The effect of succinate on color stability of Bos indicus bull meat: pH-dependent effects during the 14-day aging period.

Bos taurus indicus bulls are very susceptible to pre-slaughter stress, which directly impacts the decline in muscle pH, leading to darker meat. The aim was to investigate the effect of succinate and atmosphere on the color stability of Nellore (Bos taurus indicus) Longissimus lumborum steaks classified by ultimate pH (pHu): normal pHu (5.40 ≤ pHu ≤ 5.79) and high pHu (pHu ≥ 5.80). The experimental treatment systems were: (i) vacuum packaging without succinate injection, (ii) HiOx-MAP (80 % O2 + 20 % CO2), and (iii) HiOx-MAP (80 % O2 + 20 % CO2) enhanced with sodium succinate injection (pH 5.4). Steaks from all treatment systems were stored at 4 °C for 14 days and tested for instrumental color, myoglobin content, oxygen consumption (OC), metmyoglobin-reducing activity (MRA), lipid oxidation, and microbiological analysis. High and normal pHu vacuum-packaged steaks exhibited greater color stability due to higher MRA. High and normal pHu steaks packaged with HiOx-MAP or HiOx-MAP enhanced with succinate showed improved color due to lower deoxymyoglobin content (%DMb) and OC up to the eighth day of storage. Still, succinate injection promoted increased (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation in normal pHu steaks and reduced MRA after 14 days. These findings emphasize the intricate interplay between pHu and packaging systems on Bos taurus indicus meat quality. Further research in this area could contribute to a better understanding of meat color abnormalities and provide insights into potential meat preservation and enhancement strategies.

Improvement of Color and Oxidative Stabilities in Nellore Bull Dark Meat in High-Oxygen Package by Lactate and Rosemary Oil Extract.

This study aimed to improve the color and oxidative stabilities of dark Nellore bull steaks with greater-than-normal ultimate pH (pHu) by the injection (8% raw wet weight basis) of a solution with L-lactate (2.5%), phosphate (0.3%) and rosemary extract (0.06%), with further packaging in high oxygen atmosphere (HiOx MAP). Longissimus lumborum muscles from pasture-fed Nellore bulls were divided into three pHu ranges: normal (<5.80), intermediate (5.81-6.19), and high (≥6.2). Muscles were then halved, with sections were randomly assigned to non-enhanced (C, n = 6/pHu range) or injected (E, n = 6/pHu range) groups, at 72 h postmortem. Each section was cut into 2 cm-slices, which were HiOx-packed and then stored for 5 days (dark) and displayed for 9 days (fluorescent lighting) at 2 °C. Higher pHu steaks exhibited greater a*, b*, h*, C* and surface oxymyoglobin and lower surface deoxymyoglobin and oxygen consumption compared to those of normal pHu between days 0 and 5 (p < 0.05). Over the time, normal-pHu muscles showed oxidative protection (lower TBARS and greater metmyoglobin reducing ability values, p < 0.05) in enhanced-steaks. Therefore, enhancement and HiOx MAP seem to produce greater-than-normal pHu Nellore bull steaks with a preferable color and quality, even after display time.

Sustainable Coating Paperboard Packaging Material Based on Chitosan, Palmitic Acid, and Activated Carbon: Water Vapor and Fat Barrier Performance.

Synthetic polymer coatings impact the biodegradable behavior of cellulosic packaging material. The environmental consequences of food packaging disposal have increased consumer concern. The present study aimed to use natural polymer coatings incorporating palmitic acid and activated carbon applied to paperboard surfaces as a sustainable alternative to improve cellulosic packaging material's moisture and fat barrier properties, minimizing the environmental impact. The coating formulation was defined using a Factorial Experimental Design with independent variables: chitosan, palmitic acid, activated carbon concentrations, and the number of coating layers. The highest concentration of chitosan (2.0% w/w) filled the pores of the cellulosic paperboard network, supporting the compounds incorporated into the filmogenic matrix and improving the fat resistance. The water vapor permeability of the coated paperboard material (range: 101 ± 43 to 221 ± 13 g·d-1·m-2) was influenced by the hydrophobicity effect of palmitic acid, the non-polar characteristic of activated carbon, and the number of applied layers. The coating formulation selected was a chitosan concentration of 2.0% (w/w), a palmitic acid concentration of 1.8% (w/w), an activated carbon concentration of 1.2% (w/w), and an application of three layers. The coating provides the potential for a paperboard surface application, improving the cellulosic packaging material's fat and moisture barrier properties and maintaining biodegradability and recyclability.

