PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF ANNATTO FRUIT FOR THE INTEGRAL UTILIZATION
The industrial production of colorant from annatto, bixin, generates 60% of the fruit as residue (cachopas) and 94-98% of exhausted seeds of bixin as byproduct. Currently, these residues are used as fertilizer and/or animal feed. Considering that compounds obtained from residues have the potential to add value to productive chains, the objective of this work was to identify the potential integral utilization of the annatto fruits by determining the physicochemical composition of the cachopas and seeds. The samples were obtained from Paraiba/Brazil: seeds from local commerce (S-CL) and fruits from settlement Senhor-do-Bonfim (seeds: S-ABS and cachopa: C-ASB). The centesimal composition and starch content were determined according to official methodology. Total carbohydrates were calculated by difference. The total dietary fiber was determined by non-enzymatic-gravimetric method. The results indicated that averages(%) followed by the same letter in each macronutrient did not differ significantly by the Tukey test (probability<0.05). Moisture: S-CL (9,28±0,54a)%, S-ABS (9,6±0,02a)%, C-ASB (5,77±0,39b)%; Ash: S-CL (5,74±0,14a)%, S-ABS (5,23±0,04b)%, C-ASB (4,55±0,11c); Lipid: S-CL (4,12±0,28a)%, S-ABS (2,69±0,19b)%, C-ASB (1,73±0,29c)%; Proteins: S-CL (11,56±0,30a)%, S-ABS (11,13±0,18a)%, C-ASB (3,07±0,30b)%; Carbohydrates: S-CL 67,18%, ASB 69,45%, C-ASB 80,09%, being Starch: S-CL (18,03±0,14a)%, S-ABS (22,88±0,04b)%, C-ASB (19,03±0,11c) and Dietary Fiber: S-CL (2,12±0,01b)%, S-ASB (1,90±0,21b)%, C-ASB (4,79±0,22a)%. The seeds presented high content of proteins and the others results were close to those reported in the literature. The fruit had moderate starch content, could be source of energy, in place of foods rich in starch, and biomass in the production of bioplastics. Fiber content is considered moderate-high, could be ingredient in human diet, because it assists in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The dietary fiber is being reported in the literature for the first time. Carbohydrates were the major macronutrients and are being studied, because to reuse is to recover matter and energy, adding value and minimizing environmental impacts.