ABSTRACT Grape and cherry mini tomatoes have been conquering Brazilian consumers due to their sweet taste, practicality of consumption, and versatility in culinary use. Therefore, the present work aimed to characterize ten grape tomato hybrids based on genetic diversity and physical and biochemical traits to provide information for the development of new genotypes focused on the appearance and enrichment of nutritional factors. The evaluated hybrids were Aiko, BRSIG, BRS Zamir, Carolina, Dolcetto, Dulce, Guaraci, Santa West, SCI-023 and Sweet Heaven. The experiment was conducted in 2019 in a greenhouse at the State University of Londrina, using a completely randomized design with four replications and six plants in each replication. The plants were grown following the practices recommended for cultivating tomatoes. The physical and biochemical characterization data were subjected to analysis of variance by the F test (p<0.05) and Scott & Knott means cluster test (p<0.05), and the molecular characterization data were subjected to analysis of principal coordinates (PCoA) and Bayesian clustering. Aiko presented the highest fruit mass and size as opposed to that observed on SCI-023, while BRSIG was the firmest fruit with the largest pericarp thickness. SCI-023, Dolcetto, and Sweet Heaven had higher sugar content. The soluble solids content ranged from 6.04 to 9.66 °Brix among the genotypes. Hybrids SCI-023, BRSIG, Sweet Heaven, BRS Zamir, and Dulce had the highest antioxidant activity levels. In the phenotypic characterization two groups were formed. The genotypic characterization showed seven groups in which high genetic similarity was verified among BRS Zamir, SCI-023, and Guaraci, as well as between Carolina and Dulce. The greatest dissimilarity was observed between Sweet Heaven and BRSIG. Both characterizations were useful to evaluate the aptitude of these genotypes as outstanding genitors for breeding programs for the Brazilian market.

RESUMO Os minitomates tipo grape e cereja vêm conquistando o consumidor brasileiro pelo sabor adocicado, praticidade de consumo e versatilidade no uso culinário. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar dez híbridos de tomate grape com base na diversidade genética e em descritores físicos e bioquímicos, afim de fornecer subsídios para o desenvolvimento de novas cultivares com foco no surgimento e enriquecimento de fatores nutricionais. Os híbridos avaliados foram Aiko, BRSIG, BRS Zamir, Carolina, Dolcetto, Dulce, Guaraci, Santa West, SCI-023 e Sweet Heaven. O experimento foi conduzido em 2019 na área experimental da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, utilizando o delineamento experimental em blocos completos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e seis plantas por repetição. As plantas foram cultivadas seguindo as práticas recomendadas para o cultivo do tomate. Os dados da caracterização física e bioquímica foram submetidos à análise de variância pelo teste F (p<0,05) e teste de agrupamento de médias de Scott & Knott (p<0,05); os dados da caracterização molecular foram submetidos à análise de coordenadas principais (PCoA) e agrupamento Bayesiano. O genótipo Aiko apresentou a maior massa e tamanho de fruto em relação ao observado para SCI-023, enquanto BRSIG apresentou o fruto mais firme e a maior espessura de pericarpo. SCI-023, Dolcetto e Sweet Heaven apresentaram maiores teores de açúcares totais. O teor de sólidos solúveis totais variou de 6,04 a 9,66 °Brix entre os genótipos. Os híbridos SCI-023, BRSIG, Sweet Heaven, BRS Zamir e Dulce apresentaram os maiores níveis de atividade antioxidante. Foram formados dois grupos na caracterização fenotípica. A caracterização genotípica mostrou sete grupos nos quais foi verificada alta similaridade genética entre BRS Zamir, SCI-023 e Guaraci, assim como Carolina e Dulce, enquanto a maior dissimilaridade foi observada entre Sweet Heaven e BRSIG. Ambas as caracterizações foram úteis para avaliar a aptidão desses genótipos como notáveis genitores para programas de melhoramento visando o desenvolvimento de novas cultivares para o mercado brasileiro.

ABSTRACT Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated varieties bearing a wide diversity of colors and shapes that may be used by breeders aiming to improve physical and biochemical fruit traits. Hence, in this work heirloom tomato accessions were characterized, gathering information to genetic breeding programs focusing on human food. For that, 67 heirloom tomato accessions were evaluated for fruit size, fruit mass, fruit volume, color, vitamin C, titratable acidity, soluble solids content, phenolic compounds content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three repetitions. Linear mixed model, Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical clustering were applied to data. Five groups were formed by Ward’s clustering method. The accession UEL 300 constituted group A, which had the greatest mass and volume fruit. Eight accessions formed group B and showed mostly yellow fruits. Group C was comprised of 13 accessions, which had the highest levels of carotenoids, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity. Thirty-three accessions that constituted group D did not stand out for any of the attributes, while 12 accessions into group E had the highest content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, along with the highest ratio of soluble solids and acidity. Five accessions in this collection (UEL 296, UEL 146, UEL 238, UEL 231, and UEL 217) stood out for their biochemical traits. The wide diversity for physical and biochemical fruit traits can be explored in tomato breeding programs, seeking to develop new cultivars, and strengthening family farming.

