Orientador: Helena Maria André Bolini / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T00:28:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_DavidWesley_M.pdf: 6068957 bytes, checksum: b9b7736d1a2b785ad90fa44cc938bb86 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: A presença de bolo em celebrações é uma forte tradição cultural sempre acompanhada de música. Imensa maioria dos bolos são fabricados usando farinhas de trigo, que contém glúten; mas há uma parcela crescente da população que vem desenvolvendo a reação alérgica ao glúten, conhecida como doença celíaca, público esse carente de alimentos alternativos e de alta aceitação pelos consumidores. Assim, este estudo teve por objetivo desenvolver produto alimentício de alta aceitação direcionado a pessoas portadoras de doença celíaca, utilizando ingredientes funcionais, redutores calóricos, e relacionando a variabilidade dessa aceitação sob influência de diferentes gêneros musicais; buscando encontrar atributos físico-químicos e sensoriais associados aos níveis de preferência do produto pelos consumidores. Foram elaboradas seis variações da receita, alternando trigo e massa de banana verde, sacarose e edulcorantes. Todas as receitas foram avaliadas quanto à Composição Centesimal, Perfil de Textura, e Teste de Aceitação. Foram aplicados Análise de Variância, Teste de Média de Tukey e Mapa Interno de Preferência. Análises físico-químicas indicaram que as amostras se diferenciaram, associando as amostras com farinha de trigo e sacarose num primeiro grupo, pelo aumento de carboidratos e menor umidade. O segundo grupo associou as amostras com maior umidade e presença de edulcorante(s). A análise de TPA evidenciou que as amostras contendo trigo apresentaram maior elasticidade que as demais, embora nos parâmetros dureza, coesividade e mastigabilidade as amostras geralmente não se diferiram. Resultados do teste de aceitação indicaram que todas as amostras apresentaram boa aceitação, com exceção da formulação MBT. As amostras com sacarose receberam as maiores médias para todos os atributos avaliados. Um grupo intermediário de aceitação foi evidenciado com as amostras caracterizadas pela presença da sucralose. A análise multivariada pelo Mapa Interno de Preferência confirmou os mesmos achados e revelou como as amostras se alternaram no espectro intermediário. Observou-se que os aspecto mais importante para a aceitação de uma amostra de bolo de milho com biomassa foi o sabor: positivo para MBS, pelas características sensoriais da sacarose, e negativo para MBT pelas características sensoriais da estévia. Resultados dos testes de aceitação sob audição de diferentes estilos musicais evidenciou que a amostra controle permaneceu invariável, MBS variou pouco e as outras variaram em amplitude de até 14,4%, das mesmas médias sem música. A música afetou 9,2 % das médias. Mapas Internos de Preferência em sequência revelaram que os estilos musicais rock e "chorinho" alteraram os padrões comuns de distribuição das amostras dos outros testes. A massa da polpa de banana verde constituiu um ótimo substituto da farinha de trigo para o mini-bolo criado não alterando os padrões de aceitação, em uso conjunto a sacarose, podendo ser uma ótima opção de ingrediente na confecção de produtos de panificação doce, voltados ao público celíaco. Ademais ficou evidenciado que a música é um fator de influência nas respostas do consumidor frente a produtos alimentícios, podendo ser utilizada para potencializar a aceitação dos mesmos, principalmente no momento em que o consumidor está elaborando sua avaliação de novos produtos, mesmo que não tenha consciência disso / Abstract: The presence of a baked cake in parties remains strongly as a cultural tradition coming always along with music. Most of the cakes are made using wheat flour, which contains gluten; but there is an even growing population that is developing alergenic reactions to the gluten, known as the celiac disease. These people are needy of alternative food of high acceptance to the consumers. This research had for purpose to develop a food product of high acceptance for the coeliac people, utilizing functional ingredients, calorie reductors, and verifying variability of its acceptance influenced by different musical genres; searching for physico-chemical attributes as well sensory ones associated to the preference levels of the product accessed by consumers. Six variations of the recipe were developed, alternating wheat and green banana pulp, sacarose and sweeteners. All the recipes were evaluated for Chemical Composition, Texture Profile Analysis and Acceptance Test. It was used Analysis of Variance, Tukey's Mean Test and Internal Preference Map. Physico-chemical analysis returned that the samples were different, addressing