Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-11-21T15:21:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Adauto Mauricio Tavares.pdf: 669747 bytes, checksum: 526ef793913bb34a11aefd21e5b8d08d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-21T15:21:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Adauto Mauricio Tavares.pdf: 669747 bytes, checksum: 526ef793913bb34a11aefd21e5b8d08d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-21 / Predatory bugs (Anthocoridae) are an important group for potential use in biological control of thrips. The pirate bug Montandoniola confusa (= moraguesi) Streito & Matocq (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is found preying on Cuban laurel thrips, Gynaikothrips ficorum, (Marchal) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae). The aim of this work was to study the biology of M. confusa feeding on G. ficorum (its natural prey) and eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and Sitotroga cerealella Oliver (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as factitious prey. The predator M. confusa showed lower nymphal duration when feeding on G. ficorum and A. kuehniella, and the egg production was 2.37 times greater when reared on G. ficorum. It was determined the predation rate of M. confusa preying upon different development stages of thrips, exposed separately or simultaneously for 48 hours. Estimated by the functional response model, the average predation rate was 110.5 eggs, 10.9 larvae/pre-pupae and 13.5 adults, when these stages were offered separately. Exposing simultaneously all stages of prey in the galls and in different proportions was observed higher predation rate on eggs with significant reduction in predation of larvae and adults, after increasing the availability of eggs. The presence of adults of thrips in galls having low density of eggs (less than 30 eggs per gall) did not affect the predation rate on eggs by M. confusa. However, at densities greater than 90 eggs per gall, the presence of adult thrips reduced by up to 50% the predation rate on eggs. It is concluded that M. confusa is specialized to prey on eggs regardless of the density of eggs, larvae or adults of thrips in the gall. Eggs of A. kuehniella and S. cerealella may be used to rear M. confusa, but with lower performance if compared to the natural prey. Among the available alternative prey, A. kuehniella have been shown to be the most suitable alternative prey species for rearing M. confusa. / Predadores Anthocoridae compõem um grupo de grande uso no controle biológico de tripes. O percevejo Montandoniola confusa (= moraguesi) Streito & Matocq (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) é encontrado predando o tripes Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) causador de galhas em fícus. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a biologia de M. confusa alimentado com G. ficorum, sua presa natural, e ovos de Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) e Sitotroga cerealella Oliver (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), consideradas presas alternativas. O predador M. confusa apresentou menor duração ninfal ao se alimentar de G. ficorum e de A. kuehniella, tendo sido sua oviposição foi 2,37 vezes maior quando criado com G. ficorum. Determinou-se também a predação por M. confusa nas fases de desenvolvimento do tripes, isolada ou simultaneamente. Quando ofertados isoladamente, a taxa de predação média foi de 110,5 ovos, 10,9 larvas/pré-pupas e 13,5 adultos do tripes, estimada pelo modelo de resposta funcional durante 48 horas de exposição. Na oferta de todas as fases do tripes simultaneamente nas galhas e em diferentes proporções, foi observada maior taxa de predação de ovos com significativa redução na predação de larvas e adultos com o aumento da disponibilidade de ovos. A presença de adultos do tripes em galhas com baixa densidade de ovos (< 30 por galha) não afetou a taxa de predação dos ovos por M. confusa. Contudo, em densidades superiores a 90 ovos por galha, a presença dos adultos do tripes na galha reduziu em até 50% a taxa de predação de ovos. Conclui-se que M. confusa é um predador preferencial de ovos, independentemente da densidade dos diferentes estágios presentes na galha. Ovos de A. kuehniella e S. cerealella permitem a criação do predador, mas com desempenho inferior quando comparado com a presa natural. Entre as presas alternativas, A. kuehniella foi a mais favorável para o desenvolvimento e reprodução de M. confusa.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-12-13T16:17:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Gleidiana Amelia Pontes de Almeida.pdf: 1138780 bytes, checksum: fc370a6b6c0b162b8d23c98b928894d2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-13T16:17:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gleidiana Amelia Pontes de Almeida.pdf: 1138780 bytes, checksum: fc370a6b6c0b162b8d23c98b928894d2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / This study aimed to evaluate the effect of replacing corn in the palm supplements for dairy females in pasture growth at levels of 0, 33, 66 and 100% replacement. The mixture urea / ammonia (9:1) (urea) sulfate was used to adjust the crude protein supplements because of the differences in crude protein from corn and palm, and the variation in the level of urea between supplements was maximum 20 g / kg. Intake and apparent nutrient digestibility, animal performance, intake of nitrogenous compounds, nitrogen