The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of corn kernel enzymes, bacteria, fungi, and fermentation end-products (main acids and ethanol) to protein solubilization during fermentation of reconstituted corn grain silage. Flint corn kernels were ground (5-mm sieve), rehydrated to 32% of moisture, and treated with no additives (control), gamma irradiation (32 kGy), gamma irradiation + fermentation end-products (1% of lactic acid, 0.3% of acetic acid, and 0.7% of ethanol, as fed), and natamycin (1% as fed). Treated grains were ensiled in nylon-polyethylene bags and stored for 90 d. Protein solubilization was calculated for each treatment and the contributions of proteolytic sources were determined. Bacterial activity was the main contributor to proteolysis (60%) followed by corn kernel enzymes (30%), whereas fungi and fermentation end-products had only minor contributions (∼5% each).

Ethanol and acetic acid are common end products from silages. The main objective of this study was to determine whether high concentrations of ethanol or acetic acid in total mixed ration would affect performance in dairy cows. Thirty mid-lactation Holstein cows were grouped in 10 blocks and fed one of the following diets for 7 wk: (1) control (33% Bermuda hay + 67% concentrates), (2) ethanol [control diet + 5% ethanol, dry matter (DM) basis], or (3) acetic acid (control diet + 5% acetic acid, DM basis). Ethanol and acetic acid were diluted in water (1:2) and sprayed onto total mixed rations twice daily before feeding. An equal amount of water was mixed with the control ration. To adapt animals to these treatments, cows were fed only half of the treatment dose during the first week of study. Cows fed ethanol yielded more milk (37.9 kg/d) than those fed the control (35.8 kg/d) or acetic acid (35.3 kg/d) diets, mainly due to the higher DM intake (DMI; 23.7, 22.2, and 21.6 kg/d, respectively). The significant diet × week interaction for DMI, mainly during wk 2 and 3 (when acetic acid reached the full dose), was related to the decrease in DMI observed for the acetic acid treatment. There was a diet × week interaction in excretion of milk energy per DMI during wk 2 and 3, due to cows fed acetic acid sustained milk yield despite lower DMI. Energy efficiency was similar across diets. Blood metabolites (glucose, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids, ethanol, and γ-glutamyl transferase activity) and sensory characteristics of milk were not affected by these treatments. Animal performance suggested similar energy value for the diet containing ethanol compared with other diets. Rumen conversion of ethanol to acetate and a concomitant increase in methane production might be a plausible explanation for the deviation of the predicted energy value based on the heat of combustion. Therefore, the loss of volatile compounds during the drying process in the laboratory should be considered when calculating energy content of fermented feedstuffs.

Summary Physicochemical and sensory effects were investigated regarding the partial substitution of wheat flour in cookies with flours made of pineapple, apple and melon by‐products, in the concentrations 5%, 10% and 15%. Cookies with 15% of melon flour were prominent in relation to the nutritional aspects, especially about the contents of fibres (4.67–6.46%) and ash (1.74–2.25%). The use of these by‐products resulted in slightly darker cookies, with variations in diameter and in the expansion factor. There was a positive influence of the use of the pineapple by‐product concerning consumers' preference. Additionally, the cookies with 15% of pineapple by‐product presented the highest acceptance rate (97%) and buying intention (53%). Therefore, the use of fruit by‐products in the development of cookies is a viable alternative which can be explored for nutritional, technological and sensory purposes by the food industry.

Traditionally, the cultivation of Pleurotus sajor-caju is performed on different composted and pasteurized agricultural residues. The objective of this study was to investigate whether traditional composting and pasteurization processes could be replaced by washed and supplemented (mineral or organic) sugarcane bagasse. In one experiment, fresh sugarcane bagasse was immersed in hot water at 80°C for two hours (control) or washed in fresh water for one hour using an adapted machine for residue treatment. In another experiment, fresh sugarcane bagasse was washed in fresh water (control), and supplemented with corn grits (organic supplementation), or supplemented with nutrient solution (mineral supplementation). In the first experiment, the washed bagasse presented a average biological efficiency (ABE) of 19.16% with 44% contamination, and the pasteurized bagasse presented a ABE of 13.86% with 70% contamination. In the second experiment, corn grits presented the poorest performance, with a ABE of 15.66% and 60% contamination, while supplementation with the nutrient solution presented a ABE of 30.03%, whereas the control of 26.62%. Washing fresh sugarcane bagasse could suppress the pasteurized substrate in Pleurotus sajor-caju production, compensating a reduced ABE with a faster process. Key words: basidiomycetes, substrate, pasteurization, supplementation PRODUÇÃO DO COGUMELO COMESTÍVEL Pleurotus sajor-caju EM BAGAÇO DE CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR LAVADO E SUPLEMENTADORESUMO: Tradicionalmente, o cultivo do Pleurotus sajor-caju é realizado utilizando-se diversos resíduos agrícolas, precedido dos processos de compostagem e pasteurização. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo comparar o processo de pasteurização com a lavagem do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e avaliar formas de suplementação do bagaço, visando aumento na produtividade. No primeiro experimento, os colmos da canade-açúcar passaram por moenda para a extração do caldo, sendo em seguida desfibrados. No tratamento controle, o bagaço fresco foi pasteurizado em água a 80°C durante 2 horas e o outro tratamento consistiu na lavagem do bagaço fresco em centrífuga com água corrente à temperatura ambiente, por uma hora. No segundo experimento, utilizou-se a lavagem simples (tratamento controle), a suplementação do bagaço lavado com quirera de milho (suplementação orgânica) e com solução mineral (suplementação mineral). A eficiência biológica média (EBM) do cogumelo no bagaço fresco lavado (19,16%) não diferiu significativamente da obtida no bagaço fresco pasteurizado (13,86%), sendo a sua contaminação (44%) menor do que no bagaço pasteurizado (70%). No segundo experimento, a suplementação orgânica obteve o menor desempenho, com EBM de 15,66% e contaminação de 60%, diferindo da suplementação mineral e controle, com EBM de 30,03% e 26,62%, respectivamente. A lavagem do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar fresco poderá suprimir a pasteurização do substrato na produção de Pleurotus sajor-caju, compensando a eficiência biológica reduzida com a agilidade do processo.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of temperature, time, and thickness of tomatoes fruits during adiabatic drying process. Dehydration, a simple and inexpensive process compared to other conservation methods, is widely used in the food industry in order to ensure a long shelf life for the product due to the low water activity. This study aimed to obtain the best processing conditions to avoid losses and keep product quality. Factorial design and surface response methodology were applied to fit predictive mathematical models. In the dehydration of tomatoes through the adiabatic process, temperature, time, and sample thickness, which greatly contribute to the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the final product, were evaluated. The optimum drying conditions were 60°C with the lowest thickness level and shorter time.

