Abstract: The dehydration of farm products provides farmers an opportunity to preserve their products longer and simultaneously earn more profit from them. Nevertheless, traditionally, the dehydrated products' quality has been determined using invasive methods, for example, through manual measurements with a Vernier caliper and a micrometer. However, manual measurements have their most significant weakness in monitoring continuous production lines and, that is why an efficient methodology is often required for estimating the moisture in dehydrated products. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of pulsed thermography for estimating the moisture content of farm products in the drying process. In this paper, a methodology to estimate dehydration in real-time was developed, and the design and construction of a real-time pulsed thermographic imaging system were described. Moreover, to demonstrate the operation principle, Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves were used in a dehydration process. The specimen was submitted to a heat pulse, and an infrared camera observed its reaction through time; then, a characteristic curve was generated from the sequence of captured images. That curve relates the moisture content with the response to the heat pulse. The results demonstrated the efficiency of the pulsed thermography in differentiating the percentage of dehydration in Neem leaves.

Resumo A ecologia trófica da ictiofauna em um riacho pode estar relacionada à presença ou ausência de mata ciliar e vegetação aquática, e principalmente pela disponibilidade de recursos no ambiente. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as variações sazonais e ontogenéticas na ecologia trófica de Hemigrammus marginatus no córrego Beija-Flor, localizado na Estação Ecológica de Jataí, localizada no município de Luiz Antônio-SP, Brasil. Para atender esse objetivo as coletas de dados foram realizadas mensalmente no período de agosto de 2011 a julho de 2012. Os peixes foram coletados utilizando rede de arrasto e armadilhas iscadas, em três estações de coleta distribuídas ao longo do córrego Beija-Flor. A qualidade da água foi avaliada pelas variáveis químicas amônia, nitrato, nitrogênio total, fósforo total, e físicas temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, pH, turbidez e condutividade, obtidas com auxilio de uma sonda Yellow Springs. Os espécimes coletados foram fixados em formalina a 10% no campo e em laboratório foram submetidos a medidas biométricas. Os estômagos foram pesados e transferidos para álcool a 70%, e o conteúdo estomacal analisado em estereomicroscópio até o menor nível taxonômico possível. A espécie foi considerada insetívora, sendo os itens alimentares de origem autóctone de maior importância no período de seca, principalmente das ordens Ephemeroptera e Trichoptera, enquanto os itens de origem alóctone, da ordem Hymenoptera, tiveram maior importância no período de cheia. A dieta dos indivíduos jovens foi baseada no consumo de zooplâncton, à medida que os peixes se desenvolvem/ crescem ocorre uma diminuição deste item na dieta, evidenciando que a espécie possui variações ontogenéticas na sua dieta. O estado de conservação do córrego Beija-Flor, associado à flexibilidade no uso do alimento e os recursos alimentares proporcionadas pelas macrófitas aquáticas e mata ciliar são fatores fundamentais para a elevada abundância da espécie H. marginatus.

Abstract The trophic ecology of ichthyofauna in a stream can be related to the presence or absence of riparian and aquatic vegetation, and mainly resource availability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the seasonal and ontogenetic variations for the trophic ecology of Hemigrammus marginatus in the Beija-Flor stream located at the Jataí Ecological Station in the municipality of Luiz Antônio-SP, Brazil. In order to attain this objective, the data collections were carried out on a monthly basis from August, 2011 to July, 2012. Fish were collected using a trawl net and bait traps from three collection stations distributed along the Beija-Flor stream. The quality of the water was evaluated by the chemical variables: ammonia, nitrate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and physical temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity and conductivity, obtained by using a Yellow Springs sonde. The collected specimens were fixed in 10% formalin in the field and were subjected to biometric measurements in the laboratory. The stomachs were weighed and transferred to 70% alcohol and the stomach contents were analysed using a stereomicroscope at the lowest possible taxonomic level. The species was considered insectivorous and the autochthonous food items were the most important during the dry season, mainly from the orders Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera, while allochthonous items from the order Hymenoptera were more important in the wet season. The young individuals’ diet was based on the consumption of zooplankton, and insofar as the fish develops, there was a decrease in this item in the diet showing that the species has ontogenetic shifts in its diet. The conservation state of the Beija-Flor stream, as well as the flexibility of using food and food resources provided by aquatic macrophytes and riparian vegetation are key factors for the high abundance of the H. marginatus species.

