MINERAL, VITAMIN AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF FRUIT JUICE PRODUCED FROM PINEAPPLE-WATER-MELON AND LEMON FRUIT

ABSTRACT Mineral, vitamin and sensory properties of fruit juice produced from pineapple-water-melon and lemon fruits were evaluated. The parameters evaluated on the mineral composition are sodium, magnesium, iron and calcium. Vitamins evaluated were beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A), vitamin B1, vitamins C and vitamin C. Sensory properties evaluated were appearance, aroma, taste, mouth feel and overall acceptability. Pineapple-water-melon and lemon fruit were processed into juice and blended in the ratio (80:10:10, 70:20:10, 60:30:10 and 50:40:10) of Pineapple watermelon and lemon fruit juice for the sample A, B, C, D and the control sample E was a commercial mixed fruit juice. Each of the samples was blended according to its formulation and was packaged in a sterile packaging container, pasteurized at 72OC and labeled. Mineral composition of the samples showed that sodium content of the samples was 23.61mg/100g for sample A (80% pineapple10% watermelon 10% lemon fruit juice), 26.51mg/100g for sample B (70% pineapple:20% watermelon 10% lemon fruit juice), 28.29mg/100g for sample C (60% pineapple:30% watermelon 10% lemon fruit juice), 24.29mg/100g for sample D (50% pineapple: 40% watermelon 10% lemon fruit juice) and 18.37mg/100g for sample E(Control). Magnesium content of the mixed fruit juice from pineapple-water-melon and lemon fruit samples ranged from 16.51mg/100g for sample E(control) to 65.64mg/100g for sample A(80% pineapple10% watermelon 10% lemon fruit juice). Iron content of the samples ranged from 0.81mg/100g for sample E to 3.65mg/100g for sample A (80% pineapple10% watermelon 10% lemon fruit juice). Calcium content of the samples ranged from 1.39mg/100g for sample E to 4.73mg/100g for sample A. Vitamin composition of mixed fruit juice samples showed that beta-carotene(Vitamin A) content of the mixed fruit juice samples from pineapple-water-melon and lemon fruit samples were high and significantly differently(p≤0.05). Sensory properties evaluated were appearance, aroma, taste, mouth feel and overall acceptability and were significantly different (p≤ 0.05) with sample E was more generally acceptable. The study proved that high quality and nutritional mixed fruit juice from local fruits pineapple-watermelon and lemon fruit which are high in water soluble and fat soluble vitamins such beta-carotene, vitamin B1 and vitamin and vitamin C are obtainable from the mixed fruit juice samples produced and it is better than the commercial fruit juice samples that are in the market.