The Impact of Nonthermal Technologies on the Microbiological Quality of Juices: A Review

Fruit and vegetable juices are rich sources of nutrients that support microbiological growth and ultimately undergo rapid deterioration of safety and quality. The loss of nutritional quality of juices due to intensive thermal processing is a major problem encountered during the treatment of commercially preserved liquid foods. Conventional thermal processing technologies inactivate microorganisms and enzymes and extend the shelf life of foods but exert negative effects on nutritional and organoleptic properties of juices, for example, a loss of vitamins, of a desirable flavor, and of bioactive compounds and development of different sensory profiles as a result of heating. Nonthermal technologies including ultrasonication, a pulsed electric field, high-pressure processing, irradiation, and their combinations are suitable alternatives for achieving the same preservation effect without the adverse effects of heat on the quality of juices and meet consumer demand for clean-label, safe, and wholesome products without compromising their nutritional properties.