Directed-spray application of paraquat and diuron in physic nut plants

There is little information about the selectivity of herbicides in physic nut (Jatropha curcas) in Brazil. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the selectivity of different doses and mixtures of paraquat and diuron in direted-spray applications in physic nut plants in greenhouse conditions. The study used a randomized block design, with five replicates. The treatments were: paraquat (200 and 600 g ha-1), diuron (1,000 and 2,000 g ha-1), paraquat + diuron (200 + 1,000 g ha-1), paraquat + diuron (200 + 2,000 g ha-1), paraquat + diuron (600 + 1,000 g ha-1), paraquat + diuron (600 + 2,000 g ha-1) and a control (no application). Directed-spray application was performed at 70 days after sowing by the lower third of the plants. The treatments of diuron and paraquat + diuron mixtures affected the growth and photosynthetic activity of physic nut plants, injuries being more pronounced at doses of diuron of 2,000 g ha‑1, while the isolated application of paraquat at doses of 200 and 600 g ha-1 showed good selectivity potential for physic nut plants.

Application of Sulfentrazone in Stages of Germination of IAC 90 Cassava Cuttings in Clay Soils and Sandy

Weeds interfere dramatically in the productive potential of cassava; however, information regarding herbicides that are selective to crops is still scarce. Thus, the aim in this study was to assess the initial growth of IAC 90 cassava plants after the application of sulfentrazone at different stages of germination of cassava in clayey and sandy soils. Three experiments were simultaneously deployed: the first experiment consisted in the application of sulfentrazone in the non-germinated stage of cassava cuttings; the second one in the stage of germinated cassavas cuttings (0.9 cm shoots); and the third one in applications in the stage of cassava cuttings with buds emerging (6.5 cm shoots and emerging from the soil). For each experiment the experimental design in randomized blocks was used in the 2 x 5 factorial arrangement with four replications. The factors were composed of two soils (sandy and clayey) and five doses of sulfentrazone (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 g ha-1). It was found that depending on the herbicide dose, development stage of the buds of cassava cuttings and the type of soil, damage can occur in the initial development of the IAC 90 cassava plants. The greatest potential of sulfentrazone selectivity has occurred in applications in the non-germinated cassava cuttings stage and in doses lower than 500 g ha-1 in the clayey soil.

A comparative study of eleven protein systems in tamarins, genus Saguinus (Platyrrhini, Callitrichinae)

The genetic variability of six tamarin taxa, genus Saguinus, was analyzed comparatively using protein data from eleven systems coded by 15 loci. S. fuscicollis weddelli and S. midas midas were the most polymorphic taxa, and S. bicolor the least. The results of the phylogenetic analyses (UPGMA and neighbor-joining) and the genetic distances between taxa were generally consistent with their geographic and probable phylogenetic relationships. Analyses of the S. bicolor and S. midas populations suggested that they represent no more than three subspecies of a single species, S. midas, with the bicolor forms belonging to a single subspecies, S. midas bicolor. If supported by additional studies, this would have important implications for the conservation of the bicolor form, which is endangered with extinction. The genetic similarity of S. fuscicollis and S. mystax was also consistent with their geographical and morphological proximity, although more data from a larger number of taxa will be required before the taxonomic relationships within the genus can be defined.

Calculation of viscoelastic properties of edible films: application of three models

The viscoelastic properties of edible films can provide information at the structural level of the biopolymers used. The objective of this work was to test three simple models of linear viscoelastic theory (Maxwell, Generalized Maxwell with two units in parallel, and Burgers) using the results of stress relaxation tests in edible films of myofibrillar proteins of Nile Tilapia. The films were elaborated according to a casting technique and pre-conditioned at 58% relative humidity and 22ºC for 4 days. The testing sample (15mm x 118mm) was submitted to tests of stress relaxation in an equipment of physical measurements, TA.XT2i. The deformation, imposed to the sample, was 1%, guaranteeing the permanency in the domain of the linear viscoelasticity. The models were fitted to experimental data (stress x time) by nonlinear regression. The Generalized Maxwell model with two units in parallel and the Burgers model represented the relaxation curves of stress satisfactorily. The viscoelastic properties varied in a way that they were less dependent on the thickness of the films.

Sugarcane spirit market share simulation: an application of conjoint analysis

This study evaluated the influence of packaging and labeling attributes of sugarcane spirit on consumers' behavior by applying the results of conjoint analysis in sugarcane spirit market share simulation. Firstly, a conjoint analysis was performed aiming to estimate the part-worths of each consumer for some sugarcane spirit packaging and labeling attributes. These part-worths were used in the market share simulation using the maximum utility model. It was observed that some packaging and labeling attributes affected consumer's purchase intention and that most consumers showed a similar preference pattern regarding these attributes. These consumers showed preference for the Seleta brand, which was bottled in 700 mL clear glass bottles with a metal screw cap that bore a label illustration unrelated to sugarcane spirit production process and had the information "aged 36 months in oak barrels". This study also showed that conjoint analysis and the use of its results in the market share simulation proved important tools to better understand consumer behavior towards intention to purchase sugarcane spirit.

Application of fats in some food products

Fats and oils are very important raw materials and functional ingredients for several food products such as confectionery, bakery, ice creams, emulsions, and sauces, shortenings, margarines, and other specially tailored products. Formulated products are made with just about every part of chemistry, but they are not simple chemicals. In general, they consist of several, and often many, components. Each of these components has a purpose. Most formulated products have a micro- or nano-structure that is important for their function, but obtaining this structure is often the big challenge. Due to a rise in overweight or obesity, health concerns have increased. This fact has led to the need to the develop products with low fat content, which have become a market trend. In addition, the development of new products using fat substitutes can be a good option for companies that are always trying to reduce costs or substitute trans fat or saturated fat. However, the successful development of these products is still a challenge because fat plays multiple roles in determining the desirable physicochemical and sensory attributes, and because the consumers who want or need to replace these ingredients, seek products with similar characteristics to those of the original product. Important attributes such as smooth, creamy and rich texture; milky and creamy appearance; desirable flavor; and satiating effects are influenced by the droplets of fat, and these characteristics are paramount to the consumer and consequently crucial to the success of the product in the market. Therefore, it is important to identify commercially viable strategies that are capable of removing or reducing fat content of food products without altering their sensory and nutritional characteristics. This paper intended to provide an overview about the role of fat in different food systems such as chocolate, ice cream, bakery products like biscuits, breads, and cakes considering the major trends of the food industry to meet the demands of modern society.