Selenium species determination in foods harvested in Seleniferous soils by HPLC-ICP-MS after enzymatic hydrolysis assisted by pressurization and microwave energy.

Fast, green, automated, highly efficient and accurate methodology for extracting selenium species in foods samples (Brazil nut, golden berries and heart of palm) harvested in seleniferous soils by using pressurized-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis (PAEH) and microwave-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis (MAEH) were optimized. After foods defatting or drying, selenium species were released using protease XIV and enzyme activator in 7 and 12 min for PAEH and MAEHmethods, respectively. Inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with ICP-MS detection were used to assess total selenium and selenium species contents in the enzymatic extracts. Analytical performances, such as limits of quantification (0.032-0.599 µg g-1 and 0.014-0.240 µg g-1 for PAEH and MAEH, respectively), repeatability (11-14.5%) and accuracy of the over-all procedures were established. Selenomethionine (SeMet) were detected in all analyzed samples and selenocystine (SeCys2) in Brazil nut; however, SeMet and SeCys2 levels were only quantified in Brazil nut. Inorganic selenium species were not detected in any sample. The presence of SeMet and SeCys2 and the absence of oxidized selenium methionine (SeOMet) in the enzymatic extracts were confirmed by Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

Leaf histology of greenhouse plants, in vitro cultured and somaticembryo-derived plants of Bactris gasipaes Kunth / Histologia de folhas de Bactris gasipaes Kunth de plantas de casa-de-vegetação, cultivadasin vitro e obtidas por embriogênese somática

In vitro cultures of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) were established by somatic embryogenesis but some improvements in maturation and conversion steps are still needed. The aim of this study was to analyze morpho-anatomical differences in peach palm leaves from greenhouse cultured plants, in vitro plants developed from in vitro germinated seeds and somatic embryo-derived plants. Expanded leaves were prepared for histological analyses and scanning electron microscopy. No significant difference was found between ex vitro and in vitro cultured plants, but the somatic embryo-derived plants showed structural alterations of the leaves. The epidermal cells were elongated in shape, the mesophyll cells were thicker and the vascular bundle was not very developed. In somatic embryo-derived leaves the cuticle was thinner than in other leaves and epicuticular wax was present but poorly deposited. In in vitro cultured plants, the deposition of epicuticular wax on the leaves was irregular while in the greenhouse plants it was regular and abundant. These alterations in somatic embryo-derived leaves could hinder the acclimatization and development of peach palm plants so it is necessary to improve the protocol for somatic embryogenesis to produce better plants.

O cultivo de pupunha (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) in vitro foi estabelecido através de embriogênese somática; alguns melhoramentos nas fases de maturação e conversão, contudo, ainda são necessários. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar diferenças morfoanatômicas em suas folhas, cultivadas em casa de vegetação, germinadas in vitro e provenientes de embriogênese somática. Folhas expandidas foram preparadas para análise histológica e microscopia eletrônica. Houve diferenças significativas entre as plantas da casa de vegetação e as plantas obtidas por embriogênese somática. As células epidérmicas eram alongadas; a espessura da folha e do clorênquima era menor que nas outras; a cutícula era menos espessa, com baixa deposição de ceras. Os feixes vasculares estavam menos desenvolvidos. As folhas das plantas cultivadas in vitro e de embriogênese somática apresentavam estruturas pouco desenvolvidas, o que sugere a necessidade de uma melhoria na fase de conversão durante a embriogênese somática.

Inoculation methods and aggressiveness of five Fusarium species against peach palm / Métodos de inoculação e agressividade de cinco espécies de Fusarium à pupunheira

ABSTRACT: Fusarium wilt is a major disease which affects peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth.var gasipaes Henderson). This study aimed to evaluate inoculation methods and aggressiveness of isolates of five Fusarium species on peach palm. Fusarium proliferatum can infect the leaves, stem, and roots of peach palm. F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum species complex (FOSC), F. verticillioides, F. solani species complex (FSSC), and Gibberella fujikuroi species complex (GFSC) are pathogenic to peach palm. The use of Fusarium-colonized ground corn for root inoculation was effective and reduced the level of damage to plants.

RESUMO: A fusariose é uma das principais doenças da pupunheira (Bactris gasipaes Kunth.var gasipaes Henderson). O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar métodos de inoculação e a agressividade de isolados de cinco espécies de Fusarium à pupunheira. Demonstrou-se que Fusarium proliferatum pode infectar folhas, caule e raízes de pupunheira. Verificou-se que as espécies F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum species complex (FOSC), F. verticillioides, F. solani species complex (FSSC) e Gibberella. fujikuroi species complex (GFSC) são patogênicas à pupunheira e, que o uso da quirera colonizada por Fusarium para inoculação de raízes foi efetivo e reduziu o nível de injúrias às plantas.

