Zephyr is one of the most favorite sweets in Russia: tender and airy. So, in 2017, the share of zephyr accounted for 23.5% in the segment of sugary confectionery products in Russia, which in physical terms amounted to 251.5 thousand tons. Its popularity among consumers is facilitated by the fact that natural fruit raw materials are used in the manufacture of zephyr. The modern industrial technology of zephyr is developed on the basis of folk recipes for pastila, which was made from apples and honey as a way of preserving apples. Zephyr is a pastila type confectionery of a foamy structure, the mass fraction of fruit raw materials in which is not less than 11%, the density is not more than 0.6 g / cm3. The use of a large amount of fruit raw materials in zephyr increases the nutritional value and enriches it with macro- and micronutrients. Pectin gives additional beneficial properties to zephyr, since it is able to bind heavy metals and radionuclides. The mass fraction of pectin in zephyr is in the range from 3% to 9%, which turns zephyr into a source of dietary fiber. To preserve the unique Russian dessert, the Research Institute of the Confectionery Industry has developed a method for determining the mass fraction of fruit raw materials in pastila products based on the ratio of the mass fraction of organic acids and macronutrients, the values of which are determined using the method of capillary electrophoresis. 34 samples of zephyr presented in the retail chains of the Russian Federation were studied for compliance with the requirements of the state standard for the content of fruit raw materials. High content of fruit raw materials from 11 to 60% was confirmed for most samples.
Обеспечение длительных сроков хранения пастильных изделий с сохранением их структуры и свежести, а также без изменения вкусовых свойств является актуальной задачей для производителей. В процессе хранения такие продукты подвержены физическим трансформациям в результате дегидратации или синерезиса, увлажнению поверхности, изменению показателей пищевой ценности. Важными факторами, влияющими на образование пенообразной структуры зефира и пастилы, являются pH, ионная сила зефирной массы, соотношение макромолекул биополимеров. Управление этими показателями позволяет регулировать структуру, текстуру пастильных кондитерских изделий, что способствует увеличению их срока годности. Целью исследования является оценка влияния толщины упаковочных материалов и условий хранения на сохранность пастильных кондитерских изделий. Исследованы изготовленные образцы зефира с использованием агара (Чили). Образцы зефира упаковывали в полипропиленовую пленку толщиной 20 мкм, 30 мкм, 40 мкм, размером 140x140 мм. Хранение образцов зефира проведено в стабильных условиях при 18 °С и относительной влажности окружающего воздуха 50%. Проведены исследования влияния толщины полипропиленовой пленки на скорость процессов влагопереноса зефира. В процессе хранения зефира, изготовленного с использованием агара (Чили), упакованного в полипропиленовую пленку толщиной 40 мкм, при температуре 18 °С массовая доля влаги зефира уменьшается на 1,5 абс.% от 23,4 до 21,9%, а при температуре хранения 28 °С на 3,3 абс.% от 23,4 до 20,1%. При увеличении температуры хранения до 28 °С скорость миграции влаги увеличивается в 2,1 раза. Установлено, что скорость миграции влаги обусловлена температурой хранения образцов, толщиной использованной упаковочной пленки, а также градиентом относительной влажности между окружающей средой и атмосферой внутри упаковки зефира. Выявленные в настоящем исследовании закономерности, определяющие сохранность зефира, позволят эффективнее управлять процессами миграции влаги и, следовательно, сроком годности. Ensuring long-term storage of pastille products while maintaining their structure and freshness, as well as without changing the taste properties, is an urgent task for manufacturers. During storage, such products are subject to physical transformations as a result of dehydration or syneresis, surface moistening, changes in nutritional values. Important factors influencing the formation of the foamy structure of marshmallow and marshmallow are pH, ionic strength of the marshmallow mass, the ratio of macromolecules of biopolymers. Management of these indicators allows you to adjust the structure, texture of pastille confectionery products, which helps to increase their shelf life. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the thickness of packaging materials and storage conditions on the safety of pastille confectionery. Marshmallow samples were studied using agar (Chile). Marshmallow samples were packed in a polypropylene film 20 µm, 30 µm, 40 µm thick, 140x140 mm in size. Storage of marshmallow samples was carried out under stable conditions at 18 °C and a relative humidity of 50%. The study of the influence of the thickness of the polypropylene film on the rate of moisture transfer of marshmallow was carried out. During the storage of marshmallow, made using agar (Chile), packed in a polypropylene film with a thickness of 40 microns, at a temperature of 18 °C, the mass fraction of marshmallow moisture decreases by 1.5 abs.% from 23.4 to 21.9%, and at a storage temperature of 28 °C by 3.3 abs.% from 23.4 to 20.1%. With an increase in storage temperature to 28 °C, the rate of moisture migration increases by 2.1 times. It has been established that the rate of moisture migration is determined by the storage temperature of the samples, the thickness of the packaging film used, as well as the relative humidity gradient between the environment and the atmosphere inside the marshmallow packaging. The regularities identified in this study, which determine the safety of marshmallows, will make it possible to more effectively manage the processes of moisture migration and, consequently, the shelf life.