Maturation of honey from Uruçú-Amarela (Melipona mondury): Metagenomics, metabolomics by NMR 1H, physicochemical and antioxidant properties.

The objective of this study was to characterize the microbiota biodiversity of Uruçú-Amarela honey through metagenomics. Furthermore, the impact of maturation temperatures (20 and 30 °C) and time (0-180 days) on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties was investigated. 1H NMR was performed to verify metabolites formed during maturation. Uruçú-Amarela honey was mainly composed by lactic acid bacteria and osmophilic yeasts of genus Zygosaccharomyces. Maturation at 30 °C led to a higher fermentation activity, resulting in greater carbohydrate consumption, ethanol formation (0.0-0.6 %) and increased acidity (34.78-45.74 meq/kg) over the 180 days. It also resulted in honey with higher brown color (a* 0.7 to 3.89, b* 17.50-25.29) and antioxidant capacity, corroborating that the maturation is a suitable preservation technique for stingless bee honey, because it does not cause negative changes as it extends the shelf life of the stingless bee honey.

Soybean residue (okara) modified by extrusion with different moisture contents: Physical, chemical, and techno-functional properties.

To increase hydration properties and soluble fiber content, okara with different moisture contents (30, 35, and 40%) was extruded in single-screw equipment, keeping the temperature (120 °C) and screw speed (115 rpm) fixed. The physical, chemical, and techno-functional properties of extruded and non-extruded okara (control) were evaluated. The microstructure, color, chemical composition, and techno-functional properties of okara were altered after extrusion. The extruded samples showed general microstructure aspects similar between them, with an irregular and rough surface, striated parts, orifices, and some agglomerated particles with distorted, compact, and amorphous appearance, different from control. Among the modified samples, okara extruded with 30% moisture showed more intense changes in relation to the samples extruded with 35 and 40% moisture. Based on the results, it can be inferred that okara extruded with 35% moisture is the most suitable. Under this condition, there was an increase of 80% in soluble fiber content, 45% in water absorption and holding capacity and 11% in solid stability in water, the maintenance of swelling and oil absorption and holding capacities and the reduction of protein solubility in water. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that crystalline phase was affected by extrusion.

Biochemical and technological characteristics of wooden breast chicken fillets and their consumer acceptance.

The wooden breast (WB) has caused great damages to meat producing industries, being its etiology still not fully understood. Thus, the objective of this work was to investigate biochemistry and technological characteristics of WB chicken fillets and their consumer acceptance. WB fillets were evaluated in regards to color, pH, approximate chemical composition, water holding capacity, cooking loss, shear force, total and soluble collagen, and comparison estimated of pyridinoline. The sensorial analysis used real size images of fillets. The WB showed changes in physical parameters such as an increase in luminosity and shear force. In regards to the chemical parameters, showed an increase in pH value, moisture content, lipids, and mineral, and protein content reduction. There were biochemistry changes in the collagen with an increase of 17.32% in total collage content and a reduction by 30.96% in the estimated pyridinoline content. Technological parameters were negatively altered by a reduction in water holding capacity. WB fillets showed a low acceptance rate and intention to purchase. Results show the WB meat presented biochemistry and technological characteristics compromised besides a low acceptance and purchase intention, leading to economic losses for the poultry sector.

Potential of green and roasted coffee beans and spent coffee grounds to provide bioactive peptides.

Protein extracts from green and roasted coffee beans and from spent coffee grounds (SCG) were evaluated as bioactive peptides sources. The in silico approach revealed a high frequency of the occurrence (A) of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) (0.62) and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor peptides (0.44) in the 11S coffee globulin, which could be released after digestion. After in vitro digestion of the protein, the green bean and SCG proteins were more susceptible to proteolysis, releasing smaller polypeptides (3.4 kDa), which showed higher anti-hypertensive potentials (IC50 = 0.30 and 0.27 mg soluble protein/mL). However, the antioxidant capacity only increased for the roasted coffee and SCG extracts due to antioxidant groups formed during roasting. The heat treatment applied during coffee brewing increased the sensitivity of the SCG extract to proteolysis, leading to their high anti-hypertensive and antioxidant potentials. Therefore, the 11S coffee globulin is a precursor of a series of bioactive peptides.

