Mass Balance and Compositional Analysis of Biomass Outputs from Cacao Fruits.

The global chocolate value chain is based exclusively on cacao beans (CBs). With few exceptions, most CBs traded worldwide are produced under a linear economy model, where only 8 to 10% of the biomass ends up in chocolate-related products. This contribution reports the mass balance and composition dynamics of cacao fruit biomass outputs throughout one full year of the crop cycle. This information is relevant because future biorefinery developments and the efficient use of cacao fruits will depend on reliable, robust, and time-dependent compositional and mass balance data. Cacao husk (CH), beans (CBs), and placenta (CP) constitute, as dry weight, 8.92 ± 0.90 wt %, 8.87 ± 0.52 wt %, and 0.57 ± 0.05 wt % of the cacao fruit, respectively, while moisture makes up most of the biomass weight (71.6 ± 2.29 wt %). CH and CP are solid lignocellulosic outputs. Interestingly, the highest cellulose and lignin contents in CH coincide with cacao's primary harvest season (October to January). CB contains carbohydrates, fats, protein, ash, and phenolic compounds. The total polyphenol content in CBs is time-dependent, reaching maxima values during the harvest seasons. In addition, the fruit contains 4.13 ± 0.80 wt % of CME, a sugar- and nutrient-rich liquid output, with an average of 20 wt % of simple sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), in addition to minerals (mainly K and Ca) and proteins. The total carbohydrate content in CME changes dramatically throughout the year, with a minimum of 10 wt % from August to January and a maximum of 29 wt % in March.

[Spatial distribution of potential and positive Aedes aegypti breeding sites].

INTRODUCTION: The spatial distribution of Aedes aegypti is heterogeneous, and the interaction between positive and potential breeding sites located both inside and outside homes is one of the most difficult aspects to characterize in vector control programs. OBJECTIVE: To describe the spatial relationship between potential and positive breeding sites of A. aegypti inside and outside homes in Cali, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an entomological survey to collect data from both indoor and outdoor breeding sites. The exploratory analysis of spatial data included location, spatial trends, local spatial autocorrelation, spatial continuity and spatial correlation of positive and potential breeding sites according to habitat. RESULTS: Spatial trends were identified, as well as clusters of potential and positive breeding sites outdoors using local spatial autocorrelation analysis. A positive correlation was found between potential and positive breeding sites, and a negative correlation existed between indoor and outdoor sites. CONCLUSIONS: The spatial relationship between positive and potential A. aegypti breeding sites both indoors and outdoors is dynamic and highly sensitive to the characteristics of each territory. Knowing how positive and potential breeding sites are distributed contributes to the prioritization of resources and actions in vector control programs.

Distribución espacial de criaderos positivos y potenciales de Aedes aegypti / Spatial distribution of potential and positive Aedes aegypti breeding sites

Resumen Introducción. La distribución espacial de Aedes aegypti es heterogénea, y la interacción entre criaderos positivos y potenciales en el intradomicilio y el extradomicilio es uno de los aspectos más difíciles de caracterizar en los programas de control vectorial. Objetivo. Describir la relación espacial entre los criaderos potenciales y positivos de A. aegypti en el intradomicilio y en el extradomicilio en un sector de Cali, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo una encuesta entomológica con el objetivo de recolectar datos de los criaderos en el intradomicilio y el extradomicilio. El análisis exploratorio de los datos espaciales incluyó la localización, la tendencia espacial, la autocorrelación espacial local, la continuidad espacial y la correlación espacial de los criaderos positivos y potenciales según el hábitat. Resultados. Se determinaron las tendencias espaciales. Mediante el análisis de autocorrelación espacial local se ubicaron los conglomerados de criaderos potenciales y positivos del extradomicilio. Se encontró una correlación positiva entre los criaderos potenciales y los positivos y una correlación negativa entre el intradomicilio y el extradomicilio. Conclusiones. La relación espacial entre criaderos positivos y potenciales de A. aegypti en el intradomicilio y el extradomicilio es dinámica y muy sensible a las características de cada territorio, por lo que establecer su distribución en el espacio contribuye a la priorización de recursos y acciones en los programas de control vectorial.

Abstract Introduction: The spatial distribution of Aedes aegypti is heterogeneous, and the interaction between positive and potential breeding sites located both inside and outside homes is one of the most difficult aspects to characterize in vector control programs. Objective: To describe the spatial relationship between potential and positive breeding sites of A. aegypti inside and outside homes in Cali, Colombia. Materials and methods: We conducted an entomological survey to collect data from both indoor and outdoor breeding sites. The exploratory analysis of spatial data included location, spatial trends, local spatial autocorrelation, spatial continuity and spatial correlation of positive and potential breeding sites according to habitat. Results: Spatial trends were identified, as well as clusters of potential and positive breeding sites outdoors using local spatial autocorrelation analysis. A positive correlation was found between potential and positive breeding sites, and a negative correlation existed between indoor and outdoor sites. Conclusions: The spatial relationship between positive and potential A. aegypti breeding sites both indoors and outdoors is dynamic and highly sensitive to the characteristics of each territory. Knowing how positive and potential breeding sites are distributed contributes to the prioritization of resources and actions in vector control programs.