Determinação das curvas de secagem das sementes de andiroba em secador solar

The oil of crabwood is commonly extracted in Amazon by traditional or by pressing method. The extraction efficiency is related to the heating and water content of the seeds. Thus, the determination of a drying model that represent satisfactorily the experimental data is of paramount importance to minimize the changes introduced by the process, consequently obtaining a quality product. The objective of this study was to describe the drying kinetics of seeds of crabwood as well as adjust the mathematical models to the experimental data, using solar dryer. The coefficient of determination, the magnitude of the mean relative error and standard deviation of the estimate was used as the criterion of fit of mathematical models. Drying in a shorter period of time (14 days) of Carapa surinamensis to reach the water equilibrium content (12.28%) may be attributed to the smaller size of the seeds and the greater amount of oil compared to Carapa guianensis. Logarithmic and Midilli et al. were the model that best fitted the experimental data for seeds of both species of Andiroba. © 2015, Departamento de Engenharia Agricola - UFCG/Cnpq. All rights reserved

Óleo de andiroba: processo tradicional da extração, uso e aspectos sociais no estado do Amazonas, Brasil Crapwood oil: traditional extraction, use and social aspects in the state of Amazonas, Brasil

O processo tradicional de extração do óleo das sementes de andiroba foi levantado em três municípios (Anamã, Manacapuru e Silves) no Estado do Amazonas. Em 1992 e 2004, foi aplicado um questionário a 38 extratoras. Sementes das duas espécies de andiroba (Carapa procera D.C. e Carapa guianensis Aubl.) foram utilizadas como matéria prima. O processo tradicional é complexo, demora cerca de dois meses e pode ser dividido em três etapas: 1. A coleta, seleção de sementes boas e um primeiro armazenamento (3-15 dias). 2. O preparo da massa pelo cozimento das sementes em água (1-3 horas), um segundo período de armazenamento (até 20 dias) e finalizada pela retirada da casca e o amassamento das amêndoas. 3. A extração do óleo (até 30 dias), pelo gotejamento colocando a massa sobre uma superfície inclinada. Óleo extraído na sombra foi considerado de melhor qualidade do que no sol, porém o processo é mais demorado. Uma segunda extração com a prensa ("tipiti"), usada na fabricação de farinha, foi raramente empregada. Verificaram-se pequenas variações entre os procedimentos das extratoras, aparentemente com conseqüências na rentabilidade e na qualidade do óleo. Na primeira e segunda etapa da extração participaram membros da família e/ou vizinhos, ao contrário da etapa final, realizada por uma única mulher. Enquanto, transmissão do conhecimento tradicional, em geral, costuma passar de geração por geração pela oralidade e observação, este estudo revelou, que os jovens não participam mais da extração. Fato, que no futuro próximo, pode causar a perda de conhecimento em relação à extração do óleo de andiroba pelo método tradicional.<br>The traditional method of oil extraction from crabwood seeds was observed in three municipalities (Anamã, Manacapuru e Silves) in the state of Amazonas. In 1992 and 2004 a total of 38 producers were interviewed. Seeds of two species (Carapa procera D.C. and Carapa guianensis Aubl.) were used for oil extraction. The complex process requires about two months and can be divided into three stages: 1. seed collection by gathering and storing good seed (3-5 days). 2. "seed cake" preparation by cooking the seeds in boiling water (1-3 hours), followed by a second storage period (up to 20 days), completed by removing the seed coat and kneading the seed mass; 3. Oil extraction (up to 30 days) by collecting the oil dripping from the "seed cake" placed on an inclined plate. Oil extracted in the shade was considered of better quality than in the sun, but the process needed more time. A second extraction with the press ("tipiti") used for manioc flour was rarely used. Comparing the methods of the producers, some minor variations were observed apparent consequences in yield as well as quality. The first and second stages of the process involved the collaboration of relatives and/or neighbors, whereas the last stage was executed by only one woman. Transmission of traditional knowledge is passed from generation to generation by orality and observation. This study revealed that young persons no longer participated. This may cause, in the near future a loss of knowledge and skill in performance for crabwood seed oil extraction by the traditional method

