Quality and shelf life of tree nuts: A review

Tsvakai Gama; Helen M Wallace; Stephen J Trueman; Shahla Hosseini Bai

doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2018.07.036

Back

Quality and shelf life of tree nuts: A review

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Quality and shelf life of tree nuts: A review

Tsvakai Gama, Helen M Wallace, Stephen J Trueman and Shahla Hosseini Bai

Scientia Horticulturae, Vol.242, pp.116-126

2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2018.07.036

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2018.07.036View

Published Version

Abstract

almond

cashew

kernel

lipid oxidation

nut oil

nut storage

nut quality

oxidative stability

rancidity

walnut

The global market for tree nuts is growing rapidly with trade in excess of $US32 billion annually. Tree nuts have a high oil content and fatty acid composition that can render them susceptible to oxidative rancidity and rapid deterioration. In spite of their global importance, there is limited information on optimal storage conditions and shelf lives of many species of tree nut. This review explores current knowledge of the major factors that influence the shelf life of tree nuts. Storage conditions greatly influence the quality and shelf life of tree nuts. Tree nut species differ in their storage requirements because of their varying oil and fatty acid compositions. In general, nuts with high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids are more stable and less susceptible to oxidative rancidity than nuts containing high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Temperatures ranging from 4 to 15 °C, kernel moisture content around 2.5%, relative humidity of about 40-60%, oxygen concentration less than 2.5%, and dark conditions are ideal storage conditions for most tree nuts. Harvesting time, cultivar and storage of nuts either as nut-in shell or as kernel also affect the quality and shelf life of nuts. There is a need for tree-nut industries to derive universal rancidity indicators for quality control. Optimised storage conditions will provide the best nutritional quality and health benefits of tree nuts for consumers.

Details

Title: Quality and shelf life of tree nuts: A review
Authors: Tsvakai Gama (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Helen M Wallace (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Stephen J Trueman (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Shahla Hosseini Bai (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Scientia Horticulturae, Vol.242, pp.116-126
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2018
DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2018.07.036
ISSN: 0304-4238
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450722902621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

556 Record Views

90 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Web Of Science research areas: Horticulture

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites