Some pesticides occurrence in air and precipitation in Québec, Canada

Air and precipitation samples were collected in three stations located in Quebec between January 1993 and March 1996 to determine spatial and seasonal variations of several organochlorine pesticides and metabolites (alpha-HCH, gamma-HCH, HCB, gamma-chlordane, DDT, DDE, Mirex). alpha-HCH, gamma-HCH, and HCB were more or less measured in large amounts at all sites, whereas gamma-chlordane, DDT, and DDE concentrations were lower and Mirex was undetectable. Higher concentrations levels were observed in air during hot spring/summer periods except for HCB, indicating a probable temperature dependence. Ln concentrations vs reciprocal temperature plots and Henry's law determinations helped to highlight the contribution of soil and/or water volatilization of those compounds. Itwas observed that alpha-HCH came mainly from Atlantic Ocean volatilization at Mingan, whereas sources of gamma-chlordane and DDE were mostly due to volatilization from soils in southern Quebec. DDT may be present in the atmosphere by the way of transport from remote regions. Lindane sources were multiple: it may be found in the atmosphere bythe processes of transport and volatilization coming from soil or water. Finally, a negative correlation between HCB and air temperature implies that processes other than volatilization are involved in transport of this compound.     

Labels of origin and terroir: the case of the certified wine label ‘Québec Certified Wines’ and the protected geographical indication ‘Ice wine Québec’

Today, agriculture and agri-food are at the heart of the changes affecting contemporary economies with the tension between globalization and return to the territories. Consequently the food industry provides a good illustration of the opposition and the coexistence of two current models of development, with intensive agriculture on the one hand, and the production of quality and specificity based on the labels of origin on the other. In North America and Quebec, the interest for geographical indications is recent. Also, in recent years there has been in Quebec a growing interest in food products focusing on differentiation through quality. In 2009 the Québec Winegrowers Association (QWA) set up the certification ‘Québec Certified Wines’ to structure the wine sector. In 2013, the same association has begun a process of recognition of a protected geographical indication (PGI) for Quebec's ice wine. Thus, the aim of this paper is to analyze the relationship between the development of these labels and the territory, in particular through the concept of terroir and the stakeholders’ collective action.     

Factors affecting dairy calf price in auction markets in Québec,Canada: 2008–2019

Dairy calves not kept for replacement are sold at young age in Québec auction markets for white and grain-fed veal calf production. The province of Québec produces 80% of the Canadian veal meat, but little information is available on the factors associated with the calves' price per crude weight (Can$/kg; Can$1 = US$0.78 at time of writing). The characteristics of calves sold in Québec auction markets from 12 complete years (2008–2019) were retrospectively studied. The calves' weight, breed and sex, the year and season of sale, the auction site, as well as the estimated distance traveled between the farm of origin and the auction site were analyzed as potential covariates associated with calf price. Two multivariable logistic models associated with low sale value (below the 10th or the 25th percentile of the day price) and 2 models associated with good sale characteristics (above the 50th or the 75th percentile of the day price) were built. The median distance between the farm and the auction site was 52 km (interquartile range: 30–95 km). Only 5% of calves traveled distances greater than 220 km. The weight, breed, sex, and auction sites explained most of the variability in the different models. Distance traveled and multiple interactions were also significantly associated with the outcomes. Calves with body weight from 48 to <56 kg were sold in higher percentiles of the day than lighter or heavier calves. Beef-crossed calves had better sale prices than Holstein, whereas colored dairy calves had lower sale characteristics than both Holstein and beef-crossed calves. The effect of distance traveled was complex, varying depending on the model and interactions, and explained a small portion of the total deviance in every model. Calves traveling from distances ≥110 km had lower sale characteristics in summer and fall in the different studied models. This study gives relevant insights on calves' characteristics associated with good versus low sale prices in Québec auction markets.     

