nÃo hà / A regiÃo nordeste do Brasil tem grande potencial para a produÃÃo de leite de cabra, e a qualidade do leite produzido à importante para garantir a oferta de um alimento seguro do ponto de vista nutricional e higiÃnico sanitÃrio aos consumidores. O leite de cabra tem alto valor nutricional e possui grande aceitaÃÃo, especialmente em comunidades carentes, uma vez que constitui importante fonte proteica de alta qualidade na dieta dessas pessoas. A distribuiÃÃo gratuita e diÃria do leite de cabra, por meio de programas governamentais, tem o objetivo de reduzir deficiÃncias nutricionais com prioridade para as crianÃas, as gestantes e as nutrizes. O Kit Embrapa de Ordenha Manual foi desenvolvido com o propÃsito de contribuir para a produÃÃo segura do leite, atravÃs de uma tecnologia de baixo custo, ao alcance dos produtores familiares, os quais sÃo responsÃveis por grande parte da produÃÃo de leite de cabra no Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do Kit Embrapa de Ordenha Manual para caprinos leiteiros em propriedades de agricultura familiar, localizadas em trÃs regiÃes do nordeste Brasileiro. Durante o perÃodo de maio de 2010 a fevereiro de 2011, foram colhidas amostras de leite de cabra provenientes de rebanhos dos Estados do CearÃ, ParaÃba e Rio Grande do Norte para determinaÃÃo da composiÃÃo, contagem de cÃlulas somÃticas (CCS) e contagem bacteriana total (CTB). Avaliou-se tambÃm os impactos ambientais e sociais do Kit atravÃs do Sistema Ambitec-Agro. ApÃs a implantaÃÃo do Kit nas propriedades estudadas, observou-se uma diminuiÃÃo mÃdia de 72,1% da CTB e preservaÃÃo das caracterÃsticas de composiÃÃo do leite. A avaliaÃÃo do efeito da CCS sobre os componentes mostrou que houve um decrÃscimo da porcentagem de lactose do leite conforme aumentou a CCS. Dentre as amostras analisadas, 64% apresentavam contagens superiores a 1.000.000 CCS/mL, antes da adoÃÃo do Kit, o que evidenciou a necessidade da implantaÃÃo das Boas PrÃticas de ordenha nas propriedades avaliadas. A avaliaÃÃo de impacto social e ambiental foi positiva, apresentando valores mÃdios de 1,07 e 0,9 na avaliaÃÃo ex-post para os Ãndices de impacto Ambiental e Social, respectivamente, mostrando o potencial desta tecnologia como parte de um conjunto de atitudes capazes de melhorar a qualidade do leite de cabra produzido no Brasil, assim como proporcionar ganhos aos produtores. / The northeastern region of Brazil has great potential for the production of goat milk, and the quality of the milk produced is important to ensure consumers a safe food supply from the nutritional and hygienic-sanitary standpoint. Goat milk has high nutritional value and has a wide acceptance, especially in poor communities, since it is an important protein source in the diet of these people. The free and daily distribution of the goat milk, through government programs, aims to reduce nutritional deficiencies with priority given to children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Kit Embrapa de Ordenha Manual for dairy goats in family farming, located in three regions of northeastern Brazil. This effect was evaluated in samples of goat milk on the composition, somatic cell count (SCC) and total bacterial count (TBC), and also the effect of SCC on the components, by correlation of the data. In parallel, we assessed the environmental and social impacts of the Kit through Sistema Ambitec-Agro. The Kit Embrapa de Ordenha Manual was developed with the purpose of safe milk production through a low-cost technology that is available to family farmers, who are responsible for much of the production of goat milk in Brazil. Its validation in properties of Paraiba, Rio Grande do Norte and Cearà brought positive results, as the average of TBC decreased 72% and the characteristics of milk composition were preserved. The evaluation of SCC effect on the milk components showed that there was a decrease in the percentage of lactose in milk as SCC increased. Among the samples analyzed, 64% had counts exceeding 1.000.000 CCS/mL. This highlights the need for the implementation of hygiene practices on the milking properties evaluated. The social and environmental impact was also positive, with average values of 1.07 and 0.9 in the ex post evaluation indexes for Environmental and Social Impact, respectively, showing the potential of this technology as part of a set of attitudes capable of improving the quality of goat milk produced in Brazil, as well as of providing gains to producers.