the samples containing wheat and sacarose as a first group, with increased levels of carbohydrates. The second group joined the samples with higher moisture levels and presence of sweeteners. Texture analysis showed that samples containing wheat scored higher for springiness than the other samples, though as for parameters like hardness, cohesiveness and gumminess samples showed no differences mostly. Results for the Acceptance Test pointed that all sample but one (MBT), had good acceptance. Samples containing sacarose were given the higher mean scores for all evaluated attributes. An intermediate scored group for acceptance was classified linking the samples containing sucralose. Multivaried analysis made by Internal Preference Map confirmed the same findings and revealed how the samples alternated in the intermediate spectrum. It was observed that the most important aspect for samples acceptance was flavor: positive to MBS because of sacarose's sensory characteristics, and negative to MBT for stevia's sensory characteristics. The results of Acceptance Tests under audition of different music styles showed that the control sample remained unvaried, while the MBS sample changed little and others oscillated up to 14.4%, of the same means obtained without music. Music also affected 9.2% of the quantity of means. The Internal Preference Maps done for the sequence showed that rock and choro (brazilian) music styles altered the common patterns in the samples's distribution of other tests. Green banana pulp can be a very good substitute of wheat flour for the created mini-cake, since linked to sacarose, it did not change the high score patterns of acceptance, and it can be a good option of ingredient to be used in bakery of sweet products, addressed to the coeliac population. Finally it was shown that music is one of the influential factors to consumers responses regarding food products, and can be used to boost its acceptance, specially when consumer is in the moment of evaluation of new products, even if he is not aware of this / Mestrado / Consumo e Alimentos / Mestre em Alimentos e Nutrição

Submitted in partial fulfillment for the Degree of Master of Technology: Biotechnology, M. L. Sultan Technikon, 2002. / Fusarium species produce toxic mycotoxins that are known to exert adverse health effects in humans and animals. No attempts have been made to establish mycotoxin-producing capabilities of isolates of Fusarium species from bananas exhibiting symptoms of crown rot. Crown rot is one of the most serious post harvest problems in banana and the disease is caused by different fungal species, principally Fusarium species. Banana, which is of great economic significance in growing countries (i.e. Costa Rica, Cameroon, Ecuador) is seriously affected by crown rot and is a major cause of fruit loss / M

In the interactions between fungal endophytes and their hosts, the host may benefit through protection against pathogens and pests, growth promotion and tolerance to abiotic stresses. Non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum endophytes of banana have been shown to reduce the damage caused by the Cosmopolitus sordidus and the burrowing nematode Radopholus similis. The mode of protection against the burrowing nematode involves induced resistance, but the molecular basis of this resistance yet to be demonstrated. It has further been reported that protection of the host by multiple endophytes can lead to better control of target pests, probably because of the multiple modes of action involved. This phenomenon, however, has not been fully demonstrated for F. oxysporum endophytes of banana. This study aimed to investigate the molecular and biochemical basis of endophyte protection of East African Highland bananas (EAHB) against C. sordidus and R. similis. Expression of banana defence-related genes following endophyte inoculation and R. similis challenge varied greatly between the nematode-susceptible cv Nabusa and the nematode-tolerant cv Kayinja. In cv Nabusa, only the peroxidase (POX) and lectin genes were responsive to endophyte colonization of roots, or R. similis challenge. POX and lectin activities were significantly down-regulated 2 and 33 days after endophyte inoculation (dai), respectively. In cv Kayinja, endophyte colonization resulted in transient up-regulation of POX and a down-regulation of endochitinase (PR-3), lectin, pectin acetylesterase (PAE), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and PIR7A (peroxidase). Similar to systemic acquired resistance, PR-1 and catalase activities were up-regulated in the cv Kayinja 33 dai. Genes involved in signal transduction, cell wall strengthening, jasmonic acid pathway and defence molecule transport were differentially expressed in