Phosphate fertilization changes the characteristics of 'Maçã' banana starch.

The unripe banana has been studied as a potential source of starch for use in various applications. Considering the importance of phosphorus in the biosynthesis of the starch and also the interference of this mineral in starch properties, in this study it was evaluated the effect of rates of phosphate fertilizer applied in the cultivation of 'Maçã' banana on the characteristics of the starch. Starches extracted from fruits from different treatments were analyzed for morphological characteristics, X-ray diffraction pattern, relative crystallinity, granule size, amylose, resistant starch and phosphorus levels, as well as, for pasting and thermal properties. Results showed that the phosphate fertilization has interference on the characteristics of the banana starch led to increase of phosphorus content and size of the granules, reduction of crystallinity and resistant starch content, decrease of viscosity peak, breakdown, final viscosity, setback, transitions temperatures and enthalpy. These changes caused by phosphate fertilizer conditions can be increase the applications of the 'Maçã' banana starch.

Chemical composition of potato tubers: the effect of cultivars and growth conditions.

The aim of the study involved evaluating the chemical composition of tubers of five potato cultivars that were grown under the same cultural practices in soils with low, medium, and high availability of phosphorus. The experimental designs corresponded to a randomized block with four replicates. Tuber samples were analyzed in terms of moisture, ash, protein, lipid, total sugar, fiber, starch, and phosphorus contents. The results suggested that increased availability of phosphorus in soil allowed the production of tubers with higher dry matter content, lower total sugar content, and a higher percentage of starch and protein. Hence, the aforementioned parameters constitute important factors corresponding to the nutritional and industrial quality of potatoes. Increased phosphorus availability in soil can promote significant changes in the composition of potato tubers, and thereby in potential uses of tubers.

Cassava derivatives in ice cream formulations: effects on physicochemical, physical and sensory properties.

In the present study, the effects of derivatives of cassava, maltodextrin and bagasse, on the physicochemical, physical and sensory properties of ice creams were investigated. The content of cassava maltodextrin increased significantly the content of carbohydrate and total soluble solids and decreased lipids content. The effect of cassava bagasse was more pronounced than the maltodextrin on physical and sensory parameters. Increased percentage of cassava bagasse in formulation led to decrease of overrun, melting and luminosity, but increased hardness and unfreezable water. Sensory attributes were mainly influenced by cassava bagasse inclusion. The results suggested the potential use of cassava derivatives in ice cream formulations. Ice creams with low percentage of cassava bagasse (1.5) and intermediate values of cassava maltodextrin (3.65%) had good nutritional, technological and sensorial acceptance.

Characterization of banana starches obtained from cultivars grown in Brazil.

The starch market is constantly evolving and studies that provide information about the physical and rheological properties of native starches to meet the diverse demands of the sector are increasingly necessary. In this study starches obtained from five cultivars of banana were analyzed for size and shape of granules, crystallinity, chemical composition, resistant starch, swelling power, solubility, thermal and paste properties. The granules of starch were large (36.58-47.24µm), oval, showed crystallinity pattern type B and the index of crystallinity ranged from 31.94 to 34.06%. The phosphorus content ranged from 0.003 to 0.011%, the amylose ranged from 25.13 to 29.01% and the resistant starch ranged from 65.70 to 80.28%. The starches showed high peak viscosity and breakdown, especially those obtained from 'Nanicão' and 'Grand Naine'. Peak temperature of gelatinization was around 71°C, the enthalpy change (ΔH) ranged from 9.45 to 14.73Jg(-1). The starch from 'Grand Naine' showed higher swelling power (15.19gg(-1)) and the starch from 'Prata-Anã' higher solubility (11.61%). The starches studied are highlighted by their physical and chemical characteristics and may be used in several applications.

Nitrogênio no crescimento da planta e na qualidade de raízes da mandioquinha-salsa / Nitrogen on plant growth and storage root quality of Arracacha

RESUMO: O nitrogênio (N) é o segundo nutriente mais absorvido pela mandioquinha-salsa. No entanto, ainda existem dúvidas sobre a influência que esse nutriente pode exercer sobre o crescimento da planta e a qualidade das raízes de reserva. Assim, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a influência da adubação nitrogenada no crescimento da planta e na qualidade físico-química e nutricional das raízes de mandioquinha-salsa. O experimento foi conduzido em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico de textura arenosa, no delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos pelas doses de 0, 50, 100 e 200kg ha-1 de N. O crescimento das partes vegetativas da planta de mandioquinha-salsa aumentou linearmente com a adubação nitrogenada, mas a massa média e a produtividade das raízes de reserva aumentaram até as doses estimadas de 121 e 148kg ha-1 de N, respectivamente. A adubação nitrogenada aumentou os teores de amido e de proteína das raízes e diminuiu os teores de açúcares totais, porém, sem influenciar a qualidade nutricional delas.

