Mineral and fatty acid profile of high intensity pulsed electric fields or thermally treated fruit juice-milk beverages stored under refrigeration

- Ca, Zn, Fe, Mg, Cu, and Mn were identified in FJ-WM or FJ-SM beverages.
- Mineral content was not affected by HIPEF or TT, neither during storage.
- 11 fatty acids were identified in the FJ-WM beverage.
- Palmitic acid was the most abundant fatty acid in the FJ-WM beverage
- HIPEF treated FJ-WM beverage kept more fatty acids during storage than that heated.

The influence of High Intensity Pulsed Electric Fields (HIPEF) or Thermal Treatment (TT) on minerals and fatty acids of fruit juice-whole (FJ-WM) or skimmed milk (FJ-SM) beverages was assessed after processing and during chilled storage. Mineral profile of both beverages was characterized by Ca, Zn, Fe, Mg, Cu, and Mn; being Ca the macroelement detected at the highest concentration (3.06-3.17mg/100 mL). Neither HIPEF nor TT significantly affected mineral concentration of the beverages, except Fe, which augmented after HIPEF (300%) or TT (43%). During storage (56 days), mineral content in both bevearges remained highly stable, regardless of the treatment applied. 11 fatty acids were identified in untreated and processed FJ-WM beverages. Palmitic acid was detected at highest concentration (21.83-24.37 mg/100 g of fat). Immediately after HIPEF or TT, most fatty acids remained with no significant changes, only linoleic acid increased (20%) in HIPEF treated beverage. Fatty acid content of HIPEF treated FJ-WM beverages was kept constant along storage; only palmitic, linoleic and linolenic acids showed lower concentrations (12-20%) at day 56. Conversely, the concentration of most fatty acids in the heated beverage underwent a significant reduction (7-19%) with time, except palmitic acid, which remained constant. HIPEF can be considered as a potential alternative to conventional pasteurization to obtain stable mixed beverages with significant concentrations of health-related compounds.