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Some ornamental plants have been receiving special attention, not only for their use in landscaping, but also because of their bioactive, aromatic and spicy properties. The objective of this study was to characterize physical and chemical attributes and antioxidant activity in leaves of three cultivars of statice (Limonium sinuatum). The cultivars used were QIS White, QIS Blue Dark, and QIS Yellow. The content of total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TTA), TSS/TTA ratio, pH, vitamin C, anthocyanin, flavonoids, total phenolic compounds (TPC), total antioxidant activity (TAA) and the relationship between TPC and flavonoids and TAA were analyzed for each cultivar. The results showed that the leaves of the QIS White cultivar have a higher TSS/TTA ratio, indicating better flavor. The QIS White cultivar also showed higher vitamin C and flavonoid content. The cultivars QIS White and QIS Blue Dark showed higher TPC contents, but there were no differences in TTA and anthocyanin content. The average TAA values were 94.3%, indicating that all cultivars have a high capacity to sequester the DPPH radical. There was a positive relationship between TPC with flavonoids and TAA (R2=0.6168 and 0.8826, respectively). The leaves of statice plants, traditionally used in landscaping and as a cut flower, have potential for use in human food.

Intergroup biases have been studied on an individual level for decades, but recent research has examined intergroup bias as a regional phenomenon. Aggregated responses on bias tests from individuals in geographic proximity have shown to relate to important society-level discriminatory outcomes. In the present research, we examined the pressing issue of gender inequalities in employment using this regional perspective on intergroup bias. Using large scale open-access datasets, we investigated how psychological measures of regional gender stereotypes associating men with careers and women with families (traditional gender stereotypes) related to the representation of women in the workforce and parental leave policies in 35 member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) across 5 continents. In countries with stronger traditional gender stereotypes, we found that women were less represented in the workforce and, specifically, in manager positions. Regional traditional gender stereotypes were inconsistently related to parental leave policies. These findings suggest that the framework of regional intergroup bias may be fruitful to explain regional differences in gender disparities.

A exigência da sociedade por alimentos com alta qualidade organoléptica e nutracêutica requer estudos que identifiquem cultivares superiores e o manejo nutricional que proporcione ganhos nos atributos de qualidade. Foram analisados os atributos pH, sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez total titulável (AT), relação SS/AT, conteúdos totais de flavonoides (FVT), antocianinas (ATC), compostos fenólicos (CFT) e vitamina C (Vit C) e atividade antioxidante (AAT) dos pseudofrutos de dois cultivares de morango de dias curtos (Pircinque e Jônica) e dois de dias neutros (Albion e San Andreas) submetidos a pulverizações com água ou nutrientes (PAN) (B, Zn e B+Zn) sob cultivo semi-hidropônico no Alto Vale do Itajaí, SC. Morangos dos cultivares de dias curtos apresentam maior teor de SS e relação SS/AT. A PAN não influencia o pH, SS, AT e relação SS/AT. Morangos dos cultivares Jônica e Albion se destacam pelo alto conteúdo de Vit C. A aplicação de Zn aumenta a VIT C dos cultivares. A variação encontrada nos teores de FT, ATC e AAT, deve-se principalmente a genética de cada cultivar. A AAT correlacionou-se positivamente com o conteúdo de FVT e ATC e negativamente com SS. Maiores valores de AAT foram observados, em ordem decrescente, para San Andreas, Jônica, Albion e Pircinque. Pseudofrutos de Pircinque são mais doces, com maior SS e relação SS/AT, porém com menor AAT.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a conservação pós-colheita de kits yakissoba (cenoura, couve-flor, brócolis e acelga), repolho e mix de folhas (alface crespa, alface roxa e rúcula) orgânicas minimamente processados, armazenados em diferentes temperaturas. Os kits foram fornecidos pela Cooperativa Coper Planalto Sul, de Curitibanos, SC, e as análises realizadas no Instituto Federal Catarinenense (IFC), Campus Rio do Sul. Os pacotes contendo os produtos foram submetidos ao armazenamento em temperatura ambiente (23±2 °C e UR de 65%±5%) por 5 dias e refrigerados (5±1 °C e 10±1 °C e UR de 90±5%) por 7 e 14 dias. Logo após o preparo e embalagem dos Produtos Minimamente Processados (PMPs) (testemunha) e após 5, 7 e 14 dias do armazenamento, foram avaliados: perda de Massa Fresca (MF), Atributos Sólidos Solúveis (SS), Acidez Total Titulável (AT), relação entre SS e AT, pH, conteúdo de vitamina C, além de murcha e escurecimento aparente. O armazenamento sem refrigeração proporcionou as maiores perdas de MF, murcha e escurecimento aparente em todos os kits avaliados. Porém, para o kit yakissoba, as perdas de MF sem refrigeração não diferiram do armazenamento refrigerado a 10 oC por 14 dias. O armazenamento promoveu o aumento do conteúdo de vitamina C em todos os vegetais analisados. Os conteúdos de SS e a relação SS/AT somente apresentaram diferença no kit yakissoba, com redução dos valores em todos os tratamentos quando comparado com a testemunha. A refrigeração promoveu a manutenção da qualidade visual, mantendo os vegetais aptos para o consumo até duas semanas de armazenamento.

