The importance of management in the food and beverage sector as well as managing food and beverage service employees are crucial aspects that influence quality service delivery. The food and beverage sector is a large service orientated segment of the greater tourism industry, and effective management of employees is therefore necessary since employees are regarded as the primary resource through which establishments deliver services. One might further argue that an employee is “the service” that customers pay for, and that the employees make the intangible service, tangible by their efficiency. The food and beverage sector is however burdened with many challenges such as long working hours, poor remuneration and unskilled employees that influence the overall working conditions of employees and furthermore their overall job satisfaction. The job satisfaction experienced by employees is closely related to Quality of Work Life, which enables employees to design their own level of job satisfaction that will contribute to improved perceived service delivery and productivity. Investigating the needs of employees and how they perceive their own service delivery and productivity is a very important consideration as these contribute to job satisfaction. The rational is that Quality of Work Life contributes to the perceived service delivery and performance of employees as satisfied employees tend to be more hardworking, more productive and will offer better quality services, especially in a service-orientated sector such as the food and beverage sector. The primary goal of the study was to determine the perceived service delivery and productivity in the food and beverage sector, by investigating how commercial food and beverage service employees in Potchefstroom, North-West Province of South Africa, perceive their own service delivery and productivity. In order to reach the goal of the study a self-administrated questionnaire was distributed among food and beverage service employees at various types of establishments such as hotel restaurants, family restaurants, restaurants, fast food outlets, bars, coffee shops and commercial caterers. A total of 224 questionnaires were obtained and included in the statistical data analysis. The data was captured and analysed in the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS), while Amos was utilised for the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The statistical analysis used in this study consisted of three (3) stages. Firstly, the profile of the respondents, the work life domains and the employees’ business environment was compiled with the help of two-way frequency tables and illustrated with the help of Figures and Tables. Secondly, an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was done on the work life domains and Finally a Structural Equation Model was performed to indicate the relationship between the work life domains and the influence thereof on perceived service delivery and productivity. The Principal Axis Factor analysis identified seven factors namely job attributes, social attributes, esteem attributes, actualisation attributes, creativity and aesthetic attributes, organisational support and employee commitment and perceived service delivery and productivity. Service and productivity business environment attributes scored the highest mean value (4.00) and this was followed by the esteem work life domain (3.68). Structural Equation Models were performed to indicate the relationship between the work life domains, business environment attributes and the influence thereof on perceived service delivery and productivity. The correlations between the factors in the final SEM indicated that though there exists correlations between organisational support and employee commitment and actualisation attributes, between actualisation and job attributes, and between organisational support and employee commitment and job attributes. Creativity and aesthetic attributes and job attributes indicated correlations, while, organisational support and creativity and aesthetic attributes correlated. Actualisation and creativity and aesthetic attributes correlated as well. This indicates that food and beverage managers have to improve the working conditions of employees as well as provide the appropriate level of recognition to the hardworking employees. Management should consider the recommendations that are made in terms of job satisfaction of food and beverage service employees, as it possesses the ability to influence organisational performance and success. This research was the first study conducted among employees in the commercial food and beverage sector. It made a considerable contribution to literature as, there is to date, limited research available on the influence that Quality of Work life has on the perceived service delivery and productivity of employees in the food and beverage sector. Furthermore, this research provides valuable insights into the job satisfaction and perceived service delivery and productivity of South African food and beverage employees and how best to manage these employees with South African working conditions in mind. There is, however, ample