• Energy Research
• Open Access close
• Closed Access close
• Open Source close
• US close
• VE close
• PR close
• Spanish close

English: The purpose of the work was to provide a description of the processes that occur once the fermentation of cocoa beans occurs. The variables that influence during this stage and the information gaps that lead to the development of new research in this field were identified. Yeast activity is of special interest during the first 48 h since ethanol production is associated with the sensory traits that the grain will finally present. The variables that most affect alcoholic fermentation are temperature and oxygen supply; in this sense, the recommendation is to use square-shaped containers and do the first removal of the grains at the end of the 48 h period. Additionally, a waiting time for the pod should be considered to raise the temperature and accelerate their rise during the first two days. Español: El propósito del trabajo fue brindar una descripción de los procesos que se producen una vez que ocurre la fermentación de las semillas de cacao. Se identificaron las variables que influyen durante esta etapa y los vacíos de información que conducen al desarrollo de nuevas investigaciones en este campo. La actividad de las levaduras es de especial interés durante las primeras 48 h, dado que la producción de etanol está asociada con los rasgos sensoriales que finalmente presentará el grano. Las variables que más afectan la fermentación alcohólica son la temperatura y el suministro de oxígeno; en este sentido, la recomendación es utilizar contenedores de forma cuadrada y hacer la primera remoción de los granos al finalizar el período de las 48 h. Adicionalmente, se debe considerar un tiempo de espera de las mazorcas para elevar la temperatura y acelerar su ascenso durante los primeros dos días.

De acuerdo al Índice de Necesidades Básicas Insatisfechas (NBI), en la microcuenca del río Illangama, alrededor del 76% de la población es pobre y sus ingresos están entre US$120 y 160 por mes, aún después de adoptar sistemas complejos con un alto potencial de producción. El más importante de ellos es el sistema papa-leche que aporta la mayor proporción de ingresos familiares y garantiza su seguridad alimentaria. Desde este punto de vista, se realizó un análisis de la viabilidad socio-económica y ambiental del sistema con el propósito de establecer su eficiencia y flexibilidad bajo nuevas condiciones. Este análisis se basa en la información compilada de diferentes fuentes, niveles y escalas, mediante estudios de campo, investigación experimental y observación de parcelas de productores. Los resultados evidencian que el sistema tiene el más alto potencial de productividad en el área y es viable adoptar porque incrementa la producción y los ingresos. Representa la mejor opción debido a que los productores disponen de los medios de producción y mano de obra familiar, lo cual permitirá que el sistema sea sostenible. Desde el punto de vista ambiental, si el sistema es manejado adecuadamente con la implementación de alternativas tecnológicas, amigables con el ambiente, detendría el avance de la frontera agrícola hacia áreas de páramo. El sistema es una opción que los gobiernos locales deberían impulsar para preservar el ecosistema páramo. (Resumen de autores) Published version LTRA-3 (Watershed-based NRM for Small-scale Agriculture)

Sweeping changes are beginning to transform energy scenarios around the world. The gas revolution, a renaissance in petroleum technology and exploration, and a chaotic but powerful movement toward the goal of low-carbon economies are three of the principal energy trends currently interacting with structural changes in the geo-economics of the Atlantic world to present new perspectives and opportunitiesfor the diverse actors in the ‘Atlantic Basin’. This article explores how changes in the energy landscape are contributing to a reassessment of the strategic horizon. The potential impacts of the shale revolution, deep-offshore oil, biofuels and other modern renewable energies on the geopolitics of the Atlantic Basin will be assessed, and the hypothesis that an Atlantic Basin energy system is now taking shape will be evaluated, along with an analysis of anticipated impacts.

In this article, it was reviewed as the postpartum negative energy balance (NEB) affects the health and the reproductive efficiency of water buffaloes. The increase in the world buffalo population has been accompanied by an improvement in the milk yield per lactation and this could be causing negative consequences for health and reproductive efficiency, although there are still few studies about this relationship. Higher milk yield without the corresponding increase in the dry matter and energy intake can intensify the NEB, increasing weight and body condition loss, and this implies a decrease in glucose, insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and the increases of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). This scenario may imply a greater susceptibility to diseases such as placental retention, endometritis, metritis and mastitis, as well as a longer period of anestrus, lower fertility and the lengthening of the interval to conception. To solve this situation, it is necessary to guarantee a good body condition at calving, and a high dry matter intake that allows reducing weight loss and body condition and different management, feeding and genetic alternatives are proposed.

The amount of energy and food consumed in Puerto Rico is more indicative of a developed nation than one than is underdeveloped. All the energy consumed in Puerto Rico is from fossil fuels, while the agricultural sector marginally provides the needs of the consumer. In addition, the animal production sectors rely exclusively on imported feedstock for the preparation of feeds. There is a potential to develop an ethanol industry based initially on sugarcane, as the main feedstock and then turn to biomass from energy cane and or organic solid waste in the future. In order to move to the second generation of ethanol production, the cellulosic ethanol industry has to become economically viable. A limiting factor in the use of sugarcane is that only 40,000 ha are currently available to grow this crop. Potentially, Puerto Rico can produce 200 million liters of ethanol on this area which could substitute 5% of the gasoline that was consumed in 2007. On the other hand, biomass could be obtained from bagasse, energy cane, and from 1.3 metric tons of organic solid waste (food and yard waste) produced annually on the island. This strategy can provide a relief to decreasing the amounts of organic solid waste that end up in the landfills.