Camila Carvalho Menezes

Citotoxicity of food dyes sunset yellow (E-110), bordeaux red (E-123), and tatrazine yellow (E-102) on Allium cepa L. root meristematic cells

The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the food dyes sunset yellow, bordeaux red, and tartrazine yellow on the cellular cycle of Allium cepa L. Each dye was evaluated at the doses of 0.4 and 4.0 mL, at the exposure times of 24 and 48 hours in root tip cells of Allium cepa L. Slides were prepared and cells were analyzed during the whole cell cycle for cellular aberrations totaling 5,000 total cells for each dose evaluated. The mitotic index was calculated, and statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-squared test (p < 0.05). The results showed that the three dyes used under the evaluated doses and exposure times were cytotoxic to the cells of the system-test used. Further cytotoxicity studies should be conducted for additional results and a proper evaluation of the effect of these three dyes on a cellular level.

Caracterização física e físico-química de diferentes formulações de doce de goiaba (Psidium guajava L.) da cultivar Pedro Sato

The shelf life of preserves can be extended by the use of preservatives and other combined preservation methods. The objective of the present study was to verify the effects of potassium sorbate and citric acid concentrations and the pulp:sugar ratio on the physical and physicochemical characteristics of guava preserve formulations. A complete 23 factorial design was used with 3 central points. Linear models were fitted to describe the responses as a function of the significant factors. The results showed that the potassium sorbate concentration had little effect on the responses analysed, except for the pH. The pulp/sugar ratio and the citric acid concentration are the most relevant variables to this process. The citric acid concentration and the pulp:sugar ratio must be increased to obtain firm preserves and greater yield.

Influence of packaging and potassium sorbate on the physical, physicochemical and microbiological alterations of guava preserves

A elaboracao de doces atraves do processamento de frutas e uma alternativa promissora para a sua conservacao pelo fato de proporcionar um sabor agradavel, com o aumento da docura, e permitir uma boa conservacao do produto por tempo prolongado. Diante da busca por qualidade e maior durabilidade de doces de frutas, o objeto do trabalho foi avaliar a interferencia da adicao de sorbato de potassio e das embalagens de polipropileno, metalicas e de filmes de celofane sobre a qualidade, por meio das caracteristicas fisicas, quimicas e microbiologicas do doce em massa de goiaba (Psidium guajava L.) durante o armazenamento. As analises fisicas, quimicas e microbiologicas mostraram que os diferentes tipos de embalagens nao interferiram na estabilidade do doce de goiaba em massa ate o 5° mes de armazenamento, sendo o tempo, o fator que mais influenciou na qualidade do doce quando armazenado em temperatura e umidade de 19,6 °C e 76,2%, respectivamente. O sorbato de potassio ocasionou um aumento do teor de solidos soluveis e diminuicao da atividade de agua. Independente do tratamento, os doces permaneceram microbiologicamente estaveis durante o armazenamento.

Influence of storage time and packaging on the sensory profile of functional diet guava preserve

Purpose People are increasingly concerned about food and health and seek for functional and sugar-free products. However, there are technological challenges when adding functional components and substituting sugar in foods. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the influence of packaging and storage time on the sensory profile of functional diet guava preserve added with prebiotics, supporting the development of functional and sugar-free products and contributing to the product variety in the market. Design/methodology/approach A two-factor full factorial design was conducted in triplications that evaluated transparent and opaque packaging vs storage time (six months). The products were stored in packages with different light permeability (transparent and opaque). Quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) and acceptance tests were performed. Findings The packaging material did not affect the sensory changes of functional diet guava preserve during the six months of storage. QDA test showed that from three months of storage the original characteristics of the product were lost and a slight decrease in overall acceptance was observed after four and six months. However, during the six months the products had good acceptance; consequently, it was not possible to establish their rejection before this period. Research limitations/implications More detailed studies regarding a longer storage period, including the physical and chemical measurements must be done to clarify other points about the influence of packaging and storage time on the sensory profile of functional diet guava preserve added with prebiotics. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further. Practical implications The development of a functional and sugar-free preserve is a good alternative to provide a product that meets the actual consumer desires and adds value to the product. However, there are technological challenges when adding functional components and substituting sugar in foods. Thus, this study provides important information for the development of sugar-free and functional products, and to prolong their shelf life. Originality/value There are few studies with respect to the sensory aspects during the storage of functional preserves. Thus, this work will aid future studies, supporting the development of functional and sugar-free products and contributing to the product variety in the market.