Casiane Salete Tibola

Mycoflora and deoxynivalenol in whole wheat grains (Triticum aestivum L.) from Southern Brazil

The fungal species Fusarium graminearum is related to deoxynivalenol (DON) formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate mycoflora and DON occurrence in 53 whole wheat grain samples collected in Southern Brazil during the 2012 crop. Wheat grains showed adequate values of water activity ranging from 0.48 to 0.72, within the required limits of moisture content, ranging from 9.1% to 13.9%. In addition, low counts of fungal colonies, ranging from 10 to 8.2 × 102, were found. For Fusarium genera, there was predominance of Fusarium verticillioides (34%) and F graminearum (30.2%). For Aspergillus species, 37.7% of Aspergillus flavus was determined. Regarding the Penicillium species, Penicillium digitatum (49%) was the most found species. DON was detected in 47.2% (25 out of 53) of the samples analysed, with levels ranging from 243.7 to 2281.3 µg kg−1 (mean: 641.9 µg kg−1).

Percepção de consumidores do Rio Grande do Sul em relação a quesitos de qualidade em frutas

To identify the main quality questions considered for decision to acquire and consume fruits and its possible relation with age, sex, instruction and income category, we carried out this research with consumers of fruits in Rio Grande do Sul State. The experiment was carried out in six cities (Porto Alegre, Pelotas, Santa Maria, Caxias do Sul, Passo Fundo and Santa Rosa). The methodology used was descriptive research for statistical method and the data were collected by questionnaire, in the form of personal interview with 1040 people. The attributes (variables) questioned were related with the price; appearance, flavor and aroma; packing; regularity of offers (easiness to find the product); mark; shelf life (durability); practical (easy to carry and to use); without residues of pesticides; origin; certification; environment; nutritional value; functional value; valuation of cultural aspects; others. According to the consumers, independent of the age, sex, instruction and income category, price; appearance, flavor and aroma; absence of residues of pesticides and identification of the origin, in decreasing order of importance, are considered the most important attributes at the purchase.

Traceability of peaches from integrated production in South Brazil

A rastreabilidade esta se tornando o metodo mais efetivo para assegurar uma cadeia alimentar mais segura e conectar produtores e consumidores. Nesse trabalho relatamos a aplicacao e validacao de um sistema de rastreabilidade na cadeia produtiva do pessego, de acordo com as Normas Brasileiras para Producao Integrada de Pessego (PIP) e Analises de Perigos e Pontos Criticos de Controle (APPCC). As parcelas de colheita foram discriminadas utilizando-se um aparelho de GPS (Global Positioning System). As praticas horticulturais foram registradas no caderno de campo, de acordo com as normas da PIP. As caixas para transportar as frutas, desde a lavoura, foram etiquetadas com codigo de barra para identificar as frutas em termos de origem (pomar e parcela de colheita), cultivar, qualidade, data e hora de colheita. Na industria, utilizando-se um leitor otico de codigo de barras, as frutas de cada caixa foram alocadas para um determinado lote homogeneo para fins de processamento. As latas de pessego foram etiquetadas com o numero do lote homogeneo correspondente, foi monitorado com base em analise fisicas e quimicas, de acordo com as regras da PIP e da APPCC. Uma base d e dados eletronica foi construida e disponibilizada atraves da Internet. Utilizando-se o numero do lote, foi possivel obter todas as informacoes desde a(s) parcela(s) de colheita correspondente(s) a uma determinada lata de pessego.

Fusarium head blight and trichothecene production in wheat by Fusarium graminearum and F. meridionale applied alone or in mixture at post-flowering

A greenhouse study was conducted to expand our knowledge of the disease and mycotoxin production by Fusarium graminearum (Fgra) and F. meridionale (Fmer) inoculated at post-flowering, either alone or in equal mixture, into three cultivars varying in their reaction to Fusarium head blight (FHB) in the field. In the first experiment, the entire spike was spray-inoculated and the proportion of diseased spikes (or incidence, INC) was monitored up to 15xa0days after inoculation (dai). In the second experiment, the inoculum was dispensed into the central-spikelet and the proportion of disease spikelets (or severity, SEV) was evaluated at 15 dai. The inoculum composition and the inoculum x cultivar interaction on both experiments were not significant. However, BRS 194, a standard for susceptibility, had significantly higher INC and SEV than BRS Parrudo and BRS 179, the latter a standard for moderate resistance. Fmer was less damaging to grain yield than Fgra and grain yield of BRS Parrudo was the least affected among the cultivars. Trichothecenes (DON + NIV) were detected in both experiments, irrespectively of the cultivar, at levels up to 2,000 and 15,000xa0μg/kg, in the spray-inoculation and central-spikelet inoculation experiment, respectively. Fgra alone produced only DON and Fgra+Fmer produced mainly DON and small amount of NIV. Fmer produced mainly NIV, but also trace amounts of DON. Our results suggest that post-flowering infections may contribute with trichothecenes in mature grain, especially DON. Nevertheless, NIV should be considered in analytical surveys due to its high toxicity.

