ABSTRACT
A rastreabilidade de alimentos (RTA) é definida como um conjunto de procedimentos que permite detectar a origem e acompanhar a movimentação de um produto ao longo da cadeia produtiva, mediante elementos informativos e documentos registrados. A crescente complexidade da produção e distribuição de alimentos demanda o desenvolvimento de iniciativas que promovam maior segurança e qualidade de produtos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisão da literatura científica sobre o conceito de rastreabilidade de alimentos e identificar as estratégias de aplicação desta ferramenta. Concluiu-se que a implementação da RTA está vinculada a ações governamentais por meio de legislações e órgãos de fiscalização, bem como o uso desta ferramenta ao longo da cadeia produtiva de alimentos requer cada vez mais recursos tecnológicos que possam integrar os diferentes agentes da cadeia de suprimentos.
Food traceability (RTA) is defined as a set of procedures that make it possible to detect the origin and monitor the movement of a product along the production chain, using information elements and registered documents. The growing complexity of food production and distribution demands the development of initiatives that promote greater product safety and quality. The objective of this work was to carry out a review of the scientific literature on the concept of food traceability and to identify strategies for applying this tool. It is concluded that the implementation of the RTA is linked to government actions through legislation and inspection bodies, as well as the use of this tool along the food production chain requires more and more technological resources that can integrate the different agents of the supply chain supplies.
Subject(s)
Food Production , Food Quality , Food HygieneABSTRACT
Eight Fusarium sp. namely, F. acutatum, F. globosum, F. graminearum, F. lactis, F. nivale, F. proliferatum, F.pseudoanthophilum and F. robustum were screened for the presence of lectins by hemagglutination activityusing human ABO, porcine, ovine, goat and rabbit erythrocytes. Mycelial extracts of all the fungal culturesexcept F. graminearum displayed unique lectin activity with only rabbit erythrocytes. Enzymatic treatment ofrabbit erythrocytes with neuraminidase has significantly enhanced the titre of all the lectin-positive extractsof fungal cultures. In contrast, most of the lectins showed a decline in lectin activity with protease treatedrabbit erythrocytes. Saccharide specificity studies have shown that majority of the lectins are inhibitory towardsO-acetyl sialic acids. None of the lectins from Fusarium sp. were inhibited by dextran, meso-inositol, andN-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Most of the fungal cultures displayed highest hemagglutination activity during the10th day of growth in broth cultures. The unique saccharide specificity of Fusarium sp. lectins can be used forelucidating their clinical role in glycobiology research.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Amazonian fish assemblages are typically high in species diversity and trophic complexity. Stable isotopes are valuable tools to describe the trophic structure of such assemblages, providing useful information for conservation and ecological management. This study aimed at estimating the relative contribution of the different basal carbon sources to the diet of primary consumer fishes (herbivores and detritivores), and determining the trophic position (TP) of the dominant fishes from each trophic guild (herbivores, detritivores, invertivores and piscivores). For this purpose we analyzed stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in potential food sources, and muscle tissue of fishes in five oxbow lakes located in the floodplain of River Ichilo, Bolivia. Terrestrial plants and C3 aquatic macrophytes were the major carbon source contributing to the diet of herbivorous fishes, whereas particulate organic matter (POM) contributed more to the diet of detritivore fishes. In general, C4 aquatic macrophytes contributed little to the diet of herbivores and detritivores. However, we found a relatively high contribution of C4 macrophytes (28 %) to the diet of the herbivores Mylossoma duriventre and Schizodon fasciatus. We found a good agreement between our estimated TP values and the trophic group assigned based on diet composition from literature. The herbivore M. duriventre was at the bottom of the food web, being the baseline organism (TP = 2). The remaining primary consumers (herbivores and algivore/detritivores) exhibited relatively high TP values (2.3-2.9), probably due to their opportunistic feeding behavior. Omnivore/invertivore species studied displayed TP values near the 3.0 value expected for secondary consumers. Piscivore fishes were at the top TP, with TP values varying from 3.3 (Serrasalmus spilopleura and Serrasalmus rhombeus) to 3.8 (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum). The fact that detritivore fishes, the most abundant food source for piscivores, occupy relatively high TPs determines that food chains in these particular Amazonian floodplains are longer than previously thought. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(3): 1258-1271. Epub 2018 September 01.
