Optimisation of the extraction process of antioxidant capacity compounds from beet (Beta vulgaris L. ) stalk / Otimização do processo de extração de compostos com capacidade antioxidante do talo de beterraba (Beta vulgaris L. )

Beet is a traditional root consumed worldwide and is considered a potential source of several bioactive compounds, yet during production and commercialisation activities, its leaves and stalks are discarded. The beet residue has notable quantities of diverse phenolic compounds that are not taken advantage of it. The beet stalks (sample) were obtained from a local producer at the municipality of Marechal Cândido Rondon, Paraná state, Brazil. The optimisation of the extraction process of antioxidant capacity compounds from beet stalk was done by response surface methodology (RSM), with three independent variables (time, from 5 to 85 min; temperature, from 20 to 80 °C and solvent, from 0 to 100% of ethanol/ water ratio). Extracts were evaluated for their reducing capacity, measured by the Folin­Ciocalteu method, and antioxidant capacity by the ability to scavenge DPPH and ABTS free radicals. The optimal global extraction conditions determined were 5 min, 80 °C and 50% ethanol, yielding 13.157 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) g­1, 21.539 µmol Trolox equivalents g-1 (TE; DPPH) and 250.190 µmol TE g­1 (ABTS). Beet stalk demonstrated to be an alternative and rich source of recovering of natural antioxidant compounds, showing higher contents when compared to other agro-industrial residues.(AU)

A beterraba é uma raiz tradicionalmente consumida em todo mundo e reportada como fonte de diversos compostos bioativos, porém, em atividades de processamento e comercialização, tem suas folhas e talos descartados. O resíduo de beterraba possui quantidades notáveis de compostos bioativos que não são aproveitados. Os talos de beterraba (amostra) foram obtidas de produtor local do município de Marechal Cândido Rondon, Paraná, Brasil. A otimização do processo de extração de compostos com capacidade antioxidante do talo da beterraba foi realizada por metodologia de superfície de resposta (MSR) utilizando três variáveis independentes (tempo, de 5 a 85 min; temperatura, de 20 a 80 °C e solvente, de 0 a 100% de etanol/água). Os extratos foram avaliados quanto a sua capacidade redutora, avaliada pelo método Folin­Ciocalteu, e capacidade antioxidante avaliada pela sua habilidade em sequestrar os radicais livres DPPH e ABTS. As condições ótimas globais determinadas foram 5 min, 80o C e 50% de etanol, que produziram valores de: 13,157 mg equivalente de ácido gálico (EAG) g-1, 21,539 µmol de equivalente Trolox g-1 (ET; DPPH) e 250,190 µmol ET g-1 (ABTS). O talo de beterraba demonstrou ser uma alternativa e rica fonte de recuperação de compostos antioxidantes naturais apresentando maiores teores quando comparado a outros resíduos agroindustriais.(AU)

Utilization of molasses and sugar cane bagasse for production of fungal invertase in solid state fermentation using Aspergillus niger GH1

Agro-industrial wastes have been used as substrate-support in solid state fermentation for enzyme production. Molasses and sugarcane bagasse are by-products of sugar industry and can be employed as substrates for invertase production. Invertase is an important enzyme for sweeteners development. In this study, a xerophilic fungus Aspergillus niger GH1 isolated of the Mexican semi-desert, previously reported as an invertase over-producer strain was used. Molasses from Mexico and Cuba were chemically analyzed (total and reducer sugars, nitrogen and phosphorous contents); the last one was selected based on chemical composition. Fermentations were performed using virgin and hydrolyzate bagasse (treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid). Results indicated that, the enzymatic yield (5231 U/L) is higher than those reported by other A. niger strains under solid state fermentation, using hydrolyzate bagasse. The acid hydrolysis promotes availability of fermentable sugars. In addition, maximum invertase activity was detected at 24 h using low substrate concentration, which may reduce production costs. This study presents an alternative method for invertase production using a xerophilic fungus isolated from Mexican semi-desert and inexpensive substrates (molasses and sugarcane bagasse).

