Obtenção de farinha de chips da batata yacon por desidratação

Abstract

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a tuber of Asteraceae, originating in the Andean region and introduced in Brazil by Japanese descendants, which has an external appearance similar to sweet potatoes, but with a sweet taste and crisp texture. The tuber is considered a functional food because it presents in its chemical composition, mainly, fructans, fructo-oligosaccharides and dietary fibers. Scientific studies have shown that these constituents help in the reduction of glycemia, weight loss, cholesterol, among other pathologies. However, the high water content reduces its useful life. In addition, tubers when supplied in natura tend to oxidize and to rapid senescence after harvest. From the above, the objective of the present study is to determine the nutritional and functional properties of yacon flours and chips obtained by dehydration processes in order to meet consumer demand for products with greater practicality of consumption and functional appeal. For this, the tubers were purchased from local producers, analyzed for nutritional composition and antioxidant activity. To obtain the yacon chips experimental experiments using the dehydration methods were carried out.