Bibliography: p. 134. / Issued also as a Ph.D. thesis in the Dept. of Electrical Engineering, 1968. / Contract no. AF-33(615)-3227, Task no.504211.

Capes; Fundação Araucária / Tendo em vista a crescente demanda por substituição de materiais de embalagens usuais por biodegradáveis bem como pela necessidade da manutenção de segurança dos alimentos durante seu armazenamento, o desenvolvimento de embalagens bioativas biodegradáveis torna-se importante. No presente trabalho foram produzidos laminados compostos por blendas de poli(L-ácido lático) (PLLA), amido termoplástico (TPS) e gelatina por extrusão e calandragem. O processo apresentou-se como uma forma viável para produzir blendas de PLLA / TPS / gelatina com propriedades funcionais interessantes e aspecto homogêneo. A adição de gelatina em diferentes proporções (1, 3 e 5% em relação ao TPS) apresentou diferença significativa nos resultados das análises de solubilidade, permeabilidade ao vapor de água (PVA) e isotermas de sorção de água devido à hidrofilicidade da mesma. Além disso, a incorporação de gelatina na blenda afetou significativamente as propriedades mecânicas através da redução da rigidez associada à incompatibilidade entre PLLA, amido e gelatina, como revelado pelas imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Nanopartículas de prata (AgNPs) foram sintetizadas para incorporação aos laminados pela técnica do polissacarídeo modificada, onde nitrato de prata foi reduzido a prata metálica por D-glicose. O diâmetro médio foi determinado através de três técnicas: Espalhamento Dinâmico de Luz (DLS, 63 nm), por Espectrofotômetria UV-Vis (100 nm) e por análise das imagens de MEV (145 nm). Com a análise de FTIR foi possível detectar interações entre os grupamento C=O dos subprodutos de oxidação da D-glicose, produto da reação com o nitrato de prata. As AgNPs apresentaram ação antimicrobiana eficaz contra os microrganismos Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli e Pseudomanas aeruginosa, sendo a Concentração Inibitória Mínima igual a 1,17 µg/ml para E. coli (menor resistência) e 37,50 µg/ml para S. aureus (maior resistência). Os laminados foram tratados superficialmente com a solução resultante da síntese das AgNPs por reticulação enzimática (transglutaminase). Nas imagens de MEV foi possível verificar que os laminados tratados apresentaram maior porosidade em função da umidade promovida pelo tratamento. Através da porosidade criada foram detectadas diferenças significativas nas análises de PVA e propriedades mecânicas. Houve aumento da PVA e redução em todas as propriedades mecânicas, principalmente no módulo de Young em função da criação de pontos de concentração de força. As isotermas apresentaram ajuste adequado ao modelo de GAB (R2>0,99). A atividade antimicrobiana dos laminados contendo AgNPs foi comprovada pela formação de halos de inibição contra os microorganismos descritos anteriormente. Finalmente, os laminados produzidos possuem potencial de aplicação como embalagens ativas com propriedades antimicrobianas e de biodegradação para alimentos. / Due to the growing demand for replacement of the usual packaging materials for biodegradable as well as the need to maintain food safety during storage, the development of bioactive biodegradable packaging becomes important. In this work sheets were produced by extrusion and calendaring process using blends of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), thermoplastic starch (TPS) and gelatin . The process is presented as a viable way to produce blends of PLLA/TPS/gelatin with interesting functional properties and homogeneous appearance. The addition of gelatin in different proportions (1, 3 and 5% related to TPS) showed a significant difference in the solubility test results, the water vapor permeability (WVP) and water sorption isotherms due to gelatin hydrophilicity. Furthermore the incorporation of gelatin in the blend significantly affected the mechanical properties by reducing stiffness associated with incompatibility between PLLA, starch and gelatin, as shown by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized for incorporation into the extruded sheets by the modified polysaccharide technique, where silver nitrate is reduced to metallic silver by D-glucose. The average diameter was determined by three techniques: Dynamic light scattering (DLS, 63 nm) by UV-Vis spectrophotometry (100 nm) and by analysis of SEM images (145 nm). With the analysis of FTIR was possible to detect interactions between the C = O groups of D-glucose oxidation byproducts, products of the reaction with silver nitrate. AgNPs presented effective antimicrobial action against the microorganisms: Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration equal to 1.17 µg/ml for E. coli (lower resistance) and 37.50 µg/ml for S. aureus (greater resistance). The extruded sheets were surface treated with the resulting solution from AgNPs synthesis and enzymatically crosslinked with transglutaminase. At the SEM images it was possible to verify that the treated laminates exhibited higher porosity due to moisture promoted by the treatment. The created porosity influenced significantly the results of the WVP and mechanical properties. There was an increase in vapor permeation and a reduction in all mechanical characteristics, particularly in Young's modulus due to the creation of tension concentration points. The isotherms showed adequate adjustment to GAB model (R2> 0.99). The antimicrobial activity of the laminates containing AgNPs was confirmed by the formation of inhibition zones against the microorganisms described above. Finally, the sheets produced have potential application as active packaging with antimicrobial and biodegradable properties for food.

