Competitividade dos produtores rurais de cana-de-açúcar da região agreste do Rio Grande do Norte

Deregulation of the sugar-alcohol sector in the 90s meant that agribusiness firms begin a process of reorganization of their production structures to enhance their abilities to become competitive in the new scenario. This study aims to examine the Production Chain of Sugar cane in Agreste region of Rio Grande do Norte, with studies to contribute to the competitiveness of farmers giving grants for planning and implementing policies, programs and projects, public and / or private. The method used in the study was researching the literature on the history of sugar cane in Brazil, agribusiness management, production chains and competitiveness, in field research used a questionnaire to collect information from farmers. It is concluded that the rural producers of cane sugar in newborns are not competitive and therefore it is necessary policies and / or for private gain in competitiveness of producers and consequently the production chain. It is hoped that the study serves as a subsidy for those policies proposição

Aproveitamento de resíduos de cinza da cana de açúcar em massas cerâmicas

This study aimed to investigate the use of cane sugar ashes from small-scale stills of Eunápolis region, state of Bahia, in pottery mass that can be developed as porcelain stoneware. Bahia is the second largest producer of rum distillery in Brazil. In the production of rum is produced residue called bagasse, which is used to generate electricity in Power plants and in the distillery itself, generating ashes as residue, which is played in nature, causing environmental damage. We studied 5 (five) formulations of 0% 10% 20%, 30% and 40% by weight of the ash, without ignition and 3 (three) formulations of 10%, 20% and 30% with gray ash temperature of 1250ºC. The formulation at 0% by weight of ash was used for a comparison between the traditional mass of porcelain stoneware and the masses with the addition of ash calcined, replacing feldspar. The percentage by weight of kaolin and of Clay was kept the same, 30%, and all raw materials were derived from the state of Bahia. The samples were made in uniaxial array with dimensions of (60 x 20 x 5) mm and compressed to a pressure of 45 MPa. Assays were performed to characterize the raw by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, ATD and ATG and Dilatometric analysis. The samples were sintered at temperatures of 1100°C, 1150°C, 1200°C and 1250°C, for the specimens with the ashes without ash and 1150° C and 1200° C for specimens with the gray level of calcined 60 minutes. and then we made a cooling ramp with the same rate of warming until reach ambient temperature. The sintered bodies were characterized by water absorption, porosity, linear shrinkage, bending strength and XRD of the fracture surface and the results analyzed. It was proven, after results of tests performed, that it is possible to use the ash residue of sugar cane bagasse on ceramic coating with the addition of up to 10% wt of the residue ash

Avaliação de parâmetros de estresse oxidativo em plantas de cana-de-açúcar tratadas com peróxico de hidrogênio

The genus Saccharum belongs to Poaceae family. Sugarcane has become important monocultures in Brazil due to their products: ethanol and sugar. The production may change between different regions from Brazil. This difference is related to soil, climatic conditions and temperature that promotes oxidative stress that may induce an early flowering. The aim of this work was to identify the effects of oxidative stress. In order to analyse this, sugarcane plants were submitted to oxidative stress using hydrogen peroxide. After this treatment, the oxidative stress were analyzed Then, the plant responses were analyzed under different approaches, using morphophysiological, biochemical and molecular tools. Thus, sugarcane plants were grown under controlled conditions and until two months they were subjected first to a hydroponics condition for 24 hours in order to acclimation. After this period, these plants were submitted to oxidative stresse using 0 mM, 10 mM, 20 mM and 30 mM hydrogen peroxide during 8 hours. The histomorphometric analysis allowed us to verify that both root and leaf tissues had a structural changes as it was observed by the increased in cell volume, lignin accumulation in cell walls. Besides, this observation suggested that there was a change in redox balance. Also, it was analyzed the activity of the SOD, CAT and APX enzymes. It was observed an increase in the SOD activity in roots and it was also observed a lipid peroxidation in leaves and roots. Then, in order to identify proteins that were differently expressed in this conditions it was used the proteomic tool either by bidimensional gel or by direct sequencing using the Q-TOF EZI. The results obtained with this approach identified more than 3.000 proteins with the score ranging from 100-5000 ions. Some of the proteins identified were: light Harvesting; oxygenevolving; Thioredoxin; Ftsh-like protein Pftf precusor; Luminal-binding protein; 2 cys peroxiredoxin e Lipoxygenase. All these proteins are involved in oxidative stress response, photsynthetic pathways, and some were classified hypothetical proteins and/or unknown (30% of total). Thus, our data allows us to propose that this treatment induced an oxidative stress and the plant in response changed its physiological process, it made changes in tissue, changed the redox response in order to survival to this new condition

