Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

This work has been conducted in order to assess the effect of adding whey protein (WP) to fresh cheese. The yield, proximal chemical composition, tryptophan content,and texture and consumer sensorial acceptance were obtained. The study was conducted at a cheese factory located in San Carlos, Costa Rica, in 2011. The protein obtained from whey was added during the cheese manufacturing process, before adding the microbial rennet; and four enrichment levels were evaluated, including one control. The supplemented cheese showed an acceptance rating between 6.8 and 7.1. Products with 75 and 120 g of added whey protein per kilogram of milk showed no significant differences versus non-supplemented cheese, while the preference towards the cheese with 150 g WP/kg was less than that of the control (p<0.05). A cluster analysis revealed the existence of two consumer groups: one, accounting for 65% of the members of the panel, whose preference was unaffected by the protein supplemented; and, the other group where the added protein affected their liking negatively. Adding whey protein to the cheese resulted in a significant increase in yield and in the protein-to-water ratio, as well as a reduction in fat content (p<0.05). Nevertheless, there were structural changes in the cheese that caused the reduction of certain texture properties, generating changes in their sensory properties that reduced the preference of a representative group of consumers towards the product.

The objective of this research was to determine the capability of Aphelenchoides besseyi of being seed-transmitted in common bean. During 2007 and 2008, seeds were collected from nematode-infested common bean plants (cv. Cabécar) previously showing characteristic symptoms, in commercial plantations of the Brunca region of Costa Rica (southeastern area of the country). Between September 2008 and September 2009 the seeds were sowed in plastic pots in a greenhouse located in Veracruz, Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica. Once seeds germinated, plants were observed weekly to determine the appearance of “amachamiento” symptoms and detect the cases of disease transmission by seed. To support the previous work, seeds from “amachamiento” diseased plants (cv. Cabécar) were collected in commercial common bean plantations in five localities of the Brunca region of Costa Rica in 2014. The seeds were carried to Estación Experimental Agrícola Fabio Baudrit Moreno of Universidad de Costa Rica located in Alajuela, where they were examined in a laboratory to determine the presence of A. besseyi specimens. Contrary to indicated for A. besseyi in rice and pastures, crops in which this pathogen is seed-transmitted, in common bean it was not possible find specimens of this nematode nor diseased plants from seeds of infested plants. The results obtained indicate that, under these experimental conditions, seeds are not an effective way for the transmission and dissemination of the “amachamiento” disease in common bean. 

The aim of this study was to identify the behavioral response in growth and physiology on three bean varieties under irrigation and drought. The study was conducted in 2014 at the experimental campus from the Autonomous University of Chapingo, Regional University Unit of the Arid Zones, Durango, Mexico. A randomized block design with three replications in a split plot arrangement was used. The plots were the soil moisture contents: favorable, near to Field Capacity (FC: 22-26%) and unfavorable, near to Permanent Wilting Point (PWP: 16-20%); subplots were varieties of beans: Pinto Centauro, Pinto Americano, and Pinto Saltillo. The variety Pinto Centauro had the greatest plant height (10.2 cm), vegetation cover (155.1 cm2), and dry matter production per plant (5.2 g) and, physiologically, it showed an outstanding water use efficiency (15.8 μmol CO2: μmol H20). The variety Pinto Americano was the most stable in growth and development when changing from the favorable moisture condition (CC) to the hydric stress condition (PWP), which makes it more viable under restrictive water availability conditions, but also more susceptible to root rot, associated to soil pathogens.

The aim of this study was to determine medium and long management of phosphorus fertilization with two application methods on the maize. An experiment was established in El Ejido, Panama, from 2004 to 2013 on Udic Haplustalf soil. Two factors were evaluated in a 5 x 4 factorial arrangement of split plot under a randomized block design with three replications. The main plot was the broadcast application of P in rates of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kgP/ha (applied only the first year), while in sub-plots applied P in band, for ten years, together with N and K doses of 0, 10, 20 and 30 kgP/ha. The maximum grain yield was achieved by applying average 304 kg (average of 30.4 kgP/year). It was observed that the residual effect broadcast applications of 0 and 25 kgP/ha had a relative yield below 80%. Treatment of 50 kgP/ha remained at 82%, while 75 kgP/ha declined from the year 2007 and is at a value close to 80%. Treatment of 100 kgP/ha broadcast presents a relative yield close to 100%. The results indicate that the broadcast application over 50 kgP/ha did not differ from the response obtained with annual applications of 30 P/ha in the first five years. These results suggest that the residual effect of phosphorus broadcast and incorporated before planting, on the type of soil used, varies according doses applied initially, where dosages above 50 kg/ha should be repeated after six years to maintain good productivity, since, from this time the residual effect is drastically reduced.

