Nesse trabalho, isolados fúngicos obtidos de vegetais em decomposição foram testados quanto à sua capacidade de produzir pectinases aplicáveis ao tratamento enzimático de sucos de maçã e de mirtilo. Com base na secreção de endo-poligalacturonase (endo-PG), dois isolados identificados e denominados Aspergillus niger LB23 e Aspergillus fumigatus LB39J foram selecionados para uso em processos em estado sólido e submerso, respectivamente. Os extratos enzimáticos dessas linhagens não apresentam teores de aflatoxinas totais (B1, B2, G1, G2) até um limite de detecção de 2 μg/Kg. A preparação enzimática obtida em cultivo em estado sólido de A. niger LB23 apresentou maiores atividades de endo-PG e exo-poligalacturonase (exo-PG) em pH 4,0, enquanto a reação enzimática com os extratos enzimáticos obtidos em cultivos submersos de A. fumigatus LB39J foram favorecidos em pH entre 4,0 e 5,0, para endo-PG, e 5,0, para exo-PG. Com relação à temperatura de reação da preparação pectinolítica de A. niger LB23, endo e exo-PG mostraram melhores desempenhos nas faixas 40-50°C e 50-60°C, respectivamente. Para as poligalacturonases de A. fumigatus LB39J, definiu-se um intervalo entre 40 e 60°C, para endo-PG, e 60ºC, para exo-PG, como as melhores temperaturas. Quando a estabilidade térmica das poligalacturonases presentes em ambas as preparações foi avaliada, observou-se preservação de cerca de 70% das atividades após 150 minutos de exposição a temperaturas de até 40ºC. Foi avaliada a influência de diferentes concentrações de glicose e pectina sobre os resultados do processo em cultivos em estado sólido com A. niger LB23, sendo observado incremento das atividades de endo e exo-PG em meio com 6% (m/m) de pectina e isento de glicose, atingindo-se 65 unidades por grama de meio seco (U/g) e 198 U/g, respectivamente. Em cultivos submersos com A. fumigatus LB39J, maiores atividades foram obtidas em meio com 20 g/L de pectina e sem glicose: 42 U/mL de endo-PG e 32 U/mL de exo-PG. Nas condições definidas para o processo submerso, foram testados diferentes valores de pH inicial do meio. As máximas atividades foram observadas com pH inicial 3,0 para endo-PG (44 U/mL) e 4,0 para exo-PG (37 U/mL). Adicionalmente, em fermentador de bancada, constatou-se que um valor de pH inicial de 4,0, com o valor mínimo sem controle e, após, com o valor máximo controlado em 3,5, proporcionou as maiores atividades com 81 U/mL de endo-PG e 49 U/mL de exo-PG. Comparando-se os extratos enzimáticos produzidos pelas linhagens selecionadas, verificou-se que as pectinases produzidas por A. niger LB23 foram mais eficientes na hidrólise enzimática das substâncias pécticas presentes nos sucos de maçã e mirtilo, proporcionando, maior redução de turbidez (90 e 40%) e viscosidade (40 e 60%) e aumento na clarificação (90 e 55%). Esses resultados indicam o potencial das pectinases de A. niger LB23 para o tratamento enzimático de sucos de frutas, ressaltando-se que o teor de compostos fenólicos e a capacidade antioxidante dos sucos foram, em sua maior parte, preservados após o tratamento. / In this work, fungus samples isolated from decomposing vegetables were tested with respect to their capacity of producing pectinases to be applied to the enzymatic treatment of apple and bilberry juices. Taking in account the secretion of endo-polygalacturonase (endo-PG), two isolates which were identified and named Aspergillus niger LB23 e Aspergillus fumigatus LB39J were selected for solid-state and submerged cultivations, respectively. The enzymatic extracts from these strains did not present total aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, G2) levels up to detection limit of 2 μg/Kg. The enzyme preparation obtained from solid-state cultivation of A. niger LB23 showed the largest activities of both endo-PG and exo-polygalacturonase (exo-PG) at pH 4.0, whereas the reaction with submerged A. fumigatus L39J enzymatic extracts was favoured at pH between 4.0 and 5.0 for endo-PG and 5.0 for exo-PG. With respect to the reaction temperature for A. niger LB23 pectinolytic preparation, endo and exo-PG showed the best performances at the ranges 40-50ºC and 50-60ºC, respectively. For A. fumigatus L39J polygalacturonases, a range from 40 to 60ºC, for endo-PG, and 60ºC, for exo-PG, were defined as the best temperatures. When the thermal stability of polygalacturonases present in both preparations was evaluated, preservation of about 70% of activities was observed after exposing the enzymes to temperatures up to 40ºC for 150 minutes. The influence of different glucose and pectin concentrations on the results of the solid-state process with A. niger LB23 was assessed and an increment in endo and exo-PG activities were observed in medium containing 6% (w/w) of pectin and absence of glucose, with activities of 65 units per gram of dry