The present study aims to describe colloidal and acid gelling properties of mixed suspensions of pea and milk proteins. Mixed protein suspensions were prepared by adding pea protein isolate to rehydrated skimmed milk (3% w/w protein) to generate four mixed samples at 5, 7, 9, and 11% w/w total protein. Skimmed milk powder was also used to prepare four pure milk samples at the same protein concentrations. The samples were analyzed in regard to their pH, viscosity, color, percentage of sedimentable material, heat and ethanol stabilities, and acid gelling properties. Mixed suspensions were darker and presented higher pH, viscosity, and percentage of sedimentable material than milk samples. Heat and ethanol stabilities were similar for both systems and were reduced as a function of total protein concentration. Small oscillation rheology and induced syneresis data showed that the presence of pea proteins accelerated acid gel formation but weakened the final structure of the gels. In this context, the results found in the present work contributed to a better understanding of mixed dairy/plant protein functionalities and the development of new food products.

1. The physical factors that involve artificial incubation determine embryonic growth and hatching of broiler chicks, and have important implications for the poultry production chain and chick welfare. This study explored the effects of sound exposure on incubation responses (hatching, embryonic development and chick quality). 2. A 2x2 factorial experiment with the factors ‘sound pressure level’ (at 70 and 90 dB) and ‘species-specific vocalisations’ (at 72 dB) was performed in four experimental incubators (loaded with 90 eggs each) for eight consecutive cycles of incubation, totalling 2880 Cobb-500® broiler breeder eggs. 3. Embryonic growth was not influenced by any experimental factors, but the highest sound pressure level (90 dB) led to earlier hatching, higher hatchability, better chick quality and lower weight at hatching. Additional effects of species-specific vocalisations were found only at 70 dB, which caused early hatching and better chick quality. 4. It was concluded that the loud noise found in commercial hatcheries (at 90 dB) can be beneficial. Furthermore, the presence of species-specific vocalisations could improve the hatching time and chick quality from experimental incubators (at 70 dB). However, this would not provide additional benefits in commercial hatcheries, due to the machinery noise masking them.

Many factors present in eggs’ transportation from incubator to growing confinements can damage their integrity and, consequently, the results of the incubation. This study aimed to evaluate whether the intensity and duration of exposures of hatching eggs to mechanical vibrations were capable of affecting the hatch and the quality of broiler chicks. Four treatments, determined by two intensities of vibrations and two durations of exposures were evaluated and compared with a control group in a randomised design in blocks with four repetitions. The vibrations were applied by a mechanical shaker before incubation. Then the eggs were incubated and as the following responses were evaluated: hatchability, the type of embryonic mortality, the quality of the birds and the total of losses. The analyses were carried out by a binomial regression model, with application of the Wald test at 5% significance level. The results showed that the exposure of eggs to mechanical vibrations harmfully affects the hatchability and reduces the ratio (percentage) of high quality chicks. Highest vibration level together with longer duration of exposure resulted in worst hatchability and losses. It is argued that the mechanical vibrations are potentially damaging and should be regarded as an important factor in the management of hatching eggs.

Crop plants have been widely used to discuss several physiological interactions between plant growth regulators (PGRs) and mineral nutrition. However, these physiological effects and their potentiality in non-domesticated species (wild species) are far to be elucidated. In this experiment, it is hypothesized that PGRs and mineral element availability interactions guaranteed improvements in plant development under low availability for the establishment of Passiflora alata Curtis (sweet passion fruit) seedlings. Plant growth and ionic accumulation of macro and micronutrients in leaf and root plant tissues of P. alata were examined. As expected, the ionic accumulation of some elements (N, P, S, B, and Cu) increased in response to a higher nutrient solution (ionic strength, IS) availability. The interactions IS × PGR were significant with respect to almost all the plant growth variables, besides the Zn in leaf and N, Zn, and B in roots. Comparing the treatment means, we verified that the plant growth responses and Zn in leaf were more similar between ISs when PGRs had been applied. Moreover, the use of PGR probably favors an adequate nutritional and hormonal balance, since it has guaranteed improvements even under low availability. It can be concluded that Passiflora alata Curtis that did not receive these phytoregulators are more variable in terms of nutrient content, and are therefore more susceptible to nutritional deficiencies.