Enhancing the qualitative and nutritional properties of strawberry juice through chitosan treatment

Abstract

SummaryStrawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) belongs to the Rosaceae family. The fruit is very beneficial, with a delicious taste, attractive colour, and high vitamin and mineral content. The effect of chitosan on juice's transparency and phytochemical properties from the Camarosa cultivar was evaluated. Using chitosan as a clarifying agent for strawberry juice significantly reduced turbidity, phenolic content, flavonoids, protein and antioxidant properties. In contrast, the quantity of soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, folate, vitamin C, anthocyanin and carbohydrates showed no significant changes. Changes were also observed in the colour‐related parameters of the juice. In order to assess potential contamination in strawberry fruit, the levels of heavy metals and pesticide residues were analysed separately using ICP and GC–MS techniques. There was a significant reduction in the levels of Cu, As, Co, Pb and Cd in strawberry juice after treatment with chitosan. Reducing heavy metals in fruit juice using chitosan helps improve the fruit juice's safety, nutritional properties and health benefits. It can be posited that chitosan affords the production of a more nutritious and healthier fruit juice as compared to natural strawberry fruit. Using chitosan as a clarifying agent produces a juice with extraordinary clarity, improves the safety, health benefits and nutritional value, and produces a consumer‐friendly product.