opportunity to expand this type of research in many other tourism industries or sectors, to understand the degree to which employees’ perceptions of their own service delivery and productivity might influence organisational performance. Expanding this research will therefore be invaluable as organisational performance is the main objective of all commercial establishments as it contributes to the improvement of the sector and its competitiveness and profitability. / Thesis (MCom (Tourism Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Livsmedelsbranschen förändras i takt med den miljö- och hälsotrend som sprids över det svenska matlandet med alltfler närodlade produkter, rustika förpackningar och produkter tillverkade med minimala svinn. Som kontrast, kan samtidigt uppmärkasammas de ungas ökade preferenser för sockerrika och energitäta livsmedel, och studier visar att åkommor som t ex diabetesrelaterade sjukdomar ökar. Med detta som bakgrund, kan bär- och fruktdrycker utan tillsatt socker eller andra tillsatser - där vitaminerna i jämförelse med energitätheten är hög - och som är behaglig att dricka, ligga rätt i tiden.Syftet med detta arbete var att utveckla ett dryckeskoncept kring hälsobefrämjande bärdryck baserad på blåbär- och lingonjuice.För att balansera socker-/syranivån i drycken provades några utvalda frukter och grönsaker. Dessa tillsattes i mindre mängd för att de inte skulle ta över de ursprungliga bärsmakerna i drycken. Även tillsatsen E170 kalciumkarbonat (CaCO3) testades vid olika nivåer, för att reducera syrainnehållet och testa vilken effekt detta har på smaken. Vi visade att det är möjligt att utveckla olika dryckeskoncept med god konsistens och god smak enligt provsmakarna, enbart utgående från bär, frukter och grönsaker. I svarta vinbär kan syranivån reduceras upp till 25 % med kalcium-karbonat utan märkbar påverkan på smaken. Analyser av den framtagna drycken visade att innehållet av hälsobefrämjande fenoler och antocyaner var relativt högt som följd av den höga andelen fenolrika bär i drycken. / The food industry is changing as the current environment and health trend spreads across the Swedish culinary nation, bringing more locally grown products, rustic packaging and products manufactured with minimal losses. Meanwhile, we see an increasing trend where young people's preference of food continue to grow towards sugar rich and energy dense foods. Studies also shows that disorders such as diabetes related diseases are increasing. With this in mind, berry and fruit drinks with no added sugar or other additives, where vitamins in relation to energy density is high and also pleasant to drink, might be just the thing for the present times.The aim of this work was to develop a beverage concept of a health promoting berry beverage based on billberry- and lingonberry juice.To balance sweetness/acidity levels in the beverage, a selection of fruits and vegetables were tested. These were added in smaller amounts to relieve the risk of overpowering the original berry flavors in the beverage. Also, the additive E170 calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was tested at different levels to reduce the acidic content and see how this would affect the flavor. We showed that it is possible to develop different beverage concepts with good texture and good taste according to the tasters, solely on the basis of berries, fruits and vegetables. In blackcurrant purée, the acidic levels can be reduced by up to 25 % using calcium carbonate without significantly impacting the flavor. Analyses of the produced beverage showed that the content of health promoting phenolics and anthocyanins were relatively high, as a result of the high proportion of phenolic rich berries used in the beverage.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-09-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:52:21Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 rocha_jvc_me_botfca.pdf: 649636 bytes, checksum: 10ba83687bf497762253734eace152ec (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O presente trabalho teve por objetivo a análise de investimentos para implantação de unidade industrial de pequeno porte de refrigerante de acerola, planejada para ser instalada no município de Bauru - SP, onde existe um empresário potencial investidor. O mercado brasileiro de refrigerantes tem obtido crescimento considerável, e o grande potencial de consumo deste mercado tem propiciado o surgimento de pequenas indústrias de refrigerantes. Potencial que coloca o Brasil em 3º lugar no consumo de refrigerantes, apenas atrás dos Estados Unidos e México. A acerola que é uma fruta de sabor agradável e rica em vitamina C tem despertado interesse crescente no consumidor brasileiro e apresenta uso potencial como matéria-prima na produção de refrigerante. Para analisar a viabilidade econômica de uma indústria de refrigerantes de pequeno porte, utilizou-se como referência uma capacidade de produção de 300.000 litros/mês. Foram calculados os custos de implantação e os custos de operação da unidade industrial. Para determinação das receitas foram utilizados dois cenários ao longo de um ano de produção. No cenário 1, admite-se a produção constante