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar a conservação pós-colheita da couve minimamente processada, tratada com ácido ascórbico e refrigerada. As folhas foram lavadas, picadas e submetidas aos tratamentos com imersão em água destilada seguida de armazenamento em temperatura ambiente; imersão em água destilada seguida de armazenamento refrigerado (10±1oC e umidade relativa (UR) de 90±5%); imersão em solução de ácido ascórbico na concentração de 2,5% seguida de armazenamento refrigerado (10±1oC e UR de 90±5%); e imersão em solução de ácido ascórbico na concentração de 5% seguida de armazenamento refrigerado (10±1oC e UR de 90±5%). Na colheita e após oito dias de armazenamento, foram avaliados a perda de massa fresca (MF), os sólidos solúveis (SS), a acidez total titulável (AT), a relação SS/AT, o pH e a murcha e o escurecimento aparentes. As maiores perdas de MF, a maior murcha e escurecimento aparentes, menores teores de SS e relação SS/AT ocorreram no tratamento com armazenamento em temperatura ambiente. A aplicação de ácido ascórbico, independente da dose, seguido do armazenamento com refrigeração, promoveu menor murcha e escurecimento aparente do tecido, mantendo a couve apta para o consumo até o oitavo dia do armazenamento.

Os frutos nativos vêm recebendo atenção especial, não apenas por seu uso in natura, mas também pela forma como são processados. Nesse sentido, o objetivo com este trabalho foi avaliar atributos físico-químicos de sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez titulável (AT), relação SS/AT, pH e conteúdo de vitamina C em frutos de açaí (Euterpe edulis), araçá amarelo e vermelho (Psidium cattleianum), butiá (Butia capitata), guabiroba (Campomanesia xanthocarpa), jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora) e pitanga (Eugenia uniflora) colhidos no ponto ideal de consumo. Os frutos foram processados e as análises realizadas no laboratório de Fisiologia e Pós-colheita do Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC) de Rio do Sul. Os teores de AT foram obtidos por titulometria, os SS, por refratômetria digital, a relação entre SS/AT foi calculada pela divisão dos SS, pela AT, o pH foi determinado com pHmetro de bancada em suco extraído dos frutos, e o conteúdo de vitamina C foi determinado pelo método espectrofotométrico, utilizando-se 2,4-denitrofenilhidrazina. Frutos de guabiroba, açaí, butiá e jabuticaba apresentaram os maiores valores de AT e, junto com a pitanga, os maiores valores de SS. A jabuticaba apresentou maior pH, e o butiá e a pitanga os menores. O conteúdo médio de vitamina C foi de 56,14 mg100g-1 de massa fresca (MF), indicando que todos os frutos estudados são importantes fontes dessa vitamina, com destaque para a pitanga, com 76,59 mg100g-1 de MF. Os frutos apresentam características físico-químicas adequadas tanto para o consumo in natura quanto na forma processada. Palavras-chave: Sólidos solúveis. Acidez titulável. PH. Vitamina C.

Flowers have received special attention not only for their ornamental nature but also for their nutraceutical, cosmetic, aromatic, and culinary properties. This study aimed to characterize physicochemical attributes and the antioxidant capacity of flowers of four gladiolus cultivars. The cultivars used were White Friendship, Rose Supreme, Jester, and T704. We analyzed the content of total soluble solids (SS), total titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, pH, vitamin C, anthocyanin, flavonoids, total phenolic compounds (TPC), total antioxidant activity (TAA), and the relationship of TPC with flavonoids and TAA for each cultivar. The results showed that the Jester flowers had the lowest TA and highest SS/TA ratio, indicating the best flavor. Jester also had the highest flavonoid content, similarly to the White Friendship and Rose Supreme. As a result, these cultivars have flowers with higher TPC and TAA content than T704. The anthocyanin content was the characteristic attribute of cultivar T704, due to its purple pigmentation. Gladiolus flowers, traditionally used in landscaping and as cut flowers, have the potential for use in human nutrition, particularly the White Friendship, Rose Supreme, and Jester cultivars.

