Biochemical composition of the fruits of Vaccinium praestans Lamb. depending on the duration of storage during freezing

In order to ensure food security of the population, the content of useful biologically active substances in the composition of fruits and berry products in fresh and processed form is actively studied. Berry plants of the genus Vaccinium are known for the content of important biologically active substances in fruits, have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties. Kamchatka bilberry (Vaccinium praestans Lamb.) is a berry shrub, the fruits of which have a high content of ascorbic acid, are rich in flavonoids, manganese, copper. Purpose of the research is determination of the content of nutrients and biologically active substances in the fruits of V. praestans during storage of frozen products. The objects of the study are V. praestans berries collected from plants of 3 selected forms from natural populations and 2 hybrid forms. A biochemical analysis of the composition of freshly picked and frozen fruits was carried out for different storage periods (90, 180, 270, 360, 450, 540 days). The content of sugars, dry matter, vitamin C and total acidity, as well as macro- (K, Ca, Mg, P) and microelements (B, Fe, I, Mn, Cu) in the fruits of the red berry were determined. The greatest loss of vitamin C (by 49.4 ... 78.0% of the original content, depending on the form) was noted on the 540th day of storage of frozen fruits. The optimal shelf life of V. praestans fruits when frozen is 270 days for maximum preservation of useful nutrients without a significant decrease in nutritional value.