Avaliação de índices de firmeza para abacaxi minimamente processado em fatias tratadas com soluções de sais de cálcio

Fresh-cut sliced fruits and vegetables are ready to eat immediately and their sensorial characteristics should be similar to fresh product. Although most of the studies in this area are focused on vegetables, there is a great market potential for fresh-cut sliced fruits, mainly for those which exhibit some commercialization or preparation difficulties such as pineapple. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of 1% and 3% concentrations of calcium salts (chloride, sulphate and lactate) on pH, total soluble solids and firmness values of minimally processed pineapple slices. Two types of indenters and three firmness indexes were investigated aiming to identify the best index. Results showed that calcium sulphate 3% kept average firmness index up to 44.45% higher than the index value of the control. Even though both indenters exhibited similar variability the cylindrical one was able to point out more differences between control and treatments than the cylindrical borer indenter.

Características espectrais da soja ao longo do ciclo vegetativo com imagens landsat 5/TM em área agrícola no oeste do Paraná

The objective of this study was to analyze changes in the spectral behavior of the soybean crop through spectral profiles of the vegetation indexes NDVI and GVI, expressed by different physical values such as apparent bi-directional reflectance factor (BRF), surface BRF, and normalized BRF derived from images of the Landsat 5/TM. A soybean area located in Cascavel, Paraná, was monitored by using five images of Landsat 5/TM during the 2004/2005 harvesting season. The images were submitted to radiometric transformation, atmospheric correction and normalization, determining physical values of apparent BRF, surface BRF and normalized BRF. NDVI and GVI images were generated in order to distinguish the soybean biomass spectral response. The treatments showed different results for apparent, surface and normalized BRF. Through the profiles of average NDVI and GVI, it was possible to monitor the entire soybean cycle, characterizing its development. It was also observed that the data from normalized BRF negatively affected the spectral curve of soybean crop, mainly, during the phase of vegetative growth, in the 12-9-2004 image.

Ambiências térmica, aérea e acústica para reprodutores suínos

The swine breeder rearing environment directly affects the animal's performance. This research had the objective of developing a thermal, aerial and acoustic environmental evaluation pattern for boar housing. The experiment was carried on a commercial swine farm in Salto County -SP, Brazil. Thermal, aerial and acoustic environment data of rearing conditions were registered. Data were statistically analyzed using as threshold the ideal housing environment that leads to animal welfare. Results showed that ambient temperature was around 70% beyond normal range, while air relative humidity, air speed and gases concentration were within threshold values. Noise level data besides being within normal range did not present large variation. In relation to the fuzzy logic analysis it was possible to build up a scenario which indicated that the best welfare indexes to male swine breeders happens when thermal comfort index are close to 80%, and noise level is lower than 40 dB. In the other hand the worst welfare index occur in the sector where the thermal comfort values are below 40% at the same time that the noise level is higher than 80 dB leading to inadequate conditions to the animal, and may directly interfere in the reproduction system performance.

Thermolysed and active yeast to reduce the toxicity of aflatoxin

Aflatoxins are hepatotoxic metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus on a number of agricultural commodities. This research was carried out to evaluate the ability of thermolysed and active Saccharomyces cerevisiae to attenuate liver damage caused by aflatoxin. Diets were prepared containing 0 aflatoxin; 400 mug kg-1 aflatoxin; 400 mug kg-1 aflatoxin plus 1% of dehydrated active yeast, and 400 mug kg-1 aflatoxin plus 1% of thermolysed yeast. A bioassay with Wistar rats was conducted for 28 days, and body organs were weighted and analyses of the liver tissue of the animals were performed. The relative weight of heart, kidneys and liver from animals submitted to the different treatments did not show any difference, and liver tissue of animals feeding on the aflatoxin-free diet was adopted as a toxicity-free pattern. Hepatic tissue of animals feeding on diets containing 400 mug kg-1 aflatoxin or the diet supplemented with 1% thermolysed yeast showed clear signs of toxicity and damage. Hepatic tissue of animals feeding on the diet containing 1% of dehydrated active yeast showed less toxicity signs and damage than those receiving the diet containing 400 mug kg-1 aflatoxin. Active, dehydrated yeast had the ability to reduce toxic effects caused by aflatoxin, but thermolysed yeast was not able to alleviate the effects of aflatoxin toxicity.

Projeto de caixa de madeira para manga (Mangifera Indica L.)

