RESUMO A utilização de mini estacas é uma excelente opção para a propagação de batata doce. Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar a produção e a qualidade de raízes de batata doce propagada por mini-estacas em diferentes tipos de bandejas e idades de mudas. Foram avaliados seis tratamentos, resultantes do fatorial 2x3, sendo dois tipos de bandejas (162 e 200 células, com 31 e 18 mL de substrato por célula, respectivamente) e três idades das mudas no dia do transplante (39, 46 e 53 dias após a colocação das mini estacas nas bandejas), no delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições. Foram avaliadas as características das mudas, a produção e a qualidade das raízes. Foram observados maior número e massa seca de folhas por muda na bandeja com 162 células em comparação à de 200 células. As mudas mais novas (39 dias) apresentaram menor número de folhas, massa seca de folhas, caule, raízes e total (folhas + caule + raízes) que as mudas das outras idades. Não se observou diferença de produção de raízes em função do tipo de bandeja, independentemente da idade das mudas. A idade das mudas não afetou a produção de raízes com o uso da bandeja com 162 células. Por outro lado, empregando a bandeja com 200 células, observou-se maior produção de raízes usando mudas com 39 dias em comparação às mudas com 53 dias. Não foram observadas diferenças entre as raízes dos diferentes tratamentos para a acidez titulável, teores de sacarose, açúcares redutores e açúcares totais. Recomenda-se evitar a utilização de mudas velhas, ou seja, utilizar mudas com no máximo 43 dias após o plantio em bandejas com 200 células, enquanto que para bandejas com 162 células não foi observada diferença na produção de raízes com as diferentes idades das mudas.

ABSTRACT The use of mini-cuttings is an option for obtaining sweet potato propagules of excellent quality. The objective of this research was to evaluate the production and quality of sweet potato roots propagated by mini-cuttings in different types of trays and ages of seedlings. Six treatments, resulting from the factorial 2x3, were evaluated: two types of trays (162 and 200 cells, with 31 and 18 mL of substrate per cell, respectively) and three ages of seedlings (39, 46 and 53 days after placement of mini-cuttings in trays), in a randomized block design, with five replications. Seedlings characteristics, production and quality of roots were evaluated. Higher number and dry weight of leaves per seedling were observed in the tray with 162 cells than in trays with 200 cells. The younger seedlings (39 days) had a lower number of leaves, dry weight of leaves, stem, roots ant total (leaves + stem + roots) than seedlings of other ages. There was no difference in root production depending on the type of tray, regardless of the age of the seedlings. For the 162-cell tray, the age of the seedlings did not affect the production of roots. On the other hand, for the 200-cell tray, higher roots production was observed on seedlings 39 days age compared to seedlings with 53 days. No differences were observed among the roots of different treatments for titratable acidity, and levels of sucrose, reducing sugars ant total sugars. It is recommended to avoid old seedlings, that is, it is recommended to use seedlings with a maximum of 43 days after planting of mini-cuttings for trays with 200 cells, while for trays with 162 cells no difference in root production was observed with the different ages of the seedlings.

