Oportunismo alimentar de Knodus moenkhausii (Teleostei, Characidae): uma espécie abundante em riachos do noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a biologia alimentar de Knodus moenkhausii (Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903) em riachos do Alto rio Paraná no Estado de São Paulo. Em oito riachos (R1-R8), K. moenkhausii se alimentou de 18 itens, dos quais algas, ninfas de efemerópteros e larvas de dípteros foram os itens autóctones mais freqüentes e dominantes; fragmentos de insetos terrestres, himenópteros e aranhas foram os itens alóctones mais freqüentes e dominantes. No riacho R2, K. moenkhausii apresentou dieta distinta dos demais riachos, principalmente em função da profundidade, tipo de substrato e da presença de vegetação ripária. No riacho R9, amostrado mensalmente durante um ano, foram identificados 15 itens, dos quais insetos terrestres predominaram ao longo do ano; larvas de dípteros e algas foram pouco expressivas nos períodos de dezembro-janeiro (período mais quente e chuvoso) e junho-julho (período mais frio e seco). No riacho R9 foram realizadas observações subaquáticas durante mergulho livre, onde observamos a cata de itens na coluna d'água junto do substrato, da vegetação submersa e na superfície da água. A elevada variedade de itens consumidos - condicionada às variações do hábitat e sazonais - e a prática de diversas táticas nos permitem considerar K. moenkhausii uma espécie oportunista quanto ao uso dos recursos alimentares. Este oportunismo aparentemente se reflete na abundância da espécie, demonstrando boa capacidade em alocar parte significativa de sua energia à reprodução, mesmo em ambientes fisicamente impactados por ação antrópica.In the present investigation we studied the feeding biology of Knodus moenkhausii (Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903) in streams of the Upper Paraná river system in the state of São Paulo. In eight streams (R1-R8), K. moenkhausii consumed 18 items, of which algae, ephemeropteran nymphs, and dipteran larvae were the most frequent and dominant autochthonous items, as were terrestrial insects, hymenopterans, and spiders regarding allochthonous items. In the R2 stream, K. moenkhausii showed distinct diet, mostly due to depth, substrate type, and presence of riparian vegetation. In the R9 stream (monthly sampled for one year), 15 items were consumed, of which terrestrial insects predominated all year round; dipteran larvae and algae were least relevant during December-January (hot and wet period) and June-July (cold and dry period), respectively. During snorkeling observations in this stream, we recorded individuals performing drift feeding, picking at relatively small preys close to the substrate and submerged vegetation, and surface picking. The large diversity of consumed items - conditioned to habitat and seasonal variations - and the diversity of feeding tactics allow us to consider K. moenkhausii a rather opportunistic fish species. Such opportunism apparently reflects on the species abundance, showing its ability to allocate a significant part of its energy to reproduction, even in physically impacted habitats by human actions

Atividade de amilase em quimo de três espécies tropicais de peixes teleostei de água doce

