Butia Capitata Research Articles

Postharvest conservation of coquinho-azedo fruits under modified atmosphere

Coquinho-azedo (Butia capitata) fruits are highly valued for their rich content of fiber, minerals, vitamin C, and pro-vitamin A carotenoids. They are consumed in their natural state and used in various products, offering an alternative income source for rural communities. This study aimed to assess the postharvest characteristics of coquinho-azedo fruits stored under different modified atmosphere conditions. The fruits were stored at 13°C using PVC, PP, PET, and a Control group without packaging. Over 17 days, the fruits' physicochemical characteristics were evaluated. Packaging significantly improved senescence scores and reduced the loss of fresh mass, soluble solids, vitamin C, and firmness compared to the Control group. PVC packaging showed superior color and firmness performance, while PP packaging maintained consistent fruit color. PET packaging had the highest levels of soluble solids, vitamin C, and titratable acidity. Utilizing modified atmosphere packaging, particularly PVC, effectively preserved the quality of coquinho-azedo fruits during postharvest storage. These findings contribute to enhancing shelf life and marketability, benefiting both producers and consumers.

Sequential Process of Subcritical Water Hydrolysis and Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Butia Capitata Endocarp to Obtain Fermentable Sugars, Platform Chemicals, Bio-oil, and Biochar.

Butia capitata endocarp (BCE) is a biomass residue with the potential to produce a wide variety of bio-products. The processing of BCE in a sequential process of subcritical water hydrolysis (SWH) and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) was investigated to obtain fermentable sugars, platform chemicals, bio-oil, and biochar. The SWH was evaluated at 230 and 260°C and solvent: feed mass ratios (R) of 10 and 20 for the production of fermentable sugars and platform chemicals. The solid residue from SWH was sequentially submitted to the HTL at 330 and 360°C for bio-oil and biochar production. The results were analyzed by comparing the sequential (SWH/HTL) and individual (HTL only) processes. The highest yields of fermentable sugars (5.26g/ 100g BCE) were obtained for SWH at 260°C and R-20 with higher contents of xylose (2.64g/100g BCE) and cellobiose (1.75g/100g BCE). The highest yields of platform chemicals (2.44g/100g BCE) were obtained for SWH at 260°C and R-10 with higher contents of acetic acid (1.78g/100g BCE) and furfural (0.54g/100g BCE). The highest yield of bio-oil (25.30g/100g BCE) occurred in HTL individual process at 360°C and R-20. Sequential process SWH/HTL showed a decrease in bio-oil yield but maintained a similar biochar yield compared to HTL, in addition to the production of fermentable sugars and platform chemicals.

Designing Ex Situ Conservation Strategies for Butia capitata [Mart. (Becc.) Arecaceae], a Threatened Palm Tree from Brazilian Savannah Biome, through Zygotic Embryo Cryopreservation

Jelly palm (Butia capitata) is a species of palm tree endemic to the Brazilian Savannah (Cerrado) Biome, which stands out for its use as food, which has resulted in a predatory exploitation of its natural populations. This study aimed to characterize fruits and diaspores of natural populations of jelly palm (‘Arinos’, ‘Mirabela’ and ‘Serranópolis’), in addition to developing ex situ conservation strategies of the species, through the storage of zygotic embryos at ultra-low temperatures of liquid nitrogen (LN). Initially, fruits, seeds and embryos were evaluated for their morphological characteristics. For conservation, hydrated zygotic embryos were desiccated for up to 12 h in a laminar-flow chamber and immersed directly in LN with different moisture contents. As a result, we observed morphological differences among the studied populations. The population ‘Arinos’ showed more expressive results for most of the evaluated characteristics, such as length, width of fruits and seeds. The cryopreservation of zygotic embryos proved to be efficient for the conservation of the species reaching germination rates between 70 and 86%, when the moisture content of the embryos immersed in LN were between 10 and 14%. The plants that reached the stage of the greenhouse had a rate of more than 80% survival. The variability in the characteristics of fruits and diaspores of the analyzed populations allow for establishing divergent groups for the definition of conservation strategies or genetic improvement. The developed cryopreservation protocol can be considered simple and efficient for the conservation of the genetic variability of the species.

