Study on combined effects of blanching and sonication on different quality parameters of carrot juice

This study was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of blanching and sonication on carrot juice quality. Carrots were blanched at 100 degrees C for 4 min in normal and acidified water. Juice was extracted and sonicated at 15 degrees C for 2 min keeping pulse duration 5 s on and 5 s off (70% amplitude level and 20 kHz frequency). No significant effect of blanching and sonication was observed on Brix, pH and titratable acidity except acidified blanching that decreased pH and increased acidity significantly. Peroxidase was inactivated after blanching that also significantly decreased total phenol, flavonoids, tannins, free radical scavenging activity, antioxidant capacity and ascorbic acid and increased cloud and color values. Sonication could improve all these parameters significantly. The present results suggest that combination of blanching and sonication may be employed in food industry to produce high-quality carrot juice with reduced enzyme activity and improved nutrition.