ABSTRACT. This study aimed to evaluate the nutrition of commercial soybean crops in an agricultural frontier region using the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) and compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) methods, as well as identify sufficiency ranges. The study was performed by collecting leaf samples (third trifoliate leaf without petiole) at flowering from commercial soybean crops in the states of Piauí and Maranhão, Brazil, and evaluating the crop yield by analyzing macro- and micronutrients in the plant tissue of 98 samples. The DRIS and CND methods were applied based on the cataloged data, followed by the generation of norms, analysis of relationships between yield and nutrients (selecting high-yield crops by the cumulative function of the data), generation of sufficiency ranges, and comparison of methods. The relationships obtained by the DRIS and CND indices with the yield and nutrients were significant, indicating that both methods can be employed for the evaluation of leaf nutrients in soybean. The sufficiency ranges from the DRIS and CND methods presented superior nutrient ranges in relation to the values proposed in the literature for macronutrients, except for nitrogen, and greater range amplitudes for micronutrients.

Resumo Este trabalho descreve a análise de tecidos comestíveis de frango como coração, fígado e moela, crus e cozidos com temperos em diferentes panelas (panela de ferro, panela de alumínio e panela de alumínio batido) comumente utilizadas no Brasil. A digestão ácida assistida por radiação micro-ondas, com utilização de ácido nítrico diluído, foi empregada para decomposição das amostras. Os teores dos elementos metálicos Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn e Ni foram determinados por Espectrometria de Emissão Óptica com Plasma Induzido por Micro-ondas. A comparação dos teores de Fe obtidos também por Espectrometria de Absorção Atômica em Chama mostrou uma boa exatidão do método. Os limites de quantificação para os analitos avaliados ficaram abaixo de 0,011 mg kg-1, mostrando detectabilidade adequada. As cocções das amostras nas diferentes panelas utilizadas promoveram um aumento dos teores de cinzas e proteínas e uma diminuição dos teores de umidade. A Análise de Componentes Principais e os diagramas de caixa mostraram que as variáveis Ca e Fe apresentaram as maiores variações entre as amostras, seguidas pelas variáveis Al e umidade. As variáveis Al, Cu, Mn, Ni, cinzas e proteínas apresentaram comportamento semelhante após a cocção nos três tipos de panela empregados. A amostra de fígado cozida tanto na panela de ferro quanto na panela de alumínio batido apresentou teores similares de Fe, enquanto as amostras de coração e moela apresentaram teores similares de Ca após cocção nas mesmas panelas.

Abstract This work describes the analysis of different chicken tissues (gizzard, heart, and liver) both raw and cooked with seasonings in different types of cooking pots (iron pot, , aluminum pot and hammered aluminum pot) commonly used in Brazil. The samples were decomposed using microwave-assisted digestion with diluted nitric acid; and the contents of Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ni were determined using Microwave Induced Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (MIP OES). The Fe content was also determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, and the comparison showed good accuracy of the method. The limits of quantification were below 0.011 mg kg-1, showing adequate detectability. Cooking in the different pots increased the ash and protein contents as well as decreased the moisture content. Box-plot and Principal Components Analysis showed that Ca and Fe contents present the largest variations in the samples, followed by Al and moisture. The variables Al, Cu, Mn, Ni, ash, and protein presented similar behavior after cooking in all different pots. In addition, liver cooked in both iron and hammered aluminum pots presented similar Fe contents, while gizzard and heart showed similar Ca contents.

