This study aimed to evaluate the quality of minimally - processed cassava treated with antioxidants and a starch - based edible coating. Cassava roots were washed, cooled, immersed in cold water, peeled and then cut. Root pieces were then immersed in a chloride solution, centrifuged, and subsequently immersed in either a starch suspension (3%), a solution containing antioxidants (3% citric acid and 3% ascorbic acid), or in both the coating and antioxidant solutions. Coated root pieces were dried at 18 ± 2°C for 1 hour, then packaged into polypropylene bags (150 g per pack) and kept at 5 ± 2°C for 15 days, and assessed every 3 days. A completely randomized design was used in a 4 × 6 factorial consisting of the treatment (control, coating, antioxidant, or coating and antioxidant) and the storage period (0, 3 6, 9, 12 or 15 days), with three replicates in each group. The pH, blackened area and peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities of the cassava was reduced in treatments containing antioxidants and the scores of visual analysis and phenolic content were higher. Therefore, treatment with antioxidants was effective for reducing browning in minimally - processed cassava, retaining the quality of cassava pieces stored for 15 days at 5 ± 2°C. The combination of antioxidants and the edible coating showed no improvement compared to treatment with antioxidants alone.

Cupuaçu ( Theobroma grandiflorum Schum.) is an exotic fruit with a promising economic potential, particularly due to its strong aroma and creamy texture. This study aimed to produce sweetened cupuaçu puree and evaluate the effects of packaging corrosion on its sensory properties and shelf - life in tinplated cans. After 240 days of storage, the commercially sterile product had average sensory analysis scores of 5.89 ± 0.21, 5.39 ± 0.30, 5.45 ± 0.21 and 5.49 ± 0.25, for appearance, aroma, flavor and overall appreciation, respectively. Sensory acceptance scores did not change during storage (p>0.05). Corrosion potential and low tin and iron levels in the product, which are parameters used to evaluate food - packaging interaction, demonstrated the product remained food - safe throughout its shelf - life. Tinplate is a promising packaging material for sweetened cupuaçu puree due to its mechanical and protective properties. Furthermore, tin plating is an economically viable food technology to extend the shelf - life of cupuaçu products and expand its domestic and international markets.

The evaluation of land use and management by the measurement of soil organic matter and its fractions has gained attention since it helps in the understanding of the dynamics of their contribution to soil productivity, especially in tropical environments. This study was conducted in the municipality of Colorado do Oeste, state of Rondônia, Brazil and its aim was to determinethe quantity of organic carbon and total nitrogen in the light and heavy fractions of organic matter in the surface layers of a typic hapludalf under different land use systems: Native Forest: open evergreen forest, reference environment; Agroforestry System 1: teak (Tectona grandis LF) and kudzu (Pueraria montana); Agroforestry System 2: coffee (Coffea canephora), marandu palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), “pinho cuiabano” (Parkia multijuga), teak and kudzu.; Agroforestry System 3: teak and cocoa (Theobroma cacao); Silvopasture System: teak, cocoa and marandu palisade grass; and Extensive Grazing System: marandu palisade grass. The experimental design was a randomized block in split-split plots (use systems versus soil layers of 0-0.05 and 0.05-0.10 m) with three replications. The results showed that relative to Native Forest, the Agroforestry System 2 had equal- and greater amounts of organic carbon and total nitrogen respectively (light and heavy fractions) in the soil organic matter, with the light fraction being responsible for storage of approximately 45% and 70% of the organic carbon and total nitrogen, respectively. Therefore, the light densimetric fraction proved to be useful in the early identification of the general decline of the soil organic matter in the land use systems evaluated.

