Fluoride concentration in public water supply: 72 months of analysis

Known as one of the ten most important advances on Public Health in the 20th century, fluoridation of public water supply is a measure of wide population coverage, which is effective on caries control. The city of Araçatuba, in the Northwest region of the São Paulo state, Brazil, started public water supply fluoridation in 1972 and, based on the average annual highest temperature, has kept the fluoride concentration between 0.6 to 0.8 mgF/L. The purpose of this study was to analyze monthly the fluoride concentration in public water supply in the city of Araçatuba during 72 months. Water samples were collected monthly on weekdays, directly from the water distribution network, on pre-established locations and analyzed in duplicate between November 2004 and October 2010 at the Research Laboratory of the Nucleus for Public Health (NEPESCO) of the Public Health Graduate Program from Araçatuba Dental School/UNESP, Brazil, using an fluoride-specific electrode connected to an ion analyzer. From the total of samples (n=591), 67.2% (n=397) presented fluoride concentration between 0.6 and 0.8 mgF/L; 20.6% (n=122) below 0.6 mgF/L; 11.5% (n=68) between 0.8 and 1.2 mgF/L and 0.7% (n=4) above 1.2 mgF/L. Most samples showed fluoride levels within the recommended parameters. Minimal variation was observed among the analyzed collection locations, showing that the city has been able to control the fluoride levels in the public water supply and reinforcing the importance of surveillance and constant monitoring to assure the quality of the water delivered to the population.

Quantitative variations in heterotrophic plate count and in the presence of indicator microorganisms in bottled mineral water

Quantitative variations in heterotrophic plate count (HPC) and in the presence of indicator microorganisms in 0.5, 1.5 and 20-L bottles of different brands of Brazilian mineral water were analyzed during their shelf life. No variations were identified in the presence of indicator microorganisms, but quantitative variations in HPC were observed in some brands, which suggests that changes may be occurring in the water quality during storage. The aim of this study was also to evaluate the quality of the bottled mineral waters and the presence of enterococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were verified in six and two bottles, respectively, which is in disagreement with the microbiological quality criteria established in the current legislation. Although no limit is set for HPC in mineral water, this study relies on the limit of 500 colony-forming units per mL of sample (CFU/mL). Seventy-two bottles presented levels above 500 CFU/mL and up to 560,000 CFU/mL. This study showed that the control of HPC (<500 CFU/mL) for non-returnable packaging seems to be adequate to ensure the quality of mineral water during storage. The high values of HPC and its variations detected during storage seem to fully justify the need for a reevaluation of the use of HPC in bottled mineral water quality management. More detailed studies on the potential health risk of HPC and its variations in mineral water are also needed. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Quality of performance of the operation of sugarcane mechanized planting in day and night shifts

The sugarcane mechanized planting is becoming increasingly widespread in Brazil due to a higher operability and better working conditions offered to workers compared to other types of planting. Studies related to this topic are insufficient or scarce in Brazil. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the operation quality of sugarcane mechanized planting in two operation shifts, by means of statistical process control. The mechanized planting was held on March 2012 and statistical design was completely randomized with two treatments, totaling 40 replications for the day shift and 40 replications for the night shift. The variables evaluated were: speed, engine rotation, engine oil pressure, water temperature of the engine, effective field capacity and the time consumption hourly and effective fuel. The use of statistical control charts showed that random intrinsic do not cause this process. The tractor alignment error showed outliers in the day and night shifts operations, indicating a possible delay in receiving the signal. The water temperature of the engine and the effective fuel consumption showed lower variability in nighttime operation with average values of 81°C and 22.66 L ha-1, respectively. The hourly fuel consumption had greater variability and consequently lower quality during the night of the operation, with an average consumption of 25.46 L h-1 while the day shift showed 26.86 L h-1.

Regulation of the private provision of public water-related services

Includes bibliography

Effect of fructooligosaccharides on the physicochemical properties of sour cassava starch and baking quality of gluten-free cheese bread

The present research was undertaken to explore the influence of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on the functional and thermal properties of sour cassava starch and the quality characteristics of gluten-free (GF) cheese bread. Fructooligosaccharides were used to replace sour cassava starch at substitution level of 9% (SF1), 17% (SF2), and 29% (SF3). The functional and thermal properties of the starch-FOS mixtures were determined by the water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), pasting profile analysis, thermal transition temperatures and enthalpy of gelatinization. Moreover, the GF cheese breads with starch-FOS mixtures were analyzed for height, diameter, weight, specific volume and dough moisture content. The sample with the highest FOS content (SF3) presented the lowest WAI (1.44), peak (62.4 rapid visco units (RVU), breakdown (53.4 RVU), final (13.8 RVU), and setback (4.9 RVU) viscosities, dough moisture content (31.7%), and enthalpy of gelatinization (9.5 J/g) and the highest WSI (29.4%) and pasting temperature (69.1 degrees C). The height, diameter and specific volume of GF cheese bread samples made from sour cassava starch were 3.14 cm, 6.35 cm, and 1.49 cm(3)/g, respectively. The SF1 mixture samples resulted in a 3.01 cm height, 6.34 cm diameter, and 1.55 cm(3)/g specific volume. According to Brazilian food labeling regulations, the latter product cannot be categorized as a good source of fiber because the minimum level of fiber per portion was not reached.