Alkaline hydrogen peroxide improves physical, chemical, and techno-functional properties of okara.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of modifying okara with alkaline hydrogen peroxide at different H2O2 concentrations and treatment temperatures on its soluble fiber content, water absorption and holding capacity, swelling capacity, and protein solubility in water. Multi-response optimization and characterization of physical, chemical, and techno-functional properties of unmodified and modified okara under optimal condition were performed. Treatment under optimal condition (2% H2O2 and 42 °C for 5 h) resulted in a 601% increase in soluble fiber content, a 26% increase in water absorption and holding capacity and swelling capacity, and a 609% increase in soluble protein. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that modified okara particles had a more fragmented structure and a rougher surface than control. Alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment altered the color, chemical composition, and techno-functional properties of okara. The modification method has potential to add value to okara and contribute to the use of agro-industrial residues.

Effects of high pressure processing on the physicochemical and microbiological parameters, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of a lemongrass-lime mixed beverage.

This study determined the optimal pressure and time conditions for the high pressure processing (HPP) of a lemongrass-lime mixed beverage. The physicochemical and microbiological characteristics, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of the beverage treated under the optimal HPP conditions were evaluated immediately after processing and during 8 weeks of storage at 4 °C, compared to untreated (control) and thermally pasteurized beverages. HPP at 250 MPa for 1 min at 25 °C ensured microbiological safety, according to inactivation tests with Listeria innocua as the target microorganism, without significant losses of vitamin C and phenolic compounds. Immediately after processing, the HPP treated beverage retained its original bioactive compounds content and showed physicochemical characteristics that were closer to the untreated control compared with the thermally pasteurized beverage. In addition, HPP provided microbiological quality and improved the shelf life of the beverage, demonstrating that it represents a reliable alternative to thermal treatment of lemongrass-lime mixed beverages.

White striping degree assessment using computer vision system and consumer acceptance test.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate three different degrees of white striping (WS) addressing their automatic assessment and customer acceptance. The WS classification was performed based on a computer vision system (CVS), exploring different machine learning (ML) algorithms and the most important image features. Moreover, it was verified by consumer acceptance and purchase intent. METHODS: The samples for image analysis were classified by trained specialists, according to severity degrees regarding visual and firmness aspects. Samples were obtained with a digital camera, and 25 features were extracted from these images. ML algorithms were applied aiming to induce a model capable of classifying the samples into three severity degrees. In addition, two sensory analyses were performed: 75 samples properly grilled were used for the first sensory test, and 9 photos for the second. All tests were performed using a 10-cm hybrid hedonic scale (acceptance test) and a 5-point scale (purchase intention). RESULTS: The information gain metric ranked 13 attributes. However, just one type of image feature was not enough to describe the phenomenon. The classification models support vector machine, fuzzy-W, and random forest showed the best results with similar general accuracy (86.4%). The worst performance was obtained by multilayer perceptron (70.9%) with the high error rate in normal (NORM) sample predictions. The sensory analysis of acceptance verified that WS myopathy negatively affects the texture of the broiler breast fillets when grilled and the appearance attribute of the raw samples, which influenced the purchase intention scores of raw samples. CONCLUSION: The proposed system has proved to be adequate (fast and accurate) for the classification of WS samples. The sensory analysis of acceptance showed that WS myopathy negatively affects the tenderness of the broiler breast fillets when grilled, while the appearance attribute of the raw samples eventually influenced purchase intentions.

Blends of lemongrass derivatives and lime for the preparation of mixed beverages: antioxidant, physicochemical, and sensory properties.

BACKGROUND: Lemongrass is an aromatic plant with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, used for the preparation of medicinal tea and for essential oil production. Previous studies have shown that extracts of lemongrass leaves contain phenolic compounds associated with health benefits. Although essential oils have been widely used as flavoring agents, there is no scientific evidence regarding the use of lemongrass essential oils in beverages. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to develop blends with lemongrass derivatives (aqueous extract, lyophilized extract, and essential oil) and lime juice for the preparation of mixed beverages, to evaluate the antioxidant and physicochemical characteristics of blends, and to determine the sensory profile and acceptance of mixed beverages. RESULTS: The formulated blends showed favorable physicochemical characteristics such as acidity and color, and they contained bioactive compounds (phenolics and vitamin C) and important antioxidant properties. Mixed beverages prepared from blends containing aqueous extract or lyophilized extract plus essential oil, which showed higher intensity of lemongrass aroma and flavor, were more readily accepted. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that it is possible to make suitable blends with lemongrass derivatives and lime juice for the preparation of high-quality mixed beverages with sensory pleasantness, and potentially beneficial health components. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

The typicity of coffees from different terroirs determined by groups of physico-chemical and sensory variables and multiple factor analysis.

