ROSPECTS FOR THE USE OF WILD BERRY PROCESSING PRODUCTS AS FUNCTIONAL FOOD INGREDIENTS

The aim of this study is to substantiate the feasibility of processing wild berries (Viburnum opulus, Sorbus, Hippophae, Sambucus nigra) into functional food ingredients. The paper analyses the structure of powders from wild berries Viburnum opulus, Sorbus, Hippophae, Sambucus nigra, and investigates the content of micro- and macroelements in the powders; physicochemical parameters of wild berry powders (dry matter, mass fraction of moisture, dispersibility, mass fraction of reducing sugars, solubility, acidity) and dietary fibre content in Viburnum opulus, Sorbus, Hippophae, Sambucus nigra powders.  The prototypes were made from high-quality fruit and berry raw materials not damaged by diseases and pests. To make the powders, the berries were dehydrated by osmotic dehydration, then dried in infrared dryers for 2 hours at 50°C to a mass fraction of moisture of 6–8 %. The dried berries were ground in a laboratory mill LZM-1. The structure of the berry powders was studied by electron microscopy. It was found that the powders have a crystalline porous structure and, accordingly, hydrophilic properties. This makes it possible to use them in food production as structure stabilisers, emulsifiers and moisture retainers. The content of some minerals in the samples was studied using a microscope-based SEM and EDS detector. It was found that the powders contain macronutrients (K, Ca, P, Cl, S, N), essential trace elements (Mg) and the conditionally vital trace element Si, which was found in powders from viburnum and sea buckthorn. The obtained powders from wild berries Hippophae rhamnoides L., Viburnum opulus, Sambucus nigra and Sorbus aucuparia contain a significant amount of vitamin C. According to all physicochemical parameters, the samples of plant powders from viburnum, elderberry, sea buckthorn, and mountain ash berries meet the requirements of DSTU 8498:2015. These results indicate the feasibility of processing Viburnum opulus, Sorbus, Hippophae, Sambucus nigra into functional food ingredients.