Abstract Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) research has been growing because of its characteristics, such as the attractive color, low-cost production, nutritional potential, and functional properties for food application. In this context, pumpkin processing for flour production provides a full possibility for the consumption of this vegetable, being thus an alternative for the agribusiness. Research institutes are developing new genotypes for multiple applications of this vegetable. The objective of this study was to characterize pumpkin flours from four access and evaluate its physicochemical characteristics, carotenoid content, and protein digestibility. The dried pumpkins were ground in a knife mill and stored in a glass bottle at room temperature and protected from light. The pumpkin flours presented different proximal composition. All flours presented low water activity, which is microbiologically safe for storage. As for the absorption index and water solubility, both presented high values compared to the values of other flours found in the literature. The flours presented colorimetric profile from yellow to orange, and are rich sources of carotenoids and fibers. The four samples presented high values of protein digestibility, desired for food application. The results indicate that the four pumpkin access flours are indicated for application in foods.

RESUMO: A batata-doce ( Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) é uma das raízes mais populares e antigas do Brasil, podendo ser consumida cozida, assada ou na forma de doces. A sua cocção pode levar à transformações físico-químicas alterando as propriedades nutricionais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características físico-químicas, compostos bioativos e atividade antioxidante de doze genótipos de batata-doce, de coloração de polpa variada, na forma in natura e assada. Foram determinados sólidos solúveis totais, acidez, açúcares, carotenoides, antocianinas, compostos fenólicos e atividade antioxidante nos seguintes genótipos de batatas-doces: polpa creme (Rubissol, Cuia, ILS03, ILS10, ILS12, ILS24 e ILS44); polpa laranja (Amélia e Beauregard) e polpa roxa (ILS56, ILS16 e ILS71). Quanto aos resultados foi observada ampla variação entre os genótipos de batata-doce, para todos os parâmetros analisados, em ambas as formas de preparo. A atividade antioxidante foi um parâmetro que demonstrou grande variação entre os genótipos, de 210,29 a 7870,57µg de equivalente trolox/g nos genótipos in natura e de 673,26 a 17306,22µg de equivalente trolox/g nos genótipos assados. Foi observado que em batatas-doces assadas os sólidos solúveis, acidez, açúcares e os compostos bioativos, com exceção dos carotenoides, tenderam a ser concentrados, elevando também a atividade antioxidante total. Em conclusão, o genótipo e a coloração da batata-doce foram parâmetros que exerceram influência sob a sua composição química. Cultivares como Amélia e Beauregard se destacaram pela quantidade de sólidos solúveis totais e carotenoides, respectivamente. Como fonte de antocianinas, as seleções ILS 16 e ILS 56 são recomendadas. O processo térmico influenciou a concentração de compostos antioxidantes e alterou algumas características físico-químicas.

ABSTRACT: Sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is one of the most popular and ancient roots of Brazil and it can be consumed at different forms such as boiled, roasted or as sweets. Its cooking can lead to physicochemical transformations altering the nutritional properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of twelve sweet potato genotypes of varying pulp color in natura and roasted. Soluble solids, acidity, sugars, carotenoids, anthocyanins, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity were analyzed in the following sweet potatoes genotypes: cream pulp (Rubissol, Cuia, ILS03, ILS10, ILS12, ILS24 and ILS44); orange pulp (Amelia and Beauregard); and purple pulp (ILS56, ILS16 and ILS71). According to the results, it was observed a wide variation among the sweet potato genotypes for all analyzed parameters, in both preparation forms. The antioxidant capacity was a parameter with wide variation among genotypes, 210.29 to 7870.57µg trolox equivalent/g in in natura form and 673.26 to 17306.22µg trolox equivalent/g in roasted form. Soluble solids, acidity, sugars and bioactive compounds, with the exception of carotenoids, tended to be concentrated, also increases the total antioxidant capacity, in roasted sweet potatoes. In conclusion, genotype and the color of sweet potatoes were parameters that had an influence on its chemical composition. Cultivars such as Amelia and Beauregard stood out by the amounts of total soluble solids and carotenoids, respectively. The selections ILS 16 and ILS 56 are recommended as sources of anthocyanins. Thermal process influenced the concentration of antioxidant compounds and changed some physicochemical characteristics.