Removal of enalapril maleate drug from industry waters using activated biochar prepared from Butia capitata seed. Kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamic, and DFT calculations

Porous biochar was fabricated from Butia capitata (Bc) seed, which was used to uptake enalapril maleate from synthetic wastewater. Activated biochars were fabricated by blending Bc and ZnCl2 at 1:1 (BcB-1.0) or 1:1.5 (BcB-1.5) proportions and furtherly pyrolyzed at 600 °C. The elemental analysis, Boehm titration, hydrophobic balance ratio, FTIR, TGA, and N2 isotherm characterized the carbon-based materials. They presented a hydrophilic behavior with diverse polar groups on their surface. BcB-1 and BcB-1.5 biochars have a total pore volume of 0.392 and 0.492 cm3 g−1 and a surface area of 1267 and 1520 m2/g, respectively. The kinetics and isothermal data were adequately adjusted to the fractal-like pseudo-second-order and Liu models. The employment of BcB-1.0 and BcB-1.5 for treating synthetic wastewater containing high levels of pollutants had elevated efficiency in their removals (up to 99.06%). We also conducted a DFT computational study, density functional theory (DFT), to examine the interactions between enalapril and a graphitic domain of biochar by using these calculations, the most stable configuration presented interaction energy of −88.7 kJ mol−1 implies a face-to-face π–π stacking interaction involving the enalapril phenyl segment and an aromatic ring of the graphitic domain, as well as London dispersion arising from the proximity of ethoxy/pyrrolidine to biochar carbon atoms, with interatomic distances of 3.31 Å for the former and 3.60 Å /3.48 Å for the latter. Also, the DFT calculations agreed with the thermodynamic data calculated from the isotherms (283–318 K).

Extraction of bioactive compounds from Butia capitata fruits using supercritical carbon dioxide and pressurized fluids

Coquinho-azedo (Butia capitata) is a palm tree native to the Brazilian Cerrado with fruits widely consumed by the regional population. Its pulp is a high source of nutrients and bioactive compounds with antioxidant capacity; therefore, the extraction of its compounds is advantageous. The objective of this work was to obtain extracts from Butia capitata fruit pulp by sequential extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide and pressurized ethanol and water. The extracts were characterized in terms of global yield, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, fatty acids profile, mono-, di- and triacylglycerols content and total carotenoids. The results were compared with extracts obtained by conventional methods. The combination of the supercritical extraction technique and pressurized fluids ensured better extraction performance and more identification of fatty acids, in addition to high levels of total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and total carotenoids compared to conventional extracts.

Arecaceae fruits: Fatty acids, phenolic compounds and in vitro antitumor activity

Arecaceae fruits are regarded as raw sources of valuable phytochemicals. In this work, several Arecaceae fruits belonging to eleven taxa were screened for fatty acids (FA) by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector and checked for their in vitro antitumor activity against the HT-29 colorectal cancer cells line through the MTT test. The parallel use of two chromatography systems, HPLC-DAD and LC-MS, allowed the precise characterization of all phenolic compounds contained in the fruits. Howea belmoreana had the highest FA amounts (11.7 g/100 g on dry weight); Syagrus romanzoffiana had a relatively high PUFA content (26.3% of total FA); and Butia capitata contains high amounts of medium-chain saturated FA (51.2%). Total phenolics reached 201.8 mg/100 g on dry weight in Phoenix dactylifera var. Medjool. Among phenolics, occurred benzoic acids, phenylpropanoic acid, and cinnamic acid derivatives. It highlights the great diversity of flavonoids detected as (−)-catechin, quercetin, and kaempferol, as well as phenolic glycosides, such as isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside. The methanol:water (60:40, v/v) extracts of fruits induced dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effects on HT-29 cancer cells. Overall, the fruits of Arecaceae taxa evaluated here constitute suitable candidates to be used as functional foods.

