Effect of Packaging Materials on Storage Quality of Functional Beverage Mix
The present study aimed at development of finger millet-based functional beverage mix with 9% green banana flour and 1% ginger powder. The developed beverage mix was packed by using four different packaging materials i.e., low-density polyethylene (P1), standup pouch (P2), aluminium foil pouch (P3) and polyethylene terephthalate bottles (P4) and stored at room temperature. The changes in the physico-chemical, microbial quality were analyzed for 3 months (90 days). The results revealed that during storage, the moisture content was increased from 6.23 to 6.99%, whereas other chemical properties viz., carbohydrate (CHO), protein, fat, ash and dietary fiber were gradually decreased from 68.62 to 68.48, 15.09 to 14.99, 1.50 to 1.48, 3.74 to 3.73 and 2.78 to 2.77 respectively. There was no signifance change in calcium and phosphorus among the packaging materials during storage. The microbial load was low in P3 and P4 packed beverage mix during storage. The functional beverage mix packed in polyethylene terephthalate bottles was undergone minimum changes in physico-chemical characteristics. Hence, it is concluded that the storage of functional beverage mix in polyethylene terephthalate bottles extended the shelf life of the product and reduced the nutrient losses during storage.