Plan exportador de la empresa Quesos El Nevado Ltda.

Dado el clima de incertidumbre y los constantes cambios en el entorno económico, es inminente la necesidad de buscar nuevas alternativas que le permitan a la empresa diversificar su mercado y ganar un mayor posicionamiento. En este sentido, la presente investigación se realizó, con el propósito de analizar la estructura organizacional de la empresa, generando un diagnóstico de la situación de la gestión empresarial y su estructura financiera, para posteriormente identificar las amenazas y oportunidades que tiene la Fábrica Quesos El Nevado Ltda., para la exportación de quesos madurados, y asimismo diseñar un plan exportador que permita dirigirse hacia nuevos mercados. Es una investigación de tipo evaluativo, que pretende hacer un análisis estratégico para establecer el país con mayor probabilidad dentro de los países que ofrecen una mayor oportunidad de exportar esta clase de productos; de tal manera que este documento busca brindarle a la empresa las herramientas necesarias para poder ingresar al mercado de Chile, de una manera eficaz, cumpliendo con los requisitos de acceso al mercado y dando a conocer las variables claves de éxito para llegar a ser competitivo en el sector y en el mercado chileno. Además busca incentivar al empresario colombiano a conquistar nuevos mercados que le permita obtener estabilidad económica y crecimiento.

Arabidopsis thaliana DOF6 negatively affects germination in non-after ripened seeds and interacts with TCP14

Seed dormancy prevents seeds from germinating under environmental conditions unfavourable for plant growth and development and constitutes an evolutionary advantage. Dry storage, also known as after-ripening, gradually decreases seed dormancy by mechanisms not well understood. An Arabidopsis thaliana DOF transcription factor gene (DOF6) affecting seed germination has been characterized. The transcript levels of this gene accumulate in dry seeds and decay gradually during after-ripening and also upon seed imbibition. While constitutive over-expression of DOF6 produced aberrant growth and sterility in the plant, its over-expression induced upon seed imbibition triggered delayed germination, abscisic acid (ABA)-hypersensitive phenotypes and increased expression of the ABA biosynthetic gene ABA1 and ABA-related stress genes. Wild-type germination and gene expression were gradually restored during seed after-ripening, despite of DOF6-induced over-expression. DOF6 was found to interact in a yeast two-hybrid system andin planta with TCP14, a previously described positive regulator of seed germination. The expression of ABA1 and ABA-related stress genes was also enhanced in tcp14 knock-out mutants. Taken together, these results indicate that DOF6 negatively affects seed germination and opposes TCP14 function in the regulation of a specific set of ABA-related genes

Nitrate-induced early transcriptional changes during imbibition in non-after-ripened Sisymbrium officinale seeds.

We have here demonstrated for the first time that nitrate not only accelerates testa rupture of non- AR seeds but also modifies expression pattern of the cell-wall remodeling proteins (mannanases; SoMAN6 and SoMAN7) and key genes belonging to metabolism and signaling of ABA (SoNCED6, SoNCED9, SoCYP707A2 and SoABI5) and GAs (SoGA3ox, SoGA20ox, SoGA2ox and SoRGL2). These results were obtained during Sisymbrium officinale seed imbibition in the absence of endosperm rupture. Exogenous ABA induced a notable inhibition of testa rupture in both absence and presence of nitrate being this effect sharply reversed by GA4+7. However, nitrate was capable to provoke testa rupture in absence of ABA synthesis. The expression of SoMAN6 and SoMAN7 were positively altered by nitrate. Although ABA synthesis seems apparent at the start of non-AR seed imbibition, taken together the results of SoNCED6, SoNCED9 and SoCYP707A2 expression seem to suggest that nitrate leads to a strong net ABA decrease. Likewise, nitrate positively affected the SoABI5 expression when the SoNCED9 expression was also stimulated. By contrast, at the early and final of imbibition, nitrate clearly inhibited the SoABI5 expression. The expression of SoGA2ox6 and SoGA3ox2 are strongly inhibited by nitrate whereas of SoGA20ox6 was stimulated. On the other hand, SoRGL2 transcript level decreased in the presence of nitrate. Taken together, the results presented here suggest that the nitrate signaling is already operative during the non-AR S. officinale seeds imbibition. The nitrate, in cross-talk with the AR network likely increases the favorable molecular conditions that trigger germination.

