RCAAP Repository

Abstract Vegetables from the genus Ziziphus (Rhamnaceae) have been identified as one of the main dietary antioxidants, especially phenolic compounds. However, their chemical composition varies according to the specie or the part of the plant. Mineral composition (potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, and zinc), polyphenolic content (Flavan-3-ol, Proanthocyanidin, total polyphenol content) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, and ORAC Assay) in four different matrices (whole fruit, pulp, seed and almond) of Ziziphus (Z. Lotus and Z. Spina Christi) commonly grown in Morocco were investigated. As a result, minerals, polyphenolic contents and antioxidant capacity fluctuated significantly (p ≤ 0.05) between different matrices and Ziziphus species analyzed. Seeds displayed a significantly higher mineral level, polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity in comparison to whole fruit, pulp and almond. Among species, Z. spina-christi have a significantly higher content of mineral, phenolics and antioxidant activity. These results suggest that the mineral level, polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity vary considerably depending on the Ziziphus species and part of the plant analyzed. Furthermore, Z. spina-christi seeds presented properties desirable for use in functional food.

Abstract The study aimed to elaborate burgers with fillet and pulp (fish carcass meat) of grumatã (Prochilodus lineatus), and to evaluate its centesimal composition, microbiological and sensorial properties. Three formulations were prepared. One was prepared with the fillet (0% pulp), and the remaining two contained 15% or 30% pulp (instead of fillet), textured soy protein, wheat flour and condiments. The centesimal and microbiological composition was evaluated in pre-ready burgers. For sensory analysis, the burgers were grilled, and untrained judges evaluated the appearance, color, taste, texture, overall acceptance and purchase intent. Dry matter and fat were higher in formulations containing pulp; while crude protein and ash contents were higher in burgers with 30% pulp compared with those produced with fillet only. The coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and total and fecal coliform counts were within normal values established by the Brazilian legislation. Salmonella spp. was detected in the pre-ready (raw) formulations, but no colony was observed in the cooked preparations. Although no difference was found among formulations for sensory attributes, burgers with 30% pulp presented a higher purchase intention index (50%) than the other formulations. The complete use (fillet and pulp) of grumatã meat shows that this species can be utilized to elaborate distinct alimentary formulations.

Abstract Despite being a staple in the daily diet of the Brazilian population, industrialized tomatoes and their derivatives are often subject to countless contaminants during their production process, which may affect the final quality of these products. This study aimed to investigate the microbiological quality and the presence of extraneous matter in industrialized tomato sauces commercialized in Brazil. To this end, two samples of 21 different “traditional tomato sauce” brands (a total of 42 samples) commercialized in supermarkets in the municipality of Bauru, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed from April to November 2016. Overall, 20 (47.6%) of the 42 samples analyzed were in disagreement with the current Brazilian legislation. After incubation at 35 to 37 °C and 55 °C, no changes in the packages and pH variation >0.2 were observed. However, 9.5% of the samples showed a non-characteristic aspect and 11.9% presented growth of fungi. Regarding the presence of extraneous matter, 11.9% of the samples showed rodent hair above the permitted limit (1 in 100 g) - indicative of risks to human health, whereas 26.2% of them contained non-rodent hair - indicative of failure in adopting good manufacturing practices. Mold filament counting was conducted using the Howard method, and 14.3% of the samples presented values ​​above 40% (acceptable limit) positive microscopic fields. In addition to subsidizing health surveillance actions, such data highlight the need for quality improvement of the raw material used and greater control during the processing of these products.

Abstract This study explores the relationship between agricultural governance and food security in Nigeria and employs two main approaches: descriptive and econometric. The econometric approach engages Autoregressive Distribution Lag (ARDL) in examining the long-run relationship between the indicators of food security and agricultural governance for the period 1985 to 2016. The results show that in the long-run, agricultural performance contribute to food security in Nigeria. The findings from the descriptive analysis unveil that Nigeria has the highest number of undernourished people, which increased by 22% between 2000 and 2001. Between 2000 and 2015, the population grew by 30.60% with the rate of violence increasing by 55%. The study recommends, among others, that accountability in addressing the challenges in the implementation of food security programs and ensuring timely distribution of food resources is germane.

Abstract Fresh-cut vegetables can be minimally processed through cleaning/washing, trimming, peeling, slicing and dicing, followed by packaging and cold storage. This study aimed to verify the effect of different cuts on the quality and shelf life of fresh-cut potato. Different cut types, such as slices, dices, cubes and wedges, were selected for this study to evaluate the shelf-life response of potatoes. Potato pieces of these different shapes were treated with calcium chloride, citric acid, and potassium metabisulfite (3%, 2% and 0.3%, respectively), stored in plastic boxes at 4 ˚C for 60 days, and then physicochemically (firmness (N), weight loss (WL), pH, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), and ascorbic acid (AA) content analyses) and microbiologically assessed. The best results were observed for the dice cut type, which showed minimal changes in TSS (5.31%), pH (5.65), TA (0.34%), WL (9.04%), and AA content (10.86%). Moreover, the microbial activity of all shapes of potato pieces remained within acceptable limits during cold storage.

Abstract One of the most important classes of nutritional biomolecules is the oleaginous compounds group, which specially includes the oil-lipids, the carotenoids and the fatty acids. These biocompounds present a wide range of industrial applications because their ability to act as an energy source, antioxidants and metabolic agents for the human body. Therefore, the food industry, mainly focusing on food supplementation, is always searching for new sources of them. In this context, the present study evaluated the total lipids, carotenoids and fatty acids simultaneous production by the Rhodotorula mucilaginosa CCT3892 yeast, using residual sugarcane molasses as carbon source. The results obtained demonstrated that the cultivation of yeast in molasses medium (MC) produced the same content of total lipids and carotenoids (16.50% ± 0.68% and 0.053 ± 0.001 mg g-1, respectively) as the obtained from a synthetic medium (SC) (15.36% ± 1.36% and 0.051 ± 0.001 mg g-1 0.005). Concerning the fatty acids biosynthesis, the MC cultivation generated the most interesting profile once it presented a greater content of oleic acid (74.05%), an unsaturated compound with high nutritional value. The cultivation carried out with the molasses and yeast extract supplementation (MYEC) did not provide an improvement in microbial oil production, what indicated that in this condition there was a predominance of others sorts of substrate metabolization by the yeast cells, as confirmed by the microbial kinetics study.

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the wall materials on the microencapsulation of pequi oil. An emulsion containing pequi oil in the oil phase was microencapsulated by spray drying process at 120 °C using gum Arabic, maltodextrin, or a 25:75 (w/w) mixture of gum Arabic and maltodextrin as wall material. The emulsions were characterized for droplet size, Polydispersity Index (PDI), and zeta potential. Pequi oil microparticles were analyzed for moisture content, water activity, wettability, encapsulation efficiency, antioxidant capacity, and color. Ultrastructural examination was performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The Droplet Size Distribution (DSD) of the emulsions exhibited a relatively wide size distribution (2.67 to 8.96 μm) and high PDI (> 0.3). Smooth microparticles with high encapsulation efficiency (79.17% to 84.20%), and good antioxidant capacity (28.20 to 28.71 μmol Trolox equivalents/g dry extract) were obtained. Microparticles prepared using gum Arabic as wall material had higher antioxidant capacity than that prepared with maltodextrin. All microparticles had satisfactory encapsulation efficiency, water activity, moisture content, and wettability. These results indicate that pequi oil microparticles have characteristics that can contribute to good stability during storage and handling of encapsulated oil. Therefore, pequi oil can be successfully encapsulated by spray drying using gum Arabic, maltodextrin, or 25:75 (w/w) mixture of gum Arabic and maltodextrin as wall materials, but the physicochemical properties of microparticles vary with wall material composition.

Resumo A região Norte é grande produtora de mandioca, cuja farinha tem sido consumida como parte diária do hábito alimentar da população, sendo produzida artesanalmente. Devido à escassez de informações técnicas, este trabalho objetivou classificar e caracterizar nutricional e tecnologicamente nove amostras de farinhas de mandioca adquiridas em Belém-PA. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e, quando significativos (p < 0,05), foi feito o teste de diferença de médias Scott Knott. As farinhas estavam dentro dos padrões da legislação brasileira em relação a umidade e cinzas, e foram classificadas como de alta acidez, sendo que quatro das nove farinhas apresentaram teor de cianetos entre 15 e 31 mg HCN/kg. Apesar de serem seguras para o consumo, recomendam-se melhorias em etapas de processo para diminuir o teor de cianetos. Quanto a cor e granulometria, foram consideradas amarelas (67%) e brancas (33%) e grossas (67%) e médias (33%), respectivamente. Nutricionalmente, podem contribuir como fonte de fibra alimentar (7,67% a 11,26%) e amido cru, sendo benéficas para dar saciedade. Tecnologicamente, apresentaram-se como espessantes, por apresentarem amido cru, tanto no consumo direto quanto em produtos cozidos, formando pastas claras, textura longa e não firmes. Estas variações nas características nutricionais e tecnológicas permitiram verificar que são necessárias modificações no processamento para padronização da qualidade das farinhas utilizadas como ingrediente alimentício sem glúten.

