Umbu, a common fruit from the northeastern region of Brazil, contains many bioactive compounds not yet exploited. Thus, this study evaluated the potential of pulps and peels of mature and semi-mature umbu as a source of bioactive compounds. Trigonelline contents ranged from 1.75 to 6.14 mg/100 g, values higher than those of many vegetables described in the literature, such as corn and barley. The contents of extractable and non-extractable phenolic compounds were also higher than those of other vegetables. Bioaccessibility of total extractable phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins was determined (15.67–37.73%, 31.87–39.10% and 18.81–114.27%, respectively). The constituent polysaccharides of the pulp and peel were tentatively chemically characterized as arabinoxylans, arabinogalactans, rhamnoarabinogalactans, xyloglucans, and pectin of the rhamnogalacturonan type. The technological potential of peel flours was evaluated. The maturation advancement showed no significant changes in the technological properties of the flours, except for color and water solubility index. Results indicated excellent prospects for future research on umbu pulps and peels as potential sources of natural bioactive compounds.

Most polymeric food packaging materials are non-biodegradable and derived from petroleum, thus recent studies have focused on evaluating alternative biodegradable materials from renewable sources, with polysaccharides and proteins as the main types of employed biopolymers. Therefore, this study aimed to develop biopolymeric films based on sunflower proteins and galactomannans from locust bean gum. The influence of the galactomannan amount (0.10%, 0.30%, 0.50%, and 0.75% w/v) on the physicochemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of cast sunflower protein-based films was studied. Sunflower proteins gave rise to yellowish, shining, and translucid films. With the incorporation of locust bean gum-derived galactomannans, the films became more brown and opaque, although they still maintained some translucency. Galactomannans significantly changed the proteins’ secondary structures, giving rise to films with increased tensile resistance and stretchability. Nevertheless, the increase in the galactomannan amount did not have a significant effect on the film’s thermal stability. The protein/galactomannan-based films showed values of water vapor and oxygen permeability that were slightly higher than those of the pristine materials. Overall, blending locust bean gum galactomannans with sunflower proteins was revealed to be a promising strategy to develop naturally colored and translucid films with enhanced mechanical resistance while maintaining flexibility, fitting the desired properties for biodegradable food packaging materials.

Natural polysaccharides are among the renewable sources with great potential for replacing petroleum-derived chemicals as precursors to produce biodegradable films. This study aimed to prepare biopolymeric films using starch extracted from the periderm and cortex of cassava roots (waste from cassava root processing), locust bean galactomannan, and cellulose nanofibers also obtained from cassava waste. The films were prepared by casting, and their physicochemical, mechanical, and biodegradability properties were evaluated. The content of cellulose nanofibers varied from 0.5 to 2.5%. Although the addition of cellulose nanofibers did not alter the mechanical properties of the films, it significantly enhanced the vapor barrier of the films (0.055 g mm/m² h kPa–2.5% nanofibers) and their respective stabilities in aqueous acidic and alkaline media. All prepared films were biodegradable, with complete degradation occurring within five days. The prepared films were deemed promising alternatives for minimizing environmental impacts caused by the disposal of petroleum-derived materials.

O Brasil é um país de grande atividade agrícola, resultando em elevada produção de resíduos agroindustriais. Estes resíduos, na maioria das vezes, não apresentam aplicação industrial, podendo transformar-se em fonte de poluição ambiental. Esse estudo tem como objetivo revisar os compostos bioativos presentes em resíduos de frutos tropicais e verificar seu potencial para aproveitamento na produção de Pós Ricos em Fibras (PRF). Utilizou-se como metodologia uma revisão bibliográfica qualitativa. Os compostos com efetivos efeitos benéficos à saúde revisados foram os compostos fenólicos, carotenóides, vitaminas (C, E e A) e alcalóides (trigonelina e cafeína). Os dados encontrados para os PRF apontam boas propriedades funcionais e alto teor de compostos antioxidantes e fibras dietéticas, permitindo que esses materiais sejam usados na elaboração de novos produtos. Além disso, verificamos que poucos são os estudos que abordam a bioacessibilidade de pós produzidos a partir de resíduos de frutos tropicais, o que confirma a necessidade de mais estudos com essa temática. Ressaltamos que além dos benefícios a saúde, a produção de pós ricos em fibras é uma alternativa importante para reduzir impactos gerados ao ambiente pelo descarte incorreto de resíduos agroindustriais.

Two new rapid descriptive sensory evaluation methods have been gaining ground in the field sensory evaluation. The Projective Mapping method uses similarities and dissimilarities as a criterion, while Pivot Profile, uses reference criteria. This research aimed to assess panels with 12 and 24 judges, comparing its reproducibility, and evaluate if a non trained panel with a smaller numbers of judges is sufficient for results reliability. Samples of Pilsen beers in different packages were distributed, as well as a reference sample, with different sensorial characteristics. It was possible to observe a slight discrepancy between the results obtained in each of the applied tests. We observed a need for short-term training before the application of the test, aiming for better use of the descriptive terms by the judges. Also, the number of judges influenced the obtained results, being the panels of 24, in both tests, the ones that best described the indicated characteristics.