Valorization of Different Fractions from Butiá Pomace by Pyrolysis: H2 Generation and Use of the Biochars for CO2 Capture.

This work valorizes butiá pomace (Butia capitata) using pyrolysis to prepare CO2 adsorbents. Different fractions of the pomace, like fibers, endocarps, almonds, and deoiled almonds, were characterized and later pyrolyzed at 700 °C. Gas, bio-oil, and biochar fractions were collected and characterized. The results revealed that biochar, bio-oil, and gas yields depended on the type of pomace fraction (fibers, endocarps, almonds, and deoiled almonds). The higher biochar yield was obtained by endocarps (31.9%wt.). Furthermore, the gas fraction generated at 700 °C presented an H2 content higher than 80%vol regardless of the butiá fraction used as raw material. The biochars presented specific surface areas reaching 220.4 m2 g-1. Additionally, the endocarp-derived biochar presented a CO2 adsorption capacity of 66.43 mg g-1 at 25 °C and 1 bar, showing that this material could be an effective adsorbent to capture this greenhouse gas. Moreover, this capacity was maintained for 5 cycles. Biochars produced from butiá precursors without activation resulted in a higher surface area and better performance than some activated carbons reported in the literature. The results highlighted that pyrolysis could provide a green solution for butiá agro-industrial wastes, generating H2 and an adsorbent for CO2.

<i>Butia capitata</i> (sour coconut) prevents the appearance of Aberrant Crypt Foci in the colon of rats

Colorectal cancer is a life-threatening disease. This study evaluates whether sour coconut (<i>Butia capitata</i>) prevents the appearance of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the colon of rats, induced with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). The test subjects were divided into four treatment groups: I - Control; II - aqueous extract of sour coconut pulp; III - DMH and IV - Aqueous extract of sour coconut pulp + DMH. The colons of the subjects were submitted to ACF count, analysis of gene expression and histopathological. The count of ACF differed in the proximal portion of the colon between animals treated III and IV, with a lower count in Treatment IV (<i>p <0.05</i>). The interleukin-1 (<i>IL-1</i>) gene (<i>p <0.05</i>) was less expressed in Treatment IV. In the histopalogic analysis of the colons in Treatment IV, less dilation was observed at the base of the crypts and the lumen was moderately dilated. The sour coconut acted in preventing the appearance of ACF, probably due to its high composition in bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. The anti-inflammatory capacity reduces the expression of the <i>IL-1</i> gene and preserves the histo-architecture of the colon.

Reproductive biology of Butia capitata (Arecaceae) under cultivation - indicators for the domestication of a threatened fruit tree

Butia capitata is a netropical palm that has ecological and economic importance but is threatened by deforestation. The domestication of the species would contribute to its conservation and to income generation. However, there are gaps in knowledge about the phenology, floral biology and pollination of B. capitata and information on these topics is crucial to support breeding programs. We describe here the phenology and reproductive biology of B. capitata under cultivation and evaluated the storage potential of its pollen. Phenological and morphological evaluations of inflorescence and fruit development were carried out during both the rainy and dry seasons, the dynamics of anthesis and stigmatic receptivity were monitored and the reproductive system was experimentally evaluated. Pollen grain storage under different conditions was investigated for six months. Inflorescence emission were more rapid in the rainy season, with greater numbers of infructescences as well as fruit weight. Cross-pollination was predominant due to protandry, with a sterile period from one to six days. Cross- and open- pollination are the most efficient reproductive systems (46 and 47% fruting, respectively). Fruit fixation does not occur under spontaneous self-pollination or apomixis, while artificial self-pollination induces only a small fruiting rate. Pollen grain viability was maintained for 180 days under both refrigeration (4 °C) and freezing (-20 °C) conditions, but was less than 30 days under natural environmental conditions. The cultivation allows the production in the off-season of natural populations and pollen grain storage and artificial cross-pollination are promising possibilities for increasing the productivity of B. capitata orchards.

