ABSTRACT: The average yield of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) in Brazil is below the crop potential, and appropriate cultural practices and more productive cultivars are needed to improve crop yield. The Beauregard sweet potato cultivar, originally from the United States, has shown high productive potential. This study evaluated the performance of features of agronomic importance of the Beauregard cultivar in comparison to local cultivars and eight sweet-potato clones in Brazilian regions. For that purpose, two sets of experiments were carried out. The first set evaluated eight sweet potato clones and cultivars Beauregard, Olho Roxo and Ourinhos in Brasília–DF and Itabaiana–SE using as criteria two foliage and six root traits. In the second set, two sweet potato clones (9 and 75), and Beauregard, Brazlândia Branca and Canadense cultivars were evaluated in Piacatú–SP, Brasília–DF, PAD–DF, Canoinhas–SC and Altamira–PA, for the traits: commercial, non-commercial, and total yield. Beauregard presented little foliage production but great root yield across the different environments. Since it has low dry matter content, acceptance of this cultivar may be limited in some regions. None of the sweet potato clones showed stable yield to justify a commercial launch.

ABSTRACT The supply of food products that present adequate nutritional quality is extremely important for maintaining the health of the population. Thus, different techniques have been used to obtain biofortified foods, with the aim of combating malnutrition caused by the absence of essential micronutrients, especially in the poorest populations. This review presents an overview of biofortification, with an emphasis on orange-flesh sweet potatoes (OFSP), and points out the effects of food processing on nutritional compounds. The identification of cultivars and biofortification actions to obtain biofortified OFSP by conventional breeding are presented as affordable strategies to supply β-carotene to alleviate vitamin A deficiency, without having ethical dilemmas related to transgenics. Studies using OFSP have shown promising results in obtaining foods with high levels of carotenoids. However, biofortified species must be validated for crop production viability, target micronutrient bioavailability and bioaccessibility, as well as the effect of processing on nutrients, so that the benefits to human health are effectively achieved.

RESUMEN El suministro de alimentos que presenten una adecuada calidad nutricional es de suma importancia para el mantenimiento de la salud de la población. Así, se han utilizado diferentes técnicas para la obtención de alimentos biofortificados, con el objetivo de combatir la desnutrición provocada por la ausencia de micronutrientes esenciales, especialmente en las poblaciones más pobres. Esta revisión presenta una descripción general de la biofortificación, con énfasis en los camotes de pulpa anaranjada (BDPA), y señala los efectos del procesamiento de alimentos sobre los compuestos nutricionales. La identificación de cultivares y acciones de biofortificación para obtener BDPA biofortificado por mejoramiento convencional se presentan como estrategias accesibles para aportar β-caroteno para aliviar la deficiencia de vitamina A, sin presentar dilemas éticos relacionados con los transgénicos. Los estudios que utilizan BDPA han mostrado resultados prometedores en la obtención de alimentos con altos niveles de carotenoides. Sin embargo, las especies biofortificadas deben validarse no solo por la viabilidad de la producción vegetal, sino también por la biodisponibilidad y bioaccesibilidad del micronutriente objetivo, así como el efecto del procesamiento sobre los nutrientes, de modo que los beneficios para la salud humana se logren de manera efectiva.

ABSTRACT Beauregard sweet potato is an orange color crop rich in β-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. β-carotene improve immunity and decrease of incidence of degenerative diseases. The objective of this work was to introduce sweet potato in the diet through of some food products, such as bread, cake and sweets. The effect of processing on the chemical composition, as well as the quantification of phenols and total carotenoids, antioxidant activity, and sensory acceptability were evaluated. Cakes and coconut sweets presented higher levels of carotenoids. Higher phenolic and antioxidant activity were verified in cocoa sweets. All foods had good acceptability: 86% for bread, 83.3% for cake and 84,4%, and 86% for coconut and cocoa sweets, respectively. Servings of 95g of roasted sweet potato, 330g of bread, 182g of cake, 187g of coconut sweet and 391g end of cocoa sweet, would provide the recommended daily intake of vitamin A for children 10 years and older. It was concluded that the elaboration of foods containing sweet potato is a viable alternative to inserting biofortified foods into the human diet.

RESUMEN Los camote Beauregard son genotipos de color naranja, ricos en β-caroteno, precursores de la vitamina A. El β-caroteno ayuda a mejorar la inmunidad y reducir el riesgo de enfermedades degenerativas. El objetivo del trabajo fue introducir el camote en la dieta a través del pan, pasteles y dulces tipo postre. Se evaluó el efecto del procesamiento sobre la composición química, así como la cuantificación de fenoles y carotenoides totales, actividad antioxidante y aceptabilidad sensorial. Las tortas y caramelos de coco mostraron mayores niveles de carotenoides y cacao, mayor actividad fenólica y antioxidante. Se confirmó una buena aceptabilidad, en la cual el pan presentó 86%, el torta 83,3%, y los dulces tipo postre de coco y de cacao 84,4% y 86% respectivamente. Las porciones de 95 g de batatas al horno, 330 g de pan, 182 g de torta, 187 g y 391 g de dulce de coco y dulce de cacao respectivamente, proporcionarían la ingesta diaria recomendada de vitamina A para niños de 10 años en adelante. Se concluyó que la preparación de alimentos que contienen batatas es una alternativa viable a la inclusión de alimentos biofortificados en la dieta humana.

