INFLUENCE OF STORAGE ON POMOLOGICAL AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF HAZELNUT FRUIT.

The research aims to study the changes in pomological and sensory characteristics of hazelnuts fruits before and after NA cold storage for five months. The paper analyzes fruits of hazelnut cultivars grown in agroecological conditions of north-western Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the area of municipality Kostajnica. The fruits were collected in the period of full maturity, in the 2020 year, and the following cultivars were analyzed: Istrian Long, Istrian Round, Romische Zellernuss and Cosford. The first analysis of fruits was performed after harvest, and the second analysis was executed after the storage of fruits in the shell. Fruit characteristics, studied on both period, were fruit weight, kernel weight, fruit length, fruit width, fruit thickness, kernel length, kernel width, kernel thickness, shell thickness, fruit shape, texture, color, taste, kernel bitterness, kernel sweetness, hardness, crunchiness, presence of double fruits, blank nuts, fruit roundness index and kernel percentage. The results of the research show that there are significant differences in the values of the examined parameters before and after storage of fruit hazelnut. The biggest changes are recorded precisely on the shrinkage in the storage process and changes in the taste of stored hazelnuts. These results show the need to more investigate storage systems and optimal storage conditions for each variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]