Capes; Fundação Araucária / Tendo em vista a crescente demanda por substituição de materiais de embalagens usuais por biodegradáveis bem como pela necessidade da manutenção de segurança dos alimentos durante seu armazenamento, o desenvolvimento de embalagens bioativas biodegradáveis torna-se importante. No presente trabalho foram produzidos laminados compostos por blendas de poli(L-ácido lático) (PLLA), amido termoplástico (TPS) e gelatina por extrusão e calandragem. O processo apresentou-se como uma forma viável para produzir blendas de PLLA / TPS / gelatina com propriedades funcionais interessantes e aspecto homogêneo. A adição de gelatina em diferentes proporções (1, 3 e 5% em relação ao TPS) apresentou diferença significativa nos resultados das análises de solubilidade, permeabilidade ao vapor de água (PVA) e isotermas de sorção de água devido à hidrofilicidade da mesma. Além disso, a incorporação de gelatina na blenda afetou significativamente as propriedades mecânicas através da redução da rigidez associada à incompatibilidade entre PLLA, amido e gelatina, como revelado pelas imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Nanopartículas de prata (AgNPs) foram sintetizadas para incorporação aos laminados pela técnica do polissacarídeo modificada, onde nitrato de prata foi reduzido a prata metálica por D-glicose. O diâmetro médio foi determinado através de três técnicas: Espalhamento Dinâmico de Luz (DLS, 63 nm), por Espectrofotômetria UV-Vis (100 nm) e por análise das imagens de MEV (145 nm). Com a análise de FTIR foi possível detectar interações entre os grupamento C=O dos subprodutos de oxidação da D-glicose, produto da reação com o nitrato de prata. As AgNPs apresentaram ação antimicrobiana eficaz contra os microrganismos Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli e Pseudomanas aeruginosa, sendo a Concentração Inibitória Mínima igual a 1,17 µg/ml para E. coli (menor resistência) e 37,50 µg/ml para S. aureus (maior resistência). Os laminados foram tratados superficialmente com a solução resultante da síntese das AgNPs por reticulação enzimática (transglutaminase). Nas imagens de MEV foi possível verificar que os laminados tratados apresentaram maior porosidade em função da umidade promovida pelo tratamento. Através da porosidade criada foram detectadas diferenças significativas nas análises de PVA e propriedades mecânicas. Houve aumento da PVA e redução em todas as propriedades mecânicas, principalmente no módulo de Young em função da criação de pontos de concentração de força. As isotermas apresentaram ajuste adequado ao modelo de GAB (R2>0,99). A atividade antimicrobiana dos laminados contendo AgNPs foi comprovada pela formação de halos de inibição contra os microorganismos descritos anteriormente. Finalmente, os laminados produzidos possuem potencial de aplicação como embalagens ativas com propriedades antimicrobianas e de biodegradação para alimentos. / Due to the growing demand for replacement of the usual packaging materials for biodegradable as well as the need to maintain food safety during storage, the development of bioactive biodegradable packaging becomes important. In this work sheets were produced by extrusion and calendaring process using blends of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), thermoplastic starch (TPS) and gelatin . The process is presented as a viable way to produce blends of PLLA/TPS/gelatin with interesting functional properties and homogeneous appearance. The addition of gelatin in different proportions (1, 3 and 5% related to TPS) showed a significant difference in the solubility test results, the water vapor permeability (WVP) and water sorption isotherms due to gelatin hydrophilicity. Furthermore the incorporation of gelatin in the blend significantly affected the mechanical properties by reducing stiffness associated with incompatibility between PLLA, starch and gelatin, as shown by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized for incorporation into the extruded sheets by the modified polysaccharide technique, where silver nitrate is reduced to metallic silver by D-glucose. The average diameter was determined by three techniques: Dynamic light scattering (DLS, 63 nm) by UV-Vis spectrophotometry (100 nm) and by analysis