Affirmative action for Brazilian graduate programs: patterns of institutional change / Acción afirmativa en programas de posgrado en Brasil: patrones de cambio institucional / Ação afirmativa em programas de pós-graduação no Brasil: padrões de mudança institucional

Abstract Since 2002, some Brazilian public universities have started adopting affirmative action for admission in graduate programs. This article explains how affirmative action changed admission processes in graduate processes based on (a) an analysis of the selection notices of graduate programs offered in public universities published until January 2018, (b) documents from the programs, and (c) semi-structured interviews with coordinators of graduate programs. The results show that, in most programs, admission processes did not change based on affirmative action. Some programs recognized the obstacles faced by vulnerable groups in accessing graduate programs and altered their procedures. Based on the institutional change typology of Mahoney and Thelen (2010), the analysis points out that more profound change is due to endogenous and incremental processes. The main factor contributing to the modification of the admission criteria is the program's field of knowledge.

Resumen Desde 2002, los programas de posgrado en las universidades públicas brasileñas han comenzado a adoptar acciones afirmativas para sus procesos de admisión. Este artículo tiene como objetivo explicar cómo la creación de acciones afirmativas resultó en un cambio en los procesos de selección de candidatos. Este artículo utilizará (a) un análisis de los anuncios de selección de programas académicos de posgrado de universidades públicas publicados hasta enero de 2018, (b) documentos puestos a disposición por los programas y (c) entrevistas semiestructuradas con los coordinadores del programa. En la mayoría de los programas, la creación de acciones afirmativas no resultó en un cambio en el proceso de selección. Algunos programas consideraron los obstáculos que enfrentan los grupos vulnerables para acceder a la escuela de posgrado y modificaron sus procedimientos. Basado en el tipo de cambio institucional de Mahoney y Thelen (2010), el análisis señala que los cambios más profundos se deben a procesos endógenos e incrementales. El principal factor que contribuyó a la modificación de los criterios de admisión es el área de conocimiento de los programas.

Resumo Desde 2002, programas de pós-graduação de universidades públicas brasileiras começaram a adotar ações afirmativas para seus processos de admissão. Este artigo tem como objetivo explicar como a criação de ações afirmativas resultou na mudança nos processos seletivos de candidatos. Este artigo utilizará (a) uma análise dos editais de seleção de programas de pós-graduação acadêmicos de universidades públicas publicados até janeiro de 2018, (b) documentos disponibilizados pelos programas e (c) entrevistas semiestruturadas com os coordenadores dos programas. Na maioria dos programas, a criação de ação afirmativa não resultou em alteração no processo seletivo. Alguns programas consideraram os obstáculos enfrentados pelos grupos vulneráveis no acesso à pós-graduação e alteraram seus procedimentos. Com base na tipologia de mudança institucional de Mahoney e Thelen (2010), a análise aponta que mudanças mais profundas se devem a processos endógenos e incrementais. O principal fator que contribuiu para a modificação dos critérios de admissão é a área do conhecimento dos programas.

Effects of high-oxygen, carbon monoxide modified atmospheres and vacuum packaging on quality of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum steaks from Nellore cows during ageing.

Nellore (Bos indicus) cows play an important role in Brazilian beef production. Here, we investigated whether modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology could contribute to improving the quality of Nellore cow steaks. To verify this, steaks obtained from Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) were stored at 2 °C for 28 days using different packaging systems, with one being vacuum and the others being three MAP systems: 75% O2/25% CO2 (75%O2-MAP), 60% CO2/0.2% CO/39.8% N2 and 40% CO2/0.4% CO/59.6% N2 (0.2%CO-MAP and 0.4%CO-MAP, respectively). Steaks packaged using the CO-MAP showed improved color stability of fresh meat. In turn, the 75%O2-MAP drastically affected the oxidative stability related to proteins and lipids compared to both anaerobic environments (CO-MAP and vacuum). The CO-MAP increased tenderization and ultrastructural changes when compared to the aerobic MAP without affecting pH, collagen or cooking loss, which were influenced by the storage time. In conclusion, MAP technology may improve the quality and appearance of fresh meat originating from Nellore cows, being a promising alternative for the Brazilian beef industry.

