Preprint
Agro Journal Preprint Deposit Policy
Preprints are research reports that have not yet been peer-reviewed or accepted for publication in an academic-scientific journal. Such research reports allow the research population to quickly share their results without delay, thus facilitating rapid and open access dissemination.
The Agro Journal seeks early access to knowledge to generate improved versions of the materials received and a dynamic research ecosystem in coherence with the diverse forms of research in the different thematic coverage areas established.
Therefore, only and exclusively the articles submitted by the research population before the peer review process, either single blind or open, will be published.
In such a way that it is important to clarify that the Revista Agro will include the preprints in the Institutional Repository, in the case that the researchers do not belong to the Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica or that the article is classified as external, the preprint will be published in the community of the Revista Agro in the European Repository Zenodo, this to demonstrate that the diamond and green ways in the Revista Agro are a fundamental axis for immediate publication.
It is also clarified that the article in preprint format is not an accepted version, since it has not gone through the evaluation process of the Revista Agro. In case the article is rejected by the peer reviewer, the author(s) will be informed that only the Revista Agro provided a preprint version, which will be available on this page.
Title
In Ovo Feeding as a tool to improve health in Broilers
Authorship
1. Camila S. Padilla
Escuela de Medicina y Cirugía Veterinaria San Francisco de Asís Universidad Veritas, Costa Rica
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0720-6874
2. Elad Tako
Department of Food Science, Stocking Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, Estados Unidos de América
et79@cornell.edu
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7856-5197
Abstract
Poultry is one of the most important industries given the fact that chicken meat is the most consumed animal protein worldwide. It is due to the high demand that exists for poultry farms that the need arises to find new technologies to help improve the production and health of broilers. One of the most recent and promising technologies is in ovo feeding, which consists of directly supplementing the embryo before hatching. In this work, the in ovo feeding methodology was analyzed, as well as the effects of different substances on broilers. Among the nutrients that were investigated were carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, while probiotics, prebiotics and symbiotic were taken into account in the bioactive substances. In conclusion, in ovo feeding is a tool with great potential to improve the health of broilers; however, limitations were found in the technique and further research is needed to explore its large-scale application.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10348337
URL: https://zenodo.org/records/10348337
Title
Analysis of the forest cover in two springs of the ASADA Escobal de Atenas and the participation of the community in generational relay processes
Authorship
1. Harry Christie Chale
Ingeniería en Ciencias Forestales y Vida Silvestre, Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica
hchristiec@est.utn.ac.cr
2. Benjamín Calderón Aguilar
Ingeniería en Ciencias Forestales y Vida Silvestre, Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica
bcalderona@est.utn.ac.cr
3. Karolyne Leitón Ordóñez
Ingeniería en Ciencias Forestales y Vida Silvestre, Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica
kleitono@est.utn.ac.cr
4. Rachel Vargas Sequeira
Ingeniería en Ciencias Forestales y Vida Silvestre, Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica
rvargass@est.utn.ac.cr
Abstract
In the present work, an analysis of forest cover was carried out in the sites where two springs belonging to the Escobal de Atenas ASADA are located, the applied methodology was inspections and land use maps, to determine if they needed reforestation. On the other hand, the issue of community participation in generational relay processes was addressed, information was obtained on this aspect from the people of the ASADA Board of Directors and through a community activity that was carried out. The results that were obtained with respect to forest cover is that the springs are immersed in a secondary forest with a 200 m diameter cover, so the site does not require reforestation, on the other hand with respect to community participation, it was determined that there are very few people in the community who are interested in ASADA and generational change issues, which could be verified with the low participation in the activity. Finally, it is concluded that the inspected springs have a forest cover in accordance with the provisions of the Water Law and with respect to the participation of the community it is concluded that it is necessary that the policies regarding the management of the ASADAS, especially in the part of salaries to the Board of Directors can improve, so that the people of the community are more willing to participate in the generational replacements.
