DSpace Communidade: Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical (CNPAT)

Coconut water microfiltration optimization using response surface modeling, neural networks, and genetic algorithms: performance and nutritional retention.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Título: Coconut water microfiltration optimization using response surface modeling, neural networks, and genetic algorithms: performance and nutritional retention. Autoria: VIANA, J. D. da R.; SOUZA, A. C. R. de; RIBEIRO, P. R. V.; SILVA, L. M. A. e; CANUTO, K. M.; REZZADORI, K.; AREND, G. D.; DIONISIO, A. P.; PETRUS, J. C. C. Conteúdo: Although coconut water is recognized for its desirable sensory appeal and nutritional composition, its broader industrial use is constrained by the rapid deterioration that occurs after extraction. In this study, crossflow microfiltration of coconut water with a silicon carbide membrane was optimized by investigating pressure and temperature through a face-centered design (FCD) and artificial neural network modeling coupled with a genetic algorithm (ANN–GA). Permeate flux and fouling index were used as process responses, and the optimized condition was further examined in terms of hydraulic resistance, fouling behavior, and retention of minerals and primary metabolites. Pressure and temperature affected the process differently: permeate flux showed marked nonlinear behavior, whereas fouling index was governed mainly by pressure. At the sample level, ANN described permeate flux more accurately than FCD (R2 = 0.99 vs. 0.96), whereas FCD showed better grouped cross-validated predictivity across unseen pressure–temperature conditions (Q2 = 0.85 vs. 0.57). For the fouling index, FCD outperformed ANN in both sample-level fit and grouped validation (R2 = 0.95 vs. 0.60; Q2 = 0.70 vs. 0.61). Both approaches converged on the same favorable operating window, and experimental validation at 60 kPa and 35 °C yielded 1085.23 ± 23.12 L h−1 m−2 and 83.56 ± 1.56%. During concentration mode, flux decline was severe but predominantly reversible, with high clean-water permeance recovery after chemical cleaning. Resistance partition and fouling modeling indicated that the main hydraulic limitation was associated with concentration polarization and external cake-layer buildup rather than irreversible membrane damage. The clarified fraction also preserved high transmission of major minerals and relevant primary metabolites, indicating that the selected condition combined high productivity, manageable fouling, and satisfactory nutritional retention.

Silvicultura no Semiárido brasileiro: crescimento e produtividade de espécies florestais sob diferentes regimes de irrigação.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Título: Silvicultura no Semiárido brasileiro: crescimento e produtividade de espécies florestais sob diferentes regimes de irrigação. Autoria: SILVA, A. K. V. da; COUTO, M. E. C. dos S.; SOUSA, J. A. de; CORREIA, D.; SANTOS, A. M.; ALVES, A. R.; RODOLFO JUNIOR, F.; RUSCH, F.; SCATOLINO, M. V.; MASCARENHAS, A. R. P.; PIMENTA, A. S.; MELO, R. R. de Conteúdo: É possível desenvolver a silvicultura no semiárido brasileiro? Essa foi a questão que motivou esta pesquisa. A demanda global por madeira intensificou-se nas últimas décadas. Portanto, é necessário atender às demandas regionais e estimular o aumento da produtividade dos plantios florestais em regiões onde a silvicultura ainda não está consolidada. Este estudo avaliou a produtividade de espécies florestais nativas e exóticas, e de clones de Eucalyptus, sob diferentes regimes de irrigação no Semiárido brasileiro. O estudo foi conduzido em um plantio experimental na região semiárida do Estado do Ceará, entre 2011 e 2021. Em um plantio que inicialmente apresentava 38 espécies, entre nativas e exóticas, além de 7 clones de Eucalyptus, todos submetidos a dois regimes de irrigação distintos (irrigados por até 12 meses e por até 36 meses), foram selecionadas quatro espécies nativas, cinco espécies exóticas e cinco clones com potencial silvicultural para implantação na região. Os indivíduos deste grupo foram avaliados cerca de 11 anos após o plantio. Durante o período de análise, foram contabilizadas as mortalidades e obtidas as variáveis dendrométricas: altura total e altura comercial, diâmetro à altura do peito, áreas transversal e basal, volume do fuste, volume total, fator de forma e aumento médio anual no volume de madeira produzido. Concluiu-se que o cultivo comercial de espécies florestais na região semiárida brasileira é possível, desde que sejam selecionadas espécies adaptadas às condições edafoclimáticas locais. Estes resultados podem impulsionar o desenvolvimento da silvicultura na região semiárida do Nordeste brasileiro.