Quality of Butia capitata fruits harvested at different maturity stages

Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc. or “coquinho azedo” is a native palm species of the Brazilian savannah, bears fruits which are sold fresh or as frozen pulp. This study examined postharvest changes in “coquinho azedo” harvested at a commercially immature stage and later evaluated the quality of these fruits by comparing them with those harvested fully ripe. Fruit purchased in the 2020 harvest in Santo Antônio do Retiro, MG (Brazil), were harvested at different degrees of maturity, namely, commercially immature and ripe, according to the point of harvest adopted in the region. For 7 d, weight loss, skin color and respiratory activity were evaluated in the commercially immature-harvested fruits. At 7 d postharvest, physical and chemical evaluations of the pulp were performed. The ripe-harvested fruits were subjected to the same evaluations, but only at 1 d postharvest. The skin color of commercially immature-harvested fruits tended to yellow over the days. Respiration postharvest increased in the immature-harvested fruits. Fresh weight loss exceeded 10% but without compromising appearance. The commercially immature-harvested fruits had 55% more total phenols, whereas the ripe-harvested fruits had higher soluble solids and ascorbic acid contents. Pulp color, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio and total carotenoid contents were similar regardless of the degree of maturity at harvest. During the days after the harvest of the commercially immature “coquinho azedo”, changes take place which cause them to resemble the fruit harvested ripe. Based on the evaluated traits, the early harvest did not compromise the ripening of the fruits.

Pericarp histogenesis and histochemistry during fruit development in Butia capitata (Arecaceae).

Palm fruits show great structural complexity, and in-depth studies of their development are still scarce. This work aimed to define the developmental stages of the fruit of the neotropical palm Butia capitata and to characterize the ontogenesis of its pericarp. Biometric, anatomical, and histochemical evaluations were performed on pistillate flowers and developing fruits. The whole fruit develops in three phases: (I) histogenesis (up to 42days after anthesis - DAA), when the topographic regions of the pericarp are defined; (II) pyrene maturation (42 to 70 DAA), when the sclerified zone of the pericarp is established; and (III) mesocarp maturation (70 to 84 DAA), when reserve deposition is completed. During pericarp ontogenesis (i) the outer epidermis and the outer mesophyll of the ovary give origin to the exocarp (secretory epidermis, collenchyma, parenchyma, sclerenchyma, and vascular bundles); (ii) the median ovarian mesophyll develops into the mesocarp, with two distinct topographical regions; (iii) the inner ovarian epidermis originates the endocarp; and in the micropylar region, it differentiates into the germination pore plate, a structure that protects the embryo and controls germination. (iv) Most of the inner region of the mesocarp fuses with the endocarp and, both lignified, give rise to the stony pyrene; (v) in the other regions of the mesocarp, carbohydrates and lipids are accumulated in a parenchyma permeated with fiber and vascular bundles. The development of the B. capitata pericarp presents high complexity and a pattern not yet reported for Arecaceae, which supports the adoption of the Butia-type pyrenarium fruit class.

Cytological aspects of Butia capitata (Arecaceae) fruit maturation and senescence

