Packaging to Preserve 'Aurora-1' Peaches from Two Maturity Stages

The main objective of this research was to evaluate chemical and physical changes in 'Aurora-1' peach harvested at two maturity stages, packed in different types of packaging and kept under refrigeration. Fruit were harvested at the mature green and ripe stages, packed in four different types of packaging (control, PD-900 (TM), PVC and PET) and stored at 6 degrees C. The following variables were evaluated every eight days: coloration, accumulated fresh mass loss, firmness, appearance, acidity, total soluble solids contents, soluble sugars, and percentage of pectin solubilization. We observed that the postharvest life was influenced by packaging and the mature green fruits showed lower disease occurrence. Fresh mass loss was lower in packed fruits. The peel of mature green fruits developed a characteristic ripe peach color at the end of storage, but PD-900 (TM) provided a delay in color change. Packaging also influenced the firmness, allowing for more firmness retention than for the control fruits at both harvest stages. The organic acid content decreased in the packaged fruits and increased in the control fruits. In the packaged fruit, the amount of sugar increased until the eighth day and then decreased until the end of the storage period. The 'Aurora-1' peaches did not show compromised quality by packaging use and exhibited an increase in harvest life to 24 days (compared to 16 days for the control).

Effects of biofertilizer rates on the structural, morphogenetic and productive characteristics of Piata grass

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of different levels of biofertilizers from cattle and swine manure on the structural, morphogenetic and productive characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized factorial design with split plots. The plots were defined by eight treatments: two biofertilizers (cattle and swine), four levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg N.ha(-1)) and subplots by four different cutting periods. The cutting for plant uniformity was performed at 45 days after sowing at 15 cm above the soil surface. The biofertilizeres were applied in a single level, after the cutting of plants, in rates of 0, 0.23 and 0.19, 0.45 and 0.38, 0.68 and 0.57 liters pot(-1) for the biofertilizers from cattle and swine manure, respectively. These rates were also equivalent to levels of 0, 100, 200 and 300 kg N.ha(-1). There was no significant difference between the types of biofertilizers as there was no interaction between them and the different levels, hence both biofertilizers could be applied without any loss of nutrient intake by the plants used in this experiment. There was a significant difference between the production of green and dry matter, the leaf appearance rate, phyllochron, leaf and pseudostem elongation rates, number of green leaves, final leaf length, number and weight of tillers, according to the increase of nitrogen rates, following linear prediction model. Effect of the cutting periods was also observed, once the plants harvested during the summer presented greater performance of structural and morphogenetic characteristics.

Potencialidade energética em diferentes extratores e tempos de extração do óleo de pinhão-manso (jatropha curcas l.) em soxletter

The current rhythm of petroliferous exploration is esteem that the existing reserves will be depleted in next the 45 years. Thus being, it has that to study intensely, what it has come to be fact, the alternative power plants, as well as the technologies economically capable to ultilizar them. The potential demand of biodiesel for 2020 is taken in consideration that, in accordance with the International Agency of Energia (AIE), in only eight countries, will jump of 34,7 million tons in 2010 for 133,8 million in 2020, with an increment next to 300%. The tame nut is a producing oil plant with all the qualities necessary to be transformed into oil diesel. Beyond perennial and of easy culture, it presents good conservation of the harvested seed, being able to become great producer of substance cousin as optional fuel source. For these authors, this is a culture that can be developed in the small properties, with the available familiar man power, being plus a source of income for the country properties of the Northeast Region. The objective of this work is to evidence the capacity of oil production of the nut-bellwether, and the quality of extration with hexano and methanol in 6 distinct times.

