The aim of this study was to adapt the methodology of the accelerated aging and electrical conductivity tests for determination of physiological potential in crambe seeds. Six seed lots of crambe (cv. FMS Brilhante) were subjected to determination of moisture content, germination test, first count germination, emergence, and emergence speed index. For the accelerated aging test, the traditional methodology was used with water, and with a saturated potassium chloride and sodium chloride solution in three periods of exposure (24, 48, and 72 hours) at 41°C; the electrical conductivity test was performed with four pre-soaking treatments (0, 2, 4, and 8 hours) and four soaking periods (4, 8, 16, and 24 hours) at 25°C. The accelerated aging test with water for 72 hours and the electrical conductivity test with 2 hours of pre-soaking and assessment after 16 hours were effective for classification of the crambe seed lots in regard to physiological quality. Index terms:Crambe abyssinica, vigor, physiological quality. RESUMOConduziu-se esta pesquisa, com o objetivo de adequar a metodologia dos testes de envelhecimento acelerado e condutividade elétrica para determinação do potencial fisiológico em sementes de crambe. Seis lotes de sementes de crambe cultivar FMS Brilhante foram submetidos à determinação do teor de água, teste de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência. Para o teste de envelhecimento acelerado, foi utilizada a metodologia tradicional com o uso de água e com solução saturada de cloreto de potássio e cloreto de sódio em 3 períodos de exposição (24, 48 e 72 horas) a 41°C; o teste de condutividade elétrica foi realizado com quatro tratamentos de pré-embebição (0, 2, 4 e 8 horas) e quatro períodos de embebição (4, 8, 16 e 24 horas) a 25°C. O teste de envelhecimento acelerado com água por 72 horas e o teste de condutividade elétrica com 2 horas de pré-embebição e avaliação, após 16 horas, foram eficientes para a classificação dos lotes de sementes de crambe quanto à qualidade fisiológica. Termos para indexação:Crambe abyssinica, vigor, qualidade fisiológica.

The tropical forage species seed market, including signalgrass (Urochloa), is expanding. There is demand for fast, automated methods that can be implemented for quality control of the seeds produced, with the aim of evaluating physical purity. In this respect, seed morphological features obtained by processing radiographs with the Tomato Analyzer software and of red-green-blue obtained and processed on the Groundeye device were used to test differentiation of materials of the Urochloa genus. Seeds of Urochloa brizantha (A.Rich.) R.D.Webster cvv. BRS Piatã, Marandu, and Xaraés MG-5; Urochloa ruziziensis (R.Germ. & C.M.Evrard) Crins cv. Ruziziensis; and Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D.Webster cv. Basilisk were evaluated. Morphological features obtained by Tomato Analyzer allowed differentiation of Urochloaseeds at an accuracy level greater than 80% for all the materials evaluated. Seed area was one of the features that allowed this differentiation. The Groundeye system also showed high efficiency in distinguishing Urochloa seeds, except for Piatã and Xaraés, which exhibited morphological similarity, and lower accuracy levels in distinguishing their seeds (<50%). Additional studies should be conducted to evaluate Urochloa seed lots from other origins to validate the use of image analysis techniques for the purpose of obtaining morphological features and to assist in determining the physical purity of the materials. INTRODUCTIONCorrect identification of species and even cultivars in the seed analysis laboratory is a time-consuming operation (Chaugule & Mali, 2016) because of the similarity among seeds of the same genus, or even as a result of the absence of specific morphological descriptors of the materials under Abbreviations: LDA, linear discriminant analysis; RGB, red-green-blue; WMIH, width at mid-height.

