Chlorpyrifos should be banned in agriculture and livestock production in Colombia

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a pesticide widely used in Colombia´s agriculture, including crops, farm animals and pets, despite it has been banned for use in the European Union and the United States. Studies demonstrate that even low blood levels of CPF -which do not inhibit blood acetylcholinesterase- can lead to child developmental and neurological disorders such as smaller head circumference and brain alterations, and psychomotor and cognitive deficits related to learning ability, attention and memory. In adults, CPF is an endocrine disruptor and breast carcinogen. High direct and indirect economic costs have been associated with CPF exposure. Not only farmers and their families -who have the highest exposures- but the general population consuming crops sprayed with CPF are also at risk. For these reasons CPF was recently banned by the European Union (2020) and the USA (2021). Pesticide regulation policies vary greatly depending on which and how scientific studies are used to assess health risks. Pesticide evaluations funded by the chemical industry should be rectified to avoid conflicts of interest. Furthermore, political alignment with the interests of the industry should not take precedence over independent scientific evidence. It is discouraging, to say the least, that until stricter health laws are passed in Colombia, CPFs and related pesticides will continue to be imported from those countries that have already banned them. Colombian scientists should raise their voice to challenge blind acceptance of profits over unintended consequences, and efforts to prevent pesticide´s abuse should be encouraged.

El clorpirifos (CPF) es un pesticida ampliamente utilizado en la agricultura de Colombia, incluidos cultivos, animales de granja y mascotas, a pesar de haber sido prohibido en la Unión Europea y Estados Unidos. Los estudios han demostrado que incluso niveles bajos de CPF en sangre -que no inhiben la acetilcolinesterasa sanguínea- pueden provocar trastornos neurológicos y del desarrollo infantil, como menor circunferencia de la cabeza y alteraciones cerebrales, y déficits psicomotores y cognitivos relacionados con la capacidad de aprendizaje, la atención y la memoria. En adultos, el CPF es un disruptor endocrino y causante de cáncer de mama. Altos costos económicos directos e indirectos se han asociado con la exposición al CPF. No solo los trabajadores agrícolas y sus familias, que están más expuestos, sino también la población en general que consume cultivos rociados con CPF también están en riesgo. Por estas razones el CPF fue prohibido recientemente por la Unión Europea (2020) y los EE. UU. (2021). Las políticas de regulación de plaguicidas varían mucho según los estudios científicos escogidos para evaluar los riesgos para la salud. Las evaluaciones de plaguicidas financiadas por la industria química deben rectificarse para evitar conflictos de interés. Además, ante la evidencia científica independiente no debería prevalecer la alineación política con los intereses de dicha industria. Es desalentador, por decir lo menos, que hasta que se aprueben leyes de salud más estrictas en Colombia se seguirán importando CPF y pesticidas relacionados desde aquellos países que ya los han prohibido. Los científicos colombianos deben alzar la voz para desafiar la aceptación ciega de ganancias por encima de las consecuencias no deseadas en salud pública, y se deben alentar los esfuerzos para prevenir el abuso de pesticidas.

Clorpirifós (CPF) é um pesticida registrado amplamente utilizado na agricultura colombiana, incluindo lavouras, animais de fazenda e animais de estimação, apesar de ter sido proibido na União Europeia e nos Estados Unidos. Estudos têm demonstrado que mesmo níveis baixos de CPF no sangue -que não inibem a acetilcolinesterase sanguínea-podem levar a distúrbios neurológicos e de desenvolvimento em crianças, como menor perímetro cefálico e alterações cerebrais, além de déficits psicomotores e cognitivos relacionados à capacidade de aprendizagem, atenção e memoria. Em adultos, o CPF é um desregulador endócrino e cancerígeno da mama. Altos custos econômicos diretos (devido ao tratamento) e indiretos (devido à perda de produtividade) têm sido associados à exposição ao CPF. Não apenas os trabalhadores agrícolas e suas famílias, que têm as maiores exposições, mas a população em geral que consome culturas pulverizadas com CPF também estão em risco. Por essas razões, o CPF foi recentemente proibido pela União Europeia (2020) e pelos EUA (2021). As políticas de regulamentação de pesticidas variam muito, dependendo de quais (e como) os estudos científicos são usados para avaliar os riscos à saúde. As avaliações de pesticidas financiadas pela indústria química devem ser retificadas para evitar conflitos de interesse. Além disso, o alinhamento político com os interesses da indústria não deve ter precedência sobre as evidências científicas independentes. É desanimador - para dizer o mínimo - que até que leis de saúde mais rígidas sejam aprovadas na Colômbia, o CPF e tóxicos relacionados continuarão a ser importados dos países que já os proibiram.

