Avaliacao de dados de secagem de suspensoes de polpas de frutas em leito de jorro com alimentacao intermitente

The objective of this work was the development and improvement of the mathematical models based on mass and heat balances, representing the drying transient process fruit pulp in spouted bed dryer with intermittent feeding. Mass and energy balance for drying, represented by a system of differential equations, were developed in Fortran language and adapted to the condition of intermittent feeding and mass accumulation. Were used the DASSL routine (Differential Algebraic System Solver) for solving the differential equation system and used a heuristic optimization algorithm in parameter estimation, the Particle Swarm algorithm. From the experimental data food drying, the differential models were used to determine the quantity of water and the drying air temperature at the exit of a spouted bed and accumulated mass of powder in the dryer. The models were validated using the experimental data of drying whose operating conditions, air temperature, flow rate and time intermittency, varied within the limits studied. In reviewing the results predicted, it was found that these models represent the experimental data of the kinetics of production and accumulation of powder and humidity and air temperature at the outlet of the dryer

Avaliação da aplicação de modelos para a secagem de pastas e suspensões em leito de jorro com alimentação contínua

This work studies the development, implementation and improvement of a macroscopic model to describe the behavior of the spouted bed dryer with continuous feeding for pastes and suspensions drying. This model is based on the CST model (Freire et al., 2009) and the model of Fernandes (2005), whose theoretical foundation is based on macroscopic mass and heat balances for the three phases involved in the process: gas, liquid and solid. Because this technique is quite relevant, the studies of modeling and simulation of spouted bed drying are essential in the analysis of the process as a whole, because through them it is possible to predict and understand the behavior of the process, which contributes significantly to more efficient project and operation. The development and understanding of the phenomena involved in the drying process can be obtained by comparing the experimental data with those from computer simulations. Such knowledge is critical for choosing properly the process conditions in order to obtain a good drying efficiency. Over the past few years, researches and development of works in the field of pastes and suspensions drying in spouted bed has been gaining ground in Brazil. The Particulate Systems Laboratory at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, has been developing several researches and generating a huge collection of experimental data concerning the drying of fruit pulps, vegetables pastes, goat milk and suspensions of agro-industrial residues. From this collection, some data of goat milk and residue from acerola (Malpighia glabra L.) drying were collected. For the first time, these data were used for the development and validation of a model that can describe the behavior of spouted bed dryer. Thus, it was possible to model the dryer and to evaluate the influence of process variables (paste feeding, temperature and flow rate of the drying air) in the drying dynamics. We also performed water evaporation experiments in order to understand and to study the behavior of the dryer wall temperature and the evaporation rate. All these analysis will contribute to future works involving the implementation of control strategies in the pastes and suspensions drying. The results obtained in transient analysis were compared with experimental data indicating that this model well represents the process

