Abstract The demands of high-quality zucchini fruits by the consumer market make studies regarding the improvement of cultivation systems, such as plant nutrition and salinity tolerance. Considering the demands of the consumer market for the high quality of zucchini fruits, it is necessary studies regarding the improvement of production systems for this improvement, such as nutrition and salinity tolerance to plant. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the zucchini fruits quality characteristics, grown in soilless, under N:K ratios, and levels of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment in pots with 8.2 dm3 of volumetric capacity filled with commercial substrate. The trial design adopted was randomized blocks, with three replicates, in a 5x3 factorial scheme, with five levels of electrical conductivity (1.0; 2.0; 3.0; 4.0; and 5.0 dS m-1) and three N:K ratios (2:1; 1:1; and 1:2), both in the nutrient solution. The application of the nutrient solution was by fertigation through drip irrigation. Throughout the experiment, variables related to fruit quality and total plant biomass production were analyzed. The increase of the electrical conductivity in the nutrient solution provided an increase in the values of fruits organoleptic properties. Regarding the nutrient solution N:K ratios, the 1:2 ratio provided larger fruits and a higher percentage of water.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the influence of cladode pruning on apical dominance in the production and post-harvest of pitaya fruits. The experiment was carried out at the Sítio das Pitaya do Pará, which is in the city of Tomé-Açu, State of Pará, Brazil. A randomized block design (RBD) in a 3 x 2 factorial scheme was used, with four replications for each treatment. Treatments consisted of three stand positions in the field (beginning, middle, and end of row) and two pruning regimes (with and without pruning). The interaction of factors Pruning and Stand position (P*SP) inhibited sprouting, while the Pruning factor provided heavier fruits and with a better pulp/peel ratio. Thus, cladode pruning provided benefits to plant management, production parameters, and post-harvest quality.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la influencia de la poda de cladodios sobre la dominancia apical en la producción y poscosecha de frutos de pitaya. El experimento se llevó a cabo en el Sitio Pitaya do Brasil, ubicado en el municipio de Tomé-Açu, Estado de Pará, Brasil. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques al azar (RBD) en un esquema factorial 3 x 2 con cuatro repeticiones de cada tratamiento. Los tratamientos consistieron en tres posiciones de rodales en campo (inicio, medio y final de hilera) y dos tipos de poda (con y sin poda). La interacción de los factores Poda y Posición del Stand (P*SP), inhiben la brotación, mientras que el factor Poda proporciona frutos con mayor masa y mejor relación pulpa/cáscara. Así, la poda de cladodios proporcionó beneficios para el manejo de la planta, los parámetros de producción y la calidad poscosecha.

Resumen El objetivo fue evaluar la correlación entre los grados-día de crecimiento (GDC), altura del dosel (AD) y índice de área foliar (IAF) para el pasto Guinea irrigado considerando la diferente combinación de las tasas de nitrógeno y boro y los ciclos de rebrote. El experimento se llevó a cabo de agosto/2017 a agosto/2018, en un experimento de campo y la región climática se clasifica como subtropical. Realizó un experimento factorial (4x3x11), con cuatro repeticiones y corrido en un diseño de bloques completamente aleatorio. Tratos: fertilización con boro: 0, 1 y 2 kg ha-1; fertilización con nitrógeno: 250, 500, 750 y 1,000 kg ha-1 distribuidos en 11 ciclos de crecimiento/corta. Hemos observado la alta correlación entre GDC y los parámetros evaluados para AD y IAF. Los resultados de nitrógeno mostraron una baja influencia en la altura del dosel y el índice de área foliar, y los resultados de boro no presentaron influencia en estos parámetros.

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the correlation among growing degree-days (GDD), canopy height (CH), and leaf area index (LAI) for Guinea grass irrigated, considering the different combinations of the nitrogen and boron rates and cycles of regrowth. The experiment was carried out from August/2017 to August/2018 in a field experiment, and the climate of the region is classified as subtropical. A randomized block design arranged in a factorial scheme (4x3x11) with four replications was used. The treatment was (i) boron fertilization: 0, 1, and 2 kg ha-1; and (ii) nitrogen fertilization: 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 kg ha-1 distributing to 11 growth/cutting cycles. We observed the high correlation between GDD and the parameters evaluated of CH and LAI. The nitrogen results showed a low influence on canopy height and the leaf area index, and boron results did not influence these parameters.