of SEM images (145 nm). With the analysis of FTIR was possible to detect interactions between the C = O groups of D-glucose oxidation byproducts, products of the reaction with silver nitrate. AgNPs presented effective antimicrobial action against the microorganisms: Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration equal to 1.17 µg/ml for E. coli (lower resistance) and 37.50 µg/ml for S. aureus (greater resistance). The extruded sheets were surface treated with the resulting solution from AgNPs synthesis and enzymatically crosslinked with transglutaminase. At the SEM images it was possible to verify that the treated laminates exhibited higher porosity due to moisture promoted by the treatment. The created porosity influenced significantly the results of the WVP and mechanical properties. There was an increase in vapor permeation and a reduction in all mechanical characteristics, particularly in Young's modulus due to the creation of tension concentration points. The isotherms showed adequate adjustment to GAB model (R2> 0.99). The antimicrobial activity of the laminates containing AgNPs was confirmed by the formation of inhibition zones against the microorganisms described above. Finally, the sheets produced have potential application as active packaging with antimicrobial and biodegradable properties for food.

Minimally processed fruits and vegetables are increasingly demanded by local consumers and for export purposes. However, the marketing potential of these produce is limited because of physiological ageing, biochemical changes and microbiological spoilage that lead to a short shelf life. The use of polymeric packaging films to control microbial and metabolic processes and edible coatings to control the white blush formation respectively, have shown potential in improving the quality of minimally processed carrots. In combination they may form a double barrier to gases and water vapour that could provide an interaction effect to enhance the shelf life of minimally processed carrots. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of the polymeric packaging films of different permeability and edible coatings at different levels of concentration, alone and in combination on the physiological and biochemical, microbiological, and sensory quality of minimally processed carrots. A factorial experiment of 3 polymeric packaging films x 3 levels of edible coating was conducted. The three polymeric packaging films were P-Plus®, an oriented polypropylene which were fully permeable to gases and water vapour (pi, control), semi permeable (p160) and least permeable (p90) to gases only. The semi permeable and least permeable packaging had similar water vapour permeability. The coating was Nature Seal®, a cellulose based, at 0% (control), 7.5% and 15% w/w. Carrots were minimally processed into slices, dipped in the edible coating, then packed in the polymeric films and stored for 12 days at 10°C. Four packs were analysed for each combination treatment on d4, d8 and d12, and dO was taken as reference point. With time, the head space in the semi permeable packaging (p160) showed a decrease to about 11.5-13.6% oxygen and an increase to about 7.5-9.6% carbon dioxide. The least permeable pack (p90) showed an oxygen decrease to about 9.8-7.6% and a carbon dioxide increase to about 12.3-13.5%. This change showed the creation of a modified atmosphere that will decrease the metabolic activities. As the coating concentration increased, a slight increase in carbon dioxide and a slight decrease in oxygen were recorded in the head space of the packs. This change was unexpected as the coating was supposed to be a gas barrier. Thus, this change questioned the gas permeability properties of the edible coating. The polymeric packaging and the coating interacted to give lower oxygen and higher carbon dioxide levels in the head space atmosphere. However, packaging had a more pronounced effect in the creation of the modified atmospheres than the coating. A lower white blush formation and a higher retention of chroma values was recorded on the lower surfaces of the carrot slices than on the upper surfaces (upper surfaces refer to those that were facing the packaging material, the lower surfaces was the opposite side