Effect of alcoholic beverages on progeny and reproduction of mice

ABSTRACT Alcohol is the most commonly consumed substance in the world. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of alcoholic beverages on male reproduction and possible alterations in their offspring. The mice were divided into 4 groups: beer, wine, cachaça (a type of sugarcane rum), with ethanol concentrations of 1.9 g/kg, and control group treated with PBS. The treatment period was 35 days. The animals which received cachaça, demonstrated significant weight loss in the testes and epididymis. The alcoholic beverages promoted significant testosterone level and fertilization index diminution, and morphological alterations in the spermatozoa. The beer group presented decreased implantation sites and a high frequency of dominant lethal. The number of reabsorptions in the wine group was increased. The fermented beverages presented higher potential to induce visceral malformations, while the cachaça caused fetal skeletal malformations. The cachaça treated group presented a negative impact on semen quality and fertilization potential. The treatment with different alcoholic beverages, during spermatogenesis, demonstrated contrasting degrees of induction of toxic effects, interfering in a general aspect in male reproductive performance, fetal viability during intrauterine life, and birth defects. From the data, it is possible to infer that the distillated beverage caused more harmful effects to reproduction in this study.

Ação da radiação ultravioleta na redução da microbiota do caldo de cana para produção de cachaça / Effect of ultraviolet radiation on microbial reduction of sugarcane juice for the production of cachaça

O processo fermentativo para produção de cachaça é influenciado pela qualidade da matéria-prima. Uma matéria-prima que contenha alta carga microbiana resultará em uma fermentação ineficiente, cujo resultado é refletido na qualidade final da cachaça. Objetivou-se nesta investigação avaliar a ação da radiação ultravioleta como desinfetante alternativo na desinfecção do caldo de cana para produção de cachaça. Confeccionou-se uma câmara de tratamento do caldo de cana com uma parte inferior e cinco tampos para instalação das lâmpadas germicidas por radiação ultravioleta. A câmara foi instalada na saída da moenda. A eficiência do tratamento foi avaliada através de análises microbiológicas do caldo de cana em cinco tempos de tratamento. O delineamento estatístico do experimento foi o inteiramente casualizado. As análises microbiológicas apresentaram um P valor de 64,63%. As análises de acidez, porcentagem de álcool e pH do vinho irradiado e não irradiado apresentaram um P valor maior que 0,05% As cachaças produzidas com caldo de cana irradiado e não irradiado apresentaram valores que estão de acordo com a legislação vigente. Concluiu-se que as características físico-químicas do caldo de cana foram influenciadas pela radiação U.V. sobre os micro-organismos presentes no mesmo, eliminando uma pequena parte destes, estatisticamente não significativas.

The fermentation process for the production of cachaça (the most popular alcoholic distilled beverage) in Brazil is influenced by the quality of the raw material. Thus any raw material containing a high microbial load results in an ineffective fermentation, which is reflected on the final quality of the cachaça. This study evaluated the action of ultraviolet radiation as an alternative disinfectant for cachaça-producing sugarcane juice. The experiment was carried out at the TUCANINHA cachaça-producing unit in the city of São João Batista do Glória, MG. A 10.0m × 43cm × 13cm aluminum plate treatment chamber was made with five 2.0 × 43cm × 14cm heads for germicidal UV lamps. The chamber was installed at the outlet of the mill for the passage of the UV-treated sugarcane juice in a continuous flow system. The effectiveness of the treatment was assayed by microbiological analyses of the cane juice at five treatment times. The statistical design was completely randomized, with five treatments and three replications, with a P value of 64.63%. Two types of fermented wines were analyzed: those from UV radiation-treated broth and the ones from untreated broth, consideration two treatments and 10 repetitions. The tests for acidity, alcohol percentage, and pH showed a P value higher than 0.05%. The cachaças produced with irradiated and non-irradiated sugarcane juice showed values in accordance with the current legislation. It was concluded that the physical and chemical characteristics of the sugarcane juice was influenced for the action of the U.V. radiation on the cane juice microorganisms. Only a small amount of microorganisms were eliminated, what demonstrates that ultraviolet radiation is not effective to eliminate the microbiota of sugarcane juice.

