Agroindustrial Science

Antimicrobial effect of peracetic acid compared to sodium hypochlorite in the disinfection of ready-to-eat lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

2025-05-11T04:27:03+00:00

Ready-to-eat lettuces are highly demanded for salads but are exposed to factors that may pose health risks during production. There is an actual need to find alternatives to preserve fresh cut fruits and vegetables to improve the efficacy of the washing treatment. This study compared the antimicrobial effects of disinfection of raw ready-to-eat lettuce leaves with peracetic acid (CH₃CO₃H, PAA), sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and washing with tap water. For disinfection, lettuce leaves were immersed in solutions of different concentration of PAA (40 and 80 ppm) and NaClO (100 and 150 ppm) for 2 min. The treated leaves were stored for 10 days under refrigeration (4 ºC). The aerobic plate count (APC), total coliforms, Salmonella spp. and total yeast and mold count (TYMC) were determined during this time. At the end of this period, samples treated with the lower PAA level had APC values like those obtained with both NaClO concentrations. The treatments with both disinfectants eliminated Salmonella spp., while the levels of APC, total coliforms and TYMC were below the limits of the Peruvian sanitary standard. It is concluded that PAA is a valid alternative to chlorine, and that higher concentrations could be used to achieve more significant population reductions.

Banana cavendish seedling growth affected by corm size

2025-05-12T17:29:29+00:00

The propagation of banana seedlings in nurseries is an essential practice to increase productivity in a shorter period. This study aimed to determine the influence of corm size on the initial growth of Williams banana seedlings. The research was conducted at the “La María” Campus of the Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo, Ecuador, between November 2022 and February 2023. A total of 150 corms were planted in controlled conditions using a specific substrate. The corms were classified into three categories: small, medium, and large. Growth parameters such as height, diameter, fresh and dry biomass, number of leaves, and phyllochronic index were evaluated. Results indicated that larger corms significantly increased plant height and diameter compared to smaller and medium-sized corms. Additionally, larger corms contributed more to biomass accumulation in seedlings. However, no significant differences were observed in the number of leaves among treatments. The phyllochronic index was influenced by corm size, with an average of 7.72 days to produce a new leaf. The use of larger corms resulted in more vigorous and uniform banana seedlings, facilitating their adaptation to the field in less time.

Alternatives to pure chemical reagents: Use of soluble fertilizers in the in vitro propagation of Musa AAB cv. Hartón

2025-05-12T18:15:28+00:00

In vitro propagation has emerged as a crucial technique in the propagation of plantain (Musa AAB cv. Hartón), a crop of high commercial demand in Ecuador, which allows the mass production of healthy and uniform plants, facilitating the rapid multiplication of cultivars with desirable characteristics, contributing significantly to crop health by eliminating pathogens and producing disease-free plants. To evaluate the use of soluble commercial fertilizers in the formulation of macronutrients in the in vitro propagation of plantain, the Student Test was applied with two treatments (chemical reagents and soluble fertilizers), each one including 10 observations. The corms were disinfected with 96% alcohol and a 1% sodium hypochlorite solution and cultured in MS medium. Ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate and potassium phosphate monobasic were used as soluble fertilizers, using molar equivalences to ensure the same amount of nutrients as the pure chemical reagents. The treatment with soluble fertilizers (Treatment 2) presented a higher percentage of phenolization (65%), fungal contamination (30%) and bacterial contamination (40%) compared to the treatment with chemical reagents. Bacterial contamination was controlled with the use of a bactericide. The use of highly soluble fertilizers promoted a faster phenological development, and after the breaking of apical dominance, the incidence of fungal contamination decreased, without presenting bacterial contamination. These findings suggest that soluble fertilizers may be a viable and effective alternative to pure chemical reagents in the in vitro propagation of Musa AAB cv. Hartón.

