Glossary

Glossary

Agroforestry System

The Agroforestry Systems (SAFs) are consortia of agricultural crops with tree species that can be used to restore forests and recover degraded areas. They are useful for they diversify and increase farmers’ income sources, while preventing environmental degradation and regaining some of the ecological functions.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the definition for the different living beings existing in the several ecosystems on the planet, along with their genetic characteristics, habitats and natural resources required for life, such as water and soil. This includes plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms.

Certification

A process which a product is submitted to the evaluation of a certifying authority duly accredited by MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply), which certifies in writing that the product or process complies with the practices of the organic standard.

Conservation and Preservation

Although similar, the concepts of conservation and preservation are different. The first refers to the protection of natural resources coupled with their rational use, guaranteeing their existence for future generations. Preservation targets the integrity of an ecosystem, referring to its integral protection or “untouchability”.

Extractivism

Extractivism is the act of collecting nature products of plant, animal or mineral source. It is one of the oldest human activities and today it is strongly related to the economic empowerment of local populations and their insertion in forest productive chains.

Omega 3

Omega 3 fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, are polyunsaturated carboxylic acids, where a double bond is on the third carbon from the opposite end to the carboxyl. Many of them are called “essential”, because they can’t be synthesized by the body and must be consumed in the form of fats. But not all omegas 3’s are the same. The “good” omega 3 is a long chain (long chain fatty acids), and the least suitable, with few health benefits, are the short chain fatty acids.

Omega 6

The N-6 fatty acids (popularly known as ω-6 fatty acids or omega-6 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated fatty acids that have in common a carbon-carbon terminus at the n-6 position, i.e., at the sixth bond, from its methyl terminus. The biological effects of n-6 fatty acids are mediated by their conversion into n-6 eicosanoids that bind to several receptors found in all body tissues.

Omega 9

Omega 9 (ω-9 fatty acids) are fatty acids that help human development, as well as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. The name ‘omega 9’ means that they have a double bond C = C at the ninth carbon from the opposite end to the carboxyl.

Organic Ingredient

An ingredient that may be of vegetable or animal origin, free of inputs and chemical fertilizers as well as synthetic hormones. Soil and natural growth are the basis of organic production, and the appreciation of the social and cultural aspect of this form of production is also taken into account.

Phytosterols

Phytosterols are a group of sterols naturally present in plants. They are found in small amounts in vegetable oils and are known to help reduce cholesterol levels and contribute to maintain cardiovascular health. Phytosterols have been increasingly gaining ground in the habits of those who prioritize quality of life.

SisOrg

SisOrg (Brazilian System on Organic Conformity Assessment) is the system created and administered by the Brazilian government to identify and control the domestic production of organic products. SisOrg is identified by a seal on the products’ label.

Standing Forest Economy

A new model that prioritizes the economic gains related to the management and conservation of forest resources rather than deforestation. Several uses are possible at the same time as the forest and ecosystem are retained, such as collection of timber and non-timber products, fruits, nuts, seeds, resins and even the payment for carbon dioxide kept in the forests.

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