Students of INRTU Studied the Properties of “Irkutskaya” Mineral Water at a Master Class by BAIKALSEA Company
At INRTU, students fr om the School of High Technologies took part in a master class organized by BAIKALSEA Company. The event featured as part of the “Career Marathon at INRTU” program, a university initiative for successful student employment. The project is being implemented with the support of the state program “Rosmolodezh. Grants”.
The master class was opened by the Director of Human Resources for the BAIKALSEA group of companies, Olesya Molodtsova, with a presentation about the company. Attendees learned that all production processes are environmentally friendly and carefully preserve the ecosystem of Lake Baikal.
“Irkutskaya” mineral water, which has been produced since 1968, has become a symbol of the city and the region. It is known and loved not only for its therapeutic properties but also for its pleasant taste. In 2023, a premium line in glass packaging was launched. For those who value a healthy lifestyle and choose a tasty product, “Irkutskaya” mineral water with juice and vitamin C was created. All products are certified in accordance with the requirements of the international FSSC 22 000 and ISO 22000 standards. This fulfills the mission of the BAIKALSEA group of companies – to take care of public health by delivering the purest Baikal water and preserving Lake Baikal.
Within the BAIKALSEA group of companies, several departments are responsible for production purity. For instance, the Microbiological Laboratory ensures the product's microbiological safety and the sanitary condition of the production. The Chemical-Analytical Laboratory pays special attention to the ionic composition, while the Quality Control Service is responsible for the product’s appearance (label, cap, and bottle).
The Director of the Laboratory Complex, Irina Guseva, told the students about the stages of water carbonation using a saturator. She clearly demonstrated an experiment, using a CO2 analyzer to measure the pressure and temperature of the water in the bottle. An interesting fact is that the gas in “Irkutskaya” mineral water creates specific sensations (intensity of carbonation, taste, smell, color), which are scientifically referred to as organoleptic properties.
At BAIKALSEA Company, the established level of carbonation is maintained throughout the production cycle, with quality checks every 15 minutes. It is important to note that the water is extracted from a well in the Shelekhov district (the village of Olkha) and sent to the plant, wh ere it undergoes filtration and ultraviolet treatment.
INRTU students were informed about the rich composition of minerals and trace elements in “Irkutskaya” mineral water and the benefits of its consumption:
“Mineral water is divided into different types based on mineralization, and it is best to use it as intended. Regular consumption of water with high concentrations of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) cations and anions can lead to kidney stones. In ‘Irkutskaya’ mineral water, the content of these minerals is balanced and adapted for regular consumption”.Students majoring in “Biotechnology” and “Food processing technology of vegetative raw materials” actively participated in the experiment. A student from group ТПб -23-1, Vlada Romanova, shared her impressions:
“We haven't conducted experiments like this in our university lab sessions. At first glance, it might not seem very difficult. However, the final result depended on mastering the correct experimental technique.
I enjoyed the master class. The company presentation was very impressive. I might consider BAIKALSEA Company as a potential partner for an internship”.
At the end of the event, students took part in a lottery and received memorable souvenirs.