The present study aimed to identify the physical and chemical characteristics that determine the state of maturity of the fruit of four varieties of husk tomato. One hundred fruits of the varieties: San Martin, Tecozautla 04, Rendidora, and Diamante, were collected. They were cultivated at a density of 40,000 plants/ha under experimental greenhouse conditions at the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Integrated Regional Development (CIIDIR), National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), in Oaxaca, Mexico. The plants were grown during the summer-autumn 2013 and spring-summer 2014 growing cycles. The husk filling and elapsed time since the fruit set were considered as indicators of harvest. Fruits were stored at room temperature (25 ± 3 °C), and each week 10 fruits of each variety were selected and analyzed for weight loss, penetration resistance, soluble solids, color, pH and titratable acidity. The statistic results indicate that color parameters a*, h * and color index (IC), were significantly high, and showed a high correlation with the physical and chemical properties for the state of maturation. The a* color coordinate presented the highest coefficient of correlation with fruit texture, followed by IC and h*. At the same time, a * and CI showed strong correlation with variables weight loss, titratable acidity, pH, and soluble solids. According to these results, the a* color parameter showed the greatest correlation with quality features, and varieties Tecozautla 04 and San Martin had the best quality characteristics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of shrimp cephalothorax meal Pleuroncodes planipes (HC) in laying hen diets over egg quality and yolk color. From April to September 2013 in San José Costa Rica, four inclusion levels of meal were evaluated (0% HC, 5% HC, 10% HC, 15% HC) in rations for 140 Hy-Line Brown hens (35 per treatment). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) for Haugh units (M= 90), yolk index (M= 0.41), and pH (M= 6.2). The lowest shell thickness was for 15% HC (M= 0.44 mm) (p<0.05). The morphological index differed (p<0.05) between 15 % HC (M = 77.04%) and 0% HC (M = 76.23%). Weight was different (p<0.05) for 5% HC (M= 62.76 g) and 10% HC (61.43 g). Roche color value was higher (p<0.05) for 15% HC (M= 14). There were no differences (p>0.05) among color parameters L* (M= 61.59), b* (M= 57.58) and C* (M = 62.60). The parameter a* was significantly higher (M=72,4) (p<0.05) for 15% HC (M= 29.34). The °h parameter was higher for 0% HC (p<0.05) (M=72.39), and liking for the color of yolk (M= 7.4) was higher as well (p<0.05). Flavor liking generated three clusters: 40% of people preferred 0% HC, 27% preferred 15% HC, and 33% were indifferent. The results show that the inclusions of HC are associated with an acceptable liking of egg, generating a possible market to produce them with inclusions among 10% and 15% HC. 

The objective of this research was to describe agromorphological variability of Oaxaca populations of tusta pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). 31 accessions or sample collections were taken from Santa María Tonameca and Santo Domingo de Morelos, Oaxaca, Mexico. The phenotypic variation was described and classified; hence, pepper samples were sown, transplanted, and characterized at greenhouse conditions in Madgalena Apasco, Oaxaca, from November 2012 to January 2013. The transplantation was done under a randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant differences between means of tusta pepper populations were determined for plant height at 60 and 120 days after transplantation, stem diameter, days to flowering, number of fruits, and fruit length and width. On the other hand, in phenotypic diversity patterns, important differences were determined between the populations from Santa María Tonameca and Santo Domingo de Morelos The latter were highly variable in the characters evaluated. Three phenotypic diversity groups were determined in traits associated to plant, fruit, and yield per plant. The highest weight loss (up to 13.3 g) during 30 days of storage at room temperature was quantified for the fruits of major size and density, indicating high water content.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the colour of dried sweet tomatoes, to prepare jams. The assay was carried out during 2013 at the Fruits and Vegetables Drying Laboratory from the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) Rama Caída Agricultural Experimental Station, Argentina. Franco variety tomatoes were used; these were peeled and cut, then 8 groups of 0,5 kg each were formed in order to attain 4 treatments with two repetitions. The tomatoes were covered with sucrose (0,5 kg) mixed with four doses of sodium metabisulfite (A: 0%; B: 0,2%; C: 0,5%; D: 0,8%) and were left resting 24 hours. They were rinsed and dehydrated in an electric oven with forced ventilation at 55 °C until 0,47 ± 0,02 (humidity inferior to 20 %) of water activity was reached. Subsequently, the colour of the pulp of the dried tomatoes was measured every three months and the content of sulphur dioxide was determined after one year in storage. The four treatments evaluated presented stable colours in time; however, treatments C and D showed the highest values in colour space CIE L*, a*, b* (most intense and attractive red colours). Also, these treatments were the ones with the greatest residual amount of sulphur dioxide, however, they were below of the allowed limit established by the Argentine Food Code for the manufacturing of jams(C 160 ± 22,63; D 1.160 ± 214,96 ppm).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptation of two spineless cactus of the species Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck (Miuda and Alagoas) under the environmental conditions of the semi-arid region in the tate of Paraiba, Brazil. An experimental randomized block design with five replications was used. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in São João do Cariri county, State of Paraiba, Brazil (7°22’45,1”S and 36°31’47,2”W), from August 2004 to May 2007. Every twenty-eight days the relative growth rate of cladodes height, length, width, and thickness were evaluated, as well as the number of cladodes per plant and the photosynthetic active area of cladodes and plant. The biomass accumulation per hectare was also measured at the end of the experimental period. One thousand days after planting, the cultivars did not differ in length and width of cladodes. The Alagoas cultivar showed greater thickness of cladode than the Miuda. The Miuda had a larger number of cladodes (p>0.05). There was no difference (p>0.05) in biomass accumulation between cultivars. In conclusion, both cultivars showed similar behavior in the environmental conditions of the semiarid region of the State of Paraiba, Brazil. 

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the growth on dairy goats from birth to the breeding age. The experiment was carried out at the University of Costa Rica’s Alfredo Volio Mata Experimental Station, located at 9°55’10’’ N, and 83°57’20’’ W. From December 2013 to August 2014, every born goats were weekly weighed until the weaning age of 90 days after birth, when the same animals were weighed every fortnight until the end of the experimental period. Besides, these animals were fed with milk (20% of live weight) until weaning, then their feed was based on forage and a balanced grain mix according to their nutritional needs. During the experimental period, management, housing, and health followed animal welfare principles, to guarantee the optimum growth of kids. According to the analyzed data, average birth weight and daily weight gain was 4.27 kg and 90 g, respectively; also, it took an average of 286 days for the animals to reach a live weight of 30 kg, the minimum breeding weight. Based on the analyzed information, a higher energy intake is necessary to increase the average daily weight gain, reduce the breeding age and the adult live weight in goats.