of the upper surfaces). This showed that the relative humidity gradient was probably not the same between the surfaces. The coating effectively controlled the white discolouration and maintained higher chroma values on both surfaces of the carrot discs, but packaging did not affect the colour changes of the upper surfaces. An interaction effect was also observed between the packaging and coating showing a better control of the white blush formation of the lower surfaces of the carrot discs. Yeast and moulds did not prove to be a problem in minimally processed carrots as they were lower than 103 cfu/g carrots throughout the storage period. When the carrots were visibly spoiled, the lactic acid bacteria were over 106 cfu/g and the psychrotrophs were about 107 to 108 cfu/g. Initially, a high growth rate of psychrotrophic bacteria occurred followed by a high growth rate of the lactic acid bacteria. This showed a dynamic relationship between the two microbes. Visible rot was observed by brown discolouration, tissue softening and exudate production. The packaging controlled the microbiological growth and spoilage as compared with the coating that enhanced it. A decrease in pH from d4 to d12 corresponded to an increase in the lactic acid bacteria and visible spoilage. Combination of edible coatings and polymeric packaging films did not show any synergistic or additive effects to enhance the shelf life of minimally processed carrots despite some interactions between these two variables. This was because the polymeric packaging films primarily prevented microbiological growth and spoilage, whereas edible coatings partly controlled white blush formation. White blush formation was the most important shelf life determinant of minimally processed carrots. Research efforts should therefore be focused on overcoming this defect. / Dissertation (MSc (Food Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Food Science / unrestricted

No description available.

No description available.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi descobrir melhores estratégias de controle de perdas em silagens de cana-de-açúcar, utilizando combinações de aditivos químicos e microbianos ou estratégias de vedações. No primeiro experimento o intuito foi estudar estratégias de controle de clostrídios em silagens de cana-de-açúcar aditivadas com cal virgem. Os tratamentos foram: 1) controle; 2) 1,5% cal virgem (Cal); 3) 1,5% cal virgem + 5×105 ufc/g Lactobacillus plantarum Ma 18/5U (Cal+LP); 4) 1.5% cal virgem + 5×105 ufc/g Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 (Cal+LB); 5) 1,5% cal virgem + 0,07% nitrito de sódio (Cal+Nitrito); 6) 1,5% cal virgem + 0,15% benzoato de sódio (Cal+Benzoato). Como silos experimentais foram utilizados baldes plásticos com capacidade de 20 L. A cal não foi eficiente em diminuir perdas em relação ao controle (20,6% e 19,1%, respectivamente) já as combinações cal+Benzoato, cal+Nitrito, cal+LB e cal+LP, diminuíram perdas, apresentando os valores de 11,2%, 14,1%, 14,1% e 13,9%, respectivamente. A estabilidade aeróbia das silagens tratadas com cal (172 h), cal+Benzoato (155 h) e cal+Nitrito (223 h), foram maiores em comparação às tratadas com cal+LB (49 h), cal+LP (48,4 h) e controle (51,9 h). A silagem controle apresentou menores contagens de clostrídios (3,26 log ufc/g) e os tratamentos Cal e Cal+LB apresentaram as contagens mais altas (6,74 log ufc/g e 5,96 log ufc/g, respectivamente), enquanto Cal+nitrito (5,24 log ufc/g), Cal+LP (4,63 log ufc/g) e Cal+benzoato (4,41 log ufc/g) apresentaram contagens intermediárias. Nenhum tratamento imposto foi capaz de controlar o crescimento de clostrídios estimulado pela cal virgem. No segundo ensaio o objetivo foi comparar filmes plásticos na vedação de silagens de cana-de-açúcar. Os tratamentos impostos foram: 1) filme de poliamida 45?m, recoberta com manta de polietileno para proteção contra raios ultravioleta e danos físicos (PA45+M); 2) filme de polietileno coextrusado com poliamida, dupla face, 125?m (PA125); 3) filme de polietileno, dupla face, 200?m (DF). Três silos tipo trincheira foram preenchidos simultaneamente e durante o abastecimento a cana-de-açúcar picada foi tratada com benzoato de sódio na dose 0,15% da matéria natural. Decorridos 90 