Martha del Pilar López Hernández

Basil is a highly valued aromatic plant worldwide, and drying is one of the best ways to preserve its leaves. Through a theoretical approach, the microwave drying of basil leaves can be modeled, and the effective diffusivity can be determined. However, using a model that considers moisture diffusion in the presence of intensive microwave energy is crucial. This study proposed a theoretical model to simulate the microwave drying of basil leaves in a thin layer. The model assumed that the material is homogeneous and isotropic, with the effective diffusivity depending on the microwave power. The model was solved numerically and validated with experimental data. The study also examined the effect of the microwave power on the color and bioactive properties during drying. The drying time was reduced by 60%, by increasing the microwave power from 199 W to 622 W. The effective diffusivity was found to be directly proportional to the microwave power. Drying at low powers was found to cause basil pigment degradation. However, drying at a power of 622 W resulted in better preservation of the leaves without browning. Finally, microwave drying negatively affects the bioactive compounds, as the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in all the powers evaluated were significantly lower than in fresh basil leaves.

An essential aspect of competing in the world market is the quality of the cocoa bean, which is influenced by different factors ranging from genetics to post-harvest processes. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of the maturity stage (2, 3, and 4), genotype (CCN51, ICS95, and TSH565), and geographical location (Algeciras and Garzón, Colombia) of cocoa on the pH and titratable acidity of the pulp and bean, and the fermentation index of the bean during days 0, 3 and 7 of fermentation. The response variables were analyzed through an analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple comparisons (pairwise) were made using Tukey's test with a significance level of α = 0.05. Additionally, a longitudinal analysis was carried out as there are measurements over time, and autocorrelation of individuals over time can occur, allowing contrasting the results through another analysis. The results showed that the factor with the strongest influence on the physicochemical characteristics evaluated was the genotype, affecting the bean and pulp pH and the fermentation index. Likewise, it was possible to show that, of the three genotypes evaluated, CCN51 stood out for presenting less bean acidity and higher bean pH and fermentation index. The genotype is the factor with the strongest effect during cocoa fermentation. This solves bean quality heterogeneity, the main international marketing problem.

Los procesos postcosecha en los granos de cacao son determinantes para el desarrollo de aromas específicos. Sin embargo, dichas reacciones están supeditadas a las características iniciales de la semilla, dadas por la genética del material; haciendo importante conocer sus condiciones específicas y así lograr que las posibles mezclas durante la fermentación sean las más adecuadas. De acuerdo con lo anterior, el presente estudio, tiene como objetivo la caracterización de las variables fisicoquímicas durante la fermentación y el secado de materiales de cacao. Se seleccionaron diez materiales, siguiendo variables como % pérdida de peso, % de humedad (testa y cotiledón), pH (testa y cotiledón) e índice de fermentación durante las fases de fermentación y secado. Los datos fueron sometidos a un análisis de varianza por Anova y pruebas de comparación múltiple de Tukey a α= 0.05. Los resultados mostraron diferencia significativa en cuanto a % de húmeda del cotiledón, % de humedad testa, pH cotiledón, pH de testa e índice de fermentación, lo que sugiere la incidencia de la genética del material y su efecto sobre la calidad sensorial del cacao producido en Colombia que en su mayoría son mezclas.

El copoazú (Theobroma grandiflorum) es un fruto amazónico con gran potencial económico, debido a su alto valor nutricional, siendo una fuente importante de ácido ascórbico y compuestos fénolicos. Su pulpa de alta viscosidad y acidez dificulta su procesamiento industrial. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar el efecto de la licuefacción enzimática con dos enzimas pectinolíticas comerciales (Rapidase® LIQ Plus y Rapidase® Citrus Cloudy) a diferentes condiciones de temperatura (15 a 45 ºC) y tiempo de incubación (2 a 5 h) sobre las características fisicoquímicas del jugo y las propiedades tecnológicas del residuo de copoazú, bajo un diseño de superficie de respuesta. Se obtuvo rendimientos del jugo de hasta 87.96 % con la enzima Rapidase® LIQ Plus a 15 °C y durante 2 h de incubación, mostrando el uso de enzimas hidrolíticas como una alternativa biotecnológica idónea para la adaptación fisicoquímica y reológica de la pulpa de copoazú, con potencial impacto positivos para su implementación en zonas apartadas, dondese produce el fruto, eliminando los problemas generados por la alta viscosidad de la pulpa. El residuo de copoazú tiene un alto contenido de fibra dietaria (42.48% en base húmeda). Además, presentó excelentes características como capacidad de hinchamiento (CH) (3.85 g de agua / g de materia seca) y capacidad de retención de agua (CRA) (3.94 g de agua/ g de materia seca). En consecuencia, el subproducto sólido procedente de la clarificación enzimática de pulpa de copoazú cuenta con características de calidad homologas a las registradas en aditivos comerciales de fibra utilizados por la industria.

Copoazú is a fruit originated from Colombian Amazon belonging to Theobroma genus, which includes species such as cacao raw material for chocolate. Both species presented similar processing stages, with different process parameters due to the physical qualities of each fruit. Enzymatic, mechanical, and combined methods for pulping copoazú seeds and their effect on the biochemical dynamics of fermentation were evaluated. The pulping treatments evaluated were manual (Ma), mechanical (Me), enzymatic (Ez), and enzymatic-mechanical (Ez-Me), considering the yield as a response variable. The results showed higher percentages of pulp recovery for enzymatic, enzymatic-mechanical, and manual treatments with 61.01%, 66.80%, and 65.71%, respectively. The dynamics of the fermentation showed a reduction of seven to four days for the fermentation stage with the enzymatic treatments, registering up to 85.3% of well-fermented grain at the end of this phase.

