Chemical, enzymatic and cellular antioxidant activity studies of Agaricus blazei Murrill

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

Efeito do jejum sobre o desempenho zootécnico, crescimento e degradação muscular e alterações hepáticas de juvenis de pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Composição fenólica das partes comestíveis das uvas BRS Carmem e BRS Magna

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Expression of growth-related factors in skeletal muscle of Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) during growth

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

Cultivation and bromatological analysis of the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst cultivated in agricultural waste

The objective of the study was to evaluate the production of two strains of Ganoderma lucidum on agricultural waste and carry out bromatological analyses of the basidiomata obtained from the cultivation. The experiment was carried out at the Mushroom Module at the School of Agronomic Sciences of the São Paulo State University (FCA/UNESP - Botucatu, SP, Brazil) and two strains were used (GLM-09/01 and GLM-10/02) which were cultivated on waste, oat straw, bean straw, brachiaria grass straw, Tifton grass straw and eucalyptus sawdust under two situations: with (20%) and without (0%) supplementation with wheat bran. All the waste was taken from dumps of agricultural activities in Botucatu-SP. Both treatments were carried out in 10 repetitions, totaling 200 packages. The mushrooms cultivation took 90 days. Next, the biological efficiency of the treatments and the bromatological analysis of the basidiomata were evaluated. The biological efficiency (BE) values (%) varied from 0.0 to 6.7%. In the mushroom bromatological analyses, the results ranged from 8.7 to 13.7%, from 2.0 to 6.7%, from 0.83 to 1.79% and from 38.8 to 54.5%, for total protein, ethereal extract, ash and crude fiber, respectively. Thus, we conclude that the substrates which presented the greater yield were the brachiaria straw, 20% in both strains tested (GLM-09/01 and GLM-10/02) and the bean straw, 20% in the strain GLM-10/02. The mushrooms showed high levels of ethereal extract, fibers and ashes and a low level of proteins.

Gamma irradiation can control the number of psychotrophic bacteria in Agaricus bisporus during storage

We evaluated the effect of gamma irradiation doses (0, 125, 250, and 500 Gy) in control of psychrotrophic bacteria in different strains of Agaricus bisporus (ABI-07/06, ABI-05/03, and PB-1) during storage, cultivated in composts based on oat straw (Avena sativa) and Brachiaria spp. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme 4  2  3 (irradiation doses  composts  strains), with 24 treatments, each consisting of 2 replicates, totaling 48 experimental units (samples of mushrooms). The mushrooms collected from all culture conditions were packaged in plastic polypropylene with 200 g each and subjected to Cobalt-60 irradiator, type Gammacell 220, and dose rate 0.740 kGy h–1 , according to the treatments. Subsequently, the control (nonirradiated) and other treatments were maintained at 4 ± 1°C and 90% relative humidity (RH) in a climatic chamber to perform the microbiological analysis of mushrooms on the 1st and 14th day of storage. According to the results, it was found that the highest mean colony psychotrophic count, after 14 days of storage, was observed in strain ABI-07/06 1.30 × 108 g -1 most probable number (MPN) in nonirradiated mushrooms, coming from Brachiaria grass-based compost, and this same strain under the same storage conditions, coming from the same type of compost that underwent a dose of 500 Gy, obtained a significant reduction in mean colonies of psychrotrophic bacteria (2.25 × 104 g –1 MPN). Thus, the irradiation doses tested favored reducing the number of colonies of psychrotrophic bacteria, regardless of the type of compound and strain of A. bisporus.

