Search Results (536)

Postharvest studies on Cerrado fruits remain scarce, and the use of LED light during storage is a recent and promising strategy. Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC.), a native Cerrado fruit with high nutritional and economic value, is also highly perishable, which limits its marketability. This study evaluated the postharvest quality of cagaita fruits stored under LED light of different wavelengths. Fruits were exposed to red, green, blue, or white LEDs, or kept in the dark (control), under continuous illumination (24 h per day) for 5 days at room temperature (25.7 ± 2 °C). Green LED light significantly (p < 0.05) increased lightness, chroma, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), while maintaining a more stable pH compared with the control and, in some cases, other LED treatments. Overall, green LED was the most effective treatment for preserving the physicochemical and bioactive quality of cagaita fruits during storage. These findings provide evidence that LED light can help extend shelf life and enhance the market potential of this native Cerrado fruit. Full article

Environmental degradation and soil desertification are among the most severe environmental issues of recent decades worldwide. Over time, these processes have led to increasingly extreme and highly dynamic climatic conditions. In Brazil, the Northeast Region is characterized by semi-arid and arid areas that exhibit high climatic variability and are extremely vulnerable to environmental changes and pressures from human activities. The application of geotechnologies and geographic information system (GIS) modeling is essential to mitigate the impacts and pressures on the various ecosystems of Northeastern Brazil (NEB), where the Caatinga biome is predominant and critically threatened by these factors. In this context, the objective was to map and assess the spatiotemporal patterns of land use and land cover (LULC), detecting significant trends of loss and gain, based on surface reflectance data and precipitation data over two decades (2000–2019). Remote sensing datasets were utilized, including Landsat satellite data (LULC data), MODIS sensor data (surface reflectance product) and TRMM data (precipitation data). The Google Earth Engine (GEE) software was used to process orbital images and determine surface albedo and acquisition of the LULC dataset. Satellite data were subjected to multivariate analysis, descriptive statistics, dispersion and variability assessments. The results indicated a significant loss trend over the time series (2000–2019) for forest areas (Z_MK = −5.872; Tau = −0.958; p < 0.01) with an annual loss of −3705.853 km² and a total loss of −74,117.06 km². Conversely, farming areas (agriculture and pasture) exhibited a significant gain trend (Z_MK = 5.807; Tau = 0.947; p < 0.01), with an annual gain of +3978.898 km² and a total gain of +79,577.96 km², indicating a substantial expansion of these areas over time. However, it is important to emphasize that deforestation of the region’s native vegetation contributes to reduced water production and availability. The trend analysis identified an increase in environmental degradation due to the rapid expansion of land use. LULC and albedo data confirmed the intensification of deforestation in the Northern, Northwestern, Southern and Southeastern regions of NEB. The Northwestern region was the most directly impacted by this increase due to anthropogenic pressures. Over two decades (2000–2019), forested areas in the NEB lost approximately 80.000 km². Principal component analysis (PCA) identified a significant cumulative variance of 87.15%. It is concluded, then, that the spatiotemporal relationship between biophysical conditions and regional climate helps us to understand and evaluate the impacts and environmental dynamics, especially of the vegetation cover of the NEB. Full article

Crop productivity can be affected by biotic and abiotic stressors, and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) from the genera Bacillus and Burkholderia have the potential to maintain fruit yield and quality, as these bacteria can promote plant growth by solubilizing nutrients, fixing atmospheric nitrogen, producing phytohormones, and exhibiting antagonistic activity against pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of inoculating plants with Bacillus subtilis and Burkholderia seminalis on their morphological characteristics, fruit technological attributes and yield of common cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) subjected to induced water deficit. The study was arranged on a split-plot randomized block design, with four water replacement levels (40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of crop evapotranspiration, ETc) and three inoculation treatments (Bacillus subtilis ATCC 23858, Burkholderia seminalis TC3.4.2R3 and non-inoculation). Data were subjected to analysis of variance using the F-test and compared using Tukey’s test (p < 0.05) and multivariate statistics from principal component analysis. Inoculation with Burkholderia seminalis increased the plant fresh and dry shoot and root mass, as well as root volume. Inoculation with Bacillus subtilis increased carotenoid and chlorophyll b contents. Both inoculations enhanced leaf water content in plants experiencing severe water deficit (40% of ETc). The use of these strains as PGPB increased the fruit soluble solids content. Higher productivity in inoculated plants was achieved through a greater number of fruits per cluster, despite the individual fruits being lighter. Treatments with higher water replacement levels resulted in greater yield. Inoculations showed biotechnological potential in mitigating water deficit in cherry tomatoes. Full article

