Search Results (10)

Satellite images were used to assess surface water quality based on the concentration of chlorophyll a (chla), light penetration measured by the Secchi disk method (SD), and the Cyanobacteria cells number per mL (cyano). Nine reservoirs are studied in São Paulo State (Brazil); six reservoirs are interconnected, comprising the Cantareira System (CS), and three others are isolated, the Broa, Salto Grande (SG) and Itupararanga (Itu) Reservoirs. For this study, Sentinel-2 images were employed, alongside SNAP image processing software, and the native products conc_chl and kd_z90max, treated using Case 2 Regional Coast Color (C2RCC) atmospheric correction. The database for chla, SD and cyano was obtained from CETESB, the agency legally responsible for operation of the Inland Water Quality Monitoring Network in São Paulo State. For CS, the results demonstrated robustness in the estimates of chla (RMSE = 3.73; NRMSE% = 19%) and SD (RMSE = 2,26; NRMSE% = 14%). Due to the strong relationship between cyano and chla (R² = 0.84, p < 0.01, n = 90), both obtained from field measurements, it was also possible to estimate cyano, based on the estimates of chla from the satellite images. For CS, the estimates revealed a clear pattern, with the upstream reservoirs being more eutrophic, compared to those downstream, particularly due to the high cyano. For Broa, a high correlation was also observed between chla and cyano (R² = 0.6052, RNMSE% = 27, n = 8). Based on the estimates, Broa showed a eutrophic pattern in practically the entire year of 2020, with a predominance of cyanobacteria in the entire water body (from 10,000 to 20,000 cells/mL). For SG, it was possible to observe robustness only for DS, but not for chla. The restricted database available was considered the main explanatory factor for the low robustness observed for (SG), despite the relationships between the field data. For Itu, the C2RCC-Nets demonstrated robustness in the estimates of Chla (RMSE = 4.0 mg/m³; NRMSE = 16.7%) and SD (RMSE = 0.78 m; NRMSE = 19.1%). Despite the good fit of the allometric relationship relating the Chla and Cyano field data, it did not allow validation of the cyano estimates using the conc_chl native S2 product, for Itu. Thus, it is concluded that automatic products are excellent tools for estimating chla and SD, and as a result of the solid relationships between chla and cyano, it is possible to estimate the cyano and observe spatial heterogeneity in water quality, based on SD, cyano, and chla. Full article

Eutrophication process and phytoplankton primary productivity have intensified in continental aquatic ecosystems because of climate change. As a consequence, the proliferation of potentially toxic cyanobacteria is increasing in frequency, magnitude, and duration. For water sources used in public supply, this growth represents an ecological risk to ecosystems and human health. From October 2021 to February 2022, integrated samples of surface water were obtained from 11 reservoirs in São Paulo State, Brazil (Jaguari, Jacarei, Atibainha, Paiva Castro, Rio Grande, Guarapiranga, Barra Bonita, Bariri, Broa, Salto Grande, and Itupararanga). Limnological variables were obtained using the Troll 500 probe, in addition to depth, turbidity (Tur), chlorophyll a (Chla), and phycocyanin (Phy) concentrations (Turner C3 probe). In the laboratory, chlorophyll-a concentrations (ChlaABS) were analyzed. Phytoplankton biovolume (Utermöhl method) was estimated. The concentrations of microcystins (MCs) and saxitoxins (STXs) were analyzed with Beacon kits, in ELISA microplate reader. For the studied reservoirs, the Secchi disc water transparency ranged from 0.6 to 2.3 m. The average values of water temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, and dissolved oxygen were, respectively, 24.8 °C, 162.9 µS/cm, and 8.4 and 9.5 mg/L. For Tur, Chla, Phy, and ChlaABS, ranged from 1.86 to 24.6 NTU, 3.3 to 105.1 µg/L, 12.4 to 445.2 µg/L, and 4.2 to 84.9 µg/L, respectively. Cyanobacteria was the more representative phytoplankton class in biovolume, from 0.07 to 51.7 mm³/L. STXs and MCs were found in most sampled stations. For STXs it ranged from 0.016 µg/L to 0.308 µg/L, and for MCs in some stations it was higher than 200 µg/L. According to the World Health Organization and Brazilian legislation, in the 11 studied reservoirs, the concentrations of saxitoxins are within the maximum allowed limits (3 µg/L), while for microcystins the concentrations are for most reservoirs above the maximum allowed value (1 µg/L). Considering the analyzed information in relation to water quality and the cyanobacterial community, we verify that most of these environments present a worrying water quality, which can represent a risk for public health. Full article

