Water scaricity is an increasingly critical issue for food production around the world. This is particularly true for the world's poorest region, Sub-Saharan Africa, due to its growing malnutrition and almost complete dependence on rainfed agriculture. Given that agriculture is the primary consumer of freshwater around the globe and the demand for domestic, industrial, and environment water uses is steadily rising, strategies for the sustainable use of water in agriculture are urgently needed | Sulser Timothy B. et al., 'How can African agriculture adapt to climate change: Green and Blue Water Accounting in the Limpopo and Nile Basins Implications for Food and Agricultural Policy', , IFPRI, 2011

A novel solid phase extraction procedure for determination of copper, lead and iron in natural water and food samples has been established in the presented work. 1-Phenylthiosemicarbazide (1-PTSC) as ligand and Dowex Optipore L-493 resin as adsorbent were used in a mini chromatographic column. Various analytical conditions for the quantitative recoveries of analyte ions including pH, amounts of adsorbent, eluent, sample volume, etc. were investigated. The recovery values for analyte ions were higher than 95%. The determination of copper, lead and iron was performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The influences of some alkali, alkali earth and transition metals on the recoveries of analyte ions were investigated. The preconcentration factor was 62.5. The limit of detections of the understudied analytes (k=3, N=21) were 0.64μgL⁻¹ for copper, 0.55μgL⁻¹ for lead and 0.82μgL⁻¹ for iron. The relative standard deviation was found to be lower than 6%. The accuracy of the method was confirmed with certified reference material (GBW 07605 Tea). The method was successively applied for the determination of copper, lead and iron in water and some food samples including cheese, bread, baby food, pekmez, honey, milk and red wine after microwave digestion.

Water scaricity is an increasingly critical issue for food production around the world. This is particularly true for the world's poorest region, Sub-Saharan Africa, due to its growing malnutrition and almost complete dependence on rainfed agriculture. Given that agriculture is the primary consumer of freshwater around the globe and the demand for domestic, industrial, and environment water uses is steadily rising, strategies for the sustainable use of water in agriculture are urgently needed | Non-PR | IFPRI1 | EPTD

[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [TR1_IRSTEA]GEUSI | National audience | La communication présente les différents types d'eau auxquelles peuvent accéder les ménages.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [TR1_IRSTEA]GEUSI | National audience | La communication présente les différents types d'eau auxquelles peuvent accéder les ménages.

What should we make of the wild rumors on the increasing scarcity of fresh water around the world? What are the challenges connected to the increase in the world’s population and to climate change? Does water lead more to war than to peace? Theses are the questions addressed in this article. The overall objective of this pan-African programme of research is to contribute to making available good quality, reliable and accessible information systems through the application of the P-GIS approach to improve natural resource management (water, land and forest in particular) and promote food security.

Neste trabalho foram estudadas 120 escolas atendidas pelo Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar na cidade de Porto Alegre – RS, para tanto utilizou-se uma lista de Verificação das Boas Práticas. Além disso, foi realizada análise de amostra de água utilizada no preparo da alimentação escolar, quanto à presença de mesófilos aeróbios totais, coliformes totais, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Giardia sp. e Cryptosporidium spp. Também foram feitas coletas das superfícies de cinco equipamentos e utensílios para a quantificação de microrganismos mesófilos heterotróficos e avaliação quantitativa através da ATP bioluminescência. Junto a isto, alimentos foram coletados e analisados quanto à presença de E. coli, Staphylococcus coagulase positiva, Salmonella spp. e Shigella spp. Os resultados da lista de Verificação das Boas Práticas indicaram que a maioria das escolas (64%) foi classificada em situação de risco sanitário regular. A análise bacteriológica das amostras de água indicou presença de Escherichia coli em 8,3% das escolas. Foram encontrados (oo)cistos de Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia sp. na água colhida em três escolas. Em relação às contagens de mesófilos heterotróficos, a maioria das superfícies dos equipamentos apresentou índices satisfatórios. Na maioria das escolas, os valores de ATP bioluminescência encontrados indicavam higienização inadequada. Cinco dos alimentos analisados apresentaram Escherichia coli acima do permitido pela legislação. Dois alimentos indicaram presença de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva. Esses resultados demonstram que os manipuladores necessitam de capacitação e maior acompanhamento das atividades relacionadas ao preparo dos alimentos e higienização de superfícies de equipamentos e utensílios. A implementação das Boas Práticas de Manipulação e Processamento, sob supervisão de nutricionistas e investimento na manutenção das instalações das escolas, é necessária para garantir a segurança dos alimentos servidos aos escolares. | This study included 120 schools supported by the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, and a Best Practices Checklist for analysis was used. In addition, samples of water used to prepare school meals were analyzed to detect total aerobic mesophiles, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Giardia sp. and Cryptosporidium spp. Samples were collected from the surface of five equipments and utensils to quantify heterotrophic mesophilic microorganisms and quantitative evaluations using ATP bioluminescence. Also, samples of food were collected and analyzed to detect the presence of E. coli, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. The best practices checklist indicated that most of the schools (64%) were in a situation of regular sanitary risk. Bacteriological analysis of the water samples showed that Escherichia coli were found in 8.3% of the schools. Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia sp oocysts were found in water samples collected in three schools. Heterotrophic mesophile counts showed that surfaces of most utensils had acceptable contamination rates. In most schools, ATP bioluminescence values indicated inadequate cleaning. Five food samples had Escherichia coli levels above those allowed by legislation. Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus were found in two samples of food. These results show that people who manipulate food need better training and must be followed up closely during food preparation and cleaning of equipments and utensils‟ surfaces. Better Practices for Handling and Processing Foods, under the supervision of nutritionists as well as more investments in the maintenance of school facilities, should be implemented in order to make sure that food offered to students is safe.

