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Trapiá is widely distributed throughout Brazilian territory and in Latin American countries, yet its commercial potential is overlooked due to insuficiente knowledge of its bioactive properties and a lack of studies on pulp processing. Aiming to enhance the value of Trapiá by improving its nutraceutical properties through the incorporation of minerals, vitamins, and the popularity of tropical fruits, this study investigated the mineral potential, structural properties, and thermal characteristics of mixtures of trapiá pulp with orange, lemon, and pineapple pulps, which were converted into powders through spray drying and freeze-drying. The powders were evaluated for their mineral profile; structural properties were assessed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), crystallinity was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the analysis of absorption spectroscopy in the infrared region (FTIR). Finally, the thermal profile was evaluated using thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). The trapiá powders combined with orange, lemon, and pineapple were found to be sources of magnesium and potassium, with appreciable levels of calcium. The powders containing lemon also provided copper, while those mixed with pineapple were sources of manganese. SEM images revealed spherical particles with smooth surfaces in the powders obtained from spray drying, whereas the freeze-dried powders exhibited larger particle sizes with irregular dimensions and rough surfaces. The thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the powders possessed high thermal stability, making them suitable for use in the food industry. The data from this study indicate that these powders are promising for use in various industrial formulations, characterized by their high mineral content and notable thermal stability.

Abstract This study aimed to assess the effects of spouted bed (SB) drying and freeze‐drying (FD) on the properties of probiotic umbu‐cajá pulp. The strain Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis was employed to obtain this pulp. Initially, the study was conducted with two separate experimental designs, one for SB and another for FD, encompassing variables such as inlet temperature and concentrations of drying adjuvants (maltodextrin and inulin). This approach aimed to identify the most favorable conditions in terms of yield and cell viability. Both drying methods proved effective in preserving probiotic cells, with comparable viable cell counts (12 Log CFU g−1) and process yield of up to 30.68%. Additionally, FD exhibited advantages in preserving and increasing levels of bioactive compounds, including phenolics and carotenoids, in the final product. In contrast, SB drying stood out for retaining carotenoids and exhibiting lower degradation of ascorbic acid. In summary, this study demonstrated that both SB drying and FD are promising approaches in producing powders from probiotic umbu‐cajá pulp. However, the selection between the methods should be guided by specific production goals, considering the desired characteristics of the final product.

This study analyzed solid preparations (freeze-dried) for yoghurt (SPY) to infer about the balance between healthiness and desirable sensory characteristics associated with the addition of sugar in this potential food matrix. Effect of the factors (mango pulp and sucrose contents) on the technological properties of seven formulations was investigated at three levels (4, 8, and 12%) under experimental design matrix. Ash, lipids, proteins, and energy value increased (p

Cashew nut is used by the industry in the production of roasted kernels, whose flavor is appreciated in various parts of the world. However, the production of 1 ton of roasted kernels generates up to 15 tons of cashew apple, which is a highly perishable by-product. To increase its shelf life, cashew apple can be transformed into pulp, which is then pasteurized. Designing efficient pasteurizers requires knowledge of the thermal diffusivity of this product, in the heating step. Thus, an experiment was carried out with heating of this pulp placed in a metallic cylinder (from 25.6 °C to 63.1 °C), in a water bath (at 63.1 °C), with a thermocouple fixed at the central point of the product. Thermal diffusivity was determined through the inverse method, using analytical and numerical solutions of the diffusion equation. The use of a variable thermal diffusivity, given as a function of the local temperature, expressed by α(T) = a1 cosh(a2T2), produced excellent fit of the simulation to the experimental data, with random distribution of errors, and with χ2 = 0.1626 and R2 = 0.999984.

Guava, pitanga and acerola are known for their vitamin content and high levels of bioactive compounds. Thus, the preparation of combinations of these fruits comprises a blend with high nutraceutical potential, yielding a strong and attractive pigmentation material. In this study, the influence of different proportions of maltodextrin on the lyophilization of a blend of guava, acerola and pitanga was evaluated considering not only the physicochemical, physical and colorimetric parameters but also the bioactive compounds in the obtained powders. The blend was formulated from the mixture and homogenization of the three pulps in a ratio of 1:1:1 (m/m), then maltodextrin was added to the blend, resulting in four formulations: blend without adjuvant (BL0), and the others containing 10% (BL10), 20% (BL20) and 30% (BL30) maltodextrin. The formulations were lyophilized and disintegrated to obtain powders. The powders were characterized in terms of water content, water activity, pH, total titratable acidity, ash, total and reducing sugars, ascorbic acid, total phenolic content, flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, lycopene, color parameters, Hausner factor, Carr index, angle of repose, solubility, wettability and porosity. All evaluated powders showed high levels of bioactive compounds and the increase in maltodextrin concentration promoted positive effects, such as reductions in water content, water activity and porosity and improved flow, cohesiveness and solubility characteristics.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the foliar application of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in mitigating the effects of salt stress on cherry tomato cultivation in a hydroponic system. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using a Nutrient Film Technique hydroponic system. The experimental design used was completely randomized in a split-plot scheme, with four levels of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution—ECns (2.1, 2.8, 3.5, and 4.2 dS m−1), considered as plots, and five H2O2 concentrations (0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 µM), regarded as subplots, with four replicates and two plants per plot. An increase in the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution negatively affected the production components of cherry tomatoes. However, it did not affect the post-harvest quality of the fruits. Despite the reductions observed in the production components due to the increase in the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution, foliar application of H2O2 at concentrations esteemed between 22 and 25 µM attenuated the deleterious effects of salt stress on the number of fruits and ascorbic acid content and increased the total fruit production per plant of cherry tomatoes.

The combination of fruit pulps from different species, in addition to multiplying the offer of flavors, aromas and textures, favors the nutritional spectrum and the diversity of bioactive principles. The objective was to evaluate and compare the physicochemical characteristics, bioactive compounds, profile of phenolic compounds and in vitro antioxidant activity of pulps of three species of tropical red fruits (acerola, guava and pitanga) and of the blend produced from the combination. The pulps showed significant values of bioactive compounds, with emphasis on acerola, which had the highest levels in all parameters, except for lycopene, with the highest content in pitanga pulp. Nineteen phenolic compounds were identified, being phenolic acids, flavanols, anthocyanin and stilbene; of these, eighteen were quantified in acerola, nine in guava, twelve in pitanga and fourteen in the blend. The blend combined positive characteristics conferred by the individual pulps, with low pH favorable for conservation, high levels of total soluble solids and sugars, greater diversity of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity close to that of acerola pulp. Pearson’s correlation between antioxidant activity and ascorbic acid content, total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids for the samples were positive, indicating their use as a source of bioactive compounds.

Foam mat drying is a widely used technique for liquid products because it has a number of advantages; however, for an efficient process, the choice of additives and temperatures is extremely important. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of additives and drying temperatures on the powders obtained from the blend of tropical red fruits, such as acerola, guava, and pitanga. The foam formulations were prepared by mixing the pulps of the three fruits in equal proportions (1:1:1), all added with 6% albumin and 1% stabilizing agent: E1, gum Arabic; E2, guar gum; E3, gelatin. The combinations were subjected to beating, and subsequently, they were dried in an oven with forced air circulation at four temperatures (50 to 80 °C), with a mat thickness of 0.5 cm. The obtained powders showed low levels of water and water activity and high levels of bioactive compounds, colors with a predominance of yellow, intermediate cohesiveness, poor fluidity, and solubility above 50%. The best temperature for obtaining the powders was 60 °C. The formulation that produced the best results for the production of the tropical red fruit blend powder was the combination of albumin and gelatin.

