Abstract:
Isotonic drinks are quick and the best way to replace the energy and fluid losses of
athletes; which need to have salt and sugar concentrations similar to those in human
body fluids. The sugar substrate is principally represented by the mono or disaccharides,
and electrolytes have a key function to maintain the osmolality same as the human
blood which is important to compensate for nutrient losses in athletes. Thus, the study
targeted to formulate the coconut water based isotonic drink. 84.04% of coconut water
was used and different formulations were prepared with varying carbohydrate composition.
1.25% of both D-glucose and maltodextrins containing citrus-flavored formula
received the highest preference scores from the 30 un-trained sensory panelists and has
fortified by amino acids such as leucine: isoleucine: valine in a 2:1:1 ratio according to
literature. The osmolality, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, browning index,
and turbidity of the formulated isotonic drink were 328 mOsm/L, 3.42 ± 0.012, 0.28 ±
0.016%, 7.43 ± 0.0570, 0.06 ± 0.006 and 162.67 ± 0.577 NTU, respectively. The total
sugar content, energy value, and ascorbic acid content of the formulated isotonic drink
were 7.2 ± 0.451 g/100 mL, 25.26 ± 0.213 kcal/100 mL, and 52.86 ± 0.896 mg/100 mL;
the color was expressed as L, a* and b* values as 58.6 ± 1.496, -0.62 ± 0.016 and 4.18
± 0.427, respectively. Total phenol content and IC50 value for DPPH radical scavenging
activity were as 31.33 ± 0.40 GAE mg/ mL, and 0.91 ± 0.016 mg/mL, respectively.
Physicochemical properties such as total sugar content, sodium content, and osmolality
have complied with the international standards and the expected shelf life was 6 months.
In conclusion, isotonic drinks can be effectively formulated by using coconut water and
have proven functional and unique organoleptic properties.
