Ministry of Agriculture

About: Ministry of Agriculture is a government organization based out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Biology & Chemistry. The organization has 1153 authors who have published 1189 publications receiving 14442 citations.

Estimate of the uncertainty in measurement for the determination of mercury in seafood by TDA AAS.

Abstract: An approach for the estimate of the uncertainty in measurement considering the individual sources related to the different steps of the method under evaluation as well as the uncertainties estimated from the validation data for the determination of mercury in seafood by using thermal decomposition/amalgamation atomic absorption spectrometry (TDA AAS) is proposed. The considered method has been fully optimized and validated in an official laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply of Brazil, in order to comply with national and international food regulations and quality assurance. The referred method has been accredited under the ISO/IEC 17025 norm since 2010. The approach of the present work in order to reach the aim of estimating of the uncertainty in measurement was based on six sources of uncertainty for mercury determination in seafood by TDA AAS, following the validation process, which were: Linear least square regression, Repeatability, Intermediate precision, Correction fa...

Toxoplasma gondii in invasive animals on the Island of Fernando de Noronha in Brazil: Molecular characterization and mouse virulence studies of new genotypes

Abstract: This study aimed to genetically characterize and to determine virulence from Toxoplasma gondii samples from invasive animals in the Island of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 21 tegu-lizard (Salvator merianae), 12 rock-cavies (Kerodon rupestris) and 154 black-rats (Rattus rattus) from the Island and MAT (cutoff 1:25) detected anti-T. gondii antibodies in 0% of the tegus (0/21); 58.3% of the rock-cavies (7/12) and 22.7% of rats (35/154). Tissue samples (brain, heart, liver and lung) from positive animals in MAT were collected for molecular analysis and for bioassay in Swiss Webster mice. After observation period, mice were euthanized, and serological detection and tissue cyst search in the brain were performed. The brain of positive animals for serological detection or tissue cyst search was cultured in MARC-145 cells for maintenance of the T. gondii isolate. No isolate was obtained from rock cavies. Nine isolates were obtained by bioassay of 35 seropositive black rats. DNA samples were extracted from rat tissues and from parasite isolates in cell culture, and genotyped using 10 PCR-RFLP markers. ToxoDB genotypes #78 (1) from rat tissue and #146 (4), #163 (2), #260 (2) and #291 (1) from cell culture were detected. Markers of genes ROP18 and ROP5 were analyzed and in vivo virulence test was conducted in mice. Analysis revealed two allele combinations, 3/1 and 3/3, indicating non-lethal T. gondii strains, which is supported by mouse virulence test.

Controle da utilização de ingredientes não cárneos para injeção e marinação de carnes

Abstract: Meat production and consumption growth has been accompanied by a wide diversification of processed products, while the trading of non-processed meat has decreased. Phosphates and non-meat proteins, mainly soy and whey proteins, are widely used to marinate meat, improving its texture and promoting the fluids retention that can bring sensorial benefits to the consumers and improve producers' yield. On this technology, the main processes employed are the injection and the tumbling of raw materials. However, some fraudulent practices must be avoided by the meat inspection service, setting limits to the replacement of meat proteins by water and non-meat ingredients. The present article reviewed the main aspects of the use of such ingredients enlightening the importance of appropriate analytical techniques to control injected, and marinated products.

Device for fastening a pacifier to the clothing of a child

Abstract: A device for fastening a pacifier to the clothing of a child, comprising • a flexible band, • means for fastening to the pacifier at one end of the band and • a clip for fastening to the clothing of the child at the other end of the band, comprising a disk-like carrier having two arms on one side that have a claw on each end, wherein said claws can be pivoted from a position close to each other into a position away from each other by actuating at least one spring-elastic arm. When the arm is released, the claws return to the position close to each other.

Water stress effect and use of granulated products in coffee crop irrigated by the drip system.

Abstract: In order to study the vegetative and produtive development of irrigated coffee of the 'Mundo Novo' variety, an experiment in Planaltina de Goias, GO was installed. Different periods of water deficit and application of different granulated products were compared. Crop evaluation performed for 3 harvests (1995, 1996 and 1997) showed that irrigated plants (with no water deficit) produced 100% more than those without irrigation. As for soil granulate, triadimenol + dissulfoton showed a 20 to 25% increase in production regardless of irrigation.