<i>In Vitro</i>Priming of Sugarcane Varieties (RB966928 and RB867515)

Sugarcane, as a glycophyte, shows sensitivity to saline soils at various stages of its growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro priming response in two sugarcane varieties (RB966928 and RB867515). Micropropagated plants, from meristems, received priming treatments by adding the salts (NaCl and KCl) in different concentrations (0.0;12.5;25.0 and 50.0 mM), in the MS medium. Subsequently, the plants were cultivated in rooting medium without addition of salts, acclimatized and submitted to gradient ex vitro saline stress with 20 → 40 and 60 mM, of each salt, for 30 days. The analyzed variables were dry matter of shoot and root, number of tillers and estimation of chlorophyll content. The experiment was carried out in a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, in a completely randomized experimental design. Twenty replicates were used throughout the experiment. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and regression and the means were compared by Tukey’s test, at a 5% probability level. The priming treatments presented a significant effect, with triple interaction, in the chlorophyll index. In the treatment with NaCl, the variety RB966928 showed an increase in the chlorophyll index with the increase of treatment levels, up to an optimal limit of 31.47 mM. On the other hand, the variety RB867515 showed decreasing in chlorophyll index. In contrast, in KCl treatment, the variety RB867515 presented the increase at the chlorophyll index with the maximum point of 25 mM. For the variables, shoot dry matter (SDM) and root dry matter (RDM) there was a significant difference (p 0.05 and p 0.01, respectively) only between the varieties. The variety RB966928 presented higher SDM and RDM in relation to the variety RB867515. Studies are recommended with increasing the duration of the priming treatments and more detailed study of the culture throughout its productive cycle.

Germination of Sweet Sorghum Seeds in Different Water Potentials

The implantation of sweet sorghum has been shown as viable alternative in crop rotation in sugar cane plantation reform areas. The seed environment in the field is complex and several factors, such as different genotypes and osmotic stress, can negatively influence the seeds water uptake and, therefore, the sequence of germination events can be compromised. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the different physiological responses of sweet sorghum seeds (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) belonging to the hybrids CV 007 and CV 147 and cultivar BRS 506 when submitted to substrates with different water potentials (-0.1, -0.2, -0.3, -0.4, and -0.5 MPa) using solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). The seeds remained in Biochemical Oxygen Demand-type germination chambers, under constant white light and the temperature of 25°C for 14 h in the high temperature and 10 h in the low temperature. The moisture of the substrates was regularly monitored. The physiological potential of the genotypes was evaluated using the following characteristics: first count, germination, germination speed index (GSI), root length, and fresh and dry weights of seedlings. In general, germination and early growth of seedlings were negatively affected by the reduction of water potentials below -0.1 MPa, which was also damaging to the GSI of the seeds. Germination and growth of seedlings of the hybrids CV 007 and CV 147 and of the cultivar BRS 506 were affected by reduced water potentials starting at -0.1 MPa. The seeds of hybrid CV 147 were more tolerant to simulated water stress with PEG 6000 than those of hybrid CV 007 and cultivar BRS 506.

Comparisons of the Properties of Whitemouth Croaker (<i>Micropogonias furnieri</i>) Surimi and Mechanically Deboned Chicken Meat Surimi-Like Material

The aim of this work was to evaluate and compare the color, texture and sensory characteristics of whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) surimi and mechanically separated chicken meat (MDCM) surimi-like material (SLM). The whiteness of the MDCM-SLM was higher (P > 0.05) than that from the surimi. Higher breaking force (P < 0.05) and gel strength (P < 0.05) were also observed for the MDCM-SLM when compared to the surimi. The deformation did not vary significantly for these two products (P > 0.05). The MDCM-SLM was more accepted by the panelists (P < 0.05). The mean scores of overall desirability for MDCM-SLM was similar to that observed for walleye Pollack surimi that is the parameter of quality. The differences in the acceptability of poultry and fish food products are probably due to peoples’ eating habits.