The fruits of several palm species are rich in nutrients and widely used in food industries, but little is known concerning their maturation and senescence. We related physicochemical indicators and cytological alterations associated with the maturation and senescence of the fruit pulp of the neotropical palm Butia capitata, whose sweet-acidic juice is used in the manufacture of beverages and ice cream. Morphological, physicochemical, histochemical, and ultrastructural evaluations of ripening and post-harvest fruits were performed. During maturation, the pulp cells store mucilage, sugars and organic acids in the vacuole, starch and carotenoids in the plastids, and lipids and proteins in the cytosol. The physiological maturity of the pulp is reached at the moment of abscission (= harvest point), approximately 90 days after anthesis. The fruits have a yellow-orange (maximum accumulation of carotenoids), succulent, fibrous, and soft (weakening of the median lamellae and cell walls) aspect at that time, with reduced phenolic contents in the vacuoles and high levels of soluble solids (SS) (derived from the degradation of starch into sugars). The pulp of the ripe fruits is composed of carbohydrates (77%), lipids (16%), proteins (3%), and carotenoids (3728 µg 100 g−1), and the juice has a pronounced acidity (pH 3.3). Pulp senescence is related to a decline in acidity (TA), an increase in SS and the SS/TA ratio, reduction in firmness (loosening of cell walls), reductions of nutrient levels, and increased phenolic accumulations, culminating in protoplast collapse. A cytological model useful for understanding the maturation and senescence of sweet-acidic pulps is proposed.

Contribution about the occurrence of Pachymerus bridwelli (Prevet) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in diaspores of pindo palm (Butia odorata) (Barb.Rodr.) Noblick & Lorenzi

Several studies have demonstrated the importance of Pindo palm in Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil, mainly through preservation but also due to the economic potential of using its fruit. In collections of Pindo palm fruit carried out in some regions of Rio Grande do Sul, the presence of beetle larvae inside of seeds was observed. This study aimed at identifying the species and evaluating the level of infestation of this insect in Pindo palm endocarps. Endocarps were kept in observation in the laboratory to verify the emergence of adults. The number of endocarps with the presence of the exit hole of the adult insect was registered. Afterwards, the endocarps were broken, and the number of adult insects, larvae and intact seeds was registered. The insect that occurred in the Pindo palm trees was identified for the first time in the country, at the species level, as Pachymerus bridwelli (Prevett, 1966). Infestation occurred in 75.1% of the endocarps. Among the damaged ones, the occurrence of only one larva was verified in 75.7%. However, it was also possible to verify the presence of two larvae (22.1%) and up to three larvae (2.2%) per endocarp. The loss of seeds reached 53.4%.

Composition proximate, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of Butia capitata

Abstract Butia capitata, native to the Brazilian cerrado, is underutilized for human consumption. The objective was to determine the physical characteristics of the fruit, centesimal composition, bioactive and antioxidant activity. Fruits obtained in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Diameter, height and weight were evaluated. The moisture was analyzed by gravimetry after oven drying, ashes by calcining in a muffle furnace, proteins by the Kjeldahl method, gravimetric lipids after extraction in ethyl ether, carbohydrates by difference and total energy value by conversion factors. Vitamin C, E and carotenoids were analyzed by HPLC, minerals by inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectrometry, Folin Ciocalteu solution phenolic compounds, anthocyanins by spectrophotometry and antioxidant capacity by the Radical DPPH. The fruits presented good pulp yield (68.59%), which has a high lipid content (3.42 g.100 g-1) and total energy (83.34 kcal.100 g-1). The pulp contains s-carotene (8.56 mg.100 g-1), vitamin E (121.07 mcg.100 g-1) and high concentrations of vitamin C (53.57 mg.100 g-1), total phenolics (493, 6 mg.100 g-1) and copper (1.80 mg.100 g-1). Almond has a high value of total energy (457.72 kcal.100 g-1), vitamin E (1594.39 mcg.100 g-1) and minerals Cu (2.40 mg.100 g-1) and Mo (0.9.100 g-1). The pulp is a source of carotenoids, vitamin C, copper and total phenolics, both natural antioxidants.

