In this study, microfluidization was explored to inactivate autolytic spoilage enzymes (polyphenol oxidase, PPO, and peroxidase, POD) that significantly impact the nutritional and sensory qualities of tender coconut water (TCW). TCW was treated at three different pressure levels (70, 140, and 210 MPa) and five different number of passes/cycles (3, 5, 7, 9, and 11). The highest percentage reduction was obtained in the case of PPO (~61% in the 11th pass, at 210 MPa), while for POD, ~45% reduction was achieved in the 9th pass, at 70 MPa. The impact of different treatment conditions on the physicochemical properties of TCW, such as color, turbidity, total soluble solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity, total phenolic content (TPC), and protein content was assessed. The pH and TSS remained unaffected; whereas, turbidity showed an increase with treatment intensity from 2.59% ± 0.14% (untreated) to 8.62% ± 0.39% (30,000 psi, 11 passes), and the highest color difference was observed for this sample (ΔE = 4.61 ± 0.018). Furthermore, TPC and antioxidant activity showed minimal changes upon treatment. Overall, the findings of this research provide new insights into the application of microfluidization for the processing of thermally sensitive products such as TCW, extending their shelf life without any additives and providing a clean label solution.

In this study, microfluidization was explored to inactivate autolytic spoilage enzymes (polyphenol oxidase, PPO, and peroxidase, POD) that significantly impact the nutritional and sensory qualities of tender coconut water (TCW). TCW was treated at three different pressure levels (70, 140, and 210 MPa) and five different number of passes/cycles (3, 5, 7, 9, and 11). The highest percentage reduction was obtained in the case of PPO (~61% in the 11th pass, at 210 MPa), while for POD, ~45% reduction was achieved in the 9th pass, at 70 MPa. The impact of different treatment conditions on the physicochemical properties of TCW, such as color, turbidity, total soluble solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity, total phenolic content (TPC), and protein content was assessed. The pH and TSS remained unaffected; whereas, turbidity showed an increase with treatment intensity from 2.59% ± 0.14% (untreated) to 8.62% ± 0.39% (30,000 psi, 11 passes), and the highest color difference was observed for this sample (ΔE = 4.61 ± 0.018). Furthermore, TPC and antioxidant activity showed minimal changes upon treatment. Overall, the findings of this research provide new insights into the application of microfluidization for the processing of thermally sensitive products such as TCW, extending their shelf life without any additives and providing a clean label solution.