O dumping ambiental no setor sucroalcooleiro à luz do princípio da livre concorrência

The goal of this study is to investigate about the existence or absence of environmental dumping in the production of fuel ethanol in Brazil, as well as identifying the reasons why the figure of ecological dumping is pernicious to the principles enumerated in constitutional economic order, in particular the principle of free competition. In the twenty-first century environmental issues gained momentum and importance in these terms, which was seen as a mere fallacy given the concern of governments of various countries, after all, environmental protection shows up as the only means of bringing about the maintenance of life at planet. Indeed, it is essential to halt the drastic effects of climate change, and think fast and efficient solutions. Undoubtedly, the contemporary requirements that resulted in the transition to a new economy brings with it the duty of enterprise search for sustainability, and this behavior can not be passive, otherwise it is imperative to work hard and incessant economic agents, even if initially costs are high, this step will ensure a production accountable, transparent and free from accusations of environmental degradation. It is also intended to study the importance of the sector not only as a source of economic growth, but mainly, its contribution to national development, without forgetting that this is devoted in the Constitution of 1988 as one of the objectives of the Federative Republic of Brazil. In fact, the criticism most common perceptions about the production of biofuels, said the interests of the countries producing them in large scale, will eventually generate a exhaustion of soil and a significant increase in food prices. However, the ethanol produced in Brazil is unique in that it is produced from cane sugar, a product is not intended for human or animal, not to mention that the recovery of land just to the rotation with the planting other cultures. It is expected that environmental certifications are useful to demonstrate the quality of ethanol for export and to refute unfounded criticism. Finally, this study will be analyzed further solutions for the plants to develop an economic activity without damaging the environment and in compliance with Brazilian law

Floração precoce em cana-de-açúcar - um estudo utilizando ferramentas de análise in silico e proteômica

Sugarcane is one of the most important products of the world and Brazil is responsible for 25 % of the world production. One problem of this culture at northeast of Brazil is the early flowering. In our laboratory, it has been made before four subtractive libraries using early and late flowering genotypes in order to identify messages related to the flowering process. In this work, two cDNAs were chosen to make in silico analysis and overexpression constructs. Another approach to understand the flowering process in sugarcane was to use proteomic tools. First, the protocol for protein extraction using apical meristem was set up. After that, these proteins were separated on two bidimensional gels. It was possible to observe some difference for some regions of these gels as well as some proteins that can be found in all conditions. The next step, spots will be isolated and sequence on MS spectrometry in order to understand this physiological process in sugarcane

Aproveitamento sustentável do bagaço de cana de açúcar para obtenção do acetato de celulose

The sustainable use of waste resulting from the agribusiness is currently the focus of research, especially the sugar cane bagasse (BCA), being the lignocellulosic waste produced in greater volume in the Brazilian agribusiness, where the residual biomass has been applied in production energy and bioproducts. In this paper, pulp was produced in high purity from the (BCA) by pulping soda / anthraquinone and subsequent conversion to cellulose acetate. Commercial cellulose Avicel was used for comparison. The obtained cellulose acetate was homogeneous acetylation reaction by modifying the variables, the reaction time in hours (8, 12, 16, 20 and 24) and temperature in ° C (25 and 50). FTIR spectra showed characteristic bands identical to cellulosic materials, demonstrating the efficiency of separation by pulping. The characterization of cellulose acetate was obtained and by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG / DTG / DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and determining the degree of substitution (DS ) for the cellulose acetate to confirm the acetylation. The optimal reaction time for obtaining diacetates and triacetates, at both temperatures were 20 and 24 h. Cellulose acetate produced BCA presented GS between 2.57 and 2.7 at 25 ° C and 50 ° C GS obtained were 2.66 and 2.84, indicating the actual conversion of cellulose BCA of di- and triacetates. Comparative mode, commercial cellulose Avicel GS showed 2.78 and 2.76 at 25 ° C and 2.77 to 2.75 at 50 ° C. Data were collected in time of 20 h and 24 h, respectively. The best result was for the synthesis of cellulose acetate obtained from the BCA GS 2.84 to 50 ° C and 24 hours, being classified as cellulose triacetate, which showed superior result to that produced with the commercial ethyl cellulose Avicel, demonstrating converting potential of cellulose derived from a lignocellulosic residue (BCA), low cost, prospects of commercial use of cellulose acetate

