Fridge hygiene

This report contains some rules for making sure your fridge is a safe place to keep food.

Controle estatístico de processo aplicado no monitoramento da absorção de água por carcaças de frango durante a etapa de pré-resfriamento

A absorção de água por carcaças de frango na etapa de pré-resfriamento da linha abate representa uma característica de qualidade importante relacionada ao rendimento do produto final. Uma forma de manter o padrão de qualidade de um produto é garantir que as etapas do processo sejam estáveis e replicáveis. Ao empregar o Controle Estatístico de Processo (CEP) é possível obter estabilidade e melhorias nos processos, por meio da redução da variabilidade. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi a aplicação de gráficos de controle, análise de correlação, estatística descritiva, testes de hipóteses e regressão linear múltipla na linha de abate de um abatedouro-frigorífico de aves para monitorar a variabilidade da absorção de água pelas carcaças de frango após a etapa de pré-resfriamento. Como resultado, verificou-se que o teor de absorção de água das carcaças de frango apresentou elevada variabilidade, sendo que 10% (8/80) das carcaças apresentaram absorção de água superior ao limite de 8% definido pela legislação brasileira. Do total de 16 variáveis de entrada analisadas, as mais impactantes no teor de absorção de água foram o “tempo de retenção da carcaça no pré-chiller” e o “tempo de espera da carcaça após a etapa de gotejamento”. Entretanto, o modelo de regressão obtido apresentou baixa correlação (R²=0,16) que foi associada à elevada variabilidade da variável-resposta. Os resultados da estatística descritiva demonstraram que as variáveis de entrada também apresentaram elevada variabilidade, com coeficiente de variação entre 7,95 e 63,5%. Verificou-se, pela análise dos gráficos de controle de medida individual e da amplitude móvel, que 15 das 16 variáveis de entrada se apresentaram fora de controle estatístico assim como a variável-resposta. Baseado no fluxograma e na descrição das etapas da linha de abate, previamente realizados, atribuiu-se à falta de padronização na condução das etapas e de procedimentos para o controle de qualidade das operações na linha de abate como fatores relevantes que poderiam estar associados à presença de causas especiais no processo. Concluiu-se que para reduzir a elevada variabilidade das variáveis e eliminar as causas especiais presentes são necessários ajustes operacionais para, dessa forma, obter um processo mais estável e mais uniforme garantindo o padrão de qualidade das carcaças de frango em relação ao teor de absorção de água.

Equipamentos de congelação industrial de produtos alimentares perecíveis: análise comparada de apoio à decisão

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

New trends in the kitchen: propellants assessment of edible food aerosol sprays used on food.

New products available for food creations include a wide variety of "supposed" food grade aerosol sprays. However, the gas propellants used cannot be considered as safe. The different legislations available did not rule any maximum residue limits, even though these compounds have some limits when used for other food purposes. This study shows a preliminary monitoring of propane, butane and dimethyl ether residues, in cakes and chocolate after spraying, when these gases are used as propellants in food aerosol sprays. Release kinetics of propane, butane and dimethyl ether were measured over one day with sprayed food, left at room temperature or in the fridge after spraying. The alkanes and dimethyl ether analyses were performed by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/thermal conductivity detection, using monodeuterated propane and butane generated in situ as internal standards. According to the obtained results and regardingthe extrapolations of the maximum residue limits existing for these substances, different delays should be respected according to the storage conditions and the gas propellant to consume safely the sprayed food.

New trends in the kitchen: propellants assessment of edible food aerosol sprays used on food.

New products available for food creations include a wide variety of "supposed" food grade aerosol sprays. However, the gas propellants used cannot be considered as safe. The different legislations available did not rule any maximum residue limits, even though these compounds have some limits when used for other food purposes. This study shows a preliminary monitoring of propane, butane and dimethyl ether residues, in cakes and chocolate after spraying, when these gases are used as propellants in food aerosol sprays. Release kinetics of propane, butane and dimethyl ether were measured over one day with sprayed food, left at room temperature or in the fridge after spraying. The alkanes and dimethyl ether analyses were performed by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/thermal conductivity detection, using monodeuterated propane and butane generated in situ as internal standards. According to the obtained results and regardingthe extrapolations of the maximum residue limits existing for these substances, different delays should be respected according to the storage conditions and the gas propellant to consume safely the sprayed food.

Possibility Of Controlling The Atmosphere Inside A Package Using Microperforation

This work focuses on the study of the determination on the possibilities of controlling the required moisture within the inside of film sealed packages. The task is based on the challenges faced by fresh food producers in actualizing a longer product shelf-life coupled with the growing complex desires coming from consumers in the aspect of quality. One way to realize this is by proper evaluation on the use of the flexible plastic films through permeation measurements on the required amount of moisture penetrating through the plastic film with the application of microperforation. A packaging material requires proper interaction on moisture transmission, between the product and the outside environment. The plastic film material that stands between, fresh fruits, vegetables and the outside environment could have appropriate respiration rates through possible micro holes. This work simulates similar process with the aid of water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) experiment using anhydrous CaCl2 as the desiccant, in studying the WVTR values of various perforated film materials at different conditions of storage (standard, fridge, and tropical conditions). However, the results showed absorption rates of water vapor at various conditions in grams of H2O/m2/24h.