Modern and fossil contributions to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in PM₂.₅ from North Birmingham, Alabama in the southeastern U.S

Analyzing the radiocarbon ((14)C) content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric particulate matter can provide estimates on the source contributions from biomass burning versus fossil fuel. The relative importance of these two sources to ambient PAHs varies considerably across regions and even countries, and hence there is a pressing need to apportion these sources. In this study, we advanced the radiocarbon analysis from bulk carbon to compound class specific radiocarbon analysis (CCSRA) to determine Δ(14)C and δ(13)C values of PAHs in PM(2.5) samples for investigating biomass burning and fossil fuel source contributions to PAHs from one of the Southeastern Aerosol Research and Characterization (SEARCH) sites in North Birmingham (BHM), Alabama during winter (December 2004-February 2005) and summer (June-August 2005) by accelerator mass spectrometry. To compare our ambient samples to known sources, we collected and analyzed fenceline samples from the vicinity of a coke plant in BHM. As expected, PAHs from the coke plant fenceline samples had very low radiocarbon levels. Its Δ(14)C varied from -990 to -970‰, indicating that 97 to 99% were of fossil source. PAHs in the ambient PM(2.5) had Δ(14)C from -968 to -911 ‰, indicating that 92-97% of PAHs were from fossil fuel combustion. These levels indicated the dominance of fossil sources of ambient PAHs. The radiocarbon level of ambient PAHs was higher in winter than in summer. Winter samples exhibited depleted δ(13)C value and enriched Δ(14)C value because of the increased contribution of PAHs from biomass burning source. However, biomass burning contributed more to heavier PAHs (modern source accounting for 6-8%) than lighter ones with a modern contribution of 3%.     

Diurnal cycles of gaseous mercury within the snowpack at Kuujjuarapik/Whapmagoostui,Québec,Canada

Mercury is a globally dispersed and toxic pollutant that can be transported far from its emission sources. In polar and subpolar regions, recent research activities have demonstrated its ability to be converted and deposited rapidly onto snow surfaces during the so-known Mercury Depletion Events (MDEs). The fate of mercury once deposited onto snow surfaces is still unclear: a part could be re-emitted to the atmosphere, the other part could contaminate water systems at the snowmelt. Its capacity to transform to more toxic form and to bioaccumulate in the food chain has consequently made mercury a threat for Arctic ecosystems. The snowpack is a medium that greatly interacts with a variety of atmospheric gases. Its role in the understanding of the fate of deposited mercury is crucial though it is poorly understood. In April 2002, we studied an environmental component of mercury, which is interstitial gaseous mercury (IGM) present in the air of the snowpack at Kuujjuarapik/Whapmagoostui (55 degrees N, 77 degrees W), Canada on the east shore of the Hudson Bay. We report here for the first time continuous IGM measurements at various depths inside a seasonal snowpack. IGM concentrations exhibit a well-marked diurnal cycle with uninterrupted events of Hg0 depletion and production within the snowpack. A possible explanation of Hg0 depletion within the snowpack may be Hg0 oxidation processes. Additionally, we assume that the notable production of Hg0 during the daytime may be the results of photoreduction and photoinitiated reduction of Hg(II) complexes. These new observations show that the snowpack plays undoubtedly a role in the global mercury cycle.     

A herd-level study on colostrum management factors associated with the prevalence of adequate transfer of passive immunity in Québec dairy herds

The objective of this study was to identify herd-level colostrum management factors associated with the adequate transfer of passive immunity (TPI; defined as serum Brix refractance ≥8.4% in the first week of life). A total of 59 commercial Holstein dairy farms were included in this observational cross-sectional study. In every participating herd, a minimum of 14 Holstein calves were sampled to measure their TPI using a digital Brix refractometer. Colostrum samples fed to each of these calves were collected to estimate IgG concentration (colostrum quality) using a digital Brix refractometer and bacterial contamination using the Petrifilm (3M, St. Paul, MN) culture system. Dairy producers completed a questionnaire on colostrum management to assess on-farm practices. The study outcome was the prevalence of adequate TPI calculated based on the proportion of adequate TPI (defined with an individual threshold ≥8.4% Brix) on the total samples tested within each herd. According to the threshold determined in a previous study investigating the influencing colostrum management factors to achieve adequate TPI at the calf level, the prevalence of an adequate colostrum volume fed at first meal (≥2.5 L), the prevalence of adequate colostrum quality (≥24.5% Brix), the prevalence of an adequate time to first feeding (delay between birth and the first colostrum meal, ≤3 h), the prevalence of low aerobic bacterial contamination (≤20,000 cfu/mL), the prevalence of low coliform contamination (≤1,000 cfu/mL), and the prevalence of females were calculated. The herd-level prevalence of adequate TPI ranged from 24% to 100%, with a median of 68%. The median herd prevalences of an adequate colostrum volume fed at first meal, of adequate colostrum quality, of an adequate time to first feeding, of low aerobic bacterial contamination, of low coliform contamination, and of females, were 71, 42, 41, 64, 88, and 61%, respectively. In the final model, the prevalence of adequate TPI was associated with the prevalence of an adequate colostrum volume fed at first meal and the prevalence of an adequate time to first feeding. In summary, management practices varied greatly between farms and influenced the prevalence of adequate TPI.     

