Two wild blueberry fields were selected in central Nova Scotia, to characterize and quantify the spatial pattern of variability in soil properties, leaf nutrients and fruit yield, identification of yield influencing soil properties, and to develop management zones for site-specific fertilization. A combination of classical statistics, geostatistical analysis and mapping in Arc GIS 9.3 indicated substantial variation within field. The stepwise regression suggested that the soil EC, horizontal co-planar geometry (HCP), inorganic nitrogen and moisture content were major yield influencing factors. The cluster analysis of the soil variables with the fruit yield also indicated that HCP, inorganic nitrogen, EC, SOM, and ?v were closely grouped with the fruit yield at a similarity level greater than 70%. Based on the results of this study the wild blueberry fields can be divided into different management zones for variable rate fertilization to improve crop production, increase revenue, and reduce potential environmental contamination.

An automated prototype variable rate (VR) sprayer was developed for control of eight individual nozzles on a 6.1 m sprayer boom for spot-application (SA) of agrochemicals in wild blueberry fields. The VR control system consisted of eight ultrasonic sensors and four cameras mounted on a separate boom in front of the ATV, flow controller, VR controller, ruggedized computer, flow valve and solenoid valves. Custom software was capable of processing the images to detect weeds or plants in real-time and automatically send a signal to the VR controller for SA at the correct target. The performance of VR sprayer for SA on weeds (herbicide) and foliage (fungicide) was evaluated in commercial wild blueberry fields. Based on the results of this study, the VR sprayer was reliable, efficient and accurate enough for SA of agrochemicals. The average volume of chemical saved with SA was 70 % herbicide and 30 % fungicide.

Dogbane beetle, Chrysochus auratus, was studied for its biological control potential against spreading dogbane, Apocynum androsaemifolium, a native perennial weed in lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium). No-choice host range experiments were conducted with common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), periwinkle (Vinca minor), wild raisin (Viburnum cassenoides), and lowbush blueberry. There was no significant feeding on these plant species by adult dogbane beetles. Significant decreases in foliar dry weight were achieved with 16 beetles per ramet. In Nova Scotia, beetles were present in the field for 8-12 weeks beginning in late June or early July (225-335 growing degree days). Peak beetle abundance occured at 357-577 growing degree days and varied from 4-7 beetles/m2. The fecundity and fertility, timing of pupation, and number of instars were also examined. Females deposited approximately 100 eggs over a 20 day period, with an egg viability of over 90%. Pupae were found on June 1st and June 15th. / A unique project exploring biological control of a native plant species using a native insect species

A functional beverage, designed to be cardio-protective, was formulated, using a blend of juices of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon L), blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton.), apple (Malus domestica L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and selected cardio-protective ingredients. Membrane filtration enhanced the antioxidant properties of the fruit juices. Ultrasound-assisted water extract of ginger showed potential antioxidant activities. The selected fruit juice combination, 50% blueberry; 12.5% cranberry; and 37.5% apple, showed higher consumer acceptability. Incorporation of functional ingredients at 10% RDI and 2% (v/v) ginger extract did not affect the sensory properties of the beverage. Phenolic concentration, FRAP value, and % LDL oxidation inhibition of the formulation were 1024 mg GAE/L, 3114 mg TE/L and 45%, respectively. Diet supplementation with the formulation resulted in lower serum and liver lipid levels in spontaneously hypotensive rats. Blood pressure was reduced by the formulation after two but not four weeks supplementation.

No description available.

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Thèse (M.E.S.R.)--Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1991. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

No description available.

O aquecimento ôhmico consiste na passagem de corrente elétrica alternada através de um alimento, transformando energia elétrica em energia térmica, promovendo, assim, um aumento de temperatura em seu interior. A habilidade desse método de gerar calor internamente no alimento permite que o aumento de temperatura seja rápido e uniforme. Essa habilidade resulta em um produto de maior qualidade, tornando a tecnologia de aquecimento ôhmico uma alternativa aos processos convencionais. O mirtilo é rico em compostos fenólicos, dentre esses estão as antocianinas. As antocianinas são compostos fenólicos com alto potencial antioxidante, sendo esse potencial relacionado a efeitos benéficos para a saúde humana no tratamento e prevenção de diversas doenças. O objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar um sistema de aquecimento ôhmico em escala de bancada e utilizá-lo no tratamento térmico da polpa de mirtilo, visando avaliar o efeito deste processo na degradação das antocianinas. Para tal, foi investigado o efeito da tensão (160–240 V) e do teor total de sólidos (4–16 %), utilizando um planejamento composto central. Foram determinadas algumas propriedades físicas do produto para posterior modelagem do processo. O sistema de aquecimento ôhmico construído opera em batelada e é composto por um variador de tensão, um sistema de aquisição de dados para monitoramento de temperatura, corrente elétrica e tensão e uma célula ôhmica. O teor total de antocianinas foi quantificado prévia e posteriormente ao aquecimento ôhmico, utilizando as metodologias de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e a espectrometria. O sistema de aquecimento ôhmico teve desempenho e validação satisfatórios. A degradação de antocianinas do mirtilo variou entre 5,71 e 14,67% nas faixas de tensão e de concentração de sólidos estudadas. O planejamento experimental demonstrou que apenas a tensão exerceu efeito significativo sobre a degradação. O aquecimento ôhmico, quando realizado utilizando altas tensões, apresentou níveis de degradação superiores ao aquecimento convencional. Por outro lado, quando aplicadas tensões mais baixas, a degradação de antocianinas foi inferior à apresentada pelo tratamento convencional. / Ohmic heating is based on the passage of alternating electrical current through food, transforming electrical energy in thermal energy, promoting an increase in temperature. The ability of this method in generating heat from inside the product, allows the heating process to be fast and homogeneous. This ability results in a product of superior quality and presents itself as an alternative to conventional processing. Blueberry fruits contain an array of phenolics, including anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity, being this potential related to benefits to human health in the treatment and prevention of several diseases. The aim of this work was to elaborate a bench ohmic heating system and apply it in the thermal treatment of blueberry pulp, in order to evaluate the effect of this process on anthocyanin degradation. For this purpose, the influence of different voltages (160–240 V) and total solids content (4–16 %) was evaluated using a central composite design. Some of the pulp physical properties were evaluated for posterior process modeling. The ohmic heating apparatus, operates in batch configuration and it consists of a voltage regulator; a system for temperature, tension and electrical current data acquisition; and an ohmic heating cell in which the pulp was inserted. Total anthocyanin content was determined previously and after ohmic heating by high performance liquid chromatography and spectrometry analysis. Satisfactory performance and validation were obtained considering the ohmic heating system built. Blueberry anthocyanins’ degradation varied from 5.71 to 14.67% in the tensions and solids contend range analyzed in this study. The central design composite showed that only tension exerted significant influence over anthocyanin degradation. Ohmic heating experiments, when carried out with high voltages, presented higher degradation levels than conventional heating. However, when lower voltages were applied, anthocyanin degradation was inferior when compared to conventional heating.

