ANÁLISE DO TEOR DE PROTEINA BRUTA E NITROGÊNIO TOTAL DO BROTO DE ORA-PRO-NÓBIS (Pereskia aculeata Miller) EM RESPOSTA AO PROCESSO DE SECAGEM

Abstract

The Ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Miller) is a plant originating from the tropics, commonly known as "meat of the poor". This vegetable has had a greater focus, because of its composition, with a high protein content, also has vitamin C, vitamin A and Iron. Classified as PANC (unconventional food plant), it is increasingly being inserted in the menu of Brazilians, since it is easy to grow and obtain. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of shoot drying temperature on total protein and nitrogen content. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, the treatments corresponding to drying temperature - 25, 35 and 65°C. After drying, the material was crushed and submitted to the Kjeldahl method to obtain indirectly the percentage of total nitrogen and directly from the percentage of crude protein. Indirectly evaluating the total nitrogen, an average of 16.77% of proteins in the shoots presented on dry basis. The total nitrogen contents ranged from 3.3 to 5.02%, and the highest value observed at 65°C, similar behavior was verified for the crude protein content and the values were 20.6, 251.1 and 31.4% for the temperatures of 25, 35 and 65°C. Thus, the choice of drying temperature will depend on the purpose of use of the ora-pro-nóbis, since the drying at 25º can be carried out at home with the purpose of being used as food condiment and the drying at 65% may result in it encapsulation.