Losses of horticulture product in Brazil are significant and among the main causes are the use of inappropriate boxes and the absence of a cold chain. A project for boxes is proposed, based on computer simulations, optimization and experimental validation, trying to minimize the amount of wood associated with structural and ergonomic aspects and the effective area of the openings. Three box prototypes were designed and built using straight laths with different configurations and areas of openings (54% and 36%). The cooling efficiency of Tommy Atkins mango (Mangifera Indica L.) was evaluated by determining the cooling time for fruit packed in the wood models and packed in the commercially used cardboard boxes, submitted to cooling in a forced-air system, at a temperature of 6ºC and average relative humidity of 85.4±2.1%. The Finite Element Method was applied, for the dimensioning and structural optimization of the model with the best behavior in relation to cooling. All wooden boxes with fruit underwent vibration testing for two hours (20 Hz). There was no significant difference in average cooling time in the wooden boxes (36.08±1.44 min); however, the difference was significant in comparison to the cardboard boxes (82.63±29.64 min). In the model chosen for structural optimization (36% effective area of openings and two side laths), the reduction in total volume of material was 60% and 83% in the cross section of the columns. There was no indication of mechanical damage in the fruit after undergoing the vibration test. Computer simulations and structural study may be used as a support tool for developing projects for boxes, with geometric, ergonomic and thermal criteria.

Ambientes de cultivo, recipientes e substratos na produção de biomassa foliar e radicular em mudas de maracujazeiro amarelo em Aquidauana - MS

The objective of the work was to evaluate the effects of environment, recipients, and substrate compositions in passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg.) seedlings biomass production in Pantanal region from September to November of 2006. Experimental trials were conducted in four protected environments, in two types of containers and three different substrate compositions. The environments were: A1 (greenhouse covered with low-density, 150-microns-thick polyethylene film), A2 (monofilament black screened with mesh for 50% of shade), A3 (aluminized screened with mesh for 50% of shade) and A4 (environment covered with straw of native coconut palm); the recipients were: polyethylene bags (R1) (15 x 25 cm) and polystyrene trays (R2) (with 72 cells). There substrates were: S1 (soil + organic compost + vermiculite, 1:1: 1 v/v), S2 (soil + organic compost + sawdust, 1:1: 1 v/v) and S3 (soil + organic compost + vermiculite + sawdust, 1:1: 1/2: 1/2 v/v). The experimental design was completely randomized statistical analysis in split-split-plot, with fifteen replications. The treatments in the plot were environments, in the subplots were pots, and subsubplots were substrates (4 x 2 x 3 = 24 treatments). Fresh and dry mass of aerial and root system parts were evaluated. Environments with screen showed better results for seedlings of yellow passion fruit biomass in polyethylene bags. Polyethylene bags promoted higher biomasses. The substrate with vermiculite showed better results for both types of containers. The substrate with a higher percentage of sawdust showed the worst result.

Inibidor da ação do etileno na conservação pós-colheita de Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat cv. Dragon

The durability and postharvest quality of cut flowers are fundamental attributes in value along the production chain and in consumer satisfaction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemical inhibitors of ethylene action on maintaining the postharvest quality of chrysanthemum stems (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat cv. Dragon). The experiment tested maintenance solutions with silver thiosulfate (STS) under five levels (distilled water, a 0.2 mM STS, the STS 0.2 mM + sucrose at 50 g L-1, STS at 0.4 mM; STS at 0.4 mM + sucrose at 50 g L-1), and date of sampling, for three levels (0, 3, 6 days). Three replications with two flower stems in each treatment were used in the experiment. Physical assessments were made: color, fresh mass and relative water content; chemical evaluations: reducing sugars and pigments, and qualitative assessments: turgidity, flower color, and number of buds, open flowers and partially open flowers. Treatment with 0.2 mM STS resulted in better maintenance of fresh mass of stems. The concentration of pigments and reducing sugar was higher in those treatments in which sucrose was associated. The color and relative water content were favored in treatments STS 0.2 mM and 0.4 mM. The concentration of 0.2 mM STS obtained the best results, prolonging the vase life the stems. The quality of these stems was higher, with the best assessments of water content, color and turgidity.

