Instrumental and sensory tools to evaluate the production potential of a new type of sparkling wine from umbu (Spondias tuberosa)

Abstract

Umbu is a native fruit from the Brazilian Caatinga Biome, which is a source of income for families involved in extractivism. This fruit is highly perishable and production losses have been experienced. The production of sparkling wine can be a strategy for better use and to add value to this fruit. Furthermore, consumers have been attracted to innovative beverages, produced with alternative raw materials and with an exotic and pleasant aroma. The potential for producing sparkling wine from umbu was evaluated through physical-chemical, instrumental (gas chromatography with detection by mass spectrometry and olfactometry) and sensory analyses (acceptance test, Just-about-right (JAR) scale, and penalty analysis). Both the base wine and the sparkling wine meet all regulatory physicochemical parameters. The volatile profile of umbu pulp contains mainly terpenes (55%), while esters predominated in the base and sparkling wines (32 and 33%, respectively). In sparkling wines, hexanoic acid (3114 mg L-1) and linalool (1266 mg L-1) were the major compounds. Among the 26 odor-active compounds of sparkling wines are mainly ethyl esters with fruity aroma (acetate, decanoate, and 2-phenylacetate; OSME area: 4.8, 4.8, and 5.0%, respectively), and terpenes with floral notes (p-cymene, geranic oxide and linalool; OSME area: 8.5, 7.4, and 6.9%, respectively). The acceptance and purchase intention tests endorsed the commercialization expectation, although JAR scale and penalty analysis showed that the umbu aroma and sweetness may be improved. The potential of umbu for the production of sparkling wines has been proven, which satisfies the current market demand for innovative beverages.