Removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, copper and zinc from swine breeding waste water by bermudagrass and cattail in constructed wetland systems

This work aimed to study the agronomic performance and capacity of nutrient removal by bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) and cattail (Typha sp.) when grown in constructed wetlands systems (CWSs) of vertical and horizontal flow, respectively, used in the post-treatment of swine breeding wastewater (ARS). The average yield of dry matter (DM) of bermudagrass in sections of 60-day interval ranged from 14 to 43 t ha-1, while the cultivated cattail produced in a single cut after 200 days of cultivation between 45 and 67 t ha-1 of DM. Bermudagrass extracted up to 17.65 kg ha-1 d-1 of nitrogen, 1.76 kg ha-1 d-1 of phosphorus, 6.67 g ha-1 d-1 of copper and 54.75 g ha-1 d-1 of zinc. Cattail extracted up to 5.10 kg ha-1 d-1 of nitrogen, 1.07 kg ha-1 d-1 of phosphorus, 1.41 g ha-1 d-1 of copper and 16.04 g ha-1 d-1 of zinc. Cattail and bermudagrass were able to remove, respectively, 5.0 and 4.6% of the nitrogen and 11.2 and 5.4% of the phosphorus applied via ARS, being less efficient in extracting N and P when the initial intake of these nutrients is evaluated.

Poultry carcass decomposition and physicochemical analysis of compounds in different Composter types

This study aimed to assess five composter types in poultry carcasses decomposition and to perform a physicochemical analysis of the compounds obtained. Composter types used were six-hole brick, wood, screen, windrow with three PVC pipes with six holes and windrow with three PVC pipes with 10 holes. Composting was followed by four periods using wood shaving like substrate with one bird carcass placed in each composter. Pile turning was performed every 10 days and temperature in each layer was measured on 1st, 7th, 14th, 19th and 29th day, at 3 p.m., as well as room temperature. Temperature during pile turning was also measured at five points per layer and carcass weighing performed to calculate decomposition percentage. Physicochemical parameters evaluated in substrates were moisture, ash, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, pH, organic carbon and C/N ratio, up to 30 days. Data were analyzed by repeated measures model, using MIXED method of SAS software. All values of final physicochemical composition of substrates were found according to values of IN-25, except nitrogen. The composter types were efficient in decomposition of poultry carcasses.

Potential of biogas production from swine manure supplemented with glycerine waste

In this study, was studied the biogas generation from swine manure, using residual glycerine supplementation. The biogas production by digestion occurred in the anaerobic batch system under mesophilic conditions (35°C), with a hydraulic retention time of 48 days. The experiment was performed with 48 samples divided into four groups, from these, one was kept as a control (without glycerin) and the other three groups were respectively supplemented with residual glycerine in the percentage of 3%, 6% and 9% of the total volume of the samples. The volume of biogas was controlled by an automated system for reading in laboratory scale and the quality of the biogas (CH4) measured from a specific sensor. The results showed that the residual glycerine has high potential for biogas production, with increases of 124.95%, 156.98% and 197.83% in the groups 3%, 6% and 9%, respectively, relative to the sample control. However, very high organic loads can compromise the process of digestion affecting the quality of the biogas generated in relation to methane.

Technology for sugarcane agroindustry waste reuse as granulated organomineral fertilizer

Aiming to evaluate the use of sugarcane industry waste such as byproducts from vinasse concentration process, it was assessed the organomineral fertilizer BIOFOM (concentrated vinasse, filter cake, boiler ash, soot from chimneys and supplemented with mineral fertilizers). The study included characterization and agronomic potential analysis of a test plant (corn), by noting the differences between mineral fertilizers and BIOFOM fertilization until 45 days after sowing. The technology traditionally used to produce BIOFOM was based on vinasse evaporation with high heat transfer coefficients. It was observed that the technology, which can be formulated according to the needs of any crop, could be used in many cases as mineral fertilizer. Therefore, the use of this organomineral fertilizer reduces waste generation of sugarcane industry.

