During cocoa ( L.) processing, the accumulated cocoa shell can be used for bioconversion to obtain valuable compounds. Here, we evaluate the effect of solid-state fermentation of cacao flour with on secondary metabolite composition, phenol, carotenoid, anthocyanin, flavonol, and fatty acids contents, and antioxidant activity. We found that the total concentrations of anthocyanins and flavonols did not change significantly after fermentation and the phenolic compound and total carotenoid concentrations were higher. The fermentation process produced an increase in saponin concentration and antioxidant activity, as well as significant changes in the levels of oleic, linoleic, gamma-linolenic, and saturated fatty acids. Based on our findings, we propose that the reuse of food residues through solid state fermentation is viable and useful.

Plant-derived essential oils can be used as insecticides for vector control. However, to establish their safety, it is necessary to perform toxicological studies. Herein, we evaluated the chemical composition and insecticidal activity of the essential oil from the leaves of Croton argyrophyllus on the third- and fourth-instar larvae and adult Aedes aegypti (L., 1762). We also evaluated the acute toxicity of the essential oil in adult female Mus musculus. The lethal concentration 50 (LC50) and 90 (LC90) of C. argyrophyllus essential oil on larvae of Ae. aegypti were 0.31 and 0.70 mg ml-1, respectively, and 5.92 and 8.94 mg ml-1, respectively, on Ae. aegypti adults. The major components of the essential oil were spathulenol (22.80%), (E)-caryophyllene (15.41%), α-pinene (14.07%), and bicyclogermacrene (10.43%). It also displayed acute toxicity in adults of Mus musculus; the intraperitoneal and oral lethal dose 50 (LD50) were 2,000 mg kg-1 and 2,500 mg kg-1, respectively. The results showed that the essential oil from C. argyrophyllus leaves has insecticidal activity on Ae. aegypti larvae and adults at an average lethal concentration below the median lethal dose needed to cause acute toxicity in the common mouse.

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The objective of this study was to evaluate (qualitatively and quantitatively) the occurrence of antibiotic residue in pasteurized milk in Brazil. Pasteurized milk samples (n = 252) were collected monthly from Nov. 2010-Oct. 2011 from 21 commercial establishments (brands). A screening test (Delvotest® SP-NT) was applied to those samples. In positive (n = 19) and/or suspect samples (n = 24), we quantified oxytetracycline (OTC) and tetracycline (TC) by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). OTCs were detected in all positive samples and TCs in six. In the 24suspected samples, OTCs were detected in 23 and TCs were not found in 8. Of the milk brands evaluated (n = 21), the presence of antibiotic residue was not detected in 4; in the other brands, both positive and suspect samples were verified. Results indicate the presence of antibiotic residue above legal limits. According to actual milk consumption in Brazil (441 mL/kg BW/day), in only 9 of the 17 brands of milk with antibiotic residue, the estimated daily intake was at or less than the maximum recommended by the European Union. The screening test used was effective to identify the presence of antibiotic residue (OTC and TC), confirmed by HPLC-DAD. The OTC is the predominant antimicrobial used by dairy farmers. Ingestion of contaminated milk by OTC and TC can increase the resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics.