Aguardente bidestilada de algaroba envelhecida em barris de diferentes madeiras.

Abstract

This study aimed to produce double-distilled spirits of algaroba (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.) and store it in barrels made of three different types of wood (algarobeira‟, cherry tree and oak), subjected to three burning levels, during different times, on the inner surface of each cask. Physicochemical characteristics (water, protein, reducing, non-reducing, and total sugars, minerals, carbohydrates contents and as well as the total acidity) of the pod in natura, after pressing, and of the algaroba juice, in the first and second extractions, were determined. A yeast strain of the algaroba juice was selected, isolated and genetically analyzed through the DNA amplification by electrophoresis, using (GTG)5 as a primer. The analyzed yeast was identified as a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The distillation speed and aeration influence on the physicochemical parameters of algaroba double-distilled spirit were analyzed, using a factorial design 22 with three central points. Casks of „algarobeira‟, cherry tree and oak were used, subjected to one, two and three minutes of burning on the stave inner surface. Values of total sugars, proteins, and minerals of 35.9, 8.46 and 7.8%, respectively, were found in the algaroba pod, evidencing its potential in the production of spirit. An extraction was made from the hydrated pod, obtaining values of total, non-reducing, and reducing sugars of 17,92, 15,36 and 2,56%, respectively. A yeast strain of algaroba juice was selected and characterized as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The double-distilled spirit made from algaroba is within the physicochemical parameters analyzed and required by the MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply) except for the high congener of alcohols of 584.50 mg.100mL-1 and the sum of the secondary components of 627.29 mg.100mL-1. As for the contaminant ethyl carbamate, levels lower than 50 μg.L-1 and equal to 69,8 μg.L-1 were recorded by analyzing the effect of the distillation speed and aeration, respectively. These values are lower than 150 μg.L-1, which is required by the legislation. The algaroba spirit stored in the oak barrel, of which stave was subjected to burning for 2 minutes (c2), had the best acceptance of appearance (74%), aroma (76%), taste (58%), and overall impression (64%).