The aim of this study was to determine the thermophysical properties and process parameters of cylindrical carrot pieces during their chilling. For this, the temperature of the central point of the product, initially at 19.9 °C, was recorded during chilling under natural convection, with the refrigerator air temperature maintained at 3.5 °C. A solver was created for the two-dimensional analytical solution of the heat conduction equation in cylindrical coordinates. This solver and the experimental data set were coupled to the LS Optimizer (V. 7.2) optimization software to simultaneously determine not only the values of thermal diffusivity (α) and heat transfer coefficient (hH), but also the uncertainties of these values. These values were consistent with those reported in the literature for carrots; in this study, the precision of these values and the confidence level of the results (95.4%) were also presented. Furthermore, the Biot numbers were greater than 0.1 and less than 40, indicating that the mathematical model presented in this study can be used to simultaneously estimate α and hH. A simulation of the chilling kinetics using the values obtained for α and hH showed good agreement with the experimental results, with a root mean square error RMSE = 9.651 × 10−3 and a chi-square χ2 = 4.378 × 10−3.

Brazil stands out as the largest producer of sour passion fruit; however, the water available for irrigation is mostly saline, which can limit its cultivation. This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of salicylic acid in the induction of tolerance in sour passion fruit to salt stress. The assay was conducted in a protected environment, using a completely randomized design in a split-plot scheme, with the levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (0.8, 1.6, 2.4, 3.2, and 4.0 dS m−1) considering the plots and concentrations of salicylic acid (0, 1.2, 2.4, and 3.6 mM) the subplots, with three replications. The physiological indices, production components, and postharvest quality of sour passion fruit were negatively affected by the increase in the electrical conductivity of irrigation water, and the effects of salt stress were intensified in the second cycle. In the first cycle, the foliar application of salicylic acid at concentrations between 1.0 and 1.4 mM partially reduced the harmful effects of salt stress on the relative water content of leaves, electrolyte leakage, gas exchange, and synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, in addition to promoting an increase in the yield and quality parameters of sour passion fruit.

Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is among the oldest and most cultivated crops on the planet. Its fruits are widely used as natural condiments in the food industry for their color, flavor, and pungency properties. Peppers have abundant production; on the other hand, their fruits are perishable, deteriorating within a few days after harvesting. Therefore, they need adequate conservation methods to increase their useful life. This study aimed to mathematically model the drying kinetics of smelling peppers (Capsicum chinense) and pout peppers (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) to obtain the thermodynamic properties involved in the process and to determine the influence of drying on the proximal composition of these peppers. Whole peppers, containing the seeds, were dried in an oven with forced air circulation, at temperatures of 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C, with an air speed of 1.0 m/s. Ten models were adjusted to the experimental data, but the Midilli model was the one that provided the best values of coefficient of determination and lowest values of the mean squared deviation and chi-square value in most of the temperatures under study. The effective diffusivities were well represented by an Arrhenius equation, appearing in the order of 10−10 m2·s−1 for both materials under study, since the activation energy of the smelling pepper was 31.01 kJ·mol−1 and was 30.11 kJ·mol−1 in the pout pepper, respectively. Thermodynamic properties in both processes of drying the peppers pointed to a non-spontaneous process, with positive values of enthalpy and Gibbs free energy and negative values of entropy. Regarding the influence of drying on the proximal composition, it was observed that, with the increase in temperature, there was a decrease in the water content and the concentration of macronutrients (lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates), providing an increase in the energy value. The powders obtained in the study were presented as an alternative for the technological and industrial use of peppers, favoring obtaining a new condiment, rich in bioactives, providing the market with a new option of powdered product that can be consumed directly and even adopted by the industry as a raw material in the preparation of mixed seasonings and in the formulation of various food products.

Spray drying is an alternative to extend the shelf life of fruits. However, fruit juice powders present problems during their storage because they are hygroscopic. The objectives of this study were to determine adsorption isotherms of mixed juice powder of acerola and seriguela at different temperatures, to identify the best-fit isotherms models and to assess their physicochemical properties. Following physics properties were assessed: apparent and absolute density, solubility, porosity, flowability, cohesiveness, morphology, mean particle size, surface analysis and pore distribution, thermal properties and antioxidant activity. Static-indirect method was used to determine the adsorption isotherms. Experimental data of the water activity and equilibrium moisture were fitted to five mathematical models. The models best fitted to the adsorption curves were the Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB), Linearized Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Oswin models, P < 10%. The value of the solubility was 79.45%, the absolute density was 1.03 g cm-3, the porosity was 84.47%, and the apparent density was 0.16 g cm-3. The mixed juice powder showed an irregular surface morphology and shape. The results indicated that the mixed juice powder has high thermal stability and can be used as a source of antioxidant with market potential by the food industry.

The search for alternatives to increase the shelf life of fruits using biodegradable coatings has grown in recent years, especially for fruits whose ripening process continues after harvesting, as is the case of bananas. The objective of this study is to evaluate the conservation of ‘Prata Anã’ bananas (Musa spp.) coated with cassava starch and pectin during storage at room temperature. The bananas were selected, washed and coated with starch and pectin solutions at concentrations of 0 (control) 2, 5 and 8% and stored at 25 ± 3 °C for twelve days, evaluating them every three days for mass loss, peel color, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity and potential of hydrogen. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 7 x 5 factorial design (concentrations of coatings x storage periods), with three replications. Results were subjected to analysis of variance and regression analysis, and the means were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability. The coatings based on cassava starch and pectin were characterized as potential alternatives to increase the lifespan of ‘Prata Anã’ bananas. The concentrations 5 and 8% of both coatings stood out in the preservation of some fruit quality attributes such as color, firmness, and total soluble solids. Considering the cost/benefit ratio, the use of starch-based coatings would be more appropriate.

The yogurt is thought to be a tasty product with high nutritional value. Its consumption per capita in Brazil has increased about 100% in the last 20 years. Most dairy products available in the market have added temperate climate fruits, but the agroindustry is always looking for innovation and improvement of technologies to meet the needs and requirements of consumers. Thus, aiming at the importance of developing new products with high added value, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of the addition of pumpkin jelly and cornstarch on the physicochemical and textural characteristics of Greek yogurt. The yogurts were prepared using the factorial design method 22 with 3 repetitions at the center point, resulting in a matrix with 7 experiments, with a varied concentration of starch and jelly. Subsequently, the analysis of physicochemical parameters and determination of texture pattern were examined. When analyzing the 7 formulations, it was observed that all parameters evaluated showed an increase directly proportional to the addition of pumpkin jelly and cornstarch to the product. Thus, the increase in the percentage of jelly presented the greatest interference on the response variables.