de 300.000 litros de refrigerante por mês, sendo que no período de entressafra (maio a julho) diversificou-se a produção, com a produção de 30% (90.000 litros) de refrigerante de acerola e 70% (210.000 litros) de refrigerante de guaraná. Já no cenário 2, admite-se que no período de entressafra da acerola, o consumo de refrigerantes apresenta uma redução de 20%, passando para uma produção de 240.000 litros/mês, sendo 72.000 litros de refrigerante de acerola e 168.000 litros de refrigerante de guaraná. Sobre os fluxos de dispêndios e receitas foram determinados os indicadores de viabilidade econômica do projeto, que são: payback simples e econômico; valor presente líquido... / The aim of the present study is to analyze investments for the installation of a small-sized industry of acerola soft drink, planned to be installed in the county of Bauru - São Paulo - Brazil where there is a potential investor. The Brazilian market of soft drinks has had considerable growth and its great potential has made many small industries emerge. This potential puts Brazil in 3rd place in soft drinks consume, only behind United States and Mexico. Acerola which is a tasty fruit and rich in vitamin C has caught Brazilian continuing interest and presents potential use as prime matter in the production of soft drinks. To analyze economic viability of a small-sized soft drink industry, a production capacity of 300,000 liters per month has been used as reference. Installation and factory operation costs have been calculated. Two scenarios along one year of production have been used to determine budget revenues. In scenario 1, the constant production of 300,000 liters per month has been admitted, the off season (May to July) production being diversified with 30% (90,000 liters) acerola soft drinks and 70% (210,000 liters) guarana soft drinks. In scenario 2, acerola off season presents a 20% reduction in the consume of soft drinks, lowering to a 240,000 liters per month production, 72,000 liters of acerola and 168,000 liters of guarana. Over the flow of 4 expenses and revenues, the project indicators of economic viability were determined, which are: simple and economic payback; liquid present value; intern feedback rate and cost benefit relation. The opportunity cost of the capital was 20%. The results obtained through economic viability indicators for both scenarios were favorable to the industry installation. Scenario 1 was more favorable than scenario 2 due to not considering the lower consume in the off-season. The investment analysis for the installation... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below)

Seed development in Arabidopsis thaliana, has been studied at several levels. However, little has been done to study the role of sugar metabolism genes in seed pod development in this species. As the fertilized egg progresses to a mature seed, the sugars composition during different stages of the developing changes. These changes are related to metabolic processes in the developing seeds, but also to the activity of sucrose- converting and transporting genes, active at the interphase between the maternal tissue and the endosperm. Sucrose synthase (SUS) is one of these genes; it catalyses the reversible reaction of sucrose breakdown in the presence of UDP to form fructose and UDP-glucose. In this study we looked at glucose, fructose and sucrose concentration at different time points during seed pod development. These changes in sugar concentrations were analysed in both Colombia wild type and WS (Wassilewskija) ecotypes. By comparison of the sugar composition of these ecotypes, and linking these data with phenotypic observations in both ecotypes during development, we are able to comment on the possible role of sugars in seed pod development. Also, the sugar composition of wild type seed pods were compared with those of Atsus mutant seed pods, and possible effects sucrose synthase mutations on the phenotype of the developing Arabidopsis thaliana seeds were analysed. The effect of sucrose synthase knockouts in developing seed pods were studied by comparing biochemical and phenotypic characteristics data of the Atsus mutants within Colombia wild type plants. Salk line plants were screened to identify plants carrying a homozygous insertion for T-DNA in five of the sucrose synthase genes. The developing seed pods of each of the homozygous mutants were characterized biochemically via High-Performance Anion-Exchange Chromatography (HPAEC). Furthermore, seed weight, number of seed per pod, germination rate and the morphological development of the embryo were closely analysed. The study found out that there were some biochemical effects of Atsus knockout mutants, and some phenotypic effects of Atsus knockout mutants on the developing seed pods. However, in general the effects were not as pronounced as those that were seen in maize seed, pea seed and potato tuber as a result of sucrose synthase knockout. The general pattern of glucose, fructose and sucrose were similar to the Colombia wild type, although in mature seed pods the sucrose levels in Atsus1, Atsus2, Atsus3 and Atsus6 were slightly, but significantly lower than in the Colombia wild type.

