ABSTRACT. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of and the content of bioactive compounds in camu-camu fruits harvested at different maturation stages and stored. The fruits were harvested in the municipality of Cantá, Roraima State, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with three replications, in a factorial arrangement consisting of three different maturation stages (immature, semi-mature and mature) and eight days of storage (3 x 8). The fruits were analysed every day regarding total vitamin C, carotenoids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity (FRAP and DPPH). According to the results obtained, the interaction of maturation stages x eight days of storage had a significant effect according to the F test at 5% probability. The highest antioxidant activity (FRAP) was observed in the fruits harvested in the semi-mature stage, providing a longer shelf life. The carotenoid pigment, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and vitamin C contents were higher in the fruits harvested in the mature stage, and this stage was the most suitable for obtaining these functional biocompounds. Additionally, in mature fruits, the highest mean content of total phenolics and antioxidant activity (DPPH) were observed during storage. It was concluded that the mature stage is the most recommended for the extraction of pigments and antioxidant biocompounds from camu-camu fruits.

Abstract The high levels of vitamin C in camu-camu have stimulated the interests of extractivists, farmers and consumers. The aim of this study was to characterize five accessible for family agroindustry different formulations of camu-camu popsicles and assess their acceptance. A completely randomized design was used and the treatments consisted of five different popsicle formulations: camu-camu pulp (T1 and T2: 27%, T3 and T4: 20.8%; T5: 61%), water (T1 and T2: 43.5%, T3 and T4: 20.8%; T5: no water), whole milk powder (T1 and T2: 14.7%, T3 and T4: 29.2%; T5: 18.3%), sugar (T1 and T2: 14.7%, T3 and T4: 29% and T5: 20.6%), neutral alloy and emulsifier. The formulations were processed and the popsicles were evaluated for pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C, acceptability index (SS/TA) and macro and micro nutrients were identified. In the sensorial analysis, the popsicles were evaluated for appearance, color, flavor, texture and purchase intent by 40 untrained tasters. The acceptance of the camu-camu popsicles was lower when the formulation was more diluted. Formulations T3, T4 and T5 showed the most wanted qualitative attributes and these preparations received top scores in the sensory analysis.

Abstract The camu-camu tree (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) Mc Vaugh) is fruit-bearing tree belonging to the family Myrtaceae. This work was conducted with the purpose of evaluating the type of storage temperature and package which allow better conservation of the quality attributes of camu-camu. The experimental design utilized was the completely randomized with three replications in a factorial arrangement (3x3x8), constituted of three different storage temperatures (laboratory ambiente or 25 ± 2 °C, 15 °C and 20 °C), three types of packages (no package, PET and PVC) and fourteen days’ storage, the fruits being analyzed every two days. The fruits were evaluated as to fresh mass loss, pH, soluble solids contents, titrable acidity, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, anthocyanins, chlorophylls A and B and maturation index (SS/AT). According to the results obtained, the quality attributes and ascorbic acid content were conserved for longer time in the fruits stored on PVC-film covered expanded polystyrene trays at 15 °C. It follows that the best temperature for the storage of camu-camu is 15 °C and the package that best keeps its quality attributes is the PVC-film covered expanded polystyrene tray.

Avaliou-se o comportamento pós-colheita de pêssegos da cv. Aurora-1 armazenados sob refrigeração. Os frutos foram colhidos em dois estádios de maturação, verde maduro (de vez) e maduro. Os lotes foram armazenados em três temperaturas (2°C; 6°C e 12°C), por 35 dias, e avaliados a cada sete dias: quanto à coloração da casca, perda acumulada de massa fresca (PMF), firmeza (FIR), aparência, teores de acidez titulável (AT), sólidos solúveis (SS), açúcares solúveis (AS) e redutores (AR), pectina solúvel (PS) e total (PT), além da porcentagem de solubilização de pectinas (SOL). A menor temperatura de armazenamento elevou o tempo de prateleira dos pêssegos, e os frutos "de vez" apresentaram melhor aparência. A PMF demonstrou um gradiente em função do aumento da temperatura, e os frutos "de vez" apresentaram menor perda ao final do armazenamento sob todas as temperaturas, quando comparados aos maduros. A coloração da casca dos frutos "de vez", a 2°C, teve pouca alteração, conferindo-lhes mudança de coloração de verde-amarelada para amarelo-clara; enquanto nas temperaturas de 6°C e 12°C esse gradiente foi mais intenso. O mesmo efeito foi verificado nos pêssegos maduros. A FIR sofreu efeito da temperatura, pois temperaturas menores sofreram redução mais lenta e AT dos pêssegos maduros foi superior aos "de vez". Não houve influência dos tratamentos nos teores de SS, AS e AR. Os pêssegos 'Aurora-1' não demonstraram sensibilidade ao frio, e os "de vez", armazenados a 2°C, tiveram vida útil de 35 dias.

