Selenium and Aflatoxin levels in raw Brazil nuts from the Amazon Basin.

Whereas selenium (Se) is an important antioxidant in human metabolism to prevent cancer; aflatoxins are highly carcinogenic. Brazil nuts from Eastern and Western Amazon regions were evaluated to find any relationship between Se and aflatoxins levels. A total of 80 (in-shell and shelled) nuts samples were collected directly from different forest sites and analyzed for […]

Elemental composition and chemical characteristics of five edible nuts (almond; Brazil; pecan; macadamia and walnut) consumed in Southern Africa.

The total elemental concentrations and proximate chemical composition of five different tree nuts; almond (Prunus dulcus); Brazil (Bertholletia excelsa); pecan (Carya pecan); macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) and walnut (Juglans nigra) that are consumed in South African households were investigated. In addition; six physicochemical properties of the extracted nut oils; namely acid value; iodine value; saponification value; […]

Effect of lipid extraction methods on total dietary fiber and nonstarch polysaccharide contents of selected nuts and seeds

Three extraction methods were used to remove lipid materials from 8 edible nuts and seeds before analysis for their total dietary fiber (TDF) and nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) contents. Portions of ground materials were extracted by: n-hexane; followed by 80% methanol; n-hexane-acetic acid (95 + 5; v/v); and supercritical carbon dioxide. Defatted samples were gelatinized in […]

Fat in dietary guidelines around the world

Most countries throughout the world have developed nutrition guidelines in order to promote proper nutrition inside their borders. Although normally these guidelines include recommendations on dietary fat intake, these vary from country to country. Fat intake guidelines are usually affected by the level of affluence or poverty existing in the country and consequently sometimes these […]