Resumen Los ensamblajes de peces amazónicos presentan alta diversidad y complejidad trófica. La descripción de su estructura trófica proporciona información útil para su manejo. Con el fin de estimar la contribución de las fuentes básicas de carbono en la dieta de los consumidores primarios, y determinar la posición trófica (PT) de las especies dominantes de peces de cada gremio, analizamos isótopos estables de carbono (δ13C) y nitrógeno (δ15N) en las fuentes de carbono y en músculo de peces, de la llanura de inundación del río Ichilo. Las plantas terrestres y las macrófitas C3 fueron las mayores fuentes de carbono en la dieta de los peces herbívoros, mientras que la materia orgánica particulada contribuyó más a la dieta de los detritívoros. Las macrófitas C4 contribuyeron poco a la dieta de herbívoros y detritívoros, excepto para Mylossoma duriventre y Schizodon fasciatus, en las que encontramos una contribución relativamente alta (28 %). Encontramos una buena relación entre los valores estimados de PT y el gremio trófico asignado en la literatura. El herbívoro M. duriventre estuvo en la base de la red trófica (PT = 2). Los restantes consumidores primarios mostraron valores de PT relativamente altos (2.3 - 2.9), probablemente debido a sus hábitos alimenticios oportunistas. Las especies omnívoras/invertívoras mostraron valores cercanos a 3. Los peces piscívoros estuvieron en la cima de la red trófica, con PT que variaron entre 3.3 (Serrasalmus spilopleura y Serrasalmus rhombeus) y 3.8 (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum). Estos datos sugieren que las cadenas tróficas en llanuras de inundación amazónicas, son más largas de lo que se suponía.
Subject(s)
Animals , Carbon , Ecological Systems, Closed , Food Chain , Fishes , Isotopes/analysis , Nitrogen/analysis , Bolivia , Fish Proteins, DietaryABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Studies of trophic networks and the evaluation of processes that occur along altitudinal gradients in river systems are of great importance because they allow an understanding of energy flow dynamics and provide scientific tools for the planning and management of river ecosystems. This research describes the trophic network of aquatic macroinvertebrates along an altitudinal gradient of the Gaira River, a mountain Neotropical watercourse located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia. The organisms were collected in the upper, middle and lower reaches of the river during the rainy and dry seasons (between 2010 and 2013). Trophic relationships were evaluated through gut content analysis. The contents were determined and quantified using photographs and expert review, and a binary consumption matrix was used to determine the characteristics of the trophic network. We characterized the diet composition at each site for each season using discriminant analysis. Trophic networks during the dry seasons showed higher trophic species richness and linkage density, and the predominance of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) and fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) in the high and medium sections of the river. During the dry seasons the diets had a lower number of basal species, but in the low river section there was a high percentage of fungi and microalgae. During the rainy seasons, no patterns were observed for the percentage of resources. Results indicated a direct relation between periods of hydrologic stability and an increase of CPOM during dry seasons and an increase of resource diversity consumed by macroinvertebrates at all sites during the rainy season, showing that changes in trophic networks of the Gaira River were more important during seasonal periods than along the altitudinal gradient.
