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: Chemistry & Salmonella. The organization has 1153 authors who have published 1189 publications receiving 14442 citations.

Design of a sampling plan to detect ochratoxin A in green coffee

Abstract: The establishment of maximum limits for ochratoxin A (OTA) in coffee by importing countries requires that coffee-producing countries develop scientifically based sampling plans to assess OTA contents in lots of green coffee before coffee enters the market thus reducing consumer exposure to OTA, minimizing the number of lots rejected, and reducing financial loss for producing countries. A study was carried out to design an official sampling plan to determine OTA in green coffee produced in Brazil. Twenty-five lots of green coffee (type 7 - approximately 160 defects) were sampled according to an experimental protocol where 16 test samples were taken from each lot (total of 16 kg) resulting in a total of 800 OTA analyses. The total, sampling, sample preparation, and analytical variances were 10.75 (CV = 65.6%), 7.80 (CV = 55.8%), 2.84 (CV = 33.7%), and 0.11 (CV = 6.6%), respectively, assuming a regulatory limit of 5 microg kg(-1) OTA and using a 1 kg sample, Romer RAS mill, 25 g sub-samples, and high performance liquid chromatography. The observed OTA distribution among the 16 OTA sample results was compared to several theoretical distributions. The 2 parameter-log normal distribution was selected to model OTA test results for green coffee as it gave the best fit across all 25 lot distributions. Specific computer software was developed using the variance and distribution information to predict the probability of accepting or rejecting coffee lots at specific OTA concentrations. The acceptation probability was used to compute an operating characteristic (OC) curve specific to a sampling plan design. The OC curve was used to predict the rejection of good lots (sellers' or exporters' risk) and the acceptance of bad lots (buyers' or importers' risk).

Push-pull closure for a drink container

Abstract: The invention is directed to a push-pull closure for a drink container including a mouthpiece holder. The container includes a pin, which projects into the through-opening of the mouthpiece holder; several bars, parallel to the pin and arranged around the pin, which are connected to the mouthpiece holder and to the pin; a mouthpiece that is axially displaceable and sealing with respect to the mouthpiece on the outer circumference and accommodating the pin in the further through-opening; at least one circumferential seal element, which blocks and unblocks the passage of liquid through the further through-opening in an closing/opening position of the mouthpiece in the mouthpiece holder; and several ribs of a soft elastic material, axially extending on the circumference of the mouthpiece at the bottom, wherein the mouthpiece may be inserted into the mouthpiece holder, and the bars can engage free spaces and the ribs engage recesses between the bars.