Search

There are about 80 species of wild edible mushroom that certainly occur in Brazil and can be used as a natural source of food and medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro mycelial development in culture media at different temperatures and substrates for cultivation of the edible mushroom species Auricularia fuscosuccinea and Laetiporus gilbertsonii. Additionally, the cultivation and the nutritional composition of A. fuscosuccinea mushrooms were evaluated. The two best wild strains of each species were selected for the in vitro cultivation experiment in two different substrates. Furthermore, an axenic cultivation on sawdust was conduct and the basidiomata produced were evaluated on their nutritional composition. The temperatures that best favored the mycelial growth were 30 °C for A. fuscosuccinea and 25 °C and 30 °C for L. gilbertsonii. The mycelium of both species developed better in the sterile Eucalyptus sawdust substrate. Despite the success in cultivating the mycelium of L. gilbertsonii, it was not possible to obtain basidioma for this species. On the other hand, it was possible to produce basidiomata of the two tested wild strains of A. fuscosuccinea.

Auricularia cornea has become one of the most important cultivated mushrooms worldwide. Although not remarkably flavorful, Auricularia species are very versatile and rehydrate easily after drying, adding a unique and pleasing texture to the dishes. In this study, we collected, identified, and domesticated a wild strain of A. cornea from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. The wild strain was evaluated for mycelial growth at different temperatures and substrates, biological efficiency, and nutritional composition. The temperature that best favored the A. cornea mycelium growth was 30 °C, and the substrate was sterile Eucalyptus sawdust. The highest biological efficiency value obtained was 106.90 ± 13.28%. Nutritional analysis showed that the produced wood ears contained 71.02% carbohydrates, 19.63% crude fiber, 11.59% crude protein, 10.19% crude fat, and 4.24% ash on dry matter basis. For the mineral content profile, the elements K and P were the most abundant. This is the first report on cultivation of a wild strain of A. cornea from Brazil., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Brazil has a huge number of cases and deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, few studies have dealt with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among familial contacts in Brazil. Here, we report our findings on transmission in a family-based study in Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. The study, conducted from July to November 2020, comprised 974 individuals with 233 index patients and 741 familial contacts. Familial contacts were evaluated using the rapid COVID-19 Ag ECO and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests immediately after the index patient diagnosis. The antigen-based rapid test was validated in 121 individuals using RT-PCR as the gold standard. Additionally, 30 days later, familial contacts were evaluated for IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. We found 333 cases of COVID-19 among familial contacts (44.9%). A positive correlation was observed between the time elapsed from the onset of symptoms until the index patient's COVID-19 testing and the number of family contacts infected by SARS-CoV-2. Early SARS-CoV-2 testing and familial contact evaluation are relevant strategies to contain transmission.

A better understanding of widespread agricultural practices adopted in the region of Ribeira Valley, São Paulo, Brazil for upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) production is needed. The objectives of this study were to determine the optimum sowing date and highest yielding genotypes for rice production. Treatments included four upland rice genotypes (ANA 5011, AN-Cambará, Moti-Amarelo, and Moti-Branco) and four sowing dates (October, November, December, and January) in 2011 and 2012. The results of the study showed that genotype ANA 5011 had the earliest maturity, while the Moti genotypes had the latest maturity in all sowing dates. The Moti genotypes were found to have greater plant height and 1,000-grain weight than the other two genotypes. In contrast, the Moti genotypes had fewer panicles m -2 , fewer total filled and total numbers of spikelets panicle -1 , and lower final yield. The genotype AN-Cambará had the highest number of tillers, filled and total number of spikelets panicle -1 , panicle m -2 , and the highest yield. Sowing in either November or December was found to be the most suitable dates for rice cultivation for all genotypes. In conclusion, the AN-Cambará genotype was found to have the highest yield potential for the region among all genotypes studied.