Abstract Water removal during drying process consumes energy and lead to high production cost. Hence, enzymatic mash treatment was proposed to reduce the usage of water to produce feed concentration that is suitable for drying. In this study, papaya powder was prepared from papaya puree treated with 1.0% v/w of Pectinex® Ultra SP-L, a pectinase enzyme, with incubation under 50 °C up to 2 hours. The liquefied papaya puree was spray-dried at selected maltodextrin concentrations (10% to 50% w/w of papaya puree) and inlet temperatures (140 °C to 180 °C). The physico-chemical properties of papaya puree, spray-dried powder, and reconstituted powder were assessed. Results showed that an increase in maltodextrin concentration led to lower process yield, lower moisture content and hygroscopicity, and better solubility. The powder produced was brighter in colour (L*) and less yellowish (b*). The papaya puree added with 20% maltodextrin achieved the highest process yield (74.91% ± 9.15%) and better solubility (69.60 ± 0.48 s/g) with optimal moisture content (5.21% ± 0.15% dry basis) and hygroscopicity (24.79% ± 0.58%) which was selected as optimal concentration. Meanwhile, increasing spray drying inlet temperatures led to a reduction in moisture content (26%) but did not significantly affect (p > 0.05) water activity, hygroscopicity, bulk density and colour of spray-dried papaya powders. The inlet temperature of 150 °C achieved the highest solubility (48.17 ± 4.51 s/g) with moderate process yield (74.01% ± 7.69%) and moisture content (5.91% ± 0.70% dry basis) which was considered as optimal drying temperature. The reconstituted powder showed no significant effect in viscosity, pH, and colour regardless of the different maltodextrin concentrations and inlet temperatures used. The optimized spray powder showed no significant difference with initial spray drying feed in total soluble solids, pH, and b* value.

Abstract Coeliac disease forces on the developing of gluten-free products. Gluten-free cereals may be modified by techniques like cooking-extrusion or by adding compounds like lactic acid in order to obtain mixtures with adequate viscoelastic properties for the developing of baked products. The present work studies the elaboration of gluten-free bread with extruded quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) flour and lactic acid. The influence of feeding humidity (18% and 25%) and temperature of extrusion (60 °C and 95 °C) on water absorption index (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI) of extruded flours was investigated. The results showed that feeding humidity led to changes on WAI. Baking process was studied by varying the amount of lactic acid added during bread baking. The specific volume, firmness and crumb characteristics (average cell size and cell number per mm2) of bread were determined. A control sample based on commercial gluten-free flour and no lactic acid was used. The results showed that lactic acid content did not affect bread firmness. Bread prepared with extruded flours at 95 °C, 25% feeding moisture had higher firmness (p < 0.05) than bread prepared with other extruded flours and control sample. Low level of lactic acid (0.2%) led to bread with high specific volume. The use of an extruded quinoa flour with low levels of lactic acid led to a gluten-free bread with a high specific volume and low firmness.

Abstract The objectives of this work were to determine the biodegradability of starch/glycerol foam and of poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)/starch film using respirometric methods and also to compare these results with conventional polymers – expanded polystyrene and low-density polyethylene. A matured organic compost was utilized as inoculum and sucrose was used as positive reference material. Biodegradation efficiencies (BE) after 47 days were: 35% for sucrose; 34% for starch/glycerol; and 38% for PBAT/starch. Starch/glycerol and PBAT/starch presented BE statistically equal to sucrose, whilst both the conventional packaging used were not degraded (p> 0.05). Infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyses showed that the microbiota rather degraded the starch over the PBAT in the PBAT/starch blend, and also that some starch remained intact in the internal polymeric matrix. This study verified that starch/glycerol foam and PBAT/starch film are highly biodegradable materials and may then be used to enhance the biodegradability of some products such as disposable trays and supermarket bags.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and sensory properties of the meat of Santa Ines lambs subjected to quantitative nutrient restrictions. Twenty-four confined animals received diets with 30% and 60% feeding restriction levels, and were compared to a controlled group without feeding restrictions (ad libitum). After slaughter, the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle was collected for the evaluation, being the lamb meat was affected by the feeding restrictions (p < 0.05). The lipid content decreased with the increased restriction, whereas the shear strength, the lightness (L*) and the red index (a*) were lower in lambs treated with the 60% restriction and there were significant variation (p < 0.05) in the sensory properties according to diet. Due to the greater score in relation to aroma and similarity to control with respect to flavor, tenderness and overall evaluation, the 30% feeding restriction level can be considered an economic and efficient alternative for the maintenance of quality in lamb meat.

