ABSTRACT: Araucaria angustifolia characterizes mixed Ombrophilous Forests. This Paraná pine tree has been of great economic, cultural and social importance for southern Brazil. Its cutting is restricted, as it is threatened with extinction and the use of its seed has been encouraged. This study highlights scientific research on this conifer by bibliometric analysis and reviews trends in new research on its seed and some of its food applications. The Web of Science© database revealed 620 scientific articles and the bibliometric analysis through VOSviewer showed the worldwide interest in growing. The increase in research in the areas of silviculture, phytoscience and ecology reflects the concern with the preservation of “Matas das Araucárias”. Concurrently, research in food science and technology has increased, as pine nut seed can produce starch-rich food flour with low glycemic response and source of dietary fiber and some minerals. Also, along with its husk, provide bioactive compounds with potential application in the special food, active/smart and reinforced packaging and even pharmacological industries.

RESUMO: A Araucaria angustifolia caracteriza as Florestas Ombrófilas mistas. Este pinheiro do Paraná tem tido grande importância econômica, cultural e social para o Sul do Brasil. Seu corte está restrito, pois está ameaçada de extinção e o uso de sua semente tem sido incentivado. Este estudo destaca as pesquisas científicas sobre esta conífera por análise bibliométrica e revisa as tendências de novas pesquisas sobre sua semente e algumas de suas aplicações alimentícias. A base de dados Web of Science© revelou 620 artigos científicos e a análise bibliométrica por meio do VOSviewer demonstrou o interesse mundial em ascendência. O aumento das pesquisas nas áreas de silvicultura, fitociência e ecologia refletem à preocupação com a preservação das Matas das Araucárias. Concomitantemente, pesquisas em ciência e tecnologia de alimentos têm aumentado, pois a semente de pinhão pode produzir uma farinha alimentar rica em amido com baixa resposta glicêmica e fonte de fibra dietética e de alguns minerais. Ainda, junto com sua casca, disponibilizar compostos bioativos com potencial de aplicação nas indústrias de alimento especial, de embalagem ativa/inteligente e reforçada e, até mesmo, farmacológica.

ABSTRACT Despite the great economic importance of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.), information about clonal plantations and planting conditions of this tree is still scarce. Thus, we evaluated initial field establishment of five clonal yerba mate cultivars, planted at three seasons of the year (summer, autumn, and spring) in a shaded environment, and in the autumn, we also established blocks in a full sunlight environment, to compare both cultivation environments. We evaluated plants at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after planting, counting the surviving plants, shoots number, and measuring height and canopy diameter. At 12 months we also analyzed the caffeoylquinic acids (CQA) contents in mature leaves from different environments. Plant survival and growth were not affected by planting seasons. Cultivars Aupaba and BRS 409 had the highest survival rates in all seasons evaluated. The shaded environment provided greater survival and growth than full sunlight, also showing higher CQA levels in the leaves. Clonal cultivars Aupaba, BRS 408, and BRS 409 presented higher growth in both environments. The severe drought in the first year may have affected survival; however, growth was considered satisfactory and plants’ initial establishment was better in the shaded environment.

Abstract The concentration of dairy products is widely applied in dairy manufacturing due to obtaining products with the high dry matter, added value, reduced volume, and an increase in shelf-life. Traditional thermal concentration processes are the most applied in dairy industries, however, high temperatures can damage the bioactive compounds in milk, in addition to modifying the physicochemical, sensory, and nutritional characteristics of concentrated products. This review summarizes the importance of replacing traditional concentration methods with unconventional non-thermal processes, which can bring an option to dairy industries due to the concentration enabling the preservation of proteins, enzymes, vitamins, color, and flavor of the product. Alternative methods, such as freeze concentration, membrane separation processes, and freeze-drying, compose recent works about new methodologies to concentrate dairy products without changing specific properties and increase the quality, which is one of the main purposes for the dairy industries. Through a comparative study with recent researches, this overview highlights some alternative concentration processes that can improve the yield and increase the quality of concentrated dairy products. With new environmentally sustainable methods and the possibility of reducing the costs of the concentration process, these emerging concentration methods become attractive for dairy industries from a technological and economic perspective.