RESUMO A colheita dos frutos de café verdes prejudica a qualidade final do produto, portanto devem ser separados dos frutos maduros durante o processamento. Como a proporção de frutos verdes colhidos pode ser alta, necessita-se gerar informações e tecnologias para o manejo adequado a fim de agregar valor aos grãos oriundos dessa categoria de frutos. Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade dos grãos de café, oriundos de frutos verdes separados durante o processamento por via úmida e descascados após a imersão temporária em água. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos (café cereja descascado e verde manejo tradicional secos em terreiro de concreto, verde imerso descascado e não descascados secos em terreiro de concreto e em terreiro suspenso) e quatro repetições, ao longo da safra de 2018. Após o descascamento da amostra imersa temporariamente, as frações descascadas e não descascadas foram divididas e secas em terreiro suspenso e de concreto. Avaliaram-se o rendimento do descascamento dos frutos verdes e as características físicas e sensoriais dos grãos beneficiados. O rendimento médio do descascamento foi de 62% e permitiu a segregação dos frutos verdes mais desenvolvidos, equiparando-os à qualidade física e sensorial do café cereja descascado.

ABSTRACT The harvest of green coffee fruits affects their quality; they should be separated from the ripe fruits during processing. The proportion of harvested green fruits can be high, requiring information and technologies to adequately manage and add value to coffee beans from this fruit category. The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of coffee beans from green fruits separated during a wet processing and peeled after temporary immersion in water. A completely randomized design was used, consisting of six treatments (ripe peeled coffee fruits dried on suspended yards, non-peeled green coffee fruits under traditional dry management on a concrete yard, and peeled and non-peeled green coffee fruits temporarily immersed in water and dried on suspended and concrete yards) and four replications, in the 2018 crop season. Samples of coffee beans temporarily immersed in water were peeled and separated into peeled and non-peeled fractions and dried in suspended and concrete yards. The peeling yield of green coffee beans and the physical and sensorial characteristics of the processed coffee beans were evaluated. The mean peeling yield was 62% and allowed the separation of more developed green fruits, equating them to ripe peeled coffee beans regarding physical and sensorial quality.

ABSTRACT The quality of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds is directly influenced by their physical characteristics, which are seldom studied notwithstanding their extreme importance in the entire production chain. Therefore, the objective of this study was to quantify the physical properties of two types of sesame seeds, collected at three points in the plant with different maturation levels, measured with digital caliper, and to evaluate the feasibility of using a digital image to determine their physical characteristics. The seeds were initially evaluated for water content and mass of 1000 seeds, and later with the data of the characteristic dimensions A (length), B (width), and C (thickness), obtained by a caliper and digital images, we determined their sphericity, circularity, projected area, and geometric diameter. We observed that water content did not affect the physical properties of the cream (CNPA G4) and black sesame cultivars. In addition, seeds of the black cultivar presented higher results than the seeds of the cream cultivar for the mass of 1000 seeds (2.7 ± 0.08 g), sphericity (58.8 ± 0.47%), projected area (4.03 ± 0.12 mm2), and geometric diameter (1.65 ± 0.03 mm). Seed batches harvested after 70% maturation had the highest mass of 1000 seeds (2.7 ± 0.12 g). The results of the physical analyses of sesame seeds performed with caliper and digital image are equivalent, which shows that digital images can be used as tools to obtain the physical properties of seeds.

RESUMO O feijão-comum apresenta grande importância na economia brasileira e a cultura da mamona ainda é emergente no Centro-Oeste, porém com grande potencial de exploração pelos agricultores em razão das condições climáticas prevalecentes e topografia plana. Desta forma, objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar as características agronômicas de cultivares de feijão-comum e híbridos de mamona oriundos de consórcio e monocultivo nas condições edafoclimáticas da região do Cerrado. Empregou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 4 x 2 + 6, com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por quatro cultivares de feijão-comum (BRS Pérola, BRS Esteio, BRSMG Realce e BRS Pitanga) consorciadas com duas cultivares híbridas de mamona (Tamar e Ag Ima), acrescidos das respectivas cultivares em monocultivo. As cultivares de feijão-comum tiveram a altura de planta influenciada no consórcio com os híbridos de mamona, no entanto, os híbridos de mamona não tiveram suas características agronômicas influenciadas pelas cultivares de feijão-comum. O consórcio entre as cultivares de feijão-comum Esteio, Realce e Pérola e os híbridos de mamona Tamar e Ag Ima foi classificado como viável pelo índice de equivalência de área uma vez que este índice apresentou valores superiores a 1,0 para o consórcio entre estas cultivares, demonstrando que seria necessário mais de um hectare em monocultivo para produzir a mesma quantidade que um hectare em consórcio.

