abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of blanching and sonication on important quality parameters
of carrot juice. Blanching of carrots was done in normal water and acidified water (45 g/L citric
acid, pH 1.3) at 100 C for 4 min and juice was extracted. Sonication of juice was done (frequency 20 KHz
and amplitude level 70%) at 15 C for 2 min. Significant increase (P < 0.05) was observed in total carotenoids,
lycopene and lutein in blanched samples, however, this increase was more in simultaneously
blanched and sonicated samples. Additionally, highest increase was observed in all these pigments as a
result of combined treatment of acid blanching and sonication. Sucrose, glucose, fructose, chlorogenic
acid and mineral elements (Na and K) were decreased significantly in all blanched samples while
increased significantly (P < 0.05) in all sonicated samples. Significant decrease was observed in some
minerals (P and Mg), total plate count, yeast and mold in all samples treated with blanching and sonication
but this decrease was more in samples treated with acid blanching and sonication. The results
suggest that combined treatment of blanching and sonication may successfully be employed for processing
of carrot juice to improve quality.