Estudo da qualdiade microbiológica, química, físico-química e sensorial de cenoura (Daucus carot, L.) submetida à tecnologia Sous vide produzida em escala industrial

Abstract

The carrot is a crop rich in carotenoids, pro-vitamin A, minerals and carbohydrates, and is a food with high nutritional value. Brazil is among the five largest producers and consumers of carrot (Daucus carot L .) in the world, concentrating its production in the Southeast. In search of products more attractive, practical, nutritious and healt hy, the consumer's sous vide technology is an alternative technology for the industry in providing food ready for consumption. The sous vide consists in cooking food packaged in plastic vacuum -sealed, subjected to temperatures lower than 100°C for extended periods of time, chilled quickly and stored under refrigeration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and shelf life of carrots ( Daucus carot L.) diced submitted to sous vide technology, produced on an industrial scale. The samples were subje cted to physical and chemical analysis and chemical, microbiological and with three replications, with five repetitions of the products, and soon after processing by 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of storage (3°C). Sensory analysis was carried out on days 0 and 4 weeks, with a repeat. The results indicated a significant difference of 5% (p ≤0.05) in carbohydrate, protein, ash, titratable acidity and chromaticity between the carrot fresh carrot and processed by sous vide technology at time 0. In times of 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of storage at 3°C difference was significant (p ≤ 0.05) only for protein and total acidity. In sensory analysis, no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in any of the attributes studied. It was also observed that the technology sous vide was effective in eliminating vegetative cells of micro-organisms pathogenic and spoilage, yet not been able to eliminate spores. The carrot processed by sous vide technology retains its nutritional characteristics, sensory, chemical and microbiologically stable for up to eight weeks of storage at 3ºC.