Cultivation of “Roxo de Valinhos” Fig Tree in Different Plant Densities for Production of Green Figs for Industry in the Region of Campo Das Vertentes-MG

The objective of this work was to study the effect of different planting densities on the development and production of “Roxo de Valinhos” green figs for industry, in the Campo das Vertentes-MG region. The experiment was installed at the Risoleta Neves Experimental Field—CERN/EPAMIG. The plants used were three years old and were arranged in three randomized blocks, subject to three different planting densities, with spacings ranging from 1 m (4000 plants·ha-1), 1.5 m (2666 plants·ha-1), and 2 m (2000 plants·ha-1) between plants in the planting line and 2.5 m between row for all planting densities. The average length of the branches (m), average number of fruits per branch, average number of fruits per plant, average weight of fruits, average yield per plant and the average yield per hectare (kg) were evaluated. It was verified that, there were no significant differences in the length of branch and in the average weight of fruit, in the three densities of fig tree planting. (4000 plants·ha-1), the average number of fruits per branch (7.5), per plant (55.87) and yield per plant (878.93 kg) were lower, however. The average yield per hectare (3515.73 kg) was higher than in other growing densities. It is concluded that, the higher density of plants (4000 plants·ha-1), provides the highest productivity per area, without damages to the quality of the fruits.

Novel Protease from Aspergillus tamarii URM4634: Production and Characterization Using Inexpensive Agroindustrial Substrates by Solid-State Fermentation

This study reports the protease production from Aspergillus tamarii using agroindustrial residues as substrate for solid-state fermentation (SSF) and biochemical characterization. The highest protease production was obtained using wheat bran as substrate at 72 h fermentation with maximum proteolytic activity of 401.42 U/mL, collagenase of 243.0 U/mL and keratinase of 19.1 U/mL. The protease exhibited KM = 18.7 mg/mL and Vmax = 28.5 mg/mL/min. The optimal pH was 8.0 and stable in a wide pH range (5.0 - 11.0) during 24 h. The optimum temperature was 40°C. The proteolytic activity was inhibited by Cu2+ (33.98%) and Hg2+ (22.69%). The enzyme was also inhibited by PMSF (65.11%), indicating that is a Serine Protease. These properties suggest that alkaline protease from A. tamarii URM4634 is suitable for application in food industries and leather processing. Additionally, the present findings opened new vistas in the utilization of wheat bran and other effective agroindustrial wastes as substrates for SSF.

Comparative Studies of <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i>var. </i>israelensis</i>Metabolism in Different Concentrations of Cassava Flour Processing Waste Based Media

Techniques of production of enthomopatogenic bacteria are developed aiming to increase the productivity and to reduce the costs of the fermentative process. Like this, it has been using agroindustrial wastes or by-products as nutrient sources in culture medium, having been used, in this study, the manipueira, a by-product of the processing of the cassava flour. Fermentations were performed in flasks of Erlenmeyer of 500 mL containing 250 mL of culture media, conditioned in shaker at 180 r.p.m. and 28°C, and the media were composed by manipueira, in concentrations that varied between 400 and 1000 mL/L. The time of the process varied between 48 and 120 hours. They appraised the following parameters: cellular growth, the production of spores, the reduction of organic matter (COD analysis) and the variation of reduction sugar. Although there was a proportional cellular growth to the manipueira concentration, the production of spores was similar in all the cases, at the end of the process, in spite of the smallest speed of production of the same ones in the highest concentrations. In relation to the variation of COD, it has, also, a percentile minor of reduction in the highest concentrations. In the analysis of variation of reduction sugars, the higher concentrations are the ones that they present larger slowness in the reduction of this.

Potential Areas for Growing <i>Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</i>(L.) under Rainfed Conditions in Mexico

Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub., commonly known as guar gum, is a legume of great industrial importance due to the multiple uses which can be given by galactomannans contained in the seed’s endosperm. Keeping in mind the acquiring relevance of this crop, it was considered of great importance to characterize the physical environment and the natural factors in order to locate the most suitable cultivation areas under rainfed conditions. The software Arc/View version 3.3 was used to process and analyze the information. The optimal agroclimatic requirements of guar gum were identified and each variable factor was matched with those found at ground level. A cartographic mapping was carried out to regionalize and locate the optimal and suboptimal zones. It was determined that in Mexico there is a great potential for its cultivation since it was found the existence of 900 thousand hectares with high or optimal potential and more than 200 thousand hectares of medium and sub-optimal potential where crop can be well established under rainfed conditions.

Ingestive Behavior and Nutritional and Physiological Parameters of Sheep Fed Diets Based on Cashew Byproduct

Objective of this study was to evaluate the ingestive behavior,feed efficiency,and nutritional and physiological parameters of sheep that were fed diets based on byproducts from the processing of cashew.The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with a 4×2 factorial arrangement with four levels of inclusion(6%,11%,16%,and 21%of cashew byproduct)and two forms of processing—with chemical treatment(CT)and without chemical treatment(NCT).The interaction levels of inclusion of the byproduct of cashew versus chemical treatments was not(P>0.05)for the dry matter intake,consumption of organic matter.No effect was observed(P>0.05)for the intake of dry matter in function of the type of chemical treatment used in the byproduct of cashew.There was no effect of interaction(P<0.05)between levels of inclusion and chemical treatment applied or not on the byproduct of cashew for the coefficients of digestibility of dry matter,organic matter and crude protein(P>0.05).The inclusion of the byproduct of cashew did not influence the behavioral parameters,intake and digestibility of the diets of sheep,being recommended to use up to the level of 21%.