Com este trabalho teve-se por objetivo avaliar a eficiência do ensacamento no controle da mosca-das-frutas e o efeito na qualidade dos frutos de dez cruzamentos de goiabeira-serrana (Acca sellowiana L.) produzidos em sistema agroecológico no Alto Vale do Itajaí, Santa Catarina (SC). Os frutos foram ensacados com saco de papel manteiga brancos quando atingiram diâmetro de 22 mm. Na colheita foram avaliados a incidência de mosca-das-frutas, o peso total dos frutos, e na polpa os atributos de acidez titulável total (AT), teores de sólidos solúveis (SS), relação SS/AT, pH, conteúdos de vitamina C e flavonoides totais. O ensacamento foi eficiente no controle da moscas-das-frutas em todos os cruzamentos avaliados, porém os frutos foram 6,8% mais leves do que os não ensacados. Houve efeito positivo do ensacamento dos frutos nos atributos de AT, relação SS/AT, nos conteúdos de vitamina C e flavonoides totais com valores médios de 13,3%, 18,3%, 12,8% e 13,5%, respectivamente, superiores aos valores dos frutos não ensacados. De acordo com os resultados, conclui-se que o ensacamento, independente do cruzamento, foi eficiente no controle da mosca-das-frutas e promoveu a melhoria na qualidade nutricional dos frutos de goiabeira-serrana. Palavras-chave: Frutífera nativa; características nutracêuticas; ácido ascórbico.

O planejamento da produção é essencial para garantir a qualidade de flores exigida pelo mercado consumidor. O trabalho tem como objetivo descrever o funcionamento do aplicativo PhenoGlad Mobile SC, uma ferramenta digital para o planejamento do cultivo de gladíolo ou palma-de-santa-rita. O PhenoGlad Mobile SC propõe acessibilidade ao produtor rural, por apresentar interface amigável e funcionamento offline depois de realizado o download do aplicativo. Com o aplicativo, podem ser obtidas simulações a partir da data de plantio ou de colheita das flores, possibilitando o planejamento de produção de gladíolo para todos os municípios de SC.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do sistema de cultivo no desenvolvimento das plantas e na qualidade das hastes florais de gladíolos. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com dois cultivares: White Goddess e Red Beauty; duas datas de colheita: Dias das Mães (DM) e Dia dos namorados (DN); e dois sistemas de cultivo: convencional e mínimo. Nas plantas foram avaliadas o número de folhas, massa seca total, número de floretes, dias para emergência e ponto de colheita, comprimento e diâmetro da haste. Para Red Beauty cultivada para o DM, o cultivo mínimo proporcionou maior número de folhas, comprimento e diâmetro da haste; e para o DN, aumento da massa seca, do número de floretes e dias para emergência. Para White Goddess houve efeito do sistema de cultivo somente no DM, quando as plantas apresentaram, no cultivo mínimo, maior diâmetro e comprimento da haste e menor da massa seca. Para Red Beauty, 83,4% e 25% das hastes foram classificadas como extra no cultivo mínimo e convencional, respectivamente, enquanto a White Goddess apresentou 100% das hastes como extra em ambos os sistemas de cultivo.

Gene expression is an intrinsically stochastic process. Fluctuations in transcription and translation lead to cell-to-cell variations in mRNA and protein levels affecting cellular function and cell fate. Here, using fluorescence time-lapse microscopy, we quantify noise dynamics in an artificial operon in Escherichia coli, which is based on the native operon of ColicinE2, a toxin. In the natural system, toxin expression is controlled by a complex regulatory network; upon induction of the bacterial SOS response, ColicinE2 is produced (cea gene) and released (cel gene) by cell lysis. Using this ColicinE2-based operon, we demonstrate that upon induction of the SOS response noise of cells expressing the operon is significantly lower for the (mainly) transcriptionally regulated gene cea compared to the additionally post-transcriptionally regulated gene cel. Likewise, we find that mutations affecting the transcriptional regulation by the repressor LexA do not significantly alter the population noise, whereas specific mutations to post-transcriptionally regulating units, strongly influence noise levels of both genes. Furthermore, our data indicate that global factors, such as the plasmid copy number of the operon encoding plasmid, affect gene expression noise of the entire operon. Taken together, our results provide insights on how noise in a native toxin-producing operon is controlled and underline the importance of post-transcriptional regulation for noise control in this system.

