This research was carried out with the aim to evaluate the use of electric conductivity of the degumming medium as an indicator for management procedures of depulped coffee during degummming of the grain. The experiment was performed in three coffee properties in the Southwest region of Bahia, Brazil, using Coffea arabica L., Yellow Catuai variety. It was studied the effect of two water management of the degumming medium, two management of rummaging of the degumming solution, six time periods in factorial design. An increase on the electrical conductivity values was observed during degumming of coffee grain. Mainly in the treatment where the medium was rummaged. The water change of the degumming medium showed to be necessary since along the degumming process an electro-chemical equilibrium of the medium was achieved, avoiding that the mucilage was liberated from the grain to the medium. Therefore, the electrical conductivity was possible to indicate when the water change from the degumming tank must be done.
Coffea arabica L.; mucilage; fermentation
