RANCIDITY OF WALNUTS AND ALMONDS AFFECTED BY SHORT TIME HEAT TREATMENTS FOR INSECT CONTROL

Abstract

Short time heat treatments effectively control insect contamination of nuts containing substantial quantities of polyunsaturated fatty acids susceptible to oxidative rancidity. Walnut kernels contain greater concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids than almond kernels. The objectives of this research were to investigate the lipid stability of shelled walnuts and almonds as affected by short time heat treatments and accelerated storage temperatures. Heating treatments were at 55C for 2 min, 55C for 10 min, 60C for 2 min or 60C for 10 min to simulate predetermined deinfestation treatments. Untreated control and heat treated shelled walnut and almond kernels were stored at 25C for 5, 15, 30 and 60 days or 35C for 2, 5, 10 and 20 days to simulate the shelf lives of walnut and almond kernels at 4C for 2 years. Oils extracted from untreated and short time heat treated walnut kernels exhibited higher peroxide values than oils extracted from untreated and short time heat treated almond kernels under equivalent conditions. Oils extracted from untreated walnut kernels exhibited significantly (P ± 0.05) higher peroxide values than oils extracted from short time heat treated walnut kernels after 5, 15, 30, and 60 days of storage at 25C, or after 2, 5, 10, or 20 days of storage at 35C. Oils extracted from untreated almond kernels exhibited higher peroxide values than oils extracted from short time heat treated almond kernels after 5, 15, 30, or 60 days of storage at 25C, or after 2, 5, 10 or 20 days of storage at 35C. Oils extracted from untreated walnut kernels and oils extracted from short time heat treated walnut kernels exhibited higher peroxide values than oils extracted from almond kernels after storage at 25C or 35C. Short time heat treatment does not enhance development of rancidity during accelerated storage of walnut or almond kernels.