Effect of the cut type and sanitizers on the softening of fresh cut pequi fruit (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.)

Fresh cut fruits and vegetables should present convenience and quality features of the fresh produce. The present work aimed to evaluate the influence of the sanitizers 50ppm and 100ppm sodium hypochloride (NaClO) and 4% and 6% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the involved processes in the softening of fresh cut pequi fruit (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) submitted to two types of processing: "sliced stone" and "whole stone" stored at 6 +/- 1 degrees C and 90% to 95% of RH during 15 days. Every three the days mass loss, firmness, total pectin, soluble pectin, pectinmethylesterase activity (PME) and polygalacturonase activity (PG) were evaluated. The fresh cut pequi fruit presented mass loss, firmness decrease along the period of storage, concomitant to the increase of the activity of the enzyme polygalacturonase, as well as the solubilization of substances pectics. Activity of PME was not detected in fresh cut pequi fruit evaluated. The sliced stone showed, higher content of soluble pectins, from 3(rd) to 6(th) day and activity of the enzyme polygalacturonase, of 3(rd) to 12(th) day of storage, in relation to the whole stones. The sanification with NaClO 50ppm and 100ppm, H2O2 4% and 6% presented greater solubilization of pectic substances in fresh cut pequi fruit, during the storage, but it did not influence of the sanitizers on the variable firmness, loss of mass and activity of polygalacturonase.