Cinética micelial dos fungos comestíveis Pleurotus ostreatus e Lentinula edodes em resíduos lignocelulósicos

The objective of this work was to evaluate the mycelial growth of 2 edible fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinula edodes) in 6 culture media [(malt-agar, sawdustdextrose-agar-marupá (SDA-MA), sawdust-dextrose-agar-cajuí (SDA-CA), sawdust-dextrose-agaraçaí (SDA-AÇA), sawdust-dextrose-agar-banana 50% (BAN 50%) and sawdust-dextrose-agar-banana 100% (BAN 100%)], in Petri dishes. The experimental design was totally randomized, in a 6x2 factorial scheme. Each treatment consisted of six repetitions in 1 Petri dish, totaling 72 experimental units. It was verified that P. ostreatus presented better mycelial development (81.00; 64.66; 81.00; 50.16 and 33.33mm for SDA-MA, SDA-CA, SDA-AÇA, BAN 50% and BAN 100%, respectively) than L. edodes (32.00; 31.66; 27.66; 37.33 and 21.83mm for SDA-MA, SDA-CA, SDA-AÇA, BAN 50% and BAN 100%, respectively). It was also verified that there was no advantage for L. edodes in relation to mycelial growth, when media based on residues were used, compared to malt-agar medium (control), which obtained the best performance (62.17mm). As for P. ostreatus, SDA-MA and SDA-AÇA medium presented the highest growth averages (81 mm), representing a growth increase of 34% in relation to the control medium (malt-agar), whose growth average was 60.33mm. Thus, the residues tested present potential to be used in fungiculture, especially for the cultivation of P. ostreatus.

Alimentos tóxicos para cães e gatos

Pet animals are closer to their owners and for this reason erroneously share the same alimentation. Several substances can cause intoxication or poisoning in dogs and cats, being many of those also found in human food. Some foods that are edible for humans or even to other animal species can be risky for dogs and cats due to different metabolic pathways, and further damage can be caused depending on the amount or concentration consumed. Poisoning in animals occur intentionally or accidentally in the household of its owner, occurring acute onset of clinical signs. Thus, the objective of this review was to present the food products for humans that cannot be given to dogs and cats as well as clinical signs characteristic of a toxicosis, also demonstrating the therapy for the damage created by consumption of those substances. This review explores the mechanisms of action and clinical signs of toxicosis caused by chocolate, xylitol, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins, avocado, alcoholic beverages and milk.

Composição mineral de substratos à base de resíduos de bananeira durante o cultivo de Pleurotus ostreatus

The objective of this study was to evaluate the mineral composition (macro e micronutrients) of the substrates [initial and residual (postharvest)] based on different combinations of waste (leaf, pseudo-stem and pseudostem + leaf) and banana cultivars - Musa spp. (Thap Maeo, Prata Anã, Pelipita and Caipira) during 49 days for the cultivation of POS 09/100 strain of P. ostreatus. It was verified that all of the substrates based on different combinations of waste and banana cultivars presented satisfactory amounts of nutrients for the cultivation of P. ostreatus, both in the initial phase of cultivation and in the end.

Parâmetros industriais para produção de Pleurotus ostreatus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação do desperdício de alimentos prontos para o consumo em Unidade de Alimentação e Nutrição (UAN), do interior do estado de São Paulo

Pós-graduação em Engenharia e Ciência de Alimentos - IBILCE

Landscape-Genetic Analysis of Population Structure in the Texas Gray Fox Oral Rabies Vaccination Zone

In west-central Texas, USA, abatement efforts for the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) rabies epizootic illustrate the difficulties inherent in large-scale management of wildlife disease. The rabies epizootic has been managed through a cooperative oral rabies vaccination program (ORV) since 1996. Millions of edible baits containing a rabies vaccine have been distributed annually in a 16-km to 24-km zone around the perimeter of the epizootic, which encompasses a geographic area >4 x 105 km2. The ORV program successfully halted expansion of the epizootic into metropolitan areas but has not achieved the ultimate goal of eradication. Rabies activity in gray fox continues to occur periodically outside the ORV zone, preventing ORV zone contraction and dissipation of the epizootic. We employed a landscape-genetic approach to assess gray fox population structure and dispersal in the affected area, with the aim of assisting rabies management efforts. No unique genetic clusters or population boundaries were detected. Instead, foxes were weakly structured over the entire region in an isolation by distance pattern. Local subpopulations appeared to be genetically non-independent over distances >30 km, implying that long-distance movements or dispersal may have been common in the region. We concluded that gray foxes in west-central Texas have a high potential for long-distance rabies virus trafficking. Thus, a 16-km to 24-km ORV zone may be too narrow to contain the fox rabies epizootic. Continued expansion of the ORV zone, although costly, may be critical to the long-term goal of eliminating the Texas fox rabies virus variant from the United States.

