This study evaluated the effect of the processing and long-term storage on the antioxidant potential and activity of antioxidant enzymes of frozen purées from six acerola clones. Ripe acerolas from clones BRS 235, BRS 236, BRS 237, BRS 238, II47/1 and BRS 152 were harvested; the pulp was processed, packed in sealed polyethylene plastic bags and stored in a domestic freezer at -18°C for 11 months. Samples of each clone were analyzed on harvest/processing day and every 30 days after for bioactive antioxidant compounds, antioxidant enzyme activity and total antioxidant activity. Acerola purées presented a decrease of non-enzyme antioxidants and an increase of antioxidant enzymes activities, indicatives of a compensatory mechanism between enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. In acerola purée, anthocyanin and polyphenols are strongly correlated to soluble solids content and vitamin C seems a major contributor to total antioxidant activity. Clone II47/1 had an outstanding performance regarding the antioxidant potential of its purée and the best storage period at -18ºC would be 150 days, for all clones studied.
pulp; enzymes; vitamin C; postharvest; frozen
