**2. Material and methods**

### **2.1 Materials**

302 Food Industrial Processes – Methods and Equipment

According to the Secretary of Agricultural Protection (SAP, 1999), the organic system adopts technologies that optimize natural resources, including ecological, biodynamic, natural,

So far, the most accurate and reliable system that allows the consumer to determine if a food has been produced by organic or biodynamic organic cultivation is the quality seal provided by national and international entities, such as the Biodynamic Institute (IBD), an organization established in 1991 that develops certification of organic and biodynamic

The organic quality seal is an indication that the food was produced and processed in accordance with the guidelines and standards of organic farming, resulting in a positive agronomic quality when compared to conventionally grown food, along with safety and reliability for the consumers that the products have not been subjected to ionizing radiation and have no transgenic or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their composition. Therefore, cultivation (without pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals) plus the quality certificate of the Biodynamic Institute (IBD) characterize biodynamic agriculture (IBD, 2009; Darolt, 2003). The citrus flavor and aroma are pleasant, and in its composition are essential nutrients and micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and fiber (Pellegrini et al., 2003; Morton et al., 2000). Vitamin C and phenolic compounds present in acid lime have the ability to capture free radicals, having an important role in its antioxidant activity (Dhuique-Mayer, 2005;

Polyphenols are a heterogeneous group, composed of several classes of substances with antioxidant properties that are found in different foods and drinks. Typical compounds that possess antioxidant activity include phenols, phenolic acids and their derivatives, carotenoids, flavonoids (anthocyanins and anthoxantins), tocopherols, phospholipids,

The first studies on determination of total phenolics were published by Folin & Ciocalteau (1927), Swain & Hillis (1959), Singleton & Rossi (1965), and Fantozzi & Montedoro (1978). Different methods can be employed to determine the total content of phenolic compounds in foods and plants. The most utilized procedures employ the *Folin-Ciocalteau* reagent, in which the mixture of phosphowolframic and phosphomolybdic acids, in alkaline media, is reduced by oxidizing phenolic compounds, giving rise to blue wolframium (W8O23) and molybdenum (Mo8O23) oxides (Mirsaeedghazi et al, 2010; Mezadri et al, 2008; Kuskoski et

Some citric fruits such as acerola, orange and lemon contain high concentrations of ascorbic acid, while certain flavonoids such as anthocyanins, flavonols and flavones predominate in strawberry, mulberry and açaí (Cordenunsi et al., 2005; Pozo-Insfran et al., 2004; Assis et al.,

Jardini & Mancini-Filho (2007) evaluated antioxidant activity of different extracts from the pulp and seeds of rum, and found that the fruit showed high antioxidant activity due to the presence of phenolic and reducing compounds. Water extracts from the pulp and seeds

Santos et al. (2008) showed that anthocyanins and total phenolics had a positive and

Beneficial health effects, especially a significant decrease on the incidence of chronic and degenerative deseases, have been attributed to ascorbic acid and phenolic constituents of fruits, vegetables, cereals, tea and wine. Epidemiological, clinical and *in vitro* studies indicate relationships between dietary polyphenols and certain biological effects, such as

amino acids, phytic acid, ascorbic acid and sterols (Roesler et al., 2008).

were the most effective regarding antioxidant activity.

significant correlation with the high antioxidant capacity of açaí pulps.

sustainable, regenerative, organic and agroecological crops.

products (Darolt, 2003).

Harbone & Williams, 2000).

al*.*, 2006).

2001).

A total of 113 kg of biodynamic organic acid lime (*Citrus latifolia* Tanaka), cultivar *Tahiti*, 2009 crop, (certified by IBD/IFOAM - Federación Internacional de Movimientos de Agricultura Orgánica) and 58.40 kg of conventionally cultivated acid lime, 2009 crop, were supplied by Bom Jesus Farm, located in Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, São Paulo, Brazil.

After selection, whole, non-injured fruits were weighed and sanitized by immersion in chlorinated water (100 ppm for 10 min.) and washed. The juice was extracted in a semiindustrial multiprocessor (Konik, Class 700 model, São Paulo, Brazil), sieved, packed in PVC containers and stored at – 15 °C, until processing and analyses.