In Brazil, consumer preference of tropical native fruits has increased; however, many fruits are not commercially exploited, such as gabiroba (Campomanesia lineatifolia) and myrtle (Blepharocalyx salicifolius), from the Myrtaceae family. The present study aimed to evaluate the physical, physico-chemical, and functional characteristics of gabiroba and myrtle, harvested from native plants in the mountainous region of Ibiapaba–CE. The following characters were analyzed: pH, soluble solids, total acidity, total extractable polyphenols, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity by using the ABTS method. After pulping, the samples were divided into two groups. From the results, it was found that gabiroba had a low total acidity value (0.12 ± 0.01%) indicating a higher level of sweetness relative to myrtle. Myrtle presented values of longitudinal (0.94 cm) and transverse(1.35 cm) diameters, fresh weight (0.85g), pulp yield (68.0%), pH (4.5 ± 0.0), and total soluble solids (23.6 ± 1.7 °Bx) similar to those obtained in other studies. Bioactive compounds in gabiroba and myrtle included phenolics (GAE 229.37 ± 1.04and 511.65 ± 1.34mg/100g), ascorbic acid (74.44 ± 0.03 369.1 ± 0.28 mg/100g), and antioxidants (14.54 ± 1.0 and 16.05 ± 0.63 μ Mtrolox/g). Therefore, these fruits have the potential to be used as functional foods characterized by various health benefits.

This study aimed at assessing the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), gas-nitric oxide (NO) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on ripening of ‘Packham’s Triumph’ pears. The treatments consisted of T1) control; T2) 300 ppb 1-MCP; T3) 1 mM SNP; T4) 10 ppm NO; and T5) 20 ppm NO. The fruit treated with 1-MCP showed significantly higher values for flesh firmness, texture, and peel green color, besides lower respiratory rates and ethylene production. On the other hand, NO and SNP treatments did not reduce fruit respiratory rate and ethylene production. Flesh firmness and textural features were maintained by treating fruit with 20 ppm NO after leaving chambers. Treatments using 1 mM SNP and 20 ppm NO kept peel green color (higher hue angle) when compared to control, without decreasing fruit yellowing during the shelf life. The application of 300 ppb 1-MCP prevented buttery texture and yellowing in 'Packham’s Triumph' pear fruit during environment condition exposure. The use NO at 20 ppm kept flesh firmness during storage, however, with subsequent reduction of this variable in environmental conditions. The treatments with 1mM SNP and 20 ppm NO maintained green peel of pear fruit, even after exposure to environmental conditions, but not limiting yellowing.

Castor produces racemes primary, secondary, tertiary, among others, whose contributions to the overall productivity differ. In this context, the aim was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and to deter-mine the influence of the order of racemes and nutrient sources on yield of castor bean. Thus, under field con-ditions, in the municipality of Remigio, Paraíba State, an experiment with BRS Nordestina cultivar was carried out in randomized blocks design arranged in 5 (different sources of organic manure: without organic manure, compost, compost enriched with rock powders and manure and mineral complete) x 4 (orders of racemes pri-mary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary) factorial experiment, with four replications. During the experiment, plant height and insertion of racemes were evaluated, length and number of racemes, early blooming and matu-ration of racemes. After harvesting, the following variables were determined: mass of racemes, number of grains per plant, yield, weight of hundred grains, length and width of the grains and the contribution of differ-ent orders of racemes in total yield. The growth of castor bean increased with the fertilizing, especially for or-ganic compounds. The first inflorescences were emitted in castor bean plants fertilized organically. The mass of racemes, the number of grains per plant and productivity were higher in racemes of secondary and tertiary orders. The length and width of the grains was higher in primary racemes. The highest yields were obtained with the use of organic sources.

The effect of the covered and conventional cultivation of grapevine (cv. Superior Seedless) on the aerial dispersion of pathogen inoculum and dynamic of diseases was investigated in two-year (2009 and 2010) and period similar to the year. The experiment was conducted at the experimental station of Embrapa semiarid. The traps were maintained at 0.5 meters above the canopy of the grapevine, and the samples taken every 24 hours with the exchange of slides 9:00 a.m. Greater dispersion of pathogens (Plasmopara viticola, Phakopsora euvitis, Alternaria alternata) and intensity of diseases (downy mildew, rust, and bacterial canker) were detected in grapevines under conventional cultivation. The aerial dispersal of the fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae was similar under grapevine covered and uncovered.