Broa is a Portuguese maize bread with characteristic sensory attributes that can only be achieved using traditional maize varieties. This study intends to disclose the volatile compounds that are mainly associated with the baking process of broas, which can be important contributors to their aroma. Twelve broas were prepared from twelve maize flours (eleven traditional maize varieties and one commercial hybrid). Their volatile compounds were analyzed by GC×GC–ToFMS (two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry) for an untargeted screening of the chemical compounds mainly formed during baking. It was possible to identify 128 volatiles that belonged to the main chemical families formed during this stage. Among these, only 16 had been previously detected in broas. The most abundant were furans, furanones, and pyranones, but the most relevant for the aroma of broas were ascribed to sulfur-containing compounds, in particular dimethyl trisulfide and methanethiol. Pyrazines might contribute negatively to the aroma of broas since they were present in higher amounts in the commercial broa. This work constitutes the most detailed study of the characterization of broas volatile compounds, particularly those formed during the Maillard reaction. These findings may contribute to the characterization of other maize-based foodstuffs, ultimately improving the production of foods with better sensory features. Full article

In Portugal, maize has been used for centuries to produce an ethnic bread called broa, employing traditional maize varieties, which are preferred by the consumers in detriment of commercial hybrids. In order to evaluate the maize volatiles that can influence consumers’ acceptance of broas, twelve broas were prepared from twelve maize varieties (eleven traditional and one commercial hybrid), following a traditional recipe. All maize flours and broas were analyzed by HS-SPME-GC-MS (headspace solid-phase microextraction) and broas were appraised by a consumer sensory panel. In addition, the major soluble phenolics and total carotenoids contents were quantitated in order to evaluate their influence as precursors or inhibitors of volatile compounds. Results showed that the major volatiles detected in maize flours and broas were aldehydes and alcohols, derived from lipid oxidation, and some ketones derived from carotenoids’ oxidation. Both lipid and carotenoids’ oxidation reactions appeared to be inhibited by soluble phenolics. In contrast, phenolic compounds appeared to increase browning reactions during bread making and, consequently, the production of pyranones. Traditional samples, especially those with higher contents in pyranones and lower contents in aldehydes, were preferred by the consumer sensory panel. These findings suggest that, without awareness, consumers prefer broas prepared from traditional maize flours with higher contents in health-promoting phenolic compounds, reinforcing the importance of preserving these valuable genetic resources. Full article

Maize is an important source of phenolic compounds, specially hydroxycinnamic acids, which are widely known for their antioxidant activity and associated health benefits. However, these effects depend on their bioaccessibility, which is influenced by the different techniques used for food processing. Several traditional products can be obtained from maize and, in Portugal, it is used for the production of an ethnic bread called broa. In order to evaluate the effect of processing on maize phenolic composition, one commercial hybrid and five open-pollinated maize flours and broas were studied. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu and ORAC assays, respectively. The major phenolics, namely ferulic and p-coumaric acids (in their soluble-free, soluble-conjugated and insoluble forms), insoluble ferulic acid dimers and soluble hydroxycinnamic acid amides were quantitated. Results show that the total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and hydroxycinnamic acids resisted traditional processing conditions used in the production of broas. The content in soluble-free phenolics increased after processing, meaning that their bioaccessibility improved. Portuguese traditional broas, produced with open-pollinated maize varieties, can be considered an interesting dietary source of antioxidant compounds due to the higher content in hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives. Full article

Maize is one of the most interesting dietary sources of hydroxycinnamic acids, widely known for their beneficial health effects, namely antioxidant properties. This work aims to identify hydroxycinnamic acids and their derivatives in broa, a Portuguese traditional ethnic maize bread, and corresponding maize flours. Soluble and insoluble phenolic fractions of diverse maize flours and corresponding broas were prepared and analysed by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS (high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and tandem mass spectrometry). Besides free hydroxycinnamic acids, mainly ferulic and p-coumaric acids, several structural isomers and stereoisomers of insoluble ferulic acid dehydrodimers (n = 18) and trimers (n = 11), were also identified. Hydroxycinnamic acid amides consisting of coumaroyl and feruloyl conjugates (n = 22) were present in both soluble and insoluble fractions of maize flours and breads, in different isomeric forms. A new compound was putatively identified as bis-N,N′-diferuloyl putrescine. Additionally, more complex and insoluble hydroxycinnamic acid amides, derived from ferulic acid dehydrodimers (n = 47) and trimers (n = 18), were also putatively identified for the first time, suggesting that hydroxycinnamic acid amides are also linked to maize cell walls. Since hydroxycinnamic derivatives were not only identified in maize flours, but also in broas, they can contribute to the antioxidant properties and beneficial health effects of maize-based foods. Full article

