Optimizing the formulation of the functional beverage from the co-crystalized powder of Securigera securidaca seed extract

The co-crystalized powder prepared from Securigera securidaca seed extract was used for the formulation of a functional beverage in the study. In doing so, various ratios of co-crystalized powder from the plant extract, water, citric acid, mint essential oil, honey, apple extract, and stevia were mixed together. Three beverage formulas along with the control sample were prepared and evaluated by panelists using six-point hedonic scale. The formula containing 2 g of the extract powder was introduced as the best beverage from the panelists' perspective and received an average score. The samples were stored at 4 °C for 3 months and examined for pH, acidity, brix, turbidity, vitamin C, phenolic compounds, radical scavenging capacity, total microorganism count, molds and yeasts to evaluate shelf life. The pH and acidity changes were almost constant until day 60; but pH and acidity were decreased and increased in the last month, respectively. The brix changes were slight and had a slight decrease in the last month of storage. Although turbidity changes were small, they were associated with an increase over the storage time. Moreover, the beverage could well retain the phenolic compounds and the radical scavenging capacity and the antioxidant activity had a little change during storage. The changes trend in vitamin C was declining and equal to 16.85 mg/ml in the last month. No mold and yeast contamination were observed in any of the treatments according to ISO 21527 and mesophilic aerobic bacterial counts were in the range based on the ISO 4833. Hence, the herbal beverages produced with 2 g of the extract powder can replace industrial beverages given their proper chemical and microbial properties.