Kappaphycus alvarezii is a red seaweed used globally in various biotechnological processes. To ensure the content and stability of its bioactive compounds postharvest, suitable drying protocols must be adopted to provide high-quality raw materials for industrial use. This study aimed to analyze the influence of freeze-drying and oven-drying on the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity (FRAP and DPPH assays), total carotenoid content (TC), and lipase (LA) and protease activity (PA) of K. alvarezii samples collected over the seasons in sea farms in southern Brazil. The freeze-drying technique was found to be more effective regarding superior contents of TPC (39.23 to 127.74 mg GAE/100 g) and TC (10.27 to 75.33 μg/g), as well as DPPH (6.12 to 8.91 mg/100 g). In turn, oven-drying proved to be the best method regarding the TFC (4.99 to 12.29 mg QE/100 g) and PA (119.50 to 1485.09 U/g), with better performance in the FRAP (0.28 to 0.70 mmol/100 g). In this way, it appears that the drying process of the algal biomass can be selected depending on the required traits of the biomass for the intended industrial application. In terms of cost-effectiveness, drying the biomass using oven-drying can be considered appropriate.

The production of winter wines in Southeastern Brazil represents a relatively recent but expanding viticultural approach, with increasing adoption across diverse wine-growing regions. This system relies on the double-pruning technique, which allows for the harvest of grapes during the dry and cooler winter season, favoring a greater accumulation of sugars, acids, and phenolic compounds. This study aimed to characterize the phenological stages, thermal requirements, yield, and fruit quality of the fine wine grape cultivars ‘Sauvignon Blanc’, ‘Merlot’, ‘Tannat’, ‘Pinot Noir’, ‘Malbec’, and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ under double-pruning management in a subtropical climate. The vineyard was established in 2020, and two production cycles were evaluated (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). Significant differences in the duration of phenological stages were observed among cultivars, ranging from 146 to 172 days from pruning to harvest. The accumulated thermal demand was higher in the first cycle, with a mean of 1476.9 growing degree days (GDD) across cultivars. The results demonstrate the potential of Vitis vinifera L. cultivars managed with double pruning for high-quality wine production under subtropical conditions, supporting the viability of expanding viticulture in the state of São Paulo. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ and ‘Sauvignon Blanc’ showed the highest yields, reaching 3.03 and 2.75 kg per plant, respectively, with productivity values of up to 10.8 t ha⁻¹. ‘Tannat’ stood out for its high sugar accumulation (23.4 °Brix), while ‘Merlot’ exhibited the highest phenolic (234.9 mg 100 g⁻¹) and flavonoid (15.3 mg 100 g⁻¹) contents. These results highlight the enological potential of the evaluated cultivars and confirm the efficiency of the double-pruning system in improving grape composition and wine quality in non-traditional viticultural regions.

The cultivation of table grapes in Brazil is economically significant, with production influenced by edaphoclimatic factors and rootstock selection. The cultivar ‘BRS Núbia’ (Vitis vinifera L. x Vitis labrusca L.) is a promising alternative; however, its phenological behavior, thermal requirements, and compatibility with different rootstocks under subtropical conditions require further evaluation. This study aimed to assess the duration of phenological stages, thermal requirement, and ripening dynamics of ‘BRS Núbia’ grapevines grafted onto the rootstocks ‘IAC 572 Jales’, ‘IAC 766 Campinas’, and ‘Paulsen 1103’. The experiment was conducted in São Manuel, São Paulo, Brazil during the 2021 and 2022 production cycles using a split-plot experimental design (3 × 2). Evaluations included the duration of phenological stages from pruning to budburst, flowering, fruit set, onset of ripening, and harvest, as well as the ripening curve and thermal accumulation from pruning to harvest. Rootstocks did not significantly affect (p > 0.05) the duration of phenological stages; however, differences were observed between production cycles. The 2022 cycle was longer (167.7 days) compared to 2021 (142.6 days), with greater thermal accumulation (1871.7 GDDs vs. 1743.4 GDDs). The analysis of phenological stages revealed that, across both production cycles evaluated, the ‘BRS Núbia’ cultivar required an average accumulation of 1807.5 growing degree days from pruning to harvest. Soluble solids content ranged from 17.43 to 18.50°Brix, and titratable acidity decreased throughout maturation. The maturation index was highest in vines grafted onto ‘Paulsen 1103’, indicating its positive influence on fruit quality. The ‘BRS Núbia’ grapevine exhibited a mean thermal requirement of 1807.5 growing degree days (GDDs) to complete its phenological cycle, which lasted approximately 150 days under subtropical conditions.

