Physicochemical analysis of Brazilian spinach grown under doses of urea

Abstract

Althernanthera sessilis L. is an unconventional food plant known as Amazonian spinach or monkey's ear that can contribute to nutrition. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the physical chemical analysis Amazonian spinach cultivated under different doses of nitrogen. The experiment was carried out in the experimental garden of the Federal University of Acre - UFAC, and laboratory analyzes in the Food Technology Unit - UTAL. The design used was completely randomized, with four doses (0, 1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 g) and five replications, evaluating the variables pH, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, soluble solids, ash and proteins. The characteristics that showed significant differences were pH, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and proteins, there was a linear increase in levels with the increase in nitrogen dose, except for the variable pH, which was reduced. For ascorbic acid contents, which in the treatment 5.0 g presented about 42.3 mg/100g, it was found that this plant is able to supply the vitamin C demand for an adult, in relation to the variable protein, the plant presented at a dose of 5.0 g, a content of 25 g/100g, considered high, when compared to other unconventional vegetables and conventional vegetables of commercial interest. Even in the control treatment, in which fertilization was not used, the plant presented relevant levels (19.5%), which demonstrates that this species has great nutritional potential.