Colombian Caribbean Region Research Articles

An Optimized Microsatellite Scheme for Assessing Populations of Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis.

Diverse molecular markers have been used to analyze the genetic diversity of plant pathogens. Compared with traditional fingerprinting methods, multiple loci variable number of tandem repeat analyses (MLVAs) have gained importance recently due to their reproducibility, high discriminatory power, ease of performance, low cost, and throughput potential. These characteristics are desirable for continuous pathogen monitoring, especially for pathogens with relatively low genetic diversity, and for disease epidemiology studies. Genetic diversity studies of Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis, which is the causal agent of cassava bacterial blight, have shown variability and changes in the bacterial population over time. Thus, an easy and fast method needs to be developed to type populations of this pathogen in different countries of the world, especially on small scales. In this study, we developed an MLVA scheme to analyze X. phaseoli pv. manihotis variability on a local scale. The MLVA-15 scheme comprises 15 variable number of tandem repeat loci grouped into four multiplex polymerase chain reaction pools. We showed that the MLVA-15 scheme had slightly higher discriminatory ability at the locality level when compared with amplified fragment length polymorphisms. The MLVA-15 scheme allowed for an accurate determination of the number of genotypes in the sample and showed reproducibility and portability. Additionally, this scheme could be used to analyze numerous strains in a reasonable timeframe. The MLVA-15 scheme was highly specific to X. phaseoli but up to eight tandem repeat loci could be amplified from other Xanthomonas spp. Finally, we assessed the utility of the scheme for analyses of X. phaseoli pv. manihotis genetic variability in the Colombian Caribbean region. MLVA-15 distinguished 88.9% of the haplotypes in our sample. Strains originating from the same field and isolated at the same time could be discriminated. In this study, the advantages of the MLVA-15 scheme targeting 6- or 7-bp repeats were demonstrated. Moreover, this scheme was a fast method that was appropriate for routine monitoring of X. phaseoli pv. manihotis populations on a local scale and, thus, was useful for addressing epidemiological questions.

Frugivorous bats in the Colombian Caribbean region are reservoirs of the rabies virus

BackgroundBats are an important ecological group within ecosystems. The rabies virus is a Lyssavirus, and haematophagous bats are the principal reservoir; however, the virus has also been detected in non-haematophagous bats. The objective was to determine the rabies virus in non-haematophagous bats in the Colombian Caribbean region.MethodsIn 2017, a cross-sectional study was carried out with a base-risk sampling in twelve geographic zones of the Colombian Caribbean area that included the main ecosystems of two departments. 286 bats were captured, which were euthanized with a pharmacological treatment following the ethical protocols of animal experimentation. The taxonomic identification was done with dichotomous keys. The necropsy was carried out at the capture site, and brain samples were kept in liquid nitrogen. The extraction of the RNA was carried out from the frozen brains with Trizol™; a fragment of 914 bp of the glycoprotein G of the rabies virus was amplified with RT-PCR. The amplicons were sequenced with the Sanger method.ResultsTwenty-three genera of bats were identified, and, in two frugivorous, Artibeus lituratus and Artibeus planirostris, amplicons were obtained and sequenced as the rabies virus.ConclusionsThis is the first evidence of natural infection of the rabies virus in frugivorous bats in the Colombian Caribbean area; this result is important for the surveillance and control of rabies.

Isohyetal Maps of Daily Maximum Rainfall for Different Return Periods for the Colombian Caribbean Region

In Colombia, daily maximum multiannual series are one of the main inputs for design streamflow calculation, which requires performing a rainfall frequency analysis that involves several prior steps: (a) requesting the datasets, (b) waiting for the information, (c) reviewing the datasets received for missing or data different from the requested variable, and (d) requesting the information once again if it is not correct. To tackle these setbacks, 318 rain gauges located in the Colombian Caribbean region were used to first evaluate whether or not the Gumbel distribution was indeed the most suitable by performing frequency analyses using three different distributions (Gumbel, Generalized Extreme Value (GEV), and Log-Pearson 3 (LP3)); secondly, to generate daily maximum isohyetal maps for return periods of 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, and 100 years; and, lastly, to evaluate which interpolation method (IDW, spline, and ordinary kriging) works best in areas with a varying density of data points. GEV was most suitable in 47.2% of the rain gauges, while Gumbel, in spite of being widely used in Colombia, was only suitable in 34.3% of the cases. Regarding the interpolation method, better isohyetals were obtained with the IDW method. In general, the areal maximum daily rainfall estimated showed good agreement when compared to the true values.