O mofo-branco, causado por Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, é uma doença importante na cultura do tomateiro. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de extratos de plantas, resíduos animais e subprodutos industriais no desenvolvimento micelial e na produção de escleródios do fungo "in vitro". Os tratamentos testados foram diferentes concentrações de licor pirolenhoso, óleo de nim, glutamato monossódico, biossólido e composto orgânico [(borra de café (50%) cinza de carvão (10%), resíduo de milho (25%), esterco de aves (12,5%) e farinha de aves (2,5%)], além de duas testemunhas, sem adição de produtos ao meio e com adição do fungicida procimidone. O fungo submetido aos diferentes tratamentos foi incubado à temperatura de 22ºC e luminosidade constante de 260 lux. Foram avaliadas o crescimento micelial, a produção de escleródios e a viabilidade dos mesmos aos 7 e 17 dias após a repicagem do fungo para meio de neon. O composto orgânico a 30 % mostrou-se eficiente na inibição do crescimento micelial e na produção de escleródios. Este tratamento, assim como o óleo de nim a 0,5%, foi analisado com relação à sua influência na microbiota no solo por meio de uma análise de respirometria, que indicou que ambos os tratamentos foram degradados rapidamente, não causando assim malefícios à mesma.

The white mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a very important disease in tomato crops. The objective of this work was to study the effect of plant extracts, animal residues and industrial by-products extracts on the fungus in vitro growth. Treatments consisted of different concentrations of pyrolignous oil, neem oil, monosodium glutamate, sewage sludge and organic compost [coffee residue (50%) coal residue (10%), maize residue (25%), poultry waste (12.5%), poultry meal (2.5%)]. Positive control consisted of Petri dishes with PDA medium and negative control treatment consisted of PDA medium with procymidone. Fungus colonies were incubated at 22ºC and light intensity of 260 lux. Variables such as mycelium growth rate, sclerotia production, and viability 7 and 17 days after the transfer of mycelium disc to neon media were assessed. The extract of organic compost at 30% was effective in controlling mycelial growth and sclerotia production. This treatment, as well as neem oil at 0.5% increased soil respiration.

O controle da antracnose causada por Colletotrichum gloeosporioides em pimentão, envolve o emprego de variedades resistentes e/ou fungicidas. A seleção de variedades e de produtos eficientes demanda grande quantidade de inóculo. Assim, é necessário otimizar a produção de conídios em laboratório, estabelecendo as melhores condições para tal. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo determinar o meio de cultura, a temperatura e o regime de luz mais favoráveis à produção de inóculo do fungo. O isolado fúngico foi obtido de frutos de pimentão e cultivado em quatro meios de cultura (BDA, aveia, extrato de pimentão filtrado e extrato de pimentão autoclavado), sob diferentes temperaturas (15, 20, 25, 30 e 35 ºC) e regimes de luz (24 h de escuro, 24 h de luz). O crescimento da colônia foi avaliado aos 7 e 12 dias, não sendo observadas diferenças entre os meios, aos 12 dias após a incubação. Entretanto, maior produção de conídios foi obtida de colônias crescidas em aveia a 25ºC. As temperaturas de 20 e 25ºC foram as mais favoráveis para o crescimento da colônia e para esporulação do fungo. A produção de conídios foi maior quando em incubação sob luz contínua diferindo da incubação sob escuro total, aos 12 dias. Para obtenção de inóculo, indica-se o cultivo de C. gloeosporioides em meio de aveia, a 25ºC, sob luz contínua, por 12 dias.

Control of anthracnose in green pepper involves the use of resistant varieties and/or fungicides. The selection of varieties and efficient products demands great amounts of conidia as inoculum. It is thus necessary to optimize the production of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides conidia in the laboratory, establishing the best conditions for fungus development. The present study aimed at determining the most favorable culture media, temperature, and light conditions for the production of fungus inoculum. The fungus was isolated from green pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum L.) and transferred to four culture media (PDA, oat, filtered pepper extract, and autoclaved pepper extract), under different temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35ºC) and light conditions (24h dark, and 24h light). Colony growth was evaluated after 7 and 12 days of incubation. No differences were found between the culture media. However, the greatest number of conidia was obtained from colonies grown in oat medium at 25ºC. Temperatures of 20 and 25ºC were the most favorable for colony growth and sporulation. Higher sporulation was obtained under incubation in constant light. Cultivation of C. gloeosporioides in oat medium, at 25ºC, and constant light is recommended.