Avaliação de duas variedades de cana-de-açúcar submetidas a diferentes tempos de armazenamento

Foram estudadas duas variedades de cana-de-açúcar (CO 413 e RB 72 454), com o objetivo de verificar o efeito do armazenamento pós-corte sobre suas características tecnológicas e bromatológicas. As variedades foram cortadas e armazenadas durante zero, 1,5, 3,0 e 4,5 dias. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 x 4 . A variedade RB 72 454 apresentou melhor maturação que a variedade CO 413. O armazenamento proporcionou aumento no teor de açúcares redutores (P<0,01) e diminuição no teor protéico (P<0,01) das variedades de cana em estudo. A variedade RB 72 454 apresentou maior teor de matéria seca (P<0,01). Ambas as variedades, quando armazenadas durante 4,5 dias, apresentaram queda de 14,66 e 4,04% nos teores de proteína bruta e energia bruta, respectivamente.

Proposta de uma máquina para colheita mecanizada de babaçu (Orbignya phalerata Mart.) para a agricultura familiar

O babaçu é uma planta de importância capital na economia de subsistência do norte do Brasil. Sua configuração sócio-ambiental o torna destaque na situação regional amazônica, onde os produtos advindos do babaçu possibilitam renda para a camada mais pobre da população amazônica, além da questão ambiental que é conotada à preservação dos babaçuais naturais. Um dos gargalos técnicos da produção do babaçu, em especial visando a extração do óleo de babaçu, é a colheita feita de forma manual e no sistema extrativista. O objetivo deste trabalho é propor o conceito de uma colhedora de babaçu moto-mecanizada, capaz de trabalhar em cultivos artificiais, assim como em florestas naturais. Foi utilizada a metodologia de projeto da matriz morfológica, onde foram elencadas as possíveis combinações de mecanismos e elementos para uma colhedora de babaçu. Como resultado foi obtido um conceito teórico, sendo concluída a viabilidade técnica de tal projeto, em estudos futuros pretende-se desenvolver estudos de viabilidade técnica detalhados, assim como estudos de viabilidade econômica.

Qualidade físico-química e de fritura de tubérculos de cultivares de batata na safra de inverno

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Qualidade nutricional e esverdeamento pós-colheita de tubérculos de cultivares de batata

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características físico-químicas, a qualidade nutricional e a suscetibilidade ao esverdeamento pós-colheita de tubérculos de cultivares de batata. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de 11 cultivares (Ágata, Ambra, Annabelle, Asterix, Atlantic, Cupido, Daisy, Fontane, Innovator, Markies e Voyager). As cultivares Ágata, Ambra, Annabelle, Cupido e Voyager apresentam tubérculos com polpa de menor firmeza (6,82 a 8,25 N) e baixos teores de matéria seca (14,46 a 17,57%), carboidratos (10,97 a 12,51%) e amido (10,21 a 12,26%), adequados para o mercado fresco, a preparação de massas e o uso culinário. Já as cultivares Atlantic, Fontane e Innovator apresentam polpa firme (9,14 a 9,55 N) e elevados teores de matéria seca (19,68 a 21,63%), carboidratos (14,49 a 15,90%) e amido (14,29 a 15,74%), adequados para fritura. As cultivares Asterix e Markies apresentam teores intermediários dessas características e são indicadas para o preparo de massas e fritura. As cultivares Innovator e Markies apresentam melhor qualidade nutricional, com elevados teores de minerais (P, K, Mg, Cu e Mn) e de proteína, enquanto as cultivares Ágata e Ambra apresentam menor qualidade nutricional e proteica. A cultivar Voyager apresenta maior esverdeamento pós-colheita que as cultivares Annabelle, Fontane, Markies, Ambra e Atlantic.

Reguladores vegetais no desenvolvimento e produtividade da cana-de-açúcar

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desenvolvimento e a produtividade de colmos de cana-de-açúcar, resultantes da aplicação de reguladores vegetais no iníco da safra. Ostratamentos consistiram na aplicação de três reguladores vegetais inibidores de crescimento - sulfometuron metil, glifosato e compostos de radicais carboxílicos orgânicos + glifosato - e na maturação natural como testemunha, em delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições. Os maturadores retardam o processo de crescimento em altura das plantas, sem afetar o número e o diâmetro de colmos na colheita, e influenciam de forma e intensidade distintas a ocorrência do florescimento e chochamento. O glifosato proporciona elevados índices de brotação lateral e prejudica a rebrota da soqueira. Os maturadores induzem o aumento do teor de açúcares redutores totais, o que contribui para a melhoria da qualidade tecnológica da cana-de-açúcar.

