Graphic abstract AbstractThe effect of a pasteurization treatment at 90 ± 2 ºC for 35 s, provided by continuous microwave (MW) under different doses (low power/long time and high power/short time) or conventional pasteurization (CP) on the quality of orange-colored smoothies and their changes throughout 45 days of storage at 5 °C were investigated. A better color retention of the MW pasteurization (MWP) treated smoothie using high power/short time than in conventionally-processed sample was evidenced by the stability of the hue angle. The continuous MW heating increased the viscosity of the smoothie more than the CP in comparison with non-treated samples. Lower residual enzyme activities from peroxidase (POD), pectin methylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG) were obtained under MW heating, specifically due to the use of higher power/shorter time. For this kind of smoothie, PG was the more thermo-resistant enzyme, and could be used as an indicator of pasteurization efficiency. The use of a continuous semi-industrial MW using higher power and shorter time, such as 1,600 W/206 s and 3,600 W/ 93 s, resulted in better quality smoothies and greater enzyme reduction that conventional thermal treatment.Running title: Microwave heating of a smoothie.