Drying simulation of canola seeds (Brassica napus) with prediction of germination

Orientador: Jose Tadeu JorgeTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia AgricolaResumo: O principal objetivo deste trabalho é a obtenção de sementes de canola com menor redução de germinação, devido às injúrias térmicas, durante a secagem. Foi aplicado o método de acondicionamento hermético de sementes de canola em embalagens de alumínio imersas em banho-maria a 50, 60 e 70ºC para determinar o modelo matemático da redução de germinação (SIGMA) de acordo com as condições de umidade e temperatura de secagem. O modelo é baseado na dispersão de mortes de sementes acondicionadas a condições constantes de umidade e temperatura, durante determinado período de tempo. Os valores experimentais de SIGMA foram obtidos através dos resultados de germinação durante o acondicionamento hermético que validaram o modelo proposto, com elevado coeficiente de correlação. Esses valores de SIGMA foram inseridos em um programa de secagem disponível em linguagem FORTRAN, que fornece os valores estimados de germinação simulando-se a secagem sob condições conhecidas. Sementes de canola a 21% de umidade foram submetidas à secagem sob três temperaturas: 51, 61 e 67ºC para validar o modelo matemático de simulação, de acordo com as condições de umidade e temperatura dos grãos durante o processo de secagem. Temperaturas maiores resultaram em maiores perdas de germinação, principalmente a 61 e 67°C, sendo que a 51°C, a mudança da declividade não é tão visível. O modelo utilizado representa bem os dados experimentais e são compatíveis com os dados das referências bibliográficas. O modelo representou significativamente os experimentos de secagem processados a 61 e 67ºC, sendo que a 51ºC, a germinação experimental apresentou valores acima dos valores estimados, o que não inviabiliza a análise dos resultados. Este trabalho fornece subsídios para definir o período necessário para efetuar a secagem visando preservar a germinação das sementesAbstract: The main objective of this research work is to study of the reduction of germination loss in canola seeds after drying. The experimental procedure based on hermetic storage was used to determine the mathematical model of the germination reduction (SIGMA) for the actual drying conditions. The procedure consists in storing canola seeds hermetically in aluminum pouches, and immersed in water-bath at temperatures of 50°C, 60°C and 70°C, for a range of time periods, and the germination were determined. These data were used to determinate the experimental values of SIGMA function resulted from the multiple regression, presenting high correlation coefficient, and the parameters of this model were applied for the model of equation for canola seeds. This model was included in an existing drying simulation program. Canola seeds, with 21% of moisture content, were dried at 51°C, 61°C and 67 ºC, to validate the mathematical model of simulation, as function of the drying conditions. Higher drying temperatures resulted in higher losses of viability, however, the germination losses were slight lower for 61°C and 67°C. For drying at 51°C, the slope of the canola seeds were not perceptible. The values of germination of canola seeds during drying at 51°C, were higher than estimated germination at the same conditions, however this is not bad, because the simulation presents lower output than the actual germination. Drying temperature of 61°C and 67°C presented high correlation between the experimental points and the drying model. This publication present results to define the time for the drying process to preserve the seed germinationDoutoradoTecnologia Pós-ColheitaDoutor em Engenharia Agrícol

Prediction of canola seed longevity in the drying process

The probit analysis has been an important tool to predict seed longevity during storage and has been applied for seed drying simulation. Sealed aluminum pouches containing approximately 50 g of canola seed at moisture range of 7% to 21% of water content web basis (%) were conditioned in water-bath at 50, 60 and 70 °C to obtain the model to evaluate the reduction of canola seed germination. This model was included in the drying simulation program and the estimated germination was compared to the experimental values of germination during drying to validate the model. Canola seeds at 21% of moisture content and germination of 93% were dried at 51 °C and 61 °C, and the model represented significantly the drying experiments. The aim of this study was to propose a germination model to evaluate the quality of canola seeds during the drying process and to offer the seed producers an important tool to control the drying process. The experimental data validated the objectives of the proposed drying model, optimizing the process at given conditions, managing the energy consumption, according to the minimum germination or maximum moisture content limitation for seed storage. For 51 °C, the drying time for canola seed would be about 6 h to maintain germination above 90% and for 61 °C, 4 h of drying time maintained germination up to 89%.732633

Economic viabiliy of silo for familiar farms

Este trabalho desenvolveu um web-aplicativo para demonstrar um estudo deviabilidade econômica para os produtores familiares adquirirem um silo metálico de pequenoporte, baseado na diferença de valores pagos aos produtores de milho na safra e naentressafra, utilizando financiamento disponível no Governo Federal. Foi utilizada ametodologia de taxa do retorno do investimento, que mostrou sua viabilidade, pois o retornoocorre em um prazo inferior ao da conclusão do pagamento do financiamento.123749In this research, a network analysis was developed to present the economicviability for the familiar farms to invest in small metallic silos, considering the values paid forthe crop to the farmers during and after harvest supplied with government funding. Theinternal rate of return was used to explain the viability, and was concluded that theeconomical return occurred before the end of payments of the funding

Sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) analysis through biospeckle and spectroscopy (NIR)

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the sugar and water content in sugar cane samples by means of two non-destructive techniques in comparison with conventional methods. One non-destructive technique is the Biospeckle, an interaction between the laser and the biological material which provides information about the material. The other technique is the near infrared spectroscopy (NIR). The Biospeckle technique has been constantly used in agricultural engineering. In this paper, the relation between the water and the sugar contents were obtained. The results for the Biospeckle were acquired through the moment of inertia (MI). The data acquired through already consolidated methodologies were used to quantify the samples’ water and sugar contents, correlating to the spectroscopy results and also to the Biospeckle. It was obtained a high determination coefficient (R2 = 0.9287) between the predicted Brix by the model generated by NIR spectroscopy and Brix measured by refractometer. It was also possible to differentiate the water contents of the sugar cane samples both externally lit (husk) and internally lit (cut) by Biospeckle analysis through the calculation of MI. It is possible to evaluate the water content and the sugar content in samples combining Biospeckle and NIR spectroscopy, which are non-invasive and non-destructive methods.7626

Maize seeds submitted to thermotherapy and analyzed by dynamic speckle

The quality of the seeds used for sowing is fundamental for a high productivity and quality of the crop. Therefore, eradicating pathogens is essential for the plant to develop in the best possible way. The eradication of those pathogens can be accomplished by means of treatments that consist of the application of substances to the seeds or by performing physical procedures. Thermotherapy is a physical treatment, in which the seed is exposed to a given thermal energy, such as heated air or steam, and can be highly efficient for controlling those pathogens, in addition to reducing environmental damage and costs. The present work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of thermotherapy in two ways: wet heat (water) and dry heat (water vapor), both at 60 °C, alternating the exposure time to the thermal sources. The treatment with humid heat with a time of exposure of 5 min was the most efficient, since it presented higher germination percentages (83%) and less occurrence of Fusarium sp. (33%). It was observed that the most efficient thermotherapy is in the control of Fusarium, the most aggressive is for the quality of the seed. The quality of the treatments was evaluated through standard methodologies, according to the rules for seed analysis, such as germination and sanitation tests. Biospeckle laser was used to identify the microbial activity in these seeds, through activity maps generated by laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) processing. In this way, the research involving thermotherapy can be done by varying the temperature and the time of exposure to obtain values that considerably reduce the pathogenic agents and preserve the quality, in order to maintain the values of germination and vigor acceptable for commercialization.811512

Development of fruit and vegetable transportation boxes in compliance with cooling and protection requirements