Apesar da legislação governamental, dos programas de pagamento por qualidade dos laticínios e do maior consumo de antibióticos, na última década mais de 45% dos rebanhos leiteiros no Brasil tem apresentado CCS acima de 400.000, sem que este valor venha se reduzindo. Existem, no entanto, dentro de uma população submetida às mesmas condições, rebanhos com alta e com baixa CCS. Cabe, então, perguntar por que isto acontece. Dado que a mastite, causadora da alta CCS, é uma doença multifatorial, objetivou-se, neste trabalho, verificar as diferenças entre as propriedades com alta e com baixa CCS e o impacto do homem, tanto o produtor como o ordenhador, sobre a CCS do rebanho. Para isto foram aplicados questionários estruturados e listas de verificação em 68 fazendas participantes de um mesmo programa de pagamento por qualidade e da mesma região. Os rebanhos foram agrupados em fazendas com alta CCS, CCS > 700 mil/mL; e fazendas com baixa CCS, CCS < 250 mil/mL. Os resultados indicam que o homem é o principal diferencial entre os rebanhos. Que tanto o produtor como o ordenhador influencia a CCS do rebanho, sendo que as variáveis que melhor explicam a probabilidade de uma fazenda apresentar baixa CCS são a atitude do produtor e o comportamento do ordenhador com relação à mastite. O comportamento do ordenhador, por sua vez, depende em primeiro lugar dos meios que dispõe para fazer o trabalho e, em segundo lugar, da sua atitude. Portanto, para que se melhore a qualidade do leite, devem ser tomadas medidas direcionadas a modificar a atitude e o comportamento do homem frente à mastite. / Despite the government legislation, of the industry´s programs for milk quality based payment, and the increased use of antibiotics, during the last decade more than 45% of the Brazilian dairy farms have presented SCC over 400.000, and the value does not diminish. Notwithstanding, within the same population and under the same conditions, there are herds of low and high SCC. Then, it is necessary to ask why is this happening. Mastitis is the cause of the high SCC, and mastitis is a multifactorial disease, therefore, the purpose of this research was to find out the differences between the properties with high and low SCC, and find out how the producer and the milker impact the SCC of the herd. For that purpose, structured questionnaires and checklists were applied in 68 farms, which were participating of the same quality-based payment program and were located in the same region. The herds were grouped in cases: farms with high SCC, SCC > 700.000, and controls: herds with low SCC, SCC < 250.000. The results suggest that the man is the main differential between farms. That the producer and the milker impact the SCC of the herd, and that the variables that better explain the chance of a farm to present low SCC, are the producer´s attitude and the milker\'s behavior toward mastitis. The results also showed that the milker\'s behavior depends mainly of the means and secondly, of his attitude. Therefore, to improve the milk quality, must be taken measures to modify the attitude and behavior of the man.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Os postos revendedores de combustÃveis (PRCs) sÃo instalaÃÃes que exercem a atividade de revenda varejista de combustÃveis lÃquidos derivados do petrÃleo, gÃs e Ãlcool combustÃvel. Esta atividade à reconhecida como importante fonte de emissÃo de compostos orgÃnicos volÃteis (VOCs), dentre os quais destacam-se os BTEX (benzeno, tolueno, etilbenzeno e xilenos) e os compostos carbonÃlicos (CCs) (formaldeÃdo e acetaldeÃdo). Estes compostos facilmente inalados pelos frentistas e usuÃrios durante o processo de abastecimento dos veÃculos e exaustÃo dos carros, constituem um perigo para à saÃde humana, mesmo em baixas concentraÃÃes. Neste trabalho avaliou-se a exposiÃÃo ocupacional de trabalhadores frentistas a BTEX e CCs, oriundos das atividades de abastecimento e queima de combustÃveis em trÃs PRCs durante os perÃodos seco (setembro-dezembro/2009) e chuvoso (fevereiro-junho/2010) na cidade de Fortaleza. