Characterization and shelf life of "roselle" leaves stored in different packages under refrigeration

Vinagreira (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is an unconventional species with multiple possibilities of use, with food and industrialist potential. The objective of this work was to quantify some of its constituents and to evaluate the effect of the packaging on its post-harvest conservation. Branches were transported at Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro campus and to Embrapa Agroindustria de Alimentos, where they were packed in polypropylene (perforated, micro perforated and unperforated) conical packages, except for the control and stored at 5 +/- 1 degrees C and 75% relative moisture. Before storage were evaluated: organic acids, carotenoids, total phenol, antioxidant activity, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids and fresh mass. The fresh mass loss, titratable acidity and soluble solids were analyzed every two days of storage. The design was completely randomized, in split plots. "Roselle" leaves may be considered sources, specially beta-carotene (28.49 mu g g(-1)) and lutein (25.70 mu g g(-1)). The use of polypropylene packages in combination with refrigeration allowed for greater storage, with increase up to four days in the "vinagreira" shelf life, being the best results for unperforated packages were relatively better during storage.