Genetic diversity, population structure, and association mapping of agronomic traits in waxy and normal maize inbred lines.

Understanding genetic diversity, population structure, and linkage disequilibrium is a prerequisite for the association mapping of complex traits in a target population. In this study, the genetic diversity and population structure of 40 waxy and 40 normal inbred maize lines were investigated using 10 morphological traits and 200 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Based on a population structure analysis, the 80 maize inbred lines were divided into three groups: I, II, and admixed. Significant marker-trait associations were identified between the markers and the 10 morphological traits, which were studied according to the model used to confirm the association. Using a general linear model, the lowest R(2) value (9.03) was detected in umc1139, which was associated with ear number, and the highest (43.97) was in umc1858, which was associated with plant height. Using a mixed linear model, the lowest R(2) value (18.74) was in umc1279, which was associated with ear weight; the highest (27.66) was in umc1858, which was associated with 100-kernel weight. The SSR markers identified in the present study may serve as useful molecular markers for selecting important yield and agronomic traits. These results will be useful for marker-assisted selection in maize breeding programs, to help breeders choose parental lines and markers for crosses.

Avaliação do teor de óleo essencial de Baccharis trimera (Less. ) DC. em diferentes embalagens durante o armazenamento / Assessment of Baccharis trimera (Less. ) DC. essential oil content in different packages during storage

O uso de plantas medicinais como fonte terapêutica é milenar e nos últimos anos o seu valor tem aumentado, tanto para a população quanto para a ciência. Várias empresas nacionais e internacionais empregam matéria-prima vegetal na elaboração de seus produtos, o que torna indispensável o cultivo comercial e o beneficiamento pós-colheita destas espécies. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o teor de óleo essencial de carqueja [Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC.], em três embalagens diferentes ao longo de um ano de armazenamento. Observou-se que ao longo do armazenamento, a embalagem de papel Kraft foi a que melhor preservou a integridade de certas características físicas e químicas do produto, assim como, manteve o teor de óleo ao longo de um ano de armazenamento.

The use of medicinal plants as therapeutic source is ancient and has increased in value in recent years for both the population and the science. Several national and international companies use raw plant material in the preparation of their products, making essential the commercial cultivation and the post-harvest processing of these species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the essential oil content of [Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC.] in three different packages over one year of storage. During storage, Kraft-paper package best preserved the integrity of some physical and chemical characteristics of the product and maintained the oil content for one year of storage.

Optimization of the enzymatic hydrolysis of chicken meat using response surface methodology.

The hydrolysis of chicken breast meat by the commercial protease Alcalase 2.4L was studied to evaluate the influence of temperature (43 to 77 degrees C), enzyme:substrate ratio (0.8% to 4.2%), and pH (7.16 to 8.84) on the responses of degree of hydrolysis and protein recovery. The enzymatic hydrolysis was optimized for maximum degree of hydrolysis and protein recovery using response surface methodology. The optimum conditions determined were the following: 52.5 degrees C, 4.2% (w/w) enzyme:substrate ratio, and a pH value of 8.00. Under these conditions, a degree of hydrolysis of 31% and protein recovery of 91% were obtained. A characterization of the protein hydrolysate obtained using the optimized process conditions was carried out, evaluating the chemical composition, electrophoretic profile and amino acid composition.

Estudo da umidade de equilibrio de duas espécies de plantas do gênero Phyllanthus após secagem para o armazenamento

Quebra-Pedra é o nome popular atribuído a espécies do gênero Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae). P. niruri e P. amarus são estudadas no Brasil e no mundo quanto às suas atividades farmacológicas, decorrentes das indicações populares. O estudo de secagem a armazenamento visa fornecer parâmetros para se obter a matéria prima uniforme e de qualidade. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar o teor de umidade final das espécies e a curva de umidade de equilíbrio (UE) entre 10 e 90 por cento de UR. As duas espécies foram cultivadas no CPQBA, colhidas a 50cm de altura e direcionadas à secagem (T = 50°C) em estufa com circulação forçada de ar. Na determinação da curva de UE utilizou-se o método estático, empregando-se soluções salinas saturadas. O peso foi controlado através de pesagens periódicas, até atingir o equilíbrio (peso constante), sendo então determinada a UF. Por meio das curvas, determinouse a umidade de equilíbrio característica de cada espécie na faixa de umidade relativa do ar estudada. Os modelos matemáticos que melhor se ajustaram a P. amarus foi o de Hasley (9,3 por cento), e P.niruri GAB (8,9 por cento).

Species of the genus Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae) is known popularly in Brazil as "Quebra Pedra" (Break-stone) and indicated for the treatment of renal lithiasis. P. niruri and P. amarus have been studied in Brazil and around the world regarding pharmacologycal activity, due to folk uses. Drying and storage parameters intend to provide a standard raw material with high quality. The storage condition can determine the durability of raw material and relative humidity is one of the most important factors. The aim of this study was to determine the final percentage of humidity and the desorption isotherms. The species were cultivated on experimental field at CPQBA/UNICAMP. The experimental area was harvest and the aerial part was dried in 50ºC until constant weight. After dried, the final humidity was determined. The equilibrium moisture had been determined by static gravimetric method, with a range of relative humidity from 10 to 90 percent. The most commonly used equilibrium moisture content (EMC) and equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) equations were compared with their ability of best fiting the published sorption data for selected medicinal and aromatic plants. The best-fitted equation identified for P. amarus was Hasley (9,3 percent), and for P.niruri was GAB (8,9 percent).