Scientia Agropecuaria

Seeds as by-product of fruit processing in the food industry: Proximate composition, phytochemical profile and utilization in the framework of the circular economy

Luz María Paucar-Menacho — 2025-03-24

This study analyzes the potential of 12 seeds from the Peruvian region as by-products of fruit processing, presenting them as a sustainable alternative for waste reduction and the valorization of bioactive compounds. It highlights their chemical composition and the role they can play in recovering bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and functional properties. The study explores the possibility of utilizing fruit by-products in various industrial sectors, such as food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries, thereby contributing to the circular economy and a more sustainable management of natural resources. The review emphasizes the importance of addressing challenges such as the presence of antinutrients and contaminants, as well as evaluating processing methods that can reduce these compounds, highlighting the need to ensure their safety for consumption and their viability in different sectors, including food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.

Long-Term impact of rice cultivation on soil quality indicators in Northern Amazonia Savanna

Valdinar Ferreira Melo — 2025-02-18

Changes in soil attributes following changes in management strategies in rice cultivation can alter soil quality, either positively or negatively. The aim of this study was to evaluate soil quality indicators, based on physical, chemical and microbiological soil attributes in Amazonian savanna under rice cultivation with different ages. The research was conducted in five areas under continuous rice cultivation during 1, 3, 8, 13, and 25 years, compared with local reference native vegetation. Soil samples were collected at 0-10 cm depth and evaluated for physical attributes such as texture and bulk density, chemical properties such as soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, exchangeable cations, available P, pH, CEC and C/N ratio; and microbiological attributes like microbial biomass carbon, soil microbial respiration, metabolic ratio and microbial coefficient. Acid phosphatase and urease activity were evaluated. With longer periods of time of rice cultivation, soil quality was enhanced with increasing soil fertility, increased soil organic carbon content and enzyme activity. The paddy soil indicators were sensitive to changes in rice cultivation and its duration. Acid phosphatase activity and available phosphorus increased with longer time of rice cultivation, indicating a possible conversion of inorganic into organic phosphorus forms, corroborated by increasing phosphatase activity. Microbiological (SMB-C, SBR, qMIC and qCO₂) and biochemical (urease and acid phosphatase) indicators, as well as soil organic carbon and total nitrogen were highly sensitive to land use changes. Chemical and microbiological indicators are suitable for estimating paddy soil quality in lowland of Amazonian savanna.

Foliar phytopathogenic fungi associated with the cultivation of Prunus persica L.: Morphological and molecular identification, and biological control with Trichoderma asperelloides

Ángel Ceballos-Chávez — 2025-02-18

The presence of foliar phytopathogenic fungi causes severe damage to leave and fruits of peach (Prunus persica L.), in producing areas of southern Chihuahua, Mexico, which has caused a decrease in production by 30%. The objective of this work was to identify morphologically and molecularly the foliar phytopathogenic fungi associated with the peach tree crop, evaluating the pathogenicity in one-year-old plants against Trichoderma asperelloides. Leaves with brown and brown lesions were collected from mummified fruits on the plant from 19 commercial peach orchards distributed in three municipalities of regional and national production in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. Fungal identification of four representative isolates was performed using morphological methods. characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1 and ITS4) of ribosomal DNA, part of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) a second secondary primer for each of the genera for, Collectotrichum ACT-512F and ACT-583R, Fusarium with EF1. For plant confrontations, a concentration of 1x10⁶ conidia was inoculated. mL-1 of pathogens such as T. asperelloides, evaluating leaf diameter and length, height, severity and incidence. It was possible to identify the presence of Fusarium sambucinum, Collectotrichum gleosporoides and Monilinia frutícola, in addition the B-F-M1-A2-ACCH-3 strain of F. Sambucinum obtained the highest values in the inhibition of the response variables and in severity Monilinia frutícola presented 61.23% as the highest value. It is recommended to use strain 3 as a biological control of foliar phytopathogens.

Multilocus identification and pathogenetic characterization of Colletotrichum endophyte and pathogen species isolated from cocoa leaves and pods (Theobroma cacao) in Ecuador

Fernando Espinoza-Lozano — 2025-02-18

Cacao cultivation is one of the main agricultural products of Ecuador, known internationally for its quality and aroma. However, it is affected by fungal diseases including Moniliophthora roreri, Moniliophthora perniciosa, Phytophthora spp., and Colletotrichum spp. The genus Colletotrichum spp. is known for its characteristics that complicate traditional taxonomic identification. In cacao cultivation, it is one of the most frequently found species as an endophyte of leaves and fruits, yet it is also reported to cause the disease known as anthracnose on leaves and fruits. The objective of this work was to identify at the species level 16 Colletotrichum isolates, 13 from healthy leaf endophytes and 3 from pods with symptoms, through multilocus analysis of the ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 region, and partial sequences of the TUB2 and GAPDH genes. Subsequently, their pathogenicity was evaluated by inoculating healthy cacao pods and measuring the damage caused. The 16 isolates were identified as follows: from the gloeosporioides complex, C. siamense 6, C. chrysophilum 6, C. theobromicola 2 and from the boninense complex, C. karstii 2. The most frequently found species were those that caused symptoms, especially C. siamense, to which the strains were isolated from symptomatic pods belonged. This work provides relevant and accurate information about the diversity of Colletotrichum species that colonize cocoa plantations and identifies which species might cause the disease known as anthracnose. Additionally, it allows for a more precise diagnosis and consequently better treatment.