Among the vegetables that stand out for their high concentration of anthocyanins, red cabbage appears as one of the most-used sources of these pigments in food production and it is considered a suitable raw material for the extraction of natural dye. Therefore, the objective was to carry out the production of natural extracts from red cabbage, under different conditions, varying the solvent, type of pre-treatment, pH range, and processing temperature during the concentration of the extracts. The anthocyanins were extracted from red cabbage using the following solvents: distilled water, 25% ethyl alcohol, and 70% ethyl alcohol. The raw material was divided into two groups, the first was subjected to a drying pre-treatment at 70 °C for 1 h and for the second group, the extraction was performed with the raw material in natura. Two pH ranges of 4.0 and 6.0 and extraction temperatures of 25 °C and 75 °C were used in the extracts, resulting in 24 formulations. The extracts obtained were analyzed for colorimetric parameters and anthocyanins. The results of anthocyanins show that the methodology that uses 25% alcohol, pH 4.0, and processing temperature of 25 °C produces a reddish extract and better results in the extraction, presenting average values of 191.37 mg/100 g of anthocyanins, being 74% higher compared to the highest values obtained in the other extracts where the same raw material was used and the solvents differed.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the morphological, biochemical, and histological effects of aqueous extracts of peanut (skinless and added to 1% skin) in Swiss mice submitted to a high-fat diet. Methods: Forty male Swiss mice were divided into four groups (n=10 per group): GI) normocaloric diet; GII) high-fat diet; GIII) high-fat diet + 0.5 mL of peanut extract; GIV) high-fat diet + 0.5 mL of peanut extract + 1% peanut skin. The animals were weighed weekly and euthanized after 12 weeks for histopathological and biochemical analyses. The study was approved by the Animal Use Ethics Committee. Results: The animals in the GIV group had higher body weight when compared to the other ones. Increase in total cholesterol in GIII, increase in blood glucose in groups GII, GIII and GIV, decrease in serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration in groups GI and GIV and increase in serum concentration of C-reactive protein in GII were seen. The presence of vacuolar fat deposits was found in animal livers from GII. Conclusions: The extracts improved the plasma concentrations of animals that received a high-fat diet, including preventing morphological damage to liver tissue. These benefits were enhanced by the association of peanut shells with the extract.

Gum and mucilage from seeds and fruits are objects of study because they have characteristics of high viscosity at low concentrations and gelling properties, which are useful characteristics for modifying the texture and stabilizing products in the food industry. Chia and okra have high concentrations of polysaccharide gums in their composition, which makes them an interesting target for use in the composition of foods that require the use of texture enhancers and stabilizers. The present study investigated the influence of dehydration temperature on the characteristics of chia and okra powder mucilage obtained at different temperatures. The mucilages were extracted using an aqueous process and dehydrated in an air circulation oven at 50, 60, and 70 °C until hydroscopic equilibrium. Then, the powdered chia mucilage (CM) and okra mucilage (OM) were analyzed for chemical and physicochemical characteristics, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and physical properties. It was found that powdered mucilage had low water content and water activity, with CM standing out in terms of ash, pectin, and starch content and OM, along with higher averages of proteins, sugars, total phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. As for the physical parameters, CM stood out in relation to greater solubility and lower hygroscopicity, whereas OM presented higher wettability rates. Both powdered mucilages were classified as having good fluidity and cohesiveness from low to intermediate. In relation to the dehydration temperature, the best mucilage properties were verified at 70 °C. The study revealed that mucilages have good functional properties offering great potential as raw material for industry.

Pomegranate is a fruit desirable for its nutritional and medicinal properties which has a great industrial potential that is yet under-explored. Notable for its integral use, the peels are used in medicinal infusions and the seeds consumed without restrictions. In this sense, the objective of this work is to determine the drying kinetics of pomegranate peels and seeds in a hot air circulation oven, at temperatures of 50, 60, and 70 °C, adjust mathematical models to experimental data, determine the effective diffusivities and thermodynamic properties of the process and the physicochemical characteristics of peels and seeds of fresh pomegranates and in their flours. Twelve models were used to adjust the drying kinetics, obtaining better results with the Diffusion Approximation model, Verma, and modified Henderson and Pabis. The effective diffusivities were well represented by an Arrhenius equation, with activation energies of 31.39 kJ/mol for seeds and 10.60 kJ/mol for peels. In the drying process, the seeds showed higher values of enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy concerning peels. Pomegranate peel and seed flours have proximal composition and distinct physicochemical characteristics, with high fiber, carbohydrate, and energy content. In addition, peel flours stand out for their mineral content, and seed flours do for their lipid and protein content.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the use of different types of sugar and sweetener (sucralose) on pineapple jelly with cinnamon on its physicochemical quality of the product. For the preparation of the jelly, we used pineapple pulp, cinnamon tea, pectin, citric acid and the addition of different types of sugar: crystal, brown sugar, raw sugar and sweetener. The jellies (F1, F2, F3 e F4) were evaluated for the following physico-chemical parameters: water activity, moisture content, soluble solids content (SST), titratable total acidity (ATT), ratio (SST / ATT), ashes, pH, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and total sugars, lipids and vitamin C. We concluded that the use of pineapple and cinnan for the preparation of different flavors of jelly is an excellent alternative because these are well accepted fruits and they have high nutritional value. The use of different kinds of sugar and sweetener (sucralose) in the preparation of pineapple and cinnamon jelly is a good option for consumers who want to ingest quality products with lower sucrose content. The elaborated jellies presented values of moisture, soluble solids content and hydrogen ionic potential according to the quality identity standard for jelly, required by current legislation. All the samples were adequate to physico-chemical parameters and the F1 jelly had the highest level of ascorbic acid.

In Brazil, the leather industry is an important economic segment moving around U$ 3 billions of dollars a year. However, high amounts of water are requested to transform skin animals into leather, causing high wastewater amounts to be consequently produced. A major problem is attached to the presence of chromium in the wastewater from the tanning process. Chromium is a heavy metal potentially toxic both to the environment and to the human health. In order to control the levels of chrome dumped into the environment, Brazilian agencies require the treatment of effluents by the generating source. Thus, this study aimed to develop an alternative method to the removal of chromium in wastewater from the leather industry using the Opuntia ficus-indica biomass as eco-friendly biosorbent. Crude waste samples were collected in a tannery stabilization pond for chromium quantification and further treatments. The powdered Opuntia ficus-indica was obtained from species collected in Pernambuco, Brazil, and its physical parameters and pHPCZ were characterized. Adsorptions studies and acute toxicity were also carried out. The biomass remaining after the sorption was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The chromium content was above the limit allowed by the Brazilian regulatory agency. In sorption studies, biomass was able to remove 74.8% and 84.88% of Cr (III) using 2.0 g and 4.0 g of biomass, respectively. The surface of biomass is very favorable to biosorption and the chemical bindings among oxygen atoms present in the chemical components of this biomass and the heavy metal was confirmed through infrared spectrum. This study proved that Opuntia ficus-indica is effectively biosorbent to chromium, promising and with low costs for the leather industry, able to reduce its ecotoxicity as proven by chemical and biological assays.

Resumo Objetivou-se realizar a caracterização físico-química e dos compostos bioativos do extrato aquoso de amendoim sem pele e acrescido de 1% de pele. Os extratos aquosos de amendoim sem e com pele foram caracterizados quanto aos parâmetros: umidade, extrato seco total, cinzas, lipídios, proteínas, teor de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, pH, carboidrato e fibras totais, além de compostos fenólicos e flavonoides. Os percentuais de umidade encontrados foram elevados em todas as amostras, resultante de sua base de extrato aquoso produzido na proporção 1:8 (amendoim:água). Observou-se que os extratos aquosos de amendoim sem pele e acrescido de 1% de pele não apresentaram diferença significativa entre si para os parâmetros de pH, como também para sólidos solúveis totais, lipídios e carboidratos. No entanto, a acidez, proteínas, fibras e cinzas apresentaram diferença estatística. Na determinação de compostos fenólicos, notou-se que o extrato aquoso de amendoim com pele apresentou uma quantidade maior quando comparado ao sem pele. Quanto aos flavonoides, a maior quantidade também foi encontrada na amostra com pele, apresentando uma diferença média de 2,52 µg/100 g base úmida. Os extratos aquosos de amendoim com e sem pele mostraram ser uma valiosa alternativa para um melhor aproveitamento do amendoim, proporcionando à população um produto nutricional. A bebida acrescida de 1% de pele enriqueceu o produto quanto ao potencial antioxidante devido às suas maiores concentrações de compostos fenólicos totais e flavonoides.