A configuração do circuito espacial de produção sucroalcooleira em Alagoas

The sugarcane production consists in the principal product activity in the state of Alagoas, holding a structure composed of 25 unities of production that represents the economic base of more than a half of its municipies, what make it be the biggest producer of the sector in North and Northwest, exporting its products for countries in different continents. From this reference, it was searched in the present work, to understand the configuration of the circuit space production of sugar cane in Alagoas, from the use of the territory, trough the analyses of the more significant events related to the sector, and, the established rules by the State, through the government, by organs like Institute of Sugar and Alcohol (IAA), and programs like National Alcohol Program (Proálcool), between others, that had as function to structure and to allocate resources to the sugar cane sector. It was realized that the investments done made possible the renovation of techniques used in the sugar cane complex. In the beginning, with the substitution of the mill for factories and, afterwards, the improvement of the agriculture and factory process themselves, improving the utilization of the byproduct, and the productive integration of instances, specially with the sugar, cane, electricity generation production, intensifying the participation of the state in the internation division of labor, giving it a organization structure divided by big hegemonic agents of this process. SO, the sugar cane geographic configuration existing in alagoano territory was restructured and the circuit even more pass to constitute movement of many scales, subsidized by cooperation circles. However, this configuration showed itself subservient to world commerce, what conditions the adoption of hegemonic practices that are far from the local projects and living practices. The verticality imposed offers a configuration that isn’t peculiar, that only serves to answer to the big hegemonic agent commands, characterizing the continuity of the present capitalism process. It means that the sugar cane factories use corporately the territory as resource to obtain more lucrativity and this way dominate the bigger quantity of consumer commerce

Estudo experimental e modelagem do processo de sacarificação e fermentação simultânea utilizando bagaço de cana-de-açúcar para produção de etanol

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq

Caracterização de um homólogo de HINT1 em cana-de-açúcar encontrado em bibliotecas subtrativas de CDNA para floração

The sugarcane is a monocot plant grown in tropical and subtropical regions, with Brazil being the largest producer. Despite its economic importance, little is known about the molecular flowering process in sugarcane. This physiological process can promote a loss up to 60% in sugar or bioethanol. Thus, this work had as objective characterize a HINT1 homologous gene previously identified in subtractive libraries of flowering. Genomic analysis of gene and promoter region structure allowed the observation that there are at least two distinct genes homologous to HINT on sugarcane. Bioinformatics analyses showed the conservation of the characteristic protein domain of HIT superfamily and indicate a phylogenetic relationship associated to cell location. Moreover, a possible relation with the SBTILISIN-like protein family through the information available in interatomas was observed. This suggests that the HINT gene of sugarcane can be related to plant development, there are several possibilities of interactions in the regulation of floral induction process, because the sequences present in regulatory regions indicate that differential expression of HINT was related to with climatic factors in the Northeast region of Brazil as well as to biotic stress and phytohormones. Furthermore, the sugarcane phenotypes indicate that the influence of HINT may happen due to product accumulation of its enzymatic activity. For these characteristics this gene can be used as a marker in the selection of new varieties.

Uso da cinza do bagaço da cana-de-açúcar como matéria-prima na substituição dos fundentes para aplicações em porcelanato