Efecto de cepa de Trichoderma sobre el desarrollo vegetativo de esquejes de Vanilla pompona, CCNN Alto Naranjillo

2025-05-13T03:41:25+00:00

La investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar los efectos en el desarrollo vegetativo de esquejes de V. pompona inoculadas con cepas de Trichoderma, realizado dentro del territorio de la comunidad nativa de Alto Naranjillo. La cepa se aisló de una muestra de suelo de bosque secundario y se reprodujo en grano de arroz esterilizado. Se aplicaron dosis de 20 y 40 gramos por esqueje en dos diseños experimentales: un diseño completamente aleatorizado con esquejes de 4 nudos y un diseño en bloques con esquejes de 3, 4, 5 y 6 nudos. Los esquejes se plantaron en hojarasca bajo condiciones de sombra controlada. Los resultados mostraron que los esquejes inoculados con 40 gramos de Trichoderma nativa desarrollaron más brotes y raíces que los controles y la cepa comercial Trichoderma harzianum. El mayor número de brotes y raíces se obtuvo en esquejes con 5 y 6 nudos, y bajo un nivel de sombra de 57-60%, siendo este el ambiente más favorable. Se concluye que el uso de Trichoderma ghanense nativa es eficaz para promover el desarrollo vegetativo de Vanilla pompona, ofreciendo una alternativa sostenible al uso de agroquímicos.

Productive performance at different densities in Black Carachama (Liposarcus pardalis), a species with Amazonian aquaculture potential: Physicochemical, zootechnical and hematological parameters

2025-05-13T04:08:36+00:00

The aim of this study was to evaluate the zootechnical performance, macronutrient composition, physicochemical analysis of the water, and hematological parameters of the L. pardalis at different densities (5, 7, 10 fish m^-2), during four-month period. A total of 660 fish were utilized in the study, with an initial mean weight of 54.89 ± 0.18 g. They were distributed across nine earthen ponds, with the number of fish allocated to each treatment as follows: T1 (150 fish), T2 (210 fish), and T3 (300 fish). The most efficacious treatment, exhibiting optimal growth, was T2 (7 fish m^-2). The FW was 198.24 ± 0.69 g, and the TL was 18.2 ± 0.44 cm. These values were significantly different (p < 0.05) from those observed in the other treatments. The physicochemical parameters of the water demonstrated fluctuations at higher stocking densities. The findings demonstrate that L. pardalis modifies its lifestyle to a low metabolic capacity, resulting in alterations to the red series hematological parameters (Ht, HGB, ERIT, VCM, CHCM, HCM) in response to the increase in temperature and decrease in oxygen. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the initial and final samples. Nevertheless, this work demonstrates the importance of relating zootechnical and hematological parameters as indicators of productivity and health. Further studies are recommended on fish of the family Loricariidae to establish differences between genera, habitat, and production systems. This will facilitate the development of sustainable Amazonian aquaculture.

In vitro evaluation of the antagonism of Trichoderma strains against foliar phytopathogenic fungi of banana crops (Musa spp.)

2025-05-13T04:21:30+00:00

In Ecuador, bananas are the second most important export product after oil and a key pillar of its economy. However, their production faces phytosanitary challenges, primarily the attack of foliar diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi, traditionally controlled through the application of chemical fungicides. This study evaluated, under in vitro conditions, the antagonism of three Trichoderma strains (T. harzianum, T. asperellum, and T. sp.) against Neocordana musicola and Phoma musae, pathogens isolated from diseased leaves collected in the province of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador. The trials were evaluated using dual cultures, quantifying mycelial growth and the degree of competition for space. A completely randomized design (CRD) with an axb factorial arrangement and two controls was used. Based on the results, the highest percentage of inhibition corresponds to T. harzianum against Neocordana musicola with 97.6% and T. harzianum against Phoma musae with 78.6%, followed by T. asperellum against Neocordana musicola with 76.8% and T. asperellum against Phoma musae with 46.6%. In comparison, T. sp. registered the lowest percentages, being 39.4% against Neocordana musicola and 35%,4 against Phoma musae. These results demonstrate the potential of Trichoderma harzianum as a biological control agent.

