Determination of fatty acid composition of -irradiated hazelnuts; walnuts; almonds; and pistachios
Hazelnut; walnut; almonds and pistachio nuts were treated with 1; 3; 5; and 7 kGy of gamma irradiation. Oil content; free fatty acid; peroxide value and fatty acid composition of the nuts were investigated immediately after irradiation. The data obtained from the experiments indicated that gamma irradiation did not cause any significant change in the […]
Comparative study of two extraction techniques to obtain representative aroma extracts for being analysed by gas chromatography-olfactometry: Application to roasted pistachio aroma.
This research paper presents a comparative study of two different extraction and concentration techniques to obtain representative pistachio aroma extracts: the traditional direct solvent extraction (DSE) followed by high-vacuum transfer (HVT) and the headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME). The results showed that; although both techniques provide accurate information about the aromatic composition that will be perceived […]
Pistachio nuts reduce triglycerides and body weight by comparison to refined carbohydrate snack in obese subjects on a 12-week weight loss program
OBJECTIVE: There is a widely held view that; due to high fat content; snacking on nuts will lead to weight gain; ultimately causing unhealthy changes in lipid profiles. This study is designed to study the effects of pistachio snack consumption on body weight and lipid levels in obese participants under real-world conditions. METHODS: Participants were […]
Influence of Processing on the Allergenic Properties of Pistachio Nut Assessed in Vitro
Pistachio (Pistacia vera) is a tree nut that has been reported to cause IgE-mediated allergic reactions. This study was undertaken to investigate the distinctions between different cultivars of pistachio nut and the influence of different processing on the IgE-binding capacity of whole pistachio protein extracts. The influence of different processes on allergenicity was investigated using […]
Physical; compositional and sensory differences in nuts among pistachio (Pistachia vera L.) varieties
Differences in some physical; compositional and sensory characteristics among eight varieties of pistachio nuts (Aegina; Pontikis; Bronte; Cerasola; Joley; Kerman; Mumtaz and Sirora) from different origins were studied. The evaluated varieties were cultivated under the same field conditions and the dried nuts were utilised. The percentage of split nuts ranged from 93.8% (Sirora) to 80.2% […]
First Report on Mould and Mycotoxin Contamination of Pistachios Sampled in Algeria
Mycotoxin contamination of pistachios represents a serious food safety hazard. The aim of this study was to evaluate fungal contamination and aflatoxin (AF) and ochratoxin A (OTA) occurrence in pistachio sampled in Algeria and to study the mycotoxigenic capacities of the isolates. A total of 31 pistachio samples were collected from retail outlets from different […]
Pistachios increase serum antioxidants and lower serum oxidized-LDL in hypercholesterolemic adults
Pistachios are high in lutein; beta-carotene; and gamma-tocopherol relative to other nuts; however; studies of the effects of pistachios on oxidative status are lacking. We conducted a randomized; crossover controlled-feeding study to evaluate 2 doses of pistachios on serum antioxidants and biomarkers of oxidative status in 28 hypercholesterolemic adults (LDL-cholesterol >or=2.86 mmol/L). Participants consumed 3 […]
Antioxidant activity and phenolic profile of Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.; variety Bronte) seeds and skins
Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.; Anacardiaceae) is native of aride zones of Central and West Asia and distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin. In Italy; a pistachio cultivar of high quality is typical of Bronte (Sicily); an area around the Etna volcano; where the lava land and climate allow the production of a nut with intense green […]
Pistachios Increase Serum Antioxidants and Lower Serum Oxidized-LDL in Hypercholesterolemic Adults
Pistachios are high in lutein; beta-carotene; and gamma-tocopherol relative to other nuts; however; studies of the effects of pistachios on oxidative status are lacking. We conducted a randomized; crossover controlled-feeding study to evaluate 2 doses of pistachios on serum antioxidants and biomarkers of oxidative status in 28 hypercholesterolemic adults (LDL-cholesterol >/=2.86 mmol/L). Participants consumed 3 […]
Influence of ripeness and drying process on the polyphenols and tocopherols of Pistacia vera L
This paper highlights; for the first time; the changes in the phenolics fraction (anthocyanins; flavonoids and stilbenes) and tocopherols of unpeeled Pistacia vera L. var. bianca with ripening; and the effect of the sun-drying process. The total polyphenol levels in pistachios; measured as mg of Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE); were: 201 +/- 10.1; 349 +/- […]