Quality of <i>Jatropha curcas</i>L. Seeds Harvested at Different Stages of Fruit Maturation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of Jatropha curcas L. seeds harvested at different stages of fruit maturation and two threshing methods. To analyze the mechanical damage rate an experiment was carried out with five stages of fruit maturation (green, yellow, ripe, dried on the ground and dried on the plant) threshed mechanically and manually. To evaluate the physiological quality, three tests were made;germination, vigor and electrical conductivity, all of them were applied in each storage (0, 120 and 240 days after harvest) and five stages of fruit maturation. It was feasible to infer that the maturation stage of yellow, ripe and dried on the plant fruits showed the best results of the physiological quality of the Jatropha curcas L. seeds. The manual threshing is also recommended in order to preserve the physiological quality of Jatropha curcas L. seeds. When the fruits were harvested at the appropriate stage of maturation (yellow, ripe and dry fruit on the plant) and threshing without mechanical damage, the Jatropha curcas L. seeds are possible to store for 240 days without loss in their germination. Regardless of the threshing system and the maturation stage, the seeds of Jatropha curcas L. lost their vigor from 120 days after harvested, when these seeds were stored in the shadow and in an environment without control on the relative humidity and air temperature.

Evaluation of Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Protein Recovered Obtaining from Whitemouth Croaker (<i>Micropogonias furnieri</i>) Byproducts

Proteins recovered were obtained from Whitemouth Croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) byproducts and their physico-chemical and functional properties were evaluated. The proximate composition, presented 8.64% ± 0.10% of moisture, 85.33% ± 0.12% of protein, 2.69% ± 0.09% of ashes and 2.16% ± 0.12% of lipids, in dry basis. The highest solubility was obtained in pH 11 (93.24%), the maximum water holding capacity was presented at pH 11 (25.71 mL H2O/gprotein), the oil holding capacity was 13.71 mL/gprotein and the digestibility in vitro was 91.32% ± 0.15%. The electro-phoretic profile was observed typical of the myofibrillar proteins, with the appearance of the heavy chain of myosin (220 kDa) and actin (50 kDa). The results show that the products of low commercial value of fish that are usually used for the production of animal feed or simply discarded, contributing to environmental pollution, may be used to produce products with a greater added value.

Social Network and Inter-Organizational Learning: The Case of a Brazilian Cooperative of Fish-Farmers

The inter-organizational learning approach has shown considerable growth in recent years. The concepts of trust and cooperation between individuals present in the New Economic Sociology (NES) approach of social relations emerge with great emphasis and are gaining prominence as a facilitator and propellant mechanism in transferring knowledge inside networks. This study aims to analyze the learning networks formed by fish-farmers organized into a cooperative to identify the characteristics of the network through structural analysis and identification of its critical actors. The study was performed with thirteen fish-farmers of a cooperative headquartered inMundo Novocounty, which is located inMato Grosso do Sulstate in the Midwest region of Brazil. Questionnaires and interviews with closed and open questions were used to collect the data. Measures of centrality (for individuals), density and reciprocity (in relations between individuals) were obtained from ORA software. The findings revealed that experience exchanges between fish-farmers, events participation, meetings attendance, speech audience and technical advice are the main forms of inter-organizational learning. Results suggest that the network has low levels of cohesion and that it is not taking advantage of its full potential. It was also found that there is a subgroup within the network that presents a high level of cohesion and shared learning based on cooperative informal relationships. Grounded in findings, suggestions for future research are presented.

Study of the Process of Extraction and Refining of Pequi (<i>Caryocar brasiliense</i>Camb.) Oil

Pequi fruit is a characteristic of Central Brazil with high oil content. This study evaluated the extraction of oil from the fruit portions by chemical and physical methods and determined an optimal condition for neutralization and degumming of oil extracted by solvent pequi pulp. The solvent extraction of oil was better than the mechanical pressing method. The oil extracted by solvent of the pulp pequi had a higher yield compared to other portions of the fruit. The peels and impurities material of fruit has a negligible amount of oil. The oil extracted from the pulp has better commercial characteristics in relation to the oil obtained from almonds. The operating parameters (temperature and time) studied at the stage of degumming the crude oil were significant at the 5% significance. The Increase in temperature decreases the values of acidity and iodine of the degummed oil.

Acrocomia aculeata(Jacq.)Lodd.Oil Microencapsulation by Complex Coacervation:Preservation of Bioactive Compounds

Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. shows possibilities for pharmaceutical, food and chemical use. However, its application is limited due to the loss of its bioactive components. Microencapsulation may be an alternative to reduce such problems. A step-by-step optimization approach was used in this work for preservation of bioactive compounds. The applied technique to microencapsulate the Acrocomia aculeata oil was efficient, producing between 64% and 99% of microcapsules and 59% to 97% of encapsulated oil. In the experimental design, temperature was the parameter that significantly influenced the carotenoids of microcapsules. Complex coacervation helped to preserve carotenoids and the antioxidant activity, and an interaction between the temperature and the content was observed for such preservation.

