Yield and mineral nutrition of soybean, maize, and congo signal grass as affected by limestone and slag

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of superficial applicationof limestone and slag, and their effects on soil chemical attributes and on yield and mineral nutrition of soybean, maize, and Congo signal grass (Urochloa ruziziensis). The experiment was carried out in a Rhodic Hapludox under no tillage system. The treatments consisted of the use of limestone or slag (silicates of calcium and magnesium) to correct soilacidity, and of a control treatment without the use of soil correctives. Rates were calculated in order to raise soil base saturation up to 70%. Soybean was sown in November 2006and maize in December 2007. Congo signal grass was sown right after the harvests of soybean and maize, and it was cropped during the offseasons. Soil chemical attributes were evaluated at 6, 12, and 18 months after the application of the corrective materials. Slag isan efficient source for soil acidity correction, being able to raise the exchangeable base levels in the soil profile faster than lime. Both limestone and slag increase dry matter yield of Congo signal grass, and grain yield of soybean and maize. Slag is more effective in improving maize grain yield.

Films from resistant starch-pectin dispersions intended for colonic drug delivery

Free films were obtained by the solvent casting method from retrograded starch-pectin dispersions at different polymer proportions and concentrations with and without plasticizer. Film forming dispersions were characterized according to their hardness, birefringence and rheological properties. The polymer dispersions showed a predominantly viscous behavior (G″ > G′) and the absence of plasticizers lead to building of stronger structures, while the occurrence of Maltese crosses in the retrograded dispersions indicates the occurrence of a crystalline organization. Analyses of the films included mechanical properties, thickness, superficial and cross sectional morphology, water vapor permeability, liquid uptake ability, X-ray diffractometry, in vitro dissolution and enzymatic digestion. The high resistant starch content (65.8-96.8%) assured the resistance of materials against enzymatic digestion by pancreatin. Changes in the X-ray diffraction patterns indicated a more organized and crystalline structure of free films in relation to isolated polymers. Increasing of pectin proportion and pH values favored the dissolution and liquid uptake of films. Films prepared with lower polymer concentration presented better barrier function (WVP and mechanical properties). © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influência da granulometria da matéria-prima e da configuração da extrusora no conteúdo de amido resistente, digestibilidade, fermentação intestinal e respostas metabólicas de cães

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Nitrogen and potassium fertilization on the yield and intensity of the maize white spot

A plant’s nutritional balance can influence its resistance to diseases. In order to evaluate the effect of increasing doses of N and K on the yield and severity of the maize white spot, two experiments were installed in the field, one in the city of Ijaci, Minas Gerais, and the other in the city of Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais. The experimental delimitation was in randomized blocks with 5 x 5 factorial analysis of variance, and four repetitions. The treatments consisted of five doses of N (20; 40; 80; 150; 190 Kg ha-1 of N in the experiments 1 and 2) and five doses of K (15; 30; 60; 120; 180 Kg ha-1 of K in experiment 1 and 8.75; 17.5; 35; 50; 100 Kg ha-1 of K in experiment 2). The susceptible cultivar 30P70 was planted in both experiments. The plot consisted of four rows 5 meters long, with a useful area consisting of two central rows 3 meters each. Evaluations began 43 days after emergence (DAE) in the first experiment and 56 DAE in the second one. There was no significant interaction between doses of N and K and the disease progress. The effect was only observed for N. The K did not influence the yield and the severity of the disease in these experiments. Bigger areas below the severity progress curve of the white spot and better yield were observed with increasing doses of N. Thus, with increasing doses of N, the white spot increased and also did the yield.

Microbiota do solo em sistemas de produção de grãos no plantio direto

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

Atividade amilolítica e qualidade de sementes de milho (Zea mays L.) submetidas ao alagamento

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Agricultura) - FCA

Produção de frutose a partir de hidrolisado enzimático de amido de mandioca

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Produção de resíduos sólidos de matérias-primas amiláceas na fabricação de bioetanol para analise de segurança em alimentação de ratos Wistar

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Influência de estresses abióticos na fase reprodutiva do milho

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effects of processing on physical properties of extruded snacks with blends of sour cassava starch and flaxseed flour

The opportunity to supplement common cassava biscuits with a product of higher nutritional value meets consumer expectations. In this work it was studied the effects of process parameters and flaxseed addition on physical properties of expanded snacks. Extrusion process was carried out using a single screw extruder in a factorial central composite rotatable design with four factors: flaxseed flour percentage (0-20%), moisture (12-20%), extrusion temperature (90-130 °C) and screw speed (190-270). The effect of extrusion variables was investigated in terms of expansion index, specific volume, water absorption index, water solubility index, color parameters (L*, a* ,b*) and hardness. The data analysis showed that variable parameters of the extrusion process and flaxseed flour affected physical properties of puffed snacks. Among the experimental conditions used in the present study, expanded snack products with good physical properties can be obtained under the conditions of 10% flaxseed flour, 230 rpm screw speed, temperature of 90 °C and moisture of 12%.

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.

Screening of Extracts of Leaves and Stems of Psychotria spp. (Rubiaceae) against Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) for Maize Protection

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Nitrogen fertilization management in no-tillage maize with different winter crops

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Biomaterials from blends of fluoropolymers and corn starch-implant and structural aspects

The development of polymeric blends to be used as matrices for bone regeneration is a hot topic nowadays. In this article we report on the blends composed by corn starch and poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, or poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene), P(VDF-TrFE), to obtain biocompatible materials. Blends were produced by compressing/annealing and chemically/structurally characterized by micro-Raman scattering and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectroscopies, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), besides in vivo study to evaluate the tissue response. Vibrational spectroscopy reveals no chemical interaction between the polymers and starch, absence of material degradation due to compressing/annealing process or organism implantation, and maintenance of a and ferroelectric crystalline phases of PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE), respectively. As a consequence of absence of interaction between polymers and starch, it was possible to identify by SEM each material, with starch acting as filler. Elastic modulus (E') obtained from DMA measurement, independent of the material proportion used in blends, reaches values close to those of cancellous bone. Finally, the in vivo study in animals shows that the blends, regardless of the composition, were tolerated by cancellous bone. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cyclodextrin Production by Bacillus lehensis Isolated from Cassava Starch: Characterisation of a Novel Enzyme

The properties of a previously unknown enzyme, denominated cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase, produced from Bacillus lehensis, were evaluated using affinity chromatography for protein purification. Enzyme characteristics (optimum pH and temperature; pH and temperature stability), the influence of substances on the enzyme activity, enzyme kinetics, and cyclodextrin production were analysed. Cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase was purified up to 320.74-fold by affinity chromatography using beta-cyclodextrin as the binder and it exhibited 8.71% activity recovery. This enzyme is a monomer with a molecular weight of 81.27 kDa, as estimated by SDS-PAGE. Optimum temperature and pH for cydodextrin glycosyltransferase were 55 degrees C and 8.0, respectively. The Michaelis-Menten constant was 8.62 g/l during maximum velocity of 0.858 g/l.h.