Fractionation of aquatic humic substances and dynamic of chromium species in an aquatic body influenced by sugarcane cultivation

This study had as main objectiveto evaluate the influence of AHS obtained from an area under sugarcane cultivation on the dynamics of chromium species (Cr(III) and Cr(VI)). Was studied complexing capacity (CC) with the AHS of chromium species and these were characterized using UV/Vis spectrophotometry, molecular fluorescence, elemental analysis and infrared. AHS with and without fractionation showed a greater aromaticity degree and a predominance of humic acids, and the E4/E6 and E2/E4 ratios suggested aromatic rings and a greater contribution from plants, which indicates lignin structures. The highest CCs were observed for the AHS fractionated, being fraction with molecular-size < 10 kDa and 10-30 kDa showed the highest ability to complex Cr(III) and Cr(VI) ions, respectively. These results are corroborating with C/H/N and UV/Vis data, where we can conclude that the AHS without fractionation had the greatest aromaticity and a predominance of humic acids in their structure.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities and soil aggregation as affected by cultivation of various crops during the sugarcane fallow period

Management systems involving crop rotation, ground cover species and reduced soil tillage can improve the soil physical and biological properties and reduce degradation. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effect of various crops grown during the sugarcane fallow period on the production of glomalin and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in two Latosols, as well as their influence on soil aggregation. The experiment was conducted on an eutroferric Red Latosol with high-clay texture (680 g clay kg-1) and an acric Red Latosol with clayey texture (440 g kg-1 clay) in Jaboticabal (São Paulo State, Brazil). A randomized block design involving five blocks and four crops [soybean (S), soybean/fallow/soybean (SFS), soybean/millet/soybean (SMS) and soybean/sunn hemp/soybean (SHS)] was used to this end. Soil samples for analysis were collected in June 2011. No significant differences in total glomalin production were detected between the soils after the different crops. However, total external mycelium length was greater in the soils under SMS and SHS. Also, there were differences in easily extractable glomalin, total glomalin and aggregate stability, which were all greater in the eutroferric Red Latosol than in the acric Red Latosol. None of the cover crops planted in the fallow period of sugarcane improved aggregate stability in either Latosol.

Growth performance and intestinal histomorphology of Nile tilapia juveniles fed probiotics

The objective of this study was to assess the growth performance and the histomorphometric characterization of the middle intestine of GIFT strain Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus juveniles fed probiotics, added either before or after the feed processing. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five treatments and five replications: pelleted feed without any probiotic; pelleted feed with inclusion of probiotic before the processing; pelleted feed with inclusion of probiotic after the processing; extruded feed without any probiotic and extruded feed with inclusion of probiotic after the processing. Two hundred and fifty juveniles were distributed in 25 aquaria (20L) and fed for 63 days. Differences in the mean values of total weight were found at the end of the experiment. After 42 days of feed intake, significant differences in feed conversion were verified for treatments with extruded diets when compared to the pelleted ones. The fishes fed diets supplemented with probiotic presented increase in the thickness of the epithelium of the intestine. The best zootechnical performance was observed in the extruded diet supplemented with probiotic added after the feed processing. The inclusion of 4.0 x 10(8) CFU g-1 of Bacillus subtilis and 4.0 x 10(8) CFU g-1 of Bacillus toyoi in both the pelleted and the extruded diets promoted an increase in the thickness of the epithelial layer of the middle intestine.

Effects of some parameters in upscale culture of Haematococcus pluvialis Flotow

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

Nutrient intake, productive performance and body measurements of dairy heifers fed with different sources of protein

This study evaluated the effect of different protein sources (soybean meal, cottonseed meal, peanut meal and sunflower meal) on dry matter and nutrient intake, productive performance and body measurements of dairy heifers, Holstein x Zebu, recreated in confinement. The experiment consisted in a randomized complete block design made up by 6 replications and 4 treatments. The mean values of ingestion of ether extract (EEI, kg day-1) were statistically different (p < 0.05). The neutral detergent fiber intake (NDFI, %BW) also presented differences (p < 0.05), with higher values in the diet containing sunflower meal (1.01% BW) in relation to the diet with soybean meal (0.84% BW). The average daily weight gain using the diet with soybean meal was superior (0.95 kg day-1) to the diet with sunflower meal (0.82 kg day-1), and considering the final body weight, the diet with soybean meal was superior to the other treatments (p < 0.05). The heart girth presented greater association with body weight (0.93). The soybean meal promoted the best productive performance of crossbred Holstein x Zebu heifers fed diets based on sugarcane. However, cottonseed meal, peanut meal and sunflower meal can be possible alternatives to soybean meal.

Carcass and meat traits of lambs fed by-products from the processing of oil seeds

We evaluated the effect of adding by-products from the processing of oil seeds in the diet of lambs on the carcass and meat traits. Twenty-four non-castrated weaned male Santa Inês lambs with approximately 70 days of age and initial average weight of 19.11 ± 2.12 kg were distributed into a completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of diets containing by-products with 70% of concentrate and 30% of tifton hay (Cynodon spp.) and were termed SM: control with soybean meal; SC: formulated with soybean cake; SUC: formulated with sunflower cake and PC: formulated with peanut cake. Diets had no effects on the carcass traits evaluated. There was no significant effect on the mean values of perirenal, omental and mesenteric fats (0.267, 0.552 and 0.470 kg, respectively) and there was no influence on the percentages of moisture, ether extract, crude protein or ash in the loin between experimental diets. Diets containing by-products from the processing of oil seeds did not change fatty acids found in lamb meat. The use of by-products from oil seeds provided similar carcass and meat traits, thus their use can be recommended as eventual protein and energy sources for feedlot lambs.

Manure production and mineral excretion in feces of gilts fed ractopamine

A study was conducted to evaluate the feces+urine produced per animal (FUPA), dry matter, mineral matter, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur in feces of gilts fed diets with increasing levels of ractopamine (0, 5, 10 and 15 mg kg-1 of diet). A total of 468 finishing gilts were allotted into 36 pens. In two days of each week, feces and urine were daily sampled in four pens per treatment, quantifying the feces+urine. To determine the characterization of feces, two samples per week were taken daily, in nine pens per treatment. It was used a split plot design, considering the ractopamine level as the plot and the weeks as the subplots. There was no reduction in nitrogen amount in feces. An interaction was detected between ractopamine concentrations and weeks for FUPA and phosphorus, potassium and sulfur in feces. Ractopamine addition in diets for gilts has reduced the feces+urine production and nitrogen and phosphorus excretion. Higher values estimated for potassium content in feces of animals fed diets with 10 and 15 mg of ractopamine kg-1 were found between the second and third week. Increasing levels of ractopamine from 5 to 15 mg kg-1 promoted higher excretion of sulfur over the weeks of supply.

Performance, carcass traits, and body composition of broilers fed different linseed oil levels between 21 and 56 days of age

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of different linseed oil levels (0.0, 3.3, 6.6, or 9.9%) in iso-energy diets fed during the period of 21 to 56 days of age on the performance, carcass traits, and body composition of broilers. A total of 1,600 broilers were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design consisting of four treatments with eight replicates of 40 birds per experimental unit. In the period of 21-42 days of age, weight gain increased, feed and calorie conversion ratios quadratically improved, and feed and metabolizable energy intakes linearly increased as dietary linseed oil level increased. Considering the entire experimental period, dietary linseed oil linearly increased weight gain and feed and energy intakes, and feed and calorie conversion ratios in a quadratic manner. On days 42 and 56, abdominal fat percentage and carcass yield were quadratically influenced by dietary linseed oil. Total body fat content at 56 days of age was quadratically influenced by dietary linseed levels.

Dynamics of the chemical composition and productivity of composts for the cultivation of Agaricus bisporus strains

Two compost formulations based on oat straw (Avena sativa) and brachiaria (Brachiaria sp.) were tested for the cultivation of three Agaricus bisporus strains (ABI-07/06, ABI-05/03, and PB-1). The experimental design was a 2 x 3 factorial scheme (composts x strains) with 6 treatments and 8 repetitions (boxes containing 12 kg of compost). The chemical characterization of the compost (humidity, organic matter, carbon, nitrogen, pH, raw protein, ethereal extract, fibers, ash, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) before and after the cultivation of A. bisporus and the production (basidiomata mass, productivity, and biological efficiency) were evaluated. Data were submitted to variance analysis, and averages were compared by means of the Tukey's test. According to the results obtained, the chemical and production characteristics showed that the best performances for the cultivation of A. bisporus were presented by the compost based on oat and the strain ABI-07/06.

Feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Nellore and Canchim bulls fed diets supplemented with vitamins D and E

O experimento foi conduzido no setor de confinamento da Unesp, campus de Botucatu, com o objetivo de avaliar a influência da suplementação das vitaminas D e E sobre o desempenho animal, características de carcaça e qualidade de carne de bovinos jovens confinados. Foram utilizados 36 machos inteiros, 18 Nelore (NEL) e 18 Canchim (CAC), de sete meses de idade com peso vivo inicial médio de 234,53 ± 22,15 e 248,13 ± 34,67 kg, respectivamente, os quais foram confinados por 126 dias. Nove animais NEL e nove CAC foram suplementados diariamente com 1300 UI de vitamina E e 7,5x10(6) UI de vitamina D3 durante 67 e dez dias antes do abate, respectivamente. Um dia antes do abate foram coletadas amostras de sangue para avaliação do cálcio plasmático. Na desossa, foram colhidas amostras do músculo Longissimus (LM) para análises como força de cisalhamento, índice de fragmentação miofibrilar, lipídeos totais, concentração de vitaminas D e E e tempo de prateleira. Foi observado aumento (p < 0,01) do nível de cálcio plasmático pela suplementação, o que indica atuação da vitamina D no organismo animal. No entanto, não houve efeito (p > 0,05) da suplementação de vitaminas D e E sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e qualidade da carne.

Cultivation of Agaricus blazei in the environmental protection area of the Baturité region under three types of casing soils

The outdoor cultivation (ditches) of Agaricus blazei was evaluated in the protected natural area (APA) of the mountainous region of Baturité on three types of casing soils (A, B and C). Casing soil A (horizon A) of the local soil was used (Alfisol). Casing B was obtained with a mixture of 30% of eucalyptus charcoal (1-2 cm of length) and 70% of horizon B of the local soil. Casing C was composed of 25% of vermiculite, 25% of coconut fiber and 50% of coarse sand. Temperature, relative humidity and pluviometric rates were monitored. The physical-chemical properties of the three casing soils were analyzed. The effect of the casing soil on the number and weight of the mushrooms, productivity, yield and biological efficiency of A. blazei were evaluated. The yield, productivity, biological efficiency and number of mushrooms were higher when using soil A. The highest productivity for soil A was attributed mainly to the physical characteristics, which were considered more appropriate for the cultivation, in addition to the high pluviometric rates and relative humidity. The productivity with soil A (9.62%) is comparable with the average productivity obtained in Brazil, meaning that the cultivation of A. blazei in this APA may have good perspectives for cultivation.

Effects of traffic control on the soil physical quality and the cultivation of sugarcane

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The sarsaparilla market in the state of São Paulo (Brazil) and the challenges of cultivation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação do processo de produção de cefamicina C por Streptomyces clavuligerus

Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia - IQ

Desenvolvimento de estratégias de alimentação para produção de ramnolipídios por Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI 2A1 em biorreator

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