Influence of collagen and natural casings on the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in traditional dry fermented sausage (Petrovská klobása) from Serbia

The aim of this study was to determine the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons—PAHs (acenaphthylene, anthracene, fluorene, phenanthrene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and benzo[ghi]perylene)—from Environmental Protection Agency list (United States Environmental Protection Agency) in traditional dry fermented sausage (Petrovská klobása) stuffed in collagen (C) and natural casings (N). Benzo[a]pyrene as well as PAH4 (benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, and chrysene) were not detected in all examined samples. Results obtained in this study indicated that at the end of drying, as well as at the end of storage period, total content of 13 US-EPA PAH was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in sausages with collagen casing (56.2 and 73.6 μg/kg, respectively) than in sausages with natural casing (137.1 and 206.2 μg/kg, respectively).     

Health parameters and their association with price in young calves sold at auction for veal operations in Québec,Canada

The veal calf industry in Québec depends on young calves' availability at auction. Most of these calves come from dairy farms. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the effect of clinical anomalies and other calf characteristics on their sale price. A total of 3,820 calves from 5 different auctions were included in this observational study. The calves were examined by a veterinarian on arrival at the auction and screened for umbilical anomalies, the presence of nasal or eye discharge, joint abnormality, diarrhea, appearance of neonatal characteristics (compatible with age less than 1 wk), and general health status mainly based on the presence of depression and dehydration. The final multivariable model included 5 different variables (calf weight, sex, breed, abnormal joints, and general health status) and the interaction between sex and general health status. The presence of abnormal joints and unhealthy characteristics was negatively associated with standardized price. Female calves and mixed breed beef calves were positively associated with standardized price. Finally, the calves' weight was associated with standardized price in a quadratic fashion. Ongoing or previous diarrhea had no effects on standardized price. This study will be helpful for both dairy and veal producers for improving the quality of calves sold to the Québec auction market.     

A calf-level study on colostrum management practices associated with adequate transfer of passive immunity in Québec dairy herds

The objective of this study was to identify the calf-level colostrum management practices associated with an adequate transfer of passive immunity (TPI; defined as serum Brix refractance ≥8.4% in the first week of life) in small-sized herds. A total of 818 calves from 61 commercial Holstein dairy farms were included in this observational cross-sectional study. For each calf, sex, colostrum delivery method, colostrum volume fed at first meal, and time to first feeding (delay between birth and first colostrum meal) were noted. Blood and colostrum samples were collected to estimate the serum and colostrum quality using Brix refractometry. To quantify the level of bacterial contamination in colostrum samples, total bacteria count and total coliform count (TCC) were measured using the Petrifilm (3M, St. Paul, MN) culture system. In this study, 68% of calves had an adequate TPI (≥8.4%). For data distribution, the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles were 1.3, 2.8, and 3.3 L for the colostrum volume fed at the first meal; 20.9, 23.5, and 26.5% Brix; and 1.1, 3.1, and 6.5 h for the time to first feeding of colostrum, respectively. The odds of adequate TPI were 2.6 times higher in calves receiving ≥2.5 L colostrum at their first meal, 2.9 times higher in calves receiving colostrum with ≥24.5% Brix, and 1.6 times higher in calves receiving colostrum within 3 h after birth, than in calves not meeting these criteria. In the present study, median bacterial contamination distribution (interquartile range) in the first colostrum meal was 14,000 cfu/mL (3,000–83,000 cfu/mL) for total bacteria count, and 0 cfu/mL (0–1,000 cfu/mL) for TCC. Total bacteria count and TCC were not associated with the odds of adequate TPI in the final model. Overall, these results suggest that specific calf-level colostrum management practices are associated with adequate TPI in small- to medium-sized dairy herds.     

Carbon isotope signature of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): evidence for different sources in tropical and temperate environments?