Cuantificación del desperdicio de alimentos en servicios de alimentación de la Universidad de Costa Rica / Quantification of Food Waste in Food Services of the Universidad de Costa Rica

Resumen Antecedentes: los alimentos desperdiciados en ventas al detalle en Latinoamérica (15 %) podrían suplir las necesidades alimenticias del 64 % de quienes sufren hambre en la región. Objetivo: determinar los desperdicios de alimentos en tres servicios de alimentación de la sede Rodrigo Facio de la Universidad de Costa Rica a partir de la guía de medición de la Red Costarricense para Disminuir la Pérdida y el Desperdicio de Alimentos. Materiales y métodos: los desperdicios en los servicios de alimentación N1 y N2 fueron medidos en 2018 y 2019 y en el N3 en 2019; se realizaron 15 mediciones siguiendo la metodología de la guía y se reportaron como porcentaje del total de producción de sólidos. Resultados: los desperdicios en la producción total fueron 15,0-16,6 % en 2018 y 6,4-11,5 % en 2019. No se encontraron diferencias entre los servicios de alimentación en la producción promedio (p=0,1467), en el desperdicio del área de almacenamiento (p=0,1293) ni en la producción de alimentos (p=0,7718). Se encontraron diferencias en el desperdicio entre los servicios de alimentación en el área de servicio: desperdicios en barra (p=0,0197), en plato/ desayuno (p=0,0075) y en plato/almuerzo (p=0,0362). Conclusiones: la cantidad de desperdicios encontrados son menores a los reportados en otros estudios.

Abstract Background: Food wasted in retail in Latinamerica (15%) could supply the nutritional needs of 64% of the hungry in the region. Objective: To determine food waste in three food services of the Rodrigo Facio campus of the Universidad de Costa Rica, using the measurement guide of the Costa Rican Network to reduce food loss and waste. Materials and Methods: Waste in food services N1 and N2 were measured in 2018 and 2019, and in the N3 in 2019. In total 15 measurements were made following the methodology of the guide and they were reported as a percentage of total solids production. Results: Waste in total production was 15.0-16.6% in 2018 and 6.4-11.5% in 2019. No differences were found between food services in average production (p=0.1467), in the waste storage area (p=0.1293), nor food production (p = 0.7718). Differences in waste were found between food services in the service area: Waste in the service bar (p=0.0197), in plate/breakfast (p=0.0075), and in plate/lunch (p=0.0362). Conclusions: The amount of waste found is lower than that reported in other studies.

Prospecting Filamentous Fungi for Amylase Production: Standardization of Aspergillus japonicus Culture Conditions.

Aims: Prospecting different filamentous fungi for high production of amylases in standard conditions for future application in biotechnology industries. Methodology: Samples were collected in different field areas in the state of Bahia, Brazil, for isolating filamentous fungi. Fungi were grown in Petri dishes in a culture medium containing 4% Quaker® oatmeal and 2% bacteriological agar. Fungi screening was carried out in liquid medium containing 1% starch at 30°C and pH6.0 under static conditions for 4 days. Proteins and enzyme activities were determined by Bradford and DNS methods, respectively. A submerged fermentation was performed with different liquid media in order to obtain the best growth composition and enzyme production for the selected fungus. Several conditions such as time course of inactivation, pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen sources were determined in the culture medium with the aim of improving amylase production and fungi growth. Various fibers and food residues were used as enzymatic inducers in a way to assess potential integration of this enzyme, producing microorganisms in the food industry. Results: A. japonicus proved to be the best degrader of fibers and food residues. After 4 days, A. japonicus enzyme production was maximal, with 44.65(±0.49) U/ml under static conditions. The maximal enzyme activity was obtained at pH 6.0, retaining its activity even at a higher pH. The optimum temperature was 25°C. The best carbon source was potato starch and the best food residues were orange bagasse and bark for the enzyme production by A. japonicus. Conclusion: The results suggest that A. japonicus is a good amylase producer for the degradation of fibers and food residues, indicating that it might become important for the food industry, bringing value to what is known as waste these days.

