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.

Technological progress in the Brazilian agriculture

Abstract: We analyze technical progress in the Brazilian agriculture in the period 1976–2016. Output is production value and inputs are expenses on land, labor, and other inputs. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) measures are used to capture technological progress via efficiency analysis. Filtering the data with a moving average and fractional regression we identify four periods with distinct behavior of technical efficiency under constant or decreasing returns to scale. From 1976 to 1988 and from 1996 to 2007 technical efficiency decreases at statistically significant rates of −1.74% and −0.26% respectively. From 1989 to 1995 and from 2008 to 2016 efficiency increases at statistically significant rates of 1.53% and 1.75% respectively. Efficiency of input use varies in these periods and is computed as a byproduct of the DEA analysis. We observe a more efficient usage of land and other inputs. A parametric fit using adjusted efficient inputs indicate the relative elasticities of 40.5%, 38.5% and 21.0% for other inputs, land and labor, respectively. Technological progress increases 3.73% in the period 1976–1988, decreases 1,58% between 1989 and 1995, increases 0.17% in the period 1996–2007 and increases 1.01% between 2008 and 2016. Technological inputs are statistically significantly influential on total factor productivity as indicated by an infinite distributed lag model. The long run elasticity effect is 39.5%. The effect of investments (public) in agricultural research has a significant elasticity of 0.835.

FREQÜÊNCIA DE AGLUTININAS ANTI-Brucella abortus EM CAPRINOS E OVINOS DO SERTÃO DO ESTADO DE PERNAMBUCO, BRASIL

Abstract: The objective was to investigate the frequency of anti-Brucella abortus agglutinins in goats and sheep of the backlands of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. 700 samples of sanguine serums were processed, of which 340 were of the goat (115 males and 225 females) and 360 (136 males and 224 females) sheep. The technique of the Tamponed Acidified Antigen (AAT) dyed with Bengalese Rose (BR) was used. Of the 340 samples of goat evaluated two (0.6%) were reactive to AAT. Significant associations were not observed for the variable age group (p = 0.430); race (p = 0.936) and sex (p = 0.562). Of the 360 sheep samples, nine (2.5%) were reactive. There also was no significant association between the analyzed variables and the seropositiveness for brucellosis: age group (p = 0.522); race (p = 0.576) and sex (p = 0.461). Significant association was observed (p = 0.042) among the studied species and seropositiveness for brucellosis in the investigated animals. The seropositiveness for Brucella abortus in goats and sheep was traced for the first time in the “Sertao” (dry interior region, backlands) of Pernambuco, fact that can hinder the success of the National Program of Control and Erradication of Brucellosis, due to the fact that it is common to raise small ruminants with bovines in this area, besides representing risks to Public Health. KEY WORDS: Brucellosis, ovines, caprines, small ruminants, serodiagnosis.

Method validation for control determination of mercury in fresh fish and shrimp samples by solid sampling thermal decomposition/amalgamation atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract: A method for the determination of total mercury in fresh fish and shrimp samples by solid sampling thermal decomposition/amalgamation atomic absorption spectrometry (TDA AAS) has been validated following international foodstuff protocols in order to fulfill the Brazilian National Residue Control Plan. The experimental parameters have been previously studied and optimized according to specific legislation on validation and inorganic contaminants in foodstuff. Linearity, sensitivity, specificity, detection and quantification limits, precision (repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility), robustness as well as accuracy of the method have been evaluated. Linearity of response was satisfactory for the two range concentrations available on the TDA AAS equipment, between approximately 25.0 and 200.0 μg kg−1 (square regression) and 250.0 and 2000.0 μg kg−1 (linear regression) of mercury. The residues for both ranges were homoscedastic and independent, with normal distribution. Correlation coefficients ob...

Bioactivity-based screening methods for antibiotics residues: a comparative study of commercial and in-house developed kits.

Abstract: Two bioactivity-based screening methods for antibiotic residue analysis (FAST Antimicrobial Screening Test and PremiTest) were compared, in terms of sensitivity, with a new in-house developed tube test assay using Escherichia coli. Tests were performed using antibiotic standards, spiked samples and real incurred samples. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for several antibiotics was established and compared with maximum residue levels (MRLs) in samples. The results of all evaluated tests are compared with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry multi-residue screening tests to compare parameters such as sample preparation, cost, time of analysis and confidence in results. For all tests, values of half the maximum residue limit (0.5 × MRL) were considered as a satisfactory target for a screening method. The potential and limitations of each method are discussed to indicate more rational and effective strategies for high-throughput residue monitoring and surveillance programmes. It was concluded that bioactivity-based screening methods are a useful tool, but the best compromise between minimum performance limits, cost and selectivity must be taken into account. For laboratories equipped with mass spectrometry, multi-class screening methods provide more specific responses with high sensitivity.