This work aimed to evaluate the postharvest of peaches cv. Aurora-1 stored under refrigeration. The fruit were harvested in two stages ("mature green" and ripe). The lots were stored at three temperatures (2°C, 6°C, and 12°C), for 35 days and evaluated every seven days for skin color, loss of fresh mass (PMF), firmness (FIR), appearance, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids (SS), soluble (AS) and reducing (AR) sugars, soluble (SP) and total (PT) pectin, and the percentage of pectins solubilization (SOL). The lower storage temperature gave the greatest shelf life and that the fruit at mature green stage had better maintenance of appearance. The PMF showed a gradient of weight loss due to the increase of temperature and the mature green fruit had smaller loss at the end of storage for all temperatures, compared to mature. The skin color of the fruit "mature green", stored at 2°C, had little change, from green-yellow to light yellow, while on temperatures at 6°C and 12°C this gradient was more intense. The same effect was found in ripe peaches. The FIR was affected by temperature, and the lowest temperature changed slowly. The AT for ripe peaches was higher for the mature green. There was no influence of treatments on the contents of SS, AS and AR. Peaches 'Aurora-1' showed no chilling injury symptoms and the ones harvested at mature green stage, when stored at 2°C had 35 days of shelf life.

Foram avaliados os efeitos de diferentes injúrias mecânicas na qualidade de abobrinhas verdes cv. caipira, em três tipos de lesões: por impacto, compressão e corte. No impacto os frutos foram soltos em queda livre de uma altura de 1,60 m duas vezes (uma batida de cada lado do fruto), a compressão foi feito pela pressão de um peso de 58,8 N por 1 hora e o corte (6 cm de comprimento e 2 mm de profundidade, em triplicata em 2 lados dos frutos) efetuado com uma faca apropriada. Após esses tratamentos, os frutos injuriados e os do controle (intactos) foram armazenados em condições de ambiente (25°C, 65% UR). As avaliações foram feitas a cada 3 dias, determinando-se atividade respiratória, aparência, perda de massa, pH, teores de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, ácido ascórbico, amido e carboidratos solúveis. Durante o período de armazenamento, de 15 dias, as lesões mostraram-se prejudiciais à qualidade, afetando distintamente os parâmetros químicos, a aparência, e diminuindo os dias de possível comercialização dos frutos, em especial naqueles submetidos ao corte e ao impacto. Estas injúrias também ocasionaram maior atividade respiratória dos frutos. A perda de massa fresca foi agravada quando os frutos foram submetidos ao corte. A injúria por impacto e por corte foram as mais prejudiciais para a qualidade das abobrinhas 'Caipira'.

The effects of different mechanical injuries were evaluated on green squash cv. Caipira, such as impact, compression and cut. The impact injury was done by dropping the fruit from a height of 1.60 m on a hard and plain surface. Compression was made by pressing a weight of 58.8 N on the squash fruit for 1 hour and the cut was done by using a knife to make wounds (2 mm deep and 6 cm length) three times in both sides of the fruits. Injuried and intact fruits were stored at room temperature (25ºC, 65% RH). Evaluations were done every three days, measuring the respiratory activity, appearance, loss of fresh mass, pH, content of soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, starch and soluble carbohydrates. During the 15-day storage the injured fruits showed the worst quality, affecting the chemical parameters, the appearance and reduced the shelf life, mainly of those fruits submitted to cut and impact injuries. These injuries also increased the respiratory activity. Loss of weight was increased when the fruit were submitted to cuts. Impact and the cut injuries on immature fruits of squashes caused higher losses.

As injúrias mecânicas constituem uma das principais causas de perdas pós-colheita dos produtos hortícolas. Avaliou-se os efeitos de diferentes injúrias mecânicas sobre a qualidade de melancias 'TopGun®'. Foram testados três tipos de lesões: impacto (os frutos caíram de uma altura de 20 cm); compressão (os frutos ficaram sob a pressão de um peso de 294 N durante 10 horas); corte (feito com lâminas apropriadas). Após esses tratamentos, os frutos injuriados e os do controle (intactos) foram armazenados em condições de ambiente (25±1°C, 65±5% UR). As avaliações foram feitas a cada 4 dias, determinando-se a aparência, a perda de massa fresca, os teores de sólidos solúveis, de acidez titulável e de ácido ascórbico, coloração interna e atividade respiratória. Durante o armazenamento de 15 dias, as lesões mostraram-se prejudiciais à qualidade e à aparência dos frutos, em especial naqueles submetidos ao corte e ao impacto. Notou-se também escurecimento na polpa destes frutos. Perda de massa fresca também foi observada durante este período e foi agravada quando os frutos foram submetidos ao impacto. O teor de sólidos solúveis e o ácido ascórbico diminuíram ao longo do período de armazenamento. A atividade respiratória aumentou logo nas primeiras horas em frutos submetidos às injúrias de corte e impacto.

