Leonardo Nora

Controlled Water Stress to Improve Fruit and Vegetable Postharvest Quality

Healthier food produced in a sustainable manner at affordable price is a necessity in the contemporaneous society. In this context, studies to devise the minimum necessary amount of water to crops towards development are required not only to save water and/or energy, but also to improve plant fitness to cope with biotic and abiotic stresses, even after harvest, and to improve nutritional, functional and sensorial food properties. The awareness of the growing impact of environmental stress has lead to worldwide efforts in adapting agricultural production to adverse environmental conditions, focusing on mitigating quantitative yield losses (Godfray et al., 2010). Far less attention has been devoted to the impact of abiotic environmental stresses on crop quality (Wang & Frei, 2011). Limited water supply (LWS) is a serious threat to agriculture, and often cause yield reduction. However, many plant species are not intolerant to that, otherwise the water input concept should be revised. In this review we describe the effect of limiting water supply during plant development on fruit and vegetables postharvest quality, mainly in terms of sensorial attributes (texture, colour, aroma, and taste) and composition (nutrients and bioactive compounds), and also in terms of gene expression, enzyme activity, yield, and storage behaviour. A brief introduction about regulated deficit irrigation, plant growth regulators and secondary metabolites is presented to illustrate common aspects associated with water stress effects on fruit and vegetable quality.

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.

ISOLATION OF HIGH-QUALITY RNA FROM GRAINS OF DIFFERENT MAIZE VARIETIES

The study of gene expression in maize varieties represents a powerful tool aiming to increase vitamin A precursors. However, the isolation of RNA from different maize varieties is challenging because these varieties show different levels of polysaccharides, and most methods available for RNA isolation are inappropriate for grain samples. The polysaccharides co-purify and co-precipitate with RNA during isolation, resulting in low-quality RNA, compromising the use of RNA in subsequent applications. Thus, a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-based method was adapted in this study and compared with six methods for RNA isolation, including commercial reagents and RNA and DNA isolation kits, in order to identify the most appropriate for maize grains from different varieties. Most of the methods evaluated were considered inadequate due to limitations in terms of purity and/or quantity of the isolated RNA, which affected the efficiency of subsequent RT-qPCR analysis, resulting in nonamplification of β-carotene hydroxylase gene (HYD3) or high deviation among replicates. However, the CTAB modified method allowed the study to obtain intact RNA, with high quality and quantity, from 25 maize varieties. Furthermore, this RNA was successfully used to evaluate the expression of HYD3 gene by real-time qualitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and thus represents a simple, efficient, and low-cost strategy.

Hygienic Conditions in Butcher Shops at the City of Navirai, Brazil—An Applied Case Study

This study comprises the evaluation of the hygienic-sanitary conditions of butcher shops in the city of Navirai, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Raw meat and meat products are foods widely consumed by Brazilian citizens, which is also widely exported overseas to several regions, including Europe. Due to its composition, high water content and almost neutral pH, which favors the growth of microorganisms, meat handling requires strict hygienic and sanitary guidelines. The city of Navirai is located in the Central region of Brazil, where beef cattle and beef and meat products are one of the main activities, both for domestic consumption as well as aiming exports. We surveyed two butcher shops by applying a checklist based on the Resolution RDC 216 of September 15, 2004, issued by the Brazilian Health Ministry. The scores were given from 0% to 100% and each surveyed item was classified as Satisfactory; Satisfactory with Restriction; or Unsatisfactory. After that, all nonconformities were pointed out and owners were instructed on how to fix them. Several items for both butcher shops were in disagreement with the cited legislation, being classified as unsatisfactory and satisfactory with restrictions. It was evidenced the need for most intensive inspection by the Sanitary Vigilance Department of the Brazilian Health Ministry, not only by applying fines and other penalties, but also with guidelines to employees and owners, since the lack of information, awareness and commitment is notorious.