Globally, land degradation represents both an environmental and socioeconomic challenge, necessitating continuous monitoring due to its impacts on ecosystem services. Given the substantial changes in land use and land cover in Maranhão, this study aimed to evaluate land degradation across the state between 2001 and 2023, based on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 15.3.1. To this end, we integrated data on land cover (LC), soil organic carbon (SOC), and land productivity (LP) using the Trends.Earth algorithm (v.2.1.16), based on datasets from the MapBiomas platform (collections 9 and Beta) and MODIS (MOD13Q1 product), along with the application of the RESTREND model for climate adjustment. The results indicated that 39.56% of Maranhão’s territory showed signs of degradation, particularly in the central and northwestern (NW) regions, as well as parts of the southern (S) region. Stable areas accounted for 26.39%, while 32.08% were classified as improving, with notable trends in the southern and southeastern (SE) regions, suggesting vegetation recovery and more sustainable land management practices. The integrated analysis of LC, SOC stocks, and land productivity sub-indicators revealed that environmental degradation in Maranhão is strongly driven by the conversion of natural ecosystems into agricultural and livestock areas, especially in the central-eastern and NW regions. In conclusion, the findings highlight a misalignment with the SDG 15.3.1 target but also point to zones of stability and recovery, indicating potential for mitigation, restoration, and the implementation of sustainable land management strategies. Full article

Copaifera langsdorffii is a neotropical tree widely distributed in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Brazilian Savanna. Population genetic analyses can identify the scale at which tree species are impacted by human activities and provide useful demographic information for management and conservation. Using a Restriction site Associated DNA Sequencing approach, we assessed the genomic variability of six C. langsdorffii population relicts in a transition zone between the Seasonal Atlantic Forest and Savanna biomes in Southeastern Brazil. We identified 2797 high-confidence SNP markers from six remnant populations, with 10 to 29 individuals perpopulation, in a transition zone between the Seasonal Atlantic Forest and Savanna biomes in Southeastern Brazil. Observed heterozygosity values (0.197) were lower than expected heterozygosity (0.264) in all populations, indicating an excess of homozygotes. Differentiation among populations (F_ST) was low (0.023), but significant (0.007–0.044, c.i. 95%). A clear correlation was observed between geographic versus genetic distances, suggesting a pattern of isolation by distance. Bayesian inferences of population structure detected partial structuring due to the transition between the Atlantic Forest and the Brazilian Savanna, also suggested by spatial interpolation of ancestry coefficients. Through the analysis of F_ST outliers, 28 candidates for selection have been identified and may be associated with adaptation to these different phytophysiognomies. We conclude that the genetic variation found in these populations can be exploited in programs for the genetic conservation of the species. Full article

By 2023, deforestation in the Cerrado biome surpassed 50% of its original area, primarily due to the conversion of native vegetation to pasture and agricultural land. In addition to anthropogenic pressure, climate change has intensified hydrological stress by reducing precipitation and decreasing river flows, thereby threatening water security, quality, and availability in that biome. The Annual Water Yield (AWY) model from the InVEST platform provides a tool to assess ecosystem services by estimating the balance between precipitation and evapotranspiration (ET). In this study, we applied the AWY model to the Urucuia River Basin, analyzing water yield trends from 1991 to 2020. We evaluated climate variables, land use dynamics, and river discharge data and validated the model validation using observed stream flow data. Although the model exhibited low performance in simulating observed streamflow (NSE = −0.14), scenario analyses under reduced precipitation and increased evapotranspiration (ET) revealed consistent water yield responses to climatic variability, supporting the model’s heuristic value for assessing the relative impacts of land use and climate change. The effects of deforestation on estimated water yield were limited, as land use changes resulted in only moderate shifts in basin-wide ET. This was primarily due to the offsetting effects of land conversion: while the replacement of savannas with pasture reduced ET, the expansion of agricultural areas increased it, leading to a net balancing effect. Nevertheless, other ecosystem services—such as water quality, soil erosion, and hydrological regulation—may have been affected, threatening long-term regional sustainability. Trend analysis showed a significant decline in river discharge, likely driven by the expansion of irrigated agriculture, particularly center pivot systems, despite the absence of significant trends in precipitation or ET. Full article