The present study aims to evaluate the potential use of bagasse ash from sugar cane (CBC) as a flux, replacing phyllite and/or feldspar in standard industrial mass production of enameled porcelain, verifying the possibility of the CBC contribute to the overall reduction of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic mass. To this end, as a result of the research, we characterized the raw material components of the standard mass (clay, phyllite, kaolin, feldspar, quartz and talc) and the residue of BCC, by testing by XRF, XRD, AG, DTA and ATG. Specimens (CDP) were manufactured in the dimensions of 100 mm x 50 mm x 8 mm in uniaxial matrix under compaction pressure of 33 MPa, assembled in batches of 3 units subsequently sintered at temperatures of 1150°C to 1210°C by varying the Rating Scale at 10°C, heating and cooling ramp of 50°C/min and 25°C/min, with levels of 1 min, 3 min, 5 min, 8 min, 10 min, 15 min, 30 min and 60 min. analyzing the results of the physical properties of water absorption (WA), linear firing shrinkage (LFS), dilatometric analysis (DTA), flexural strain (SFT) and SEM of the sintered bodies in order to verify the adequacy of CDP to ISO 13006, ISO 10545, NBR 13816 standards; NBR 13817 and NBR 13818. The study showed that the formulations that best suit the requirements of the standards are:. G4 - which was applied in 10% of replacing the CBC phyllite, sintering temperature 1210 ° C for 10 min and porch, and F3 - with application of 7.5% of CBC to replace the feldspar in the sintering temperatures of 1190°C, 1200°C and 1210°C for 10 min and porch. These formulations showed better performance regarding the formation of primary and secondary mullite, with considerable reduction of cracks and pores, meeting the prerequisites of standards for glazed porcelain. The results shows that the use of the CBC as a flux in the preparation of porcelain mass meets standard parameters for the manufacture of the product, and thereby can reduce environmental impact and the cost of production. Therefore, it is recommended to use this residue in the ceramics industry, due to its industrial, commercial and collaborative viability for sustainability.

Preferência e competição alimentar em um grupo de Sapajus flavius em fragmento de Mata Atlântica em Caaporã – Paraíba – Brasil

Feeding is the primary selective pressure in all forms of animals. Nutritional ecological models predict consequences of preferred and non-preferred food consumption on behavioural, physiological and morphological adaptations. At same time, socioecological models infer socio-organizarion patterns based on feeding competition faced by animals. A list of preferred foods, and inferences regarding the intensity of feeding competition and its behavioural consequences are information of much importance for management of populations in fragments. In this work we observed the feeding behavior and spatial positioning of a group of more than 100 blond capuchin monkeys (Sapajus flavius) that inhabit a fragment of Atlantic forest, surrounded by sugarcane plantation. We compared the consumption of different food items with their monthly availability in the area to define the preferred and fallback food items. We recorded the vocalizations of aggression and the inter-individual distance (area of Minimum Convex Polygon/n individuals) to infer the type of food competition experienced by animals. In the year studied the fruit feeding time correlated with top consumed fruit productivity, indicating preference for fruits. Our data indicate that the species Elaeis sp., Cecropia palmata, Inga spp. and Simarouba amara are the preferred food items in the diet. Available all year round and uniformly distributed, sugarcane was a regular item in the diet and its was characterized as a staple fallback food for this group. Although fruits are preferential food items, direct competition rate did not correlate to fruit productivity in the area, maintaining the high rates throughout the year (2.45 events/ hour). The inter-individual distance index positively correlated with rain fall indicating scramble food competition. The number of neighbours of females carrying infants was smaller when fruit productivity is low, indicating that females carrying infants are suffering increased indirect competition. Our data indicates that blond capuchins in this fragment make use of sugar cane as a staple fallback food, which evidence the importance of sugar cane landscape for the survival of this critically endangered capuchin species in fragmented habitats in Northeast Brazil. A preliminary list of preferred and important foods is offered, and can assist in the choice of trees for reforestation, better fragments to be preserved and areas of release and translocation of animals. We did not observe an increase of contest competition while using preferred foods, but when using staple FBF. This may be due the altered environment, which results in high competition food throughout the year. Both the food preference as the social and behavioral consequences of high food competition experienced by animals in this fragment must be accompanied over the years to ensure the survival of this population.

Preferência e competição alimentar em um grupo de Sapajus flavius em fragmento de Mata Atlântica em Caaporã – Paraíba – Brasil

