No abstract

A proteinaceous inhibitor with high activity against trypsin-like serine proteinases was purified from seeds of the tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica) by gel filtration on Shephacryl S-200 followed by a reverse-phase HPLC Vidac C18 TP. The inhibitor, called the tamarind trypsin inhibitor (TTI), showed a Mr of 21.42 kDa by mass spectrometry analysis. TTI was a noncompetitive inhibitor with a Ki value of 1.7 x 10(-9) M. In vitro bioinsecticidal activity against insect digestive enzymes from different orders showed that TTI had remarkable activity against enzymes from coleopteran, Anthonomus grandis (29.6%), Zabrotes subfasciatus (51.6%), Callosobruchus maculatus (86.7%), Rhyzopertha dominica(88.2%), and lepidopteron, Plodia interpuncptella (26.7%), Alabama argillacea (53.8%), and Spodoptera frugiperda (75.5%). Also, digestive enzymes from Diptera, Ceratitis capitata (fruit fly), were inhibited (52.9%). In vivo bioinsecticidal assays toward C. capitata and C. maculatus larvae were developed. The concentration of TTI (w/w) in the artificial seed necessary to cause 50% mortality (LD50) of larvae was 3.6%, and that to reduce mass larvae by 50.0% (ED50) was 3.2%. Furthermore, the mass C. capitata larvae were affected at 53.2% and produced approximately 34% mortality at a level of 4.0% (w/w) of TTI incorporated in artificial diets.

Chitin-binding vicilin from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds was purified by ammonium sulfate followed by gel filtration on Sephacryl 300-SH and on Sephacryl 200-SH. The vicilin, called EcV, is a dimeric glycoprotein composed of 1.03% carbohydrates and a Mr of 151 kDa, consisting of two subunits of Mr of 66.2 and 63.8 kDa. The EcV homogeneity was confirmed in a PAGE where it was observed to be a unique acid protein band with slow mobility in this native gel. E. contortisiliquum vicilin (EcV) was tested for anti-insect activity against C. maculatus and Zabrotes subfasciatus larvae and for phytopathogenic fungi, F. solani and C. lindemuntianum. EcV was very effective against both bruchids, producing 50% mortality for Z. subfasciatus at an LD50 of 0.43% and affected 50% of the larvae mass with an ED50 of 0.65%. In artificial diets given to C. maculatus, 50% of the larvae mass was affected with an ED50 of 1.03%, and larva mortality was 50% at LD50 of 1.11%. EcV was not digested by midgut homogenates of C. maculatus and Z. Subfasciatus until 12 h of incubation, and at 24 h EcV was more resistant to Z. subfasciatus larval proteases. The binding to chitin present in larvae gut associated to low EcV digestibility could explain its lethal effects. EcV also exerted an inhibitory effect on the germination of F. solani at concentrations of 10 and 20 microg mL-1. The effect of EcV on fungi is possibly due to binding to chitin-containing structures of the fungal cell wall.

RESUMO -O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade de frutos do umbuzeiro em três estádios de maturação e armazenados sob atmosferas modificada (AM) e em condição ambiente (AA). O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2x3x6, sendo duas atmosferas de armazenamento (AA e AM), três estádios de maturação: 'verde', 'verde-maduro' e 'maduro', e seis períodos de armazenamento a 23 ± 1 ºC e 83 ± 2% UR. As avaliações realizadas foram sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez titulável (AT), relação SS/AT, perda de massa, coloração da casca e aparência geral. Os SS de umbus mantidos sob AA foram mais elevados que os sob AM, sendo os menores teores os de frutos do estádio verde. A vida útil de umbu colhido maduro e mantido sob AA foi limitada a três dias, devido à excessiva perda de massa. O emprego da AM foi o fator determinante na manutenção da qualidade do umbu armazenado sob a condição ambiente por reduzir a perda de massa, manter a aparência atrativa, permitir a evolução da coloração para a amarela mais intensa, proporcionando um incremento na vida útil aos frutos colhidos verde e 'verde-maduro' em dois e um dia, respectivamente.Palavras-chave: Spondias tuberosa. Aparência. Evolução da coloração. Conservação pós-colheita.ABSTRACT -The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of fruits of the Brazil Plum at three stages of maturation, when stored under conditions of modified (MA) and ambient (AA) atmospheric conditions. The experimental design used was a completely randomized 2x3x6 factorial scheme of two storage atmospheres (AA and MA), three stages of maturation ('green', 'turning' and 'mature'), and six storage periods at 23 ± 1 ºC and 83 ± 2% RH. The evaluations carried out were for soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), the SS/TA ratio, weight loss, skin color and general appearance. The SS of Brazil Plum kept under AA were higher than those under MA, with the lowest levels being from the green fruit. The shelf life of the Brazil Plum, harvested when mature and kept under AA, was limited to three days due to excessive weight loss. The use of MA was the determining factor in maintaining the quality of the Brazil Plum stored under ambient conditions by reducing weight loss, keeping its attractive appearance, allowing the color to develop into a deeper yellow, and providing an increase in shelf life for those fruits harvested when green or turning of two and one days respectively.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the respiratory pattern and the postharvest changes in umbu-caja fruit, harvested in the stages of maturity greenyellowish and yellow-greenish. Fruits of both maturity stages were harvested early in the morning and separated into two groups. The first group was used for respiratory rate measurements. The second group was placed (≈300 g/tray) in polystyrene trays (15 x 20 cm 2) and stored under modified atmosphere (MA) by a 12 μ thick PVC film, and under ambient atmosphere (AA) at 10±1°C, during 12 days. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement, with 3 replications. The use of MA resulted in lower mass loss, as compared with fruits under AA. Total vitamin C was higher and general appearance (1-inacepetable; 9-excelent) kept above the critical limit (score 4) during 12 days, for fruit harvested as green-yellowish and stored under MA. Soluble solids increased during storage for fruits maintained under AA, independent on maturity stages. Modified atmosphere by PVC film enhanced shelf-life and kept the quality of umbu-caja, mainly for fruit harvested in the maturity stage green-yellowish.

The 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) has been used in maintaining the quality and increase shelflife of many species of non-climacteric and climacteric fruits. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency 1-MCP associated to modified atmosphere (MA) on postharvest quality maintenance of mangaba fruit. Fruits were harvested in maturation characterized by the presence of reddish spots, all over the yellow greenish pigmentation of the skin. The mangaba fruits were submitted to application of 1-MCP in the doses of 0, 100, 200 e 300 μL L -1 for 12 hours under room conditions (24 + 2 ° C and 83 + 2% RH) and evaluated for soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, ascorbic acid, mass loss, and general appearance. The association of MA with 1-MCP did not provide additional benefits on quality. However, 1-MCP at 200 μL L -1 extended the postharvest life of mangaba, stored under and room conditions, from 5 to 7 days.

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Árvores originadas de estacas enraizadas de Pinus radiata D. Don provenientes de ortets de um ano de idade foram comparadas com árvores provenientes de sementes em dois locais do Sul do Chile, aos sete anos de idade, para as características de altura, diâmetro e volume, e baseado em uma avaliação subjetiva para diâmetro dos galhos e retidão do tronco. Em geral, as árvores originadas de estacas cresceram tanto quanto as árvores provenientes de sementes e demonstraram vantagens em relação à retidão do tronco e menor diâmetro de galhos. Entretanto, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos de árvores para todas as características avaliadas. Até o presente momento, tais resultados indicam que a produção de plantas via estacas enraizadas pode ser um método útil para estabelecimento de plantações comerciais da espécie.