Food hygiene practices and standards and their implication on food safety among students in Senior High Schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and the effect of two food safety interventions were investigated due to increasing cases of food poisoning from schools reported in the media. Forty five sampled schools in the Ashanti Region were audited and compared with 10 schools from Lincolnshire, UK, as a means of categorising the schools into hygiene standards. Whilst all schools audited in Lincolnshire were in excellent hygiene category (9.0 - 10.0), in the Ashanti Region, only 17.8% were in good category (7.0 - 8.9), 73.3% were in medium (5.0 - 6.9) and 8.9% were in poor hygiene category (2.0 - 4.9). Although 60% of the sampled schools in Ashanti Region served between 1000 – 3000 students daily, there was no evidence of Food Safety Management System in place and 52% of the 180 sampled students reported to have experienced foodborne infections 3-12 times per year within their 1 and 2 years in secondary school. Staff hygiene training was absent in schools which led to substandard hygiene practices with low food and personal hygiene test scores. Although there was supervision, 31% of the kitchen matrons reported they had no hygiene qualification in Ghana. Early food preparation times with absence of hot holding equipment in the kitchens encouraged temperature abuse of Ready-to-Eat meals with Aerobic Colony Count (ACC), Bacillus cereus, total coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, yeast and moulds counts exceeding the national acceptable limits for cooked meals. Lack of standardised hand washing and utensils cleaning procedure increased microbiological contaminants (ACC, coliforms, S. aureus, yeast and moulds) above existing advisory guidelines after washing. Eleven schools from the Ashanti Region of Ghana after the hygiene categorisation were given GHP training as an intervention and the previous hygiene indicators reassessed. There were improvements in all hygiene indicators with significant differences in staff food hygiene iii knowledge (Z= -2.934, p=0.001), personal hygiene requirement (Z= -2.847, p=0.001) and food temperature (Z= -2.142, p=0.015) Post GHP. ACC, total coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus levels were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in jollof rice. Microbiological contaminants on food contact surfaces and staff hands reduced Post GHP with significant reduction in ACC and coliforms with the exception of serving pans. Post HACCP results for all measured indicators were comparable to other international reports from schools with HACCP in place. Food temperature significantly improved [χ2 (2) =8.400, p=0.008]. Jollof rice microbiological contaminants reduced with up to 100% satisfactory rate for ACC and yeast and moulds, 80% for Staphylococcus aureus and 60% for Bacillus cereus. Coliforms significantly reduced [χ2 (2) =9.580, p=0.002] but had only 40% satisfactory rate. Post HACCP ACC on staff hands and food contact surfaces were significantly reduced (p<0.05) and also yeast and mould for the latter [χ2 (2) =7.600, p=0.024]. Reduction of total coliforms was not significantly different for both staff hands and utensils probably due to absence of disinfection. Food service/dishing time reduced to the agreed time (30-60 minutes) to student’s meal time. Post hoc analysis with Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test was conducted with Bonferroni’s correction. There were significant reductions in Post GHP - Pre GHP; food temperature (Z=-2.625, p=0.003), S. aureus in jollof rice (Z=-2.803, p=0.001), ACC (Z=-2.578, p=0.003), yeast and mould (Z=-2.490, p=0.005) on food contact surfaces. There was enough evidence to prove that GHP significantly improved hygiene and food safety. The study recommends the introduction of GHP and applied HACCP principles in schools.

O consumo de álcool na adolescência, evidenciado por pesquisas nacionais e internacionais, se constitui em questão relevante com repercussão em diversos setores da sociedade. Entretanto, as motivações que propiciam tal prática, ainda são pouco estudadas. Buscando desvendá-las, desenvolveu-se, aqui, pesquisa qualitativa, no período de 2006 a 2009, com o objetivo de compreender as representações socialmente construídas d@s adolescentes acerca do consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e analisar os fatores que influenciam essas representações. O campo do estudo foi uma Unidade de Saúde da Família da cidade de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil. Os sujeitos foram vinte e um adolescentes de ambos os sexos, na faixa etária entre dez e dezesseis anos. As técnicas utilizadas para a coleta dos dados foram observação, grupos focais e entrevista semiestruturada. A análise dos dados foi realizada através da interpretação dos sentidos. A partir das falas dos sujeitos identificou-se duas categorias: beber muito e junto, que se aproxima do que é conceituado como binge drinking. Além disso, estar junto evidencia o caráter socializador que a bebida possui, atrelado ao sentimento de pertencimento exteriorizado pelos sujeitos através das expressões: meu pai bebe, é pressão dos amigos e todo mundo bebe! A fala d@s adolescentes demonstrou que essa aceitação perpassa pela adoção de práticas comuns, que significam também um ritual de passagem para o mundo adulto. Como fatores que influenciam essa representação, destacamos as atitudes dos adultos em relação ao álcool, especialmente a figura paterna e a influência do que é veiculado pela mídia. Outra categoria identificada foi se diverte, rola brigas, crimes e até morte, onde @s adolescentes destacaram as consequências do consumo de bebidas alcoólicas através das alterações físicas, de comportamento e da ocorrência de acidentes, o que demonstra que el@s percebem claramente a interface entre o uso