Timber concessions in Madre de Dios: Are they a good deal?
No evidence of selenosis from a selenium-rich diet in the Brazilian Amazon
Effect of Brazil Nut Supplementation on Plasma Levels of Selenium in Hemodialysis Patients: 12 Months of Follow-up
Background: Large amounts of reactive oxygen species are produced in hemodialysis (HD) patients; and; at higher concentrations; reactive oxygen species are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. It has been proposed that selenium (Se) may exert an antiatherogenic influence by reducing oxidative stress. The richest known food source of Se is […]
The regeneration of Brazil nut trees in relation to nut harvest intensity in the Trombetas River valley of Northern Amazonia; Brazil
This study examined the harvest of nuts from Brazil nut trees (Bertholletia excelsa) in the valley of the Trombetas River; a 760-km tributary on the northern bank of the Amazon River in Pará state; Brazil. The region is characterised by old-growth forests dominated by Brazil nut trees. Demographic data were obtained from twenty-five 50-m à […]
Evaluating the opportunities and limitations to multiple use of Brazil nuts and timber in Western Amazonia
Multiple-use forest management; which includes timber; non-timber forest products; and environmental services; is considered a promising tropical conservation and development strategy. In the tri-national frontier region of Madre de Dios (Peru); Acre (Brazil); and Pando (Bolivia) in Western Amazonia; we evaluated perceptions of representatives from four stakeholder groups  communities; industries (Brazil nut and timber); […]
Effect of Oxygen-Reducing Atmospheres on the Safety of Packaged Shelled Brazil Nuts during Storage
This work reports the application of oxygen-(O(2)-) reducing atmosphere methods on stored shelled Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.) packs aiming to evaluate the degree of aflatoxin degradation; nuts lipid oxidative stability; fungi control; and hygienic conditions improvement. The methods applied were (a) ozone: O(3); (b) carbon dioxide: CO(2); and (c) O(2) absorber pads with and […]
Determination of aflatoxin risk components for in-shell Brazil nuts
A study was conducted on the risk from aflatoxins associated with the kernels and shells of Brazil nuts. Samples were collected from processing plants in Amazonia; Brazil. A total of 54 test samples (40 kg) were taken from 13 in-shell Brazil nut lots ready for market. Each in-shell sample was shelled and the kernels and […]
Brazil nuts intake improves lipid profile; oxidative stress and microvascular function in obese adolescents: a randomized controlled trial
BACKGROUND: Obesity is a chronic disease associated to an inflammatory process resulting in oxidative stress that leads to morpho-functional microvascular damage that could be improved by some dietary interventions. In this study; the intake of Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa); composed of bioactive substances like selenium; alpha- e gamma- tocopherol; folate and polyunsaturated fatty acids; have […]
Brazil nut conservation through shifting cultivation.
The regeneration of Brazil nut trees depends on tree-fall gaps in the forest. However; shifting cultivation fallows also create comparable biotic and abiotic opportunities for the dispersion and establishment of this gap-loving species. At the same time; the ability of Brazil nut trees to resprout enables fallow individuals to survive successive slash-and-burn cycles. Recognizing the […]
Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa)
Brazil nuts were shelled and separated as kernel and brown skin; whole nuts were also used. Soluble phenolics from each portion as well as the whole nut were extracted using 70% acetone under reflux conditions. Insoluble-bound phenolics were subsequently extracted into diethyl etherÂethyl acetate mixture (1:1; v/v) after alkaline hydrolysis. Both soluble and insoluble-bound phenolic […]