Protecting soymilk flavor and nutrients from photodegradation

Five different packaging treatments were studied over a 36-day period to determine if they protected soymilk from photo-oxidation. Soymilk was packaged in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles with and without light protective additives (LPA). Two controls [(1) no LPA (translucent appearance); (2) a light-protected control (foil overwrap over no LPA control)] and three LPA-containing treatments, Low (0.6% TiO(2)), Medium (1.3% TiO(2)), High (4.3% TiO(2)) were studied. Bottles were stored in a lighted refrigerated display case (average light intensity between 800 to 2200 lux; 3°C) for 36 days and evaluated weekly. Soymilk packaged in high LPA bottles was protected from developing light-oxidized off-flavors and odors for a minimum of 15 days. High LPA bottles provided protection for riboflavin and controlled development of photooxidative products for approximately 29 days.