Convective drying of Butia Capitata pulp: effect of air temperature on kinetic and quality parameters

Butiá (Butia capitata) is a typical Brazilian Cerrado fruit, rich in several bioactive compounds. This work aimed to study the influence of air temperature on drying kinetics and quality parameters of butiá pulp. The pulps were dried at 50 and 70 °C. Mathematical models were fitted to the moisture ratio data. The effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) and the drying rate (DR) were calculated. The fresh and dried pulps were characterized in terms of moisture content (MC), water activity (aw), total carotenoids content (TCC), yellow flavonoids, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity and color. The Page model was the one that best fitted to the moisture ratio data. Drying reduced MC, aw and the bioactive compounds content and altered colorimetric parameters. The higher temperature resulted in lower TCC and higher total color difference. However, it reduced the drying time (from 300 to 180 min), with higher Deff and DR and resulted in samples with higher retention of yellow flavonoids, TPC and total antioxidants and a lower browning index. Therefore, 70 °C was the most suitable temperature for drying butiá pulp.

Development and properties of endodontic resin sealers with natural oils

ObjectivesTo synthesize and evaluate the physicochemical, antimicrobial, and cytocompatibility properties of experimental resin-based endodontic sealers containing butia or copaiba natural oils. MethodsExperimental groups contained butia (Butia capitata) at 0.5 % (B0.5), 1 % (B1), 2 % (B2), and copaiba (Copaifera spp.) at 0.5 % (C0.5), 1 % (C1), and 2 % (C2). The control group contained no added oils (experimental material, EM) and the commercial group was a methacrylate-based resin material (RealSeal™, SybronEndo Corporation, Orange, CA, USA). Degree of conversion, film thickness, setting time, flow, water sorption and solubility, and radiopacity were measured. Meanwhile, antimicrobial (modified direct contact test) and cytotoxicity assays of the experimental groups and controls were performed. One-way ANOVA was used to determine the effect of the independent variable (material) on the degree of conversion, film thickness, radiopacity, flow, setting time, water sorption and solubility, and cytotoxicity. For antimicrobial assays, data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Ŝidák’s test. ResultsThe experimental groups containing natural oils showed higher values of degree of conversion, and lowest water sorption and solubility. EM, B0.5, B1, B2, and RS showed similar film thicknesses. The flow values were statistically similar in all groups. The experimental groups showed adequate cell compatibility. Copaiba oil at 2% increased the antimicrobial effect after 1 and 24 h (p < 0.05). The incorporation of butia or copaiba resulted in a slight modification in some physicochemical properties of the experimental resin sealers. ConclusionNovel resin sealers containing natural oils are a promising alternative for endodontics, because of their good physicochemical properties, antimicrobial effects, and cytocompatibility when compared to a commercially available sealer. Clinical significanceEndodontic sealers containing butia or copaiba had satisfactory cytocompatibility, antimicrobial effects, and adequate physicochemical properties.

Chemical characterization and antioxidant potential of native fruits of the Cerrado of northern Minas Gerais

Abstract This study aimed to chemically characterize the pulps of the tropical fruits araticum (Annona crassiflora), buriti (Mauritia flexuosa), coquinho azedo (Butia capitata), cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica), and cajá (Spondias mombin), with a focus on antioxidant potential and microminerals. Calcium levels in the Araticum pulp are 9.35 mg/100 g and the iron content was 4.78 mg/100 g. In cagaita pulp, the calcium content was 15.35 mg/100 g and magnesium content was 66.00 mg/100 g. The iron content present in coquinho pulp was 11.47 mg/100 g and in cagaita it was 11.53 mg/100 g. The extracts with the highest contents of total phenolic compounds were araticum (433.80 mg GAE/g) and coquinho (173.5 mg GAE/g). Araticum pulp had the highest antioxidant potential because it had the lowest EC50 (0.04 mg/mL). The results presented here demonstrate the great potential of the fruits of the Cerrado in terms of rich mineral nutrients and bioactive compounds.

