Dados do Trabalho

Título

CARÁ ROXO FILM-FORMING CAPACITY: VISUAL ASPECTS

Introdução

Based on the unique biodiversity, the Amazon region harbors a variety of tubers, each with particular nutritional and functional characteristics. Applying technologies to these tubers is a way to enhance the local economy and promote the visibility of natural resources in the region. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of processing cará roxo (Dioscorea trifida L.) in obtaining biodegradable films.

Material e Métodos

Samples of cará roxo were obtained at Caapiranga (AM, Brazil). The tubers were cleaned and sanitized. Part of the batch was peeled, while part remained unpeeled. The samples were cut using a vegetable cutter, blanched (8 min at 90°C), and then dried (8h at 70°C) until the moisture content was below 10%. Once dried, they were ground into flour, standardized to a particle size of 60 mesh. Biodegradable films were produced using the casting technique, with 5% cará roxo flour without peel (CRWP) or peeled (CRP), 1% glycerol (based on the starch mass), and distilled water. The solution was heated until complete starch gelatinization and then disposed (25 mL) into Petri dishes (Ø 10 cm). Drying was done at room temperature (25°C/20h). The finished films were visually evaluated by film formation capacity (FFC), homogeneity, presence of rupture or fissure zones (RFZ), or insoluble particles (IP), ease of plate removal (PR), and coloration.

Resultados e Discussão

Both flours showed good FFC, homogeneity, and absence of RFZ. However, CRP showed a high amount of IP, likely derived from the presence of peel. The use of advanced technologies, such as micronization, may be an alternative to reduce IP. Films produced with CRWP had higher RP compared to CRP, which may be associated with IP that may have adhered to the plate. Both samples showed a purple color, with CRP exhibiting greater intensity, attributed to the presence of peel fragments.

Conclusão

Based on this, cará roxo starch can be applied in the development of biodegradable films, enhancing the potential of this Amazonian raw material.