Studies on properties and storage of muskmelon rts beverage

RTS beverage was prepared from 14 per cent muskmelon juice, 14° Brix TSS, 0.35 per cent acidity and 150 ppm sodium benzoate. It was packed in PET bottles and stored at ambient (30 ± 5° C) and refrigeration (5± 2° C) temperatures for 90 days. Fresh RTS had 14° Brix TSS, 0.35 per cent titratable acidity, 6.40 per cent reducing sugars, 11.76 per cent total sugars, 1.95 mg/100ml calcium, 24.60 mg/100ml polyphenol and 260.80 μg/100ml β-carotene. Storage studies indicated that there was gradual decrease in titratable acidity, polyphenol, and β-carotene content with advancement of storage period during 90 days. While TSS, reducing sugars and total sugars increased slightly with storage period. There was no significant variation in calcium content during storage. The sensory quality of muskmelon RTS beverage decreased during storage. The muskmelon RTS was found to be acceptable even after 90 days of storage at ambient and refrigerated temperatures. However, the RTS beverage stored at refrigerated temperature was found better as compared to that store at ambient temperature.