Secagem de misturas de polpa de frutas tropicais em leito de jorro

Drying of fruit pulps in spouted beds of inert particles has been indicated as a viable technique to produce fruit powders. Most of the processes employed to produce dried fruit pulps and juices, such as Foam Mat, encapsulation by co-crystallization and spray drying utilize adjuvant and additives (such as thickeners, coating materials, emulsifiers, acidulants, flavors and dyes), which is not always desirable. The fruit pulp composition exerts an important effect on the fruit powder production using a spouted bed. In the study by Medeiros (2001) it was concluded that lipids, starch and pectin contents play an important role on the process performance, enhancing the powder production; however, the drying of fruit pulps containing high content of reducing sugars (glucose and fructose) is practically unviable. This work has the objective of expanding the studies on drying of fruit pulps in spouted bed with aid of adjuvant (lipids, starch and pectin) aiming to enhance the dryer performance without jeopardizing the sensorial quality of the product. The optimum composition obtained by Medeiros (2001) was the basis for preparing the mixtures of pulps. The mixture formulations included pulps of mango (Mangifera indica), umbu (Spondias tuberosa) and red mombin (Spondia purpurea) with addition of cornstarch, pectin and lipids. Different products were used as lipids source: olive and Brazil nut oils, coconut milk, heavy milk, powder of palm fat and palm olein. First of all, experiments were conducted to define the best formulation of the fruit pulps mixture. This definition was based on the drying performance obtained for each mixture and on the sensorial characteristics of the dry powder. The mixture formulations were submitted to drying at fixed operating conditions of drying and atomizing air flow rate, load of inert particles, temperature and flow rate of the mixture. The best results were obtained with the compositions having powder of palm fat and palm olein in terms of the drying performance and sensorial analysis. Physical and physicochemical characteristics were determined for the dry powders obtained from the mixtures formulations. Solubility and reconstitution time as well as the properties of the product after reconstitution were also evaluated. According to these analyses, the powder from the mixtures formulations presented similar characteristics and compatible quality to those produced in other types of dryers. Considering that the palm olein is produced in Brazil and that it has been used in the food industry substituting the palm fat powder, further studies on drying performance were conducted with the composition that included the palm olein. A complete factorial design of experiments 23, with three repetitions at the central point was conducted to evaluate the effects of the air temperature, feeding flow rate and intermittence time on the responses related to the process performance (powder collection efficiency, material retained in the bed and angle of repose of the inert particles after the process) and to the product quality (mean moisture content, loss of vitamin C and solubility). Powder production was uniform for the majority of the experiments and the higher efficiency with lower retention in the bed (59.2% and 1.8g, respectively) were obtained for the air temperature of 80°C, mixture feed rate of 5ml/min in intervals of 10 min. The statistical analysis of the results showed that the process variables had individual or combined significant influences on the powder collection efficiency, material retention in the bed, powder moisture content and loss of vitamin C. At the experimental ranges of this work, the angle of repose and solubility were not influenced by the operating variables. From the results of the experimental design, statistical models were obtained for the powder moisture content and loss of vitamin C

Agricultura familiar: uma perspectiva da qualidade de vida do produtor rural orgânico da Paraíba

Knowledge of quality of life is a very complex and rich in cultural and subjective dimensions, understood in a broad sense and multivariate theme. Considering the rural areas from agriculture, it is observed that the production standard defines significant changes in the environmental context and the quality of life of rural workers. To explain the relationship between quality of life and Family Organic Agriculture, we sought to analyze the quality of life of the organic family farmer, after change in agricultural management. The research, based on a procedure exploratory study supported the articulation theoretically constructed, showed their relevance and allowed to delimit with greater security, the central question of work. The WHOQOL - 100 treated the instrument of research on quality of life that directed the field study with organic farmers from the town of Lagoa Seca / PB. Farmers and family members are from rural regions Almeida, Alvinho, Lagoa de Barro, Lagoa Gravatá, Oiti and Pau Ferro. The average time is 39 years farming and organic family farm is 16 years. In the analysis work was found that the process of production of vegetables and fruits is divided into 08 steps and with respect to workloads observations showed the presence of: physical loads, mechanical stresses, psychological burden and ergonomic factors. Most farmers reported symptoms were fatigue and cramps in the legs . Regarding the quality of life was noticed that the Psychological Domain contributed positively to the quality of life with mean and standard deviation (17.83 ± 12.78) and Domain Environment negatively contributing to the quality of life of this group (9.00 ± 6.82). We conclude that the practice of Family Organic Agriculture should be seen as an effective strategy in promoting quality of life and social values in between, since it presents environmental sustainability with regard to life and socio-cultural diversity of populations