Aflatoxin M1 and B1 in Colombian milk powder and estimated risk exposure

ABSTRACTAflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were determined in 51 milk powder samples purchased from different grocery stores located in the Caribbean region of Colombia. Analysis was conducted using QuEChERS extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Results from the analytical method showed recovery ranges from 65% to 110% and relative standard deviations lower than 20%. AFM1 was detected in 100% of the milk samples (0.20–1.19 µg/kg) and 55% exceeded the maximum level in milk (0.5 µg/kg) set by the Colombian and European regulations. AFB1 was not detected in any of the analysed samples. Considering the measured contamination the maximum AFM1 level that can be ingested by consumption of milk powder is 0.007–0.013 µg/person/day. These values are above the average dietary intake estimated in Latin America according to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee, which is 0.0035 µg/person/day.

Co-occurrence of V1016I and F1534C mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel and resistance to pyrethroids in Aedes aegypti (L.) from the Colombian Caribbean region.

Knockdown resistance is conferred primarily by non-synonymous mutations that reduce pyrethroids binding to voltage-gated sodium channels. In 2014, kdr mutation V1016I in Aedes aegypti populations resistant to pyrethroids was reported for the first time in Colombiα, in 2016 another kdr mutation, F1534C, and in 2018 the mutation V419L. Nine populations of A. aegypti, previously characterized as being resistant to λ-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin and permethrin, were used for this study. Genomic DNA was used to determine genotypes by allele-specific PCR for mutations V1016I and F1534C, and to determine their association with pyrethroid resistance. All the populations analyzed showed both mutations, with allelic frequencies of 0.07-0.35 for I1016 and 0.47-0.88 for C1534. A percentage of co-occurrence of mutant homozygotes I1016/C1534 of 5.3% was detected. A significant positive correlation was found between the frequency of the genotype I1016 and the resistance to permethrin, λ-cyhalothrin and cyfluthrin, but not to deltamethrin; on the other hand, the correlation was not significant for the C1534 genotype and the four pyrethroids evaluated. No significant correlation was found between the frequencies of the mutations V1016I and F1534C. Both mutations V1016I and F1534C are present in A. aegypti populations of the Colombian Caribbean, and although the frequency of F1534C exceeds V1016I, the latter was correlated to resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evaluation of asphalt binder blended with coconut coir dust and residual coconut fibers for structural applications

This is an investigation into asphalt binder mixed with different amounts of an organic waste containing coconut coir dust and residual short coconut fibers abundant in the Caribbean and tropical countries. The concentrations used were 0.0, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0wt%. Coconut coir is a type of organic waste produced in large quantities in Caribbean region of Colombia. It is composed of grinded mesocarp, which is the fibrous husk of the coconut fruit, and is currently used in agriculture, ornaments and crafts. This waste is a very stable and strong material suitable for use in structural applications such as the reinforcement of composite materials. In this investigation, materials characterization was conducted using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy to analyze the microstructure of samples. Particle size distribution tests were also included to analyze the short coconut fibers. Penetration, softening point, penetration index, viscosity, flash point, fire point and ductility performance tests were also carried out on the asphalt mixes. Overall, these tests revealed that asphalt formulations can be used in selected construction and building material applications.

