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ABSTRACT The Brazil nut is an important commodity that grows in the Amazon rainforest and is notable for its high nutritional value. However, the effect that packaging has on product shelf-life is unclear. This study evaluated the microbiological and nutritional quality of unshelled Brazil nuts packed in (a) nylon and polypropylene under vacuum, and (b) in polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene aluminized films. The nuts were stored for nine months under natural environmental conditions. The most probable number of total and thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli, and counting of molds and yeast were determined in the unshelled nuts shortly after collection and every three months during storage. Moisture, lipids, ash, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber contents were measured by the gravimetric method. Crude protein content was measured using the Kjeldahl method. Coliform levels were within legislated standards in both types of packaging. Mold and yeast growth increased with time in both types of packaging (0.1x10¹ to 9.5x10³ colony forming units g-1), but only nuts packaged in aluminum film showed a significant increase after six months of storage. After nine months of storage, both types of packaged nuts had good nutritional quality. Aluminized packaging resulted in better conservation of the lipid fraction and lower permeability to water vapor, however, vacuum packaging was more effective in controlling fungal growth, possibly due to the lack of oxygen.

This study evaluated the ingestive behavior of sheep when fed a corn-silage-based diet with varying levels (0%, 15%, 30%, and 60%) of Brazil nut cake (NC) (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.). Sixteen mongrel sheep with an average weight of 33 ± 6.04 kg were randomly distributed between four treatments. Data were tested for assumptions of normality, subjected to an analysis of variance, and adjusted in regression equations and by Williams' test, to estimate the W point. The voluntary intake of dry matter (DM) and insoluble neutral detergent fiber (NDF) decreased linearly (P = 0.013 and P = 0.002) by 5.0 g and 2.41 g d-1, respectively, for every 1% of NC added to the diet. The time the animals spent feeding (288.75 min d-1) was not significantly affected; time spent idle increased linearly (P= 0.0002) by 3.10 min, and time spent during rumination decreased linearly by 2.62 min (P = 0.001) for each 1% addition of the co-product. The number of ruminated boluses (NRB) displayed a decreasing effect (P = 0.004) of 4.61 d-1 for each 1% of NC. For ruminating chews, the time spent per bolus (37.5 sec) and the number per bolus (56.14) did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. However, the total chewing time (TCT) decreased linearly (P = 0.002) by 0.05 h d-1 and the number of chews per day displayed a quadratic effect (P = 0.008), with a maximum value estimated at 17.5% of NC in the diet. Rumination efficiency did not differ between the treatments (101.95 g DM h-1 and 36.76 g NDF h-1). The feeding efficiency (FE) had a linear reduction (P = 0.045) of 0.42 g NDF h-1, but was similar for g DM h-1 (172.5). The daily intake of DM and NDF showed W points estimated at 51.96% and 30.67% NC, respectively. The variables NRB, TCT, and FE (g NDF h-1) had W points estimated at 56.64%, 56.19%, and 56.33% NC, respectively. The Brazil nut cake, when present at levels greater than 56% of the diet's DM, affects the ingestive behavior of the animals, particularly rumination-related variables, and at levels of 30.67%, it begins to affect the consumption of NDF, primarily due to the ether extract content and the diet's fiber source.

