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Maintaining high moisture content of macadamia nuts-in-shell during storage induces brown centres in raw kernels

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Walton, D. A., Randall, B. W., Le Lagadec, M. D. and Wallace, H. M. (2013) Maintaining high moisture content of macadamia nuts-in-shell during storage induces brown centres in raw kernels. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 93 (12). pp. 2953-2958. ISSN 1097-0010

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Article Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.6123

Abstract

BACKGROUND Kernel brown centres in macadamia are a defect causing internal discolouration of kernels. This study investigates the effect on the incidence of brown centres in raw kernel after maintaining high moisture content in macadamia nuts-in-shell stored at temperatures of 30°C, 35°C, 40°C and 45°C. RESULTS Brown centres of raw kernel increased with nuts-in-shell storage time and temperature when high moisture content was maintained by sealing in polyethylene bags. Almost all kernels developed the defect when kept at high moisture content for 5 days at 45°C, and 44% developed brown centres after only 2 days of storage at high moisture content at 45°C. This contrasted with only 0.76% when stored for 2 days at 45°C but allowed to dry in open-mesh bags. At storage temperatures below 45°C, there were fewer brown centres, but there were still significant differences between those stored at high moisture content and those allowed to dry (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Maintenance of high moisture content during macadamia nuts-in-shell storage increases the incidence of brown centres in raw kernels and the defect increases with time and temperature. On-farm nuts-in-shell drying and storage practices should rapidly remove moisture to reduce losses. Ideally, nuts-in-shell should not be stored at high moisture content on-farm at temperatures over 30°C. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

Item Type:Article
Business groups:Horticulture and Forestry Science
Keywords:macadamia nuts kernels brown centres moisture content storage
Subjects:Plant culture > Tree crops
Plant culture > Harvesting, curing, storage
Live Archive:21 Aug 2014 02:22
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:49

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