MOISTURE, ASH AND ACTIVITY WATER IN AVIUM COMMERCIALIZED IN SANTARÉM, PARÁ

Abstract

The avium (Acetes marinus) is a freshwater crustacean, has high importance in cooking the northern region, and is commonly marketing in salty form. Salting is one of the most widely used methods, which can reduce the amount of water in the available form. However, for the efficiency of this process it is necessary to take into account the factors that influence the result. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the moisture content, ashes and activity water (Aw) in avium marketed in Santarém, Pará state. Four commercially available avium samples were used in the city of Santarém-PA, 3 salty and 1 fresh sample. The moisture and ash analyzes were defined by oven drying at 100 ° C and carbonization in muffle at 550 ° C, with 6 replicates each. The Aw was measured by water activity analyzer in triplicate. The data were submitted to analysis of variance, averages comparation by applying the Tukey test (P <0.05) and correlation analysis between moisture and Aw. Values between 53.92 and 80.35% moisture were obtained; 0.54 and 0.08% for ashes and 0.81-0.95 of Aw. The values of moisture found are above the standards established by the Brazilian proposal for salted and dried fish, which indicates a lack of control of the quality of the product in the process. There was a positive correlation (0.90) between moisture and Aw. Thus, the control of moisture, ashes and Aw can help in the improvement of commercialized avium.KEYWORDS: Acetes marinus, Salting, Shelf life.