Mechanical injuries are the main cause of losses in the post harvest of horticultural products. The effect of different mechanical injuries was evaluated on the quality of watermelons 'TopGun®'. The impact was evaluated when the injury was made by allowing the product to fall from 20 cm height on a hard and plane surface, compression of fruits under a weight of 294N and cutting the fruits with an appropriate blade. After this, the injuried and intact fruits were stored at room temperature (25+1ºC, 65+5%RH). The evaluations were performed every 4 days, for appearance, loss of fresh mass, the content of soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, internal color and respiratory activity. During the storage period of 15 days, the injuries prejudiced the quality and the apearance of the fruits, mainly those submitted to the cut and impact, presenting the worst quality, affecting the chemical parameteres, the appearance and reducing the days of possible comercialization. The pulp turned slightly darker. Loss of fresh mass also was observed during this period and became worst on the fruit submited to the impact. The content of soluble solids and ascorbic acid reduced through the storage period. The respiratory activity was afected in the first hours of analisis by the cut and the impact.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a curva de maturação de pêssegos 'Aurora-1' para a região de Jaboticabal-SP, através de avaliações físicas e químicas dos frutos. O experimento foi conduzido em pomar comercial, no município de Vista Alegre do Alto, onde foram marcados ramos de 15 plantas, com flores no estádio de "balão". Após 20 dias, iniciou-se a coleta dos frutos, com intervalos de 7 dias, até a sua maturação completa (111 dias). Através dos dados de altura e de diâmetro, verificou-se que os frutos da cultivar 'Aurora-1' seguiram o padrão de crescimento semelhante ao encontrado na literatura, que é de uma curva sigmoidal dupla, atingindo no final da maturação altura de 59,84±6,9 mm e diâmetro de 50,30±5,8 mm. Em relação ao peso dos frutos no período de 90 a 111 dias, houve incremento de 41,08 g para 58,82 g (43%). O teor de ácidos orgânicos e a firmeza diminuíram na mesma proporção em que ocorreu o aumento no conteúdo de sólidos solúveis e carboidratos solúveis durante o período de desenvolvimento. A coloração interna do fruto evoluiu, passando de amarelo-esverdeada para amarelo- intensa. A cor de fundo nas duas primeiras amostragens apresentaram valores semelhantes à cor interna, evoluindo a partir desse ponto de amarelo-esverdeada para alaranjada. Já a cor de recobrimento teve uma diferença mais pronunciada, passando de amarelo-esverdeada para vermelho-intensa, característica da cultivar. Esses resultados sinalizaram que, aos 90 e 97 dias, os frutos atingiram sua maturação fisiológica e que, aos 104 e 111 dias, encontravam-se sobremaduros.

The aim of this work was to characterize the maturation stage of peaches 'Aurora-1' for the region of Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. The experiment was conduced in a commercial orchard in Vista Alegre do Alto, where branches of 15 trees were marked with flowers in "balloon" stage. After 20 days, fruits were harvested, every 7 days (or once a week) until the complete maturation of the fruits (111 days). Through the data of height and diameter, it was checked that the fruits of cultivar Aurora-1 showed the standard growth of sigmoidal double curves reaching in the end of maturation 59.84 ± 6.9 mm of height and 50.30 ± 5.8 mm of diameter. There was a development in the total mass of fruit of 41.08g to 58.82g (43%) in the period of 90 to 111 days. The titratable acidity and the firmness were reduced in the same proportion from the soluble solids and the soluble sugars contents increased during the growth period. The intern color of fruit developed from yellow-greenish to intensive yellow. The base color in the two first samplings showed values similar as of the intern color, from yellow-greenish to orange. Yet, the covering color had a stronger difference changing from yellow-greenish to intensive red, which is proper of the cultivar. These results showed that among 90 and 97 days the fruit reached their physiologic maturation and among 104 and 111 days, they were overripe.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes injúrias mecânicas na qualidade de limas ácidas 'Tahiti'. Foram testados três tipos de lesões: impacto, compressão e corte. Após esses tratamentos, os frutos foram armazenados em condições de ambiente (25±1 °C, 65±5% UR). As avaliações foram feitas a cada 3 dias, determinando-se atividade respiratória, aparência, perda de massa, pH, teores de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável e de ácido ascórbico. Durante o período de armazenamento, as lesões mostraram-se prejudiciais à qualidade, afetando distintamente os parâmetros químicos, a aparência e diminuindo os dias de possível comercialização dos frutos, principalmente naqueles submetidos ao corte e ao impacto. Estas injúrias também ocasionaram maior aumento na atividade respiratória dos frutos. A perda de massa fresca também foi observada durante este período e foi agravada quando os frutos foram submetidos ao corte. A injúria por impacto foi a mais prejudicial para a qualidade das limas ácidas 'Tahiti', comprometendo a aparência dos frutos aos 9 dias de armazenamento.

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of different mechanical injuries on 'Tahiti' lime. Three types of injuries were tested: impact, compression and cut, then the fruits were stored under environmental conditions (25ºC, 65%RH). The evaluations were done at each 3 days, when it was observed the respiratory activity and the appearance and it was determinated the loss of fresh mass and content of soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, and the pH. During the storage, the injured fruit showed the worst quality, affecting the chemical parameters and the appearance and reduced the days of possible comercialization, mainly the ones submitted to cut and impact. Those injuries also caused a greater increase on the respiratory activity. Loss of weight was also observed during this period and it was increased when the fruits were submitted to cuts. The impact injury showed the worst results for the quality of 'Tahiti' limes, with undesirable appearance changes at the 9th day of storage.