Artisanal extraction and traditional knowledge associated with medicinal use of Crabwood Oil (Carapa guianensis Aublet.) in a peri-urban Várzea environment in the Amazon Estuary.

Varzea forests of the Amazon estuary contain species of importance to riverine communities. For example, the oil extracted from the seeds of crabwood trees is traditionally used to combat various illnesses and as such artisanal extraction processes have been maintained. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the process involved in artisanal extraction of crabwood oil in the Fazendinha ProtectedArea, in the state ofAmap´a; (2) characterise the processes of knowledge transfer associated with the extraction and use of crabwood oil within a peri-urban riverine community; and (3) discern medicinal uses of the oil.The data were obtained using semistructured interviews with 13 community members involved in crabwood oil extraction and via direct observation.The process of oil extraction is divided into four stages: seed collection; cooking and resting of the seeds; shelling of the seeds and dough preparation; and oil collection. Oil extraction is carried out within the home for personal use, with surplus marketed within the community. More than 90% of the members of the community involved in extraction of crabwood oil highlighted the use of the oil to combat inflammation of the throat. Knowledge transfer occurs via oral transmission and through direct observation.

Environmental effect on sunflower oil quality.

Sunflower is one of the most important oilseed crops and produces a high-quality edible oil. Balance of fatty acids in standard sunflower oil shows preponderance of linoleic rather than oleic acid, and conditions during seed development, such as temperature, changes the oleic/linoleic ratio of the oil. This work aimed to evaluate the environmental effect on fatty acid profile in a group of standard and high oleic varieties and hybrids. Seeds were produced during regular season crop and during off-season crop featuring different temperatures from anthesis to maturity. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. Levels of oleic acid, in standard oil genotypes, raised as the crop developed in warmer environment while levels of linoleic acid decreased, and the opposite was observed when the crop was grown under lower temperature. High oleic genotypes were less sensitive to environment switching and showed lower variation on fatty acid composition.

Reação de genótipos de girassol à mancha de alternaria (alternariaster helianthi) em condições de campo, nas safras 2013/2014 e 2014/2015.

RESUMO: A reação de 23 genótipos de girassol à mancha de Alternaria foi avaliada em dois experimentos de campo, conduzidos em Londrina, PR, nas safras 2013/2014 e 2014/2015. Os experimentos foram semeados em outubro de 2013 e outubro de 2014. A severidade da doença, que ocorreu por infecção natural das plantas pelo fungo, foi avaliada na fase de desenvolvimento R3, utilizando uma escala diagramática da doença. Após a colheita, também foram avaliados a produtividade, o peso de mil aquênios e o teor de óleo. Em cada experimento, verificou-se diferença estatística significativa entre os híbridos avaliados em condições de campo, tanto para a severidade da doença, quanto para os componentes de produção. Nenhum genótipo de girassol apresentou resistência completa à mancha de Alternaria. ABSTRACT: The reaction of 23 sunflower genotypes to Alternaria leaf spot disease was evaluated in two field experiments carried out in Londrina, state of Paraná, Brazil, during 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 growing seasons. The experiments were sown in October 2013 and October 2014. Alternaria disease severity, under natural conditions in the field, was evaluated at the R3 growth stage with reference to a diagrammatic scale developed for this disease. After harvesting, yield, 1000-seed weight and oil content were also evaluated. For each experiment, statistical significance was observed among the evaluated genotypes for disease severity and yield components. None of the sunflower genotypes showed complete resistance to Alternaria leaf spot.