Platonia insignis Mart. is a native Amazonian fruit tree of high ecological, socioeconomic, nutritional, and agro-industrial relevance, standing out as a strategic resource for the valorization of sociobiodiversity and the Amazon bioeconomy. Despite its recognized potential, this crop remains predominantly associated with extractive or semi-extractive production systems, characterized by low technological input, irregular productivity, and structural limitations that hinder its rational cultivation and the consolidation of its production chain. In this context, this review aimed to compile, systematize, and critically discuss the scientific literature related to P. insigniszeiro, addressing its botanical, ecological, productive, physicochemical, nutritional, functional, genetic, socioeconomic, agro-industrial, and technological aspects. The literature analyzed indicates that P. insignis fruits possess highly appreciated sensory attributes, promising nutritional composition, the presence of bioactive compounds, and significant potential for whole-fruit utilization, including pulp, peel, seeds, and by-products with applications in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological sectors. In parallel, studies also demonstrate high genetic and phenotypic variability, reinforcing both the species’ domestication potential and the need for conservation strategies and the selection of superior plant materials. However, important knowledge gaps remain regarding clonal propagation, genetic improvement, ecophysiology, agronomic management, postharvest handling, processing, and industrial scale-up. Furthermore, the fragmentation of available knowledge and the lack of integrative approaches still limit the consolidation of the species as a technically structured fruit crop. It is concluded that the advancement of P. insignis cultivation depends on the articulation among scientific research, genetic conservation, technological innovation, production chain organization, and the strengthening of family farming, in order to expand its insertion into sustainable systems of production, value addition, and territorial development in the Amazon.

The production of winter wines in the Southeastern Brazil represents a relatively recent but expanding viticultural approach, with increasing adoption across diverse wine-growing regions. This system relies on the double pruning technique, which allows for the harvest of grapes during the dry and cooler winter season, favoring greater accumulation of sugars, acids, and phenolic compounds. This study aimed to characterize the phenological stages, thermal requirements, yield, and fruit quality of the fine wine grape cultivars ‘Sauvignon Blanc’, ‘Merlot’, ‘Tannat’, ‘Pinot Noir’, ‘Malbec’, and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ under double pruning management in a subtropical climate. The vineyard was established in 2020 using a randomized complete block design (8×5), and two production cycles were evaluated (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). Significant differences in the duration of phenological stages were observed among cultivars, ranging from 146 to 172 days from pruning to harvest. The accumulated thermal demand was higher in the first cycle, with a mean of 1,476.9 growing degree days (GDD) across cultivars. The results demonstrate the potential of Vitis vinifera L. cultivars managed with double pruning for high-quality wine production under subtropical conditions, supporting the viability of expanding viticulture in the state of São Paulo.

Seed quality, particularly germination speed, uniformity, and initial seedling vigor, is a key determinant of successful crop establishment. This study evaluated the effects of a plant growth regulator (PR) in comparison to distilled water on the germination and early development of maize, rice, white sesame, and black sesame seeds. The experiment using controlled environmental conditions and standard germination protocols. While seed germination speed (GSI) was not significantly influenced by the treatments, PR application resulted in a significantly higher germination percentage (68.3 ± 0.43%) compared to water (51.0 ± 0.71%), indicating a physiological enhancement of dormancy-breaking mechanisms. PR also promoted greater shoot length (6.45 ± 1.74cm) than water (5.05 ± 1.23cm), possibly through stimulation of cell elongation and hormonal signaling. However, root length did not differ significantly between treatments, suggesting that the formulation or dosage may require refinement to achieve balanced seedling development. Among species, white sesame and rice showed superior performance in both germination metrics and seedling growth, while maize exhibited limited vigor. Strong positive correlations were observed between shoot and root growth (r= 0.87), and between germination parameters and shoot length, emphasizing the importance of synchrony between emergence and vegetative development. These findings support the potential of PRs as a strategic input for improving germination efficiency and early seedling establishment, particularly when tailored to the physiological requirements of each species.