SOME PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SEABUCKTHORN AND HOW THE PACKING CONDITIONS INFLUENCE THEM

Abstract

I paid attention to the way how the packaging can influence the physical properties of seabuckthorn fruits (Hippoephae rhamnoides L.) during storage. The physical properties of the seabuckthorn are important in designing the equipments, in packing, as well as in higher work efficiency and identifying of the best package, in order to decrease product loss. I have analysed the physical dimensions such as length L (mm), width W (mm), thickness T (mm), geometric mean diameter Dg (mm), sphericity Φ ( %), porosity ε (%), volume V (mm³), mass m (g), bulk density ρ_b (g/cm³), true density ρ_tr (g/cm³) before and after storage in a refrigerator for 5 days at a temperature of +4^oC. The fruits were packed in four different packages: Samples 1 Paper and plastic (paper bag in a plastic bag); sample 2 glass jar; sample 3 paper (paper bag); sample 4 plastic box. The dimensions of the sea buckthorn fruits measured by three perpendicular directions before storage had values between : for T minimum – 5.05mm, maximum 7.6 mm, for W – minimum 5.06 mm, maximum 9.87 mm, for L – minimum 6.74 mm, maximum 9.91 mm. After the 5 days of storage at a temperature of +4⁰C, the dimensions of the sea buckthorn fruits suffered different modifications that depended on the nature of the package used for each sample. A greater variation has been observed in T and W, compared to L.