Assessment of quality parameters for marketed soft drinks

Abstract

Soft drinks (non-alcoholic) are liquids that are consumed to hydrate the body and especially to combat the sensation of heat. Through this study we tried to analyse a series of quality indices for marketed soft drinks, considering their widespread use and consumption by all population groups. Eight well-consumed brands of soft drinks, Cola type or based on orange juice, were selected, and the analyzed indicators focused on pH, titratable acidity and content in nitrite, phosphate, chlorine and sulphite ions. Among the analyzed products, the most acidic proved to be Coca Cola (0.353 g citric acid / 100 mL), Pepsi and Freeway Orange (0.340 g citric acid / 100 mL) and the one with the lowest content in free acids, Santal Orange (0.268 g citric acid / 100 mL). Regarding the content in the analyzed ions, the highest values for nitrites were recorded at Freeway Orange (7.33 mg / L), for phosphates, at Coca Cola (187.82 mg / L), for chlorides, also at Coca Cola (0.164 g / 100 mL), and for sulphites, at Giusto Natura Orange (12 mg / 100 mL).