balance, synthesis and microbial efficiency and bioeconomy system were evaluated. The study was conducted at Farm Roçadinho, Capoeiras municipality, located in the Wasteland of Pernambuco region for the period 30/09/2012 to 19/01/2013, the corresponding region in the dry season, in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replications , using 24 dairy females growing with an initial weight of 180 pounds. The experiment consisted of 28 days of diet adaptation and three experimental periods of 28 days each, to collect data and evaluate the performance of the animals. The intake of dry matter (DM), of pasture dry matter, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDF) did not differ with levels of substitution of corn by the palm. The intake of indigestible neutral detergent fiber (NDFi) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) increased linearly, since the non-fibrous carbohydrate corrected for ash and protein (NFC), ether extract (EE) and total digestible nutrients (TDN ) linearly decreased (P<0.05). The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, CNF, EE and showed a linear decrease TDN and CP increased (P <0.05), with the substitution of corn by palm. The final weight gains, total average daily metabolic weight and observed decreased linearly, since feed conversion increased (P <0.05). No effect was observed on N intake and N excreted in urine. On the other hand there was a reduction in the nitrogen excreted in the faeces nitrogen balance and percentage of ingested nitrogen, although the N-urea excreted in urine increased (P <0.05). The levels of plasma urea-N (PUN) did not vary with the replacement. The replacement of corn by palm reduces performance of dairy females in pasture growth, thus the total or partial replacement is conditioned to the projection of age at first calving on the production system and economy of use. / bjetivou-se avaliar o efeito da substituição do milho pela palma em suplementos para fêmeas leiteiras em crescimento a pasto nos níveis de 0, 33, 66 e 100% de substituição. A mistura ureia/sulfato de amônio (9:1) (ureia) foi utilizada para ajustar o teor de proteína bruta dos suplementos em razão das diferenças nos teores de proteína bruta entre o milho e a palma, sendo que a variação no teor de ureia entre os suplementos foi de no máximo 20 g/kg. Foram avaliados o consumo e digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, o desempenho dos animais, ingestão de compostos nitrogenados, balanço de nitrogênio, síntese e eficiência microbiana e a bioeconomicidade do sistema. O trabalho foi realizado na Fazenda Roçadinho, município de Capoeiras, situada na região Agreste de Pernambuco no período de 30/09/2012 a 19/01/2013, correspondente na região a período seco, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições, utilizando-se 24 fêmeas leiteiras em crescimento com peso inicial de 180 quilos. O experimento constou de 28 dias de adaptação às dietas e três períodos experimentais de 28 dias cada, para a coleta de dados e avaliação do desempenho dos animais. O consumo de matéria seca (MS), matéria seca do pasto, matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro corrigida para cinzas e proteína (FDNcp) não diferiram com os níveis de substituição do milho pela palma. O consumo de fibra em detergente neutro indigestível (FDNi) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) aumentou linearmente, já o de carboidrato não-fibroso corrigido para cinzas e proteínas (CNFcp), extrato etéreo (EE), e nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) decresceram linearmente (P<0,05). Os níveis de N-ureico no plasma (NUP) não variaram com a substituição. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da MS, MO, FDNcp, FDA, CNFcp, EE e os NDT apresentaram um decréscimo linear e os de PB aumentaram (P<0,05), com a substituição do milho pela palma. Os ganhos de peso final, total, médio diário e peso metabólico observados decresceram linearmente, já a conversão alimentar aumentou (P<0,05). Não foi observado efeito na ingestão de N e no N excretado na urina. Por outro lado houve redução no nitrogênio excretado nas fezes, no balanço de nitrogênio e na porcentagem de nitrogênio ingerido, já o N-ureico excretado na urina aumentou (P<0,05). A substituição do milho pela palma reduz o desempenho de fêmeas leiteiras em crescimento a pasto, assim a substituição total ou parcial fica condicionada à projeção da idade ao primeiro parto no sistema de produção e à economicidade de uso.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-07-18T15:55:27Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Nina Rosa Mello.pdf: 820186 bytes, checksum: 6106e9129dd9ff187daf9d0b5c46f501 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T15:55:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Nina Rosa Mello.pdf: 820186 bytes, checksum: 6106e9129dd9ff187daf9d0b5c46f501 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-05-28 / CAPEs / A palma forrageira é uma cactácea cultivada no semiárido nordestino, capaz de se desenvolver mesmo em solos deficientes em nutrientes e água. Por ser rica em carboidratos, tem um grande potencial para utilização em processos biotecnológicos para produção de diversos bioprodutos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a utilização da palma forrageira como substrato para a produção de enzimas microbianas de interesse industrial, em particular, para a aplicação na hidrólise de biomassas em biorrefinarias. Cladódios de Opuntia