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Berries are a source of biologically active substances in human diet. Gooseberries have attractive sensory properties and high nutritional value. However, modern science knows little about micromycetic contamination of gooseberry. The research objective was to define the mycobiota composition of Ribes uva-crispa L. varieties during storage. The study featured the mycobiota of gooseberry varieties Senator and Rozoviy 2. The berries were harvested on the test field of the Siberian Federal Scientific Center of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. They were stored for 18 days at 18 ± 2 and 4 ± 2°C and a relative humidity of 90–95%. The authors used standard research methods to identify the mycobiota and attribute them to nine genera by morphological structure: Aspergillus, Mucor, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Alternaria, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, Cryptococcus, and anaerobic yeast. The frequency of occurrence varied from 20 to 100%. Micromycetes of the genus Fusarium were present only in the Senator sample, which also demonstrated a 100% occurrence of Penicillium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium. In the sample of Rozoviy 2, Penicillium and Cladosporium occurred in 80%. The Senator sample was twice as low in micromycetes as the Rozoviy 2 berries: 558 vs. 945, respectively. The Senator berries grew in micromycetes due to the Cladosporium fungi while Rozoviy 2 owed its micromycetic increase to Penicillium. Both varieties showed no signs of ascomycetes known as a powdery mildew agent. During storage, the growth of yeast and yeast-like fungi depended on the variety of berries while the growth of mycelial fungi depended on the variety and storage temperature. The data obtained expand the scope of scientific knowledge about the generic composition of gooseberry mycobiota, which may help to select correct anti-spoilage measures.

Russian cuisine reflects the identity of its peoples. However, modern nutrition tends to level the multicultural peculiarities of Russian cuisine. This research objective was to identify the effect of packaging and storage time on the quality profile of instant turnip and rutabaga porridges. The study featured quality indicators of food concentrates. Samples of instant porridges were packaged in sachet bags and cups made of complex materials. They were stored at a 20–25°C and a relative humidity of ≤ 75% for 8 months. The sensory, physicochemical, and microbiological variables were measured using standard research methods. After 6 and 8 months of storage, the total sensory assessment for the porridge cups was higher by 1.0 and 2.0 points, respectively, than for the porridge sachets. The cups did not affect the moisture and fat content during storage. The recoverability of the cupped samples was higher by 10.9 and 14.2% after 6 and 8 months of storage, respectively. The mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microbial count for porridge cups fell by 11.0 times after 6 months of storage and by 3.2 times after 8 months of storage, compared to the sachets. The tests revealed no yeast, mold, Bacillus cereus, coliform bacteria, or pathogenic microorganisms. Shelf-life had a greater effect on quality profile of instant porridge than packaging. In this research, the recommended shelf life for instant turnip and rutabaga porridges was 6 months. The effect of other packaging types and materials on food concentrates is a promising research direction.

Cedar-pine nut kernels are tasty and nutritious, which makes them a popular raw material. This research featured the effect of mechano-acoustic treatment on the quality of a novel semi-finished product from Pinus sibirica kernels. The production technology included the following stages. A mix of kernels and water underwent mechano-acoustic treatment (100–500 W/kg) at 63–67°C for 20 min. After that, the mix was packaged, cooled, and stored in plastic jars at 2–6 and –18–22°C. The study relied on conventional and standard research methods. The resulting light-cream homogeneous mass had a characteristic aroma and taste of cedar-pine nuts. Its nutrient composition was close to the original raw material: protein – 7.4%, fat – 22.6%, sugar – 1.4%, fiber – 1.4%, ash – 1.03%. However, the quantity of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms decreased by three orders of magnitude and that of yeast decreased by six times. In addition, the semi-finished product contained no non-spore-forming Escherichia coli. A set of sensory, physico-chemical, and microbiological tests revealed the shelf life of 14 days at 2–6°C and 24 months at –18–22°C. The mechano-acoustic homogenizer made it possible to obtain a high-quality semi-finished product from Pinus sibirica nut kernels with a simple production technology, long shelf life, and great commercial potential.