abusivo da bebida alcoólica e a violência nas suas diversas formas. Conclui-se que o lugar que essa substância ocupa no imaginário d@s adolescentes demonstra que a ela é atribuída a representação de um capital simbólico e possui, na atualidade, relação com a estrutura social capitalista, havendo contradições entre o que é preconizado e a forma como a sociedade lida com essa questão. Outro ponto a ser ressaltado é a precariedade de fatores protetores e a existência de fatores de vulnerabilidade, havendo, portanto, a necessidade de repensar as políticas públicas voltadas para essa faixa etária e problemática, a partir de abordagem integral, intersetorial e multidisciplinar. / Alcohol consumption in adolescence, evidenced by national and international research, is a relevant issue with repercussions in different sectors of society. However, the reasons that cause this behavior are little studied. This qualitative research, carried out between 2006 and 2009, aimed to understand the socially constructed representations of adolescents, concerning the consumption of alcoholic beverages and analyze the factors that influence these representations. The study venue was a Family Health Unit in the city of Feira de Santana, state of Bahia, Brazil. Subjects were twenty-one adolescents of both genders, aged between ten and sixteen years. Observation, focus groups and semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Data analysis was carried out through the interpretation of the meanings. Two categories were identified from subjects report: drinking much and in group, which is close to the concept of binge drinking. Besides this, being in group evidences the socializing character of drinking, with the feeling of belonging expressed by subjects through the following sentences: my father drinks, it is pressure from friends and everybody drinks! Adolescents reports demonstrated that this acceptance permeates the adoption of common practices, which also mean a rite of passage to adult world. Factors that influence this representation are adults attitudes to alcohol, especially from the paternal figure, and the influence of what is released by media. Another category identified was it is fun, there are fights, crimes and even death, in which adolescents highlighted the consequences of the consumption of alcoholic beverages through physical and behavioral alterations and the occurrence of accidents. This shows they clearly know the interface between the abusive use of alcohol and violence in its different ways. The position this substance has in adolescents thoughts demonstrates they attribute it the representation of a symbolic capital and that it is currently related to the capitalist social structure, having contradictions between what is recommended and the way the society deals with this issue. Another topic to be underlined is the precariousness of protective factors and the existence of vulnerability factors. Thus, rethinking public policies targeting this age group and this problem is needed, through a comprehensive, intersectorial and multidisciplinary approach.

O objetivo deste trabalho é o de mostrar como os centros de distribuição (CD) podem melhorar a qualidade de atendimento ao cliente e o transporte urbano na atividade de distribuição de bebidas. Para isso, é necessário um aprofundamento teórico dos conceitos de logística e de todas as atividades que a compõe como vendas, produção, armazenagem, distribuição, custos, sem se esquecer dos conceitos de marketing, do relacionamento com o cliente e da sua satisfação. Isso para obter um sistema integrado entre a produção e o consumidor. Foram realizados levantamentos entre vários distribuidores de bebidas de forma a relatar a situação atual desse mercado. Foram analisados distribuidores franqueados de grandes marcas assim como pequenos distribuidores independentes. Os resultados das pesquisas mostram que boa parte desses distribuidores desconhece técnicas de armazenagem e de roteirização, trabalhando empiricamente. Verifica-se uma grande desvantagem competitiva entre os pequenos distribuidores franqueados de marcas de menor expressão ou independentes, em relação aos grandes distribuidores franqueados de grandes marcas com grande penetração no mercado, em razão destes terem entre outras vantagens a possibilidade de melhor aproveitamento de sua capacidade de distribuição. Conclui-se que os centros de distribuição, integrando todas as marcas ou pelo menos todas as marcas de menor expressão, pode ser a estratégia adequada para uma distribuição com qualidade e rentabilidade. / The purpose of this paper is to show how the center of distribution (CD) can improve the quality on service for clients and urban transportation in the beverage distribution activities. Therefore, it is necessary to make a deeper study of logistical concepts and all the activities that are part of it, such as sales production, storage, distribution, costs, including also the concepts of marketing, relationship with the client and his/her satisfaction. It is an order to get an integrated system between production and costumer. A research was accomplished among several beverage distributors in order to make a reference of market field. Franchisee distributors for large trade marks as well as small independent distributors were analysed. The result of the studies show us that a larger amount of these distributors do not realize the storage and routing know-how, working empirically. It is verified a great competitive desadvantage between the few-expressive or independent small franchisee distributors and the large franchisee distributor representing the large trade marks with a huge acceptance in the market. Then, it is concluded that the center distribution integrating all the trade marks or at least all the less expressive ones can be the adequate strategy for a qualified and profitable distribution.

