Effect of l-ascorbic acid addition on the quality attributes of micro-filtered coconut water stored at 4 °C

Coconut water was processed through 2-stage microfiltration system and l-ascorbic acid (25 mg/100 ml) was added to it, and then stored at 4 °C for 28 days. Micro-filtered coconut water, added (AS) or without added (US) ascorbic acid was analyzed for physicochemical, sensorial and microbial changes. With increase in storage time perpetual decrease in nutritional values and sensory qualities of the samples occurred; nevertheless, AS was able to retain these qualities more than US. Added ascorbic acid delayed the decrease of clarity (% transmittance) (p < 0.05), sensory qualities, and also slowed down the increase of reducing sugar and total fatty acids. A kinetic study of post processing quality loss was also conducted during the storage period. Adequacy of zero and first order kinetic models were dependent on the specific quality attributes that were studied. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) clearly showed that more drastic color and sensory changes occurred in US compared to AS.Industrial relevanceRecently, microfiltration of coconut water has been found to be an alternative to thermal sterilization. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of l-ascorbic acid addition on the quality attributes of micro-filtered coconut water during low temperature storage (4 °C for 28 days). The study makes a reasonable comparison of the quality attributes of micro-filtered coconut water, with or without added ascorbic acid. Concerted effect of microfiltration and l-ascorbic acid addition proved to be a better method for processing coconut water than microfiltration alone.

► Processing of coconut water was done by two-stage microfiltration technique.
► l-ascorbic acid addition on quality attributes of micro-filtered coconut water was evaluated.
► Addition of l-ascorbic acid substantially delays both nutrient and sensory quality losses.
► This study has shown the applicability of l-ascorbic acid addition to micro-filtered coconut water.