Feeding is the primary selective pressure in all forms of animals. Nutritional ecological models predict consequences of preferred and non-preferred food consumption on behavioural, physiological and morphological adaptations. At same time, socioecological models infer socio-organizarion patterns based on feeding competition faced by animals. A list of preferred foods, and inferences regarding the intensity of feeding competition and its behavioural consequences are information of much importance for management of populations in fragments. In this work we observed the feeding behavior and spatial positioning of a group of more than 100 blond capuchin monkeys (Sapajus flavius) that inhabit a fragment of Atlantic forest, surrounded by sugarcane plantation. We compared the consumption of different food items with their monthly availability in the area to define the preferred and fallback food items. We recorded the vocalizations of aggression and the inter-individual distance (area of Minimum Convex Polygon/n individuals) to infer the type of food competition experienced by animals. In the year studied the fruit feeding time correlated with top consumed fruit productivity, indicating preference for fruits. Our data indicate that the species Elaeis sp., Cecropia palmata, Inga spp. and Simarouba amara are the preferred food items in the diet. Available all year round and uniformly distributed, sugarcane was a regular item in the diet and its was characterized as a staple fallback food for this group. Although fruits are preferential food items, direct competition rate did not correlate to fruit productivity in the area, maintaining the high rates throughout the year (2.45 events/ hour). The inter-individual distance index positively correlated with rain fall indicating scramble food competition. The number of neighbours of females carrying infants was smaller when fruit productivity is low, indicating that females carrying infants are suffering increased indirect competition. Our data indicates that blond capuchins in this fragment make use of sugar cane as a staple fallback food, which evidence the importance of sugar cane landscape for the survival of this critically endangered capuchin species in fragmented habitats in Northeast Brazil. A preliminary list of preferred and important foods is offered, and can assist in the choice of trees for reforestation, better fragments to be preserved and areas of release and translocation of animals. We did not observe an increase of contest competition while using preferred foods, but when using staple FBF. This may be due the altered environment, which results in high competition food throughout the year. Both the food preference as the social and behavioral consequences of high food competition experienced by animals in this fragment must be accompanied over the years to ensure the survival of this population.

Caracterização de genes de reparo de DNA em cana-de-açúcar

Sugarcane is an important culture for Brazil that holds almost half of all worldwide productivity. Plants face many challenges, because of biotic and abiotic stresses presents in the production field, which could prevent plants from reaching their genetic potential. As consequence, those stresses can generate Reactive Oxygen Species – ROS – that can cause damages on DNA. Another consequence of stress is the early-flowering process, which contributes for a reduction on yield. In this context, the aim of this work is to characterize ScMUTM1 and ScMUTM2, two DNA glycosylases belonging to base excision repair pathway; and identify genes potentially related to stress and DNA repair in two sugarcane cultivars with contrasting flowering phenotypes. The characterization of the DNA glycosylases included the construction of vector to over express the recombinant proteins ScMUTM1 and ScMUTM2; they will be used in a near future to purification of these proteins and use in enzymatic assays. It was also made a phylogenetic reconstruction of this gene in plants and analysis of its promoter. With the phylogenetic analysis, it is possible to observe the presence of these genes grouped inside a branch with monocots and another one with dicots. This suggests that the duplication of this gene probably occurred after the separation of these two groups. The analysis of the promotor of MUTM shows of the presence of stress-related regulatory motifs at ScMUTM2 promoter, when compared with ScMUTM1. This may suggests that ScMUTM1 might be suffering sub functionalization process. After the analysis of microarrays data, it is observed an up-regulation from some stress-related genes in one of the conditions analyzed, related to early flowering process.

Caracterização de genes de reparo de DNA em cana-de-açúcar

Sugarcane is an important culture for Brazil that holds almost half of all worldwide productivity. Plants face many challenges, because of biotic and abiotic stresses presents in the production field, which could prevent plants from reaching their genetic potential. As consequence, those stresses can generate Reactive Oxygen Species – ROS – that can cause damages on DNA. Another consequence of stress is the early-flowering process, which contributes for a reduction on yield. In this context, the aim of this work is to characterize ScMUTM1 and ScMUTM2, two DNA glycosylases belonging to base excision repair pathway; and identify genes potentially related to stress and DNA repair in two sugarcane cultivars with contrasting flowering phenotypes. The characterization of the DNA glycosylases included the construction of vector to over express the recombinant proteins ScMUTM1 and ScMUTM2; they will be used in a near future to purification of these proteins and use in enzymatic assays. It was also made a phylogenetic reconstruction of this gene in plants and analysis of its promoter. With the phylogenetic analysis, it is possible to observe the presence of these genes grouped inside a branch with monocots and another one with dicots. This suggests that the duplication of this gene probably occurred after the separation of these two groups. The analysis of the promotor of MUTM shows of the presence of stress-related regulatory motifs at ScMUTM2 promoter, when compared with ScMUTM1. This may suggests that ScMUTM1 might be suffering sub functionalization process. After the analysis of microarrays data, it is observed an up-regulation from some stress-related genes in one of the conditions analyzed, related to early flowering process.