ABSTRACT
Cupuaçu [Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild ex Spreng.) K. Schum] seeds have been employed for a long time in the Amazon region for food purposes. Similar to cocoa, processed cupuaçu pulp and seeds can be used to produce juices, ice creams, confectionary products and cupulate®, which is a similar product to chocolate. However, its market penetration requires the mastery of all processing stages to improve the food quality and safety and to make possible an efficient technology transfer to the local small farmers and communities. Based on the above, the current research work aimed at monitoring and optimizing the consecutive fermentation and drying processes of cupuaçu seeds over 7 days each, as well as storage for 90 days. A greenhouse structure incorporating the fermenter and solar drying terrace was designed to be inexpensive, versatile, easily scalable, and easy to maintain and operate by the local small farmers after a short period of training. This research effort also aimed at giving a vision for the future creation of an integrative and sustainable cupuaçu system covering the economic, social, cultural and environmental vectors. The experimental design comprised 5 batches of 100 kg of seeds each. Several microbiological and physicochemical parameters were performed and correlated with processing variables. Microbiological parameters encompassed viable counts of mesophilic microorganisms, coliforms, yeasts, and molds, whereas physicochemical measures included fermentation and drying temperature, pH, acidity, dry matter, ashes, water activity, color, total proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, and energy. The average seed fermentation temperature varied from ca. 28 to 44 °C, reaching the maximum on day 3 and a final value of ca. 31 °C. Regarding solar drying, the average seed temperatures ranged from ca. 24 °C (at the end) to 39 °C on day 3, and an initial value of ca. 29 °C. The average final seed pH value of drying was 5.34 and was kept during storage. During storage, results demonstrated the existence of significant correlations among several experimental parameters under scrutiny. Finally, bean viable counts obtained during storage unfolded acceptable values of total mesophilic bacteria well below the maximum limit. Viable counts of yeast and molds were generally found between 3 and 4 log(CFU/gsample), and total coliforms were also detected, although both were at acceptable levels and well beneath the established maximum limits for food safety.
ABSTRACT
Resumen El presente estudio analiza, a través de una aproximación cualitativa, las representaciones sociales de la Dieta Mediterránea a partir de los discursos de dietistas y mujeres legas de nacionalidad española que residen en la ciudad de Barcelona (Cataluña, España). La comparación de los discursos permite comprender cómo un grupo profesional y un grupo lego manejan e incorporan discursos médicos y sociales en sus prácticas alimentarias. En la modernidad alimentaria, el proceso de medicalización de la alimentación ha contribuido a la emergencia progresiva de una racionalidad científica-nutricional. En este contexto la Dieta Mediterránea emerge en el campo médico encarnando de forma utópica una norma nutricional y moral. Al mismo tiempo, la modernidad alimentaria caracterizada por transformaciones sociales, como la industrialización y la instauración de espacios comunes transnacionales, ha provocado una especie de nostalgia respecto a ciertas prácticas alimentarias consideradas "tradicionales". En este contexto, la Dieta Mediterránea gane importancia como una herencia cultural a proteger. En este caso, percibimos que los discursos médicos y sociales se fusionan, se complementan y se confunden, generando nuevas normas, representaciones y prácticas alimentarias.
Resumo O presente estudo analisa, através de uma abordagem qualitativa, as representações sociais da Dieta Mediterrânea, a partir de discursos de um grupo de nutricionistas e outro de mulheres leigas de nacionalidade espanhola residentes na cidade de Barcelona (Catalunha, Espanha). A comparação dos discursos permite compreender como um grupo profissional e um grupo leigo incorporam discursos médicos e sociais em suas práticas alimentares. Na modernidade alimentar, o processo de medicalização da alimentação contribuiu com a emergência progressiva de uma racionalidade científica-nutricional. Nesse contexto, a Dieta Mediterrânea se enquadra no campo da medicina, encarnando de forma utópica uma norma nutricional e moral. Ao mesmo tempo, a modernidade alimentar, caracterizada por transformações sociais como a industrialização e a instauração de espaços comuns transnacionais, provocou uma espécie de nostalgia em relação à determinadas práticas alimentares consideradas como "tradicionais". A Dieta Mediterrânea ganha assim importância como uma herança cultural a ser protegida. Percebemos, portanto, nesse caso concreto, que os discursos médicos e sociais se fundem, se complementam e se confundem, criando novas normas, representações e práticas alimentares.
Abstract This study analyses, through a qualitative approach, the social representations about Mediterranean Diet of Spanish dieticians and laywomen living in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). The comparison between their discourses allows understanding how a professional group and a lay group deal with, and incorporate, social and medical discourses in eating practices. In food modernity, the process of medicalization of food contributed to a progressively emergence of a scientific-nutritional rationality. In that context, the Mediterranean Diet seems to embody, in a utopic way, a nutritional and moral norm. At the same time, this food modernity, characterized by social transformations such as industrialization and the establishment of a common transnational space, provoked a nostalgia concerning some eating practices perceived as "traditional". Therefore, the Mediterranean Diet becomes important as a cultural heritage to be protected. Hence, we may realize that social and medical discourses merge, complement and blend, creating new food norms, representations and practices.