fícusindica, vulgarmente conhecida como palma gigante, foram fornecidos pelo Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco (IPA) e utilizados em todos os experimentos. Inicialmente, foi realizado um ―screening‖ de microorganismos do gênero Bacillus, pertencentes à Coleção de Microrganismo do Departamento de Antibióticos. O ―screening‖ foi feito com 10 linhagens, em placas de Petri, em meio sólido contendo pó de palma seca como fonte de carbono. Entre as 7 linhagens capazes de crescer no meio sólido, a linhagem com colônia de maior diâmetro foi selecionada para investigação sobre a produção de enzimas celulolíticas, hemicelulolíticas e pectinolíticas em fermentação submersa. As fermentações submersas foram realizadas com a linhagem selecionada, Bacillussp. UFPEDA 472, e outros 3 micro-organismos: Trichoderma reesei RUT C-30, Aspergillus awamori e Streptomyces rocheiUFPEDA 3414, já reconhecidos como bons produtores de enzimas. A produção de atividades enzimáticas foi investigada em frascos agitados em mesa agitadora (New Brunswick Scientific, C25KC) e em biorreator de bancada instrumentado (New Brunswick Scientific, Bioflo110), utilizando-se o pó e a fração péctica da palma, respectivamente. As condições de aeração e agitação do reator foram: 1 vvm e 500 rpm, respectivamente; a temperatura e o pH foram controlados, respectivamente, em: 30°C e 5,0, para os fungos filamentosos, 30°C e 7,0, para Bacillus sp., e 37°C e 6,0 para S. rochei. Atividades enzimáticas FPase, CMCase, xilanase e pectinase foram determinadas durante as fermentações utilizando-se como substratos: papel de filtro Whatman nº1, carboximetilcelulose 4%, xilana 1% e pectina cítrica 1%, respectivamente. As concentrações de açúcares e ácido galacturônico foram realizadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (Agilent, Série 1100). A palma e a sua fração péctica foram capazes de induzir a produção de todas as atividades enzimáticas investigadas em T. reesei, principalmente xilanase (7,75 UI/mL), mas baixas atividades celulolíticas foram observadas para os outros microorganismos. Por outro lado, maiores atividades pectinolíticas foram observadas para S. rochei e A. awamori (2,24 UI/mL e 1,84 UI/mL, respectivamente). Os resultados levaram à conclusão de que a biomassa de cladódios da palma forrageira gigante e a sua fração péctica são substratos potenciais para produção de enzimas – em particular, por Trichoderma reesei RUT C30 – capazes de atuar na hidrólise de biomassas lignocelulósicas em biorrefinarias. / The prickly pear is a cactus cultivated in the semi-arid northeast region of Brazil, able to grow even in soil poor in nutrients and water. Being rich in carbohydrates, it has great potential for use in biotechnological processes for production of various bioproducts. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of prickly pear as a substrate for the production of microbial enzymes of industrial interest, in particular for application in biomass hydrolysis in biorefineries. Cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica, commonly known as giant palm in Brazil, were provided by the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco (IPA) and used in all experiments. Initially, a screeningwas carried out with microrganisms of the genus Bacillusfrom the Microbial Collection of the Department of Antibiotics. The screening was performed with 10 strains in Petri dishes on solid medium containing cactus dry powder as a carbon source. Among the 7 strains capable of growing on the solid medium, the strain with the larger colony diameter was selected for investigation on the production of cellulolytic, pectinolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymes in submerged fermentation. The submerged fermentations were carried out with the selected strain, Bacillus sp. UFPEDA 472, and other three microorganisms: Trichoderma reesei RUT C-30, Aspergillus awamori and Streptomyces rocheiUFPEDA 3414, already recognized as good producers of enzymes. The production of enzyme activities was investigated in Erlenmeyer flasks in rotatory shaker (New Brunswick Scientific, C25KC) and instrumented bench bioreactor (New Brunswick Scientific, Bioflo110), using the powder and pectin fraction from the cactus, respectively. The conditions of aeration and agitation of the reactor were: 1 vvm and 500 rpm, respectively; the temperature and pH were controlled respectively at: 30 ° C and 5.0 for filamentous fungi, 30 ° C and 7.0 for Bacillus sp., and 37 ° C and 6.0 for S. rochei. FPase, CMCase, xylanase and pectinase enzymatic activities were determined during the fermentations using Whatman nº1 filter paper, carboxymethylcellulose 4%, xylan 1% and citrus pectin 1%, as substrates, respectively. The concentrations of sugars and galacturonic acid were determined by highperformance liquid chromatography (Agilent Technologies, 1100 Series). The cactus and its pectic fraction were able to induce the production of all enzyme activities investigated in T. reesei, mostly xylanase (7,75 UI/mL), but lower cellulolytic activities were observed for the other microorganisms. On the other hand, higher pectinolytic activities were observed for S. rochei and A. awamori (2,24 UI/mL and 1,84 UI/mL, respectively). It was concluded that the cladodes biomass of giant cactus and its pectin fraction are potential substrates for the production of enzymes - in particular by Trichoderma reesei RUT C30 - able to act in the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass in biorefineries.

