Preparation of Myrica nagi (Box myrtle) drink and effect of storage temperature on its quality

Box myrtle (Myrica nagi) belongs to family Myricaceae is a sub-temperate tree found throughout the mid-Himalayas at an elevation of 1300 to 2100 meters above mean sea level. Its fruits are known for their ravishing taste and have been reported as rich source of anti-oxidants like phenols and anthocyanins. In the present study drink was prepared from box myrtle juice and quality evaluation was carried out during six months of storage of fruit drink. Different combinations of juice (8%, 10%, 12%, 14% and 16 %) and sugar syrup/TSS (Total soluble solids) (12 oB and 15 oB) were tried to standardize proper combination for drink. The drink prepared by following the best selected recipe (14 % juice and 12 oB TSS) was packed in glass and PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles and stored for six months under ambient and refrigerated temperature conditions. Drink could be safely stored for a period of six months under both the storage conditions without much change in various quality characteristics. Various physico-chemical characteristics increased/decreased like TSS (12.05 to 12.48 oB), reducing sugars (7.80 to 8.69 %), titratable acidity (0.30 to 0.27 %), ascorbic acid (1.09 to 0.47 mg/100 g), total phenols (27.35 to 19.11 mg/100 g) and anthocyanins (6.14 to 3.69 mg/100 g). However, the changes in the quality characteristics of the drink were slower in refrigerated storage conditions as compared to ambient conditions. Both the packaging materials viz. PET and glass bottles were found suitable, with comparatively less changes occurring in glass bottles stored under refrigerated conditions.