RESUMOO objetivo deste trabalho foi a produção, acompanhamento da cinética de fermentação e caracterização físico--química de fermentado alcoólico de umbu (Spondias tuberosa), a fim de verificar sua concordância com os padrões exigidos pela legislação brasileira para fermentados de frutas. O mosto foi preparado a partir da diluição da polpa de umbu em água na proporção de 1:1,5; sendo feita a chaptalização do mesmo com adição de açúcar até 20°Brix; adicionou--se, ainda, carbonato de cálcio para corrigir o pH até 4,00, e metabissulfito de potássio (0,1g.L --1 ).
PALAVRAS--CHAVE:Spondias tuberosa, fermentado de fruta, análise físico--química.
UMBU WINE: PRODUCTION, FERMENTATIVE KINETICS AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION ABSTRACTThe aim of this work was the production, monitoring the fermentation kinetics and physicochemical characterization of umbu wine (Spondias tuberosa) in order to verify their concordance with the standards required by Brazilian legislation for fruit wines. The must was prepared by diluting umbu pulp with water at a ratio of 1:1.5; It was made chaptalization with added sugar to 20°Brix; it was added, further, calcium carbonate enough to correct pH to 4.00, and potassium metabisulfite (0,1g.L --1 ). Saccharomyces cerevisiae (5g.L --1 ) was the yeast used in the fermentative process, which was carried out at 22°C for 11 days in a B.O.D incubator, being monitored daily the content of soluble solids, ethanol production and pH. After fermentation, the must was subjected to refrigeration to decant the solid particles, and then was made the racking wine, which was filtered and bottled. The physico--chemical analysis of the beverage were: relative density; alcohol content; total, volatile and fixed acidity; pH; reducing, non--reducing and total sugars; total and reduced dry extract; ash; sulfates; and ratio alcohol / reduced dry extract. The results showed that the most of the evaluated parameters are in accordance at the limits recommended by the Brazilian legislation for fruit wine, except total acidity, which was below the minimum limit, however, the results are compatible with the literature reported. Overall the beverage obtained showed good characteristics and can be an economical alternative for small farmers in the Northeast region of Brazil.