Ludus scacchiæ: chesse-play. A game, both pleasant, wittie, and politicke: with certain briefe instructions therevnto belonging;

Part 2 is a free rendering of Marco Girolamo Vida's poem "Scacchia ludus". cf. Linde, Gesch. u. lit. d. schachspiels, vol. II, p. 268.

Surface microbial consortia from Livarot, a French smear-ripened cheese

The surface microflora (902 isolates) of Livarot cheeses from three dairies was investigated during ripening. Yeasts were mainly identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Geotrichum candidum was the dominating yeast among 10 species. Bacteria were identified using Biotype 100 strips, dereplicated by repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (rep-PCR); 156 representative strains were identified by either BOX-PCR or (GTG) 55-PCR, and when appropriate by 16S rDNA sequencing and SDS-PAGE analysis. Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 65% of the isolates and were mainly assigned to the genera Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium, Corynebacterium, and Staphylococcus. New taxa related to the genera Agrococcus and Leucobacter were found. Yeast and Gram-positive bacteria strains deliberately added as smearing agents were sometimes undetected during ripening. Thirty-two percent of the isolates were Gram-negative bacteria, which showed a high level of diversity and mainly included members of the genera Alcaligenes, Hafnia, Proteus, Pseudomonas, and Psychrobacter. Whatever the milk used (pasteurized or unpasteurized), similar levels of biodiversity were observed in the three dairies, all of which had efficient cleaning procedures and good manufacturing practices. It appears that some of the Gramnegative bacteria identified should now be regarded as potentially useful in some cheese technologies. The assessment of their positive versus negative role should be objectively examined.

Comparative study of bioactive potential of Fueniculum vulgare Mill. and Matricaria recutita L. phenolic rich extracts to functionalize cottage chesse

Synthetic additives used in a wide variety of food products have been associated to some toxic effects. This conducted to an increasing interest of consumers for natural additives, including food preservers [1]. Many aromatic herbs have been used to prepare bioactive extracts with benefits to the consumer's health. Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) and Matricaria recutita L. (chamomile) are examples of popular herbs rich in phenolic compounds with documented antioxidant and antimicrobial properties [2,3]. The present work confirms the antioxidant (DPPH scavenging activity, reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition) and antimicrobial (against bacteria such as Bacillus cereus and Salmonella Typhimurium and fungi such as Aspergillus niger, A. versicolor and PenicilliumfimicuJosum) activities of fennel and chamomile extracts, obtained by decoction. The chemical characterization of the extracts, performed by HPLC-DAD-ESIIMS, revealed the presence of five flavonoids (mainly qercetin-3-0- glucoside) and twelve phenolic acids (mainly 5-0-caffeolyquinic acid) for fennel extract and the presence of nine flavonoids (mainly luteolin-0-glucuronide) and ten phenolic acids (mainly di-caffeoyl-2,7- anhydro-3-deoxy-2-octulopyranosonic acid) for chamomile extract. Due to their high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, both extracts were then incorporated (at DPPH scavenging activity EC25 value: 0.35 mg/mL and 0.165 mg/mL for fennel and chamomile, respectively) in cottage cheeses (prepared by Queijos Casa Matias Lda) as natural additives with two objectives: to increase the shelf-life of the cottage cheeses and to provide bioactive properties to the final products. The results showed that the use of these natural extracts did not alter significantly the nutritional characteristics of the cottage cheese in comparison with control samples (cottage cheese without extracts), but improved its antioxidant potential (more evident in the samples with chamomile extract). After 14 days of storage, only the control samples showed signs of degradation. Overall, the present study highlights the preservation potential of fennel and chamomile extracts in cottage cheeses, improving also their bioactivity.

