Formulation and evaluation of some healthy natural juice blends

Abstract

Background: Fruit and vegetable juices are popular and healthful drinks for their nutritional value. Fresh juices contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are essential to promote healthy life in human beings and they also play an important role in the prevention of many diseases. Blended Juice is one of the methods that is used to improve the nutritional quality of the final product, where it improve vitamins and minerals contents according to the kind and quality of fruits and vegetables used. Objective: This study aimed to prepare healthful fresh juices from different vegetable and fruit blends and assess the intensity of sensory attributes and the acceptability evaluation by consumers. Methodology: Five natural juice blends of different formulas were prepared and kept refrigerated for 9 days in glass bottles. Physicochemical analysis and sensory evaluation were determined for the prepared juice blends. Also, marginal changes in pH, total acidity, total soluble solids, viscosity and vitamin C content were measured. The antioxidant activity of fresh juice blends was also evaluated by using in vitro assays of ferric ion reduction power assay, DPPH' and ABTS'+ scavenging capacities. The effect of juice storage for 3, 6 and 9 days on pH, acidity and vitamin C content was assayed. Results: The overall acceptability of blended juice of formulas 2, 3,4 and 5 indicated the possibility to manufacture good and nutritional juices at commercial scale. The high antioxidant activity of fresh juice blends indicated that they could be used as a source of antioxidants and as functional d rinks. These juice blends are recommended to people suffering from obesity, blood pressure, cancer, Alzheimer's and heart diseases, as they play a key role in preventing these diseases. Conclusion: Formulations of the studied blends of fruit and vegetables juices are good source of calcium, magnesium, iron and antioxidant activity (vitamin C, flavonoids and total phenols). Therefore, consumption of such juice blends will protect human body from several diseases.