Morphometric analysis of bread added with papaya seed flour (Carica papaya) using ImageJ as a digital technique

2025-05-13T04:37:16+00:00

Structural composition of bread crumb, as well as its volume, are important factors in fresh bread characterization. ImageJ was used as a digital technique to evaluate the morphometry, color, and alveolar constitution in crumb. Wheat bread was made with partial replacement of papaya seed flour in percentages ranging from 5% to 30%. Morphometric analysis allowed characterizing the circularity (between 0.8433 ± 0.00 and 0.8833 ± 0.01), radius aspect (between 1.03 ± 0.01 and 1.10 ± 0.01), and roundness (between 0.9000 ± 0.02 and 0.9700 ± 0.01), which were not statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, the alveolar count was higher in the control (399.00 ± 66.09), compared to bread added with papaya seed flour (155.33 ± 23.71-211.00 ± 158.07). When color determining, values showed tendencies towards red with maximum values in control treatment with 214.83 ± 23.32 pixels. In dimensions values, a decrease in these was observed, being affected by percentage increase in papaya seed flour. Therefore, papaya seed flour addition showed effects that can be evaluated using digital techniques as a non-invasive tool.

Inclusion of phytase in broiler feed

2025-05-13T16:17:26+00:00

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of including phytase in the feed of broiler chickens. During seven weeks, 192 Ross broilers were evaluated, applying six treatments with four replicates of eight birds each. Treatments included different levels of phytase Ronozyme Np (4% to 12%) and a phytase-free control. Parameters such as feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion, carcass yield, mortality and economic efficiency were measured. In the initial phase, the control treatment obtained the greatest weight gain (631 g), while in the final phase T3 (993.75 g) stood out and in the total phase T4 (2604.25 g). Feed intake did not show differences in the initial phase, but in the final phase T3 and T4 were the most efficient. Daily weight gain was greatest at T2, T3, and T6 (137 g). The best feed conversion was obtained at T1 (1.25 kg). In carcass performance, T3 and T6 obtained the best values without significant differences. Mortality was low in all groups, with T1 registering 0.52%. In terms of profitability, T4 (8% phytase) showed the best benefit-cost ratio. These results indicate that the inclusion of phytase in the diet improves productive performance and profitability in broilers.

Total fat content and bioactive compounds of different genotypes of garlic (Allium sativum L.), grown in Dominican Republic

2025-05-13T17:22:46+00:00

Garlic is a widely consumed plant species around the world. In the Dominican Republic there is high genetic diversity in the white and purple garlic varieties cultivated in Constanza, La Vega, with more than twenty genotypes having been cultivated; however, some have disappeared, or their production has been discontinued due to poor adaptability, productivity, or convenience, mainly due to the lack of chemical characterization. In this research, the total fat content and bioactive compounds of the prevailing and cultivated genotypes were analyzed: Taiwan 1, Taiwan 2, Taiwan 3, Taiwan 3A, Taiwan 05, Cuban Morado, Cuban Morado #3, Morado Rosello, Morado Rosello #1, Morado Niño, IDIAF 1, IDIAF SEA 14 and Ramón Collado. A completely randomized design was used, and an ANOVA and Tukey's test were applied at 95% confidence. The results were: total fat (0.08 to 0.38 % dry basis), allicin (167.92 to 2,335.55 mg/kg), antioxidant activity (23.83 to 98.83 μmolTE/100g), total phenolic content (89.70 to 136.85 mgGAE/100g), tannins (293.33 to 535.76 mg TAE/kg) and flavonoids (23.78 to 61.62 μgEqRutin/g). Total fat and bioactive compounds fluctuated between genotypes, highlighting the difference in chemical composition according to their genetic variation.

Sustainability and Innovation: leveraging the potential of agro-industrial waste whey and grape pomace in the rise of sports drinks

2025-05-13T17:39:31+00:00

By-products are generated in the agri-food industry and are often considered as waste; however, they are still rich in proteins, antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. This is an opportunity to revalue them in the development of ingredients for the food industry, reducing environmental impact and promoting a circular economy. Foods and beverages made from these ingredients contribute to sustainability and offer nutritional benefits that can improve sports performance and metabolic control. This review assesses the potential of these by-products as functional ingredients in sports nutrition, meeting the demands for beverages in this sector, the interest in health and an active lifestyle; highlighting the opportunity to generate innovative products that align with consumer expectations regarding environmental and health concerns.