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.

Suction and chewing article for babies or small children

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction or chewing article for babies or small children comprising at least one mouthpiece made of a substantially elastomer material containing at least one elastomer component. According to said invention, the elastomer material contains at least one type of liquid crystal pigment (LC-pigment).

Morphological characterization and genetic diversity in ornamental specimens of the genus sansevieria

Abstract: The aim of this study was to characterize and estimate genetic divergence among twelve specimens of the Sansevieria genus from the collection of the Universidade Federal do Piaui (UFPI). A completely randomized experimental design was used with three replicates, and the plot consisted of four plants. In morphological characterization, qualitative and quantitative descriptors of leaves were evaluated. Genetic divergence among the specimens was determined by the Tocher clustering method and the hierarchical UPGMA. There is genetic variation among specimens evaluated, which was also expressed by the variability of colors, shapes, and sizes of the leaves. The Tocher clustering method and the hierarchical UPGMA were effective in differentiation of the specimens from multi-categorical qualitative descriptors, as the Tocher method grouped the accessions in two groups and the UPGMA in seven different groups. We highlight the accessions SSV 09 and SSV 10 as exhibiting the highest mean values in weekly leaf growth and in leaf height, important characteristics for local sale and for export.

Modelos para avaliação genética da produção de leite em múltiplas lactações

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate covariance components and breeding values for 305‑day cumulative milk yield with data from the first three lactations of Gyr cows. A total of 14,659 lactations of 9,079 cows were evaluated, using the models of repeatability, multiple‑trait (MT), and random regression with residual homoscedasticity (RRMHo) or heteroscedasticity (RRMHe). Milk yield was considered as a different trait in each lactation, in the MT model. Linear polynomials were used in random regression models to fit the mean trajectories and the additive genetic and permanent environment individual effects, according to calving order. Posteriori means for heritability were similar among different models and lactations, and varied from 0.24 to 0.29. The MT and RRMHe models had a better fit to the data, since heterogeneity was observed for genetic and residual variances between lactations. The genetic correlations of cumulative milk yield up to 305 days in the first three lactations were close to 1.0; therefore, the selection of reproducers can be made with data already from the first lactation. Random regression models with heterogenous genetic and residual variances allow for proper modeling of the covariances in cumulative milk yields in multiple lactations and for obtaining the genetic values to be used in the selection of reproducers, based on data already from the first lactation.

Epidemiological Characterization and Risk Assessment Associated with the Presence of Diptera Order in Laying Poultry Farms

Abstract: Background: Health aspects of flocks of laying chickens, such as the occurrence of infestations by parasites and poultry pests, influence significantly the productivity indicators. In recent years, Brazilian poultry has gone through a scientific and technological evolution which resulted in high density poultry hens in the laying sheds and an increase of the occurrence of ectoparasites such as Diptera. The presence of these flies have caused negative impacts for poultry farming, since these may be responsible for the increase of stress and disease emergence and, in addition, reduction of productivity. In this context, the control of synanthropic Diptera is one of the challenges of the poultry farmers and professionals of this area. This study was carried to assess and characterize the risks for the presence of flies in chicken houses of laying farms in the state of Minas Gerais. Materials, Methods & Results: Was used a secondary database and adapted for this study, with information from 402 chicken houses of 42 laying hens commercial properties. The variables used to compose the correspondence model were selected through chi-square tests (P ≤ 0.05). A risk index was built to the presence of flies from variables considered as risk factors for these ectoparasites. In addition, a study of the spatial analysis was carried to evaluate the intensity of chicken houses of poultry farms with the presence of flies. For this, a Kernel map was produced using the QGIZ 2.18.1 software, georreferencing the regions of state of Minas Gerais that have these ectoparasites. It was observed the presence of flies in 253 chicken houses evaluated, which corresponds to a frequency of 62.9%, with the most present flies were Chrysomya spp. 37.3%, M. domestica 34.3%, Fannia spp. 16% and Stomoxys spp. 14%. The graph of the correspondence analysis produced for the epidemiological characterization of the presence of flies presented an accumulated chi-square value of 56.05%. There was an association of the risk index with removal interval and the humidity of the manure and with the type of installation of chicken houses. Farms with chicken houses that create their birds on the ground present a lower risk for the presence of Diptera. In addition, when the removal of the manure is performed manually and is not done periodically, the presence of flies in the chicken houses is observed. It was verified that clusters located in the messoregion south/southwest of Minas Gerais and between the west and metropolitan mesoregion of Belo Horizonte with chicken houses that have the presence of flies. Discussion: The accumulation and permanence of manure can occur in less technical farms that have laying hens kept in confinement with high densities. In the case of Diptera, the greater the interval of removal of the manure below cages, the greater the risk for their presence, combined with the high densities of the birds that contribute to a faster accumulation of manure. The humidity of the manure is another important factor for the development of flies. The risk is high when chicken feces are liquefied, due to the fact that larvaes of flies need a moist substrate for survival. These results provide knowledge about the epidemiology of flies, in addition to demonstrate the profile of laying farms in the state of Minas Gerais. The implementation of certain management measures and the investment in technification of the chicken houses could reduce the risks of possible infestations in the flocks, besides the negative effects resulting from this ectoparasitism.

Analysis of nitrofurans residues in foods of animal origin

Abstract: Nitrofurans are synthetic antimicrobial agents with a broad spectrum against several species of bacteria and protozoa Nitrofurans share a nitrofuran ring but have different side-chains, connected via an azomethine bond Nitrofurans are no longer allowed for use in food-producing animals by most countries However, they are still used in human medicine After oral administration, nitrofurans precursors are quickly metabolized thus having short half-lives Despite the impossibility of being determined as residues in foods of animal origin, nitrofurans metabolites covalently bind to tissue proteins, which results in longer half-live markers for the illicit use of nitrofurans When foods contaminated with nitrofurans are eaten, side-chains may be released from the metabolites in the gastric acid environment, which are potential carcinogens and mutagens Analytical methods for the nitrofurans marker metabolites in foods of animal origin usually employ acid hydrolysis and nitrobenzaldehyde derivatization Screening may be undertaken by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays or biosensor methods, while liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry is the gold standard technique for confirmatory methods Any method shall achieve the minimum required performance limit of 1 µg/kg This value has been considered a reference point for action in the international trade of foods of animal origin, whose nitrofurans concentrations have been considered noncompliant at or above 1 µg/kg and should be removed from the food chain