The bioaccessibility of Zn during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion from yogurt was investigated. In addition, the methodologies of sample preparation (dry and wet digestion, and slurry sampling) for the determination of total concentration of Zn in yogurt by flame atomic absorption spectrometry were also compared in this work. In comparison with digestion procedures, the proposed slurry sampling is simple and less time-consuming procedure. The limit of quantification determined was 1.3 µg g-1. The concentrations of Zn in the Brazilian yogurt ranged from 3.40 to 5.62 µg g-1. The percentage of the bioaccessible fraction of Zn from the samples ranged from 10 to 26%. This corresponds to an average daily intake of less than 2% of the metal for adults and children, suggesting that the Brazilian yogurt contributes with a low amount of Zn for the human diet.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a presença de espécies do gênero Eimeria em bovinos naturalmente infectados, na região Sudeste da Bahia, Nordeste do Brasil. A população do estudo incluiu 117 bovinos mestiços de raças Zebuínas que pertenciam a 10 fazendas leiteiras com sistemas de produção extensivo ou semiextensivo. A técnica de Gordon e Whitlock modificada foi utilizada para determinar as amostras positivas e o número de oocistos por grama de fezes. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando o teste do qui-quadrado com correção de Yates e intervalo de confiança de 95%. Trinta e nove animais (33,33%) foram positivos, e dez diferentes espécies foram identificadas nos animais infectados: E. bovis (24,79%), E. canadensis (8,55%), E. zuernii (6,83%), E. ellipsoidalis (5,99% ), E. cylindrica (3,42%), E. auburnensis (3,42%), E. brasiliensis (2,56%), E. bukidnonensis (1,71%), E. alabamensis (0,85%) e E. subspherica (0,85%). Maior parasitismo foi observado em animais com até um ano de idade (p = 0,005), mas nenhum animal apresentou sinais clínicos que fossem compatíveis com a parasitose. Como não foi observado presença de eimeriose clínica e como todos os animais eram mestiços zebuínos e pertencentes ao sistema de criação extensivo ou semiextensivo, novos estudos devem ser conduzidos para comprovar a influência desses fatores no surgimento da doença.

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of species of the genus Eimeria species in naturally infected bovines in Southern Bahia, Northeast Brazil. The study population comprised 117 Zebu crossbred cattle that belonged to 10 dairy herds with extensive or semi-extensive production systems. The modified Gordon and Whitlock technique was used to determine positive samples and number of oocysts per gram of feces. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test with Yates correction and a 95% confidence interval. Thirty-nine cattle (33.33%) were positive, and ten different species were identified in infected animals: E. bovis (24.79%); E. canadensis (8.55%); E. zuernii (6.83%); E. ellipsoidalis (5.99%); E. cylindrica (3.42%); E. auburnensis (3.42%); E. brasiliensis (2.56%); E. bukidnonensis (1.71%); E. alabamensis (0.85%), and E. subspherica (0.85%). Higher parasitism was observed in animals up to one year of age (p = 0.005), but no animal presented clinical signs of the disease. As the presence of clinical eimeriosis was not evidenced and all animals were Zebu crossbred cattle from extensive or semi-extensive production systems, further studies should be conducted to investigate the effects of these factors on disease development.

Speciation of metals in a synthetic freshwater was comparatively evaluated using Anodic Stripping Voltammetry, Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films and a Chemical Equilibrium Model. The labile fractions of Cu and Zn quantified by DGT were similar to the ones measured by ASV. The labile species of Cd and Pb could not be determined by both experimental methods due to the formation of inert complexes with organic ligands in the sample. Despite the differences among the methods, the speciation results obtained by the use of DGT and ASV agreed well with predictions made by the chemical equilibrium model.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a presença e o comportamento do Cu, Pb e Cd em águas de drenagem urbana na cidade de Curitiba, no Brasil. As amostras foram coletadas durante 21 eventos de chuva em uma avenida de tráfego médio. As concentrações dos metais foram similares àquelas descritas na literatura, seguindo a ordem Pb>Cu>>Cd. Uma estimativa da carga anual dos três metais para a Bacia do Rio Bacacheri, de 30 km², revelou valores de 1.520, 950 e 25 kg para Pb, Cu e Cd, respectivamente. O chumbo mostrou-se preferencialmente associado ao material particulado (82%), seguido do cádmio (66%) e do cobre (48%). Na fração dissolvida ficou evidenciada uma relação dos metais com a matéria orgânica dissolvida, seguindo a ordem Cu>Pb>Cd. As concentrações dos metais também variaram em função de fatores tais como o primeiro fluxo e o número de dias de estiagem que precedem um evento de chuva.

We investigate the presence and behavior of Cu, Pb, and Cd in runoff waters from a residential area located in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. Samples were collected in twenty-one stormwater events in an intermediate traffic way located in the Bacacheri watershed. Metal concentrations were similar to range values compiled worldwide and followed the order: Pb>Cu>>Cd. Unit loads were estimated to the watershed, which cover an area of 30 km², revealing values of 1520, 950, 25 kg for Pb, Cu, and Cd, respectively. Among the three metals, lead showed the greatest affinity for the suspended solids (82%) followed by Cd (66%) and Cu (48%). Meanwhile, an association of the metals with the organic matter in the dissolved phase, following the order Cu>Pb>Cd. Metal loads and behavior in urban runoff also depends on factors such as the first flush and the dry period preceding a storm event.