysis between N intake and N in feces and urine, the metabolic fecal nitrogen (MFNu2009=u20093.1u2009g/kg of dry matter intake) and daily endogenous urinary N (EUNu2009=u200991.0u2009mg/kg(0.75) ) were determined. Likewise, by regression analyses between consumption of nitrogen and the nitrogen balance [NBuf8feN consumed-(fecal Nu2009+u2009Urine N)] we estimated the daily requirement of 336.5 mgN/kg(0.75) . Therefore, if food intake is unrestricted, white-lipped peccaries require a minimum content in their diet of about 4.5% crude protein as percentage of dry diet. These values are similar to those found in frugivorous wild ruminants, which reinforces the proposition that peccaries have a digestive physiology nearer to that of ruminants than of domestic pigs. Furthermore, the low nutritional maintenance requirements for white-lipped peccary may explain how this species thrive in the Neo-tropical region eating predominantly palm-fruits that normally have low crude protein contents.

Natural Ecosystem Surrounding a Conventional Banana Crop Improves Plant Health and Fruit Quality

Natural ecosystems near agricultural landscapes may provide rich environments for growing crops. However, the effect of a natural ecosystem on crop health and fruit quality is poorly understood. In the present study, it was investigated whether the presence of a natural ecosystem surrounding a crop area influences banana plant health and fruit postharvest behavior. Plants from two conventional banana crop areas with identical planting time and cultural practices were used; the only difference between banana crop areas is that one area was surrounded by a natural forest (Atlantic forest) fragment (Near-NF), while the other area was inserted at the center of a conventional banana crop (Distant-NF). Results showed that bananas harvested from Near-NF showed higher greenlife and a more homogeneous profile during ripening compared to fruits harvested from Distant-NF. Differences in quality parameters including greenlife, carbohydrate profile, and pulp firmness between fruits harvested from Near-NF and Distant-NF are explained, at least partly, by differences in the balance of plant growth regulators (indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid) in bananas during ripening. Furthermore, plants from Near-NF showed a lower severity index of black leaf streak disease (BLSD) and higher levels of phenolic compounds in leaves compared to plants from Distant-NF. Together, the results provide additional evidence on how the maintenance of natural ecosystems near conventional crop areas could be a promising tool to improve plant health and fruit quality.

COMPARISON OF QUALITY BETWEEN ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL STRAWBERRIES FROM MULTIPLE FARMS

ABSTRCT Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is an important pest of many plant species in particular citrus species. The aims of this study were: (1) to observe ‘in vitro’ biological aspects in three hosts and (2) to evaluate the bioactivity of plant species on immature A.woglum. Aqueous neem extract (Meliaceae), cassava wastewater, pepper sauce and gravy peduncle floral carnation guinea button and commercial neem were used in the experiment. Egg viability (%), nymphal period duration, nymphal mortality (%), puparium stage duration and pupae viability (%) were evaluated in 50 egg positions, with minimum of five eggs in “Pera” orange, mango and malay apple leaves obtained in the field. The insecticide effect (translaminar action and direct spray) at different concentrations on immature A.woglumi was evaluated. The first bioassay conducted to evaluate the bioactivity of species by translaminar action, each sample unit corresponded to three leaves, with minimum of 20 eggs and 20 1st instar nymphs, the variables were unviable eggs and nymph mortality (%); the experiment had a completely randomized design with four replications. In the second bioassay, fully infected branches were sprayed on upper and lower face of leaves with all treatments. Leaves with at least 40 eggs and 40 1st instar nymphs were marked, and mortality (%) and emergence (%) of adults were evaluated for seven days; each sample unit was represented by 40 eggs and 40 1st instar nymphs and the experiment had a completely randomized design with four replications. The average duration of the nymphal period ranged from 7.76 to 24.18 days in “Pera” orange, and from 8.86 to 25.20 days in mango. There was no significant difference between the viability of eggs and nymphs in “Pera” orange and mango or pupae viability between “Pera” orange and malay apple. Treatment efficiency was evaluated using the Abbott’s formula [E(%) = T-I/T x 100], where E ( % ) = efficiency percentage, T = number of live insects in the control treatment and I = number of live insects in treatment with insecticide. Therefore, in the first bioassay conducted to evaluate the bioactivity of species by translaminar action, all treatments showed efficiency greater than 50%. In the second bioassay by direct spraying to cassava wastewater (100% and 50 %) and commercial neem oil (1%), treatment had nymphal mortality efficiency greater than 80%.Morangos sao apreciados em todo o mundo. No entanto, uma grande quantidade de produtos agroquimicos e utilizada na sua producao por serem muito susceptiveis a pragas e doencas. Muitos estudos tem comparado a qualidade de frutos provenientes do sistema orgânico e do sistema convencional, mas os resultados sao contraditorios. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a qualidade de morangos (Fragaria ananassa Duch) cultivados sob metodos de cultivo orgânico e convencional. Setepares de fazendas foram selecionados, e frutos foram coletados em diferentes momentos e locais de producao. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com esquema fatorial 2 x 5 (dois tipos de cultivo x cinco periodos de armazenamento), com quatro repeticoes. Morangos produzidos no sistema de cultivo orgânico apresentaram maiores teores de solidos soluveis e polpa mais firme que os produzidos no sistema convencional. A perda de massa fresca, acidez titulavel e os teores de acido ascorbico nao foram influenciados pelos sistemas de cultivo. O sistema convencional resultou em frutos com menores indices de podridao, enquanto que morangos provenientes do sistema de cultivo convencional exibiram frutos com conteudo maior de solidos soluveis e polpa firme. Desta forma, neste trabalho foi observado que cada sistema de cultivo foi responsavel em beneficiar diferentes atributos de qualidade em morangos.