Effect of high voltage atmospheric cold plasma on white grape juice quality

BACKGROUND This study focuses on the effects of novel, non‐thermal high voltage atmospheric cold plasma (HVACP) processing on the quality of grape juice. A quality‐based comparison of cold plasma treatment with thermal pasteurization treatment of white grape juice was done. RESULTS HVACP treatment of grape juice at 80 kV for 4 min resulted in a 7.4 log10 CFU mL−1 reduction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae without any significant (P > 0.05) change in pH, acidity and electrical conductivity of the juice. An increase in non‐enzymatic browning was observed, but total color difference was very low and within acceptable limits. Spectrophotometric measurements showed a decrease in total phenolics, total flavonoids, DPPH free radical scavenging and antioxidant capacity, but they were found to be comparable to those resulting from thermal pasteurization. An increase in total flavonols was observed after HVACP treatments. CONCLUSION HVACP treatment of white grape juice at 80 kV for 2 min was found to be comparable to thermal pasteurization in all analyzed quality attributes. HVACP has shown the potential to be used as an alternative to thermal treatment of white grape juice. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry