Produção e caracterização de maltodextrinas a partir de amidos de mandioca e batata-doce

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Eficiência da aplicação de resíduo biológico do branqueamento de argila como quelatizante de zinco na adubação foliar do cafeeiro (Coffea arábica L.)

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

Produção e avaliação das aplicações de enzimas quitinolíticas e queratinolíticas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ação de biorreguladores na brotação, produção e algumas características físico-químicas de uva do cultivar Superior Seedless

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Surface-spreading technique of meiotic cells and immunodetection of synaptonemal complex proteins in teleostean fishes

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

Efeitos das cepas probioticas de Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356, Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 1465 e ATCC 7469 sobre o crescimento planctonico e formação de biofilme de Streptococcus mutans UA 159

Pós-graduação em Biopatologia Bucal - ICT

Eficácia do flutriafol e do flutriafol + tiofanato metílico aplicados com gotas finas ou médias no controle da ferrugem asiática da soja

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of fine and medium droplets in the performance of flutriafol and thiophanate methyl + flutriafol for the control of Asian Soybean Rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi Sydow & Sydow). The experiment was a 2 x 2 factorial design (2 droplet sizes x 2 fungicides) resulting in four treatments with six replications. The experimental area was set up with 24 plots (50 x 21 m). In each plot there was a central assessment area with 10 x 20 m. To the each plot there was a non-treated area placed in opposed direction to the wind. The evaluations of rust control were made by of the calculation of incidence (percentage of plants with rust), severity (level of infection), defoliations and soybean yield. The results were analyzed by the calculation of the confidence interval at 90%. The study was set up in curative control conditions with average infestation of 68.6%, average severity in the lower part of the canopy was of 35.9% and on the upper parte it was 4.57%. The results of severity, defoliation and productivity did not show statistical difference among the treatments. However, it was observed that in general there was tendency of better results with the application of flutriafol alone comparing with thiophanate methyl + flutriafol, since there was a small difference between two commercial products in the flutriafol active ingredient content (62.5 g ha-1 to the flutriafol alone and 60 g ha-1 to the thiophanate methyl + flutriafol). There was no statistical difference between fine and medium droplets. This fact can be explained by the characteristics of systemic action of the flutriafol and by the type of control made (curative). The flutriafol, being a systemic fungicide is less sensitive to the better coverage provided by the smaller droplets and, on the curative control, the amount of product deposited can became more import than coverage, mainly on the superior part of the leaves. These leaves are healthier than the inferior leaves that in general are the first to become completely compromised by the rust, losing importance to the plant. By this reason, medium droplets appear to have offered similar performance even not offering advantages in the leaf coverage. This fact may become important because in the practical side of the use of medium droplets, since this may increase the amount of time to spray, mainly because the fine and very fine droplets have more limitations related to drift and evaporation.

Propriedades de pasta e térmicas de misturas instantâneas de farinha de soja, fécula e farelo de mandioca

The application of extrusion technology in the food industry has enabled the development of new commercial products of fast preparation, and maintaining the nutritional characteristics after the process. During this process there are changes in raw material due to the action of temperature, humidity and mechanical friction resulting in a modified product which can be used in various industrial applications. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of the composition of the raw material and operating conditions of the extrusion process on the properties of paste and thermal properties in the development of a functional instant flour of cassava and soybean. The results showed significant effects of all operating parameters on the rheological properties studied. The extruded flours showed no residual gelatinization enthalpy, suggesting that the starch in the samples was gelatinized. The experimental conditions of the smallest percentages of cassava residue (10%) and high soybean flour (25%) mixed with cassava starch, extrusion temperature of 75ºC and low screw speed (170rpm) leads to obtain instant flour with desirable characteristics.

Recombinant Factors for Hemostasis

Trauma deaths are a result of hemorrhage in 37% of civilians and 47% military personnel and are the primary cause of death for individuals under 44 years of age. Current techniques used to treat hemorrhage are inadequate for severe bleeding. Preliminary research indicates that fibrin sealants (FS) alone or in combination with a dressing may be more effective; however, it has not been economically feasible for widespread use because of prohibitive costs related to procuring the proteins. To meet future demands for hemostatic therapies, FS will likely include recombinant human fibrinogen (rFI) and recombinant human Factor XIII (rFXIII). The underlying hypothesis of the research presented in this dissertation is that a liquid fibrin sealant (LFS) composed of recombinant FI, FXIII and FIIa in optimized proportions can assist hemostasis in the presence and absence of a bioresorbable bandage while using considerably fewer biologics than commercial products currently available. This dissertation characterized rFI produced in the milk of transgenic cows, plasma-derived thrombin (pdFIIa) activated by sodium citrate and rFXIIIa expressed in genetically engineered Pichia pastoris with respect to their capacity to serve as components in a LFS. The ratios of these factors were optimized to yield a LFS with a rapid clot formation rate and high viscoelastic strength. This optimized LFS was preliminarily tested ex vivo and in vivo. The clotting kinetics and viscoelastic strength of our optimized LFS was equivalent to those of a commercially available LFS; however, it uses approximately 75% less fibrinogen and thrombin. Our optimal LFS successfully achieved hemostasis in a significant number of the wounds that included extensive tissue and vascular damage. LFS applied without the assistance of a dressing was able to stop bleeding of oozing wounds or those with small vessels; however, a scaffold was needed when wounds contained large vasculature.

Minimal alterations on the enamel surface by micro-abrasion: in vitro roughness and wear assessments

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro changes on the enamel surface after a micro-abrasion treatment promoted by different products. Material and Methods: Fifty (50) fragments of bovine enamel (15 mm × 5 mm) were randomly assigned to five groups (n=10) according to the product utilized: G1 (control)= silicone polisher (TDV), G2= 37% phosphoric acid (3M/ESPE) + pumice stone (SS White), G3= Micropol (DMC Equipment), G4= Opalustre (Ultradent) and G5= Whiteness RM (FGM Dental Products). Roughness and wear were the responsible variables used to analyze these surfaces in four stages: baseline, 60 s and 120 s after the micro-abrasion and after polishing, using a Hommel Tester T1000 device. After the tests, a normal distribution of data was verified, with repeated ANOVA analyses (p?0.05) which were used to compare each product in different stages. One-way ANOVA and Tukey tests were applied for individual comparisons between the products in each stage (p?0.05). Results: Means and standard deviations of roughness and wear (µm) after all the promoted stages were: G1=7.26(1.81)/13.16(2.67), G2=2.02(0.62)/37.44(3.33), G3=1.81(0.91)/34.93(6.92), G4=1.92(0.29)/38.42(0.65) and G5=1.98(0.53)/33.45(2.66). At 60 seconds, all products tended to produce less surface roughness with a variable gradual decrease over time. After polishing, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups, except for G1. Independent of the product utilized, the enamel wear occurred after the micro-abrasion. Conclusions: In this in vitro study, enamel micro-abrasion presented itself as a conservative approach, regardless of the type of the paste compound utilized. These products promoted minor roughness alterations and minimal wear. The use of phosphoric acid and pumice stone showed similar results to commercial products for the micro-abrasion with regard to the surface roughness and wear.

Effect of culture system and diet in early larval stages over skeletal deformities development in gilthead sea bream

[ES] Main deformities such as lordosis, opercular deformities and upper/lower jaws shortening are considered as quality descriptors in commercial marine fish fry production and seem to be related with larval culture conditions in early larval stages. The aim of this work was to obtain information about the contribution of the diet and rearing system to the apparition of these abnormalities in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) larvae in semi-industrial scale facilities. For that purpose, two different larval rearing systems semi-intensive and intensive were compared; besides, two different rotifer enrichments, DHA Protein Selco, (Inve Aquaculture, Dendermonde, Belgium) (R1) and Red Pepper Paste, (Bernaqua bvba, Turnhout, Belgium) were tested in the intensive system. Biochemical composition of larvae, preys and commercial products was analysed. At 50 days post hatching six hundred fish per treatment were individually studied under stereoscope and deformity frequency recorded. Besides at 95 days post hatching fry were soft X ray monitored. Both rotifer enrichment and rearing system affected survival, growth and deformity frequency. Rearing system did not affect total larvae fatty acid content except at 20 dah, where DHA were significantly higher and EPA significantly lower in Semi-intensive system. A significantly lower percentage of deformity rates together with better survival and growth were obtained in the semi-intensive system. In dietary treatment, rotifer enrichment significantly affected larval survival. R1 rotifers enrichment significantly (P<0.05) improved survival when compared to fed R2 larvae. The content of DPA was significantly (P<0.05) higher in R2 fed larvae reflecting the R2 rotifers content of this fatty acid. The level of this FA tended to decrease in concordance with the rotifers replacement by artemia in the diet. The effects n-3-HUFA and DPA (22:5n-6) over larval survival and skeletal deformities development is discussed.

