Caracterização físico-química e atividade respiratória de Cladódios de Palma Nopalea Cochenilifera (L.) Salm-Dyck.

Abstract

The physicochemical characteristics of cladodes of the Nopalea cochenilifera (L.) Salm-Dyck cactus show variation according to the stage of development, primarily in respiration, a determining characteristic for the post-harvest shelf life of the tissue. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and respiratory activity of cladodes of the palm Nopalea cochenilifera (L.) Salm-Dyck. The cladodes were harvested, sanitized and selected according to their developmental stage, ranging from 0-4; 4-8; 8-12; 12-16 and 16-20 cm in longitudinal diameter. The transversal diameters, fresh mass, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, ascorbic acid, total soluble sugars, reducing sugars and respiratory activity were evaluated in five replications. The smaller cladodes had higher levels of sugars and higher respiratory activity, while the larger cladodes had larger diameters and higher levels of ascorbic acid, fresh mass and titratable acidity.