ABSTRACT
Las enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos constituyen un problema de salud, diversos estudios demuestran la alta contaminación microbiológica de la lechuga en la cadena alimentaria. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar la contaminación microbio-lógica de la lechuga (Lactuca sativa) en la cadena alimentaria, en la provincia Quillacollo-Cochabamba-Bolivia. Muestras de lechugas fueron tomadas en los meses de abril y mayo, con el mismo de número de muestras, en tres puntos de la cadena alimentaria: parcelas de producción (localidad Combuyo), puestos de venta de lechuga y de comida de los Mercados 9 de diciembre y Central de Quillacollo. El procesamiento de las muestras fue realizado en los laboratorios de Microbiología de LABIMED, y Post Grado de Medicina Tropical de la Facultad de Medicina, UMSS. Los resultados demuestran la contaminación de las lechugas con bacterias Aerobias Mesófilas, colifor-mes totales y fecales en concentraciones superiores a los estándares permitidos en los tres puntos de la cadenas alimentaria evaluadas; identificándose Salmonella sp en una de las muestras de lechugas procesada de los puestos de venta de comida de los mercados. La contaminación parasitaria fue evidenciada en los puestos de venta solo en el mes de mayo en 83% (n=10) de las 12 muestras analizadas, detectándose quistes de Entamoeba coli y larvas de Strongyloides sp, contaminación relacionada con la utilización de abono de aves en el cultivo y la manipulación inadecuada de la lechuga en la cadena alimentaria. En conclusión podemos indicar que las lechugas presentan una importante contaminación microbiana en los tres puntos evaluados de la cadena alimentaria, por lo que constituye un riego para la salud pública.
Infectious diseases transmitted by food, are considered a public health issue, several studies shown the high microbiological contamination of the letucce in particular (Lactuca sativa). The aim of this study was to evaluate the contamination of letucce at Quillacollo Province of Cochabamba- Bolivia. The samples were taken between april and may, with the same number of samples at production plots (Combuyo location), and at selling places of vegetables and food (markets) such as "9 de diciembre” market and "Central Quillacollo” market. The samples were processed at LABIMED laboratories (microbiology, and Tropical Medicine Post grade of medicine Faculty of San Simón University). Results shows contamination of lettuce with Aerobic Mesophilic Bacterias, and total coliforms and fecal coliforms, in higher concentration than standard allowed, at any point of chain food that has been evaluate; Sallmonella sp was identify at selling points with 83% of the samples and only at the month of may (n=10 of 12 samples examined) also Entamoeba coli cysts and Strongyloides sp worms; the contamination was associate with bird fertilizer at crops and at inapropiate food management of the lettuce. Therefore we can conclude that lettuce's contamination is present at the three evaluated points of its chain, production selling points until consume, wich must be considered as a public health risk.
Subject(s)
Biological Contamination/analysis , Entamoeba , Lettuce , Food ChainABSTRACT
Objective. The aim of this study was to monitor the total mercury (T-Hg) concentrations in fish from the Urrá reservoir, after impoundment. Materials and methods. Five fish species at different trophic levels were sampled from 2004 to 2009 and analyzed by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy for T-Hg concentrations in muscle tissue. Water quality parameters were evaluated. Results. The highest (1.39±0.69 µg/g ww) and lowest (0.15±0.02 µg/g ww) T-Hg concentrations were detected in Hoplias malabaricus (piscivorous) and Cyphocharax magdalenae (iliophagous/detritivorous) respectively, whereas Leporinus muyscorum (omnivorous) had an intermediate level (0.40±0.11 µg/g ww). The organic matter content in the water increased with time and depth, whereas dissolved oxygen and pH decreased. A covariance analysis (with fish length as a covariate) shows a steady increase of T-Hg levels in all the studied species after impoundment. Conclusions. The T-Hg concentrations in the evaluated fish species, increased after impoundment. The water quality variables showed conditions favoring Hg methylation and its biomagnification, this last was evident in the fish food chain of the reservoir.
Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue monitorear las concentraciones de mercurio total (Hg-T) en peces del embalse Urrá después del represamiento. Materiales y métodos. Cinco especies de peces de diferentes niveles tróficos fueron muestreadas de 2004 a 2009 y analizadas por espectroscopia de absorción atómica para las concentraciones de Hg-T en tejido muscular. Se evaluaron parámetros de calidad de agua. Resultados. Las mayores (1.39±0.69 µg/g ph) y menores (0.15±0.02 µg/g ph) concentraciones de Hg-T fueron detectadas en Hoplias malabaricus (piscívoro) y Cyphocharax magdalenae (iliófago/detritívoro) respectivamente, mientras que Leporinus muyscurum (omnívoro) tuvo un nivel intermedio (0.40±0.11 µg/g ph). El contenido de materia orgánica en el agua se incrementó con el tiempo y la profundidad, mientras que el oxígeno disuelto y el pH disminuyeron. Un análisis de covarianza (con la longitud del pez como covariante) mostró un incremento sostenido de los niveles de Hg-T en todas las especies evaluadas después del represamiento. Conclusiones. Las concentraciones de Hg-T en las especies de peces evaluadas, incrementaron después del represamiento. Las variables de calidad de agua mostraron condiciones favorables para la metilación del Hg y su biomagnificación, estos último fue evidente en la cadena alimenticia de los peces del embalse.
Subject(s)
Feeding Behavior , Bioaccumulation , Food ChainABSTRACT
Antecedentes. La inocuidad es una de las principales dimensiones de la Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional (SAN) y su ausencia puede ser la causa de enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos. Por esta razón desde el ámbito internacional y nacional cada vez se hace mayor énfasis en el enfoque "de la granja a la mesa" y en las características ambientales que influyen directamente la producción, el abastecimiento y el consumo de alimentos sanos, seguros y nutritivos. Objetivo. Identificar y exponer algunos factores medioambientales que afectan la inocuidad de las hortalizas, a lo largo del proceso que abarca desde su cultivo hasta su consumo, producidas en el municipio de Tenjo, Cundinamarca. Materiales y métodos. Este estudio descriptivo se desarrolló en tres fases. Primero se efectuó la revisión y análisis documental. Seguidamente, se realizó el trabajo de campo, dividido en dos actividades: visitas a cultivos, tanto convencionales como orgánicos, de hortalizas para caracterizar los entornos y establecer diferencias entre ellos. Posteriormente se aplicaron encuestas sobre prácticas de manipulación y preparación a consumidores de hortalizas en Tenjo y en la ciudad de Bogotá. Resultados. A partir del análisis de la información obtenida se identificaron los peligros y puntos críticos de control para proponer los correctivos necesarios y prevención de riesgos potenciales para los consumidores. Se encontró que los principales factores medioambientes que determinan las condiciones de inocuidad de las hortalizas o verduras para la situación analizada son: la calidad del agua que se utiliza en el riego, las sustancias que se emplean para fertilizar el suelo y controlar las plagas -agroquímicos y fertilizantes-, los procesos de cosecha y poscosecha, los empaques o embalajes para la distribución del producto, la manipulación y prácticas de preparación inadecuadas de las hortalizas. Conclusiones. Las etapas en la que se encuentran más peligros de contaminación para las hortalizas son las etapas de cultivo, cosecha y preparación para su consumo. Los mecanismos de autocontrol implantados por los productores, sumados al fortalecimiento de los organismos de control estatales y privados, deben buscar siempre brindar productos de excelente calidad para mitigar cualquier riesgo al consumidor final debido a los factores señalados.
