Alterações na composição físico-química de pinhões (Araucaria angustifolia) armazenados em diferentes embalagens e ambientes.

Araucaria angustifolia seeds are considered important food product of Brazilian diet but with post-harvest conservation problems. In the present study, the characteristics of the seeds stored in the domestic environment and under refrigeration, were evaluated. The experiment used low-density polyethylene and jute packaging. Analysis of centesimal composition, moisture, water activity, mass loss, skin color, endosperm color, pH, soluble sugars, starch content and quantification of damaged seeds, were carried out every 15 days for 90 days. The seeds were better preserved in polyethylene packaging under refrigeration, keeping moisture, less loss of mass and color. Jute packaging promoted color degradation and increased rotting and sprouting. It is suggested that the commercialization of Brazilian pine seeds could be viable if kept for up to three months under refrigeration in polyethylene packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]