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que uma comparaÃÃo direta entre os PRCs durante os perÃodos seco e chuvoso, revelou que o posto 2 apresentou os maiores nÃveis de concentraÃÃo de BTEX, seguido pelo posto 3 e posto 1. As concentraÃÃes mÃdias mensais de CCs mostraram que o formaldeÃdo, acetaldeÃdo e acroleÃna foram as principais carbonilas detectadas. Os resultados mostraram uma estreita relaÃÃo (R > 0,845) entre o volume de gasolina vendida e a concentraÃÃo de BTEX. A razÃo de concentraÃÃo formaldeÃdo/acetaldeÃdo mostrou que as emissÃes veiculares e a queima de combustÃveis predominam nos PRCs. A probabilidade de risco de cÃncer para homens ao longo de 30 e 5 anos de exposiÃÃo para benzeno e formaldeÃdo ficaram acima do limite estabelecido como seguro pela USEPA. A mesma tendÃncia foi observada para as mulheres frentistas, pois de acordo com as equaÃÃes de risco, este grupo constitui o mais sensÃvel. Neste contexto, programas de treinamento contÃnuo e soluÃÃes tÃcnicas devem ser implementadas para a reduÃÃo dos riscos ocupacionais a BTEX e CCs em postos revendedores de combustÃveis. / The gas stations (GS) are facilities engaged in the activity of retail sale of liquid fuels derived from petroleum, gas and alcohol. This activity is recognized as an important source of emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), among which are the BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) and carbonyl compounds (CCs) (formaldehyde and acetaldehyde). These compounds easily inhaled by attendants and users during the process of refueling and exhaust of vehicles, are a danger to human health even at low concentrations. In this study we evaluated the occupational exposure of workers to BTEX and CCs attendants, from the activities of refuelling and combustion of gasoline in three GSs during the dry (September to December/2009) and rainy (February to June/2010) in Fortaleza. The results showed that a direct comparison between the GSs during the rainy and dry seasons, revealed that the station 2 had the highest concentrations of BTEX, followed by the station 3 and station 1. The monthly average concentrations of CCs showed that formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein, were the major carbonyl detected. The results showed a close relationship (R > 0.845) between the volume of gasoline sold and the concentration of BTEX. The concentration ratio formaldehyde / acetaldehyde showed that vehicle emissions and the burning of fuels predominate in GSs. The probability of cancer risk for men over 30 and 5 years of exposure to benzene and formaldehyde were above the limit established as safe by the USEPA. The same trend was observed for women attendants, because according to the equations of risk, this group is the most sensitive. In this context, training programs and technical solutions must be implemented to reduce occupational hazards to BTEX and CCs in fuel service stations.

O presente estudo teve por finalidade avaliar os efeitos da contagem de células somáticas (CCS) no leite cru (nos níveis de 100-200.000, 400-500.000 e >800.000 céls./mL) sobre as características físicas, químicas, microbiológicas, sensoriais e funcionais dos queijos Minas Frescal e tipo Mussarela. Utilizou-se um delineamento experimental em parcelas subdivididas em blocos, considerando-se a contagem de células somáticas como efeito principal, os dias de análise como subparcelas e os processamentos como blocos. Cada tipo de leite foi obtido da ordenha de animais previamente selecionados de acordo com o nível de células somáticas. As etapas de elaboração dos queijos incluíram a pasteurização do leite (65º C, 30 minutos), adição de cloreto de cálcio, fermento (para a Mussarela) e coalho, coagulação e obtenção do coágulo, dessoragem, salga na massa, filagem, moldagem, salga na salmoura (para a Mussarela), e embalagem dos produtos. Os queijos foram mantidos em B.O.D. a 4 ºC e avaliados nos dias 2, 9, 16, 23 e 30 após a fabricação. A seqüência de elaboração dos queijos Minas e tipo Mussarela foi repetida 5 e 3 vezes, respectivamente, para cada tratamento. As análises realizadas nos queijos foram: pH, acidez, percentuais de gordura, matéria seca (MS), cinzas, nitrogênio total (NT), nitrogênio não protéico (NNP), nitrogênio não caseinoso (NNC), índice de proteólise, ácidos graxos livres (AGL), textura, avaliação sensorial, propriedades funcionais (capacidade de derretimento a 107 ºC e percentual de óleo livre - somente no queijo tipo Mussarela), contagem de mesófilos, psicrotróficos e número mais provável a 35 e 45 ºC. No queijo Minas Frescal, não houve interação entre CCS e dias de armazenamentos nas avaliações físico-químicas, microbiológicas, funcionais e índice