Suspension stability of passion fruit nectar formulated with carboxymethyl cellulose: Analysis of sedimentation kinetics

Abstract

This study evaluated the suspension stability of passion fruit nectar formulated with different concentrations of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Passion fruit nectars with 0, 0.02, 0.1 and 0.2% (w/v) CMC were placed at rest in test tubes at room temperature (~25 °C) to measure the phase separation height for 87 h. Passion fruit nectars with 0 and 0.02% (w/v) CMC showed notable phase separation, while those with 0.1 and 0.2% (w/v) CMC were relatively stable suspensions. The analysis of sedimentation kinetics revealed that passion fruit nectars with 0 and 0.02% (w/v) CMC presented respectively: maximum sedimentation velocity of 0.426 m/s and 0.260 m/s, equilibrium sedimentation index of 46.494% and 20.434%, and sedimentation rate speed of 0.0362 and 0.0556%/s. A concentration of 0.2% (w/v) CMC is recommended in passion fruit nectar to maintain the appearance of a stable suspension, which is a characteristic desired by the consumer.