Abstract Banana ‘Prata’ has a significant demand in the Brazilian market, and Minas Gerais is one of the largest banana producers in the country. Scientific studies that evaluate the bananas quality produced in different cultivation regions are still incipient. Thus, this study evaluated the physical, biochemical and sensory attributes of banana ‘Prata’ from south and north of Minas Gerais and Vale do Ribeira (SP). Bananas from south were also cultivated in different production systems, organic and conventional. Data were submitted to multivariate analysis that provided the discrimination of the samples according to the cultivation regions. Bananas from southern presented higher levels of soluble solids and acidity, better taste, higher diameter and overall acceptance, where in the organic bananas were the most preferred by consumers. Fruit from northern stood out in appearance, texture, aroma and color, in addition to greater length. Fruit from Vale do Ribeira had higher levels of total phenolics and antioxidant activity. With these results we can assume that fruit quality is highly related to the specific climatic conditions from each producing region. Bananas from the south of Minas Gerais showed superiority for most of the evaluated traits, reflecting on consumer preference.

RESUMO Há estudos que comparam a qualidade do tomate em manejo orgânico e convencional, mas ainda são inconclusivos e muitos deles não abordam o manejo integrado. Objetivou-se avaliar as características físicas, bioquímicas e sensoriais dos tomates italianos produzidos em manejos orgânico e convencional e no manejo integrado Hightech. Foram avaliadas características físicas (firmeza, comprimento, largura, espessura do mesocarpo, massa fresca e volume), bioquímicas (acidez titulável, teores de açúcares, de sólidos solúveis, de vitamina C, de licopeno, de betacaroteno e capacidade antioxidante) e a análise sensorial dos frutos, baseada na aparência, aroma, sabor e textura, avaliados por 105 consumidores. Os frutos orgânicos apresentaram maior largura, massa fresca e espessura do pericarpo, glicose e vitamina C. Os frutos do manejo integrado destacaram-se por níveis mais elevados de betacaroteno, enquanto os frutos do manejo convencional apresentaram maior acidez e maior teor de licopeno, bem como menor firmeza. Não houve diferença na aceitação do tomate nos diferentes manejos, embora a maioria dos consumidores preferiram os tomates orgânicos, que eram os maiores e os mais doces. Não houve diferença na aceitação dos tomates produzidos em diferentes manejos, apesar da discriminação em características físicas e bioquímicas. O manejo afetou as características físicas e bioquímicas dos tomates italianos.

ABSTRACT Some studies comparing the quality of tomatoes under organic and conventional management can be found in literature; they are still inconclusive and many of them do not address integrated management, though. The aim of this study was to evaluate physical, biochemical and sensory traits of Italian tomatoes under organic, conventional and Hightech integrated managements. Physical (firmness, length, width, mesocarp thickness, mass and volume) and biochemical traits (titratable acidity, sugar content, soluble solids content, vitamin C content, lycopene content, beta-carotene content and antioxidant capacity) were evaluated, besides the sensory attributes as appearance, aroma, flavor and texture evaluated by 105 consumers. The organic fruits showed greater width, fresh mass and pericarp thickness, glucose and vitamin C. The fruits grown under integrated management stood out for higher levels of beta-carotene, whereas the fruits grown under conventional management showed greater acidity and higher lycopene content, as well as less firmness. No difference in relation to the acceptance of tomatoes under the different managements used was noticed, although most consumers preferred organic tomatoes, which were the largest and sweetest. No difference in relation to the acceptance of tomatoes produced under different managements was noticed, despite the discrimination in physical and biochemical traits. Hence, the managements affected only the physical and biochemical traits of Italian tomatoes.

