Production technology and physicochemical and microbiological characteristics ready-to-drink orange juice sold in Ouagadougou city’

Abstract

Oranges are consumed in many African countries. In Burkina Faso, they are consumed in various forms. In particular, they are used in the production of juices and nectars. Orange juice is a non-concentrated, undiluted, and unfermented liquid with a variable chemical composition and diverse properties.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological quality of natural orange juices sold in the city of Ouagadougou. A total of ten samples were collected from three markets in the city of Ouagadougou.

The physicochemical parameters (pH, Brix degree, acidity, vitamin C content, and impurity level) and microbiological parameters (total mesophilic aerobic flora, total coliforms, thermotolerant bacteria, yeasts, and molds) were determined using standard analytical methods.

The pH, Brix degree, free acidity, vitamin C content, and impurity levels of the juices analyzed ranged from 5.14 ± 0.02 to 6.40 ± 0.021, 6.10 ± 0.14% to 15.20 ± 0.14%, 3.23 ± 0.23 g/L to 5.16 ± 0.23 g/L, 0.28 ± 0.02 g/L to 0.57 ± 0.07 g/L, and 3.85 ± 0.78 g/100 mL to 10.80 ± 2.26 g/100 mL, respectively.

As for the microbiological analysis, total mesophilic aerobic flora, yeasts and molds, total coliforms, and thermotolerant coliforms ranged respectively from 2.90 ± 1.56 × 10^4 CFU/mL to 4.01 ± 3.24 × 10^5 CFU/mL, less than 10 CFU/mL to 1.15 ± 1.00 × 10^5 CFU/mL, 5.00 ± 1.00 × 10^2 CFU/mL to 1.38 ± 1.30 × 10^5 CFU/mL, and less than 10 CFU/mL to 5.50 ± 0.70 × 10^3 CFU/mL.

This study revealed that natural orange juices sold in the city of Ouagadougou had unsatisfactory microbiological quality and, overall, satisfactory physicochemical quality. It is therefore necessary to raise awareness among those involved in the production of these orange juices regarding the application of good hygiene and manufacturing practices.