Identification, assessment and ordering of concepts for agro-energy planning and possibilities of spatial analysis

ABSTRACT The present study aims to present the main concepts of the sugarcane straw to energy planning. Throughout the study, the subject is contextualized highlighting broader aspects of sustainability, which is considered the main driver towards agro-energy modernization. Concerning sugarcane straw, we first evaluated its availability regarding technical and economic aspects, and then it summarized the straw production chain for energy supply purposes. As a proposal to support agro-energy planning, it is presented some spatial tools that have been barely used in the Brazilian energy planning context so far. Therefore, working on straw to electricity associated with supply chain basis, we developed a conceptual model to spatially assess this bioenergy system. Using the model proposed, it is described the whole supply chain at state level, which accounted the potential of a single mill to explore straw, as well as main costs associated with straw acquisition, investments on the straw recovery routes and electricity transmission. Bearing these concepts in mind, it is fully believed that spatial analysis can bring important information for agro-energy action plans.

Potential applications of nanotechnology in the agro-food sector

Nanoscience and nanotechnology are new frontiers of this century. Their application to the agriculture and food sectors is relatively recent compared with their use in drug delivery and pharmaceuticals. Smart delivery of nutrients, bioseparation of proteins, rapid sampling of biological and chemical contaminants, and nanoencapsulation of nutraceuticals are some of the emerging topics of nanotechnology for food and agriculture. In this review, some applications of nanotechnology in agro-food sector are discussed.

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of agro-industrial waste of acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) fruit extracts

This study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the agro-industrial waste from acerola. Hydroacetone, hydroethanolic, and hydromethanolic extracts were obtained using the sequential extraction process, and they were screened for their free radical DPPH• (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrilhidrazil) and ABTS•+ (2,2'-azino-bis-(3-etilbenzotiazolin 6-sulfonic acid) scavenging activity and their effect on the linoleic acid peroxidation by the ferric thiocyanate method. Soybean oil with the addition of the extracts (200 ppm) was submitted to Schaal oven test (60 °C, 28 days), in which the samples were analyzed for peroxide value and conjugated dienes. Hydroethanolic and hydromethanolic extracts exhibited good DPPH scavenging activity (low value of EC50 and TEC50 and high value of AE), good ABTS scavenging capacity (1445.1 and 1145.5 µMol TEAC.g-1, respectively), and high percentage inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid (96.12 and 91.84%, respectively) and showed the ability to retard the formation of peroxides and conjugated dienes.

Study of the enthalpy-entropy mechanism from water sorption of orange seeds (C. sinensis cv. Brazilian) for the use of agro-industrial residues as a possible source of vegetable oil production

Orange seeds are a promising agroindustry-waste which can be implemented in the extraction and production of vegetable oil. The relationship between moisture content and water activity provides useful information for the processing and storage of this waste item. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism of water sorption enthalpy-entropy of orange seeds (C. sinensis cv. Brazilians) according to the moisture content. Therefore, desorption isotherms were determined at five different temperature (30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 ºC) under a wide range of moisture content (0.005-0.057 kg kg-1 d.b.) and water activity (0.02-0.756). Theoretical and empirical models were used for modeling the desorption isotherms. An analytical solution of the Clausius-Clapeyron equation was proposed to compute the isosteric heat of sorption, the differential entropy, and Gibbs free energy using the Oswin model when the effect of temperature on the hygroscopic equilibrium was considered.

Influence of agro-ecological production areas on antioxidant activity, reducing sugar content, and selected phytonutrients of orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivars

Sweet potato is an important staple, and it is mainly known for its contribution of β-carotene in human diet. The effects of cultivar and habitat on this pigment and other nutritional characteristics of the crop still require investigation. In this study, three locally bred cultivars of sweet potato, two of which are orange-fleshed, were grown in three different agro-ecological areas to determine soluble sugar content, β-carotene, and total antioxidants of roots. In addition antioxidant activity, total carotenoids, and chlorophyll content were determined in edible leaves. Reducing sugars, β-carotene, total antioxidants capacity, total carotenoids, and chlorophyll content were significantly affected by environmental conditions. The location at lower altitude and closer to the coastline showed high evapotranspiration, thus reducing sugar content, antioxidant activity, and phytonutrients in both storage roots and leaves. Absence of water stress in agro-ecological locations further inland and at higher altitudes was associated with an increase in these compounds. Free radical scavenging activity of DPPH was higher in the storage roots (610.49 µmoles TE/100g) than in the leaves (426.06 µmoles TE/100g); nevertheless, opposite results were found for the ferric ion reducing activity (FRAP). The deep orange-fleshed cultivar A45 contained high β-carotene (15 mg/100g), which is enough to meet RDA for vitamin A. There is evidence of agro-ecological effect on sweet potato nutritional value.

