Quality profiling of Indian walnut (Juglans regia) from Kashmir valley

Abstract

The aim of this study was to know the nutritional composition of walnuts grown in Kashmir valley of north western Himalayan region for their commercial exploit at farm and consumer level. Samples were collected from earmarked trees growing in major walnut producing areas of Kashmir valley. The research work was conducted during 2002-18 at ICAR-CITH, Srinagar. The observations were assessed in 11 walnut (Juglans regia L.) genotypes (BHU-01, ZC- 05, NU-03, SPS-02, BPP-05, MPU-04, NU-05, CSB-02, DU-07, NU-02 and BPP-07). Mineral content: zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), aluminium (Al), cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), and iron (Fe), were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Fat content was determined by standard Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods. Nut and kernel exterior quality traits were recorded as per the IBPGR descriptor. Results revealed that micro-mineral nutrient contents expressed in mg/100 g dry weight ranged between 147.39-68.07 (Mg), 19.71-74.16 (Mo), 7.32-15.57 (Mn), 2.25-9.03 (Cu), 2.90-3.53 (Zn), 1.99-3.81 (Fe), 0.11-0.93 (Al), 0.007-0.069 (Co) and 0.00-0.006 (Se). The fats accounted for more than 60% of the walnut kernel weight and it was ranged from 53.54-74.93%. Significant variability (P<0.05) recorded for physical properties can be attributed to quality criteria of nuts and kernel in walnut.

Keywords

• Mineral nutrients
• Nut and kernel quality
• Walnut