Qualidade do açaí (Euterpe spp) comercializado por batedores artesanais no município de Humaitá-Amazonas

Abstract

Açaí drives the economy, and represents the culture of the North region. The fruit has become very popular and its consumption is increasing worldwide. In this way, the demand for quality appears at each stage of preparation. This study will present the importance of the quality of açaí marketed by artisanal scouts in the municipality of Humaitá-AM, contributing with information that can serve as a subsidies to support public policies directed to the sector, as well as provide guidance on the sale and consumption of this product to traders and consumers in the region. Data collection will take place through the application of questionnaires with artisanal scouts from the municipality of Humaitá - Amazonas, to identify the profile of these traders and the conditions of commercialization of açaí. To identify quality and yield, samples will be collected and laboratory analyzes performed. According to the questionnaire, the majority of artisanal açaí scouts are over 50 years old, are mostly men, born in Humaitá-AM, have their homes as a place of work, and are characterized as family production, have more than twenty years of experience and your income comes exclusively from açaí. They laboratory results for thermotolerant coliforms, total coliforms, mold and yeast counts, and organoplectic aspects, such as odor, taste and appearance, showed that 90% of the pulp samples collected are in accordance with the legislation. of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, through Regulation No. 37, of October 1, 2018. They lack of training, government support and credit lines, outlines it as an artisanal and informal activity.