This study demonstrated that orange juice can be a promising
vehicle for developing a potent nutraceutical beverage by incorporating
rice bran peptide fractions which are effective in impeding
growth of diseases like cancer. The physicochemical parameters,
including pH, color, TSS and ascorbic acid content of the orange
juice with the peptide fraction were not significantly different in
comparison to orange juice alone over a 42 day storage. However,
the sensory study showed that the peptide fraction affected the
orange juice flavor when tested over 14 days. Further studies in
microencapsulation or bitter masking of the peptide fraction before
incorporation into the orange juice can be a novel and efficient way
to extend the shelf life beyond 42 days. Encapsulation may also
protect the organoleptic properties of the orange juice. This is the
first time a nutraceutical beverage is developed with orange juice
as the base and incorporated with a peptide fraction from rice bran.