ABSTRACT Common bean has great importance in the Brazilian economy and castor bean is still emerging in Midwestern Brazil, but with great potential of exploitation by farmers due to the prevailing climatic conditions and flat topography. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of common bean cultivars and castor bean hybrids in intercropping and monocropping under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Cerrado region. The randomized block design was used in 4 x 2 + 6 factorial scheme, with three replicates. Treatments were composed of four cultivars of common beans (BRS Pérola, BRS Esteio, BRSMG Realce and BRS Pitanga) intercropped with two castor bean hybrids (Tamar and Ag Ima), plus the respective crops in monocropping. In common bean cultivars, plant height was influenced in the intercropping with castor bean hybrids; however, agronomic characteristics of the castor bean hybrids were not influenced by common bean cultivars. The intercropping between common bean cultivars (BRS Esteio, BRSMG Realce and BRS Pitanga) and castor bean hybrids (Tamar and Ag Ima) was classified as viable by the area equivalence index, since this index presented values greater than 1.0 for the intercropping between these cultivars. This fact indicates that it would take more than one hectare in monocropping to produce the same amount than one hectare in intercropping.

Here, we present a review of the dataset resulting from the 11-years follow-up of Trypanosoma cruziinfection in free-ranging populations of Leontopithecus rosalia(golden lion tamarin) andLeontopithecus chrysomelas(golden-headed lion tamarin) from distinct forest fragments in Atlantic Coastal Rainforest. Additionally, we present new data regarding T. cruziinfection of small mammals (rodents and marsupials) that live in the same areas as golden lion tamarins and characterisation at discrete typing unit (DTU) level of 77 of these isolates. DTU TcII was found to exclusively infect primates, while TcI infectedDidelphis aurita and lion tamarins. The majority ofT. cruziisolates derived from L. rosaliawere shown to be TcII (33 out 42) Nine T. cruziisolates displayed a TcI profile. Golden-headed lion tamarins demonstrated to be excellent reservoirs of TcII, as 24 of 26 T. cruziisolates exhibited the TcII profile. We concluded the following: (i) the transmission cycle of T. cruziin a same host species and forest fragment is modified over time, (ii) the infectivity competence of the golden lion tamarin population fluctuates in waves that peak every other year and (iii) both golden and golden-headed lion tamarins are able to maintain long-lasting infections by TcII and TcI.

Estudo descritivo transversal com objetivo de descrever características sócio-demográficas, clínicas e o nível de independência funcional de 97 idosos institucionalizados nas duas instituições de longa permanência de Itaúna-MG. Utilizou-se instrumento com variáveis sócio-demográficas e clínicas, além da Escala de Independência em Atividade da Vida Diária de Katz. Observou-se predomínio de idosas (59%), média de idade de 77 anos, analfabetos (55%), brancos (67%), solteiros (63%), sem filhos (68%) e 30% que moravam sozinhos e tinham dificuldades para realizar atividades de vida diária, sendo este o motivo principal da institucionalização. A maioria dos idosos (72%) apresentava doenças cardiovasculares; 80,4% usavam neurolépticos/psicotrópicos; 2,1% não usavam medicamentos e 23% eram independentes para realizar atividades de vida diária. Estes idosos demandam cuidados mais qualificados, justificados pela dependência, patologias, riscos de complicações e medicamentos utilizados.

Descriptive and sectional study to describe socio-demographic, clinical and functional independence profile of 97 institutionalized elderly in two nursing homes of Itaúna-MG. A socio-demographic and clinical data and Independence Daily Living Activity of Katz instruments were used. It was found a predominance of elderly women (59%), mean age of 77, illiterate (55%), white (67%), single (63%), without children (68%) and 30% lived alone and had difficulty to perform daily living activities, which is the main reason for institutionalization. The majority of elderly people (72%) had cardiovascular disease; 80.4% used neuroleptics/ psychotropic drugs, only 2.1% did not use drugs and 23% were independent to perform daily living activities. These seniors require more skilled care, justified by addiction, diseases, risk of complications and medications used.

Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, para describir perfil socio-demográfico, clínico y de independencia funcional de 97 ancianos institucionalizados en dos residencias de ancianos de Itaúna, Minas Gerais. Fueron utilizados instrumentos con dados socio-demográficos y clínicos y de Independencia en actividades de vida diaria de Katz. Se encontró un predominio de mujeres con edad avanzada (59%), media de 77 años, analfabetos (55%), blancos (67%), solo (63%) y sin hijos (68%) y 30% tenía dificultad para realizar las actividades de vida diaria, razón principal para institucionalización. La mayoría de las personas de edad avanzada (72%) tenían enfermedad cardiovascular, 80,4% utilizan neurolépticos o drogas psicotrópicas y 2,1% no usó drogas. 23% eran independientes para realizar las actividades de vida diaria. Estos adultos mayores requieren más atención especializada, justificado por la adicción, enfermedades, riesgo de complicaciones y medicamentos utilizados.

Descriptive and sectional study to describe socio-demographic, clinical and functional independence profile of 97 institutionalized elderly in two nursing homes of Itaúna-MG. A socio-demographic and clinical data and Independence Daily Living Activity of Katz instruments were used. It was found a predominance of elderly women (59%), mean age of 77, illiterate (55%), white (67%), single (63%), without children (68%) and 30% lived alone and had difficulty to perform daily living activities, which is the main reason for institutionalization. The majority of elderly people (72%) had cardiovascular disease; 80.4% used neuroleptics/ psychotropic drugs, only 2.1% did not use drugs and 23% were independent to perform daily living activities. These seniors require more skilled care, justified by addiction, diseases, risk of complications and medications used.

Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, para describir perfil socio-demográfico, clínico y de independencia funcional de 97 ancianos institucionalizados en dos residencias de ancianos de Itaúna, Minas Gerais. Fueron utilizados instrumentos con dados socio-demográficos y clínicos y de Independencia en actividades de vida diaria de Katz. Se encontró un predominio de mujeres con edad avanzada (59%), media de 77 años, analfabetos (55%), blancos (67%), solo (63%) y sin hijos (68%) y 30% tenía dificultad para realizar las actividades de vida diaria, razón principal para institucionalización. La mayoría de las personas de edad avanzada (72%) tenían enfermedad cardiovascular, 80,4% utilizan neurolépticos o drogas psicotrópicas y 2,1% no usó drogas. 23% eran independientes para realizar las actividades de vida diaria. Estos adultos mayores requieren más atención especializada, justificado por la adicción, enfermedades, riesgo de complicaciones y medicamentos utilizados.

Estudo descritivo transversal com objetivo de descrever características sócio-demográficas, clínicas e o nível de independência funcional de 97 idosos institucionalizados nas duas instituições de longa permanência de Itaúna-MG. Utilizou-se instrumento com variáveis sócio-demográficas e clínicas, além da Escala de Independência em Atividade da Vida Diária de Katz. Observou-se predomínio de idosas (59%), média de idade de 77 anos, analfabetos (55%), brancos (67%), solteiros (63%), sem filhos (68%) e 30% que moravam sozinhos e tinham dificuldades para realizar atividades de vida diária, sendo este o motivo principal da institucionalização. A maioria dos idosos (72%) apresentava doenças cardiovasculares; 80,4% usavam neurolépticos/psicotrópicos; 2,1% não usavam medicamentos e 23% eram independentes para realizar atividades de vida diária. Estes idosos demandam cuidados mais qualificados, justificados pela dependência, patologias, riscos de complicações e medicamentos utilizados.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a influência de parâmetros reacionais na obtenção via enzimática de galacto-oligossacarídeos (GOS), utilizando-se a enzima comercial β-galactosidase de Kluyveromyces lactis (Lactozym® 3000 L), tendo como substrato a lactose. Foi proposto um planejamento experimental 2³, verificando a influência da temperatura (30 a 40 °C), da concentração de lactose (200 a 400 mg.mL-1) e da concentração de enzima (5 a 10 U.mL-1) no desempenho da reação enzimática. Os ensaios foram conduzidos a 180 rpm e pH 7,0 (tampão fosfato de sódio 0,1 M). A enzima Lactozym® 3000 L apresentou atividade de transgalactosilação, tendo sido atingido rendimento do processo igual a 41,9% e concentração de GOS de 167,5 mg.mL-1 no sistema reacional composto por 400 mg.mL-1 de lactose e 5 U.mL-1 de enzima a 30 °C em 14 h de reação. Nessa condição, a conversão de lactose foi de 65,0%. Maior concentração de lactose foi favorável ao mecanismo de transgalactosilação, enquanto que, em menores concentrações, o mecanismo hidrolítico predominou.