Occurrence of bovine cysticercosis in animals slaughtered in two facilities at Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil

Bovine cysticercosis results in economic losses to cattle raisers and slaughterhouses and poses health risks to the population. Cysticercosis is caused by Taenia saginata, whose life cycle involves the use of livestock and humans as hosts. The objective of this study was to obtain information on the occurrence of cysticercosis in 2 slaughterhouses in the southern region of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil by consulting records on the origin of slaughtered animals and associated diseases, obtained through post-mortem inspection performed by the Brazilian Federal Service of Inspection (SIF) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA). The data were presented based on descriptive statistics, and all analyzes were performed in the statistical program “R”. In slaughterhouse “A”, the highest reported rate of cysticercosis was 2.40%, and the municipality with the highest number of cases was Amambaí. In slaughterhouse “B”, the highest reported rate was 6.02%, and the municipality with the highest number of cases was Vincentina. For both slaughterhouses, the highest number of cysticercosis cases occurred in January. Together with other studies performed in the same Brazilian state, these data indicate that bovine cysticercosis cases are increased in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, demanding additional effective measures for its control.

Migration of contaminants from food packages to its content – Brazilian scenario and regulation

Consumers demand pleasant taste and odor in the final food product. Changes in these characteristics may be due to food deterioration or migration of substances from the packaging into food. The production of plastics for food containers involves catalysts which may contain toxic elements. In Brazil, there are limits of migratory substances and procedures for determining its rate. We aim to emphasize the food risks of migration of toxic substances from plastic packaging into its contents, and the Brazilian regulations regarding this issue. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) as raw matter for food packaging, is a concern in Brazil. The research methods currently adopted in Brazil are efficient for As, Cd, Co, Cr, and Sb determination. During PET synthesis and recycling, secondary reactions may form acetaldehyde, diethylene glycol and toxic oligomers. Monitoring by government mechanisms is essential to enforce safe food packaging. However, migration over the product shelf life remains an issue.

Psidium cattleianum fruits: A review on its composition and bioactivity

Psidium cattleianum Sabine, commonly known as araçá, is a Brazilian native fruit, which is very juicy, with sweet to sub acid pulp and a spicy touch. The fruit can be eaten fresh or processed into juice, jellies and ice creams. Araçás are source of vitamin C, minerals, fatty acids, polysaccharides, volatile compounds, carotenoids and phenolic compounds, which can provide nutrients and phytochemical agents with different biological functions. Different pharmacological studies demonstrate that P. cattleianum exerts antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiaging effects. Thus, this article aims to review the chemical composition and biological effects reported for araçá fruit in the last years.

Yield and qualitative characteristics of grafted tomato

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity, classification and postharvest quality of fruits of tomato plants (cv. Gaucho) and the grafting of these plants with hybrid tomato plants (cv. Kaguemusha) by the terminal stake method. Plants were grown in a greenhouse in the municipality of Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) using a complete randomized block design with 20 replications. Grafted tomato plants produced fruits with higher average weight (g) and total phenols when compared to non-grafted plants. Produtividade e características qualitativas do tomateiro submetidas à enxertia** Yield and qualitative characteristics of grafted tomato Tiago Pedó1* Tiago Zanatta Aumonde1 Leandro da Conceição Oliveira2 Leonardo Nora1 Carlos Rogério Mauch1 1Universidade Federal de Pelotas – UFPel, Campus Universitário, 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brasil 2Instituto Federal Sul-rio-grandense – IFSul, Av. Ildefonso Simões Lopes, 2791, Bairro Arco-íris, Campus Pelotas-Visconde da Graça, 96060-290, Pelotas, RS, Brasil **Parte integrante da Dissertação de Mestrado do primeiro autor. Mestrado financiado pelo CNPq. Autor Correspondente: *E-mail: tiago.pedo@gmail.com PALAVRAS-CHAVE Solanum lycopersicum L. Distribuição Produção Pós-colheitaThe objective of this work was to evaluate the productivity, classification and postharvest quality of fruits of tomato plants (cv. Gaucho), and graft these plants with plants of tomato hybrid (cv. Kaguemusha), by the method of terminal stake. Plants were grown in a greenhouse in the city of Pelotas, using randomized complete block design with 20 replications. Grafted tomato plants resulted fruits with highest average mass (g) and total phenols, compared to non-grafted.