Abstract

ESCOBAR A., Berta; ESTEVEZ A., Ana María  and  GUINEZ C., M Alejandra. Almacenamiento de barras de cereales elaboradas con cotiledones de algarrobo (Prosopis chilensis (Mol) Stuntz). ALAN [online]. 2000, vol.50, n.2, pp.152-156. ISSN 0004-0622.

Storage of cereal bars with mezquite cotiledon (Prosopis chilensis (Mol) Stuntz). The use of walnut or peanut in the elaboration of cereal bars represents a possible risk of undesirable changes during their storage due to their high content of unsaturated fatty acids in the oil; oxidizing of the fatty acids is one of the main causes of deterioration. Development of new snack products implies the use of packages that should protect the food against the damage caused by light and reduce the oxygen concentration of in their interior. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the physical, chemical and sensory changes in the storage of cereal bars with peanut or walnut and mezquite cotiledon subjected to two thermal treatments, packed in cellophane or milky polypropilene. Four types of bars were elaborated with 6% of mezquite cotiledon, treated by microwaves or toasted, and with 18% of peanut or walnut. The bars were stored for 90 days at room temperature; and each 30 days it was measured moisture content, peroxides index, water activity, sensory quality and acceptability. The peroxides values (4.9-13.8 meq/kg of oil) indicates that the shelf life of the bars in all the studied treatments was 90 days. The packaging material s used allows to maintain in good conditions, for 3 months, the cereals bars of moisture (7.4-11.2%), water activity (0.50-0.65) and sensory acceptability.

Keywords : Mezquite cotiledon; cellophane; milky polipropilene; peroxide index.