Otimização de sistema de bombeamento com energia eólica: sistema de bombeamento de São Gabriel/BA

After the Protocol of Kyoto and of the ECHO 92 - Rio de Janeiro, the attentions of the world focus to the preservation of the environment and of the maintainable use of the natural resources. People were looking for preserving environment for the future generations. Ever since, solutions are looked for the supply of energy in its more acquaintances forms and the substitution of the use of fossil fuels for the such alternative forms as: Photovoltaics, solar heat systems for water, wind , bio-diesel, etc. and in this context the Company of Engineering of the State of Bahia - Cerb changed a diesel pumping system by an wind one, It´s the first community system of this nature in Bahia. Facing problems with the model, a Cerb involved the academic segment of the Federal Center of Technological Education of Bahia Cefetba looking for a solution. This work intends to demonstrate the possibilities of optimization of the pumping communit system that supply water to approximately 50 people in the place of Romão, municipal district of São Gabriel-Ba. Technical reports were published in AGRENERGD2004-Unicamp SP and Scientific Magazine ETC,Cefetba, 2005. A simulation of the increase of energy is presented for heights of 15 and 20m, considering the eletromecanical balance from the pumping energy to the wind turbine. From the accomplished bibliographical revision, we emphasized the mechanical aspects of the engineering once in UFRN, those studies concentrate on the Department of Mechanical Engineering while, in others eletroelectronic are more emphasized. Finally, documents that we judged important were enclosed for the perfect understanding of this work

Qualidade de fruto da aceroleira cv. Olivier em dois estádios de maturação

A acerola é um fruto de grande potencial econômico e nutricional devido ao seu alto teor de vitamina C, destacando-se como alimento funcional. É comercializada principalmente na forma de polpa congelada e fruto in natura. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade dos frutos da aceroleira cv. Olivier em dois estádios de maturação. Para tanto, foram colhidas amostras de frutos em um pomar comercial no município de Junqueirópolis-SP. Foram realizadas a determinação da cor externa dos frutos e análises das características químicas de teor de sólidos solúveis, pH, acidez titulável, açúcares redutores, 'ratio' e ácido ascórbico de frutos semi-maduros e maduros. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que os frutos semimaduros apresentaram maior acidez total, menor teor de sólidos solúveis e menor concentração de açúcares; no entanto, estes frutos apresentaram maiores teores de vitamina C, expressa em ácido ascórbico. Portanto, quando se buscam altos índices de vitamina C, os frutos devem ser colhidos num estádio de maturação menos avançado, com coloração alaranjada. O estudo demonstrou também que a cv Olivier produz frutos com características adequadas tanto para o mercado in natura quanto para a indústria, apresentando boa coloração e características químicas dentro dos padrões para esta fruta.

Avaliações fisiológicas e bioquímicas de plantas de aguapé (Eichhornia crassipes) cultivadas com níveis excessivos de nutrientes

Plantas de aguapé foram cultivadas em solução nutritiva de Hoagland & Arnon n.2, cujo aumento dos níveis de N, P e Cu estabeleceu as diferenças entre os tratamentos. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. As variáveis fisiológicas avaliadas foram área foliar, peso de matéria seca e taxa de crescimento absoluto, taxa de crescimento relativo, taxa assimilatória líquida, razão de área foliar, peso específico de folha, área foliar específica. Foram determinados também os teores de açúcares totais e redutores e de aminoácidos totais e a atividade das enzimas glutationa S-transferase e superóxido dismutase. Os extratos enzimáticos foram obtidos da matéria fresca da parte aérea das plantas. Após a coleta, foram determinados os pesos de material seco de raízes, pecíolos e folhas, que foram utilizados para a determinação de açúcares solúveis totais e redutores e de aminoácidos. O excesso de nitrogênio causou aumento de açúcares nas folhas e de aminoácidos nas raízes. Já o tratamento com excesso de fósforo levou ao aumento de açúcares nas raízes. Os resultados apresentados sugerem que, entre os nutrientes em excesso avaliados, o cobre (0,12 mg L-1) foi o maior indutor da atividade da GST e SOD, sugerindo que este elemento induziu estresse nas plantas de aguapé.

