Evaluación bromatológica y microbiológica de frutos de Mauritia flexuosa

Abstract

Abstract:The present research work evidences the bromatological and microbiological analysis of the pulp of the fruit of Mauritia flexuosa, an Amazonian palm useful as NTFP (Non-Timber Forest Product) in the development of products in the food, nutraceutical, cosmetic or phytopharmaceutical fields, and thus guarantee the conservation of the forests where the species under this study is found. This fruit, also called morete, was collected in the Tiwintza canton of Morona Santiago province, Ecuador, and received postharvest treatment, freezedrying, grinding, and screening procedures. The bromatological characterization and the microbiological quality were carried out following protocols determined by the AOAC (Official Methods of Analysis 18th Edition) and the Ecuadorian Technical Standard INEN. The parameters used to assess the nutritional composition of the morete pulp were moisture (6.73%), ash (3.03%), fat (44.18%), protein (6.83%) and dietary fiber (29.63%), and the microbiological quality with the rapid petrifilm method of microorganisms such as aerobic mesophiles, molds, and yeasts, and total coliforms gave a value of <1.0 x 10-1 CFU / g. According to these results, the pulp of the morete fruit in its freeze-dried state and after postharvest treatment is a viable product for the development of prototypes that can be commercially evaluated, allowing the conservation of the palm forests of Mauritia flexuosa.