Repositor isotônico de açaí: caracterização físico-química, atividade antioxidante e vida de prateleira

Abstract

The biodiversity of the Amazon region provides studies in the most diverse areas of knowledge. Exploring this diversity in the quest for a better quality of life or in improving clinical conditions or for physical performance issues becomes increasingly common, including for the purpose of producing regional fruit products that bring some benefit to the consumer. The objective of this research was to elaborate a hydroelectrolytic repository of açaí enriched with vitamins and creatine and to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, the shelf life and the antioxidant activity of the repository at time 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after its preparation. After the initial analyzes in the pulps (centesimal composition, physicochemical characteristics), four formulations of the repository containing 5, 10, 15 and 20% of pulp in their initial volume and added with vitamins and creatine (CS5, CS10, CS15 and CS20) and control formulations (SS5, SS10, SS15 and SS20) were developed for comparison purposes. CS drinks were evaluated to determine if they were within the current legislation, and SS and CS were subsequently subjected to determinations of physical chemical variables (pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, SS/AT ratio) as well as for the determination of bioactive compounds (total phenolics and total anthocyanins) and antioxidant activity by the DPH method. The microbiological evaluation was determined by coliform analyzes at 45ºC and presence of Salmonella sp. The CS formulation drinks were also submitted to sensory analysis (preference-order and hedonic scale test) and both were evaluated for shelf life. The results showed that the CS formulations had their sodium and potassium concentrations within the parameters required for hydroelectrolytic repositories. However, its osmolality has been shown to be slightly elevated without reaching levels that may adversely affect the body's water balance or cause gastrointestinal discomfort. The physical-chemical characteristics in SS and CS showed variations within the storage period without being very different from the values observed in the main commercial beverages evaluated in other studies. The total phenolics and anthocyanins contents of the CS formulations showed high values at the end of the evaluated period, as well as the antioxidant activity, being able to be an ally in the fight against the harmful effects of free radicals in the body cells. Regarding the microbiological evaluation, there were no significant alterations of the analyzes used as parameter in this study, indicating its stability. The sensorial tests indicated for most attributes values higher than the cut grade (5) and CS15 and CS20 were significantly different to CS5. Based on the results, it is concluded that the beverage proposed here, although slightly hypertonic, partially complies with the legislation for hydroelectrolytic repositories and the addition of vitamins and creatine fulfills its purpose of raising total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, be a source of compounds with anti-free radical action.