Short food supply chain: characteristics of a family farm / Short food supply chain: características na agricultura familiar

ABSTRACT: Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) provide a dependable substitute for conventional supply chains, as their food reflects the characteristics of "local", "natural", "healthy" and "reliable". For the family farmer, the short chains constitute anexcellent way of diversifying their produce, gaining higher added value and thus warranting steadier revenues. This paper thus aims to discern the distinguishing features that the short chains offer, in general, to the family farm. To accomplish this, a literature review was performed to study the works done and approaches conducted on the short chains in the academy, in terms of family farm, and identify their specifications. Positive characteristics related to family farmers were recognizable in comparison with short chains. This article emphasized the significance and need for future research, as well as the necessity for a more extensive exploration of the subject of short chains, focusing attention on this sector, and pinpointing the determinants to be developed in the market.

RESUMO: As Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) surgem como alternativa às cadeias convencionais de suprimentos e associam seus alimentos aos conceitos de local, natural, saudável e confiável. No que se refere ao agricultor familiar, as cadeias curtas representam uma oportunidade atrativa para diversificação da produção, captura de maior valor agregado e garantia de rendas mais estáveis. Assim, o objetivo do presente artigo é identificar as características das cadeias curtas atribuídas à agricultura familiar em geral. Para tanto, procedeu-se a uma revisão de literatura com o objetivo de conhecer os estudos e abordagens realizadas sobre as cadeias curtas na academia, em específico da agricultura familiar, para então, identificar suas características. Foi possível identificar características positivas associadas ao agricultor familiar frente às cadeias curtas. Este artigo ressalta a importância de que pesquisas futuras sejam realizadas com um maior aprofundamento do estudo das cadeias curtas com foco direto neste segmento, identificando fatores determinantes para o seu desenvolvimento nos mercados.

Antibiotic susceptibility and molecular characterization of resistance genes among Escherichia coli and among Salmonella subsp. in chicken food chains

Objective To investigate the occurrence of resistance genes among Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella subsp. isolated in chicken food chains in Phnom Penh, 2012–2013. Methods Six hundred eighty two E. coli and 181 Salmonella Albany, Corvallis, and Kentucky strains were examined for susceptibilities to eight antimicrobials and following resistance genes were identified by PCR: bla

Antibiotic susceptibility and molecular characterization of resistance genes among Escherichia coli and among Salmonella subsp. in chicken food chains

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of resistance genes among Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella subsp. isolated in chicken food chains in Phnom Penh, 2012–2013. Methods: Six hundred eighty two E. coli and 181 Salmonella Albany, Corvallis, and Kentucky strains were examined for susceptibilities to eight antimicrobials and following resistance genes were identified by PCR:blaTem, StrA, aadA, sul1, sul2, gyrA, Tet (A), and Tet (B). Results: E. coli presented high resistances to tetracycline, amoxicillin, and sulfameth-oxazole (63.1%–76.1%). Salmonella Albany and Salmonella Kentucky traduced high resistance percentages to amoxicillin, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, and nalidixic acid (84.6%–100%). Among amoxicillin-resistant isolates, blaTem genes were observed for 62%of E. coli isolates and 20%of 65 Salmonella Kentucky. The StrA gene was prevalent in 36%of 331 aminoglycoside-resistant E. coli and 90%of 40 aminoglycoside-resistant Salmonella Corvallis. The sul2 gene was predominant among sulfamethoxazole-resistant isolates, for 56%of 431 E. coli and 53%of 66 Salmonella Corvallis;the sul1 gene was observed in 54%of Salmonella Albany. The Tet (A) resistance gene was prevalent in E. coli (86%), Salmonella Corvallis (82%), Salmonella Kentucky (84%). High percentages of gyrA genes observed among nalidixic-acid resistant E. coli (91%), Salmonella Albany (92%), Salmonella Corvallis (75%) and Salmonella Kentucky (85%). Conclusions: Important occurrences of resistance gene were observed among E. coli and Salmonella in chicken food chains in Cambodia.

Aquatic food webs in mangrove and seagrass habitats of Centla Wetland, a Biosphere Reserve in Southeastern Mexico

Mangrove and seagrass habitats are important components of tropical coastal zones worldwide, and are conspicuous habitats of Centla Wetland Biosphere Reserve (CWBR) in Tabasco, Mexico. In this study, we examine food webs in mangrove- and seagrass-dominated habitats of CWBR using stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen. Our objective was to identify the importance of carbon derived from mangroves and seagrasses to secondary production of aquatic consumers in this poorly studied conservation area. Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of basal sources and aquatic consumers indicated that the species-rich food webs of both habitats are dependent on riparian production sources. The abundant Red mangrove Rhizophora mangle appears to be a primary source of carbon for the mangrove creek food web. Even though dense seagrass beds were ubiquitous, most consumers in the lagoon food web appeared to rely on carbon derived from riparian vegetation (e.g. Phragmites australis). The introduced Amazon sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis had isotope signatures overlapping with native species (including high-value fisheries species), suggesting potential competition for resources. Future research should examine the role played by terrestrial insects in linking riparian and aquatic food webs, and impacts of the expanding P. pardalis population on ecosystem function and fisheries in CWBR. Our findings can be used as a baseline to reinforce the conservation and management of this important reserve in the face of diverse external and internal human impacts.

Manguezais e pradarias de gramíneas são importantes componentes das zonas costeiras tropicais em todo o mundo, sendo habitats comuns nos ''Pântanos de Centla'', uma Reserva da Biosfera localizada em Tabasco, México. Nesse trabalho, são investigadas as teias alimentares de habitats dominados por manguezais e pradarias de gramíneas, através de isótopos estáveis de carbono e nitrogênio, tendo como objetivo identificar a importância do carbono derivado desses produtores para a produção aquática secundária nessa unidade de conservação tão pouco estudada. As razões isotópicas de carbono e nitrogênio das fontes basais e dos consumidores aquáticos indicam que as teias alimentares, ricas em espécies, de ambos os habitats, são dependentes da produção ripária. O abundante mangue-vermelho Rhizophora mangle parece ser a fonte primária de carbono no habitat dominado por manguezais. Em contraste, muito embora as pradarias de gramíneas sejam conspícuas no ambiente lagunar estudado, muitos dos consumidores da teia alimentar nessa região parecem depender do carbono oriundo da vegetação ripária (e.g. Phragmites australis).A espécie de bagre exótica Pterygoplichthys pardalis possui assinaturas isotópicas que se sobrepõem a das espécies nativas (incluindo algumas de elevado valor comercial na pesca), sugerindo competição potencial por recursos. Novas investigações deveriam avaliar o papel dos insetos terrestres como elo de conexão entre as teias alimentares da mata ripária e do ambiente aquático, bem como os impactos da expansão da população de P. pardalis sobre o funcionamento do ecossistema e das pescarias no ''Pântano de Centla''. Considerando os múltiplos impactos antrópicos na região, os resultados obtidos no presente trabalho podem ser utilizados como uma base de referência em programas de gerenciamento e conservação da diversidade nessa importante Reserva da Biosfera.