anthocyanin
content. The highest anthocyanin content was observed at
the highest levels of both pressure and time (500 MPa/15 min) as
well as Stevia concentration (2.5%, w/v). This result indicates that in
this particular range of processing conditions the HPP mainly modifies
the mechanism of anthocyanin degradation by affecting the molecules
involved in the kinetics of reaction, such as enzymes. Barba
et al. (2011) and Ferrari, Maresca, and Ciccarone (2010) observed
similar results in HPP (200–600 MPa/15 min) blueberry juice and
HPP (400–600 MPa/5–10 min) pomegranate juice, respectively.
Total carotenoid (TC) content in the untreated beverage sweetened
with 0, 1.25 and 2.5% (w/v) were 329.3±14.1, 337.6±10.1,
and 324.4±7.1 μg/100 mL, respectively. The analysis of variance
showed that the regression model was accurate enough (R2=0.902,
pb0.05, standard error=18.905). The relationship between the independent
variables and total carotenoids can be described by the
Eq. (3):