dias de armazenamento, os silos foram abertos e as silagens utilizadas como ingredientes para alimentação de vacas em lactação. Quinze vacas Holandesas (615 kg PV) foram alocadas aleatoriamente em três Quadrados Latinos 3x3, com períodos de 18 dias. O consumo de matéria seca (CMS). Amostras de leite foram coletadas para análises de proteína, gordura, lactose, caseína, ácidos graxos livres, sólidos totais, Nuréico e contagem de células somáticas. O óxido de cromo foi utilizado como marcador externo para estimar a produção fecal. As diferentes estratégias de vedação não influenciaram a qualidade das silagens e, consequentemente, não afetaram o CMS 19,9 kg/dia, a produção 25,1 kg/dia e a composição do leite (gordura 3,5%, proteína 3,3%, lactose 4,4%), das vacas. As diferentes estratégias de vedação utilizadas não influenciam a qualidade das silagens de cana-de-açúcar e o desempenho de vacas leiteiras e se mostraram efetivas para vedação de silos horizontais. No presente estudo, tanto a utilização de aditivos como a adoção de estratégias de vedação não foram efetivas em controlar perdas em silagens de cana-de-açúcar. / The aim of this study was to discover the best strategies to control losses in sugarcane silages, using combinations of chemical and microbial additives or covering strategies. In the first trial the aim was to compare strategies to prevent clostridium grow in sugarcane silages added with lime. Treatments were Control: no additives; L: 1.5% lime; L + LP: 1.5% lime + Lactobacillus plantarum Ma 18/5U (5×105 cfu/g fresh forage); L + LB: 1.5% lime + Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 (5×105 cfu/g fresh forage); L + N: 1.5% lime + 0.07% sodium nitrite; L + B: 1.5% lime + 0.15% sodium benzoate. As experimental silos were used plastic buckets with a capacity of 20 L. Mini bags were prepared with the following treatments 1) control, 2) 1.5 % of lime and 3) 1.5 % of lime + 5 × 105 cfu/g of L. plantarum, in order to analyze the pH drop at the onset of fermentation. The lime was not effective in decreasing losses compared to control silages (20.6% and 19.1%, respectively) however the treatments lime+Benzoate, lime+nitrite, lime+LP and lime+LB, decreased losses, showing lower values: 11.2%, 14.1%, 14.1% and 13.9%, respectively. The aerobic stability of silages treated with lime (172 h), lime+Benzoate (155 h) and lime+Nitrite (223 h) were higher compared to those treated with lime+LB (49 h), lime+LP (48.4 h) and control (51.9 h). The control treatment showed the lowest counts of clostridia (3.26 log cfu/g) and treatment with lime and lime+LB had the highest counts (6.74 log cfu/g and 5.96 log cfu/g, respectively), while lime+nitrite (5.24 log cfu/g), lime+LP (4.63 log cfu/g) and lime+benzoate (4.41 log cfu/g) showed intermediate counts of clostridia. None of additives combined with lime were able to provide butyric acid free silages. In the second trial the aim was to compare plastic films for sealing sugarcane silages. Treatments were: 1) polyamide film 45?m plus a protection against physical damage and ultraviolet light (PA45 + P), 2) polyethylene film coextruded with polyamide, black-on--white, 125?m (PA125), 3) polyethylene film, blackon- white 200?m (BW). Three trench silos were filled out simultaneously with chopped sugarcane treated with 0.15% of sodium benzoate (as fed basis). After 90 days of storage, the silos were opened and silages fed to lactating cows as total mixed rations. . Fifteen Holstein cows (615 kg BW) were randomly allocated into 3x3 Latin square with periods of 18 days. Dry matter intake, diet apparent digestibility, milk yield and milk composition were evaluated on days 14 to 18 in each period. Chromium oxide was used as external marker to estimate fecal excretion. Sealing strategies had no influence on silage quality and cows performance. Dry matter intake (19.9 kg /day), milk yield (25.1 kg/day), and milk composition (fat 3.5%, 3.3% protein, and 4.4% lactose) were quite similar across treatments. The different sealing strategies do not affect sugarcane silage quality and dairy cows performance and proven effective for sealing horizontal silos. In the present study, neither additives nor covering strategies were effective in reducing losses in sugarcane silages.