Identification of the bacterial community responsible for traditional fermentation during sour cassava starch, cachaça and minas cheese production using culture-independent 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis

We used a cultivation-independent, clone library-based 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis to identify bacterial communities present during traditional fermentation in sour cassava starch, cachaça and cheese production in Brazil. Partial 16S rRNA gene clone sequences from sour cassava starch samples collected on day five of the fermentation process indicated that Leuconostoc citreum was the most prevalent species, representing 47.6 percent of the clones. After 27 days of fermentation, clones (GenBank accession numbers GQ999786 and GQ999788) related to unculturable bacteria were the most prevalent, representing 43.8 percent of the clones from the bacterial community analyzed. The clone represented by the sequence GQ999786 was the most prevalent at the end of the fermentation period. The majority of clones obtained from cachaça samples during the fermentation of sugar cane juice were from the genus Lactobacillus. Lactobacillus nagelli was the most prevalent at the beginning of the fermentation process, representing 76.9 percent of the clones analyzed. After 21 days, Lactobacillus harbinensis was the most prevalent species, representing 75 percent of the total clones. At the end of the fermentation period, Lactobacillus buchneri was the most prevalent species, representing 57.9 percent of the total clones. In the Minas cheese samples, Lactococcus lactis was the most prevalent species after seven days of ripening. After 60 days of ripening, Streptococcus salivarius was the most prevalent species. Our data show that these three fermentation processes are conducted by a succession of bacterial species, of which lactic acid bacteria are the most prevalent.

Identification of lactic acid bacteria associated with traditional cachaça fermentations

During the production of traditional cachaça (alembicïs cachaça), contamination of the fermented must is one of the factors leading to economic losses in the beverage manufacturing industry. The diversity of bacterial populations and the role of these microorganisms during the cachaça production process are still poorly understood in Brazil. In our work, the fermentation process was followed in two distilleries located in the state of Minas Gerais. The objective of this work was to identify the populations of lactic acid bacteria present during cachaça fermentation using physiological and molecular methods. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated in high frequencies during all of the fermentative processes, and Lactobacillus plantarum and L. casei were the most prevalent species. Other lactic acid bacteria were found in minor frequencies, such as L. ferintoshensis, L. fermentum, L. jensenii, L. murinus, Lactococcus lactis, Enterococcus sp. and Weissella confusa. These bacteria could contribute to the increase of volatile acidity levels or to the production of compounds that could influence the taste and aroma of the beverage.

Comparison between two selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as fermentation starters in the production of traditional cachaça

Two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains were tested as the starter yeasts in a traditional cachaça distillery. The strains used were S. cerevisiae UFMG-A829, isolated from a cachaça fermentation process, and S. cerevisiae K1-V1116, obtained from the wine industry. The permanence of each strain in the fermentation must was determined by RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA)-PCR, with primer M13. Both yeast strains were prevalent in the vats for approximately 30 days. Indigenous non-Saccharomyces and indigenous S. cerevisiae strains were isolated in lower counts during the fermentation period. Indigenous S. cerevisiae strains were molecularly distinct when compared to the starter yeasts. The two yeasts appeared promising starter yeasts in the fermentation process to produce traditional cachaça.

Duas linhagens de Saccharomyces cerevisiae foram testadas como iniciadoras em uma destilaria de cachaça. Foram utilizadas as linhagens de S. cerevisiae UFMG-A829, isolada de fermentação de cachaça, e S. cerevisiae K1-V1116, de origem vinícola. A permanência de cada linhagem durante a fermentação foi determinada por RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA)-PCR, utilizando o iniciador M13. As duas linhagens predominaram nas dornas de fermentação por aproximadamente 30 dias. Leveduras não-Saccharomyces e S. cerevisiae indígenas foram isoladas em menor proporção durante o experimento. As linhagens de S. cerevisiae indígenas apresentaram perfis moleculares distintos em relação às linhagens iniciadoras. As duas linhagens foram promissoras para serem utilizadas como iniciadoras do processo fermentativo para a produção da cachaça.