Drying,Storage and Osmotic Conditioning of Psidium guineense Swartz Seeds

This study aimed to evaluate the tolerance of Psidium guineense Swartz seeds to air-dry storage and priming. Desiccation tolerance was analyzed for seed moisture content of 15%, 10% and 5%. The longevity of seeds during storage was analyzed in seeds with 5% and 10% moisture content maintained in cold and dry chamber (16°C ± 1°C/40% RH), laboratory environment (25°C ± 2°C/60% RH), refrigerator (5°C ± 1°C) and freezer (-18°C ± 1°C) during 90 days, and the priming effect in seeds that were imbibed for 5 or 10 days in polyethylene glycol 6000 at osmotic potentials of -0.3 MPa, -0.5 MPa, -0.7 MPa and -1.3 MPa. The quality of seeds was evaluated after desiccation, storage, and priming by the seeds germination, fresh weight of seedlings, seedlings growth, and germination medium time. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications of 25 seeds each one. Although a reduction in seed germination and seedling growth was observed in seeds with 10% and 5% moisture content, drying did not cause complete loss of seed germination and seedling development. Sour guava seeds exhibited an orthodox response to desiccation tolerance and storage. Seed germination and seedling growth were reduced with increased osmotic potential of osmoconditioning. However, conditioning of 10 days increased the seeds germination and optimized the average germination time to 20 days. The seeds of Psidium guineense are able to tolerate desiccation and storage for up to 90 days at a temperature of 5°C ± 1°C and priming for 10 days is a promising technique for propagation of P. guineense.

Reduced Sensitivity of Campomanesia adamantium(Cambess.)O.Berg Seeds to Desiccation:Effects of Polyethylene Glycol and Abscisic Acid

The Campomanesia adamantium is a threatened species from Brazil Savannah which seeds are desiccation-sensitive and do not withstand storage. This study aimed to reduce the sensitivity of Campomanesia adamantium seeds to desiccation using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and abscisic acid (ABA). Initially, seeds were subjected to PEG (0, -1.48, and -2.04 MPa) with or without ABA (100 μM) during 120 h, followed fast drying (silica gel) or slow drying (laboratory environment), at 20%, 15%, and 10% moisture content. In the second experiment, the seeds were PEG treated (-1.48 MPa) which provided the best results in the first experiment;the seeds were then subjected to different incubation times in PEG (30, 60, 90, or 120 h) and ABA (0, 10ˉ3, 10ˉ4, and 10ˉ5 μM), following the seeds were fast dried at 15% moisture content. The slow drying should be avoided, even in seeds previously subjected to osmotic conditioning with or without ABA. Seeds submitted to PEG treatment (-1.48 MPa/120h) without ABA and PEG (-1.48 MPa) with 10ˉ3 or 10ˉ4 μM of ABA (90 h), followed by fast drying at 15% moisture content showed reduction of desiccation sensitivity and high germination and vigor when compared to the other treatments.

Physiological Conditioning of Alibertia edulis(Rich)Seeds

Physiological conditioning of seeds has been shown to increase the uniformity of seedlings;thus, it has been useful for propagating native tree species from the Brazilian Cerrado which, otherwise, are difficult to propagate successfully. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of physiological conditioning of Alibertia edulis seeds by soaking for 5 or 10 days in solutions of varying osmotic potential. After conditioning, seeds were dried down to original water content, sown on sheets of germitest paper inside gerbox plastic boxes, and incubated at 25&deg;C. We evaluated the effect of conditioning by studying seed germination and vigor. Seed conditioning by osmotic pretreatment showed positive effects;however, germination and growth of seedlings from seeds conditioned at osmotic potentials of -0.3 to -0.7 MPa were reduced. Osmoconditioning for 10 days at -0.7 MPa resulted in increased percent germination, indicating that the longest imbibition period in the osmotic solution of the lowest osmotic potential (-1.3 MPa) favored the seed germination process. A. edulis seeds did not require conditioning to attain high germination rates;nonetheless, osmotic conditioning reduced average seed-germination time.