Interferência e estudo fitossociológico da comunidade infestante na cultura da beterraba transplantada

The objective of this research was to Study the phytosociological and critical interference periods of weed communities Oil transplanted beets. The treatments consisted of increasing weekly weedy/weed-free periods, starting it the second week after seedling transplanting. The weed community was evaluated based oil the number of individuals and their corresponding accumulated dry mass, for each weed population and evaluated period. The beets were harvested 91 days after transplanting, followed by evaluation of the cross-sectional diameter and marketable yield. The weed communities were composed mainly of Amaranthus viridis, Coronopus didymus, Galinsoga parviflora, Nicandra physaloides and Solanum americanum, and the populations were very similar. The period before weed interference and the total period of weed interference prevention were 51 and 35 days after transplanting, respectively. The beet yield in the weed-free treatment was 44.92 t ha(-1) and the reduction from weed interference was more than 70%.

Polysiloxane-poly(propylene oxide) hybrid discs as solid phase in anti-HCV detection using a recombinant core protein

In this work, siloxane-poly(propylene oxide) discs (PPO disc) prepared using the sol-gel process were used as solid phase in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the detection of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. The HCV RNA from serum (genotype 1b) was submitted to the RT-PCR technique and subsequent amplification of the HCV core 408 pb. This fragment was cloned into expression vector pET42a and expressed in Escherichia coli as recombinant protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST). Cell cultures were grown and induced having a final concentration of 0.4 x 10(-3) mol L-1 of IPTG. After induction, the cells were harvested and the soluble fraction was analyzed using polyacrilamide gel 15% showing a band with an approximate molecular weight of 44 kDa, the expected size for this GST-fused recombinant protein. The recombinant protein was purified and continued by immunological detection using HCV-positive serum and showed no cross-reactivity with positive samples for other infectious diseases. An ELISA was established using 1.25 ng of recombinant protein per PPO disc, a dilution of 1: 10,000 and 1:40 for a peroxidase conjugate and serum, respectively, and solutions of hydrogen peroxide and 3,3',5,5'-tetra-methylbenzidine in a ratio of 1: 1. The proposed methodology was compared with the ELISA conventional polystyrene-plate procedure and the performance of the PPO discs as a matrix for immunodetection gave an easy synthesis, good performance and reproducibility for commercial application. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of different tannery sludge compost amendment rates on growth, biomass accumulation and yield responses of Capsicum plants

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Healing outcomes at implants installed in grafted sites: an experimental study in dogs

Aim: To evaluate the integration of implants installed using a surgical guide in augmented sites with autologous bone or deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) blocks, concomitantly with a collagen membrane.Material and methods: Mandibular molars were extracted bilaterally in six Labrador dogs, the buccal bony wall was removed, and a box-shaped defect was created. After 3 months, flaps were elevated, a bony graft was harvested from the ascending ramus, and secured to the lateral wall of the defect by means of screws. In the left mandibular side, a DBBM block was fixed into the defect. A resorbable membrane was applied at both sides, and the flaps were sutured. After 3 months, flaps were elevated, and a customized device was used as surgical guide to prepare the recipient sites in the interface between grafts and parent bone. One implant was installed in each side of the mandible. After 3 months, biopsies were harvested, and ground sections were prepared for histologic evaluation.Results: One autologous bone block graft was lost before implant installation. The width of the alveolar crest at the test sites (DBBM) was 5.4 +/- 1.2 mm before, 9.4 +/- 1.2 mm immediately after grafting, and 9.3 +/- 1 mm at implant installation. At the control sites (autologous bone), the corresponding values were: 5.2 +/- 1, 9 +/- 1.2, and 8.7 +/- 0.9 mm, respectively. All implants installed were available for histologic evaluation (n = 5). The autologous bone grafts, rich in vessels and cells, were integrated in the parent bone, and only little non-vital bone was found. The BIC% was 56.7 +/- 15.6% and 54.2 +/- 13.2% at the buccal and lingual aspects, respectively. At the test sites, the DBBM appeared to be embedded into connective tissue, and very little newly formed bone was encountered within the grafts. The BIC% was 5.8 +/- 12.3% and 51.3 +/- 14.2% at the buccal and lingual aspects, respectively.Conclusions: Autologous bone blocks used to augment the alveolar bony crest horizontally allowed the complete osseointegration of implants installed after 3 months of healing. However, similar blocks of DBBM did not promote osseointegration, although the installed implants were stable owing to the osseointegration in the sites of the parent bone.