Orientador: Eleonore Zulnara Freire Setz / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-26T22:50:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fialho_MarcosdeSouza_M.pdf: 13019821 bytes, checksum: eef717c96a756b3689ec7b79e806fb86 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2000 / Resumo: Neste estudo comparei a ecologia do A. fusca em mata de encosta e de restinga no município de Porto Alegre, próximo ao limite sul de distribuição da espécie. A mata de encosta diferencia-se da mata de restinga por se assentar sobre um escudo cristalino, apresentando maior riqueza, eqüidade, e conseqüente diversidade, e altura média das árvores superior. A mata de restinga ocupa os cordões arenosos às margens do Lago Guaíba, apresentando muitas epífitas e figueiras. Ficus organensis e Coussapoa microcarpa compreendem 55,3% de sua Dominância relativa. Em 1998 e 1999 acompanhamos dois bandos, um em cada fisionomia, utilizando o método scan samp/ing. No verão foram realizados 483 horas de observação (1448 scans) dos bandos, e no inverno, 386 horas (1160 scans). O bando da restinga, em números absolutos, se alimentou de menos espécies em ambas estações (contudo a diferença não foi significativa), mas consumiu mais frutos durante o verão (59% dos registros de alimentação vs. 39%, P=0,016), em sua maioria frutos de Moraceae. Além de diversas lianas não identificadas, as espécies mais utilizadas pelo bando da encosta no verão foram F. organensis e Lonchocarpus sp. (46, 7%). Na mata de restinga destacaram-se F. organensis e C. microcarpa (66,5%). Já no inverno, Zanthoxy/um spp. responde pela maior parte dos registros na encosta e Diospyrus inconstans na restinga. Com respeito ao orçamento de atividades, no verão o bando da encosta apresentou maior tempo gasto em movimento, 8% vs 5% na restinga (P=0,012) e socialização, 4% vs 2% (P=0,003), entretanto o tempo em forrageio na restinga foi maior, 35% vs 27% (P=0,001). No inverno, não houve diferença. Na encosta, a área do bando variou entre 6,4 e 6,15 ha, com um percurso médio de 774 (:t136, n=10) e 394 (:t126, n=10) metros durante o verão e inverno, respectivamente. O bando da restinga utilizou a emsma área em ambas estações (4 há), percorrendo em média 640 (:!:.,77 , n=9) metros no verão e 338 (:!:.,77 , n=10) metros no inverno. Em termos gerais, os bandos adotam um comportamento alimentar mais generalista no inverno, paralelamente à uma diminuição na importância de frutos na dieta e, nos custos de procura do alimento. Nesta estação, provavelmente devido à menor diferença na disponibilidade de recursos entre as matas, as diferenças ecológicas se amenizam entre os bandos / Abstract: I compared the activities in groups of the brown howler monkey A/ouatta fusca in forests growing on hillsides and on a sand flat bordering Lago Guaíba in Porto Alegre, RS, near its southern range limit. The hillside forest is taller and has a higher species diversity of trees and only two tree species Ficus organensis and Coussapoa microcarpa (Moraceae) comprised 53% of the sand forest vegetation. During 1998 and 1999 I conducted 1448 and 1160 scan samples (483 and 386 h observation) on two howler groups, one in each forest type. The troop in sand forest fed on fewer plant species both in summer and winter, and consumed fruits, especially Moraceae, more often during summer (59% vs. 39% winter, P = 0.016). During summer the occupying group hillside fed mainly on F. organensis and Lonchocarpus sp. (46%) along with several lianas, whereas in sand forest F. organensis