Physicochemical and microbiological characterization and antioxidant capacity of açaí pulps marketed in the states of Minas Gerais and Pará, Brazil

• Main Authors: Rosemary Maria Pimentel Coutinho, Edimar Aparecida Filomeno Fontes, Luciana Marques Vieira, Frederico Augusto Ribeiro de Barros, Antonio Fernandes de Carvalho, Paulo César Stringheta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
• Series: Ciência Rural
• Subjects: Euterpe oleracea Mart; frozen açaí pulp; sanitary conditions; antioxidant compound
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-84782017000100750&lng=en&tlng=en

ABSTRACT: The frozen açaí ( Euterpe oleracea Mart.) pulp market has had acceptable development and presents great market potential due to its high nutritional level and fruit's seasonality. However, due to the lack of standards for all types of fruit, products without uniformity are in the market. This study aimed to evaluate frozen açaí pulp belonging to different trademarks related to chemical, physicochemical, and microbiological characteristics. Regarding the total titratable acidity (TTA) and pH, two trademarks from Pará and two from Minas Gerais were rejected compared with the current legislation. It was observed that K (1,253.6mg 100 g-1), Ca (312mg 100g-1), Mg (178mg 100g-1), and P (145mg 100g-1) were the main minerals reported in the analyzed samples. Fe showed an average content from 9.65mg 100g-1 to 22.66mg 100g-1. As for microbiological characteristics, the counts for E. coli were in compliance with legislation. Counts of mesophilic aerobic, filamentous fungi, and yeasts showed variations in the results. The count of coagulase-positive S. aureus met the standards [102 Colony Forming Units (CFU) g-1]; and presence of Salmonella sp. in a trademark was detected among the six evaluated trademarks. The analyzed pulp of açaí showed total phenolics values ranging from 240.14mg AGE 100g-1 to 372.43mg AGE 100g-1, and anthocyanin total levels ranging from 12.05 to 24.98mg 100g-1. The obtained physicochemical and microbiological results indicated the need for immediate implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices; conversely, the frozen pulp of açaí showed considerable antioxidant potential.