Metabolomics-driven identification of resistance biomarkers in dwarf cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) under black mold stress.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Título: Metabolomics-driven identification of resistance biomarkers in dwarf cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) under black mold stress. Autoria: CRUZ, J. G. da; GUEDES, J. A. C.; SILVA, G. S. da; SILVA, L. M. A. e; RIBEIRO, P. R. V.; MARTINS, M. V. V.; SOUSA, D. B. de; CASSAGO, A. L. L.; ZOCOLO, G. J. Conteúdo: This study employed an integrated untargeted metabolomics approach to identify resistanceassociated biomarkers in dwarf cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) genotypes under black mold stress-a severe foliar disease caused by Pilgeriella anacardii Arx & Müller. Metabolomic profiling was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MSE) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This methodology enabled a comprehensive analysis of four dwarf cashew genotypes with varying resistance to P. anacardii: ‘CCP 76’ and ‘BRS 189’ were susceptible, ‘BRS 226’ was intermediate, and ‘BRS 265’ was resistant. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed clear metabolic segregation between resistant, susceptible, and intermediate genotypes, with high predictive power (R2 Y ≥ 0.98; Q2 ≥ 0.95). Resistant clones (BRS 265 and BRS 226) showed pronounced metabolic reprogramming, marked by increased accumulation of flavonoid glycosides (quercetin-3-D-glucoside, isoquercetin), flavan-3-ols ((+)-catechin, gallocatechin), galloylated glucose derivatives (penta- and tetra-O-galloyl-glucosides), and biflavonoids (amentoflavone, agathisflavone). These compounds function as antioxidants, membrane disruptors, metal chelators, enzyme inhibitors, and immune response modulators. Pathway enrichment analysis highlighted the activation of flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis as central to resistance. Elevated sucrose levels in resistant genotypes suggest a role in energy supply and systemic signaling. Altogether, this metabolomic fingerprint supports a complex biochemical defense strategy and offers robust biomarkers for marker-assisted selection.

Optimization of kombucha fermentation from green tea and pineapple juice: chemical, physicochemical, and bioactive profiles for functional beverage development.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Título: Optimization of kombucha fermentation from green tea and pineapple juice: chemical, physicochemical, and bioactive profiles for functional beverage development. Autoria: GABAN, S. V. F.; NOGUEIRA, S. S. Q.; MARQUES, F. M. M.; PORRO, C.; ALVES FILHO, E. G.; SILVA, L. M. A. e; CANUTO, K. M. Conteúdo: This study evaluated the metabolic evolution and functional quality of green tea-based kombucha and pineapple juice-based kombucha fermented with the same symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts. Beverages were monitored over 0, 3, 5, and 7 days of fermentation using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy alongside complementary physicochemical and color analyses to elucidate changes in organic acids, amino acids, and phenolic compounds. Both beverages showed progressive pH reduction to approximately 3.4, increased titratable acidity, and lightning of color (increased L, decreased a and b*) over time. Sucrose content decreased progressively in both systems, accompanied by ethanol production followed by oxidation to acetic, gluconic, and succinic acids, which increased significantly (p < 0.05). Pineapple juice-based kombucha exhibited higher total acid production and faster acidification, while green tea kombucha maintained greater stability in malic and citric acids. Among nitrogenous and phenolic compounds, epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) peaked at day 5 before declining due to oxidative degradation; theanine and alanine showed transient increases, indicating microbial synthesis and assimilation. Caffeine remained relatively stable throughout fermentation. Antioxidant activity measured by the ABTS assay revealed significantly higher radical scavenging capacity in green tea kombucha (10.36 μmol TE/g at day 0 to 10.33 μmol TE/g at day 7) compared to pineapple kombucha (1.90 μmol TE/g to 3.00 μmol TE/g over the same period). Overall, day 5 was identified as the optimal fermentation point, balancing acid production, pH reduction, and preservation of bioactive compounds, supporting the development of functional kombucha beverages from both tea and fruit matrices.