Conservação e aceitabilidade do suco tropical de açaí (Euterpe precatória, Mart) submetido ao tratamento térmico UHT (Ultra High Temperature).

Abstract

Assai (Euterpe oleraceae, Mart) is commonly consumed as a regional food in the Northern part of Brazil. Its nutritional properties are well known and for that, assai started to be consumed in many other regions of the country. It is commercially offered in the market as pulp in the refrigerated or frozen form, without any other previous heat treatment. Even when the product in maintained under refrigeration, it does not least more than 12 hours. After this period, color and flavour start changing. Freezing is inconvenient for transportation from far way regions (country areas) for the lack or small availability of freezing equipment. There are very few commercial products made from assai. The main purposes of this research work were: To make an assai tropical fruit juice and submit it to a heat treatment known as Ultra High Temperature UHT, as well as observe its conservation. The raw material used in this work was acquired from a cooperative food plant located in Codajás, State of Amazonas Brazil. Assai was analyzed, classified and transformed into tropical fruit juice, and submitted to UHT treatment. The juice was filled in appropriate Tetra Pak Cartoon Packages and its conservation was observed at 0, 30 and 60 days after processing. In these analysis, enzyme activity, commercial sterilization, and anthocyanin levels were determined. It was also determined the nutritional value of the juice and its sensory evaluation was carried. The commercial sterility of the juice was achieved, the pH 4.3 was found stable under storage conditions, and the heat treatment was enough to inactivate 99.98 % of peroxidase and 99.80% of polyphenoloxidase, without any change. The level of anthocyanin pigment decreased after 60 days observation. The most important nutrient in the assai tropical juice was fat (6 g per 200 ml). The calorie value per 200 ml portion was 74. The juice did not show any sensory change while bonded at room temperature. Panelists considered the juice as a very good product.