Alternative Controlling Agent of Theobroma grandiflorum Pests: Nanoscale Surface and Fractal Analysis of Gelatin/PCL Loaded Particles Containing Lippia origanoides Essential Oil.

A new systematic structural study was performed using the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) reporting statistical parameters of polymeric particles based on gelatin and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) containing essential oil from Lippia origanoides. The developed biocides are efficient alternative controlling agents of Conotrachelus humeropictus and Moniliophtora perniciosa, the main pests of Theobroma grandiflorum. Our results showed that the particles morphology can be successfully controlled by advanced stereometric parameters, pointing to an appropriate concentration of encapsulated essential oil according to the particle surface characteristics. For this reason, the absolute concentration of 1000 µg·mL-1 (P1000 system) was encapsulated, resulting in the most suitable surface microtexture, allowing a faster and more efficient essential oil release. Loaded particles presented zeta potential around (-54.3 ± 2.3) mV at pH = 8, and particle size distribution ranging from 113 to 442 nm. The hydrodynamic diameter of 90% of the particle population was found to be up to (405 ± 31) nm in the P1000 system. The essential oil release was evaluated up to 80 h, with maximum release concentrations of 63% and 95% for P500 and P1000, respectively. The best fit for the release profiles was obtained using the Korsmeyer-Peppas mathematical model. Loaded particles resulted in 100% mortality of C. humeropictus up to 48 h. The antifungal tests against M. perniciosa resulted in a minimum inhibitory concentration of 250 µg·mL-1, and the P1000 system produced growth inhibition up to 7 days. The developed system has potential as alternative controlling agent, due to its physical stability, particle surface microtexture, as well as pronounced bioactivity of the encapsulated essential oil.

Contaminação microbiológica em sorvetes comercializados na região Sul do Brasil

Este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar amostras de sorvete da região Sul do País para avaliar a contaminação seguindo as exigências da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). As amostras foram coletadas nos estados de Paraná, Santa Catarina e Rio Grande do Sul aleatoriamente, totalizando 68 amostras durante os meses de setembro, outubro, novembro, dezembro de 2011. Para as análises seguiu-se a Resolução - RDC n° 12, de 2 de janeiro de 2001, a Instrução Normativa (IN) n° 62 de 26 de agosto de 2003, método Petrifilm (3M) e método imunoenzimático - VIDAS. Nesta pesquisa foram considerados todos resultados que indicaram contaminação e também resultados que revelaram presença de micro-organismos na amostra pelo fato de pacientes imunodeprimidos virem a consumir sorvete durante tratamento quimioterápico. Todos os resultados para Salmonella sp. apresentaram-se negativos e 83,8% das amostras estão em condições higienicossanitárias satisfatórias. Já 16,2% das amostras apresentaram contaminação por micro-organismos, sendo que 13,2% apresentaram contaminação por coliformes termo tolerantes e 3% apresentaram contaminação por Staphylococcus aureus. Na segunda análise de dados, onde considerou-se presença e contaminação, encontraram-se 76,5% das amostras em condições satisfatórias e 23,5% em condições insatisfatórias. As amostras de sorvete tipo italiano não apresentaram qualquer contaminação nos 4 meses de coleta no RS.

This study aimed to analyze ice cream samples of Southern Brazil to assess contamination following the requirements of the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). Samples were collected in the states of Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul a total of 68 random samples during the months of September, October, November, December 2011. The analyzes followed the Resolution - RDC n o 12, January 2, 2001, Normative Instruction (IN) No. 62, August 26, 2003 (Published in the Official Gazette, 18/09/2003, Section 1, page 14), method, Petrifilm (3M) and enzyme immunoassay - LIVES. In this study all results were considered to indicate contamination and also results that revealed the presence of microorganisms in the sample because immuno compromised patients come to eat ice cream during chemotherapy. Ali results for Salmonella sp. shown to be negative and 83.8% of the samples are hygienic and sanitary conditions. Since 16.2% of the samples were contaminated by microorganisms, and 13.2% were contaminated by fecal coliform and 3% contamination by Staphylococcus aureus. In the second analysis data, where we consider the presence and contamination, we found 76.5% of the samples in satisfactory condition and 23.5% in poor condition. The Italian type of ice cream samples, showed no contamination in the four months of collection in RS.