medium (U/gdm) and 198 U/gdm being achieved. In submerged cultivation of A. fumigatus LB39, highest enzyme activities were obtained in medium with 20 g/L of pectin and without glucose: 42 U/mL for endo-PG and 32 U/mL for exo-PG. In the conditions defined for the submerged process, different medium initial pH values were tested. Maximum activities were observed at initial pH of 3.0 for endo-PG (44 U/mL) and 4.0 for exo-PG (37 U/mL). Furthermore, in bench bioreactor, it was observed that an initial pH of 4.0, with uncontrolled minimum value and, afterwards, maximum value controlled at 3.5 led to the largest enzyme production with 81 U/mL of endo-PG and 49 U/mL of exo-PG. By comparing the enzymatic preparations produced by the selected strains, it was noticed that the pectinase produced by A. niger LB23 were more efficient for the hydrolysis of pectic substances present in both apple and bilberry juices, since it improved reduction of turbidity (90 and 40%) and viscosity (40 and 60%) and increasing clarification (90 and 55%), respectively. These results indicate the potential of A. niger LB23 pectinases for the enzymatic treatment of fruit juices, being remarkable that both the level of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of juices were mostly preserved after treatment.

Orientador: Eduardo Augusto Caldas Batista / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T20:07:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maximo_GuilhermeJose_M.pdf: 1130642 bytes, checksum: 2075f789c23ac3903cbe00e7ee7f52fc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: O equilíbrio líquido-vapor de soluções aquosas binárias formadas por açúcares presentes em sucos de fruta, D-glucose e D-frutose foi estudado através da determinação experimental da temperatura de ebulição em rotaevaporador com recirculação da fase vapor, de 20 kPa até a pressão atmosférica (93.6 kPa) e concentração entre 10 e 60 % (m/m). Os dados experimentais foram correlacionados com dados preditos a partir do cálculo do coeficiente de atividade pelo método de contribuição de grupos UNIFACLyngby utilizando diferentes modelos moleculares e parâmetros estruturais. A conformação cíclica das moléculas foi decisiva na obtenção de resultados mais precisos pela modelagem. Os resultados foram descritos com precisão através de diagramas de Dühring e o aumento da temperatura de ebulição das soluções em relação à da água pura foi considerado significativo na demanda de energia para mudança de fase. O equilíbrio termodinâmico de soluções aquosas de ácidos policarboxílicos presentes em sucos e polpas de fruta, ácido cítrico, málico, malônico, oxálico, succínico e tartárico foram estudados através da determinação experimental do pH em células isotérmicas, entre 278.15 e 323.15 K e porcentagem mássica entre 1 e 20 %. Os dados experimentais foram correlacionados com dados preditos a partir da resolução de um sistema de equações não lineares em algoritmo computacional programado em MATLAB. O coeficiente de atividade foi calculado através da utilização isolada ou combinada, do método UNIFAC-Lyngby e da equação modificada de Debye-Hückel, levando em consideração as interações de curto e longo-alcance presentes na solução. De modo geral, o modelo combinado descreveu com melhor precisão o comportamento do pH das soluções do que a utilização dos modelos isolados. Além disso, de acordo com o equilíbrio químico das soluções, a temperatura tem efeito significativo no pH das soluções, o que significa que algumas propriedades dessas misturas são alteradas durante os processos térmicos / Abstract: The vapor-liquid equilibrium of binary aqueous solutions of D-glucose and D-fructose, present in fruit juices, was evaluated by experimental boiling point measurements in a rotary evaporator with total reflux of the vapor phase from 20 kPa to atmospheric pressure (93.6 kPa) and concentration from 10 to 60 % by mass. The experimental data were correlated with predicted data by UNIFAC-Lyngby group contribution method, using different molecular approaches and structural parameters. The cyclic conformation of the sugar molecules was decisive for the accuracy of the modeling. The data were accurately described by Dühring diagrams and the rise in boiling point was considered significant for energy demand of phase change. The thermodynamic equilibrium of aqueous solutions of polycarboxylic acids present in fruit juices and pulps, citric acid, malic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid and tartaric acid was evaluated by experimental pH measures in isothermic cells, from 278.15 to 323.15 K and concentration from 1 to 20 % by mass. The experimental data were correlated with predicted data by the resolution of a non-linear equation system by a computer algorithm implemented in MATLAB. The activity coefficients were calculated using the UNIFAC-Lyngby method and the modified Debye- Hückel term, taking into account the short and long-range interactions of the molecules in solution. In general, the combined model described the behavior of the pH of the solutions with higher accuracy than the isolated models. Moreover, according to chemical equilibrium of the solutions, the effect of temperature on pH was significant, meaning that some mixtures properties are affected during thermal processes / Mestrado / Mestre em Engenharia de Alimentos

