QUALITY OF FROZEN FRUIT PULP PRODUCED AND COMMERCIALIZED WITHIN CEARA AND RIO GRANDE DO NORTE STATES (BRAZIL)

Abstract

Quality of yellow mombin, cashew apple and acerola frozen pulps produced and commercialized within Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte States, Brazil, was evaluated by chemical analysis. Forty-five samples were investigated for pH, °Brix, acidity, °Brix/acidity ratio, alcoholic content and vitamin C. The results found for yellow mombin and cashew apple pulps were compared to the Identity and Quality Standards, as for acerola pulp, there is no standard in Brazilian legislation. According to the obtained results, 63.3% of cashew apple samples presented lower rate than the minimum juice standard for °Brix and 63.5%, for acidity. The yellow mombin pulps presented 46.6% of samples with °Brix index below the minimum required for juice and 53.3%, for juice acidity. Mean value for vitamin C content in acerola pulp samples was 831.72 mg/100 g. Alcoholic content had a negative result for all samples.