Coffee production is the result of the relationship between local environmental conditions and coffee cultivars that grow in this place. Coffee plants develop original physico-chemical and sensory characteristics that together with the agricultural techniques practiced by growers define the terroir. The objective of this study was to describe the typicity of coffee prepared by coffee growers from seven coffee terroirs in Paraná, Brazil. The terroir categorization was based on the local latitude, longitude, altitude and annual average temperature. Coffee samples were prepared by the coffee growers according to their agricultural techniques. A multiple factor analysis (MFA) was applied to the groups of variables of the green and roasted coffee bean physico-chemical and sensory attributes. The variability in environmental conditions was sufficient to modify the green and roasted coffee bean characteristics and sensory attributes. The terroir description obtained with MFA description compared to that obtained with individual groups of variables was different among terroirs. Roasted coffee variables and sensory attributes caused the greatest differences. The individual use of these groups of variables may result in non-representative descriptions of coffee from different terroirs. Mandaguari and Ivaiporã terroirs were associated with high nitrogenous compounds content, high expansion volume and low density of roasted coffees, and the beverages showed a high turbidity and intense body. Apucarana, São Jerônimo da Serra and Ribeirão do Pinhal terroirs were associated with low lipids content, high density and low volume expansion roasted coffee, and the beverage showed intense coffee and sweet aromas and a low turbidity and body texture. In coffee from the Londrina terroir, medium nitrogenous compounds content and high sucrose and lipids contents were found. Their beverage showed a high turbidity and intense body as well as a grassy green taste and astringency. Coffee from Ribeirão Claro terroir presented high lipids and sucrose contents and low caffeine and phenolic compounds contents, and the main sensory attributes were a coffee aroma and sweet and sour tastes. In conclusion, a terroir formed by environmental conditions and agricultural techniques can produce coffee with a set of physico-chemical and sensory characteristics that define its typicity.

Impact of soybean aging conditions on tofu sensory characteristics and acceptance.

BACKGROUND: Tofu from aged soybeans is of poor quality, mainly with respect to texture. Texture defects described in the literature are contradictory. No study has investigated all sensory properties simultaneously. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of soybean aging conditions [natural: ambient temperature and RH, 18 months, and accelerated: 30 °C, 84% relative humidity (RH), 6 months] on all of the sensory characteristics and the acceptance of tofu. Texture and color were also evaluated via an instrumental method. The control condition was -20 °C and 47% RH. Coodetec 214 and BRS 267 cultivars were studied. RESULTS: The effect of soybean accelerated aging on tofu sensory characteristics and acceptance was more pronounced compared to the natural condition. The two cultivars had a similar behavior. Tofu control exhibited a light, uniform and bright color, cohesive appearance, sweet aroma and flavor, as well as a firm and elastic texture. Tofu made from both aged cultivars showed a gray color with dark spots, a rough appearance, fermented aroma, rancid flavor, an astringent and bitter taste, a fracturable texture and adherence to the oral cavity after chewing. These characteristics of tofu from aged soybeans implied a low acceptance by consumers. CONCLUSION: Tofu from natural and accelerated aged soybeans has sensory attributes of appearance, as well as aroma, flavor and damaged texture, that are unacceptable by consumers. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Petit suisse from black soybean: bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties during development process.

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties, bioactive compounds and other physico-chemical parameters from black soybean and its derivatives over 30 days under refrigeration at 4 °C and develop a probiotic petit suisse produced from black soybean. The soymilk showed the highest levels of isoflavones (109 mg/100 g), total phenolics (600 mg/100 g) and total anthocyanins (388 mg/100 g) with the highest response in the tests with DPPH• and ABTS+• on a dry basis. There was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in antioxidant activity during storage due to the hydrolysis of isoflavone glycosides to aglycones in soymilk sample, having a strong linear correlation between the concentration of isoflavone aglycones and the antioxidant activity for ABTS+• (R = 0.9437, 0.9624 and 0.9992) and DPPH• (R = 0.9865, 0.9978 and 0.9911), respectively, for soymilk, quark and petit suisse. The conversion of isoflavone was influenced directly by the characteristics of each sample, inhibiting or promoting the action of the enzyme. The petit suisse developed is an alternative for consumers, providing isoflavones and anthocyanins, possessing probiotic average counts (108 CFU g⁻¹) during storage.