[POR] A utilização da madeira como material construtivo de caixas para transporte de produtos agrícolas é atraente nos dias atuais por ser recurso renovável e de grande benefício social por gerar emprego e renda. No Brasil a confecção de caixas de madeira é feita sem a preocupação de torná-las adequadas a processos de pós-colheita ou mesmo proteger adequadamente o produto. Neste trabalho avaliou-se o desempenho de seis concepções de caixas de madeira, construídas de madeira de reflorestamento pinus elliotti, submetendo-as a ensaios de resfriamento e de vibração. Os seis modelos de caixas foram concebidos com ripas retas e apresentaram área lateral com aberturas efetivas de 11,9%; 15,9%; 27,2%; 30,4%; 42,6% e 45,6%. Para avaliar o desempenho dos modelos quanto ao resfriamento com ar forçado, um leito de 72 laranjas foi resfriado, medindo-se a temperatura em 18 pontos. Investigou-se influência da área efetiva de aberturas e da vazão de ar no meio tempo de resfriamento. Para os ensaios de vibração utilizou-se uma mesa vibratória com amplitude fixa e ajustando-se a freqüência para 20 Hz. Tomates maduros foram colocados nos modelos selecionados das caixas, correspondentes às três melhores configurações quanto ao desempenho no resfriamento, vibradas pelo período de 1 hora seguido de avaliação dos danos. Estatisticamente, a melhor caixa, com o menor tempo médio, de 35,48 min, e homogeneidade no resfriamento, foi a caixa com 45,6% de área efetiva de abertura. Entre os modelos com 42,6%; 30,4% e 27,2% de abertura, não houve diferenças significativas, atingindo-se tempos médios de resfriamento de 38,9 min; 39,2 min e 39,3 min, respectivamente. Já nos modelos com 15,2% e 11,9% de área de abertura, as frutas atingiram o tempo de resfriamento em 42,9 min e 44,8 min, sendo esta diferença significativa com relação aos outros quatro modelos de caixas (p<0,05). Os ensaios de vibração revelaram correlação direta entre o perímetro das áreas de abertura da lateral e a ocorrência de danos. Diante desse resultado, uma solução de compromisso o desempenho do resfriamento e do ensaio de vibração foi adotada, escolhendo-se a configuração intermediária como a mais adequada. [ENG] The utilization of wood as construction material for fruits and vegetables transportation boxes is attractive nowadays since wood is a renewable resource and brings along social benefits such as job positions and income. In Brazil, wooden boxes are made without concerning post harvest requirements or even proper protection of the produce. In this work, it was evaluated the cooling and mechanical protection performance of six different box designs, made out of pinus elliotti re-forestry wood. The boxes were built using straight slits showing lateral openings of 11,9; 15,9; 27,2; 30,4; 42,6 e 45,6%. It was used a 72 orange bed, measuring pulp temperature in 18 positions to evaluate the forced air cooling performance, considering opening areas and air flow in the cooling half-time. The vibration tests were performed using a fixed amplitude vibrating table at a frequency of 20Hz. Ripe whole tomatoes showing no bruises were packed using the 3 best box configurations, according to their cooling performance, to undergo continuous vibration for the period of 1 hour, followed by mechanical damage evaluation. The results showed that the best performance was achieved by the 45,6% opening area box with a cooling half-time of 35,48 min. Boxes with opening areas of 42,6; 30,4; and 27,2 % with cooling half-times of 38,9 min; 39,2 min e 39,3 min did not show significant performance differences. For boxes with opening areas of 15,2 and 11,9%, the fruit half-time temperature was reached in 42,9 and 44,8 min, respectively. They showed significant difference when compared to the other box configurations (p<0,05). The vibration tests results showed a correlation between opening area perimeter and amount of fruit damage. Therefore, a compromising solution between both, cooling times and vibration damage was adopted by choosing the intermediate configuration as the more adequate.Agradecimentos ao CNPq – pelo suporte financiero.

Atrasentan and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (SONAR): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Short-term treatment for people with type 2 diabetes using a low dose of the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist atrasentan reduces albuminuria without causing significant sodium retention. We report the long-term effects of treatment with atrasentan on major renal outcomes. Methods: We did this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at 689 sites in 41 countries. We enrolled adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)25–75 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 of body surface area, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)of 300–5000 mg/g who had received maximum labelled or tolerated renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 4 weeks. Participants were given atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily during an enrichment period before random group assignment. Those with a UACR decrease of at least 30% with no substantial fluid retention during the enrichment period (responders)were included in the double-blind treatment period. Responders were randomly assigned to receive either atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily or placebo. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of doubling of serum creatinine (sustained for ≥30 days)or end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 sustained for ≥90 days, chronic dialysis for ≥90 days, kidney transplantation, or death from kidney failure)in the intention-to-treat population of all responders. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of their assigned study treatment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01858532. Findings: Between May 17, 2013, and July 13, 2017, 11 087 patients were screened; 5117 entered the enrichment period, and 4711 completed the enrichment period. Of these, 2648 patients were responders and were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group (n=1325)or placebo group (n=1323). Median follow-up was 2·2 years (IQR 1·4–2·9). 79 (6·0%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 105 (7·9%)of 1323 in the placebo group had a primary composite renal endpoint event (hazard ratio [HR]0·65 [95% CI 0·49–0·88]; p=0·0047). Fluid retention and anaemia adverse events, which have been previously attributed to endothelin receptor antagonists, were more frequent in the atrasentan group than in the placebo group. Hospital admission for heart failure occurred in 47 (3·5%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 34 (2·6%)of 1323 patients in the placebo group (HR 1·33 [95% CI 0·85–2·07]; p=0·208). 58 (4·4%)patients in the atrasentan group and 52 (3·9%)in the placebo group died (HR 1·09 [95% CI 0·75–1·59]; p=0·65). Interpretation: Atrasentan reduced the risk of renal events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who were selected to optimise efficacy and safety. These data support a potential role for selective endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. Funding: AbbVie

Influencia da parboilização de arroz no rendimento de grãos inteiros

Orientador : Jose Luiz Vasconcellos da RochaDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia AgricolaMestradoMaquinas AgricolasMestre em Engenharia Agrícol

Economic viability of silo for familiar farms

In this research, a network analysis was developed to present the economic viability for the familiar farms to invest in small metallic silos, considering the values paid for the crop to the farmers during and after harvest supplied with government funding. The internal rate of return was used to explain the viability and was concluded that the economic return occurred before the end of payments of the funding