Qualidade físico-química e teor de vitamina C em polpas de acerola (Malpighia emarginata D. C.) comercializadas em Teresina - Piauí

Abstract

Brazil is one of the world's largest producers of acerola, with a particular emphasis on the Northeast region. This fruit is sensitive to transportation and handling, and its production is geared towards pulp production. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the physical and chemical quality, vitamin C content, and labeling of acerola pulp sold in Teresina, Piauí. Pulp samples were purchased from various supermarkets, and analyses were performed in the Food Science Laboratory of the Federal Institute of Piauí (IFPI). The Tillmans method was used to determine vitamin C, the titrimetric method was used to determine acidity, pH was determined electrometrically, and °Brix was determined using a benchtop refractometer. The results showed that pH values ranged from 3.20 to 3.25 among the brands. The results for titratable acidity showed a variation between 1.51 and 2.53 g/100g, with a statistical difference between brands 1 and 3. Regarding the Total Soluble Solids content, the analysis varied between the values of 4.53 and 7.6 °Brix, presenting a statistical difference between brands 1 and 2. Regarding the Vitamin C content, the results showed levels that varied between 856.33 and 1497.66 mg/100g, presenting a statistical difference between brands 2 and 4. The two batches that obtained the lowest ascorbic acid content also presented the lowest values for Total Soluble Solids (TSS), and one of the batches of brand 4 presented non-compliance with the current Normative Instruction. Regarding labeling, all brands complied with the RDC of October 1, 2022. Therefore, it can be concluded that despite the variation, all pulps had a high vitamin C content and that the physical-chemical quality of acerola pulps can directly impact their vitamin C content. It should be added that the degree of compliance of the labels is an indication of adequacy to current legislation.