Abstract Studying the causes of postharvest fruit loss is important to avoid reduction of quality and quantity for the consumer due, for example, to the influence of frequent impacts from vibrations during transportation. In this sense, this study evaluates the storage quality of ‘Palmer’ mangoes after being subjected to different simulated road transport vibrations. Vibration was simulated from the analysis of the profile of the frequencies generated in road transport of fruit, determined in a tractor trailer. ‘Palmer’ mangoes stored after vibration stress wereevaluated for: mass loss, absorbance difference index (IAD), peel and pulp browning index (BI), pulp firmness, soluble solids content, and titratable acidity. The development of a vibration machine made it possible to satisfactorily simulate specific vibration frequencies. Vibration stress during simulated transport led to accelerated weight loss, decreased pulp firmness, and peel browning in ‘Palmer’ mangoes.

The present study investigated the mathematical modeling foam-mat drying kinetics of cumbeba pulp and the effect of drying conditions on the color and contents of ascorbic acid, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds of the powder pulps obtained. Foam-mat drying was carried out in a forced air circulation oven at temperatures of 50, 60, and 70 °C, testing foam-mat thicknesses of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 cm. The increase in the water removal rate is a result of the increase in air temperature and the decrease in the thickness of the foam layer. Among the empirical and semi-empirical mathematical models, the Midilli model was the one that best represented the drying curves in all conditions evaluated. Effective water diffusivity ranged from 1.037 × 10−9 to 6.103 × 10−9 m2 s−1, with activation energy of 25.212, 33.397, and 36.609 kJ mol−1 for foam thicknesses of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 cm, respectively. Cumbeba powders showed light orangish colors and, as the drying temperature increased from 50 to 70 °C, for all thicknesses, the lightness value (L*) decreased and the values of redness (+a*) and yellowness (+b*) increased. Foam-mat drying at higher temperatures (60 and 70 °C) improved the retention of ascorbic acid and flavonoids, but reduced the content of phenolic compounds, while the increase in thickness, especially for flavonoids and phenolic compounds, caused reduction in their contents. The foam-mat drying method allowed obtaining a good-quality cumbeba pulp powder.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a produção e a qualidade de frutos de melancieira ‘Sugar Baby’ sob diferentes estratégias de irrigação com águas salinas e adubação nitrogenada, em experimento conduzido em ambiente protegido em Campina Grande, Paraíba, PB. Adotou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, arranjados em esquema fatorial 6 x 2, sendo seis estratégias de irrigação com águas salinas aplicadas nos estádios fenológicos da cultura ( irrigação com água de baixa salinidade durante todo o ciclo - SE; estresse salino na fase vegetativa - VE; vegetativa e na floração - VE/FL; -floração - FL; - frutificação - FR; maturação dos frutos - MAT) e duas doses de nitrogênio (50 e 100% da recomendação, equivalente a 50 e 100 mg de N kg-1 de solo), com cinco repetições. Foram estudados dois níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação, um com baixa e outro com alto nível de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (CEa = 0,8 e 3,2 dS m-1). O estresse salino aplicado nas fases vegetativa e de floração reduziu o teor de ácido ascórbico e de sólidos solúveis totais nos frutos da melancieira ‘Sugar Baby’. A dose de 50% da recomendação de N proporciona maior massa fresca dos frutos da melancieira. Adubação com 100% de N proporcionou incremento no potencial hidrogeniônico dos frutos de melancieira sob estresse salino nas fases vegetativa e de floração. O teor de antocianinas dos frutos de melancieira reduziu com o estresse salino, independente da fase de desenvolvimento; contudo, com 50% da recomendação de N houve aumento nesta variável.

O uso de águas salinas na produção agrícola será cada vez mais necessário nas próximas décadas, entretanto, a qualidade pós-colheita, como no quiabeiro, pode ser comprometida devido ao estresse salino e/ou fatores inerentes ao armazenamento e transporte; neste sentido, o desenvolvimento de métodos alternativos de conservação, dentre eles a fermentação láctica pode constituir uma via promissora para manter e até melhorar a qualidade nutricional do quiabeiro. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar os componentes de produção do quiabeiro submetido a diferentes salinidades da água e doses de adubação potássica; visou-se, também, avaliar a conservação por fermentação láctica dos frutos do quiabeiro produzidos sob salinidade da água. O primeiro experimento foi desenvolvido em lisímetros sob condições de campo em Neossolo Regolítico de textura franco-arenosa em Pombal-PB. Adotou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, testando 5 níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação (0,3; 1,3; 2,3; 3,3 e 4,3 dS m-1) e 5 doses de adubação potássica (75; 112,5; 150; 187,5 e 225 mg de K2O kg-1 de solo) com três repetições. Em seguida os frutos de quiabeiro produzidos sob os distintintos níveis salinos foram armazenados em seis misturas de sais presentes na salmoura de fermentação láctica (100-0-0, 0-100-0, 0-0-100, 50-50-0, 0-50-50 e 50-0-50 de NaCl, CaCl2 e KCl, respectivamente), sob fatorial 5 x 6, com três repetições, no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, cuja qualidade pós-colheita, após o processo de fermentação, foi avaliada mediante as características físico-químicas dos frutos de quiabeiro. A salinidade da água de irrigação afetou negativamente o comprimento médio, peso médio, acidez titulável, razão de sólidos solúveis/acidez titulável e pH dos frutos de quiabeiro. As doses de potássio provocam acréscimos no diâmetro médio de frutos do quiabeiro minimizando os efeitos deletérios da salinidade da água de irrigação. Os teores de vitamina C dos frutos de quiabeiro em conserva não foram comprometidos pelo estresse salino. Dentre as salmouras de fermentação láctica, a formulação contendo a proporção de NaCl:CaCl2 destaca-se com maior acidez titulável e sólidos solúveis dos frutos do quiabeiro em conserva.

Resumo A banana é uma das frutas mais consumidas no mundo por causa de suas características sensoriais agradáveis e composição nutricional. Depois do consumo da polpa, geram-se grandes quantidades de cascas que, após desidratação e transformação em farinha, podem ser inseridas em formulações de bolos. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se avaliar a influência das concentrações de farinha de cascas de banana D’Angola e de açúcar nas características físicas e químicas de bolos. Estes foram processados mediante planejamento fatorial experimental 22 com três repetições no ponto central, resultando em sete experimentos. Preparou-se uma mistura composta de farinha de trigo, fermento químico, manteiga, leite integral e ovos, com posterior acréscimo de diferentes níveis de farinha de cascas de banana e de açúcar cristal. Após cocção de 28 min a 200 °C e resfriamento, os bolos foram submetidos a análises químicas e físicas. Observou-se que os modelos matemáticos ajustados aos dados experimentais de sólidos solúveis totais (SST), acidez total titulável (ATT), pH e relação SST/ATT foram significativos e preditivos, com coeficientes de correlação superiores a 0,98 e relação Fcalculado/Ftabelado superior a 4,0. Os SST sofreram influência significativa apenas do açúcar, que também foi a variável independente que mais afetou a relação SST/ATT. Em contrapartida, a de farinha de cascas de banana apresentou maior influência sobre os resultados de ATT e de pH.