Orientador: Leila Peres / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T05:00:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tukada_StelaMitsue_M.pdf: 1292417 bytes, checksum: 0386a749ecf0033c4ddeaff8491ba549 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002 / Resumo: Muitas opções de filmes plásticos com diferentes características de barreira têm sido desenvolvidas para atender às novas exigências de mercado. Embalagem plástica ativa é um exemplo de nova tecnologia em desenvolvimento, possível devido aos novos avanços em embalagem e ciência do material. No acondicionamento de frutas e hortaliças, uma das alternativas é a utilização de embalagens ativas com adsorvedores de etileno (C2H4), gás produzido pelo próprio produto, que funciona como acelerador do metabolismo e estimula a maturação e senescência. Tal embalagem deve também regular a composição gasosa e umidade ao redor do produto. Neste trabalho desenvolveu-se um sistema de medição e uma metodologia para determinação da taxa de adsorção de etileno por embalagens ativas, com adsorvedores de etileno. A adsorção de etileno foi quantificada por cromatografia gasosa. Os testes foram realizados em três embalagens comerciais a base de polietileno de baixa densidade, sendo duas delas ativas, obtendo-se a taxa de adsorção como a massa de etileno adsorvida por unidade de área no tempo (gm-2h-1).Através dos resultados verificou-se uma maior taxa de adsorção nas primeiras horas, seguida de uma redução. Como complemento ao trabalho e auxílio nas discussões, para avaliar a eficácia de tais embalagens foi realizado um ensaio de vida de prateleira, acondionando-se frutos (nectarina) por um período de 40 dias, utilizando-se duas embalagens, ativa e não ativa, no qual acompanhou-se a evolução da composição gasosa no interior das mesmas. Para caracterização dos filmes utilizados foram avaliadas propriedades como, espessura, propriedades de barreira e mecânicas, transmissão de luz, conteúdo de só.lidosnão voláteis e temperaturas de transição vítrea e fusão / Abstract: Many options of plastic films with different gas barrier characteristics have been developed to meet the new demands of the market. Active plastic package is one example of new technology to control the senescence of fruits and vegetables, regulating the gas composition around the produce and/or the humidity inside the package. In this work it was developed a system and a methodology to measure the rate of ethylene adsorption by films with ethylene adsorbents incorporated. The ethylene adsorption was quantified by gas chromatography. The tests were conducted with tree commercial films, two actives and other inactive, ali of then made with the same polymeric matrix: low density polyethylene. The ethylene adsorption rate was obtained in mass of ethylene adsorbed per area unit, per time unit (gm-2h-1).The results showed major adsorption rate in the first hours, followed by a reduction. In order to observe the evolution of the gas composition inside the package, it was conducted a shelf life test with fruit (nectarine), during a period of 40 days, with two packages, one active and one inactive. It was also performed the characterization of the used films, with respect to their barrier and mechanical properties, light transmission, no volatile solids contend, glass transition and fusion temperatures / Mestrado / Ciencia e Tecnologia de Materiais / Mestre em Engenharia Química

O objetivo desse trabalho foi descobrir melhores estratégias de controle de perdas em silagens de cana-de-açúcar, utilizando combinações de aditivos químicos e microbianos ou estratégias de vedações. No primeiro experimento o intuito foi estudar estratégias de controle de clostrídios em silagens de cana-de-açúcar aditivadas com cal virgem. Os tratamentos foram: 1) controle; 2) 1,5% cal virgem (Cal); 3) 1,5% cal virgem + 5×105 ufc/g Lactobacillus plantarum Ma 18/5U (Cal+LP); 4) 1.5% cal virgem + 5×105 ufc/g Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 (Cal+LB); 5) 1,5% cal virgem + 0,07% nitrito de sódio (Cal+Nitrito); 