endophyte-inoculated plants. The expression profiles of four defence-related genes following endophyte inoculation and R. similis challenge were studied using quantitative real-time PCR. ABC transporter, Β-1,3-glucan synthase, coronatine insensitive 1 (COI1) and lipoxygenase (LOX) were up-regulated following endophyte inoculation. Β-1,3-glucan synthase and COI1 were highly up-regulated following R. similis challenge of endophyte-inoculated plants of the susceptible cv Nabusa, while COI1 and LOX were highly up-regulated following nematode challenge of endophyte-inoculated plants of the tolerant cv Kayinja. However ABC transporter gene activity was not up-regulated following nematode challenge of plants of both cultivars. UP-regulation of phenylpropanoid pathway enzymes PAL, POX and PPO has been observed in roots following colonization by both pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi. In the current study, endophyte inoculation resulted in down-regulation of PAL activity in both a susceptible (cv Nabusa) and tolerant (cv Yangambi) banana. In cv Nabusa, endophyte inoculation primed PAL activity for up-regulation 30 days post nematode challenge (dpnc). However, in cv Yangambi PAL activity was up-regulated 7 dpnc irrespective of endophyte inoculation. Endophyte inoculation transiently up-regulated POX in cv Nabusa, but activity reduced to the levels in the controls 30 dai. Similar to PAL, R. similis challenge of endophyte-inoculated plants of Nabusa caused significant up-regulation of POX 7 dpnc. Nematode challenge of control plants of cv Yangambi resulted in a non-significant up-regulation of POX compared with non-challenged controls, but a significant up-regulation compared to all endophyte-inoculated plants. PPO activity was transiently up-regulated in cv Nabusa and down-regulated in cv Yangambi 7 dai. For all treatments, PPO activity was significantly reduced between 7 dai and 120 dai (60 dpnc). Fusarium oxysporum endophyte isolates Emb2.4o and V5w2 were successfully marked with benomyl- and chlorate resistance and transformed with fluorescent protein genes, while Eny1.31i, Eny7.11o and V4w5 were marked with benomyl resistance only. Most mutants and fluorescent protein transformants maintained resistance to the selective chemical on PDA and after plant colonization. Benomyl- and chlorate-resistant mutants were successfully used to determine actual plant colonization percentages by inoculated endophytes. Similarly, GFP transformants were successfully used to ascertain the pattern of endophytic root colonization in vivo. In plants dually inoculated with isolates Emb2.4o BR 8 and V5w2 CHR 9, both isolates were recovered from roots and rhizomes 4 weeks after inoculation, but isolate V5w2 CHR 9 proved a better colonizer of the two tissue types. Root colonization by isolate V5w2 CHR 9 was boosted when inoculated dually with Emb2.4o BR 8, while that by Emb2.4o BR 8 was reduced in the presence of V5w2 CHR 9. Where growth advantages were observed for dually inoculated plants, it occurred where plants were challenged with R. similis. In the absence of pests, control plants showed better growth than endophyte-inoculated plants. On the other hand, weevil challenge of control plants resulted in significant reductions in plant height, number of live roots and root fresh weight. Dual endophyte inoculation resulted in a significant reduction in R. similis populations in nematode only challenged plants, compared with plants inoculated with Emb2.4o BR 8 singly and control plants challenged with the nematode. In one replicate banana weevil damage to the outer and inner pseudostem base, and the inner rhizome were significantly reduced for dually-inoculated plants. Copyright / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

Please read the abstract (Summary) in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MSc (Botany))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Science / MSc / Unrestricted

M.Sc. (Nematology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

East African highland bananas (Musa spp., AAA-EA genome group) are a major staple and income-generating fruit crop in the highlands of eastern and central Africa, grown across the countries of the Great Lakes region (i.e. Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and North-West Tanzania). Despite its importance, farmers and researchers are reporting that yields are declining, most notably in areas with low soil fertility. Although numerous studies have been conducted on yield constraints of bananas in the East African highland region, there is virtually no understanding of the impact of plant density management on the yields of these low-input banana systems. The productivity and profitability of various plant densities was studied in contrasting agro-ecological sites of Rwanda (Ruhengeri, Rusizi, Karongi, Butare, Ruhango, Kibungo and Bugesera), that differed distinctly in terms of altitude (1400-1960 m a.s.l), temperature (17-20°C), annual rainfall (950-1400 mm yr-1) and soil types (Nitisols, Ferralsols, Acrisols and Andosols). Under those cropping systems, the plant density is one management factor that resource poor farmers have some control over. An on-farm survey was conducted in all sites to determine the influence of climatic and edaphic factors on variations in on-farm plant density practices and bunch mass. In addition, three researcher-managed banana density experiments were conducted in contrasting agroecological sites (Kibungo low rainfall with medium soil fertility, Rubona high rainfall with low soil fertility and Ruhengeri high rainfall with high soil fertility) to (i) investigate the influence of plant density on the vegetative growth and yield parameters of AAA-EA bananas for typical highland agro-ecological zones, (ii) to assess the effect of plant density on nutrient deficiencies and imbalances, and (iii) to assess the magnitude and variability of nutrient depletion in the smallholder banana systems that are characterized by low external input use. Three different local EA highland banana varieties (i.e. “Ingaju”-cooking type, “Injagi”- cooking type, “Intuntu”-beer type) were each planted at five different plant densities (plants ha-1) of 1428, 2500, 3333, 4444 and 5000. Agronomic data (growth and yield traits) were collected over two cropping cycles (plant and ratoon crops). Soil, plant and climate data were also collected. Approaches such as compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND), boundary line functions and yield gap analysis were used to quantify the contribution of each identified yield limiting factor to yield gap. A first order magnitude of nutrient depletion was determined using partial nutrient balance calculations. Plant density positively correlated with water supply (i.e. difference between rainfall and evapotranspirative demand of bananas), with highest plant densities (>1500 mats ha-1) found in high rainfall areas (>1200 mm yr-1) with water surplus (218-508 mm yr-1) and lowest plant densities (1000-1400 mats ha-1) found in lower rainfall areas (1000-1200 mm yr-1) with water deficit (from -223 to -119 mm yr-1). Bunch masses were significantly higher at the lowest plant densities (18.1-20.8 kg fresh mass plant-1) when compared to the highest plant densities (14.7-15.5 kg). Lower soil and banana leaf nutrient contents were observed on weathered soils (Acrisols) and were associated with smaller bunch mass in comparison to fertile soils (Andosols, Nitisols). Farmers tended to reduce mat densities (i) if they wanted to intercrop, and (ii) to increase bunch mass to adapt to market preferences for large bunches. The plant densities generally recommended by extension bodies (3 × 3 or 2 × 3 m; i.e. 1111 and 1666 mats ha-1, respectively) are seldom practiced by farmers, nor do they seem to be very appropriate from an agronomic or economic perspective. Per hectare bunch and above ground biomass yields increased with increasing plant density, but maximum yield strongly depended on agro-ecological site. Bunch yields of beer bananas continued to increase with density, but maximum yields for the cooking cultivars were observed at 4444 plants ha-1 at Kibungo and Rubona, whereas yields continued to increase linearly beyond this level at Ruhengeri. Relationships between bunch yield, the total above ground dry matter yields and soil chemical properties suggest that nutrient deficiencies were larger at Kibungo (i.e. notably K) and Rubona (i.e. K, P, Ca, Mg) when compared with Ruhengeri. With increasing densities, leaf area index (LAI) continues to increase up to a value of 4 with 95% of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) intercepted by the crop canopy. This suggests that further density and LAI increases would probably have little additional positive effect on total per hectare production. Compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) indices showed that K, Mg and P were the most deficient elements in areas with low inherent soil fertility (Kibungo and Rubona) compared with relatively fertile areas (Ruhengeri). The boundary line functions and yield gap analysis also confirmed that K was the most limiting factor, contributing to an expected yield gap of 55.3% at Kibungo, while P and Mg contributed to a 35% yield gap at Rubona. An increase in plant density resulted in an increase in average yield gap from 45.6 % to 70.2% at Kibungo, whilst average yield gap decreased significantly from 47.5% to 30.2% at Rubona, and 76.6 to 53.7% at Ruhengeri. Nutrient uptake increased with