Physicochemical properties of maize starch obtained from intermittent milling and dynamic steeping (IMDS) under various steeping conditions

Physicochemical properties of maize starch obtained under different steeping conditions by intermittent milling and dynamic steeping process (IMDS) were studied. Brazilian dent maize (hybrid XL 606) was milled using a 2x2x3 factorial experimental design with two lactic acid levels (0.0 and 0.55%, v/v), two SO2 levels (0.05 and 0.1%, w/v), and three temperatures (52, 60, and 68degreesC). Properties of starch obtained by conventional wet-milling process (36 hr at 52degreesC, 0.55% lactic acid, and 0.2% SO2) were used for comparison. Starch protein content and solubility increased with presence of lactic acid, while swelling power decreased. Higher SO2 concentration (0.1%) had the same effect as lactic acid on some properties. Steeping temperatures of 60 and 68degreesC increased solubility and most of the thermal properties but reduced swelling power, suggesting stronger starch annealing during IMDS at these temperatures. Some thermal changes on starch granules were visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 60 and 68degreesC. Amylose content as well as pasting properties were affected by steeping factors and interactions. Starches from IMDS and conventional wet-milling processes were similar in most properties, indicating that IMDS provides starch with quality similar to that from conventional milling.

Cover crops and herbicide timing management on soybean yield under no-tillage system

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A standard protocol for obtaining fish chromosomes under post-mortem conditions

In order to improve cytogenetical analyses on fish, especially focusing on delicate and rare species, we have adopted a new in vitro methodology using dead animals. The results obtained from 24 neotropical freshwater and marine fish species demonstrate that chromosomes can be obtained under post-mortem conditions. Significantly, the samples analyzed provided reliable cytogenetical data in nearly all cases. Other advantages of this new methodology are also discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Economic evaluation of Piaractus mesopotamicus juvenile production in different rearing systems

In this study, the costs and gross income related to the production of pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus juveniles were evaluated. This evaluation took into consideration a semi-intensive rearing, with direct stocking of the larvae into fertilized ponds (IL 0), or an initial intensive larviculture system, in which the larvae were fed in the laboratory for 3 (IL 3), 6 (IL 6), or 9 days (IL 9) before being transferred to the ponds. After 45 days of rearing, a gradual increase in production costs was observed as intensive larviculture time increased. Gross income also increased due to better survival rates (11.0, 25.3, 45.4, and 54.0% for IL 0, IL 3, IL 6, and IL 9, respectively). Therefore, increased profits were obtained under intensive larviculture (US$ 0.27, US$ 6.07, US$ 11.99, and US$ 13.16 per one thousand larvae in treatments IL 0, IL 3, IL 6, and IL 9, respectively). In a larger scale production simulation, the results obtained with initial intensive larviculture also showed evident economic advantages, confirming the feasibility of this system in comparison with the direct stocking of larvae in ponds for the production of pacu juveniles. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Study on the behavior of the Minimum quantity lubricant - MQL technique under different lubricating and cooling conditions when grinding ABNT 4340 steel

The behavior of the minimum quantity lubricant (MQL) technique was analyzed under different lubricating and cooling conditions when grinding ABNT 4340 steel. The comparative analysis of the residual stress values showed that residual compressive stresses were obtained under all the lubrication/cooling conditions and types of abrasive tools employed. The highest residual compressive stress obtained with the aluminum oxide grinding wheel with MQL under the condition of V= 30m/s for air and V= 40ml/h for lubricant was -376MPa against the -160MPa attained with conventional cooling, representing a 135% increase in residual compressive stress. The results show that method and quantity of lubricant and cooling are factors that influence the grinding process.

Isolamento de microrganismos produtores de queratinase: estudo da biodegradação da queratina oriunda de penas de abatedouro de frangos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Análise histológica, histométrica e fractal de enxerto ósseo autógeno, em elevação de seio maxilar: estudo clínico

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Secagem de celulases de origem fúngica por spray-drying

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Infrared to visible up-conversion in biocellulose yttrium vanadate nanoparticle composite membranes. Demonstration of chloroaluminum phthalocyanine light emission under up-converted light excitation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Parâmetros termodinâmicos da casca de laranja desidratada

The global energy scenario is currently a widely discussed topic, with growing concern about the future supplies. Thus, much attention has been dedicated to the utilization of biomass as an energy resource. In this respect, orange peel has become a material of great interest, especially to Brazil, which generates around 9.5 million tons of this waste per year. To this end, the authors studied the kinetics of the thermal processing of dried orange peel in inert and oxidizing atmosphere. The thermodynamic parameters were determined by the Ozawa-Flynn-Wall method for the global process observed during heating from the 25 degrees C up to 800 degrees C. The thermal analysis in air and nitrogen showed 3-2 stages of mass loss, respectively, with approximately 20% residual mass under a nitrogen atmosphere. The increase in the values of activation energy for the conversion points between 20% and 60% for thermal effects in air and nitrogen atmosphere was observed. The activation energy obtained in an oxidizing atmosphere was higher than that obtained under a nitrogen atmosphere. The fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the material has a high level of complexity with the presence of alkali and alkaline earth groups as well as phosphate, plus substances such as pectin, cellulose and lignin.

