LAUSR

Abstract Besides its bioactivity, Opuntia dillenii cactus juice exhibits desirable physicochemical properties. In the present study, impact of innovative pasteurization techniques – pulsed electric fields (PEF) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) – on the microbial inactivation, selected physicochemical properties and rheological characteristics, ascorbic acid, flavonols, betacyanins, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated in comparison to the non-pasteurized fresh juice. Results showed that PEF and HHP, as well as thermal pasteurization (TP), reduced the microbial populations found in juice from 10 3 to less than 10 cfu/mL. The non-Newtonian pseudoplastic flow behaviour of juice was maintained by all three methods. PEF and HHP resulted in a better retention of ascorbic acid, while TP reduced 22% of the ascorbic acid content. In contrast, TP caused a slight transformation of isorhamnetin glycosides. PEF and HHP maintained antioxidant activity of juice comparatively better than TP.