Effect of storage condition and preservatives on the microbial, physicochemical and sensory quality of cucumber juice and carrots juice.

Fruit juices are prone to spoilage without the use of preservatives. This study evaluated the effect of preservatives on the microbial, physicochemical and sensory quality of cucumber and carrots juices. Carrot and cucumbers fruits were extracted, filtered and treated with garlic and ginger powder and sodium benzoate. Carrot and cucumber juices without preservatives served as control. The microbial qualities of the fruit juice were determined using standard methods. Total viable count for Cucumber and carrot juices stored at ambient and refrigerated temperature increased from day 3 to day 6. Cucumber and carrot Juices with Ginger + Garlic and sodium benzoate had the least microbial count in most cases. The microbial count for refrigerated cucumber and carrot juice were less than that of juice at ambient temperature on day 3 and day 6. The sensory quality of both juices deteriorated with a longer time of storage. The organisms isolated from both cucumber and carrot juices include Staphylococcus sp, Bacillus sp, E. coli, Klebsiella sp and Salmonella sp. Bacillus had the highest frequency of occurrence of 32%, while Salmonella sp 3.5% had the least occurrence. This study has shown that microorganisms are present in fresh fruit juices, microbial spoilage occurs with longer storage time but refrigeration slows down spoilage of fruit juices, chemical preservative benzoate and ginger + garlic in combination can slow down microbial spoilage. Also, the sensory quality of juices declines with longer storage but refrigeration improves sensory quality. However, preservation of fruit juice at ambient temperature for a long duration should be discouraged to reduce microbial contamination.