Type C botulism in swine fed on restaurant waste

The paper addresses the epidemiologic data of the death of pigs during the period of 2002 to 2009 following the ingestion of botulinum neurotoxin type C. This neurotoxin was present in food residues originating from restaurant and hotel kitchens, stored in barrels without shelter from the sun and administered in a collective trough without prior thermal treatment. Animals which died at different ages showed clinical signs of botulism characterized by flaccid paralysis, weight loss, anorexia, weakness, lack of coordination, locomotion difficulties with the evolution of lateral recumbency with involuntary urination and defecation. No alterations were observed at postmortem and histological examination. The bioassay with serum neutralization in mice was carried out on samples of intestinal contents from pigs affected and revealed the presence of large quantities of botulinum toxin type C.

Effects of straw decomposition degree on leaching and weed control efficacy of tebuthiuron and hexazinone in green sugarcane harvesting

Green sugarcane harvesting may promote great changes in the dynamics of herbicides in the environment. Our goal was to evaluate the influence of straw decomposition degree on leaching and weed (Ipomoea grandifolia) control efficacy by (14C) tebuthiuron and hexazinone. The presence of straw on the soil surface affected leaching, mainly for hexazinone (leaching reduced from 37 to 5% of the applied amount in the presence of straw). Overall, tebuthiuron showed more efficient control of Ipomoea than hexazinone. The straw decomposition degree affected only hexazinone efficacy that was lowest for the least decomposed straw. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of sugarcane straw on herbicides dissipation, particularly on volatilization and photolysis, to better predict their efficacy and environmental fate.

Decomposition of trimethylamine oxide related to the use of sulfites in shrimp

Currently, sulfites are employed on board to inhibit melanosis (blackspot) on crustaceans. However, when used in excess this chemical compound not only can cause adverse reactions in SO2-sensitive individuals, but also favors the decomposition of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) into dimethylamine (DMA) and formaldehyde (FA), thus compromising the quality of the product, which can be observed mainly through the texture change of the meat after cooking. This study was conducted to verify the increase of the contents of DMA and FA by the excessive use of sodium metabisulfite in white shrimp (Penaeus schmitti). For laboratory trials, shrimp were beheaded, washed and immersed in a 2% sodium metabisulfite solution for 10 minutes. Specimens were stored either on ice and maintained for 48 hours in refrigeration, or stored in a freezer for 48 hours. Samples were collected at intervals of 0, 24 and 48 hours, and analyzed for residual SO2, TMAO, TMA, DMA and FA. The immersion of shrimp in a 2% sodium metabisulfite for 10 minutes favored the decomposition of TMAO which greatly increased the contents of DMA and FA. The FA and DMA measured in fresh shrimp was low. Moreover, the storage of shrimp tails on ice resulted in a significant reduction of the TMA, DMA, FA and residual SO2 contents compared to the specimens under frozen storage.

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.

Microbiological and physicochemical characterization of surimi obtained from waste of piramutaba fillet

The aim of this work was to perform the microbiological and physicochemical characterization of surimi made from waste of piramutaba filleting. The results of physicochemical characterization of the waste and surimi were: moisture (76.37 and 79.11%), total lipids (5.35 and 0.74%), proteins (14.92 and 10.79%), ash (3.03 and 2.35%), pH (6.9 and 7.4), caloric value (109.15 and 77.86 kcal.g-1), and water activity (both 0.98), respectively. The results of the levels of total volatile bases were 7.29 mgN/100-1 g (waste) and 7.01% carbohydrate (surimi). The values of total lipids and proteins were reduced during the preparation of surimi, probably due to successive washes during the processing. Waste and surimi were examined microbiologically and are in compliance with required parameters. The results show a loss of red (a* parameter) and yellow (b* parameter) color. On the other hand, the L* parameter (lightness) increased after the processing of surimi. It can be concluded that piramutaba waste can be used for surimi preparation and as a source of nutrients for human consumption, providing an alternative use of these wastes avoiding their disposal polluting the environment.