Utilization of Agro-Industrial Residues and Municipal Waste of Plant Origin for Cellulosic Ethanol Production

Today’s search for alternative sources of energy to reduce the use of fossil fuels is motivated by environmental, socioeconomic and political reasons. The use of agro-industrial and municipal wastes of plant origin for ethanol production appears to be the best option to solve the dilemma of using food sources to produce biofuels, since it adds value to these wastes in eco-efficient processes. This paper highlights the potential of agro-industrial and municipal wastes for cellulosic ethanol production.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization Promotes Aerial Part Development and Affect Nutrient Uptake by Carobinha of the Brazilian Cerrado

Producing Brazilian Cerrado plants, especially ones endangered, is essential for your maintenance. In this way, fertilization is furthermore uncertain. Here, we demonstrate the impact of soil addition of nitrogen (N, 4.20, 18.90, 31.50, 44.10 and 59.85 mg&middot;dm-3) and phosphorus (P, 9.56, 57.38, 95.62, 133.86 and 181.67 mg&middot;dm-3) fertilizers levels on the development and on nutrients uptake by Jacaranda decurrens subsp. symmetrifoliolata (carobinha), species of the Brazilian Cerrado, in a long term pot trial. The N and P addition together increased plant height and N concentration in roots. N and P also increased the P concentration and content on the roots in young plants, but in the older plants, isolated effect of both was stronger than their combined action. The N addition promoted branching, production of dry leaves and dry xylopodium, contents of K, Ca and P on the leaves, and N content on the roots. However, the N reduced xylopodium diameter, leaf area, and Mg contents in the young plants, but increased them in the older plants. The P addition increased stem diameter and dry biomass, P concentration and N content on the leaves, Ca content on the roots and also reduced N concentration on the leaves. However, the P addition increased Mg concentration on the roots in the young plants and reduced it in the older plants. In general, N levels ranging between 25.69 - 38.85 mg&middot;dm-3 and P levels between 84.39 - 109.23 mg&middot;dm-3 promote more effectively the plant development. Thus, N and P fertilization can promote the aerial development of plant and a differential allocation of nutrients between the carobinha tissues.

Allelopathic Potential of Wheat on Sourgrass Resistant to Glyphosate

We aimed with this study to assay the allelopathic potential of wheat genotypes in inhibiting germination and initial growth of sourgrass (Digitaria insularis) resistant to the herbicide glyphosate. Two experiments were installed under greenhouse conditions: the first one aimed to assay the potential of wheat genotypes in inhibiting emergence and initial growth of two test plants, and the second aimed to evaluate the potential of those wheat genotypes which performed better at the first experiment, inhibiting the emergence and initial growth of sourgrass biotypes resistant to the herbicide glyphosate. Five doses of aqueous cool-extracted extract from 32 wheat genotypes were applied to tomato and cucumber (Experiment 1) aiming to identify the ones with higher inhibitory effect. The five most inhibitory wheat genotypes were selected for Experiment 2, where the same doses of extract were applied on sourgrass. For both experiments, shoot fresh and dry mass, as well as water content, were assessed. Sourgrass germination is affected by wheat extracts, but initial seedling growth seems not to be affected;wheat genotypes differ in terms of their allelopathic potential in inhibiting sourgrass germination;wheat presents little inhibitory effect on sourgrass.

Evaluation of Toxicity of Phenolic Compounds Using Aedes aegypti(Diptera:Culicidae)and Artemia salina

Nowadays, dengue fever, a mosquito-borne tropical disease, has become widely distributed in Brazil. In order to prevent such disease, the population of Aedes aegypti mosquito has to be controlled. Then, the aim of this study is to assess the toxicological effects of phenolic compounds against dengue mosquitos. Hence, the larvicidal activity and toxicity of phenolic compounds against Ae. aegypti larvae and A. salina, are evaluated, respectively. The phenolic compounds 2,6-diiodophenol and 4-chloro-2,6-diiodophenol have different toxicity and larvicidal activity. The compound 4-chloro-2,6-diiodophenol shows the highest toxicity for larvae of Ae. aegypti, exhibiting higher toxicity than 2,6-diiodophenol. Although less toxic than Temephos?(organophosphate), the phenolic compounds evaluated by this research, are proved to be effective against Ae. aegypti larvae. This study demonstrates the importance of controlling the dengue mosquito, considering toxicological aspects of phenolic compounds to prevent environmental impacts.