Resumo Apresenta-se o estudo taxonômico da família Campanulaceae na Serra Negra, região com predomínio de campos rupestres e florestas de altitude, localizada no Sul da Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais, no Complexo da Serra da Mantiqueira. Foram registradas dez espécies incluídas em três gêneros: Centropogon cornutus, Lobelia exaltata, L. hilaireana, L. fistulosa, L. thapsoidea, Siphocampylus longipedunculatus, S. macropodus, S. nitidus, S. psilophyllus e Siphocampylus aff. fluminensis. São apresentadas chaves de identificação, descrições, ilustrações, comentários taxonômicos, ecológicos e de distribuição geográfica. Ressalta-se ainda a redescoberta de S. psilophyllus após 30 anos sem registros de coleta para a espécie, o que alertou para outras análises devido ao indicativo de ser uma espécie ameaçada, atualmente conhecida de apenas cinco localidades, em área de ocupação reduzida.

Resumo Mimosa setosa, em sua circunscrição atual, é uma espécie politípica que inclui quatro subespécies e oito variedades. Estudos filogenéticos recentes indicam que esses táxons infraespecíficos não formam um grupo monofilético. A análise morfológica de um conjunto de espécimes obtidos em diversos herbários, incluindo tipos e coletas recentes, associada à aplicação do Conceito Filogenético de espécie permite desmembrar M. setosa em seis diferentes espécies sem táxons infraespecíficos. Congruência entre dados filogenéticos, geografia e adoção do nível de espécie como a unidade mínima para descrição de táxons permite uma melhor comparação da diversidade biológica e uma circunscrição mais adequada dos táxons envolvidos no complexo M. setosa.

Resumo O presente trabalho tem como objetivo contribuir para o conhecimento das espécies de Ulmaceae ocorrentes no estado do Rio de Janeiro. O estudo tem por base a análise morfológica de materiais depositados em herbários e coletas de campo, além da compilação de dados de literatura. Foram registradas duas espécies: Ampelocera glabra e Phyllostylon brasiliense, ambas em estado crôtico de perigo de extinção no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Chave para identificação, descrições, ilustrações, dados sobre hábitat, fenologia e distribuição geográfica das espécies são apresentados.

Resumo Respostas plásticas em plantas podem ser induzidas pela heterogeneidade espacial, sendo a restinga um ecossistema favorável á compreensão dessas respostas em função das condições ambientais limitantes que apresenta. O presente estudo avaliou de forma comparada as respostas plásticas foliares em duas populações de Tibouchina clavata (Melastomataceae) habitando as formações herbácea e florestal da restinga do Parque Estadual Acaraí, localizada em São Francisco do Sul-SC. Nos dez indivíduos amostrais de cada formação foram mensurados atributos morfoanatômicos foliares e do caule. Variáveis ambientais como nutrição edáfica, umidade gravimétrica e radiação luminosa foram mensuradas. As médias obtidas para cada variável foram comparadas pelo teste t de Student. Para cada atributo, foi calculado o índice de plasticidade fenotípica. Atributos morfológicos e anatômicos diferenciaram as duas populações entre si, sendo a população da formação herbácea tipicamente xeromórfica em função das condições ambientais mais restritivas. Condições mais favoráveis dadas pela maior oferta de nutrientes e água no ambiente florestal proporcionaram maior investimento dos indivíduos em crescimento. Atributos anatômicos mostraram-se pouco plásticos quando comparados aos morfológicos. T. clavata demonstrou ser uma espécie morfologicamente plástica que permite a compreensão dos efeitos dos fatores limitantes da restinga sobre o desenvolvimento vegetal, com destaque ás condições nutricional, hídrica e lumínica que induzem ao xeromorfismo.

