Frozen fruit skin prick test for the diagnosis of fruit allergy.

Background: Diagnosis of fruit sensitisation by skin prick test (SPT) is fast and easy to perform. Nevertheless, some fruit is not available throughout the year. Freezing aliquots of these fresh fruits to be defrosted would be a good solution to perform SPT at any time. Objective: To compare the reproducibility of SPT with Rosaceae and Cucurbitaceae frozen fruit with fresh and commercial fruit extracts. Methods: SPT with the following fruit were performed: apricot, cherry, strawberry, nectarine, Japanese medlar, peach, (peel and pulp), yellow and red plum, melon and watermelon. We compared fresh fruit, commercial extract and fruit which had been frozen at -18°C. Results were read by planimetry (Inmunotek prick-filmTM) after 15 minutes. Results: The study group comprised 48 patients (9 males, 39 females) with a mean age of 31, 6 ± 2,0 years. Concordance of positive and negative results was extremely high and significant in all cases. Correlation between frozen fruit and commercial extract, frozen fruit and fresh and commercial extract and fresh fruit was statistically significant in all cases except for strawberry. Conclusions: The use of frozen fruit is a valid method, as the performance of the SPT is similar to that of fresh fruit. This enables diagnostic procedures with seasonal fruit at any time of the year.

Qualidade microbiológica e fisico-química da polpa e mix de açaí armazenada sob congelamento / Microbiological quality and physical-chemical characteristics of the frozen pulp and blended açai

Polpas e mix de açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart) congeladas e comercializadas na região de São Carlos, SP foram analisadas quanto às características microbiológicas e físico-químicas. Nas amostras sob congelamento durante 0, 3, 6 e 9 meses foram investigadas a contaminação Salmonella, coliformes totais e fecais. Os parâmetros físico-químicos avaliados foram lipídeos totais, pH, umidade, cinzas, proteínas, sólidos totais, açúcares redutores e não redutores. Todas as amostras de diferentes marcas e tempo de armazenamento investigadas demonstraram ausência de bactéria. Nos parâmetros físico-químicos, constatou-se diferença significativa entre as marcas de produtos, bem como entre amostras em diferentes tempos de armazenamento; contudo, para pH não houve variação significativa entre as amostras estocadas em diferentes períodos de tempo. As amostras analisadas apresentaram conformidade com a legislação no aspecto higiênico sanitário e as variações encontradas nas análises físico-químicas evidenciam que, mesmo sob congelamento, as reações químicas continuam a ocorrer no alimento.

This study aimed at assessing the microbiological and physical-chemical parameters of frozen pulp and blended açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart) from brands marketed in São Carlos, São Paulo State. The samples kept frozen for 0, 3, 6 and 9 months were analyzed on Salmonella, total/fecal coliforms contamination, and on parameters as total lipids, pH, humidity, ash, proteins, total solids, reducing and non-reducing sugars. No Salmonella and total/fecal coliforms were found in samples from all products brands and stored atdifferent period of months, being in compliance with Brazilian legislation. On physical-chemical analyses, a significant difference among the product brands and storage times was found; but for pH, no significant difference was found in the product storing time. All of the samples were in accordance with the hygienic standards parameters, and the alterations verified on the physical-chemical analysis evidenced that evenunder freezing storage, the chemical reactions still continue to occur in the food.

Avaliaçäo da qualidade de polpas de frutas congeladas / Quality evaluation of forzen furit pulp

Foram realizadas análise microbiológica, físico-químicas e microscópicas de 15 amostras diferentes de polpa de fruta congelada de uma única marca comercial, com o objetivo de verificar a qualidade destas polpas, uma vez que, säo consumidas in natura. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que, do ponto de vista microbiológico, todas as amostras analisadas atendiam à legislaçäo em vigor. Entretanto, as análises físico-químicas mostraram que, das 13 amostras que apresentam limites estabelecidos pela legislaçäo vigente, 4 (31 por cento) se enquadravam como produto em desacordo com a mesma legislaçäo. As polpas de abacaxi e morango näo apresentam padröes legais de identidade e qualidade. As análises microscópicas mostraram que 60 por cento das amostras apresentaram fragmentos e/ou larvas de insetos e àcaros. Foram também detectados fragmentos micelianos. Os resultados indicaram que 53 por cento das amostras foram enquadradas como produtos inaceitáveis para o cusumo, quanto às características microscópicas. Portanto, existe a necessidade de estabelecer métodos que sirvam como padräo para o controle microscópico destes produtos, além da exigência de contagem de filamentos micelianos em polpas de frutas congeladas

Microbiological, physical-chemical and microscopic analyses of 15 samples of frozen fruitpulp, from a single commercial brand, were carried out to verify pulp quality, because they are consumedin natura.The results have shown that, from the microbiological point of view, all samples were in compliancewith the present legislation. However, the physical-chemical analyses showed that 4 (31%) of the sampleswere not in compliance with this legislation. The identity and quality of pineapple and strawberry pulp arenot contemplated by the legislation. The microscopic analyses showed that 60% of the samples presentedfragments and/or larvae of insects and acarids. Micelial fragments were also detected. The results indicatedthat 53% of the samples were unacceptable for consumption according to the legislation. Therefore,methods need to be established in order to serve as a model for the microscopic control of these products,in addition to the necessity of counting micelial filaments in frozen fruit pulp