Quality of araca-boi (eugenia stiptata mcvaugh) pulp during freezing storage

Abstract

The freeze storage is the most usual method for araca-boi (Eugenia stipitata McVaugh) pulp conservation in Amazonia, but its effect on pulp quality is not known precisely. This work was carried out to verify the quality ol araa-boi pulp during freezing storage. The pulp was obtained from ripe fruits with a industrial blend, and acondionated into polyetilene bags (200 g capacity) and stored at -12 °C during 200 days. The chemical composition was evaluated at the twenty-day-interval. The pH remained constant. Little variations were verified at the Brix/acidity ratio. Dry matter and non reducing sugars increased. Soluble solids and moisture decreased. Reducing sugars showed variations during storage time. Ascorbic acid and total carotenoids decreased from 24.61 to 23.12 and 0.93 to 0.19 mg 100 g1 respectively. Ascorbic acid degradations (13.1%) and total carotenoids (79.1%) were the most important factor for loss of quality of the arasa-boi pulp during freezing storage.