Soluções de manutenção na pós-colheita de Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Dragon

The development and use of techniques that extend the life vase of the flowers, maintaining the quality of the product, is essential for reducing postharvest losses. The objective of this work was to evaluate different solutions for maintenance, associated or not to sucrose, in maintaining the postharvest quality of chrysanthemum stems. The treatments used distilled water, 8-HQC to 100 mg L-1, 8-HQC to 100 mg L-1 + sucrose 50 g L-1, 8-HQC to 200 mg L-1, 8-HQC to 200 mg L-1 + sucrose 50 g L-1. Physical assessments were made: color, fresh mass and relative water content; chemical evaluations: reducing sugars and pigments, and qualitative assessments: turgidity, color of the flowers, and number of buttons, open flowers and partially open flowers. The combination of 8-HQC 200 mg L-1 + sucrose 50 g L-1 was the best performance that made for maintaining the quality of flower stems, favoring the opening of buttons and turgidity of petals. Sucrose contributed to better maintenance of the reserve substances in the shaft, which had increased the flower vase life.

Rugosidade e pigmentação superficial de materiais ionoméricos

The aim of this study was to compare two methods of surface roughness analysis, perfilometry and spectrophotometry, applied to the surface of ionomeric materials (Chelon Fil, Vitremer and Dyract), submitted to different surface finishing treatments. For the perfilometric analysis, sixty specimens of each material were made and randomly separated into three experimental groups. The average surface roughness (Ra, mm) was measured on each specimen by a surface perfilometer (Mitutoyo Surftest 211). The spectrophotometric analysis consisted in quantifying the dye impregnated in the samples. The dyes used were 0.5% fuchsin and 0.5% erythrosin. Data were submitted to variance analysis (ANOVA) and t-Student test at a 0.05 significance level. There was no linear correlation between average roughness and superficial deposition of dye. Perfilometric analysis revealed that 12- and 30-bladed carbide burs caused the roughest surface of Chelon Fil, followed by Sof-Lex discs and mylar band. There were no significant differences between the specimens submitted to finishing and polishing with Sof-Lex discs and the control group (mylar band) for Vitremer, nevertheless, the highest Ra values were obtained when 12- and 30-bladed burs were used. For Dyract, there was no significant difference between the three treatments. The mean values of superficial deposition of dye for Chelon Fil, Vitremer and Dyract were: 1.7261, 1.4759, 1.3318, respectively. There were no significant differences between the restorative materials when different finishing and polishing systems were used.

EFEITO DA ASSOCIAÇÃO DE PECTINASE, INVERTASE E GLICOSE ISOMERASE NA QUALIDADE DO SUCO DE BANANA

The association of 0,03 % v/w pectinase (Clarex), 0,6 % v/w invertase (Invertase-S) and 0,5 % w/w glucose isomerase (Taka-sweet) in industrialized banana (Musa cavendishii) pulp, under conditions of hydrolysis 40oC, 15 minutes, was observed and compared to other three enzymatic treatements: 0,03 % v/w pectinase (Clarex); 0,03 % v/w pectinase (Clarex) associated to 0,6 % v/w invertase (Invertase-S); and 0,03 % v/w pectinase (Sigma) associated to 0,03 % cellulase (Sigma) to determine the quality using a group of physical, physico-chemical, chemical, microbiological and sensory properties of the banana juices obtained. These properties had not differ significantly in function of pectinases and celulase employed. The addition of invertase had increased sweetness and decreased viscosity in juice. On the other side, the addition of glucose isomerase in inverted juice was not able in increasing significantly fructose content.

Avaliação do amaciamento de carne bovina de dianteiro (Triceps brachii) pelos métodos de maturação, estimulação elétrica, injeção de ácidos e tenderização mecânica

Twenty-two Triceps brachii muscle obtained from 11 cows aged 3 and 4 years , killed in an experimental slaughter plant, were submitted to mechanical tenderization, injection with acetic acid 0,1M and lactic acid 0,2M, ageing for 9 and 14 days and electrical stimulation (250v - 60Hz - 90s), some of them were reserved as a control group, without treatment. The 14 days ageing time presented 21% of increase in subjective tenderness and 12% of reduction in shear force, these values were similar to the electrical stimulated meat. However the injection with acids and the ageing time 9 days did not present significant effect in the texture. Although the shear force values of mechanical tenderized meat was the shortest among all treatments, suspect of superestimation because of the fractures plan created by this process. Another analyses were carried out: pH reduction curve, R value; colour analysis; weight losses by cooking and by treatment; and microbiological analysis.