Secagem de misturas de polpa de frutas tropicais em leito de jorro

Drying of fruit pulps in spouted beds of inert particles has been indicated as a viable technique to produce fruit powders. Most of the processes employed to produce dried fruit pulps and juices, such as Foam Mat, encapsulation by co-crystallization and spray drying utilize adjuvant and additives (such as thickeners, coating materials, emulsifiers, acidulants, flavors and dyes), which is not always desirable. The fruit pulp composition exerts an important effect on the fruit powder production using a spouted bed. In the study by Medeiros (2001) it was concluded that lipids, starch and pectin contents play an important role on the process performance, enhancing the powder production; however, the drying of fruit pulps containing high content of reducing sugars (glucose and fructose) is practically unviable. This work has the objective of expanding the studies on drying of fruit pulps in spouted bed with aid of adjuvant (lipids, starch and pectin) aiming to enhance the dryer performance without jeopardizing the sensorial quality of the product. The optimum composition obtained by Medeiros (2001) was the basis for preparing the mixtures of pulps. The mixture formulations included pulps of mango (Mangifera indica), umbu (Spondias tuberosa) and red mombin (Spondia purpurea) with addition of cornstarch, pectin and lipids. Different products were used as lipids source: olive and Brazil nut oils, coconut milk, heavy milk, powder of palm fat and palm olein. First of all, experiments were conducted to define the best formulation of the fruit pulps mixture. This definition was based on the drying performance obtained for each mixture and on the sensorial characteristics of the dry powder. The mixture formulations were submitted to drying at fixed operating conditions of drying and atomizing air flow rate, load of inert particles, temperature and flow rate of the mixture. The best results were obtained with the compositions having powder of palm fat and palm olein in terms of the drying performance and sensorial analysis. Physical and physicochemical characteristics were determined for the dry powders obtained from the mixtures formulations. Solubility and reconstitution time as well as the properties of the product after reconstitution were also evaluated. According to these analyses, the powder from the mixtures formulations presented similar characteristics and compatible quality to those produced in other types of dryers. Considering that the palm olein is produced in Brazil and that it has been used in the food industry substituting the palm fat powder, further studies on drying performance were conducted with the composition that included the palm olein. A complete factorial design of experiments 23, with three repetitions at the central point was conducted to evaluate the effects of the air temperature, feeding flow rate and intermittence time on the responses related to the process performance (powder collection efficiency, material retained in the bed and angle of repose of the inert particles after the process) and to the product quality (mean moisture content, loss of vitamin C and solubility). Powder production was uniform for the majority of the experiments and the higher efficiency with lower retention in the bed (59.2% and 1.8g, respectively) were obtained for the air temperature of 80°C, mixture feed rate of 5ml/min in intervals of 10 min. The statistical analysis of the results showed that the process variables had individual or combined significant influences on the powder collection efficiency, material retention in the bed, powder moisture content and loss of vitamin C. At the experimental ranges of this work, the angle of repose and solubility were not influenced by the operating variables. From the results of the experimental design, statistical models were obtained for the powder moisture content and loss of vitamin C

Análises físico-químicas de polpas de frutas e avaliação dos seus padrões de identidade e qualidade

The pulps are products that add economic value enjoy the fruits of the surplus productions of the same. Have good market acceptance because of its practicality and diversity of flavors available year round. In order to assess the quality of the fruit pulp through the physical and chemical parameters and the characteristics of manufacturing industry, we analyzed 36 samples of frozen fruit pulp of three brands marketed in RIO Grande do Norte, 14 brand A, 12 of 10 brand B and brand C, which corresponded to 14 different flavors, of which 10 have identity Standards and Quality (ISQ S) established by the Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA), totaling 27 samples with ISQ s. We conducted the following physicalchemical analyzes on samples of fruit pulp: Total solids, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, total sugars and the determination of ascorbic acid. The percentage of failure for each parameter evaluated was 37, 04% in total soluble solids, 22,22% for total solids and titratable acidity, 7,40% in relation to pH. The total sugars were within the requirements demanded by the MAPA and ascorbic acid content, determined only in the pulp of acerola and cashew, presented a non compliance in the pulp of brand B. The percentage of failures of the pulps with ISQ S was 59% with brand A, B and C accounted for 3,70%, 33,33% and 22,22% respectively. The pulps which have no established atandards such as pineapple pulp, showed similar values between brands and literature data unlike the pulp of plum, jackfruit and tamarind which diverged greatly in parameters such as total solids and total soluble solids. The study demonstrates the need for greater quality control by the producers with respect to raw materials, processing, packing, stored and the importance of ISQ S to establish the flavors have not yet covered by existing legislation, but already highly commercialized