Epiphytic lichens are vital to tropical biodiversity, their distribution shaped by light. Parmotrema tinctorum and Usnea barbata, common in open Cerrado, endure high radiation, necessitating photoprotection. This study tested the hypothesis that the primary photochemistry of P. tinctorum and U. barbata responds differentially to light conditions across distinct landscapes of the Brazilian Savanna, to the height at which lichens were sampled, and to radiation levels from different components of the visible spectrum. Our results demonstrate that P. tinctorum and U. barbata possess efficient photoprotective mechanisms, such as energy dissipation as heat, which enable their survival in the dry and highly illuminated landscapes of the Brazilian Savanna. In particular, stressful environments such as Cerrado and Cerrado Ralo exhibited high DI₀/RC values, leading to lower photochemical performance in lichen thalli. However, U. barbata showed greater resilience to light stress than P. tinctorum, likely due to the presence of antioxidant metabolites such as usnic acid. Lichens sampled at higher stem positions and exposed to elevated levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) dissipated less energy as heat and exhibited lower photochemical performance, suggesting photosystem II (PSII) damage under these conditions. Conversely, when different components of the visible spectrum were analyzed separately, increasing light intensities reduced DI₀/RC and enhanced Pi_ABS in the thalli, highlighting photodamage resistance in P. tinctorum and U. barbata. The ability of both species to adapt to high-light environments, combined with their physiological plasticity, supports their broad distribution in these tropical ecosystems. Full article

This study examines the socio-ecological impacts of soybean cultivation in the Brazilian Amazon, a region of critical importance for global climate regulation and biodiversity conservation. It explores how the expansion of soybean cultivation in this region since the 1990s, driven by international demand and domestic policies, has triggered a series of unsustainable socio-ecological consequences, such as deforestation, overuse of agrochemicals, displacement of indigenous communities, and land tenure conflicts. Inadequate governance, at both national and international levels, has exacerbated these challenges, undermining efforts to balance soybean cultivation with sustainable development in Brazilian Amazon. Through a mixed analysis method, this study proposes pathways for sustainable soybean production in the Amazon, including extending the Soy Moratorium to the Cerrado, strengthening indigenous land rights, enhancing international cooperation, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices such as agroforestry. These findings contributes to reconciling soybean cultivation with sustainable development in the Brazilian Amazon. Full article

For pest control to be sustainable, the methods applied must be efficient and have a low environmental impact. Pest control failures bring economic and environmental problems. Phthorimaea absoluta is the main pest in tomato crops worldwide. Benzoylureas, diamides, and pyrethroids are among the insecticides with the highest reports of pest control failures, and Brazil is the country where this has been most observed. Machine learning models are suitable for predicting biological events. Thus, this study aimed to determine the risks of failures in the control of P. absoluta by insecticides in Brazilian biomes using the MaxEnt machine learning algorithm. The risks of pest control failures by benzoylureas and pyrethroids were higher in tomato crops located in the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes, and annual precipitation was the critical variable associated with these failures. The risks of control failures by diamides were higher in crops located in the Caatinga, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest, and temperature seasonality was the critical variable associated with these failures. In conclusion, the models determined in the study are robust to predict the regions with higher risks of P. absoluta control failures by insecticides, and they indicated the environmental variables associated with these risks. Full article

Given the growing consumer demand for improved quality of life and health-promoting foods, replacing conventional fats in widely consumed products such as bread with oils derived from native Brazilian fruits represents a promising strategy. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactive and technological potential of buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) and acuri (Attalea phalerata) oils, extracted from palm fruits native to the Cerrado and Amazon biomes. Both oils proved to be rich sources of lipophilic bioactives, particularly carotenoids, tocopherols, and phenolic compounds, and exhibited excellent carotenoid bioaccessibility under in vitro digestion, with recovery rates of 74% for acuri oil and 54% for buriti oil. Notably, buriti oil showed a high β-carotene content (1476.5 µg/g). When incorporated into sandwich bread formulations, these oils enhanced antioxidant activity, improved texture, volume, and color, and maintained high sensory acceptance compared to bread made with soybean oil. Sensory evaluation scores averaged above 7 for all tested attributes. These findings underscore the industrial applicability of buriti and acuri oils as functional lipids aligned with sustainable development and nutritional innovation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pyrostegia venusta (Cipó-de-São-João), a native Brazilian Cerrado plant, is rich antioxidant phytochemicals. The efficacy of herbal extracts, particularly their phenolic content and antioxidant potential, is influenced by the extraction method used. This study investigated the effects of two drying methods, hot-air oven drying and freeze-drying, on the antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, and molecular interactions of aqueous extracts from the flowers and leaves of P. venusta. Methods: antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH, FRAP, and Folin–Ciocalteu assays; phenolic profiles were characterized by UHPLC; and cytotoxicity was evaluated via the MTT assay in HaCaT human keratinocyte cells. Additionally, in silico ADMET predictions were conducted to assess pharmacokinetics and potential toxicity, followed by molecular docking to evaluate interactions with the proliferation markers Ki-67 and PCNA. Results: freeze-dried extracts, particularly from the flowers, contained higher concentrations of phenolic compounds and exhibited superior antioxidant activity compared to hot-air oven-dried extracts. UHPLC analysis identified a range of bioactive phenolics including caffeic, chlorogenic, gallic, ferulic, and p-coumaric acids, quercetin, and anthocyanidins such as pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside and peonidin-3-O-glucoside, with distinct compositional differences between leaves and flowers. ADMET analysis revealed generally favorable pharmacokinetic properties for most compounds. Docking simulations indicated that multiple phenolics showed synergistic interactions with Ki-67 and PCNA. Conclusions: our findings highlight freeze-drying as the optimal method for preserving bioactive compounds in P. venusta and support the therapeutic potential of its flower extracts. The evidence supports the notion that the biological effects of P. venusta are driven by synergism among multiple constituents rather than isolated compounds. Full article