Parâmetros cinéticos de linhagens de levedura isoladas de alambiques mineiros / Kinetic parameters of yeasts strains isolated from cachaça distilleries in Minas Gerais/Brazil

Foram isoladas leveduras prevalescentes de dois alambiques, em Betim e Rio Manso/MG, por meio de plaqueamento (WLN) e caracterizadas segundo a macromorfologia de colônias, após 8 dias de incubação a 32ºC. A amostra de Rio Manso apresentou 4 linhagens dominantes, com concentrações entre 2,0 x 10(7) e 4,0 x 10(5) UFC/mL. No alambique de Betim foram isoladas três linhagens dominantes, com contagens entre 1,3 x 10(8) e 2,0 x 10(4) UFC/mL. Foram determinados a velocidade específica máxima de crescimento (µmax) e o fator de conversão de substrato em biomassa (Yx/s) para dois isolados. Os valores de μmax foram 0,24 e 0,4 h-1, sendo que a linhagem RM01 apresentou maior valor. Para Yx/s, os resultados obtidos pelas linhagens RM01 e CV01 foram 0,179 e 0,185 g.g-1, respectivamente. Verificou-se uma semelhança nos resultados entre as linhagens RM01 e CV01. Concluiu-se que, do ponto de vista de μmax e de Yx/s, a melhor linhagem para produção de cachaça é a RM01.

Predominant yeasts of two cachaça distilleries were isolated in the cities of Betim and Rio Manso, in the State of Minas Gerais and characterized using WLN agar, according to colony morphology, after 8 days of imcubation at 32ºC. The sample from Rio Manso presented 4 dominant yeasts with concentrations between 2.0 x 10(7) and 4.0 x 10(5) CFU/mL. At Betim distillery, three dominant yeasts were isolated with cell density between 1.3 x 10(8) and 2.0 x 10(4) CFU/mL. The values of the maximum specific velocity for growth (µmax) and the conversion factor for substrate into cells (Yx/s) were determined for two isolates. The μmax values were 0.24 and 0.4 h-1, being RM01 strain the one with the highest value. Regarding to Yx/s, the results obtained by strains RM01 and CV01 were 0.179 and 0.185 g.g-1, respectively. Resemblances of results were observed between strains RM01 and CV01. It was concluded that, as far as μmax and Yx/s are concerned, the best strain to produce cachaça is RM01.

Avaliação sensorial de cachaças produzidas com diferentes variedades de cana-de-açúcar orgânica e diferentes tipos de fermentos / Evaluation of cachaça produced with different varieties of cane sugar and organic types of yeast

Atualmente os mercados mundial e brasileiro têm procurado por produtos denominados naturais ou orgânicos. No caso especifico da cachaça orgânica, apesar desse produto já ser conhecido e até exportado, poucos estudos foram realizados e pouca literatura existe sobre o assunto. Desta maneira, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a influência de 3 variedades de cana de açúcar, produzidas em um sistema orgânico na produção da cachaça (A= RB 835486, B = RB 865113 e C= RB 855536), sobre as características sensoriais e preferência entre as cachaças. No presente trabalho foram estudados os cultivares RB835486, RB-855113 e RB-855536 todos cultivados de acordo com as normas para agricultura orgânica. Testaram-se dois tipos de fermento: o chamado caipira e o prensado (industrial). A metodologia utilizada para análise sensorial foi o Método de Análise Descritiva Quantitativa. Para o teste de preferência foi utilizada a metodologia de acordo com a ABNT (1994). A Análise Descritiva Quantitativa permitiu definir sete atributos de qualidade sensorial. A avaliação destes atributos mostrou resultados pouco diferenciados para as amostras estudadas. Tanto para análise descritiva como na análise de preferência, não se verificaram alterações significativas nas características sensoriais das amostras quando foram usadas diferentes variedades ou diferentes fermentos.

