Microwave processing impact on physicochemical and bioactive attributes of optimized peach functional beverage

The health benefits of blended functional drinks make them popular among consumers and a highly profitable product sector. In this study, the compositions of peach juice, plum juice, and sugar solution were optimized by D-optimal mixture design in the ratio of 72:25:3 to develop a functional beverage with acceptable sensory attributes. The results also showed that a blending of fruit juices significantly increases the amount of bioactive compounds (TPC: 432 µg/100 ml; TFC: 169.5 µg CE/100 ml) along with antioxidant capacity. The integrated effect of conventional pasteurization (90°C, 10 min) and microwave heating (for 1, 1.5 and 2 min, 850 W, at 60°C,) on the resultant fluctuations in the physicochemical and bioactive attributes revealed that microwave processing held for 1.5 min was far superior than other treatments and it also enhanced the functional components of beverage including TPC to 33% and antioxidants to 16% (DPPH) and 24% (FRAP), respectively.