Effect of carrageenan addition on the yield and functional properties of charqui (Jerked Beef)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the application of carrageenan (CAR) to improve the functional properties of the jerked beef (JF) and to increase its processing yield. JB produced from Vastus lateralis with CAR (1.0%) at 25ºC and NaCl (15.0%) had approximately 15.0% higher moisture and a 32.0% higher processing yield in comparison to the control samples.JB-CAR presented shear force approximately 5.0 and 20% lower in the samples uncooked salted and desalted cooked, respectively, and sensorial acceptance above 80%. The results demonstrated the possibility of applying carrageenan to jerked beef in order to obtain an increase in the processing yield and a tender product while maintaining the sensorial quality and its intermediate-moisture meat product nature.

Dry-fermented chicken sausage produced with inulin and corn oil: physicochemical, microbiological, and textural characteristics and acceptability during storage.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oil content reduction and the addition of inulin as a partial oil substitute on the physicochemical, microbiological, and textural characteristics and acceptability during the storage (4 °C for 45 days) of dry-fermented chicken sausage produced with corn oil. Reducing the oil content did not influence the characteristics evaluated but tended to produce sausage with a dark reddish coloration. The addition of inulin did not change the physicochemical and microbiological parameters or the acceptability of the products, but resulted in an altered texture profile and a tendency toward lighter and less reddish coloration, similar to products with standard oil content. Fermented chicken sausages produced with standard amounts of corn oil, reduced amounts of corn oil, and inulin as a partial oil replacement remained stable without a significant loss of physical, chemical, microbiological, or sensory attributes during storage at 4 °C for 45 days.

CARACTERÍSTICAS FÍSICAS E QUÍMICAS DE CAFÉS TORRADOS E MOÍDOS EXÓTICOS E CONVENCIONAIS / PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EXOTIC AND CONVENTIONAL ROASTED AND GROUND COFFEES

O presente trabalho refere-se à pesquisa de dois cafés exóticos comercializados no Brasil: o café Jacu, proveniente do estado de Espírito Santo, e o café Civeta procedente da Indonésia (cujos frutos maduros são ingeridos e "processados" no trato digestivo de animais). Suas características químicas e físicas foram comparadas às de cafés torrados e moídos comerciais brasileiros (Tradicional, Superior ou Premium e Gourmet). Os valores referentes à composição centesimal, teor de cafeína (1,04 a 1,45%) e sólidos solúveis totais (24,50 a 32,23%) de todas as amostras atenderam aos limites preconizados pela legislação brasileira. Os cafés exóticos, Jacu e Civeta, apresentaram os maiores e menores parâmetros de cor, respectivamente (L* = 20,46 e 11,55; h* = 58,13 e 51,06 e C* = 21,00 e 14,85). Os maiores teores (média de 35,21 mg em equivalente de ácido gálico/g amostra) de compostos fenólicos totais foram verificados nos cafés Tradicional e Premium. Os cafés Jacu e Gourmet apresentaram os maiores teores de 5-ACQ (média de 0,65%) e de trigonelina (média 0,63 g/100 g amostra) e os menores teores de ácido nicotínico (média de 0,022 g/100 g amostra). O café Premium continha os maiores teores de açúcar total (1,37 g glicose/100 g amostra) e o café Tradicional mostrou o maior teor de açúcares redutores (0,27 g sacarose/100 g amostra). O café Gourmet apresentou a maior acidez titulável total (171,13 mL NaOH 0,1 N/100 g amostra) e o Premium a menor (121,31 mL NaOH 0,1 N/100 g amostra).

Viscozyme L action on soy slurry affects carbohydrates and antioxidant properties of silken tofu.

