Effect of packaging materials and fluorescent light on HTST-pasteurized orange drink

Abstract

HTST-pasteurized orange drink packed in clear, green and amber glass bottles and coextruded wax laminated paper (TetraPak), was exposed to fluorescent light of 50–60 ft-C for 32 days at ambient room temperature. Chemical analysis revealed significant effect of packages and light on different quality parameters during storage (P<0.05). Ascorbic acid losses amounted 60.6%, 54.6%, 51.0%, and 45.5% in clear glass, green glass, TetraPak, and amber glass respectively against 42.4% in the unexposed control during 32 days storage. Titratable acidity, Brix, Brix-acid ratio, light transmission and cloud-settling generally showed an increasing pattern with advanced storage. Brown glass gave the best protection followed by TetraPak, green glass and clear glass. Evaluation of the drink for sensory components indicated a congruent pattern of changes in the ratings which correlated with the packaging materials tested.