Pseudoscorpiones (Arachnida) de Isla Fuerte y Tortuguilla, caribe colombiano

En busca de contribuir al conocimiento de la fauna de invertebrados en la región Caribe de Colombia, se evaluó la fauna de pseudoescorpiones en dos zonas insulares continentales frente a la costa del departamento de Córdoba, la cual incluye a nueve especies, ocho géneros y seis familias. Se reporta por primera vez el género Solinus Chamberlin y se amplía la distribución conocida de Solinus corticola Chamberlin, 1923, hacia Colombia. Se efectúan consideraciones sobre las especies a los diferentes microhábitats (excepto Planctolpium arboreum Hoff, 1964). Se sugiere que el rafting y la foresia permitió la dispersión de estos géneros y especies desde el continente hacia las zonas insulares.

Factores determinantes del aumento en el consumo de hortalizas frescas por habitantes de la región Caribe de Colombia

The aim of this study was to establish elements to understand the consumers reasons to increase the quantities of fresh vegetables consumed in the Caribbean Region of Colombia. With information from 308 surveys applied randomly in seven cities of the Caribbean Region and using a structured survey that included variables such as age, family composition, prices, income, a Logit econometric model was formulated. Furthermore, with the contingent valuation method, parameters were estimated using maximum likelihood; moreover, the reasons that explain the possibility that families increase vegetable consumption were identified. Results allow us to appreciate first that 53 % of the surveyed respondents would be willing to increase consumption. The variable that explains mostly an increase in consumption is scholarship with a positive value of 0.7667 with a direct relationship, with a significance of 0.005, i.e. with a higher the level of education, the probability of increasing consumption is also higher, presumably because the consumer has more information about the properties and advantages that vegetables have for health. These decisions are also influenced by vegetable prices and consumer age, but in an inverse relationship, i.e. at a higher price and age, less possibility of increasing consumption was observed. On the other hand, variables such as number of family members have a direct influence on decisions to increase vegetable consumption.

Diversity of Pseudoscorpiones (Arthropoda: Arachnida) in two fragments of dry tropical forest in the colombian Caribbean region

The Dry Tropical Forest (DTF) is one of the most diverse yet threatened biomes of Colombia. There is limited information about the richness of the order Pseudoscorpiones (Arachnida) in this ecosystem in the country. Pseudoscorpions are ecologically interesting, as they may be good indicators of habitat conservation. However, it is still necessary to gather more knowledge related to its spatio-temporal variation. In this study, pseudoscorpion diversity variation was assessed in two fragments of the Dry Tropical Forest in the Caribbean region of Colombian: Reserva Campesina La Montaña (RCM) and Reserva La Flecha (RLF). Four samplings were carried out between March and September of 2016 to include the dry and rainy season. Pseudoscorpions were collected using litter sifting (SL) and manual capture (MC). A total of 260 individuals belonging to five families and eight species were collected. The most abundant was Pachyolpium granulatum (Olpiidae) and the richest family was Chernetidae. The collection methods were effective and complementary. Spatial variation was significant, but no temporal variation was observed however, there was a marked difference between the abundance at RCM in the dry season and the rainy season. In contrast, at RLF most individuals were found in the dry season in comparison with the rainy season. These new faunistic data is the first of its order in the Atlántico and Bolívar department.

Prevalencia De Parasitismo Intestinal Y Su Asociacion Con El Estado Nutricional En Niños Del Municipio De Galapa, Atlántico-Colombia

The purpose of this research is to characterize the prevalence of intestinal parasites in children between two to ten years old, and its relation with their nutritional status. 123 children were assessed, from a secondary school in the town of Galapa at the Atlantico department, in the Colombian Caribbean region (Colombia). After informed consent from their parents, after children were weighed and carved, stool samples were collected in triplicate/duplicate. Samples were processed using the sedimentation technique by centrifugation and kato katz. Our results showed parasitism in 39% of the population with a 38% of the individuals infected by protozoa and a 0.8 % with helminths. Analysis by gender showed that there were not statistical significant difference with 20.3% boys were infected compared with 17.1% of the girls. Furthermore, parasites prevalence was not statistically different when analyzed by gender. The parasites with the highest prevalence were: Giardia duodenalis (7.7 %), Blastocystis spp (6.8 %) and Endolimax nana (3.0 %) and children were found infected with polyparasitism by G. duodenalis + Blastocystis spp (1.7 %) y Entamoeba histolytica + Endolimax nana (0.4 %). The children that presented parasitism had a normal size and average weight of 124.8 cm 27.5g respectively. Most children with parasitism had a normal nutritional status (21.1 %), some were overweight (8.1 %) and obesity (4.9 %), and there were no children at risk of thinness and malnutrition. Our findings suggest that there is not significant correlation between the presence of parasites and the dietary habits in this population.