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / No Brasil, à tradicional o consume de sucos integrais de frutas tropicais envasados em garrafas de vidro ou, mais recentemente, em embalagens de polietileno tereftalato (PET). Os materiais de embalagem sÃo essenciais para proteger o produto alimentÃcio e preservar sua qualidade durante a estocagem. No entanto, a sorÃÃo dos volÃteis do alimento para a embalagem ou a migraÃÃo de compostos da embalagem para o alimento podem alterar a qualidade sensorial do produto. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a estabilidade de sucos de maracujà envasados em garrafas de vidro (como referÃncia) e PET durante 120 dias de armazenamento, em relaÃÃo ao seu perfil de compostos volÃteis, caracterÃsticas fÃsico-quÃmicas e sensoriais (aroma e sabor). Garrafas de um mesmo lote de fabricaÃÃo foram compradas em supermercados locais (Fortaleza-CE) e submetidos a anÃlises quÃmicas, sensoriais e cromatogrÃficas. Os sucos foram caracterizados pela determinaÃÃo do pH, sÃlidos solÃveis, acidez total titulÃvel, Ãcido ascÃrbico, cor, aÃÃcares totais e redutores. O aroma e sabor caracterÃsticos de maracujà foram avaliados por uma equipe treinada com uma escala nÃo-estruturada de 9 cm. Os compostos volÃteis foram isolados pela tÃcnica de headspace dinÃmico, por sucÃÃo, em Porapak Q, analisados por cromatografia gasosa de alta resoluÃÃo e identificados por CG-espectrometria de massas. Cinco compostos odorÃferos, segundo a literatura, foram monitorados: E-3-hexenol (maracujÃ, frutal), Z-3-hexenol (maracujÃ, verde), butanoato de etila (frutal, doce), hexanoato de etila (frutal, doce) e benzaldeÃdo (verde). Ambos os sucos apresentaram boa estabilidade fÃsico-quÃmica durante o perÃodo estudado, com exceÃÃo do Ãcido ascÃrbico que apresentou uma reduÃÃo de 58,2% e 39,1% nas amostras da embalagem de vidro e de PET, respectivamente. Os compostos volÃteis das amostras em vidro nÃo variaram ao longo do perÃodo de estocagem, mantendo as intensidades originais de aroma e sabor do suco. No lote envasado em PET o composto butanoato de etila diminuiu ao longo do armazenamento, sem, no entanto, provocar alteraÃÃes significativas na intensidade do aroma e sabor do produto, ao final de 120 dias. / In Brazil, is traditional the consumption of plain tropical fruit juices bottled in glass or PET materials. The packaging materials are essential to protect the food product and to preserve its inherent quality during the storage. However sorption phenomena from food to packaging materials and the migration phenomena from packaging to the food may alter the productâs sensory quality. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the stability of passion fruit juices bottled in glass (used as reference) and PET materials during 120 days storage, regarding to the volatile compounds profile, physicalchemical and sensory properties (aroma and flavor). Bottles from the same production batch were purchased in local supermarkets (Fortaleza-CE, Brazil) and submitted to chemical, sensory and chromatographic analyses. Juices were characterized by determination of pH, soluble solids, total titrable acidity, ascorbic acid, color, total and reducing sugars. The characteristic passion fruit aroma and flavor were evaluated by a trained panel with a nine-cm nonstructured scale. The volatile compounds were isolated using a dynamic headspace technique by suction, in Porapak Q, analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography (FID) and identified by GC-MS. Five odoriferous compounds, according to the literature, were monitored: E-3-hexenol (passion fruit, fruity), Z- 3-hexenol (passion fruit, green), ethyl butanoate (fruity, sweet), ethyl hexanoate (fruity, sweet) and benzaldehyde (green). Both juices showed good chemical stability during the storage period, with the exception of ascorbic acid which reduced 58,20% and 39,12% in the glass and PET samples, respectively. The volatile compounds did not suffer consistent changes during storage, keeping its original passion fruit aroma and flavor intensities. In the PET stored samples, the compound ethyl butanoate showed a substantial reduction, which, nevertheless, was not enough to provoke significant changes in the productâs aroma and flavor within 120 days.

