Packaging material type affects the quality characteristics of Aloe-probiotic lassi during storage

The efficacy of different packaging materials with varying oxygen barrier properties on the shelf-life of Aloe vera supplemented probiotic lassi (APL) was investigated. APL was packaged in different packaging materials viz. glass bottle, EVOH co-polymer, PET bottle and LDPE pouches (~200 ml capacity). APL packaged in LDPE was treated as control. APL samples were stored under refrigeration conditions (5 ± 1 °C) for 30 days during which changes in probiotic count, sensorial and physico-chemical properties were evaluated. Results showed that oxygen permeation rates of packaging materials influenced the shelf-life of APL. APL packaged in high barrier materials viz. EVOH and glass bottle showed improved probiotic viability and sensory quality followed by higher viscosity. Rate of post-acidification and pH drop were also higher in APL samples packaged in EVOH and glass bottles. APL samples stored in EVOH co-polymer and glass bottles were acceptable up to 25 days without any undesirable changes in quality attributes and the probiotic survivability was above 106 cfu/ml.