Veden puhdistus mikro-organismisovelluksilla (EM Mudball®)

Vesistöjen rehevöityminen on maailmanlaajuinen ongelma. ”Effective microorganisms (EM)” -teknologian väitetään mahdollistavan ravinteiden poiston vesistä luonnonmukaisten mikro-organismien avulla. Työn tavoitteena on selvittää kyseistä teknologiaa hyödyntävien EM-mutapallojen soveltuvuutta suomalaisten luonnonvesien sekä jätevesien ravinteiden poistamiseen. Kirjallisuusosassa selitettiin EM-teknologian toimintaperiaate sekä esitettiin EM-mutapallojen koostumus. Tässä osassa selvitettiin myös teknologian käyttökohteita. Lisäksi perehdyttiin Suomen vesistöjen tilanteeseen sekä EM-teknologian mahdollisiin hyödyntämiskohteisiin. Kokeellisessa osassa seurattiin 6 eri vesinäytteen ravinnepitoisuuksien muutosta EM-mutapallon käytön aikana. Osaa näytteistä säilytettiin jääkaapissa, jotta päästiin lähemmäs Suomessa vallitsevia olosuhteita. Analysoidut ravinteet olivat nitraatti, sulfaatti, fosfaatti ja typpi. Tuloksien mukaan EM-mutapallojen käyttö poisti pääsääntöisesti vesinäytteistä nitraatin. Sulfaatin poisto sen sijaan oli huomattavasti heikompaa. Paria näytettä lukuun ottamatta sulfaattipitoisuudet eivät laskeneet lähtökonsentraation alle, vaikka ajoittaista laskua tapahtuikin. Fosfaattipitoisuudet näytteissä olivat yleisesti hyvin pieniä, eivätkä ylittäneet määritysrajaa kokeen aikana ollenkaan. Ainoastaan fosfaattia sisältäneessä synteettisessä näytteessä tapahtui fosfaattipitoisuuden laskua, joka kuitenkin palautui lähes alkuperäiselle tasolle koejakson lopussa. Näytteiden typpipitoisuuksien kasvun aiheutti käymistuotteena muodostuva ammonium, jonka takia myös näytteiden pH nousi. Kokeet vahvistavat aiempia tutkimustuloksia, joiden mukaan EM-mutapallo hajoaa kahden viikon kuluttua niiden lisäämisestä vesinäytteisiin. Aikaisemmista tutkimuksista poiketen tämän kokeen mukaan EM-mutapallot näyttäisivät toimivan paremmin viileämmässä lämpötilassa. Kokeen perusteella EM-teknologian hyödyntäminen voisi olla potentiaalinen vaihtoehto tulevaisuudessa Suomen vesistöjen nitraatin poistoon.

Plan de Exportación Carnexport

La empresa Carnexport en busca de llegar a nuevos mercados con producto de mayor valor agregado, participó del programa del CIDEM, Maloka y Alcaldía Mayor de Bogota para realizar su plan exportador. Con el apoyo del equipo directivo de la empresa el proceso de consultaría da como resultado la exportación de sus productos a tres mercados posibles, para cada uno de ellos se realizó un estudio de mercados y elaboración de estrategias para la introducción de los mismos, soportado en dos estudios de costos y logísticos que permitieron definir el precio de venta y costos promedios de transporte para determinar si el precio de venta del producto es competitivo y logre la utilidad esperada por la empresa. También se realizó un presupuesto para poder dar inicio al plan exportador que está estructurado por mercados para conocer la inversión inicial y la manera para apalancar financieramente la propuesta

Estudo de diferentes sistemas e curvas de congelação na eficiência da congelabilidade e fertilidade de sêmen equino

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Conservação de sementes de taperebá (Spondias mombin L., Anacardiaceae)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Agricultura) - FCA

Análise histomorfológica e molecular de lesões granulomatosas sugestivas de tuberculose bovina

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Cortisol sanguíneo e qualidade de carcaças de frangos abatidos pelo método halal ou com insensibilização por eletronarcose

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Ocorrência de fungos negros em ambientes domésticos

Black fungi are able to adapt to extreme environmental conditions, such as: high temperatures, the presence of toxic chemical substances and lack of nutrients. Besides, they are also potential pathogens to humans. The natural environment of many black fungi is still unknown and some studies are being conducted to evaluate the biodiversity of this group and their different habitats. This study aimed to isolate black fungi in domestic environments and facilities, such as toothbrushes, fridge sealing rubbers, bathroom strainers and divisions, windows, wall tiles and bath sponge. For the collection, material surfaces were scratched with a scalpel and the resulting fragments were sewed in Mycosel agar (DifcoTM), supplemented with actidione to inhibit the growth of highly-sporulating fungi. Plates were incubated at 25ºC for three weeks. The 46 isolated fungi were maintained on MA2% slants at 8ºC and cryopreserved at -80ºC. Fungal identification was performed through the analysis of macro and microscopic features and ITS rDNA sequencing. The following black fungi taxa were found: Ascomycota sp., Cladosporium spp., Dothideomycete sp., Exophiala alcalophila, Ochroconis mirabilis and Rhinocladiella atrovirens. Non-melanized fungi were also found, such as Geosmithia sp., Penicillium sp. and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. The temperature tests showed that isolated black fungi were not able to grow at 37°C, however, this temperature proved to be fungistatic to 43% of them. According to literature, all black fungi isolated in this study are opportunistic pathogens and additional studies are necessary to evaluate the risk that these micro-organisms offer to health, once they were isolated from domestic environments

