Studies on preservation of sugarcane juice

The variety CoP 92226 was selected for preparing sugarcane juice beverage on the basis of yield and sensory attributes from eight promising varieties of sugarcane. Sugarcane juice beverage samples were prepared by pasteurizing the sugarcane juice at 70degreesC for 10 minutes and adding citric acid (40 mg/100 ml), ascorbic acid (40 mg/100 ml) and potassium metabisulphite (150 ppm). Samples of sugarcane juice beverage were stored at room (30 +/- 5degreesC) and refrigeration (4 +/- 2degreesC temperature in pre-sterilized glass bottles and analyzed for physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory attributes at every 15 days interval for 90 days. The pH. total soluble solids and total sugars decreased, whereas, titratable acidity and reducing sugars increased significantly (P < 0.01) during storage. An appreciable increase in total plate counts and yeast and mold counts were observed, however, no coliforms, were detected in sugarcane juice beverage during storage. The changes in different attributes were significantly (P < 0.01) higher at room temperature as compared to refrigeration temperature. The sugarcane juice beverage having citric acid and potassium metabisulphite showed minimum changes in sensory qualities during storage, both at room and refrigeration temperature. An acceptable quality beverage of sugarcane juice with satisfactory storage stability for 90 days at room as well as refrigeration temperature could be prepared.