Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the physical-chemical, microbiological parameters, and antioxidant activity of fruit pulps produced and marketed in Santarém-PA. Three manufacturers of frozen fruit pulp of acerola (Malpighia emarginata), cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), and passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) were analyzed, in order to verify their compliance to the Standards and Identity and Quality Standards (PIQ's) established by Brazilian legislation. The analyzed parameters were pH, titratable total acidity, soluble solids, total solids, ash and ascorbic acid; determination of the total polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity by the DPPH method, and microbiological analyzes for mold and yeast, fecal coliforms and Salmonella sp. The means of the treatments were compared by the Tukey test, adopting the 95% level of significance. The results showed that only the pH parameter was in accordance with the legislation. After analysis of titratable total acidity and total solids, it was possible to verify that not all the samples met the values established by the legislation. The analysis of total polyphenols and the antioxidant activity revealed that the acerola pulp was featured by the expressive content of these components, being considered as a good source of antioxidant substances. The results of the microbiological analyzes showed that all the samples were in accordance with the legislation in force. The variations reported in the majority of the analyzes show the necessity of the standardization of the productive processes of the pulps.
Keywords:
Legislation; Quality; Cupuassu; Passion Fruit; Acerola; Salmonella; Coliformes