Evaluation of novel bitter cassava film for equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging of cherry tomatoes

This is a research article on Equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging (EMAP) technology that offers the possibility to maintain produce postharvest quality and extend its shelf-life.Equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging (EMAP) technology offers the possibility to maintain produce postharvest quality and extend its shelf-life. However, EMAP stability depends on well-tuned packaging design parameters to match environmental conditions. This study defined the design requirements of a biobased film EMAP that can preserve the quality and prolong the shelf-life of fresh cherry tomatoes under recommended and simulated abuse supply chain conditions. Optimum EMAP was evaluated based on headspace gas composition at 10–20 °C, 75–95% RH and verified by determining quality changes of packed cherry tomatoes in using a continuous or micro-perforated (0.27 μm) bio-based intact bitter cassava (IBC) film. This was compared with a non-bio-based polymer film (oriented polypropylene, OPP). The IBC film attained equilibrium O2 (2–3%) after 180 h at 10 °C, with 0 and 1 perforation, for 75 and 95% RH while OPP film maintained a downward O2 fall. Continuous and micro-perforated IBC film did not show any major differences in equilibrium headspace O2, thus perforation can be neglected. Based on desirability optimisation results, biobased IBC film demonstrated a better optimized EMAP system in attaining recommended gas and stretching cherry tomato shelf-life as compared to non-biobased (OPP) film. The application of bio-based IBC film offers new possibilities in packaging fresh produce under an equilibrium modified atmosphere without compromising its quality

Malaria pigment crystals as magnetic micro-rotors: Key for high-sensitivity diagnosis

The need to develop new methods for the high-sensitivity diagnosis of malaria has initiated a global activity in medical and interdisciplinary sciences. Most of the diverse variety of emerging techniques are based on research-grade instruments, sophisticated reagent-based assays or rely on expertise. Here, we suggest an alternative optical methodology with an easy-to- use and cost-effective instrumentation based on unique properties of malaria pigment reported previously and determined quantitatively in the present study. Malaria pigment, also called hemozoin, is an insoluble microcrystalline form of heme. These crystallites show remarkable magnetic and optical anisotropy distinctly from any other components of blood. As a consequence, they can simultaneously act as magnetically driven micro-rotors and spinning polarizers in suspensions. These properties can gain importance not only in malaria diagnosis and therapies, where hemozoin is considered as drug target or immune modulator, but also in the magnetic manipulation of cells and tissues on the microscopic scale

Por que os elefantes têm orelhas grandes? - Parte 2: Vídeo

Este recurso acompanha vídeos para discutir a questão evolutiva por traz do tamanho das orelhas dos elefantes, disponibiliza informações sobre os elefantes e apresenta uma questão, ao final, para que alunos possam levantar hipóteses e discutir sobre o assuntoEnsino Fundamental Final::Ciências NaturaisEnsino Médio::Biologi

Effective utilisation of cassava bio-wastes through integrated process design: A sustainable approach to indirect waste management

This is a research article on an integrated process design, which can be applied in small-to-medium batch processing, which was proposed.An integrated process design, which can be applied in small-to-medium batch processing,was proposed. The process is based on the exploitation of intact (whole) cassavaroot, through optimisation of simultaneous release recovery cyanogenesis downstreamprocessing for sustainable wastes minimisation and packaging material development.An integrative seven unit process model flow was considered in the process design mod-elling. Using the release process models, it was possible to predict the maximum yield(45.8%) and the minimum total cyanogens (0.6 ppm) and colour difference (4.0) needed toavoid wastes and unsafe biopolymer derivatives. The process design allowed saving on theenergy and water due to its ability to reuse wastewaters in the reactions and release pro-cesses. Drying rates, Scanning electron micrograph, Differential scanning calorimetry, Watervapour transmission rate and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy analyses havedemonstrated the practical advantage of laminar flow hood air systems over oven-dryingheat for integrated process design.Thus, the integrated process design could be used as a green tool in production of cassavaproducts with near zero environmental waste disposal

Competitiveness analysis of the Portuguese processed tomato sector and development strategies

This paper aims to examine the export competiveness of the Portuguese processed tomato sector through a set of indicators used to measure international competitiveness from 1981 to 2013. During the 2011-13 period, we observe a slight improvement in competitiveness indicators. The world price is an important variable for Portuguese tomato paste exports. For tomato paste, we observe inter-industry trade and for other tomato products, a horizontal intra-industry trade is observable. The anchoring of industrial development to agricultural growth will be a predominant factor for the strategy of reducing costs in processed tomato production