Philippine E-Journals

ACCEPTABILITY OF OREGANO AND LEMON GRASS READY TO DRINK TEA

Carla Denise M. Bautista | Clarenz Anne DM Cantillon | Nolan Joseph B. De Los Santos

 

Abstract:

Ready to drink (RTD) herbal tea beverage has gained popularity and conquered tea markets due to increased awareness of health benefits from polyphenols. Oregano and lemongrass could be considered as a potential functional food ingredient due to its health benefits. Thus, this study aims to utilize oregano and lemongrass into RTD tea and to determine its acceptability. The most acceptable formulation of the product was tested for: physico-chemical properties (brix, vitamin C, pH) and proximate properties (moisture, fat, ash, protein and carbohydrate) and microbiological tests using official methods. Results of proximate analyses showed that Oregano-lemongrass RTD contain 94.6% moisture, 5.4% carbohydrates, 0.02% ash, 5.09 pH, 9.8 brix and 0.01 vitamin C in mg/100mL. The microbial analysis results complied with the microbial standards of FDA in 2013 for Herbal ready to drink products. The sample composed of 80% Oregano and 40% lemongrass extract was the most acceptable amongst the formulations.