de lipólise, porém houve efeito significativo (P<0,05) para índices de proteólise e profundidade da proteólise. Já para mesófilos, psicrotróficos, acidez, matéria seca, firmeza e ácidos graxos livres houve efeito significativo (P<0,05) ao avaliar dias de armazenamento. A avaliação sensorial, no primeiro dia de análise, não apresentou diferença significativa nos atributos, porém o queijo de alta CCS (> 800.000 céls./mL) diferiu dos demais no dia 30, em que recebeu menor nota em todas as características. No queijo tipo Mussarela, houve interação entre CCS e dias de armazenamento apenas para a capacidade de derretimento, resultando em aumento do derretimento no decorrer do tempo. Para as características de pH, ácidos graxos livres, índices de proteólise, extensão e profundidade da proteólise, mastigabilidade e elasticidade houve efeito significativo (P<0,05) para dias de armazenamento. Entre os atributos avaliados na sensorial, apenas a aparência apresentou diferença entre tratamentos. O rendimento dos queijos, Minas frescal e tipo Mussarela, não foram influenciados pela quantidade de células somáticas dos leites. Os resultados do trabalho indicaram que o leite destinado à fabricação dos queijos Minas e tipo Mussarela deve apresentar CCS até 400-500.000 céls./mL, de maneira a evitar alterações na qualidade dos produtos ao longo do período de armazenagem. / The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of somatic cells counts (SCC) in raw milk (at levels of 100-200,000, 400-500,000 and 800,000 cells./mL) on physical, chemical, microbiological, sensorial and functional characteristics of Minas frescal and Mozzarella type cheeses. A completely randomized block design was used, considering SCC as the main effect, the days of analysis as sub parcels and the processing batches as the blocks. Each type of milk was obtained from cows previously selected according to its individual SCC. The manufacture of cheeses included: pasteurization of milk (65ºC, 30 minutes), addition of calcium chloride, starter culture (for Mozzarella) and rennet, coagulation and separation of the curd, whey drainage, salting (for Minas cheese), stretching of the curd, kneading and salting in brine (for Mozzarella), and packing the products. The cheeses were stored in a B.O.D. oven at 4ºC and evaluated on days 2, 9, 16 23 and 30 after the manufacture. The sequence of elaboration of the Minas frescal and Mozzarella cheeses was repeated 5 and 3 times, respectively, for each treatment. The analyses carried out in the cheeses were: pH, acidity, percentages of fat, dry matter (DM), ashes, total nitrogen (NT), non-protein-nitrogen (NPN), non-casein nitrogen (NCN), proteolysis, free fatty acids (FFA), texture, sensorial evaluation, functional properties (melting capacity the 107 ºC and percentage of free oil - only in the cheese Mozzarella), mesophile and psychrotrophic counts and the most probable number at 30 and 45ºC. For Minas frescal cheese, no interaction was found between SCC and days of storage when considering the data on chemical, physical, microbiological, functional and lipolysis index. However, a significant effect (P<0.05) was observed for proteolysis and depth of proteolysis. For mesophiles, psychrotrophics, acidity, dry matter, firmness and free fatty acids, there was a significant effect (P<0.05) for days of storage. The sensorial evaluation made on the first day of analysis did not present significant differences for all attributes. However, the Minas cheese made with high SCC (800,000 cells/mL) differed on day 30, when it received worse grades for all the attributes. For the Mozzarella cheese, an interaction between SCC and days of storage was observed only for the melting capacity, which resulted in an increment of the melting along the time of storage. The parameters of pH, free fatty acid, proteolysis, extension and depth of proteolysis, springiness and elasticity had significant effect (P<0.05) for days of storage. Amongst the attributes evaluated in the sensorial, only the appearance presented difference between treatments. The yield of Minas frescal and Mozzarella cheese was not influenced by the amount of somatic cells in the original milk. Results indicated that milk used for the manufacture of Minas frescal and Mozzarella cheeses should present SCC up to 400-500,000 cells/mL, in order to avoid quality changes in those products during storage.