Abstract Fermented milks, with diverse manufacturing, fermentations and specific strains, have been consumed around the world, with a millennial knowledge of their production. These dairy products have a potential nutritional value, taking food industries to invest, nowadays, in dairy products with a functional and healthy appeal due to the changes in the habits and diet of the population. The addition of natural ingredients from vegetables and fruits into fermented milks is a tendency nowadays. The inclusion of natural additives may change the texture, composition, sensory attributes and increase of the shelf life since some compounds are related to have a high antioxidant activity, which decreases the development of deteriorating microorganisms. These called bioactive compounds are synthesized by plants and also may contribute to the fermented milk formulation, in special from fruits, which increase the sensory acceptance. Several classes of fruits bioactive compounds are associated to several health benefits and are a base of many studies about functional fermented milks, reported in this review. This theory background becomes essential for future studies and dairy products development.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do armazenamento na qualidade fisiológica de sementes de cedro (Cedrela fissilis), bem como correlacionar a germinação e o vigor das sementes com suas principais alterações bioquímicas. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 3×5 (três ambientes × cinco períodos de armazenamento). As sementes foram armazenadas por 0, 135, 280, 381 e 515 dias, em: câmara úmida a 5±2ºC e 80% de umidade relativa, câmara seca a 20±2ºC e 60% de umidade relativa e ambiente não controlado (laboratório) a 16±10ºC e 60±25% de umidade relativa. Em todos os períodos de armazenamento, foram avaliados o teor de umidade em base úmida e as percentagens de proteínas, lipídios, carboidratos totais e cinzas. Para os testes de viabilidade e vigor, foram calculados percentagem de germinação e tempo médio de germinação. No momento da coleta, as sementes apresentaram 11,5% de água, 85,5% de germinação e tempo médio de germinação de 13,5 dias, e todas foram negativamente influenciadas pelo período de armazenamento. A percentagem de proteína mostrou tendência de queda, enquanto a de carboidratos aumentou com o aumento do período de armazenamento. A germinação e o vigor das sementes reduzem drasticamente com o armazenamento.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of storage on the physiological quality of cedar (Cedrela fissilis) seeds, as well as to correlate the germination and vigor of the seeds with their main biochemical changes. The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design, in a 3×5 factorial arrangement (three environments × five storage periods). Seeds were stored for 0, 135, 280, 381, and 515 days in: a humidity chamber at 5±2ºC and 80% relative humidity, a drying chamber at 20±2ºC and 60% relative humidity, and an uncontrolled environment (laboratory) at 16±10ºC and 60±25% relative humidity. In all storage periods, the content of moisture on a wet basis and the percentages of proteins, lipids, total carbohydrates, and ash were evaluated. For the viability and vigor tests, the percentage of germination and mean germination time were calculated. At sampling time, seeds showed 11.5% water content, 85.5% germination, and mean germination time of 13.5 days, and all were negatively influenced by storage period. Protein percentage showed a downward trend, while that of carbohydrates increased as the storage period was extended. Seed germination and vigor reduce drastically with storage.