Background. Food safety is one of the main dimensions of Food and Nutrition Security (SAN) and its absence may be the cause of foodborne illness. Therefore from the international and national levels today an increasing emphasis over "from farm to table" strategy and the environmental characteristics that directly influence the production, supply and consumption of healthy, safe and nutritious food is made. Objective. Identify and present some environmental factors which affect the safety of vegetables grown near and consumed in the town of Tenjo on the savannah around Colombia's capital Bogotá. Materials and methods. This descriptive study was divided into three parts. The first step was to make a systematic document search of databases and documentary sources and review and analyse them. Fieldwork then followed which included two types of activity: visits to conventional and organic vegetable crops near the town to characterise the environments and differentiate them and consumer surveys about consumers' handling and preparation practice in Tenjo and Bogotá. The third stage consisted of data analysis for determining hazards and identifying critical control points to propose the necessary corrective and preventative action regarding potential risks for consumers. Results. The main environmental factors determining the safety of vegetables in the food chain for the analyzed situation were; the quality of the water used for irrigation, the substances used to fertilise the soil and control pests, agrochemicals and fertilisers, harvest and post-harvest processes, packaging for the distribution and sale of the products and consumers' handling and preparation practice. Conclusions. Cultivation, harvesting and preparation for consumption are the dangerous stages for contamination of vegetables. Self-control mechanisms implemented by producers, together with the strengthening of State agencies and private control should always seek to provide high quality products to mitigate any risk for the final consumer due to environmental factors.
ABSTRACT
The blood feeding of a population of Cx. nigripalpus from Parque Ecológico do Tietê (PET) was investigated using an indirect ELISA protocol. Mosquitoes were captured outside houses. Five hundred sixteen engorged females collected in a reforested area and 25 in an open area were tested. Rodents and dogs were the most common blood sources, accounting for approximately 65.3 percent of blood meals. Human blood was detected in 10.9 percent, dog blood in 26.1 percent, chicken blood in 2.4 percent, and rodent blood in 39.2 percent of the 541 insects tested. ELISA failed in identifying the blood sources of 233 engorged females, indicating that the mosquitoes may have fed on a host which was not tested. One hundred six individuals were positive for more than one host. The unweighted human blood index was 0.14 and the rodent/human, human/chicken, and dog/rodent feeding index values were 2.70, 1.51, and 1.33, respectively. Furthermore, rodents are defensive hosts for this haematophagous insect which looks for another host to complete blood-feeding. Considering that rodents are potential reservoirs for Mucambo virus and Saint Louis encephalitis virus and that Cx. nigripalpus feed on the blood of those mammals, we hypothesize that mosquito population in PET could participate in the transmission cycle of those arboviruses. Additionally, this species might be involved in the transmission of Dirofilaria immitis to dogs at this area.
O hábito alimentar da população de Cx. nigripalpus do Parque Ecológico do Tietê (PET) foi investigado usando um protocolo de ELISA indireto. Foram testadas 516 e 25 fêmeas ingurgitadas e capturadas, respectivamente, em áreas reflorestadas e abertas. Roedores e canídeos foram fontes alimentares mais freqüentes, em aproximadamente 65.3 por cento dos repastos sangüíneos. De um total de 541 fêmeas ingurgitadas, foram detectadas freqüências de repastos sangüíneos em humanos (10.9 por cento), canídeos (26.1 por cento), galinídeos (2.4 por cento) e roedores (39.2 por cento). As fontes alimentares de 233 fêmeas ingurgitadas (43.1 por cento) não foram identificadas, indicando que essas fêmeas se alimentaram possivelmente de outros hospedeiros não testados. Ainda, houve 106 indivíduos (34.4 por cento) que fizeram múltiplos repastos sangüíneos. O valor do índice de repastos sangüíneos em humanos foi 0.14 e as razões alimentares foram roedor/humano = 2.70, humano/galinídeo = 1.51 e canídeo/roedor = 1.33. Os roedores são hospedeiros defensivos para esse inseto hematófago o qual não persiste nestes hospedeiros e procura outro para completar o repasto sangüíneo. Considerando que os roedores são reservatórios potenciais de arbovírus Mucambo e São Luís e que Cx. nigripalpus realiza repastos sanguíneos nesses mamíferos, propõe-se a hipótese de que a população deste moquito poderia participar do ciclo de transmissão desses arbovírus no PET. Adicionalmente, esta espécie poderá se envolver na transmissão de Dirofilaria immitis para canídeos neste parque.