Avaliação do triticale (X triticosecale wittimack) para silagem

Silages from three cultivars of triticale (X Triticosecale wittimack) were evaluated at the UNESP, Jaboticabal, Brazil. The cultivars FCA VJ-CB-01, FCA VJ-CB-02, and FCA VJ-CB-03 were harvested for silage in three growing stages of maturity; beginning of flowering, (S1), milk stage (S2), and dough stages (S3). Data were analyzed by randomized complete block with three replications. The DM (%) values increased while the CP (%DM) and buffering capacity (me HCl/100 g DM) decreased with plant development. Silages of plants harvested at S3 stage had higher pH and N-NH3 values compared to the S1 and S2 silages. The soluble carbohydrates contents (%DM) were higher at the S2 stage (16.9%) and were not different at the S1 (8.7%) and S3 (9.2%) stages. The crude energy contents (Kcal/kg MS) increased while the ADF, NDF, cellulose, and hemicellulose (DM%) decreased due to the presence of dough grains. This was not observed with the lignin contents. The IVDMD values were 66.3, 60.1 and 58.9%, for plants harvested at the S1, S2, and S3 stages, respectively. The results showed that there was no difference among for chemical composition, crude energy, and for IVDMD.

Efeito de diferentes espaçamentos e densidades de semeadura sobre o desenvolvimento do feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Location of the β-galactosidase of the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus var. marxianus ATCC 10022

During the growth of Kluyveromyces marxianus var. marxianus ATCC 10022 on lactose, peaks of glucose, but not β-galactosidase activity, were detected in culture medium. Harvested and washed whole cells produced glucose and galactose from lactose, or ortho-nitro-phenol from the chromogenic substrate ortho-nitro-phenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG), indicating that β-galactosidase is physically associated with cells. ONPG hydrolysis by whole cells presented a monophasic kinetics (Km 36.6 mM) in lactose exponential growth phase cells, but a biphasic kinetics (Km 0.2 and 36.6 mM) in stationary growth phase cells. Permeabilization with digitonin or disruption of cells from both growth phases led to monosite ONPG hydrolysis (Km 2.2 to 2.5 mM), indicating that β-galactosidase is not located in the periplasm. In addition, the energy inhibitors fluoride or arsenate, as well as the uncouplercarbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) prevented ONPG hydrolysis by whole cells. These findings indicate that energy coupled transmembrane transport is the rate-limiting step for intracellular ONPG cleavage. The taxonomic and physiologic implications of the exclusive intracellular location of β-galactosidase of K. marxianus var. marxianus ATCC 10022 are discussed. © 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de pepino cv. pérola, em função da idade e do tempo de repouso pós-colheita dos frutos

This work was carried out at the Fazenda Experimental Lageado, at Botucatu, SP, to evaluate the physiological quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), seeds harvested at different fruit maturity stages and post-harvest resting periods. Fruits of cultivar Pérola were harvested at 6 ages (20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 days after anthesis) and they were stored at room temperature for 0, 5, 10 or 15 days before seed extraction. After this, seeds were fermented for 2 days, washed and dried. External visual characteristics of fruits and seeds were observed at harvest. Seed quality was evaluated as for moisture, dry matter content, dimensions, germination, and vigour. Results showed that seed germination and vigour increased in fruits aging from 20 to 40 days. Post-harvest periods improved seed quality of 20-day old fruits not reaching the seed quality levels observed in 40 or 45-day old fruits, without post-harvest resting period. Seeds from fruits at 25, 30 and 35 days of age, with 10 or 15 days of post-harvest resting period reached the same quality levels of seeds from fruits with 40-45 days old.