A batata-doce possui grande importância na alimentação humana e expressivo potencial para produção de etanol. A produção brasileira desta cultura é a 20ª no ranking mundial, com produção de 525.814 t em 2014, destacando-se o Rio Grande do Sul, responsável por 30,68% da produção do país. Shochu é a bebida alcoólica destilada mais consumida no Japão, produzida por destilação de fermentados de diversas fontes amiláceas, incluindo a batata-doce. Em sua fabricação é utilizado o koji, cultura sólida de fungos tradicional dos países asiáticos, mas que torna o processo produtivo lento e com alto risco de contaminação. Considerando a alta produtividade de batata-doce e a influência da cultura japonesa no Brasil, principalmente na culinária, percebe-se uma grande oportunidade de agregar valor a essa matéria-prima. Os objetivos deste trabalho são fazer o estudo de um processo alternativo - mais rápido e com menor risco de contaminação - para produção de destilado de batata-doce similar ao shochu, e a avaliação da viabilidade econômica para produção do mesmo. No processo alternativo proposto, o koji foi substituído pela enzima Stargen 002, mistura contendo alfa-amilase e glucoamilase, e utilizou-se uma pectinase para redução da viscosidade do meio. O tempo de processo reduziu de 14 dias para apenas 1 dia. As análises dos compostos de interesse foram realizadas por HPLC e GC. Quanto às matérias-primas, o teor de açúcares redutores totais foi maior na batata-doce de casca creme e polpa creme (30,42±1,54%), seguida pela batata-doce de casca púrpura e polpa creme (27,44±0,36%) e por último a batata-doce de casca rosada e polpa alaranjada (20,57±0,49%), e o teor de umidade seguiu a ordem inversa. Os resultados obtidos pelo processo padrão não foram satisfatórios em razão do baixo rendimento da fermentação alcoólica (40,59-42,51%) e da formação de compostos acima do limite da legislação, resultantes de fermentação acética. O rendimento experimental da fermentação alcoólica foi maior utilizando a levedura Angel Thermal Resistance Alcohol® (73,65%), seguida da Lalvin DV10® (70,39%) e por último a Lalvin EC1118® (67,31%), sendo maiores do que os obtidos com o uso das técnicas convencionais de produção de shochu, pois a não contaminação por bactérias acéticas no fermentado possibilitou maior rendimento em etanol. Por destilação em batelada, foram separadas frações de cabeça, coração e cauda, e em todas elas o componente álcool metílico mostrou-se acima dos limites da legislação. Realizou-se, então, experimento sem adição de pectinase, e o problema de formação de metanol foi eliminado. Entretanto, houve queda no rendimento da fermentação alcoólica (51,65-54,75%), indicando que a menor desintegração da batata-doce prejudica o andamento do processo fermentativo. Todos os compostos analisados mostraram-se dentro dos limites das normas vigentes. As frações cabeça e cauda foram descartadas e a fração coração foi diluída até teor alcoólico de 25% (v.v-1) e envasada. O destilado produzido, batizado de “Tchêchu”, e o shochu comercial apresentaram as mesmas bandas de adsorção em análise FTIR, identificando semelhança entre os mesmos. O custo de produção de uma garrafa (750 mL) de “Tchêchu” foi estimado em R$ 8,75. Com preço unitário de R$ 15,75 e utilizando-se a taxa SELIC (9,25% a.a.) como taxa mínima de atratividade, tem-se VPL de R$ 1.815.107,34, TIR de 26%, e payback descontado de 2,44 anos, o que mostra que a implantação de uma destilaria para produção de “Tchêchu” é economicamente viável. / Sweet potatoes have great importance in human food and have significant potential for ethanol production. The Brazilian production of this crop is the 20th in the world ranking, with production of 525,814 t in 2014, standing out Rio Grande do Sul, responsible for 30.68% of the country's production. Shochu is the most widely consumed spirit in Japan, produced by the distillation of fermented mash from a variety of starchy sources, including sweet potatoes. In its manufacture is used koji, a solid fungus culture traditional of the Asian countries, but that makes the productive process slow and at high risk of contamination. Considering the high productivity of sweet potatoes and the influence of Japanese culture in Brazil, a great opportunity to add value to this raw material is perceived. The objectives of this work are to study an alternative process - faster and with less risk of contamination - for the production of sweet potato distillate similar to shochu, and to study the economic viability analysis for its production. In the alternative process proposed, koji was replaced by the enzyme Stargen 002, a mixture containing alpha-amylase and glucoamylase, and a pectinase was used to reduce the viscosity of the medium. The process time reduced from 14 days to only 1 day. Analyzes of the compounds of interest were performed by HPLC and GC. Total reducing sugar content was higher in sweet potatoes with cream