Carrot is an important root crop cultivated throughout the world for its fleshy edible roots; and is used for human consumption as well as animal feed. Carrots are rich source of beta-carotene (and contain appreciable amounts of thiamine and riboflavin [6]. Carotenoids in carrot and tomato have also been linked with enhancement of the immune system and decreased risk of degenerative diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, age-related macular degeneration, and cataract formation [7]. Carrot has long been a component of tomato blends. Sedimentation is a main problem in carrot juice. Several studies reported that cloud stability could be improved by using polysaccharides stabilizer and reducing pulp content, however this might affect texture attributes of the product [8].Hydrocolloids are substances that form gels in contact with water. Such substances include both polysaccharides and proteins which are capable of one or more of the following: thickening and gelling aqueous solutions, stabilizing foams, emulsions and dispersions and preventing crystallization of saturated water or sugar solutions [9]. Examples of hydrocolloids are carboxymethylcellulose, guar gum, starch, xanthan gum, pectin, gelatine among others [10]. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a modified cellulose gum (cellulose is a component of plant fibre). In foods, it is used as a stabilizer, thickener, film former, suspending agent and extender. The allowable percentage range is 0.05 to 0.5% of the total product [11]. Xanthan gum is an extracellular polysaccharide secreted by Xanthomonas campestris. At low shear rates, solutions of xanthan gum have approximately 15 times the viscosity of guar gum and significantly more viscous than carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or sodium alginate which accounts for its superior performance in stabilising suspensions [12]. In order to adjust the desired flow behaviour, Xanthan Gum is used in combination with other hydrocolloids [13]. Typically, Xanthan Gum is used at 0.1-0.2% concentration [14]. Concentrations of Xanthan Gum (XG) and Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) of 0.4-0.5% completely inhibit apple juice clarification. At lower gum concentrations, juices with CMC were more stable. At low shear rates, XG was more viscous than CMC, demonstrating that the greater stabilizing effect of CMC was basically due to its electro-negativity [15]. Alakali et al. [16] reported that the use of CMC at levels 0.5, 0.75 and
AbstractThe study determined the effect of addition of hydrocolloids to tomato-carrot juice blend. It also determined some physico-chemical parameters and evaluated the proximate and microbial analyses of the blend. This was with a view to provide information on the properties of tomato-carrot juice blend which gives the most acceptable quality. Two samples of tomato-carrot juice blend were prepared, with one containing hydrocolloids while the other was without hydrocolloids. The products were bottled, pasteurized, cooled and stored at ambient (29 ± 1°C) and refrigeration (5 ± 1°C) temperatures. There was a s...