ABSTRACT The plant vigor defined in the laboratory may not indicate the final quality of seedlings produced under nursery conditions, or even their survival in plantations. So, we evaluated the influence of the storage conditions of Torresea acreana seeds on its emergence, as well as, on the morphological quality of produced seedlings. Seeds were collected in October/2011, packed, transported, conditioned in closed glas pots and stored in three environments for a period of 462 days. The treatments consisted of seedlings produced from seeds: 1 - without storage (control), 2 - stored in a dry chamber, 3 - stored in a humid chamber, and 4 - stored in an uncontrolled environment (laboratory). Sowing was performed in 50 cm³ plastic tubes filled with decomposed pine bark and coconut fiber (50/50 v/v) which were packed in a glasshouse. The study analyzed the percentage of emergence, mean seedlings emergence time, stem diameter, total height, ratio between total height and stem diameter, shoot length, mean root length, total dry biomass, root dry biomass, shoot dry biomass, and Dickson quality index. Seed storage proved to be a negative factor for the emergence and vigor of T. acreana seedlings. The vigor of the seeds is a preponderant factor to increase the morphological quality of the seedlings.

RESUMO A importância do desenvolvimento de alimentos com propriedades funcionais provenientes de cogumelos comestíveis vem crescendo, surgindo assim diversas pesquisas para evolução desse mercado. No entanto é necessário a aplicação de procedimentos de conservação, pois se trata de um produto com elevado teor de umidade. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi estudar a cinética de secagem do cogumelo shiitake (Lentinula edodes) por meio da construção de curvas de secagem, ajuste de modelos matemáticos à estas curvas e correlacionar os dados obtidos com o teor em β-glucanas para observar a influência da temperatura neste teor. Foram testadas as temperaturas de 35, 45 e 55 °C a partir de dados empíricos, construindo, assim, as curvas de secagem e quantificando o teor de β-glucanas das amostras. Posteriormente, foi realizada a aplicação de modelos matemáticos encontrados na literatura, identificando aquele que melhor represente a perda de umidade do produto durante o período de secagem. As umidades de equilíbrio resultaram em 0,346% para 35 ºC, 0,892% para 45 ºC e 0,875 para 55 ºC e os teores de β-glucanas não apresentaram diferença significativa entre as três temperaturas estudadas, confirmadas a partir do teste de Tukey. Entre os oito modelos matemáticos ajustados aos dados experimentais, os modelos de Page e Midilli apresentaram os melhores resultados. Portanto, pode-se recomendar como temperatura de secagem de Shiitake 55 °C nas condições estudadas, visto que esta resulta em menor tempo de secagem e mantêm o teor de β-glucanas.

ABSTRACT The importance of the functional properties of edible mushrooms as a food product has been increasing and several studies have emerged to address this issue. However, the application of a conservation process is required since this is a product with a high moisture level. The aim of this study was to investigate the drying kinetics of shiitake Lentinula edodes mushrooms by means of the construction of drying curves, the mathematical modeling of the drying curves, and correlating the data obtained with the β-glucan content in order to observe the influence of temperature on its content. The drying temperatures of 35 ºC, 45 ºC and 55 ºC were applied to construct the drying curves and the β-glucan contents of the samples were quantified. Mathematical modeling was performed in order to identify the best model for the representation of the product moisture loss during the drying period. The equilibrium humidity values were 0.346% for 35 ºC, 0.892% for 45 ºC and 0.875% for 55 ºC, and the β-glucan contents showed no significant difference for the three temperatures analyzed, as confirmed by the Tukey test. Of the eight mathematical models fitted to the drying curves, the Page and the Midilli models provided the best results. Therefore, based on the findings, 55 °C appears to be the optimum temperature for the Shiitake mushroom drying process in the studied conditions, as it provides the shortest drying time and the β-glucan content is maintained.

RESUMO: O pinhão trata-se de uma semente sem glúten, produzida pelo pinheiro da espécie Araucaria angustifolia. Neste estudo, foram desenvolvidas misturas de bolo sem glúten, compostas por farinha de pinhão e farinha de arroz. As misturas de bolo foram produzidas conforme o modelo experimental Simplex Centroid, que definiu as proporções entre a farinha de arroz e a farinha de pinhão na variação de 50 a 100% e 0 a 50%, respectivamente. As misturas foram analisadas quanto à composição química, viscosidade aparente da pasta e distribuição de tamanho de partícula. Os bolos resultantes foram submetidos às análises de aceitação sensorial, textura volume específico e composição química. A farinha de pinhão demostrou ocorrência do pico de viscosidade ao aquecimento no valor de 1,761Pa.s contra 4,747Pa.s da amostra composta por 100% de farinha de arroz. A variação da firmeza dos bolos diminuiu com o aumento da porcentagem de farinha de pinhão. Em termos sensoriais, os bolos contendo entre 25 a 37,5% de farinha de pinhão apresentaram maior aceitação geral.

