Parâmetros físico-químicos determinantes da qualidade de farinhas de mandioca comercializadas na região de Santarém - PA

Abstract

The state of Pará is a major producer of cassava root, most of this production is intended for the manufacture of flour. In the municipality of Santarém, it is remarkable the great consumption of flour by the population. Although this consumption of flour is a custom, little is known about the physical and characteristics of flours sold in the region. The main places for the disposal of these products are the free trade fairs in the Urban Zone. The present work aimed to verify the quality of 149 samples of flours sold at mercadão 2000 fairs, Cohab, Prainha, Candilha and Aeroporto Velho through the determination of particle size and moisture contents, pH, fixed mineral residue, acidity and starch based on what the Brazilian Legislation recommends. And also check how these quality parameters can influence the economy of these products. It was found that almost all the samples of flour collected belonging to the groups D'água, Seca and Tapioca do not meet the required standards and limits. The wide variation through the comparison between means also indicates the differentiation between the samples and their destandardization in the production stages.