O uso de antibióticos para tratamento da mastite bovina subclínica durante a lactação apresenta restrições econômicas e a administração indiscriminada e inadequada destes medicamentos os torna potencialmente tóxicos aos animais e aos consumidores finais dos produtos lácteos. A utilização de medicamentos homeopáticos oferece menor custo, facilidade de administração, não há risco de resistência microbiana e não é necessário o descarte do leite dos animais em tratamento. Além disso, a homeopatia é reconhecida no Brasil como especialidade médica veterinária e aceita para uso no sistema de produção animal orgânico. Portanto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia de dois protocolos homeopáticos para tratamento da mastite bovina subclínica durante a lactação. O experimento foi realizado no período de seis meses e dividido em duas etapas. Na Etapa I, um grupo foi medicado com Sulphur 30CH, enquanto que o outro recebeu placebo. Na Etapa II, um grupo foi medicado com Calcarea carbonica 30CH e o outro grupo recebeu placebo. Os medicamentos foram administrados a cada trinta dias na Etapa I e a cada quinze dias na Etapa II. Em cada etapa foram coletadas amostras de leite antes, durante e após o tratamento. Para avaliar a eficácia dos protocolos, durante o experimento foram analisadas 138 amostras de leite na Etapa I e 72 amostras na Etapa II, realizando-se prova de Tamis, California Mastitis Test (CMT), contagem de células somáticas (CCS), quantificação de polimorfonucleares (PMN) e mononucleares (MN) por microscopia óptica, exame microbiológico e mensuração da produção leiteira. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas utilizando o software Graphpad Instat 1990-93. Os protocolos homeopáticos testados não diminuíram a celularidade do leite, pois não houve diferenças significativas nos resultados do CMT e da CCS no decorrer do experimento. Também não foi constatada nenhuma alteração significante na produção láctea. O microrganismo isolado com maior frequência no rebanho estudado foi o Corynebacterium bovis. Porém, não houve diferenças significativas em relação à frequência de isolamento deste microrganismo ao longo dos tratamentos, indicando a sua permanência nas glândulas mamárias. Além disso, observou-se durante todo o experimento o predomínio de células PMN em relação às MN. Sugere-se o estudo de novos protocolos homeopáticos com outros medicamentos, potência e frequência de administração, a fim de buscar alternativas para o tratamento de vacas com mastite subclínica / The use of antibiotics for treatment of bovine subclinical mastitis during lactation presents economic restrictions and the indiscriminate and inappropriate administration of these drugs makes them potentially toxic to animals and consumers of dairy products. The use of homeopathic medicine offers lower cost, ease of administration, no risk of microbial resistance and is not necessary to discard milk from animals under treatment. Furthermore, homeopathy is recognized as a medical specialty in Brazil and support for veterinary use in organic livestock production system. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two protocols for homeopathic treatment of bovine subclinical mastitis during lactation. The experiment was performed between six months and divided into two stages. In Phase I, one group was treated with Sulphur 30CH, while the other received placebo. In Phase II, one group was treated with Calcarea carbonica 30CH and the other group received placebo. The drugs were administered every thirty days in the Phase I and every fifteen days in the Phase II. At each step the milk samples were collected before, during and after treatment. To evaluate the effectiveness of the protocols during the experiment were analyzed 138 samples of milk at Phase I and 72 samples at Phase II, performing proof Tamis, California Mastitis Test (CMT), somatic cell count (SCC), quantification of polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear (MN) by optical microscopy, microbiological examination and measurement of milk production. Statistical analysis was performed using the software Graphpad Instat 1990-93. The homeopathic protocols tested not diminished cellularity of milk because there were no significant differences in the results of CMT and SCC during the experiment. Nor was it found no significant change in milk production. The organism isolated most frequently in the herd studied was Corynebacterium bovis. However, no significant differences were observed in the frequency of isolation of this microorganism during the treatments, indicating his permanence in the mammary glands. Furthermore, it was observed during the experiment a predominance of PMN cells compared to MN. It is suggested the study of new protocols with other homeopathic medicines, potency and frequency of administration, to find alternatives for the treatment of cows with subclinical mastitis