peel and cream pulp (30.42 ± 1.54%), followed by sweet potatoes with purple peel and cream pulp (27.44 ± 0.36%) and finally sweet potatoes with rose peel and orange pulp (20.57 ± 0.49%), and the moisture content followed the reverse order. The results obtained by the standard process were not satisfactory due to the low yield of alcoholic fermentation (40.59-42.51%) and the formation of compounds above the limit of the legislation, resulting from acetic fermentation. The experimental yield of alcoholic fermentation was higher using Angel Thermal Resistance Alcohol® (73.65%), followed by Lalvin DV10® (70.39%) and Lalvin EC1118® (67.31%), being higher than those obtained with the use of conventional methods of shochu production, since the non-contamination by acetic bacteria in the fermentation allowed a higher yield in ethanol. Fractions of head, heart and tail were separated by distillation, and in all of them the methyl alcohol component showed above the limits of the legislation. An experiment was performed without addition of pectinase, and the problem of methanol formation was eliminated. However, there was a decrease in the yield of alcoholic fermentation (51.65-54.75%), indicating that lower disintegration of sweet potatoes impairs the progress of the fermentation process. All compounds analyzed were within the limits of the current laws. Head and tail fractions were discarded and heart fraction was diluted up to 25% alcoholic strength (v.v-1) and bottled. The distillate produced, named "Tchêchu", and commercial shochu presented the same adsorption bands in FTIR analysis, identifying similarity between them. The cost of producing a bottle (750 mL) of "Tchêchu" was estimated at R $ 8.75. With a unit price of R$ 15.75 and using the SELIC rate (9.25%) as minimum acceptable rate of return there is a NPV of R$ 1,815,107.34, an IRR of 26%, and a discounted payback of 2.44 years, which shows that the implementation of a distillery to produce "Tchêchu" is economically viable.

O consumo de álcool na adolescência, evidenciado por pesquisas nacionais e internacionais, se constitui em questão relevante com repercussão em diversos setores da sociedade. Entretanto, as motivações que propiciam tal prática, ainda são pouco estudadas. Buscando desvendá-las, desenvolveu-se, aqui, pesquisa qualitativa, no período de 2006 a 2009, com o objetivo de compreender as representações socialmente construídas d@s adolescentes acerca do consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e analisar os fatores que influenciam essas representações. O campo do estudo foi uma Unidade de Saúde da Família da cidade de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil. Os sujeitos foram vinte e um adolescentes de ambos os sexos, na faixa etária entre dez e dezesseis anos. As técnicas utilizadas para a coleta dos dados foram observação, grupos focais e entrevista semiestruturada. A análise dos dados foi realizada através da interpretação dos sentidos. A partir das falas dos sujeitos identificou-se duas categorias: beber muito e junto, que se aproxima do que é conceituado como binge drinking. Além disso, estar junto evidencia o caráter socializador que a bebida possui, atrelado ao sentimento de pertencimento exteriorizado pelos sujeitos através das expressões: meu pai bebe, é pressão dos amigos e todo mundo bebe! A fala d@s adolescentes demonstrou que essa aceitação perpassa pela adoção de práticas comuns, que significam também um ritual de passagem para o mundo adulto. Como fatores que influenciam essa representação, destacamos as atitudes dos adultos em relação ao álcool, especialmente a figura paterna e a influência do que é veiculado pela mídia. Outra categoria identificada foi se diverte, rola brigas, crimes e até morte, onde @s adolescentes destacaram as consequências do consumo de bebidas alcoólicas através das alterações físicas, de comportamento e da ocorrência de acidentes, o que demonstra que el@s percebem claramente a interface entre o uso abusivo da bebida alcoólica e a violência nas suas diversas formas. Conclui-se que o lugar que essa substância ocupa no imaginário d@s adolescentes demonstra que a ela é atribuída a representação de um capital simbólico e possui, na atualidade, relação com a estrutura social capitalista, havendo contradições entre o que é preconizado e a forma como a sociedade lida com essa questão. Outro ponto a ser ressaltado é a precariedade de fatores protetores e a existência de fatores de vulnerabilidade, havendo, portanto, a necessidade de repensar as políticas públicas voltadas para essa faixa etária e problemática, a partir de abordagem integral, intersetorial e multidisciplinar. / Alcohol consumption in adolescence, evidenced by national and international research, is a relevant issue with repercussions in different sectors of society. However, the reasons that cause this behavior are little studied. This qualitative research, carried out between 2006 