Planting coffee in agroforestry systems (AFSs) provides diverse advantages to farmers interested in producing environmental services, such as increased local biodiversity, reduction in soil erosion, improvement in water infiltration into the soil, and regulation of climate extremes. It can also be economically attractive due to the possibility of serving alternative markets that have higher and more stable prices for coffees integrated into alternative systems and the generation of products complementary to coffee. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different planting densities of three forest species on the composition of AFSs with coffee plants under the conditions of the southwestern Amazon region. The study was conducted from November 2014 to June 2021 in the experimental field of Embrapa in Ouro Preto do Oeste, RO, Brazil. The coffee plants were intercropped with three forest species: i) Brazilian firetree (Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum), ii) Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa), and iii) teak (Tectona grandis). The treatments used in each experiment were four plant densities of plants: zero (coffee plants only, in full sun), 111 plants ha−1 (10 × 9 m), 222 plants ha−1 (10 × 4.5 m), and 444 plants ha−1 (5 × 4.5 m). The experiments were conducted in a split-plot arrangement, with plots consisting of plant densities and subplots consisting of harvest periods (crop seasons). The experimental design was completely randomized, with nine replications. The part of the plot used for data collection consisted of one planted row with 12 coffee plants. The average and accumulated productivities of coffe plants were evaluated over five harvests (2017-2021). Afforestation of the coffee field with Brazilian firetree plants reduces the mean yield and cumulative yield of C. canephora 'Conilon' in the first five commercial crop years. Brazil nut and teak planted at densities of up to 222 trees per hectare did not lead to a reduction in the mean and cumulative yield of coffee plants.

This article examines access to an economically important forest product (Brazil nuts) and its relationship with livelihood strategies in the Cazumbá–Iracema Extractive Reserve (CIER), Acre, Brazil. The objective is twofold: (i) to clarify how social mechanisms regulating access to Brazil nuts operate and (ii) to analyse the relationship between differential access to Brazil nuts and livelihood diversification in terms of cash income. For this, we conducted 55 semi-structured interviews with household heads in three rubber tapper (seringueiro) communities. Our findings indicate that Brazil nuts are important to seringueiro livelihoods, although both access to Brazil nuts and livelihood strategies are highly variable between households and communities. Limited access to Brazil nuts is partly overcome through informal arrangements and investment in wage labour, swidden agriculture, and cattle raising, as part of highly diversified livelihood portfolios. However, restrictions to agriculture and cattle raising generate considerable tensions between many seringueiros and environmental managers. We highlight the importance of viewing livelihood diversification and adaptability as important components of the long-term viability of the extractive reserve model, particularly in the context of the growing uncertainties and risks associated with accelerating climate and socio-environmental change as well as amidst ongoing political dynamics in Brazil.

In Bolivia's Northern Amazon, forests long used for the extraction of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are now experiencing increased logging. The extraction of timber and economically important NTFPs such as Brazil nuts (from the emergent forest tree Bertholletia excelsa) is occurring in the same forests and provides a clear opportunity to integrate management decisions and planning. Bolivia's forestry legislation allows, in principle, the management of multiple forest resources. However, there is little evidence that the opportunity has led to greater integration of management decisions and practice. Actually, management of each resource is typically carried out by different stakeholders with resident families responsible for Brazil nut gathering while logging companies carry out the timber harvest. This paper analyzes community forest management plans in Northern Bolivia to examine whether community residents participated in the development and implementation of the timber management plans, and the extent to which proponents of timber management plans attempted to integrate Brazil nut management into timber harvesting. The research draws on analysis of approved timber management plans for community forests and focus group interviews with residents in selected forest communities. Based on observations, the paper concludes that multiple-use management in these forests could be improved by strengthening community level institutions by confirming their authority over timber management operations and by building capacity to oversee and monitor the extraction activities of loggers working on their land.

Multiple-use forest management, which includes timber, non-timber forest products, and environmental services, is considered a promising tropical conservation and development strategy. In the tri-national frontier region of Madre de Dios (Peru), Acre (Brazil), and Pando (Bolivia) in Western Amazonia, we evaluated perceptions of representatives from four stakeholder groups – communities, industries (Brazil nut and timber), non-governmental organizations, and government agencies – on integrated management of timber and Brazil nuts (from the tree species Bertholletia excelsa) at multiple scales. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis in combination with an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to accomplish this task. Overall, results showed distinct differences in perceptions among stakeholder groups both within and among countries in pursuing multiple-use forestry strategies. Although many stakeholder groups held positive perceptions about multiple use of Brazil nuts and timber, several limitations were associated with implementation of this model. For instance, policy barriers and high management costs were considered the main weaknesses throughout the region. In Madre de Dios and Pando, logging damage to Brazil nut stands was the dominant threat, whereas in Acre, the main threat was reinvestment of forestry income into cattle. Our work shows that despite the high potential for and positive views of many stakeholders in pursuing integrated management of Brazil nut and timber, specific policy, economic, and technical limitations must first be addressed. To this end, we provide recommendations for promoting this multi-use forestry model in the future.

