Andean blackberry is a fruit recognized by its health benefits associated with its high content of bioactive compounds. However, it is also one of the most perishable fruits because it does not have a protective cuticle, and it shows high respiration and ethylene production rates. Furthermore, it is susceptible to microbiological attacks. During harvest and commercialization, the highest percentage of losses is caused by factors such as the maturity stage, harvest practices and containers, and marketing packages. The current work aims at studying the effect of the package on fruit quality, for which the harvested fruits were placed in clamshells, traditional wooden and plastic crates with a capacity of 7 kg. The quality of the fruit was evaluated by counting in situ, damage by bruising, cuts, deformations, microbiological attacks, missing of the peduncle, and non-uniform pollination. Damage analysis included the evaluation of different regression models considering information criteria and significant parameters (P ≤ 0.05). The use of traditional packages led to higher damage from cuts and bruises. Although in clamshells there was a higher probability of finding healthy fruits, a proposal for its redesign is proposed to guarantee a better quality and shelf life of the Andean blackberry fruits.

The content of phenolic compounds can affect the quality of cacao beans (Theobroma cacao L). The variation in the concentration of these compounds is influenced by factors such as cacao variety, fermentation conditions, and temperature, which play a crucial role in the method of bean drying. In this study, the analytical method of ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC-DAD-RI) was developed to identify, quantify, and examine variations in the concentrations of catechins (catechin, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin) and methylxanthines (theobromine and caffeine) by subjecting the beans to controlled temperature fermentation. Three temperature-controlled treatments were used during fermentation on three cacao genotypes (CCN 51, ICS 95, and TCS 01). The average temperature in different treatments was T1: 41.14 ± 3.84 °C, T2: 42.43 ± 4.39 °C, and T3: 43.86 ± 4.74 °C. The results demonstrate variations in the concentration of phenolic compounds across the evaluated treatments (T1, T2, and T3). Catechin levels rose from the beginning of fermentation up to day 5, after which they declined by day 6. Conversely, theobromine and caffeine concentrations decreased until day 5, then increased by day 6. A sensory analysis revealed a basic flavor profile (bitter, astringent, and acidic) that was balanced by enhancements in specific attributes, highlighting fruity, citrus, and cacao notes. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was found between bitterness and the concentrations of epigallocatechin, caffeine, epicatechin, and total phenols. In contrast, a low correlation was observed between bitterness and theobromine and catechin. The astringent profile was directly correlated with epigallocatechin concentration and moderately correlated with theobromine and catechin levels. Acidic flavors showed a moderate correlation with epigallocatechin concentration. The cacao flavor was correlated with catechin and total phenols, while the citrus flavor was linked to total phenol concentration. Notably, the decrease in phenolic compound concentrations and sensory analysis suggested that the higher fermentation temperatures observed in T3 may enhance the development of a superior flavor quality in cacao.

In this work, the possible correlation between the antioxidant activities and the Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and chemical composition of Lamiaceae (H. conferta, H. dilatata, H. mutabilis, H. suaveolens), Burseraceae (P. heptaphyllum, T. rhoifoila, T. panamensis), and Lauraceae (Ocotea sp.) were evaluated. The Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity or the Total Antioxidant Activity (TAA) was determined by using a colorimetric assay with the ABTS radical cation, Effective Concentration (EC₅₀) was evaluated with the DPPH radical, and the TPC was established by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, for ethanolic extracts obtained by cold maceration and evaporation to dryness. Both the TAA and the EC₅₀ were highly correlated with the TPC. The barks of T. rhoifolia and T. panamensis demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacities. The Burseraceae spp. exhibited the highest TPC, and the Lamiaceae (Hyptis spp.) demonstrated the lowest TPC.

Arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) are considered toxic elements, even at trace levels. Their accurate quantification in crops can be complex at low levels and due to interference with other elements. The aim of this work was to develop and validate an analytical method for As and Cd quantification in rice stem and grains from the production systems "Irrigated Rice Ecosystems" (IRE) and "Rainfed Rice Ecosystems" (RRE) in Colombia. Mineralisation was carried out by acid digestion using an open system with a heating plate. Metal detection was performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Method adjustment, calibration, and validation were performed in accordance with AOAC standards, considering sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and selectivity parameters. The obtained method was applied to quantify levels in 259 rice stem and 443 grain samples from IRE and RRE.

Los resultados de investigación aquí consignados están dirigidos a productores, técnicos e interesados en los cultivos priorizados por el departamento del Cesar, y se presentan en siete capítulos: i) “Uso eficiente del suelo en sistemas de producción de forrajes y frutales en el Caribe seco”; ii) “Sistemas de riego por pivote central para la producción de biomasa a gran escala en el Caribe seco”; iii) “Producción, cosecha y poscosecha de cultivos forrajeros”; iv) “Eficiencia hídrica y productividad en dos sistemas silvopastoriles del Caribe seco colombiano”; v) “Manejo del agua y suelo, y control de plagas y enfermedades en el cultivo de mango Keitt en las condiciones del Caribe seco colombiano”; vi) “Manejo integrado del cultivo de cítricos en el Caribe seco: un enfoque en el uso eficiente del agua y el suelo, y el control efectivo de plagas y enfermedades”, y vii) “Análisis comparativo de los retornos económicos en los sistemas de producción priorizados entre la tecnología local y el uso del riego en el Centro de Investigación Motilonia de AGROSAVIA”.

Accurate determination of dry matter digestibility (DMD) and total faecal output (FO) is necessary for estimating ruminant dry matter intake (DMI) under grazing conditions. This study evaluated the efficacy of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for quantifying external markers [chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂)] and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for quantifying external markers and indigestible NDF (iNDF) in samples from grazing ruminant systems under diverse grazing conditions in Colombia. Cr₂O₃ and TiO₂ were processed via wet acid digestion and analysed using ICP-OES, while iNDF was determined through in vitro fermentation (288 h). NIRS equations were developed using modified partial least squares method with cross-validation to prevent model overfitting. ICP-OES methodology yielded detection limits for Ti (2.97–5.95 µg·g⁻¹) and Cr (23.08–46.16 µg·g⁻¹). Ti concentration was analysed in 285 forages samples and Cr concentration in 213 samples, with mean values of 34.52 and 7.06 µg·g⁻¹, respectively. For iNDF, 1285 total samples were processed, including 421 forages, 3 commercial feed supplements, 4 partial mixed rations and 855 faecal samples, with mean values of 18.2%, 4.37%, 2.07% and 23.66% iNDF, respectively. NIRS validation for forages showed satisfactory predictive capacity for iNDF and Ti (r² = 0.88 and 0.89, respectively) and RPD (2.85 and 2.89, respectively) compared to Cr (r² = 0.42 and RPD = 1.23). In faecal samples without marker added, Ti showed a satisfactory fit (r² = 0.86 and RPD = 2.65), while for iNDF demonstrated lower accuracy (r² = 0.64 and RPD = 1.67). The ICP-OES and NIRS techniques proved efficient methods for Ti, Cr and iNDF marker determination, offering potential for accurate estimation of ruminant DMI under grazing conditions.