A mastite é uma doença complexa que pode ter diferentes causas, graus de intensidade e variações de duração e de conseqüências. Os processos inflamatórios na glândula mamária são especialmente freqüentes e importantes em bovinos leiteiros. A mastite infecciosa é a mais importante sob os pontos de vista econômico e de saúde pública. A forma subclínica é a mais onerosa e prevalente com um comprometimento mundial de 40% do rebanho leiteiro e perdas econômicas entre 5% e 25% da produção leiteira. No Brasil, a mastite subclínica caracteriza-se pela alta incidência, com índices variando de 44,88% a 97,0%, e a redução da produção leiteira situa-se entre 25,4% e 43,0%. Dentre os agentes etiológicos mais isolados em casos de mastite subclínica destacam-se os Staphylococcus spp., os Streptococcus spp. e o Corynebacterium bovis. A quantidade de UFC/mL no leite proveniente diretamente da glândula mamária bovina com infecção permitiria o conhecimento da quantidade de microrganismos associada a uma determinada intensidade de processo inflamatório na glândula. A comparação destas informações com a contagem de células somáticas na amostra avaliaria mais acuradamente a natureza do processo inflamatório e infeccioso na glândula. Importante seria o risco que representa a presença de microrganismos no leite, sobretudo se considerar o hábito do consumo de leite in natura, verificando em um estudo quantitativo desta natureza, a carga microbiana ingerida pelo homem. Foram examinadas 80 amostras de leite de vacas mestiças ou holandesas, primíparas e multíparas, em diferentes estágios de lactação de plantéis do Estado de São Paulo. Quatro grupos foram formados de 20 animais cada: grupos com crescimento negativo, de Staphylococcus spp. e Streptococcus spp. em cultura pura e grupo com a associação de ambos microrganismos. O objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em avaliação comparativa da quantidade de UFC/mL de microrganismos e CCSs no leite proveniente de glândulas mamárias bovinas, associadas com a presença dos microrganismos Staphylococcus spp. e Streptococcus spp. e infecções mistas ocorridas com a presença de ambos. Tanto Staphylococcus spp. (mediana = 4,772), quanto Streptococcus spp. em cultura pura (mediana = 5,933), não apresentam diferenças significativas na contagem de UFC com seus respectivos agentes em associação (Staphylococcus spp. com mediana da associação foi de 5,048 e mediana de Streptococcus spp. da associação foi de 5,792). Nas amostras em que houve crescimento de Staphylococcus spp. e Streptococcus spp. associados, a quantidade de UFC de Streptococcus spp. foi estatisticamente maior. Comparados entre si (crescimento em cultura pura de Staphylococcus spp. com mediana = 5,765 e Streptococcus spp., mediana = 5,920), mesmo apresentando um maior número na CCSs no grupo de crescimento de Streptococcus spp., este aumento não foi significativo estatisticamente. Porém, quando associados (mediana = 5,673), comparados à cultura pura de Staphylococcus spp. (mediana = 5,765), este último teve aumento significativo. Tanto em cultura pura como em associação, a presença dos microrganismos quando comparados, não induziram a um aumento significativo na CCSs ou à contagem de UFCs em amostras de leite com sinais de mastite subclínica, porém Staphylococcus spp. induziu maior contagem de células somáticas / Mastitis is a complex disease that can occur due to different causes, intensity of degrees and variation of duration and consequences. The inflammatory processes in the mammary gland are specially frequent and important in dairy producing cattle. The infectious mastitis is the most important because of the economic aspects and public health. The subclinical manifestation is the most expensive and prevailing affecting 40% of the milk producing herd and causing an economic loss between 5% and 25% of all dairy production. In Brazil, the subclinical mastitis is characterized by high incidence, with indexes varying from 44,8% to 97,0 % with the reduction of milk production between 25,4% and 43%. Among the more isolated etiological agents in subclinical mastitis, is the Staphylococcus spp., the Streptococcus spp. and the Corynebacterium bovis. The amount of CFU/mL in the milk directly originated from the infected cow mammary gland would make possible to know the amount of microorganisms associated to a determined intensity of inflammatory process in the gland. The comparison between this information with the number of body cells in the sample would evaluate more