ASCORBIC ACID STABILITY OF FROZEN ACEROLA JUICE (Malpighia glabra l. – synonym M. punicifolia l.) DURING THE STORAGE

Abstract

The objective of this paper was the evaluation of ascorbic acid stability in frozen acerola ((Malpighia glabra L. - sinônimo M. punicifolia L.) juice obtained from ripe and unripe fruits during different periods of storage. Ascorbic acid content determination was performed in fresh juice and after one, three, six and nine months of storage under frozen conditions. Ascorbic acid retention in the ripe fruit frozen juice at -18ºC, after nine months, was 83.72% and 91.22% for unripe fruits. These results denote high stability of ascorbic acid in acerola frozen juice under the applied conditions.