Development and characterization of antioxidant and antimicrobial poly (butylene adipate-co-terephtalate) (PBAT) film incorporated with oregano essential oil and applied in sliced mozzarella cheese.

The objective was to develop and characterize biodegradable films with antimicrobial and antioxidant action, using poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) incorporated with OEO - essential oil (Origanum vulgare). The degradation temperature of the OEO increased after incorporation into the PBAT matrix, however, the degradation of the matrix did not undergo considerable changes. The films showed increase in elongation and modulus of elasticity with presence of OEO, however, it reduced the maximum tension. The permeability of the films was reduced with OEO presence. The spectra (FTIR) showed the presence of the functional groups attributed to the bioactive compounds (Carvacrol) of OEO. The films presented high antioxidant activity and effective antimicrobial action, reducing Staphylococcus aureus in 53 days and psychrotrophic microorganisms in up to 28 days of storage. The films showed to be efficient with antioxidant activity and antimicrobial action with indication to be used as packaging of sliced mozzarella cheese.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Salmonella spp. isolated from foods and clinical samples in Brazil

ABSTRACT Increasing antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella species has been a serious problem for public health worldwide. This study examines Salmonella spp. recovered from foods and clinical samples on serotype, antimicrobial resistance and PFGE genotypes. It identified 91 salmonellae, belonging to 31 different serotypes, from 36 isolates from food and 55 clinical samples. Salmonella Infantis (16.5%) and Salmonella Enteritidis (13.7%) are the most common among food isolates, whereas Salmonella Enteritidis (29.0%) and Salmonella Typhimurium (16.0%) mainly causes human salmonellosis. Antimicrobial susceptibility data showed that 63.0% of the isolates were fully susceptible to 12 antibiotics tested. Nalidixic acid showed high resistance rates, 32.7% and 25.0% of the clinical isolates and food, respectively. Three main PFGE types: A (Salmonella Enteritidis), B (Salmonella Infantis) and C (Salmonella Schwarzengrund) comprised isolates recovered from foods and clinical samples. Our results indicate that the clonal groups were both causing diseases and food contamination, emphasizing the need to maintain a system of surveillance for foodborne disease.

Population dynamics of Siderastrea stellata Verrill, 1868 from Rocas Atoll, RN: implications for predicted climate change impacts at the only South Atlantic atoll.

Coral reefs are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems to ocean warming and acidification, and it is important to determine the role of reef building species in this environment in order to obtain insight into their susceptibility to expected impacts of global changes. Aspects of the life history of a coral population, such as reproduction, growth and size-frequency can contribute to the production of models that are used to estimate impacts and potential recovery of the population, acting as a powerful tool for the conservation and management of those ecosystems. Here, we present the first evidence of Siderastrea stellata planulation, its early growth, population size-frequency distribution and growth rate of adult colonies in Rocas Atoll. Our results, together with the environmental protection policies and the absence of anthropogenic pressures, suggest that S. stellata population may have a good potential in the maintenance and recovery in the atoll. However, our results also indicate an impact on corals' recruitment, probably as a consequence of the positive temperature anomaly that occurred in 2010. Thus, despite the pristine status of Rocas Atoll, the preservation of its coral community seems to be threatened by current global changes, such as more frequent thermal stress events.

Qualidade da água utilizada em escolas atendidas pelo Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE), em Salvador-BA / Quality of water used in schools supported by National Programme for School Food Provision (NPSFP) in Salvador-BA

A água constitui um dos mais importantes recursos para a manutenção da vida, entretanto, doenças associadas à sua contaminação representam uma das maiores ameaças à saúde humana. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade da água utilizada em escolas atendidas pelo PNAE, em Salvador-BA. Realizou-se estudo transversal, em amostra estratificada de 83 escolas, 49 municipais e 34 estaduais, nas quais foram coletadas amostras da água usada nas cantinas, em que foram pesquisados coliformes totais e termotolerantes. Adicionalmente, foram levantadas informações quanto à origem e cuidados com a água. Apesar de todas as escolas receberem água do sistema de abastecimento público, em 32% e 22% das amostras colhidas, respectivamente, nas escolas estaduais e municipais, observou-se não conformidade com a legislação vigente; para o conjunto das escolas, a condição de não conformidade foi de 41%. Quanto aos reservatórios, 21% não apresentavam revestimento adequado e em 51% não se identificou a higienização periódica; apenas 17% das escolas dispunham de registros de potabilidade da água. Os resultados obtidos indicam a existência de riscos de contaminação, por meio da água utilizada e ainda, apontam fragilidades no âmbito da implementação do PNAE, o que sugere a necessidade de maior controle, em função da vulnerabilidade das crianças beneficiadas pelo Programa.