Processing and shelf-life evaluation of dehydrated and pulverized tucuman (Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer)

ABSTRACT The present study had as objective to process tucuman by dehydration and pulverization and to evaluate its shelf-life in different types of packaging and storage temperatures. The edible part of the fruit was dehydrated, triturated and passed through a sieve to standardize granule diameter, then packed in three different types of packaging (polyethylene plastic film, laminated film, and steel can) and stored at different temperatures (4 and 24 °C). The in natura and dehydrated fruits were analyzed for moisture content, pH, acidity, total and reducing sugars, proteins, lipids, ash, carbohydrates, energy, β-carotene and retinol equivalent. The dehydrated and pulverized tucuman was analyzed every 30 days during the 150 days of storage for peroxide, acid and iodine values and microbiological parameters. The constituents that stood out in the in natura fruits as well as in the dehydrated and pulverized fruits were lipids, carbohydrates and, consequently, energy and β-carotene. Regarding shelf-life, all treatments presented good chemical and microbiological stability during the 150 days of storage. It can be concluded that dehydrated and pulverized tucuman, independent of the type of packaging and storage temperature, can be stored and consumed for up to 150 days, allied to the nutritional potential as an energy and β-carotene source.