The purpose of this study was to determine PM₂.₅ mass concentration and the contents of trace elements and water-soluble ions in samples collected inside the Metropolitan area of Huancayo. Four monitoring stations were installed at three urban areas (UNCP, HYO, and CHI) and one rural (IGP). The sampling campaign was carried out from March 2017 to November 2017. The PM₂.₅ content was determined by gravimetric method, and fifteen trace elements (TE) and seven water-soluble ions were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), and ion chromatography (IC), respectively. Datasets were assessed by one ANOVA test to detect significant differences among monitoring station. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied for source identification. The mean annual concentration of PM₂.₅ mass concentrations has ranged (ave...

This work aimed to analyze the temporal behavior of the concentration profiles of PM2.5 (period 2014-2023) and PM10 (period 2010-2023) collected in five districts of the metropolitan area of Lima (MAL). The year 2016 and 2021 showed the highest annual averages for PM2.5 while PM10 reported higher concentrations in 2013, 2016, and 2021 for most stations. For PM2.5 higher peaks were recorded between May and September and lower peaks between January and March. For PM10, higher peaks were found in March-May and August-October, and lower peaks were observed between January and June. Daily minimum and maximum values of PM2.5 ranged between 3.74 and 148 μg/m3 , while PM10 ranged from 7.16 to 579 μg/m3 , respectively. For hourly variations were observed peaks that occur between 6:00 and 10:00 a.m. and between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. for both PMs. The information obtained will help to identify...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the human health risk associated with PM2.5 exposure in residents of the Metropolitan area of Lima (MAL), Peru, for a best-case scenario and a worst-case scenario based on the monthly average of PM2.5 and 90th percentile of PM2.5 concentration, respectively. Hourly concentrations of PM2.5 between 2014 and 2023 corresponding to five monitoring stations were provided by the National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (SENAMHI). Air quality was assessed using the air quality index (AQI). The hazard quotient to evaluate the risk to human health was calculated using the annual limit value established by the European Union (EU, 25 µg/m3 ) and World Health Organization (WHO, 10 µg/m3 ) because there is no toxicity value for PM2.5. Annual average PM2.5 concentration ranged from 19.5 µg/m3 to 35.8 µg/m3 with some years below the annual limit establis...

Macroinvertebrate metrics are excellent tools for assessing water quality due to the sensitivity of biotic and abiotic parameters of their environment. The work aimed to assess the water quality of the Vilcanota River using aquatic macroinvertebrates and biological indices: Andean Biotic Index (ABI), Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) score, and Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) index. Macroinvertebrates were sampled at four sampling points (P1, P2, P3, and P4) during dry and wet seasons using Surber traps along a 600 m linear transect. In total, 1631 specimens belonging to 04 classes, 11 orders, and 24 families were found. The class Insecta presented the highest values with 1078 specimens (66.1%), six orders (54.5%), and 19 families (79.2%). The evaluation of the water quality of the Vilcanota River showed that the points during the wet season have questionable wa...

Background. Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) residues are a rich source of phenolic compounds, but these compounds are susceptible to external factors. Therefore, nanoencapsulation by ionic and ultrasound-assisted gelation techniques can be used as an alternative to preservation. This work aimed to determine the effects of the interaction of the following variables: chitosan (Ch) concentration, sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP), Ch/TPP ratio, pH, and sonication time to ensure high encapsulation efficiency (%EE). Materials and methods. Optimal nanoencapsulation conditions were evaluated using a 25–1 fractional factorial design to maximize nanoencapsulation efficiency (%EE) using multivariate regression analysis. Results. The model was adequate with R2 = 0.998. The optimum conditions for nanoencapsulation were Ch (0.28%), TPP (0.29%), Ch/TPP (5/1), pH (4.9) and sonication time (4.79 min). Unde...

