The effect of X-ray irradiation on Salmonella inactivation and sensory quality of almonds and walnuts as a function of water activity

The overall goal of this study was to develop a set of process design principles for low-energy X-ray irradiation of tree nuts . Almonds and walnuts were inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis PT30 and Salmonella Tennessee; and conditioned to four different water activities (0.23; 0.45; 0.64; and 0.84 aw). Thereafter; the inoculated/conditioned samples were irradiated to […]

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 […]

Acrylamide Formation in Almonds (Prunus dulcis): Influences of Roasting Time and Temperature; Precursors; Varietal Selection; and Storage

Acrylamide is a probable human carcinogen that is found in many roasted and baked foods. This paper describes two sensitive and reliable LC-(ESI)MS/MS methods for the analysis of (1) acrylamide and (2) common acrylamide precursors (i.e.; glucose; fructose; asparagine; and glutamine) in raw and roasted almonds. These methods were used to evaluate the impact of […]

Using almond (Prunus amygdalus L.) shell as a bio-waste resource in wood based composite

In this research; the suitability of almond shell as a bio-waste resource in wood based composite manufacturing was investigated. Particleboards containing different almond shell particle rations were made using urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin. Some chemical properties of almond shell (holocellulose; a cellulose; lignin and ash contents; alcohol-benzene solubility; 1% NaOH solubility; hot and cold water solubility); […]

Postprandial effects of almond consumption on human osteoclast precursors-an ex vivo study

Consumption of almonds has been associated with increased bone mineral density; but the direct effects of almonds on bone cells are not known. We determined whether serum obtained following the consumption of a meal containing 60 g of almonds affects human osteoclast formation; function; and gene expression in vitro. Human osteoclast precursors were cultured in […]

A review of composition studies of cultivated almonds: Macronutrients and micronutrients

Prunus dulcis; the cultivated sweet almond; has long been recognized as a source of nutrients in many traditional diets; and is increasingly promoted as a healthy snack and ingredient. This paper reviews the global research over the past 50 years that has contributed to knowledge on the composition and characterization of almond macronutrients and micronutrients; […]

Risk of salmonellosis from consumption of almonds in the North American market

Salmonellosis outbreaks from consumption of raw almonds in 2001 and 2004 led to regulations that require mandatory treatment of almonds sold in North America to give a minimum 4-log reduction of Salmonella. This study aims to: 1) assess the risk of salmonellosis associated with almond consumption in North America; with current treatments in effect; 2) […]

Influence of body mass index and serum lipids on the cholesterol-lowering effects of almonds in free-living individuals

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Short-term (4-9 weeks) human feeding trials have shown nut consumption to reduce serum total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL). We hypothesized that individual levels of BMI; LDL; TC and triglycerides modify the cholesterol-lowering effect of almonds in a 24-week almond supplementation trial in a free-living population. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed secondary […]