In this article, a two-dimensional model is proposed to determine thermal diffusivity and convective heat transfer coefficient, providing the average values, their uncertainties and the covariance matrix referring to these parameters for a product with cylindrical geometry during its cooling. The proposed model used a two-dimensional numerical solution of the diffusion equation for the direct problem; an experimental dataset referring to the cooling kinetics in the center of the product and an optimizer program based on the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for the inverse problem. The model was used with success to determine the thermal properties, their uncertainties and the covariance matrix of a cucumber during its cooling. The obtained results allowed establishing a confidence band that made it possible to graphically evaluate the precision of a new simulation for a cucumber with different dimensions.

The objective of this work was to intermittently and continuously dry “Neve” melon seeds and study their behavior. The seeds were dried in a fixed-bed dryer at a temperature of 60 °C under the influence of air velocity of 1 m s−1, followed by the prediction of drying kinetics, including that of intermittent processes with its effective time (pseudo-continuous drying) and tempering time (intermittent drying). The dried seeds were crushed to produce flour. The flours were evaluated for physicochemical parameters. To describe drying kinetics (continuous and intermittent drying) of “Neve” melon seeds, empirical models were used, including a new model proposed in this article to describe intermittent drying when the period of intermittence is included in the process. An optimization software was developed (LS Optimizer) and used to determine parameters (and their uncertainties) of the intermittent drying. The parameters of empirical models, used to describe continuous and pseudo-continuous drying, were determined by LAB Fit Curve Fitting Software. The Page model was the one that best fitted in the prediction of the experimental data of continuous and pseudo-continuous drying kinetics of seeds. A new model proposed in this work, based on Page and Lewis equations, was able to predict the kinetics of intermittent drying processes including the tempering time. The flours showed moisture content below 6%, and intermittent drying preserved proteins and lipids more than continuous drying, especially with drying and tempering periods of 10 and 20 min, respectively.

O conhecimento das propriedades físicas dos produtos agrícolas apresenta um relevante papel no estudo dos processos industriais de colheita e pós-colheita, visando obter melhores condições de dimensionamento de equipamentos e armazenamento. Assim, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da secagem e de diferentes cultivares nas propriedades físicas dos grãos de feijão-fava rajada. Foram avaliados 4 tratamentos, nos quais as amostras de grãos in natura produzidos no estado da Paraíba e Pernambuco foram submetidas ao processo de secagem por 30 h a 45 °C e umidade relativa do ar de 62%. Os tratamentos foram avaliados quanto aos parâmetros teor de água, atividade de água, massa individual do grão, massa específica real e aparente, ângulo de repouso dinâmico e dimensões do grão (a, b, c), além de terem sido obtidos os dados de porosidade e volume do grão. Observou-se que o processo de secagem influencia as propriedades físicas do material, proporcionando um aumento das massas específicas aparente e real. Os valores de atividade de água, massa individual, volume, porosidade, ângulo de repouso dinâmico e dimensões mutuamente perpendiculares dos grãos decresceram após a redução do teor de água. A esfericidade foi influenciada de forma distinta entre os tratamentos devido ao encolhimento desuniforme nas dimensões características durante o processo de secagem.

Abstract Some sugarcane varieties have high activity of polyphenoloxidase enzyme, impairing the production of lower color sugar. Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) is an enzyme from the oxidoreductases group and it is present in a greater or lesser amount depending on the sugarcane variety, climatic conditions, age, culture treatment, harvest and processing conditions. The presence of this enzyme has great impact in the food industry, as it is the main enzyme involved in the undesirable darkening of fruits and vegetables during processing and storage. It is of great importance for the food industry to study inactivation methods for this enzyme. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of ozone gas associated (replacement of the conventional sulphitation process), whose concentrations were 150, 300 and 450 mg/L, at the inactivation temperature of polyphenoloxidase enzyme of sugarcane variety RB 92579 for the production of lower color sugar. Treatment with ozone concentration of 150 mg·L-1 at 105 °C showed direct correlation between juice color reduction and enzyme inactivation, resulting in the production of lower color sugar.

The residue generated from the processing of Tacinga inamoena (cumbeba) fruit pulp represents a large amount of material that is discarded without proper application. Despite that, it is a raw material that is source of ascorbic acid, carotenoids and phenolic compounds, which are valued in nutraceutical diets for allegedly combating free radicals generated in metabolism. This research paper presents a study focused on the mathematical modeling of drying kinetics and the effect of the process on the level of bioactive of cumbeba residue. The experiments of cumbeba residue drying (untreated or whole residue (WR), crushed residue (CR) and residue in the form of foam (FR)) were carried out in a fixed-bed dryer at four air temperatures (50, 60, 70 and 80 °C). Effective water diffusivity (Deff) was determined by the inverse method and its dependence on temperature was described by an Arrhenius-type equation. It was observed that, regardless of the type of pretreatment, the increase in air temperature resulted in higher rate of water removal. The Midilli model showed better simulation of cumbeba residue drying kinetics than the other models tested within the experimental temperature range studied. Effective water diffusivity (Deff) ranged from 6.4890 to 11.1900 × 10−6 m2/s, 2.9285 to 12.754 × 10−9 m2/s and 1.5393 × 10−8 to 12.4270 × 10−6 m2/s with activation energy of 22.3078, 46.7115 and 58.0736 kJ/mol within the temperature range of 50–80 °C obtained for the whole cumbeba, crushed cumbeba and cumbeba residue in the form of foam, respectively. In relation to bioactive compounds, it was observed that for a fixed temperature the whole residue had higher retention of bioactive compounds, especially phenolic compounds, whereas the crushed residue and the residue in the form of foam had intermediate and lower levels, respectively. This study provides evidence that cumbeba residue in its whole form can be used for the recovery of natural antioxidant bioactive compounds, mainly phenolic compounds, with the possibility of application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

It is well known that intake of probiotic brings health benefits. Lactic bacteria with probiotic potential have aroused the interest of the industry in developing food products that incorporate such benefits. However, incorporating probiotic bacteria into food is a challenge for the industry, given the sensitivity of probiotic cultures to process conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate gelatin- and inulin-based filmogenic solutions as a potential vehicle for incorporating probiotics into food products and to model the fermentation kinetics. L. salivarius (Lactobacillus salivarius) growth in filmogenic solutions was analyzed under the influence of a variety gelatin concentrations (1.0–3.0%) and inulin concentrations (4.0–6.0%) and fermented under the effect of different temperatures (25–45 °C). A full 23 factorial plan with three replicates at the central point was used to optimize the process. The impacts of process conditions on cell development are fundamental to optimize the process and make it applicable by the industry. The present study showed that the optimal conditions for the development of probiotic cells in filmogenic solutions are a combination of 1.0% gelatin with 4.0% inulin and fermentation temperature of 45 °C. It was observed that the maximum cell growth occurred in an estimated time of about 4 h of fermentation. L. salivarius cell production and substrate consumption during the fermentation of the filmogenic solution were well simulated by a model proposed in this article, with coefficients of determination of 0.981 (cell growth) and 0.991 (substrate consumption).

