Abstract The Southern region of Brazil is known for its floral diversity, presenting great potential for bee products such as honey, pollen, propolis and royal jelly. In this study, 67 honey samples provided by beekeepers from 14 municipalities of western Paraná were evaluated. Physicochemical parameters, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity were analyzed. The physicochemical parameters of the samples were in compliance with the specifications by national and international standards, presenting average values of 3.26, 34.54 meq.kg-1, 18.75%, 10.79 mg.kg-1, 0.14% and 340.10 µS.cm-1, for pH, acidity, moisture, hydroxymethylfurfural, ash content and electrical conductivity, respectively. The nutritive values of honey, on average, achieved 0.28% of protein from 69.09% of total sugars, 64.57% of reducing sugars and 4.28% of sucrose. Bioactive compounds showed average values of 34.83 mg GAE/100 g-1 of total phenols and 16.26 mg EQ/100 g-1 of flavonoids, enabling antioxidant activity of 2.68 µmol FE (II)/g-1 of FRAP, 1.01 µmol ET/g-1 from ABTS and 0.12 µmol ET/g-1 of DPPH. This first study evaluated the parameters through cluster analysis and observed nine groups formed, as well as the characteristics between the samples with similar reaction. We concluded that the honey samples have high similarity and confirmed the quality of the honey produced.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological response and quality of the ‘Tahiti’ acid lime coated with carboxymethylcellulose (N-CMC), pectin (N-PEC) and starch (N-ST) nanocomposites based on cellulose nanocrystals (NC). Respiratory rate, ethylene production, loss of fresh weight, total chlorophyll and fruit firmness were evaluated during 9 days of storage. At the end of storage, only fruits coated with N-CMC and N-PEC exhibited significantly lower ethylene yield (0.92 and 0.98 μg C2H4 kg-1 h-1, respectively) than fruits coated with CMC and PEC (1.6 and 2.02 μg C2H4 kg-1 h-1, respectively). On the 3rd day of storage, fruits coated with N-PEC showed a respiratory rate (12.01 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1) similar to the fruits of the control (13.52 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1), but it was significantly lower than the fruits coated with PEC (14.93 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1). Only fruits coated with N-PEC showed significantly lower fresh weight losses than the control fruits. Fruits coated with N-PEC had chlorophyll retention levels (18.95 mg g-1) higher than fruits with PEC (13.25 mg g-1). This work showed that the N-PEC nanocomposite, based on NC, was the coating that showed greater potential for preserving quality of the ‘Tahiti’ acid lime.

RESUMO. Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar os compostos bioativos, atividade antioxidante e características físico-químicas de frutos de doviális, a fim de obter conhecimentos tecnológicos a respeito desta frutífera nas condições de Marechal Candido Rondon, PR. Foram colhidos em março de 2016 frutos de doviális provenientes de pomar experimental da Unioeste, instalado em 2012. Os frutos utilizados de doviális foram coletados de diversas plantas, maduros e divididos em três lotes. Após a colheita, os frutos foram imediatamente levados ao Laboratório de Pós-colheita para a avaliação da atividade antioxidante, através dos métodos DPPH, ABTS e FRAP. Também foram avaliadas as características físico-químicas dos frutos de doviális e compostos fenólicos totais, flavonoides, ácido ascórbico, antocianinas, respiração e coloração dos frutos. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizados, contendo três grupos e três repetições por grupo. Frutos de doviális apresentam elevada capacidade antioxidante, sendo caracterizados como frutos ácidos, devido ao aumento da atividade de FRAP. Frutos de doviális possuem coloração muito atrativa e alta acidez, destinando-se ao processamento. Para a atividade antioxidante presente no fruto, os mais bioativos são flavonoides e antocianinas. Elevado teor de ácido ascórbico foi observado nos frutos maduros de doviális. Os frutos de doviális podem ser considerados climatéricos.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this work was to evaluate the bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and physicochemical characteristics of dovyalis fruit to obtain technological knowledge about this fruit when grown under the conditions found in the municipality of Marechal Cândido Rondon, Paraná State, Brazil. Dovyalis fruits from the State University of Western Parana, which was established in 2012, were harvested in March 2016. Dovyalis fruits were collected from several plants and were divided among three lots. After the harvest, were immediately taken to the Post-Harvest Laboratory for evaluation of the antioxidant activity by the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods. The physicochemical characteristics of the fruits and the total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, respiration, and fruit color were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized, with the study containing three groups and three replicates per group. Dovyalis fruits present high antioxidant capacity and are characterized as acidic fruits, due to the high FRAP activity. Dovyalis fruits have a very attractive color and high acidity, which makes them appropriate for processing. Regarding the antioxidant activity present in the fruit, the most bioactive components are flavonoids and anthocyanins. High ascorbic acid content was observed in mature dovyalis fruits. Dovyalis fruits are considered climacteric.