Summary This study evaluated the influence of packaging atmosphere (air versus 50% N2/50% CO2) on microbiological (mesophiles, psychrotrophs), physical (gas measurement) and chemical (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen [TVB‐N], NH3, H2S and biogenic amines) parameters in freshwater prawns during storage at 0 ± 1 °C for 240 h. To select the most appropriate packaging, 21 batches of each treatment were analysed. Both the packaging permeability and the combination of gases affected the shelf life, but the modified‐atmosphere packaging (MAP) was more efficient than air packaging, increasing the shelf life by 40 h. The parameters of pH and TVB‐N showed no statistical difference between the two atmosphere conditions all along the storage period. The biogenic amine agmatine showed potential for use as a quality indicator due to the increased concentration during storage. In further studies, this amine can be applied as an indicator for public health issue.

Parâmetros físico-químicos e sensoriais na avaliação da qualidade da piramutaba (brachyplatystoma vaillantii, valenciennes, 1840) inteira estocada em gelo* Physicochemical and sensory parameter in the quality evaluation of the entire piramutaba (Brachyplatystoma vaillantii, Valenciennes, 1840) stored on ice

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Papaya is a fruit of great economic importance worldwide, but still presents a high rate of postharvest losses. Among the different reasons explaining this phenomenom, intensive labor and inappropriate storage conditions are the main ones. Carnauba wax nanoemulsion (CWN) coating may be an alternative to this problem, preserving postharvest fruit quality. Therefore, an experimental CWN was developed and a set of three trials were conducted to evaluate its performance on storage of papaya fruits solo type. On the first trial, this coating was applied to the fruits at concentrations of 4.5, 9.0, 13.5 and 18.0% compared to control group (fruits coated with water). In a second trial, the best concentrations determined in the first one was used (13.5 and 18.0% respectively). On the last trial, CWN on a high concentration 18% was compared to commercially treated and untreated fruits. Fruits were stored for 12 to 20 days at 16 to 18°C and Relative Humidity upper to 70%. Physicochemical analyzes carried were soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, weight loss, firmness, color and ethylene production, while postharvest disease incidence and severity was only performed on the last trial. Significant difference was observed on treatments with high CWN concentration (13.5 and 18.0%) in relation to reducing weight loss, delay ripening and decreasing ethylene production compared to untreated, commercial coating and even to low CWN concentrations. For disease severity it was observed a reduction on coated fruits with high CWN concentration when compared to control and commercial coating. CWN has a potential use for extending papaya postharvest shelf life.

Honey is used as an alternative medicine and is a constituent of a healthy diet worldwide. Its composition is associated with botanical origin and, to some extent, geographical origin because soil and climate characteristics determine the melliferous flora. Also, the elements content in honey samples could give an indication of environmental pollution or geographical origin. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate seasonal patterns of essential elements of Brazilian honey. Honey was collected during spring, summer, autumn, and winter for 2 years to quantify K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, and Sr using total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF). Our results indicate no seasonal differences in concentration of Cr, Ni, Se, and Ti, although there were significant seasonal patterns in the composition of essential elements in honey, with higher concentrations of minor and trace elements, especially K and Ca of samples collected in spring and summer.