Pedro Paulo dos Santos

The Amazonian caapeba, Piper peltatum L., is used for both food and medicinal purposes. It is classified as a non-conventional food plant and which have nutritional properties and antioxidant content. However, these plants require technical and scientific testing to support their use. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe and conduct histochemical tests on P. peltatum leaves. Scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. It was found that Amazonian caapeba leaves have a cordate blade and base, acuminate apex, and an entire margin. Leaves are dorsiventral and amphistomatic with distinct types of stomata, namely: anomocytic, anisocytic, and tetracytic. The unicellular globular trichomes contain magnesium, sulfur, potassium, calcium, sodium, and osmium. The tector trichomes are multicellular and striated. The epidermis is uniseriate with a thin cuticle. The mesophyll has one layer of palisade parenchyma and four to five layers of spongy parenchyma. The petiole is cylindrical and the epidermis is papillose. Starch, lipids, cellulose, lignin, and phenolic compounds were present. Indicating that the species has medicinal and nutritional properties, in addition to elements that are not digested by humans. Therefore, it is recommended that for food consumption, the central vein be removed and the product be cooked.

The Amazonian caapeba, Piper peltatum L., is used for both food and medicinal purposes. It is classified as a non-conventional food plant and which have nutritional properties and antioxidant content. However, these plants require technical and scientific testing to support their use. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe and conduct histochemical tests on P. peltatum leaves. Scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. It was found that Amazonian caapeba leaves have a cordate blade and base, acuminate apex, and an entire margin. Leaves are dorsiventral and amphistomatic with distinct types of stomata, namely: anomocytic, anisocytic, and tetracytic. The unicellular globular trichomes contain magnesium, sulfur, potassium, calcium, sodium, and osmium. The tector trichomes are multicellular and striated. The epidermis is uniseriate with a thin cuticle. The mesophyll has one layer of palisade parenchyma and four to five layers of spongy parenchyma. The petiole is cylindrical and the epidermis is papillose. Starch, lipids, cellulose, lignin, and phenolic compounds were present. Indicating that the species has medicinal and nutritional properties, in addition to elements that are not digested by humans. Therefore, it is recommended that for food consumption, the central vein be removed and the product be cooked.

Eugenia (Myrtaceae) is a highly diverse genus of fruit trees native to the Amazon with remarkable potential for food, nutritional, and biotechnological applications. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on morphofunctional traits, ecological strategies, and genetic resources that make several Eugenia species promising candidates for domestication and cultivation. Its main attributes include shrubby growth habits, racemose inflorescences, nutrient-rich fruits with few seeds, recalcitrant yet viable propagules, and wide distribution across the Americas. Their molecular and phytochemical diversity suggests applications in food systems, pharmaceuticals, and bioindustries. However, key challenges persist, such as irregular fruiting, postharvest perishability, limited germplasm conservation in degraded areas, prospecting biotechnological applications such as antioxidants, and insufficient genomic characterization. By addressing these gaps, Eugenia domestication could contribute to food security, sustainable agriculture, and the bioeconomy of remote Amazonian regions, thereby positioning this genus as a strategic resource in the face of biodiversity loss.

Understanding the integration of metabolic fluxes in fruits and seeds is crucial for identifying key biochemical markers for phenotypic selection in tropical species. This study investigated the Amazonian fruit species Eugenia patrisii (Myrtaceae), known for its nutritional and biotechnological potential, to elucidate the link between fruit chemistry and primary reserve mobilization during germination and early seedling growth. Botanical material was collected from an experimental plantation in Maraba, Pará, Brazil. Three contrasting phenotypes (Ph2, Ph3, and Ph6) were analyzed for fruit proximate composition as well as the dynamics of carbohydrates and protein use over seven germination stages. Fruits predominantly contained carbohydrates (76.6–79.3 g/100 g) and proteins (12.7–17.5 g/100 g) and had low lipid content (<5 g/100 g), indicating high energy conversion efficiency. Phenotype Ph6 showed higher protein accumulation and intensive reserve metabolism in late development stages, while Ph2 featured greater soluble sugar content, indicating contrasting reserve allocation strategies. Principal component analysis (PCA) and the indices of integrated metabolic flux (MFI) and total activity (TAI) revealed distinct metabolic cost patterns and biochemical efficiency among phenotypes. Together, these results demonstrate that fruit nutritional attributes and seed metabolic behavior provide quantitative criteria for identifying superior phenotypes, with Ph3 and Ph6 emerging as promising candidates for domestication, breeding, and conservation programs.

