Physicochemical quality of lime and lemon commercial concentrates and its effect on final product standardization

Abstract

Physicochemical parameters of commercial concentrates of lime (CLA) and lemon (CLO) with different dates of manufacture (between 2013 and 2014) were quantified. Significant differences in the acidity (CLA=1.55-2.50g of citric acid/100g of sample; CLO= 2.20-2.52g of citric acid/100g of sample), in contrast to the pH were obtained (CLA=2.25-2.30; CLO=2.15-2.25). The soluble solids showed the highest variability, variability was more pronounced in the CLO samples (CLA=46.5-47.5%; CLO=45.5-50.5%). Of the color parameters evaluated, the lightness (L*) was the most homogeneous (CLA=51.5-53.5; CLO=46.7-55.3), however, the critical parameter in the CLA was b* (16.5-22.7) while CLO presented two: a* and b* (-0.13-2.08 and 12.7-30.1, respectively). All physicochemical tests (except pH) showed the need of a process that carried out standardization of the final product that positively impact the acceptability and consumer acquisition without affecting the levels of preference.