Environmental enrichment using low walls and perches improves broiler welfare, without compromising productivity

Claudia Helena Ferreira Zago-Dias — 2025-03-24

The study evaluated the impact of different environmental enrichment strategies on the performance and welfare of commercially raised broilers. The research, conducted in Paraná, Brazil, involved 690 birds allocated to three types of environments: control, with a low wall, and with a perch. The performance of the birds was monitored through indicators such as feed conversion, live weight (plucked and eviscerated), and cut yields (wing, thigh, drumstick, breast, and back weight). There were no significant differences in feed conversion and yields between the environments, except for wing weight, which was higher in environments with a perch for males. Females raised in an environment with a low wall showed higher live and eviscerated weight, while thigh weight was lower in environments with a perch. Welfare variables, such as Latency to Lie and Fluctuating Asymmetry, showed no significant differences between the environments. However, females in the control and low wall environments had a higher incidence of calluses on their feet compared to those in the perch environment. Joint injuries (Hock Health) did not show significant differences between the types of enrichment. These results suggest that, although environmental enrichment may benefit some aspects of welfare, its impact on broiler performance and joint health needs to be better understood, particularly in relation to the long-term effects of different enrichment types on locomotor health, muscle development, and the prevention of joint injuries. Future studies should focus on the physiological mechanisms behind these effects, including the role of enrichment in reducing stress and promoting more natural behaviors that may influence bone density and joint function.

Intelligent biofilm with blueberry extract, rice straw nanocellulose and polyvinyl alcohol: Characterization and its application in visual freshness monitoring in tilapia fillets

2025-03-24

Intelligent packaging represents a sustainable solution for food preservation by enabling the monitoring of freshness through chromatic changes. In this study, a biofilm based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), nanocellulose (NC) extracted from rice straw and blueberry extract was developed and evaluated for its performance as a visual freshness indicator in tilapia fillets. Nanocellulose, obtained by TEMPO oxidation, exhibited proper integration into the polymeric matrix according to transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis. The biofilms improved their mechanical properties with the addition of NC, by increasing tensile strength and reducing water solubility. However, the incorporation of anthocyanins increased solubility and water vapor permeability due to their hydrophilic character. Despite this, their high chromatic sensitivity to pH allowed for color changes: red in acidic media (pH 2-4) and green/brown in alkaline media (pH > 9). These visual changes validate the potential of anthocyanins as freshness indicators, positioning biofilms as a functional and sustainable alternative to conventional packaging. In addition to enabling real-time monitoring, these biofilms can contribute to reducing food waste and fostering more sustainable solutions in the packaging industry, with significant potential for innovative commercial applications.

Energy efficiency of heating machines and its effects on broiler's performance and welfare

Diandra Masurana-Jahn — 2025-03-24

The increasing global demand for animal protein has driven the broiler industry to optimize production systems and better understand limiting factors affecting performance. This study evaluated four different heating systems to determine their correlation with climatic variables, zootechnical performance, pellet fuel consumption, and energy usage. Data were obtained from a private broiler integration company in Southwest Paraná, Brazil, specializing in the griller broiler category. The study covered a 28-day housing period for 12 flocks (both male and female), each consisting of approximately 120,000 birds, for 28 days. The analyzed variables included indoor and outdoor environmental temperature, relative air humidity, carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration inside the poultry houses, feed conversion ratio, weight gain, pellet fuel consumption, and energy consumption. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in R software. Results indicated that correlations among variables were generally weak. However, environmental conditions had the greatest influence on broiler performance. The first principal component explained 74.1% of the total variance, with minimum CO₂ concentration, external temperature, minimum and maximum internal temperature, and pellet fuel consumption being key contributing factors. The second principal component included maximum CO₂ concentration, weight gain, and minimum internal and external relative humidity. Among the evaluated heating systems, the fourth machine tested exhibited the lowest pellet fuel consumption while maintaining satisfactory weight gain and feed conversion rate despite its relatively high energy consumption. These findings suggest that temperature control and pellet fuel consumption are critical factors in optimizing broiler production efficiency, ultimately contributing to improved growth performance and resource utilization.