The Amazon rainforest plays a crucial role in the global climate system, acting as a major carbon sink and influencing regional and global weather patterns. Understanding the chemical composition of rainwater is essential for assessing the impact of anthropogenic activities, such as deforestation and industrial emissions, on atmospheric chemistry and hydrology. This work aimed to characterize the chemical composition of rainwater in a biological reserve of primary forest in the central Brazilian Amazon at 60 km of a large urban center. Rainwater samples were collected from March 2008 to March 2010 and were analyzed by ion chromatography, ICP-MS, and TOC-V. This is the only and longest rainfall monitoring carried out in this reserve. The results showed that the rainwater is rich in organic carbon (TOC), representing 77% of total carbon. The most abundant ions were NH4 + and Cl- . Few elem...

The research aimed to develop a children's pumpkin compote, functional, inexpensive, preservative-free and of considerable shelf life. The effect of incorporating xanthan gum (XG) was evaluated at three concentrations (0.10%, 0.15% and 0.20%) on its rheological properties. Sensory characteristics were applied to 60 panelists (30 undergraduate students and 30 children between 2 and 3 years). Its physical, physicochemical, and microbiological characteristics were determined. With the pH values was estimated the shelf life of pumpkin compote using accelerated testing method. The product was stored at 20 °C, 30 °C and 40 °C for 0, 10, 20, and 30 days. The results show the pumpkin compote presented non-Newtonian behavior, pseudoplastic, and was adjusted to the Ostwald Waele model (R2 > 0.98). Compote formulated with 0.15% of XG was conceived as the best treatment, with a "Like" scale fo...

The research aimed to develop a children's pumpkin compote, functional, inexpensive, preservative-free and of considerable shelf life. The effect of incorporating xanthan gum (XG) was evaluated at three concentrations (0.10%, 0.15% and 0.20%) on its rheological properties. Sensory characteristics were applied to 60 panelists (30 undergraduate students and 30 children between 2 and 3 years). Its physical, physicochemical, and microbiological characteristics were determined. With the pH values was estimated the shelf life of pumpkin compote using accelerated testing method. The product was stored at 20 °C, 30 °C and 40 °C for 0, 10, 20, and 30 days. The results show the pumpkin compote presented non-Newtonian behavior, pseudoplastic, and was adjusted to the Ostwald Waele model (R2 > 0.98). Compote formulated with 0.15% of XG was conceived as the best treatment, with a "Like" scale fo...

Rice (Oryza sativa L) is an important source of essential elements but also can contain high As concentrations, which may be consumed and causes health effects. This work aimed to contribute to the lack of information quantifying the total arsenic (tAs) in 31 domestic rice (white rice, n=19; brown rice, n=7; parboiled rice, n=5) of different brands purchased in Peruvian markets. The tAs content was conducted by ICP-MS. The tAs concentration was compared to the maximum limits prescribed by regulatory agencies. Dietary intake (DI), dietary exposure (DE), and margin of exposure (MOE) were estimated. tAs concentration in white, brown and parboiled rice were 0.292 ± 0.106 mg/kg, 0.401 ± 0.081 mg/kg, 0.229 ± 0.03 mg/kg, respectively. Arsenic concentration in white rice exceeded limits recommended by FAO/WHO (0.20 mg kg-1), and European legislation (0.25 mg kg-1), but no Mercosul limits (0.3...

Theobroma cacao is the main raw material to produce chocolate, as well as for use in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. However, Moniliophthora roreri is one of the most destructive fungal diseases and the main limiting of cacao production worldwide. Thus, this work aimed to assess the inhibitory effect of extracts of Zingiber officinale (T1) and Aloe vera (T2), and Trichoderma harzianum + Bacillus subtillis. (T3) on Moniliophthora roreri infection in Theobroma cacao; in addition, a control (T4) was also evaluated. Each treatment was applied to six plants of cacao. Incidence of monilia infection and fruit weight were monitored every 15 days (in total four periods) after the application of the treatment by spray. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found among treatments for incidence. It was observed that spraying entire cacao trees after two times (approximately 30 day...