In tropical soils, naphthalene and, partly also, perylene occur at elevated concentrations while pyrolytic higher molecular weight PAHs are almost absent. We hypothesize that there are recent biological PAH sources in the tropical environment related with woody plants and termites. We used the C isotope signature of individual PAHs in temperate and tropical soils and in tropical wood and termite nests to distinguish different PAH sources. The mean delta13C values of the benzo[b+j+k]fluoranthenes and of benzo[a+e]pyrenes in temperate soils ranged between -24.6/1000 and -25.3/1000, being similar to values reported in the literature for PAHs with pyrolitic origin. The mean delta13C values of perylene decreased in the order temperate soils (-27.0/1000) > termite nests (-31.4/1000) > tropical soil (-32.4/1000), while those of naphthalene (-24.6/1000 to -26.2/1000) were similar among the tropical and temperate soils, tropical wood, and termite nests. Our results support the assumption that perylene in the tropical environment is recently biologically produced, as indicated by the depletion in 13C. The C isotope composition of naphthalene, however, cannot be used to distinguish different sources.     

Occurrence of 15 + 1 EU priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in various types of tea (Camellia sinensis) and herbal infusions

For the analysis of 15 + 1 EU priority PAH in tea and herbal infusions, an online-SPE-LVI-GC-MS method was developed. This method includes sample extraction of the tea and herbal infusions with saponification followed by an automated SPE clean-up step. For brews a liquid–liquid extraction with cyclohexane was performed before an automated SPE clean-up. Gas chromatographic separation was done using an Agilent J&W Select PAH (15 m × 0.15 mm × 0.10 µm) column, which allows the separation of the three benzofluoranthenes as well as triphenylene from chrysene. Method performance criteria such as method linearity, limit of quantitation (LOQ) and repeatability were determined and demonstrated that the method was fit for purpose. The method was used to analyse 15 + 1 EU priority PAH in 91 tea and herbal infusion samples. The levels of PAHs ranged from below 0.5 (LOQ) to 460 µg kg^?1, with a median of 4.7 µg kg^?1 and a mean of 39 µg kg^?1 for BaP, and from below 1.0 (LOQ) to 2700 µg kg^?1, with a median of 39 µg kg^?1 and a mean of 250 µg kg^?1 for total PAH, which were in good agreement with other studies reported in the literature. For the brews prepared under normal house preparation (20 g material in 2 L boiling tap water for 10 min), no total 15 + 1 PAH could be detected above the LOQ. With an extended brewing time of 30 min, a transfer rate between 0.25% and 0.52% could be determined, which results in no exceeding of the maximum limits given by the European Union directive for drinking water (EU Council Directive 98/83/EC).     

Comparison of antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from humans, chickens, raw milk, and environmental water in Québec

This study compares the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline among 384 Campylobacter jejuni isolates from humans (245), fresh whole retail chickens (56), raw milk (33), and environmental water (41) collected between 2000 and 2003 in Québec, Canada. Resistance to ciprofloxacin was significantly more frequent in human isolates acquired abroad than in those acquired locally (50 versus 5.9%; P < 0.001); ciprofloxacin resistance was almost absent in water, chicken, and raw milk isolates. In contrast, resistance to erythromycin was significantly more common in chicken than in locally acquired human isolates (16 versus 3.0%, respectively; P < 0.001); no erythromycin resistance was found among water, raw milk, and human isolates acquired abroad. Resistance to tetracycline was significantly more common in chicken and human isolates acquired locally (58.9 and 45.8%, respectively) than in raw milk and water isolates (9.1 and 7.3%, respectively, P < 0.001). Tetracycline resistance was also observed in 44.4% of human isolates acquired abroad. No human isolate was resistant to both ciprofloxacin and erythromycin, but one chicken isolate was resistant to all three antimicrobial agents. Our results suggest that from 2000 to 2003 in Québec, antimicrobial resistance remained stable among locally acquired C. jejuni human clinical isolates and might even have decreased. However, the high erythromycin resistance rate observed among chicken isolates is concerning because of the risk of transmission of such isolates to humans. Additional studies are needed to monitor trends in antimicrobial resistance among food, environment, and human C. jejuni isolates as well as antibiotic use in animals.     

