Presence of Testa and Shell Maintains Oil Stability in Almond and Canarium Nuts

Shahla Hosseini Bai; Repson Gama; Kim Jones; Dalsie Hannet; Godfrey Hannet; Birte Komolong; Peter Brooks; Elektra Grant; Brittany Elliott; Helen M. Wallace

doi:10.3390/horticulturae9091003

Horticulturae (Sep 2023)

Presence of Testa and Shell Maintains Oil Stability in Almond and Canarium Nuts

Shahla Hosseini Bai,
Repson Gama,
Kim Jones,
Dalsie Hannet,
Godfrey Hannet,
Birte Komolong,
Peter Brooks,
Elektra Grant,
Brittany Elliott,
Helen M. Wallace

Affiliations

Shahla Hosseini Bai: Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
Repson Gama: Genecology Research Centre, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD 4558, Australia
Kim Jones: Cropwatch Independent Laboratories, Wardell, NSW 2477, Australia
Dalsie Hannet: National Agricultural Research Institute, Islands Regional Centre—Keravat, Kokopo P.O. Box 204, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea
Godfrey Hannet: National Agricultural Research Institute, Islands Regional Centre—Keravat, Kokopo P.O. Box 204, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea
Birte Komolong: National Agricultural Research Institute, Head Office, Lae P.O. Box 4415, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea
Peter Brooks: Genecology Research Centre, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD 4558, Australia
Elektra Grant: Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
Brittany Elliott: Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
Helen M. Wallace: Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9091003
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9, no. 9
p. 1003

Abstract

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(1) Background: The oil stability of tree nuts during storage can be influenced by storage conditions such as temperature, humidity, and moisture concentration. However, few studies have assessed how the presence of testa and shell affects the oil stability of tree nuts during storage. We aimed to determine how storage conditions affect oil stability in almond and canarium, in particular, the presence of testa and storage time of nut-in-shell (NIS). (2) Methods: We measured peroxide value (PV), free fatty acid (FFA) and hexanal concentrations of almond and canarium (blanched vs. kernel-in-testa) stored at 45 °C for 24 days. We also measured PV, FFA and fatty acid composition of canarium samples at days 0 and 140 stored as NIS under ambient conditions. (3) Results: The presence of testa in almond and canarium decreased hexanal and PV concentrations at day 24 of incubation. Canarium PV and FFA concentrations increased over 140 days of storage in the shell compared to day 0. However, both PV and FFA concentrations remained within the acceptable threshold during storage. No changes in fatty acid composition were found during NIS storage. (4) Conclusions: Testa and shell could act as a natural coating, slowing down oxidation rates. Hence, long-term storage on nuts in testa or nuts in shell are recommended for tree nuts.

Published in Horticulturae

ISSN: 2311-7524 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Plant culture
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/horticulturae

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