precisely the nature of the inflammatory process in the gland. The risk represented by the presence of microorganisms in the milk is very important mainly because of the habit of milk consumption in natura, checked in a quantitative study of this nature, based on the amount of microbes intake by man. Eight milk samples of half-breed cows and Dutch cows were examined as well as those in first or after various calving, in different lactation stages in breeding stocks in São Paulo State. Four groups were organized, with 20 animals in each with negative Staphylococcus spp. growth and Streptococcus spp. in pure culture and group, with the association of both microorganisms. The purpose of this study is the comparative assessment of the amount of CFU/mL of microorganisms and CCSs in the milk from the mammary bovine glands, associated with the presence of microorganisms Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. and a mixed infection that occurred with the presence of both. The Staphylococcus spp. (median = 4,772) as well as the Streptococcus spp. in pure culture (median= 5,933) did not show significant differences in the CFU count, with their respective agents in association (Staphylococcus spp. with median of association was of 5,048 and median of Streptococcus spp. of the association was of 5,792). On the samples in which there was a growth of Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. associated, the amount of CFU of Streptococcus spp. was statistically larger. Compared between themselves (growth in pure culture of Staphylococcus spp., median = 5,920, this increase wasnt statistically significant. Although when associated (median=5,673), compared to the pure culture of Staphylococcus spp. (median=5,765), the latter had a significant increase. In pure culture as well as in association, the presence of microorganisms when compared to a significant increase in CCSs or to the CFUs count in milk samples with indication of subclinical mastitis, but the Staphylococcus spp. induced a larger count of somatic cells

Carbon capture and storage technologies (CCS) are expected to play a key role in the future energy matrix. Different gas separation processes are under investigation with the purpose of becoming a more economical alternative than solvent based post combustion configurations. Previous works have proved that pressure swing adsorption (PSA) cycles manage to reach similar carbon capture targets than conventional amine process but with approx. a 50% lower specific energy consumption when they are applied at lab scale. These encouraging results suggest that research must be undertaken to study the feasibility of this technology at a low to medium power plant scale. The simulation of PSA cycles is a computationally challenging and time consuming task that requires as well a large set of experimentally measured data as input parameters. The assumption of Equilibrium Theory reduces the amount of empirically determined input variables that are necessary for modelling adsorption dynamics as well as enabling a simpler code implementation for the simulators. As part of this work, an Equilibrium Theory PSA cycle solver (Esim) was developed, the novel tool enables the quantification of the thermodynamic limit for a given PSA cycle allowing as well a pre-selection of promising operating conditions and configurations (high separation efficiency) for further investigation by using full governing equation based software The tool presented in this thesis is able to simulate multi-transition adsorption systems that obey any kind of equilibrium isotherm function without modifying its main code. The second part of this work is devoted to the design, simulation and optimisation of two stage two bed Skarmstrom PSA cycles to be applied as a pre-combustion process in a biomass gasification CHP plant. Simulations were carried out employing an in house software (CySim) in which full governing equations have been implemented. An accurate analysis of the operating conditions and cycle configurations was undertaken in order to improve the performance of the carbon capture unit. It was estimated that the energy penalty associated with the incorporation of the adsorptive pre combustion process was lower for a conventional post combustion solvent unit, leading as well to lower specific energy consumption per unit of captured CO2 and higher overall efficiencies for the CHP plant with installed pre-combustion PSA cycles. This work is pioneer in its kind as far as modelling, simulation, optimisation and integration of PSA units in energy industries is concerned and its results are expected to contribute to the deployment of this technology in the future energy matrix.

