Biotic Contamination of Food and Environments

Postharvest alterations and loss extent (physiological alterations, damages due to physical, chemical and biological conditions or parasites; losses from harvest to market). Outlines of plant pathology (the concept of disease in plants, classification of plant diseases, the cycle of disease, host-pathogen relationships). Pathogens in post harvest diseases (phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria, their pathogenesis). Main genera of fungi and bacteria that causes post harvest losses. DIsease management and risks form chemical and biological residues. Mycotoxins and mycotoxicoses, analytical, toxicological and legislative aspects. Control of postharvest diseases (physical, chemical and biological methods; integrated control). Food residues, legal restrictions, toxicological aspects and analytical methods.
Knowledge of database dealing with residues in the food chain and acquistition of competence for information browsing.
Characteristics and damage caused by pests. Main species infesting commodities and processing environments and storage: Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Psocottera, Thysanura, and Cockroaches. Main species of mites of the foodstuffs. Factors favoring settlement, survival, and spread of weeds. Factors that make it difficult to control weeds in post-harvest. Biocenosis of cereals, legumes, nuts, and herbs stored. General rules of prevention. Standards of cleanliness. Winding and packaging. Attacks on the packaging before use. Attacks on packaging and packaging ready for commercialization. Resistance of the packaging to the attack of insects. Consideration of a hole to determine the origin infestation.
Insects penetrators and invaders. Methods of analysis, sampling, tools for sampling, sampling techniques, packaging, and storage of samples. Main methods to detect the presence of pests: are direct visual examination, sieving, organic, hectoliter weight, flottazone, staining methods, calorimetric and respirometric, methods, X-ray, and acoustic analysis. Filth test. Methods for environments: analysis of trace probe traps, and pheromone traps. Analysis of finished products. How to use the monitoring data. Determination origin infestation. Use of biocides in the environment: insecticides of natural origin and synthetic analogs, organic synthesis, fumigants, and gas mixture: Norms for correct use of biocides used in silos and warehouses. Physical method: silos-bag, circulation and ventilation, low and high temperatures, centrifugal force, inert dust, vacuum drying, and controlled atmosphere.Murids: species, damage, prevention, and monitoring. Identification of the species, application of the means of control, and monitoring of results. Examples of application of integrated pest management plans in warehouses, silos, and mills. Legislative and considerations on Article 5 of Law 283/1962.