Effect of irradiation; active and modified atmosphere packaging; container oxygen barrier and storage conditions on the physicochemical and sensory properties of raw unpeeled almond kernels (Prunus dulcis)
BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the effect of irradiation; active and modified atmosphere packaging; and storage conditions on quality retention of raw; whole; unpeeled almonds. Almond kernels were packaged in barrier and high-barrier pouches; under N(2) or with an O(2) absorber and stored either under fluorescent lighting or in the dark at 20 °C for […]
Ursolic acid and its esters: occurrence in cranberries and other Vaccinium fruit and effects on matrix metalloproteinase activity in DU145 prostate tumor cells
BACKGROUND: Ursolic acid and its cis- and trans-3-O-p-hydroxycinnamoyl esters have been identified as constituents of American cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon); which inhibit tumor cell proliferation. Since the compounds may contribute to berry anticancer properties; their content in cranberries; selected cranberry products; and three other Vaccinium species (V. oxycoccus; V. vitis-idaea and V. angustifolium) was determined by […]
Characterisation of selected hazelnut cultivars: phenology; growing and yielding capacity; market quality and nutraceutical value
Abstract BACKGROUND: Sixteen hazelnut cultivars growing in the continental climate of Slovenia were analysed over 15 years for their phenology; growth habit; yield potential; susceptibility to hazelnut weevil and the pomological traits and phenolic content of their nuts in order to obtain a complex value of these cultivars for growers; the confectionary industry and consumers. […]
Quality changes in macadamia kernel between harvest and farm-gate.
BACKGROUND: Macadamia integrifolia; Macadamia tetraphylla and their hybrids are cultivated for their edible kernels. After harvest; nuts-in-shell are partially dried on-farm and sorted to eliminate poor-quality kernels before consignment to a processor. During these operations; kernel quality may be lost. In this study; macadamia nuts-in-shell were sampled at five points of an on-farm postharvest handling […]
Walnut (Juglans regia L.): genetic resources; chemistry; by-products
Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is the most widespread tree nut in the world. There is a great diversity of genotypes differing in forestry; productivity; physical and chemical nut traits. Some of them have been evaluated as promising and may serve as germplasm sources for breeding. The nutritional importance of the nut is related to the […]
Dropping macadamia nuts-in-shell reduces kernel roasting quality
BACKGROUND: Macadamia nuts ('nuts-in-shell') are subjected to many impacts from dropping during postharvest handling; resulting in damage to the raw kernel. The effect of dropping on roasted kernel quality is unknown. Macadamia nuts-in-shell were dropped in various combinations of moisture content; number of drops and receiving surface in three experiments. After dropping; samples from each […]
Chemical profiling of Portuguese Pinus pinea L. nuts
BACKGROUND: The first detailed chemical characterisation of Portuguese pine nut (Pinus pinea L.) is reported concerning proximate composition; fatty acid; mineral and vitamin contents. RESULTS: Based on the analysis of 27 different populations; pine nuts were characterised by high contents of fat (47.7 g per 100 g dry matter (DM)); protein (33.8 g per 100 […]