The fortification of maize bread with legume flour was explored in order to increase the protein content of the traditional Portuguese bread ‘broa’, comprised of more than 50% maize flour. The optimization of legume incorporation (pea, chickpea, faba bean, lentil), considering the influence of different maize flours (traditional-white, traditional-yellow, hybrid-white, hybrid-yellow), on consumer liking and sensory profiling of ‘broa’ was studied. A panel of 60 naïve tasters evaluated twenty different breads, divided in four sets for each legume flour fortification, each set including four breads with varying maize flour and a control (no legume). Tasters evaluated overall liking and the sensory profile through a check-all-that-apply ballot. Crude protein and water content were also analyzed. There were no significant differences in overall liking between the different types of legumes and maize. The incorporation of chickpea flour yields a sensory profile that most closely resembles the control. The protein content increased, on average, 21% in ‘broa’, with legume flours having the highest value obtained with faba bean incorporation (29% increase). Thus, incorporation of legume flours appears to be an interesting strategy to increase bread protein content, with no significant impact on consumer liking and the ‘broa’ bread sensory profile. Full article

The South Atlantic Ocean is currently undergoing significant alterations due to climate change. This region is important to the global carbon cycle, but marine carbon data are scarce in this basin. Additionally, this region is influenced by Agulhas eddies. However, their effects on ocean biogeochemistry are not yet fully understood. Thus, we aimed to model the carbonate parameters in this region and investigate the anthropogenic carbon (C_ant) content in 13 eddies shed by the Agulhas retroflection. We used in situ data from the CLIVAR/WOCE/A10 section to elaborate total dissolved inorganic carbon (C_T) and total alkalinity (A_T) models and reconstruct those parameters using in situ data from two other Brazilian initiatives. Furthermore, we applied the Tracer combining Oxygen, inorganic Carbon, and total Alkalinity (TrOCA) method to calculate the C_ant, focusing on the 13 identified Agulhas eddies. The C_T and A_T models presented root mean square errors less than 1.66 and 2.19 μmol kg⁻¹, indicating Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network climate precision. The C_ant content in the Agulhas eddies was 23% higher than that at the same depths of the surrounding waters. We observed that Agulhas eddies can play a role in the faster acidification of the South Atlantic Central Water. Full article

In this report, we described the genome of a novel baculovirus isolated from the monocot insect pest Mocis latipes, the striped grass looper. The genome has 134,272 bp in length with a G + C content of 38.3%. Based on the concatenated sequence of the 38 baculovirus core genes, we found that the virus is a betabaculovirus closely related to the noctuid-infecting betabaculoviruses including Pseudaletia unipuncta granulovirus (PsunGV), Trichoplusia ni granulovirus (TnGV), Helicoverpa armigera granulovirus (HearGV), and Xestia c-nigrum granulovirus (XecnGV). The virus may constitute a new Betabaculovirus species tentatively named Mocis latipes granulovirus (MolaGV). After gene content analysis, five open reading frames (ORFs) were found to be unique to MolaGV and several auxiliary genes were found including iap-3, iap-5, bro-a, bro-b, and three enhancins. The virus genome lacked both chitinase and cathepsin. We then looked at the evolutionary history of the enhancin gene and found that betabaculovirus acquired this gene from an alphabaculovirus followed by several duplication events. Gene duplication also happened to an endonuclease-like gene. Genomic and gene content analyses revealed both a strict collinearity and gene expansion into the genome of the MolaGV-related species. We also characterized the granulin gene using a recombinant Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) and found that occlusion bodies were produced into the nucleus of infected cells and presented a polyhedral shape and no occluded virions within. Overall, betabaculovirus genome sequencing is of importance to the field as few genomes are publicly accessible. Mocis latipes is a secondary pest of maize, rice, and wheat crops in Brazil. Certainly, both the discovery and description of novel baculoviruses may lead to development of greener and safer pesticides in order to counteract and effectively control crop damage-causing insect populations Full article

The complete genome of the Orgyia leucostigma nucleopolyhedrovirus (OrleNPV) isolated from the whitemarked tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma, Lymantridae: Lepidoptera) was sequenced, analyzed, and compared to other baculovirus genomes. The size of the OrleNPV genome was 156,179 base pairs (bp) and had a G+C content of 39%. The genome encoded 135 putative open reading frames (ORFs), which occupied 79% of the entire genome sequence. Three inhibitor of apoptosis (ORFs 16, 43 and 63), and five baculovirus repeated ORFs (bro-a through bro-e) were interspersed in the OrleNPV genome. In addition to six direct repeat (drs), a common feature shared among most baculoviruses, OrleNPV genome contained three homologous regions (hrs) that are located in the latter half of the genome. The presence of an F-protein homologue and the results from phylogenetic analyses placed OrleNPV in the genus Alphabaculovirus, group II. Overall, OrleNPV appears to be most closely related to group II alphabaculoviruses Ectropis obliqua (EcobNPV), Apocheima cinerarium (ApciNPV), Euproctis pseudoconspersa (EupsNPV), and Clanis bilineata (ClbiNPV). Full article