O mirtilo (Vaccinium spp.) é um fruto ainda pouco conhecido no Brasil, porém com grande potencial produtivo no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Estudos relatam propriedades benéficas à saúde e elevada capacidade antioxidante deste fruto, associadas à presença de compostos bioativos, especialmente os antociânicos. O presente trabalho teve por objetivos caracterizar o mirtilo orgânico Rabbiteye, cultivado no RS, e seus produtos derivados, bem como avaliar a estabilidade das antocianinas e da capacidade antioxidante no armazenado sob refrigeração (4 ºC) de suco integral de mirtilo por dez dias, no congelamento dos frutos (-18 ºC) durante seis meses e na desidratação do mirtilo (a 70, 80 e 90 ºC). Para isso, realizaram-se análises físico-químicas, mediu-se a atividade antioxidante, através dos métodos DPPH e ABTS, e determinou-se o conteúdo de antocianinas por cromatografia líquida e espectroscopia. O mirtilo cultivado no RS apresentou capacidade antioxidante superior a de outros frutos e sucos. Quanto às antocianinas, os frutos obtiveram média superior ou inferior à de mirtilos de outras espécies e origens, porém sendo encontradas similaridades no perfil. Tanto as passas quanto o bagaço e a farinha produzida pela secagem deste resíduo sofreram perdas no processamento, mas retendo ainda grande quantidade de compostos antociânicos e atividade antioxidante. Durante o congelamento, os frutos apresentaram aumento significativo (p<0,05) na atividade antioxidante no terceiro mês, sofrendo queda ao final de seis meses, porém mantendo ainda valor superior ao “in natura”. O suco foi analisado a cada dois dias e teve a atividade antioxidante afetada a partir do oitavo dia de armazenamento, permanecendo constante até o décimo dia. As antocianinas sofreram perdas significativas tanto no congelamento dos frutos (59 %) quanto na refrigeração do suco (83 %), porém algumas degradando mais do que outras, provavelmente por diferenças na estrutura química. A capacidade antioxidante do mirtilo aumentou durante a primeira metade do tratamento térmico a 80 ºC e, após 3 h, sofreu redução significativa (p<0,05) até o final do processo. As antocianinas apresentaram tempo de meia-vida médio de 7,7 h e 6,8 h para as secagens a 70 e 80 ºC, respectivamente. A estabilidade dos compostos bioativos está relacionada tanto com a magnitude quanto com a duração do tratamento térmico. Mais estudos são necessários a fim de otimizar o tempo e a temperatura de estocagem e processamento de tais produtos. / Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is a little-known fruit in Brazil, but with great productive potential in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Studies have reported properties beneficial to the health and high antioxidant capacity of this fruit, associated with the presence of bioactive compounds, especially anthocyanins. This study aimed to characterize the organic Rabbiteye blueberry grown in RS, and their products, as well as evaluating the stability of anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity of whole blueberry juice stored under refrigeration (4 °C) for ten days, of fruits stored frozen (-18 °C) for six months and of the dehydration of blueberries (at 70, 80 and 90 °C). For this, physicochemical analyses were carried out, the antioxidant activity was measured through DPPH and ABTS methods, and the content of anthocyanins was determined by liquid chromatography and spectroscopy. Blueberries grown in RS showed higher antioxidant capacity than other fruits and juices. For anthocyanins, the fruits had higher or lower average than other species of blueberries and origins, but similarities had been found in the profile. Both dried fruit and pomace, as well as the flour produced by drying of this residue, they all suffered losses in their process, but still retaining large amounts of anthocyanins and antioxidant activity. During freezing, the fruits showed a significant increase (p<0,05) in antioxidant activity in the third month, decreasing in the end of six months, although still maintaining a value higher than that of the “in natura” fruit. The juice was analyzed every two days and the antioxidant activity was affected in the eighth day of storage, remaining stable up to the tenth day. Anthocyanins have suffered significant losses in both frozen fruits (59 %) and refrigerated juice (83 %), but some degrading more than others, probably due to differences in their chemical structure. The antioxidant capacity of blueberry increased during the first half of the heat treatment at 80 °C, and after 3 h was significantly decreased (p<0,05) til the end of the process. Anthocyanins showed half-life average about 7,7 h and 6,8 h for drying at 70 °C and 80 °C, respectively. The stability of bioactive compounds is related to both the magnitude and duration of heat treatment. Further studies are needed to optimize the time and temperature of storage and processing of such products.