Fruit puree is one of the most popular semi-finished products. Rose hips have a wide range of positive effects on the human body due to the biologically active substances they contain. The research objective was to assess the quality rosehip puree produced using a mechano-acoustic homogenizer and to define its shelf life. The study featured several samples of puree made of fresh or dried rose hips. The experiment involved two types of processing methods: traditional and mechano-acoustic. The analysis was based on standard methods. The mechano-acoustic homogenizer made it possible to combine several technological operations: grinding, homogenization, deodorization, and disinfection. The processing conditions were as follows: exposure intensity – 100–500 W/kg, time – 15–30 min, temperature – 50–65°C, disinfection time – 20–60 s, disinfection temperature – 95–97°C. Both fresh and dried rose hips puree samples produced with the help of a mechano-acoustic homogenizer had the best sensory properties, which exceeded those of the control samples by 9% for appearance, 15% for color, 21% for smell, and 30% for texture and taste. The test samples were by 10% richer in sugars, proteins, free organic acids, and minerals. They contained more biologically active substances: dietary fiber and β-carotene – by an average of 10%, phenolic substances – 20%, ascorbic acid – 40%. According to the sensory, physical, chemical, and microbiological indicators, the shelf life of rose hip puree produced using mechano-acoustic equipment was 24 months in glass packaging. The mechano-acoustic homogenizer method optimized the technological operation, and the finished product had more nutrients and better quality indicators than those of puree obtained by traditional technologies. The rose hip puree retained its quality characteristics for 24 months at ≤ 25°C and humidity ≤ 75% in glass jars in a dark place.

Introduction. Cantharellus cibarius L. is a wild mushroom that has been part of human diet for many centuries. However, there is little reliable information about its nutritional value, storage conditions, shelf life, and processing. The research objective was to study the nutritional value of C. cibarius growing in West Siberia, as well as to define its storage and processing conditions. Study objects and methods. The research featured fresh and processed (boiled and salted) wild chanterelles (C. cibarius) obtained from the forests of the Novosibirsk region. The mushrooms were tested for amino acids, fatty acids, nutrients, reducing sugars, trehalose, mannit, glycogen, fiber, mucus, squalene, ash, minerals, vitamins, trypsin inhibitor, chlorides, mesophilic and facultative anaerobes, etc. The samples also underwent sensory evaluation. Results and discussion. The samples of C. cibarius proved to have a high nutritional value. The samples contained 3.6% proteins, including essential amino acids; 3.9% carbohydrates, including sugars and dietary fiber; and 0.7% lipids, including saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated acids. In addition, C. cibarius appeared to be rich in biologically active substances. It contained trypsin inhibitors that reduce the absorption of protein compounds. Purchasing centers can be recommended to use 70–80% relative air humidity. At 0–2°C, the storage time was five days; at 5–10°C – three days; at 15–20°C – two days; at 20–30°C – one day. Before processing, the mushrooms were washed twice in non-flowing water. C. cibarius also proved to be a valuable raw material for boiled and salted semi-finished products. The optimal boiling time was 5–10 min. Lightly-, medium-, and strong-salted semi-finished mushrooms were ready for consumption after the fermentation was complete, i.e. after day 15, 10, and 3, respectively. Conclusion. Boiled and salted semi-finished products from Siberian C. cibarius demonstrated excellent sensory qualities and can become part of various popular dishes.

Introduction. Fluorescence is one of the most promising methods of food quality tests. Fluorescein disodium salt is used as a means of diagnostics in medicine and food production. In particular, fluorophore can determine the ripening stage of boneless turkey meat during brining by defining the penetration depth of the brine. Study objects and methods. The present research featured samples of brined turkey breast and thigh meat. The experiment was based on standard research methods, e.g. macro- and microscopy, statistical method, etc. It also included an original fluorescence method for determining the penetration depth of sodium chloride brine into turkey muscles. Results and discussion. The experimental brine consisted of food salt, white sugar, water, and fluorescein disodium salt, while brine without fluorophore served as control. Regardless of sodium chloride concentration, the changes in the ripening depth of the turkey breast samples were 8 times lower after 5 min, 3 times – after 12 h, and 4 times after 24 h. Complete ripening occurred after 36 h, which was confirmed by visual and fluorophore measurements. The thigh meat samples showed a smaller area of sodium chloride penetration: 8 times lower – after 5 min, 2 times – after 12 and 24 h. Complete salting was also registered after 36 h of brining. Conclusion. The fluorescence method proved quite effective in determining the ripening of boneless turkey parts meat.