Ocorrência de insetos em plantas de tomateiro tratadas com preparados em altas diluições / Occurrence of insect incidence on tomato crops treated with high dilution preparations

A cultura do tomateiro apresenta grande suscetibilidade a pragas, que no sistema de produção convencional tem demandado uso intensivo de agrotóxicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de tratamentos fitossanitários, em altas diluições, na incidência de insetos praga em plantas de tomateiro, sob sistema orgânico de produção. Experimentos foram conduzidos a campo nos ciclos produtivos de 2008/2009 e 2009/2010. Os tratamentos constituíram-se dos preparados Staphysagria, Arsenicum album, Sulphur, Arnica montana, nosódios de Solanum lycopersicum e de Solanum aculeatissimum,nas escalas decimal (DH) e centesimal (CH) dedinamização hahnemaniana. Calda bordalesa, calda cúprica e Bacillus thuringiensis foram incluídos em doses ponderais. Constatou-se a presença de coleópteros desfolhadores e tripes, porém apenas Agathomerus sellatus de forma sistemática. População de A. selatus foi reduzida por Sulphur e Arnica montana na dinamização 12 e 24 DH, respectivamente. Preparados em altas diluições apresentam alto potencial de redução de incidência de insetos e de danos de Agathomerus sellatus em tomateiro.

Tomato crops are very susceptible to pests, which in conventional control measures have required the use of a lot of pesticides. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of high dilution preparations on the incidence of insects in the tomato crops under organic production systems. Experiments were carried out under fi eld conditions during 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 crop cycles. The treatment consisted of high dilution preparations of Staphysagria, Arsenicum album, Sulphur, Arnica montana, biotherapic of Solanum lycopersicum and biotherapic of Solanum aculeatissimum. All of them were applied at decimal (DH) and centesimal (CH) hahnemaniann dilution order. Bordeaux mixture, cupric preparation and Bacillus thuringiensis were also included. It was observed that coleoptera insects and thrips were sporadically present but Agathomerus sellatus was regularly found in all treatment. The population of A.sellatus was signifi cantly reduced by Sulphur and Arnica montana, respectively to 12 and 24 DH high dilutions. High dilution preparations have the potential to reduce insect incidence on tomato crops and it can be effective control measure for Agathomerus sellatus.

Ocorrência de insetos em plantas de tomateiro tratadas com preparados em altas diluições / Occurrence of insect incidence on tomato crops treated with high dilution preparations

A cultura do tomateiro apresenta grande suscetibilidade a pragas, que no sistema de produção convencional tem demandado uso intensivo de agrotóxicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de tratamentos fitossanitários, em altas diluições, na incidência de insetos praga em plantas de tomateiro, sob sistema orgânico de produção. Experimentos foram conduzidos a campo nos ciclos produtivos de 2008/2009 e 2009/2010. Os tratamentos constituíram-se dos preparados Staphysagria, Arsenicum album, Sulphur, Arnica montana, nosódios de Solanum lycopersicum e de Solanum aculeatissimum,nas escalas decimal (DH) e centesimal (CH) dedinamização hahnemaniana. Calda bordalesa, calda cúprica e Bacillus thuringiensis foram incluídos em doses ponderais. Constatou-se a presença de coleópteros desfolhadores e tripes, porém apenas Agathomerus sellatus de forma sistemática. População de A. selatus foi reduzida por Sulphur e Arnica montana na dinamização 12 e 24 DH, respectivamente. Preparados em altas diluições apresentam alto potencial de redução de incidência de insetos e de danos de Agathomerus sellatus em tomateiro.(AU)

Tomato crops are very susceptible to pests, which in conventional control measures have required the use of a lot of pesticides. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of high dilution preparations on the incidence of insects in the tomato crops under organic production systems. Experiments were carried out under fi eld conditions during 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 crop cycles. The treatment consisted of high dilution preparations of Staphysagria, Arsenicum album, Sulphur, Arnica montana, biotherapic of Solanum lycopersicum and biotherapic of Solanum aculeatissimum. All of them were applied at decimal (DH) and centesimal (CH) hahnemaniann dilution order. Bordeaux mixture, cupric preparation and Bacillus thuringiensis were also included. It was observed that coleoptera insects and thrips were sporadically present but Agathomerus sellatus was regularly found in all treatment. The population of A.sellatus was signifi cantly reduced by Sulphur and Arnica montana, respectively to 12 and 24 DH high dilutions. High dilution preparations have the potential to reduce insect incidence on tomato crops and it can be effective control measure for Agathomerus sellatus.(AU)