Rice (Oryza sativa L) is an important source of essential elements but also can contain high As concentrations, which may be consumed and causes health effects. This work aimed to contribute to the lack of information quantifying the total arsenic (tAs) in 31 domestic rice (white rice, n=19; brown rice, n=7; parboiled rice, n=5) of different brands purchased in Peruvian markets. The tAs content was conducted by ICP-MS. The tAs concentration was compared to the maximum limits prescribed by regulatory agencies. Dietary intake (DI), dietary exposure (DE), and margin of exposure (MOE) were estimated. tAs concentration in white, brown and parboiled rice were 0.292 ± 0.106 mg/kg, 0.401 ± 0.081 mg/kg, 0.229 ± 0.03 mg/kg, respectively. Arsenic concentration in white rice exceeded limits recommended by FAO/WHO (0.20 mg kg-1), and European legislation (0.25 mg kg-1), but no Mercosul limits (0.3...

Rice (Oryza sativa L) is an important source of essential elements but also can contain high As concentrations, which may be consumed and causes health effects. This work aimed to contribute to the lack of information quantifying the total arsenic (tAs) in 31 domestic rice (white rice, n=19; brown rice, n=7; parboiled rice, n=5) of different brands purchased in Peruvian markets. The tAs content was conducted by ICP-MS. The tAs concentration was compared to the maximum limits prescribed by regulatory agencies. Dietary intake (DI), dietary exposure (DE), and margin of exposure (MOE) were estimated. tAs concentration in white, brown and parboiled rice were 0.292 ± 0.106 mg/kg, 0.401 ± 0.081 mg/kg, 0.229 ± 0.03 mg/kg, respectively. Arsenic concentration in white rice exceeded limits recommended by FAO/WHO (0.20 mg kg-1), and European legislation (0.25 mg kg-1), but no Mercosul limits (0.3...

The effect of including whey in the diet of rams in the fattening stage of the company SAIS Pachacutec S.A.C, located in the central mountains of Peru at an altitude of 4119 m was evaluated. In total, 120 five-month-old Corriedale male rams from the “Cabaña” (n=40), “Plantel” (n=40) and “Majada” (n=40) genetic sections were used. Rams from each section was randomly distributed into four treatment groups (n=10 per group): T1 (0%, control); T2 (15%); T3 (25%) and T4 (35% whey). The whey was added to the concentrate (bran feed). The study included 14 days of adaptation to the feed and 90 days of trial. Final weight, weight gain and carcass weight were significantly different between treatments and sections (p<0.05), being greater in T4 and in the Cabaña section (final weight: 48.7 ± 0.6 kg; weight gain: 379.4 g/day; carcass weight: 20.9 ± 1.2 kg). Carcass yield was simila...

We describe the results of the study of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Direct Radiative Forcing (DRF) in Top Of Atmosphere (TOA), obtained from the measurement and monitoring campaign carried out during the XXI Antarctic Peruvian Expedition in the months of January and February 2013 and in the Metropolitan Huancayo Area in the months of June and July 2019. In the Scientific Peruvian Station at Antarctic “Machu Picchu” our used a SP02-L sun photometer, which is within the instrumental framework of the International Polar Year. This instrument has 4 channels: 412 nm, 500 nm, 675 nm and 862 nm, thus allowing direct radiation spectra measurements. And in the MHA we used the BF5 sensor. This instrument measured Direct, Diffuse and Global Radiation in low wavelength. The results calculated of AOD in polar latitudes varied between 0.0646 to 0.1061, in relation to AOD in MHA, presents the v...

A total of 188,859 meteorological-PM10 data validated before (2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) were used. In order to predict PM10 in two districts of South Lima in Peru, hourly, daily, monthly and seasonal variations of the data were analyzed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and linear/nonlinear modeling were applied. The results showed the highest annual average PM10 for San Juan de Mirafores (SJM) (PM10-SJM: 78.7 µg/m3) and the lowest in Santiago de Surco (SS) (PM10 -SS: 40.2 µg/m3). The PCA showed the infuence of relative humidity (RH)-atmospheric pressure (AP)temperature (T)/dew point (DP)-wind speed (WS)-wind direction (WD) combinations. Cool months with higher humidity and atmospheric instability decreased PM10 values in SJM and warm months increased it, favored by thermal inversion (TI). Dust resuspension, vehicular transport and stationary sources contributed m...