and C. microcarpa (66.5%) predominated. In winter howlers favored Zanthoxy/um sp. (Rutaceae) on the hillside and Diospyrus inconstans in the sand forest. Calculated activity budgets showed that during the summer the hillside group spent more time in movement (8% vs. 5%, P = 0.012) and in grooming (4% vs. 2%, P = 0.003) whereas time spent feeding in the sand forest was proportionately greater (35% vs. 27%, P = 0.001). No time budget differences existed between the two groups in winter. Home range size of the hillside group varied between 6.40 (summer) and 6.15 ha (winter) with mean day ranges of 774 ( :t136, n=10) and 394 (:t126, n=10) m, respectively. The home range size of the sand forest howlers was approximately 4.0 ha independent of season and mean day ranges varied respectively from 640 (:t77 , n=9) to 338 (:t177, n=10) m in winter and summer. In general, the howlers reduced fruit consumption (availability) and were more generalist in their feeding during winter. During winter, perhaps because of the reduction in difference in resource availability, differenc.es in time budget and food specialization diminished. / Mestrado / Mestre em Ecologia

Submitted by Heitor Rapela Medeiros (heitor.rapela@ufpe.br) on 2015-03-03T18:28:11Z No. of bitstreams: 2 SOUZA, M.P.C- Dissertação de Mestrado.pdf: 1380346 bytes, checksum: 1b3f996a1ee811e62ac14e86cd7864ab (MD5) license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-03T18:28:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 SOUZA, M.P.C- Dissertação de Mestrado.pdf: 1380346 bytes, checksum: 1b3f996a1ee811e62ac14e86cd7864ab (MD5) license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-29 / CAPES / Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. é uma cactácea amplamente cultivada nas zonas áridas e semiáridas do mundo, devido ao seu enorme potencial produtivo e suas múltiplas utilidades na área alimentícia, farmacêutica, agrícola, cosmética e outras. Assim, este trabalho objetivou caracterizar físico-quimicamente o óleo e o extrato nebulizado de Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. e avaliar as potencialidades deste vegetal, visando sua utilização no desenvolvimento de um novo fitocosmético. A caracterização foi realizada por análise térmica, espectroscopia na região do infravermelho, cromatografia gasosa acoplada ao espectro de massas, espectroscopia na região do ultravioleta e por testes farmacopéicos. Na avaliação das potencialidades verificou-se a atividade antioxidante, antimicrobiana, fotoprotetora e inibidora da enzima tirosinase. As análises farmacopéicas, espectroscópicas e térmicas do óleo e do extrato nebulizado de Opuntia fícus-indica permitiram caracterizá-los físicoquimicamente e verificar a estabilidade térmica dos mesmos. Através do CG-EM foi detectado que o óleo é rico em ácidos graxos saturados e insaturados, principalmente em ácido linoléico (~65%). Quanto à avaliação das potencialidades dos produtos derivados de Opuntia fícus-indica foi detectado que, nas condições do estudo, os mesmos não apresentaram atividade antioxidante e nem antimicrobiana. Com relação à inibição da enzima tirosinase, apenas o extrato nebulizado demonstrou atividade inibitória. Quanto à avaliação do potencial fotoprotetor do óleo, foi observado que o mesmo não apresentou FPS significativo e nem potencializou o FPS de formulações cosméticas contendo filtros solares orgânicos. Apesar disto, a utilização dos produtos de Opuntia fícus-indica em fitocosméticos pode ser justificada pelas suas propriedades eudérmicas.