Dinâmica populacional e incidência de moscas-das-frutas e parasitoides em cultivares de pessegueiros (Prunus Persica L. Batsch) no município de presidente prudente-sp

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivos avaliar a dinâmica populacional e registrar a diversidade de moscas-das-frutas (Diptera: Tephritoidea) em cultivares de pessegueiro Tropical, Talismã, Aurora 2, Aurora 1, Dourado 2 e Doçura 2, enxertadas sobre os porta-enxertos 'Okinawa' e Umê, em Presidente Prudente-SP. Foram realizadas as correlações da dinâmica populacional com a temperatura e a precipitação, e também a infestação com as características químicas dos frutos, Sólidos Solúveis e Acidez Titulável. No período de julho de 2004 a dezembro de 2006, a dinâmica populacional de moscas-das-frutas foi obtida através de coletas semanais de moscas-das-frutas em armadilhas McPhail, e a incidência foi determinada através da coleta de 30 frutos/planta/cultivar. O delineamento estatístico adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições. Ceratitis capitata foi predominante nas cultivares de pessegueiros estudadas. Não foi observada correlação significativa entre população de moscas-das-frutas e as variáveis de temperatura e precipitação, e sólidos solúveis e ácidez titulável. Entre as cultivares de pêssego, Aurora 2 apresentou maior infestação por C. capitata, da ordem de 22 e 23% nos anos 2004 e 2006, respectivamente. Também foi registrada a incidência de Neosilba spp. em frutos de pêssego. Doryctobracon areolatus (Braconidae), Tetrastichus giffardianus (Eulophidae) e Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Pteromalidae) foram recuperados de pupários de Tephritidae.

Tabagismo associado a outros fatores comportamentais de risco de doenças e agravos crônicos não transmissíveis

Foram entrevistados via ligação telefônica 1.410 indivíduos, amostra aleatória e representativa da população acima de 18 anos residente em domicílios conectados à rede de telefonia fixa. A prevalência de tabagismo foi de 21,8%, maior em homens (25%) e em indivíduos na faixa entre 18 e 29 anos. Tabagismo e sedentarismo juntos ocorrem em 13,9% dos homens e 14,2% das mulheres; tabagismo e baixo consumo de frutas em 12,9% dos homens e 12,3% das mulheres; e tabagismo e baixo consumo de legumes em 5,8% dos homens e 5,1% das mulheres. A associação de tabagismo e consumo excessivo de álcool foi observada apenas nos homens (em 3,5% deles) e, da mesma forma que verificada para tabagismo isoladamente, sua ocorrência concomitante a outros fatores comportamentais de risco de doenças e agravos crônicos não transmissíveis (DANT) associou-se inversamente à escolaridade. Os dados apontam indícios de efeito de aglomeração entre tabagismo e sedentarismo, tabagismo e álcool em excesso, tabagismo e dieta inadequada, justificando intervenções focadas na prevenção e redução concomitante dos principais fatores comportamentais de risco de DANT.

The pulvinus endodermal cells and their relation to leaf movement in legumes of the Brazilian cerrado

Legume pulvini have a clearly delimited endodermis, whose variable content has been associated with the velocity and type of leaf movement: pulvini in leaves with fast nastic movement contain starch grains; pulvini in leaves with slow nastic movements have calcium oxalate crystals as well as starch grains in the endodermis. However, the studies carried out to date have involved few legume species. This study therefore purported to examine the consistency of this hypothesis in other legumes. Thus, the structure and content of the pulvinus endodermal cells of nine legumes of the Brazilian cerrado, with different types and velocities of leaf movement, were investigated: slow nyctinastic and heliotropic movements (Bauhinia rufa, Copaifera langsdorffii, Senna rugosa - Caesalpinioideae; Andira humilis and Dalbergia miscolobium - Faboideae; Stryphnodendron polyphyllum - Mimosoideae), slow heliotropic movement (Zornia diphylla - Faboideae), and fast seismonastic and slow nyctinastic and heliotropic movements (Mimosa rixosa and Mimosa flexuosa - Mimosoideae). Samples were prepared following standard plant anatomy and ultrastructure techniques. The endodermis of all the species contains starch grains. In the species displaying only slow movements, calcium oxalate prismatic crystals were observed in addition to starch grains, except in Zornia diphylla. in conclusion, oxalate crystals occur only in endodermal cells of pulvini that display slow movements, while starch grains are always present in pulvinus endodermal cells of plants with any kind of movement.

