Abstract To improve storability and to maintain the qualitative characteristics of guava fruit, by an intelligent and sustainable approach, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. The experimental treatments were guavas with an edible coating based on modified starch and a gelatin by-product (T1), supplemented with peppermint essential oil at three different concentrations (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) (T2, T3, and T4), and a control (TC) consisting of guava without coating. All treatments were stored until 15 days at room temperature (25 ± 1 °C), and characteristics were measured every 3 days. The results were analyzed by regression analysis and Tukey’s post hoc test, p ≤ 0.05). The application of a modified-starch based coating and gelatin by-product, with or without peppermint essential oil, was efficient at prolonging the shelf-life of fruit to 15 days after harvest and a little ripening related to the concentration of added peppermint oil. Considering the physicochemical aspects, the best treatment was T1 and considering the microbiological aspects, the best treatments were T3 and T4.

Abstract Until recently, no native mushroom was considered food in the Cerrado biome, while there are records of the occurrence of about 638 species of fungi so far, many of which have numerous undefined potentials, with the potential for food among them. Our work presents the nutritional aspects of two mushroom species found in an agroforestry system in the Cerrado (Auricularia nigricans and Schizophyllum commune), and a morphological identification key for the edible mushroom species highlighted in this study. The nutritional composition analysis revealed a moisture content of 65 and 41%, proteins of 7 and 10%, ether extract (fat) of 1.3 and 1.5% and fiber of 2 and 2.2% for A. nigricans and S. common, respectively. In this work we highlight the nutritional potential of two species of edible mushrooms, A. nigricans and S. commune. These mushrooms show similar nutritional characteristics to those of commercially produced exotic mushrooms, being rich in proteins and minerals. These data, added to other reports of this nature recently presented, reinforce the importance of knowledge of local biodiversity and native mushrooms as a food source.

Abstract Brazil is the world's largest producer of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), which are one of the most widely consumed grain legumes in the world. Seven improved genotypes of dry, coloured, Brazilian common beans were analysed for their nutritional (chemical composition, oligosaccharides, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity) and protein quality (amino acid profile, amino acid score, trypsin inhibitor activity and in vitro protein digestibility). The grain bean cultivars studied showed a high content of fibre, with some aromatic amino acids present at higher levels than the Food and Agriculture Organization reference protein. The dry beans had intermediate protein digestibility, ranging from 50.3% in the BRS Notável cultivar to 66.9% in the Jalo Precoce cultivar. The studied dry beans contained anti-nutritional and flatulence factors, such as trypsin inhibitors and oligosaccharides. However, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were high. Improved grain beans have important nutritional characteristics that need to be preserved, and some negative, anti-nutritional characteristics. The results presented in this study can be used to assist the identification of appropriate processing techniques that maintain the positive features of dry beans and eliminate their negative attributes.

Abstract The objective of this study was to characterize and select genotypes which displayed aptitude for genetic improvement for tomatoes consumed in natura as well as for those used in industrial processing. There were ten genotypes evaluated, being those from seven lines (CVR 1, CVR 3, CVR 4, CVR 5, CVR 8, CVR 21 and CVR 22) and three commercial hybrids (AP-533, SVR-0453 and Kátia) and analyzing the physicochemical characteristics of the produced fruits as: soluble solids rates, acidity in citric acid, total titratable acidity, soluble solids and total titratable acidity relation, pH, vitamin C, mass, transversal and longitudinal diameter and fruit firmness. In face of the analyzed characteristics, it was concluded that all genotypes produce fruits with aptitude to be consumed in natura. The fruits present soluble solids content above 3 °Brix, oblong shape and “moderately soft” texture. Line CVR 22 showed the highest values for soluble solid and total titratable acidity relation, producing fruit with more pleasant and mild flavor, while lines CVR 3 and CVR 8 produced fruits with higher acidity and lower pH, with red coloration accentuated, characteristics indicated for genetic improvement of industrial tomato.

Pearl millet flour was utilized in kibbeh formulations instead of whole-wheat flour. Physicochemical properties, oxidation stability and sensorial characteristics of control kibbeh made with whole-wheat flour (CT) were compared with kibbehs prepared with millet flour (roasted or wet) and stored for 90 days (–18 °C). Kibbeh prepared with millet flour presented good oxidation stability (TBARS concentration). Baked kibbehs (with roasted millet flour) presented good acceptability and kibbeh samples did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) from the whole-wheat flour sample, when global appearance, texture and flavor were evaluated. Millet flour could be a suitable ingredient for kibbeh formulations, maintaining their nutritional value and sensorial quality in addition to being a gluten-free product.

Fried foods are widely consumed in Brazil and their quality depends on the oil or fat they are fried. Qualitative (physical chemistry indices) and quantitative measurements (fry-life oil or fat until disposal, oil turnover, type of oil or fat and amount and type of fried foods) and associations were performed. We applied a structured form and collected 60 mL of frying oil or fat in each of the 70 fried food stands of 15 street-fairs in Goiânia, Brazil. All samples were suitable in the quantity of free fat acids (<0.9% oleic acid), one was inadequate to peroxide value (>10 mEq/kg) and 1/3 was unsuitable to polar compounds (<25%). The majority (62%) use temperature up to the allowed (180 ºC). Approximately 250 units of products are fried in at least one day in 42% of the fried food stands. Soybean oil is used in the majority (94%) of fried food stands and the fry-life is of 6 hours (60%) or a day of work/sale. The nonconformity of the content of total polar compounds in fried foods had significant association with frying time and the conformity of acidity had significant relationship with frying time by a chi-square test. All other associations were not significant. A fry-life of oil or fat up to 6 hours can avoid the excess of polar compounds in the frying medium and protect the quality of fred foods.