Effect of rearing techniques over, survival growth and skeletal abnormalities development in red porgy (Pagrus Pagrus) larvae

[EN] Red porgy is one of the most interested new species for Spanish and other Mediterranean countries. Although no industrial procedures for fry production has been yet developed. The aim of this work was to develop an industrial scale larval rearing protocols testing the viability of two different rearing techniques (semi-intensive vs intensive) in pilot scale facilities. The second objective was to obtain information about the contribution of rearing system to the apparition of morphological abnormalities such as lordosis, opercular deformities and upper/lower jaws shortening which are considered as quality descriptors in commercial marine fish fry production and seem to be related with larval culture conditions in early larval stages. For that purpose, two different larval rearing systems semi-intensive and intensive were compared using the same live feed enrichments. Biochemical composition of larvae, preys and commercial products was analysed. At 50 days post hatching six hundred fish per treatment was individually studied under stereoscope and abnormalities frequency recorded. At 95 days post hatching fry were soft X ray monitored as well. Survival and abnormalities frequency were similar between treatments although a better growth in terms of total length was obtained in the semi-intensive system.

Development of skeletal deformities in Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) reared under different larval culture and dietary conditions

[EN] Main deformities such as lordosis, opercular deformities and upper/lower jaws shortening are considered as quality descriptors in commercial marine fish fry production and seem to be related at least with larval culture conditions in early larval stages. The aim of this work was to obtain information about the contribution of the diet and rearing system to the apparition of these abnormalities in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) larvae in semi-industrial scale facilities. For that purpose, two different larval rearing systems semi-intensive and intensive were compared by duplicate and with the same live feed enrichments; besides, two different rotifer enrichments were tested in an intensive system. Biochemical composition of larvae, preys and commercial products was analysed. At 50 days post hatching six hundred fish per treatment were individually studied under stereoscope and abnormalities frequency recorded. At 95 days post hatching fry were soft X ray monitored as well. Survival and malformation frequency were significantly different between treatments, the effect of diet and system are discussed. A significantly lower percentage of deformity rates together with better survival and growth were obtained in the semi-intensive system, whereas the rotifer enrichment significantly affected larval survival.

Metabolismo di oligosaccaridi prebiotici in Bifidobacterium per il potenziale sviluppo di nuovi prodotti alimentari funzionali

The growth and the metabolism of Bifidobacterium adolescentis MB 239 fermenting GOS, lactose, galactose, and glucose were investigated. An unstructerd unsegregated model for growth of B. adolescentis MB 239 in batch cultures was developed and kinetic parameters were calculated with a Matlab algorithm. Galactose was the best carbon source; lactose and GOS led to lower growth rate and cellular yield, but glucose was the poorest carbon source. Lactate, acetate and ethanol yields allowed calculation of the carbon fluxes toward fermentation products. Similar distribution between 3- and 2-carbon products was observed on all the carbohydrates (45 and 55%, respectively), but ethanol production was higher on glucose than on GOS, lactose and galactose, in decreasing order. Based on the stoichiometry of the fructose 6-phosphate shunt and on the carbon distribution among the products, ATP yield was calculated on the different carbohydrates. ATP yield was the highest on galactose, while it was 5, 8, and 25% lower on lactose, GOS, and glucose, respectively. Therefore, a correspondance among ethanol production, low ATP yields, and low biomass production was established demonstrating that carbohydrate preferences may result from different sorting of carbon fluxes through the fermentative pathway. During GOS fermentation, stringent selectivity based on the degree of polymerization was exhibited, since lactose and the trisaccharide were first to be consumed, and a delay was observed until longer oligosaccharides were utilized. Throughout the growth on both lactose and GOS, galactose accumulated in the cultural broth, suggesting that β-(1-4) galactosides can be hydrolysed before they are taken up. The physiology of Bifidobacterium adolescentis MB 239 toward xylooligosaccharides (XOS) was also studied and our attention was focused on an extracellular glycosyl-hydrolase (β-Xylosidase) expressed by a culture of B. adolescentis grown on XOS as sole carbon source. The extracellular enzyme was purified from the the supernatant, which was dialyzed and concentrated by ultrafiltration. A two steps purification protocol was developed: the sample was loaded on a Mono-Q anion exchange chromatography and then, the active fractions were pooled and β-Xylosidase was purified by gel filtration chromatography on a Superdex-75. The enzyme was characterized in many aspects. β- Xylosidase was an homo-tetramer of 160 kDa as native molecular mass; it was a termostable enzyme with an optimum of temperature at 53 °C and an optimum of pH of 6.0. The kinetics parameter were calculated: km = 4.36 mM, Vmax = 0.93 mM/min. The substrate specificity with different di-, oligo- and polysaccharides was tested. The reactions were carried out overnight at pH 7 and at the optimum of temperature and the carbohydrates hydrolysis were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Only glycosyl-hydrolase activities on XOS and on xylan were detected, whereas sucrose, lactose, cellobiose, maltose and raffinose were not hydrolyzed. It’s clearly shown that β-Xylosidase activity was higher than the Xylanase one. These studies on the carbohydrate preference of a strain of Bifidobacterium underlined the importance of the affinity between probiotics and prebiotics. On the basis of this concept, together with Barilla G&R f.lli SpA, we studied the possibility to develop a functional food containing a synbiotic. Three probiotic strains Lactobacillus plantarum BAR 10, Streptococcus thermophilus BAR 20, and Bifidobacterium lactis BAR 30 were studied to assess their suitability for utilization in synbiotic products on the basis of antioxidative activity, glutathione production, acid and bile tolerance, carbohydrates fermentation and viability in food matrices. Bile and human gastric juice resistance was tested in vitro to estimate the transit tolerance in the upper gastrointestinal tract. B. lactis and L. plantarum were more acid tolerant than S. thermophilus. All the strains resisted to bile. The growth kinetics on 13 prebiotic carbohydrates were determined. Galactooligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides were successfully utilized by all the strains and could be considered the most appropriate prebiotics to be used in effective synbiotic formulations. The vitality of the three strains inoculated in different food matrices and maintained at room temperature was studied. The best survival of Lactobacillus plantarum BAR 10, Streptococcus thermophilus BAR 20, and Bifidobacterium lactis BAR 30 was found in food chocolate matrices. Then an in vivo clinical trial was carried out for 20 healthy volunteers. The increase in faecal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli populations and the efficacy of the pre-prototype was promising for the future develop of potential commercial products.