RESUMO O quiabo é vegetal consumido em vários países e é importante fonte de nutrientes para a alimentação humana. Para promover a produção e o consumo de quiabo, é essencial o desenvolvimento de novos genótipos com altos níveis nutricionais, além de características agronômicas desejáveis. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar nove genótipos de quiabo por características agronômicas e bioquímicas. Os acessos UEL2, UEL3, UEL5, UEL6, UEL7, UEL9, UEL10, UEL13 e UEL15 foram cultivados em condições de campo e avaliados em relação à produtividade, peso do fruto, diâmetro do fruto, número de frutos por planta e altura da planta. As análises bioquímicas incluíram composição mineral, teor de proteína bruta, teor de vitamina C, teor total de flavonoides e fenólicos e atividade antioxidante. O genótipo UEL7 destacou-se pelos altos níveis de características bioquímicas, como conteúdo de alguns minerais, vitamina C e atividade antioxidante. Por outro lado, o UEL3 apresentou baixo desempenho para características bioquímicas, mas destacou-se por características agronômicas, como produtividade e número de frutos por planta. Portanto, as raças UEL7 e UEL3 podem ser introduzidas em programas de melhoramento focados na alimentação humana e no desempenho agronômico, além de contribuir para a conservação de germoplasma de quiabo.

ABSTRACT Okra is consumed in several countries and is an important source of nutrients for human food. To promote okra production and consumption is essential the development of new cultivars with high nutritional levels, besides desirable agronomic traits. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate nine okra landraces by agronomic and biochemical traits. The accessions UEL2, UEL3, UEL5, UEL6, UEL7, UEL9, UEL10, UEL13 and UEL15 were grown in open field condition and evaluated in relation to fruit yield, fruit weight, fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant and plant height. The biochemical analysis included mineral composition, crude protein content, vitamin C content, total flavonoid and phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The UEL7 accession stood out for the high levels for biochemical traits such as content of some minerals, vitamin C and antioxidant activity. On the other hand, UEL3 accession had a low performance for biochemical traits, but stood out for agronomic traits such as fruit yield and number of fruits per plant. Hence, the UEL7 and UEL3 landraces may be introduced in breeding programs focused on human food and agronomic performance, beyond to contribute for okra germplasm conservation.

RESUMO A cada ano, novas cultivares geradas por programas internacionais de melhoramento adentram no mercado brasileiro. Essas cultivares necessitam ser testadas quanto à sua adaptação ao clima de cada ambiente devido à grande variedade de climas existentes no país. O morango é um pseudofruto altamente apreciado devido às suas características bioquímicas e sensoriais, sendo considerado o mais importante. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as propriedades físicas, bioquímicas e sensoriais por meio da avaliação sensorial de morangos comercialmente cultivados na região do sul de Minas Gerais, que é caracterizada por climas tropicais de altitude. Os dados foram analisados e os parâmetros estatísticos foram gerados por meio da análise de componentes principais (ACP), mapas de calor e dendrogramas para determinar o perfil genético de cada cultivar, bem como sua relação. Os tratamentos e variáveis analisadas foram divididos em quatro grupos com base no método UPGMA. Considerando os programas de melhoramento visando identificar e selecionar genótipos de morangos com melhores propriedades bioquímicas, o grupo III (‘Albion’ e ‘Oso Grande’) foi selecionado devido à sua alta atividade antioxidante DPPH, teor de antocianina intermediário e compostos fenólicos totais. A cultivar Albion apresentou excelentes atributos bioquímicos, principalmente no que se refere aos níveis de glicose, frutose, compostos fenólicos e capacidade antioxidante (FRAP e DPPH). Com base no agrupamento hierárquico e na qualidade sensorial dos pseudofrutos, a cultivar Camarosa apresentou os menores escores para a maioria dos atributos sensoriais avaliados. As cultivares Minas-C e Oso Grande apresentaram as maiores pontuações para todos os atributos avaliados, incluindo aceitação geral, aroma, cor e intenção de compra.

ABSTRACT New cultivars generated each year by international breeding programs enter the Brazilian market. These cultivars need to be tested for their adaptation to the climate in each environment due to the great variety of climates that exist in the country. Strawberry is a highly appreciated fruit due to its biochemical and sensory characteristics and is considered the most important berry. The objective of this study was to determine the physical, biochemical, and sensory properties by performing a sensory evaluation of strawberry fruits, commercially cultivated in the South Minas Gerais region, which is characterized by high-altitude tropical climates. Data were analyzed, and statistical parameters were generated using the principal component analysis (PCA), heat maps, and dendrograms to determine the genetic profile of each cultivar, as well as their relationship. The treatments and analyzed variables were divided into four groups based on the UPGMA method. Considering breeding programs aiming to identify and select strawberries genotypes with better biochemical properties, group III (‘Albion’ and ‘Oso Grande’) was selected due to its high DPPH antioxidant activity, intermediate anthocyanin content, and total phenolic compounds. The Albion cultivar showed excellent biochemical attributes, especially with regard to the levels of glucose, fructose, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity (FRAP and DPPH). Based on the hierarchical grouping and sensorial quality of fruits, the Camarosa cultivar had the lowest scores for most of the sensory attributes evaluated. Minas-C and Oso Grande cultivars presented the highest scores for all the evaluated attributes, including overall acceptance, aroma, color, and purchase intention.