Production of alcoholic beverage from ginger: study of fermentation process and final product quality

Introduction: In Brazil part of the production of ginger is of inadequate quality for export. The production of spirit from felt-over rhizomes is an alternative of great interest to producers of these rhizomes. Aim: Aiming to increase the value of felt-over rhizomes, this work aimed to study the use of ginger as a raw material for alcoholic beverage production. It was evaluated the effect of fermentation conditions on the components of fermented alcoholic, as well as, the quality of alcoholic distilled beverage of ginger. Methods: Dehydrated ginger passed by enzymatic hydrolysis-saccharification processes. The hydrolysate obtained was analyzed for sugar profile in HPLC. The alcoholic fermentation process followed the central composite rotational design for three factors: fermentation temperature (23 to 37ºC), time of fermentation (17 to 33 h) and concentration of inoculum (0.22 to 3.00%). The fermented alcoholic obtained was analyzed in HPLC for the contents of ethanol, methanol, glycerol and residual sugars. The distillated alcoholic beverage of ginger was analyzed for ethanol, methanol, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate and higher alcohols in the gas chromatography (GC). In addition, copper content and acidity were analyzed Results: Sugar profile of the ginger hydrolysate revealed the presence of 77.8% of glucose. Data analysis of fermentation process showed influence of temperature on ethanol and methanol content of the fermented alcoholic of ginger. Time of fermentation had effect on glycerol content. All parameters of process had influence on residual sugars contents. The HPLC analysis has shown presence of methanol, ethyl acetate, aldehyde, acids, higher alcohols and esters in distilled alcoholic beverage of ginger. Conclusion: Fermented alcoholic of ginger with higher levels of ethanol can be obtained under the conditions of 1.5% w/w of inoculum, 30°C of temperature and 24 hours of fermentation time. In this condition of fermentation process the beverage of ginger had good quality.

Effects of photoperiod on reproduction of Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens

This study investigated the effect of different photoperiods (24 h of light (L):0 h of darkness (D); 20L:4D; 16L:8D; 12L:12D; and 8L:16D) on the reproduction and growth of Betta splendens. The results showed that spawning frequency was significantly higher in couples reared under 16L:8D and 12L:12D, in comparison with other treatments. The highest number of eggs per spawn was obtained under 16L:8D (544.76±375.23) and 12L:12D (471.13±261.52), and the lowest values were detected for 24L:0D (128.55±58.14) and 20L:4D (187.87±103.84). Fertility and fecundity also showed significantly higher average values in 16L:8D and 12L:12D when compared with 24L:0D and 20L:4D treatments. Egg volume and perivitelline space were significantly higher in 24L:0D treatments that showed the lowest numbers of eggs per spawn, while the vitelline volume did not show significant differences. Other variables such as breeders weight gain and condition factor (K) were not statistically different. Moreover, the final length varies according to photoperiod and gender. These results demonstrated a key role for the photoperiod upon B. splendens reproduction. The best reproductive performance is achieved under the photoperiods that best approached those that occur in spring and summer (16L:8D and 12L:12D), coinciding with their best seasons for reproduction.

Some cardiopulmonary effects of sevoflurane in crested caracara (Caracara plancus)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

CARDIORESPIRATORY EFFECTS of ISOFLURANE ANESTHESIA IN CRESTED CARACARAS (CARACARA PLANCUS)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Temperatura e tipo de preparo na conservação de produto minimamente processado de abacaxi-'Pérola'

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do tipo de preparo (rodelas e metades) e da temperatura de armazenamento (3ºC, 6ºC e 9ºC) na conservação de produto minimamente processado de abacaxi-'Pérola'. Os frutos, depois de selecionados, lavados e desinfectados com cloro, foram armazenados por 12 horas a 10ºC, antes de serem processados sob condições higiênicas, embalados em contentores de polietileno tereftalatado (rodelas) ou bandeja de isopor recoberta com filme de cloreto de polivinila esticável (metades) e armazenados por até 12 dias. Os produtos foram avaliados quanto à evolução da atmosfera interna na embalagem, respiração, quantidade de suco drenado e evolução da massa fresca e da aparência. Foram testadas, durante o período de armazenamento, a aceitabilidade pelos consumidores, no início do experimento e enquanto a aparência e a análise microbiológica permitiram. A presença de bactérias mesofílicas e coliformes totais e fecais foi avaliada a cada três dias. Durante o armazenamento, a porcentagem de O2 nas embalagens apresentou decréscimo, enquanto a de CO2 aumentou até 20% para as metades e até 1,86% para as rodelas. A intensidade dos cortes no preparo teve influência direta na respiração, assim como nas perdas de suco e de massa fresca. A temperatura influenciou na respiração e foi fator limitante à vida de prateleira do produto, pois os produtos armazenados a 9ºC, conservaram-se por 6 dias, enquanto os mantidos a 3ºC e 6ºC, por até 9 dias.