Seasonal variation in the biomass and agar yield from Gracilaria cervicornis and Hydropuntia cornea from Brazil

Seasonality of biomass and agar yield from two agarophytes (G. cervicornis and H. cornea) was determined. The biomass from G. cervicornis was higher (390 g m-2) during the dry season and lower during the rainy season (129 g m-2). The data analysis for G. cervicornis revealed a significant seasonal variation (P < 0.05). H. cornea did not show a clear seasonal variation and was present only from March to August. The peak in biomass for this species was recorded in April (383 g m-2) and was significantly different from the other months (P < 0.05). The agar yield for G. cervicornis varied from 11% to 20%, with generally higher values recorded during the dry season. The agar yield showed a highly significant variation (P < 0.001). Agar yield from H. cornea ranged from 29% to 41%, with a peak recorded in June. The results above indicate that H. cornea can be considered a good candidate for commercial use.

Human hydatidosis in the population of endemic regions of the Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

The incidence of human hydatidosis in South Brazil was evaluated in the areas of intensive ovine breeding. A total of 325 persons from two counties of an endemic area were evaluated by serological tests. Two positive cases (1.6%) were found in the county of Santana do Livramento and also two cases (1%) in the county of Bagé. The percentage of persons with antibodies against the hydatic cyst is high and higher than official statistics.