ABSTRACT The evaluation of genetic diversity among the accessions of a germplasm collection results in information about promising materials suitable for breeding programs. Thus, the goal of this work was to characterize Capsicum baccatum accessions from different Brazilian regions, based on morphological, biochemical and molecular traits, aiming to support chili pepper breeding programs. The fruits were morphologically characterized based on fruit length, diameter, fresh mass and pericarp thickness, and biochemically analyzed for their content in ascorbic and phenolic acids, flavonoid and antioxidant activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. All phenotypic traits showed significant differences among the chili pepper accessions, indicating a wide variability. The fruits were also characterized using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular markers. The combination of six AFLP primers resulted in 1117 bands, 1033 of which were polymorphic. Divergence between accessions was estimated by the Ward’s hierarchical agglomerative clustering method, resulting in three and two clusters for fruit phenotypic traits and molecular data, respectively. In Bayesian analysis, molecular data also clustered the accessions in two groups. There was no association between the phenotypic descriptors and AFLP markers, indicating that both characterizations are important to better understand the genetic variability. Furthermore, it was not possible to group the accessions solely based on their origin for neither phenotypic descriptors and AFLP markers. The accessions G1, G5, G6, and G20 showed interesting characteristics and can be used in breeding programs, aiming the development of Capsicum spp. cultivars with desirable morphological and biochemical traits.

RESUMO Capsicum baccatum é uma das principais espécies de pimenta cultivadas e consumidas na América do Sul. No Brasil, C. baccatum var. pendulum é amplamente cultivada, especialmente a pimenta do tipo “dedo-de-moça”. Para a maioria das culturas hortícolas, incluindo as espécies de Capsicum, a diversidade genética permanece subexplorada para características relacionadasà qualidade dos frutos, uma vez que nos últimos anos os esforços dos programas de melhoramento têm concentrado principalmente no bom desempenho agronômico. Assim, o investimento na avaliação de características como sabor, compostos nutricionais e características de promoção da saúde, como o teor de antioxidantes em variedades tradicionais, é muito importante para apoiar os esforços de melhoramento para a qualidade dos frutos. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi acessar as variações nos teores de sólidos solúveis, acidez, capsaicinoides, vitamina C, compostos fenólicos totais e atividade antioxidante (in vitro e in vivo) de cinco acessos de pimentas “dedo-de-moça”. Os resultados indicaram que os acessos UEL111 e UEL112 apresentaram os maiores valores de sólidos solúveis totais (TSS) e relação (TSS/acidez total titulável). Os acessos UEL110 e UEL112 apresentaram maior concentração de vitamina C e conteúdo fenólico total e o acesso UEL113 apresentou maior concentração de capsaicinoides. Ensaios antioxidantes in vitro sugerem UEL114 com maior atividade antioxidante. Ensaios antioxidantes in vivo não identificaram diferenças entre os acessos e provaram o efeito antioxidante dos extratos de pimenta na proteção celular contra o agente de estresse. Estes resultados permitiram identificar acessos que podem ser explorados em programas de melhoramento de pimenta para qualidade de frutos.

ABSTRACT Capsicum baccatum is one of the main chili pepper species grown and consumed in South America. In Brazil, C. baccatum var. pendulum is widely cultivated, especially “dedo-de-moça” type. For most horticultural crops, including Capsicum species their diversity remains under-explored for traits related to fruit quality, since over the past half century breeding efforts have focused mainly on good agronomic performances. The investment in screening traits such as flavor, nutritional compounds and antioxidant content in traditional varieties is very important to support fruit quality breeding efforts. Thus, the objective of this study was accessing the variations into content of soluble solid, acidity, capsaicinoid, vitamin C, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (in vitro and in vivo) of five “dedo-de-moça” peppers accessions. The results evidenced that UEL111 and UEL112 accessions showed highest TSS and ratio. Accessions UEL110 and UEL112 showed highest concentration of vitamin C and total phenolic content and UEL113 accession showed highest concentration of capsaicinoids. In vitro antioxidant assays suggest the UEL114 with highest antioxidant activity. In vivo antioxidant assays have not identified differences among the accessions and proved the antioxidant effect of chili pepper extracts on cell protection against stress agent. The results highlighted accessions that can be exploited in chili pepper breeding programs.