Ocorrência de fungos filamentosos termo-resistentes em polpa de tomate envasada assepticamente

This work aimed at determining the occurrence of heat resistant molds during the aseptic processing of tomato pulp (8° BRIX). During tomato harvest, 9 lots were sampled (3 at the beginning, 3 at the apex and 3 at the end of harvest) and other 5 lots were sampled between harvest. For each lot, the enumeration of heat resistant molds was carried out in samples collected during the aseptic process. The mean count of heat resistant molds was relatively low, ranging from <1 to 8CFU/100mL of sample. The higher counts were observed in the raw material and the pre-wash and transportation water. Fifty strains of heat resistant molds detected in the enumeration procedure were isolated, codified and stocked. One-month-old spores of each isolate were submitted to different heat shocks to select the most heat resistant mold. The most heat resistant isolated strain (survived 100° C/25 minutes) was identified as Neosartorya fischeri.

Desidratação osmótica de abacaxi aplicada à tecnologia de métodos combinados

The aim of this research was to optimize osmotic dehydration of pineapple, according to two criteria: maximize water loss and minimize solid gain. The process was made as an application to Combined Methods Technology, in which three preservation factors were combined: water activity, pH and chemical preservatives, all being applied at low levels, in order to get a product resembling non-processed fruit. The experiment was divided into three treatments, being: non-coated pineapple pieces (A), pieces coated with alginate (B) and coated with low-methoxyl pectin (C). Process involved the following main steps: enzymatic inactivation of fruit pieces; in treatments B and C, incorporation of their respective coatings; and osmotic dehydration, in sucrose syrup containing potassium sorbate and citric acid. Optimum conditions, determined from Response Surface Methodology, were the following: dehydration of fruit pieces coated by alginate, at 42-47° C, in sucrose syrup at 66-69° Brix, for 220 to 270 minutes. Results indicated that both coatings significantly affected the mass transfers of the process, reducing solid incorporation and increasing water loss; therefore, increasing weight loss and performance ratio (water loss: solid incorporation) took place. Water activity was not significantly affected by the coatings. The product obtained under optimum conditions was submitted to sensorial evaluation, and presented a good general acceptance. Moulds and yeasts countings indicated good microbiological stability of the product for at least 60 days at 30ºC.

Evaluation of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of water from the River Paraíba do Sul, in Brazil, with the Allium cepa L. test

This work investigated the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of water from the River Paraíba do Sul (Brazil) using Allium cepa roots. An anatomo-morphological parameter (root length), mitotic indices, and frequency of micronuclei were analysed. Eight bulbs were chosen at random for treatment for 24 to 120 hours with the River water collected in the years of 2005 and 2006 from sites in the cities of Tremembé and Aparecida (São Paulo state, Brazil). Daily measurements of the length of the roots grown from each bulb were carried out throughout the experiment. Mitotic index (MI) and frequency of micronuclei (MN) were determined for 2000 cells per root, using 3-5 root tips from other bulbs (7-10). Only in the roots treated with samples of the River water collected in 2005 in Tremembé city was there a decrease in the root length growth compared to the respective control. However, a reduction in MI values was verified for both sites analysed for that year. Considering the data involving root length growth and especially MI values, a cytotoxic potential is suggested for the water of the River Paraíba do Sul at Tremembé and Aparecida, in the year of 2005. On the other hand, since in this year the MN frequency was not affected with the river water treatments, genotoxicity is not assumed for the river water sampled at the aforementioned places.

Thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer: update on the Brazilian consensus

Thyroid nodules are frequent findings, especially when sensitive imaging methods are used. Although thyroid cancer is relatively rare, its incidence is increasing, particularly in terms of small tumors, which have an uncertain clinical relevance. Most patients with differentiated thyroid cancer exhibit satisfactory clinical outcomes when treatment is appropriate, and their mortality rate is similar to that of the overall population. However, relapse occurs in a considerable fraction of these patients, and some patients stop responding to conventional treatment and eventually die from their disease. Therefore, the challenge is how to identify the individuals who require more aggressive disease management while sparing the majority of patients from unnecessary treatments and procedures. We have updated the Brazilian Consensus that was published in 2007, emphasizing the diagnostic and therapeutic advances that the participants, representing several Brazilian university centers, consider most relevant in clinical practice. The formulation of the present guidelines was based on the participants' experience and a review of the relevant literature.