The restaurant industry is a highly customer-driven field. Therefore, it is imperative that restaurateurs consider customer expectations with regard to restaurant menus. The purpose of this experimental study is to examine the effects of menu format (i.e., paper or digital) and amount of nutritional information (i.e., extensive, brief, or none) on customer perceptions of the effectiveness, perceived ease of use, and information quality of the menu. Furthermore, this research intends to test the effect of these three menu attributes on the outcomes of value and satisfaction in order to assess the competitive advantage of one format over the other. The Cognitive Appraisal and Information Processing Theories provide structure to the proposed conceptual framework and give credence to the findings. This study also fills gaps in the present research by not only ameliorating weaknesses of extant studies, but also by examining several different aspects of restaurant menus simultaneously within a single study.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Public Health)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Background: The increase in diabetes prevalence is often accompanied by comorbidities and complications, which negatively impact on the quality of life of patients. Poor dietary intake and physical inactivity lead to obesity and contribute to diabetes prevalence and poor outcomes. Non-diabetic family members of patients are already at risk of developing diabetes due to a family history of the disease. Therefore, this study was aimed at developing and implementing a family-centred nutrition and exercise diabetes care programme for better outcomes and fewer new cases. Methodology: This study employed a mixed method approach, where convergent parallel design was used where quantitative and qualitative data were collected. For the quantitative strand, 400 subjects participated in the study (i.e., 200 diabetes patients and 200 family members). Diabetes patients were selected using stratified random sampling from rural clinics, while family members were selected using the sampled patients. For the qualitative strand, 17 diabetes patients were purposively sampled, and data saturation was reached. Two set of questionnaires (for patients and family members) were used to collect quantitative data, while one-on-one interviews with patients were used to collect qualitative data. Phase 2 involved development and validation of an intervention program. The validation involved a process where professional experts were used for validation using Delphi technique. Phase 3 included implementation and program evaluation wherein post-implementation quantitative survey was conducted on 100 participants (50 patients and 50 family members), who were purposively sampled from list of those who participated in Phase 1. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS Software v27.0, while qualitative data analysed using 8 Steps of Tesch’s inductive, descriptive open coding technique. Results: In Phase 1, the results showed that over half of patients (57%), compared to 38% of family members, were obese; and that most patients (75%), compared to 55% of family members, had abdominal obesity. Close to half of patients (45%), compared to 31% of family members, had overall excellent nutrition and exercise diabetes care knowledge. The majority of patients (73%), compared with 25% of family members, had overall positive attitudes towards nutrition and exercise diabetes care. Only 15% of diabetes patients compared with 9% of family members had overall good practice vi related to nutrition and exercise diabetes care. In Phase 3, it was reported that the majority of both patients (84%) and family members (100%), respectively indicated that the organization of the educational intervention was commendable. All patients (100%) and family members (100%) indicated that the health education strategies used stimulated their interest and were very helpful to their learning. Conclusion: A family-centred nutrition and exercise diabetes care programme was developed, implemented and evaluated. Diabetes patients and family members indicated that the intervention was helpful to their learning and met their expectations. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the adoption of the family-centred nutrition and exercise diabetes care programme to achieve healthy eating and increased physical activity. The adoption of healthy eating and physical activity among diabetes patients and their non-diabetic family members will subsequently lead to better diabetes outcomes, and minimizing new cases, respectively.

D. Tech. (Food Service Management, Department of Hospitality, Tourism and PR Management, Faculty of Human Sciences)|, Vaal University of Technology| / Background South Africa is one of the developing countries faced with the co-existence of undernutrition and overnutrition, often experienced within the same household. On the one hand, hunger, undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are linked to poverty and household food insecurity. Simultaneously, South Africans are exposed to ‘nutrition in transition’, where overweight and chronic diseases of lifestyle, such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and cancer are on the rise as part of the overnutrition profile. Sound nutrition is important throughout the lifecycle to combat under- and overnutrition and nutrition-related diseases. In urban areas, the grandmother or another senior female family member is often responsible for caring for the children in the household during the day. This includes physical, emotional and nutritional care. It is therefore essential for the caregiver to have good nutrition knowledge, to provide not only in her own needs, but also in those of the children. A nutrition education programme is one strategy for improving the nutrition knowledge of caregivers of children. Objective The primary objective in this study was to develop, tailor, implement and evaluate a nutrition education programme (NEP) for Sesotho-speaking females and caregivers of children in the Boipatong Township in the Vaal Region of South Africa and to test its impact in the short and longer term. Nutrition knowledge regarding four South African food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) was empirically tested before and after the intervention and then compared to a control group. In addition, dietary intake was assessed to detect any changes after the intervention in the medium term. Methodology In this both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were applied. Two frameworks, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Framework of Malnutrition (2004) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Framework for Nutrition Education (1997), gave structure to the planning, implementation and evaluation of the research project. This study’s nutrition education programme was based on a socio-ecological model to guide behavioural change in terms of healthy food choices. In the preparation phase, a situational analysis was performed by means of a cross-sectional analytical design using descriptive statistics. Socio-demographic and self-reported health information was obtained. Nutrition knowledge, based on the South African food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs), was measured, and dietary intake was assessed and compared with the estimated average requirements (EARs) for their age categories. Phase two, the formulation phase, used an experimental design. The acceptability and understanding of the existing national nutrition education (NE) material for individuals with low living standards (LSM) was investigated in this phase of the nutrition education programme (NEP). A culturally tailored booklet was developed in English, translated into Sesotho, pilot tested and implemented as part of the nutrition education programme. Lesson plans were developed and pilot tested. A non-randomised control trial was used in the implementation and evaluation phases. The effect of the nutrition education programme on nutrition knowledge was quantitatively measured in a pre- and post-test design at each discussion session in the short term, using paired t-tests in the experimental group of caregivers. The evaluation phase