French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Systèmes d'information géographique participatifs (SIG-P) dans la gestion des ressources naturelles et la sécurité alimentaire en Afrique : ict4d article, janvier 2011 | This paper presents some thoughts on the status of fresh water in Africa, water for consumption and irrigation, and to meet the need for increased resources in cereals in a context of growth and densification of populations. It addresses some important concerns: the water situation in relation to the issue of climate change; the challenge of people's access to water in sufficient quantity and of good quality; and issues raised by the privatization of access to water (dilemma between solvency and solidarity).

El azufre es un macroelemento esencial en rumiantes. Niveles elevados de azufre y sulfatos consumidos por rumiantes a través de las plantas, agua y otros alimentos pueden reducir el apetito y la tasa de crecimiento en los animales, afectar la absorción de otros elementos y causar afecciones respiratorias y/o neurológicas. El propósito de este estudio fue medir los niveles de azufre en la dieta, analizando las praderas (3 muestras por predio) y el agua (1 muestra por predio) en 45 predios dedicados a la producción de carne, de las regiones de La Araucanía, Los Ríos y Los Lagos de Chile durante los períodos de primavera 2008 y verano 2009. Adicionalmente, se obtuvieron muestras de gas ruminal de 5 animales por predio, muestreándose un total de 225 animales por período. Posteriormente, se analizaron las diferencias en las concentraciones de azufre en agua y pradera y H2S en gas ruminal de los predios provenientes de las zonas de la costa, depresión intermedia y precordillera. Los resultados obtenidos indican que las concentraciones promedios de azufre en la pradera fueron de 1.482 ± 592 ppm y de 1.472,1 ± 448 ppm en el periodo primavera y verano respectivamente, no evidenciándose diferencias significativas. La concentración de azufre en agua fue de 1,12 ± 0,1 y 1,14 ± 0,09 ppm durante el período de primavera y de verano, respectivamente. Los resultados de los análisis por región y zona geográfica (costa, depresión intermedia y precordillera) no mostraron diferencias significativas. La concentración de H2S en gas ruminal en los animales en estudio fueron de 273,1 ± 187,5 y de 245,4 ± 180 ppm en primavera y en verano, respectivamente. El análisis de correlación entre variables indicó una asociación positiva entre los niveles de azufre en alimento y H2S en gas ruminal para el período de primavera y verano. El consumo promedio total de azufre estimado considerando las fuentes de pradera y agua en 45 predios durante ambos períodos fue < 0,2% de azufre en la dieta. En conclusión, los resultados indican que las concentraciones de azufre encontradas en los predios ganaderos de las regiones de La Araucanía, Los Ríos y Los Lagos de Chile no representan riesgo para el consumo en bovinos. | Sulphur is an essential element for the metabolism of ruminant animals. However, high dietary concentrations of sulphur are potentially harmful. The purpose of this study was to measure the forage and water sulphur content in samples from 45 beef herds from the La Araucanía, Los Ríos y Los Lagos regions of Chile. Additionally, ruminal gas hydrogen sulphide (H2S) concentrations were obtained from 5 animals on each farm. Samples were collected during the spring 2008 and summer 2009. Pasture sulphur content was 1,482 ± 592 ppm in the spring and 1,471 ± 448 ppm in the summer. Water sulphur concentrations in all farms was < 1.5 ppm each season. Ruminal gas H2S concentrations in animals was 273 ± 187.5 ppm and 245.4 ± 173 ppm in spring and summer, respectively. Positive and significant correlations were found between pasture sulphur content and ruminal H2S concentration for both periods. Estimated total sulphur intake considering pastures and water was < 0.2% sulfur on a dry matter basis. The results of this study suggest that forage and water sulphur concentrations in Southern Chile do not represent a potential risk of intoxication in grazing beef cattle.

French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Systèmes d'information géographique participatifs (SIG-P) dans la gestion des ressources naturelles et la sécurité alimentaire en Afrique : ict4d e-bulletin, no. 4, janvier 2011 | This pan-African programme of research contributes to making available good quality, reliable and accessible information systems through the application of the P-GIS approach to improve natural resource management (water, land and forest in particular) and to promote food security. The e-bulletin tackles the twists and turns around water resource management, providing links to current articles.