Boron and calcium sprayed on 'Fuyu' persimmon tree prevent skin cracks, groove and browning of fruit during cold storage

As principais alteracoes indesejaveis observadas no periodo pos-colheita de caquis em armazenamento refrigerado (AR) sao a perda de firmeza de polpa, e a ocorrencia de escurecimento epidermico e de podridoes. Este trabalho teve por objetivo principal estudar as respostas da aplicacao de boro (B) e calcio (Ca), em tres safras sucessivas, na prevencao da ocorrencia de fissuras, estrias e escurecimento epidermico de caquis Fuyu. No pomar (Farroupilha-RS-Brasil, 29°31 Sul, 51°21 Oeste, aproximadamente 750m altitude) delimitou-se uma area homogenea de 0,5ha., marcando-se, ao acaso, tres repeticoes de cinco plantas para cada tratamento: T1 - controle, caquizeiros nao-pulverizados com B e Ca; T2 - pulverizacoes com Nitrato de Ca 0,5% (m/v); T3 - pulverizacoes com Cloreto de Ca 0,5% (m/v); e T4 - pulverizacoes com B 0,3% (m/v). As aplicacoes foram realizadas em tres anos sucessivos a partir de 15 de janeiro a intervalos de 20 dias. Foram colhidos os caquis na coloracao alaranjado-avermelhada, com 18-20°Brix e 45 a 60N, que posteriormente foram armazenados em AR a 0±1°C por 45 dias. As avaliacoes foram realizadas no dia do armazenamento, apos seis horas a 23±2°C a partir da retirada AR, e apos quatro dias a 23±2°C a partir da retirada do AR. Foi avaliada a ocorrencia de frutas com fissuras, estrias e escurecimento epidermico. Comprovou-se o efeito benefico da aplicacao de B ou Ca na prevencao de fissuras, estrias e escurecimento epidermico. Adicionalmente, foi detectado o incremento da resposta a aplicacao de B, que, alem de prevenir (a semelhanca das aplicacoes com Ca), apresentou efeito aditivo no segundo ano. O resultado sugere que as respostas as aplicacoes com B sao progressivas.

Economically Motivated Food Fraud and Adulteration in Brazil: Incidents and Alternatives to Minimize Occurrence

Brazil is one of the worlds largest food producers. Adulteration of foods is often reported and represent an important potential threat to food safety. Because of this, reduction of the vulnerability of foods to adulteration is of high priority to Brazil. This study analyzes economically motivated food fraud and adulterations in Brazil between 2007 and 2017, based on academic journal reports. In addition, alternatives are proposed to minimize these incidents through good practices, traceability systems and the development of methods to detect food fraud and adulteration. Complex supply chains for foods of animal origin, such as milk and dairy products, were the main targets of food fraud and adulterations. Other products prone to fraudulent activities were vegetable oils, especially olive oil, which are high value products. Meat and fish, as well as their respective by-products, were also involved in some food fraud and adulteration, especially substitution. Cases of extraneous ingredient addition were also reported in the coffee and tea sectors. Comprehensive food fraud and adulteration prevention requires the enforcement of regulatory systems, increased sampling and monitoring, training of food producers and handlers, and development of precise, rapid, and cost-effective methods of fraud detection. The availability of robust methods to identify the chemical constituents of foods could be a decisive step, both to detect and prevent fraud in producer countries and to open up new markets to these products. The results of this study can be used to analyze food safety risks and prioritize target areas for food research and policy-making in order to enforce food safety regulations in Brazil.nnnPRACTICAL APPLICATIONnA food fraud and adulteration review was conducted based on scientific literature in Brazil. Milk and its products were the main targets of food fraud and adulterations. Food fraud and adulteration causes and suggestions for good practice are presented. The results can be used to analyze food safety and protect consumer rights.

Effect of breadmaking process on mycotoxin content in white and whole wheat breads

Funding information Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa); National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Grant/Award Number: 473177/2014-5 Abstract Background and objectives: Fusarium graminearum may reduce the wheat flour yield, technological quality, and breadmaking performance. The objective was to evaluate the effect of breadmaking on the mycotoxin content in white and whole wheat breads to obtain information about the safety of wheat products. The wheat samples were contaminated via the addition of Fusarium‐damaged kernels to produce different levels of deoxynivalenol (DON), ranging from <500 to >5,000 μg/kg. Findings: Because of the breadmaking process, a significant reduction in the DON concentration was observed in both the white and whole wheat breads at the upper DON levels (>2,000 μg/kg) compared with the flours. The DON reduction was 49% and 39%, respectively, in whole and white breads, compared with the original flours. ZON was only detected in the two higher levels of DON in the whole wheat flour (mean 33.1 μg/kg) and in the two whole wheat breads (mean 42.4 μg/kg). Conclusions: The breadmaking process can be a complementary strategy to reduce the mycotoxin content in wheat products. Significance and novelty: These results are important for wheat supply chain to meet the legislation requirements and to produce safer foods.