VALIDACIÓN DE UNA TECNOLOGÍA APROPIADA PARA EL CULTIVO DE CAPULÍ (Physalis peruviana L.) PARA LAS CONDICIONES DEL VALLE DEL MANTARO

Capulí (Physalis peruviana L.) especie nativa del Perú, cultivo restringido en huertos familiares, actualmente viene siendo revalorado por su calidad nutricional y medicinal. Muchas instituciones han tomado importancia por ser un cultivo potencial y alternativo para la población rural, y su gran adaptación a las condiciones ambientales del valle. El trabajo se desarrolló del 2000 al 2003, se consideró como factores en estudio: tipos de sustratos, densidad de siembra, tipos de tutores, usos y manejo agronómico. Los resultados obtenidos es como sigue: el sustrato compost destacó para rendimiento de frutos con 0,422 kg/planta, para distanciamientos ocupó el primer lugar la densidad 1,20 x 1,00 m con un rendimiento de 0,596 kg/planta, en el uso de tutores sobresalió la estaca individual con un rendimiento de 1,88 kg/parcela; según el resultado de la encuesta sobre el uso del capulí el 51% de la población en la margen izquierda lo destina al autoconsumo y el 37% como medicina natural; en la margen derecha un 50% para autoconsumo y el 37% como medicina natural. Como propuesta de solución al manejo agronómico y usos del capulí, se propone: utilizar una agricultura sostenible. Asimismo, promocionar el consumo en estado fresco y procesado, de esta manera obtener valor agregado.

Isolation of Beauveria Strains and Their Potential as Control Agents for Lema bilineata Germar (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Lema bilineata Germar (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was recently reported to damage Physalis peruviana crops in Brazil. Given the potential for inflicting damage on other Solanaceae species and the lack of alternatives for controlling this pest, we assessed the pathogenicity of 15 Beauveria isolates against L. bilineata adults in vitro. In addition, three of these isolates were tested for their ovicidal effect against L. bilineata eggs. Fungal strains were isolated from mummified corpses of L. bilineata collected in a non-commercial field in Paraná, Brazil. The isolates were identified as Beauveria bassiana using molecular markers. Lema bilineata adults were susceptible to conidial suspensions of all these isolates at a concentration of 108 conidia mL−1. Deaths caused by fungal extrusion were confirmed. Three strains were found to be more virulent against L. bilineata adults and showed ovicidal effects. This is the first study on entomopathogenic fungi isolated from dead insects collected from P. peruviana crops and tested against L. bilineata carried out in Brazil. The results obtained in the laboratory indicate the high potential of the use of three B. bassiana strains against L. bilineata as a biocontrol agent.

Photosynthesis of Physalis peruviana under different densities of photons and saline stress

Physalis peruviana L. is a solanacea that has been gaining prominence due to its fruits presenting good acceptance in the national and international market. However, several abiotic factors, such as salinity, can cause physiological disturbances in plants, and these changes may be of greater or lesser intent according to species. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the physiological behavior of P. peruviana submitted to different fluxes of photosynthetically active photons (PPFD) and saline stress. The experimental design was a randomized block design with three saline levels (ECw) (0.5, 2.75 and 5.00 dS m-1) with four replications. Gas exchange measurements were performed with a portable infrared gas analyzer. Liquid CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, water use efficiency and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency were measured. Data were subjected to analysis of variance by F test and in cases of significance applied to regression analysis. The increase in PPFD provided reductions in stomatal conductance up to the density of approximately 400 μmol m-2s-1, being more pronounced in ECw of 2.75 and 5.0 dS m-1. The maximum CO2 assimilation rates in the three salinities are different according to the PPFD. The salinity of irrigation water reduced the quantum efficiency of photosynthesis in P. peruviana plants.

Goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.) seed oil: press extraction, optimization, characterization, and oxidative stability

In order to optimize the screw-press extraction conditions of oil from goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.) seeds obtained from nectar processing waste, a face centered design was applied. The oil was extracted at different temperatures (60, 80, and 100°C) and seed moisture contents (8, 10, and 12%). Oil recovery (OR) increased and residual oil in the cake decreased significantly as moisture content and temperature were reduced; oil moisture and volatile matter as well as acid value, K232, K268, and p-anisidine, respectively, decreased proportionally with the moisture extraction. Thus, the highest OR (86.4%) and the best quality were obtained at 8% moisture content and 60°C pressing temperature. Under these conditions, the extracted oil presented high linoleic acid (76.0%), iodine value (140.0 mg I2/g), and refractive index (1.4769). The oil stability index, measured by Rancimat, varied from 3.65 h (120°C) to 14.87 h (100°C); the predicted shelf life at 25°C was 120.4 days and the activation energy was 85.6 kJ/mol. The results highlighted that screw-pressing of goldenberry seeds provides quality oil without employing polluting and hazardous solvents.

Evaluación de las características fisicoquímicas de yogurt con probiótico bifidobacterium spp. formulado con jalea de uvilla y harina de quinua

La practicidad, conveniencia y cercanía en algunas ocasiones no están relacionadas con la adquisición de productos alimenticios nutritivos, debido a que los patrones alimentarios de ciertas industrias en la actualidad contienen altos porcentajes de grasas saturadas, sodio, azúcares y calorías. Por este motivo, los consumidores en la actualidad exigen al mercado productos sanos y de gran valor nutricional que aporten proteínas, grasas, vitaminas y minerales a la dieta diaria. En la presente investigación se evaluaron las características fisicoquímicas del yogurt con probiótico Bifidobacterium spp. formulado con jalea de uvilla (Physalis peruviana) y harina de quinua (Chenopodium quinoa), como una alternativa alimentaria. Para ello, se valoró dos niveles de jalea de uvilla 25 % y 30 %, y tres niveles de harina de quinua 0,6 %; 0,8 % y 1 %, frente a un tratamiento control 0 %, aplicando un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial AxB. Se realizó seis formulaciones, las mismas que fueron evaluadas sensorialmente, eligiendo al tratamiento T5 (0,8 % de harina de quinua y 30 % de jalea de uvilla) como el más aceptado. En cuanto a las características fisicoquímicas se obtuvo un pH de 4,28 y acidez de 0,765 %; contenido de sólidos totales 23,47%; proteína 3,23 %; grasa 2,88 %; ceniza 0,79 %; fibra 1,82 %; carbohidratos 67,81 %; vitamina C 0,049 %; potasio 1245,03 mg/kg y calcio 738,23 mg/kg, por tanto, se concluye que es un producto nutritivo y saludable, apto para el consumo humano.