The objective of this work was to evaluate the characteristics of the irradiated fresh of 'Pera' sweet orange (Citrus sinnensis L.) juice and kept refrigerated. Samples of orange juice (control) and samples irradiated with 1.5 and 3.0kGy per hour (Cobalt 60) were stored for 1, 7, 14 and 21 days at 4ºC. Quantitative Descriptive Analysis was conducted by a selected trained panels that evaluated appearance, aroma, flavor and texture of juices. Radiation levels affected appearance characteristics as color, shine and gummy. Irradiated juice resulted more clear and shinny and less gummy, more cooked, with past and artificial aroma, more acid, bitter, cooked, sap, past and with accentuated artificial orange than the control. Irradiation levels affected texture characteristics as body and astringency, homogeneity attribute was not affected. Color and gummy of control sample intensified with the increase of storage periods. Results lead juice irradiation promoted negatively on sensorial characteristic.
orange juice; irradiation; quantitative descriptive analysis
