Estabilidade da fitase e sua utilização na alimentação de frangos de corte

This work was designed to evaluate the effect of storage forms and conditions upon the enzyme activity of phytase and bioavaibility of calcium and phosphorus in broiler diets. The work was accomplished in two steps. The first step, made in the laboratory measured the activity of the phytase enzyme along the storage period. In this step, two experiments were performed: Experiment 1, constituted of 5 treatments (pure phytase stored at 0 °C, 4 °C and environmental temperature and mixed to vitamin and mineral supplement, stored at environmental temperature) in CRD and split plot scheme. The activities were evaluated every 14 days for 112 days of storage, being verified that the phytase storage in the pure form at 0o C was superior to the other treatments. Experiment 2, made up of 4 treatments (phytase mixed to the ration directly, directly and afterwards pelleted, via mineral supplement and via vitamin supplement),all the treatments being stored at environmental temperature, in CRD and split plot scheme. The activities were evaluated every 7 days for 56 days' storage, being verified that the storage of the phytase mixed to the ration via vitamin supplement and directly with the ration pelleted later, provoked a fall in phytase activity when compared with the other treatments. In the second step, the effect of phytase on the bioavaibility of calcium and phytic phosphorus was evaluated, 2 experiments being accomplished (3 and 4); in both experiments were utilized 576 broiler line chicks, housed in an array of heated batteries, receiving practical diets on the basis of corn and soybean meal (basal) for 21days. At the end of 27 days of age,96 birds were slaughtered for evaluation of the mineral contents (Ca and P) in the tíbias and plasma phosphorus. The excretae were collected from 22 to 27 days of age of the birds. Experiment 3: A CRD with the treatments in 2 x 3 x 2 +4 factorial arrangement was utilized, namely, two levels of total phosphorus (0.35 and 0.45% of total phosphorus), three leveis of phytase (500, 750 and 1,000 FTU) and four additional treatments with levels of 0.35 and 0.45 % of available phosphorus for each sex, with three replicates per treatment. There was significant interaction among levels of phosphorus and phytase (P< 0.05) for weight gain, ration consumption and feed conversion. Phytase did not indicate significant differences when the level 0.45% was utilized, nevertheless, at the level 0.35% as phytase was supplemented, weight gain, ration consumption and feed conversion were improved, chiefly with 1,000 FTU/Kg, in both sexes. The males presented greater weight gain. The ration consumption and feed conversion were equal to those of females. The contrast 0.45% did not affect the performance of males and females, the same not occurring with the level 0.35%,at which the available phosphorus was superior in both the sexes. The highest contents of ashes, phosphorus and calcium in the tíbias and plasma phosphorus were obtained with the levels of 750 and 1,000 FTU/Kg of phytase and 0.45% of total phosphorus. The males presented higher contents of ashes in the tibias. The level 0.45% of available phosphorus presented the greatest contents of ashes, calcium and phosphorus in the tibias, and phosphorus in the plasma. The lowest excretions of phosphorus occurred at the levels 0.35% of total phosphorus and 1,000FTU/kg of phytase. The lowest contents of ashes and calcium in the excretae were obtained with 0.35% and 1,000FTU/Kg of phytase. The females excreted smallest amounts of ashes, calcium and phosphorus than the males. Experiment 4: a CRD with the treatments in 3 x 4 x 2 factorial arrangement, namely, three levels of phytase (0, 500 and 1,000 FTU), four levels of calcium (0.7, 0.8, 0.9 and 1.0%) with four replicates per treatment. The performance was not affected by the treatments utilized, the males being superior to the females in weight gain, feed consumption and conversion. The contents of ashes in the tibias were not affected by the levels of phytase but as calcium levels raised, the ash contents increased. The contents of calcium and phosphorus in the tibias increased with the supplementation of 500 and 1,000 FTU/kg of phytase and with calcium levels. The utilization of phytase did not decrease the excretion of ashes, calcium and phosphorus.

Ação antioxidante da água catódica: estudos preliminares em sementes de café

Coffee seeds have limitations regarding to its conservation because of their sensitivity to desiccation and storage behavior. The establishment of a methodology for seed storage is difficult due to its deterioration. Deterioration can enhance the production of reactive oxygen species and cause lethal oxidative damage to plant tissues. The damage caused by harmful levels of free radicals can be softened by the action of endogenous or exogenous antioxidants. Recent research shows new antioxidative protection technologies, being cathodic protection a promising technique with relevant results in other recalcitrant species and even in other living organisms. Thus, the aim of this work was to verify the antioxidant effect of cathodic water in Coffea arabica L. seeds with the purpose of investigating a new technology to improve seed quality. The study was conducted at the Central Seed Laboratory, Department of Agriculture, at the Federal University of Lavras. Coffea arabica L. seeds were used. The study was conducted in two stages, in the first a preliminary analysis of the use of cathodic water was carried out in batches with different levels of quality. In the second it was evaluated the effect of light and of the imbibition period of the seeds in cathodic water. The seeds were immersed in distilled water and in cathodic water for eight distinct soaking periods, in absence and presence of light and then evaluated by physiological tests. It can be concluded that cathodic water can positively influence the physiological performance of the coffee seeds with poor quality, especially when embedded during periods between 4.5 to 7.5 hours in the absence of light.

Análise energética da madeira e do carvão de híbridos entre Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson e Corymbia torelliana (F. Muell.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson

This research aimed to evaluate the wood and charcoal quality of hybrids clone of the crossing C. citriodora with C. torelliana in two different locations for charcoal production. Seven with 3,75 years old clones, planted at country of Itamarandiba – MG, and six 6,42 years old clones, planted in Dionísio – MG, were studied. For wood and charcoal quality analysis, samples were collected along the stem of the trees until the commercial height. Properties study of the wood was done by chemical analysis, basic density, superior heat power, and thermogravimetric analysis. The wood samples were carbonized in laboratory conditions with heating rate of 1.67 0 C.min -1 , starting at 100 0 C until 450 0 C and keeping on this temperature for 30 minutes. It were determined the carbonizations gravimetric yield, all in dry basis. The wood quality was evaluated based on the chemical immediate analysis, relative apparent density, and gross heating value. The experiment was installed according to the completely randomized design, with five repetitions. The collected data were submitted to analysis of variance and, when the evaluated effects were significant by “F” test, was applied the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability for multiple comparisons. For correlation analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, tested by the "t" test at 5% probability was used. Results showed variability of wood between the genetic materials evaluated in relation to place and plant crossing. The thermal analysis of the wood showed significant variation between clones and it was possible to differentiate two stages of degradation (hemicelluloses and cellulose). The majority of the clones presented satisfactory properties for the charcoal production, while, clone 3, planted in Itamarandiba, obtained the best performance due it have the higher yield and energetic efficiency, thus, achieving the best potential for charcoal production. However, clone 9, planted in Dionísio, was the less indicated for charcoal production since it presented the lowest energetic efficiency, gravimetric yield, and densities.