Water scarcity and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pose significant challenges to sustainable wheat production in tropical regions such as the Brazilian Cerrado. This study evaluated the effects of different soil water depletion levels, denoted as f (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of available water capacity—AWC), on no-tillage winter wheat irrigated after rainfed soybean cultivation. Grain yield decreased significantly at depletion levels ≥ 60%, with the highest yields observed at f = 20% (6933 kg ha⁻¹) and f = 40% (6814 kg ha⁻¹). Water use efficiency (WUE) ranged from 12.4 to 14.0 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹, with no significant differences among treatments. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions peaked at f = 60% (4.55 kg ha⁻¹), resulting in the highest average global warming potential (GWP = 1.185.78 kg CO₂ eq ha⁻¹) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI = 192.66 kg CO₂ eq Mg⁻¹ grain). Methane (CH₄) acted as a net sink across all irrigation levels. Soil enzymatic activities (β-glucosidase and arylsulfatase) were not significantly affected by irrigation management. Overall, irrigation scheduling based on f = 40% soil water depletion provided the best balance between productivity and environmental sustainability, representing a climate-smart and resource-efficient strategy for wheat production in tropical agroecosystems. These findings provide promising insights for tropical agriculture by showing that sustainable irrigation can balance productivity and climate mitigation in the Cerrado. Maintaining soil water depletion below 60% significantly reduces N₂O emissions and environmental impact, emphasizing the importance of conservation practices. Additionally, preserving soil biological quality supports the long-term viability of these practices and offers valuable guidance for policies promoting efficient irrigation in climate-vulnerable regions. Full article

Atmospheric aerosols significantly influence photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), critical for plant photosynthesis and ecosystem functioning. This study systematically reviewed recent research (2021–2025) on aerosol–PAR interactions. Using targeted keywords, 22 open-access articles from Scopus and Google Scholar were analyzed via VOSviewer for thematic, methodological, and geographic trends. Analysis revealed a strong concentration in Earth and Environmental Sciences, showcasing significant advances in radiative transfer modeling, remote sensing, and machine learning for estimating aerosol impacts on PAR. Studies primarily utilized satellite data and models (e.g., DART, SCOPE) to assess diffuse/direct radiation changes. The literature consistently demonstrates how aerosols modulate PAR, influencing canopy light penetration and photosynthetic efficiency. However, critical gaps persist, including limited field validation in tropical biomes (e.g., Amazon, Cerrado, Pantanal) and a lack of studies differentiating aerosol types like black and brown carbon. This synthesis underscores the need for expanded monitoring and integrated modeling efforts to improve understanding of aerosol–PAR interactions, particularly in underrepresented tropical regions. Full article

Malaria, caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles, remains a significant vector-borne disease worldwide. In 2018, Paraguay became the first country in the Americas in 45 years to be certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization. Between 2016 and 2017, a period with no reported human malaria cases, the presence of Plasmodium spp. in Anopheles mosquitoes was investigated in the departments of Caaguazú and Alto Paraná. These studies found that the most prevalent Anopheles species in Paraguay, including Anopheles albitarsis (59.4%), Anopheles strodei (21.5%), and other Anopheles species in smaller proportions, were all negative to the parasite. The objective of this study was to re-evaluate these presence data and to define environmentally suitable areas for Anopheles spp. and their association with bioclimatic variables using DIVA-GIS/MaxEnt software for the entomological surveillance of malaria risk in Paraguay. Results showed that areas of bioclimatic suitability included the Humid Chaco, Cerrado, Paraná Atlantic Forest, and Southern Cone Mesopotamian savanna ecoregions. The most relevant climatic variables were the precipitation of the wettest month (contribution of 80.4%) and the precipitation of the driest month (contribution of 18.4%). Anopheles albitarsis, also reported as a vector of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in neighbouring countries, was the most abundant mosquito species. Anopheles darlingi, the main vector of malaria in Paraguay, was not found. However, species richness indices (Chao/ACE) suggest that cryptic or sibling species may be present. Finally, the possible succession of Anopheles species and their geographical segregation are discussed in scenarios of entomological surveillance and epidemiological risk. Full article