QUANTIFICATION OF EXTRANEOUS MATTERS IN FROZEN FRUIT PULP (YELLOW MOMBIN, CASHEW AND ACEROLA) PRODUCED AND COMMERCIALIZED IN CEARA AND RIO GRANDE DO NORTE STATES (BRAZIL)

Abstract

As a part of the project with the aim to define Quality and Identity Standards (QIS) for tropical fruit frozen pulps, this work has been carried out with the objective of dirtiness evaluation in samples of acerola (Malpighia punicifolia), yellow mombin (cajá) (Spondias mombin L), and cashew (caju) (Anacardium occidentale) fruits pulps produced and commercialized within the States of Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil). Samples in number of 45, were submitted to microscopic evaluation, adapting the AOAC’s methods of flutation for light dirtiness. The results showed up that 86.36% of the samples contained dirtiness, mainly being scraps of insects. Among these analysed fruit pulps, the samples of acerola occurred to carry the major dirtiness number, followed by yellow mombin and cashew fruit pulp samples. The results of the analyses indicated that no one of the samples filled out the established quality standards for tropical fruit juices. Practices of sanitary control must be defined and adapted for the production of fruit pulps.