The main goal of this work was to study the influence of the reaction parameters on the enzymatic production of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) using the commercial β-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis (Lactozym® 3000 L) and lactose as the substrate. A 2³ experimental design was proposed, verifying the influence of the temperature (30 to 40 °C), lactose concentration (200 to 400 mg.mL-1) and enzyme concentration (5 to 10 U.mL-1) on the performance of the enzymatic reaction. The assays were carried out at 180 rpm and pH 7.0 (0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer). The enzyme Lactozym® 3000 L presented transgalactosylation activity, reaching a yield of 41.9% and GOS concentration of 167.5 mg.mL-1 in a reaction system composed of 400 mg.mL-1 of lactose and 5 U.mL-1 of enzyme at 30 °C and 14 h of reaction. Under these conditions the lactose conversion was 65.0%. Higher lactose concentrations favored the transgalactosylation mechanism, whereas the hydrolytic mechanism dominated with lower concentrations.

The optimization of a traditional technique of cellular disruption by abrasion was carried out and a process using ultrasonic waves associated with glass pearls to extract beta-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces marxianus proposed. In the first case, the effects of the diameter and weight of the pearls in relation to the volume of cellular suspension and amount of time for cellular disruption were evaluated. The efficiency of the new process of cellular disruption was evaluated by varying the length of time of sonification and comparing with the method of abrasion under the same conditions. The proposed method can be efficiently applied to obtain beta-galactosidase at laboratory scale.

Lactobacillus sakei 2a é uma cepa produtora de bacteriocinas e, neste estudo, procurou-se observar seus efeitos como cultivo iniciador na fermentação de filés de sardinha (Sardinella brasiliensis) em diferentes concentrações de NaCl (2, 4, 6%) e glicose (2, 4%). Com 21 dias (fermentação), os microrganismos deterioradores atingiram 9,7 Log10 UFC.g-1, correspondente a 6% NaCl e 4% de glicose. Sem a adição do starter e da glicose, a deterioração (filés) iniciou a partir de 72 horas, mesmo quando foi utilizado 6% NaCl. Pouca diferença foi observada na produção de ácido lático quando se adicionou 2 e 4% de glicose, já que a acidez atingiu 1,32 e 1,34%, respectivamente (6% NaCl), os quais apresentaram os melhores resultados. O pH inicial dos filés foi 6 e, ao término de 21 dias, atingiu 3,8, 3,9 e 4, equivalente aos experimentos com 2, 4 e 6% NaCl. Este comportamento pode ser atribuído ao poder inibidor do NaCl sobre a microbiota deterioradora. Ao término de 21 dias de fermentação, a concentração de bactérias ácido láticas foi 14,5 Log10 UFC. g-1.

Lactobacillus sakei 2a is a bacteriocin producer strain. In this study, it's effects as a starter culture in the curing process of sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis) fillets were studied at different concentrations of NaCl (2, 4, 6%) and glucose (2, 4%). After 21 days of fermentation, the spoilage microorganisms population reached 9.7 Log10 CFU g-1 corresponding to 6% NaCl and 4% glucose. With no addition of glucose and starter culture, sardine fillets began spoilage 72 hours after fermentation, even when 6% NaCl was used. Little differences were observed in lactic acid production when 2 and 4% glucose were added, since total acidity was 1.32 and 1.34% respectively, the experiments with 6% NaCl presented the best results. Initial pH of sardine fillets was 6.0 and after 21 days pH values were 3.8, 3.9 and 4.0 for the experiments with 2, 4 and 6% NaCl respectively. This could have been due to the inhibitory properties of NaCl over the spoilage microorganisms. After 21 days of the fermentation, the levels of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were 14.5 Log10 CFU.g-1.

Wild golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia) -- endangered primates that are native to the Brazilian Atlantic coastal forest -- were surveyed for the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi with the use of Giemsa-stained blood smears, hemocultures and an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT). Positive IFAT with titers ranging from 1:20 to 1:1280 were observed in 52% of the 118 wild tamarins examined and the parasite was isolated from 38 tamarins. No patent parasitemia was observed among the tamarins from which T. cruzi was isolated. Serum conversion and positive hemoculture was observed for three animals that had yielded negative results some months earlier, which indicates that T. cruzi is actively transmitted among tamarins. In contrast to observations with other sylvatic isolates, those from the tamarins were significantly more virulent and most of them produced mortality in experimentally infected Swiss mice. Some variation in the kDNA restriction profiles among the isolates was observed. Electrophoresis with GPI, G6PDH, IDH, MDH and ME enzymes showed a Z2 profile.