Effects of light, temperature and mesocarp on seed germination of Euterpe edulis (Juçara-palm) / Efeito da luz, temperatura e mesocarpo na germinação de sementes de palmito Juçara (Euterpe edulis)

The study exposed in this paper aimed at evaluating the influence of light, temperature and presence or absence of mesocarp in seeds on the germination of Euterpe edulis Mart. (juçara-palm). The germination of seeds with and without mesocarp was assessed in the presence of light (12 h photoperiod) or in the darkness, and at temperatures of 25, 28 or 30C. A complete randomized 2x2x3 (mesocarp presence, light conditions and temperatures) factorial design was used. The seed germinability and the Germination Speed Index (GSI) were evaluated. Seeds of E. edulis were indifferent either to the presence of light or to temperatures of 25, 28 and 30C. The germinability of the seeds with mesocarp was lower (6 to 10%) than those without mesocarp (47 to 75%).

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência da luz, temperatura na germinação do fruto com ou sem mesocarpo (despolpado) de Euterpe edulis Mart. (palmiteiro-juçara). Sementes com e sem mesocarpo foram submetidas a presença de luz (fotoperíodo de 12 h) ou escuro contínuo e às temperaturas de 25, 28 ou 30 oC. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2x2x3 (presença de mesocarpo, regimes de luz e temperaturas). Avaliou-se a germinabilidade e o índice de velocidade de germinação das sementes (IVG). As sementes de E. edulis comportaram-se indiferentes à luz e às temperaturas de 25, 28 e 30 oC. A germinabilidade das sementes com mesocarpo foi menor (6 a 10%) que das sementes sem mesocarpo (47 a 75%).

Somatic Embryogenesis in Peach-Palm (Bactris gasipaes) Using Different Explant Sources.

Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) is a member of the family Arecaceae and is a multipurpose but underutilized species. Nowadays, fruit production for subsistence and local markets, and heart-of-palm production for local, national, and international markets are the most important uses of this plant. Conventional breeding programs in peach palm are long-term efforts due to the prolonged generation time, large plant size, difficulties with controlled pollination and other factors. Although it is a caespitose palm, its propagation is currently based on seeds, as off-shoots are difficult to root. Hence, tissue culture techniques are considered to be the most likely strategy for efficient clonal plantlet regeneration of this species. Among various techniques, somatic embryogenesis offers the advantages of potential automated large-scale production and putative genetic stability of the regenerated plantlets. The induction of somatic embryogenesis in peach palm can be achieved by using different explant sources including zygotic embryos, immature inflorescences and thin cell layers from the young leaves and shoot meristems. The choice of a particular explant depends on whether clonal propagation is desired or not, as well as on the plant conditions and availability of explants. Protocols to induce and express somatic embryogenesis from different peach palm explants, up to acclimatization of plantlets, are described in this chapter.

Emergência e crescimento inicial de plântulas de Archontophoenix cunninghamiana H. Wendl. & Drude provenientes de sementes de diferentes plantas matrizes / Emergence and seedling growth of Archontophoenix cunninghamiana H. Wendl. & Drude seeds from different mother plants

A diversidade genética é um fator fundamental nos programas de melhoramento e seleção de plantas, dessa forma, o objetivo no trabalho foi avaliar genótipos de Archontophoenix cunninghamiana quanto à emergência e crescimento inicial das plântulas, no sentido de orientar a seleção de plantas matrizes. Os frutos maduros foram colhidos em dez plantas matrizes em Monte Alegre do Sul - SP, nos quais se avaliaram o peso e as dimensões e, nas sementes, também o peso e as dimensões, além do teor de água, emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência, diâmetro e comprimento da parte aérea e massa seca de plântulas. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado e a comparação entre médias foi realizada pelo teste de Tukey (P<0,05). Entre as sementes das matrizes, há diferenças nas características físicas e fisiológicas, o que possibilita a identificação e seleção de matrizes produtoras de sementes de qualidade superior.

Genetic diversity is a key factor in studies of plant breeding, thus the objective of this study was to evaluate genotypes of Archontophoenix cunninghamiana for germination and seed vigor in order to guide the selection of elite plants. Mature fruits were harvested from ten plants headquarters in Monte Alegre do Sul-SP, in which was assessed the weight and size. In seeds, these parameters were also evaluated in addition to water content, germination and vigor through the index of emergency speed, seedlings diameter and shoot length and dry weight of seedlings. The experimental design was completely randomized and the comparison between means was performed by Tukey test (P<0.05). The plants produced seeds with different physical and physiological characteristics, and it allows the identification and selection of elite plants producing seeds.