Functionality of bioactive compounds in Brazilian strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivars: Evaluation of hyperglycemia and hypertension potential using in vitro models

Fruits of seven fully ripened strawberry cultivars grown in Brazil (Dover, Camp Dover, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie, Toyonoka, Oso Grande, and Piedade) were evaluated for total phenolics, antioxidant activity based on DPPH radical scavenging assay, and functionality such as inhibition of alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) relevant for potentially managing hyperglycemia and hypertension. The total phenolics content ranged from 966 to 1571 mu g of gallic acid/g of fruit fresh weight for Toyonoka and Dover, respectively. No correlation was found between total phenolics and antioxidant activity. The major phenolic compounds in aqueous extracts of strawberries were ellagic acid, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid. Strawberries had high alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity. However, alpha-amylase inhibitory activity was very low in all cultivars. This suggested that strawberries could be considered as a potential dietary source with anti-hyperglycemic potential. The evaluated cultivars had no significant ACE inhibitory activity, reflecting low anti-hypertensive potential.

Bioactive compounds and quantification of total ellagic acid in strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.)

Strawberries are one of the most popular edible fruits in Brazil and their consumption has increased with the development of new varieties available at almost all seasons. Fruit of seven full-ripened strawberry cultivars (Dover, Camp Dover, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie, Toyonoka, Oso Grande and Piedade) were characterized in relation to the total phenolics, vitamin C, flavonoids, free and total ellagic acid contents and antioxidant capacity. Camp Dover had the lowest values for anthocyanins and total phenolics but the highest total flavonoid content. Dover presented the highest anthocyanin, total phenolics and ellagic acid contents and also elevated antioxidant capacity. The best conditions for the determination of the total ellagic acid content in strawberries were also optimized and the results showed that the extraction with 80% acetone, and hydrolysis using 2 N TFA at 120 degrees C for 60 min allowed a 99% recovery. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dormancy release in Lolium rigidum seeds is a function of thermal after-ripening time and seed water content

Dormancy release in seeds of Lolium rigidum Gaud. (annual ryegrass) was investigated in relation to temperature and seed water content. Freshly matured seeds were collected from cropping fields at Wongan Hills and Merredin, Western Australia. Seeds from Wongan Hills were equilibrated to water contents between 6 and 18% dry weight and after-ripened at constant temperatures between 9 and 50degreesC for up to 23 weeks. Wongan Hills and Merredin seeds at water contents between 7 and 17% were also after-ripened in full sun or shade conditions. Dormancy was tested at regular intervals during after-ripening by germinating seeds on agar at 12-h alternating 15degreesC (dark) and 25degreesC (light) periods. Rate of dormancy release for Wongan Hills seeds was a positive linear function of after-ripening temperature above a base temperature (T-b) of 5.4degreesC. A thermal after-ripening time model for dormancy loss accounting for seed moisture in the range 6-18% was developed using germination data for Wongan Hills seeds after-ripened at constant temperatures. The model accurately predicted dormancy release for Wongan Hills seeds after-ripened under naturally fluctuating temperatures. Seeds from Merredin responded similarly but had lower dormancy at collection and a faster rate of dormancy release in seeds below 9% water content.

Field assessment of thermal after-ripening time for dormancy release prediction in Lolium rigidum seeds

Dormancy release was studied in four populations of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) seeds to determine whether loss of dormancy in the field can be predicted from temperature alone or whether seed water content (WC) must also be considered. Freshly matured seeds were after-ripened at the northern and southern extremes of the Western Australian cereal cropping region and at constant 37degreesC. Seed WC was allowed to fluctuate with prevailing humidity, but full hydration was avoided by excluding rainfall. Dormancy was measured regularly during after-ripening by germinating seeds with 12-hourly light or in darkness. Germination was lower in darkness than in light/dark and dormancy release was slower when germination was tested in darkness. Seeds were consistently drier, and dormancy release was slower, during after-ripening at 37degreesC than under field conditions. However, within each population, the rate of dormancy release in the field (north and south) in terms of thermal time was unaffected by after-ripening site. While low seed WC slowed dormancy release in seeds held at 37degreesC, dormancy release in seeds after-ripened under Western Australian field conditions was adequately described by thermal after-ripening time, without the need to account for changes in WC elicited by fluctuating environmental humidity.

