ABSTRACT
In order to evaluate the effects of the type and period of storage upon the contents of bixin and protein, urucum seeds (Bixa orellana L.), variety Sangüínea, were stored in silos of zinc and nylon sacks during 8 months, under the climatic conditions of Campina Grande, PB. The bixin contents were determined by a methodology used by 'Refinações de Milho Brasil', and the protein by the method of Kjeldhal Guming micro leaf diagnosis. A completely randomized statistical design in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme with 3 replications was used and the treatment means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability level. The results showed that the bixin and protein contents decreased with the storage period, but significant differences in bixin content only occurred after the fourth month of storage. The seeds stored in the silos maintained better levels of bixin and protein.
Key words:
bixin and protein contents; Bixa orellana; storage