The choice of the drying process plays a key role in reducing the costs of electricity consumption in the food industry. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate continuous and intermittent drying of rough rice, using empirical and diffusion models to describe the drying kinetics, considering only effective time of operation to compare and evaluate these processes. Experiments were carried out during the month of April 2018, in Campina Grande, Paraiba Brazil, and were conducted with continuous and intermittent drying of rough rice grains (about 20 g, each experiment) using a fixed-bed dryer with constant power, at temperatures of 50 and 70 °C. For the intermittent experiments, the intermittency ratio was α = 2/3 and the drying periods were 10 and 20 min, with intermittency periods of 20 and 40 min, respectively. Comparison between continuous and intermittent drying kinetics indicated reduction in the effective time of all intermittent drying experiments, reaching up to 32.2%, hence promoting energy saving. It was also found that a one-dimensional diffusion model with boundary condition of the first kind properly described all rough rice drying processes and that the effective mass diffusivity is higher in intermittent drying, compared to continuous drying at the same temperature.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the post-harvest quality of bananas (Musa x paradisiaca L.) Prata-anã and Nanica after application of exogenous ethylene (C2H4) during maturation. Bananas of Prata-anã cultivar were harvested 18 weeks after the anthesis (WAA) and those of Nanica cultivar with 13 WAA. After harvest, the fruits were submitted to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 applications of 15 mL of ethyl-5/m3 in refrigeration chambers at 15ºC and later stored at room temperature (24 to 28ºC) and refrigerated at 15°C for 10 days. Peel color, fresh weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, total bark chlorophyll, total bark and pulp carotenoids were evaluated at 0, 3, 4, 7 and 10 days after harvest (DAH). The Assistat program was used in statistical analysis. Among the storage conditions, fruits kept under refrigeration had a longer shelf life. The Prata-anã cultivar was superior to Nanica, presenting maturation indexes ideal for transport and commercialization, evaluated for the interactions of storage temperature, ethylene (C2H4) applications and storage time. It was concluded that the banana Prata-anã requires 3 and Nanica 4 applications of ethyl, for the harvest with 18 and 13 weeks, respectively, in order to promote a fast and uniform maturation.

Resumo Objetivou-se, com o estudo, avaliar a composição nutricional de geleias de umbu-cajá elaboradas com sacarose e aspartame, durante estocagem em temperatura ambiente. Foram elaboradas as formulações a partir de uma mistura com quatro partes de água para seis partes de polpa, pectina e açúcar cristal, nas formulações convencionais, e aspartame nas formulações dietéticas. As formulações foram aquecidas e concentradas até atingir aproximadamente 63°Brix (geleias convencionais com açúcar) e 12,5°Brix (geleias dietéticas com aspartame), com posterior acondicionamento em potes de vidro transparentes e mantidos por 180 dias em condições ambientais, com análise da composição nutricional no tempo inicial (após processamento) e a cada 30 dias de armazenamento. Verificou-se que as geleias dietéticas apresentaram boa estabilidade nutricional durante o período de estocagem, não sendo detectadas alterações significativas nos valores de cinzas, teor de água, proteínas, valor calórico, carboidratos e açúcares totais. Quanto às geleias convencionais, constatou-se que os 180 dias de armazenamento promoveram aumentos significativos para carboidratos, nas calorias e nos açúcares redutores, e reduções significativas para teor de água, açúcares totais e açúcares não redutores, enquanto que os valores de cinzas se mantiveram estatisticamente estáveis, assim como os de proteínas.

A desidratação osmótica, semelhante à desidratação clássica, permite a concentração parcial do material celular dos alimentos. No entanto, ao invés do emprego do calor, a atividade de água do produto é reduzida colocando-se o mesmo em contato com uma solução hipertônica de solutos. Como resultado desse processo, frutos perecíveis são transformados em produtos com boas condições de armazenamento, com maior estabilidade, qualidade semelhante à matéria-prima e, muitas vezes, melhor em cor, sabor e aroma que os produtos de tecnologias mais sofisticadas. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar a influência desse processo em uvas sem sementes da variedade Sugraone, comparando alguns parâmetros físicos. As frutas foram avaliadas in natura e após o processo de desidratação osmótica. Para o processo de desidratação as uvas foram imersas em xarope de sacarose com concentração de 60 °Brix e mantidas sob osmose à temperatura de 40 °C por 24 horas em câmara do tipo B.O.D. Os parâmetros físicos avaliados foram determinados em triplicata, sendo eles: massa individual e específica real, volume, diâmetros mutuamente perpendiculares, área de projeção da posição de repouso, excentricidade e área superficial, volume por deslocamento de massa e por semelhança geométrica, circularidade e esfericidade. Observou-se que as uvas apresentaram ótima resposta ao processo de desidratação, sendo o processo indicado para essa variedade.

Soursop is a well - appreciated tropical fruit, both in natura and in the form of juices and nectars. Despite its wide acceptance, there is lack of its use in the preparation of other products, such as alcoholic beverages. The objective of this study was to prepare soursop liquors by varying the concentrations of pulp and sucrose syrup with different contents of total soluble solids and to evaluate the effects of these on the physical and chemical characteristics of the beverages. In the production process, the pulp (300, 400 and 500 g) was macerated with distilled alcohol for 20 days, after which it was filtered, added to the syrup (50, 60 and 70 ° Brix), bottled in polyethylene bottles and subjected to an accelerated aging. All drinks resulted in alcohol levels (15.25 to 16.69% v/v) and total sugars (12.63 to 17.97%) in accordance with the standards required by law. The experiments made with the lowest concentration of pulp showed the highest yields (84.17 and 85.25%). First - order models with interactions and 95% confidence intervals were obtained. The pulp consisted of the most significant factor, influencing the largest number of responses (yield, alcohol content, dry residue, titratable acidity, titratable acidity/soluble solids ratio and luminosity). The larger coefficient of determination (R 2 ) values were found in the models adjusted to the data of yield, dry residue, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and total sugars, which were significant and predictive, showing values greater than 0.97.

Developing countries face a common problem that is the deficiency in protein intake by poor people. This problem demands incentive policies for consumption of vegetable protein with low cost and good quality. As a solution to the problem, the production of two peanut based beverages has been sought due to their adequate source of protein, wide offer and low cost. It has also been taken under consideration total titratable acidity, pH, moisture content, proteins, and ashes from the “peanut milk” enriched with umbu and guava pulps, stored at a temperature of −18 °C (−0.4 F) for 150 days with follow ups every 30 days. Results for acidity regarding the beverage enriched with umbu pulp were superior to the beverage enriched with guava pulp; as to protein amount, it was observed a decrease in the studied formulations during storage.

