Uso do boroscópio na identificação sexual do pirarucu / Use of boroscope in sexual identification of pirarucu

Pirarucu, Arapaima gigas, known as "Brazilian codfish", has promising zootechnical characteristics and great acceptance in the market. However, the shortage of knowledge about reproductive biology, the absence of external sexual dimorphism and a safe method for doing, become obstacles to the multiply of the species. What has encouraged the development of methods applied for this purpose at low cost and easy acquisition, such as boroscopy. In this work, the objective was to use the borescope to view the gonads and sexual identification of Arapaima gigas, in cultivation farms in the state of Maranhão. In the present study, 15 specimens from pirarucu breeding farms located in the cities of Alto Alegre do Pindaré and Santa Inês were used. These specimens had their abdomen inflated with saline solution 5% and the images obtained from the male specimens showed the peculiar gonad on the left side, smooth, elongated and with a relatively clear orange color, supported by muscle tissue, and in the females the oocytes were visualized in layers, or scaly-like tissue, in immature females, and with a rounded shape with a slightly whitish color in the celomic cavity. Boroscopy show to be useful for the sexual determination of specimens of pirarucu, with low cost, speed and formation of clear images.

Uso do boroscópio na identificação sexual do pirarucu / Use of boroscope in sexual identification of pirarucu

Pirarucu, Arapaima gigas, known as "Brazilian codfish", has promising zootechnical characteristics and great acceptance in the market. However, the shortage of knowledge about reproductive biology, the absence of external sexual dimorphism and a safe method for doing, become obstacles to the multiply of the species. What has encouraged the development of methods applied for this purpose at low cost and easy acquisition, such as boroscopy. In this work, the objective was to use the borescope to view the gonads and sexual identification of Arapaima gigas, in cultivation farms in the state of Maranhão. In the present study, 15 specimens from pirarucu breeding farms located in the cities of Alto Alegre do Pindaré and Santa Inês were used. These specimens had their abdomen inflated with saline solution 5% and the images obtained from the male specimens showed the peculiar gonad on the left side, smooth, elongated and with a relatively clear orange color, supported by muscle tissue, and in the females the oocytes were visualized in layers, or scaly-like tissue, in immature females, and with a rounded shape with a slightly whitish color in the celomic cavity. Boroscopy show to be useful for the sexual determination of specimens of pirarucu, with low cost, speed and formation of clear images.(AU)

Physical-chemical quality parameters of salted and dried fish (codfish) traded by retail markets / Parâmetros físico-químicos de qualidade de peixe salgado e seco (bacalhau) comercializado em mercados varejistas

Physical-chemical quality parameters in samples of salted and dried fish (codfish) traded in retail markets at the city of Rio de Janeiro/RJ was evaluated. Of 20 analyzed samples, 75% showed the humidity rates above the maximum limit permitted by legislation. The rates of Aa varied from 0.70 to 0.84, and the pH value was predominantly on average from 5.7 to 6.0, and only one sample had pH 7.1. The total volatile bases (TVB) values varied from 1.76 to 10.58mg N/100g, and the total quantity of fixed mineral residue exceeded the limit in 25% of analyzed samples. All of analyzed samples had chloride contents higher than that established minimum limit. In 14 out 20 collected samples, the oxidative rancidity was determined, and four samples showed positive result.

Foram avaliados os parâmetros físico-químicos de qualidade em amostras de peixe salgado e seco (bacalhau) comercializado no mercado varejista da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro/RJ. Das 20 amostras analisadas, 75% apresentaram valores de umidade acima do limite máximo permitido pela legislação. Os valores de Aa variaram entre 0,70 e 0,84. A faixa predominante do pH foi de 5,7 a 6,0 e apenas uma amostra se destacou das demais por apresentar pH 7,1. Os valores de Bases Voláteis Totais (BVT) variaram de 1,76 a 10,58 mgN/100g. A quantidade de resíduo mineral fixo total foi maior do que o limite estabelecido em 25% das amostras analisadas. Em todas as amostras analisadas, o índice de cloretos foi superior ao valor mínimo estabelecido. Em 14 das 20 amostras coletadas, foi realizada a determinação do ranço oxidativo, e quatro apresentaram resultados positivos. Observou-se a ocorrência de fraude, pela adição de sulfito de sódio em uma amostra e pela presença de histamina em quantidade de 2 a 5 mg/100g em uma outra amostra. De modo geral, a qualidade do bacalhau disponível ao consumo apresentou-se insatisfatória, em função do percentual de amostras que mostraram não conformidade com os padrões oficiais para alguns parâmetros e pela presença de ranço, sulfito e histamina, que além de sugerirem perda de qualidade do produto, esses podem comprometer a saúde do consumidor.