Memoria para optar al título profesional de Ingeniera en Recursos Naturales Renovables / En los últimos años, la utilización de energías renovables no convencionales ha alcanzado gran importancia tanto a nivel mundial como nacional, generando el interés de encontrar nuevas alternativas para la aplicación de energías renovables. La presente memoria investiga sobre las plantaciones de tunales como fuente de materia prima para la generación de biogás, así como también estima su potencial de producción en el norte chico de Chile. El biogás es una alternativa energética para el sector agropecuario, el cual es obtenido mediante bioprocesos de fermentación de diversos residuos y desechos que se producen diariamente. Además de generarse biogás, se obtiene un residuo estabilizado, el cual puede ser incorporado al suelo. Esto constituye una alternativa para las zonas áridas y semiáridas del norte chico de Chile debido a que son suelos pobres en materia orgánica, y por lo tanto, presentan alto grado de deficiencia en sus propiedades físicas, químicas y biológicas, limitando la plantación de cualquier tipo de cultivo. La tuna (Opuntia ficus indica) es una especie que se adapta fácilmente a este tipo de situaciones, ya que logra modificarse según características del terreno y del clima del sector. Un ejemplo es la forma de su tallo que se modifica de acuerdo al manejo cultural que se le otorgue y según el clima. Posee un sistema radical superficial carnoso que favorece la absorción de agua que se encuentre cercana a la superficie. Su metabolismo CAM le permite adaptarse a sequías, permaneciendo sus estomas cerrados durante todo el día y toda la noche y a lluvias, abriendo sus estomas bien temprano en la mañana. Otra característica importante de esta especie es la gran cantidad de biomasa que genera, llegando a producir 30ton/ha en condiciones de buen manejo cultural y buena disponibilidad de agua. Es por esta característica y por el potencial de generación de biogás que se considera una buena alternativa para el norte chico de Chile. Referente a la elección del digestor a utilizar, ésta dependerá del uso que se le quiera dar y de las condiciones económicas que se tengan. Se tienen estimaciones de la producción de biogás en el norte chico de Chile del orden de 13.406,4m3/kg/día de biogás. Esto se puede mejorar a través de la inclusión de otros residuos presentes en la zona que permitan modificar algunos parámetros determinantes en la generación de biogás. / Renewable energies have reached importance in the past years, not only on a national scale, but also on a global one, finding new applications for the use of renewable energies. This project investigates about prickly plantations as main source for the production of biogas and their energy potential for northern Chile. Biogas is an energy alternative for the agricultural sector and is obtained by fermentation processes of different wastes produced daily. Besides the generation of biogas it is also possible to obtain a stabilized waste that can be incorporated on the soil, meaning an alternative for the dry and semi dry zones of the northern Chile. Because their soil is poor in organic matter content, therefore, presents deficient chemical, physical and biological properties. This makes difficult the implementation of any type of crops. The prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica) adapts easily to the previous conditions, because it is possible to modify it according to the features of the land and the weather. In example, the form of the stem varies depending on the cultural management and the weather conditions. The specie possesses a superficial fleshy root system that facilitates the absorption of water on the surface. Also, the CAM metabolism allows the adaptability to drought and rains, by closing the stomatas during day and night, and opening them early in the morning. Another important feature of this specie is the biomass production, reaching around 30 ton/ha with good cultural management and water availability. For this reason and for the potential to produce biogas it is considered a good alternative for the northern Chile. To define the best biodigestor to use, this will depend on the use and the costs associated. The estimation of biogas production in the northern Chile is 13.406,4 4 m3/kg/d. This result can be improved adding other wastes produced in the area that allows change some parameters relevant for the production of biogas.

The fig–fig wasp interaction is a classic example of obligate mutualism and coevolution. It is also a nursery pollination mutualism and supports a diversity of exploiter/parasite/non-pollinating fig wasp species. Mutualists and exploiters comprise the fig wasp community. All the wasp community members are obligately dependent on the fig syconium (a globular closed structure comprising of hundreds to thousands of uniovulate florets) for completing their life cycle. The fig florets can be sessile (without a stalk) or pedicellate (stalked) and can support a community comprising 3–30 wasp species. Fig wasps can access the floral resources for oviposition directly by entering into the syconium (internal oviposition) or by penetration of the syconium surface (external oviposition). Most studies on the fig–fig wasp interaction have investigated the stability of the interaction, pollination biology, pollen dispersal, co-evolution or the effect of exploiters on this mutualism. However, studies dealing with community ecology and species coexistence mechanisms in these communities are rare. Factors contributing to coexistence of mutualists and exploiters in a fig wasp community were studied using a reasonably speciose fig wasp community associated with Ficus racemosa in south India. The wasp community of Ficus racemosa comprises a single species of pollinator and six species of exploiters; together they represent three genera of fig wasp species. The community members show differences in their feeding habit; they could be 1) gallers (feed on floral tissue after pollination and/or after inducing abnormal tissue development of the floret that is also called the gall), 2) inquilines (feed on gall tissue but cannot induce galling; survive by feeding on gall tissue and starving the host larva to death), or 3) parasitoids (lay eggs in or on developing offspring of a galler or inquiline species; develop by feeding on host tissue). Resource partitioning across temporal and spatial axes on this fig wasp community have been quantified. Ovipositor traits of each community member were also investigated since variation in ovipositor traits might facilitate resource partitioning. Finally, the role of life-history traits in species coexistence in