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência de diferentes inseticidas e fungicidas, sobre Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), em diferentes hospedeiros. Os testes foram realizados com adultos de T. pretiosum nos hospedeiros Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) e Helicoverpa zea (Boddie, 1850) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Os resultados mostraram que os agrotóxicos estudados tiveram efeitos diferentes sobre T. pretiosum, em função do hospedeiro. Os inseticidas IMIDACLORIPRIDO + BETA-CIFLUTRINA e METHOMYL foram os mais agressivos, reduzindo o parasitismo dos adultos de T. pretiosum em ambos os hospedeiros, enquanto, para os fungicidas, DIMETOMORPH + MANCOZEB e MANCOZEB foram os mais influentes. Diante dos resultados, conclui-se que o hospedeiro pode influenciar na ação seletiva dos inseticidas e fungicidas sobre parasitoides do gênero Trichogramma, visto que T. pretiosum foi mais susceptível ao inseticida METHOMYL e ao ACIBENZOLAR-S-METHYL, quando criado em A. kuehniella, e ao fungicida DIMETOMORPH + MANCOZEB, quando criado em H. zea. Não houve reduções expressivas dos percentuais de emergência dos descendentes, quando os fungicidas foram aplicados.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different insecticides and fungicides to Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in different hosts. The tests were performed on adults of T. pretiosum in host Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie, 1850) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The results showed that the pesticides studied had different effects on T. pretiosum depending on the host. The insecticides IMIDACLORIPRIDO + BETA-CYFLUTHRIN and METHOMYL were the most aggressive reducing parasitism of adult T. pretiossum in both hosts, whereas for fungicides, DIMETOMORPH + MANCOZEB and MANCOZEB were the most influential. From the results it is concluded that the host can influence the selectivity tests of insecticides and fungicides on parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma, considering, T. pretiosum was more susceptible to the insecticide METHOMYL and ACIBENZOLAR-S-METHYL when created in A. kuehniella and the fungicide MANCOZEB + DIMETOMORPH created when H. zea. There were no significant reductions in emergency percentage of descendants when fungicides were applied.

Edible films naturally rich in phenolic compounds were prepared from orange and grapefruit peels. Free and total polyphenols were determined by Folin-Ciocalteau method and flavonoids were identified and quantified by HPLC in the manufacturing processes of films. Films from grapefruit and orange peel had 24.95 and 28.18 mg GAE/g (Gallic Acid Equivalents/g), respectively, retaining more than 50% of total phenolics from the raw material. Hesperidin (33.39 mg/g) was the main flavonoid in orange peel based films and naringin (31.42 mg/g) in grapefruit peel films. Recoveries of the identified flavonoids in films were in the range of31-60%. Residues, mainly those from orange peel process, retained important fraction of phenolics. Edible films with high levels of polyphenols were manufactured from orange and grapefruit peel without the addition of external phenolics extracts.

Se fabricaron películas biodegradables con alto contenido de compuestos fenólicos a partir de cáscaras de naranja y toronja. En el proceso de producción de las películas, se determinaron los polifenoles libres y totales por el método de Folin-Ciocalteau y los flavonoides se identificaron y cuantificaron por HPLC. Las películas de cáscara de naranja y toronja tuvieron 24.95 y 28.18 mg EAG/g (Equivalentes de Acido Gálico/g), respectivamente, con una retención de más del 50% de los fenólicos totales de las materias primas. El principal flavonoide en las películas a base de cáscara de naranja fue la hesperidina (33.39 mg/g) y, la naringina en las de cáscara de toronja. La recuperación de los flavonoides identificados en las películas estuvo entre 31-60%. Los residuos del proceso, principalmente los del proceso de cáscara de naranja, retuvieron una fracción importante de fenólicos. Se fabricaron películas comestibles con altos niveles de polifenoles a partir de cáscaras de naranja y toronja sin la adición de extractos externos de fenólicos.

Pickling of piquin pepper was performed assisted by an initial vacuum pulse. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of acetic acid and sodium chloride concentrations in pickling solutions, and processing time on stability, quality, and mass transfer parameters of piquín pepper. Model equations were developed for solute gain (SG), WL/SG ratio, water activity (aw), pH, firmness and color inlex (CI) of piquin pepper. Pickled piquín pepper gained pickling solutes (up to 7.9%) and water (-WL), producing WL/SG values up to -15. In comparison with fresh pepper, pickled pepper firmness decreased between 2 and 59% Color changed from bright green to different tones of olive green (CI from -0.8 to -1.8). Pickling of piquin pepper during 15 days in 2.8% acetic acid and 13% sodium chloride gave the best stability parameters (a w = 0.933 and pH = 3.0).

Se encurtió chile piquín aplicando un pulso de vacío inicial y se evalúo el efecto de la concentración de ácido acético y del cloruro de sodio de la salmuera de encurtido y del tiempo de procesamiento en los parámetros de transferencia de masa, de calidad y de estabilidad del chile. Se obtuvieron ecuaciones para modelar la ganancia de solutos (SG), relación WL/SG, aw, pH, firmeza e índice de color (IC) del chile piquín. El chile piquín encurtido ganó hasta 7.9% de solutos y por la hidratación del producto (-WL) se obtuvieron valores de WL/SG hasta de -15. Se observó una disminución de firmeza del producto encurtido desde 2 a 59%, en relación al producto fresco, y un cambio de color de verde brillante a diferentes tonos de verde olivo (IC entre -0.8 y -1.80). Se encontró que al encurtir el chile piquín durante 15 días con una solución de encurtido al 2.8% de ácido acético y 13% de cloruro de sodio se obtuvieron los mejores parámetros de estabilidad (a w = 0.933 y pH = 3.0).