RESUMO Objetivou-se estudar o efeito de diferentes concentrações de gases (O2 e CO2) na conservação de berinjela minimamente processada. As berinjelas foram higienizadas, processadas e embaladas em nylon + polietileno transparente. Foram submetidas a atmosfera modificada (T1= ar atmosférico; T2= vácuo; T3= 4% O2 e 5% de CO2; T4= 4% O2 e 6% de CO2; T5= 4% O2 e 7% de CO2; T6= 4% O2 e 8% de CO2). As berinjelas minimamente processadas foram mantidas a 5±1°C e 90±1% de UR, por 10 dias. Aos 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 e 10 dias de conservação foram determinadas perda de massa fresca, taxa respiratória, coloração, sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez titulável (AT), pH, relação SS/AT, análise visual e intenção de compra. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 6x6 (atmosfera x dias de conservação). A atmosfera com maior concentração de CO2 (8%) reduziu mais intensamente a taxa respiratória. A berinjela minimamente processada mantida a 4% O2 + 6% CO2 obteve melhores notas na análise visual e intenção de compra no período de 10 dias. O vácuo não foi recomendado para manter refrigerada berinjela minimamente processada nas condições estudadas.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate effects of different gas concentrations (O2 and CO2) on conservation of minimally processed eggplants. The eggplants were sanitized, processed and packed in nylon + transparent polyethylene. The vegetables were submitted to modified atmospheres (T1= atmospheric air; T2= vacuum; T3= 4% O2 and 5% CO2; T4= 4% O2 and 6% CO2; T5= 4% O2 and 7% CO2; T6= 4% O2 and 8% CO2). The minimally processed eggplants were kept at 5±1°C and 90±1% RH, for 10 days. After 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days of storage, fresh weight loss, respiratory rate, color, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), pH, SS/TA ratio, visual analysis and purchase intent were determined. We used completely randomized experimental design, in a factorial scheme 6x6 (atmosphere x days of conservation). The atmosphere with higher CO2 concentration (8%) reduced the respiratory rate more intensely. The minimally processed eggplant maintained at 4% O2 + 6% CO2 obtained better grades on the visual analysis and purchase intention, with 10-day storage period. The vacuum was not recommended to keep minimally processed eggplant refrigerated under the studied conditions.

Abstract The current study aimed to determine the functional propriety of fresh beets under different cooking methods through the quantification of bioactives compounds. Beets were chosen for uniformity of size, color and absence of defects. They were thoroughly washed in running water to remove dirt, manually peeled with a knife, sliced through a stainless-steel food processor (5 mm slicing disc) and submitted to four different cooking methods: steaming, pressure, oven-baked and hot-water immersion. Analysis were performed in both uncooked and cooked beets to evaluate antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, carotenoids, flavonoids and betalains. The experiment was completely randomized design (CRD). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (F test) and means were compared by Tukey test (p < 0.05). Oven-baked beets preserve most of the bioactive coumpouds, maintaining better levels of carotenoids, flavonoids, betacyanin and betaxanthin than the other cooking methods. The antioxidant activity was similar between the treatments, except in the pressure. Moreover, different cooking methods did not affect phenolic compounds concentration in beets.

Abstract The current study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of sweet potato chips from three cultivars undergoing different cooking methods. The sweet potatoes used were cream peel with yellow-flesh, pink peel with yellow-flesh and white peel with white-flesh. Fresh tubers were characterized in terms of centesimal composition and the following contents: soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, reducing sugar, total sugar, starch and colour. Chips were deep-fried with canola oil, commercial oven-baked and air fried. Therefore, the three sweet potato cultivars did not differ statistically in terms of reducing sugars; however, TB presented the lowest starch content. The centesimal composition was accordingly the literature whose differences referred to the type of cultivar. Oven-baked and air fried chips presented the lowest fat and moisture content, which increased their shelf life. Furthermore, all deep-fried sweet potato chips showed the best sensory acceptance and purchase intent by tasters.

Abstract The current study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory quality of traditional and diet figs canned in syrup, as well as verify their storage stability. Therefore, it was used green figs from the cultivar Roxo de Valinhos. Two treatments were held: standard sucrose syrup and sweetener blends: sodium cyclamate, sucralose and sodium saccharin. The syrups were previously prepared; being 25 °Brix for sucrose syrup; and by dividing the quantity of sucrose potency (100) to the blend of sweeteners potency (125) for sweetener blends. The products were stored at room temperature for 180 days and evaluated once a month through pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, texture, vacuum and sensory evaluation (i.e. affective test); except for the commercial sterility test that was conducted at 0 to 180 days. Both canned figs in syrup showed no significant difference for pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, vacuum and texture; therefore, both were considered commercially sterile and kept their sensory characteristics throughout storage.