Application challenges of Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) juices: case study Romania

The fruits of Hippophaë rhamnoides (commonly known as white Sea buckthorn) have been acknowledged since antiquity for their nutritional and therapeutic properties. The species exhibits considerable agricultural potential, and its fruits have remained a consistent component of the human diet for centuries. In recent decades, advancements in analytical techniques for assessing chemical composition have rekindled scientific interest in these fruits, particularly over the last 10 to 15 years. This paper integrates data from the scientific literature, focusing on the technological challenges encountered in the Romanian food industry related to the preservation of phytonutrient levels during processing in juices and other food applications. The study substantiates the nutritional potential of sea buckthorn fruits and advocates for a renewed scientific and industrial focus on this historically significant species, emphasizing the Romanian ecological sea buckthorn juice producers, with a focus on the technological challenges they face. It provides a comprehensive evaluation of their products by analyzing the physicochemical and nutraceutical composition, alongside a sensory assessment.