Português

Abstract

Due to the significant increase in consumption of fruits and their derivatives, it is necessary to invest in operations aimed at their use, minimizing the pre and post-harvest losses, due to its high perishability. The fruit processing pulp is a widely used technique because much of the population seeking convenience and a healthier diet, in addition to increase the product shelf life and can provide it to distant regions and periods off season. This study evaluated physicochemical and microbiological characteristics, in three consecutive months, 17 flavors of fruit pulp of a manufacturing company in order to use the final product control as a means to identify control gaps present in the acquisition of raw materials as well as during processing steps and packaging. It was noticed that about 60% of all pulps were unfit for human consumption, with the highest percentage in the physicochemical analysis (45%), followed by microbiological (30%). In the microbiological characteristics, the large amount of molds and yeasts suggest failure through cleaning and sanitizing fruits and in the processing area. For the physicochemical analysis, pH and total soluble solids content were the most alarming, verifying the possibility of water adittion (illegal) and acidulant excess, which causes the pulp loses its fruit identity. The most problematic fruits were pineapple, prune, caja, cashew, graviola, guava and passion fruit. The control of the final product proved essential to the company's quality assurance.