Ultraviolet-c treatment is an emerging food processing technology for health-conscious consumers. Freshly squeezed
Chokanan mango juice was exposed to UV-C light (for 15, 30 and 60 min at 25 ◦C) and thermally pasteurized (at
90 ◦C for 60 s) to compare the effect on microbial inactivation, physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities and
other quality parameters. In addition, shelf life study of juice samples stored at 4
±
1 ◦C was conducted for 5 weeks.
After UV-C treatment and thermal pasteurization, no significant changes occurred in physicochemical properties.
A significant increase in extractability of carotenoids (6%), polyphenols (31%), and flavonoids (3%) were observed in
juice exposed to UV-C light for 15 and 30 min, when compared to freshly squeezed juice. Besides that, enhancement
of antioxidant activity was observed after UV-C treatment. Thermal pasteurization and UV-C treatment exhibited
significant reduction in microbial load and prolonged shelf-life of juice. The results obtained support the use of UVC
light to improve the quality of Chokanan mango juice along with safety standards as an alternative to thermal
pasteurization.