Evaluation of Quality Parameters of Street-Vended Fruit Juices and their Public Health Implications

Abstract

Fresh fruit juices are widely consumed for their refreshing properties and nutritional benefits, specially as rich sources of Vitamin C, organic acids, and natural sugars; however, their quality and microbiological safety largely depend on hygiene practices, handling, and storage conditions maintained by vendors. The present study was conducted to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological quality of commonly consumed fruit juices collected from street-vended juice centers located near Bharatiya City, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Juice samples, including sweet lime, orange, and pineapple, were collected aseptically and analyzed for quality parameters such as pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), Vitamin C content, and total plate count using standard analytical methods. The pH of the samples ranged from 3.42 to 4.00, indicating acidic conditions, while TSS values ranged from 11 to 16 °Brix, reflecting variation in sugar content due to fruit type, maturity, and possible dilution practices. Titratable acidity ranged from 0.03% to 0.11%, with citrus juices showing relatively higher acidity. Vitamin C content varied significantly among the samples, ranging from 33.4 to 133.6 mg/100 ml, with orange juice showing the highest content, followed by sweet lime and pineapple juices. Microbial analysis revealed total plate counts ranging from 3.4 × 10² to 9.1 × 10² CFU/ml, with higher microbial loads observed in samples with comparatively higher pH and poor hygiene conditions, indicating favourable environments for microbial growth and possible contamination due to improper handling and sanitation. The results demonstrate that hygiene practices, raw material quality, and handling conditions significantly influence both the nutritional quality and microbiological safety of fresh fruit juices. The study highlights the importance of proper sanitation, hygienic preparation, and regular monitoring of street-vended juice centers to ensure safe, high-quality, and nutritionally valuable fruit juices for consumers.