Ascorbic acid, carotenoids, total phenolics and antioxidant activity in industrialized juices sold in different packaging

Abstract

We aimed to determine the content of ascorbic acid (AA), carotenoids, total phenolics and antioxidant activity in fruit juices sold in different packaging. We evaluated industrialized juices of guava and grape flavors of two brands (brand A: tetrapak and plastic packaging, brand B: tin, glass and tetrapak). The levels of AA and carotenoids were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH test and total phenolics were determined using Folin-Ciocalteau. Guava juice of brand A in the tetrapak packaging showed higher levels of lycopene (2.01 ± 1.61 mg/100 mL), while the juice of brand B showed higher levels of AA (22.1 ± 2.0 mg/100 mL ) and β-carotene (4.09 ± 0.54 mg/100 mL). For both flavors, juice of brand B had the highest values of antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds, and for the guava flavor, the highest values were found in glass packaging, while for the grape flavor, we obtained higher values on tetrapak packaging. It was observed that different brands had different contents of the components evaluated and that the packaging has great influence on the nutritional value of juices, with the tetrapak packaging showing the best results.