tested the impact of the nutrition education in the longer term. Nutrition knowledge was measured quantitatively in a before-after intervention test design by means of a self-completed structured questionnaire, based on the four South African FDBGs included in the programme. A control group who was not subjected to any intervention was used to complete the same questionnaire before and after the intervention in the same time period as the experimental group. In the experimental group, dietary intake was assessed before and after the intervention to detect changes in dietary intake. No dietary intake was measured in the control group, as changes could be attributed to influences beyond the control of this study. Two randomly selected focus groups of the experimental group were run to provide deeper insight into their perceptions regarding the acceptability and understanding of the NEP and NE material. Results The situational analysis of the preparation phase revealed a poor community that displayed typical patterns of nutrition in transition, at risk of malnutrition. The median age of the sample of caregivers was 44 years (IQR 32-62). Income and consumption poverty was confirmed by 80.5 percent of households spending R300 or less on food, with 75 percent of households having between four and seven people living in the dwelling. Dietary results were indicative of food poverty and poor food choices, possibly due to monetary constraints. A low energy intake (median 5323 kJ/day; IQR 3369-7949), was observed. Only 13.9 percent reached the estimated energy requirement (EER) of 7855 kJ per day for their age category. The overall mean average requirements of the diet was 0.7 but the possiblity of micronutrient deficiencies could not be excluded with a MAR of 0.6 for vitamins and minerals respectively. The median nutrition knowledge was 50 percent (IQR 42-54%) The lowest score was obtained for the FBDG ‘Enjoy a variety of food’ (33.4%; 95% CI 1.1), followed by the FBDG on animal protein (40.3%; 95% CI 1.0). It was decided to augment these two FBDGs with the plant protein FBDG (54.3%; 95% CI 1.8). Despited a relatively good knowledge measured in the caregivers, none of the plant protein food items appeared in the top 20 food items most frequently consumed. The formulation phase included the testing of existing nutrition education material. Messages were well understood (60.5%). However, caregivers found the images contained in the pamphlets and the design of the pamphlets confusing. A definite need was identified for new, culturally acceptable NE material in the caregivers’ home language, Sesotho (74%). During the implementation phase the lectures were presented and the change in the short-term nutrition knowledge of the FBDGs was measured at every session by means of a pre-post-test design. The median age of the caregivers was 63 years (52-78). A significant change in nutrition knowledge was found for each FBDG in terms of the mean number of questions answered correctly by the participants between the results of each pre- and post-test. In the evaluation phase, the impact of the NEP was measured in the Boipatong experimental group and compared, regarding nutrition knowledge, to a control group in the longer term (three months after completion of the intervention). Median nutrition knowledge before the intervention was 49 percent (IQR 46-57) compared to 70 percent (IQR 68-73) after the intervention – an increase of 21 percent. In contrast, the control group showed an increase of only five percent. The results showed that the eating habits of many of the caregivers still fell substantially short of internationally recognised standards (estimated energy requirement (EER) and estimated average requirement (EAR)), and this could contribute to undernutrition as well as to an increased risk of diet-related chronic disease. A median kilojoule intake of 4788 kJ (IQR 3415-6596) per day before and 4651 kJ (IQR 3369-6664) per day after the intervention was registered. Carbohydrate foods remained an important source of energy. Calcium presented a major concern, as none of the participants reached the EAR despite a slight increase in the intake of milk (volume and frequency) after the intervention, as validated by the top 20 food lists and as measured by a nutrient average requirement (NAR) of 0.1 to 0.7 before and after the intervention respectively. The mean average requirements (MAR) remained relatively stable, at 0.7 (median) before the intervention and 0.6 after the intervention. The NEP thus had an insignificant positive effect on dietary intake, except for calcium, iodine and vitamin C intake, which showed significant increases. No relationships could be found between the MAR as an indicator of dietary quality and nutrition knowledge. However, this does not mean that an NEP is not a suitable strategy. Changes in food choices and dietary intake should be measured in the longer term, since lifestyle changes are challenging to adopt when people, especially those in deprived communities, do not have the financial means to make healthy food choices. Conclusion When planning nutrition education strategies to improve the health status of communities in deprived areas, one is faced with the difficulty of households with a low socio-economic status and poor dietary intake, which increases the risk of food and nutrition insecurity. The nutrition education programme, developed, tailored and implemented as an intervention strategy to address an identified need of caregivers, was effective in improving nutrition knowledge. Four of the South African dietary guidelines were used in the nutrition education programme tailored to the specific profile that emerged from the situational analysis and the development of supportive nutrition education material. Lesson plans and the Sesotho and English booklets are available for use in other nutrition education programmes. The study contributed to the understanding of food choices of the urban community of Boipatong as well as of the nutrient inadequacies observed. Nutrition knowledge alone is not enough to bring about changes in food choices when the means to do so are lacking. Poverty and nutrition are closely linked and thus difficult to separate.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem in developing countries, including South Africa. The potential of provitamin A-biofortified maize for use as a complementary strategy to alleviate vitamin A deficiency in developing countries, where maize is the dominant staple food, is currently a subject of research. Although the nutritional composition of white maize is thought to be similar to that of biofortified maize, apart from the differences in provitamin A carotenoid content, the comparative nutritional composition of the two maize types seems not to have been subjected to a comprehensive scientific study. When setting the target level of provitamin A in the provitamin A-biofortified maize, it is important to consider the potential effect of processing on the final provitamin A carotenoid content of the biofortified food products, as the provitamin A carotenoids levels may decrease on processing. Furthermore, the yellow/orange provitamin A-biofortified maize may not be widely accepted by African consumers who are vulnerable to VAD, and are traditional consumers of white maize. This study firstly aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition, including provitamin A composition, and grain quality of provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties, compared to white maize. The second aim was to assess the effect of processing (milling and cooking) on the retention of provitamin A carotenoids and other nutrients in popular South African maize food products prepared with provitamin A-biofortified maize. Thirdly, the study aimed to assess the acceptability of maize food products prepared with provitamin A-biofortified maize by consumers of different age and gender in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The grains of the provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties and grain of a white maize variety (control) were analysed for their nutritional composition using standard or referenced methods. The carotenoid content of the grains was analysed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectroscopy. The