Drying kinetics of ‘babassu’ mesocarp

ABSTRACT ‘Babassu’ mesocarp flour has been used by the pharmaceutical, human food and animal feed industries. However, there is lack of standardization in the production, as well as absence of information on the management of the product’s quality. Thus, the objective of this study was to dry the ‘babassu’ mesocarp in forced-air oven and solar dryer, adjust different mathematical models to the experimental data, as well as to quantify the levels of proteins and crude fiber of the produced flour. The criteria for the adjustment were the coefficient of determination, magnitude of the mean relative error, standard deviation of estimate and the residual distribution trend. Drying in the shortest time occurred in oven at 60 °C (370 min), leading to water content of 4.62%, while in the solar dryer the final water content was 8.07% in 6 days. The mathematical model Two Terms showed the best fit to the experimental data for oven drying and the Midilli model showed the best fit in solar dryer. There was an increase in protein content with the drying in solar dryer and oven at 40, 50 and 60 °C (1.36, 1.33, 1.15 and 1.37%, respectively) in relation to fresh mesocarp (0.88%). Drying in both oven and solar dryer promoted increase of protein in the flour

Drying kinetics of ‘babassu’ mesocarp

<div><p>ABSTRACT ‘Babassu’ mesocarp flour has been used by the pharmaceutical, human food and animal feed industries. However, there is lack of standardization in the production, as well as absence of information on the management of the product’s quality. Thus, the objective of this study was to dry the ‘babassu’ mesocarp in forced-air oven and solar dryer, adjust different mathematical models to the experimental data, as well as to quantify the levels of proteins and crude fiber of the produced flour. The criteria for the adjustment were the coefficient of determination, magnitude of the mean relative error, standard deviation of estimate and the residual distribution trend. Drying in the shortest time occurred in oven at 60 °C (370 min), leading to water content of 4.62%, while in the solar dryer the final water content was 8.07% in 6 days. The mathematical model Two Terms showed the best fit to the experimental data for oven drying and the Midilli model showed the best fit in solar dryer. There was an increase in protein content with the drying in solar dryer and oven at 40, 50 and 60 °C (1.36, 1.33, 1.15 and 1.37%, respectively) in relation to fresh mesocarp (0.88%). Drying in both oven and solar dryer promoted increase of protein in the flour.</p></div

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among military personnel

Background: Data regarding Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) prevalence among military personnel in Brazil are lacking, but the work-related risk of exposure can be high. The objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV and the risk factors associated to HBV exposure among Brazilian military personnel.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and included 433 male military adults aged 18-25 years old working in Rio de Janeiro during October 2013. All individuals completed a questionnaire to assess their risk of exposure and provided a blood sample to HBV and HCV testing.Results: None of the participants presented HBsAg or anti-HBc IgM, 18 (4.1%) were positive for total anti-HBc, 247 (57.0%) were positive for anti-HBs, and 3 (0.7%) were anti-HCV reactive. The majority of military personnel with past HBV infection (anti-HBc reactive) and HBV immunity (anti-HBs reactive) had a history of prior dental procedures (88.9% and 77.3%), consumption of alcohol at least once a week (50% and 55.9%), and practiced oral sex (61.1% and 58.3%, respectively). In addition, anti-HBc positivity was common among individuals with a history of surgery (44.4%) and practice of anal sex (50%). At univariate analysis, age group was associated to anti-HBc and anti-HBs positivity.Conclusions: Low rates of HBV and HCV infection were observed among Brazilian military personnel in comparison to the general Brazilian population. HBV immunity rates were relatively low indicating the need for vaccination campaigns in this group

Correction: Cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses and reference equation validation to predict peak oxygen uptake for the incremental shuttle waking test in adolescent boys.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206867.]

Increased interregional virus exchange and nucleotide diversity outline the expansion of chikungunya virus in Brazil

Abstract The emergence and reemergence of mosquito-borne diseases in Brazil such as yellow fever, zika, chikungunya, and dengue have had serious impacts on public health. Concerns have been raised due to the rapid dissemination of the chikungunya virus across the country since its first detection in 2014 in Northeast Brazil. In this work, we carried out on-site training activities in genomic surveillance in partnership with the National Network of Public Health Laboratories that have led to the generation of 422 chikungunya virus genomes from 12 Brazilian states over the past two years (2021–2022), a period that has seen more than 312 thousand chikungunya fever cases reported in the country. These genomes increased the amount of available data and allowed a more comprehensive characterization of the dispersal dynamics of the chikungunya virus East-Central-South-African lineage in Brazil. Tree branching patterns revealed the emergence and expansion of two distinct subclades. Phylogeographic analysis indicated that the northeast region has been the leading hub of virus spread towards other regions. Increased frequency of C > T transitions among the new genomes suggested that host restriction factors from the immune system such as ADAR and AID/APOBEC deaminases might be driving the genetic diversity of the chikungunya virus in Brazil