ABSTRACT: Brazilian pine seeds (pinhão) are gluten-free seeds produced by the native pine species named Araucaria angustifolia. In this study, gluten-free cake mixes composed of Brazilian pine seed flour and rice flour were developed. The cake mixes were produced following a Simplex Centroid experimental design, with rice flour and Brazilian pine seed flour contents ranging from 50 to 100% and from 0 to 50%, respectively. Mixes were analyzed for chemical composition, apparent paste viscosity, and particle size distribution. The resulting cakes were analyzed for sensory acceptance, texture, specific volume and chemical composition. The Brazilian pine seed flour showed a peak viscosity on heating of 1.761Pa.s against 4.747Pa.s for the 100% rice flour sample. The variation of firmness of cakes decreased with increasing percentage of Brazilian pine seed flour. Cakes containing Brazilian pine seed flour at 25-37.5% of the formulation presented highest overall acceptance.

Abstract Pereskia aculeata Mill., a species of the family Cactaceous, popularly known in Brazil as ora-pro-nobis, has high protein, vitamin and mineral contents. High essential amino acid concentrations should be underscored, suggesting a better evaluation of the fractions. Current study quantifies amino acid content and the chemical score (CS) of protein amino acids, determining in vivo digestibility, protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net protein ratio (NPR) of P. aculeata. Plant material was collected, washed, placed in an oven at 60 °C, ground and stored in a freezer for chemical analysis. Diets that maintain isoproteic and isocaloric characteristics were prepared for the bioassay, namely: casein (no protein) and Pereskia aculeata leaves-based flour. Eighteen male albino Wistar rats, divided into three experimental groups of 6 animals each, were used to evaluate protein quality and bioavailability of micronutrients. Pereskia aculeata flour provided as a single source is inadequate for growth, although it is relevant for maintaining protein metabolism indicated by net protein ratio (2.87). It is actually a good quality protein source due to few limiting essential amino acids, and it meets the diet requirements for humans.

A produção de etanol a partir de biomassa lignocelulósica é referida como uma segunda geração de biocombustíveis, sendo que este processo é uma das mais promissoras tecnologias em fase de desenvolvimento. Poucas são as pesquisas disponíveis sobre o uso de enzimas produzidas por fungos como ativos para biodegradação de biomassa lignocelulósica. No entanto, a enzima manganês peroxidase (MnP) apresenta alto potencial para degradar a lignina e os fungos basidiomicetos são os principais produtores desta oxidase. Portanto, esse estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a capacidade dos fungos Lentinula edodes e Lentinula boryana em produzir essa enzima quando cultivados em fermentação em sistema submerso (FSS) e também em fermentação em sistema sólido (FES) contendo serragem de Eucalyptus benthamii suplementada ou não com farelo de sabugo de milho. Na FSS, a maior expressão de MnP ocorreu no 25° dia de cultivo, sendo 70 UI.L–1 para L. boryana e 20 UI.L–1 para L. edodes. Na FES, os melhores resultados foram obtidos no 10° dia para L. edodes, enquanto que para L. boryana foram entre o 20° e o 25° dia, apesar de ambas as espécies terem apresentado valores próximos a 110 UI.L–1. Portanto, os resultados indicaram que os fungos estudados expressam a enzima de interesse e que a sua produção é otimizada quando cultivados em sistema sólido.

