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Abstract The study investigated the shelf life of laboratory developed phalsa juice at room temperature. Phalsa was purchased from local market, juice was prepared and kept in sterilized bottles at room temperature. Physicochemical and microbial and oragnoleptic quality of the juice was examined till two weeks. Microbial activity in phalsa juice increased while organoleptic attributes such as texture (mouth feel), flavour, taste, colour and overall acceptability of phalsa juice were decreased during the study period. The pH and TSS value were decreased from 3.99 to 3.54 and from 11.22 to 9.55, respectively after 2 weeks storage. Total plate count also showed decline from 6.2x10-1 to 3.2 x 10-1 cfuml-1 whereas yeast and mould counts increased simultaneously from 2.6x10-1 and nil to 5.5x10-1 and 2.4x10-1 cfuml-1, respectively during the storage. To increase shelf life of phalsa juice storage at refrigerated temperature with/without preservatives is recommended.
Key Words: Grewia asiatica; Juice; Shelf Life; Total Plate Count; Yeast; Mould; Pakistan.
INTRODUCTION Phalsa fruit (Grewia asiatica), bark and leaves have high medicinal values, therefore, are widely used for treatment of various common diseases (Sinha et al., 2015). Phalsa fruits are low in calories and fat, and high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Phosphoserine, serine, and taurine are found dominant amino acids in juice (Hasnain and Ali, 1992). Phytochemical screening of fruits indicated the presence of carbohydrate, tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, vitamin-C and steroids (Gupta et al., 2006). Amino acids such as proline, glutaric acid, lysine and phenylalanine, and carbohydrates, like glucose, xylose, and arabinose were identified by paper chromatography in ethanolic extract of fruit (Sharma and Sisodia, 2010).
The fruits are excellent commodity for making juice and squash, which are regarded as very nutritious beverages by indigenous people. A refreshing summer drink prepared from fruits, called phalsay ka sharbat (Phalsa drink) is available in foodstores. The phalsa drink is also regarded as a cardiac tonic among people. The fruit juices may be among with other nutrients to further enhance its nutritional contribution to the diet. The phalsa juice has a low glycemic index and can be taken to diabetics on account of having carbohydrates which break down more slowly. Such low glycaemic index foods are also believed to lessen the risk of coronary heart disease, and obesity. Nutritionally essential...