Início da produção de frutos em progênies de butiazeiro (Butia odorata)

O butiazeiro é uma palmeira nativa do Rio Grande do Sul, onde compõe um importante ecossistema conhecido como palmar ou butiazal. Esta espécie também possui um grande potencial econômico, principalmente relacionado à qualidade dos seus frutos. A introdução em sistemas de cultivo pode ser uma alternativa de conservação e aproveitamento econômico do butiazeiro, mas que carece de informações básicas referentes a aspectos produtivos. O tempo necessário para que indivíduo comece a produzir frutos a partir do plantio é um aspecto extremamente relevante, no entanto existem poucas informações sobre esta característica e a influência genética sobre este fator. Com o objetivo de buscar estas informações, em setembro de 2008 foram plantadas na unidade experimental do Centro de Pesquisa em Viamão, 121 mudas provenientes de 11 progênies selecionadas em três áreas distintas. Para cada progênie, foram plantadas 11 mudas com espaçamento de 3 x 4 metros. Após 10 anos, foram constatadas variações significativas entre as progênies avaliadas nos parâmetros de diâmetro e altura da planta. A proporção de plantas em fase produtiva, dentro de cada progênie, variou de 20 a 100 %, correspondendo a 53,6 % do total dos indivíduos plantados. Houve correlação positiva e significativa entre a proporção de plantas em fase reprodutiva e médias de crescimento obtidas entre progênies. Assim, butiazeiros com maior porte associados a diferentes progênies, produziram frutos mais cedo, características que demonstraram ser influenciadas por fatores genéticos. As progênies ES e V1 mostraram características favoráveis para continuidade nos processos de seleção e melhoramento.

A Survey of Declining Palms (Arecaceae) With 16SrIV-D Phytoplasma to Evaluate the Distribution and Host Range in Florida.

The 16SrIV-D phytoplasma was first identified in Florida in 2006. Since its discovery, it has spread throughout most of the state. It is most prevalent in the central part of Florida, from Hillsborough County on the west coast to St. Lucie County on the east coast. The 16SrIV-D phytoplasma is the causal agent of lethal bronzing disease (LBD), which is also known as Texas Phoenix palm decline (TPPD). It affects a variety of common and economically important ornamental palm species as well as the native and ecologically important species, Sabal palmetto. It has spread into the southern portions of Florida, where the palm species diversity is higher. The aims of this survey were to document the spread of disease in terms of geographic and host range one decade after its introduction into Florida, and to assess the risk that LBD poses to the nursery and landscaping industries. The survey included samples received from stakeholders throughout the state, covering 18 counties, as well as a systematic sampling of palms at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC), where the disease is spreading actively. The findings of this survey resulted in the detection of LBD in eight new counties, including Collier, Hernando, Jefferson, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Seminole, and St. Johns, and the expansion of LBD into four new host species, Cocos nucifera, Livistona chinensis, Butia capitata, and Carpentaria acuminata. These findings are crucial for stakeholders because they highlight new hosts of 16SrIV-D phytoplasma and the geographic expansion of the disease, indicating that vigilance is needed when surveying declining palms.

Sensory evaluation of fermented dairy beverages supplemented with iron and added by Cerrado fruit pulps

Abstract Anemia due to iron deficiency is the most common in the world being characterized as a significant public health issue. Therefore, its prevention and treatment are considered important before it becomes either chronic or grievous; the interventions with superior potential are the medical supplementation with iron salts as well as food mineral enhancement. The objectives of this study were to develop fermented dairy beverages supplemented with iron and added by Cerrado fruit pulps: cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica ), coquinho-azedo (Butia capitata), tamarindo (Tamarindus indica), and umbu ( Spondias tuberosa). In addition, the research intended to evaluate the acceptance of these beverages by children and adolescents from public schools in the city of Montes Claros (MG). The methodology consisted in the production of dairy beverages followed by the evaluation of their quality through physicochemical and microbiological analyses. Posteriorly, children and adolescents assessed the sensorial acceptance. The analyses performed presented satisfactory results for physicochemical and microbiological properties regarding the acceptance of the product. The cagaita and coquinho azedo based dairy beverages were the most accepted whether compared with tamarindo and umbu beverages. The fermented dairy beverage supplemented with iron and added by Cerrado fruits come up as a feasible alternative for dietary supplementation, and can promote beneficial effects in human health due to their sensorial acceptance.