Physical and physico-chemical characterization of pulp buriti (Mauritia flexuosa).

Abstract

The objective of this study is to characterize the physical and physicochemical properties of butiri (Mauritia flexuosa L.) providing subsidies for industrial use in large-scale production of food products. The work was performed at the Laboratory of Processing and Storage of Agricultural Products (Lappa), Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG PB). The characteristics evaluated were: color, through instruments measured using spectrophotometer MiniScan HunterLab XE Plus , the CIELAB color system give the readings of L * (lightness), a* (green color transition for a * red + a *) and b * ( blue color transition b* for yellow color + b*) ; water content by oven method under reduced pressure at 70 °C to constant weight ; Water activity (Aw ) Aqualab performed using equipment with the sample at room temperature ( 25 °C); fixed mineral samples by calcination at 550 °C; titratable acidity (TA) expressed as percentage of citric acid determined by titration method with standardized 0.1 N NaOH solution ; pH determined directly in pot previously calibrated with buffer solutions of pH 7.0 and 4.0 and total soluble solids determined in digital refractometer bench for direct reading in ° Brix . The results obtained for Buriti pulp were: (L*) 43,89; (H*) 74,55; (C*) 65,65; (Water content) 66,07 % ; (Aw) of 0,99; ( Fixed mineral residue ) 1,05; (SST) 13,67 o Brix; ( Acidity ) 1.48 % ; ( pH ) 3.47 . The Buriti pulp has a low water content , favoring good yield for the preparation of by-products.