Resumo Apesar de ser um fruto disponível durante todo o ano, nas regiões de cultivo irrigado das diferentes regiões do país, a goiaba apresenta grande desperdício pós-colheita, associado ao rápido amadurecimento, necessitando da aplicação de técnicas de processamento que diminuam o desperdício deste fruto. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, estudar o processo de transferência de massa durante a desidratação osmótica de fatias de goiaba, além de avaliar os parâmetros sensoriais da goiaba-passa obtida sob diferentes temperaturas de processo e concentrações de sacarose. Fatias de goiaba cv. Paluma (3,0 × 2,0 × 0,9 cm) foram submetidas à desidratação osmótica em xaropes de sacarose a 40 °Brix, 50 °Brix e 60 °Brix, combinados com temperaturas de 30 °C, 40 °C e 50 °C, por meio de planejamento fatorial com ponto central. O pré-tratamento osmótico foi complementado com secagem convectiva a 60 °C e as goiabas-passa foram estudadas quanto ao processo de transferência de massa na desidratação osmótica, seguida de avaliação sensorial. Verificou-se que a máxima transferência de massa ocorreu durante as quatro horas iniciais de desidratação, sendo a concentração de sacarose o efeito com maior influência na diminuição da quantidade de água e no aumento da incorporação de sólidos. A avaliação dos parâmetros sensoriais demonstrou uma maior preferência dos provadores pelas passas obtidas em menor concentração de sacarose, para os atributos aparência, cor, textura e sabor. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as notas atribuídas pelos provadores para o atributo odor. O perfil sensorial aplicado revelou a boa aceitação do pré-tratamento osmótico quando comparado ao fruto sem tratamento osmótico e seco apenas por secagem convectiva.

Objetivou-se desenvolver geleia tradicional de umbu-cajá, caracterizá-la quanto a parâmetros físicos, químicos, microbiológicos e sensoriais, e avaliar sua estabilidade durante o armazenamento por seis meses em condições ambientais. Para processamento, foram utilizados 44% de polpa diluída de umbu-cajá, 1% de pectina de alto teor de metoxilação (ATM) e 55% de açúcar cristal. A formulação foi submetida à cocção em tacho aberto de aço inoxidável até teor de sólidos solúveis totais de cerca de 68 ªBrix. A geleia foi envasada em recipientes de vidros transparentes, caracterizada e estocada em temperatura e umidade relativa médias de 23,25 ºC e 81%, respectivamente, com acompanhamento por meio de análises físicas e químicas a cada 30 dias de armazenamento. Os resultados da caracterização química evidenciaram produto com elevado teor de carboidratos, baixos conteúdos de cinzas e proteínas e valor calórico de 256 kcal/100g. Não foi verificado contagem dos microorganismos pesquisados (bolores e leveduras, coliformes totais e termotolerantes, Staphylococcus, bactérias mesófilas e Salmonella). Constatou-se alta aceitabilidade, com índices de aceitação superiores a 70% para todos os atributos sensoriais investigados (cor, aparência, aroma, consistência, sabor, doçura e impressão global) e intenção de compra de 67,5%, indicando potencial para industrialização e comercialização. O armazenamento promoveu aumento significativo nos valores de pH, sólidos solúveis totais (SST), relação SST/ATT e firmeza e reduções significativas na acidez total titulável (ATT), atividade de água, luminosidade, intensidades de vermelho e amarelo, croma, ângulo de tonalidade, extrusão e adesividade. Constatou-se tendência à estabilidade dos valores de umidade e de sólidos totais. O processamento do umbu-cajá para elaboração de geleia mostrou-se viável, apresentando-se como mais uma opção de renda para pequenos produtores do semiárido brasileiro.

The Brazilian culture has a great appreciation for the use of medicinal plants for curing diseases. The drying process is very important to assure the quality and stability of these species. This study aimed at obtaining the desorption isotherms of in natura leaves of Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. and Bauhinia cheilantha and adjust the experimental data to different mathematical models. The isotherms were obtained at three temperatures (20ºC, 30ºC and 40ºC), under desorption conditions, and the experimental data adjusted to three models (GAB, Oswin and Peleg) by non-linear regression. The coefficient of determination and the mean percentage deviation between the experimental and predicted values were calculated for each curve, in order to evaluate the best-fit model. According to the statistical parameters of analysis, the Peleg model was the one that better described the hygroscopicity of in natura leaves of Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. and Bauhinia cheilantha.

Considerando a importância da determinação da composição centesimal da polpa de jabuticaba para o controle de qualidade; desenvolvimento de novos produtos e; bem como a escassa disponibilidade de trabalhos sobre relacionados ao assunto o presente estudo teve como objetivo a caracterização físico-química de polpa de jabuticaba. Antes de todas as análises, as amostras foram previamente descongeladas, homogeneizada e deixadas equilibrar à temperatura ambiente (25°C) em seguida foram realizadas análises físico-químicas da polpa de jabuticaba, a caracterização da polpa foi feita por meio das análises de teor de água, pH, acidez, cinzas e Sólidos Solúveis Totais (SST). O valor médio encontrado de Sólidos solúveis totais (SST) foi de 14,2 °Brix; para acidez o valor encontrado foi de 1,09%; o valor médio de pH foi de 3,14; o teor de água encontrado em media foi de 87,67%; para parâmetros de encontramos L* 21,57; a* 11,40; b* 13,99; resultados de cinzas foi 0,35g em média. Todos os parâmetros encontravam-se dentro de valores descritos na literatura. Foi possível caracterizar fisico-quimicamente a polpa congelada de jabuticaba congelada. A caracterização dos constituintes da polpa congelada de jabuticaba poderá contribuir para um melhor aproveitamento do fruto, seja na indústria alimentícia e/ou cosmética, promovendo a sua valorização econômica.

Banana is a fruit produced in most tropical countries. According to the literature, the post-harvest loss is about 40% of the production. To reduce the losses, an alternative is to dry the product. In this context, the main objective of this article was to describe the thin-layer drying of whole bananas. To describe the convective drying process, a mathematical model is normally used. In this article, several empirical models were selected to simulate experiments of thin layer drying accomplished with whole bananas at temperatures of 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C. In the selection, it was imposed that mathematical expressions must be obtained from each model to calculate the drying rate and also the process time. The process time ranged from 1200 (70 °C) up to 3265 (40 °C) min. The maximum drying rate occurs at the beginning of the process and varied between 1.95 × 10−3 (40 °C) and 3.60 × 10−3 (70 °C) min−1. The statistical indicators (determination coefficient and chi-square) showed that Page and Silva et alii models were the best ones to describe the drying kinetics. These two empirical equations enable to write mathematical expressions for the drying rate and process time, and these expressions produced results which can be considered equivalent.

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, a elaboração e caracterização de misturas especiais de óleos vegetais para fins alimentícios, com base nos óleos de amendoim, gergelim, maracujá e soja. Os óleos de amendoim e gergelim foram extraídos de sementes das cultivares BRS-Havana e BRS-Seda, respectivamente, cedidas pela Embrapa Algodão enquanto o óleo de maracujá foi adquirido no comércio de São Paulo e o de soja no de Campina Grande. As misturas foram elaboradas com base em uma matriz de planejamento experimental e, em seguida, submetidas aos ensaios físico-químicas (umidade, índice de acidez, índice de iodo, índice de refração, densidade e viscosidade) segundo a metodologia do IAL (2008). Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA) por delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 17 tratamentos e 6 variáveis pelo software ASSISTAT versão 7.6 beta. Todas as misturas diferiram estatisticamente entre si a nível de 1% pelo teste de Tukey e apresentaram-se aptas para fins alimentares, com influência da significante quantidade de ácidos graxos insaturados em todas as medidas físico-quimicas. Os óleos de maracujá e soja são quimicamente semelhantes.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the color of tomatoes coated with different concentrations of pectin during storage at room temperature. Were used tomatoes with color greenish-pink divided into four lots: uncoated tomatoes (CT) and covered with biofilms with 2% (P2), 5% (P5) and 8% (P8) of solution of pectin. Initially it was evaluated the rind of tomatoes, then these were cut in half and it was evaluated the pulp (fleshy part), subsequently the two parts of tomatoes were processed in a blender to yield the processed pulp, which also was evaluated. Evaluations were done at 0, 2, 4, 7, 11 and 16 days storage with analysis of luminosity (L*), intensity of red (+a*) and intensity of yellow (+b*) in portable spectrophotometer. It was observed in all treatments that the rind and the fleshy and processed pulp showed a reduction in the values of L*. At the end of the storage, the treatment CT showed the highest values +a* for the rind and the fleshy and processed pulp, followed of the treatments P2, P5 and P8, respectively. The values of +b* decreased in the rind and in processed pulp of the CT and P2 treatments, but increased in the P5 and P8 treatments. It is concluded that the use of edible coatings pectin is effective to retard development of coloration typical of ripe tomato, results to be associated with the evaluation of physical and chemical parameters for a respect to retardation of the ripening.

