Modulation of thermal resistance of ascospores of Neosartorya fischeri by acidulants and preservatives in mango and grape juice Original Research Article

Minimal thermal processing is desirable for near natural organoleptic and nutritional qualities of fruit based products. In the present investigation, the effect of heat (85°C) in combination with acidulants or common preservatives on inactivation of ascospores of Neosartorya fischeri, a heat resistant mould isolated from grapes, has been studied in mango and grape juice. The ascospores were found to survive for >300 min of heating at 70, 75 and 80°C in these fruit juices and complete inactivation required 120 min of heating at 85°C. The synergistic effect of heat and organic acids or preservatives in fruit juices was noticed. The thermal death rate (1/k85°C) values did not vary much in the presence of lactic (20), malic (20) and citric (19) acids, but tartaric acid showed least inactivation effect (1/k85°C=54 min) in mango juice. The 1/k85°Cvalues for ascospores of N. fischeri in mango juice containing 0·1% of potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate or combination of both at 0·05% were found to be 44, 35 and 29 min respectively. These values were respectively, 32, 13 and 14 min in grape juice. Nearly 50 and 67% of the heating time was reduced by the use of potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate (0·05% each) in mango and grape juice to inactivate 3 log number of ascospores of N. fischeri. These results may be useful in thermal processing of fruit juices.