Diversity of Anastrepha spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the Chaco Biome.

Species of the genus Anastrepha cause injuries to several fruits and vegetables in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Among these species, many are present in Brazil. In this study, we surveyed the existing Anastrepha species in the Brazilian Chaco Biome. We evaluated possible influences of climate and vegetation on the occurrence of Anastrepha spp. For this, we used traps and hydrolyzed protein as bait. Collections were carried out in three distinct floristic compositions in the Chaco biome, from permanently dry areas to flooded sites. We identified Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830), A. sororcula Zucchi 1979, A. undosa Stone 1942, and A. daciformis Bezzi 1909. The dry and flooded environment did not influence the occurrence of Anastrepha species. The presence of multiple hosts increases the number of species. The richness and abundance of Anastrepha species are lower in the Brazilian Chaco than in other native environments.

Spatial distribution of Ceratitis capitata in guava orchards and influences from orchard management.

The objectives of this research were: (i) to Estimate the quantitative occurrence of Ceratitis capitata captured in McPhail traps in cultivating guava; (ii) to investigate the spatial distribution patterns of C. capitata in guava orchards; (iii) to compare the index of the FTD (fruit fly/trap/day) to the type of spatial distribution of C. capitata with the Negative Binomial to set the best time for control of the population in the context of Integrated Pest Management; (iv) Verify the influence of the pruning, spraying, and mowing on the distributions of medfly in guava. Was used 30 McPhail traps installed in three commercial orchards of guava. The spatial distribution was evaluated by the regression model with the Taylor power method, from the log of variance to the log of the mean number of individuals. Ceratitis capitata has aggregated distribution behavior. The potential risk of economic damage is associated with aggregate distribution behavior. The beginning of this distribution indicates the most appropriate time for using control techniques.

Simple and inexpensive flow L-glutamate determination using pumpkin tissue.

This work refers to a very easy to implementate flow injection system with potentiometric detection for l-glutamate determination in food samples. The proposed procedure is based on measurement of carbon dioxide produced by decarboxylation of l-glutamate catalyzed by l-glutamate decarboxylase (E.C. 4.1.1.1.5) from Cucurbita maxima (pumpkin). The FI potentiometric system includes an enzymatic reactor with a length of 8 cm and thickness of 5 mm packed with 200 mg of a C. maxima outer layer cut in to small pieces. The proposed procedure allowed l-glutamate determinations in the concentration interval of 10-100 mmol L(-1) for an injected sample volume of 50 microL. A phosphate buffer (0.1 mol L(-1), pH 5.5) solution flowing at 1.4 mL min(-1) was used as the carrier solution in the system. The results obtained in the analysis of food samples revealed a relative error lower than 5% when compared with those provided by the spectrophometric reference procedure. The immobilized reactor retained its initial activity for 21 days. It was possible to measure 40 samples/h with the flow system proposed.