Universidade Federal de Viçosa

About: Universidade Federal de Viçosa is a education organization based out in Viçosa, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Dry matter. The organization has 16012 authors who have published 26711 publications receiving 353416 citations.

The Microbiology of Raw Milk

Abstract: Milk and dairy products are consumed worldwide and considered as relevant sources of nutrition in humans and animals, not only the newborns. Due to the complexity of the dairy chain, microbial contamination can occur in different steps of production, leading to the development of adequate control plans for monitoring the microbial quality and safety of milk since production to processing. Different microbial groups can contaminate milk, with a wide range of impacts for its quality, safety, and even beneficial features. Important microbial groups are researched in milk to assess the hygienic procedures and conditions during production, such as mesophilic aerobes and coliforms; some groups are considered as relevant spoilage agents, such as psychrotrophics; many bacteria are researched due to their pathogenic potential, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp.; and other bacteria can possess beneficial features, like some lactic acid bacteria strains. This huge diversity is a challenge in the dairy industry, once their monitoring and control became mandatory to testify and guide the raw milk utilization by consumers and dairy industry.

Fitorremediação de solos contaminados com herbicidas

Abstract: A fitorremediacao e uma tecnica que objetiva a descontaminacao de solo e agua, utilizando-se como agente de descontaminacao plantas. E uma alternativa aos metodos convencionais de bombeamento e tratamento da agua, ou remocao fisica da camada contaminada de solo, sendo vantajosa principalmente por apresentar potencial para tratamento in situ e ser economicamente viavel. Alem disso, apos extrair o contaminante do solo, a planta armazena-o para tratamento subsequente, quando necessario, ou mesmo metaboliza-o, podendo, em alguns casos, transforma-lo em produtos menos toxicos ou mesmo inocuos. A fitorremediacao pode ser empregada em solos contaminados por substâncias inorgânicas e/ou orgânicas. Resultados promissores de fitorremediacao ja foram obtidos para metais pesados, hidrocarbonetos de petroleo, agrotoxicos, explosivos, solventes clorados e subprodutos toxicos da industria. A fitorremediacao de herbicidas apresenta bons resultados para atrazine, tendo a especie Kochia scoparia revelado potencial rizosferico para fitoestimular a degradacao dessa molecula. Embora ainda incipiente no Brasil, ja existem estudos sobre algumas especies agricolas cultivadas e especies silvestres ou nativas da propria area contaminada, com o objetivo de selecionar especies eficientes na fitorremediacao do solo.

Somaclonal variation on in vitro callus culture potato cultivars

Abstract: Synthetic seeds can be an alternative for those species in which botanical seeds are not viable. One of the major problems of in vitro plant cultivation is the high level of somaclonal variation. The most common factors affecting somaclonal variation are genotype, explant source, in vitro period and cultivation conditions in which the culture is established. In this work, calli were induced using leaf and stem explants of the commercial potato cultivars Achat, Baraka, Baronesa, Bintje, and Contenda in MS culture media supplemented with 1.65 mM of picloram and 11.5 mM of 2,4-D. Seventy and 90 days after induction, DNA samples of 40 calli were compared concerning the effects of the two explant (leaf and stem) and two growth regulator sources on five potatoes cultivars. A total of 20 arbitrary sequence primers were evaluated. The RAPD pattern generated by these primers suggested a high percentage of polymorphic fragments among the five genotypes, indicating a high level of genetic variation among cultivars. Cultivar Baronesa showed the highest number of polymorphic fragments for all treatments. The cultivar Contenda showed the smallest somaclonal variation, for most of the treatments, except for the treatment which consisted of stem explants, picloram (1.65 mM) application, and a 70-day period of callus formation. 'Contenda' is, therefore, the most suitable cultivar for synthetic seed production.

Food environment and fruit and vegetable intake in a urban population: A multilevel analysis

Abstract: Environmental, social and individual factors influence eating patterns, which in turn affect the risk of many chronic diseases. This study aimed to estimate associations between environmental factors and the consumption of fruit and vegetables among adults in a Brazilian urban context. Data from the surveillance system for risk factors for chronic diseases (VIGITEL) of Brazilian Ministry of Health were used. A cross-sectional telephone survey (VIGITEL – 2008–2010) was carried out with 5826 adults in the urban area of Belo Horizonte. Individual variables were collected. The frequency of fruit and vegetables consumption was assessed from number of servings, weekly frequency and an intake score was calculated. Georeferenced variables were used to characterize the food environment. The density of healthy food outlets (stores specialized in selling fruit and vegetables), unhealthy food outlets (bars, snack bars and food trucks/trailers) and the neighborhood family income were investigated and associated with fruit and vegetables intake score. Weighted multilevel linear regression was used to evaluate the associations between the environment variables and the fruit and vegetables intake score. Higher fruit and vegetables intake scores were observed in neighborhoods with higher density of healthy food outlets and higher income. Lower scores were observed in neighborhood with higher density of unhealthy food outlets. These associations were adjusted by individual variables such as gender, age, physical activity, sugar sweetened beverages consumption, education level and smoking. The food environment might explain some of the socioeconomic disparities with respect to healthy food intake and health outcomes. Healthy food stores are less common in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods, and therefore, healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables are less available or are of a lower quality in lower income areas. Food environment characteristics and neighborhood socioeconomic level had significant associations with fruit and vegetable intake score. These are initial findings that require further investigation within the middle income world populations and the role of the environment with respect to both healthy and unhealthy food acquisition and intake.