Umbu is a fruit very appreciated by the Brazilian Northeast people, but these fruits show great perishability. Cereal bars production with fruits addition is interesting because allow the technological use of noble raw materials, besides to reduce umbu post-harvest losses. The aims of this study were the production of diet bars with umbu pulp and to carry out the chemical, physical and sensory characterization of these products. Different gums were studied as binder agents and sucralose and acesulfame-K as sweeteners, in the elaboration of four treatments of diet bars: BUA (Arabic gum), BUC (carrageenan), BUT (tara), BUX (xanthan) and the control treatment BUCT (with glucose syrup and sucrose). The chemical, physical and sensory data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test (p=0.05). The results revealed that the products presented high contents of protein, dietary fibers, lipids and ash. The BUX treatment reached better acceptance by the consumers related to odor, flavor, texture and overall quality attributes; it revealed higher positive purchase intention (58 %), followed by the BUT treatment (33%). The BUCT, BUC and BUA treatments reached lower acceptance by the consumers due to lower score to overall quality. The use of umbu pulp and gum in the preparation of diet cereal bar showed to be a good alternative to reduce fruit loss and to increase market value of the products that presented potential for consumers in general or with restriction to the use of sucrose.

Screening of minerals, proximate composition and physico-chemical characteristics in the discrimination of Oiti (Licania tomentosa (Benth.) Fritsch.) using Kohonen self-organizing maps, PCA and HCA / Triagem de minerais, composição centesimal e características físico-químicas na discriminação de Oiti (Licania tomentosa (Benth.) Fritsch.) usando mapas auto-organizados de Kohonen, PCA e HCA

The metal sorption capacity in fresh and rotten red meat was evaluated for Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions at pH 6 and the process involved in the studied metal retention was discussed. For the experimental set, an eight channels multi-port selection valve was employed to mechanise the sample preparation. The cadmium and lead concentrations were determined by ICP-OES. A high retention (> 80%, m/m) of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions, in fresh and rotten bovine muscle was found, indicating the potential contamination risks related to the consumption of meat submitted to inappropriate conditions of abattoir, handling, storage and commercialisation. Seventy per cent of the cadmium was released with the immersion of meat in acetic acid at 1% (v/v), revealing that cookery practices may act on contaminant sorptive processes in meat structure.

Aspectos tecnológicos do subproduto de panc (farinhas de cajanus cajan e phaseolus lunatus): fortalecimento da agricultura familiar / Technological aspects of panc subproduct (cajanus cajan and phaseolus lunatus flours): strengthening family agriculture

Background: School meals represent a significant supply of nutrients for children in Brazil, especially those in conditions of social vulnerability. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in meals served in public elementary schools in four municipalities in the state of Bahia, Brazil, and assess the risk posed to children’s health. Methods: Ninety-six samples were collected from 16 schools, freeze-dried, and subjected to microwave-assisted digestion. The As, Cd, and Pb levels were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The risk assessment was based on calculating each element’s hazard quotient (HQ). Results: None of the samples reached or exceeded the tolerable levels for the elements analyzed. Pb was the metal that obtained the most significant result, reaching maximum levels of 39–157 µg·kg⁻¹. Conclusions: No element exceeded the PTWI proposed by JECFA; thus, the toxic metal content in school meals poses a negligible risk to children’s health.

Background: School meals represent a significant supply of nutrients for children in Brazil, especially those in conditions of social vulnerability. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in meals served in public elementary schools in four municipalities in the state of Bahia, Brazil, and assess the risk posed to children's health. Methods: Ninety-six samples were collected from 16 schools, freeze-dried, and subjected to microwave-assisted digestion. The As, Cd, and Pb levels were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The risk assessment was based on calculating each element's hazard quotient (HQ). Results: None of the samples reached or exceeded the tolerable levels for the elements analyzed. Pb was the metal that obtained the most significant result, reaching maximum levels of 39-157 µg.kg-¹. Conclusions: No element exceeded the PTWI proposed by JECFA; thus, the toxic metal content in school meals poses a negligible risk to children´s health.