Indigenous Peoples Boxed in by Brazil’s Political Crisis

Agribusiness has unprecedented leverage over highly unpopular Brazilian president Michel Temer, who is faced with several corruption charges and is struggling for political survival. In a little over one year, the agribusiness lobby and its allies have managed to erode thirty years of human rights and conservation laws. Indigenous peoples and their territorial rights are among the main targets of such policies, and there is no resolution to the situation in sight. With the insight of several scholars, the following forum assesses the consequences of losing the protection the Citizens’ Constitution of 1988 once afforded indigenous peoples in Brazil

Three Dimensional de Sitter Gravity and the Correspondence

Certain aspects of three dimensional asymptotically de Sitter spaces are studied, with emphasis on the mapping between gravity observables and the representation of the conformal symmetry of the boundary. In particular, we show that non-real conformal weights for the boundary theory correspond to space-times that have non-zero angular momentum. Some miscellaneous results on the role of the holonomies and isometry groups are also presented.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure, uses epsf. Added references and a discussion on the (dis)similarities with previous work

Development and characterization of an active chitosan-based film containing quercetin

This work aims at developing an active chitosan film through the incorporation of quercetin and the evaluation of physical and functional properties of the films made thereof. The addition of quercetin showed to influence films properties in terms of surface morphology, tensile strength, and opacity while elongation-at-break, thickness, water vapor, and oxygen permeability were not significantly affected with incorporation of quercetin. The color parameters of chitosan films were affected by quercetin incorporation with a decrease of the values of L* and a*. The film exhibited a high free-radical scavenging activity, showing antioxidant activity. The film-forming solutions of chitosan with or without quercetin showed antibacterial activity against four Gram-negative and three Gram-positive bacteria. These results showed that quercetin incorporation in chitosan-based films has potential to be used as a solution for active food packaging.Author Marthyna Pessoa de Souza thanks the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES/PDEE-Brazil) and Fundacao de Amparo a Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE, Brazil) for fellowships. Miguel A. Cerqueira and Helder D. Silva (SFRH/BPD/72753/2010 and SFRH/BD/81288/2011, respectively) are recipients of a fellowship from the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT, POPH-QREN and FSE Portugal). This research was financially supported by research grants and fellowships from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), as well as the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) and Fundacao de Amparo a Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE). The authors also thank the FCT Strategic Project of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit, the project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462), and the project "BioInd - Biotechnology and Bioengineering for improved Industrial and Agro-Food processes," REF. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028 Co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON. 2-O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDE

Immobilization of b-galactosidase from kluyveromyces lactis onto a polysiloxane–polyvinyl alcohol magnetic (mPOS–PVA) composite for lactose hydrolysis

β-Galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis was covalently immobilized onto a mPOS–PVA, using glutaraldehyde as activating agent and its properties were evaluated. The enzymatic water insoluble derivative displayed the same optimum pH (6.5) and optimum temperature (50 °C) of the soluble enzyme. The apparent Km app and activation energy for both soluble and immobilized enzyme derivative were found to be not significantly different. The mPOS–PVA β-galactosidase preparation presented a higher operational and thermal stability than the soluble enzyme. This immobilized β-galactosidase also was effective in hydrolyzing lactose from milk. Hence, one can conclude that mPOS–PVA is an attractive and efficient support for β-galactosidase immobilization.Alban, the European Union Programme of High Level Scholarships for Latin America; Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq)

Quercetin-loaded lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles for functional food applications

This study aimed at the encapsulation of quercetin into lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles using the electrostatic self-assembly technique, followed by evaluation of their functionality (antioxidant activity) and stability at different environmental conditions. These nanoparticles were characterized in terms of: average size, morphology, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, loading, and spectroscopic characteristics. Quercetin has been successfully encapsulated in lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles with an efficiency of 96.13 ± 0.44 %. Nanoparticles presented a spherical morphology with an average size of 168.58 ± 20.94 nm and a zeta potential of 56.46 ± 1.94 mV. Stability studies showed that nanoparticles are stable to temperatures ranging between 5 and 70 °C and a pH variation from 3.3 to 5.0. Moreover, encapsulated quercetin showed improved antioxidant properties when compared to free-quercetin. Our results suggest that quercetin-loaded lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles can be used in the manufacture of functional foods.Author Marthyna Pessoa de Souza thanks Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES/PDEE-Brazil) and Fundacao de Amparo a Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE, Brazil) for granting her scholarships. Miguel A. Cerqueira is recipient of a fellowship from the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (SFRH/BPD/72753/2010, FCT, POPH-QREN, and FSE Portugal). This research was financially supported by research grants and fellowships from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), as well as the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) and Fundacao de Amparo a Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE).The support of EU Cost Actions FA0904 and FA1001 is gratefully acknowledged

Development and characterization of lactoferrin-GMP nanohydrogels : evaluation of pH, ionic strength and temperature effect