Effect of calcium on the osmotic dehydration kinetics and quality of pineapple

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Sources and levels of selenium on breast meat quality of broilers

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

Quality of aged shoulder from lambs fed with different oldman saltbush hay levels (Atriplex nummularia)

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

Substrates and controlled-release fertilizations on the quality of eucalyptus cuttings

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

Influence of Edible Coating on the Drying and Quality of Papaya (Carica papaya)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

PHYSICAL QUALITY OF AN OXISOL UNDER NO-TILLAGE AND CONVENTIONAL TILLAGE

The understanding and quantification of the impact of tillage systems in their physical quality are fundamental in the development of sustainable agricultural systems. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of an Oxisol under conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage system (NT), through different physical indicators. The management systems were: CT and NT for seven or eight consecutive years (medium textured soil) and CT and NT by nine and ten consecutive years (clay soil). Were determined, at the layers 0-0.10, 0.10-0.20; 0.20-0.30 m, soil resistance to penetration, total soil porosity, macroporosity and microporosity, soil water retention, S index, soil bulk density, maximum density and relative bulk density. Was observed great variation of soil resistance to penetration throughout the soybean and corn cycles, with its highest values were found in the surface layers. The NT showed greater resistance to penetration. Among the management systems, the results against indicators of soil physical quality were similar.

Influence of different toothpaste abrasives on the bristle end-rounding quality of toothbrushes

To evaluate the influence of different toothpaste abrasives on the bristle wear and bristle tip morphology of toothbrushes with different degrees of hardness. Material and methods Ninety samples of bovine incisor teeth were used in this study. The samples were randomly divided into three groups according to the bristle hardness of the toothbrush used: soft bristles (S); extra-soft bristles (ES); hard bristles (H). The toothbrushes of each group were randomly divided into six subgroups with five toothbrushes each, according to the abrasive of the toothpaste used in the simulation: Negative control (distilled water); toothpaste 1 (silica); toothpaste 2 (hydrated silica); toothpaste 3 (calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate and silica); toothpaste 4 (tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, silica and titanium dioxide); toothpaste 5 (calcium carbonate). The samples were placed in a toothbrushing simulating machine that simulating three months of brushing. The toothbrush bristles were evaluated by the bristle wear index, and the bristle tips morphology was evaluated by the bristle tip morphology index. Results The ES brush presented the highest bristle wear among the toothbrushes. Additionally, the S brushes showed better morphology of the bristles followed by ES and H brushes. The type of abrasive only influenced the bristle tip morphology of the ES brushes. The toothpaste 3 induced the worse bristle tip morphology than all the other toothpastes. Conclusions Different abrasives have influence only on the bristle tip morphology of the ES brushes.

Vitamin C prevents the effects of high rearing temperatures on the quality of broiler thigh meat

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

Lipid sources with different fatty acid profile alters the fatty acid profile and quality of beef from confined nellore steers

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

Influence of different toothpaste abrasives on the bristle end-rounding quality of toothbrushes

ObjectivesTo evaluate the influence of different toothpaste abrasives on the bristle wear and bristle tip morphology of toothbrushes with different degrees of hardness.Material and methodsNinety samples of bovine incisor teeth were used in this study. The samples were randomly divided into three groups according to the bristle hardness of the toothbrush used: soft bristles (S); extra-soft bristles (ES); hard bristles (H). The toothbrushes of each group were randomly divided into six subgroups with five toothbrushes each, according to the abrasive of the toothpaste used in the simulation: Negative control (distilled water); toothpaste 1 (silica); toothpaste 2 (hydrated silica); toothpaste 3 (calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate and silica); toothpaste 4 (tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, silica and titanium dioxide); toothpaste 5 (calcium carbonate). The samples were placed in a toothbrushing simulating machine that simulating three months of brushing. The toothbrush bristles were evaluated by the bristle wear index, and the bristle tips morphology was evaluated by the bristle tip morphology index.ResultsThe ES brush presented the highest bristle wear among the toothbrushes. Additionally, the S brushes showed better morphology of the bristles followed by ES and H brushes. The type of abrasive only influenced the bristle tip morphology of the ES brushes. The toothpaste 3 induced the worse bristle tip morphology than all the other toothpastes.ConclusionsDifferent abrasives have influence only on the bristle tip morphology of the ES brushes.