HANDLE: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13077/878
URL: https://repositorio.utn.ac.cr/items/4b33bbcf-3388-4cc7-87be-078084c57cc8
Title
Chitosan: an ally in plant diseases management
Authorship
1. José Alonso Calvo Araya
alonso.calvo.araya@una.cr
Escuela de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7294-6426
2. Alejandro Vargas Martínez
alejandro.vargas.martinez@una.ac.cr
Escuela de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8039-8984
Abstract
The use of biopolymers such as chitosan in agriculture is an efficient and friendly alternative in the management of crop diseases, mainly from an agroecological and sustainability approach where it makes use of industry byproducts. Generally, the biocidal action is based on inhibition of the germination of fungal conidia, disruption of the cell membrane of phytopathogenic bacteria, affecting the hatching of eggs in phytoparasitic nematodes. Other types of positive interactions that mediate the control of phytopathogens are promotion of plant growth, inducer of resistance in the host, increase of chitin-degrading microorganisms in the soil. The following review addresses the concept of chitosan, main uses in disease control, effect on the main groups of phytopathogenic microorganisms, induction of resistance mediated by chitosan and new applications in agriculture. Currently, it is demonstrated that the use of alternative substances such as chitosan shows good control of plant pathogens and its acceptance and use within the integrated management of crop diseases is increasing. Therefore, the objective of this review is to examine the main aspects related to chitosan and how it is used to control, either directly or indirectly, phytosanitary problems in crops.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10348895
URL: https://zenodo.org/records/10348895
Title
Detection of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in ground beef from the Municipal Market of Alajuela, Costa Rica
Authorship
Fressia Johanna Mora Fonseca
Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2705-202X
Abstract
The presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was determined in ground beef sold in nine butcher shops in the Municipal Market of Alajuela, Costa Rica. In addition, the hygiene present in these places was evaluated in order to determine their relationship, this making use of checklists which were made taking into account some items of the Food Handling Manual of the National Institute of Learning as its acronym in Spanish is (INA). For the realization of the bacteriological cultures of the ground meat samples obtained, the quantitative Petrifilm™ methods specific to both bacteria were used. The results showed that ground beef had both bacteria, even reaching countless amounts, while the T-Student test determined that the mean of E. coli and S. aureus corresponded to 59 CFUs/g and 415 CFUs/g respectively, values that exceed what is allowed by the RTC 67.04.50:17, which is similar to those reported by other Latin American countries. On the other hand, the growth of both bacteria did not depend on the meat category (p>0.05).
HANDLE: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13077/879
URL: https://repositorio.utn.ac.cr/items/6e59c640-0749-4299-bbf0-27fb85d1f381
Title
Perception and knowledge of genetically modified foods in a sample of the Costa Rican population
Authorship
1. Lucía Isabel López Umaña
Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0120-7981
2. Ericka Umaña Torres
Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9894-7940
3. Emily León Jiménez
Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0565-2634
4. Manuel Eduardo Sancho Mata
Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7585-6494
5. Amanda Banfi Sánchez
Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6351-406X
6. Keysha Vega Benavides
Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2245-588X
7. Ana Paula González Benavides
Universidad Técnica Nacional, Costa Rica
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1635-0652
Abstract
We analyzed the perception of Costa Rican consumers regarding genetically modified foods, a topic of growing global importance due to its implications for food safety and the environment. We conducted a survey through social media, with a focus on the Instagram platform to facilitate access and participation, aiming to assess respondents' knowledge, familiarity, and perception of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in food products. We received 226 survey responses. We found a widespread lack of knowledge about genetically modified foods among participants, with older individuals exhibiting greater awareness of the topic. 63.7% of respondents were unaware of whether they had consumed genetically modified foods and lacked information about the impact of these foods on food safety and health. Despite the global acceptance of GMOs, concerns about their safety persist. Overall, this study enriches the knowledge landscape in the field of genetically modified foods by providing descriptive statistics summarizing and highlighting the collected data, as well as exploring the relationships and connections between the various variables of interest in this research. The findings underscore the need for educational campaigns to raise public awareness in Costa Rica. Additionally, the importance of clear and transparent labeling on food products containing genetically modified ingredients is emphasized. This will enable consumers to make more informed choices and promote greater transparency in the Costa Rican food industry.
HANDLE: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13077/880
URL: https://repositorio.utn.ac.cr/items/89528e5b-f9ba-4839-a6d4-9bfe76ff0494