Short communication: Summer on-farm environmental condition assessments in Québec tiestall farms and adaptation of temperature-humidity index calculated with local meteorological data

Temperature-humidity index (THI) calculation following the equation developed by the National Research Council (A Guide to Environmental Research on Animals, 1971) requires ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH). Those data are widely and readily available at local meteorological stations. However, studies showed that using average AT and RH retrieved from the closest stations is not appropriate for estimating on-farm conditions. The present objectives were (1) to study summer on-farm environmental conditions, (2) to explore the relationship between summer THI calculated with on-farm data and summer THI calculated with local weather station data, and (3) to verify whether THI calculated with summer meteorological station data could be adapted to better represent summer on-farm conditions. Six tiestall dairy farms located in 2 regions of the province of Québec [Eastern Québec (EQ) and Southwestern Québec (SWQ)] were enrolled in this study. Within-barn conditions were monitored using 3 remote data loggers from August 2016 through August 2017. Two loggers were installed inside at varying distances relative to the ventilation inlet (L1: closest to inlet; L2: farthest from inlet) and a third was installed just outside of the barn (L3). Values retrieved from each logger and the closest local meteorological station were used to calculate daily THI according to the National Research Council formula and were ultimately compared. Our results showed that THI varied within the barn depending on the proximity relative to the inlet because THI measured by L1 was lower than THI measured by L2 in both regions. Moreover, our results showed that in both regions AT measured on-farm was consistently higher than AT measured at the weather station. The opposite was observed with RH, as it was significantly lower on-farm in EQ and numerically lower in SWQ compared with RH extracted from weather stations. Overall, this led to THI being lower by 4.6 and 3.7 units at the weather stations compared with within-barn conditions for EQ and SWQ farms, respectively. Hence, using local meteorological station data to estimate on-farm conditions would lead to an underestimation of heat stress level in dairy cows. Adapting THI calculations by including daily maximum AT and minimum RH retrieved from the local weather station instead of their average counterparts led to a better estimation of within-barn conditions. However, the difference between THI measured on-farm and the adapted THI calculated with weather station data remained significant. Although the adaption made to THI allowed for a closer relation to on-farm conditions, THI calculated with weather station data should only be used to assess heat stress level in dairy cows when heat stress thresholds are adapted for such data.     

Sources, vertical fluxes, and equivalent toxicity of aromatic hydrocarbons in coastal sediments of the Río de la Plata Estuary, Argentina

Settling particles and bottom sediments collected at 1, 2.5, and 4 km off the metropolitan Buenos Aires coast in the Río de la Plata were analyzed to evaluate the sources and toxicity of resolved (PAHs) and unresolved (AROUCM) aromatic hydrocarbons. PAHs (0003-2.1 microg g(-1)) and AROUCM (0.01-78 microg g(-1)) presented the highest concentrations nearthe Buenos Aires port and sewer and decreasing values up- and downstream and along on- and offshore gradients. Sediment traps deployed in the Central area revealed large aromatic fluxes (1.3 +/- 1.5 and 31 +/- 47 mg m(-2) day(-1) for PAHs and AROUCM). The composition of sedimentary PAHs was dominated by uniformly distributed high molecular weight pyrogenic PAHs (53 +/- 11% fluoranthene, pyrene, and heavier PAHs), followed by diagenetically derived perylene more abundant in less polluted sites (29 +/- 15%) and lower molecular weight petrogenic PAHs (18 +/- 7.1% phenanthrene, anthracene, and methylated compounds), which covaried inversely with perylene. PAH diagnostic ratios indicated a stronger influence of petrogenic discharges close to the shore and the prevalence of combustion of fossil fuels and vehicle emissions over wood in offshore sediments. Sediment cores showed sustained hydrocarbon levels with decreasing proportion of petrogenic PAHs and relative enrichment of pyrogenic components and perylene down to 20-cm depth. PAH toxicity assessment by sediment quality guidelines (SQG) and dioxin-equivalent factors (PAH TEQ: 0.08-395 pg g(-1) dw) identified 1-2.5 km sediments close to the port and sewer as the most affected area. According to SQG, dibenz[a,h]anthracene and pyrene were the most critical PAHs, followed by benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, and chrysene. In contrast, PAH TEQs were dominated by indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, perylene, and benz[a]anthracene which accounted for an average 86 +/- 5.7% of total TEQs.     