Resumo O estudo propôs avaliar o efeito do branqueamento combinado ao uso de sais e de revestimentos à base de metilcelulose (MC) na absorção de gordura e nas características físico-químicas e sensoriais de batatas da cultivar BRS Ana, submetidas à fritura na forma de batata chips. O experimento foi realizado com a cultivar BRS Ana e a cultivar Asterix, sendo a batata Asterix adequada para produtos fritos. Para o estudo foram definidos controles para as batatas das cultivares BRS Ana (T0’) e Asterix (T0”), batatas que não foram submetidas ao branqueamento nem a qualquer tipo de revestimento. Foram testados três tratamentos para cada cultivar; para a cultivar BRS Ana: T1: com branqueamento e sem revestimento; T2: com branqueamento e com revestimento de 1% de MC; T3: com branqueamento e com revestimento de 2% de MC; para a cultivar Asterix: T4: com branqueamento e sem revestimento; T5: com branqueamento e com revestimento de 1% de MC; T6 com branqueamento e com revestimento de 2% de MC. Para os tratamentos que receberam o branqueamento (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 e T6), foi realizada uma imersão das fatias de batata em água a 85 ºC por 3 minutos, com adição de 0,5% de CaCl2 e 2,5% de NaCl, seguida de resfriamento e centrifugação. As batatas dos tratamentos T2, T3, T5 e T6 que receberam revestimento de MC foram imersas em solução de MC 1 ou 2% (p/v), por 1 min e, em seguida, drenadas. As batatas foram submetidas à fritura em gordura vegetal a 180 ºC. A maior redução de absorção de gordura (13%) durante a fritura foi para batata da cultivar BRS Ana submetida ao branqueamento e revestimento com 1% MC, obtendo-se no produto final 29,37% de gordura. Além disso, o revestimento com 1% MC não modificou significativamente a cor e a textura das batatas chips; nos resultados sensoriais esse tratamento não influenciou na preferência para os atributos testados (aparência, cor, sabor e textura) e o índice de aceitação sensorial desse tratamento foi de 85,9%. A batata da cultivar BRS Ana submetida ao branqueamento adicionado de NaCl e CaCl2 e revestimento com 1% de MC apresenta potencial de utilização na forma de batata chips.

Summary The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of blanching combined with the use of salts and methylcellulose coatings (MC) on fat absorption and the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of potatoes of the cultivar BRS Ana, subjected to frying in the form of chips. The experiment was carried out with the cultivars BRS Ana and Asterix, Asterix potatoes being adequate for fried products. The control samples for the cultivars BRS Ana (T0') and Asterix (T0”) were not subjected to either blanching or any type of coating. Three treatments were tested for each cultivar, as follows: for the cultivar BRS Ana: T1: with blanching, without coating; T2: with blanching and coating using 1% MC; T3: with blanching and coating using 2% MC; for the cultivar Asterix: T4: with blanching, without coating; T5: with blanching and coating using 1% MC; T6 with blanching and coating using 2% MC. For the treatments subjected to blanching (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6), the sliced potatoes were immersed in water at 85 ° C for 3 minutes with the addition of 0.5% CaCl2 and 2.5% NaCl, followed by cooling and centrifugation. The potatoes used in treatments T2, T3, T5 and T6, which were coated with MC, were immersed in 1 or 2% (w / v) MC solution for 1 minute and then drained. All the potato chips were subjected to frying in vegetable oil at 180 ° C. The cultivar BRS Ana subjected to blanching and coating with 1% MC showed the lowest fat absorption (13%) during frying, with 29.37% fat in the final product. Furthermore, coating with 1% MC did not significantly affect the attributes of colour and texture of the potato chips or the consumer preference for the attributes studied (appearance, colour, flavour, and texture), with a sensory acceptance score of 85.9%. The cultivar BRS Ana potatoes subjected to blanching with the addition of NaCl and CaCl2 and coated with 1% MC showed good potential for use in the form of potato chips.