Estudio y diagnóstico de la calidad de la energía de un campus universitario en la costa norte de Colombia

La calidad de la energía eléctrica es un tema de mucha importancia en los diferentes renglones de la economía, donde se requiere contar con un servicio eléctrico que no genere daño en equipos sensibles que no toleran fluctuaciones de energía tales como tensión, corriente y frecuencia, ya que pueden sufrir daño, aunque estas fluctuaciones sean mínimas. Este artículo se enfoca en el estudio y diagnóstico de la calidad de energíade la red de distribución interna en las instalaciones de una Universidad en la región caribe colombiana, a través del análisis de parámetros tales como distorsiones de la forma de onda (Armónicos), fluctuaciones de tensión y factor de potencia, teniendo en cuenta para ello los lineamientos normativos nacionales e internacionales, con el fin de dar recomendaciones que permitan mantener una apropiada operación de los equipos eléctricos de la institución. En general, se encontró que la calidad de la energía en lo que respecta a la frecuencia y distorsión armónica de la tensión se encuentran dentro de los límites permitidos por la normativa vigente, mientras que el factor de potencia se presenta por debajo de los límites, con un 45% y 89% del tiempo para la subestación del bloque administrativo y el bloque de laboratorios, respectivamente, lo cual trae como consecuencia un mayor consumo de energía y por ende un incremento en el costo del servicio.

Spatial and Temporal Variation of the Blowflies Community (Diptera: Calliphoridae) From an Urban Area in Northern South America.

Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are necrophagous flies with ecological, medical, veterinary, and forensic importance. These flies carry pathogens that they spread to animals and humans, and produce myiasis. Furthermore, they are useful tools in forensic science as indicators of postmortem intervals, and in biomedicine they are successfully used in larval therapy. This study aimed to assess the spatiotemporal variation of the blowflies community from the urban area of Sincelejo City, located in the Colombian Caribbean region. Samplings were conducted from May 2012 to April 2013, using Van Someren Rydon-traps baited with bovine meat, fish, and chicken that decomposed for 48 h. Six species were registered, Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775) was the most abundant, followed by Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) and Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), while Chloroprocta idioidea (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), and Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) presented the least individuals. The blowflies community did not change significantly throughout the sampling months or between the periods of low or high rainfall, nor was it influenced by weather variables. Although the species composition was the same in all sampled localities, species abundances presented significant differences. The possible causes of this pattern are discussed herein. Sex ratios were female biased for all the recorded species, except C. idioidea. Our findings provide the first assessment of the blowflies community from the urban area of Sincelejo City.

Evaluation of the Nutritional, Mineral and Lysine Content of the Root of the <em>Pachira aquatic</em> Aubl. of the Atlantico (Colombia)

The objective of the study was to characterize the root of the <em>Pachira aquatic</em> Aubl, collected from the gardens of the Universidad del Atlantico. For years, roots have represented an alternative for solving food security problems due to their nutritional value, especially for indigenous communities; however, being carriers of secondary metabolites, beneficial for health, their consumption has decreased and their potential in the agroindustry and the pharmaceutical industry wasted. <em>Pachira aquatic</em> Aubl is a plant species abundantly distributed in the Colombian Caribbean region, resistant to wide ranges of temperature, humidity and salinity, develops roots that have not studied; the infusion of that of its bark considered with hypoglycemic effects. The characteristics of humidity, ash, crude fiber, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates were determined; minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron, as well as the amino acid Lysine; The proximal analysis performed by AOAC methods, minerals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and Lysine analysis by ultrafast liquid chromatography. The mean, standard deviation, variance and confidence intervals obtained from the results of the analyzes. The study reported an average composition of the root of the <em>Pachira aquatic</em> Aubl of: carbohydrates (72.25%), humidity (13.53%), ashes (4.64%), proteins (4.53%), crude fiber (4.39%), fat (0.64%), calcium (188.202 mg/100 g), iron (0.211 mg/100 g), zinc (0.060 mg/100 g), magnesium (0.060 mg/100 g) and lysine 0.032 mg/100 g. The nutrients found in a greater proportion were carbohydrates and calcium, also highlighting the presence of the amino acid Lysine.

