Characterization and quality of umbu-caja fruits provenientes do Reconcavo sul da Bahia

The Southern Reconcavo in Bahia has a significant wealth of native plants with high nutritional potential. Besides ethnological indicative of their uses as food, little is known about them, especially on their chemical composition. As examples of these plants, it can be found fruits of (Spondias tuberosa X S. mombin) that are widely consumed fresh or as processed products all over Brazil. Due to the increasing pro acceptance of its products and the continuing search for new flavors, agro- industries have attracted the interest for both the domestic market and exportation. However, despite the strong commercial interest, few studies have been conducted in search for answers about its composition. Thus, this work aimed to make the physical, physical-chemical and mineralogical composition of unripe fruits of umbu-caja grown in the climatic conditions of the southern Reconcavo in Bahia. Analysis were performed of fruit and bark weight; size and diameter; percentage of bark, seeds and pulp; pH; soluble solids; acidity; soluble solid relationship acidity (ratio); the technology index; sugars (reducing and non reducing and total); vitamin C; protein; moisture; lipids; crude fiber; starch; and minerals (phosphorus, iron, calcium, sodium and potassium). The fruits have large size (23.18g), with considerable pulp yield (69.70%), reasonable values of sugars (7.49%), total acidity (1.32%), fiber (1.36%), vitamin C (8 mg /100g) and minerals ( Na- 40 mg /100g; K-44mg /100g; P-17.76mg /100g; Fe-0.59mg /100g; and Ca-12.25mg /100g), proving to be an alternative to the market of fresh fruits and for agribusiness in the region. Index terms: Tropical fruit, chemical composition, (Spondias tuberosa X S. mombin). O Reconcavo Sul da Bahia apresenta uma significativa riqueza de fruteiras nativas com grande potencial alimenticio. Alem de indicativos etnologicos sobre seus usos como alimento, pouco se conhece sobre elas, principalmente sobre sua composicao bromatologica. A exemplos destas fruteiras, encontram-se os frutos do umbu-caja (Spondias tuberosa X S. mombin) que sao amplamente consumidos in natura ou na forma de produtos processados em quase todo o Brasil. Devido a crescente aceitacao de seus produtos e a incessante busca por novos sabores, as agroindUstrias vEm despertando o interesse tanto para o mercado interno quanto para exportacoes. Entretanto, apesar do forte interesse comercial, poucos estudos foram efetuados na busca de respostas sobre a sua composicao. Nesse senti