provitamin A carotenoids β-cryptoxanthin, and trans and cis isomers of β-carotene, and other unidentified cis isomers of β-carotene were detected in varying levels in the provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties. The total provitamin A content in the biofortified maize varieties ranged from 7.3-8.3 μg/g dry weight (DW), with total β-carotene ranging from 3.5-3.6 μg/g DW, and β-cryptoxanthin from 3.7-4.8 μg/g DW, whilst no carotenoids were detected in the white maize variety. Results of the evaluation of the content of other nutrients showed that, when compared with the white maize variety, the provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties had higher levels of starch, fat and protein but were lower in iron. The zinc and phosphorus levels in the white maize and the biofortified maize were comparable. The biofortified maize varieties were better sources of most of the essential amino acids relative to the white maize, but, similar to the white maize, they were deficient in histidine and lysine, indicating that further improvement is required. Selected quality attributes (grain density, susceptibility of kernels to cracking, milling quality and resistance of the kernels to fungal infection) of grains of 32 provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties and a white variety (control) were assessed. Overall, the quality of the grains of the provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties were found to be superior to that of the white maize grain, although the biofortified maize grains showed less resistance to fungi, including mycotoxin-producing types. This indicates that the trait of grain resistance to infection by fungi should also be incorporated in the provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties during breeding. To assess the retention of provitamin A carotenoids and other nutrients in maize food products, three selected provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties and the control (white maize variety) were milled into mealie meal and samp. The milled products were cooked into three products: phutu and thin porridge (from the mealie meal) and cooked samp. Nutrient retention during processing was determined. Milling resulted in either an increase or slight decrease in the provitamin A carotenoid levels, but there was no major decrease in the total provitamin A level. Most of the other nutrients were well retained during milling, but there were substantial losses of fibre, fat and minerals. Provitamin A carotenoid levels decreased on cooking. In phutu 96.6 ± 20.3% β-cryptoxanthin and 95.5 ± 13.6% of the β-carotene was retained after cooking. In thin porridge 65.8 ± 4.6% β-cryptoxanthin and 74.7 ± 3.0% β-carotene; and in samp 91.9 ± 12.0% β-cryptoxanthin and 100.1 ± 8.8% of the β-carotene was retained after cooking, respectively. Provitamin A retention seemed to be influenced by both maize variety and food form, indicating that suitable varieties and food forms should be found. There was generally a high retention of the other nutrients in all the three cooked products, except for the substantial losses of fat in thin porridge and iron and phosphorus in cooked samp. These findings indicate that an optimal delivery of provitamin A to the consumer can be achieved by processing provitamin A-biofortified maize into foods that have a good retention of provitamin A carotenoids, such as phutu and samp. These food products would be recommended in areas where VAD is prevalent. In order to assess consumer acceptability of provitamin A-biofortified maize, a total of 212 subjects aged 3-55 years from Mkhambathini Municipality, in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, participated in the sensory evaluation of phutu, thin porridge and cooked samp prepared with provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties and a white variety (control). Preference for yellow maize food products was negatively associated with an increase in the age of the subjects. Overall, preschool children preferred yellow maize to white maize food products: phutu (81% vs. 19%), thin porridge (75% vs. 25%) and samp (73% vs. 27%). In contrast, primary school children preferred white maize to yellow maize food products: phutu (55% vs. 45%), thin porridge (63% vs. 38%) and samp (52% vs. 48%). Similarly, secondary school children and adults also displayed a similar preference for white maize food products. There was no association between gender and preference for maize variety. Focus group discussions revealed that participants had a negative attitude towards biofortified maize due to its colour, taste, smell and texture. However, the participants expressed a willingness to consume biofortified maize if it was cheaper than white maize and was readily available in local grocery stores. These findings indicate that there is a potential to promote the consumption of provitamin A-biofortified maize and its food products in this part of South Africa, thereby contributing to a reduction in the incidence of VAD. This study has shown that provitamin A-biofortified maize has a good potential to be used as an additional strategy to alleviate VAD in poor communities of South Africa, including similar environments in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the study has revealed that there are still challenges to be overcome in order to achieve the target provitamin A content of 15 μg/g in provitamin A-biofortified maize, set by HarvestPlus, an international challenge program. This may also explain why provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties with this level of provitamin A have been scarcely reported in the literature. Thus, more research is required to achieve the target provitamin A level in maize by conventional breeding. The results of this study indicate that besides provitamin A, the biofortified maize is also a good source of other nutrients including starch, fat, protein and zinc. However, improving the consumer acceptability of the provitamin A-biofortified maize remains a challenge, due to the negative attitudes towards the yellow/orange maize by African consumers. On the other hand, the results of this study indicate that there is an opportunity to promote the consumption of provitamin A-biofortified maize food products by preschool children, a finding which has not been previously reported in the literature. Nutrition education on the benefits of provitamin A-biofortified maize, as well as improved marketing are recommended, in this part of South Africa and also in similar environments in other sub-Saharan countries. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Energy and nutrient intake from agency meals (AM), other meals (OM) and total daily intake (TDI) of 61 day care and homebound subjects was studied for differences associated with age, income, education, marital status, living arrangements, gender, race, vitamin-mineral supplementation, Body Mass Index (BMI), Health Assessment (HA), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL).The AM provided more than one-third of the recommended allowances for all nutrients except vitamin B6 plus energy for men. TDI was low because of inadequate OM intake. TDI was less than 100 percent of recommended amounts for zinc plus fiber for women. were most significantly associated with intake from OM and TDI followed by education and income. No age, marital status or racial effects were noted.The ADLs and the IADLs were problematic for most of the participants. They were positively correlated with energy and nutrient intake, as intakes increased so did functional difficulties.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306 / Center for Gerontology

