An overview of vinasse pollution in aquatic ecosystems in Brazil.

We review the negative impacts of vinasse, a byproduct of alcohol distillation, on Brazil's freshwater ecosystems. We found a total of 37 pollution events between the years 1935 and 2023, with this number almost certainly an underestimate due to underreporting and/or unassessed events. Pollution by vinasse occurred both through accidents (e.

Parvalbumin and Ubiquitin as Potential Biomarkers of Mercury Contamination of Amazonian Brazilian Fish.

Recent studies have demonstrated the association of mercury (Hg) with some fish proteins, milk, and hair from individuals exposed to the element in the Amazon. However, few studies involve identifying biomarkers of mercury exposure. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify potential biomarkers of Hg exposure in fish.

Water quality in an urban environmental protection area in the Cerrado Biome, Brazil.

The environmental protection area of Lageado was created in 2001 in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul's State capital, and it constitutes a conservation unit that belongs to the Sustainable Use Group. The environmental protection area of Lageado is located in an urban area and provides approximately 12% of the water supplied to the municipality. Knowing the relationship between soil occupancy and population density, which may cause harmful effects to the quality of surface water and water resources, is fundamental.

Correction to: Mercury Exposure: Protein Biomarkers of Mercury Exposure in Jaraqui Fish from the Amazon Region.

In the affiliation section, Luiz Fabricio Zara's affiliation "Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás (PUC), Goiânia, GO, Brazil" was incorrect. The correct affiliation is College of Planaltina, UnB - University of Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil.

Mercury Exposure: Protein Biomarkers of Mercury Exposure in Jaraqui Fish from the Amazon Region.

This study presents data on the extraction and characterization of proteins associated with mercury in the muscle and liver tissues of jaraqui (Semaprochilodus spp.) from the Madeira River in the Brazilian Amazon. Protein fractionation was carried out by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D-PAGE).

Cyclen-based Gd complexes as MRI contrast agents: Relaxivity enhancement and ligand design.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive radiology technique used to examine the internal organs of human body. It is useful for the diagnosis of structural abnormalities in the body. Contrast agents are used to increase the sensitivity of this technique.

Comparison of phenotypic and molecular tests to identify lactic acid bacteria.

Twenty-nine lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates were submitted for identification using Biolog, API50CHL, 16S rDNA sequencing, and species-specific PCR reactions. The identification results were compared, and it was concluded that a polyphasic approach is necessary for proper LAB identification, being the molecular analyzes the most reliable.

GFAAS determination of mercury in muscle samples of fish from Amazon, Brazil.

In the present study, a simple, rapid and sensitive method was developed for the determination of mercury concentrations in the muscle tissue of fish from the Brazilian Amazon using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) following acid mineralization of the samples in an ultrasonic cold water bath. Using copper nitrate as a chemical modifier in solution and sodium tungstate as permanent modifier, we were able to attain thermal stabilization of the mercury up to the atomisation temperature of 1600 °C in the GFAAS assay. The calculated limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.

A preliminary and qualitative metallomics study of mercury in the muscle of fish from Amazonas, Brazil.

This paper presents preliminary findings for a metallomics study of mercury in the muscle of the fish species from Amazonas, Brazil, after protein separation by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subsequent evaluation of mercury by synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence. The fluorescence spectra revealed mercury in two protein spots. The mercury-containing protein spots showed molecular weights of 20.

Lantibiotics biosynthesis genes and bacteriocinogenic activity of Lactobacillus spp. isolated from raw milk and cheese.

Lactobacillus species are usually used as starters for the production of fermented products, and some strains are capable of producing antimicrobial substances, such as bacteriocins. Because these characteristics are highly desirable, research are continually being performed for novel Lactobacillus strains with bacteriocinogenic potential for use by food industries. The aim of this study was to characterise the bacteriocinogenic potential and activity of Lactobacillus isolates.

Levels of copper in Nile tilapia from Brazil.

The purpose of this work was to determine the concentration of copper in samples of farmed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fillets purchased in the city of Botucatu (São Paulo, Brazil) and in fillet and liver samples of Tilapia fed diets supplemented with different concentrations of Cu from the Laboratory of Aquatic Organism Nutrition/FMVZ-UNESP (Botucatu, Brazil). The fillet samples were prepared by lyophilisation and cryogenic grinding into particles smaller than 60 µm, and copper was extracted ultrasonically using 0.

Enumeration of coagulase and thermonuclease-positive Staphylococcus spp. in raw milk and fresh soft cheese: an evaluation of Baird-Parker agar, Rabbit Plasma Fibrinogen agar and the Petrifilm Staph Express count system.

Staphylococcus spp. are microorganisms that are naturally present in milk and dairy products and are often associated with food-borne diseases outbreaks due to the ability of some strains to produce thermostable enterotoxins. This ability is usually associated with coagulase and thermonuclease production, characteristics that are considered in the microbiological analyses for the control of such microorganisms.

Microbiological quality and safety of raw milk and soft cheese and detection of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria with antagonistic activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Spp., and Staphylococcus aureus.

This study aimed to characterize the microbiological quality and safety of raw milk and soft cheese, verifying possible associations between microbial populations, and the detection of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with antagonistic activity against foodborne pathogens. Raw milk (n = 36) and soft cheese (n = 18) samples were collected and submitted for the analysis of mesophilic aerobes, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, LAB, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (CPS), Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. In all, 389 LAB isolates were randomly selected and submitted for antagonistic tests against L.

Foodborne pathogens and microbiological characteristics of raw milk soft cheese produced and on retail sale in Brazil.

The consumption of raw milk soft cheeses (RMSC), which are typically manufactured in small dairy farms under unsatisfactory hygiene conditions, is common in Brazil. Due to these production characteristics, this type of cheese is a potential carrier of pathogenic microorganisms, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and enterotoxin-producing Staphylococcus spp. Considering these characteristics, in this work, we aimed to detect the presence of these pathogenic microorganisms in RMC and to evaluate their microbiological quality.