The endo-β-mannanase acts on the hemicellulose fraction of the endosperm cell walls, mainly mannans and galactomannans. This process weakens cell walls and allows radicle protrusion during seed germination, but may also occur during the deterioration process. Thus, the aim of this research was to determine the activity of endo-β-mannanase enzyme in dry coffee seeds and in soaked seeds, evaluating its relationship between physiological qualities. Coffee seeds obtained by different processing methods (natural, fermented and demucilated) and drying (sun, shade and dryer) were used. Seed quality was evaluated by germination and tetrazolium tests, and the endo-β-mannanase enzyme activity was determined in dry seeds and after 10 days of soaking. From the results, it was concluded that there is significant inverse relationship between the physiological quality of coffee seeds and the expression of endo-β-mannanase, and seeds with lower percentages of germination and viability of embryos have a higher activity of the enzyme. After ten days of soaking, coffee seeds had higher expression of endo-β-mannanase as compared to the dry seeds for all treatments of fruit processing and drying.

ABSTRACT The demand for high-quality coffee among consumers has generated a great deal of interest among producers in serving this market. Parameters for physiological analyses that can be associated with aspects of sensory analyses of coffee can ensure more reliable results for coffee quality assessments. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of physiological analyses in determining coffee quality through multivariate analysis. Several samples from coffee bean/seed lots were placed in cold storage at 10 °C, after which the sensory quality, physiological quality, and chemical characteristics of the beans were evaluated before storage and after three and six months of storage. The variables of physiological quality in the coffee beans were correlated with sensory analysis parameters. The viability of coffee embryos revealed by the tetrazolium test results were positively correlated with the final sensory analysis score. There was a correlation of root dry matter, hypocotyl dry matter, potassium leaching, and electrical conductivity with the sensory attributes that comprise the final sensory analysis score for the coffee beans. Variation in the final sensory analysis score was explained up to 97.14% by the variables radical emergence (r2 = 2.27%), strong normal seedlings, (r2 = 0.56%), seedlings with expanded cotyledonary leaves (r2 = 0.53%), tetrazolium test results (r2 = 91.54%), and potassium leaching (r2 = 2.24%). More studies are required to enable the use of physiological analyses to complement sensory analysis.

DEDICO A Deus, pela sua presença constante na minha vida, pelo auxílio nas minhas escolhas e me confortar nas horas difíceis. OFEREÇO Aos meus pais, Maria Conceição e Saulo, pelo apoio incondicional, exemplos de força e dedicação, bases da minha educação, que semearam e cuidaram com atenção e carinho do meu crescimento pessoal e profissional. Ao meu namorado, Thiago Finotti, por caminhar ao meu lado, torcer pelas minhas vitórias e compreensão. Aos meus irmãos, Mariana e Saulo Júnior; minha cunhada Tamara Prudente, meu cunhado Tiago Mendes e meu sobrinho Miguel, por todo apoio e momentos de alegrias. Aos meus amigos, pela força e apoio.

This research assesses the suitability of the Six-sigma program for R&D in FMCG companies. The study also includes an analysis of its potential advantages and challenges for this business area. This was performed through data acquisition using a web-based survey targeting large scale multinational companies. Results showed that most R&D personnel within FMCG companies see Six-sigma as a positive methodology for their sector. Roughly 80% of the participants selected time saving and better knowledge allocation as the main advantages of the Six-sigma system. Almost 90% of the survey contributors believe that the series of potential benefits could lead to important scientific breakthroughs. A financial challenge is expected with the implementation and it was said to be the main concern of R&D personnel, especially from those with managerial backgrounds. Cultural changes and scientific obstacles were not reported as imminent threats to the new system. In light of the above, Six-sigma was found to be suitable for R&D in FMCG companies requiring only a few modifications in its standards and a well-defined strategic implementation plan. Keywords: Fast Moving Consumer Goods, DMAIC, Technology Management, Total Quality Management Resumo Esta pesquisa avalia a adequação do programa Six-Sigma para o setor de P&D em empresas de bens de consumo. O estudo também inclui uma análise das vantagens potenciais e dos desafios para esta área de negócio. Este estudo foi realizado por meio da aquisição de dados, utilizando um questionário online direcionado à profissionais de grandes empresas multinacionais. Os resultados mostraram que a maior parte dos profissionais de P&D nas empresas de FMCG veem o Six

Advanced microanalytical tools (micro-XRF and micro-XANES) were used to provide important information regarding potential nutrient bioavailability in ZnO-treated maize seeds, which is relevant to those interested in biofortification studies.

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