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Recently, some natural products have been used in the fields as alternative to synthetic compounds, to minimize the negative impacts to the environment. This study aimed to verify the effects of Neem-based bio-pesticide in causing acute toxicity for a fish and chronic toxicity for a microcrustacean. To this end, Danio rerio and Daphnia magna were exposed to various concentrations of a Neem-based oil formulation. In the first experiment, adults of D. rerio were exposed for 96 hours to different concentrations to determine the median lethal concentration (LC_50-96h). For D. magna, first an acute toxicity test was performed to determine the median effective concentration (EC_50-48h). Based on the EC₅₀ established in the acute test, the concentrations for the 21-day chronic toxicity test were determined. Endpoints evaluated were reproduction (number of neonates produced) and size of D. magna.The median lethal concentration for the fish was 0.22 mL L^-1, and the median effective concentration (EC_{50 - 48h}) for D. magna was 0.17 mL L^-1. In the chronic test, all concentrations affected reproduction and size of D. magna. The formulation tested may be hazardous to aquatic organisms.

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 The aim of this study was to evaluate thirteen cultivars of roses for nutritional composition, bioactive compounds and total antioxidant activity. Attaché cultivar had the highest amounts of proteins and total fiber. Regarding color,Avalanchepresented values for internal cromacity around 7 fold higher than Attaché cultivar. The results showed that the evaluated roses presented means of bioactive compounds as ascorbic acid (70.47 mg 100 g^-1), yellow flavonoids (35.25 mg 100 g^-1) and total anthocyanins (150.40 mg 100 g^-1).  The evaluated roses presented relatively low content of total carotenoids (1.25 mg 100 g^-1), and high content of total polyphenols (1565 mg 100 g^-1) and antioxidant capacity (260 µM trolox g^-1). Avalanche, Prima Donna, Dolce Vita, Salmone, and Elisa cultivar presented the minor Euclidean distance. The petals of the evaluated roses are excellent sources of nutritional compounds and antioxidants.

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Knowledge of buffalo growth curves is essential for improving reproductive management, nutritional strategies and identifying the best slaughter age. We provided the first joint study comparing growth curves of the three major buffalo breeds. Additionally, we used principal component analysis and Biplot graphics to evaluate the degree of similarity between the groups (breed by sex) and their relationship with mature weight, maturation rate and weight at different ages. The dataset included 8,550 weight records from 1,391 Jaffarabadi, Mediterranean and Murrah buffaloes. The Bertalanffy model had the best fit. The mature weights were 696.64±8.50 and 678.53±9.44 kg (Mediterranean), 716.26±48.54 and 629.28±32.11 kg (Jaffarabadi) and 694.69±17.97 and 556.53±15.49 kg (Murrah) male and female, respectively, by Bertalanffy model. All breeds reaching 75% of mature weight in less than two years. Murrah females were particularly productive, having high precocity and low weight maturity - important biotypes for milk production. Murrah males showed intermediate characteristics, and high potential for meat production in dairy herds. Mediterranean animals showed high weight gain, median precocity and medium to high weight at maturity, supporting its status as the main breed for beef production in Brazil. Jaffarabadi males had high mature weight, slow growth in the first year of life followed by high growth thereafter. Female Jaffarabadi were smaller and showed a similar level of precocity to Mediterranean animals. Buffaloes in Brazil have traditionally been used for milk production; however, our study clearly demonstrates that all three breeds have appropriate characteristics for meat production.

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The study of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars in different regions is of great importance, due to the enormous diversity of cultivars and hybrids, as well as different soil and climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds of mango fruits under subtropical conditions. The experiment was conducted at the São Manuel Experimental Farm, School of Agriculture, Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil. Espada Vermelha, Keitt and Palmer cultivars were evaluated. For physical analysis, weight, longitudinal and transverse diameters, fruit shape, pulp yield, peel, seed, peel color and pulp color were evaluated. Regarding chemical characteristics and bioactive compounds, titratable acidity, soluble solids, SS/TA ratio (relationship between soluble solids and titratable acidity), reducing sugars, non-reducer, total ascorbic acid, carotenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols and antioxidant activity were determined. The results showed that Palmer and Keitt cultivars had higher physical quality, such as higher pulp yield, analyzed under subtropical conditions of Brazil. However, Palmer cultivar had higher chemical quality, which was observed in the values of SS/TA ratio, high antioxidant capacity, high ascorbic acid content, greater amount of total polyphenols, and suitable quantities of flavonoids and sugars.