Las características de los productos agrícolas están influenciadas por el ecosistema desde la perspectiva de los factores bióticos y abióticos, lo cuales producen en la planta respuestas fisiológicas y a su vez en los frutos propiedades fisicoquímicas únicas, que son la base para las denominaciones de origen y estrategias de agregación de valor al producto en el mercado actual. En el presente trabajo se caracterizaron morfoagronómicamente diez materiales de cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) que fueron seleccionados por su destacada productividad (FSV41, FLE3, FEAR5, FSA12, FEC2, SCC23, SCC80, SCC55, ICS95 y CCN51), los cuales fueron establecidos en departamentos como Santander (931 m s. n. m.), Huila (885 m s. n. m.) y Arauca (204 m s. n. m.), principales zonas productoras de cacao en Colombia. Para la evaluación de las características físicas de materiales recolectados se utilizaron 21 descriptores cuantitativos encargados de definir la variabilidad física del fruto según el clon y el lugar donde se recolecto. Los datos recolectados fueron analizados mediante la matriz de correlación de Pearson y análisis de componentes principales, logrando identificar aquellos descriptores que más aportan a la variabilidad entre materiales (índice de mazorca, relación longitud diámetro, peso y diámetro de semilla y peso y longitud de fruto). Además, se pudo comprobar el efecto del lugar de cosecha sobre las características físicas de los materiales resaltando la importancia del estudio de adaptación previo a la siembra del material de cacao, con el objetivo de garantizar una cosecha de cacao Premium, productiva y de calidad para la industria, que compita en el mercado.

BACKGROUND: Cacao is important for the economy of many countries in the humid tropics. Its quality is affected when fruits are not collected at the optimal harvest point. The aim of this study was to obtain maturity indices for producers to facilitate the timely harvest and improve the development of fermentation and the sensorial quality of cacao. The growth and respiration processes, and the physicochemical changes during the maturation of three cacao genotypes were determined. Physiological follow‐ups measuring fruit length and diameter were performed from 30 days after anthesis to fruit deterioration in the tree.RESULTS: Growth equations were obtained, establishing four maturity stages based on days after anthesis, and fruit length and diameter. Nineteen descriptors were used for the characterization, and through Pearson's correlation and principal component analysis (PCA), five descriptors were identified as representative of the maturity stages of the cacao fruit. PCA results and respiration measurements established that stage 3 presented the highest substrate availability for obtaining good fermentation and quality cacao. This stage showed values between 124 and 197 days after anthesis with lengths between 167.7 and 249.73 mm, and diameters between 64.4 and 95.8 mm, according to the locality.CONCLUSION: Three growth phases of the cacao fruits were established considering days after anthesis. Both the edaphoclimatic conditions and the cacao genotype characteristics influenced this determination. Stage 3 of fruit maturation shows the best physicochemical conditions for good fermentation. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry

Esta publicación constituye un producto científico en el que se recopila información técnica y académica que relaciona las estrategias para la promoción y el apoyo del crecimiento rural del sector cacaotero del norte del departamento del Tolima. Estas estrategias están enfocadas principalmente en el conocimiento del material genético de la región, el manejo integrado de las enfermedades, en particular, la Phytophthora, y protocolos de beneficio que promueven la homogeneidad en la calidad final del producto. Debido a que el productor tiene una participación activa en todas las etapas de cultivo y beneficio del cacao, las recomendaciones realizadas en este documento van dirigidas principalmente a ellos.

The physicochemical and microbiological dynamics during the fermentation phase of the CCN51 cocoa material was evaluated in three maturity stages (stage 2: 130-152 days after anthesis (DAA), stage 3: 153-174 DAA, and stage 4: 175-196 DAA). Through the microfermentation technique, the physicochemical variables (pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and fermentation index) were monitored every 24 hours. The microbiological dynamics were evaluated by counting the colony forming units (CFU) in a plaque, quantifying three types of microorganisms (Bacillus, acetic acid bacteria and yeasts). In the three maturity stages assessed, a decrease in the pH of the beans was observed as the fermentation progressed; between 72 and 96 hours after fermentation, the pH of stage 4 beans was different from stages 2 and 3. Simultaneously, an increase in the pH of the pulp was observed without differences between the stages. Brix degrees did not show statistical differences between stages, however, the values of total soluble solids showed that the microorganisms present in stage 3 were more effective in metabolizing these in comparison with those of stages 2 and 4. Regarding the fermentation index, stage 4 reached the maximum value (1.35 ± 0.16) at 120 hours, meanwhile stages 2 and 3 reached it at the end of the fermentation (1.35 ± 0.01 and 1.55 ± 0.29, respectively) at 168 hours. The microbiological dynamics in the three cocoa fruit maturity stages evidenced the absence of lactic acid bacteria and the presence of mesophilic aerobic bacilli. Yeasts were present throughout the fermentation in the three maturity stages, being more favored by stage 2, meanwhile, acetic acid bacteria were favored by stage 3. Outstanding microorganism species were characterized molecularly as Pichia kudriavzevii,Bacillus subtilisBacillus megaterium, and Bacillus tequilensis. Stage 3 showed the best characteristics to obtain good quality cocoa.