SOURSOP LIQUOR PROCESSING: INFLUENCE OF THE PROCESS VARIABLES ON THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Soursop is a well-appreciated tropical fruit, both in natura and in the form of juices and nectars. Despite its wide acceptance, there is lack of its use in the preparation of other products, such as alcoholic beverages. The objective of this study was to prepare soursop liquors by varying the concentrations of pulp and sucrose syrup with different contents of total soluble solids and to evaluate the effects of these on the physical and chemical characteristics of the beverages. In the production process, the pulp (300, 400 and 500 g) was macerated with distilled alcohol for 20 days, after which it was filtered, added to the syrup (50, 60 and 70 °Brix), bottled in polyethylene bottles and subjected to an accelerated aging. All drinks resulted in alcohol levels (15.25 to 16.69% v/v) and total sugars (12.63 to 17.97%) in accordance with the standards required by law. The experiments made with the lowest concentration of pulp showed the highest yields (84.17 and 85.25%). First-order models with interactions and 95% confidence intervals were obtained. The pulp consisted of the most significant factor, influencing the largest number of responses (yield, alcohol content, dry residue, titratable acidity, titratable acidity/soluble solids ratio and luminosity). The larger coefficient of determination (R2) values were found in the models adjusted to the data of yield, dry residue, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and total sugars, which were significant and predictive, showing values greater than 0.97. RESUMO: A graviola é uma fruta tropical muito apreciada, tanto in natura como na forma de sucos e néctares. Apesar de sua grande aceitação, existe a carência de sua utilização na elaboração de outros produtos, a exemplo de bebidas alcoólicas. Objetivou-se com o estudo elaborar licores de graviola variando-se as concentrações de polpa e xarope de sacarose com diferentes teores de sólidos solúveis totais e avaliar o efeito destas nas características físicas e químicas das bebidas. No processo produtivo, a polpa (300, 400 e 500 g) foi macerada com destilado alcoólico durante 20 dias, sendo posteriormente filtrada e adicionada do xarope (50, 60 e 70 °Brix), envasada em garrafas de polietileno e submetida a um envelhecimento acelerado. Todas as bebidas resultaram teores alcoólicos (15,25 a 16,69% v/v) e açúcares totais (12,63 a 17,97%) em conformidade com os padrões exigidos pela legislação. Os experimentos elaborados com a menor concentração de polpa apresentaram