The knowledge of consumer perception of meat tenderness and taste is essential to forecast a Brazilian quality value-based beef market. This study aimed to verify perception of tender (WBSF ≤ 4.1 kg) from tough (≥ 4.8 kg) strip loin steak or uncharacteristic (calcium-treated/Ca-IM) and normal (noncalcium/NO-Ca) meat taste by consumers according to gender, age, education and income levels. Steaks were previously classified by shear force measurements as tender or tough. Each consumer was served a paired sample of one tender and of one tough steak, which were either Ca-IM or NO-Ca treated before tenderness classification. Three hundred and eight consumers answered a nine-point intensity (tenderness) and hedonic (taste) scales evaluation questionnaire. Among consumers, 82.2% indicated beef as first choice meat products, 75.3% had beef at least four times a week; 39.3% considered taste as the most important meat attribute and 30.2% considered tenderness; 75.8% were males; 73.6% were 21 to 55 years old; 56.7% had college education; 76.6% had monthly income higher than US $ 435,00. Tender steaks were scored highest (P < 0.01), independently of gender, age and income. However, elderly consumers gave higher scores to tender steaks in comparison to middle age consumers (P < 0.05). In the lower education level, scores given to tender and tough meat did not differ. The higher income level responders assigned lower tenderness scores within tender or tough meat (P = 0.10). Differences in taste were perceived by both genders, and by consumers in every income and education level. Males gave higher scores (dislike less) within Ca-IM steaks. Consumers in the lower education level scored taste higher (like most) within untreated samples. The elderly people could not differentiate taste between the Ca-IM and NO-Ca steaks. These are the first indications that Brazilian consumers perceive tender from tough or uncharacteristic taste of beef, but palatability is evaluated differentially depending on gender, age, education and income level.

ResumoO caldo de cana apresenta grande aceitação popular e, se devidamente explorado, é um produto com elevado potencial mercadológico. O presente trabalho teve como objetivos realizar a caracterização físico-química, microbiológica e sensorial do caldo de cana puro e adicionado de suco de limão e de suco de abacaxi submetido ao tratamento térmico (70 °C/25 minutos) e/ou à radiação gama (2,5 kGy), acondicionado em garrafas de polietileno de alta densidade. Os resultados foram avaliados através da análise de variância e comparação das médias pelo teste de Tukey. Os processamentos aplicados reduziram as quantificações microbianas e não alteraram significativamente o aroma e sabor das bebidas em relação ao controle. A luminosidade foi maior no produto submetido ao tratamento térmico combinado com a radiação gama do que nos demais tratamentos. A atividade da polifenoloxidase nas bebidas processadas foi significativamente menor em relação ao controle. A adição de suco de frutas ao caldo de cana não alterou sua composição físico-química. No entanto, a adição de suco de abacaxi ao caldo de cana incrementou significativamente o teor de manganês e o de açúcares redutores quando comparado ao caldo de cana puro e adicionado de suco de limão. Palavras-chave: caldo de cana; radiação gama; suco de frutas; tratamento térmico. AbstractSugarcane juice is a very well-known and popular beverage in Brazil, and provided it is properly exploited, it has a high market potential. The aim of this research was to evaluate the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory stability of pure sugarcane juice and mixed with fresh lemon and pineapple juice, subjected to a heat treatment (70 °C/25 min) and/or gamma radiation (2.5 kGy) and stored in high density polyethylene bottles. The data were evaluated by variance analysis and their mean values compared by Tukey's test. Processing of the sugarcane juice reduced the microorganism load without significantly altering the physicochemical composition, aroma and flavor of the beverages in comparison with the control. Luminosity was higher in the product subjected to the heat treatment combined with gamma radiation than that resulting from the other treatments. The polyphenol oxidase activity in the processed beverages was significantly lower than in the control. The addition of fruit juice to the sugarcane juice did not modify the latter's physicochemical composition. However, the addition of 10% pineapple juice to the sugarcane juice increased the manganese and reduced sugars content when compared with pure sugarcane juice and with sugarcane juice mixed with 4% lemon juice. Keywords: sugarcane juice; gamma radiation; fruit juice; heat treatment.Efeitos do processamento térmico e da radiação gama na conservação de caldo de cana puro e adicionado de suco de frutas 21,37 . Essa bebida é caracterizada como um líquido viscoso, opaco, de coloração que varia de parda a verde escura. Sua composição é variável em função da variedade, idade e sanidade da cana, solo, condições climáti-cas e planejamento ag...

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