Ocorrência de fungos negros em ambientes domésticos

Black fungi are able to adapt to extreme environmental conditions, such as: high temperatures, the presence of toxic chemical substances and lack of nutrients. Besides, they are also potential pathogens to humans. The natural environment of many black fungi is still unknown and some studies are being conducted to evaluate the biodiversity of this group and their different habitats. This study aimed to isolate black fungi in domestic environments and facilities, such as toothbrushes, fridge sealing rubbers, bathroom strainers and divisions, windows, wall tiles and bath sponge. For the collection, material surfaces were scratched with a scalpel and the resulting fragments were sewed in Mycosel agar (DifcoTM), supplemented with actidione to inhibit the growth of highly-sporulating fungi. Plates were incubated at 25ºC for three weeks. The 46 isolated fungi were maintained on MA2% slants at 8ºC and cryopreserved at -80ºC. Fungal identification was performed through the analysis of macro and microscopic features and ITS rDNA sequencing. The following black fungi taxa were found: Ascomycota sp., Cladosporium spp., Dothideomycete sp., Exophiala alcalophila, Ochroconis mirabilis and Rhinocladiella atrovirens. Non-melanized fungi were also found, such as Geosmithia sp., Penicillium sp. and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. The temperature tests showed that isolated black fungi were not able to grow at 37°C, however, this temperature proved to be fungistatic to 43% of them. According to literature, all black fungi isolated in this study are opportunistic pathogens and additional studies are necessary to evaluate the risk that these micro-organisms offer to health, once they were isolated from domestic environments

Entwicklung, Aufbau und Messungen eines schnellen Eiskeimzählers

Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde ein neuer Eiskeimzähler FINCH (Fast Ice Nucleus CHamber) entwickelt und erste Messungen von verschiedenen Testaerosolen im Labor und atmosphärischem Aerosol durchgeführt. Die Aerosolpartikel bzw. Ice Nuclei IN werden bei Temperaturen unter dem Gefrierpunkt und Übersättigungen in Bezug auf Eis zum Anwachsen zu Eiskristallen gebracht, um sie mittels optischer Detektion zu erfassen. In FINCH ist dies durch das Prinzip der Mischung realisiert, wodurch eine kontinuierliche Messung der IN-Anzahlkonzentration gewährleistet ist. Hierbei kann mit sehr hohen Sammelflussraten von bis zu 10 l/min gemessen werden. Ebenso ist ein schnelles Abfahren von verschiedenen Sättigungsverhältnissen in Bezug auf Eis in einem weiten Bereich von 0.9 - 1.7 bei konstanten Temperaturen bis zu −23 °C möglich. Die Detektion der Eiskristalle und damit der Bestimmung der IN-Anzahlkonzentration erfolgt über einen neu entwickelten optischen Sensor basierend auf der unterschiedlichen Depolarisation des zurückgestreuten Lichtes von Eiskristallen und unterkühlten Tropfen. In Labermessungen wurden Aktivierungstemperatur und -sättigungsverhältnis von Silberjodid AgI und Kaolinit vermessen. Die Resultate zeigten gute Übereinstimmungen mit Ergebnissen aus der Literatur sowie Parallelmessungen mit FRIDGE (FRankfurt Ice Deposition freezinG Experiment). FRIDGE ist eine statische Diffusionskammer zur Aktivierung und Auszählung von Eiskeimen, die auf einem Filter gesammelt wurden. Bei atmosphärischen Messungen auf dem Jungfraujoch(Schweiz) lagen die IN-Anzahlkonzentrationen mit bis zu 4 l−1 im Rahmen der aus der Literatur bekannten Werte. Messungen der Eiskristallresiduen von Mischwolken zeigten hingegen, dass nur jedes tausendste als Eiskeim im Depositionsmode aktiv ist. Hier scheinen andere Gefrierprozesse und sekundäre Eiskristallbildung von sehr großer Bedeutung für die Anzahlkonzentration der Eiskristallresiduen zu sein. Eine weitere Messung von atmosphärischem Aerosol in Frankfurt zeigte IN-Anzahlkonzentrationen bis zu 30 l−1 bei Aktivierungstemperaturen um −14 °C. Die parallele Probenahme auf Siliziumplättchen für die Messungen der IN-Anzahlkonzentration in FRIDGE ergaben Werte im gleichen Anzahlkonzentrationsbereich.