The inclusion effect of 0 (control), 15, 30, 45, 60, and 100% dry matter (DM) of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.) cake (BNC) aiming at replacing corn silage was assessed on fermentation kinetics and effective degradability (ED) by means of in vitro gas production at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. A randomized block design was used with six treatments, three blocks, and two replications per block. France's model was fit to the data. An in vivo experiment, conducted in fistulated ovine, assessed the effects of BNC inclusion levels of 0, 15, 30, and 45% DM replacing corn silage on ruminal parameters. Ruminal fluid samples were collected postprandial at 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 h for determining the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), pH, and N–NH3. A completely randomized design with repeated measures in time was used, with four treatments and three replications. Results of acetate, propionate, butyrate, acetate to propionate ratio, pH, and NH3 were submitted to analysis of variance and regression (linear and quadratic) considering treatment, time and interaction of both. In addition, the F test with a 5% (P < 0.05) significance level was applied to the data. Fermentation kinetics pattern and ED presented a linear decreasing (P < 0.05), which means a decrease in total gas production at each coproduct inclusion level. No interaction effect between treatment and time was observed for total SCFA (P > 0.40), acetic acid (P > 0.41), propionic acid (P > 0.85), butyric acid (P > 0.62) and pH (P > 0.57). BNC replacements of 0, 15, 30 and 45% did not change (P > 0.05) total SCFA concentration, as well as acetic acid concentration in ovine. When including 45% DM of BNC, concentrations (mMol/100 mL) of propionic (P < 0.001) and butyric (P < 0.022) acids was reduced in the ruminal fluid. The highest concentrations at measurement times were observed 4 hours after feeding. The pH values presented a quadratic effect on both inclusion (P < 0.001) and time (P < 0.001). An interaction was observed between treatment and time for N–NH3 concentration (mg/ml) (P < 0.001) and acetic to propionic acids ratio (P < 0.014). Fermentation kinetics was negatively affected by Brazil nut cake inclusion to corn silage-based diet. Therefore, the use of this coproduct is recommended associated with non-structural carbohydrate sources.

High moisture content, relative humidity, temperature and environment rich in oxygen (O2) are the main factors for tree nuts to get infected by fungi and so aflatoxins (AFLs) contaminated. During storage and commercialization dry Brazil nuts packs need to maintain their safety and quality. Modified atmospheres in storage (macro-environment) and packaging (micro-environment) have been used to prolong food shelf life by reducing O2 concentration with inhibitory gases or, more recently, by adding O2 absorber pads. This work reports the application of O2 atmosphere reducing methods on stored shelled Brazil nut packs aiming fungi and AFL degradation as well as hygienic conditions improvements. The methods applied were: (a) ozone - O3, (b) carbon dioxide - CO2 and (c) O2 absorber pads with and without vacuum. Nuts were submitted to microbiological tests (fungi, aflatoxigenic strains, yeast and bacteria), moisture content and AFLs analysis. From all O2 reducing atmosphere evaluated, the best performance was obtained with O3. A reduction on fungi growth (1.8 x 104 cfu.g-1 to 2.6 x 10 cfu.g-1) and yeast destruction after the first month of storage were registered. Also O3 was the only nut treatment that was able to degrade AFLs. None of the spiked (AFLs: 15 ppb) nut samples O3 treated had AFLs detected up to the LOQ of the method (0.36 μg.kg-1 for AFB1+AFB2+AFG1+AFG2) i.e., much lower than the allowed by the European Union regulation (MRL: 4 and 2 ppb for total and AFB1, respectively), thus producing safer nuts. All other treatments stabilized and/or inhibited microorganisms growth. Add CO2 and O2 pads played an important role on nut quality. Further study will be carried out in order to adjust O3 concentration and application conditions for longer period of storage.