Optimization of the extraction process of polyphenols from cashew apple agro-industrial residues

The goal of this study was to determine the chemical composition of cashew apples agro-industrial residue and optimize the process of polyphenols extraction in this residue. The extraction process conditions were defined using a 24-1 fractional factorial experimental design using acetone and methanol as solvents. The independent variables were: time (30 to 90 min), temperature (30 to 50 °C), solvent concentrations (50% to 90%), agitation speed (100 to 300 rpm); the dependent variables were: total phenolic content and DPPH scavenging capacity. The optimized process was carried out by applying the Central Composite Rotational Design (CCRD) considering the results obtained with the 24-1 fractional factorial experimental design. The residue presented bioactive compounds in its composition, with emphasis on the content of total phenolic compounds (1975.64 mg/ 100 g). The extraction process was not affected by methanol; however, acetone affected the amounts of extracted phytochemicals. Extracts with high levels of polyphenols and strong DPPH scavenging capacity (> 80%) were obtained using 55% acetone, 30 minutes, 30 °C, and 150 rpm. The results showed that cashew apple residue is a potential natural source of bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant capacity. These compounds could be used partially or totally to replace synthetic antioxidants.

Iglesia y cuestión social: la intervención de la Iglesia Católica en la construcción de demandas de educación, tierra y vivienda en el Gran Buenos Aires

En este trabajo nuestro objetivo es analizar las modalidades de intervención de agencias de la Iglesia Católica en la construcción territorializada de demandas sectoriales de sectores populares del conurbano bonaerense, mostrando su relación con la transformación de las políticas sociales del Estado hacia el asistencialismo y la terciarización durante las últimas décadas. Para ello presentaremos comparativamente dos casos de estudio, encarados desde un enfoque etnográfico: la construcción de demandas educativas y su progresiva integración en estructuras referenciadas en el marco del Obispado de San Isidro; y la intervención de la Vicaría de Pastoral Social del Obispado de Quilmes en los conflictos sociales entre organizaciones de tierra y vivienda y el estado local. De esta manera nuestro propósito es visibilizar los límites y posibilidades que suponen estas formas de intervención de la Iglesia Católica sobre la recomposición de formas organizativas del campo popular, marcando tanto las especificidades locales e históricas de cada diócesis como la lógica común que las atraviesa y orienta.

Alimentação e avaliação do estado nutricional de trabalhadores migrantes safristas na região de Ribeirão Preto, SP (Brasil)

Uma nova classe de trabalhadores volantes rurais tem surgido na agro-indústria açucareira, que se caracteriza por residir longe do local de trabalho, migrar durante a época da safra de cana-de-açúcar e retornar ao local de origem no término da mesma. Recebe, por isso, a alcunha de trabalhadores migrantes safristas, ou simplesmente safristas. No presente trabalho estudou-se a alimentação desses trabalhadores no local de origem e no local de trabalho. A alimentação na origem caracteriza-se por uma maior variedade de aumentos e uma aparente baixa ingestão calórica. No local de trabalho é oferecida uma alimentação pouco variada, onde se constatou uma ingestão calórica média de 2351 kcal. Foi também estudado o estado nutricional desses indivíduos na chegada ao local do trabalho e no final da safra. Verificou-se aumento significativo de peso, peso/altura² e prega cutânea tricipital desses trabalhadores, provavelmente relacionado a uma maior ingestão calórica.

Prevalência de obesidade em localidade do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, 1987

Foi estudada a prevalência de obesidade na população urbana de 18-74 anos residente em 1987 no Município de Araraquara, SP, Brasil, cidade média agro industrial de 150.000 habitantes, situada a 250 km a noroeste da Capital do Estado. Foram estudados 1.126 habitantes, 502 do sexo masculino e 624 do feminino, selecionados por uma amostragem equiprobabilística por conglomerados. A prevalência de sobrepeso (Quetelet 25-29,9 kg/m²) foi de 26,9% para o sexo masculino e de 27,7% para o feminino. A prevalência de obesidade (Quetelet maior ou igual a 30,0 kg/m²) foi de 10,2% para o sexo masculino e de 14,7% para o feminino. Estas percentagens são bastante elevadas quando se as compara com as de países afluentes anglo-saxões. Discutem-se as causas do fenômeno, já que a cidade é um Município afluente de economia agroindustrial. Quando se definiram critérios próprios para Araraquara (P85 e P95 do Quetelet para a idade de 20-29 anos por sexo) verificou-se que o padrão "magro" para o Município é mais magro do que o similar norte-americano, o que torna criticável a extensão de critérios de corte oriundos de outras localidades para regiões de características diferentes.