Parâmetros físico-químicos e cromatográficos em aguardentes de cana queimada e não queimada / Physicochemical and chromatographic parameters in sugar cane brandies from burnt and non-burnt cane

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar as concentrações de furfural, álcoois superiores, ésteres, aldeídos, cobre, acidez volátil, metanol e grau alcoólico de aguardentes obtidas de cana, com e sem queima prévia. Foram utilizadas amostras de aguardente artesanal de cana queimada e não queimada, fermentadas com a mesma levedura e destiladas no mesmo destilador; amostras de produtor de aguardente industrial de cana queimada e amostras obtidas de outro produtor artesanal de cana não queimada. As análises físico-químicas e cromatográficas (CG) foram realizadas no Laboratório de Análise Físico-Química de Aguardente - LAFQA/DQI na Universidade Federal de Lavras. As concentrações de furfural apresentaram diferença significativa (P<0,01), entre os grupos de aguardentes artesanais, obtidas de cana-de-açúcar com e sem queima prévia, oriundas de um mesmo processo de produção, com médias de 1,48 mg.100mL-¹ etanol e 0,63 mg.100mL-¹ etanol, respectivamente, embora tenham estado abaixo do limite máximo (5,0 mg.100mL-¹ etanol) permitido. Os demais componentes das aguardentes estudadas não foram afetados significativamente pela queima prévia da cana-de-açúcar.

This work was intended to evaluate the concentrations of furfural, higher alcohols, esters, aldehydes, copper, volatile acidity methanol and alcoholic degree of sugar cane brandies obtained from sugar cane both with and without previous burning. Samples of artisanal brandies from burnt and non-burnt cane, fermented with the same yeast and distilled in the same still, samples of burnt cane from an industrial brandy producer and samples of non-burnt cane obtained from another artisanal producer were utilized. The physicochemical and chromatographic (CG) analyses were accomplished in the Sugar Cane Brandy Physicochemical Analysis Laboratory at the Federal University of Lavras. The concentrations of furfural showed significant differences (P<0.01) among the groups of artisanal brandies obtained from sugar cane with and without previous burning, coming from the same manufacturing process with means of 1.48 mg.100mL-1 ethanol and 0.63mg.100mL-1 ethanol, respectively, although they have been bellow the maximum limit (5.0 mg.100mL-1 ethanol) allowed. The other components of the brandies studied were not affected significantly by the previous burning of sugar cane.

Determinação das composições físico-químicas de cachaças do sul de minas gerais e de suas misturas / Determination of the physical-chemical composition of homemade cachaças produced in the South of Minas Gerais and their mixtures

Este trabalho teve por objetivo a determinação da composição físico-química de cachaças artesanais produzidas no sul do Estado de Minas Gerais e suas misturas. Foram analisados os teores de etanol, acidez volátil, aldeídos, cobre, ésteres, álcoois superiores totais e metanol, além dos álcoois propanol-1, isobutanol e 3-metil-butanol-1. Os resultados apresentam o perfil peculiar desta bebida, que apresentou teores satisfatórios de álcoois superiores, ésteres e aldeídos. O teor de cobre apresenta-se como preocupante já que algumas amostras excederam o limite de 5 mg.L-1. A produção de misturas foi estudada e esta apresenta-se como uma alternativa viável ao produtor e cooperativas.

The present study sought the physical-chemical composition of homemade cachaças produced in the south of the state Minas Gerais and of mixtures of the same cachaça samples. The ethanol, aldehyde, copper, higher alcohol, volatile acid and methanol concentrations were determined, in addition to the individual propanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol concentrations. The results demonstrated the characteristic profile of this beverage, which presented satisfactory concentrations of higher alcohols, esters, and aldehydes. The copper concentrations of some samples exceeded the limit of 5 mg. L-1. The mixtures produced from some of the cachaça samples presented a viable alternative for the producers and cooperatives because the concentrations of the components were more adequate for exportation.