Introduction: Micronutrient malnutrition has been identified as a serious health problem globally and is on the rise in South Africa. This is evident from the escalating burden of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in South Africa. Rural infants are the most affected, as their diets often lack micronutrients. Food fortification, vitamin A supplementation and dietary diversity are the strategies that have been employed in South Africa to alleviate VAD. However, these strategies have not been effective, for various reasons. Biofortification is the production of micronutrient dense staple crops to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies. This strategy could complement existing strategies in the alleviation of VAD in South Africa and in other countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where VAD is prevalent. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional composition and acceptance of a complementary food (soft porridge) made with provitamin A-biofortified maize by female infant caregivers from the rural areas of Umgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Objectives: (i) To evaluate the nutritional composition of soft porridge made with provitamin A-biofortified maize compared to non-biofortified white maize porridge; (ii) To assess the sensory acceptability of soft porridge made with the biofortified maize by black African female infant caregivers of varying age; and (iii) To determine the perceptions of the black African infant caregivers about the biofortified maize relative to the non-biofortified white maize. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Grains of two provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties and one white variety (control) were used. Grain and soft porridge of each variety of maize were analysed for their nutritional composition. The sensory acceptability of the porridges were evaluated by black African female infant caregivers, using a five-point facial hedonic scale. Focus group discussions were conducted, using some of the study subjects, to determine their perceptions about the provitamin A-biofortified maize. Results: The results showed that the grains of the provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties and their soft porridges were more nutritious than the control white variety in terms of energy, fibre, fat, protein, iron, zinc and phosphorus content. The results of the sensory evaluation indicated that there was no significant difference in the sensory acceptability of the biofortified soft porridges and the white maize soft porridge, irrespective of the age of the sensory evaluation panellists. The female caregivers perceived the biofortified maize as nutritious and health-beneficial and thought that infants would like its unique yellow colour and taste. However, the black African female caregivers perceived the provitamin A-biofortified maize as an animal feed or food for the poor. Nevertheless, the female caregivers expressed a willingness to give their infants porridge made with provitamin A-biofortified maize if it was cheap, readily available and health-beneficial. Conclusion: This study suggests that provitamin A-biofortified maize has the potential to be used as a complementary food item. Biofortification of maize with provitamin A could be used as a possible complementary strategy to assist in the alleviation of VAD in SSA. Furthermore, the relatively higher energy, fibre, fat, protein, iron, zinc and phosphorus content of the biofortified maize could contribute to the alleviation of protein-energy malnutrition and mineral deficiencies, respectively, which are prevalent in children of SSA. Although the findings of this study, like other previous studies, indicate that there are some negative perceptions about the provitamin A-biofortified maize, this study shows that provitamin A-biofortified maize soft porridge is as acceptable as white maize soft porridge to female infant caregivers from the rural areas of Umgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The female caregivers are thus likely to accept the biofortified maize for use as an infant complementary food in the form of soft porridge. Further research is recommended to expand the study area and consumer sample size in order to increase the confidence of inferring these results for large rural populations. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2014.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-12-16Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:03:47Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 castro_cs_dr_botfmvz.pdf: 654156 bytes, checksum: b2f3127da65755bade64baa370654697 (MD5) / Três frequências alimentares (24, 48 e 96 refeições/dia) e três períodos de alimentação (diurno, noturno e diurno/noturno) foram avaliados neste experimento. Rãs-touro (Lithobates catesbeianus), com peso médio de 78,6±15,7g, foram distribuídas em 36 baias na densidade de 88 rãs/m2. As baias, com 0,7x0,7x0,15m confeccionadas em polipropileno e com piso de tela, foram instaladas dentro de tanques-rede de 1m3 distribuídos linearmente em um viveiro de 2000m2 com 5% de renovação de água. As rãs foram alimentadas diariamente com ração comercial extrudada para peixe carnívoro e a quantidade fornecida foi corrigida diariamente com base na estimativa do ganho de peso diário das rãs. O experimento teve duração de 90 dias, correspondendo ao outono e inverno. Frequência e período de alimentação interagiram sobre os valores de peso médio (PM) das rãs. Ao final do experimento, nos períodos diurno e diurno/noturno, não houve diferença nos valores de PM das rãs entre as frequências alimentares avaliadas; entretanto, no período noturno o PM das rãs foi maior na frequência de 48 refeições/dia, cujo valor médio foi de 273,80g. Separadamente, frequência e período de alimentação influenciaram o resultado de conversão alimentar aparente (CAA), que foi melhor na frequência de 96 refeições/dia, com valor médio de 2,13; e no período noturno com valor médio de 2,23. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos sobre os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, proteína bruta e energia bruta. Os coeficientes de disponibilidade aparente de cálcio e fósforo foram maiores na frequência de 48 refeições/dia, independente do período alimentar. Os resultados indicaram que a rã-touro pode ser alimentada tanto durante o dia como a noite, e que maiores frequências alimentares melhoraram a CAA na produção dessa espécie. Recomenda-se, para a criação da rã-touro / Three feeding frequencies (24, 48 and 96 meals/day) and three periods (diurnal, nocturnal and diurnal/nocturnal) were evaluated in this trial. Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus), with average weight of 78.6±15.7g, were distributed into 36 pens with density of 88 frogs/m2. The pens with 0.7x0.7x0.15m, made of polypropylene with screened floor, were installed within 36 cages of 1m3 distributed linearly in one pond of 2000m2 with 5% water renewal. Frogs were fed daily, by automatic feeders, with commercial extruded diet for carnivorous fish and the amount of feed supplied was corrected daily based on estimate of daily weight gain. The experiment lasted 90 days, during autumn and winter. Frequency and feeding period showed interaction on values of mean weight (MW). At the end of the experiment, diurnal and diurnal/nocturnal periods, did not show difference in MW values between feeding frequencies evaluated; however for nocturnal period the frogs MW was higher for frequency of 48 meals/day, with average value of 273.08g. However, frequency and feeding period influenced, separately, results apparent feed conversion rate (FCR), which was better for frequency of 96 meals/day, with average of 2.13; and in nocturnal period, with a overage of 2.23. There was no difference between treatments for apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and energy. Apparent availability of calcium and phosphorus were higher for frequency of 48 meals/day, regardless feeding period. The results indicate that bullfrogs can be fed both during the day and night, and the higher feeding frequencies improve FCR this species. It is recommended for bullfrog raised in cages, diurnal and diurnal/nocturnal feeding with frequency of 96 meals/day; and frequency of 48 meals/day for nocturnal period