Estudo da influência de pré-tratamentos de dois resíduos lignocelulósicos (bagaço do pedúnculo de caju e casca de coco) utilizados como substrato na indução à síntese de enzimas celulolíticas

Nowadays generation ethanol second, that t is obtained from fermentation of sugars of hydrolyses of cellulose, is gaining attention worldwide as a viable alternative to petroleum mainly for being a renewable resource. The increase of first generation ethanol production i.e. that obtained from sugar-cane molasses could lead to a reduction of lands sustainable for crops and food production. However, second generation ethanol needs technologic pathway for reduce the bottlenecks as production of enzymes to hydrolysis the cellulose to glucose i.e. the cellulases as well as the development of efficient biomass pretreatment and of low-cost. In this work Trichoderma reesei ATCC 2768 was cultivated under submerged fermentation to produce cellulases using as substrates waste of lignocellulosic material such as cashew apple bagasse as well as coconut bagasse with and without pretreatment. For pretreatment the bagasses were treated with 1 M NaOH and by explosion at high pressure. Enzyme production was carried out in shaker (temperature of 27ºC, 150 rpm and initial medium pH of 4.8). Results showed that T.reesei ATCC 2768 showed the higher cellulase production when the cashew apple bagasse was treated with 1M NaOH (2.160 UI/mL of CMCase and 0.215 UI/mL of FPase), in which the conversion of cellulose, in terms of total reducing sugars, was of 98.38%, when compared to pretreatment by explosion at high pressure (0.853 UI/mL of CMCase and 0.172 UI/mL of Fpase) showing a conversion of 47.39% of total reducing sugars. Cellulase production is lower for the medium containing coconut bagasse treated with 1M NaOH (0.480 UI/mL of CMcase and 0.073 UI/mL of FPase), giving a conversion of 49.5% in terms of total reducing sugars. Cashew apple bagasse without pretreatment showed cellulase activities lower (0.535 UI/mL of CMCase and 0,152 UI/mL of FPase) then pretreated bagasse while the coconut bagasse without pretreatment did not show any enzymatic activity. Maximum cell concentration was obtained using cashew nut bagasse as well as coconut shell bagasse treated with 1M NaOH, with 2.92 g/L and 1.97 g/L, respectively. These were higher than for the experiments in which the substrates were treated by explosion at high pressure, 1.93 g/L and 1.17 g/L. Cashew apple is a potential inducer for cellulolytic enzymes synthysis showing better results than coconut bagasse. Pretreatment improves the process for the cellulolytic enzyme production

Hidrólise de resíduos lignocelulósicos utilizando extrato enzimático celulolítico produzido por Trichoderma reesei atcc 2768

Cellulolytic enzymatic broth by Trichoderma reesei ATCC 2768 cultived in shaker using cashew apple bagasse and coconut shell bagasse, as substrate for fermentation, was used to investigate the enzymatic hydrolysis of these substrates after pre-treatment with 1 M NaOH, wet-oxidation as well as a combination of these treatments. Hydrolysis runs were carried at 125 rpm, 50ºC and initial pH of 4.8 for 108 hours. Enzymatic broth produced using cashew apple bagasse treated with 1M NaOH (1.337 UI/mL CMCase and 0.074 UI/mL FPase), showed after the hydrolysis an initial of 0.094 g of reducing sugar/g of substrate.h with 96% yield of total reducing sugars while for the coconut shell bagasse treated using the alkaline process (0.640 UI/mL CMCase and 0.070 UI/mL FPase) exhibited an initial hydrolysis velocity of 0.025 g of reducing sugar/g of substrate.h with 48% yield of total reducing sugars. For the treatment with wet-oxidation using cashew apple bagasse as substrate enzymatic broth (0.547 UI/mL CMCase) exhibited an initial hydrolysis velocity of 0.014 g of reducing sugars/g of substrate.h with a lower yield about 89% of total reducing sugars compared to the alkaline treatment. Enzymatic broth produced using coconut shell treated by wet-oxidation showed an initial hydrolysis velocity of 0.029 g of reducing sugar/g of substrate.h with 91% yield. However, when the combination of these two treatments were used it was obtained an enzymatic broth of 1.154 UI/mL CMCase and 0.107 FPase for the cashew apple bagasse as well as 0.538 UI/mL CMCase and 0,013 UI/mL de FPase for the coconut shell bagasse. After hydrolysis, initial velocity was 0.029 g of reducing sugar/g of substrate.h. with 94% yield for the cashew apple bagasse and 0.018 g de reducing sugar/g of substrate.h with 69% yield for coconut shell bagasse. Preliminary treatment improves residues digestibility showing good yields after hydrolysis. In this case, cellulose from the residue can be converted into glucose by cellulolytic enzymes that can be used for ethanol production

