Agroecological approach to quality assessment of organic aromatic products

Abstract

The developed complex scientific-methodical approach to the survey of organic agricultural enterprise was presented in order to confirm the quality of aromatic products of the “Organic” class. The analysis of agrochemical soils indicators was performed for the first time, which were cultivated according to organic technology for eleven years. It was proven that long-term use of organic farming contributes to the preservation and improvement of soil fertility. An elemental biomass analysis of the apical part of lavender plants grown by organic method was carried out, from which the essential oil was then obtained. It was confirmed that the essential oil composition depends on the place of its production and on the soil characteristics on which the plants were grown. The elemental analysis of essential oil showed that there is an intensive carry-over of all major macro- and micronutrients from the soil into plants during their growth and development. In the lavender essential oil, there are more than 50 substances that determine its uniqueness. Therefore, to confirm the quality of “Organic” class products, we propose to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all components of the organic production system “soil — plant — products”. Thermal analysis, electron microscopy with detectors for energy dispersion analysis, chromatographic analysis, potentiometry, flame photometry and chemical analytical methods were used for the research. Differences in quality indicators of organic essential oil and oil obtained with the traditional farming method were revealed. The study found that the produced lavender oil is a unique quality product grown in an organic way. At present, quality management of agricultural products is possible subject to specialists' availability in the agro-industrial complex with competence in the field of chemical-toxicological and environmental analysis knowing methods to determine the quality and safety of agricultural products, including organic products.