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a atividade de amilase no quimo presente nos intestinos médio e posterior, ou reto, em três espécies tropicais de peixes Teleostei de água doce: piracanjuba, Brycon orbignyanus (Valenciennes, 1849), piau, Leporinus friderici (Bloch, 1794), onívoros, e surubim, Pseudoplatystoma coruscans (Agassiz, 1829), preferencialmente carnívoro, visando fornecer referência à nutrição para o ajuste da alimentação artificial. As atividades de amilase foram determinadas usando-se kit BIOCLIN com metodologia modificada por CARAWAY (1959). Os resultados monstraram atividade específica média (2106,33 UA/mg) para amilase do piracanjuba e foram 91,74% menor em comparação ao piau (25.488,14 UA/mg), ambos de hábito alimentar onívoro, enquanto a atividade específica da amilase para o piracanjuba foi 89,06% menor em relação ao surubim (19.246,80 UA/mg), carnívoro, o qual apresentou atividade específica da amilase 24,49% menor em relação à do piau. Os dados sugerem que a grande diferença da atividade específica de amilase entre o piau e o piracanjuba possui ligação com sua morfometria e o complexo arranjo das pregas da mucosa dos intestinos médio e posterior. Além disso, a atividade de amilase do surubim indica possibilidade de uso de ração contendo carboidratos, porém estudos adicionais são necessários para a avaliação do comportamento dessas espécies na alimentação artificial.The objective of this work was to determine the amylase activity in the chyme present in the medium and posterior intestines or in the rectum of three tropical freshwater Teleostei species: piracanjuba, Brycon orbignyanus (Valenciennes, 1849), piau, Leporinus friderici (Bloch, 1974), omnivorous, and surubim, Pseudoplatystoma coruscans (Agassiz, 1829), preferably carnivorous, aiming to provide nutritional reference data for the adjustment of the artificial feeding systems. The amylase activity was determined by the use of BIOCLIN kit with a modified methodology by CARAWAY (1959). The results showed an average specific activity (2.106,33 UA/mg) for piracanjuba amylase and were 91.74% lower as compared to piau (25,488,14 UA/mg), both with an omnivorous feeding habit, while the specific activity for piracanjuba amylase was 89.96% lower as compared to surubim (19,24680 UA/mg), carnivorous, which showed amylase specific activity 24.49% lower as compared to the piau. These data suggest that the greatest difference of amylase specific activity between piau e piracanjuba was related to its morphometry and the complex arrangement of the medium and posterior intestine mucous membrane folds. Furthermore, the surubim amylase activity indicates the possibility of the use of carbohydrate containing diet; however, additional studies are necessary to evaluate the behavior of these species in the artificial feeding

Selected quality parameters of wheat and potato snacks fried in different fats

Coraz większym zainteresowaniem wśród konsumentów cieszą się smażone produkty przekąskowe. Wśród nich wyróżniamy chrupki (prażynki) uzyskane z półproduktów typu pellet. W czasie smażenia pellety ekspandują, dzięki czemu otrzymują specyficzną chrupką i delikatną teksturę. Celem pracy przedstawionej w artykule było określenie wpływu rodzaju tłuszczu użytego do smażenia na jakość smażonych przekąsek pszennych i ziemniaczanych. Smażono pellety pszenne i ziemniaczane w 5 różnych tłuszczach: oleju rzepakowym rafinowanym, oleju rzepakowym tłoczonym na zimno, oliwie z oliwek, smalcu, a w celach porównawczych w tłuszczu palmowym. W smażonych przekąskach oznaczono zawartość wody, tłuszczu, teksturę i mikrostrukturę. Stwierdzono wysoką zawartość tłuszczu w smażonych przekąskach: pszennych od 21,56% w oleju rzepakowym tłoczonym na zimno, do 32,96% w oleju palmowym oraz w przekąskach ziemniaczanych od 19,61% w oleju rzepakowym tłoczonym na zimno, do 38,76% w palmowym. Rodzaj użytego do smażenia tłuszczu nie miał istotnego wpływu na teksturę przekąsek.Nowadays, more and more popular among consumers become fried snacks products. Among them we single out crisps (snacks) obtained from semi-finished type of pellet. During frying pellets are expanding, so why they get a specific crisp and delicate texture. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of type of fat used for frying on the quality of wheat and potato snacks. Wheat and potato pellets were fried in 5 different fats: refined rapeseed oil, rapeseed cold pressed oil, olive oil, lard and for comparative purposes in palm fat. The content of water, fat, texture and microstructure of snacks were determined. There was found a high fat content from 21,56% in wheat snacks fried in cold pressed rapeseed oil to 32,96% fired in palm oil. The content of fat in potato snacks was detected in the range from 19.61% in snacks fried in cold pressed rapeseed oil to 38,76% in snacks fried in palm oil. The type of fat which was used for frying had no significant effect on the texture of snacks