RESUMO As indústrias têxteis, durante o processo de tingimento, liberam uma grande quantidade de corantes na água. Além do seu efeito visual e seus impactos adversos em relação à fotossíntese e demanda química de oxigênio, muitos corantes sintéticos são tóxicos, recalcitrantes, mutagênicos e carcinogênicos. Dessa forma, novas alternativas de tratamento dos efluentes gerados, menos agressivas ao meio ambiente, de baixo custo e renováveis tem sido buscadas, como o uso de resíduos agroindustriais lignocelulósicos, como adsorventes de corantes. Neste estudo, cana-de-açúcar e fibras de coco foram estudadas quanto à capacidade de adsorver o corante Remazol Brilliant Blue BB e investigar os efeitos do tempo, pH, quantidade de material adsorvente e concentração de corante na adsorção do corante. O melhor tempo de adsorção foi de 24 h para fibra de coco e 12 h para fibra de cana-de-açúcar. Para ambas as fibras, o pH ótimo para a adsorção do corante foi 2, e o uso de 20 g L-1 de fibra foi o mais efetivo para remover 50-200 mg L-1 de Remazol Brilliant Blue BB, com porcentagens de adsorção acima 90,50% observados para ambas as fibras.

ABSTRACT The textile industries, during the dyeing process, release a large amount of dyes in the water. In addition to its visual effect and its adverse impacts on photosynthesis and chemical oxygen demand, many synthetic dyes are toxic, recalcitrant, mutagenic and carcinogenic. In this way, new alternatives of treatment of the generated effluents, less aggressive to the environment, of low cost and renewable have been sought, as the use of lignocellulosic agricultural residues, like dyes adsorbents. In this study, sugar cane and coconut fibers were studied for their ability to adsorb Remazol Brilliant Blue BB dye, and the effects of time, pH, amount of adsorbent material and dye concentration on dye adsorption were investigated. The optimal adsorption time was 24 h for coconut fiber and 12 h for sugar cane fiber. For both fibers, the optimal pH for the adsorption of dye was 2, and the use of 20 g L-1 of fiber was the most effective for removing 50-200 mg L-1 of Remazol Brilliant Blue BB, with adsorption percentages of above 90.50% observed for both fibers.

Resumo O feijão-vagem (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) é uma leguminosa economicamente importante em todo o mundo, devido à sua boa qualidade nutricional, considerada fonte de proteínas, fibras, vitaminas e minerais. Além disso, esta hortaliça apresenta altos níveis de compostos fenólicos e atividade antioxidante, fatores que contribuem para a prevenção contra os efeitos de oxidação por radicais livres. Assim, o presente estudo caracterizou cinco genótipos de feijão-vagem (UEL 1, UEL 2, UEL 405, UEL 415 e Alessa) em relação à concentração de aminoácidos, ao teor de compostos fenólicos totais e à atividade antioxidante. A análise de aminoácidos indicou que os genótipos UEL 415 e UEL 2 apresentaram as maiores concentrações de ácido glutâmico e histidina, com 12,9 e 2,27 g/ 100 g, respectivamente. No entanto, apenas o genótipo UEL 1 apresentou as maiores concentrações de compostos fenólicos totais (0,492 mg GAE / 100 g) e a capacidade antioxidante por captura de radicais DPPH• (64,71%). Os genótipos UEL 1, UEL 2 e UEL 415 apresentaram características desejáveis para o programa de melhoramento genético de feijão e exploração comercial por indústrias de alimentos.

Abstract The snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an economically important legume worldwide due to its good nutritional quality, being considered as a source of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, snap beans present high phenolic compound levels and antioxidant activity, factors that contribute in the prevention of the oxidation effects by free radicals. Hence, the present study characterized five snap bean genotypes (UEL 1, UEL 2, UEL 405, UEL 415 and Alessa) with respect to their amino acid concentrations, total phenolic compound contents and antioxidant activities. The amino acid analysis indicated that UEL 415 showed the highest glutamic acid content (12.9 g / 100 g) and UEL 2 the highest histidine content (2.27 g / 100 g). However, only the UEL 1 genotype showed the highest total phenolic compound content (0.492 mg GAE / 100 g) and highest antioxidant activity according to DPPH• radical scavenging (64.71%). The UEL 1, UEL 2 and UEL 415 genotypes presented desirable chemical characteristics for genetic improvement programmes and their commercial exploitation by food industries.