Orientadores: Hilary Castle de Menezes, Silvia Tondella Dantas / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-03T19:14:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Saron_ElisabeteSegantini_M.pdf: 1585969 bytes, checksum: 62f0753fe79c5076a75df66de797a41a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004 / Resumo: Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar diferentes especificações de envernizamento interno do corpo e da costura lateral de latas de folha-de-flandres de três peças, formadas por eletrossolda, no acondicionamento de suco de maracujá pronto para beber, por meio de teste de estocagem e avaliação do desempenho em relação à interação embalagem/alimento. Durante o estudo foram avaliados três sistemas de revestimento orgânico interno da embalagem, sendo o primeiro composto de verniz epóxi-fenólico líquido aplicado na folha plana e verniz epóxi-vinílico-acrilado líquido aplicado na região da solda; o segundo um verniz epóxi-fenólico líquido aplicado na folha plana, verniz epóxi-vinílico-acrilado líquido aplicado na solda e uma segunda camada de verniz epóxi modificado líquido, aplicado por spray após a formação da lata e o terceiro um verniz líquido epóxi-fenólico aplicado na folha plana e verniz poliéster em pó aplicado na solda, denominados latas Normal, Repair e Pó, respectivamente. As embalagens foram caracterizadas quanto ao tipo de material metálico (espessura, dureza e camadas de estanho e cromo), avaliação do fechamento (recravação), atendimento aos requisitos de embalagens para contato com alimentos previstos pela Legislação Brasileira e pelo MERCOSUL e caracterização dos revestimentos orgânicos do corpo, tampa, fundo e side stripe, em relação à camada seca, identificação, aderência, porosidade e grau de cura. O teste de estocagem foi realizado pelo período de 6 meses em duas condições de temperatura controlada, 25oC ± 2°C e 35oC ± 3oC, com avaliações periódicas a intervalos de 15 dias no primeiro mês, 30 dias no segundo mês e de 60 dias até completar 180 dias de estocagem. Os parâmetros de avaliação periódica foram aparência visual interna das latas, nível de vácuo, composição de gases (O2, N2, CO2 e H2) no espaço-livre da embalagem, avaliação sensorial, avaliação instrumental de cor, pH, acidez, estimativa dos sólidos solúveis (°Brix), concentração de ferro, estanho e cromo no suco de maracujá e conteúdo de vitamina C, sendo que este último foi determinado apenas ao zero dia, 15 e 180 dias de estocagem / Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate different specifications of welded three piece tinplate cans with respect to the internal body passion fruit juice. The evaluation was by a storage test, evaluating the performance relative to food/packaging interaction. Three systems of internal organic coatings of the cans were analyzed. The first was composed of a liquid epoxy-phenolic lacquer applied to the flat tinplate and liquid epoxyvinillic-acrylate lacquer applied to the side stripe. The second type was a liquid epoxyphenolic lacquer applied to the flat tinplate and a liquid epoxy-vinillic-acrylate lacquer applied to the side stripe and a second layer of liquid modified epoxy lacquer, applied by spraying after the formation of the can. The third type was a liquid epoxy-phenolic lacquer applied to the flat tinplate and a powdered polyester lacquer applied to the side stripe. The systems were denominated Normal, Repair and Pó, respectively. The cans were characterized according to the type of metallic material (thickness, hardness and tin and chromium layers), evaluation of the double seams, approval for contact with foodstuffs in accordance with the procedures and rules of the Brazilian and MERCOSUR Legislation and evaluation of the organic coatings of the body, bottom, end and side stripe, in relation to the internal lacquer weight, porosity, identification, adherence and curing degree. The storage test was conducted during a period of 6 months under two conditions of controlled temperature, 25°C ± 2°C and 35°C ± 3°C, with evaluations at intervals of 15 days during the first month, 30 days up to the second month and then every 60 days to complete 180 days of storage. The parameters included in the evaluations were visual internal appearance of the cans, vacuum level, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen composition of the cans headspace, sensorial analysis, instrumental evaluation of color, pH, total titratable acidity, soluble solids (°Brix), iron, tin and chromium concentration in the passion fruit juice and ascorbic acid content (vitamin C), which was only determined at zero day and after 15 and 180 days of storage. The results showed that all cans presented no restriction for use in contact with aqueous acid foodstuffs (pH < 