Resumo O trabalho apresenta o levantamento das espécies de Olyreae na Ilha de Santa Catarina, inserida no domínio da Mata Atlântica, no litoral do estado de Santa Catarina, sul do Brasil. A tribo compreende os bambus herbáceos e está distribuída nas florestas tropicais e subtropicais, especialmente nos Neotrópicos. É caracterizada por apresentar espiguetas unissexuadas, frequentemente dimórficas, unifloras, sem extensão da ráquila e células epidérmicas com corpos silicosos em forma de cruz na zona costal e crenados na zona intercostal. Foram realizadas coletas entre maio de 2011 e março de 2013. Procedeu-se a análise morfológica de estruturas vegetativas e reprodutivas e a realização de microfotografias de antécios pistilados de coleções de herbário. Foram reconhecidos três gêneros e cinco espécies, todas da subtribo Olyrinae: Olyra glaberrima, O. humilis, O. latifolia, Parodiolyra micrantha e Reitzia smithii. A maioria das espécies está presente apenas em alguns pontos da Ilha, em populações reduzidas, em áreas de vegetação mais preservada ou em regeneração. Parodiolyra micrantha é a espécie mais comum e amplamente distribuída na Ilha e Reitzia smithii a de distribuição mais restrita, recoletada após 34 anos no estado de Santa Catarina. São apresentadas descrições, ilustrações, uma chave de identificação e comentários para cada espécie.

Resumo Este trabalho compreende o levantamento taxonômico da família Turneraceae para a Região de Xingó: Alagoas e Sergipe, Nordeste brasileiro. Foram encontradas nove espécies, distribuídas em dois gêneros: Piriqueta cistoides, P. guianensis, P. racemosa, Turnera calyptrocarpa, T. cearensis, T. chamaedrifolia, T. hermannioides, T. pumilea e T. subulata. O tratamento taxonômico inclui chave de identificação, descrições, ilustrações e comentários sobre os táxons.

Resumo Entre as áreas que são reconhecidas pela carência de inventários florísticos no estado da Bahia, destaca-se a região sudoeste, mais precisamente as áreas que compreendem o Espinhaço Setentrional. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar o levantamento florístico e taxonômico de Rubiaceae da Serra Geral de Licínio de Almeida (SGLA), Bahia. Foram realizadas dez expedições de campo para coleta entre julho de 2012 e maio de 2015, abrangendo todas as fitofisionomias existentes na área. Os materiais coletados foram processados e depositados nos herbários ALCB e HUEFS. Materiais de referência foram também analisados em visita aos herbários ALCB, CEPEC, HRB, HUEFS, RB, SPF. Foram reconhecidas 43 espécies, distribuídas em 28 gêneros, sendo Declieuxia (5 spp.), Borreria (3 spp.), Cordiera (3 spp.) e Psychotria (3 spp.) os gêneros mais diversos e, seguindo os estudos florísticos prévios na Cadeia do Espinhaço, houve um grande número de gêneros (19) com apenas uma única espécie. Psyllocarpus asparagoides, Psyllocarpus laricoides, Stachyarrhena reflexa são endêmicas da Bahia e Minas Gerais; Declieuxia passerina e Galianthe peruviana são novas ocorrências para a Bahia, e duas espécies (Randia sp. e Staelia sp.) são possivelmente inéditas para a ciência. São apresentados chaves de identificação genérica e específica, descrições, comentários taxonômicos para as espécies, além de fotos e ilustrações.

Resumo Este trabalho apresenta um tratamento taxonômico das espécies de Apocynaceae ocorrentes na ilha do Marajó, PA. Foram analisados materiais dos herbários IAN, INPA, MG, R, RB, SP, SPF e UEC e realizadas três viagens de campo para coleta nos anos de 2011 e 2012. A família está representada por 33 espécies distribuídas em 21 gêneros, sendo seis gêneros com sete espécies pertencentes à subfamília Apocynoideae, cinco gêneros e 12 espécies à subfamília Asclepiadoideae e nove gêneros e 14 espécies à subfamília Rauvolfioideae. Prestonia annularis é registrada pela primeira vez para o Estado do Pará, enquanto Spongiosperma grandiflorum e Macoubea guianensis são novos registros para a ilha do Marajó. Forsteronia paludosa, até a realização deste trabalho, era conhecida apenas pela coleção tipo. São apresentadas chaves de identificação, descrições morfológicas, informações sobre fenologia e habitat, distribuição geográfica e comentários taxonômicos e ilustrações das espécies; dentre estas, Forsteronia paludosa e Macoubea guianensis são ilustradas pela primeira vez.