This study investigated the enzymatic treatment of soy slurry using Viscozyme L to hydrolyze the carbohydrates. The optimum temperature of Viscozyme L action was 55 °C. The increase of glucose and galactose content in tofu (1.36 and 0.19 g/100 g, respectively) confirmed the Viscozyme activity on soy slurry when compared to the control. The treated tofu had more total phenolics than the control (173 and 161 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g freeze-dried tofu, respectively) and higher antioxidant activity by the 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl,2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl radical tests. Total reducing sugar (glucose equivalents) content in treated tofu was approximately four times higher than that in the control under the optimum conditions (30 Fungal Beta-Glucanase units/10 g solids, 55 °C, 30 min). The tofus differed in the sensory analysis for soy odor and surface uniformity, but there was no preference for one over the other.

Aspectos funcionais, de saúde e tecnológicos de frutanos tipo inulina / Functional, health and technological aspects of inulin-type fructans

Esta revisão teve como objetivos defi nir adequadamente os diferentesfrutanos tipo inulina, discutir seus principais benefícios à saúde eexpor as aplicações tecnológicas desses ingredientes. A proposta declassifi car adequadamente os diversos frutanos tipo inulina assumeimportância para efeito de controle regulatório e para evitar incertezaou confusão do consumidor. Dentre os benefícios à saúde quepodem ser proporcionados pela ingestão de frutanos tipo inulina hápesquisas que apresentam resultados disponíveis e confi rmatóriosem humanos, comprovando as alegações de melhoria das funçõesintestinais e da microbiota colônica e aumento na absorção deminerais. Outras relatam resultados experimentais convincentes eestudos preliminares com humanos, sendo necessários mais testesa fi m de substanciar as alegações que envolvem o metabolismo docolesterol e a redução de câncer de cólon. Também há pesquisas em fase de investigações experimentais e com testes iniciais com humanos que avaliam a saúde dos ossos, produção de nutrientes e regulação da ingestão de alimentos. Tecnologicamente, frutanostipo inulina são usados pela indústria alimentícia como suplementosem alimentos, aumentando o teor de fi bras dos produtos, e como substitutos de macronutrientes como gordura e açúcar. Concluiu-se que frutanos tipo inulina são ingredientes que oferecem combinaçãoúnica de propriedades funcionais, de saúde e tecnológicas, podendoser utilizados amplamente pela indústria alimentícia. É importante, no entanto, classifi cá-los adequadamente e atestar sua efi cácia àsaúde humana no produto em que serão adicionados.

Relationships among sensory analysis, isoflavone and hexanal contents of soymilk powder

The objective of this work was to study the sensory attributes and their relationships with isoflavones and hexanal contents of soymilks made in laboratory and commercial samples. The laboratory soymilk samples showed cooked grain and cotton candy aroma and cooked grain, malty and sweetness flavor (a mild flavor). The commercial samples presented stronger roasted soy, rancid, sesame seeds and fishy aroma and roasted soy, sesame seeds and bitterness flavor, and bitter taste (closed nose) and starchy texture. No differences were noted among laboratory soymilks, denoting inactivation of lipoxygenases enzymes in the soymilks process. There were differences between the samples prepared in laboratory and commercial soymilks, which was due to several factors related to processing techniques. The hexanal average content was positively associated with the cooked grain aroma and isoflavones was positively associated with the cooked grain and cotton candy aroma, cooked grain, malty and sweetness flavor and starchy texture.

O trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de descrever os atributos sensoriais de bebidas de extratos de soja em pó produzidos a partir de cultivares desprovida de lipoxigenases, convencional e tipo hortaliça e dois extratos comerciais e correlacioná-los com as quantidades de isoflavonas e n-hexanal nos extratos em pó. Os extratos de soja em pó obtidos em laboratório foram caracterizados pelos atributos: aroma de feijão cozido e de algodão doce; sabor de grão cozido, de malte e gosto doce sugerindo, sabor suave. Os extratos comerciais apresentaram forte aroma de soja tostada, de ranço, de sementes de gergelim e de peixe; sabor de soja tostada, gosto amargo e de sementes de gergelim; gosto amargo (com nariz preso) e consistência de amido. Não foram observadas diferenças sensoriais entre os extratos produzidos em laboratório, indicando a ocorrência da inativação das enzimas lipoxigenases durante o processamento dos produtos. Contudo, diferenças marcantes entre os extratos obtidos em laboratório e os comerciais quanto aos atributos sensoriais estudados foram encontradas provavelmente, devido às técnicas desconhecidas de processamento utilizadas pelos fabricantes dos produtos comerciais. O teor médio de n-hexanal presente nos extratos de soja comerciais e produzidos em laboratório apresentou correlação positiva e significativa com o atributo aroma de grão cozido, já a quantidade de isoflavonas com aroma de grão cozido e de algodão doce, sabor de grão cozido, de malte, gosto doce e consistência de amido.