5;0) at processing temperatures of up to 100ºC, followed by prolonged use at temperatures of up to 40ºC. The results for vacuum level, pH, acidity and soluble solids in the juice remarried stable at the two temperatures throughout storage. In the same period at both temperatures, there was a decrease in vitamin content and a slight darkening of the juice. The alterations observed in the visual internal evaluation and the increase in hydrogen concentration in the can headspace and iron and tin concentrations in the juice, demonstrated the beginning of internal can corrosion. The sensorial evaluation demonstrated a loss of quality of the juice packed in the three cans, mainly in the cans stored at 35°C, but all juices maintained acceptable quality up to the 180th day of storage. The storage test showed that the three kinds of cans presented good performance for the packaging of passion fruit juice and that the sample with powdered lacquer on the side stripe presented a worse performance than the other two systems studied, due to the smaller protection offered by the lacquer applied to the body. The study allowed for the conclusion that the three packages studied could be used in the packaging of passion fruit juice with a shelf life of up to 6 months / Mestrado / Mestre em Tecnologia de Alimentos

This master thesis deals with the analysis of fresh juice and smoothie market in the Czech Republic. The goal of this thesis is to investigate the market of both fresh bars and fresh juices and smoothies that can be bought in the store. Another goal is to determine consomer's needs on this market. For the purpose of finding out those information, a quiestionnare was compiled. The questionnaire was targeting young people age between 20 and 30 years who either live or at least spend most of their time in big cities. The results of the questionnaire then served as a starting point for further analysis. During working on this paper I was doing a regular storecheck in the 4 most visited grocery chains. For a deeper understanding of the target group, two focus groups were held. First one was targeting people that are regularly buying fresh juices and smoothies in grocery chains. Second one targeted the contrary -- people that have never bought such drinks. Reults of all research that were carried out served as a starting point for further recommendation.

This diploma thesis focuses on validation of RP–HPLC method for determination of organic acids in fruit juices. The aim of this thesis was to determine suitability of the method for verification of the fruit juices authenticity based on analysis of organic acids. The theoretical part describes chemical composition of fruit and fruit juices and focuses on organic acids. It provides description of various methods of organic acids analysis with more detailed description of High Performance Liquid Chromatography and its validation. The experimental part focuses on optimalization and validation of the method. Samples of malic, citric, succinic and ascorbic acid were analysed. The optimalized method was validated and following performance parameters were determined: repeatability, linearity, limit of detection (LOD) limit of quantitation (LOQ). RP–HPLC method was applied to real samples of 100% fruit juices (apple, orange and grapefruit) and the authenticity parameters were verified.

Gastric aspirate specimens were collected from patients w~th clinically diagnosed gastric carcinoma and from non-carcinoma patients. The nitrite concentration and pH values of the aspirates were measured, the microorganisms present in selected specimens were isolated and identified, and the mutagenicity ratios of the aspirates were determined. The median nitrite concentration of the gastric aspirates from the carcinoma patients was significantly higher than that obtained for the non-carcinoma patients. A positive correlation was found between the nitrite concentration and the pH values of all the specimens tested, and a marked increase in nitrite levels at pH values above 6,0 was evident in specimens from the coloured ethnic "normal" subgroup. Gastric aspirate nitrite concentrations did not correlate with salivary values. The presence of microorganisms in gastric aspirates was shown to be pH dependent. Gastric aspirates with a pH &lt; 2,0 were sterile, below pH 4,0 only acidophilic bacteria survived, whereas above pH 4,0, numerous species, predominantly members of the oral microflora, were isolated. The mean mutagenicity ratio of the gastric aspirates from the carcinoma patients was found to be significantly higher than that found for the control group. There was a positive correlation between the mutagenicity ratios of all the gastric specimens and pH with a maximum at a pH value of approximately 6,0.

