Protective effect of cyclodextrin (CD) on some quality characteristics of clear pomegranate juice (CPJ) was investigated. CPJ with no CD addition (Control) and CPJ samples, subjected to different type (β-CD and Hydroxy propyl (HP-β-CD) and concentration (0.5, 1% and 2%) combinations of CD, were stored at 25 °C for 3 months. The changes in color characteristics (polymeric color and total color difference - ΔE), total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA) of all PJ samples monitored at 1 month intervals. Although overall color change of the PJ samples was hardly perceived visually, none of the treatments were successful to protect the initial color of clear PJ technically (P > 0.05). Among the CD treatments, HP-β-CD with a concentration of 0.5% was found effective to prevent TPC and AA losses of PJ (P < 0.05). On the other hand, β-CD addition did not cause any improvement in protecting color, TPC and AA of clear PJ during storage, compared to control juice.
Keywords: Antioxidant activity; Clear pomegranate juice; Color; Cyclodextrin; Storage.