MUDANÇAS NOS TEORES DE ALFA E BETA CAROTENO EM ÓLEO DE DENDÊ DURANTE O ARMAZENAMENTO A TEMPERATURA AMBIENTE (26ºC)*

Abstract

Crude palm oil from Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil, and refined palm oil bought in a market in São Paulo, Brazil, were studied with the objective of evaluating changes in stereochernical composition and total alfa and beta carotene due to storage at roam temperature (26°C) during 90 days. Storage did not produce changes in the kind of alfa and beta carotene stereoisomers. Storage produced a decrease in the total of alfa and beta carotene in crude palm oil (0,51 and 12,70% respectively) and in total alfa and beta carotene fran refined palm oil (19,76 ande 20,91% respectively). Lesses in carotene content produces a decrease in vitamin A value in crude palm oil (8,53%) and in refined palm oil (17,89%).