Produção e qualidade de couve-flor cultivar Teresópolis Gigante em função de doses de nitrogênio

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

Estudo da produção de pectinase por fermentação em estado sólido utilizando pedúnculo de caju como substrato

Pectinolytic enzymes, or simply pectinases, are complex enzymes that degrade pectic polymers. They have many uses, such as fruit juice extraction and purification, textile fiber treatment and vegetal oil extraction. The aim of this work was to study the kinetics of pectinases production by solid-state fermentation, using dry cashew apple residue as substrate and the microorganism Aspergillus niger CCT 0916. The influence of the initial medium moisture and medium supplementation with a source of nitrogen and phosphorus was evaluated using the factorial experimental planning and response surface methodology. Ammonia sulphate and potassium phosphate were used as nitrogen and phosphorus source, respectively. The variables time of contact (T) and ratio volume solvent/fermented medium (RZ), in systems with and without agitation, were evaluated in order to study the best extraction condition of the produced enzyme. Washed and unwashed cashew apple residues were tested as the growth medium. The unwashed residue was obtained by drying the residue after the extraction of the juice, while the washed residue was obtained by water washing 5 times using the proportion of 1 kg pulp/2 liters of water. Samples were taken every 12 hours for moisture content, pH, protein, reducing sugars, polygalacturonase activity (PG) and viscosity reduction. The physical-chemical composition of the residues had different sugar and pectin levels. For the unwashed residue, the peak activity was reached with 40% of initial moisture content, 1% of nitrogen supplementation without phosphorus addition after 30 hours of process. These conditions led to 16 U/g of PG activity and 82% of viscosity reduction. The calculated models reached similar values to the experimental ones in the same process conditions: 15.55 U/g of PG and 79.57% of viscosity eduction. Similarly, the greatest enzyme production for washed residue was reached with 40% initial moisture content, 1% nitrogen supplementation without phosphorus addition after 22 hours of cultivation. In this condition it was obtained polygalacturonase activity of 9.84 U/g and viscosity reduction of 81.36%. These values are close to experimental values that were of 10.1 U/g and 81%, respectively. The conditions that led to the best PG activity results was the agitated one and the best extraction condition was obtained with 100 minutes of solvent/medium contact and RZ of 5 (mL/g)

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

Desenvolvimento de sorvete probiótico a base de leite de cabra: estudo da formulação, características físico químicas, sensoriais e viabilidade das bactérias probióticas