plant density. Partial N and K balances (kg ha-1 yr-1) were estimated to be strongly negative at Rubona and Ruhengeri, while Ca and Mg were positive at Kibungo and Ruhengeri, but negative at Rubona. The results of this study indicate that, generally, soil fertility is a more limiting factor than water, but both CND norms and boundary line analysis showed that expected yield gaps seem to be high for plant density due to low inherent soil fertility. Partial nutrient balances provide a first order magnitude of nutrient depletion. Nutrient mining is significant, particularly for K. The current extraction rates will not allow farmers to sustain their yields, and options should be developed to improve the productivity of EAH banana cropping systems. The limited availability of manure and inorganic fertilizers is a real threat to the food and income security role that banana production plays in smallholder systems. In summary, the results from this study suggest the optimal density for bananas depends on water availability, soil fertility and cultivar. The agronomic optimal plant density is lower (< 4444 plants ha-1) in low rainfall (< 1000 mm yr-1) and less fertile areas, but seems to be higher (> 5000 plants ha-1) in areas with high fertility, which receive high rainfall (> 1300 mm yr-1). Improved plant density management can serve as an important entry point for resource poor farmers to maximize yield potential of EAH bananas in the various production zones. Blanket density recommendations do not make sense. While farmers can significantly improve their banana production, increased densities will put significant additional stress on limited nutrient resources, and region-specific integrated soil fertility recommendations should be developed and adopted to ensure sustained improvements of banana production and smallholder livelihoods. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

La presente tesis titulada “Sistema Experto para la sistematización del proceso de fertilización del sembrío del banano ecológico en el Fundo San Gregorio- Olmos” se realizó con la finalidad de brindar apoyo al proceso de fertilización del sembrío del banano ecológico. Uno de los problemas que enfrenta el fundo es que al momento de realizar la fertilización se realiza según la percepción de los asesores técnicos o de la persona capacitada; otro de los problemas es que no cuenta con un programa de fertilización que indique cuando se realizará la fertilización y que cantidades de nutrientes son las indicadas al momento de fertilizar. Es por ello que el objetivo principal es desarrollar un Sistema Experto para la sistematización de la fertilización del sembrío del banano ecológico en el Fundo San Gregorio- Olmos, el cual apoyará en el proceso de fertilización; para ello se establecerán cuáles son los atributos específicos que debe poseer el terreno en el cultivo del banano ecológico, se determinarán cuáles son los algoritmos específicos que ayuden a determinar la sistematización de la fertilización del Banano Ecológico, se creará un modelo de sistematización utilizando los Algoritmos Basado en Reglas para la aplicación de la fertilización del Banano y se evaluará la precisión del modelo de fertilización del Banano Ecológico. Se utilizará la Metodología Buchanan para el desarrollo del sistema experto, se usó el lenguaje SWI-Prolog, el cual nos permitió la interconexión tanto con el lenguaje PHP y el gestor de base de datos MySQL.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, Durban University of Technology. Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Over decades synthetic composites have become an indispensable part of our lives with their various applications such as packaging, sporting equipment, agriculture, consumer products, medical applications, building materials, automotive industry, and aerospace materials among others. Although these polymers have the desired properties for the above applications, they are invariably costly. Furthermore, they cannot be easily disposed of at the end of their useful lives and simply pile up and cause significant damage to the environment. However, the dwindling supply of fossil fuel, increased oil prices, together with the growing public concern of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, has forced scientists to search for new development of sustainable materials from renewable resources. Hence in recent years, there is an increased interest in biocomposite manufacturing with natural resources as environmental issues are addressed. The research work presented in this dissertation is to the best of the author’s knowledge a world-first overall investigation pertaining to the concept of synthesizing a banana sap based bio-resin (BSM) reinforced with banana fibres. In