this community was also explored. Temporal resource partitioning among members of the fig wasp community was studied (1) across the resource phenology, i.e. over the development phases of the fig syconium, and (2) on a diel scale. The seven members of the wasp community were found to partition their oviposition periods across fig syconium development phenology; some species used very young syconia (soft and smaller in size) for oviposition whereas others used mature (hard and bigger in size) syconia for oviposition. The first species to colonise the syconia were gallers and these were followed by parasitoids in a definite oviposition sequence. Pollinators arrived concurrently with an exploiter galler species and had the shortest oviposition window in terms of days. Although fig wasps are known to be largely diurnal, night oviposition in several fig wasp species was documented for the first time. Wasp species showed a peak in their activity period across the diel cycle and phenology. This is probably the first study to simultaneously investigate temporal partitioning across the syconium phenology as well as the diel scale in a fig wasp community. Partitioning of syconium space was investigated by quantifying the quality (type of floret—sessile or pedicellate) of floral resources. The number of individuals of each species developing in a syconium was quantified along with host accessibility during oviposition by each wasp species. The association between community members developing within a syconium was also tested. The differential occupancy of florets by each species based on their distance from the base of the syconium was evaluated. For the first time the relative distribution of males and females of the entire fig wasp community was quantified. The wasp community members used similar types of florets for oviposition. Seeds were found mostly in sessile florets and wasps were present in large numbers in pedicellate florets. Except for one wasp species, all others occurred uniformly within the syconium with respect to the distance from the base of the syconium. Species distribution models revealed higher prediction ability for the location of mutualists (seed and pollinator) within the syconium compared to exploiters. Within a syconium, all species pairs exhibited positive associations indicating either an absence of or low competitive exclusion. Some florets were modified by their gall occupants such that they were longer in length indicating the possibility of creation of an enemy-free zone by the gall occupant. Yet, most florets were accessible to ovipositing wasps based on ovipositor lengths and flexibility. The probability of finding a male decreased with increase in floret length when all wasp species were grouped together; however, this trend did not hold true when males and females of species were tested individually. Based on these results, the fig wasps of F. racemosa could be grouped into—(1) Early-arriving galler species which used immature florets, inducing large galls that protruded into the cavity, and with fewer individuals per syconium, (2) Galler species arriving concurrently with the pollinator, inducing galls that were morphologically indistinguishable from those of the pollinator, and with many individuals developing per fig syconium, and (3) Parasitoids and/or inquilines of the galler species, with variable abundance per syconium. Thus, these results show that the wasp species do not clearly partition floral resources between syconia and within syconium but they can modify their oviposition sites and also differ in the proportion of florets within a syconium used for oviposition. Oviposition sites of the fig wasps can be reached only by using their ovipositor. The resources for oviposition are hidden and hence might require tools for resource location and utilisation. The frequency and diversity of sensilla on the ovipositor, as well as ovipositor structure (morphology and sclerotisation of the tip) was documented for the entire wasp community. The internally-ovipositing pollinator had the simplest ovipositor, negligible sclerotisation and only one type of sensillum on its ovipositor; the externally ovipositing exploiter species had teeth on their ovipositors, sclerotisation and various types of ovipositor sensilla. Ovipositor sclerotisation and lateness of arrival for oviposition in syconium development were positively correlated. Ovipositor teeth height increased from gallers to parasitoids. Presence of different types of sensilla was noted which included mechano- and chemosensilla, as well as combined mechano-chemosensilla. Chemosensilla were most concentrated at ovipositor tips while mechanoreceptors were more widely distributed. Ovipositor traits of one putative parasitoid/inquiline species differed from those of its syntopic galler congeners and clustered with those of parasitoids within a different wasp subfamily. Thus ovipositor tools show lability based on adaptive necessity, and are not constrained by phylogeny. Life-history traits such as fecundity, pre-adult and adult lifespan were studied for each wasp member of the community. Trade-offs in life-history traits were also investigated. Interspecific variation in life-history traits was observed. Gallers were pro-ovigenic (all eggs were mature upon adult emergence) whereas parasitoids were synovigenic (eggs matured progressively during adult lifespan). Initial egg load was correlated with body size for some species, and there was a trade-off between egg number and egg size across all species. Although all species completed their development and left the syconium concurrently, they differed in their adult and preadult lifespans. Providing sucrose solutions increased parasitoid lifespan but had no effect on the longevity of some galler species. While feeding regimes and body size affected longevity in most species, an interaction effect between these variables was detected for only one species. Life-history traits of wasp species exhibited a continuum in relation to their arrival sequence at syconia for oviposition during syconium development, and therefore reflected their ecology. The largest number of eggs, smallest egg sizes, and shortest longevities were characteristic of the earliest-arriving galling wasps at the smallest, immature syconia; the converse characterised the later-arriving parasitoids at the larger, already exploited syconia. Thus life-history is an important correlate of community resource partitioning and can be used to understand community structure. The comparative approach revealed constraints and flexibility in trait evolution. This is probably the first comprehensive study of life-history traits in a fig wasp community.