Aquatic and semiaquatic bugs (Insecta, Hemiptera, Heteroptera) from Toluviejo Municipality, Sucre Department, Caribbean region of Colombia

We present the results of a survey of the aquatic and semiaquatic bugs (Insecta, Hemiptera, Heteroptera) from the small streams Pechilín, Bobo, Camarón, and Macaján, located in Toluviejo Municipality, Sucre Department, Caribbean region of Colombia. Representatives of 8 families, 20 genera, and 32 species have been collected, of which 11 species are recorded for the first time from Sucre Department, 8 from the Colombian Caribbean region, and 4 from Colombia.

Techno-economic analysis of on-grid biomass renewable energy power station: A case study in Caribbean region of Colombia

In this article a techno-economic study of an Electric-Biomass on-grid power plant is presented, in order to compare the performance and the operating annual cost under some types of biogas produced from poultry, bovine and porcine manure, and solid urban organic waste, using the Homer® software to develop many solutions. Certainly, the best set up had the maximum combined renewable energy with a minimum electric consumption from the grid. The scheme was integrated by two 500kW biogas-powered electric generator on grid to supply an average energy of 1401.6kW, with an annual operating cost of $2.09 million when the energy supply is electric. Results presented a significant operational cost reduction when the biogas generator is operating on grid, finding an 8.61% of cost decrease using biogas generated from poultry, bovine and porcine manure, and a 10.53% of cost decrease using biogas from solid urban organic waste from centers and grocery market places at Caribbean Region of Colombia.

Comparison of Different Latex Fractions of Carica Papaya L., and Novozyme 435® in the Methanolysis of Canola Oil

Se investigó la actividad de las fracciones crudas (P3) y libres de proteasas (CPL-p) del látex de Carica papaya en la lipólisis y metanólisis del aceite de canola. Las fracciones P3 y CPL-p fueron extraídas de frutos de C. papaya colectados en el departamento del Atlántico (Colombia), obteniéndose rendimientos de extracción del 26,89±0,26 y 4,85±0,04 g/100 g de látex fresco, respectivamente. La actividad lipasa de CPL-p, determinada mediante titulación de ácidos grasos fue 58,4% mayor con respecto a P3. Ambas fracciones fueron evaluadas como catalizadores en la producción de ésteres metílicos de ácidos grasos (EMAG. Como catalizador de referencia se usó la lipasa B de Candida antarctica (Novozyme 435®). Las reacciones se llevaron a cabo en un bioreactor tipo batch durante 48 h, a 200 rpm y 50 ºC. Las condiciones de reacción con P3 y CPL-p fueron: 6g de aceite, 20 %p/p de n-hexano, 15 %p/p del catalizador y relación molar metanol/aceite de 3:1. Los porcentajes de conversión obtendios fueron: P3 = 31,55±1,01 %, CPL-p = 38,48±0,76 % y Novozyme-435 = 62,96±0,63 %. Estos resultados demuestran el potencial de CPL-p en la hidrólisis de aceites de interés en la industria de los alimentos. Sin embargo, bajo las condiciones experimentales usadas en el presente estudio, su aplicación en la producción de EMAG fue limitada. Se concluye que el látex del fruto de C. papaya, de los árboles que se cultivan en la región del Caribe colombiano, es un subproducto agroindustrial con un alto potencial en la bioconversión de lípidos.

A new remarkable short-tailed whip-scorpion species of Piaroa(Arachnida, Schizomida, Hubbardiidae) from the Colombian Caribbean region.