Política de ação afirmativa na pós-graduação: o caso das universidades públicas / Política de acción afirmativa en el postgrado: el caso de las universidades públicas / Politique daction positive dans les deuxième et troisième cycles: le cas des universités publiques / Affirmative action policy in graduate studies: the case of public universities

Resumo A pós-graduação brasileira é marcada por intensas desigualdades regionais, étnico-raciais e econômicas, o que ensejou a criação de ações afirmativas em prol de estudantes pertencentes a grupos dela historicamente excluídos. O artigo apresenta resultados do processo de criação de ações afirmativas em cursos de pós-graduação acadêmicos (mestrado e doutorado) de universidades públicas. A pesquisa baseou-se na análise dos editais de seleção de 2.763 programas de pós-graduação acadêmicos de universidades públicas divulgados de janeiro de 2002 a janeiro de 2018. Os dados coletados apontam para uma difusão significativa desse tipo de política nos últimos quatro anos, com 26,4% dos programas tendo algum tipo de ação afirmativa em janeiro de 2018.

Resumen El postgrado en Brasil se caracteriza por intensas desigualdades regionales, étnico-raciales y económicas, lo que llevó a la creación de acciones afirmativas en pro de los estudiantes que pertenecen a grupos históricamente excluidos del mismo. El artículo presenta resultados del proceso de creación de acciones afirmativas en cursos de postgrado académicos (maestría y doctorado) de universidades públicas. La investigación se basó en el análisis de los edictos de selección de 2.763 programas de postgrado académicos de universidades públicas divulgados desde enero de 2002 a enero de 2018. Los datos recogidos señalan una significativa difusión de este tipo de política durante los últimos cuatro años, en los cuales un 26,4% de los programas pasó a poseer algún tipo de acción afirmativa en enero de 2018.

Résumé Les deuxième et troisième cycles brésiliens sont marqués par de fortes inégalités régionales, ethniques/raciales et économiques ayant conduit à la mise en oeuvre d'actions positives en faveur d'étudiants appartenant à des groupes qui en étaient historiquement exclus. Cet article présente les résultats du processus de mise en place d'actions positives au niveau master et doctorat dans des universités publiques. La recherche s'est appuyée sur l'analyse des appels à candidatures pour 2.763 programmes de deuxième et troisièmes cycles d'universités publiques, publiés entre janvier 2002 et janvier 2018. Les données recueillies indiquent une expansion importante de ce type de politique au cours des quatre dernières années, avec 26,4% des programmes engagés dans une forme d'action positive en janvier 2018.

Abstract Brazilian graduate studies are marked by intense regional, ethnic-racial and economic inequalities, which led to the creation of affirmative action programs for students belonging to historically excluded groups. This paper analyses the process of creation of affirmative action in graduate courses (master's and doctorate) from public universities. The database was made of the application guides published by 2,763 academic graduate programs in public universities, from January 2002 to January 2018. We found a significant diffusion of these policies in the last 4 years. As of January, 2018, 26.4% of the graduate programs had some kind of affirmative action program.

Incorporation of pink pepper residue extract into chitosan film combined with a modified atmosphere packaging: Effects on the shelf life of salmon fillets.

Fresh salmon safety and quality is a major concern of consumers. In the current research, the effects of chitosan films incorporated with pink pepper residue extract and combined with modified atmosphere packaging (100% CO2) on quality properties of skinless salmon fillets during refrigerated storage (2 °C) were evaluated in the course of 28 days. Two different treatments as chitosan film (CF) and chitosan film incorporated with pink pepper residue extract (CFPP) and a control were compared. Salmon fillets were assessed for physicochemical (pH, WHC, TPA, Cie L*a*b*, TMA, TBA, value K), microbiological (mesophilic and psychrotrophic count, and lactic acid bacteria) and sensory properties. The results showed that CF and CFPP significantly reduced lipid oxidation relative to the control. Bacterial counts were significantly lower in CFPP, contributing to the significant reduction of trimethylamine. For sensory evaluation, CF and CFPP presented satisfactory results of off-odor and overall appearance. Despite being similar to the control, CFPP showed the lowest off-odor score. The results indicated that CFPP were more effective in maintaining the quality of salmon fillets during refrigerated storage.