Studio di ausili tecnologici compensativi di supporto all'iter di apprendimento matematico secondario e universitario degli studenti con dislessia

Data coming out from various researches carried out over the last years in Italy on the problem of school dispersion in secondary school show that difficulty in studying mathematics is one of the most frequent reasons of discomfort reported by students. Nevertheless, it is definitely unrealistic to think we can do without such knowledge in today society: mathematics is largely taught in secondary school and it is not confined within technical-scientific courses only. It is reasonable to say that, although students may choose academic courses that are, apparently, far away from mathematics, all students will have to come to terms, sooner or later in their life, with this subject. Among the reasons of discomfort given by the study of mathematics, some mention the very nature of this subject and in particular the complex symbolic language through which it is expressed. In fact, mathematics is a multimodal system composed by oral and written verbal texts, symbol expressions, such as formulae and equations, figures and graphs. For this, the study of mathematics represents a real challenge to those who suffer from dyslexia: this is a constitutional condition limiting people performances in relation to the activities of reading and writing and, in particular, to the study of mathematical contents. Here the difficulties in working with verbal and symbolic codes entail, in turn, difficulties in the comprehension of texts from which to deduce operations that, once combined together, would lead to the problem final solution. Information technologies may support this learning disorder effectively. However, these tools have some implementation limits, restricting their use in the study of scientific subjects. Vocal synthesis word processors are currently used to compensate difficulties in reading within the area of classical studies, but they are not used within the area of mathematics. This is because the vocal synthesis (or we should say the screen reader supporting it) is not able to interpret all that is not textual, such as symbols, images and graphs. The DISMATH software, which is the subject of this project, would allow dyslexic users to read technical-scientific documents with the help of a vocal synthesis, to understand the spatial structure of formulae and matrixes, to write documents with a technical-scientific content in a format that is compatible with main scientific editors. The system uses LaTex, a text mathematic language, as mediation system. It is set up as LaTex editor, whose graphic interface, in line with main commercial products, offers some additional specific functions with the capability to support the needs of users who are not able to manage verbal and symbolic codes on their own. LaTex is translated in real time into a standard symbolic language and it is read by vocal synthesis in natural language, in order to increase, through the bimodal representation, the ability to process information. The understanding of the mathematic formula through its reading is made possible by the deconstruction of the formula itself and its “tree” representation, so allowing to identify the logical elements composing it. Users, even without knowing LaTex language, are able to write whatever scientific document they need: in fact the symbolic elements are recalled by proper menus and automatically translated by the software managing the correct syntax. The final aim of the project, therefore, is to implement an editor enabling dyslexic people (but not only them) to manage mathematic formulae effectively, through the integration of different software tools, so allowing a better teacher/learner interaction too.