Herein, we describe a new schizomid species from the genus Piaroa Villarreal, Giuponni Tourinho, 2008, Piaroa turbacoensis sp. nov., based on individuals collected in the Botanical Garden "Guillermo Piñeres", Turbaco, Bolivar, Colombian Caribbean region. Piaroa turbacoensis is the sixth species of the genus to be found in Colombia, and the tenth to be found with regards to the genus as a whole. This species is the first Colombian species to be recorded in a Dry Tropical Forest biome. Piaroa turbacoensis is easily distinguishable by the presence of spermathecae lateral lobes with massive circular stalk bases, and male pedipalp with ventroectal truncate process over the femur and ventroectal depression over the patella. Here, we provide an updated distribution map of the genus and comments about the natural history of the new species.

ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONAL RISKS IN THE STORAGE OF LIQUID AMMONIUM NITRATE IN A PETROCHEMICAL PLANT, THROUGH THE HAZOP METHODOLOGY

The storage of liquid ammonium nitrate in a petrochemical plant, located at the Caribbean region of Colombia, is analyzed to identify and mitigate the risks present in it. Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) methodology was followed to assess the risks and hazards associated to this process. Initially, the ammonium nitrate storage tank was defined as the node to be studied, together with the instrumentation required for this operation. The diagrams of the node and technical specifications of the equipment and instruments were reviewed. This information, together with the operative, technical and conceptual knowledge of the staff at the plant, allowed to assess the deviations for operational variables such as temperature, pressure and level, among others, in order to identify the hazards and risk scenarios that can take place during the storage of ammonium nitrate. Based on the HAZOP analysis, recommendations were made to mitigate or avoid incidents that have an impact on people, environment or the company. This case study highlights the qualitative deviations and variables that require a constant monitoring and control for a safe storage of ammonium nitrate.

Traditional Food Plant Knowledge and Use in Three Afro-Descendant Communities in the Colombian Caribbean Coast: Part II Drivers of Change

Traditional Food Plant Knowledge and Use in Three Afro-Descendant Communities in the Colombian Caribbean Coast: Part II Drivers of Change. Ethnobotany is a developing field in Colombia. There are significant information gaps, however, both in terms of geographical coverage and different human groups. Most research has focused on documenting traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) but has not addressed the question of whether there is TEK erosion and, if so, what is driving the changes. Our study focused on three Afro-descendant communities in the Colombian Caribbean region, seeking to identify intergenerational changes in food plant TEK and to analyse the drivers of change. Information was collected through three focus groups per location with women and men of different age groups. Results showed that a general process of erosion of food plant TEK was perceived in all three communities and that multiple drivers of change, falling into three categories, were at work: availability of a food plant resource, access, and food preferences. Yet, these varied over time and amongst locations and depended on the type of food plant resource. Nonetheless, the distancing of younger generations from a diversified agricultural-based livelihood, which led to less time spent in the monte (nearby uncultivated land covered with trees, shrubs and plants), was identified as the most significant driver of TEK loss in these three communities.

Culture of Entrepreneurship in Public Universities of the Colombian Caribbean Region

Objectives: The main purpose of this article was to analyze the culture of entrepreneurship in public universities of the Colombian Caribbean region. Materials and Methods: A descriptive-analytical, transversal, non experimental and field-type of methodology was applied. The target population comprised the coordinators of the different agencies that deal with entrepreneurship in public universities in the departments belonging to the Colombian Caribbean region, to which a questionnaire was applied in order to measure the variable. Findings: It was concluded that an institutional educational project with vision and projection that anticipates changes, allows image positioning in terms of management and results with clearly significant and differentiating elements in order to promote a culture of entrepreneurship is required. Application/Improvements: Public policies of entrepreneurship were evaluated followed by a description of the missionary processes of the Caribbean Coast universities within the business culture, as well as the dimensions of the institutional management linked to entrepreneurship culture. Keywords: Colombia, Culture of Entrepreneurship, Institutional Management, Missionary Processes, Public Policies, Public Universities