The aim of this work was to define the methodology to produce and evaluate the acceptance of alcoholic beverage made from yellow mombin (Spondias mombin) fruit pulp. The fruit pulp used was chemically characterised (sugars, acidity, pectin, vitamin C, pectinases, starch and phenols). The yellow mombin fruit pulp had its sugar content adjusted to 24°Brix with a sucrose solution. The must was deacidified using CaCO3 until it reached pH value of 3.8 and then enzymatically treated with Ultrazym AFP-L (Novo DK). Sulphur dioxide, as potassium metabissulfite, was used as an inhibitor of bacterial growth and as an antioxidant. Bentonite was also added to aid the must clarification. After these adjustments the must was inoculated with 10(7) cell/ml of Saccharomyces cerevisiae wild type strain. The fermentation was carried out at 22°C for 10 days, with daily monitoring of Brix and fermentation activity by the liberation of CO2. At the end of the fermentation, the fermented must was stored at 10°C for 10 days and a first separation of the yeasts and solids particles was done. The second separation was done 30 days later, before the filtration. Ethanol, glycerol, organic acids, higher alcohols, methanol, esters and acetaldehyde were analysed in the final product. There was a high concentration of higher alcohols, which are usually responsible for the flavour found in alcoholic beverages. The acceptance of the drink was tested with 45 non-experienced panellists using the hedonic scale (1-9). The beverage was well accepted and might be a good investiment for small or medium companies.
alcoholic fermentation; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Spondias mombin; cajá; alcoholic beverage; fruit growing