Memoria para optar al Título Profesional de Ingeniería Agrónomo Mención Agroindustria / Opuntia ficus indica, Mill. Es una especie de tuna distribuida ampliamente en México y otras partes del mundo: sus tallos o cladiodos son llamados “nopalitos”. Durante la poda, algunos tallos maduros son materia de desecho. Hay pocos reportes en literatura sobre la utilización de cladodios para la preparación de harina o polvos de nopal y menos aún sobre el efecto de la edad o tamaño de los cladiodos sobre las características y propiedades de los polvos

L'objectif de cette étude est d'étudier le potentiel d'Opuntia ficus-indica (Ofi) en tant que biomoniteur dans un environnement contaminé par des dépôts atmosphériques enrichis en métaux lourds. Trois sites d'étude pollués ont été sélectionnés: industriel, minier et routier. Le phénomène de bioaccumulation a été validé en analysant la concentration en métaux lourds par SAA et ICP-MS dans plusieurs raquettes d'âge différent, dans les fruits et les racines. L'identification de l'origine du Pb a été étudiée à partir de la signature isotopique du Pb (TIMS) dans les raquettes, les racines et les sols, avec une caractérisation microscopique (MEB-EDX) des particules déposées à la surface des raquettes. Le taux de bioaccumulation du Pb suite à une exposition racinaire ou foliaire à des particules de fluorapatite synthétisées et enrichies en Pb à permis de préciser les voies de transfert vers la plante. Ainsi, la distribution particulaire ou dispersée du Pb dans les raquettes contaminées a été identifiée au moyen de cartographies MEB-EDX et µXRF. Les résultats obtenus montrent qu'Ofi est un bioaccumulateur du Pb, Cd et Cr. Les signatures isotopiques dans les raquettes révèlent la nature des diverses sources polluantes tout en donnant une indication sur l'évolution de la pollution atmosphérique au cours du temps. Le taux le plus élevé de Pb a été mesuré dans les raquettes contaminées à leur surface par de la fluorapatite. Les analyses microscopiques ont démontré pour les deux approches suivies l'intégration des particules déposées à la surface des raquettes au niveau de la cuticule, des trichomes et des stomates. Cette obsevation est cohérente avec la cartographie obtenue en µXRF. Notre étude démontre le potentiel de cette plante cosmopolite qu'est Ofi en tant que biomoniteur. / This study reports the potential of Opuntia ficus-indica (Ofi) as a biomonitor of atmospheric pollution in three heavily polluted sites, i.e., industrial, mining and road sites. The bioaccumulation phenomenon by Ofi was investigated by studying the heavy metal concentrations in different cladodes of various ages, roots and fruits, using AAS and ICP-MS. To identify the origin of Pb in cladodes, two types of methods were used: TIMS analysis which provided the lead isotopes ratios in cladodes, roots and soil samples, and SEM-EDX analysis at the cladode surface which provided the elemental distribution of Pb and airborne particles and a characterization of their chemical structure at the microscopic scale. A second study was also carried out by testing Pb bioaccumulation after foliar and roots exposure to synthesized fluorapatite particles enriched with Pb. SEM-EDS and µXRF analyses were used to follow the Pb concentration from the contaminated surface to the internal tissues. The results show that Ofi is indeed a bioaccumulator of Pb, Cd and Cr. The Pb isotopic signatures indicate that Ofi is a sensitive species to local aerial pollution and their successive cladodes obviously identify the evolution of air pollution with time. In addition, Ofi cladodes were found more contaminated with lead after direct foliar contamination. SEM-EDS measurements underlined in the two studies the retention of deposited particles on specific zones of the cladode surface (cuticle, trichome and stomata), which were also identified by µXRF cartography. These results represent the first demonstration of the potential of using Ofi, a cosmopolitan plant, as a biomonitor.

Busca obtener altos rendimientos de extracción del mucilago de la penca de tuna mediante la aplicación de un diseño de experimentos, caracterizarlo químicamente y utilizarlo eficientemente en la remoción de la turbidez en aguas turbias. Determina, mediante un análisis de los trabajos de la literatura especializada, los factores más influyentes en el proceso de extracción del mucílago del Opuntia ficus Indica. Aplica un diseño factorial fraccionado para obtener un alto rendimiento en la extracción del mucilago. Realiza la caracterización del mucilago por medio de técnicas químicas y/o físicas. Determina la concentración óptima por medio de la prueba de jarras, aplicando el diseño factorial por bloques para obtener el máximo de remoción de la turbidez del agua. / Tesis