This work targetet the caprine ice cream production added with probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. It is divided into two parts. In the first one, four caprine ice cream formulations were evaluated, in which it was used hydrogenated fat (F1 and F3) or fat substitute (F2 and F4) in two different flavors (F1 and F2, passion fruit, F3 and F4, guava). Statistical differences (p<0.05) were detected for their physical-chemical properties, mainly for total solids and fat, but no differences were observed for melting test results. When it went to sensory acceptance, all four ice cream formulations reached high acceptance indexes, mostly formulation F4, which was selected for further studies. In the second part, F4 formulation was prepared with the addition of probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. The growth kinetics was studied and it was observed that the cellular concentration peak was reached after four fermentation hours (10.14 log UFC/g). This time was selected for pre-fermentation procedure and posterior addition at ice cream syrup. In this part of the study, two experimental groups were evaluated: group G1, in which the probiotic addition occurred before the maturation step and group G2, which included a pre-fermentation step and probiotic addition after ice cream maturation. The physical-chemical properties of these two ice cream groups were similar, except for pH, which was higher for group G2 (p<0.05). G1 samples had superior melting rate (3.566 mL/min) and both groups presented microbiological and sanitary results in accordance to current Brazilian legislation. Also, G1 and G2 were considered sensory accepted due to their acceptance indexes higher than 70%. G1 and G2 sensory profiles were similar (p>0.05), and both ice cream samples exhibited high creaminess (6.76 to 6.91) and mouth melting sensation (6.53 to 6.67) scores, while low sandiness scores (0.85 to 0.86) were observed, positive characteristics for this kind of food product. During the first 24 hours after ice cream production, the population of B. animalis subsp. lactis decreased, reaching 7.15 e 6.92 log CFU/g for G1 and G2, respectively. Probiotic bacteria counts fluctuated in ice cream samples during the first 108 days at frozen storage, especially for G2 group. Decreased probiotic viability was observed for G1 samples during the first 35 days of frozen storage, mild variation between 35 and 63 days and stabilized counts were observed after this time. After 21 days at frozen storage, ice cream samples of G1 and G2 groups reached 1.2 x 109 and 1.3 x 109 CFU/portion, respectively. After 108 days under these storage conditions, the survival rate of B. animalis subsp. lactis was 94.26% and 81.10% for G1 and G2 samples, respectively. After simulation of gastroenteric conditions, G2 group reached 9.72 x 105 CFU/portion. Considering the current requirements of Brazilian legislation, which stipulates that functional foods must have minimum probiotic count between 108 and 109 CFU/portion and detectable probiotic bacteria after being submitted to gastroenteric conditions, it is concluded that the ice cream with the addition of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis made as shown in this work, can be considered as a dairy functional food

Estudos ecogenômicos e bioprospectivos de Shewanella ssp

Bacteria trom Shewanella and Geobacter ganera are the most studied iron-reducing microorganisms particularly due to their electron transport systems and contribution to some industrial and environmental problems, including steel corrosion, bioenergy and bioremediation of petroleum-impacted sites. The present study was focused in two ways: the first is an in silico comparative ecogenomic study of Shewanella spp. with sequenced genomes, and the second is an experimental metagenomic work to detect iron-reducing Shewanella through PCR-DGGE of a metabolic gene. The in silico study resulted in positive correIation between copy number of 16S rDNA and genome size in Shewanella spp., with clusters of rrn near lhe origin of replication. This way, the genus is inferred as opportunist. There are no compact genomes and their sequences length varied, ranging from 4306142 nt in S. amazonensis SB2B to 5935403 nt in S. woodyi ATCC 51908, without correIation to temperature range characteristic of each specie. Intragenomic 16S rDNA sequences possess little divergence, but reasonable to resuIt in different phyIogenetic trees, depending on the sequence that is chosen to compare. For moIecuIar detection of iron-reducing Shewanella, it is proposed the mtrB gene as new biomarker. because it codes to a fundamental protein at Fe (III)-reduction. The specific primers were designed and evaluated in silico and resulted in a fragment of 360 pb. In the second study, these primers were tested in a genomic sample from S. oneidensis MR-1, amplifying the expected region. After this successfuI resuIt, the primer set was used as a tool to assess the iron-reducing communities of ShewaneIla genus under an environmental stress, i.e. crude oil contamination in mangrove sediment in Rio Grande do Norte State (Brazil). The primers presented high specificity and the reactions performed resulted in one single band of ampIification in the metagenomic samples. The fingerprinting obtained at DGGE reveaIed temporal variation of Shewanella spp. in analyzed samples. The resuIts presented show the detection of a biotechnological important group of microorganisms, the iron-reducing Shewanella spp. using a metabolic gane as target. It is concluded there are eight or more 16S rDNA sequences in Shewanella genus, with little divergence among them that affects the phylogeny; the pair of primers designed to ampIify mtrB sequences is a viable alternative to detect iron-reducing ShewanelIa in metagenomic approaches; such bacteria are present in the mangrove sediment anaIyzed, with temporal variations in the samples. This is the first experimental study that screened the iron-reducing Shewanella genus in a metagenomic experiment of mangrove sediments subjected to oil contamination through a key metabolic gene