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Several cases of consumer complaints to the still soft beverages – fruit drinks and ice teas were analysed. The visible impurities and slight sensory changes were observed, sediment was formed by microbial cells. The bacteria were isolated and identified as <I>Asaia</I> sp. The identification was confirmed by PCR technique. The sensitivity of bacteria to preservative agents especially to the sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and dimethyldicarbonate was evaluated in model samples and in the real conditions of the beverage. The minimal inhibitory concentrations were estimated as well as the factors affecting the sensitivity of bacteria. Besides the stabilisation of drinks the general possibilities of decay prevention were considered, the efficiency of cleaning and sanitation procedures were evaluated, including the comparison of various sanitation agents.

The variability of characteristic components of aronia (Aronia melanocarpa, black chokeberry) and to evaluate the chemical composition and quality of aronia products in order to complete the already available data and to facilitate authentication of fruit products were estimated. The mean values obtained for the set of aronia fruits were: soluble solids 19.9 °Brix, titratable acidity 9.8 g malic acid/kg, formol number 11.9 ml 0.1M NaOH/100 g, ash 6.7 g/kg, phosphorus 0.34 g/kg, potassium 2.90 g/kg, calcium 0.27 g/kg, magnesium 0.16 g/kg, sucrose 0.10 g/kg, glucose 47.1 g/kg, fructose 37.8 g/kg, sorbitol 66.1 g/kg, malic acid 9.6 g/kg, citric acid 1.0 g/kg, quinic acid 5.0 g/kg, isocitric acid 0.02 g/kg. These values can potentially be a useful tool to determine aronia content in foodstuffs or to determine adulteration of other fruit-based products with aronia. The most promising markers appeared to be the content of sorbitol, quinic acid and characteristic profile of anthocyanins measured by HPLC.

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