Development of food products based on native fruits of the Atlantic Forest

Abstract

The production of native fruits of the Atlantic Forest from agroforestry systems is an opportunity for sustainable economic use of forest resources at the same time as the biome in the Vale do Paraíba Paulista and its diversity are conserved. Currently, the company Sítio do Bello is a pioneer and producer of fruit-based pulp of the Atlantic Forest, however, although viable, the activity has low profitability. The main causes that lead to this scenario refer to the small variety of products generated and the restricted production scale, where the processing methods are not yet well defined. This project proposes mitigation of the causes of the key problem, with the main objective being the development of innovative and functional products based on native fruits of the Atlantic Forest, which will have their added value increased. For this, five native fruit species were defined: cambuci, grumixama, jabuticaba, pitanga, and uvaia, which currently constitute the company's flagship production. The new products will be as independent as possible of other ingredients, so that the small entrepreneur has autonomy in the business. The main products that will be developed are: pasteurized pulp, jelly, nectar and dehydrated fruits. The main activities that will be developed in Phase 1 are: plant phenology calendar; Literature review of post-harvest and fruit processing techniques; Physical, chemical and functional properties analysis of fresh fruits; Nutritional and functional analyzes of Products available on the market; Optimization of the pulp and jelly production process at Sítio do Bello; Development of standard operating procedures (SOPs); Adaptation of industrial kitchen; And Phase 2: development of new fruit-based products and adjustment of quality parameters; Study and quantification of the useful life; And elaboration of POPs. At the end of the project the main expected results are: i) to develop a broad portfolio of products, which should maintain the functional properties of fresh fruits; Ii) increase the technical and economic viability of the business; Iii) establish a direct relationship of functional products from native plants to the daily life of the final consumers. More broadly, the research will contribute to the beginning of the formation of an organized fruit market in the Vale do Paraíba Paulista, at the same time as the business will have a positive flag to promote the conservation of the biome and the environment. (AU)