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The purpose of this study was to develop an edible coating containing babassu starch, babassu oil, and plasticizers to maintain egg quality. Firstly, it evaluated the effects of 5% babassu starch with 10% (SC-10%), 15% (SC-15%), and 20% (SC-20%) oil coating on egg quality. The effects of polyols such as mannitol and sorbitol alone or in combination on coating effectiveness were also assessed. For the first part, all formulations containing starch and/or babassu oil effectively preserved the internal quality characteristics of weight loss and Haugh units of stored eggs for 28 days. For the yolk and albumen percentages, the eggs for the treatments containing oil (SC-10%, SC-15%, and SC-20%) had the values closest (p< 0.05) to those of fresh eggs. Thus, according to these parameters, the presence of the oil in the coatings was more efficient in delaying egg quality. Despite the increase in albumen pH with the storage, the eggs stored with coatings kept the pH around 8.5. For the yolk color, the b*values of SC-10%, SC-15%, and SC-20% varied from 22.64 to 24.25 and did not differ (p> 0.05) from fresh eggs. Regarding the shell color, ΔE values of coated eggs were higher in the starch babassu treatment (6.97), followed by the treatments SC-10% (4.79), SC-15% (5.18), and SC-20% (5.17), and finally without coating (15.95). The formulation SC-10%, which contained 5% starch and 10% babassu oil, was selected to compare plasticizers. For the plasticizers, the babassu starch and oil in combination with 30% mannitol kept better the egg quality. Weight loss was lower (p< 0.05) in eggs only with 30% of mannitol (2.69%) and the Haugh Units were higher (60.04). For the b*value of yolk, 30% of mannitol had higher values (48.83) (p< 0.05) when compared to the control treatment (40.39). Thus, the presence of babassu starch (5%) and oil (10%) in combination with 30% mannitol maintains the egg quality during 28 days of storage. This study provides an approach that can potentially be applied to egg shelf life using products of the babassu industry.

Wild ungulates are of fundamental importance for balancing ecosystems, as well as being the species of economic interest. Increasing concern over the accelerated population reduction of these species has resulted in the development of assisted reproduction techniques, such as in vitrofertilization (IVF), as a tool for conservation and multiplication. In the present scenario, IVF protocols were developed based on the methodologies used for domestic ungulates. Nevertheless, owing to the physiological and reproductive differences among the species, several factors associated with IVF and its relationship with the characteristics of the species of interest require clarification. In vitroconditions for the collection and selection of female and male gametes, oocyte maturation, sperm capacitation, co-incubation of gametes, and embryonic development can influence IVF results. Therefore, the present review considers the main advances in the methodologies already used for wild ungulates, emphasizing the strategies for improving the protocols to obtain better efficiency rates. Additionally, we discuss the conditions of each IVF stage, with emphasis on aspects related to in vitromanipulation and comparability with the protocols for domestic ungulates.

The success of cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer depends on the efficiency of nuclear reprogramming, with the cycle stage of the donor cell playing a crucial role. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate three different approaches for cell cycle synchronization: (i) serum starvation (SS) for 1 to 4 days, (ii) contact inhibition (CI) for 1 to 3 days, and (iii) using cell cycle regulatory inhibitors (dimethyl sulfoxide, cycloheximide, cytochalasin B, or 6-dimethylaminopurine) for 1 and 2 days, in terms of their effects on synchronization in G0/G1phases and viability of collared peccary skin fibroblasts. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that SS for 4 days (79.0% ± 1.6) and CI for 3 days (78.0% ± 1.4) increased the percentage of fibroblasts in G0/G1compared to growing cells GC (68.1% ± 8.6). However, SS for 3 and 4 days reduced the viability evaluated by differential staining (81.4% ± 0.03 and 81.6% ± 0.06) compared to growing cells (GC, 95.9% ± 0.06). CI did not affect the viability at any of the analyzed time intervals. No cell cycle inhibitors promoted synchronization in G0/G1. These results indicate that CI for 3 days was the most efficient method for cell cycle synchronization in peccary fibroblasts.

Xenarthra—a superorder of placental mammals endemic to the Neotropics—is represented by armadillos, anteaters, and sloths. Considering their long history in the Americas, extant xenarthrans represent an important group for understanding the impact of past environmental changes on species diversification and serve key ecological functions as ecosystem engineers. Unfortunately, most wild xenarthran populations are at risk, due primarily to anthropogenic activities, necessitating urgent conservation efforts. Moreover, the paucity of information on some species has rendered population estimation and, consequently, conservation management challenging. In addition, relatively few groups are researching this superorder, perhaps because fieldwork with armadillos, anteaters, or sloths and their captive care are challenging tasks. Nevertheless, dedicated research and efforts to ensure the long-term conservation of these animals are deemed essential. In this context, cryobanks are a practical approach for breeding and maintaining genetic diversity in wildlife, and they are important tools for assisting and improving both ex situand in situconservation strategies. Therefore, cryopreservation of biological resources may be a promising strategy for conserving xenarthrans. Specifically, semen cryopreservation, which has already been applied in some species, may be the most effective strategy for this group. The present article provides an overview of ex situconservation of xenarthrans, which will contribute to the development and implementation of additional strategies for protecting these unique mammals.

This study aimed to develop and characterize two new types of kombucha beverages on H. sabdariffaL. of leaves and stems. For kombucha production, the microorganism's growth conditions in the tea from the leaves or stems were first evaluated. After that, the flavoring of the beverages with grape juice was performed. For the kombucha beverage on H. sabdariffaleaves, the optimized fermentation conditions were 5.93% leaves and 5.81% sucrose; for the kombucha beverage on H. sabdariffastems, they were 4.75% stems and 9.30% sucrose. The fermentation and flavoring increased the phenolic and flavonoid compounds and the antioxidant activity. For the cytotoxicity, the incubated cells' morphologies and cell viability were not affected by the kombuchas. The two new types of grape-flavored kombucha beverages on H. sabdariffawere characterized by the sensory panel as vinegar aroma, leaves H. sabdariffaflavor, vinegar flavor, sour taste, and concentrated. The two new types of grape-flavored kombucha beverages on H. sabdariffawere well accepted. The results showed that the leaves and stems of the H. sabdariffaare potential raw materials for kombucha production.