Products derived from pitanga (eugenia uniflora l.) in Florianópolis (SC): commercial analysis associated with the acceptance of fruit tropical juice

Abstract

Biodiversity plays an important role on the maintenance and creation of a unique gastronomy, stimulating local production chains that respect the ecological aspects of the region. Considering the autochthonous biodiversity of southern Brazil, there is the plant known as pitangueira (Eugenia uniflora L.), which produces fruits with a huge gastronomic versatility, but not yet widely used or produced for commercial purposes in this region. Knowing that, the presented work focused on the analysis of the presence, demand and origin of raw materials of pitanga derivatives – frozen pulp, juice and ice cream – at Florianópolis (SC) market. There was an absence of commercialization of industrialized pulp in the main local supermarket chains during the evaluation period, as well as the reduced demand for juice in specialized houses in downtown Florianópolis. About 28% of the evaluated ice cream shop confirmed they sell pitanga ice cream with a comproved demand. In order to evaluate the reasons for the rejection of the juice and the absence of the pulp in the markets, an acceptability test of the pitanga’s juice elaborated from its industrialized pulp was carried out, comparing it with juice from homemade pulp from pitanga fruit, as well as with acerola’s pulp juice (standard reference). The results show that the low demand for pitanga juice may be related to organoleptic characteristics of the industrialized pulp used.