Orientador: Claudio Angelo Agostinho / Banca: Margarida Maria Barros / Banca: José Roberto Sartori / Banca: Silvia Conceição Reis Pereira Mello / Banca: Rolandro Alfredo Mazzon Romero / Resumo: Três frequências alimentares (24, 48 e 96 refeições/dia) e três períodos de alimentação (diurno, noturno e diurno/noturno) foram avaliados neste experimento. Rãs-touro (Lithobates catesbeianus), com peso médio de 78,6±15,7g, foram distribuídas em 36 baias na densidade de 88 rãs/m2. As baias, com 0,7x0,7x0,15m confeccionadas em polipropileno e com piso de tela, foram instaladas dentro de tanques-rede de 1m3 distribuídos linearmente em um viveiro de 2000m2 com 5% de renovação de água. As rãs foram alimentadas diariamente com ração comercial extrudada para peixe carnívoro e a quantidade fornecida foi corrigida diariamente com base na estimativa do ganho de peso diário das rãs. O experimento teve duração de 90 dias, correspondendo ao outono e inverno. Frequência e período de alimentação interagiram sobre os valores de peso médio (PM) das rãs. Ao final do experimento, nos períodos diurno e diurno/noturno, não houve diferença nos valores de PM das rãs entre as frequências alimentares avaliadas; entretanto, no período noturno o PM das rãs foi maior na frequência de 48 refeições/dia, cujo valor médio foi de 273,80g. Separadamente, frequência e período de alimentação influenciaram o resultado de conversão alimentar aparente (CAA), que foi melhor na frequência de 96 refeições/dia, com valor médio de 2,13; e no período noturno com valor médio de 2,23. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos sobre os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, proteína bruta e energia bruta. Os coeficientes de disponibilidade aparente de cálcio e fósforo foram maiores na frequência de 48 refeições/dia, independente do período alimentar. Os resultados indicaram que a rã-touro pode ser alimentada tanto durante o dia como a noite, e que maiores frequências alimentares melhoraram a CAA na produção dessa espécie. Recomenda-se, para a criação da rã-touro / Abstract: Three feeding frequencies (24, 48 and 96 meals/day) and three periods (diurnal, nocturnal and diurnal/nocturnal) were evaluated in this trial. Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus), with average weight of 78.6±15.7g, were distributed into 36 pens with density of 88 frogs/m2. The pens with 0.7x0.7x0.15m, made of polypropylene with screened floor, were installed within 36 cages of 1m3 distributed linearly in one pond of 2000m2 with 5% water renewal. Frogs were fed daily, by automatic feeders, with commercial extruded diet for carnivorous fish and the amount of feed supplied was corrected daily based on estimate of daily weight gain. The experiment lasted 90 days, during autumn and winter. Frequency and feeding period showed interaction on values of mean weight (MW). At the end of the experiment, diurnal and diurnal/nocturnal periods, did not show difference in MW values between feeding frequencies evaluated; however for nocturnal period the frogs MW was higher for frequency of 48 meals/day, with average value of 273.08g. However, frequency and feeding period influenced, separately, results apparent feed conversion rate (FCR), which was better for frequency of 96 meals/day, with average of 2.13; and in nocturnal period, with a overage of 2.23. There was no difference between treatments for apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and energy. Apparent availability of calcium and phosphorus were higher for frequency of 48 meals/day, regardless feeding period. The results indicate that bullfrogs can be fed both during the day and night, and the higher feeding frequencies improve FCR this species. It is recommended for bullfrog raised in cages, diurnal and diurnal/nocturnal feeding with frequency of 96 meals/day; and frequency of 48 meals/day for nocturnal period / Doutor

CAPES; Fundação Araucária / Distribuída e cultivada em vários países, a batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.) é um alimento de suma importância na dieta diária da população, principalmente no continente asiático, o qual detém a maior parcela de sua produção. Essa raiz tuberosa é rica em nutrientes e fonte de energia. Além disso, algumas cultivares possuem em sua composição compostos bioativos como antocianinas, carotenoides e polifenóis, os quais apresentam atividade antioxidante e podem contribuir beneficamente para a manutenção do organismo humano. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho objetivou a análise biométrica, a caracterização físico-química, a quantificação do total de compostos bioativos, o potencial antioxidante e o uso da tecnologia de imagem digital para estabelecer um comparativo entre o conteúdo de cor e as características físico-químicas, de novas cultivares de batatas-doces. Foram obtidas junto a Epagri-EEI/SC, amostras das raízes tuberosas das cultivares de batatas-doces denominadas SCS370 Luiza, SCS371 Katiy, SCS372 Marina, Beauregard, Uruguaia e Americana, sendo que cada variedade foi avaliada na condição in natura e liofilizada (lote um (LT1) e lote dois (LT2), respectivamente). Realizaram-se as medidas em triplicata dos parâmetros de atividade de água, acidez titulável, umidade, cinzas, proteínas, lipídeos, teor de vitamina C, açúcares totais e redutores, conteúdo total de fenólicos, flavonoides, antocianinas e carotenoides, o potencial antioxidante (ABTS+ e FRAP), cor instrumental nos espaço de cor CIE L*a*b*, CIE L*C*h° e XYZ, e imagens digitais, as quais foram obtidas por câmara digital e processadas em software desenvolvido exclusivamente para o estudo das imagens digitais de batatas-doces. O teor de minerais Cu (Cobre), Fe (Ferro), Zn (Zinco), Mn (Manganês), Na (Sódio), K (Potássio), Ca (Cálcio), Mg (Magnésio), P (Fósforo), Co (Cobalto), Cd (Cádmio), Cr (Cromo), Pb (Chumbo) resultou de uma única determinação. Outras características foram avaliadas em função de: Espectroscopia na Região de Absorção no Infravermelho, Difratometria de Raios-X, Análise por Termogravimetria e Microscopia de Varredura Eletrônica. As características resultantes para as diferentes coordenadas de cor (L*, a*, b*; C*, h°, X, Y, Z) das batatas-doces, demonstraram ser influenciadas pelas propriedades intrínsecas de cada cultivar, porém os resultados médios de cor estabeleceram uniformidades para as amostras entre seus lotes. O comparativo entre as coordenadas de cor instrumental e a análise dos diferentes canais de cor das imagens digitais (RGB, XYZ, LUV, HSV) indicaram ser possível estabelecer uma correlação entre as cultivares liofilizadas e suas imagens digitais. O teor de umidade para todas as cultivares foi característico para batatas-doces, sendo o maior valor para a cultivar (cv.) Uruguaia LT2 (83,93±0,04 %) in natura e cv. Americana LT2 (3,27±0,15 %) na condição liofilizada. A cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 nas amostras in natura (0,94±00), exibiu o maior valor para atividade de água (Aw) sendo que todas as amostras liofilizadas apresentaram valor foi inferior a 0,15. Os valores de acidez titulável variaram para as amostras in natura de 2,77±0,08 % (cv. Beauregard LT1) a 1,51±0,07 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT2), e para as amostras liofilizadas de 1,86±0,09 % (cv. Americana LT2) a 0,52±0,07 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT1). Para o conteúdo de 9 cinzas, houve variação para as amostras in natura de 1,19±0,04 % (cv. SCS370 Luiza LT1) a 0,04%±0,00 % (cv. SCS372 Marina LT2), sendo que para as amostras liofilizadas o teor de cinzas foi superior. O conteúdo de proteínas variou entre 2,80±0,18 % (cv. Americana LT2) a 0,49±0,21 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT1) para as amostras in natura, e 8,20±0,09 % (cv. Americana LT2) e 3,14±0,57 % (cv. SCS370 Luiza LT1) para as amostras liofilizadas. As amostras de batatas-doces exibiram baixos valores para lipídios totais e não diferiram estatísticamente entre as cultivares. Os açúcares totais variaram entre 32,85±0,07 % (cv. SCS372 Marina LT2) e 16,99±0,044 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT1). Já para vitamina C, o maior conteúdo foi observado para cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (57,17±4,32 %) sendo o menor para cv. SCS372 Marina LT1 (17,00±1,00 %) para as amostras in natura, e entre as amostras liofilizadas o maior valor foi novamente observado para cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (69,78±2,20 %). Todas as cultivares de batatas-doces apresentaram conteúdo satisfatório para os minerais avaliados, com destaque para o teor de macrominerais das cv. Beauregard LT1 e SCS370 Luiza LT1. A avaliação do conteúdo total de bioativos indicou alta variabilidade entre as cultivares. O maior valor para fenólicos totais foi observado para a cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (3311,10±57,17 mg EAG.100g-1), e o menor valor para cv. Americana LT2 (102,62±1,22 mg EAG.100g-1), sendo estas as mesmas amostras a apresentarem o maior (148,45±1,31 mgCE.100g-1, cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2) e o menor (2,18±0,10 mgCE.100g-1, cv. Americana) conteúdo de flavonoides totais. Já para antocianinas totais, o maior valor foi observado novamente para a cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (155,30±6,48 mg.100g-1) e o menor valor para cv. SCS372 Marina LT2 (1,28±1,24 mg.100g-1). Os resultados para carotenoides totais variaram entre 34,04±0,66 mg.100g-1 (cv. Beauregard LT1) e 0,63±0,06 mg.100g-1 (cv.SCS371 Katiy LT2). A atividade antioxidante das amostras de batatas-doces foi satisfatória, sendo que os resultados pela metodologia de ABTS+ variaram entre 466,85±1,96 mM Trolox.100g-1 (cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2) e 128,26±4,40 mM Trolox.100g-1 (cv. SCS372 Marina LT1). Pela metodologia FRAP, a maior atividade antioxidante foi novamente observada para cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (734,19±63,09 mM FeSO4.100g-1), sendo a menor atividade antioxidante da cv. Beauregard LT1 (18,42±1,28 mM FeSO4.100g-1). A análise de difração de Raios X possibilitou uma tentativa de atribuição de cristalinidade das amostras liofilizadas de batata-doce, sendo classificadas como Tipo A e Tipo B. A análise de espectroscopia de absorção por infravermelho (FTIR) revelou semelhanças de grupos funcionais quando comparamos as diferentes cultivares. A análise termogravimétrica indicou os limites da resistência térmica das amostras. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura ilustrou as estruturas lamelares, os bloquetes, e a geometria dos grânulos presentes nas amostras de batatas-doces. Em função dos resultados encontrados, pode-se afirmar que as novas cultivares de batatas-doces apresentam valor econômico e nutricional agregado, tornando-se uma alternativa de cultivo para os pequenos agricultores, aumentando assim sua disponibilidade no comércio varejista, bem como sua utilização como matéria-prima industrial. / Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.) is largely cultivated and greatly consumed as part of the regular diet, mainly in Asian continent, that is it’s the major producer. This tuber crop is rich in nutrient and energy source. Thus, some cultivars have bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins, carotenoids and polyphenols, which have antioxidant activity and can be beneficial to the body maintenance. In this sense, the objective of this work is to analyze the biometric, physical chemistry, quantification of bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and analyze digital image analysis of new sweet potato cultivars to do a comparative with their colour and physical chemistry composition. We received from Epagri-EEI/SC samples of sweet potato tuber roots named SCS370 Luiza, SCS371 Katiy, SCS372 Marina, Beauregard, Uruguaia and Americana being that cultivars analyzed in natura and lyophilized condition from batch one (LT1) and batch two (LT2). All analyses were performed in triplicate to water activity, titratable acidity, humidity, ashes, protein, lipids, vitamin C, total and reducers carbohydrates, total phenolic, flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids, antioxidant activity (ABTS+ and FRAP), colour by coordinates CIE L*a*b*, CIE L*C*h° and XYZ, and digital images that was obtained by digital camera and processed with exclusive developed software to analyze that images. Mineral composition evaluation of Cu (Copper), Fe (Iron), Zn (Zinc), Mn (Manganese), Na (Sodium), K (Potassium), Ca (Calcium), Mg (Magnesium), P (Phosphorus), Co (Cobalt), Cd (Cadmium), Cr (Cromium), Pb (Lead) was performed by once. Another set of characteristics was evaluated by Infra-Red Spectroscopy with Fourier Transformed, X Rays Diffractometry, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The sweet potato colour results from different coordinates (L*, a*, b*; C*, h°, X, Y, Z) showed be influenced by cultivar intrinsic properties but the standard results establish sample uniformities to different batches. Comparison between colour coordinates and digital images colour channels (RGB, XYZ, LUV, HSV, HLS) showed to be possible to establish a correlation between the lyophilized samples and they digital images. Sweet potatoes humidity quantification showed high value to cultivar (cv.) Uruguaia LT2 (83.93±0.04 %) in natura and lyophilized cv. Americana LT2 (3.27±0.15 %). The cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 in natura (0.94±00) showed the highest value to water activity, and all lyophilized samples showed low value as 0.15. Titratable acidity values ranges for in natura samples by 2.77±0.08 % (cv. Beauregard LT1) to 1.51±0.07 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT2), and 1.86±0.09 % (cv. Americana LT2) to 0.52±0.07 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT1) for lyophilized samples. Ashes content showed variation for in natura samples by 1.19±0.04 % (cv. SCS370 Luiza LT1) to 0.04%±0.00 % (cv. SCS372 Marina LT2), but lyophilized samples showed highest ashes values then in natura. Protein content ranges by 2.80±0.18 % (cv. Americana LT2) to 0.49±0.21 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT1) for in natura samples, and 8.20±0.09 % (cv. Americana LT2) to 3.14±0.57 % (cv. SCS370 Luiza LT1) for lyophilized samples. Sweet potatoes cultivars exhibited low values to total lipids and their values do not shows statistical variation. Total carbohydrates composition ranges between 32.85±0.07 % (cv. SCS372 Marina LT2) 11 and 16.99±0.044 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT1). The vitamin C content was highest to cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (57.17±4.32 %) and lowest to cv. SCS372 Marina LT1 (17.00±1.00 %) for in natura samples, but cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (69.78±2.20 %) shows the highest value for lyophilized samples. All sweet potatoes cultivars showed great content for the evaluated minerals with emphasis for the macrominerals content of cv. Beauregard LT1 and SCS370 Luiza LT1. The bioactive compound shows high variation between sweet potatoes cultivars. The phenolic highest values was observed to cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (3311.10±57.17 mg GAE.100g-1), and the lowest value was cv. Americana LT2 (102.62±1.22 mg GAE.100g-1), and those same samples showed the highest (148.45±1.31 mg CE.100g-1, cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2) and lowest (2.18±0.10 mgCE.100g-1, cv. Americana) total flavonoid composition. The total anthocyanins composition showed again highest value to cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (155.30±6.48 mg.100g-1) and lowest value to cv. SCS372 Marina LT2 (1.28±1.24 mg.100g-1). Total carotenoids result ranges by 34.04±0.66 mg.100g-1 (cv. Beauregard LT1) to 0.63±0.06 mg.100g-1 (cv.SCS371 Katiy LT2). The sweet potatoes antioxidant activity was great and the results by ABTS+ test ranges by 466.85±1.96 mM Trolox.100g-1 (cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2) to 128.26±4.40 mM Trolox.100g-1 (cv. SCS372 Marina LT1). By the FRAP teste, the highest antioxidant activity was again observed to cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (734.19±63.09 mM FeSO4.100g-1), and the lowest antioxidant activity was cv. Beauregard LT1 (18.42±1.28 mM FeSO4.100g-1). The X Rays diffractometry analysis enabled an attempt to assign the lyophilized sampled crystallinity that was considered by Type A and Type B. The infrared spectroscopy analyses showed similarity to the functional groups when compared the sweet potato samples among different batches. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates the sample thermal resistance. The electron microscopy scanning shows the lamella structure, blocks, and granular geometrical structure in the samples. Having in mind the results obtained, it is possible to support the new cultivars of sweet potatoes have an economic and nutritional added value, as they become an alternative of cultivation for small farmers, increasing their availability in the retail trade, as well as their use as industrial feedstock.