Risk perception about zoonoses in immigrants and Italian workers in Northwestern Italy

OBJETIVO: To assess factors associated with a low risk perception of zoonoses and to identify the gaps in knowledge about transmission and prevention of zoonoses in immigrant and Italian workers. MÉTODOS: A cross-sectional study with 175 workers in the agro-livestock and agro-food industry in Piemonte, Italy, was carried out. Data were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire based on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey. We calculated proportions and used chi-square tests and odds ratios to assess associations. Eight individual interviews with key informants on immigration and public health in Piemonte were carried out. RESULTADOS: Participants were 82 (47%) Italians and 93 (53%) immigrants. Immigrants were from Romania, Morocco, Albania, India, China, Argentina, Peru, Macedonia, Ivory Coast, Ukraine and Colombia. The study revealed significant differences in risk perception at work (p = 0.001). We found associations between "not having correct knowledge about zoonoses" and the following variables: i. "being immigrant" OR = 4.1 (95%CI 1.7;9.8 p ≤ 0.01); ii. "working in the livestock industry" OR = 2.9 (95%CI 1.2;15.4 p = 0.01); and iii. "being an unqualified worker" OR = 4.4 (95%CI 2.9;15.4 p ≤ 0.01). Another strong association was found between being immigrant and having a low job qualification OR = 6.7 (IC95% 2.9 - 15.4 p ≤ 0.01). Asian immigrants were the group with the highest frequency of risky behaviours and the lowest level of knowledge about zoonoses. CONCLUSÕES: Our results indicate that there were differences in risk perception of zoonoses between the groups participating in our study. These results suggest that immigrant status can be considered a risk factor for having lower risk perception and lower level of knowledge of zoonoses at work. There is a relationship between this specific knowledge of zoonoses and lack of training and instruction among migrant populations. Our results stress the need for developing education programs on zoonoses prevention among the immigrant population in Piemonte, Italy.

Determinantes do processo de infestação domiciliar por Panstrongylus megistus: o papel da habitação e do desmatamento

A qualidade das habitações e o desmatamento foram estudados em Caconde e São José do Rio Pardo, municípios paulistas com taxas diferenciadas de infestação domiciliar por Panstrongylus megistus, e com desenvolvimento sócio-econômico dessemelhante. Para o conhecimento da qualidade das habitações recorreu-se a dados registrados na Superintendência de Controle de Endemias (SUCEN) durante a década de 70; o estudo do desmatamento foi realizado em mapas, construídos por nós a partir de fotografias aéreas, obtidas em vôos realizados pela Secretaria de Agricultura em 1972 e 1983. A análise sócio-econômica baseou-se nas informações do Censo Agro-pecuário e em entrevistas com agrônomos dos municípios. O estudo mostrou uma situação de maior precariedade das casas em Caconde. Essa situação decorre do menor desenvolvimento sócio-econômico deste município, confirmando assim uma tendência já demonstrada em pesquisas anteriores. O desmatamento foi mais intenso em São José, onde o desenvolvimento social é maior e no qual à taxa de infestação é menor, fato que mostra um comportamento oposto entre os dois determinantes nestes municípios. Os vínculos entre o desmatamento e o maior desenvolvimento sócio-econômico pode também ser demonstrado na medida em que se pode relacionar a atividade produtiva com a destruição da cobertura vegetal natural. Cabe sublinhar que esta tendência de efeito oposto do desmatamento não inverteu o resultado final, ou seja, que o confronto dessas forças determinantes resultou ainda numa taxa de infestação superior em Caconde, área de menor desenvolvimento social. A existência dessas tendências opostas entre os determinantes revela, desse modo, uma maior complexidade no processo de infestação por P. megistus, sem produzir, no entanto, reversão do resultado final.

Migration and urban schistosomiasis. The case of São Lourenço da Mata, Northeast of Brazil

A population-based case-control design was used to investigate the association between migration, urbanisation and schistosomiasis in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Northeast of Brazil. 1022 cases and 994 controls, aged 10 to 25, were selected. The natives and the migrants who come from endemic areas have a similar risk of infection. On the other hand, the risk of infection of migrants from nonendemic areas seems to be related with the time elapsed since their arrival in São Lourenço da Mata; those who have been living in that urban area for 5 or more years have a risk of infection similar to that of the natives. Those arriving in the metropolitan region of Recife mostly emigrate from "zona da mata" and "zona do agreste" in the state of Pernambuco. Due to the changes in the sugar agro-industry and to the increase in the area used for cattle grazing these workers were driven to villages and cities. The pattern of urbanisation created the conditions for the establishment of foci of transmission in São Lourenço da Mata.