Relationship Between Increased Fecal Calprotectin Levels and Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between fecal calprotectin (FC) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: The study enrolled 129 outpatients with SSc. Data about disease characteristics, in particular lung involvement, were collected and FC was measured. RESULTS: Patients with ILD (35, 27.1%) had higher values of FC (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, these variables were associated with increased risk of ILD: diffuse disease subset, higher modified Rodnan skin score, longer disease duration, higher severity scores, steroid treatment, and higher FC levels, while diverticulosis was protective. CONCLUSION: ILD is independently associated with increased FC levels in SSc.

Spray-drying of grape skin-whey protein concentrate mixture.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of process conditions (inlet air temperature, paste flow rate, and whey protein concentration) on the physical and physicochemical characteristics of the powder obtained from spray dried grape skin-whey protein concentrate mixture. The experiments were performed according to the 23 factorial design, with repetition of the central point. The highest values of anthocyanin retention (> 92%) were obtained with the highest inlet air temperature (190 °C) and the highest whey protein concentration (15% (w/w)). The powder also showed solubility above 78.3%, and low values of moisture content, hygroscopicity and bulk density. Spray drying of grape residues, using whey protein as carrier agent, resulted in a powder with a high level of anthocyanin retention and of good quality, showing a potential application in food products. Therefore, the method indicates a possible alternative to change post-harvesting waste in a natural source of bioactive compounds.

Atividade antioxidante do extrato seco de cacau orgânico (Theobroma cacao) - estudo de estabilidade e teste de aceitação de cremes acrescidos deste extrato / Antioxidant activity of organic cocoa dried extract (Theobroma cacao), stability study and acceptance testing of cosmetic cream containing this extract

Os frutos de cacau (Theobroma cacao) são conhecidos mundialmente pela sua riqueza em ácidos graxos e compostos fenólicos com poder antioxidante, sendo que em sua constituição é possível relatar mais de 50% em ácidos graxos de cadeia média que o torna matéria-prima passível de ser explorada pela indústria alimentícia, farmacêutica e cosmética. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o poder antioxidante do extrato seco de cacau orgânico, obter formulações cosméticas acrescidas deste extrato, promovendo os estudos de estabilidade, ensaios reológicos e a investigação de cristais-líquidos, bem como realizar o teste de aceitação das mesmas. O extrato vegetal foi avaliado quanto seu poder antioxidante pelo método de sequestro radicalar DPPH. Formulações cosméticas foram obtidas e amostras foram submetidas a ensaios físico-químicos de estabilidade (caracterização organoléptica, teste de centrífuga e determinação dos valores de pH), caracterização reológica, assim como análises em microscopia de luz polarizada. As preparações estáveis também foram avaliadas quanto a sua aceitabilidade por provadores. A partir dos resultados apresentados pôde-se constatar a atividade antioxidante do extrato seco de cacau orgânico e obter preparações cosméticas, constituídas deste ativo a 5%, com comportamento pseudoplástico associado à tixotropia e providas de cristais líquidos lamelares. Verificou-se também que a concentração de cera autoemulsionante interferiu na aceitação do produto cosmético.

The cocoa fruit (Theobroma cacao) is known worldwide for its richness in fatty acids and phenolic compounds, with antioxidant power, and it is known to be composed of more than 50% medium-chain fatty acids, making it a raw material that could be exploited by the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. the aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant power of organic cocoa dried extract, to develop cosmetic formulations from this extract and to determine their stability and carry out rheological tests, liquid-crystal research and acceptance testing on them. the plant extract was assayed for its antioxidant power by the DPPH radical scavenging method. Cosmetic formulations were produced and samples were subjected to physicochemical stability tests (organoleptic assessment, centrifugal testing and determination of pH), rheological characterization and polarized light microscopy analysis. the stable preparations were also evaluated for their acceptability by consumers. From the results presented, it was possible to characterize the antioxidant activity of dried organic cocoa extract and to prepare cosmetic preparations containing 5% of this active compound. these showed pseudoplastic behavior associated with thixotropy and lamellar liquid crystals were presentat all storage times and temperatures. It was also found that the higher self-emulsifying wax contents interfered with consumer acceptance of the cosmetic product.