Safety of frozen vegetables: a case study on carrots

Consumers are confident in frozen foods, which is a consequence of proven safety and quality characteristics of the products. However, safety depends strongly on the quality of the raw materials, the hygienic conditions when handling both at industrial and home processing, and on the temperature conditions during the entire logistic chain. Bacteria survival depends upon a number of factors, such as type of microorganism, freezing process, rate of freezing, storage temperatures and freeze-thaw cycles. The goal of this work was to quantify the impact of the freezing operation per si and frozen storage, at two temperatures (-7º and –20 ºC), on total aerobes, yeast and moulds levels on shredded carrots (Daucus carrota L.). Results showed that, for both temperatures analyzed, the freezing operation itself had a significant effect (p<0,05) in reducing microbial counts, when compared with the initial levels. Storage temperature did not influence significantly mesophilic aerobic flora levels (p<0,05). However, yeasts counts in samples stored at –20ºC presented a gradual decline along the storage period, being significantly lower than samples at -7ºC, after 10 days of storage. Moulds were not detected in all analyzed samples

Seleção de descritores mínimos para a caracterização de germoplasma de bananeira.

A caracterização é uma atividade primordial na geração de conhecimentos sobre o germoplasma conservado em coleções, por permitir um melhor manejo do germoplasma e fornecer subsídios ao melhoramento genético. A Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura possui uma coleção de germoplasma de bananeira com 264 acessos, obtidos a partir da introdução de germoplasma nacional e coletas em nível internacional (DANTAS et al., 1993).Em paralelo aconteceram também os seguintes eventos: V Seminário de Pesquisa do Recôncavo da Bahia; V Seminário Estudantil de Pesquisa da UFRB; V Seminário da Pós-Graduação da UFRB; II Seminário Regional de Pesquisa da EBDA; 5ª Jornada Científica da Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura; VIII Seminário Estudantil de Pesquisa e Extensão da FAMAM; Semana de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação no Agronegócio; Fórum de Gestores de Iniciação Científica e Tecnológica da Bahia; II Simpósio Baiano de Defesa Agropecuária; I Semana de Educação Tutorial da UFRB

Improve protective efficacy of a TB DNA-HSP65 vaccine by BCG priming

Vaccines are considered by many to be one of the most successful medical interventions against infectious diseases. But many significant obstacles remain, such as optimizing DNA vaccines for use in humans or large animals. The amount of doses, route and easiness of administration are also important points to consider in the design of new DNA vaccines. Heterologous prime-boost regimens probably represent the best hope for an improved DNA vaccine strategy. In this study, we have shown that heterologous prime-boost vaccination against tuberculosis (TB) using intranasal BCG priming/DNA-HSP65 boosting (BCGin/DNA) provided significantly greater protection than that afforded by a single subcutaneous or intranasal dose of BCG. In addition, BCGin/DNA immunization was also more efficient in controlling bacterial loads than were the other prime-boost schedules evaluated or three doses of DNA-HSP65 as a naked DNA. The single dose of DNA-HSP65 booster enhanced the immunogenicity of a single subcutaneous BCG vaccination, as evidenced by the significantly higher serum levels of anti-Hsp65 IgG2a Th1-induced antibodies, as well as by the significantly greater production of IFN-γ by antigen-specific spleen cells. The BCG prime/DNA-HSP65 booster was also associated with better preservation of lung parenchyma

Processing zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) with low UV-C radiation

Recent developments regarding the antimicrobial properties of certain types of light sources have promoted a growing interest in these applications, especially with concern to their potentialities for food processing. Ultraviolet radiation in the range of 200-280 nm is lethal to most microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts. Fresh and artificially contaminated zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.), whole and cut into triangular prisms, was exposed to UV-C lamps (Philips TUV-TL mini 8W) for different periods of time with the objective of quantifying the germicidal effect of this treatment. Triangular prism cut samples of zucchini were processed for 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 min with different energy discharges of UV-C radiation, respectively 2.1 and 8.4 watts, whereas whole zucchini were strategically exposed for maximum time/radiation conditions (15 min - 8.4W) due to larger surface area treatments. In freshly cut samples, total counts of mesophilic bacteria were assayed, although in the case of whole vegetables, these were initially inoculated with commercial strains of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, and consequently assayed for presence of this specific microorganism. In both cases, UV-C exposure significantly reduced microbial activity, however, in relation to the freshly cut samples, after initial reduction of mesophilic bacteria, observations of photoreactivation between 7.5 and 12.5 min were registered, with significant counts at 10 min. Decrease in bacterial growth was once again evidenced between 10 and 12.5 min but not confirmed at 15 min of exposure. As for whole contaminated vegetables, approximately 2 logarithmic reductions of the target microorganism (Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212) were achieved