Samuel Mariano-da-Silva

Chemical characteristics of pequi fruits (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) native of three municipalities in the State of Goiás - Brazil

In order to assure that the use of cerrado fruits occur in a sustainable way, studies to investigate their characteristics are extremely relevant. In this context, the present study aims to describe some chemical parameters of pequi fruits picked in three municipalities in southwestern Goias State (Jatai, Rio Verde, and Serranopolis). In each city, two populations of pequi trees - pequizeiros, denominated areas, were selected. In each area, eight trees were selected for the fruit to be picked. The contents of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, zinc, and ether extract were determined in the samples. The results demonstrate differences between the chemical characteristics studied for the fruits picked in different areas, which does not seem to vary in a significant way. Comparing the contents obtained in the present study with those required as human daily supply, further studies are recommended aiming at using the pequi fruit as a complementary alternative source of magnesium, manganese, and copper.

Efeitos do cádmio sobre o crescimento das leveduras Saccharomyces cerevisiae PE-2 e Saccharomyces cerevisiae IZ-1904, e a capacidade da vinhaça em atenuar a toxicidade

The present study was carried out in order to evaluate the capability of different cadmium concentration (0; 0,05, 0,10 and 0,50mM) to affect the growth of two S. cerevisiae strains (PE-2 and IZ-1904) in YED (yeast extract 1% and dextrose 2%) medium, and to evaluate the three vinasse concentration capability (0,15 and 30%) to attenuate the two cadmium concentration toxicity (0,1 and 0,5mM), using S. cerevisiae PE-2 strain in YED medium. In the first assay, the medium was inoculated in aseptic conditions with 1mL of 1% yeast suspension (PE-2 or IZ-1904) and incubated at 30oC, 70 RPM for 18 hours. During anaerobic growth (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 hours), portions of cell suspension were taken out and biomass concentration was determined. At the end of fermentation, yeast viability, budding rate and bacterial contamination were determined. Both, initial and final trehalose, was measured. In the second assay, the medium was inoculated in aseptic conditions with 2mL of 1% PE-2 suspension and incubated at 30oC, 120 rpm for 18 hours. During the anaerobic growth (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12,14, 16 and 18 hours) portions of cell suspension were taken out and biomass concentration was determined. At the end of fermentation, alcohol production, yeast viability, budding rate and bacterial contamination were determined. Both, initial and final trehalose, was measured. The increase of cadmium levels showed a reduction on yeast growth and cell viability. Vinasse showed low toxicity, but protected yeast cells very effectively against the toxic effects of cadmium.