6) 1,5% cal virgem + 0,15% benzoato de sódio (Cal+Benzoato). Como silos experimentais foram utilizados baldes plásticos com capacidade de 20 L. A cal não foi eficiente em diminuir perdas em relação ao controle (20,6% e 19,1%, respectivamente) já as combinações cal+Benzoato, cal+Nitrito, cal+LB e cal+LP, diminuíram perdas, apresentando os valores de 11,2%, 14,1%, 14,1% e 13,9%, respectivamente. A estabilidade aeróbia das silagens tratadas com cal (172 h), cal+Benzoato (155 h) e cal+Nitrito (223 h), foram maiores em comparação às tratadas com cal+LB (49 h), cal+LP (48,4 h) e controle (51,9 h). A silagem controle apresentou menores contagens de clostrídios (3,26 log ufc/g) e os tratamentos Cal e Cal+LB apresentaram as contagens mais altas (6,74 log ufc/g e 5,96 log ufc/g, respectivamente), enquanto Cal+nitrito (5,24 log ufc/g), Cal+LP (4,63 log ufc/g) e Cal+benzoato (4,41 log ufc/g) apresentaram contagens intermediárias. Nenhum tratamento imposto foi capaz de controlar o crescimento de clostrídios estimulado pela cal virgem. No segundo ensaio o objetivo foi comparar filmes plásticos na vedação de silagens de cana-de-açúcar. Os tratamentos impostos foram: 1) filme de poliamida 45?m, recoberta com manta de polietileno para proteção contra raios ultravioleta e danos físicos (PA45+M); 2) filme de polietileno coextrusado com poliamida, dupla face, 125?m (PA125); 3) filme de polietileno, dupla face, 200?m (DF). Três silos tipo trincheira foram preenchidos simultaneamente e durante o abastecimento a cana-de-açúcar picada foi tratada com benzoato de sódio na dose 0,15% da matéria natural. Decorridos 90 dias de armazenamento, os silos foram abertos e as silagens utilizadas como ingredientes para alimentação de vacas em lactação. Quinze vacas Holandesas (615 kg PV) foram alocadas aleatoriamente em três Quadrados Latinos 3x3, com períodos de 18 dias. O consumo de matéria seca (CMS). Amostras de leite foram coletadas para análises de proteína, gordura, lactose, caseína, ácidos graxos livres, sólidos totais, Nuréico e contagem de células somáticas. O óxido de cromo foi utilizado como marcador externo para estimar a produção fecal. As diferentes estratégias de vedação não influenciaram a qualidade das silagens e, consequentemente, não afetaram o CMS 19,9 kg/dia, a produção 25,1 kg/dia e a composição do leite (gordura 3,5%, proteína 3,3%, lactose 4,4%), das vacas. As diferentes estratégias de vedação utilizadas não influenciam a qualidade das silagens de cana-de-açúcar e o desempenho de vacas leiteiras e se mostraram efetivas para vedação de silos horizontais. No presente estudo, tanto a utilização de aditivos como a adoção de estratégias de vedação não foram efetivas em controlar perdas em silagens de cana-de-açúcar. / The aim of this study was to discover the best strategies to control losses in sugarcane silages, using combinations of chemical and microbial additives or covering strategies. In the first trial the aim was to compare strategies to prevent clostridium grow in sugarcane silages added with lime. Treatments were Control: no additives; L: 1.5% lime; L + LP: 1.5% lime + Lactobacillus plantarum Ma 18/5U (5×105 cfu/g fresh forage); L + LB: 1.5% lime + Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 (5×105 cfu/g fresh forage); L + N: 1.5% lime + 0.07% sodium nitrite; L + B: 1.5% lime + 0.15% sodium benzoate. As experimental silos were used plastic buckets with a capacity of 20 L. Mini bags were prepared with the following treatments 1) control, 2) 1.5 % of lime and 3) 1.5 % of lime + 5 × 105 cfu/g of L. plantarum, in order to analyze the pH drop at the onset of fermentation. The lime was not effective in decreasing losses compared to control silages (20.6% and 19.1%, respectively) however the treatments lime+Benzoate, lime+nitrite, lime+LP and lime+LB, decreased losses, showing lower values: 11.2%, 14.1%, 14.1% and 13.9%, respectively. The aerobic stability of silages treated with lime (172 h), lime+Benzoate (155 h) and lime+Nitrite (223 h) were higher compared to those treated with lime+LB (49 h), lime+LP (48.4 h) and