Mead is an alcoholic fermented obtained from the dilution of honey and water in different amounts, depending on the desired alcohol content. This study aimed to evaluate a natural alcoholic fermentation for mead process. Bee honey was used, also Tahiti lemon, Gala apple and black raisin in order to diversify beekeeping products and to evaluate the effect. The production of pure mead (A) was from 17.60º Brix, the production of lemon mead (B) was from 16.80º Brix, the production of mead raisin (C) was from 19.60º Brix, while mead with apple (D) was from 16.10º Brix, and all mead were produced from wild yeast present in the environment. The alcoholic fermentation occurred at room temperature for 56 days and obtained alcohol content (v/v) and volatile acidity (mEq/l) in A of 4.92% and 24.47, in B of 1.78%. and 8.71, in C of 6.47% and 11.26 and in D of 1.53% and 6.46, respectively. Moreover, after the 56 days of maturation of the mead were obtained the methanol (mg/l) and alcoholic (v/v) content, in this order, in A of 666.67 and 11.04%, in B of 1,000.00 and 6.71%, in C 200.00 and 13.28% and in D 833.33 and 5.06%. From the results obtained can be concluded that only C is within the legislation of the mead standard, but that A and C yeasts presented the highest fermentation potential. Thus, further studies on mead production and a reassessment of the quality and identity standard agreed by Normative Instruction no 34/2012 are required.

A kind of the consumption forms of drinks presentation that has grown and appreciated for the most people is the nectar. The papaya nectar had recognized as a differentiated form of this fruit, where the industry also gains in time of conservation, since the papaya is an extremely perishable fruit. The aim of this study was to evaluate gamma radiation as a way of conserving papaya nectar. Papaya nectar was developed and subjected to gamma radiation at the dose of 1kGy in a dose tax of 0.356 kGy.hour-1 and compared this treatment with the control (0kGy). According to the results obtained, can be concluded that the dose used was adequate for the conservation of this product for the period evaluated reaching the aim.

No abstract

Among various apple products, apple porridge is a much consumed product, not only for babies, but also for adults. It is a practical, healthy and tasty product that can be consumed throughout the day. However, it is an extremely perishable product. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the shelf-life period of apple porridge after the application of gamma radiation as a conservation technology. After the formulation of apple porridge was developed, which was subjected to gamma radiation at the dose of 1kGy in a dose tax of 0.356kGy.hour-1 and compared this treatment with the control (0kGy). From the results presented, it can be concluded that the period of conservation of apple porridge submitted to gamma radiation is 30 days. From the 60th day, the samples showed microbial growth, not being accepted for consumption. In comparison to the control, the use of gamma radiation was promising, since the standard sample showed contamination before 30 days. By the results it can be concluded that the dose used was adequate for the conservation of this product for the period evaluated.

Okra is a very important vegetable in simple world cuisine. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of gamma radiation of Cobalt-60 in the conservation of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). After 1 day of okras's harvest, they were selected based in the size, presence of mechanical and phytophatologycal damages, and put in polystyrene trays and covered with thin polyethylene film. Then they were irradiated with doses of: 0 (control); 75; 100; 125; 150 and 200 Gy, at a dose rate of 0.259 kGy/h. The experiment was carried out in chamber regulated at 10o C of temperature and 80% of relative humidity. All analyses physical and chemical of the samples were carried out after 7 and 15 days of the storage. The results did not show any significative difference between the control and irradiated samples, except the viscosity that decreased with the increase of the dose of radiation. The dose of 75 Gy can be indicated to the conservation of okras because it was the one that showed best result in the coloration of okras.