Malaria vector species in Colombia: a review

Here we present a comprehensive review of the literature on the vectorial importance of the major Anopheles malaria vectors in Colombia. We provide basic information on the geographical distribution, altitudinal range, immature habitats, adult behaviour, feeding preferences and anthropophily, endophily and infectivity rates. We additionally review information on the life cycle, longevity and population fluctuation of Colombian Anopheles species. Emphasis was placed on the primary vectors that have been epidemiologically incriminated in malaria transmission: Anopheles darlingi, Anopheles albimanus and Anopheles nuneztovari. The role of a selection of local, regional or secondary vectors (e.g., Anopheles pseudopunctipennis and Anopheles neivai) is also discussed. We highlight the importance of combining biological, morphological and molecular data for the correct taxonomical determination of a given species, particularly for members of the species complexes. We likewise emphasise the importance of studying the bionomics of primary and secondary vectors along with an examination of the local conditions affecting the transmission of malaria. The presence and spread of the major vectors and the emergence of secondary species capable of transmitting human Plasmodia are of great interest. When selecting control measures, the anopheline diversity in the region must be considered. Variation in macroclimate conditions over a species' geographical range must be well understood and targeted to plan effective control measures based on the population dynamics of the local Anopheles species

Berberis mikuna Job. una especie frutal nativa de Tucumán con potencial nutracéutico y tintóreo

Berberis mikuna is a native species that grows in the Argentinian Northwest. Currently, its fruit is unknown in the market, but its wood has been used since before Hispanic colonization until present day for dyeing wool in the Tafí del Valle area. Thus, its increasing commercial value. It produces little-known blue berries that may have nutraceutical properties. The objective of this work is to present the flowering phenology and to evaluate the variability of some morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of flowers and fruits among accessions and between the two sites in the Alto de Medina Region (Tucumán) where they are found. These preliminary results indicate that the pistils of the Chacra Dantur site were significantly larger than those measured in La Quebrada, with significant differences, among the accessions. The variables number of flowers per cluster, dry weight of the inflorescences, size of the pollen grain and number of ovules per pistil only presented differences between the accessions of the same site. The significant content of anthocyanins and phenols, although of high variability, present this fruit as functional food.Berberis mikuna es una especie nativa que crece en el noroeste argentino. Actualmente su fruta se desconoce en el mercado, pero su madera se utiliza desde antes de la colonización hispánica hasta la actualidad para la tinción de lanas en la zona de Tafí del Valle. De allí su creciente valor comercial. Produce bayas azules muy poco conocidas que podrían poseer propiedades nutracéuticas. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar la fenología de floración y evaluar la variabilidad de algunas características morfofisiológicas y bioquímicas de las flores y frutos entre las accesiones y entre los dos sitios de la región Alto de Medina (Tucumán) donde se encuentran. Estos resultados preliminares señalan que los pistilos del sitio Chacra Dantur fueron significativamente más grandes que los medidos en la Quebrada, condiferencias significativas entre las accesiones. Las variables número de flores por racimo, peso seco de las inflorescencias, medida del grano de polen y número de óvulos por pistilo sólo mostraron diferencias entre las accesiones de un mismo sitio. Los altos contenidos de antocianinas y fenoles, aunque de elevada variabilidad, destacan a estos frutos como alimentos funcionales

A modified indirect mathematical model for evaluation of ethanol production efficiency in industrial-scale continuous fermentation processes

Aims: To calculate fermentation efficiency in a continuous ethanol production process, we aimed to develop a robust mathematical method based on the analysis of metabolic by-product formation. Methods and Results: This method is in contrast to the traditional way of calculating ethanol fermentation efficiency, where the ratio between the ethanol produced and the sugar consumed is expressed as a percentage of the theoretical conversion yield. Comparison between the two methods, at industrial scale and in sensitivity studies, showed that the indirect method was more robust and gave slightly higher fermentation efficiency values, although fermentation efficiency of the industrial process was found to be low (~75%). Conclusions: The traditional calculation method is simpler than the indirect method as it only requires a few chemical determinations in samples collected. However, a minor error in any measured parameter will have an important impact on the calculated efficiency. In contrast, the indirect method of calculation requires a greater number of determinations but is much more robust since an error in any parameter will only have a minor effect on the fermentation efficiency value. Significance and Impact of the Study: The application of the indirect calculation methodology in order to evaluate the real situation of the process and to reach an optimum fermentation yield for an industrial-scale ethanol production is recommended. Once a high fermentation yield has been reached the traditional method should be used to maintain the control of the process. Upon detection of lower yields in an optimized process the indirect method should be employed as it permits a more accurate diagnosis of causes of yield losses in order to correct the problem rapidly. The low fermentation efficiency obtained in this study shows an urgent need for industrial process optimization where the indirect calculation methodology will be an important tool to determine process losses.Fil: Canseco Grellet, M.A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino. Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial "Obispo Colombres"(p). Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Castagnaro, Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino. Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial "Obispo Colombres"(p). Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Dantur, Karina Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino. Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial "Obispo Colombres"(p). Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: De Boeck, G.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino. Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial "Obispo Colombres"(p). Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Ahmed, Pablo Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino. Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial "Obispo Colombres"(p). Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Cardenas, Geronimo Julio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino. Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial "Obispo Colombres"(p). Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Welin, Bjorn. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino. Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial "Obispo Colombres"(p). Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, R. M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino. Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial "Obispo Colombres"(p). Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; Argentin