In the UK, the debate surrounding energy production lies at the forefront of the political agenda, with growing emphasis on achieving an increasingly sustainable energy mix into the future. The nuclear option is especially debatable - issues such as waste management and decommissioning receive much attention. In addition, the many stakeholders interested in nuclear power display very divergent views on its sustainability. Since the turn of the century, nuclear power has received much attention globally, with many nations’ governments taking consideration of the potential benefits of new nuclear adoption. Conversely, the Fukushima nuclear disaster has led to new nuclear resistance in other nations, such as Germany, where plans have been made to stop nuclear power generation completely. This research aims to help inform the debate on nuclear power and the future UK electricity mix. A multi-criteria decision support framework (developed by the SPRIng Project) has been used for these purposes, taking into account technical, economic, environmental and social criteria.The methodology used in this work has involved: stakeholder consultation; use of future electricity scenarios; sustainability assessment of current and future electricity options (Pressurised Water Reactor, European Pressurised Reactor, European Fast Rector, coal, gas, solar and wind power, and coal carbon capture and storage [CCS] power); assessment of future electricity scenarios based on both sustainability impacts and stakeholder (expert and public) preferences for the sustainability indicators and electricity technologies. The sustainability assessment of future nuclear power options and coal CCS power have been carried out here for the first time in a UK-specific context.Based on the public and expert opinions on the importance of different sustainability indicators, results of the scenario analysis suggest that the scenario with a high penetration of low-carbon technologies (nuclear [60%] and offshore wind power [40%]) is the most sustainable. For the sample considered in this study, this finding is not sensitive to different stakeholder and public opinions on the importance of the sustainability indicators. However, when the stakeholder preferences for individual technologies are considered, scenarios with high penetration of renewables (26-40% solar and 20-48% wind) become the preferred options. This is due to the favourable stakeholder opinion on solar and wind power. In that case, the scenario with high penetration of nuclear is never the preferred option due to the low to moderate stakeholder preference for nuclear power.Therefore, the results from this research suggest that the ‘sustainability’ of different electricity options and scenarios is highly dependent on stakeholder preferences and priorities. Thus, for successful future deployment of these options and implementation of energy policy measures, transparency of information on the impacts of electricity options is key in ensuring that stakeholder opinions are founded in the actual rather than the perceived impacts of these options.

Utilization of waste as fuel for heat and power production is commonplace in Sweden, and the fossil emissions from the incineration of waste is primarily derived from the share of plastics in the fuel. Reducing the share of fossil material in the fuel should therefore lead to diminished local emissions. Alternatively, district heating with waste incineration have potential for implementation of CCS technology, that have the possibility to create negative emissions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential of emission reduction and cost efficiency for three different measures that can be applied for waste incineration: sorting of waste, requirement specification and implementation of CCS technology. This was made with the case of Stockholm Exergi, a district heating actor in the Stockholm region with a desire to achieve emission reduction sufficient to offset additional emissions from a new waste incineration facility in development. The measures were compared by constructing distinct scenarios where the emissions and costs of the scenarios could be found in comparison to a reference case where no measures had been applied. For this, modelling of the properties of the waste streams used as fuel was necessary. The results showed that the capacity for sorting is not sufficient to achieve the desired levels of emission reduction on its own, while it is a cost-efficient measure. Requirement specification together with sorting can reduce the emissions to desired levels, but the required reduction of plastics in the fuel is significant. The additional quantities of waste required to produce energy at the same level as before limiting the shares of plastic results in an income from gate fees that mitigate the potential decrease in value of the gate fees brought on by requirement specification. Implementation of CCS technology would create significant negative emissions and yield overall net negative emissions for the studied facilities, but the cost of the technology would create a dependency of external incentives to keep it profitable.

The thesis focuses on CCS and CCU technologies, which could find application in industry and other sectors in the future. These technologies are used to reduce CO2 emissions, mainly from point sources. This thesis provides a comprehensive overview and division of CCS and CCU technologies and points out negative effects of its installation. Part of the work is also a comparison of individual steps of technology, both from an energetic and financial point of view. The aim is to show a wide range of influences on the final price and a significant discrepancy in the results of some scientific works. At the same time, in some parts, you can find a detailed description of individual parts of the technology.