ANALYSIS OF IN VITRO AND IN VIVO ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF HYDROPHILIC FRACTIONS FROM THE SEAWEED HALIMEDA MONILE L.

In this work, in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of the marine algae Halimeda monile were assessed and the levels of some of its compounds likely to be responsible for such properties were determined. The estimated contents of total polyphenols, chlorophylls a and b and carotenoids were 179.5, 356.3, 452.8 and 42.2 mu g/g dry weight seaweed, respectively. The presence of terpenoids and flavonoids was also observed. The antioxidant activity of two polar fractions from H. monile (lyophilized aqueous extract and free phenolic acid fraction) was evaluated using three antioxidant assays: ferric reducing antioxidant power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and lipid peroxidation. Treatment of CCl4-induced liver damage in rats with extracts resulted in lower serum thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances levels and higher hepatic glutathione concentrations compared to those observed in the CCl4-treated group. Also, a significant increase in catalase activity was detected after treatment with the extracts. These results suggest that the seaweed H. monile could be a potential source for natural antioxidants.

Functional properties of gelatin-based films containing Yucca schidigera extract produced via casting, extrusion and blown extrusion processes: A preliminary study

Gelatin-based films containing both Yucca schidigera extract and low concentrations of glycerol (0.25-8.75 g per 100 g protein) were produced by extrusion (EF) and characterized in relation to their mechanical properties and moisture content. The formulations that resulted in either larger or smaller elongation values were used to produce films via both blown extrusion (EBF) and casting (CF) and were characterized with respect to their mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, moisture content, solubility, morphology and infrared spectroscopy. The elongation of the EF films was significantly higher than that of the CF and EBF films. The transversal section possessed a compact, homogeneous structure for all of the films studied. The solubility of the films (36-40%) did not differ significantly between the different processes evaluated. The EBF films demonstrated lower water vapor permeability (0.12 g mm m-(2) h(-1) kPa(-1)) than the CF and EF films. The infrared spectra did not indicate any strong interactions between the added compounds. Thermoplastic processing of the gelatin films can significantly increase their elongation; however, a more detailed assessment and optimization of the extrusion conditions is necessary, along with the addition of partially hydrophobic compounds, such as surfactants. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biomonitoring of Microcystin and Aflatoxin Co-Occurrence in Aquaculture Using Immunohistochemistry and Genotoxicity Assays

This work investigated the effects of co-occurring aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) and microcystin (MC) in aquaculture, using immunohistochemistry and genotoxicity methods. Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed to AFB(1) by intraperitoneal and MC (cell extract of Microcystis aeruginosa) by intraperitoneal and immersion routes. The interaction of MC-AFB(1) was evaluated co-exposing the intraperitoneal doses. Blood samples were collected after 8, 24, and 48h to analyze the micronucleus frequency and comet score. The interaction of MC-AFB(1) showed a synergic mutagenic response by higher micronucleus frequency of co-exposed group. A slight genotoxic synergism was also observed in the comet score. Immunohistochemistry detected MC in al lthe fish liver tissues exposed to MC by intraperitoneal route, and only the immersed group with the highest dose of MC showed a positive response. Although MC was non-detectable in the edible muscle, the combination of immunohistochemistry with genotoxicity assay was an attractive biomonitoring tool in aquaculture, where the animals were frequently exposed to co-occurring synergic hazards.