ABSTRACT Blueberry farming can be considered an excellent alternative to diversify the family income. In addition, the fruits have several health benefits thanks to the presence of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins, however blueberries chemical composition is affected by edaphoclimatic conditions and bud position within the shoot. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of the bud position on the total phenolic content, anthocyanins, antioxidant capacity, and other quality parameters of blueberry fruits of three cultivars (Climax, Bluegem, and Powderblue) grown in the mesoregion of Pelotas, Brazil. Fruits of these cultivars were harvested from three shoot position. The fruits were evaluated for their total soluble solids content, pH, total titratable acidity, total soluble solids/total titratable acidity ratio, fruit color, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and antioxidant potential against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl radical. The bud position in the shoots influenced the physicochemical parameters of the blueberry fruits of all cultivars. Fruits harvested from apical levels had higher content of soluble solids, pH, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and antioxidant potential, demonstrating that studies aiming at evaluating fruits from different shoot levels are important, as they directly impact the quality of the fruits as well as their biological potentials.

RESUMEN Debido al aumento del consumo y las posibilidades de exportación e industrialización, el cultivo de arándanos se ha expandido en Brasil. Dado que Rabbiteye es uno de los grupos de arándanos más cultivados en Brasil, este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la caracterización productiva del cultivar Bluegem de arándano, grupo Rabbiteye. Las evaluaciones se realizaron con plantas en plena producción durante dos temporadas de cosecha. Se recolectaron datos para las siguientes variables: distribución de yemas florales y vegetativas, flores abiertas y frutos formados en ramas de dos longitudes diferentes, y número de primordios florales. Los resultados mostraron mayor cantidad de yemas vegetativas y la intercalación entre yemas florales y vegetativas en una proporción de 78% y 48% en brotes largos y cortos, respectivamente. El número total de yemas y el número de yemas florales y vegetativas estuvieron influenciados por la temporada de cosecha y la longitud de los brotes. El número de primordios florales estuvo influenciado por la posición de la yema en el brote, pero no por la temporada de cosecha. El número de flores y frutos, en general, fue mayor en yemas apicales y en brotes largos.

ABSTRACT Due to the increase in consumption and the possibilities of exportation and industrialization, blueberry cultivation has been expanding in Brazil. Since Rabbiteye is one of the more cultivated groups of blueberries in Brazil, this study aimed to assess the productive characterization of the blueberry cultivar Bluegem, group Rabbiteye. Assessments were conducted with plants in full production during two harvest seasons. We collected data on the following variables: flower and vegetative bud distribution, open flowers and formed fruit in two different shoot lengths, and number of floral primordia. The results showed a greater number of vegetative buds and the intercalation between flower and vegetative buds in a proportion of 78% and 48% in long and short shoots, respectively. The number of total buds and the number of flower and vegetative buds were influenced by the harvest season and the shoot length. The number of floral primordia was influenced by the bud position on the shoot, but not by the harvest season. The number of flowers and fruits, in general, was greater in apical buds and in long shoots.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological, physicochemical and fatty acid profile of the of “Tambica” (Oligosarcus robustus) raw fish meat and develop and characterize a fish burger. The fish burger was subjected to a sensory analysis. The raw fish meat showed a high content of moisture (82.3%) and minerals (3.1%), a low content of fat (1.5%) and a considerable protein content (13.1%). The raw fish showed a high count of positive coagulase Staphylococcus. Tambica lipid fraction was composed of 41.9% unsaturated and 58.2% saturated fatty acids. Palmitic acid and oleic acid were the major fatty acids in the raw meat fish. The fish burger was well accepted by sensory analysis.

RESUMEN Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el perfil microbiológico, fisicoquímico y de ácidos grasos de la carne de pescado cruda “Tambica” (Oligosarcus robustus); y desarrollar y caracterizar una hamburguesa de pescado. La hamburguesa de pescado fue sometida a análisis sensorial. La carne de pescado cruda mostró un alto contenido de humedad (82,3%) y minerales (3,1%), bajo contenido de grasa (1,5%) y un contenido de proteína considerable (13,1%). El pescado crudo mostró un recuento alto de Staphylococcus coagulasa positivo. La fracción lipídica de Tambica estaba compuesta por un 41,9% de ácidos grasos insaturados y 58,2% de ácidos grasos saturados. El ácido palmítico y el ácido oleico fueron los principales ácidos grasos en el pescado de carne cruda. La hamburguesa de pescado fue bien aceptada por el análisis sensorial.

ABSTRACT Synthetic preservatives are widely present in processed foods, but most of them have carcinogenic potential, requiring the development of new natural alternatives such as fruit extracts, for microbial control. The objective of the study was to evaluate the chemical characterization, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of the sugar apple pulp (Annona squamosa L.). Physicochemical characteristics were evaluated, an extract was prepared, and its antioxidant activity by DPPH method and antimicrobial by disk diffusion. Minimal inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration against strains of Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated. The physicochemical analysis revealed that sugar apple pulp had 75.0% moisture, 3.0% ash, 4.0% protein, 0.2% lipids, 3.3% fibers, and 14.5% carbohydrates. The antioxidant activity of the extract by the DPPH method was 20.6%. The pulp extract from the sugar apple had inhibition zone for Staphylococcus aureus, satisfactory inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella Typhimurium, but did not present a bactericidal effect. Sugar apple pulp presents adequate levels of nutrients and potential for food application due to its microbiological activity and antioxidant properties.

RESUMEN Los conservantes sintéticos están ampliamente presentes en los alimentos procesados, pero la mayoría tienen potencial carcinogénico, lo que requiere el desarrollo de nuevas alternativas naturales para el control microbiano, como los extractos de frutas. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la caracterización química, la actividad antioxidante y antimicrobiana de la pulpa de manzana de azúcar (Annona squamosa L.). Se evaluaron las características fisicoquímicas, y se evaluó su actividad antioxidante mediante el método DPPH y antimicrobiano por difusión en disco, concentración inhibitoria mínima y concentración bactericida mínima contra cepas de Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes y Staphylococcus aureus. El análisis fisicoquímico reveló que la pulpa de manzana de azúcar tiene 75.0% de humedad, 3.0% de cenizas, 4.0% de proteínas, 0.2% de lípidos, 3.3% de fibras y 14.5% de carbohidratos. La actividad antioxidante del extracto por el método DPPH fue del 20.6%. El extracto de pulpa de la manzana de azúcar tenía zona de inhibición para Staphylococcus aureus, efecto inhibidor satisfactorio contra Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes y Salmonella Typhimurium, pero no presenta efecto bactericida. La pulpa de manzana de azúcar presenta niveles adecuados de nutrientes y potencial para la aplicación de alimentos debido a su actividad microbiológica y propiedades antioxidantes.