Pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) fruits and natural fermentation are used by Amazonian natives to produce a thick drink called "caiçuma". The beverage presents high turbidity because of numerous pulp fragments of various sizes. A study done at the National Institute of Amazon Research showed that enzymatic starch hydrolysis, fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and filtration transformed "caiçuma" into a highly acceptable drink. The experiment was carried out with the aim of increasing beverage volume yield and process efficiency by increasing the water:pulp ratio of the mash and eliminating the starch enzymatic hydrolysis, respectively. Raw and cooked pejibaye fruits were characterized in terms of their chemical properties. The mash was prepared with pejibaye pulp (previously cooked and autoclaved) and sucrose syrup. After Saccharomyces cerevisiae inoculation, the fermentation process was monitored (every 24 hours) during seven days by physical-chemical analysis. The beverage obtained was analyzed chemically, and, after sweetening, was submitted to a sensory evaluation panel. The cooked and autoclaved fruits presented partially hydrolyzed starch. Fermentation evolution was followed by sugar consumption, and alcohol and acid production. The beverage obtained showed high yield (about 60%), ideal alcoholic content (12.1%, v/v), characteristic color of the fruit, clearness, pleasant flavor and high acceptability (81.9%). The fermentation process without enzymatic hydrolysis of pejibaye starch and increased beverage volume did not affect the good quality and acceptability of the pejibaye beverage. The increased water:pulp ratio of the mash formulation contributed to the high beverage yield.
pejibaye fruit; fermentation; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; beverage; chemical composition; sensory evaluation