this work the chemical composition of banana sap was determined to investigate the chemical reactions taking place in the resin formulation. BSM was synthesized, characterized and proposed as a potential bio-resin to be used in the biocomposite manufacture for non-functional motor vehicle components. BSM, a hybrid bio-resin was synthesized with equimolar quantities of maleic anhydride and propylene glycol and 50% banana sap. A control resin without the banana sap was also synthesized for comparison purposes. It was proposed that the presence of sugars, esters and pthalates from the sap, determined by HPLC and GC-MS, contributed to the cross-linking of the polymer chain. The acid value and viscosity of BSM were determined and found to be within specification of an industry resin. The molecular weights of the BSM and control resins were 2179 and 2114 units respectively. These were within the required molecular weight of unsaturated polyester resins. The gel and cures times of the BSM were 60% lower than the control resin suggesting that the banana sap behaved as an accelerator for the curing process. The lower cure time meant that using the banana sap in the formulation was cost effective and time saving. The thermal properties of BSM showed improved degradation temperatures and degree of crystallinity compared to the control resin. A parametric study showed that increasing banana sap concentration in the resin formulation led to increased tensile and flexural properties with 50% being the optimum amount of sap to be added to the formulation. The synthesized bio-resin and control resin were applied to biocomposites and characterized in terms of physical, thermal, mechanical, morphological, chemical and biodegradable properties. Mechanical tests indicated a 15 % increase in tensile strength, 12 % improvement in tensile modulus and a 25 % improvement in the flexural modulus, when compared to structures produced without banana sap. Natural fibres present the challenge of poor adhesion to the matrix. Chemical treatment of the banana fibre was done to improve on the compatibility of resin to fibre. Fibre pull-out showed that treated fibres had a better bond than the untreated fibre. Parametric studies were also done to evaluate the effect of fortifying the BSM resin with nanoclay. A 5% clay loading resulted in a 24% increase in tensile strength and 28% increase in flexural properties. Finally biodegradation studies of the BSM bio-resin, BSM biocomposite, control resin and control composite were investigated and compared to a positive reference, cellulose. Results showed that over a period of 55 days the BSM biocomposite showed 17.6% biodegradation compared to 8% with the control composite. No difference in biodegradation between the BSM bio-resin and the control resin was recorded. BSM biocomposite was proposed as a potential replacement to synthetic composites that contribute to the environmental landfill problems. The main contribution of this research is the use of the reinforcement and matrix from the same natural source. An enriched understanding of the synthesis, characterization and performance of the banana sap based bio-resin and biocomposite for the use of non-functional motor vehicle components is the key outcome of this investigation.

Las expotaciones tienen una participación sobresaliente en el PBI nacional. Del mismo modo, se ha experimentado un crecimiento de las mismas en un 565% en la última década y las exportaciones no tradicionales representan un nada despreciable 32% del total exportado, con perspectivas de crecimiento. En la actualidad, Perú, es líder en crecimiento de exportaciones en la región latinoamericana, por encima de países como Colombia, Chile, Brasil y México; y el segundo con mayor incremento de la IED en la última década. A lo largo del presente estudio se describirán la oportunidad y la viabilidad de la exportación de banano orgánico al mercado canadiense, al mismo tiempo que se propone una alternativa estratégica para su exitosa inserción. / Trabajo de investigación

This thesis deals with the evaluation of the concept of fair trade, specifically its impact on economic, social and environmental spheres of the life of producers and their communities in developing countries. The theoretical part defines the concept of fair trade, presents the historical development of the concept, discusses its main actors, principles and products; finally, it incorporates the issue into the theory of international trade. The main part of the thesis presents selected case studies that examine the impact of the participation in the fair trade system on producers of coffee, cocoa, bananas and sugar cane, and reveal whether fundamental objectives of the movement have been fulfilled in these cases.