Quality estimation of locally sold carrot and sweet lime fresh juices of Kasur, Pakistan
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Abstract
Fresh fruit juices are commonly consumed non-alcoholic beverages which contain vitamins, minerals and several other assimilation boosting properties having nutrients. But these health benefits can be obtained only when they are prepared and served under hygienic conditions. So their quality estimation is required because they are also commonly vended and in case of unsatisfactory quality, they may affect the health of consumers. That is why; in current study locally vended fresh juices of carrot and sweet lime were examined for their nutritional quality and also to detect any possible microbial contamination in Tehsil Kasur, Pakistan because they are quite frequently consumed in this region. In this regard, different physicochemical parameters were determined like titratable acidity, pH, electrical conductivity, ash content, total sugars and vitamin C content. Deviations were observed from standards of these parameters. Whereas to detect microbial contamination by using nutrient agar and eosin methylene blue agar and in selected fresh fruit juices, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus simplex, Arthrobacter dextranolyticus, Pseudomonas cendrella and Bacillus weihenstephanensis, Entrobacter aerogenes, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis were found. These results showed that the quality of fresh juice samples was unsatisfactory and they were inappropriate for intake. So these obtained results will not only be beneficial for the researchers but also useful to develop awareness in local consumers. For further public betterment, programmed awareness of food safety and hygienic practices should be conducted for local fresh juice venders by the food authority of government and by other private concerned agencies.
Keywords: Fruit juices; Hygienic practices; Microbial contamination; Non-alcoholic beverages; Physicochemical