The production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is referred as a second generation biofuel, whose processing is one of the most promising technologies under development. There are few available studies on the use of enzymes produced by fungi as active for the biodegradation of lignocellulosic biomass. However, the manganese peroxidase (MnP) enzyme presents high potential to degrade lignin and the basidiomycetes are the major producers of this oxidase. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating the ability of fungi Lentinula edodes and Lentinula boryana to produce this enzyme when cultivated in submerged fermentation system (SS) and also in solid-state fermentation system (SSF) containing Eucalyptus benthamii sawdust with or without corn cob meal. In the SS the greatest MnP expression occurred on the 25th day, being of 70 UI.L–1 for L. boryana and of 20 UI.L–1 for L. edodes. In the SSF, the best results were obtained on the 10th day for L. edodes, while for L. boryana it happened between the 20th and the 25th days, despite both species presented values close to 110 UI.L–1. Therefore, the results indicated that the studied fungi express the enzyme of interest and that its production is enhanced when cultivated in solid system.

Apesar de a cevada nua ser amplamente conhecida por seu potencial nutricional, no Brasil é apenas cultivada em poucas estações experimentais agronômicas. Em relação as variedades brasileiras de cevada nua, não se têm dados sobre a composição química, entretanto instituições de pesquisa têm estudado suas características agronômicas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram apresentar a caracterização química e o efeito no fracionamento da farinha obtida visando à concentração de proteína de seis variedades brasileiras de cevada nua: IAC IBON 214/82, IAC 8612/421, IAC 8501/31, IAC 8501/12, IAPAR 39-Acumaí, e IAC 8501/22. Foram realizadas análises de: cinzas, extrato etéreo, proteína total, amido, fibra alimentar total, solúvel e insolúvel e beta-glucanas. As frações das farinhas foram obtidas por peneiramento e avaliadas quanto aos teores de proteína bruta, proteína, nitrogênio protéico e não protéico. Houve variação entre as variedades testadas (P < 0,05). As variedades IAC 8501/22, IAC 8501/31 e IAC 8501/12 apresentaram o maior teor de proteína (15,69; 15,25 e 14,94% respectivamente). Foi observada diferença (P < 0,05) quanto ao teor de proteína nas frações de farinha de cada variedade, a qual pode ser atribuída principalmente às características genéticas, uma vez que todas as variedades foram cultivadas sob as mesmas condições ambientais. Após o fracionamento, foi observada concentração, em algumas frações, de no máximo 2% em relação a farinha integral. As variedades brasileiras de cevada nua apresentam potencial para consumo humano bem como para a produção de farinhas enriquecidas com alta proteína.

Even though hulless barley is widely known due to its nutritional potential, in Brazil it is only grown at a few agricultural experimental stations. There is no published data about the chemical composition of Brazilian hulless barley varieties; however, research laboratories have studied their agronomical characteristics. The objectives of this study were to present the chemical characterization and effect of flour fractionation on protein concentration of six Brazilian hulless barley varieties, namely IAC IBON 214/82, IAC 8612/421, IAC 8501/31, IAC 8501/12, IAPAR 39-Acumaí, and IAC 8501/22. The analyses included: ash, ether extract, total protein, starch, total insoluble and soluble dietary fiber, and beta-glucans. Flour fractionation was carried out by sieving. The flour fractions were evaluated for crude protein, protein, and protein and non-protein nitrogen. Chemical composition varied (P < 0.05) among all the varieties. IAC 8501/22, IAC 8501/31, and IAC 8501/12 showed the highest protein content (15.69, 15.25, and 14.94% respectively). Differences (P < 0.05) among the protein of the fractionated flours were detected, and might be attributed primarily to genetic background since all varieties were grown under the same environmental conditions. Fractionating the flour increased the total protein content, in some fractions, by up to 2%. These results may be useful in the food industry for the selection of hulless barley varieties for human consumption and to produce substantially protein-enriched flour fractions.