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O artigo possui o propósito de reunir informações a respeito do panorama da agricultura orgânica no Brasil, enfocando questões relacionadas ao uso de agrotóxicos, situação econômica atual e dificuldades do mercado orgânico; segurança alimentar e nutricional dos alimentos produzidos de forma orgânica e convencional e sustentabilidade no que se refere ao cultivo convencional e orgânico de alimentos. Foram analisados os dados presentes nas bases de dados Pro Quest Research Library, Scielo, Science Direct, One File (Gale), Directory of Open Access Journals e Medline. Constata-se que o Brasil faz uso exacerbado de agrotóxicos quando comparado com outros países. A produção de alimentos é focada em mono cultivos dependentes de áreas extensas de plantio, assim como insumos químicos. A produção orgânica tem o potencial de proporcionar benefícios relacionados à ingestão alimentar, geração de trabalho e renda e conservação dos recursos naturais e da biodiversidade. Verifica-se a necessidade de estudos exploratórios investigando os efeitos dos agrotóxicos sobre a saúde e o meio-ambiente a longo prazo, assim como ao que se refere à composição nutricional dos alimentos orgânicos. Ações direcionadas ao fomento da atividade orgânica nas etapas envolvendo o cultivo, distribuição, comercialização e consumo ainda se fazem necessárias a fim de expandir e aprimorar este tipo de agricultura.Palavras-chave: Agricultura Orgânica; Alimentos Orgânicos; Agrotóxicos; Produção de Alimentos. Panorama of Brazilian Organic AgricultureThis article aimed at gathering information about the outlook of organic agriculture in Brazil, focusing on issues related to the use of pesticides, current economic situation, and difficulties of the organic market; food and nutrition security and sustainability concerning the conventional and organic cultivation. Data were obtained in the databases Pro Quest Research Library, Scielo, Science Direct, One File (Gale), Directory of Open Access Journals and Medline. Brazil makes heavy use of pesticides when compared to other countries. Food production is focused on monocultures, depending on extensive planting areas and chemical inputs. The organic production has the potential to provide benefits related to food intake, generation of employment and income, and conservation of natural resources and biodiversity. Exploratory studies on the effects of pesticides on health and environment in the long term are required, as well as regarding the nutritional composition of organic foods. Actions directed to the promotion of organic activity in the stages involving cultivation, distribution, marketing, and consumption are still necessary to expand and improve this kind of agriculture.

The application of β-galactosidase in the fermentation of milk enables the acquirement of lower levels of lactose that are tolerated by lactose maldigesters and can reduce the nutritional consequences of avoiding dairy products. The present study evaluated the viability of the fortification of lactose-free prebiotic Greek yogurt formulas with whey protein concentrate (WPC). Two rotational central composite designs (RCCDs) were applied: one to perform the hydrolysis of the whey protein concentrate and another for the yogurt formulations (α = 2 with 2 central points and 4 axial points). Two β-galactosidase enzymes obtained from Kluyveromyces lactis were used. The content of lactose, glucose, galactose, and lactic acid were determined in the WPC, milk (pasteurized and powdered), and yogurts. The three best formulations regarding the attributes’ viscosity, syneresis, firmness, and elasticity were sensorially evaluated by using a nine-point hedonic scale. A microbiological analysis was performed after 48 h of yogurt production. The characterization of the products and the comparison of the results obtained were evaluated using the Student’s T test and the analysis of variance with Tukey’s test (p-values < 0.05). The application of a lactose-free WPC promoted viscosity, firmness, and elasticity. The syneresis was reduced, and whey increased the protein and calcium content. Lactose-free WPC can be used as a partial substitute for skimmed powdered milk in yogurts. The obtained results are encouraging with respect to the production of lactose-free Greek yogurts by the dairy industry.