Ethanol tolerance of thermotolerant yeasts cultivated on mixtures of sucrose and ethanol

The final levels of ethanol (levels of ethanol produced plus that added initially to the media) reached by the thermotolerant yeasts were highest (16.5-20.3%, v/v) at 8% initial ethanol. The thermotolerant yeasts were found to have the following characteristics: constant levels of ethanol formation (10.5-12.3%, v/v), fog additions of external ethanol within the range 2-8% (v/v) of initial ethanol; constant values of product coefficients when initial ethanol was in the range of 2-6%, which increased or decreased, depending on the strain, when initial ethanol exceeded 6%; growth activity was inhibited at different levels of addition of external ethanol when final biomass and specific rate of growth were compared; significant differences among the yeast strains in the amount of external ethanol capable of reducing biomass formation by one half. In addition, the viability of the strains (early stationary phase) varied with the amount of external ethanol, the lowest viabilities occurring at concentrations of initial ethanol ranging from 4 to 7% and the highest in the range of 7 to 8% (v/v). The relative levels of trehalose (with/without 7% ethanol added initially) in the yeast strains (the stationary phase) ranged from 1.03 to 1.75, suggesting that the effect of produced ethanol on trehalose accumulation was stronger than that of external ethanol. The levels of final ethanol shown by the yeast strains were also correlated with the cellular levels of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (increase in enzyme levels with decrease in final ethanol) for cells harvested at the stationary phase.

Estádio de desenvolvimento do milho. 3. Avaliação de silagens por intermédio de parâmetros de fermentação ruminal

The objective of this experiment was to analyze the rumen fermentation of silages made from corn harvested at milk stage (MS), milk early dough stage (MEDS), medium dough stage (MDS) and semi-hard dough stage (SHDS). Rumen fluid was collected from sheep by esophageal tube at 0, 1, 3 and 6 hours after feeding. There were no differences among silages for ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and methylene blue reduction time (MBRT). Only the MS and SHDS silages differed in rumen pH (6.82 and 6.53, respectively). Differences in total rumen VFA and acetic acid concentrations (mmoles/L) were observed among stages, but not between MS (36.40 and 22.13) and MEDS (42.49 and 25.73), nor between MDS (64.52 and 40.34 respectively) and SHDS (64.09 and 43.61, respectively). The periods of 1 and 3 hours after feeding showed the smallest pH values (6.47 and 6.63), the highest NH3-N concentrations (9.75 and 10.56 mg/dL) and the highest concentrations of total VFA, and acetic and propionic acids (60.33, 37.05 and 16.73; 59.40, 35.28 and 16.84 mmoles/L, respectively). On the whole, the MDS and SHDS silages showed the best rumen fermentation patterns based on pH and total and individual VFA values.

Comportamento de cultivares de soja quanto a qualidade fisiológica de sementes

This work was carried out in order to evaluate if there was a relationship between genotypes and the physiological soybean (Glycine max L.) seed quality. It was conducted during three years using seven cultivars each year. The seeds were harvested at: 1) yellow radicle or expanded pod stage, 2) yellow pod or physiological maturity (R7), 3) harvest maturity (R8), and 4) R8 + 21 days delay. Seed moisture content, standard germination, and vigor tests were performed. The germination and vigor evaluated by accelerated aging and electrical conductivity did not show physiological seed quality differences among genotypes as harvested at physiological maturity. Then, the evaluation of seed germination and vigor, when the environment is not a considered factor, is not an efficient method to show differences among soybean genotypes in terms of seed quality.

Efeitos da idade dos frutos, método e condição de secagem sobre a qualidade de sementes de quiabeiro. II. Cultivar Amarelinho

Fruits of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.) cv. Amarelinho were harvested at three times: 35, 45 and 55 days after anthesis. Half part of the fruits of each harvest time was shelled and the seeds were dried in natural environment of laboratory or in dry chamber. The other half was dried unshelled in the same two conditions. Water contents of seeds were evaluated at harvest time and before the germination test, that was carried out when the seeds were in hygroscopic equilibrium with the two environments. The physiological quality of seeds was affected by the interaction effects of fruit age, drying method and drying condition. The highest values for percentage of germination were obtained from seeds taken from fruits 55 days old (up to 92%) and the hard seeds percentage was not affected by drying method and drying condition. The seeds from fruits of 35 and 45 days old had the germination percentage increased when dried inside the fruit in natural environment.