APRIMORAMENTO DO PROCESSAMENTO INDUSTRIAL DA CASTANHA-DO-BRASIL: ESTUDO DE CASO DA COOPERATIVA MISTA DE GUARIBA - COMIGUA

Abstract

Brazil nut (Bertholettia excelsa Bonpl.) is used by the Amazon region as food and income source. In order to carry out the work to control the technological, physical-chemical and microbiological quality of Brazil nut processing, this research evaluated the industrial processing work of the Cooperativa Mista de Guariba - COMIGUA. The methods were compared by Karl Fisher coulometric titration, infrared and gravimetric water meter at 105ºC, using analysis of variance and Tukey test in order to determine the water content in different lots and to propose a quick method for routine use by the cooperative. It has been concluded that the infrared meter can be used. In addition, the water activity values were analyzed by checking the sample 3, which passed through the washing process, was the lowest values, however the nuts washing could be carried out if the raw materials passed by the drying step. It was verified that the portable water content measuring device could be used as a rapid measurement during the collection and / or purchase of Brazil nuts, certifying that it can be used for this purpose. The objective was also to update the processing flowchart and quality tools implementation. In the case of Good Manufacturing Practices, the cooperative has 56.41% of conformities, located in Group 2, having to improve the documentation blocks and manipulators. In the packaging stage, the 100 g and 250 g packages are satisfactory in relation to the legislation, however it is necessary to follow the packages standardization in order to avoid the waste to the cooperative.