Foam-mat drying of starfruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) purée. Stability and air drying characteristics

Foams were prepared from starfruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) purée by adding various concentrations of methocel. Overrun and density of the foams from various concentrations of methocel were compared. Relative stability of the foam was determined by comparing amounts of juice separated from foam at 70°C. Drying rates at two drying temperatures (70 and 90°C) were also compared. Quality of the dry and reconstituted powder was evaluated with simple sensory evaluation and Hunterlab instrument. Overrun and stability of foams increased with increasing methocel concentration until maximum value was obtained at a methocel concentration of 0.4% w/w. Falling rate was observed for foam dried at both temperatures. Drying time could be shortened by as much as 30 min when drying temperature was increased from 70 to 90°C. However, obvious colour and flavour changes were observed in the product dried at 90°C. This study has indicated that, under the experimental conditions employed, reasonably good powder characteristics can be obtained.     

Evaluation of antioxidant activities of 3 edible mushrooms: Ramaria flava (Schaef.: Fr.) Quél., Rhizopogon roseolus (Corda) T.M. Fries., and Russula delica Fr.

The methanolic extracts of Ramaria flava, Rhizopogon roseolus, and Russula delica were analyzed for their antioxidant activities in different test systems including β-carotene/linoleic acid, 1.1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, reducing power, and metal chelating activities in addition to their total phenolic and flavonoid contents. In the first case, methanol extract of R. roseolus showed the strongest activity. In DPPH system, the scavenging effects increased with the concentration. The reducing power of the mushroom also increased with concentration. Chelating effect was 96.75±0.28% for R. flava. In the case of total phenolic and flavonoid assays, R. flava found to have the highest phenolic content. Total flavonoid content of R. flava again found the superior to the other mushrooms. Experimental results indicate that the mushroom species evaluated here can be consumed safely. On the other hand, knowing the biological activity of these mushrooms will contribute to the establishment of conscious consumption.     

Optimised off-line SPE–GC–FID method for the determination of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) in vegetable oils

An optimised off-line SPE–GC–FID method based on the use of silver-silica gel was developed for the determination of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) in vegetable oils, including olive pomace oil. The method is specific in not including the aromatic hydrocarbons. The performance of different silica gels (untreated, activated and treated with silver nitrate) was compared in terms of capacity to retain fat and retention of interfering olefins present in particularly large amounts in refined olive oils. A coefficient of variation of 9% was obtained performing six replicate analyses of an extra virgin olive oil fortified with an amount of MOSH near the estimated LOQ (15 mg/kg). Recoveries were close to 100%. The use of activated aluminium oxide as an additional tool to eliminate interference by endogenous long-chain n-alkanes, is discussed.     

Changes in the quality of jaboticaba fruit (Myriciaria jaboticaba (Vell) Berg. cv. Sabará) stored under different oxygen concentrations

BACKGROUND: Jaboticaba (Myriciaria jaboticaba (Vell) Berg.) is a highly perishable Brazilian berry with a shelf life of only 2 days under ambient conditions. Low temperatures and controlled atmosphere (CA) have been used to extend the shelf life of perishable fruit. Thus the aim of this study was to determine the effect of CA with varying concentrations of oxygen (1, 5, 10, 15 and 21kPa) during cold storage (12.5 °C) of ‘Sabará’ jaboticaba fruit. RESULTS: Atmospheres with lower oxygen concentrations (1 and 5 kPa O₂) significantly reduced jaboticaba respiration rate. Fruit stored under these conditions had higher L* values, and titratable acidity (TA), and lower ratios of soluble solids content (SSC)/TA. However, at the lowest concentration of oxygen (1 kPa O₂), firmness decreased markedly compared to fruits stored at higher O₂ levels (P < 0.05). After only 2 days of storage at ambient temperature jaboticaba received a score of 1.6 (dislike strongly ? 1) compared to fruit stored under CA, which scored 7.4 (like moderately ? 7). After 9 days of storage, fruit from all treatments remained above the limit of acceptability (score 5) and were rated as 6.2. With respect to appearance, statistical differences between treatments were not observed. The total anthocyanin content was not affected by oxygen concentration but decreased 40.4% during CA storage. CONCLUSION: 'Sabará' jaboticaba fruit can be satisfactorily stored under atmospheres containing 5‐21 kPa O₂ at 12.5 °C for up to 6 days. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry