Velvet antler concentrate preservation

The aim of research is to study the influence of external factors on the biosubstance from maral antlers. The impact of storage modes, as well as the method of packaging, on biological activity and accumulation of hygroscopic moisture of antlers concentrates has been studied. Three types of packaging have been tested: a vacuum bag, a PET (plastic) bag and a sealed container made of dark glass. Samples of the biosubstance were subjected to various storage conditions: 1) in a refrigerator at t = 5 ºС; 2) at room temperature in a dark place; 3) at room temperature under the sunlight. The assessment of the influence of storage conditions was carried out according to the change in the total biological value and tonic effect within 6 months, as well as the accumulation of hygroscopic moisture. It was found that the minimum accumulation of moisture in the concentrate is observed when using glass containers and ranges from 0.11 to 0.2 %, depending on the storage conditions. The best preservation of the biological activity of a biosubstance is observed when it is stored in a refrigerator at t = 5 ºС. The decrease in the total biological value (TBV) ranged from 6 to 31 %, and the tonic effect – from 7.3 to 41.8 %, depending on the packaging used. Among the packaging methods, the best protection against environmental factors is provided by sealed containers made of dark glass. After 6 months of storage of the concentrate in a refrigerator and glass containers, the value of the OBC was 94 %, and the tonic effect was 92.7 % of the initial value. The PET bag possesses the minimum preservation indicators for OCP; when stored indoors and in the light, the preservation of OCP was only 25 %, which is 2.5 times lower than when using glass containers under the same conditions. Temperature 5 °С and lack of sunlight are the optimal storage mode for biosubstances from maral antlers. Under these conditions, the maximum values of the OBC and the tonic effect are observed in the experimental biosubstances – 94 and 92.7 %, respectively, and the minimum moisture accumulation does not exceed 1.69 %.