Fresh-cut herbs satisfy consumer demand owing to the convenience of buying them in food shopping malls as quickly accessible products. Food packaging has an important role in the food industry nowadays, because it helps to preserve the quality of fresh-cut food products at the production and sales sites and provides safety during storage. The aim of this research was to evaluate the quality changes of fresh-cut rosemary packed and stored in biodegradable film packaging. Rosemary has been packed in several materials – two biodegradable packaging materials, NatureFlexTM NVS INNOVIA film, Nature Works® PLA P-360 containers with hermetically pressed PLA cap and “breathable” conventional BOPP PropafilmTM P2GAF film. The samples were analysed over time at 0, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 days of storage at a temperature of +5 ±1 °C in terms of physicochemical quality: O2 and CO2 concentration, mass loss, pH, content of soluble solids (ºBrix) and tested sensory evaluation. The analysis of the obtained results showed that the cellulose based biodegradable NatureFlexTM NVS INNOVIA film was a good way to prolong the storage time of fresh-cut rosemary and ensuresensory quality and high physiochemical quality during the preservation period.

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum) is used for the production of various ready-to-eat products such as breakfast cereals, puffed grains, and extruded products. Technological processes of grain processing and the addition of different ingredients cause changes in the physical and chemical properties of the product, which give puffed grains a unique porous structure and change their nutritional value. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of coating on the physico-chemical characteristics of puffed wheat grains depending on the coating material. The study revealed that the application of coating increased dry matter and thousand-kernel weight (TKW). Water activity decreased in puffed grain without coating (BZ), and puffed grain with whey powder (MC) compared to wheat grain. The reduction in the moisture content increased the crispiness of product. Application of coating led to a decrease in the hardness of both MC and puffed wheat grain with vanillin and sugar (BV). Applying additives to the product’s surface led to a decrease in the water absorption index (WAI). The water solubility index (WSI) increased in the MC and BV samples. Samples BZ, BV and MC had higher L* (lightness) values than wheat grains because the puffing process expanded the cells, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, and caused starch gelatinisation. The a* (redness) value of wheat was greater than that of BZ, BV and MC, which may be due to the partial removal of the outer layer of wheat grains. The milled samples of BZ, BV and MC were slightly darker, having lower L* values, compared to unprocessed wheat grain.

There is an increasing demand for natural and healthy food products that play a multifunctional role in human diet. Pine cone syrup has long been known and used for its medicinal purposes. As part of the research, a syrup was developed from green pine cones, which can be used not only in cases of colds, but also in everyday life. The aim of the research was to evaluate different pine cone syrups produced by brown and white sugar and analyse their physical parameter changes during storage. Syrups were characterised by volatile compounds and their changes depending on the type of sugar used. The content of soluble solids, pH, viscosity and titratable acid during storage were analysed as well. A total of 33 volatile compounds were detected in syrup made with white sugar (SWS) and 36 in syrup with brown sugar (SBS). Of the compounds detected, sample SWS was characterised more by compounds giving a pine and resinous aroma, while sample SBS was characterised by a pine and citrus aroma. The determination of the soluble solids content of syrups, irrespective of the type of sugar chosen, using the t test analysis there is no significant differences (p>0.05). The average soluble solids of 63.2 ± 0.6 °Bx for sample SBS and 62.7 ± 0.6 °Bx for sample SWS, complies with the legislation on soluble solids content of syrups (62 °Bx). No significant difference was found between sample pH, which for both samples was 3.5. Sample SBS on average had a higher viscosity (0.102 ± 0.001 Pa·s) than sample SWS (0.09 ± 0.001 Pa·s) and it was noticed that the sample became more viscous during storage.