Genetic divergence among populations and accessions of the spineless peach palm from Pampa Hermosa landrace used in the heart-of-palm agribusiness in Brazil.

Although originally domesticated for its fruit, exploitation of the peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) in the production of gourmet heart-of-palm has also become an important activity, hence the need for improved material for large-scale production, on employing the Pampa Hermosa landrace as the seed source. In this study 11 microsatellite markers were used to evaluate genetic divergence among 96 elite plants representing four populations of spineless peach palm from the above cited source. Genetic variability was high (H(T) = 0.82). The low levels of divergence [F(ST) (0.023), G(ST)' (0.005)] and the high number of migrants (Nm - 3.8 to 52.2) indicated significant interpopulation gene flow. Some of the plants presented high levels of genetic divergence, but the plants were grouped independently of their geographic origins. When combined with morpho-agronomic evaluation, the results found could substantially contribute towards mounting an efficient tool for obtaining superior genotypes with wide genetic variability for improvement programs.

Avaliação da política pública na gestão de recursos naturais renováveis no Estado do Paraná: impactos econômicos e ambientais / Evaluation in public policy on renewable natural resources management in Paraná State: economic and environmental impacts

O trabalho objetivou avaliar a eficiência na gestão de recursos naturais renováveis no Estado do Paraná na abordagem de impactos econômicos e ambientais. Baseou-se num estudo de caso em áreas com incentivos mal sucedidos e fraudes não esclarecidas. A pesquisa realizada diagnosticou a estrutura fundiária e possessória do litoral paranaense, relacionando com os dados fornecidos pelo Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis – IBAMA sobre projetos de reflorestamento de palmito (Euterpe edulis Martius) na década de 1970 e com planos de cortes e manejos concedidos. Os resultados apontam que as áreas pesquisadas são viciadas, com sobreposições de títulos dominiais e litígios possessórios. A análise dos planos de manejos de palmitos nativos confirmou a ineficiência, permitindo cortes nas áreas irregulares, contribuindo para a degradação da Mata Atlântica. As distorções verificadas permanecem nos dias atuais, nas aquisições das Unidades de Conservação, nos processos de reconhecimento de Reservas Particulares do Patrimônio Natural – RPPNs, na Certificação Florestal – FSC ou nos empreendimentos ambientais como de comercialização de carbono, podendo tratar-se de uma rede.

The paper’s objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of renewable natural resources management in the State of Paraná, in an approach aimed at economic and environmental impacts. It was based on a case study in areas with unsuccessful incentives and unclarified frauds. The research diagnosed the landtenure and possession structure on the coast of the State of Paraná, by relating data provided by Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis – IBAMA on heart-of-palmtrees (Euterpe edulis Martius) reforestation projects in the 1970’s with cutting and management plans granted. The results indicate that the researched areas are vitiated, with overlappings of tenure titles and land disputes. An analysis of native heart of palm management plans confirmed ineffectiveness, as cuts were allowed in illegal areas, contributing toward Atlantic Forest degradation. The distortions verified in the study remain to the present day, in acquisitions of Conservation Units, in proceedings for the acknowledgement of Reservas Particulares do Patrimônio Natural – (RPPN – Private Natural Heritage Reserves), in Forest Certification – FSC, or in environmental ventures such as the carbon trade, and may constitute a network.

Adubação orgânica e mineral para a produção de palmito da pupunheira na Amazônia Central / Mineral and organic fertilization of peach palm for heart-of-palm production in Central Amazonia

Avaliou-se a produção de palmito do estipe principal e do primeiro perfilho da pupunheira (Bactris gasipaes Kunth), utilizando diferentes fontes e formas de adubação (orgânica e mineral) num LATOSSOLO AMARELO na Amazônia Central. O delineamento experimental foi blocos casualizados com três repetições, utilizando esquema fatorial 2 x 7, sendo os fatores: plantas com e sem espinhos no estipe oriundas de Yurimaguas, Peru; e diferentes formas de adubação (testemunha sem adubo; esterco de galinha de postura em cova (25 t ha-1); adubo mineral em cova (225-90-180 kg.ha-1 de N-P2O5-K2O); esterco de galinha de postura em cobertura (25 t ha-1); adubo mineral em cobertura (225-90-180 kg.ha-1); esterco de galinha de postura na cova (12,5 t ha-1) + adubo mineral em cobertura (112,5-45-90 kg.ha-1) e adubo mineral parcelado em 3 vezes (na cova 75 kg ha-1 de N, 90 kg ha-1 de P2O5 e 60 kg.ha-1 de K2O + 2 aplicações iguais de 75 kg.ha-1 de N e 60 kg.ha-1 de K2O), todas as formas de adubação foram repetidas no 2º e 3º ano em cobertura. A aplicação de fertilizantes orgânico e mineral elevou o pH e a concentração de nutrientes disponíveis no solo. A produção de palmito no primeiro perfilho com espinhos (1407 kg.ha-1) foi maior que nas plantas sem espinhos (1037 kg.ha-1). A produção de palmito liquido foi maior nos tratamentos com esterco em cobertura (estipe principal 1551kg.ha-1 e perfilhos 3004kg.ha-1) e "esterco 50 por cento na cova + adubo mineral em cobertura 50 por cento" (planta principal 1545 kg ha-1 e perfilhos 2986 kg ha-1). A testemunha não atingiu altura de corte até aos 40 meses após o plantio.