ABSTRACT: Nitrogen (N) is the second most absorbed nutrient by Arracacha. However, there are still doubts about the influence that this nutrient can have on plant growth and the quality of the storage roots. Thus, the aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of nitrogen fertilization on plant growth and physical-chemical and nutritional quality of storage roots of Arracacha. The experiment was conducted on an Oxisol of sandy texture, in a randomized complete block design, with four replications. The treatments consisted of rates of 0, 50, 100, and 200kg ha-1 N. Growth of vegetative parts of Arracacha increased linearly with nitrogen fertilization, but the storage root mean weight and the yield of storage roots increased up to estimated rates of 121 and 148kg ha-1 N, respectively. Nitrogen fertilization increased the starch and protein content of the storage roots and reduced the content of total sugar, but without affecting the nutritional quality of the same.

Physical characteristics of potato flour from 'Ibituaçú' cv. under different extrusion parameters / Características físicas de farinha de batata cv 'Ibituaçú' submetida a diferentes parâmetros de extrusão

ABSTRACT:This study aimed to evaluate potato flour from 'Ibituaçú' cultivar as raw material for extrudates. Potato flour was processed in a single-screw extruder following central composite rotational design for three factors, being considered as independent parameters: temperature in the third zone, humidity and screw speed. The products obtained were characterized by expansion index (EI), specific volume (SV), water solubility index (WSI), water absorption index (WAI), hardness (H), color (L*, a* and b*). Results showed an effect of the independent parameters on the extruded physical characteristics. The parameters varied from: 3.22 to 5.47 (EI); 2.08 to 11.23 mL g-1(SV), 32.88 to 63.72% (WSI), 4.02 to 8.97 g gel g-1(WAI), 7.54 to 29.85 kgf (H), 53.89 to 68.72 (L*), 5.59 to 6.92 (a*), 16.6 to 22.6 (b*). It was concluded that expanded products with desired physical characteristics are obtained at high temperature; low humidity and intermediate screw speed.

RESUMO:O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a farinha de batata cultivar 'Ibituaçu' como matéria prima para o desenvolvimento de produtos extrusados. A farinha de batata foi processada em extrusor mono-rosca seguindo delineamento central composto rotacional para três fatores, sendo considerados como variáveis independentes a temperatura na 3ª zona, a umidade e a rotação da rosca. Os produtos obtidos foram caracterizados quanto ao índice de expansão (IE), volume específico (VE), índice de solubilidade em água (ISA), índice de absorção de água (IAA), dureza (D) e cor (L*, a* e b*). Os resultados mostraram efeito das variáveis independentes sobre as características físicas dos produtos. O IE dos produtos variou de 3,22 a 5,47, o VE de 2,08 e 11,23mL.g-1, o ISA de 32,88 a 63,72%, o IAA de 4,02 a 8,97 g gel.g-1, D de 7,54 a 29,85kgf, L* de 53,89 a 68,72, a* de 5,59 a 6,92, b* de 16,6 a 22,6. Nas condições de elevada temperatura, baixa umidade, e rotação da rosca intermediária são obtidos produtos extrusados com características físicas desejadas para produtos expandidos.

Potencialidade de processamento industrial de cultivares de batatas / Industrial processing potential of potato cultivars

A industrialização da batata tem sido limitada no Brasil, devido à falta de matéria-prima adequada, sendo a demanda suprida pelas importações de produtos processados. Oito cultivares de batata, adaptadas às condições da região serrana de Minas Gerais, safra 2011, foram avaliadas quanto a sua composição centesimal, cor e conteúdo de amilose. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que as cultivares 'Marcy' e 'Colorado' apresentam características importantes para o cozimento. As cultivares 'Marlen' e 'Pirassu' apresentam atributos requeridos para o processamento na forma de chips e/ou palha e a cultivar 'BRS Ana' para a forma de palitos pré-fritos.

The industrialization of potato in Brazil has been limited because of the low availability of tubers with adequate quality, being supplied by imports of processed products demand. Eight cultivars of potato, adapted to the mountainous conditions of Minas Gerais state, harvest of 2011, were evaluated for their centesimal composition, color and amylose content.The results demonstrated that 'Marcy' and 'Colorado' cultivars showed important characteristic for cooking. The 'Marlen' and 'Pirassu' cultivars showed required attributes for processing in the form of chips or straw and the cultivar 'BRS Ana' for pre-fried sticks.