Low temperature induced changes in activity and protein levels of the enzymes associated to conversion of starch to sucrose in banana fruit

Storage at low temperature is the most frequently used method to extend the shelf life of banana fruit, and is fundamental for extended storage and transport over long distances. However, storage and transport conditions must be carefully controlled because of the high susceptibility of many commercial cultivars to chilling injury. The physiological behavior of bananas at low temperatures has been studied to identify possible mechanisms of resistance to chilling injury. The aim of this work was to evaluate differences in the starch-to-sucrose metabolism of a less tolerant and susceptible (Musa acuminata, AAA cv. Nanicao) and a more tolerant (M. acuminata x Musa balbusiana, AAB, cv. Prata) banana cultivar to chilling injury. Fruits of these cultivars were stored in chambers at 13 degrees C for 15 d, at which point they were transferred to 19 degrees C, where they were left until complete ripening. The low temperature induced significant changes in the metabolism of starch and sucrose in comparison to fruit ripened only at 19 degrees C. The sucrose accumulation was slightly higher in cv. Prata, and different patterns of starch degradation, sucrose synthesis, activity and protein levels of the alpha-and beta-amylases, starch phosphorylase, sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase were detected between the cultivars. Our results suggest that starch-to-sucrose metabolism is likely part of the mechanism for cold acclimation in banana fruit, and the cultivar-dependent differences contribute to their ability to tolerate cold temperatures. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Smoke derived from burnt vegetation stimulates germination of arable weeds

A commercially available smoke-water solution (Seed Starter (R)) stimulated the germination of caryopses and intact florets of Avena fatua L. The solution was most effective when diluted (5-50%) and presented to intact or dehulled grain that had received a short period of dry after-ripening. It was less effective when applied at full strength or to grains that had been freshly harvested. The same stimulatory effect was observed in par-fly after-ripened caryopses of nine different wild oat biotypes obtained from three different cropping regions of the world. When freshly harvested caryopses were re-tested with the commercial solution (100%) for just 7 days prior to placement on to distilled water, a much higher germination percentage was possible than seen with continuous smoke-water incubation. The stimulatory ability of smoke water was more closely matched to that of gibberellic acid than to potassium nitrate, which had little or no effect on freshly harvested caryopses. The smoke-water solution (5-100%) was tested on the germination of 18 other cool temperate arable weed species. All monocotyledonous species tested (viz. Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana L., Alopecurus myosuroides, Sorghum halepense, Phalaris paradoxa) responded positively, while those of the dicotyledonous species were either strongly stimulated (greater than or equal to 40% stimulation Malva neglecta), moderately stimulated (greater than or equal to 20% stimulation Galium aparine, Veronica persica), slightly stimulated (Polygonum persicaria, P pennsylvanicum, Fallopia convolvulus), unaffected (P. aviculare, Sinapis arvensis, Heracleum sphondylium, Angelica sylvestris, Mercurialis annua, Veronica hederifolia) or inhibited (Lamium purpureum). The optimal concentrations required to stimulate germination of the monocotyledonous species were similar to those observed for A. fatua (5-10%). However, for the dicotyledonous species slightly stronger solutions were required (10-20%). When the unaffected species were retested using a 10-day pre-chilling treatment, smoke water showed a small promotive response in three (S. arvensis, P. aviculare and V hederifolia) of the six species. When four different smoke-water solutions (Seed Starter (R), Regen 2000 (R), charred-wood solution and wheat-straw solution) were tested on two representative species (A. fatua and M. neglecta), three formulations were effective in promoting the germination of both species, while the fourth (charred-wood solution) was only active on A. fatua. The active concentrations were different for the four solutions. Three solutions were active in the 2-20% dilution range, while the fourth (Regen 2000 (R)) was only active in the 1-2% dilution range and was inhibitory at higher concentrations. These observations are discussed in the context that smoke may play an important ecological role in the management and control of introduced weeds in native and arable communities.

