Fruit growing
and viticulture of South Russia
Storage of fruits and berries production and grapes
Fruits and vegetables are a source of an indispensable complex of biologically active substances necessary to maintain human health. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, the volume of fruit harvests for the period 2014-2019 increased by more than 10%. The seasonality of fruit and berry production is determined by the storage technology of the harvested products with the expectation of its use for a long time, which is possible in the conditions of the system of preserving the quality of raw materials both fresh and processed. It is noted that losses during storage of fresh fruit and berry products (depending on the type) can be more than 30%. A valuable alternative to polyethylene packaging is the development of films from biodegradable polymers and high-molecular compounds that are suitable for human consumption. Formed directly on the surface of fresh and processed fruits, protective biodegradable coatings often more reliably prevent oxidative and microbial spoilage due to the absence of an air layer. Bio-films are the only type of biodegradable polymer packaging that does not need individual collection and special disposal conditions. The main film-forming components for obtaining edible packages are: natural polysaccharides, substances of protein, lipid nature and their combinations. The main methods of applying film-forming components: dipping, spraying, watering and applying with a brush. It is most cost-effective for agricultural production to use the spray method, due to the economical consumption of coating and reduced labor costs. Edible polymer films prevent moisture loss, control the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide and give resistance to quality changes in general. In addition, attractive to the consumer edible films makes the additional presence in their composition of healthy substances, such as vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids, all kinds of extracts, etc.
The winemaking process produces a large number of by-products (grape pomace), which contain a large number of biologically active substances. In order to preserve these substances and to slow down microbial putrefaction, grape pomace is stored dry or frozen. On this basis, the aim of the work was to study the effect of grape pomace storage methods on the polyphenol and vitamin C content. The objects of the study were grape pomace of red varieties of Cabernet and Kazachka grapes grown in the conditions of the Anapo-Taman zone. All the pomace samples were obtained after pressing, a part of which was dried at an optimum temperature of 45 ºC to preserve the structure of the grape pomace for 6 hours, and a part was frozen at minus 15 ºC, based on an analysis of the scientific literature. Analysis of the research data obtained showed that the drying and freezing processes had different effects on the change of polyphenolic substances and vitamin C contained in the pomace. The total content of polyphenols increases both during drying (10.6 % for Cabernet and 2.5 % for Kazacka) and freezing (27.7% for Cabernet and 12.7% for Kazacka). Vitamin C content decreases (dried: 26.6% for Cabernet, 37.9 % for Kazacka, frozen: 21.9 % for Cabernet, 36.6 % for Kazacka), being destroyed by temperature. Thus, freezing of grape extracts is a preferable storage method, since preservation of polyphenolic substances can increase their potential use.
The article presents the results of studying the keeping quality of varieties and breeding forms of apple trees of autumn and winter maturation periods, natural weight loss during storage in an unregulated gas environment in the conditions of the foothill zone of the Crimea. Breeders and fruit growers are faced with the task of breeding and introducing into production new varieties with high adaptability to growing and storage conditions suitable for modern intensive plantings in connection with the government's import substitution policy. Rational selection of genotypes for storage is one of the most effective ways to reduce losses during storage. The study of keeping quality was carried out in an unregulated gas environment at a temperature of +2 º C, and a relative humidity of 85-90 %. The determination of diseases during the storage period was carried out visually, according to the determinant of plant diseases. The keeping quality is genotypically determined, and different storage modes cannot change the general orientation of the fruit ripening process, but affect the intensity of its passage. It is necessary to take into account varietal (individual) reaction to a certain temperature regime when selecting the assortment of apple varieties to be laid for long-term storage. Keeping quality is due to genetic characteristics, but it is more influenced by the conditions of the growing season, the timing of removal, post-harvest processing of fruits, the stability of the storage regime. Genotypes that are able to maintain high commercial and consumer qualities of fruits are highlighted among the presented variety samples. The use of the selected genotypes as initial forms in obtaining new varieties will allow to create a new generation of adaptive varieties suitable for growing conditions in the south of Russia and increased storage potential in an unregulated gas environment.
The main task of agricultural production, in particular crop production, is to meet the needs of the population for fresh fruits and vegetables of high quality. The successful solution of this problem largely determines the standard of human life and health, which is currently of great importance. However, worldwide consumption of crop production per capita is 20-50 % lower than the minimum recommended levels despite its nutritional and functional value. The main reason for insufficient consumption is quantitative and qualitative losses in the system of production, storage and sale. According to FAO, losses of crop Production from the total food losses are up to 45 %. In this regard, along with increase in the production of agricultural products, there is a question of improving their quality it is necessary to improve not only the production, but also the storage of major types of agricultural raw materials. In this connection, it is strategically important to ensure the safety of crop products during storage and sale, which is reflected in the Concept of state policy in the field of healthy nutrition of the population of the Russian Federation, which provides for comprehensive research in improving storage and processing technologies for fruits and vegetables. On this basis, the purpose of this work is to review the available scientific and technical information on existing methods of storage of fruit and vegetable products. As a result of the analysis of scientific and technical information, we can conclude that promising directions for improving the technology of storage of agricultural products are the use of regulated gas environments, bioactive packaging and coatings, which helps to extend the shelf life with minimal losses. The proven effectiveness of the described methods of extending the shelf life of crop products suggests the relevance of developing new storage technologies using a complex of biotechnological and physical methods.
A methodology for assessing the organoleptic value of plant objects subject to cold storage has been developed. Preliminary studies revealed the degree of cryoscopic denaturation of free and bound water in frozen meat, fish raw materials, and grapes. No such work has been carried out in other fruits, vegetables and berries. This study shows the possibility of ensuring high consumer quality of vegetable raw materials during its cold storage through the use of acoustic freezing (AEF). The effect of acoustic freezing and shock freezing on the consumer quality of plant raw materials is compared. A method of organoleptic assessment of the quality of plant products stored in cryoscopic conditions has been developed. An examination of the consumer quality of plant objects (raspberries, blackberry raspberries, garden strawberries (strawberries), blueberries, zucchini, carrots and figs) was carried out on the basis of the developed methodology of organoleptic assessment. It is established that when storing plant raw materials under acoustic freezing conditions, its consumer quality remains high and can be classified as Premium and Basic. It is revealed that the storage of plant raw materials under the conditions of an innovative method of acoustic freezing, which prevents the crystallization of free and bound intracellular water, in contrast to shock freezing, allows to significantly preserve its consumer quality. The developed method of refrigerating plant objects under acoustic freezing conditions allows plant raw materials to be classified into various quality categories after defrosting.