[Carrot juice nutritional profile].

UNLABELLED

Carrot juice is one of the main products of carrot processing and the second most popular vegetable juice after tomato. Due to the presence of a complex of various nutritive and biologically active substances (BAS) carrot juice can make a significant contribution to maintaining human healthy diet. The aim of the study was to establish the nutrient profile of carrot juice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A study of parameters of carrot juice of industrial production, characterizing its nutritional and biological value was carried out. The results of these experiments were compared with the data of BAS profiles of carrot juice from reference books and scientific publications.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The established nutrient profile includes data about content of more than 30 nutritients and BAS. The sucrose is the predominant carbohydrate in carrot juice; glucose and fructose concentrations are substantially lower. Among organic acids predominates L-malic acid whereas content of citric acid is usually 5-10 fold lower than that of L-malic acid. The total acidity of carrot juice is low, on average 0.25 mg of organic acids is present in 100 cm of juice. Carrot juice is a relatively rich source of a number of vitamins and minerals. A serving (200-250 cm) of industrial carrot juice on average contains around 18% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) for potassium, 9% for magnesium, 8% for iron, 12% for copper and 14% for manganese. Vitamins are represented to a large extent by β-carotene and other carotenoids (more than 400% of the RDI in a serving), as well as niacin, biotin and pantothenic acid - about 7% of the RDI in a serving for each of these vitamins. The content of vitamins E and K in serving averages 17 and 10% of the RDI respectively. Not clarified carrot juice contains about 1.1 g of dietary fiber in 100 cm, including pectins - about 0.2 g/100 cm.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of this investigation the carrot juice might be considered as a substantial source of minor BAS mostly carotenoids, vitamins E and K, group B vitamins: niacin, biotin, pantothenic acid, mineral substances: potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, as well as dietary fiber.