Polpa mista de acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) e ceriguela (Spondias purpurea L.) obtida por diferentes métodos de secagem

Abstract

During processing through drying the food products may suffer reduction in nutritional quality when compared to the fresh product. The different drying methods (spouted bed drying, freeze drying and spray drying) may influence the quality of the final product differently. Therefore, it is necessary to know the drying method that will minimize these changes and maximize the efficiency of the process. The objective of this work was to verify the effect of the different drying methods (spray drying, spouted bed drying and freeze drying) on the nutritional and sensorial quality of the mixed pulp of acerola and ceriguela powder. Selecting the drying method that mainly provides a product with low water activity, humidity and hygroscopicity and greater retention of bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid, carotenoids and phenolic compounds). The influence of process conditions on moisture, water activity, hygroscopicity and retention of ascorbic acid was analyzed by means of an experimental design 23 composed of 11 trials. The optimized conditions were obtained by analysis of the response surface plots for the mixed pulp of acerola and ceriguela powder in spouted bed, drying temperature (75ºC), suspension flow (5 mL/min) and carrier agent concentration (15%), in freeze dryer were temperature (-20°C), chamber pressure (500mTorr) and carrier agent concentration (25%). The optimized conditions, inlet temperature (140 ° C), liquid flow rate (0.60 L / h) and carrier agent concentration (14%) were used in the spray drying. Sensory analysis was perfomed with consumers through affective tests: acceptance with a structured hedonic scale of 9 points, CATA method, using a list of sensorial attributes previously defined, based on common characteristics for juices and refreshments of acerola and ceriguela and purchase intention. By the physico-chemical, physical, retention of bioactive compounds and sensorial analyzes it was obtained that the freezedryer produced the best and most accepted refreshment of mixed pulp of acerola and ceriguela. Freeze-dried was the drying method that showed the highest retention of ascorbic acid in the mixed pulp of acerola and ceriguela powder. Thus, the mixed pulp of acerola and ceriguela powder, is presented as an ingredient for the production of new food products, besides being reconstituted as a soft drink.