Correlation between the levels of anthocyanins and the colorimetric change of pulp Juçara

• Grant number: 10/04986-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2010
• End date: April 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Marta Helena Fillet Spoto
• Grantee: Juliana Scabello Prando Zambianco
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The palm tree Euterpe edulis is a plant native to the area of Atlantic Rain Forest of Brazil, occurring from southern Bahia (15 ° S) to the north of Rio Grande do Sul (30 ° S). The palm from this species is one of the most important non-timber products, and has been extensively mined in large scale, affecting the natural regeneration. The use of Juçara is also being implemented for production and extraction of fruit pulp, similar to acai, especially popular on the coast during the summer months. The strong red color of the pulp of this fruit is due to high amount of anthocyanins, which are natural pigments with high antioxidant power, however, the evaluation of these components is cumbersome and expensive. Checking the color of a product is easy and fast, performed with the use of the colorimeter. The aim of this study is to verify whether a correlation exists between the anthocyanins and the color of the fruit pulp Juçara (E. edulis) from the generation of a standard curve for the possible definition of a new methodology for quantification of anthocyanins. Maybe also made further assessments as pH, soluble solid content, chlorophyll, carotenoids and acidity. (AU)