The aim of this research was to evaluate the functional properties of the native potato (Solanum phureja Juz. & Bukasov) starch in the food and non-food industry for which a thermal analysis was conducted, including thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, morphologic analysis via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and rapid viscoamylograph analysis (RVA). The RVA analysis showed that gelatinization temperature was 63.95 °C, the maximum viscosity was 1087 cP and ease of cooking was 7 min. The thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis revealed three stages: in the first, the product had weight loss of 9.51%; in the second, a weight loss of 53.88%; and in the third, a weight loss of 37.91%. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis found that heat flux initiates at 50.97 °C, where the starch gelatinization transition starts, ending at 71.25 °C with enthalpy of 2.11 J.g-1. Evaluation of the native potato starch demonstrated that this product is an excellent alternative in the elaboration of different products which need a thickener in cooking processes, given that its behavior at high temperatures, which have allowed to maintain its structure.

En el estudio se determinaron las características fisicoquímicas, térmicas y reológicas de la harina y el almidón de frutos de banano Gros Michel (Musa acuminata) cosechado en fincas del departamento del Quindío, Colombia. En el análisis proximal, la harina presentó un contenido de fibra de 18.82% y el almidón presentó contenidos de proteína de 1.92%, grasa de 5.3% y fibra de 2.76%. La harina presentó la temperatura más alta de absorción de calor (68.88 °C) y su entalpia de gelatinización fue de 2.17 J/g; mientras que para el almidón estos valores fueron de 48.36 ºC y 44.62 J/g, respectivamente. El Análisis termogravimétrico (TGA) de la harina o temperaturas en las cuales se registra la descomposición de carbohidratos (componentes de bajo peso molecular) y polisacáridos (componentes de alto peso molecular) fueron, respectivamente, de 284.51 °C y 470.42 °C; y para el almidón fueron de 307.51 °C y 500.46 °C. Los gránulos de almidón de banano tienen forma elipsoidal con un tamaño longitudinal promedio de 39.39 µm y tamaño transversal promedio de 29.47µm. Los difractogramas de rayos X mostraron patrones de difracción tipo B. Los viscoamilogramas mostraron que para la harina la temperatura de inicio de gelatinización (Tg) es de 76.3 ºC, la viscosidad máxima de 1120 cP, y para el almidón la Tg fue de 70.75 ºC y la viscosidad máxima de 2087 cP.

The use of edible coatings (EC) has played an important role in the food industry, proving effective in fruit conservation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of edible coatings on a set of physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory parameters of strawberry by using chitosan, calcium caseinate, and low-methoxyl pectin combined with glycerol as plasticizer, ascorbic acid and citric acid as antioxidant agents; uncoated strawberries were used as control. Analyses were performed on days 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 of storage at 5 °C, evaluating physicochemical and microbiological properties. It was found that the samples with edible coatings differed significantly from the control in the parameters evaluated. The EC1 (chitosan) was effective in prolonging the shelf life of strawberry for up to 14 days, conserving physical and chemical attributes during storage.

The objective of this work was the evaluation of a mango-based fruit bar. Tommy Atkins pulp and mango peel physicochemically were characterized. Three drying methods were compared: lyophilization, convection drying, and microwave assisted convection drying. Subsequently six formulations were made varying the amount of pectin from 0.5 to 2.5%, water, inulin, glycerol and ascorbic acid. The results obtained showed that microwave-assisted convection drying at 40 ° C for the shell showed a higher concentration of fiber. Two formulations were selected for physicochemical, microbiological and sensory analysis. Formulation D with a higher percentage of pectin was more widely accepted. The values obtained from vitamin C and total phenolic compounds show that the formulation of a fruit bar is feasible, taking advantage of the shell mainly as a raw material for foods with functional characteristics.