CAPES; Fundação Araucária / Distribuída e cultivada em vários países, a batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.) é um alimento de suma importância na dieta diária da população, principalmente no continente asiático, o qual detém a maior parcela de sua produção. Essa raiz tuberosa é rica em nutrientes e fonte de energia. Além disso, algumas cultivares possuem em sua composição compostos bioativos como antocianinas, carotenoides e polifenóis, os quais apresentam atividade antioxidante e podem contribuir beneficamente para a manutenção do organismo humano. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho objetivou a análise biométrica, a caracterização físico-química, a quantificação do total de compostos bioativos, o potencial antioxidante e o uso da tecnologia de imagem digital para estabelecer um comparativo entre o conteúdo de cor e as características físico-químicas, de novas cultivares de batatas-doces. Foram obtidas junto a Epagri-EEI/SC, amostras das raízes tuberosas das cultivares de batatas-doces denominadas SCS370 Luiza, SCS371 Katiy, SCS372 Marina, Beauregard, Uruguaia e Americana, sendo que cada variedade foi avaliada na condição in natura e liofilizada (lote um (LT1) e lote dois (LT2), respectivamente). Realizaram-se as medidas em triplicata dos parâmetros de atividade de água, acidez titulável, umidade, cinzas, proteínas, lipídeos, teor de vitamina C, açúcares totais e redutores, conteúdo total de fenólicos, flavonoides, antocianinas e carotenoides, o potencial antioxidante (ABTS+ e FRAP), cor instrumental nos espaço de cor CIE L*a*b*, CIE L*C*h° e XYZ, e imagens digitais, as quais foram obtidas por câmara digital e processadas em software desenvolvido exclusivamente para o estudo das imagens digitais de batatas-doces. O teor de minerais Cu (Cobre), Fe (Ferro), Zn (Zinco), Mn (Manganês), Na (Sódio), K (Potássio), Ca (Cálcio), Mg (Magnésio), P (Fósforo), Co (Cobalto), Cd (Cádmio), Cr (Cromo), Pb (Chumbo) resultou de uma única determinação. Outras características foram avaliadas em função de: Espectroscopia na Região de Absorção no Infravermelho, Difratometria de Raios-X, Análise por Termogravimetria e Microscopia de Varredura Eletrônica. As características resultantes para as diferentes coordenadas de cor (L*, a*, b*; C*, h°, X, Y, Z) das batatas-doces, demonstraram ser influenciadas pelas propriedades intrínsecas de cada cultivar, porém os resultados médios de cor estabeleceram uniformidades para as amostras entre seus lotes. O comparativo entre as coordenadas de cor instrumental e a análise dos diferentes canais de cor das imagens digitais (RGB, XYZ, LUV, HSV) indicaram ser possível estabelecer uma correlação entre as cultivares liofilizadas e suas imagens digitais. O teor de umidade para todas as cultivares foi característico para batatas-doces, sendo o maior valor para a cultivar (cv.) Uruguaia LT2 (83,93±0,04 %) in natura e cv. Americana LT2 (3,27±0,15 %) na condição liofilizada. A cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 nas amostras in natura (0,94±00), exibiu o maior valor para atividade de água (Aw) sendo que todas as amostras liofilizadas apresentaram valor foi inferior a 0,15. Os valores de acidez titulável variaram para as amostras in natura de 2,77±0,08 % (cv. Beauregard LT1) a 1,51±0,07 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT2), e para as amostras liofilizadas de 1,86±0,09 % (cv. Americana LT2) a 0,52±0,07 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT1). Para o conteúdo de 9 cinzas, houve variação para as amostras in natura de 1,19±0,04 % (cv. SCS370 Luiza LT1) a 0,04%±0,00 % (cv. SCS372 Marina LT2), sendo que para as amostras liofilizadas o teor de cinzas foi superior. O conteúdo de proteínas variou entre 2,80±0,18 % (cv. Americana LT2) a 0,49±0,21 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT1) para as amostras in natura, e 8,20±0,09 % (cv. Americana LT2) e 3,14±0,57 % (cv. SCS370 Luiza LT1) para as amostras liofilizadas. As amostras de batatas-doces exibiram baixos valores para lipídios totais e não diferiram estatísticamente entre as cultivares. Os açúcares totais variaram entre 32,85±0,07 % (cv. SCS372 Marina LT2) e 16,99±0,044 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT1). Já para vitamina C, o maior conteúdo foi observado para cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (57,17±4,32 %) sendo o menor para cv. SCS372 Marina LT1 (17,00±1,00 %) para as amostras in natura, e entre as amostras liofilizadas o maior valor foi novamente observado para cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (69,78±2,20 %). Todas as cultivares de batatas-doces apresentaram conteúdo satisfatório para os minerais avaliados, com destaque para o teor de macrominerais das cv. Beauregard LT1 e SCS370 Luiza LT1. A avaliação do conteúdo total de bioativos indicou alta variabilidade entre as cultivares. O maior valor para fenólicos totais foi observado para a cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (3311,10±57,17 mg EAG.100g-1), e o menor valor para cv. Americana LT2 (102,62±1,22 mg EAG.100g-1), sendo estas as mesmas amostras a apresentarem o maior (148,45±1,31 mgCE.100g-1, cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2) e o menor (2,18±0,10 mgCE.100g-1, cv. Americana) conteúdo de flavonoides totais. Já para antocianinas totais, o maior valor foi observado novamente para a cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (155,30±6,48 mg.100g-1) e o menor valor para cv. SCS372 Marina LT2 (1,28±1,24 mg.100g-1). Os resultados para carotenoides totais variaram entre 34,04±0,66 mg.100g-1 (cv. Beauregard LT1) e 0,63±0,06 mg.100g-1 (cv.SCS371 Katiy LT2). A atividade antioxidante das amostras de batatas-doces foi satisfatória, sendo que os resultados pela metodologia de ABTS+ variaram entre 466,85±1,96 mM Trolox.100g-1 (cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2) e 128,26±4,40 mM Trolox.100g-1 (cv. SCS372 Marina LT1). Pela metodologia FRAP, a maior atividade antioxidante foi novamente observada para cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (734,19±63,09 mM FeSO4.100g-1), sendo a menor atividade antioxidante da cv. Beauregard LT1 (18,42±1,28 mM FeSO4.100g-1). A análise de difração de Raios X possibilitou uma tentativa de atribuição de cristalinidade das amostras liofilizadas de batata-doce, sendo classificadas como Tipo A e Tipo B. A análise de espectroscopia de absorção por infravermelho (FTIR) revelou semelhanças de grupos funcionais quando comparamos as diferentes cultivares. A análise termogravimétrica indicou os limites da resistência térmica das amostras. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura ilustrou as estruturas lamelares, os bloquetes, e a geometria dos grânulos presentes nas amostras de batatas-doces. Em função dos resultados encontrados, pode-se afirmar que as novas cultivares de batatas-doces apresentam valor econômico e nutricional agregado, tornando-se uma alternativa de cultivo para os pequenos agricultores, aumentando assim sua disponibilidade no comércio varejista, bem como sua utilização como matéria-prima industrial. / Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.) is largely cultivated and greatly consumed as part of the regular diet, mainly in Asian continent, that is it’s the major producer. This tuber crop is rich in nutrient and energy source. Thus, some cultivars have bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins, carotenoids and polyphenols, which have antioxidant activity and can be beneficial to the body maintenance. In this sense, the objective of this work is to analyze the biometric, physical chemistry, quantification of bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and analyze digital image analysis of new sweet potato cultivars to do a comparative with their colour and physical chemistry composition. We received from Epagri-EEI/SC samples of sweet potato tuber roots named SCS370 Luiza, SCS371 Katiy, SCS372 Marina, Beauregard, Uruguaia and Americana being that cultivars analyzed in natura and lyophilized condition from batch one (LT1) and batch two (LT2). All analyses were performed in triplicate to water activity, titratable acidity, humidity, ashes, protein, lipids, vitamin C, total and reducers carbohydrates, total phenolic, flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids, antioxidant activity (ABTS+ and FRAP), colour by coordinates CIE L*a*b*, CIE L*C*h° and XYZ, and digital images that was obtained by digital camera and processed with exclusive developed software to analyze that images. Mineral composition evaluation of Cu (Copper), Fe (Iron), Zn (Zinc), Mn (Manganese), Na (Sodium), K (Potassium), Ca (Calcium), Mg (Magnesium), P (Phosphorus), Co (Cobalt), Cd (Cadmium), Cr (Cromium), Pb (Lead) was performed by once. Another set of characteristics was evaluated by Infra-Red Spectroscopy with Fourier Transformed, X Rays Diffractometry, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The sweet potato colour results from different coordinates (L*, a*, b*; C*, h°, X, Y, Z) showed be influenced by cultivar intrinsic properties but the standard results establish sample uniformities to different batches. Comparison between colour coordinates and digital images colour channels (RGB, XYZ, LUV, HSV, HLS) showed to be possible to establish a correlation between the lyophilized samples and they digital images. Sweet potatoes humidity quantification showed high value to cultivar (cv.) Uruguaia LT2 (83.93±0.04 %) in natura and lyophilized cv. Americana LT2 (3.27±0.15 %). The cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 in natura (0.94±00) showed the highest value to water activity, and all lyophilized samples showed low value as 0.15. Titratable acidity values ranges for in natura samples by 2.77±0.08 % (cv. Beauregard LT1) to 1.51±0.07 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT2), and 1.86±0.09 % (cv. Americana LT2) to 0.52±0.07 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT1) for lyophilized samples. Ashes content showed variation for in natura samples by 1.19±0.04 % (cv. SCS370 Luiza LT1) to 0.04%±0.00 % (cv. SCS372 Marina LT2), but lyophilized samples showed highest ashes values then in natura. Protein content ranges by 2.80±0.18 % (cv. Americana LT2) to 0.49±0.21 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT1) for in natura samples, and 8.20±0.09 % (cv. Americana LT2) to 3.14±0.57 % (cv. SCS370 Luiza LT1) for lyophilized samples. Sweet potatoes cultivars exhibited low values to total lipids and their values do not shows statistical variation. Total carbohydrates composition ranges between 32.85±0.07 % (cv. SCS372 Marina LT2) 11 and 16.99±0.044 % (cv. SCS371 Katiy LT1). The vitamin C content was highest to cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (57.17±4.32 %) and lowest to cv. SCS372 Marina LT1 (17.00±1.00 %) for in natura samples, but cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (69.78±2.20 %) shows the highest value for lyophilized samples. All sweet potatoes cultivars showed great content for the evaluated minerals with emphasis for the macrominerals content of cv. Beauregard LT1 and SCS370 Luiza LT1. The bioactive compound shows high variation between sweet potatoes cultivars. The phenolic highest values was observed to cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (3311.10±57.17 mg GAE.100g-1), and the lowest value was cv. Americana LT2 (102.62±1.22 mg GAE.100g-1), and those same samples showed the highest (148.45±1.31 mg CE.100g-1, cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2) and lowest (2.18±0.10 mgCE.100g-1, cv. Americana) total flavonoid composition. The total anthocyanins composition showed again highest value to cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (155.30±6.48 mg.100g-1) and lowest value to cv. SCS372 Marina LT2 (1.28±1.24 mg.100g-1). Total carotenoids result ranges by 34.04±0.66 mg.100g-1 (cv. Beauregard LT1) to 0.63±0.06 mg.100g-1 (cv.SCS371 Katiy LT2). The sweet potatoes antioxidant activity was great and the results by ABTS+ test ranges by 466.85±1.96 mM Trolox.100g-1 (cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2) to 128.26±4.40 mM Trolox.100g-1 (cv. SCS372 Marina LT1). By the FRAP teste, the highest antioxidant activity was again observed to cv. SCS370 Luiza LT2 (734.19±63.09 mM FeSO4.100g-1), and the lowest antioxidant activity was cv. Beauregard LT1 (18.42±1.28 mM FeSO4.100g-1). The X Rays diffractometry analysis enabled an attempt to assign the lyophilized sampled crystallinity that was considered by Type A and Type B. The infrared spectroscopy analyses showed similarity to the functional groups when compared the sweet potato samples among different batches. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates the sample thermal resistance. The electron microscopy scanning shows the lamella structure, blocks, and granular geometrical structure in the samples. Having in mind the results obtained, it is possible to support the new cultivars of sweet potatoes have an economic and nutritional added value, as they become an alternative of cultivation for small farmers, increasing their availability in the retail trade, as well as their use as industrial feedstock.