and 2009, aimed to understand the socially constructed representations of adolescents, concerning the consumption of alcoholic beverages and analyze the factors that influence these representations. The study venue was a Family Health Unit in the city of Feira de Santana, state of Bahia, Brazil. Subjects were twenty-one adolescents of both genders, aged between ten and sixteen years. Observation, focus groups and semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Data analysis was carried out through the interpretation of the meanings. Two categories were identified from subjects report: drinking much and in group, which is close to the concept of binge drinking. Besides this, being in group evidences the socializing character of drinking, with the feeling of belonging expressed by subjects through the following sentences: my father drinks, it is pressure from friends and everybody drinks! Adolescents reports demonstrated that this acceptance permeates the adoption of common practices, which also mean a rite of passage to adult world. Factors that influence this representation are adults attitudes to alcohol, especially from the paternal figure, and the influence of what is released by media. Another category identified was it is fun, there are fights, crimes and even death, in which adolescents highlighted the consequences of the consumption of alcoholic beverages through physical and behavioral alterations and the occurrence of accidents. This shows they clearly know the interface between the abusive use of alcohol and violence in its different ways. The position this substance has in adolescents thoughts demonstrates they attribute it the representation of a symbolic capital and that it is currently related to the capitalist social structure, having contradictions between what is recommended and the way the society deals with this issue. Another topic to be underlined is the precariousness of protective factors and the existence of vulnerability factors. Thus, rethinking public policies targeting this age group and this problem is needed, through a comprehensive, intersectorial and multidisciplinary approach.

O objetivo deste trabalho é o de mostrar como os centros de distribuição (CD) podem melhorar a qualidade de atendimento ao cliente e o transporte urbano na atividade de distribuição de bebidas. Para isso, é necessário um aprofundamento teórico dos conceitos de logística e de todas as atividades que a compõe como vendas, produção, armazenagem, distribuição, custos, sem se esquecer dos conceitos de marketing, do relacionamento com o cliente e da sua satisfação. Isso para obter um sistema integrado entre a produção e o consumidor. Foram realizados levantamentos entre vários distribuidores de bebidas de forma a relatar a situação atual desse mercado. Foram analisados distribuidores franqueados de grandes marcas assim como pequenos distribuidores independentes. Os resultados das pesquisas mostram que boa parte desses distribuidores desconhece técnicas de armazenagem e de roteirização, trabalhando empiricamente. Verifica-se uma grande desvantagem competitiva entre os pequenos distribuidores franqueados de marcas de menor expressão ou independentes, em relação aos grandes distribuidores franqueados de grandes marcas com grande penetração no mercado, em razão destes terem entre outras vantagens a possibilidade de melhor aproveitamento de sua capacidade de distribuição. Conclui-se que os centros de distribuição, integrando todas as marcas ou pelo menos todas as marcas de menor expressão, pode ser a estratégia adequada para uma distribuição com qualidade e rentabilidade. / The purpose of this paper is to show how the center of distribution (CD) can improve the quality on service for clients and urban transportation in the beverage distribution activities. Therefore, it is necessary to make a deeper study of logistical concepts and all the activities that are part of it, such as sales production, storage, distribution, costs, including also the concepts of marketing, relationship with the client and his/her satisfaction. It is an order to get an integrated system between production and costumer. A research was accomplished among several beverage distributors in order to make a reference of market field. Franchisee distributors for large trade marks as well as small independent distributors were analysed. The result of the studies show us that a larger amount of these distributors do not realize the storage and routing know-how, working empirically. It is verified a great competitive desadvantage between the few-expressive or independent small franchisee distributors and the large franchisee distributor representing the large trade marks with a huge acceptance in the market. Then, it is concluded that the center distribution integrating all the trade marks or at least all the less expressive ones can be the adequate strategy for a qualified and profitable distribution.