Given the reduced resilience of the Amazon rainforest due to deforestation, identifying high-quality genetic markers for the propagation of native species is crucial for forest regeneration. This study investigated metabolic dynamics during Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) germination to identify biochemical markers for selecting superior genotypes. We analyzed primary reserves (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins) and minerals in two genotypes, 606 and Santa Fé, in seven germination stages. Our results revealed distinct metabolic patterns. Genotype 606 showed 101.73% greater efficiency in the transient accumulation of starch, 34.86% higher degradation of lipids, and 34.86% higher transitory synthesis of soluble proteins. Conversely, Santa Fé was 16.8% more efficient in amino acid synthesis and 795.33% in boron compartmentalization, though less so in sucrose (2.17%) and in lipid synthesis (24.84%). Overall, early germination stages involved starch, sucrose degradation and mineral consumption. During post-germinative stages, protein and lipid degradation likely fueled gluconeogenic pathways and supported carbohydrate synthesis and seedling growth. This work increases the knowledge on Brazil nut germination physiology and identifies metabolic markers that differentiate genotypes. These findings are fundamental for our understanding of primary metabolism turnover in B. excelsa and provide a basis to support forest restoration and genetic improvement programs. In addition, we hope to contribute to the selection of superior high-performance genotypes, which are essential for recovering degraded areas and enhancing productive plantations in the Amazon region.

Este relato de intervenção didática reuni o diagnóstico de estudantes de uma turma de Ensino de Jovens e Adultos da Educação Profissional integrada à modalidade didática estudo dirigido, juntamente com a execução de uma proposta de modalidade didática krasilchikiana, no Instituto Federal do Pará, município de Parauapebas (Pará-Amazonia-Brasil). O perfil descrito serviu de base para compreensão das percepções dos estudantes sobre instrução individualizada e a elaboração de proposta de aulas para disciplina Biologia, sobre o tema sistema de revestimento animal. Os estudantes participantes demonstraram compreender o que é o ensino remoto e estudo dirigido, e que o rendimento escolar poderia ser prejudicado pelas modalidades adotadas pelos professores do curso. A aplicação da proposta de intervenção foi planejada e reajustada ao longo da execução, que se estendeu por cerca de 10 horas, entre encontros presenciais e assíncronos. Os participantes foram capazes de realizar a leitura de textos, redigir resenhas e socializar com os pares a identificação e solução de problemas sobre o tema. À luz da conclusão, a proposta foi aplicável e os participantes demonstraram a absorção de conhecimento e domínio de conceitos e definições no cotidiano e no mundo do trabalho.

Em virtude do crescimento populacional aliado ao desenvolvimento urbano, no município de Parauapebas (Pará-Brasil), ocorreu redução da cobertura vegetal na margem dos rios. Contudo, em alguns locais da ourela do Rio Parauapebas, principal da cidade, atividades fruto de Educação Ambiental não formais são realizadas, sem intervenção de qualquer proposta do poder público ou da sociedade civil organizada. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo descrever as motivações dos moradores da margem do Rio Parauapebas ao recuperarem a orla ao longo dos anos, buscando com os envolvidos como eles o vê e como lidam com as questões. Do ponto de vista metodológico, o estudo foi realizado em pesquisa qualitativa de análise bibliográfica para obter as informações junto a moradores, na altura do bairro Primavera, em entrevistas com gravador de áudio e roteiros semiestruturados sobre as motivações dos entrevistados, e relatos de experiências de vida e das ações no local. Os relatos geraram a sistematização do fenômeno ocorrido, mostrando que há diferentes motivações para a manutenção dos arredores a partir da introdução de espécies vegetais, entre essas, evitar a erosão e estabelecimento de ambiente mais ameno. Todos os entrevistados responderam não receber quaisquer tipos de treinamento ou apoio ao plantio. Acima de tudo, todos se reconhecem como parte integrante desses ambientes, dessa forma, espaços não formais podem ser um ambiente para a Educação Ambiental, em que deve provocar mudanças sociais e culturais que visam obter da sociedade a percepção de pertencimento ao ambiente que habitam.

Foi proposta deste relato a intervenção didática na forma de modalidade didática Krasilchikiana Simulação com abordagem dialógica-temática Freiriana para uma turma de Educação Profissional de uma Instituição de Ensino privada no município de Parauapebas (Pará-Brasil). Aplicada de forma interdisciplinar e entre conteúdo dos componentes curriculares Sistema de Produção e Gestão de Qualidade de uma Turma do curso Técnico em Eletroeletrônica, esta proposta centrou-se na confecção de Cartões de visita em escala integrada, como ocorre em um ambiente industrial, em diferencial com o estabelecimento de diálogos temáticos, objetivando melhorar o ensino em integração. Percebeu-se que a aplicação obteve sucesso, quanto a modalidade didática escolhida, a interdisciplinaridade, a integração entre os discentes e o diálogo temático. Conclui-se que há predisposição dos discentes da Educação Profissional para a aceitação de novas metodologias de ensino que estimulem interações com práticas sociais.