We studied the effectiveness of different treatment processes applied to the seeds of herbaceous cotton, BRS Verde and CNPA 7H, compared with lint seeds (control) in order to reduce the incidence of fungi, particularly on seeds stored in dry chamber. We adopted delineation completely randomized, using the factorial scheme 2 x 3 x 3, with four replications, being the factors: two cultivars (white and colored cotton), three treatments (C/L, S/L and S/L + T), and three storage periods (zero, 6 and 12 months). Based on the results, it was concluded that the fungal treatment applied to the seeds lint was effective in reducing the infestation of fungi, and BRS 7H is less contaminated during the storage period.

A determinação das isotermas de adsorção de umidade constitui fator essencial nos projetos e estudos de sistemas de secagem, processamento, armazenagem, embalagem e predição tempo de prateleira de produtos alimentícios. A obtenção das isotermas dar-se por meio da variação do conteúdo de umidade de equilíbrio em função da atividade de água a uma dada temperatura constante. A predição das curvas das isotermas é realizada por meio da aplicação de modelos matemáticos aos dados experimentais. Através das isotermas de adsorção podem ser calculadas propriedades termodinâmicas, como o calor isostérico de adsorção, que é utilizado na análise, desenvolvimento de processos alimentícios e estudo das interações umidade-sólido. Assim, desenvolveu-se o presente estudo com o objetivo de estudar o comportamento das isotermas de adsorção da folha e do caule de coentro desidratados, definir o modelo que melhor representa o comportamento das curvas e determinar o comportamento do calor isostérico de adsorção. Os dados experimentais obtidos foram ajustados por regressão não linear, pelos modelos de GAB, Oswin, Smith, BET, Peleg e Halsey. Os modelos que melhor representaram o comportamento das curvas de adsorção da folha e do caule foram os de Smith e Peleg. O calor isostérico de adsorção obtido para folha desidratada é maior que o do caule.The determination of adsorption isotherms of moisture is an essential factor in the projects and studies of systems for drying, processing, storage, packaging and shelf-time prediction of food products. The adsorption isotherms are obtained by means of variation of moisture content in terms of equilibrium water activity at a constant temperature, and its prediction is performed by the application of mathematical models to experimental data. Through the adsorption isotherms it can be calculated some thermodynamic properties such as isosteric heat of adsorption, which is used in the analysis, development of case study of food and moisture-solid interactions. Thus, this work aimed to study the behavior of adsorption isotherms of leaves and stems of dehydrate coriander, evaluate the model that represents the behavior of the curves and determine the isosteric heat of adsorption. The experimental data were fitted by nonlinear regression, the GAB, Oswin, Smith, BET, Halsey and Peleg models had been used. The models which best represented the behavior of the adsorption curves of the leaf and stem were from Smith and Peleg. The isosteric heat of adsorption obtained from dried leaf is larger than the stem.

Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho estudar a perda de viabilidade das sementes de duas variedades de Vigna unguiculata, acondicionadas em embalagens de papel e recipiente metálico, armazenados em ambiente não controlado. Após a colheita das sementes, em campos preparados para esta finalidade, as mesmas foram beneficiadas manualmente, tratadas, acondicionadas e armazenadas, para que a cada dois meses fossem avaliadas quanto a sua qualidade fisiológica mediante teste de germinação, indicando a melhor capacidade armazenadora para a condição do estudo. A análise dos dados foi realizada no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, disposto em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 2x 6 com 4 repetições, sendo os fatores quantitativos revelados pela regressão na análise de variância. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a viabilidade das sementes de feijão Vigna unguiculata foi afetada pelos tratamentos e condição do armazenamento, tendo ao final de 360 dias a germinação passada de 99,37 para 41,68%; a variedade Emepa foi superior a Corujinha em 63,47% e o extrato de Piper nigrum revelou-se eficiente na manutenção da viabilidade dessas sementes.The objective of this work was to study the loss of seed viability of two varieties of Vigna unguiculata, conditioned in paper andmetallic packaging, and stored without temperature and relative air humidity control. After seed harvest, in fields prepared for this purpose, the seeds were manually processed, treated, conditioned and stored; every two months, their physiological quality was evaluated using a germination test. The data analysis was carried out using an entirely randomized design, in a 2 x 2 x 2 x 6 factorial scheme with four repetitions; the quantitative factors were disclosed by the regression in the analysis of variance. Based on the results, the viability of the Vigna unguiculata bean seeds was affected by the treatments and storage condition: after 360 days, the germination rate decreased from 99.37 to 41.68%; the ‘Emepa’ variety was higher than the ‘Corujinha’ by 63.47%, and the Piper nigrum extract proved efficient in the viability maintenance of these seeds.

The use of high quality seeds constitutes in one of the responsible factors of the success of a fieldwork. Because of that, this work was elaborated to evaluate the physiological quality of cotton seeds of two to cultivars Green BRS and CNPA 7H submitted to two levels of moisture content and stored for 12 months. It was used the delineation entirely random, using a factorial arrangement 2 x 3 x 5, with four repetitions, being two for cotton cultivars, two for moisture content (S.0 - seeds with 10%, S.1 - seeds with 8%) and five periods of storage in dry chamber (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months). The application laboratory tests were: germination, moisture content and vigour (first counting of germination, seedlings length and precocious aging). The results show that the quality of the cotton seed was superior in the seeds with tenor of 10% of humidity of variety BRS Green throughout the storage, in the different analyzed laboratory tests.

ABSTRACT The myrtle (Eugenia gracillima Kiaersk.) is a native fruit species in the Chapada of Araripe, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The fruits are collected from the wild and are consumed fresh or processed as pulp, juice, jelly, liquor or desserts. Myrtle fruit production is of significant socioeconomic value for the region and, therefore, the description of myrtle fruit ripening stages may contribute to the development of its production chain. As a result, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the physical, quality and ripening changes of myrtle fruits at different developmental stages. The fruits were picked at five distinctive stages and evaluated for longitudinal and transverse diameters; fresh, dry and water mass; water contents; soluble solids (SS); titratable acidity (TA); pH; SS/TA ratio; carbohydrates (starch, total, reducing and nonreducing sugars); ascorbic acid; total pectin, soluble pectins and percentage of pectin solubilization; polymeric, oligomeric and dimeric phenolics; total anthocyanins, carotenoids and chlorophyll; and yellow flavonoids. Along fruit ripening processes increases in SS, anthocyanins and carotenoids, in the SS/TA ratio and of percentages of pectin solubilization were determined. On the other hand, decreases in TA and total chlorophyll were observed. The ripening stage at which peel color is completely dark red (ripening stage 4) is most appropriate to harvest myrtle fruits for human consumption.