ABSTRACT
Colletotrichum has been identified as responsible for the "dried fruit" disease in açaí (Euterpe oleracea). Besides concern for açaí pulp quality control, the characterization of Colletotrichum has been difficult, which has motivated the search for chemical markers in the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) profile for use as a tool in the identification of açaí pulp contaminated by the fungus. Extracted VOCs by Headspace - Solid Phase Micro Extraction (HS-SPME) were identified through gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). From GC-MS analyzes 26 VOCs were identified, with a predominance of the terpenoids. Chemometrically, menthol and menthone were assigned as potential markers of the genus. The analysis of VOCs in açaí pulps contaminated by Colletotrichum under different cultivation conditions enabled the detection of menthone. This result illustrated the selectivity of the culture medium and the potential of this tool for use in the quality control of açaí pulp.