Iriani Rodrigues Maldonade

Produção segura e rastreabilidade de hortaliças

A cada dia que passa o consumidor esta mais consciente que a saude esta diretamente relacionada a uma dieta balanceada e segura. A preocupacao com o consumo de alimentos com propriedades funcionais vem crescendo pelo fato dos alimentos apresentarem atividades antioxidantes. Entretanto, o consumo de hortalicas in natura tambem podem apresentar riscos a saude. Os principais riscos potenciais de frutas e hortalicas estao relacionados as contaminacoes quimica e microbiologica, que podem ocorrer no vegetal durante a sua producao. Com o aumento da competitividade nas diferentes cadeias agroindustriais, os produtores tem buscado oferecer produtos com maior qualidade e de maior valor agregado, sem perderem de vista a seguranca dos alimentos. Uma forma de gerenciar perigos para a seguranca dos alimentos e monitorar todo o processo desde a producao ate a sua distribuicao. Para tanto, e necessario implementar um sistema de rastreamento combinado com procedimentos de garantia de qualidade do tipo APPCC (Analise de Perigos e Pontos Criticos de Controle), a fim de minimizar as possibilidades de contaminacao alimentar, e identificar rapidamente qualquer fonte de contaminacao. A adocao de Boas Praticas Agricolas (BPA) durante a producao de produtos horticolas e pre-requisito para que o plano de APPCC obtenha sucesso. A Producao Integrada (PI) tem como objetivo principal elevar os padroes de qualidade e competitividade da olericultura e fruticultura brasileiras aos niveis de excelencia requeridos pelo mercado internacional. O foco atual e a busca pela manutencao dos valores funcionais das hortalicas apos a colheita, por meio da utilizacao de tecnicas de manuseio que assegurem a inocuidade e a rastreabilidade, sem prejuizo de todos os atributos de qualidade anteriormente garantidos. O presente trabalho aborda um conjunto de tecnologias que disponibiliza ao consumidor produtos seguros e rastreaveis, sem que haja perda de seu valor nutritivo e com qualidade sensorial otima.

Seed and peel essential oils obtained from Campomanesia adamantium fruit inhibit inflammatory and pain parameters in rodents.

Campomanesia adamantium (Myrtaceae) is popularly known as “gabiroba” and has been used in folk medicine as antirheumatic, antidiarrheal, hypocholesterolemic and anti-inflammatory. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities and toxicology of essential oils from peel (EOP) and seed (EOS) of C. adamantium fruits in animal models. Different groups were treated with doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg and the inflammatory parameters were evaluated in carrageenan induced paw oedema and leukocyte migration in pleurisy model, while antinociceptive activity was evaluated using formalin method in rodents. The major constituent of EOP and EOS was limonene with 13.07% and 20.89%, respectively. No clinical signs of toxicity have been observed in animals. It was observed a significant decreased (P<0.01) in leukocyte migration at the dose of 300 mg/kg of EOP and EOS, with maximal inhibition of 89±3% for EOP and 80±6% for EOS. Paw oedema was inhibited at all times, and maximal inhibition was at the dose of 100 mg/kg at 2 h after carrageenan injection with 72±2% for EOP and 74±2% for EOS. EOS and EOP also reduced the first and second phases of formalin-induced nociception test. In the first formalin-phase, maximal inhibitions were at 48±5% for EOP and 66±4% for EOS (300 mg/kg). At the inflammatory phase induced by formalin, maximal inhibitions were 72±2% for EOP and 80±2% for EOS at the dose of 100 mg/kg. Seed and peel essential oils from C. adamantium fruit inhibited leukocyte migration, inflammatory and neurogenic pain and oedema suggesting their use as nutraceutical or pharmacological agent.

Detection of intestinal parasites on field-grown strawberries in the Federal District of Brazil

INTRODUCTION This study evaluated the presence of pathogenic human parasites on field-grown strawberries in the Federal District of Brazil. METHODS A total of 48 samples of strawberries and 48 soil samples from 16 properties were analyzed. RESULTS Contaminated strawberries were detected in 56% of the properties. Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides or Ascaris suum, Balantidium coli, Endolimax nana, and Entamoeba spp. were detected. Soil was contaminated with Entamoeba spp., Entamoeba coli, Strongyloides spp., Ancylostomatidae, and Hymenolepis nana. CONCLUSIONS Producers should be instructed on the safe handling of strawberries in order to reduce the incidence of strawberries that are contaminated with enteroparasites.

Frequency of Enteroparasites and Bacteria in the Leafy Vegetables Sold in Brazilian Public Wholesale Markets

The consumption of raw vegetables is related to health benefits. However, these foods might be source of foodborne diseases. The objective of the present study was to perform a microbiological and parasitological evaluation of the leafy vegetables commercially sold in five regions of Brazil at public wholesale markets. The 12 types of leafy vegetables (144 samples) were curly lettuce, looseleaf lettuce, red lettuce, chives, coriander, kale, basil, arugula, parsley, iceberg lettuce, chicory, and bean sprouts. The prevalences of total coliforms (88 to 100%) and thermotolerant coliforms (37 to 100%) were high, but Salmonella was not detected in any of the analyzed samples. All open markets sold vegetables contaminated with enteroparasites, mainly Entamoeba sp., Balantidium coli, Strongyloides sp., Ascaris sp., Enterobius vermicularis, and Ancylostomidae. Contamination was detected in all the regions (north, northeast, central west, southeast, and south) and types of vegetables, with higher prevalences in the northeast region, mainly in basil, lettuce, and chives. Contamination of vegetables by potentially pathogenic microorganisms is a national problem, and the distribution centers should improve quality control of these commercial vegetables. Considering the high frequency of enteroparasites and bacteria and the potential risk of disease transmitted by vegetables, we suggest greater enforcement of the sanitary surveillance of food offered to the public.

Determinação de minerais no solo e análise de folhas de couve produzida em Brasília

Collard is a food with a high content of vitamins and minerals, fundamental for the human diet. However, information on the influence of extrinsic and intrinsic factors in its composition during cultivation is still scarce. The objective of this work was to quantify the minerals in collard leaves produced in the Federal District (DF), Brazil: calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, sodium and iron, correlating with the present soil contents. Leaf and soil samples were collected in 16 different rural properties in the Federal District, in which questionnaires were also applied on the cultural practices adopted during plant growing. The average foliar contents per 100 g of fresh leaves were: calcium, 222.8 mg; iron, 1.3 mg; magnesium, 37.6 mg; and zinc, 0.6 mg. This composition meets 28% of daily calcium requirements in children aged from 4 to 8 years: 13% iron, 29% magnesium and 13% zinc, based on the consumption of 100 g of fresh collard leaves. Negative correlation was verified for magnesium contents in soil and leaf, with R = -0.69. A significant correlation was not verified for the other analyzed minerals. Phosphorus and potassium contents in soils were considered high while, contradictorily, low concentrations of magnesium were found. The foliar micronutrients contents were considered low and suggests for an inadequate management of the fertilization, factor corroborated by the answers of the cultural practices questionnaires. Management practices that lead to nutrient balance in soil reflect directly on soil-plant interaction. Up-to-date regional recommendations on soil fertilization and correction could assist farmers and technicians, directly reflecting the achievement of more balanced levels of micro and macro nutrients in vegetables.