Ethylene is a plant hormone regulator that stimulates chlorophyll loss and promotes softening and aging, resulting in a deterioration and reduction in the post-harvest life of fruit. Commercial activated carbons have been used as ethylene scavengers during the storage and transportation of a great variety of agricultural commodities. In this work, the effect of the incorporation of copper oxide over activated carbons obtained from baru waste was assessed. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption-desorption at −196 °C, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the amount of ethylene removed using activated carbon obtained from baru waste and impregnated with copper oxide (1667 μg g⁻¹) was significantly increased in comparison to the raw activated carbon (1111 μg g⁻¹). In addition, carbon impregnated with copper oxide exhibited better adsorption performance at a low ethylene concentration. Activated carbons produced from baru waste are promising candidates to be used as adsorbents in the elimination of ethylene during the storage and transportation of agricultural commodities at a lower cost.

The aim of this study was to perform a situational and sanitary diagnosis in milk dispensaries of pediatric hospitals in a municipality in central Brazil, with the characterization of the hygienic and sanitary conditions in the location. This investigation happened in two stages, before and after intervention, which consisted of a training about good handling practices for the professionals involved in the formula production process. For microbiological analyses, 640 samples were obtained from milk dispensaries of five hospitals. The microorganisms found indicate flaws in the operational procedures, offering risks to patients. Interventions were an important tool to improve the process. The unsatisfactory hygienic and sanitary conditions, demonstrated in the applied checklist, may offer risks to the quality of Infant Milk Formulas produced in the milk dispensaries studied. In order for the food to be offered safely to interned infants, both inspection from Sanitary Surveillance and specific infant sanitary legislation are necessary