No description available.

Cinnamic acid (CA) is a naturally occurring organic acid that is found in some fruits and a number of spices. CA has antimicrobial activity against certain spoilage microorganisms and pathogenic bacteria. However, the acid is poorly soluble in water. Cyclodextrin molecules have a hydrophobic cavity that allows them to serve as a host for insoluble molecules in aqueous matrices. This study was conducted to determine if the aqueous solubility of cinnamic acid could be improved via complexation with α- or β-cyclodextrins, and if these complexes could be used to control bacterial pathogens in juices. Based upon phase solubility analysis, α-cyclodextrin was chosen as the host molecule for the remainder of this study. In complex with α-cyclodextrin, the solubility of cinnamic acid increased from approximately 400 mg/L to 3800 mg/L. Prepared cinnamic acid complexed with α-cyclodextrin was aseptically added (400 mg/L and 1000 mg/L) to orange juice inoculated with a Salmonella enterica (7 log CFU/mL) and apple cider inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 (7 log CFU/mL). Cider and orange juice samples were extracted on day 0 and at 24 h intervals for seven days and spread plated onto Tryptic Soy Agar. Cinnamic acid was effective for reducing populations of both bacterial pathogens in juice. Populations of E. coli O157:H7 in the apple cider were significantly reduced after 7 days at 25.6 ± 0.42°C at concentrations of 400 mg/L (5-log CFU/mL reduction) and 1000 mg/L (6-log CFU/mL reduction) cyclodextrin-cinnamic acid. S. enterica counts were also reduced in orange juice at 4° C treated with 400 mg/L (2.7-log CFU/mL reduction) and 1000 mg/L (3.2-log CFU/mL reduction) complexed cinnamic acid. The much improved solubility of this compound provides food processors with greater flexibility in using cinnamic acid in their product formulations. / Master of Science

MSCFST / Department of Food Science and Technology / Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice is rich in phytochemicals that possess antioxidant properties which are known to have a positive contribution to human health. Colour, pH, total soluble solids, lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, total polyphenolic content and antioxidants activity are quality properties that characterise watermelon juice. However, these quality properties undergo some chemical changes throughout the stages of maturity of the fruit as well as during thermal processing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of maturity and filtration on the physicochemical properties (colour, pH, total soluble solids) and the phytochemicals (lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, total polyphenolic content and antioxidants activity) of fresh watermelon juice. It further investigated thermosonication effects on these quality properties using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM considering temperature (25 – 52ºC), time (2 – 10 min) and amplitude level (24.1 – 60 μm) at a constant frequency of 20 kHz were the independent variables while colour variables (L*, a* and b*, C* and h*), pH, total soluble solids, lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, total polyphenolic content and antioxidants activity were the dependent variables. Results showed that colour, pH, total soluble solids, lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, total polyphenolic content and antioxidants activity of watermelon fruit juice are maturity dependent. All the physicochemical and phytochemical properties increased with maturity. The combination of the CIELAB parameters (L*, a*, b*) was clearly explained by the Chroma (C*) and hue (hº). The (C*) and hº values of the watermelon fruit juice were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the stages of maturity. The red colour was observed to be more saturated in the fully - ripe sample as indicated by the highest Chroma (7.35) values. The half - ripe sample which was observed to be pink - red had a C* of 5.88 while the lowest (4.32) value was observed from the unripe sample. The highest hº value was obtained from unripe sample (83.89), while lower value was observed from the fully - ripe (76.03) sample because of the saturation of the red colour in the fully - ripe sample. The total soluble solids also increased with stages of maturity 6.66 to 6.60 at half - ripe while at fully - ripe redness changed from 9.3 to 8.99 and TSS 8.37 to 8.02. Filtration has shown a significant (p < 0.05) on the C* and hº values. There was a higher retention of all dependent variables at lower thermosonication treatment (25ºC; 24.4 μm), especially the lycopene which increased by 127%. Model predictions for the colour properties and phytochemicals were closely correlated to the experimental results obtained. Prediction models were found to be significant (p < 0.05) with low standard errors and high coefficients of determination (R2). / NRF