In this study, dehydrated strawberries have been proposed as probiotic carriers.Strawberries were cut into halves, incorporated with probiotic Bacillus coagulans BC4 by two alternative methods (impregnation and alginate coating) and submitted to two alternative drying methods (freeze drying -FD -and oven drying -OD). Six treatments were carried out, namely: FD and OD (no probiotic), I-FD, I-OD, C-FD, and C-OD (Iand C-meaning impregnation and coating respectively). While the probiotic incorporation method affected a few properties of the resulting products (mainly the probiotic viability on processing), the drying methods resulted in remarkable differences. The freeze-dried strawberry halves presented higher retention of chemical (ascorbic acid and anthocyanin contents) and physical properties (shape, color, and firmness) as well as a better acceptance and higher probiotic viability, resulting in higher probiotic release into the small intestine. The I-FD treatment resulted in the highest probiotic viability after processing and through a 6-month storage (neat 8 log cfu.g -1 ).

Carotenoids are natural pigments that can be synthesized by plants, algae, and microorganisms. Carotenoids are found intracellularly when bio‐produced by microorganisms. Thus, the cell wall rigidity makes pigment extraction difficult at times, so the application of various cell rupture and extraction techniques is made necessary. Therefore, this study aimed to perform Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous Y‐10921 cell rupture using dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and Ultrasound‐Assisted methods in order to recover carotenoids. The maximum recovery of specific carotenoids using the DMSO method was 680 μg/g associated with acetone extraction and 614 μg/g with the Ultrasound‐Assisted method (acetone:methanol, 7:3 v/v ratio). The results demonstrate that the Ultrasound‐Assisted method did not require a long extraction time, it had an easy biocompounds recovery, and furthermore, it was effective on yeast cell disruption.

ABSTRACT. Current paper assesses the relationship between in situ incubation time, particle size and types of materials on estimates of indigestible fractions of dry matter (iDM) and neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) in cattle feed and feces. Samples of soybean meal, alfalfa and feces of cattle fed on high concentrated diets were analyzed. The samples were processed in a Wiley mill, with 0.5 and 1.5 mm porosity for food and 1.5 mm for feces, which were packed in 4 × 5 cm F57 bags (Ankon ® ) and nonwoven fabric (100 g m -2) of two brands. The material was divided into two groups, with and without treatment with acetone, and five replications. Samples of each group were incubated in the rumen of a multiparous cow adapted to a 70:30 diet, forage:concentrate diet, for 240 hours. The iDM and iNDF levels were evaluated sequentially to interpret the percentages of undigested material. Data underwent analysis of variance (ANOVA, p < 0.05) and means were compared by Tukey's test (p < 0.05). Material, size of particles and incubated material affected iDM and iNDF estimates.

Brazil has great capacity for expansion in the floriculture sector. Studies on postharvest cut flowers contribute to development of the sector, helping to maintain the quality of domestic production. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a powerful tool that allows viewing of flower structures and also microorganisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate methods of preparing flower stem samples for viewing in SEM as a support for studies on postharvest cut flowers. Ways of cutting, fixing, and drying samples were tested. Cutting with a stainless steel blade and through freeze-fracture were tested; fixation was carried out without the use of osmium tetroxide (OsO4); and drying of the samples was performed through freeze-drying and through critical point dryingwithCO2. Cutting with a stainless steel blade proved to be a satisfactory method for stem samples, with low cost and simple application compared to freeze-fracturing. Good fixation and high image contrast were obtained without the use of osmium tetroxide, thus avoiding the use of this toxic compound. Freeze-drying allowed the structure and morphological composition to be viewed, while critical point drying withCO2 preserved the microorganisms present in the samples.Keywords: gerbera,stainless steel blade, freeze-fracturing, freeze-drying, critical point with CO 2 . RESUMOMétodos de preparação de amostras de hastes florais para microscopia eletrônica de varredura O Brasil possui grande capacidade de expansão na área da floricultura. Estudos em pós-colheita de flores de corte contribuem para o desenvolvimento do setor, auxiliando na manutenção da qualidade da produção nacional. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) é uma ferramenta potente que permite a visualização das estruturas florais e também de microrganismos. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar métodos de preparação de amostras de hastes florais para visualização de imagens em MEV como suporte em estudos de pós-colheita de flores cortadas. Foram testadas formas de obtenção de corte, fixação e secagem das amostras. Os tipos de cortes testados foram por meio de lâmina de aço inoxidável e criofratura, a fixação foi realizada sem a utilização do tetróxido de ósmio (OsO 4 ) e a secagem das amostras foi realizada por liofilização e por ponto crítico de CO 2 . O corte com a lâmina de aço inoxidável, demonstrou ser um método satisfatório para amostragem das hastes, de baixo custo e simples aplicação com relação a criofratura. Obteve-se uma boa fixação e alto contraste das imagens sem o uso do tetróxido de ósmio, desta forma, evitou-se a utilização deste composto tóxico. A secagem por liofilização permitiu a visualização da estrutura e composição morfológica, enquanto a secagem por ponto crítico de CO2 conservou os microorganismos presentes nas amostras. Palavras-chave: gérbera, lâmina de aço inoxidável, criofratura, liofilização, ponto crítico de CO 2 .(1) Trabalho recebido para publicação em 26