Cellulosic ethanol and its co-products from different substrates,pretreatments,microorganisms and bioprocesses:A review

Cellulosic ethanol involves the following production steps: physical and/or chemical pretreatment, biological treatment, fermentation and distillation. First three steps are also the bottlenecks for the production of cellulosic ethanol and its co-products. Their production still pose some difficulties in terms of pretreatment, the high cost of enzymes for substrate hydrolysis, the formation of inhibitory compounds in the hydrolyzate, the lack of efficient and viable microorganisms for industrial fermentation of hexose and pentose among others. The solution or minimization of these difficulties may lead to numerous socio-environmental, political, and economic advantages for cellulosic ethanol production. This paper highlights the potential of different substrates, pretreatments, microorganisms and bioprocesses for cellulosic ethanol production.

Gas Exchanges and Antioxidant Activity in Copaifera langsdorffii Desf.Seedlings after Flooding

The Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. seedlings, popularly known as “copaiba” or diesel tree, present a natural occurrence in the riparian forests of the Brazilian Cerrado, however, not much is known about their capacity to recover from flooding, particularly when the focus is on their establishment and use in programs for the recovery of degraded areas near watercourses and subject to flooding. The objective of this study was to evaluate over time the recovery of the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus and the antioxidant activity of C. langsdorffii seedlings flooded during different periods. The pots with the seedlings were placed in a plastic tank and submerged with water, and were removed from the flood condition every 21 days (0, 21, 42, 63 and 84 days), and evaluated every 30 days (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days). The seedlings tolerated the flooding for up to 42 days, recovering after suspension of this condition. Seedlings flooded for 63 and 84 days showed lower recovery capacity after flooding, independently of the evaluation period. Under these conditions, lower efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus, gas exchange, photo assimilate production and seedling quality were observed.

Synthesis and structure of a praseodymium (Ⅲ) complex with carboxylate ligand：A thermal and spectroscopic study

One Pr（Ⅲ） lanthanide ion complex was initially synthesized and characterized by TGA-DSC in air atmosphere, as well as characterized by CHN elemental analysis, defining the stoichiometric ratio as Pr（DMBz）3. The gaseous products evolved during the thermal decomposition were also monitored in N2 atmosphere employing TGA/FT-IR system. A crystal structure is obtained by state-of-the-art powder X-rays diffraction methods measured in conventional laboratory equipment and refined by the Rietveld method, which defined it as a monoclinic system of the space group P21/C with a polymeric crystal structure, [Pr（DMBZ）3]n. FT-IR theoretical spectrum and time-dependent density functional theory（TD-DFT） were calculated from TGA-DSC and crystalline system data. The experimental and theoretical FT-IR spectra present a high correlation degree when the main stretching bands are compared, while the energy transfer（HOMO - LUMO） in their neighborhoods suggests the main contributions of the light-emitting states.

Applying multi-criteria analysis to select the most appropriate broiler rearing environment

The present study aimed to assess the most appropriate rearing system for broiler housing in tropical regions using the Analytical Hierarchy Process(AHP).The research was done using data sampling from a field study carried out in eight mechanically-ventilated commercial broiler houses.Four had positive ventilation(open-sided conventional system),and the other four had negative pressure systems,which were named according to the curtains color and light management(blue-house with blue curtains,and dark-house with black side curtains).The data from the field research(rearing dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity;ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations;energy use;litter type and quality;and broiler performance)were organized,and the multi-criteria analysis AHP was applied.In the process,the decision-maker must define the problem and chose the criteria to evaluate the alternatives to make a suitable decision.The alternative selected needs to be according to the stakeholders’expectations.The alternatives consisted of houses using three ventilation systems(conventional,blue-house,and dark-house).The different chosen criteria were the thermal and aerial environment,broiler productivity,energy consumption,and litter quality.We selected data collected from the field experiment and from current literature to subsidize the selection of the criteria.The computation was done using field data results,knowledge from existing literature,and the expertise of three specialists.For the first time,the AHP technique is applied to select the most suitable broiler housing,considering the complex variables involved in the process.Results indicated the conventional system as the most appropriate alternative.Results of the conventional system showed the highest scores on most criteria in the pairwise comparison.Which considered broiler performance,gasses concentration,and electricity cost,providing natural ventilation open-sided conventional house as the most appropriate rearing system for broiler production in tropical countries.