Lactoferrin (Lf) and glycomacropeptide (GMP), two bioactive proteins from milk, were used to produce nanohydrogels by electrostatic interaction and thermal gelation. Parameters such as protein concentration, molar ratio, pH, temperature and heating time were evaluated in order to develop the nanohydrogels, which were characterized in terms of morphology (Transmission Electron Microscopy TEM, Dynamic Light Scattering DLS, Atomic Force Microscopy AFM and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy CLSM) and stability. The aggregation of the mixture between Lf and GMP increased with the increase of temperature, resulting in particles with lower hydrodynamic diameter and polydispersity index (PdI). Nanohydrogels were obtained from the mixture of Lf and GMP solutions (0.02% (w/w) in molar ratio 1:7) at pH 5.0, and subsequently stirred and heated at 80 °C, during 20 min. Results showed that nanohydrogels have a spherical shape with a hydrodynamic diameter around 170 nm, a PdI of 0.1 and a swelling ratio of 30. The minimum size of nanohydrogels depends on protein concentration and molar ratio. Decreasing the protein concentrations and increasing the content of GMP molecules in solution, the hydrodynamic diameter and PdI of nanohydrogels decreased. The electrical charge values of nanohydrogels at different pH values suggest that Lf molecules are in the surface and GMP molecules are mostly in the core of the structure (confirmed by confocal microscopy). Also, it was observed that nanohydrogels' hydrodynamic diameter and PdI, after formation, are influenced when submitted at different conditions of pH, ionic strength and temperature. Lf-GMP nanohydrogels showed properties that indicate that they are a promising delivery system for food and pharmaceutical applications.The authors Ana I. Bourbon, Ana C. Pinheiro, Ricardo N. Pereira and Miguel A. Cerqueira are recipient of fellowships from the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, POPH-QREN and FSE (FCT, Portugal) through grants SFRH/BD/73178/2010, SFRH/BD/48120/2008, SFRH/BPD/81887/2011 and SFRH/BPD/72753/2010, respectively. Maria G. Carneiro-da-Cunha express is gratitude to the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) for research grant. The authors would like to acknowledge to Jorge Padrao from Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho and Andre Coelho from Federal University of Ceara for helping in electrophoresis measurements and to Rui Fernandes from IBMC, University of Porto for assistance in taking the TEM pictures. Also, the authors thank the FCT Strategic Projects PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013 and PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2013 (FCT and FEDER funds through COMPETE). The work also received financial support from the European Union (FEDER funds) under the framework of QREN (Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2 - O Novo Norte; FEDER) through projects NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028 and NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000069

Physical properties of edible coatings and films made with a polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L.

The effect of the concentrations of the polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L. (Policaju) and a surfactant (Tween 80) on relevant properties of edible coatings/films, in view of their application on apples (cv. Golden) was evaluated. The influence of the interactions between those two constituents on apples’ surface properties and on the coating/film’s wettability, water vapor permeability, opacity and mechanical properties was evaluated. The effects of the studied variables (polysaccharide and surfactant concentrations) were analyzed according to a 2² factorial design. Pareto bar charts were used to understand the most significant factors on the studied properties. The addition of surfactant reduced the cohesion forces, therefore reducing the surface tension and increasing the wettability; this resulted in an improved compatibility between the solution and the fruit skin surface. The opacity was also reduced. The results of each of the analyzed properties were adjusted to a polynomial, multifactor model, which provided a good fitting accuracy. This model is important once it will reduce the characterization work needed in subsequent applications of these coatings/films on foods.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes, Brazil)Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brazi

Production and characterization of protease from Penicillium aurantiogriseum URM 4622

Proteases with new properties are required due to their increasing industrial importance. In this work, the optimal fermentation conditions for the production of a protease from Penicillium aurantiogriseum dierchx (URM-4622) are presented together with partial characterization of the protease catalytic properties. The batch fermentation conditions that allow for the highest specific proteolytic activity are 26 ºC, pH 7.0, and 25 % saturation dissolved O2 concentration. The obtained protease is stable over a wide range of pH (5.8 to 9.5) and temperature (25 to 40 ºC) values. In the presence of Zn2+ a 26 % reduction in the enzyme proteolytic activity occurs and, in contrast, Mn2+ enhances its activity by 28.9 %. 96.2 % and 70.8 % of the protease activity are maintained after 90 min incubation in 5 and 10 % (v/v) H2O2 aqueous solutions, respectively. PMSF inhibition reveals that this enzyme is a serine protease. Protease is able to hydrolyze different proteins

The microbial culture collections of the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) and the new consortium towards the establishment of BRC-UFPE

The UFPE from Recife in Brazil hosts a bacterial (UFPEDA) and a fungal (URM) collections since 1951 and 1954, respectively. The UFPEDA was established by Prof. Oswaldo Gonçalves de Lima and is register in WDCM as 114. It is hosted at Antibiotic Department (DA) of UFPE and started out with 200 species mainly of the genus Streptomyces. Nowadays this collection holds 4000 strains of actinomycetes isolated from all the Brazilian places and from the International Streptomyces Project (ISP). The URM – University of Recife Mycology was established by Prof. Augusto Chaves Batista and is register in WDCM as 604. Actual it holds 9000 identified species including 1400 yeasts and 7600 filamentous fungi. All major fungal taxonomic groups are cover by this collection. The collections preserve each strain at least by two different techniques. Water and mineral oil storage were used for long operation time while freeze-drying and freezing at -80 ºC become the main techniques used at this stage. Special care is taken to test whether cultures recovered from preserved material conform to the original deposit. These collections have a range of services which are acceptance of free and confidential deposits, supply strains for academia, industry and services, support research and education (graduate and post-graduate students, as well as advanced training courses), identification services and confidential contracts (e.g. fungal medical diagnosis, starters for agro-industry companies, etc.). The OECD initiative related to guidance for the operation of Biological Resource Centres (BRC) is now a key reference for these collections. The right management of biological resources and their associate information including quality control are perused by these collections. The recent national projects, with reasonable budgets to support their activities, either on networking activities or requalification and management create a new breath and responsibilities to these collections. Taking advantage of good and well equipped premises of LIKA these collections are now open new avenues working in consortium to improve the quality control of their holdings using new tools from molecular biology and spectral analysis (MALDI-TOF) to achieve in the future a certified BRC for the UFPE microbial culture collections