Alterações no tempo de cozimento e textura dos grãos de feijão comum durante o armazenamento / Alterations in the cooking time and texture of the common bean grains during storage

Objetivou-se, no presente trabalho, foi comparar alterações no tempo de cozimento e dureza dos grãos de duas variedades de feijão comum, durante o envelhecimento natural e o acelerado. O envelhecimento de um lote de cada variedade de feijão (Iapar 81 - variedade carioca e Iapar 44 - variedade preto) foi acelerado em estufa a 40ºC e 76% de UR% por 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 dias. Outro lote, das mesmas variedades, foi submetido ao envelhecimento em condições ambientais por três, seis, nove e doze meses. O lote-controle foi armazenado a 5 ºC. Após cada tempo de armazenagem, foram determinados os parâmetros de tempo de cozimento e dureza. Os grãos da variedade carioca apresentaram maiores tempos de cozimento em relação ao feijão preto, em ambos os sistemas de armazenagem.O feijão cozido da variedade carioca apresentou dureza maior que o feijão da variedade preto, tanto no envelhecimento acelerado quanto no envelhecimento natural. A dureza dos grãos cozidos e resfriados à temperatura ambiente foi superior a dos grãos resfriados a 60 ºC, visto que a temperatura influenciou nas medições, provavelmente pela maior retrogradação do amido à temperatura ambiente. O envelhecimento acelerado por vinte dias foi equivalente a um ano em condições naturais, em relação à dureza dos grãos.

This experiment aimed to compare the changes of two varieties of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) concerning the cooking time and hardness data during their natural and accelerated aging processes. The aging of a parcel of each variety of bean (Iapar 81 - carioca variety and Iapar 44 - black variety) was performed in a 40ºC oven at 76% RH during 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 days. Another parcel of the same varieties was submitted to the aging at room conditions during 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The control lot was storage at 5 ºC. After each storage time, cooking time and hardness parameters were registered. Carioca variety showed the longest cooking times when compared to the black beans, in both storage systems. Cooked beans of carioca variety presented greater hardness thanthe black beans, not only in the accelerated aging but also in the natural aging. The hardness of the grains cooked and then cooled at room temperature was higher than the grains cooled at 60 ºC, since the temperature influenced the measurements, probably due to the greatest starch retrogradation at room temperature. At last, it may be concluded that twenty days of the accelerated aging wasequivalent to one year in natural conditions, concerning the hardness of the grains.

Interação da torra e moagem do café na preferência do consumidor do oeste paranaense / Influence of roasting and milling on consumers coffee preference at Paraná west-Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as preferências dos consumidores de café da região oeste do Paraná, em relação ao ponto de torra e à granulometria de moagem. Foram realizadas análises sensoriais de preferência e físico-químicas. As análises físico-químicas foram utilizadas para monitorar as mudanças ocorridas nos produtos ao longo do processo de torra. Os cafés com torras mais leves foram pouco aceitos. O café que apresentou aparência global, aroma e sabor preferido foi o que apresentava uma torra média escura, mais próxima das torras tradicionais brasileiras. A torra mais escura foi bem aceita apenas em relação à aparência. A moagem fina foi preferida em relação à aparência global do produto, mas, apesar de ter apresentado maior acidez, os provadores não diferenciaram seu sabor.

This study aimed the evaluation of the consumers preference for coffee in the west region of Paraná State, Brazil, in relation to the roasting degree and grinding granulometry. Sensorial preference and physical-chemichal analysis were made. The physical-chemichal analysis were used to monitor the changes that occurred in the products along the roasting process. The samples of coffee with light toasts were little accepted. The kind of coffee that presented preferred global appearance, aroma and taste was the one which presented average dark toasting, which is the one that is more similar to the traditional Brazilians toastings. The darkest toasting, was well-accepted in relation to appearance. The thin milling was preferred in relation to the global appearance of the product, but in spite of having presented major acidity the tasters did not make difference about its taste.