Abstract This research was carried out to evaluate centesimal [dry matter (DM), ash, and crude contents of proteins (CP), fats (CFt) and fiber (CFb)] and mineral composition (Ca, Mg, N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn) of peel and flesh tissues of feijoa fruit (cultivars Alcântara, Mattos, Helena and Nonante, and accession 2316). The genotypes had, in the flesh, DM of 12.10-15.40%, ash of 0.33-0.40%, CP of 0.95-1.45%, CFt of 0.56-1.72%, and CFb of 1.39-2.43%, and in the peel DM of 12.8-17.27%, ash of 0.30-1.49%, CP of 0.56-0.88%, CFt of 0.57-0.90%, and CFb of 2.54-3.98%. The contents of Ca, Mg, K, N and P in the peel were 96-116, 20-30, 1588-3635, 1096-1643 and 68-83 mg kg-1 FW, respectively, and in the flesh were 56-92, 17-29, 1358-2917, 2017-3384 and 255-374 mg kg-1 FW, respectively. Among the micronutrients, Fe had the highest content in peel and flesh tissues (~3.5 mg kg-1 FW). The results show that feijoa fruit represent a dietary source of CP, CFt and CFb, as well as of minerals, especially of P and N in the flesh, and of K and Fe in the peel and flesh tissues.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to quantify the total phenolic content (TPC) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) of fruit from Brazilian genotypes of feijoa (Acca sellowiana). Skin and flesh tissues of the fruit were evaluated for the Alcântara, Helena, Mattos, and Nonante cultivars, and for the 2316 accession. TPC and TAA were both assessed in aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts, and TAA was assayed by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS [2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)] methods. The TPC values, for aqueous extracts of the skin and flesh tissues, were 114.9 and 88.3 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per 100 g fresh weight (FW), respectively. The corresponding values for TAA determined by the DPPH method, the skin and flesh tissues, given as EC50 (substrate concentration which leads to 50% reduction of the DPPH), were 10.7 and 39.7 mg FW per g DPPH, respectively; and, by the ABTS method, the TAA values were 12.01 and 8.33 μmol L-1 Trolox per g FW, respectively. The greatest values for TPC and TAA were obtained for 'Mattos' and 'Nonante', in the skin, and for 'Nonante' and accession 2316, in the flesh. Feijoa fruit has important functional value, particularly in the skin, characterized by high TPC and TAA.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical attributes and vitamin C contents of fruits of five Brazilian genotypes of feijoa (Acca sellowiana), at harvest and after cold storage. The Alcântara, Mattos, Helena, and Nonante cultivars, as well as accession 2316, were studied. The assessed attributes were: fresh mass loss, titratable acidity, soluble solids contents, soluble solids contents/titratable acidity ratio, pH, skin and flesh color, texture, and vitamin C contents (skin and flesh). After storage, there were reductions of 2.9% in soluble solids contents, of 32.2% in titratable acidity, and of approximately 85% in texture attributes, besides increases of 36.3% in the soluble solids contents/titratable acidity ratio and of 21.7% in the pH of fruits. The vitamin C content in the skin was higher than that in the flesh, and increased in both skin and flesh after storage. 'Alcântara' fruits have the highest contents of vitamin C in the skin and flesh. Fruits of 'Nonante' and 'Mattos' show better preservation of the texture attributes, and fruits of 'Nonante', the lowest levels of flesh browning during storage.

Summary: Nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) is a highly conserved pathway that selectively degrades specific subsets of RNA transcripts. Here, we provide evidence that NMD regulates early human developmental cell fate. We found that NMD factors tend to be expressed at higher levels in human pluripotent cells than in differentiated cells, raising the possibility that NMD must be downregulated to permit differentiation. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) demonstrated that, indeed, NMD downregulation is essential for efficient generation of definitive endoderm. RNA-seq analysis identified NMD target transcripts induced when NMD is suppressed in hESCs, including many encoding signaling components. This led us to test the role of TGF-β and BMP signaling, which we found NMD acts through to influence definitive endoderm versus mesoderm fate. Our results suggest that selective RNA decay is critical for specifying the developmental fate of specific human embryonic cell lineages. : In this report, Wilkinson and colleagues show that the conserved RNA degradation pathway—nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD)—is highly active in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). They demonstrate that NMD degrades mRNAs encoding components of signaling pathways critical for primary germ-layer differentiation. hESC differentiation modulates NMD magnitude, which strongly influences mesoderm versus definitive endoderm cell fate.