Abalone is an important economical resource on the west coast of Baja California. The most important species in this fishery are green and pink abalone (Haliotis fulgens and H. corrugata, respectively). Overfishing has been implicated in the decline of the Mexican abalone fishery. Among the population parameters, recruitment is a highly variable event. To obtain a better understanding of the ecology of abalone juvenile recruitment, the physical and biological characteristics of the microhabitat of juveniles of green and pink abalone were studied at Bahía Tortugas, Baja California Sur (Mexico), during autumn and spring from 1996 to 1998. Two abalone reefs with different depth, relief and wave exposure were surveyed: Clam Bay, with depths of 0.5 to 5 m, and Morro de Adentro, with depths of 6 to 12 m. Four different bottom types were recognized: (a) sheltered and low relief bottom, (b) semiexposed and moderate relief bottom, (c) exposed and high relief bottom, and (d) exposed and moderate relief bottom. Juveniles of green and pink abalone from 3 to 13 mm shell length were observed under small rocks, pebbles and flat stones no longer than 15-20 cm, always covered with crusts of coralline algae. Several tiny juveniles of Fisurella, Stenoplax, and Crepipatella of similar sizes (5-10 mm) shared the microhabitat. Juveniles between 15 and 90 mm shell length were found under flat, rhombic or irregular-shaped rocks (20-110 mm length), most of them deployed in imbricate arrangement. Abalone juveniles shared this microhabitat with bryozoans, sponges, ascidians, chitons, and annelids. Bottoms with imbricate arrangement, low wave exposure, and the low depth of Clam Bay were favorable for the high occurrence of juveniles of H. fulgens. Juveniles of H. corrugata showed a high occurrence in exposed and deeper zones of Morro de Adentro.

El abulón es un importante recurso económico en la costa oeste de Baja California. Las especies más importantes en la pesquería son el abulón azul (Haliotis fulgens) y el abulón amarillo (H. corrugata). La declinación de la pesquería de abulón en México, se ha atribuido, entre otros factores, a la sobrepesca. Entre los parámetros ploblacionales, el reclutamiento es un evento altamente variable. Para lograr un mejor entendimiento de la ecología del reclutamiento de juveniles, se estudiaron las características del microhábitat de juveniles de abulón azul y amarillo en Bahía Tortugas, Baja California Sur, México, durante el otoño y primavera de 1996 a 1998. Se estudiaron dos bancos abuloneros con diferente profundidad, relieve y grado de exposición al oleaje: Clam Bay, con profundidades de 0.5 a 5 m, y el Morrro de Adentro, con profundidades de 6 a 12 m. Se identificaron cuatro tipos diferentes de fondo: (a) protegido y de bajo relieve, (b) semiexpuesto y de relieve moderado, (c) expuesto y de alto relieve, y (d) expuesto y de relieve moderado. Se encontraron juveniles de abulón azul y amarillo de 3 a 13 mm bajo pequeñas rocas planas de 15 a 20 cm de longitud, siempre cubiertas por algas coralinas costrosas. Pequeños juveniles de Stenoplax, Fisurella y Crepipatella de tamaños similares compartían el microhábitat. Se encontraron juveniles de abulón de 15 a 90 mm de longitud debajo de rocas rómbicas, aplanadas o de forma irregular (20 a 110 mm de longitud), la mayoría dispuesta en arreglos imbricados. Aquí, los juveniles de abulón compartían el microhábitat con briozoarios, esponjas, quitones, ascidias y anélidos. Los fondos con arreglo imbricado, escasa profundidad y baja exposición al oleaje en Clam Bay, favorecieron la ocurrencia de juveniles de H. fulgens. Los fondos expuestos y más profundos del Morro de Adentro favorecieron la presencia de juveniles de H. corrugata.

Foi avaliada a exportação de macronutrientes pela castanha e pelo pseudofruto de plantas de dois clones de cajueiro anão-precoce. O trabalho foi realizado em regime de sequeiro e sem adubação em Podzólico Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico, no campo experimental de Pacajus do Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Agroindústria Tropical (CNPAT/EMBRAPA), em Pacajus, Ceará, no período de março/94 a abril/95. Não houve diferença entre os dois clones quanto ao número de castanhas por planta, produção de castanhas e pseudofrutos por área Não houve diferença entre os clones CCP-76 e CCP-09 quanto à quantidade de macronutrientes por eles exportada, com exceção do Ca. Este foi exportado em maior quantidade pelo pseudofruto do CCP-76. Em ambos os clones, a ordem de exportação de macronutrientes pela castanha e pseudofruto foi de N > K > Mg > P > S > Ca e K > N > Mg > P > S > Ca, respectivamente.

The macronutrient removal by both cashew nut and apple was evaluated in orchards of two dwarf clones in a field without irrigation and fertilization on a Red-Yellow Podzolic at Pacajus Experimental Station (Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Agroindústria Tropical (CNPAT/EMBRAPA)), in Pacajus, Ceará, Brazil, from March/94 to April/95. CCP-76 and CCP-09 cashew clones did not differ with regard to the macronutrient quantities removed by the cashew nut and cashew apple, except for Ca. This macronutrient was removed in greater quantity by the apples of CCP-76 clone. The order of macronutrient removal by the cashew nuts and the apples was N > K > Mg > P > S > Ca and K > N > Mg > P > S > Ca, respectively.