Sugarcane Vinasse, a Residue of Ethanol Industry: Toxic, Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Potential Using the Allium cepa Test

The search for fuels to replace petroleum consumption has caused an increase in the production of biofuels worldwide. The ethanol, which comes from sugarcane, is an energy resource with low polluting potential, but its production generates other environmental problems. On average, 10 to 15 liters of vinasse are generated while preparing each liter of ethanol. Vinasse is the final by-product of the biomass distillation, mainly for the production of ethanol, from different cultures such as sugarcane. Because excessive quantities of vinasse are produced, alternatives have been required for use, for example as fertilizer, in a process known as fertigation. These excessive amounts of vinasse applied in soils have generated adverse effects on soil properties and to the organisms. This study carried out the toxic, cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of sugarcane vinasse obtained from two different harvests (Samples I and II), using the Allium cepa organism test. A. cepa seeds were exposed to raw vinasse (RV) and diluted in different concentrations: control soil + raw vinasse (SV);vinasse diluted in water at 50% + control soil (V 50%);vinasse diluted in water at 25% + control soil (V 25%);vinasse diluted in water at 12.5% + control soil (V 12.5%). The chemical characterization of vinasse samples showed a low pH and high concentration of potassium. The results demonstrate that the two RV samples tested are toxic, since no seeds germination was observed. The cytotoxic potential was observed in the sample II of SV and V (50%). All groups evaluated in samples I and II, induced chromosomal alterations, statistically significant compared with negative control. An increase in frequency of micronuclei in meristematic cells was observed in the SV (Sample I) and all groups evaluated in samples II. Based on the results it is concluded that the genetic material of the test-system was damaged when exposed to sugarcane vinasse, suggesting that one should be very careful in the use of this waste that has been used sometimes indiscriminately in soils.

Incorporation of SCBA in Red Ceramics and Sintering in Microwave Oven

The present study investigated the incorporation of sugarcane bagasse ash(SCBA)in red ceramics,sintered in conventional oven and microwave oven,aiming to provide an alternative product,and a sintering process with higher energy efficiency in the production of red ceramics.The raw materials were characterized by XRF,XRD,thermogravimetry,particle size distribution and specific mass analyses.The specimens were shaped by extrusion in two different compositions,red clay and red clay with addition of 20%SCBA and sintered at temperatures from 700 to 1100℃.The conventional sintering occurred for 60 min with heating rate of 10℃/min.In the microwave oven the sintering occurred in a hybrid way,with heating rate of 50℃/min for 5,10 and 15 mins.After sintering the tests of linear shrinkage,compressive strength,water absorption,apparent porosity and apparent specific mass were performed.The addition of SCBA causes an increase in the values of water absorption and decreases the compressive strength and specific mass of the red ceramic.This occurs due to the creation of pores inside the material from the volatilization of organic matter present in the ashes.The sintering in microwave oven,when compared to conventional sintering,promotes an increase in the values of compressive strength and specific mass and reduction of water absorption values of ceramics,probably due to the refinement of the microstructure and the higher densification.Thus the incorporation of ashes can be partially compensated by a more efficient sintering.The use of SCBA and the sintering in microwave oven,showed to be viable alternatives in the development of a more sustainable and light material,promoting the management of waste,reduction in the consumption of raw materials and energy saving.

Use of wastes from the tea and coffee industries for the production of cellulases using fungi isolated from the Western Ghats of India

In this study,coffee pulp(Coffea arabica)and green tea(Camellia sinensis)residues were characterized for use as a substrate of solid-state fermentation for cellulases production.The invasion rate was evaluated,as well as cellulases production by strains of Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma asperellum from the western Ghats of India,on coffee pulp,green tea,and a mixture of both substrates(50:50).T.asperellum(AFP)strain was found to have the highest growth rate(0.409±0.021 mm/h)using a mixture of both substrates.The production of cellulases by T.asperellum was unsatisfactory due to the presence of polyphenols in the supports to which A.nigger cellulases are more resistant.The production of cellulases by A.nigger was linked to the pH of the supports,favouring the use of T and TC.It was found that the extracts produced by A.niger(28A strain using a mixture substrate,28A,and 20A strains using only green tea as a substrate)presented the highest cellulase activities when evaluated using a plate technique producing degradation halos of 2.3±0.1 cm of diameter.Aspergillus 28A strain did not require mineral enrichment media for cellulase production using green tea residues as support of solid-state fermentation.

Fluid dynamics analysis and pyrolysis of brewer’s spent grain in a spouted bed reactor

Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is a large-scale agroindustrial waste that could be more efficiently utilized. This waste is composed of lignocellulosic material and so may serve as a good source of biomass for thermochemical conversion. The present study investigated the fluid dynamics behavior of mixtures of sand and BSG in a spouted bed to assess the viability of the thermochemical conversion of this biomass via fast pyrolysis. Fluid dynamics analyses were performed while varying the mass fraction of BSG (6–80%) and the static bed height (6.6–13.4 cm). Empirical equations for predicting the minimum spouting conditions and the mixing index were obtained using a regression technique, and the selected fluid dynamics parameters were employed in the spouted bed pyrolysis. The bio-oil resulting from this process was rich in phenolic compounds, various nitrogenated compounds (representing precursors for pharmaceuticals) and long-chain hydrocarbons. The products obtained from the analytical and spouted bed pyrolysis processes were also compared.