control (51.9 h). The control treatment showed the lowest counts of clostridia (3.26 log cfu/g) and treatment with lime and lime+LB had the highest counts (6.74 log cfu/g and 5.96 log cfu/g, respectively), while lime+nitrite (5.24 log cfu/g), lime+LP (4.63 log cfu/g) and lime+benzoate (4.41 log cfu/g) showed intermediate counts of clostridia. None of additives combined with lime were able to provide butyric acid free silages. In the second trial the aim was to compare plastic films for sealing sugarcane silages. Treatments were: 1) polyamide film 45?m plus a protection against physical damage and ultraviolet light (PA45 + P), 2) polyethylene film coextruded with polyamide, black-on--white, 125?m (PA125), 3) polyethylene film, blackon- white 200?m (BW). Three trench silos were filled out simultaneously with chopped sugarcane treated with 0.15% of sodium benzoate (as fed basis). After 90 days of storage, the silos were opened and silages fed to lactating cows as total mixed rations. . Fifteen Holstein cows (615 kg BW) were randomly allocated into 3x3 Latin square with periods of 18 days. Dry matter intake, diet apparent digestibility, milk yield and milk composition were evaluated on days 14 to 18 in each period. Chromium oxide was used as external marker to estimate fecal excretion. Sealing strategies had no influence on silage quality and cows performance. Dry matter intake (19.9 kg /day), milk yield (25.1 kg/day), and milk composition (fat 3.5%, 3.3% protein, and 4.4% lactose) were quite similar across treatments. The different sealing strategies do not affect sugarcane silage quality and dairy cows performance and proven effective for sealing horizontal silos. In the present study, neither additives nor covering strategies were effective in reducing losses in sugarcane silages.

China's Minqin Oasis once welcomed traders along the ancient Silk Road with rivers, lakes, and lush forests, yet today the region's farmland and grassland are increasingly being engulfed by the sands of the Gobi Desert. The severity of this incremental catastrophe for a declining population of 300,000 residents has brought forth a host of recent water policies to include agronomic water conservation through plastic mulch use, computerized regulation and pricing of groundwater, and water diversions from the Yellow River. This study uses a multi-disciplinary and mixed methods approach to better understand farmer perspectives on why they implement certain water and land use practices in agriculture. The world's farmers currently use the majority of the world's available freshwater and arable land. Modern agriculture and its continued intensification also lead to increases in petroleum based inputs such as agrochemicals and agricultural plastics (plasticulture). Despite the large of impact of the decisions made by the world's farmers on natural resources, little research to date has sought to better understand farmers' perceptions and decision-making processes. Plastic film mulch is a technology that has existed since the 1940's and it has been used in places such as rural China for over five decades. This technology conserves a considerable amount of irrigation water and it increases harvests, however, use of plastic for mulch causes waste disposal problems and is an expenditure of petroleum through plastic manufacturing. Without a fundamental understanding of why farmers perceive plastic mulch to be valuable to their households and communities, we may not fully grasp why its global application continues to increase year after year. Moreover, a focused study of plastic mulch use at the local level may also allow researchers and entrepreneurs to develop a suitable alternative mulch that does not consume non-renewable resources or result in detrimental plastic waste after its utility has been exhausted. This study uses household level interviews, surveys, and participant observation to better understand why Minqin County farmers in rural China continue to use plastic mulch and how it may influence their standard of living. / Graduation date: 2013