Assessing the impact of non-thermal and thermal treatment on the shelf-life of onion juice

Onion (Allium cepa L.) juice is a marinating agent for meat and fish marination and readily usable sauce for any meal that has onion in its formulation. This study aims to assess the microbiological and physicochemical changes in the onion juice processed by UV-C irradiation (0.5 mm sample depth, 30 min exposure time, 7.5 mW/cm(2) UV incident intensity) and conventional heat treatment (74.5 degrees C, 12 min) during its storage. Microbiological results showed processing by UV-C irradiation or heat treatment under optimum conditions extended the microbial shelf-life of untreated onion juice by minimum 6-times. Total colour change of heat-treated samples was lower than that of untreated and UV-C treated samples for 12 weeks. Also, pH, total titratable acidity, total soluble solids content, turbidity, NEBI and total phenolic content were monitored for 12 weeks. The results of this study will form scientific infrastructure for onion juice manufacturers to decide on the processing method with respect to its shelf-life.