Alimentos fritos são muito consumidos no Brasil e no mundo. Sabe-se que a fritura é um processo complexo e oferece riscos à saúde humana. Um dos objetivos desta revisão foi apresentar as principais alterações físicas (escurecimento, viscosidade e formação de espuma) e químicas (hidrólise e auto-oxidação) que ocorrem nos óleos e/ou gorduras durante o processo de fritura. Outro objetivo foi abordar os principais fatores envolvidos na degradação do óleo e/ou da gordura de fritura (temperatura e tempo de fritura; relação superfície/volume; tipo de aquecimento; tipo de óleo; adição de óleo novo; natureza e quantidade do alimento frito; presença de contaminantes metálicos e equipamento utilizado, além da presença de antioxidantes). Foram também apresentados alguns métodos de controle de qualidade de óleo ou de gordura de fritura existentes (quantificação de compostos polares totais, acidez, índice de peróxidos, valor de p-anisidina e métodos rápidos de quantificação). Por fim, foram relacionadas as regulamentações vigentes sobre o processo de fritura, os efeitos dos compostos degradados sobre a saúde humana e algumas recomendações para a melhoria da qualidade do óleo ou da gordura de fritura formuladas pelo Informe Técnico nº 11 da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária.

Fried foods are widely consumed in Brazil and in the world. Frying is a complex process with human health risks. One of the objectives of this review was to present the main physical changes (darkening, viscosity and foam formation) and chemical changes (hydrolysis and autoxidation) that occur in oils and/or fats during the frying process. Another objective was to investigate the main factors associated with oil and/or fat degradation, namely frying temperature and time; surface/volume ratio; type of heating; addition of new oil; type and quantity of the food being fried; presence of metal contaminants; equipment used; and presence of antioxidants. Some existing frying oil or fat quality control methods (total polar compound analysis, acidity, peroxide index, p-anisidine value and rapid quantitative methods) were also presented. The review closes with the regulations concerning the frying process, effects of degraded compounds on human health, and recommendations for improving frying oil or fat quality listed in Technical Report nº 11 of the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a conformidade de rótulos de alimentos para lactentes e crianças de primeira infância, segundo os preceitos da ética e das legislações vigentes. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 86 rótulos captados por livre acesso, amostragem intencional, distribuídos em: fórmulas infantis para lactentes (n=11), fórmulas de seguimento para lactentes (n=5); alimentos de transição (n=7); alimentos à base de cereais (n=11), leites e alimentos à base de vegetais (n=52) e alimentos comuns usualmente empregados na alimentação desse público (n=13). Foram preenchidos formulários estruturados com itens das Resoluções da Diretoria Colegiada 222/02, 977/98, 40/01, 40/02, 259/02, 23/00 e das Portarias 34/98 e 36/98 para cada alimento. Aplicaram-se os Testes Qui-Quadrado, Exato de Fisher e de Correlação. RESULTADOS: A freqüência de não conformidades na rotulagem específica foi muito maior que na rotulagem geral. A maior freqüência de não conformidades observada foi a apresentação de ilustrações inadequadas nos alimentos (imagens de lactentes ou crianças com figuras humanizadas). Outras inconformidades foram: a presença de expressões como leite humanizado, baby ou frases que dão falsa idéia de vantagem ou segurança; e a ausência de frases obrigatórias e não conformidade quanto à composição do produto. Alimentos que não tinham como designação de venda nenhuma das características de uso comum nesta faixa etária, ou seja, não eram comercializados como tal, como farinha láctea, flocos de cereais e mingaus, apresentavam frases de advertência não necessárias para aquele tipo de produto. CONCLUSÃO: A rotulagem de alimentos para lactentes e crianças de primeira infância apresenta muitas irregularidades, principalmente no que se refere à rotulagem específica do produto. Essa prática pode repercutir sobre a amamentação. A fiscalização deve ser intensificada, conjuntamente com maiores esclarecimentos às indústrias de alimentos e aos consumidores em geral.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to analyze label conformity of foods for infants and lactating women according to ethical principles and current regulations. METHODS: A total of 86 labels acquired by free access and intentional sampling were analyzed, distributed as follows: infant formulas (n=11), follow-on formulas (n=5), complementary foods (n=07), cereal products (n=11), milk and foods containing vegetables (n=52), and food commonly used to feed this population (n=13). Structured forms were filled out with items from the Resoluções da Diretoria Colegiada (Graduated Board Resolutions) 222/02, 977/98, 40/01, 40/02, 259/02, 23/00 and of the Portarias (rules) 34/98 and 36/98 for each food. The chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and correlation test were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The rate of specific label non-conformity was much greater than that of general labeling. The highest rate of non-conformity was observed in the presentation of illustrations of the foods (images of breastfeeding infants or children with humanized images). Other non-conformities were: the presence of words such as humanized milk, baby or phrases that give a false idea of advantage or safety; the absence of mandatory phrases and non-conformity regarding the composition of the food. Foods that did not have as sales designation any of the characteristics of common use in this age group, that is, that were not marketed as such, such as lacteal flour, cereal flakes and paps presented warning phrases that were not necessarily for that kind of product. CONCLUSION: Labels of foods for breastfeeding infants and toddlers are irregular in many ways, especially regarding the specific labeling of the product. This practice may influence breastfeeding. More inspection is needed as well as more explanations to the food industries and to the consumers in general.