Isolation and characterization of bacterial strains with a hydrolytic profile with potential use in bioconversion of agroindustial by-products and waste

There is a trend towards the use of novel technologies nowadays, mainly focused on biological processes, for recycling and the efficient utilization of organic residues that can be metabolized by different microorganisms as a source of energy. In the present study the isolation of bacterial strains from six different agro-industrial by-products and waste was performed with the objective of evaluating their hydrolytic capacities and suitability for use in bioconversion of specific substrates. The 34 isolated strains were screened in specific culture media for the production of various hydrolytic enzymes (lipase, protease, cellulase, and amylase). It was found that 28 strains exhibited proteolytic activity, 18 had lipolytic activity, 13 had caseinolytic activity, 15 had amylolytic activity, and 11 strains exhibited cellulolytic activity. The strains that showed the highest hydrolytic capacities with biotechnological potential were selected, characterized genotipically, and identified as Bacillus, Serratia, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, Stenotrophomonas, Lactococcus, and Escherichia genera. It was concluded that the strain isolates have a high potential for use in the bioconversion of agro-industrial waste, both as a pure culture and as a microbial consortium.

Chemical constituents and technological functional properties of acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) waste flour

Acerola is a fruit that can be consumed in the form of juice and pulp. However, during its processing, a large amount of waste is generated (seed and bagasse). Adding value to these by-products is of great interest, since their use can enrich foods with nutrients and fiber. In this study, we performed phytochemical screening, determined the proximate and mineral composition, bioactive compounds and the technological functional properties of acerola seed flour and acerola bagasse flour. Seeds were dried in a ventilated oven at ± 45 °C and the bagasse was lyophilized. Samples were ground, stored in flasks protected from light. Phytochemical screening revealed metabolites of nutritional and pharmacological interest and no potentially toxic substances in the flours. Seed flour and bagasse flour showed high levels (g 100 g- 1 of dry matter - DM) of soluble fiber: 4.76 and 8.74; insoluble fiber: 75.76 and 28.58, and phenolic compounds: 4.73 and 10.82, respectively. The flours also showed high absorption of water, oil and emulsion stability, presenting potential for inclusion in meat products and bakery products.

Drying kinetics of potato pulp waste

Potato pulp waste (PPW) drying was investigated under different experimental conditions (temperatures from 50 to 70 °C and air flow from 0.06 to 0.092 m³ m- 2 s- 1) as a possible way to recover the waste generated by potato chip industries and to select the best-fit model to the experimental results of PPW drying. As a criterion to evaluate the fitting of mathematical models, a method based on the sum of the scores assigned to the four evaluated statistical parameters was used: regression coefficient (R²), relative mean error P (%), root mean square error (RMSE), and reduced chi-square (χ²). The results revealed that temperature and air velocity are important parameters to reduce PPW drying time. The models Midilli and Diffusion had the lowest sum values, i.e., with the best fit to the drying data, satisfactorily representing the drying kinetics of PPW.

Characterization of a hydrolyzed oil obtained from fish waste for nutraceutical application

The fish industry generates high volume of waste from fish oil that can have the extraction of its lipids used as nutraceuticals and foods. The objective of this study was to produce unsaturated fatty acids from industrialized fish oil by means of a differentiated hydrolysis process. The samples used were crude fish oil obtained from Campestre industry and characterized through physical-chemical parameters, according to AOCS: acidity, peroxide, saponification, iodine and percentage of free fatty acids and also obtained the fatty acid profile through derivatization method for gas chromatography. The results obtained for the oleochemical indices for refined oil were similar to the data found on the literature. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was found of 32,78%, with 9,12% of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and 10,36% of eicosapentaenoic (EPA), regarding monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) content was of 30,59% in the hydrolyzed fish oil in relation to refined (20,06%). Thus, it can be concluded that the hydrolysis process used for oils from fish-waste was satisfactory on the production of absolute yield of lipids in the process and significant preservation on the percentages of EPA and DHA, interesting on the production of nutraceuticals and nutrition of aquatic animals, including shrimp in captivity.

Effect of incorporation of nutraceutical capsule waste of safflower oil in the mechanical characteristics of corn starch films

Abstract Biodegradable films blends made of safflower oil nutraceutical capsules waste corn starch (20:4, 30:4, 40:4 and 50:4) were prepared. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of addition of different concentrations of safflower oil nutraceutical capsule waste in the mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus) and thickness of corn starch films. A decrease in tensile strength and Young’s modulus and an increase in elongation at break were observed with the increase in the content of the nutraceutical capsule waste. The results showed that the blends of safflower oil capsules waste-corn starch films demonstrated promising characteristics to form biodegradable films with different mechanical characteristics.