Resumo As atividades antioxidante e antibacteriana, e a toxicidade de produtos naturais podem mudar de acordo com a variedade vegetal, bem como a parte da planta que é analisada. Neste estudo, foram analisadas cascas, polpas e sementes de quatro variedades de abacate (Quintal, Fortuna, Margarida e Hass) no que tange às propriedades antioxidantes e antibacterianas, e à toxicidade. Existem poucos estudos na literatura comparando essas três primeiras variedades. A atividade antioxidante foi medida utilizando-se os métodos DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil), ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis- (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] e FRAP (Ferric Reducing Ability Power), juntamente com o conteúdo de compostos fenólicos e flavonoides. A análise de componentes principais foi aplicada para testes antioxidantes. A atividade antibacteriana contra patógenos alimentares foi avaliada pelos testes de concentração inibitória mínima e concentração bactericida mínima. A toxicidade foi avaliada contra Artemia salina e também pela atividade hemolítica. O extrato etanólico da casca da variedade Quintal apresentou a maior atividade antioxidante e antibacteriana. Este mesmo extrato não mostrou toxicidade nos testes preliminares e mostra grande potencial de aplicação na indústria de alimentos como um aditivo alimentar.

Abstract The antioxidant and antibacterial activity and toxicity of natural products can change according to plant variety, as well as the part of the plant which is analyzed. In this study, peel, pulp and seed of four avocado varieties (Quintal, Fortuna, Margarida, and Hass) were analyzed for antioxidant and antibacterial properties and toxicity. There are few studies in the literature comparing these three first varieties. Antioxidant capacity was measured using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil), ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis- (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)], and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Ability Power) methods, along with the content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Principal component analysis was applied for antioxidant tests. Antibacterial activity against food pathogens was assessed by the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration tests. Toxicity was evaluated against Artemia salina and also by hemolytic activity. The ethanolic extract of Quintal variety peel presented the greatest antioxidant and antibacterial activity. This same extract showed no toxicity in the preliminary tests, and shows great potential for food industry application as an additive.

Resumo No presente trabalho, a técnica de espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma induzido por micro-ondas foi empregada para determinar as concentrações de Al, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mg, Sb e Zn em amostras de peixes (bagre, tainha, traíra, pintado e corvina) e de Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti e Zn em amostras de camarão-rosa (Farfantepenaeus paulensis). As amostras foram preparadas usando a decomposição ácida com o sistema de refluxo. Para as análises de peixes, fez-se a comparação de dois sistemas de introdução de amostras no plasma: a nebulização convencional e o sistema multimode . Para se obterem as melhores condições utilizando o sistema multimode, parâmetros, como a concentração de HCl e do agente redutor NaBH4, foram investigados. A exatidão do método foi avaliada através de análises de materiais de referência certificados e de testes de adição de analito. As recuperações obtidas foram satisfatórias para ambas as amostras. Para os peixes, os melhores resultados foram obtidos usando o sistema multimode e as concentrações encontradas (em mg kg-1) foram 6,43 a 24,7 para Al; 0,41 a 6,6 para Cu; 168,2 a 211,2 para Mg, e 23,1 para Zn. Para as amostras de camarão-rosa, as concentrações máximas (em mg kg-1) encontradas foram: 92,1 para Al; 1.070 para Ca; 4,57 para Cu; 87,9 para Fe; 451 para Mg; 8,9 para Mn, e 29,2 para Zn. Todas as concentrações de Cd, Cu, Pb e Zn encontradas estão dentro dos limites permitidos pela legislação vigente no Brasil, para pescados. Os resultados obtidos mostraram a adequabilidade do método utilizando a técnica de MIP OES para determinação multielementar em amostras de peixe e camarão-rosa.

Abstract In the present work, the microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometry technique was employed to determine the concentrations of Al, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mg, Sb and Zn in fish samples (catfish, mullet, wolf fish, spotted sorubim and croaker) and Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti and Zn in shrimp (Farfantepenaeus paulensis) samples. Samples were prepared by acid decomposition with reflux system. For fish analysis, two systems of sample introduction into plasma were compared: conventional nebulization and multimode system. In order to get the best conditions using the multimode system, parameters such as the concentrations of HCl and of reducing agent NaBH4 were investigated. The method accuracy was assessed through analysis of certified reference materials and analyte addition tests. The obtained recoveries were satisfactory for both samples. For fish, the best results were obtained using the multimode system and the maximum concentrations (in mg·kg-1) were: 6.43 to 24.7 for Al; 0.41 to 6.6 for Cu; 168.2 to 211.2 for Mg and 23.1 for Zn. For shrimp samples, the maximum concentrations (in mg·kg -1) were: 92.1 for Al; 1,070 for Ca; 4.57 for Cu; 87.9 for Fe; 451 for Mg; 8.9 for Mn and 29.2 for Zn. All concentrations found for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are within the limits permitted by the current legislation in Brazil for fish. The results showed the suitability of the present method using MIP OES technique for multielemental determination in fish and shrimp samples.

