EC Nutrition

In this study, triple strength Zobo concentrate (ZC) was prepared using purple calyx of Sorrel by Hurdle Technology; and aseptically packaged in ambered-coloured containers for spray drying. The prepared samples of ZC were sweetened with inverted sugar syrup (coded 617) and sodium cyclamate (coded 615) were subjected to sensory, physico-chemical and microbial analyses. The physico-chemical properties of both samples for the pH ranges from 4.1 for sample 615 (i.e. ZC sweetened with Sodium cyclamate) and 4.3 for sample 617 (i.e. ZC sweetened with inverted sugar syrup); and the Brix content of the sample coded 615 was 5.8% and 3.8% for the sample coded 617, respectively. And the results of the microbial analysis indicated that both samples are safe for human consumption because both samples microbiological result is ˂ 1.0 x 10¹ cfu/ml, which is within microbial limits (10³ cfu/g) for ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. The results for the Sensory evaluation conducted for T-test for the two samples 615 and 617 are significantly not different (P < 0.05) from each other in terms of colour, taste (mouth-feel) and overall acceptability; while samples 615 and 617 show significant difference in terms of aroma and sweetness (P < 0.05). The results of the Ranking test suggested that both samples were found to be significantly different with respect to sweetness (P < 0.05). This study suggests that the preparation of triple strength ZC was achieved using Hurdle technology for the purpose of spray drying process.

Keywords: Dark Purple Calyx; Hurdle Technology; Inverted Sugar Syrup; Zobo Concentrate

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