Native seeds should be studied and appreciated as they can contribute to the improvement of production, trade and supply aspects of family farmers, and breeding programs. The aim of the current study was to compare the physical characteristics (color and size) and the chemical composition of the grain in natura five genotypes creole red beans, grown in organic system, on the Nossa Senhora Aparecida farm, in Hi-drolândia-GO, Brazil. Completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications was employed. Caliper was used to determine the dimensions (length, height and width), Sphere II colorimeter ColorQuest to the instrumental color parameters (L*, a* e b*), and methods recommended by Association of Official Analyti-cal Chemists to the chemical composition. The Safira beans showed the greatest length and width (13.89 and 7.59 mm, respectively), in addition to greater luminosity (42.38), less reddish (3.53) and lower levels of ash and crude fiber (3.59 and 12.05 g 100 g-1, respectively). The beans Bolinha Vermelha showed the lowest di-mensions (9.1 x 4.3 x 5.7 mm), while the Vermelho Rajado beans showed lower protein (16.61 g 100 g-1) and higher ash (3.91 g 100 g-1). The bean Vermelho Rajado received the greatest levels of protein and crude fiber (18.83 and 16.45 g 100 g-1, respectively). All creole beans adapted to organic production system. Among the genotypes, beans Safira stood out for having larger and lighter in color, the beans Vermelho Rajado and Bolin-ha Vermelha dot by higher protein, beans Bolinha Vermelha by higher contents of ash and ether extract, and Vermelho Rajado the higher fiber content.

It was objective to evaluate the influence of vegetation structure in the selection of plant species by sheep in Cerrado (Brazilian savanna). The research was conducted in an area of Cerrado sensu stricto in the north of Minas Gerais between January 2009 and March 2010. A phytosociological survey conducted the anal-ysis of the vegetation structure, using the plot method. In the tree stratum were delimited 38 continuous plots of 20 m × 20 m. In the regenerant stratum, were allocated sub-plots of 5 m × 5 m. In herbaceous stratum were made two transects in the area of pasture and every 2 m, with the movable square of 0.50 cm × 0.50 cm, 283 points for each transect (566 m).To the identification of the selected species, were used three sheep of the breed Santa Inês, which were kept by grazing in the experimental area and accompanied by observers. In the vegetation were identified 1288 tree, 102 regenerating and 1388 herbaceous individuals, grouped in 117 species distributed in 72 genera and 33 families, among these species: Tachigali rugosa, Heteropterys by sonimifolia, Astronium fraxinifolium, Lantana fucata, Evolvulus sp. e Rhynchospora sp. were important. The selected spe-cies by sheep in grazing, both in the rainy and dry season, in more than 50% species were: Casearia sylvestris, Erythroxylum deciduum, Heteropterys by sonimifolia e Ximenia americana. The feeding preference of sheep in the rainy season was by the species of herbaceous stratum, in the dry period by the species of the tree and re-generating strata. These species are structural bio-indicators of the Cerrado biome, for the grazing of sheep. It is necessary to evaluate, identify and quantify the chemical compounds of selected vegetal species because these can act as nutritional bio-indicators and potential in sheep feeding.

This study reported for the first time the occurrence of the pink hibiscus mealybug Maconelli-coccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil attacking the following fruit species: soursop (Annona muricata L.) (Annonaceae), guava (Psidium guajava L.) (Myrtaceae), mango (Mangifera indica L.) (Anacardiaceae), carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) (Oxalidaceae), acerola (Malpighia glaba L.) (Malpighiaceae), cajazeiro (Spondias lutea L.) (Anacardiaceae) and cupuaçuzeiro (Theobroma gran-diflorum) (Willd. ex Spreng.) Schum.) (Malvaceae). The percentages of injured plants were recorded for each plant species in the field. Damaged plants showed short internodes, wrinkled leaves, fruit deformation, and sooty mold developed on the honeydew excreted by the mealybugs. Infested plant structures were taken to the Laboratory of Entomology of the Center for Agricultural Sciences, of the Federal University of Alagoas, where the mealybug species was identified through morphological characteristics. The following injury percentages were recorded on the plants: soursop (100%), guava (10%), mango (10%), carambola (100%), acerola (100%), cajá (50%) and cupuaçu (100%). The mealybug collected in Maceió, AL; Brazil was identified as Maconelli-coccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). It was the first record of this species in the state of Alagoas and infestation by pink hibiscus mealybug on the host plants mango, acerola and cajazeiro in Brazil.