Borra de café colombiano (Coffea arabica) como fuente potencial de sustancias con capacidad antirradicales libres in vitro / Colombian spent coffee grounds (Coffea arabica) as a potential source of substances with free radicals capacity in vitro

Introducción: Coffea arabica L., además de su importancia comercial, también se considera una planta medicinal, porque presenta propiedades biológicas diversas, pero por su comercialización como bebida genera muchos subproductos. La borra es uno de estos, que se obtiene por la preparación de la bebida, contiene una concentración significativa de compuestos polifenólicos y, por tanto, la recuperación de estas sustancias a partir de un residuo sin valor, sería potencialmente útil para la industria farmacéutica y alimentaria. Objetivos: recuperar compuestos fenólicos a partir de la borra de café y darle un valor agregado a un residuo de origen vegetal, como fuente de componentes con capacidad antirradicales libres in vitro. Métodos: la borra de café previamente secada se sometió a extracciones sólido-líquido usando diferentes sistemas de solventes. Se evaluaron las propiedades antioxidantes in vitro usando los métodos del catión radical del ácido 2,2´-azino-bis (3-etilbenzotiazoline-6-sulfónico) y del radical 1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidracilo. Se usó cromatografía líquida de alta resolución acoplada a espectrometría de masas para la caracterizaron de los principales componentes. Resultados: todos los extractos obtenidos mostraron buena capacidad antioxidante, con el extracto de etanol:agua como el mejor, seguido del extracto de metanol acidulado. Sin embargo, la capacidad antioxidante de la fracción en diclorometano del extracto etanol:agua resultó menor que la presentada por la taza de café. Se identificaron los ácidos clorogénico, isoclorogénico y feruloilquínico como los principales componentes de la borra de café. Conclusiones: todos los extractos presentaron buena capacidad protectora contra radicales libres. La borra de café, considerada un desecho obtenido del procesamiento industrial, se puede convertir en materia prima para la recuperación de sustancias antioxidantes; lo cual genera grandes expectativas sobre su posible uso en la industria farmacéutica y alimentaria, y le da al café un valor agregado importante.

Introduction: besides its commercial importance, Coffee arabica L. is also considered a medicinal plant due to its various biological properties, but its marketing produces a large amount of residues. Spent coffee grounds are one of these residues, which are obtained after the preparation of the drink and contain a significant concentration of polyphenolic compounds. Therefore, the recovery of these substances costless residual will be potentially useful for food and pharmaceutical industry. Objectives: to recover polyphenolic compounds from spent coffee grounds and to give an added value to a vegetable waste as a source of substances with free radicals capacity in vitro. Methods: dehydrated spent coffee grounds were subjected to solid-liquid extraction using different solvent systems. Antioxidant properties were evaluated in vitro using the radical monocation 2,2´-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and the stable free radical 2-2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was applied to characterize the main compounds. Results: all the extracts obtained showed a good antioxidant capacity with ethanol-water extract, followed by acidulated methanol extract. However, the antioxidant capacity of the ethanol-water extract was lower than coffee beverage. Chlorogenic, isochlorogenic and feruloylquinic acids were identified as the main compounds present in spent coffee grounds. Conclusions: all extracts showed a significant protection effect against free radicals; spent coffee ground, which is considered an undesirable solid waste from industrial processing, could be an add-value raw material in the recovery of antioxidant substances which generates great expectations about its possible use in the pharmaceutical and food industry and gives coffee an important added value.