Drying of carrots in slices with osmotic dehydration

Carrot is dried for consumption in the form of slices and cubes. The objective of this work was to find alternative ways for the conservation of carrot slices by osmotic dehydration with additional drying in heat. Pre-osmotic dehydration (temperature, immersion time and type of osmotic solution) based on the results of humidity loss, solid gain, weight reduction and efficiency ratio of pre-dehydrated carrot slices were initially defined as the best conditions for this study. The osmotic solutions used were composed of NaCl (10%) and sucrose (50° Brix) named OD1 and sucrose (50° Brix) called OD2. The experiment of pre-osmotic dehydration of carrot slices in two temperature levels with complementary drying in heat with air circulation at 70°C was used. The best results were obtained with the solution OD1 at 60°C with immersion time of 60 min. The osmotic pre-treatment reduced the initial humidity of carrot slices, reducing the time for the product to reach the same humidity content.Keywords: Carrot, conservation, osmotic solution, pre-osmotic dehydration.African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(30) 3061-306

Drying of Tropical Fruit Pulps: Spouted Bed Process Optimization as a Function of Pulp Composition

Results of drying of tropical fruit pulps in spouted beds (SBs) are presented, focusing on the effects of fruit pulp composition on the SB fluid dynamics and process performance and the development of new products formulated from mixtures of pulps with varied composition. It was verified that high starch and lipid contents favored stable fluid dynamics and high powder production efficiency, while high reducing sugar concentrations resulted in bad dynamic regime and very low powder production. Powder production efficiency was statistically correlated with the pulp composition. Also, drying of mixtures of fruit pulps with addition of starch and lipids was investigated. Results of fluid dynamics, drying performance, and sensory tests of yogurts enriched with the powders revealed promising potential of the SB for obtaining high-quality fruit powders.2913SI1587159

Comparison of Bothropoides jararaca bites with and without envenoming treated at the Vital Brazil Hospital of the Butantan Institute, State of São Paulo, Brazil Comparação dos acidentes causados por Bothropoides jararaca com e sem envenenamento atendidos no Hospital Vital Brazil do Instituto Butantan, Estado de São Paulo

INTRODUCTION: This study analyses the cases of all bites (including dry bites) caused by Bothropoides jararaca attended at the Vital Brazil Hospital of the Butantan Institute, State of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of patients bitten by Bothropoides jararaca (n=792) from January 1990 to December 2004. The characteristics of the snake specimen, data related to the accident and clinical manifestations on admission were obtained from patient medical records. RESULTS: The majority of the cases in this study were caused by female and juvenile snakes. No stomach contents were found in 93.4% of the snake specimens after dissection. No statistical difference was observed between the occurrence of dry bites and the maturity or sex of the snake. The median SVL of snakes in mild and moderate cases was 40.5cm and in severe cases, SVL increased to 99cm. Necrosis was more common in the digits of the feet and hands (4.8%) compared to the other body regions (1.8%). A significant difference was verified between severity and a time interval greater than six hours from the bite to hospital admission. A significant association was verified between gingival bleeding and abnormal blood coagulability. In accidents caused by adult snakes, necrosis was more frequent (7.2%) compared to accidents caused by juvenile snakes (1%). CONCLUSIONS: In this work, the association between certain epidemiological data and the evolution of biological parameters in the clinical course of Bothrops sensu latu accidents were highlighted, contributing to the improvement of snake bite assistance.<br>INTRODUÇÃO: Neste estudo, analisou-se todos os casos de picadas (incluindo picadas secas) causadas por Bothropoides jararaca atendidos no Hospital Vital Brazil do Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo em que foram incluídos pacientes atendidos no Hospital Vital Brazil do Instituto Butantan, picados por serpentes da espécie Bothropoides jararaca (nº=792) entre 1990 a 2004. Os dados foram obtidos através de prontuários médicos. RESULTADOS: No presente estudo, a maioria dos acidentes foi causada por serpentes fêmeas e filhotes. Não havia presença de conteúdo estomacal em 93,4% das serpentes dissecadas. Não houve diferença estatística entre a ocorrência de picada seca e o sexo da serpente. O comprimento rostro cloacal das serpentes nos casos leves e moderados foram 40,5cm e nos casos severos 99cm. Necrose foi mais comum nos dedos dos pés e das mãos (4,8%) em comparação com outras regiões do corpo (1,8%). Houve diferença estatística entre a gravidade e o intervalo de tempo entre a picada e a admissão hospitalar superior a seis horas. Encontramos uma associação significativa entre gengivorragia e incoagulabilidade sanguínea. Nos acidentes causados por serpentes adultas, a necrose foi mais frequente (7,2%) quando comparado aos acidentes causados por serpentes filhotes (1%). CONCLUSÕES: Neste estudo, destaca-se a associação entre os dados epidemiológicos e biológicos em relação à evolução do quadro clínico nos acidentes botrópicos, contribuindo para a melhoria da assistência nos acidentes ofídicos

Chagas' disease and ageing: the coexistence of other chronic diseases with Chagas' disease in elderly patients Doença de Chagas e envelhecimento: a associação de outras enfermidades crônicas em pacientes idosos chagásicos

This study aimed to identify the main comorbidities in elderly chagasic patients treated in a reference service and identify possible associations between the clinical form of Chagas' disease and chronic diseases. Ninety patients aged 60 years-old or over were interviewed and their clinical diagnoses recorded. The study population profile was: women (55.6%); median age (67 years); married (51.1%); retired (73.3%); up to four years' education (64.4%); and earning less than two minimum wages (67.8%). The predominant forms of Chagas' disease were the cardiac (46.7%) and mixed forms (30%). There was a greater proportion of mild cardiac dysfunction (84.1%), frequently in association with megaesophagus. The mean number of concurrent diseases was 2.856 ± 1.845, and 33% of the patients had four or more comorbidities. The most frequent were systemic arterial hypertension (56.7%), osteoporosis (23.3%), osteoarthritis (21.2%) and dyslipidemia (20%). Positive correlations were verified between sex and comorbidities and between age group and comorbidities.<br>Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o perfil sociodemográfico e identificar as principais co-morbidades de idosos chagásicos, buscando associação entre forma clínica da doença de Chagas e enfermidades crônicas. Foi realizada entrevista e levantamento dos diagnósticos clínicos de 90 chagásicos com idade > 60 anos. Encontrou-se: mulheres (55,6%), mediana de 67 anos, casados (51,1%) e renda mensal inferior a dois salários-mínimos (67,8%). A forma clínica predominante foi a cardíaca (46,7%), seguida da mista (30%). Houve maior proporção de cardiopatia leve (84,1%), sendo frequente a associação com megaesôfago. Trinta e três por cento apresentavam quatro ou mais co-morbidades, dentre elas: hipertensão arterial (56,7%), osteoporose (23,3%), osteoartrite (21,2%) e dislipidemia (20%). Obteve-se correlação positiva entre gênero e co-morbidades, faixa etária e co-morbidades