Ripening and quality responses of avocado, custard apple, mango and papaya fruit to 1-methylcyclopropene

The potential for the ethylene binding inhibitor, 1-methylcyclopropene, to delay ripening of 'Hass' avocado, 'African Pride' custard apple, 'Kensington Pride' mango and 'Solo' papaya was examined. Fruit were gassed with 25 muL/L 1-methylcyclopropene for 14 h at 20 degreesC, followed by treatment with 100 muL/L ethylene for 24 h, and then ripened at 20 degreesC. Ethylene treatment alone generally halved the number of days for fruit to reach the ripe stage, compared with untreated fruit. 1-Methylcyclopropene treatment alone increased the number of days to ripening by 4.4 days (40% increase), 3.4 days (58%), 5.1 days (37%) and 15.6 days (325%) for avocado, custard apple, mango and papaya, respectively, compared with untreated fruit. Applying 1-methylcyclopropene to the fruit before ethylene prevented the accelerated ripening normally associated with ethylene treatment, so that the number of days to ripening for fruit treated with 1-methylcyclopropene plus ethylene was similar to the number of days to ripening for fruit treated with 1-methylcyclopropene alone. 1-Methylcyclopropene treatment was associated with slightly higher severity of external blemishes in papaya and custard apple, slightly higher rots severity in avocado, custard apple and papaya, and at least double the severity of stem rots in mango, relative to fruit not treated with 1-methylcyclopropene. Thus, 1-methylcyclopropene treatment has the potential to reduce the risk of premature ripening of avocado, custard apple, mango and papaya fruit due to accidental exposure to ethylene. However, additional precautions may be necessary to reduce disease severity associated with 1-methylcyclopropene treatment.

Tree yield and fruit minerals concentrations influence 'Hass' avocado fruit quality

To investigate the variation in quality of 'Hass' avocado fruit within an orchard, fruit were harvested at commercial maturity from 15 'Hass' trees of similar appearance, growing in three adjacent rows on the same soil type, and receiving similar management. Fruit were harvested at commercial maturity, and either ripened at 22 degreesC or stored at 2 or 7 degreesC for 3 or 5 weeks and then ripened. Significant positive correlations (based, on the mean for each datum tree) were noted between fruit flesh calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations and the (Ca + Mg)/potassium ratio, and the number of days for the fruit to reach the eating ripe stage (DTR). Negative correlations were also observed between these minerals and anthracnose and mesocarp discolouration (MD) severity. Negative correlations were observed between fruit potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) concentrations and DTR. Fruit from trees with high fruit yield were generally smaller, with lower anthracnose and MD severity, ripened more slowly, and had higher flesh Ca concentrations. It is likely that cultural practices that maintain moderate to high fruit yield and reduce variation in yield will improve avocado fruit quality and reduce variability in quality. Since the main differences between adjacent trees in this trial were the seedling rootstocks of unknown origin, it is suggested that rootstocks can have a significant impact on avocado yield and fruit quality. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Rootstocks influence 'Hass' avocado fruit quality and fruit minerals

To determine the potential for rootstocks to improve avocado quality, 'Hass' fruit from trees on seedling 'Velvick' (SV), clonal 'Velvick' (CV) or clonal 'Duke 7' (CD) rootstocks were harvested in 1999 and 2000, ripened at 20 C immediately after harvest (non-stored) or stored at 5 C for four weeks (stored), and then fruit quality and mineral concentrations determined. In 2000, non-stored CV fruit had lower severity of body rots (5% of flesh volume affected, caused mainly by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) than CD fruit (20%), while body rots severity in stored CV fruit was 20% compared with 38% in stored CD fruit. Stored CV fruit had less severe diffuse discoloration (3% and 9% in 1999 and 2000, respectively) than CD fruit (7% and 20%, respectively). Stored CV fruit also had less severe vascular browning (19%) than CD fruit (33%) in 2000. In both seasons, CV fruit had 15-19% higher flesh calcium concentrations, 17-22% higher flesh boron concentrations, and 14-15% lower flesh nitrogen concentrations than CD fruit. In 2000, CV fruit also had 27% more skin calcium and 14% less skin nitrogen than CD fruit. There were no effects of rootstock on yield, canopy volume, measured length of non-suberized roots, average fruit weight, fruit length: width ratio, skin thickness, dry matter, proportion of the fruit skin purple-black when ripe, or seed mass: fruit weight ratio. These results suggest that there is potential to improve 'Hass' avocado quality through rootstock selection, and that tree and fruit mineral concentrations have a role in this relationship.