Caracterização dos óleos de algumas sementes de frutas como aproveitamento de resíduos industriais

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito comparativo do calor, S0(2) e ácido ascórbico na atividade da polifenol oxidase e peroxidase de algumas frutas e hortaliças

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Perfil do consumidor de frutas em cidades do interior do estado de São Paulo - SP

Estudos relacionados ao perfil do consumidor colocam-se como importante subsídio à participação competitiva dos diferentes segmentos nas cadeias agroalimentares e para a própria organização da mesma. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o de identificar o perfil dos consumidores de frutas em cidades do interior do Estado de São Paulo. A amostra foi constituída de 404 consumidores em pontos de venda previamente selecionados nas cidades de Botucatu, Avaré, Jaboticabal, Ilha Solteira e Tupã. Os resultados sobre o perfil do consumidor de frutas nas cidades pesquisadas sinalizam uma preocupação com as características do produto (saudáveis e saborosos), com o preço e com facilidades de acesso na compra. Os resultados apontam também para a necessidade de maiores estudos sobre a importância da informação relacionada aos aspectos mais valorizados (características do produto e preço) na estrutura de consumo.

Nodulation, arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and growth of some legumes native from Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Alergia ao látex e a frutas em profissionais da área da saúde

INTRODUÇÃO: A alergia ao látex tornou-se um risco crescente aos indivíduos expostos, como os profissionais da área da saúde, tendo como agravo a associação com hipersensibilidade a vários alimentos, especialmente frutas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a freqüência de sensibilização ao látex e a frutas em profissionais da área da saúde. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 53 profissionais da saúde, 81,9% do sexo feminino, aplicando-se questionário alergológico e testes cutâneos por puntura para alérgenos inaláveis, do látex e de frutas (mamão papaia, kiwi, abacate, banana, figo, tomate, noz). RESULTADOS: Dos 53 indivíduos estudados, 15 (28,5%) eram alérgicos ao látex. A sensibilidade a frutas foi diagnosticada em 14 (26,4%), dos quais 10 (18,8%) apresentavam teste por puntura positivo para o látex; as frutas alergênicas mais freqüentes foram papaia (80,0%), kiwi (60,0%) e abacate (50,0%). CONCLUSÃO: Estes achados demonstram a existência da alergia látex-fruta, como descrito na literatura, sendo de suma importância uma avaliação in vivo em profissionais da área de saúde, caracterizados como potencial grupo de risco.

Índice de qualidade da dieta de adolescentes residentes no distrito do Butantã, município de São Paulo, Brasil

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o índice de qualidade da dieta de adolescentes residentes no Distrito do Butantã do município de São Paulo, SP. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional com uma amostra de 437 adolescentes, de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 12 e 19 anos. Foram obtidas amostras probabilísticas em dois estágios, setor censitário e domicílio, da área estudada. O consumo alimentar foi medido pelo método recordatório de 24 horas e a qualidade da dieta avaliada pelo Índice de Qualidade da Dieta adaptado para a realidade local. RESULTADOS: Dos adolescentes avaliados, 4% apresentaram dieta saudável, 68% dieta que necessita de melhora e 28% dieta inadequada. O sexo masculino apresentou maior pontuação para os componentes do Índice de Qualidade da Dieta cereais, hortaliças, leguminosas e variedade da dieta. O aumento no número de anos de estudo do chefe da família apresentou-se associado ao maior consumo dos grupos de alimentos: cereais, verduras e legumes, leite e produtos derivados e variedade de alimentos; a relação foi inversa para o grupo de leguminosas e sódio. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria dos adolescentes estudada não segue as recomendações dietéticas preconizadas, fato que pode comprometer a saúde futura desses indivíduos.