The production of heart-of-palm of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth), both main shoot and first offshoot, was evaluated using different sources (organic and inorganic) and schedules of fertilization on an OXISOL in Central Amazonia. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with three repetitions, with a 2 x 7 factorial, with types of plant (spineless and spiny, Yurimaguas, Peru germplasm) and different forms of fertilization (control without fertilizer; manure in the planting pit (25 t/ha); mineral fertilizer in the planting pit (225-90-180 kg.ha-1 N-P2O5-K2O); manure spread one month after planting (25 t..ha-1); mineral fertilizer spread one month after planting (225-90-180 kg.ha-1); manure in the pit (12,5 t.ha-1) + mineral fertilizer spread after planting (112,5-45-90 kg.ha-1); and mineral fertilizer divided in three applications (in the planting pit 75 kg.ha-1 N, 90 kg.ha-1 P2O5, 60 kg.ha-1 K2O + two applications de 75 kg ha-1 N, 60 kg.ha-1 K2O), each repeated in the 2º and 3º years by broadcasting). The application of both organic and mineral fertilizers increased pH and available soil nutrient concentrations. The production of heart-of-palm of the main shoot and the first offshoot for spineless (1407 kg.ha-1) and spiny (1037 kg.ha-1) was similar for the main shoot and different for the offshoot. The treatments with manure (main plant 1551 kg ha-1 and off-shoots 3004 kg ha-1), and manure in the pit + mineral fertilizer spread (main stem 1545 kg.ha-1 and off-shoots 2986 kg.ha-1) were most productive. After 40 months the control did not produce heart-of-palm.

Conservação de palmito de pupunha em atmosfera modificada1

The market for pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes) heart-of-palm is expanding rapidly in Brazil and is starting to differentiate into various market niches, including a fresh product niche. Conservation of ready-to-use, minimally processed fresh heart is difficult and requires research on refrigeration and modified atmosphere to enhance shelf-life. The sensory characteristics of fresh heart-of-palm were evaluated during its storage in polyethylene bags under refrigeration with and without an oxygen absorber. Texture, crispness, fiber, humidity, astringency and acridity remained acceptable until the end of the trial at 25 days, although each was extremely variable from day to day, probably due to within-package genotype variation. Color, appearance, sweetness and sourness remained acceptable for 14 days and deteriorated from the 18th day on. Sourness increased significantly (p = 0.02) in the treatment with reduced oxygen, especially after the 18th day and was the most objectionable characteristic. The use of oxygen absorbent did not significantly improve the shelf-life of fresh heart-of-palm, although the use of polyethylene may have reduced the efficiency of the absorbent.

O mercado do palmito de pupunha (Bactris gasipaes) está expandindo rapidamente no Brasil e diferenciando-se com a inclusão do palmito fresco ou minimamente processado. Devido sua alta perecibilidade, a conservação desse palmito fresco é difícil e requer estudos de conservação em refrigeração aliada à atmosfera modificada. As qualidades sensoriais do palmito fresco foram avaliadas ao longo de sua conservação sob refrigeração, em sacos de polietileno, com e sem absorvente de oxigênio. A textura, crispidez, fibrosidade, umidade, adstringência e irritação permaneceram aceitáveis até os 25 dias, embora altamente variáveis de um dia para o outro, provavelmente devido à variação entre os genótipos em cada embalagem. A cor, aparência, doçura e amargor permaneceram aceitáveis até 14 dias e deterioraram a partir do 18º dia. O amargor aumentou significativamente (p = 0,02) no tratamento com absorvente de oxigênio, especialmente a partir do 18º dia, sendo a principal característica responsável pela rejeição do palmito. O uso do absorvente de oxigênio não aumentou significativamente a vida de prateleira do palmito fresco, embora o polietileno usado possa ter reduzido a eficácia do absorvente.