Resumo Neste trabalho, é descrito o desenvolvimento de um método analítico para análise de amostras de cervejas por técnicas de espectrometria. As amostras foram preparadas por decomposição em meio ácido, em um sistema de refluxo, e as determinações foram realizadas por F AAS (Fe, Mg e Zn), F AES (Na) e MIP OES (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni e Zn). As melhores condições para a decomposição da amostra foram obtidas através de estudo com delineamento composto central rotacional: volume de 10,0 mL de cerveja desgaseificada, adição de 5,0 mL de HNO3 e 2,0 mL H2O2, seguida por uma etapa de aquecimento em bloco digestor a 160 °C, por 93 min. Os limites de quantificação do método foram ≤ 0,100 mg L-1 para todos os elementos investigados, independentemente da técnica analítica utilizada, ficando abaixo, por exemplo, dos valores estipulados para Zn e Ni, pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária do Brasil. Os estudos comparativos entre as diferentes técnicas avaliadas mostraram, pelo teste T com nível de 90% de confiança, que não há diferença significativa para as determinações de Fe, Mg, Na e Zn nas amostras de cerveja. O método de preparo da amostra proposto mostrou ser simples, rápido, de baixo custo e confiável, para análise de cervejas nas diferentes técnicas de espectrometria atômica.

Abstract This study describes the development of an analytical method for the analysis of beer samples by atomic spectrometric techniques. The samples were prepared by acid decomposition using a reflux system, and the determinations carried out by F AAS (Fe, Mg and Zn), F AES (Na) and MIP OES (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni and Zn). The best conditions for sample decomposition were obtained by way of studies using a central rotational compound design: 10.0 mL of degassed beer followed by the addition of 5.0 mL of HNO3 and 2.0 mL H2O2 and a heating step in the digester block at 160 °C for 93 min. The quantification limits of the method were ≤ 0.100 mg L-1 for all the analytes investigated, regardless of the analytical technique used, values below those established by the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency for Zn and Ni, for example. The comparative study of the different techniques showed that, according to the t-test at a 90% level of confidence, there was no significant difference for the determinations of Fe, Mg, Na and Zn in the beer samples. The sample preparation method was shown to be simple, fast, low-cost and reliable for the analysis of beers by the different atomic spectrometry techniques.

This paper describes a sample preparation method for domestic ceramics, based on the acid decomposition assisted by ultrasound for further determination of Cu, Fe, Mg and Zn by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry technique. The main optimized conditions were: particle size (25 µm); sample mass (25 mg) and the acid volume (0.5 mL of HNO3 and 0.5 mL of HF). The samples were placed in an ultrasonic bath for 2 hours at 40 ºC. The method was employed for eight commercial samples of domestic ceramic, which showed different concentrations for all analytes investigated, showing the existing variety of raw materials. The method showed good accuracy and precision, attested by the addition and recovery test, with values of 87 to 112% for all analytes and relative standard deviation lower than 3.0%.

This paper describes the development of methods in micro-scale for the determination of K, Mg, Na and Zn in meat by atomic spectrometry techniques. The limits of detection (LOD) for K and Na by microdigestion were 0.18 and 0.20 mg g-1, respectively whereas LOD for Mg and Zn by microsolubilization with TMAH were 2.40 and 18.4 µg g-1, respectively. The RSD values were lower than 6.0% and the CRMs analyzed showed values with 95% agreement. The proposed methods are simple, fast and use small amounts of sample (around 10 mg) yet do not require special equipment for sample preparation.