Resumo – O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a conservação pós-colheita da cebolinha-verde minimamente processada, tratada com ácido ascórbico e refrigerada. As plantas foram picadas e submetdas aos tratamentos com imersão em água destlada seguida de armazenamento em temperatura ambiente; imersão em água destilada seguida de armazenamento refrigerado 10±1oC e umidade relativa (UR) de 90±5%; e imersão em solução de ácido ascórbico nas concentrações de 2,5% e 5% seguida de armazenamento refrigerado 10±1oC e UR de 90±5%. Na colheita e após armazenamento de oito dias, foram avaliados a perda de massa fresca (MF), os atributos de sólidos solúveis (SS), a acidez total titulável (AT), a relação SS/AT, pH, murcha e escurecimento aparente. As maiores perdas de MF, maior murcha e escurecimento aparente, menores teores de SS e relação SS/AT ocorreram no tratamento com imersão em água destlada seguido de armazenamento em temperatura ambiente. A aplicação de ácido ascórbico, independente da dose, seguido do armazenamento com refrigeração promoveu menor murcha e escurecimento aparente do tecido, mantendo a cebolinha-verde apta para o consumo até o oitavo dia do armazenamento. Abstract –The objective of this work was to evaluate the postharvest conservation of green onion minimally processed after treatment with ascorbic acid and refrigerated. The plants were submitted to treatments with immersion in water followed by storage at room temperature; immersion in water followed by storage 10±1o C and 90±5% relative humidity (RH); immersion in ascorbic acid solution at concentrations of 2.5% and 5% followed by refrigerated storage 10±1o C and 90±5% RH. At harvest and after storage of eight days, the fresh weight loss and the attribute of soluble solids (SS), total titratable acidity (AT), SS/AT ratio, pH and apparent wilting and darkening were evaluated. The treatment with immersion in water followed by storage at room temperature showed the greatest loss of fresh mater and apparent wilting and browning, lower levels of SS and SS/AT. The application of ascorbic acid, independent of the dose, followed by refrigerate storage promoted less apparent wilting and browning of the tissue, keeping the minimally processed green onions suitable for consumption until the eighth day of storage.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to characterize entire flowers of the feijoa (Acca sellowiana) genotypes 'Alcântara', 'Helena', 'Mattos', 'Nonante', and the accession 2316 for dry matter, total antioxidant activity (TAA), and the contents of soluble solids, ascorbic acid, total anthocyanins, total flavonoids, and total phenolic compounds (TPC), as well as for the petal surface areas and colors. The TAA was quantified by the ABTS and DPPH methods. Flowers of the accession 2316 and of the cultivars Alcântara and Helena showed the highest contents of anthocyanins and flavonoids, as well as the highest values of TPC and TAA. The feijoa genotypes cultivated in Southern Brazil show high contents of soluble solids and represent a natural source of antioxidants.

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to assess the postharvest quality preservation of feijoa(Acca sellowiana Berg) flowers in response to treatments with different preservative solutions and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). Recently opened feijoa flowers were harvested in the morning (between 8h and 10h) and immediately after pulsed with preservative solutions of salicylic acid, ascorbic acid and sucrose, all at doses of 0 (control), 2, 5 or 10%, and treated with 1-MCP at doses of 0 (control), 250, 500 or 1,000 nL L-1. Each trial with preservative solutions or 1-MCP treatment was a distinct experiment conducted in a completely randomized design with four replicates, each replicate with four flowers. After the treatment, the flowers were stored for 12 days at 10±1 oC and 85±5% RH. At every two-days intervals the flower petals were visually evaluated for wilting and darkening according to a hedonic scale varying from 1 (less intense) to 5 (more intense). Petal color was ranked from 1 (intense pink) to 5 (white). The 1-MCP at 500 nL L-1 and the salicylic acid (regardless of the dose) delayed the changes of petal color for up to eight and six days of storage, respectively. Flowers treated with salicylic acid, 1-MCP or ascorbic acid had a more substantial delay in petal wilting. Flowers treated with salicylic acid had wilting rank of 2 after six days of storage when treated with doses of 5% or 10%, and after eight days when treated with the dose of 2%, while flowers treated with 1-MCP at 500 and 1,000 nL L-1 and ascorbic acid at 2% and 5% had wilting rank of 2 after four days of storage. The most substantial delay of petal darkening (until the fourth day of storage) was achieved with 1-MCP at 500 nL L-1.